Chapter 16: Mountain and Sea Dumplings
Before dawn, before the fifth watch, Pear Moon rose to steam mung bean starch sheets, preparing to make mountain and sea dumplings.
She also dragged Huan Huan and Autumn Abundance out of bed, ordering them to tend the fire and simmer chicken broth, preparing the base for wonton soup.
While they were busy, a gossipy vegetable-cutting wife, seeing Pear Moon chopping mandarin fish, peeling shrimp meat, and stir-frying diced spring bamboo shoots, crossed her arms and sneered:
“In our small kitchen, the coarse maids are turning the place upside down! Without even asking in the morning, they occupy the stove to simmer chicken broth, steam snacks, and boil wontons. Has the small kitchen fallen under the control of little girls?”
This woman was a dowry maid from the Shen family, who had always curried favor with Granny He. Last night’s dishes were all prepared by her.
Last night, Granny He was dead drunk, shouting about disciplining disobedient maids. Seeing which way the wind blew, this vegetable-cutting wife wanted to step on Pear Moon a few times to gain favor with Granny He.
Making mountain and sea dumplings and bamboo shoot and fern wontons with finesse was no easy task. Pear Moon was busy to the point of being overwhelmed, unable to spare a moment to argue. Autumn Abundance, tending the fire, directly threw down her small fan, pointing at the woman’s nose and retorting:
“The morning meal is for the masters; we haven’t made any private dishes! The fish, shrimp, and fresh vegetables are from the masters’ rations. Xiao Yue reported it to Aunt Cao. First, we didn’t use your family’s ingredients; second, we didn’t burn your charcoal. What are you so anxious about? If you have spare time, finish your work and take inventory to see whose stove has shortages!”
These words struck right at the vegetable-cutting wife’s sore spot, and she immediately fell silent.
Last night, Granny He and her group had a feast, wasting quite a lot of vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat.
In the morning, Aunt Cao took one look and gave a scolding to those who had curried favor with Granny He, ordering them to make up for the shortages, otherwise there would be trouble when settling accounts at the end of the month.
Last night’s banquet was prepared by this wife, and the fish, meat, and vegetables were all recorded under her account. Granny He’s one tael of silver wasn’t enough, and everyone clamored to split the cost, but in the end, no one paid up.
This wife ended up spending money and effort for nothing, becoming a fool. Remembering this, she wilted, lacking the energy to make sarcastic remarks.
Pear Moon suppressed a smile, finished making the bamboo shoot and fern wontons and mountain and sea dumplings, packed them in a food box, and sent them to the Tranquil Study.
Over at the small kitchen, Aunt Cao was also in a bad mood, ordering everyone to prepare Madam Shen’s morning meal and send it up.
After Madam Shen finished her morning meal, she went to the Brocade Prosperity Hall of the Lady of the Ningguo Duke to pay her respects.
The Lady of the Ningguo Duke spent two hours each morning handling household affairs. The stewardesses all went to the Brocade Prosperity Hall to receive tally tokens. If any personnel transfers were needed in the various courtyards, this was also the time to report them.
When Madam Shen went to pay her respects, she intended to bring up two matters to Madam Ning: first, to send Jade Ink out of the mansion, and second, to promote Granny He to be the manager of the Tranquil Study.
The Brocade Prosperity Hall was the main courtyard of Ningguo Mansion, where the late Duke of Ningguo and his lady had resided.
The buildings were spacious and imposing, with carved corridors and painted beams exuding wealth and elegance.
The Lady of the Ningguo Duke, widowed in middle age, wore a moon-white satin gown with a pearl headband around her hair bun, appearing extremely plain and kindly.
Madam Shen paid her respects to her mother-in-law, Madam Ning, who quickly had her rise and sit beside her.
Madam Ning pitied Madam Shen for being separated from her husband and treated her like a daughter.
After exchanging a few casual words, Madam Shen tactfully brought up the matter of sending Jade Ink away.
Madam Ning quickly stopped her, holding her hand and saying gently:
“Our mansion’s rule is that maids leave at twenty. Jade Ink hasn’t reached that age yet. Sending her away without a reason would surely raise suspicions. Besides, Jade Ink is Old Madam’s person, merely assigned to serve Yuan Jun. To send her out of the mansion, we must report to Old Madam. Wouldn’t disturbing her quiet rest be troublesome?”
Yuan Jun is the Young Master’s name.
It had been several years since Shen Shi married into the Ningguo Mansion, and this was the first time her mother-in-law, Madam Ning, had overruled her.
If Madam Ning wouldn’t allow it, then insisting on reporting to the Old Madam would be useless.
Shen Shi felt a knot of frustration in her heart, and her face couldn’t hide her distress.
Seeing her like this, Madam Ning dismissed the stewardesses.
Only a few trusted confidantes remained in the room before she smiled and advised, “Don’t feel wronged. Mother is just about to take your side.”
Hearing her mother-in-law say this, Shen Shi made to stand up to receive instruction.
Madam Ning pulled her to sit beside her, patting the back of her hand in gentle persuasion:
“This morning, Yuan Jun came to pay his respects and said he had been drinking with colleagues last night and didn’t return home. I’ve already scolded him and punished him by forbidding him from going out today. When he returned to the mansion, your father-in-law and I were so overjoyed we forgot about his wretched temper. I’ve actually heard that you two haven’t yet consummated the marriage?”
This question was asked very softly. Shen Shi was so embarrassed her eyes turned red.
Seeing her distress, Madam Ning quickly comforted her again, then added, “Tonight, I will definitely make that wretched boy go to you and properly apologize.”
With her mother-in-law comforting her like this, Shen Shi couldn’t make a fuss anymore. She could only wipe her tears and remain silent.
Shen Shi still wanted to bring up the matter of Granny He, but she saw Madam Ning call a maid to bring over a plate of green bean noodle dumplings.
“You’ve come at just the right time. Yuan Jun sent me a plate of mountain and sea dumplings and also sent a bowl of bamboo shoot and fern dumplings to the Old Madam. Spring bamboo shoots, ferns, and fresh mandarin fish are all seasonal delicacies. The taste of wild spring flavors is quite good.”
The Young Master didn’t have his own kitchen or cooks. The pastries he sent as filial piety must have been made by the small kitchen in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard.
He was so distant from her, yet he made her dowry maids prepare pastries to feign filial piety.
Shen Shi had no mood to taste them, and her expression darkened. Fortunately, Madam Ning didn’t mind.
“Only Yuan Jun’s wet nurse, Granny Zhou, knows how to make these wild delicacies. I noticed Yuan Jun likes to eat them, so I had Granny Zhou teach the Main Kitchen. Today, seeing that your small kitchen in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard can make them too, Mother knows you have a thoughtful heart.”
Fresh wild vegetables were beneath her status. Shen Shi herself wouldn’t touch them, and the Phoenix Ripple Courtyard kitchen didn’t know how to make them.
Just as Shen Shi was about to refute, Madam Ning’s tone took on a more serious note:
“Mother feels for you, and I especially want you young couple to be affectionate and harmonious. I discussed with the Old Madam that having only Jade Ink in the Tranquil Study is insufficient for service, and it also makes you worry. We should send a respectable matron to manage affairs there.”
This actually aligned with her wishes. Shen Shi smiled and was about to call Granny He in from outside.
Who knew Madam Ning would lower her gaze slightly, take her hand, and continue, “The Old Madam and I couldn’t think of anyone suitable, but coincidentally, Yuan Jun sent the mountain and sea dumplings and the other dumplings, which reminded us of Granny Zhou. She is Yuan Jun’s wet nurse, kind and honest. With her there to train the maids, it will save you from worry.”
Granny Zhou was the Young Master’s wet nurse. It was only natural for her to manage affairs in the study. Moreover, she was sent by the Old Madam and Madam Ning. As a daughter-in-law, she could only obey. Shen Shi was shocked but had no room to object.
After arranging the personnel, seeing Shen Shi dazed and silent, Madam Ning kindly drew her close.
“Don’t worry about anything. Just focus wholeheartedly on taking care of Yuan Jun and bearing a child early.”
Having said this, Madam Ning signaled to a maid with her eyes.
Hong Rong, the first-rank maid of Brocade Prosperity Hall, hurriedly brought over a gold-inlaid, jewel-encrusted mother-of-pearl inlaid box.
Inside was a flawless white jade ruyi scepter, carved with the charmingly naive figures of the Two Immortals of Harmony and Union.
It was precisely the kind used for offerings in the bridal chamber and placed under the pillow on the wedding bed to pray for children.
At the sight of it, Shen Shi’s face instantly flushed like peach blossoms, her ears turning so red they seemed to drip blood.
“Mother’s instruction, Wan’er understands. From now on, I will certainly prioritize my husband.”
Receiving the jade ruyi scepter, Shen Shi felt utterly ashamed, her cheeks burning like hot coals.
She had been a daughter-in-law of the Ning family for three years, yet to this day, the marriage had not been consummated. If word got out, outsiders would not blame the man for any fault—all the blame would fall on the woman.
Such words were directed at the daughter-in-law, leaving Shen Shi speechless.
Seeing Shen Shi’s shy, girlish demeanor, Madam Ning reasoned that her son was no saint, and her heart finally settled. She embraced her daughter-in-law and teased her:
“Good child, Mother knows you’re sensible. Tonight, I’ll send Granny Zhou over to make sure that scoundrel enters your room. Don’t be timid or afraid. If he dares raise his voice at you, just slap him across the face. Even if you break his arms or legs, Mother will stand by you tomorrow!”
The maids and elderly women in the room burst into laughter, but Granny He gritted her teeth, so furious she saw stars before her eyes.