Chapter 11: Plum Blossom Soup Noodles
Even Fragrant Grass, as foolish as she was, could see that the Young Master was displeased.
Angelica Orchid quickly pulled her sister aside, not allowing her to speak further.
She herself picked up the honey-preserved plums and knelt gracefully beside the plum blossom tea table, her face beaming with a charming smile.
“These are finely preserved white plum meats marinated in honey and sugar, both fitting for the occasion and delicious. Please have a taste, Miss and Son-in-law.”
Since she was a personal attendant, Shen Shi had to show some respect, so she took one and placed it in her mouth.
When the plate was offered to the Young Master, he waved his hand and said, “I don’t eat sweets.”
Angelica Orchid was left in an awkward silence. Granny He, leaning on her cane, hurriedly chimed in to lighten the mood:
“They don’t know the Son-in-law’s preferences. These girls are sincere—seeing the Young Master drinking longan soup, they thought you liked sweets and prepared honey-preserved plum meats early on. They meant well!”
As the young couple admired the flowers, the old woman kept chattering beside them, which greatly displeased the Young Master.
Seeing her husband constantly wearing a sour expression, Shen Shi also felt somewhat annoyed.
Zhi Qing was nearly infuriated by the three of them. Noticing Shen Shi’s displeased expression, she quickly stepped in to stop Granny He and called Pear Moon over.
Pear Moon, who had been watching from afar and secretly laughing to herself, hurried over when Zhi Qing called her.
Knowing the proper etiquette, she stopped at a distance and only handed over the food box. “It’s plum blossom soup noodles.”
For this plum blossom-themed snack, Pear Moon had put in great effort.
When incorporating flowers into food, the two biggest concerns are their slight coldness and potential toxicity, and their lack of flavor.
Although plum blossoms are non-toxic, their taste is extremely mild and their texture unremarkable, far inferior to fragrant flowers like jasmine or osmanthus.
There are several ways to prepare plum blossoms, the simplest being using the petals to cook porridge, known as white plum porridge.
What Fragrant Grass had prepared was white plum porridge.
Dried plum blossom petals were soaked in water, and the flower-infused water was used to cook the porridge. Fresh plum petals were sprinkled in after the porridge was done, merely to add a hint of fragrance.
This dish was quite popular among impoverished scholars, who appreciated its literary elegance.
But no matter how it was described, white plum porridge tasted just like plain porridge.
The delicate fragrance of plum blossoms was completely overpowered by the aroma of rice, making it undetectable.
In noble households, every snack had to emphasize both appearance and flavor.
How could they possibly serve the Young Master and his wife plain porridge floating with plum blossom petals?
After much thought, Pear Moon decided to make plum blossom soup noodles.
Although no plum blossom petals were used, the noodles resembled plum blossoms in both shape and spirit, and they were visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious.
“This plum blossom soup noodles is somewhat innovative. The soup is savory, clear, and refreshing, and the plum-shaped slices carry an elegant fragrance.”
The Young Master took a sip, and his expression softened slightly.
Shen Shi took a few sips alongside him and nodded with a smile. Coming from a scholarly family, she had naturally seen this dish before.
“This is a soup recipe passed down from the imperial kitchen in earlier years. Dried plum blossoms are soaked in water and mixed into the dough, which is then pressed into plum blossom-shaped wrappers using a mold. Ultimately, it still relies on a good broth to enhance the flavor. There’s nothing particularly novel about it, but as long as my husband enjoys it, that’s what matters.”
The Young Master took a few more sips and ordered Zhi Qing to summon the person who had made the soup.
Shen Shi had already noticed Pear Moon standing in the distance and quietly told Zhi Qing, “Just call Aunt Cao over.”
This meant that Pear Moon was not allowed to speak.
Zhi Qing nodded in agreement and only brought Aunt Cao over, while Pear Moon remained standing at a distance.
The noodle slices in the plum blossom soup noodles were made from white plum blossoms and sandalwood powder mixed into the dough, while the broth was made from fresh chicken. The plum blossoms and sandalwood added a floral fragrance—neither bitter nor astringent, but elegantly subtle—while the chicken broth provided an exquisite sweetness.
Pear Moon was confident that the plum blossom soup noodles were a hundred times better than white plum porridge, both in flavor and suitability for the occasion.
If this were a test, she was certain she would win.
Aunt Cao paid her respects to the Young Master and Shen Shi, only mentioning that the plum blossom soup noodles were made by Pear Moon.
“Although Xiao Yue is only twelve years old, her skills in stewing soups and brewing tea are excellent. This morning, Madam Ning sent someone to say that a few people should be assigned to the Tranquil Study. I thought to report to you, miss, and have Xiao Yue manage the tea stove, with Huan Huan and Autumn Abundance assisting with odd jobs, taking shifts as needed.”
Upon hearing Pear Moon’s name, the Young Lord knew she was the little maid Jade Ink had mentioned and was about to nod in agreement.
Unexpectedly, Shen Shi stopped Aunt Cao, saying, “This matter should have been reported to me, Aunt Cao. You cannot make decisions on your own.”
Her words were spoken lightly, but as soon as Aunt Cao heard them, she knew trouble was brewing and lowered her head without uttering a word.
Seeing that she understood the gravity of the situation, Shen Shi then spoke softly and gently, “Mother is concerned that the study is short on attendants, which is why she wants more people assigned there. We must select diligent and honest ones to send over, not mischievous maids. I’ve heard that Xiao Yue and the others are quite playful in the kitchen—how could they be suitable for the study? And as for Jade Ink in the study, she’s just a maid in her teens—how could she take care of my husband properly?”
The Young Lord had just drunk half a cup of plum blossom soup, and his mood had finally eased a little. But upon hearing Shen Shi’s long speech, he felt utterly impatient.
“Mother mentioned it casually. If you’re not satisfied, just let it be. Aunt Cao is the head cook in the small kitchen—there’s no need to lecture her on these matters. Let her go.”
Seeing that the Young Lord was annoyed and did not object, Shen Shi pursed her lips into a smile and seized the opportunity to speak:
“Although the Tranquil Study falls under the management of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, strictly speaking, it is a separate courtyard. It is where my husband often reads and rests, so we cannot be careless in selecting attendants. Although Jade Ink is a first-rank maid, she is still just a young girl and cannot shoulder the responsibility of managing affairs. I have long thought it over—we should assign an experienced matron to serve my husband in the study and manage the maids.”
After saying this, Shen Shi raised her hand and beckoned Granny He forward, smiling at the Young Lord as she said, “Granny He has been my sewing matron since I was young, and she is the most experienced and down-to-earth person. I would like her to take charge of affairs in the Tranquil Study. As for the maids to be used there, let Granny He select the best ones, so my husband need not worry about a single thing.”
This was like a pie falling from the sky—an unexpected delight for Granny He, who was so overjoyed she could hardly contain herself.
She set down her walking stick and repeatedly kowtowed, thanking them profusely in a flurry of words, her appearance almost unbearable to watch.
Seeing that their granny had landed a good position, Angelica Orchid and Fragrant Grass were also excited.
In the future, whoever would be chosen to serve in the Tranquil Study would be entirely up to Granny He’s word—how could the two of them not be delighted?
But the Young Lord’s face had already turned pale with shock.
He had left home on the very day of his wedding and knew nothing of Shen Shi’s temperament or personality.
Although they had exchanged letters over the past three years, they only discussed household matters.
Now, seeing her today, he felt that Shen Shi did not treat him like a husband but rather guarded against him as if he were a thief.
And now she wanted to send her own matron to take charge of the study—what was this if not surveillance?
Among Shen Shi’s dowry attendants, there were also those who saw things clearly and understood the situation.
People like Zhi Qing, Granny Zhao, and Aunt Cao, upon hearing their mistress’s words, also changed their expressions.
Aunt Cao lowered her head and walked out, knowing that her mistress’s stubbornness had flared up and that it was impossible to persuade her otherwise.
Seeing the eager anticipation on the faces of Pear Moon and the other two, she frowned deeply as she passed by.
Huan Huan and Autumn Abundance still chased after her, asking for reward money, but Pear Moon felt a sudden pang of alarm.
When Granny He had been kowtowing earlier, she had sensed something was off. So, while no one was paying attention, she pretended to be tidying up the food box and moved closer to eavesdrop, clearly hearing Shen Shi’s intentions.
Over the past three years, Shen Shi had already tightened her grip on the main courtyard of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard like an iron barrel.
Now, she seemed to harbor the ambition of Emperor Taizu of Song eliminating the Southern Tang—she would not allow others to sleep peacefully beside her bed.
Her plan to send Granny He to take charge of the study was merely a pretext—what she truly intended was likely to dismiss Jade Ink.
If Jade Ink were truly sent away, she feared she would lose her last pillar of support in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard.
At this thought, Pear Moon’s heart tightened with anxiety.