She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 303 - 302: The Profligate

Chapter 303: Chapter 302: The Profligate

Prince Fu’s advisor, named Liu Yu, was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations. In his youth, he was a renowned scholar known for his vast knowledge but got stuck at the Imperial Scholar level, unable to advance for twenty years. Eventually, he gave up his official career aspirations and took service under Prince Fu, where he gradually became trusted and turned into one of Prince Fu’s confidants among his advisors.

Previously, the flavored butter cheese and pastry recipes sent to the imperial palace by Prince Yu were highly praised by His Majesty, earning a deep place in the Emperor’s favor, further ingraining his affection for them. People in Prince Yu’s service who had dealt in the lands of the Northern Barbarians mentioned that cheese and butter were not considered rare in the North, where they were commonplace wherever people could be found. It was just that Prince Yu had used the right methods to process these goods and found a good use for them.

Recently, one of Prince Fu’s stewards had started purchasing cheese crumbs and butter from the Northern Barbarians, planning to make cheese pastries before the new year, so His Majesty would realize that Prince Yu’s desserts were nothing exceptional and not worthy of such praise.

However, before they could produce their butter cheese, Prince Yu had already sent two large carriages from afar, claiming they contained a newly made exotic flavored cheese, which was sold in cuts at His Highness Prince Yu’s stores, with not even ten pieces available for sale each day due to limited stock.

This product wasn’t sent to the imperial palace, and to many, it certainly couldn’t compare to the cheese pastries previously sent. However, given that Prince Yu was willing to invest such effort to transport it from such a distance, one could surmise it was no ordinary item.

Originally, Liu Yu had high expectations for this fermented cheese Prince Yu had sent all the way to the capital and thought it might not be vastly inferior to the pastry sent to the palace.

Who knew that the product didn’t look as appealing as the butter cheese at first glance, emitting an outdated scent with no sense of freshness? The youngsters who tasted it also said it wasn’t delicious.

What puzzled Liu Yu was why, with the original cheese powder and butter, which could create delicious pastries, Prince Yu would bother with this bizarre-tasting ingredient and at a price so extortionate it hardly appeared to be a serious business venture.

Pondering the matter, Liu Yu remarked, "Could it be that His Highness Prince Yu knows that the butter cheese he sent to the imperial palace isn’t anything rare? Perhaps it was just meant to please His Majesty momentarily, so he created this gimmick to muddle the waters?"

"Considering his easy-going nature, that is quite possible," said Prince Fu, unable to suppress a laugh after Liu Yu’s comment. "It is a pity about Imperial Father’s words of praise for him. After tasting the cheese pastries, Imperial Father truly lavished praise on him. A few days ago, after seeing the courtyard scenery, Imperial Father also mentioned his earnings from business ventures. But now, by introducing flavored cheese—if it is indeed subpar—wouldn’t he be causing Imperial Father embarrassment? Sixth Brother really seems to be regressing."

Liu Yu shook his head and said, "If that were the case, it would be most regrettable. Although the look of the cheese block isn’t appealing, it shows no signs of spoilage, and the youngsters suffered no stomach upset after eating it. Such a product requires no small effort to produce and preserve. All this energy spent on this venture, alas."

Liu Yu laughed bitterly again. Even if one were not intending to seek advancement in governmental affairs, there was no need for such absurd pursuits. If His Majesty knew about such conduct, wouldn’t he be utterly disappointed?

In the capital, there were not a few who shared Liu Yu’s viewpoint. Yet there were also those who felt differently.

Several young nobles in the capital, who were acquainted with Jinrong, held a different opinion from the majority. After initially trying the cheese grilled along with meats, these few individuals realized that the product wasn’t as hard to swallow as others said; on the contrary, when grilled with cooked meat over a fire, it possessed a uniquely savory flavor.

A few days later, some idle young nobles, led by Marquis Jingyuan’s second son, rode out early on their horses with their pages in tow and circled the suburbs several times, unleashing their idle energy before riding back to the city. None wanted to return home just yet, so they discussed which restaurant might have new dishes for them to pass the remainder of the day.

Minister of the Secretariat Huang Jingtao’s youngest son, Huang Rui, suggested, "Why not go to Prince Yu’s Mansion again to find Uncle Wan? Didn’t Uncle Wan say he had a few more recipes for flavored cheese? Let’s try the other recipes. I’ve been thinking these past couple of days that the taste of the grilled cheese that day was quite good. Having some more wouldn’t be a bad idea. What do you guys think?"

The second son of Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion, Xu Deng, immediately agreed, "No need to try other recipes. Let’s just grill meat and cheese again. I also think that taste is very memorable. We should ask Uncle Wan for a couple more pieces of cheese, go to my home’s garden, and have some grilled meat."

The others unanimously approved, and the group of five dandies noisily made their way toward Prince Yu’s Mansion.

When Wan Yan heard that a few of the Sixth Master’s close friends were visiting, he hurried out to greet them. Before he could properly pay his respects, Xu Deng stepped forward in two strides, grabbing his arm and saying, "Uncle Wan, do you still have any of that flavored cheese in the mansion? Give us a couple of pieces. We’re heading out to have grilled meat again."

Wan Yan, while trying to withdraw his arm, said, "Sure, sure. It’s just a couple of pieces of cheese; certainly it can be spared for a few young masters. Second son, please let go of this old servant. When Sixth Master came earlier, he instructed us to reserve it especially for you young masters. No matter whether the store has stock or not, you few won’t miss out on eating it."

Xu Deng, hearing this, immediately let go of Wan Yan’s arm and even helped smooth out the wrinkles on his sleeve, saying with a laugh, "It’s still Sixth Master and Uncle Wan who understand us. We few have no patience for going to the store, and those limited pieces of cheese they sell every day really can’t withstand the rush to buy. Those people are also something else; everyone says it tastes bad yet still clamors to buy it. I’m truly impressed by them."

Huang Rui pushed him and complained, "What are you saying? Sixth Master is running a business. If no one buys, how is he supposed to make money?"

Xu Deng replied, "I’m saying selling to them is such a waste. If they don’t like it, they should leave the opportunity to those who do. Like us, who ate it once and already want to try it again." He was gesturing back and forth at their group with his fingers.

Wan Yan hastily said, "No problem, no problem. We’re not afraid of people buying and wasting it, nor are we afraid they won’t like it. The capital is a gathering place of wealth and nobility from all around; there are plenty of people like you young masters who know quality. However, no matter how much is sold, the young masters’ share won’t be missed."

Yang Hao, the eldest grandchild of Academician In Charge of the Hanlin Academy Yang Cunli, stepped forward, pushing Xu Deng aside, and said, "Uncle Wan, didn’t you mention you have a few more cheese recipes? Just tell us all of them; we’ll try each one in turn. Sixth Master never engages in unprofitable trade. The ingredients he has brought from far away must have unique qualities; otherwise, it wouldn’t do justice to his reputation for never making a loss."

Wan Yan, smiling with his beard trembling, responded, "This old servant thanks Young Master Yang for the praise on behalf of my Sixth Master. The recipes are ready at hand. I’ll have someone fetch them right away, along with the cheese for you young masters."

The group had barely sat down in the reception hall and hadn’t finished a cup of tea when two servants brought over what Wan Yan had instructed. Aside from the fermented cheese and the usage methods, there was also a rattan basket, "Here are some cheese powder and butter. Wherever the young masters are using cheese, the kitchen will be involved. The cheese powder and butter can be used to make butter cheese, suitable for desserts and dishes, and can be offered for the ladies and misses of your households to try something new. This way, the masters at home won’t think the young masters are keeping all the good stuff to themselves."

"Is it the same recipe and ingredients that Sixth Master sent to the palace?" Xu Deng exclaimed, somewhat embarrassed, "This won’t do; such valuable items..."

Wan Yan chuckled and said, "In terms of exquisite production and rarity, the flavored cheese is indeed superior. However, it’s much simpler to produce dried cheese and butter. The desserts and foods made from cheese powder are easier for people to accept. Sixth Master feared that His Majesty and the ladies might not be accustomed to them, so he didn’t dare to send the block-shaped flavored cheese to the palace."