Chapter 11: Hot Pot

With the valuable gift from Xu Jun Ying, Meinang managed to regain some favor with the elderly Mrs. Xu. She seized this chance, acting playfully and attentively, much like she had with her grandparents in her previous life. She served tea and offered fruits, shared jokes, and told amusing stories, keeping Mrs. Xu entertained and laughing. However, Meinang didn’t dare to let her guard down. While her own grandparents genuinely loved her, she couldn’t be certain about Mrs. Xu’s true feelings. Without those two precious ginseng roots, it would be Bai Jing Yu and Zhuang Yu Lan in her place, not her.

As usual, Meinang first served the elderly lady her meal. She had learned from last time, asking Ning Rulan about Mrs. Xu’s preferences and habits, which made her service smooth. Bai Jing Yu, standing nearby, also moved quickly, pouring soup and setting dishes for Mrs. Xu, often beating Meinang to it. From her past life, Meinang had a vast knowledge of health and nutrition, which she used to subtly suggest combinations that would be good for Mrs. Xu. Her advice, well-structured and backed by facts, impressed Mrs. Xu, who nodded along, even setting aside some dishes and choosing others based on Meinang’s suggestions. Bai Jing Yu, noticing that some of the dishes she’d selected were being rejected, felt slightly frustrated.

Meinang also didn’t neglect the young ladies of the Xu family or Zhuang Yu Lan. Unlike Bai Jing Yu, who kept dishing out food to everyone, Meinang offered each lady a single serving, explaining with a smile how certain dishes could improve their health or complexion. The girls, interested in beauty benefits, listened eagerly.

Not pleased, Bai Jing Yu retorted, “Does the lady always eat this way? I haven’t noticed it making her particularly robust!”

Her implication was clear, a woman who was once on her deathbed dared to talk about nutrition and health benefits?

Meinang smiled. “If I had the means, this is how I’d eat! Yes, I was gravely ill recently, even stopped breathing for a time, but I recovered quickly, didn’t I? My body may look less sturdy than yours, but in terms of vitality and complexion, do I not match up? Shall we compare? Let’s play in the snow, see who can endure the cold longer?”

Bai Jing Yu fell silent. The thought of playing in the snow was dreadful, she was already uncomfortable, likely due to her monthly cycle, which had made her rush back to the Xu household.

Watching the tension, Xu Xiao Min, the youngest and liveliest of the Xu sisters, laughed and clapped. “I’d love to have a body like my sister in law’s! Dying and coming back to life sounds so strong and fun!”

Xu Xiao Wan, her older sister, nudged her subtly. Mrs. Xu intervened, “Enough talk of life and death at the table. Eat your meal, eat your meal! Meinang, Jing Yu, you both should sit down and eat as well, the food’s getting cold!”

Winter made food cool quickly, forming unappetizing chunks. None of the young ladies felt much like eating. Bai Jing Yu, especially, was barely touching her rice, just stirring it idly.

Noticing this, Meinang spoke up, “Grandmother, in such cold weather, wouldn’t a hot pot be perfect? It would be warm and flavorful, with a variety of fresh ingredients!”

Mrs. Xu looked confused. “Hot pot? What is that?”

Meinang explained, “It’s a copper pot placed over a fire, where broth is kept boiling. Different meats and vegetables are added, and it’s fresh and delicious. You can dip anything you like into the pot, and it cooks instantly. It’s fun and warm to eat together.”

Mrs. Xu frowned. “Put a copper pot on this fine sandalwood table? And have smoke everywhere? It would blacken my room! And I haven’t forgotten you ruined my grove haven’t even settled that yet! Recovering has improved you in some ways, but your ideas are quite strange!”

Meinang quickly apologized, explaining, “Don’t worry, Grandmother. The grove will be fine by spring! And hot pot isn’t smoky, it’s done with a smaller, well-crafted pot on a tiny red clay stove using charcoal. My elder brother’s teacher taught us this from the north, where it’s much colder. Families gather around, dipping chicken, duck, or lamb into the boiling broth. It’s easy, tasty, and warming.”

Intrigued by her description, Mrs. Xu’s interest was piqued. “I’ve never eaten like that, sounds delicious!”

Meinang offered to prepare one for her the next day, but Mrs. Xu looked at the cold dishes on the table. “Why not now? Tonight’s food has gotten cold and hard.”

The household staff looked worried. Mrs. Xu usually ate lightly in the evening. Meinang was about to gently steer her away from the idea when a servant entered with news that her mother and elder brother had just arrived from their hometown.

Meinang was surprised and elated, rising to inform Mrs. Xu. “Grandmother, my mother and elder brother have come all this way from Yue Zhou.”

Mrs. Xu nodded understandingly, “Yes, they’ve been away for some time. Go and greet them properly, don’t be impolite. The snow is heavy, and it must have been a hard journey. Rui Xue, bring the autumn tea Mrs. Wen sent and have it prepared for them. Also, prepare some sweet fruits. Jing Yu, ask the kitchen to prepare a good meal for them, and arrange warm bedding for their stay tonight.”

Thanking Mrs. Xu, Meinang hurried out. A cold gust hit her, and she shivered, realizing how dark it had become. Snowflakes mixed with sleet were falling heavily, making it almost impossible to see.

Wang Mama and Cui Xi worriedly offered to cover her with extra layers, but Meinang waved them off. Just then, she saw two figures coming through the snow: one was her husband, Xu Jun Ying, wrapped in a sable fur cloak, and the other was his younger half-brother, Xu Jun Xuan, who wore a lighter, moon-white cloak.

Wang Mama and Cui Xi greeted them, calling them “Lord Marquis” and “Sixth Master.” Realizing this was her husband’s younger brother, Meinang offered a formal greeting. Xu Jun Xuan, in return, looked at her with curious interest.

Xu Jun Ying noticed her standing in the cold. “Why are you out here?”

“My mother and brother have arrived,” she explained. “But the snow is fierce.”

Without a word, Xu Jun Ying handed his own heavy sable cloak to Cui Xi, directing her to put it on Meinang. He told her to walk carefully, warning her not to slip on the ice. Meinang wanted to say something to him, but just then, the servant called out to announce the arrival of “Lord Marquis and Sixth Master.”

Inside, a cheer went up, evidently, these two brothers were well-loved by the family. With Cui Xi’s help, Meinang wrapped herself in the warm cloak, smiling slightly to herself. He may not be accompanying her to meet her family, but lending her his cloak was at least a small sign of care.