Chef Hua
Chapter 60: Episode 52 Spring Wine Banquet

Chapter 60: Episode 52 Spring Wine Banquet

That evening, the dinner table featured a bowl of big bone soup with frozen tofu, which was cooked with slices of celtuce and wild mushrooms, and just before serving, a bit of shiitake mushroom powder was sprinkled in.

The honeycomb-like frozen tofu fully absorbed the soup; biting into it released a rich broth mixed with the refreshingly fragrant tofu, which rolled smoothly over the tongue and down the throat, yet its surface retained a slight chewiness. Jing Taihe was particularly fond of this texture and kept picking up pieces and stuffing them into his mouth, prompting Zuo Jinxiang to click her tongue lightly.

At this point, she no longer acted the part of the "terrible older sister" in front of Jing Taihe, firstly because Jing Taihe was quite good to Hua Xiaomai, and although he was cautious to avoid suspicion, he took care of her with considerable heart; secondly, their own little sister was indeed capable of earning money, which significantly improved the living quality of the Jing Family’s small courtyard, so naturally, she didn’t need to worry that Jing Taihe would think he was fostering a loafer without reason.

"Hehe ..." Hearing the noise from Zuo Jinxiang, Jing Taihe looked up at her and said sheepishly, "Little sister’s cooking skills are truly beyond words. I got carried away and ate too much. You all eat too, eat!"

Zuo Jinxiang grinned sweetly at him and casually placed a piece of frozen tofu into Hua Xiaomai’s bowl, saying with irritation, "Stop scarfing down the food like that, as if you were a starving ghost reincarnated. Eat more dishes!"

At that moment, Hua Xiaomai was pondering over running the kitchen for the Shun Escort Agency’s Spring Wine, barely tasting the food as she swallowed it. Realizing Zuo Jinxiang was addressing her, she turned back with an embarrassed lick of her lips, "Sis..."

"So annoying!" Zuo Jinxiang gave her a fierce sideways glance and muttered, "Who are you putting on that deathly look for? I’m asking you to marry, not for your life! You can’t force a cow to drink by pressing its head down; if you’re unwilling, I can’t possibly force you into a bridal sedan, right? Enough already, stop worrying yourself, today Sister-in-law Zuo talked some sense into me. This matter ... I’ll think it over carefully, there’s no rush."

"Really?" Hua Xiaomai suddenly perked up, while Jing Taihe, sitting quietly aside, also secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

That Sister-in-law Zuo, she really is a sage!

"Eat!" Zuo Jinxiang said sternly, tapping her chopsticks against the edge of her bowl.

Hua Xiaomai happily stuffed the frozen tofu in her mouth and looked up, her words somewhat slurred, "By the way, sis, the Spring Wine of the Shun Escort Agency is set for the second day of the second month, the Spring Festival, and since the journey to the County is a bit far, Sister-in-law Zuo told me to head over a day early. I might have to stay at the Escort Agency for the night."

"Got it, got it." Zuo Jinxiang replied impatiently, "Just stick close to Sister-in-law Zuo and don’t wander around. Talk less to those men if it’s not necessary. After you are done, hurry back. I’m planning to till the patch of land behind our house these next few days, preparing to plant some vegetables. Where did you put those chili peppers Meng Yuhuai brought for you? Do you want me to plant them for you too?"

Hua Xiaomai waved her hands joyfully, "No need, chili peppers like sunlight. It’s better to plant them when the weather gets warmer."

"Whatever you say." Zuo Jinxiang rolled her eyes, "Then I’ll leave the space open for you."

"Mhm!" Hua Xiaomai nodded vigorously, hugging her arm and playfully shaking it.

Ke Zhenwu had carried the preliminary menu back, and within a few days, Da Zhong had come by again. There were slight modifications to the menu, and additionally, he brought a list full of ingredients that Ke Zhenwu had specially prepared for this Spring Wine event.

Late at night, Hua Xiaomai studied the list of ingredients by the lamplight, and couldn’t help but marvel in surprise.

My goodness, no wonder Ke Zhenwu was willing to spend ten pieces of silver for her cooking; he really put in a lot of money this time! The list included common items like sea cucumber and bird’s nest, but what was extraordinary was that it even had a basket of Snow Clam! At present, even with silver in hand, that would be hard to buy, wouldn’t it? Truly, those who run the Escort Agency have vast connections!

Knowing Ke Zhenwu considered the Spring Wine Banquet very important, Hua Xiaomai rearranged the menu overnight and delivered it to Fuzhe County the next day. After going back and forth a few times, the menu was finally settled, and on the first day of the second month, Hua Xiaomai packed up and set out for the Shun Escort Agency amidst the nagging of Zuo Jinxiang.

Meng Yuhuai had already left the County for Shengzhou as an Escort Master, accompanied by an attendant, four workers, and two large carts, which suddenly made the courtyard seem rather empty. Hua Xiaomai still lived in the rear courtyard’s wing-room with Zuo Jinxiang under arrangements made by Ke Zhenwu, who, though not appearing in person, had people ready to attend to her as soon as she arrived. She was welcomed with dinner and found in her room plenty of melon seeds, candied fruits, and other items girls tend to like, advising her to be at ease and speak freely with Zuo Jinxiang about anything she might need.

In the tranquil environment of Lianshun Escort Agency, Hua Xiaomai naturally had a good night’s sleep. The next morning, before dawn, Zuo Jinxiang woke her, and they hurried together to the kitchen to begin their bustling day of preparations with rolled up sleeves.

Thanks to thorough preparation and her experience from preparing feasts twice before, Hua Xiaomai had everything under control, quickly organizing the kitchen staff, taking charge of seasoning and heat control herself, leaving the chopping duties to Zuo Jinxiang, while the two helpers were responsible for washing and picking vegetables.

Beneath the ink-blue sky of the early dawn with two fading stars still visible, the lively kitchen of Lianshun Escort Agency was filled with the sounds of washing and chopping.

Hua Xiaomai had memorized the preferences of the guests invited for today’s banquet.

Master Zhao from Chunfeng Restaurant enjoyed meaty dishes, so there were four-season meatballs mixed with sea cucumber and shrimp; Mr. Xiao from the tea shop preferred vegetarian dishes, so naturally, an essential dish was Dinghu Mountain Vegetarian made from yellow fungus, bamboo shoots, straw mushrooms, and bamboo fungus; Banker Hu liked drinking and was fond of fish, so a dish of honey wine steamed shad was specially prepared to cater to him. The spicy and refreshing stir-fried chicken strips with red pepper, the light and fresh Fuliu swallows, and the tender and soft tofu-made "Phoenix Brain"... In no time, the large kitchen seemed to host a hundred flavors together, with the fragrance passing through the window lattices, creeping through the door cracks, and wafting into every corner of the Escort Agency.

The day gradually brightened as a helper squatting at the door finished picking a basket of leeks and brought it in to place on the stove. He inadvertently lifted a covered basin and couldn’t help but exclaim "Ah," quickly covering his mouth.

At that time, Hua Xiaomai was busy slicing duck skin and heard the noise, but she simply glanced back and paid it no mind. The flustered helper hurriedly found Zuo Jinxiang and whispered something in her ear, causing her expression to change abruptly. Following him, she checked and had a frightfully grim look as she picked up the basin and walked to Hua Xiaomai’s side.

"Xiaomai, you’d better quickly look at this," she whispered, "this... we probably can’t use it!"

Hua Xiaomai turned around and immediately saw in her hands a basin full of soaked tremella, each piece floating chaotically on the surface.

"Why is it so fragmented?" Hua Xiaomai’s brows also furrowed.

The best tremella should be large and thick, but those in front of her were thin and fragmented, evidently of inferior quality. This tremella was meant to be used to stew snow clam, and such poor-quality ingredients definitely did not match the fine delicacy!

Zuo Jinxiang looked around and said in a voice full of hidden worries, "This tremella was bought by the proprietor’s cousin. He guaranteed it, vouched for its top quality, and the owner believed him. But now... what should we do?!"

"Don’t panic," Hua Xiaomai quickly countered after a moment of thought, "the snow clam hasn’t been put in the pot yet, has it?"

"No, that valuable ingredient is naturally for you to handle. I wouldn’t dare," Zuo Jinxiang shook her head as if it were a rattle drum, "we definitely can’t serve this tremella, it would be a laughingstock. I think now we can only casually pair it with some quality dates, pears, almonds, and the like to cook up and make do!"

"No," Hua Xiaomai already had a plan and reassuringly patted Zuo Jinxiang’s hand, "Sister-in-law, let’s make Chicken and Snow Clam."

**********

Thanks to our fellow student JanSam for the peace charm, I finally remembered today~

It seems we’re about 150 recommendation tickets now, I’ll strive for an extra post tomorrow~~