Chapter 94: Gift-Giving
Pear Moon had long been aware of this matter.
If Third Miss Ning’s marriage to the Fifth Prince were to succeed, the second branch of the family would truly have produced a living phoenix.
The ducal title of Ningguo Mansion was earned through military achievements during the founding of the dynasty, passed down through generations without interruption.
If the second branch could secure an imperial favor title through marriage, it would be an extremely noble and honorable affair.
With over a thousand servants working in Ningguo Mansion, how many dreamed of rising above their station?
Those from the main branch who saw no chance of advancement naturally sought to curry favor with the second branch, which now had such a promising path.
Some with sharper minds could even discern Second Master Ning’s intentions.
When noble families married off their daughters, they would never skimp on dowries and accompanying servants, let alone for a marriage into a princely household.
Among the dowry attendants for a princess consort, there would either be kitchen maids and cooks or skilled serving maids.
If Madam Jin trained a maid apprentice, in a few years, once her skills improved, she might become Third Miss’s personal serving maid.
Everyone knew this clever opportunity, and they flocked to Madam Jin in droves.
Even Granny Qin’s own granddaughter had gone to ingratiate herself with Madam Jin.
Granny Qin sat alone in the small room, already seething with anger, unable even to drink her tea.
Madam Liu gently knocked and entered, speaking a few words on Pear Moon’s behalf, then helped her goddaughter carry the gifts into the room.
Granny Qin usually lived in the servants’ quarters on the outer corridor; this small room was reserved for the head steward’s temporary use.
Half of the kang room was spread with a cool mat, with a rosewood kang table in the middle and a flat earthen floor beneath.
Pear Moon looked up and saw Granny Qin, a woman in her fifties, tall and stout, with a round, ruddy face, a waist as thick as a barrel, and a clean, neat blue gauze headscarf wrapped around her head.
However, her expression was unpleasant; she squinted her dim eyes, her plump cheeks drooping as if dissatisfied.
Pear Moon was right—Granny Qin, seeing her as a small, thin figure, felt somewhat displeased.
Being a cook required strength, whether kneading dough, carrying rice, or wielding a wok—a delicate young girl simply couldn’t manage it.
But as the old woman’s eyes glanced over the boxes of gifts, her tone immediately shifted:
“When I saw Xiao Yue’s name on the list, I knew it was Madam Liu’s little girl. You’re not afraid of hardship or heat, wanting to work in the Main Kitchen—I can see your heart is sincere and earnest. In a few days, during the competition, we’ll see how good your skills are. Why bother buying these things? It only puts me in a difficult position!”
These words carried a tone of half-hearted refusal, which Pear Moon understood.
She quickly put on a broad smile and knelt down, kowtowing twice as if lighting a candle.
“My godmother often tells me stories about Granny Qin, saying your skills were praised even by the late emperor, surpassing even the imperial kitchens. Because of my clumsiness, I’ve been doing odd jobs in the small kitchen of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, but I’ve long wanted to work in the Main Kitchen. I have no other aspirations—I only hope to tend the fire or wash vegetables by your side, so that in the future, I’ll have something to boast about. These things aren’t worth much, but please accept them, Granny. Whether I’m chosen or not, consider it Xiao Yue’s filial piety to you.”
This Granny Qin had exceptional culinary skills but also two flaws: greed for wealth and a love for face.
Pear Moon had precisely targeted these weaknesses, making it impossible for Granny Qin not to be moved.
A few boxes of fine wine, good meat, fine cloth, and shoes weren’t particularly valuable, but they were like sending charcoal in snowy weather.
Ever since the news spread about the cooks recruiting apprentices, countless people had flocked to the second branch with gifts.
Yet she, the head steward of the Main Kitchen, had received no gifts—it was downright embarrassing to mention.
It would have been one thing if no one had sent gifts, but there were those cunning individuals who made empty promises without giving anything at all.
She spoke as if it were a transaction, saying that if the child were selected during the trial, she would offer ten taels of silver as a token of gratitude.
Granny Qin wished she could spit a mouthful of old phlegm right into that scoundrel’s face!
Pear Moon was the first to bring gifts. Not only did she speak eloquently, but she also appeared clever and quick-witted.
“You’re a thoughtful and clever one. Why don’t you consider going to Madam Jin in the second household? She excels at southern cuisine, and everyone is eager to curry favor with her!”
Everyone flattered Madam Jin, all for the sake of staying close to the living phoenix, hoping to snatch the phoenix egg.
Was it really because Madam Jin was skilled at southern cuisine?
Of course, Pear Moon couldn’t say that. She pretended to be unaware of the underlying reasons, wearing an innocent smile on her face.
“I’m young and know nothing. I only heard from my godmother that in this household, whether it’s the masters or the servants, everyone unanimously agrees that Granny Qin’s culinary skills are unmatched, with no one who can compare. Although Madam Jin, Madam Li, and my godmother each have their own specialties, none can surpass you, esteemed elder. In my simple mind, if one is to seek a master, one should seek the top scholar—why would anyone rush to learn from the second or third place?”
With these few words, Granny Qin was delighted to the depths of her heart.
How could a child’s words be insincere?
She quickly asked Pear Moon to rise and sit on the kang, handing her some candies.
Pear Moon dared not sit facing her, so she cheerfully took a small stool beside her godmother.
Madam Liu, seeing her goddaughter so sensible and eloquent, secretly smiled and quickly added a few words of praise.
Granny Qin then felt even more favorably toward Pear Moon and praised Madam Liu a few times.
“Sister Liu, you are truly blessed. Both your biological daughter and your goddaughter are clever and filial, saving me, an old woman, much worry! When your Xiao Yue comes to the Main Kitchen, I’ll be sure to teach her a few dishes so she can be filial to you in the future.”
Pear Moon was even more delighted. She hurriedly bowed a few times and took the opportunity to say with a smile, “Xiao Yue thanks Granny in advance! The trial is in a few days, and I’m afraid the rules will be complicated and difficult. My skills are clumsy, so I don’t know what to practice these days.”
Granny Qin, feeling comfortable from the flattery, waved her hand nonchalantly.
“This time, we’re selecting apprentices, not competing in culinary skills. Don’t be afraid, children. If you already knew everything, why would you come here to learn? In a couple of days, it’s called a trial, but it’s actually testing the children’s patience and temperament. At most, it will assess knife skills, heat control, and ingredient selection—these are the basics of culinary arts.”
With these casual remarks, Pear Moon’s heart stirred, and she quickly memorized them, already forming some plans.
After sitting in the room for a while, she heard the courtyard gradually grow lively as the maids and women who had been currying favor with the second household returned.
Pear Moon seized the moment to rise, repeatedly bowing and thanking Granny Qin, and prepared to return to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard to practice.
Granny Qin didn’t keep her, instead telling her to come by often, morning and evening, to ask for candies.
Just as Pear Moon lifted the door curtain, a sturdy little body bumped into her chest, causing a sharp pain.
A plump little girl rushed in—Granny Qin’s granddaughter, only eleven years old, named Lianrong.
Pear Moon hadn’t seen her in years and hadn’t expected her to be even chubbier than Huan Huan despite her young age.
She couldn’t help but glance back, only to see Lianrong hurriedly jump onto the kang, tugging at Granny Qin and asking a flurry of questions.
“Grandma! Madam Jin is only selecting one apprentice, and everyone is rushing to send gifts! If you keep saying we have no money, how can I possibly be chosen? Ah? Whose unimportant gift box is this? Songjiang fine cloth and gold-embroidered handkerchiefs—if pawned, wouldn’t they be worth silver? Grandma!”