Chapter 14: Dinner

After arranging her mother and brother’s affairs, Meinang felt a bit more relaxed. Glancing at the sky, she decided to prepare a lavish hot pot dinner for the Old Madam that evening. She handed Heng Ge’er to the nurse maid with instructions to watch him carefully, left Cui Si in the courtyard to help with a few things, and took Cui Xi and Cui Jian with her to the kitchen.

The kitchen’s storeroom was now well-stocked. The estate had just harvested a fresh supply, and the Bai family had returned the ingredients they borrowed. Vegetables of all kinds were available, crisp and tender, and the side courtyard was bustling with free range poultry and fish. After the recent food shortage incident, the Xu household’s managers constantly urged deliveries from the estate, even if it meant more food than needed, just to avoid any empty storerooms in the future.

Mama Cai, the kitchen steward, along with Madam Liang and several other maids, had been informed by Madam Ji from the Old Madam’s rooms that she wanted the hot pot meal Meinang had suggested. They were to assist her in selecting ingredients. Mama Cai, who had previously helped organize a barbecue feast under Meinang’s guidance, was already convinced of Meinang’s culinary skill. Her precise instructions for various unique and delicious small dishes had left the kitchen staff both surprised and impressed. Mama Cai found this “reborn” Meinang much more capable than Third Madam Ning, perhaps even on par with Madam Bai. She followed Meinang closely, detailing the kitchen’s various supplies and proudly pointing out a row of polished copper pots on the large counter.

These copper pots, made of high-quality brass and polished until they gleamed, were much larger than the kind Meinang had in mind. Unable to find anything closer to her ideal, she chose the smallest one, which was still much larger than a regular washbasin. She made a mental note to draw up some designs for custom hot pot pots in the future.

She instructed Mama Cai to steam rice, make a few snacks like pumpkin cakes, crystal dumplings, and buckwheat pancakes, and to soak and cut vermicelli noodles. Then she selected the meats and vegetables, learning that a large sheep had just been slaughtered and its bones were simmering in the pot. She checked the broth, added a few more seasonings, and had them slice the fresh mutton into thin slices. She also prepared fresh fish fillets, with the fish head and tail reserved for garnishing. Without ready-made meatballs, she instructed them to make fresh beef and pork balls by pounding the beef until nearly mashed and then shaping it into balls. She added a plump chicken, cut into small pieces, to the menu, mindful not to overdo the meats to avoid overburdening the Old Madam. Alongside the meats, she chose a variety of vegetables: cabbage, mushrooms, daylily flowers, lotus slices, coriander, lettuce, greens, potato slices, enoki mushrooms, and tofu skins. Fresh and vibrant, they made an attractive spread.

The Old Madam, a southerner with a taste for spicy food, had a daughter, Zhuang Yu Lan, who didn’t eat chilies. Since most of the household ladies avoided spicy flavors, Meinang prepared both spicy and non-spicy dipping sauces, some with coriander and scallions, and some without.

With everything ready, she checked the red clay stove outside, where the charcoal was burning bright. When a servant came to call them for dinner, Meinang nodded, waiting until Mama Cai had prepared mutton porridge for Heng Ge’er and sent it to the Qing Hua Courtyard for him to eat while still warm. Then, with her attendants carrying various dishes, she proceeded to the Jinhua Hall.

Inside Jinhua Hall, the ladies were gathered around Zhuang Yulan, chatting and laughing, even Madam Zheng Mei Yu had been invited. However, there was a subtle tension, Zhuang Yu Lan seemed more welcomed, with even Xu Xiao Rong, the legitimate daughter of the main household, surrounding her instead of speaking to Madam Zheng.

On the carved redwood table, a sturdy Bi Yue brocade cloth was laid under a sheet of leather, and a clay stove was set on top with a copper pot filled with lamb broth. The aroma quickly filled the room, and the Old Madam nodded approvingly, watching Meinang instruct the servants as they set up the beautifully arranged ingredients. Unable to help herself, she laughed, saying, “Do you think your grandmother hasn’t eaten in days? With all these dishes, even with your sisters joining, we won’t finish it all!”

“Don’t you think everything looks fresh and delicious, Grandma?” Meinang teased.

“It does indeed, everything I like,” the Old Madam replied with a smile. “I feel quite peckish, and I think I might want a taste of each!”

“That’s the idea,” Meinang replied, smiling. “Hot pot is all about sampling flavors. You’ll see, there may be leftovers of the meat, but there won’t be much left of the greens. They taste amazing cooked in this rich broth!”

The Old Madam chuckled, saying, “My, it smells wonderful. We’ve had lamb broth before, but it’s never smelled this good. Why is that?”

“I added a special ingredient,” Meinang said, grinning. “Not only does it make the broth fragrant, but it also has health benefits!”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Now, Grandma, that’s a culinary secret passed down to granddaughters, not grandsons not even Heng Ge’er will know!”

The Old Madam laughed, wagging her finger at Meinang and calling her a “clever little monkey.”

Meanwhile, Zhuang Yu Lan and Zheng Mei Yu couldn’t help but watch her, each with their own thoughts. Zhuang Yu Lan’s gaze was clear, but Zheng Mei Yu seemed bewildered, as if she couldn’t understand how Meinang had become so charming and capable all of a sudden.

As they were waiting for the broth to boil, an announcement came from outside, “The Marquis has arrived! Third Master, Fifth Master, and Sixth Master have arrived!”

The Old Madam’s face brightened with joy. “Oh, my grandsons are here! This hot pot dinner will surely be a merry one!”

The screen lifted, and Xu Jun Ying entered, leading his younger brothers. He had changed out of his official attire and wore a dark purple silk robe embroidered with a small floral pattern, a leather belt inlaid with gemstones around his waist, and sturdy leather boots. He greeted the Old Madam respectfully, appearing every bit the humble family man despite his status as a high-ranking official.

Meinang, meanwhile, noticed how Xu Jun Ying’s presence captivated a few people. Not only her but Zhuang Yu Lan also exchanged glances with him, and he smiled, making her blush and look away. Zheng Mei Yu, however, kept her gaze fixed on him, smiling flirtatiously. Meinang felt puzzled, she had heard rumors about Zheng Mei Yu’s involvement with Xu Jun Ying but wondered what Zhuang Yu Lan’s role in all this could be.

“Ah!” Meinang exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention. Xu Jun Ying finally noticed her presence and gave her an extra look.

With a gentle smile, Meinang said, “The broth is boiling over, it’s time to start the hot pot feast!”

Dressed in a close-fitting pink silk robe embroidered with lotus flowers, she gracefully ladled small bowls of hot broth for each person. Gesturing to Xu Jun Ying, she said, “Husband, please help Grandmother to the table. And everyone, come and enjoy a warm cup of lamb broth to start.”

The Old Madam laughed, tapping Xu Jun Ying’s hand. “If your wife’s creation is as good as she says, there will be a reward. But if it falls short, you’ll get scolded alongside her!”

Meinang laughed softly, adding, “Grandma, please be kind. Even if you don’t like it, just say you do, alright? It’s a lot of work for my husband to handle his duties and then come home to face scoldings.”

The Old Madam chuckled, “Fine, fine! I’ll say it’s good, alright? You little rascal!”

Xu Jun Ying, momentarily taken aback by the nickname the Old Madam used a term she hadn’t used in years watched as Meinang skillfully stirred the broth and touched the bowl to check the temperature before offering it to the Old Madam, who took a sip and nodded in satisfaction. “It’s not like any lamb broth I’ve had before delicious!”

Meinang looked around at the gathered cousins and guests, encouraging them to drink. “Everyone, it’s ready, it’s warm but not too hot.”

As they ate, the atmosphere turned lively, and even the Old Madam, who typically ate sparingly, enjoyed herself immensely.