Chapter 51: Crispy Butter Snails
Shen Shi ultimately could not resist Granny Zhao’s insistence and stepped out of the Warm Pavilion to change her clothes and freshen her makeup.
Zhi Qing called for the newly promoted maid Xiafu to prepare tea and refreshments in the Small Tea Room.
Pear Moon, who had taken a genuine liking to Miss Tan, had already instructed Huan Huan and Autumn Abundance to stoke the fire and brew tea in preparation.
Three types of tea were prepared: Dongting citrus spring tea, kumquat honey-infused tea, and longan sour jujube soup.
Five varieties of pastries were arranged on famille rose floral plates, creating a vibrant and colorful display.
In addition to the usual springtime treats like green tea pastries, snowflake crisps, and poria cake, there were also bright red, round danai cakes made by wrapping juicy crimson plums in crispy sugar.
There was also a plate of crispy butter snails with pinkish-white shells and a creamy white filling, fragrant, sweet, and utterly delightful.
Xiafu stared at them for a long while, unable to recognize what they were, and dared not carry them upstairs. She begged Pear Moon to set up the tea table in the Side Hall.
Pear Moon, also a third-rank maid, was now permitted to enter the Side Hall to deliver items, so she picked up the food box and followed.
While arranging the pastries in the Side Hall, she saw Shen Shi, supported by Zhi Qing, emerge from the Green Gauze Cabinet. Lifting her skirt, Shen Shi took a seat in the main hall.
She wore a white silk blouse with a goose-yellow overcoat and a pleated lake-green skirt. Her hair was styled in a Di bun, adorned with a full set of gold and kingfisher feather headpieces.
Over the past month, Shen Shi had completely deteriorated. Heavy makeup could not conceal her pallid complexion.
Her eyes, in particular, were swollen like overripe peaches, bloodshot and unsettling.
Like a red-eyed rabbit, she stared blankly at people, sending chills down one’s spine.
After arranging the pastries, Pear Moon picked up the food box, bowed, and withdrew.
Xiafu, fearing further instructions, asked her to stay, and the two waited together under the corridor.
Not long after, a large group of matrons and maids escorted Miss Ning and Miss Tan into the hall.
Miss Ning wore a sapphire-blue satin jacket and a crimson brocade vest with woven gold square patches on the front and back, fastened with pure gold begonia buttons. Her hair was styled in double loops with a skyward bun, adorned with a gemstone floral hairpin at the front and insect-grass flowers pressed against her temples, giving her a charming and playful appearance.
Miss Tan, adapting to local customs, had changed into fashionable attire: a sapphire-blue skirt and jacket woven with gold threads and adorned with kingfisher feathers. Her hair was decorated with brand-new gold and pearl jewelry, accentuating her tall, graceful figure and handsome features.
The two entered the room and exchanged greetings according to the roles of guest and host, with Miss Tan offering an extra bow in accordance with family etiquette.
Seeing the two of them, radiant and beaming with joy, Shen Shi felt as though a knife had pierced her heart.
She was only two or three years older than them, still in the bloom of youth and delicacy, yet she knew her marriage had been ill-fated and her life bitter.
For women of their age, marriage was only a year or two away.
Most of the noble sons in the capital were scoundrels. No matter how flower-like a woman might be, it was unlikely she would meet a good man.
Flowers may bloom with delicate beauty, but in the end, they are all ravaged by wind and rain. Women everywhere share the same fate.
Thinking that they, too, would end up like her once they married, Shen Shi felt a slight sense of consolation.
Lost in these thoughts, she remained motionless, her bloodshot eyes fixed on them, not even offering them seats.
Tan Leyao felt somewhat awkward and could only utter polite formalities according to etiquette.
Seeing Shen Shi in this state, Miss Ning was inwardly startled.
Has she lost her mind? With a wife like this, what will become of my brother in the future?
It was Zhi Qing who stepped forward to assist and respond, inviting the young lady to accompany Miss Tan to the Side Hall for tea.
Shen Shi finally regained some composure and uttered a few polite words. The three of them—host and guests—proceeded to the Side Hall for tea.
Tan Leyao sensed Shen Shi’s coldness and, assuming it was the aloof demeanor of a first-rank lady, naturally dared not take offense.
For the moment, she wore a smile and praised the tea and pastries.
“These butter snails are truly rare. I’ve heard people mention them these past few days, but not everyone knows how to select them.”
She picked one up and tasted it—sweet, soft, crisp, and melting instantly in the mouth, truly delicious.
Shen Shi sneered, “This is nothing special; households in the capital all know how to make it. I’ve never liked it, finding it cloyingly sweet with a greasy, milky smell.”
With that one remark, she shut down any further praise. Miss Tan could only take a few sips of tea in response.
The crispy butter spirals were a common pastry in the capital. Pear Moon had made them to showcase her skills, anticipating that Tan Leyao would enjoy them.
They were made by blending cheese and powdered sugarcane sugar, simmering over low heat until solidified, then straining out the cream.
A triangular pouch was sewn from fine cloth, filled with the mixture, and skillfully shaped by hand into forms resembling snails or seashells.
Pear Moon had even innovated by adding a touch of bright red cherry juice.
This turned the creamy white into a soft pink, creating two flavors—white and pink—both sweet and melting instantly on the tongue.
When Miss Ning and Miss Tan saw Pear Moon standing outside, they knew she had prepared the pastries.
Miss Ning smiled and said, “Xiao Yue is someone my sister-in-law employs. Since Sister Tan is here as a guest, if there’s any food you’d like, just ask her to make it.”
Tan Leyao quickly replied with a smile, “The mistress is truly fortunate to have such clever children serving in her courtyard.”
Just as she was about to have her maid hand out a reward, she noticed Shen Shi growing impatient, frowning, sighing, and darkening her expression.
“Butter pastries come from livestock, with a foul, unpleasant smell. I’ve never liked them. It’s just these servants, indulging their appetites, making such things. Not only are they of no benefit to themselves, but they also waste nature’s bounty!”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.
Miss Tan’s face flushed with embarrassment, unsure whether to smile or cry, and she could hardly sit still.
Seeing that Shen Shi was beyond help, Zhi Qing busied herself pouring tea to cover the awkwardness.
Granny Zhao, her face wooden, remained silent and simply let it pass.
After sitting quietly for a moment, Tan Leyao stood up with an apologetic smile. “The mistress must be tired. I’ll take my leave now.”
Shen Shi, already impatient, said coldly, “I’m not feeling well and cannot see you off.”
Seeing her attitude, Tan Leyao dared not neglect propriety and hurriedly ordered her maid to present the gifts.
Shen Shi forbade Granny Zhao from accepting them. “I lack nothing. Miss Tan, don’t trouble yourself. Give them to someone else instead!”
Without arranging any return gifts, she swayed her waist and returned to her Dressing Room, leaving Tan Leyao standing there awkwardly.
Miss Tan, unsure what to do, stared blankly at Miss Ning, who quickly changed the subject.
Pear Moon came in to collect the food box and bowed to Miss Tan and Miss Ning as she passed.
Tan Leyao brightened at this and promptly rewarded Pear Moon with a set of gold trinkets, praising her for the delicious pastries.
She also handed two strings of coins to Granny Zhao. “I dare not leave a reward in the mistress’s courtyard, Granny. Please treat the sisters to some tea.”
Granny Zhao, embarrassed and with nowhere to hide, bowed and accepted the reward, then escorted the two young ladies out.
Only after they had left the courtyard did Tan Leyao whisper to Miss Ning, “Sister, it seems your sister-in-law doesn’t like me. She often glances at people sideways, as if she’s hard to get close to.”
Miss Ning reassured her, “Don’t overthink it, sister. She’s been ill for a long time and sometimes speaks thoughtlessly. Please bear with her a little.” With that, she led Tan Leyao back to her own courtyard.
Pear Moon returned to wash the teacups, leaving the remaining pastries for Xiafu.
Xiafu, being honest, sighed quietly and said, “When the mistress was still a young lady, she wasn’t this harsh. Lately, for some reason, she’s been throwing her weight around and putting on airs, offending everyone, elders and juniors alike. It’s as if everyone owes her something, and she finds fault with everyone she sees.”
“Today I put on a slight smile, and she scolded me for taking pleasure in her misfortune. I lowered my head with a bitter expression, and she cursed me for being gloomy and jinxing her. I took over Angelica Orchid’s position as first-rank maid, yet she refuses to raise my monthly allowance. Every day, I can’t laugh when I want to, nor cry when I need to—such torment!”
After venting her grievances, she dared not linger and hurried away.
These dowry maids, accustomed to Shen Shi’s protection, had always lived in comfort.
Now that the slap had landed on them, they finally understood the sting.
Pear Moon watched Xiafu’s retreating figure and snorted through her nose.
Inside the Warm Pavilion of the Main Chamber, Shen Shi was reclining on the couch and summoned Granny Zhao to reprimand her.
“That Xiao Yue earlier, with her sharp tongue and lack of propriety, and such a fox-like, seductive appearance! Why hasn’t she been dismissed, and why is she still serving in the tea room? I’ve said before that not a single coarse maid from Ningguo Mansion should remain—why didn’t you listen?”
Granny Zhao stood with her hands at her sides, listening until she finished, then replied coolly, “You are right, Madam. This old servant will go to the steward’s office and fetch the two stewardesses. You can explain it to them yourself, so they can report to Madam Ning at Brocade Prosperity Hall. From now on, in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, you may dismiss any maid you wish—this old servant merely relays the orders.”