Chapter 4: Snowflake Crisps

Pear Moon’s heart was still pounding wildly long after she had left the Main Chamber.

The Young Master had shown his displeasure to Shen Shi, the Young Mistress, and he had been looking right at her when he said it.

Angelica Orchid and Fragrant Grass, two of the most competitive and outstanding maids, now held a grudge against her as well.

She had offended both master and servants. How was she supposed to get by in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard from now on?

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid, but fear alone was useless.

Even without all this, would her life have been any easier?

She would just have to meet soldiers with generals and floods with earth.

With this thought, Pear Moon straightened her back, puffed out her chest, and strode into the kitchen courtyard.

Breakfast service had just ended and lunch preparations had yet to begin, so the head cooks and chefs had all dispersed.

Only two young maids, Huan Huan and Autumn Abundance, were left doing odd jobs.

Huan Huan had been incredibly nervous and was only relieved to see that Pear Moon hadn’t been beaten.

The small kitchen’s fire was never extinguished, and even when it wasn’t mealtime, there was always hot soup, congee, and snacks simmering.

Wrapping wontons, rolling noodles, shaping buns, and soaking rice for congee were Pear Moon’s duties, and Huan Huan was currently helping her.

Huan Huan had a good heart, but her skills were truly lacking. The noodles she rolled were unevenly thick, and her wontons turned into a soupy mess in the pot.

Forget about the masters eating it; even Autumn Abundance would complain endlessly if she had to eat it.

Pear Moon thanked her profusely and hurriedly washed her hands to take over.

Huan Huan went to tend the fire, while Autumn Abundance, shirking her duties, remained with her feet propped up, braiding a tassel.

“Autumn Abundance, there’s so much work to do. Why are you acting like a young lady?”

Huan Huan couldn’t stand her.

She was a coarse maid in the kitchen, yet she acted as if her hands were too delicate for menial labor. What a joke!

“I’m not like some people who aren’t good at their work but still try to look busy, only to make more of a mess. It’s better if I just rest.”

Autumn Abundance glanced at the poorly wrapped wontons and scoffed in disdain.

Pear Moon was working so hard she didn’t have a moment to spare, and she couldn’t be bothered with their bickering.

She hadn’t eaten since morning, and after finishing her tasks, she was so hungry her vision was starting to blur. She hurried to the steamer to get some rice.

The kitchen staff ate at irregular hours, so the steamer was always kept hot, allowing them to have a warm meal at any time.

She filled her bowl with rice and topped it with two side dishes: pickled radishes and smoked fish.

In Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, only first, second, and third-rank maids received set meal portions. The food for coarse maids was very poor.

Fortunately, the head cook wasn’t stingy, so if you were willing to cook for yourself, you could eat a little better.

Pear Moon was also skilled at making side dishes; she had prepared all of them herself.

As she was eating with her head down, a fine porcelain saucer suddenly appeared before her, its aroma hot and tantalizing.

A piece of tender tofu quivered on the plate, dotted with amber-colored autumn soy sauce and a few specks of verdant green scallions, instantly awakening her appetite.

Tofu was a rare treat that she didn’t usually get to eat.

Pear Moon looked up in surprise and met Autumn Abundance’s shifty eyes.

“How much reward money did you get?”

“What are you doing?”

The four silver pieces were worth more than two taels of silver. This was no laughing matter. Pear Moon clutched her purse protectively.

“The reward money is Xiao Yue’s! You can forget about it!” Huan Huan chimed in to help.

Autumn Abundance lunged to grab it, turning to spit at Huan Huan.

“If I snatch the money to buy hot cakes, you’d better not eat any!”

Both Autumn Abundance and Huan Huan had a sweet tooth, but unfortunately, they were lazy and had no money.

A piece of tender tofu cost five coins at most, but hot cakes cost thirty.

Autumn Abundance put all her cunning to use in matters like this.

“Fried hot cakes are expensive and unsanitary! Give me ten coins, and I’ll fry a whole basket for you!”

Pear Moon refused to let go, promising to prepare the shortening after she finished eating and fry Snowflake Crisps for them in the evening.

“Let’s buy some big cherries too, shall we? Honey-preserved cherries go so well with Snowflake Crisps! Xiao Yue, this tassel is for you. You can tie it on your purse to keep it safe!”

The peach-pink purse paired with the willow-green tassel looked quite lovely.

She had stayed up all night by lamplight to make it, and it turned out to be for her. Pear Moon was a little touched.

But as she took it for a closer look, she realized fifty coins were missing!

“You thieving, good-for-nothing scoundrel!” Pear Moon was fuming.

Autumn Abundance paid no mind to her curses, clutching the money and dragging Huan Huan along as she ran off and vanished.

Pear Moon finished her meal in a few quick bites. Seeing that the kitchen was empty, she quietly prepared the flour and oil.

The two keys to making Snowflake Crisps were frying the flour and kneading the dough.

The white flour had to be sifted, then dry-fried in a large wok with a wooden spatula. After it was thoroughly cooked, it was ground with a wooden mallet and sifted again. A truly refined recipe called for this to be done three times.

She deliberately used extra flour, planning to let the aunties and matrons in the kitchen have a taste. It was bad form to eat alone in the kitchen.

She simmered the sugar syrup in a small pot until it could be pulled into threads, then filtered it through a fine cloth.

She slowly added the cooked flour, stirring constantly until it was evenly mixed. Only then did she move it to the board to knead and roll it out before cutting it into neat little squares. In the evening, they would just need a light baking for fifteen minutes.

Once baked, they would be as white as snow, resembling little blocks of it. They were simple, cheap, crispy, sweet, and delicious—a delightful sight to behold.

Once she was done, Pear Moon covered the squares of dough with a damp drawer cloth and placed them in an out-of-the-way corner to rest.

Feeling pleased with herself, she was about to start sweeping when she glanced at the doorway, and her good mood instantly plummeted.

Fragrant Grass had brought several people with her and was blocking the kitchen entrance with a menacing air.

“Where’s Xiao Yue? Come out!”

According to Granny Zhao, their own household’s vixen had to be dealt with immediately.

To repel outsiders, one must first secure the inside. Neither Angelica Orchid nor Fragrant Grass could be kept.

But Shen Shi, the Young Mistress, was soft-hearted and protective, unwilling to part with Angelica Orchid, who had been with her since childhood.

Since Angelica Orchid was let off, there was no reason to punish Fragrant Grass alone.

So, after a lecture, they were sent back to their respective duties.

“The kitchen stove can’t be left unattended. Sister Fragrant Grass, if you have an errand, please find someone else!”

There was no way Pear Moon was going out. Was she supposed to offer herself up for a beating?

No matter how arrogant Fragrant Grass was, she wouldn’t dare cause a scene inside the kitchen.

The kitchen matrons were not to be trifled with; when angered, they spared no one, and even Granny Zhao gave them some leeway.

Fragrant Grass’s imposing manner had diminished, and her companions were not as supportive as before.

Granny Zhao had just established new rules in the courtyard, making an example of them and giving Fragrant Grass a particular scolding.

Who would have the energy to stir up trouble again at a time like this?

They blocked the door and rolled their eyes, but Pear Moon ignored them and went about her business.

“You lowly thing, you don’t know what’s good for you! Your filthy hands are so unclean, not even a dog would lick the soup you make!”

“Is that so? I heard that the longan soup Sister Fragrant Grass stewed was used by the Young Master to wash his hands!”

Just as they were trading barbs, a rush of footsteps was heard, and Angelica Orchid swept in through the curtain.

Seeing the situation in the small kitchen, she first breathed a sigh of relief, then shot Pear Moon a contemptuous glance. She took Fragrant Grass’s hand and deliberately cried out in a shrill voice:

“The Young Mistress is calling for you to brew some Biluochun tea for the Young Master. She said you are the cleverest and cleanest, and from now on, whenever the Young Master wants tea, you are the only one to serve it. No one else is allowed to touch it!”

Hearing that she was to serve tea to the Young Master, Fragrant Grass’s eyes instantly lit up, and her voice cracked with excitement.

Pear Moon, fanning the stove, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

That fool Fragrant Grass had better not ruin the tea leaves.

The few third-rank maids beside them also grew excited upon hearing that the Young Master was coming for tea.

The group turned to leave in a grand procession, only to see Jade Ink approaching with graceful, swaying steps.

She smiled and nodded at Angelica Orchid, then walked straight into the kitchen and beckoned to Pear Moon. “The Young Master did not eat well at breakfast. Quickly, put a bowl of congee in a food box for him. He needs a bite before he leaves.”

“Yes!” Pear Moon answered hurriedly, getting up to fetch the utensils.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t eaten well at breakfast; he hadn’t taken a single bite.

Fortunately, everything was ready, so it wasn’t any trouble at all.

One moment they said the Young Master wanted tea, and the next he was leaving. Who was telling the truth?

Angelica Orchid stopped in her tracks and stomped back.

They were both first-rank maids, but she, having been part of the dowry, had always looked down on Jade Ink. She opened her mouth to question her:

“Stop talking nonsense! The Young Mistress is inviting the Son-in-law over for tea. He can’t possibly be leaving!”

Jade Ink smiled gently. “Is that so? Then you must be right.”

That one gentle sentence was more cutting than any insult.

Angelica Orchid’s eyebrows shot up instantly, and she shoved two third-rank maids forward.

“Go and watch the entrance of the Tranquil Study! If the Young Lord leaves, come and tell me immediately!”