Chapter 15: Bamboo Shoot and Fern Wontons

Shen Shi’s words were already muddled enough, and now she spoke of promoting Angelica Orchid to chamber maid. Granny Zhao was at a loss.

Sweat beaded on her forehead in anxiety as she earnestly advised, “The son-in-law and the young lady haven’t even consummated their marriage yet. Why rush into discussing taking on chamber maids? It would be better to wait until after the marriage is consummated and the young lady is with child before considering attendants for the chamber.”

In truth, there was more she left unsaid.

Granny Zhao knew that Angelica Orchid’s character was nowhere near comparable to Jade Ink’s.

With her petty, seductive airs, the Young Master had never shown her a favorable expression. Even her beauty was of no use.

But Shen Shi was obstinate, refusing to heed Granny Zhao’s advice, instead wallowing in self-pity:

“Can’t you see, Granny, that the Young Lord intentionally snubs me? Why not give Angelica Orchid to him to preserve my reputation for virtue? That way, after dismissing Jade Ink, he won’t hold a grudge against me and resent me even more in the future.”

Without further discussion, Shen Shi immediately summoned Angelica Orchid and told her this to her face.

She also instructed her not to reveal it openly for now, but once she bore children in the future, she would be directly promoted to concubine.

Angelica Orchid was, of course, overjoyed and promptly kowtowed four times to Shen Shi.

Shen Shi rewarded her with four hairpins, two sets of clothing, and four bolts of colored silk, saying these would be her future allowances as a chamber maid.

Angelica Orchid had never been one to stay quiet. Clutching her rewards, she went out and immediately began boasting everywhere.

Second- and third-rank maids came to kowtow and congratulate her, each addressing her as “Miss.”

At that time, Granny He was setting up a feast in the kitchen to celebrate. The maids crowded around Angelica Orchid as she returned to her room to put away her things, declaring it a double celebration and insisting on going to the kitchen to drink.

Still unsatisfied, Angelica Orchid led the maids with lanterns in hand, taking a long detour through the corridors until they reached the back wall of the Tranquil Study, where she hurled indirect insults at Jade Ink.

“Day and night, shamelessly seducing my family’s son-in-law, as if you’ve already become a concubine. Turns out, after all this fuss, you haven’t even managed to become a ‘Miss.’ Sleeping with men before even being formally acknowledged—who knows how many men you’ve been with. You might fool our muddle-headed son-in-law, but I, Miss Lan, see through your tricks. Tomorrow, I’ll have you, you little harlot, dismissed!”

Angelica Orchid was exhilarated, her insults venomous.

The second- and third-rank maids following her were stunned, hurriedly pulling her toward the small kitchen, laughing and coaxing, “Miss Lan, don’t waste words on her. Let’s go find Granny He for a drink—that’s what matters.”

Those with a sense of propriety and discernment, fearing Angelica Orchid would cause trouble later, felt it best to keep their distance. They merely contributed their share of money and slipped away.

Pear Moon was in Jade Ink’s room and heard every word clearly.

She saw Jade Ink lowering her head to scoop wonton soup, her beautiful eyes holding a faint, ambiguous smile.

“Sister, don’t be angry. Their nonsense won’t be believed by Old Madam or Madam Ning.”

Sitting opposite her on the warm kang, Pear Moon was genuinely worried that Jade Ink might take the insults to heart, especially since Angelica Orchid’s words were so vicious.

The Tranquil Study courtyard was spacious, with the Young Lord occupying the five-room Main Chamber, while Jade Ink lived alone in the western side room, quite far apart. Observing coldly, Pear Moon noted that Jade Ink didn’t seem like someone serving in the chamber.

“Your bamboo shoot and fern wontons are cleverly made—not only fitting for spring but also something the Young Lord usually enjoys. The other day, when he saw me eating wontons, he recalled how, as a child when he was ill and couldn’t eat anything, his wet nurse Granny Zhou made him bamboo shoot and fern wontons and a basket of mountain-and-sea dumplings.”

The Mountain and Sea Dumplings she mentioned were also a springtime delicacy from the south. They were made with translucent wrappers of mung bean flour, filled with spring bamboo shoots, bracken, mandarin fish, and shrimp meat, shaped like little pouches, and steamed in bamboo baskets.

These ingredients—fish and shrimp—were only available in spring. They weren’t considered luxurious dishes, but rather seasonal treats, enjoyed fresh for just over ten days each year. They required genuine care to prepare well.

“If there’s still filling left with spring bamboo shoots and bracken, make more tomorrow. The Young Master hasn’t had Mountain and Sea Dumplings in quite some time.”

These ingredients were common enough, so Pear Moon quickly agreed, promising to prepare them first thing in the morning.

Over the past few days, Pear Moon had observed that the Young Master’s tastes weren’t particularly extravagant, but his palate was discerning.

Whether it was dishes or snacks, they had to suit his preferences or match the season for him to even pick up his chopsticks.

He showed little interest in the proper meals prepared in the small kitchen, but he seemed to enjoy wild delicacies like Mountain and Sea Dumplings or bamboo shoot and bracken wontons.

Thinking of this, Pear Moon couldn’t help but smile faintly.

She had brought the wontons to the Tranquil Study to sound out Jade Ink.

Seeing that Jade Ink was neither anxious nor flustered, showing no signs of worry, Pear Moon felt somewhat reassured herself.

After Jade Ink finished the wontons, Pear Moon gathered the bowls, chopsticks, and food container, preparing to leave so as not to inconvenience the Young Master if he returned.

“The Young Master won’t be back tonight. Stay a little longer. Earlier in the kitchen, I noticed you three little ones don’t have much in the way of clothes. I still have some small garments, mostly unworn. Let me pack a few for you to take back. You can make do with them.”

Among Pear Moon and the others, their best clothes were fine cotton-padded jackets with floral patterns—not a single silk jacket among them.

Watching Jade Ink open her chest and take out many garments, selecting only those suitable for them now, she packed a large bundle—no fewer than ten sets, some of patterned silk, others lined with silk.

Jade Ink’s willingness to give them clothes meant she regarded them as her own people. Pear Moon didn’t refuse but curtsied in thanks.

Jade Ink smiled and said, “You’re thoughtful; I don’t need to say much. Go back and tell Huan Huan and Autumn Abundance to focus on their duties and not be afraid of this or that. In this world, aside from crimes punished by the court, no one is going to be beheaded. We’re maids serving others—who could possibly devour us?”

Pear Moon knew Jade Ink had things under control and agreed, then left with the bundle in her arms.

On her way back, Pear Moon felt that Shen Shi acted without regard for propriety.

Trusting her own personal attendants was understandable, but suppressing her husband’s maids without clear reason and dismissing his personal maid without cause made no sense.

If Shen Shi brought this matter up with Madam Ning, Madam Ning might not comply.

Madam Ning had always indulged and doted on her daughter-in-law Shen Shi as if she were her own daughter.

But Madam Ning was, after all, the Lady of the Ningguo Duke, the mistress managing the household’s affairs.

If she allowed her daughter-in-law to act willfully and dismiss servants arbitrarily, how could rules be upheld in the future?

When Pear Moon returned to her room, she could still hear the commotion in the small kitchen—Granny He and the others were drinking themselves into a stupor.

Over the matter of giving gifts to Granny He, Autumn Abundance and Huan Huan had argued all evening.

Seeing the bundle of clothes, Autumn Abundance’s anger turned to joy. She praised Jade Ink for her thoughtfulness and no longer cared about currying favor with Granny He.

Pear Moon let the two of them pick their clothes first, then hurried off to report to Aunt Cao.

She needed to fetch mandarin fish and shrimp meat to prepare the filling in advance for tomorrow’s Mountain and Sea Dumplings.

Aunt Cao lived in the side room of the kitchen courtyard. Hearing Granny He and the others drinking and playing finger-guessing games, she was seething with anger.

Pear Moon saw her standing on the threshold, pointing at the kitchen’s back window and spitting out curses: “You’ve had your fun for one night, that’s all! Do you think the son-in-law is like our foolish young mistress, letting wicked servants bully their master? Tomorrow will bring you a fine time! Spit!”

Aunt Cao was someone who often went out, so her news was more up-to-date than those who stayed inside.

Pear Moon felt she must have learned something, which was why she dared to break openly with Granny He.