Chapter 121 : Too Reckless

Ning Que’s brows furrowed in dissatisfaction. “Such arrogance! How could she possibly be the Princess of Wei?”

Madam Xue thought to herself, it’s probably the emperor’s mistake, a random marriage!

My daughter is so great, but she’s not allowed to be the legitimate wife of King Xuan.

Oh, and I think it might also be because Xue Chengdong isn’t strong enough, dragging my daughter down!

Ning Que saw that Madam Xue remained silent and assumed she was too worried to speak further.

Ning Que wanted to offer to handle this matter, but it would be too abrupt.

Fine. Let’s not say anything and handle things behind the scenes. Then, the Liu family won’t come knocking, and that will ease Madam Xue’s worries!

“Alright, alright, everyone, calm down,” Xue Qingyin said, trying to avoid directly mentioning her skill at complaining to the emperor.

After all, if she said it out loud, no one would believe her.

To soothe Madam Xue, she added, “If it doesn’t work, we have big brother to handle it.”

Madam Xue looked puzzled. “What can your big brother do?”

Xue Qingyin clicked her tongue. “Mother, you underestimate him too much. What can’t he do?”

Madam Xue replied, “Although that may be true, he’s busy studying. He probably won’t have the time to deal with this.”

Liu Xiuyuan sighed as well. “If it were anyone else, I’d have a way to deal with it. Not long ago, a noble wanted to buy a calligraphy piece to present to His Majesty on his birthday. But unfortunately, Liu Yue Rong is the Princess of Wei, His Majesty’s daughter-in-law, and her mother-in-law is Concubine Wan.”

Xue Qingyin couldn’t help but wonder: Do I really look that fragile?

Everyone is so concerned about me!

“Stop worrying, stop worrying. It’s like I’m about to die tomorrow,” Xue Qingyin interrupted. “The time is almost up… Nongxia, go bring the dishes. Let’s try the new dishes from the estate.”

Xue Qingyin clicked her tongue. “You’re trying them before the emperor does!”

No one took this seriously, as no one believed the emperor would come here for a meal.

Nevertheless, Xue Qingyin’s words effectively dispelled the worries in Madam Xue and Liu Xiuyuan’s hearts.

They turned their attention to the new dishes.

Xue Qingyin invited the two painters to dine with them as well.

Everyone greeted each other, not probing into one another’s identities, and took their seats at the various tables.

The food, served on small plates, was brought to each person’s table.

Master Lin sighed, “Why are all the dishes so unfamiliar?”

“Brother Lin is knowledgeable. If even you haven’t seen them, then none of us have,” Ning Que said.

Master Lin felt humbled, realizing that Ning Que was praising him.

Xue Qingyin smiled cheerfully, “You’ve never seen them? That’s exactly the effect I wanted!”

She then began introducing the dishes in front of her one by one.

“This is Mapo Tofu.” Of course, at this time, the Great Liang dynasty had no ships traveling to distant seas to bring back chili peppers, so this Mapo Tofu was flavored with Sichuan peppercorns, cloves, and ginger to bring out a numbing, spicy taste.

“This is Rouge Goose Breast.” In the Ming Dynasty, it was often called “Raw Goose Vinegar”, and it was not until “Dream of Red Mansions” that it was given such an elegant name.

“This is Salt and Pepper Shrimp.” The pepper used here is from the Western regions and is as expensive as gold at the time.

“This is Crispy Fish Bones.”

“This is Dongpo Pork.”

…

Xue Qingyin introduced a number of dishes in one go.

Each dish was small, just enough for one or two bites, so nothing was wasted, and the dishes looked more exquisite in their plates.

“Please, everyone, enjoy,” Xue Qingyin gestured for them to begin.

The others picked up their chopsticks, only to find a symbol engraved on them.

Master Lin realized the symbol was related to money.

In fact, those who didn’t know its meaning wouldn’t find the symbol vulgar. On the contrary, it seemed delicate and artistic.

Xue Qingyin wanted everyone who came here to subconsciously remember the symbol, so that when her business grew, the symbol would become a unique trademark.

This was what one would call a “brand name.”

After the meal ended, even Ning Que couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the dishes served at the estate.

The appearance was beautiful, and the taste was exquisite.

“There are still some desserts for after the meal,” Xue Qingyin said before ordering the fried oil cakes to be brought out.

But now, they had a new name.

Xue Qingyin pointed and said, “This is the wind-disappearing cake.”

It is said that when the emperor of the Tang Dynasty ate it for the first time, it was so fragile that it broke into pieces when the wind blew. After the emperor ate it, he sighed, “Good, good, the wind-disappearing cake!”

Xue Qingyin thought it was a brilliant name.

Master Lin heard it and sighed, “It melts in the mouth, and when you bite, it falls apart. This dish is delicious, and the name is elegant as well.”

He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. Actually, the Princess of Xuan didn’t need him to do anything to boost her reputation.

People in the capital loved to follow new trends.

Especially when everything at this estate was so exquisite, it would be even more popular.

Once the estate opened, guests would surely flock to it.

After finishing the dessert…

Xue Qingyin clapped her hands again, signaling for someone to bring tea.

“This is… tea?” Master Lin asked, puzzled.

Xue Qingyin nodded.

Master Lin hesitated, “But this hasn’t been brewed; it must be too bitter to drink. How can I even take a sip?”

Xue Qingyin urged, “Just try it first.”

Master Lin, eager to show courtesy, thought to himself that even if it were as bitter as medicine, he would drink it today!

He raised the cup and was about to drink it in one go.

“Wait, just sip it slowly, one small sip at a time,” Xue Qingyin interrupted, laughing.

It felt more like drinking medicine!

Master Lin nodded and waited for further instructions.

Meanwhile, Ning Que, ever supportive, had already taken a small sip.

He placed the cup down and said in a low voice, “Why is it not bitter? The astringent taste is also very mild. As I sip, it smoothly goes down my throat, and there’s a fragrance left on my lips… like orchid scent.”

Xue Qingyin couldn’t hide her pride: “Is it good?”

Ning Que replied, “It’s exceptional.”

When Master Lin heard this, he thought to himself, Ning Gong is a man of integrity and would never lie!

Without further delay, Master Lin quickly took a sip.

The water was slightly hot but drinkable.

The faint fragrance naturally filled his mouth.

Master Lin, who was skilled at cultivating orchids, was surprised and said, “Indeed! It has the scent of orchids!”

Master Lin quickly asked, “Did you add orchids when brewing the tea?”

Xue Qingyin gestured for someone to bring over a tea bag.

The tea bag was delicate, with the words “Souvenir” written in calligraphy by Liu Xiuyuan on the outside.

Xue Qingyin said, “You may take it with you.”

Master Lin eagerly opened the tea bag, and inside, the dry tea leaves also carried the fragrance of orchids. The scent was refreshing.

Master Lin murmured, “How was this made?”

Xue Qingyin replied, “It’s simple, but I cannot disclose the method.”

“Ah, yes, it’s a trade secret,” Master Lin agreed.

“It tastes like Mengding tea,” Ning Que said in a deep voice.

Xue Qingyin nodded, “Mr. Ning is knowledgeable. This is Mengding Ganlu tea. After adding the orchid fragrance, it’s called ‘Orchid Empress.'”

A poet once called Mengding Ganlu tea “the best tea in the world.”

People in the Daliang Dynasty also drank it, but it was rare.

Because it’s expensive!

“Mengding is far in Jiannan, and it’s always been difficult to enter Shu, so it’s hard to find this tea,” Ning Que added.

Xue Qingyin praised him, “Mr. Ning knows his goods.”

Madam Lin, hearing this, was also quite surprised. When did her daughter become so impressive? She was able to get such a rare item? And it even has the fragrance of orchids!

She couldn’t help but ask, “Is this from a tea shop?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head. “The tea shop is no longer in my hands. Did you forget, Mother?”

Madam Lin frowned, remembering it was handed over to Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qingyin added, “This was sourced by the Duke of Zhao’s mansion for me.”

Madam Lin relaxed, “They are still thinking of you.”

Xue Qingyin nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.

The Duke of Zhao’s mansion was indeed generous. Whenever she had something to ask, Steward Zhao would promptly go out of his way to help.

Master Lin sighed upon hearing this. The side Concubine of the Prince of Xuan was not any less skillful at making friends than he was!

However, Master Lin remarked, “This is such a precious item. If you give it away casually, won’t you lose out?”

Xue Qingyin, not knowing the concept of “gifts” as a way to get people to spend more money, shook her head and replied, “Master Lin, whether you believe it or not, having this item would actually make guests spend more. People in the capital will think it’s a great honor to receive this ‘souvenir.'”

Master Lin was puzzled, “Shouldn’t something rare be valuable?”

Ning Que understood and replied, “Did you forget, Lin brother? It’s hard to even enter the manor.”

Master Lin snapped to attention, “Ah yes! I almost forgot! It’s already rare to enter the manor. What’s the name of this item? Ah, ‘souvenir.’ A souvenir like this would be the best proof that someone has been here.”

He continued excitedly, “Think about it… when entertaining guests, you could casually take out a pot of tea. When they ask, you’d casually mention that it’s a gift from the manor, and only those who have visited the manor can receive it.”

“This would be a very elegant way to subtly boast, and naturally, one’s vanity would be satisfied.”

Master Lin became more animated as he spoke.

Ning Que nodded, “Exactly.”

This young lady really knew how to win people’s hearts.

Such intelligence… if only she were his daughter…

Ning Que’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly dismissed the thought, telling himself it was too reckless, far too reckless!