Chapter 16: The Kitchen

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In truth, Ling Bo’s desire to assist Fu Yunrui in managing the kitchen had nothing to do with renewing old ties. It was purely because both Lady Wei and Fu Yunrui were inexperienced in overseeing the household’s inner affairs. Although Yang Lincheng’s border garrison was united, its meals were simple and rustic. Suddenly preparing a banquet in the capital would be a daunting task. No one was more skilled at handling such matters than Qinglan.

Originally, Qinglan was reluctant to overstep her bounds, but to her surprise, Fu Yunrui readily agreed and led her to the backyard. “Sister, today I’m afraid you must bear the burden. I’ve just returned to the capital, overwhelmed with endless affairs and unsure where to begin. I was just fretting over this, but fortunately, with you here, I can rest assured.”

After all, Fu Yunrui came from a noble family and had a housekeeper who accompanied her as part of her dowry. She handed Qinglan a half-prepared menu for review. For Qinglan, preparing a banquet was easier than drinking water; a mere glance was enough to prompt a smile. “These ingredients are from gifts others have given, right?”

Fu Yunrui laughed shyly. “I truly haven’t had time to prepare. These past days have been busy with guests coming and going, expressing thanks. The snacks for guests were all sent by the Zhang family to serve the Li family’s guests. We did send someone to buy from the market, but the goods were rough and unpalatable, unsuitable for entertaining.”

Qinglan simply smiled faintly without comment. Although she was a paragon among noble daughters, she was not one to be pedantic. Having lived four years on the frontier, she knew little of Fu Yunrui’s experiences and naturally didn’t blame her for any decline in household management skills.

Instead, she picked up a brush and wrote out instructions.

“Gifts in the capital usually consist of wind-dried chicken, cured duck, dried meat, and mutton jerky. Using one or two kinds to cook is acceptable, but an entire banquet of these is lacking refinement.”

“We arrived late to the capital and had no time to shop. The servants are unfamiliar with the markets, and finding a buyer is an added challenge. Furniture and clothing take precedence; food is truly neglected. These days, Madam has been ordering banquet dishes from outside. Today, I took it upon myself to entertain you; calling for a full banquet would have been quite improper,” Fu Yunrui explained with embarrassment.

While she spoke, Qinglan had already written two pages. When Fu Yunrui finished, Qinglan handed them over.

“Noble families in the capital entertain using produce from their own estates. Purchased ingredients are only a small portion, carefully selected for quality and freshness. You and Lady Wei have no estates, so alternative plans are needed. The noble families have completed their procurement, but the capital’s New Year markets are just beginning. This list shows reliable purchasing locations: Li family lane for beef and mutton, Ping’an lane for mountain products, and several fruit vendors south of the city, all reputable. Pastry shops have degenerated over the past two years due to continuous northern wars causing nut prices to rise; their products now cut corners. Families of similar status prepare their own raw materials and hire chefs to cook at home. I recommend two chefs for you. Give them this list and let them procure themselves. Pastry chefs know how to select the best ingredients, though they take kickbacks—you can consider it a tip and keep it quiet. The pastries on this list number ten, known as the ‘Ten Treasures,’ perfect for New Year hospitality. Even if you need to host a grand banquet, these suffice.” She gave Fu Yunrui another sheet. “Vegetables and fresh fruits cannot be bought; each estate produces their own and they exchange among themselves. You’ve just returned to the capital; old friends haven’t seen you in four years and would ask for produce immediately, which would be embarrassing. This list is from my family’s estate and the Moon Qiao family’s estate. The persimmons and fragrant white pears from Lady Moon Qiao’s family are excellent. The Shen family grows the most vegetables and produces exceptional tofu, as both the Grand Matriarch and Lady Shen observe vegetarian diets year-round. Our estate’s paddy fields produce rouge rice and green sticky rice, perfect for congee. Unfortunately, my aunt is gone this year, so I can no longer taste the Meng family’s honey pomelo and sand crabapple.”

As she spoke, not only Fu Yunrui but also Lady Fu listened in stunned silence. The two kitchen maids gaped open-mouthed, unable to close their jaws.

“Good heavens,” one maid exclaimed. “Miss, you have the face of a Bodhisattva and yet are so capable. No wonder they say the capital produces outstanding talents. In my forty years, I’ve never seen such a celestial figure. Today has been an eye-opener.”

The kitchen maids had evidently come from the border and were unfamiliar with etiquette. Fortunately, Qinglan’s demeanor was gentle, so no offense was taken; she merely smiled. “This is what noble daughters in the capital know.”

“Not everyone does,” Fu Yunrui quickly retorted. “Look at me—I don’t. People always said Sister was the leader of the Flower Letter Banquet, a naturally gifted top lady, who kept every account in her mind and managed a chancellor’s household with ease. We lack such skills. Even Sister Han and Sister Lu don’t match Sister Qinglan’s capability.”

Her admiration for Qinglan was genuine, unaware of the absurdity given Qinglan’s own situation—the once Flower Letter Banquet’s leading lady remained unmarried, still addressed as ‘sister’ by Fu Yunrui, a general’s wife with a child.

Qinglan was unbothered by the mention of the banquet and smiled faintly, continuing to revise the menu. “You flatter me. Moon Qiao and Lu Wenyin’s housekeepers are no less skilled; you just haven’t seen them.”

—

Ye Lingbo sent Qinglan to assist Fu Yunrui while secretly plotting something else. Though it was the Wei family’s first visit, Lingbo had plenty of informants. After a brief inquiry, she obtained news and pretended to take a walk. Indeed, in the stables, she spotted Pei Zhao’s lean horse.

“All right, you keep watch outside,” she instructed the servant Liu Ji, then, accompanied by Xiao Liu’er, approached to confirm if it was the same horse. Before they neared, an adult male voice called out, startling both.

From the roadside emerged Pei Zhao, who had somehow concealed himself without a sound. Lingbo’s heart jumped, but upon realization, she glared fiercely at him.

Xiao Liu’er, quick-witted, immediately scolded him.

“How dare you!” The personal maids of noble ladies often exhibited a proud air to protect their mistress’s dignity. She yelled, “We are honored guests of Marshal Wei! Who are you to offend the lady? Don’t you know you’re risking your life?”

Pei Zhao, a born rake and scoundrel, was adaptable and unbowed. With a pair of almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile, he even caused Xiao Liu’er to avert her gaze.

“Please forgive me, miss. I came only to feed the horse, never meant to offend you.” He spoke respectfully but smiled lightly, unhurried. “I will withdraw now and leave the stable for the lady’s rest.”

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“You!” Xiao Liu’er’s face flushed with anger, but she found no suitable retort. Since Lingbo had no proper cause—after all, a noble lady wandering into a stable could be excused as curiosity about horses—scolding someone felt unjustified.

Lingbo thus spared her from embarrassment and said, “Step back.”

Xiao Liu’er hesitated but obeyed, falling behind Lingbo.

Lingbo showed no shyness typical of a young lady confronting a stranger; instead, she calmly observed Pei Zhao. He wore a plain blue robe, and some people simply suited blue perfectly. The phrase “disheveled scholar in azure” came to mind, but Pei Zhao’s blue carried a certain graceful flair. He bore no gold or jade adornments—likely lost everything—but exuded a natural elegance due to his strikingly handsome face. It made one curious to see what he looked like in disgrace.

Lingbo now understood the helplessness the girls at the Flower Letter Banquet felt toward Azuo.

She appraised Pei Zhao; he appraised her in return. Lingbo knew she was no beauty coveted by noble sons, especially not compared to a genuine “beauty” like Pei Zhao. She remained composed.

What she asked of Pei Zhao already crossed the boundaries proper young ladies must respect; a breach was inevitable. Besides, this was the safest moment—Liu Ji was on lookout outside, Xiao Liu’er a witness inside. Even if Pei Zhao was a destitute gambler, should he dare lash out, she only needed to mention his debts and he’d be branded a scoundrel beaten half to death.

Thus, she spoke with confident hauteur: “General Pei still feeds his horse himself? I thought your horses survived on wind and dew.”

Pei Zhao immediately laughed.

A handsome man’s smile only enhances his beauty, like a gilded temple statue lit by candlelight, radiantly luminous.

“Then I suppose the money you gave me was for feeding the horse,” he said, producing a brocade pouch from his chest. “I shall return it intact.”

Lingbo was somewhat surprised but quickly regained composure.

“General Pei won again?” she astutely asked.

Gamblers win and lose; when losing, they hide from debts, when winning, they boast.

Pei Zhao smiled and replied, “Would the lady like to invest?”

“Dream on.” Xiao Liu’er seized the chance to assert authority. “Our lady has countless stable and prosperous estates begging her to invest. Would she really invest in a gambler’s luck?”

Pei Zhao was unoffended, still smiling meaningfully. “Oh, so the lady is quite formidable?”

Xiao Liu’er glanced at Lingbo, a mere fifteen years old, inexperienced in such intrigues. Pei Zhao’s words carried great danger, which she immediately sensed, her first reaction to look at Lingbo.

Lingbo, seasoned from many storms, was unafraid. What harm could Pei Zhao do? She was no spoiled rich girl from a play, who upon seeing a handsome but poor border officer, fell head over heels, forcing her parents into a large dowry for marriage.

She remained unmoved and calmly replied, “I am no such formidable figure. The Flower Letter Banquet had many talented and beautiful ladies...”

Mid-sentence, she noticed Pei Zhao’s expression of understanding and immediately lifted her head arrogantly.

“Rest assured, I’m not buying you to harm other ladies. I am no Lu Wenyin—no such lowly behavior.” She maintained her proud air and told him, “I merely feel sorry for a general who’s served the country, yet is chased by debts, so I offer some support...”

“Since the lady is so generous and respectful of talent, Pei Zhao must reciprocate. I await your orders,” Pei Zhao replied with a smile.

Lingbo was somewhat surprised but quickly masked it.

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He was indeed clever.

His wit made matters easier; many things need not be stated outright, preserving face for all. Judging by his tone, he was not a commoner; his skill in speech rivaled that of aristocrats.

He said Lingbo was respectful of talent, precisely because she treated him with deliberate pride. He said he awaited her commands, meaning he understood her intent without agreeing to be commanded.

At this point, Lingbo need not beat around the bush.

“General, you’re too polite...”

“Major General,” Pei Zhao corrected with a smile.

Azuo asked how to manipulate people into liking oneself; Lingbo couldn’t teach her but she could learn now. Pei Zhao was a master of such games—offensive words, corrections, all spoken with a smile when the mood was best, like flowers concealing thorns, lightly pricking you, then smiling so you doubt your own suspicion, dazzled by his face.

Beauty alone is not enough; to be audacious requires skill and grace. Azuo still had much to learn.

Lingbo was unmoved and coldly followed his lead: “Major General, you’re too polite. Our acquaintance is shallow; it’s improper to trouble you...”

“When shall our acquaintance deepen?” Pei Zhao asked with a smile.

This was somewhat out of bounds, and Lingbo’s face immediately grew cold.

“I see your card luck is good lately,” she said icily. “We’ll speak again when you’re short of funds. Consider this money as payment for horse feed. As the saying goes, even a blade of grass can be cut thrice—without feed, even horses grow fat poorly. Your horse is pitifully thin; take good care of him.”

She was decisive and forceful. Upon her stern face, Xiao Liu’er understood immediately and stepped between her lady and Pei Zhao, coldly saying, “Major General, please step aside. Our lady is leaving!”

Liu Ji quickly approached with a young maid. Surrounded like stars around the moon, they escorted Lingbo away. After some distance, Xiao Liu’er looked back to see Pei Zhao indeed feeding the horse, seemingly unbothered by the unexpected encounter—carefree.

“Miss, from his demeanor, he seems quite eager to cooperate. Should we accept for now?” Xiao Liu’er hesitated.

“We’ll use him, but not as a partner,” Lingbo said calmly. “He lives so leisurely; he won’t obey us. When he runs short of money, he’ll come to me.”

“But the Lu sisters bully everyone daily...” Xiao Liu’er started to complain.

Lingbo interrupted, “Liu Ji, keep tailing him to find out where he gambles. If possible, secure some IOUs or evidence. That place is within the inner courtyard; you don’t need to follow us anymore.”

“Yes,” Liu Ji replied and left.

Lingbo then turned to instruct Xiao Liu’er.

“Now more than ever, we must remain calm. The Lu sisters are troublesome, but we have time. Go find Azuo and bring her back. I sense the Meng family is restless and may raise the dowry issue again. Bring her before Lady Wei to leave a good impression. With so many young officers in the Northern Garrison, having a name to deflect the Meng family’s demands is also helpful.”