Chapter 15: Secret Recipe

While Meinang was silently grumbling, a new development took place at the table. This time, it was Xu Jun Ying, who smiled as he placed a dish of walnuts in front of Zhuang Yu Lan, saying, “Lan’er loves these. I heard from the imperial physicians that eating walnuts makes your hair shiny and dark. Just look, whose hair can compare to Lan’er’s?”

Hearing him affectionately call her “Lan’er,” Zheng Mei Yu’s face darkened, while Zhuang Yu Lan blushed and lowered her head. The other young ladies of the Xu family exchanged glances, and the outspoken Xu Xiao Min was the first to chime in, exclaiming, “So that’s it! While we all have light hair, Lan Jie somehow manages to have such rich, dark hair. Who knew she had a secret recipe and didn’t tell us!”

Xu Xiao Rong added softly, “Yes, why didn’t Lan Jie quietly share it with us?”

Zhuang Yu Lan quickly defended herself, “I didn’t know there was any secret recipe. I’ve just loved eating walnuts since I was little, and Jun Ying would often crack them for me back then…”

Xu Jun Ying added, “Don’t blame Lan’er, sisters. How could she have known? I only learned of it from the imperial physicians later on.”

Madam Xu chuckled, “What’s the fuss about? It’s just walnuts. Aren’t they always available? Eat as much as you want! If you’re that keen on them, I’ll have someone buy enough to pile them like mountains in the courtyard for you little monkeys to snack on!”

Xu Jun Ya remarked, “It seems like Rulan’s hair isn’t dark enough either. I’ll go back and tell her to eat more walnuts!”

Moved by his concern, Meinang couldn’t help but add, “Third Master, it’s not only walnuts that can darken hair. Black sesame, black rice, and black beans work too!”

Xu Xiao Wan eagerly grabbed her, saying, “Sister in law, you know about this? No wonder your hair is so dark, shiny, and smooth! Teach us how to eat these!”

Meinang picked up a sour plum, smiling as she replied, “The quality of a woman’s hair depends partly on genetics from her parents, but nourishing it afterward is essential too. Indeed, our young ladies have slightly lighter hair, but it’s not an issue it has its own charm, and some people may even prefer girls with lighter hair. But if you want darker hair, it’s simple. Just roast black sesame seeds, black rice, and black beans, grind them into powder, mix them, and stir into porridge. Eat it every day, and with time, it won’t only nourish your hair but also keep you healthy.”

Xu Xiao Wan exclaimed, “Really? That’s so easy!”

Meinang nodded, “Or you can eat He Shou Wu, but that’s medicine and tastes awful. Stick to the porridge, trust me, it works!”

Xu Xiao Min stared at her in awe, saying, “Sister in law, you sure know a lot!”

Meinang replied casually, “Once you reach my age, get married, and have a child, you’ll understand a lot too.”

As soon as she said this, she noticed Zhuang Yulan and Zheng Mei Yu reacting strangely one turned pale, while the other flushed red. Xu Jun Ying glanced over with a look of slight disapproval, and Xu Jun Ya, Xu Jun Xuan, and the other young ladies did their best to keep calm, continuing to eat fruit and sip tea. How could Meinang have known that Zhuang Yu Lan was her own age, and Zheng Mei Yu was only a few months younger, both still unmarried, while she herself was already a mother? A simple comment from her had inadvertently embarrassed them.

Madam Xu cleared her throat and asked Nanny Ji, “Is Lan’er’s medicine ready? She should drink it an hour after the meal. Bring it while it’s still hot.”

Surprised, Meinang asked, “What kind of medicine does Cousin Lan drink? Does it have dietary restrictions? She just ate lamb earlier…”

Zhuang Yu Lan shot a quick glance at Madam Xu, her pale face turning red again. The medicine indeed required avoiding certain foods, like beef, lamb, and fish, but she had completely forgotten in her eagerness to sit and eat with Xu Jun Ying!

Madam Xu sighed softly and exchanged a glance with Nanny Ji, who quickly understood: tonight, there would be no need to prepare the medicine. Eating lamb would render it useless.

Madam Xu turned to Xu Jun Ya, “How is Rulan’s health? Is she feeling any better?”

Xu Jun Ya replied, “It’s… just stomach pain, but it’s better today.” He glanced at Meinang with a smile and continued, “When I came to greet Grandmother earlier, she could already get out of bed and drink some chicken soup.”

Meinang smiled knowingly, having asked Cui Xi to carefully inquire when sending ginseng to Rulan. It turned out that Rulan suffered from severe menstrual cramps, worse than ever this time, forcing her to stay in bed. Meinang figured it was likely due to stress and the persistent cold, which had caused her to catch a chill. That afternoon, while choosing ingredients for the hot pot in the kitchen, she also picked a black-boned chicken and had it prepared for Rulan to help her recuperate.

She decided to find time to talk with Rulan, suggesting she consult a skilled physician for a proper remedy. Menstrual pain was no small matter, as it could impact her ability to bear children.

Madam Xu sighed, “What’s going on with this household? This one’s sick, that one’s unwell. Even though I’m getting old, I’m still healthier than all of you delicate ones. How am I supposed to rest easy?”

Meinang laughed, “Don’t worry, Grandmother! I’m here. Now that I’m recovered, I won’t let anything keep me down!”

Xu Jun Xuan laughed, “Sister in law sure knows how to lighten the mood.”

Madam Xu snorted, “Don’t speak too soon. Take good care of yourself. If you fall ill again, I won’t let you off I haven’t had my fill of hot pot yet!”

Meinang quickly promised, “No worries, Grandmother! I’ll make it every day if you like… Speaking of which, I noticed the kitchen storeroom is filled with vegetables, with the bottom layer starting to wilt. In this cold, dry weather, greens don’t spoil quickly, but they do wilt and can’t be eaten. What should we do? It seems wasteful!”

Madam Xu replied, “If they spoil, they spoil. The estate will send more, our family doesn’t mind a little waste.”

Meinang thought for a moment. “The cabbages are bundled, and they take time to grow. It would be such a pity to waste them! I know how to pickle vegetables, how about I teach the kitchen staff to pickle the vegetables and store them in jars buried in the snow? Next year, when greens are scarce, they’ll be ready for a refreshing treat. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

Madam Xu’s eyes lit up. “Pickled cabbage? That sounds delicious! When I was young, I had it once outside. It was tangy, spicy, and sweet unforgettable! No one here knows how to make it, but if you do, go teach the maids to make some.”

“Of course! I’ll start tomorrow.”

Madam Xu looked at Meinang approvingly. “It’s rare to find someone as attentive as you. Running a household needs someone with your frugal and careful mindset. Don’t let the family’s size fool you, expenses are vast too… Now that your mother in law is unwell and Jing Yu and Rulan’s health is also fragile, there hasn’t been anyone reliable to take charge of the household. You’ve always kept a low profile and avoided household matters, but if you’re willing, you could take up some responsibility and help relieve Grandmother’s worries.”

Meinang clenched her hands within her sleeves and met Madame Xu’s gaze resolutely. “Now that I’ve regained my health, and Heng Ge’er is well-behaved and not fussy, I’m willing to help manage the household alongside Jing Yu and Rulan, so Grandmother doesn’t have to worry!”

Madam Xu nodded slightly and looked at Xu Jun Ying. “What do you think, Ying’er? If you’re concerned about Heng’er, I won’t insist on Meinang taking on household duties.”

Xu Jun Ying gave a small smile and said, “Heng Ge’er has his nanny and maids to look after him. But how can Meinang, who knows nothing about household management, take charge? Jing Yu and Rulan’s health will recover with time, and the housekeepers are competent enough…”

Meinang looked at Xu Jun Ying, puzzled. Why didn’t he want her to help manage the household? As the eldest grandson’s wife, wasn’t she supposed to take on this role? The former Qin Meinang may have lacked courage and capability, but things were different now. She wasn’t interested in controlling the household for the sake of power, but rather to create opportunities to earn some money on the side. She needed money dreamed of it. Only with money in her hands would she feel secure!

After drinking their after dinner tea, Xu Jun Ya, worried about Ning Rulan, took his leave first, with Madam Xu bidding farewell and sending off the grandchildren and granddaughters as well. To Zhuang Yu Lan, she said, “

Have Nanny Ji bring your medicine tomorrow morning. Don’t miss a dose.”

The children all gave respectful farewells, leaving Meinang behind with a slight headache as she noted Xu Jun Ying’s mood. What she failed to realize was that the Xu family members were also slowly starting to think twice before deciding what they could confide in her.