Chapter 423 Seafood Pancake

Qingxing and Qi'er went out and ate until they were stuffed. The snacks in Yingcheng's markets were cheap and delicious. The two ate as they walked, and when they couldn't eat anymore, they brought back a big bag.

"Miss, please try these fish balls."

After giving the fish tofu to Bai Cha, Qing Xing handed Lin Yue Sha a package wrapped in oil paper.

The fish balls are deep-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, then brushed with a layer of sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. They're still warm when you bring them home.

Lin Yuesha skewered a fish ball with a bamboo stick and put it in her mouth, nodding repeatedly. She could make these fish balls too. They were made with the freshest fish from Yingcheng, with a fresh and fragrant taste and a chewy texture. After finishing one, she wanted to eat another.

"Qingxing, could you ask around in Longjing where there are farmers selling milk? Could you please make a trip there for me?"

It was already dark, and Yingcheng was an unfamiliar place. It was not safe to let Longjing run the errand. However, Lin Yuesha knew Qingxing's abilities and had no such concerns. So Lin Yuesha had no choice but to let Qingxing make the trip.

"Miss, you can just give me your orders. There's no trouble at all."

Qingxing keenly sensed that her young mistress was becoming increasingly distant from her. Rather than distant, she was being overly polite, which was not how one would treat a close relative.

Needless to say, the problem lies with the master's disguised pockmarked face; he probably offended the young lady again.

Qingxing kept her worries to herself. After all, she wasn't the young lady's maid. If she developed feelings for her, she would inevitably be saddened when she was recalled to her maid's quarters.

Hopefully, this thin veil will be broken soon, and then she will no longer have these concerns.

"Miss, the milk hasn't been bought yet, and you're going to use the kitchen again?"

Lin Yuesha got up and walked out, and Bai Cha immediately stood up and followed.

"Yes, I brought back some squid from the beach, and it's soaking in cold water to keep it fresh."

Lin Yuesha had just received Zhuang's constructive advice on opening a shop, and then heard from Liu Ya that Zhuang had recently lost her appetite. She thought she would make some seafood pancakes and send them over first, in case Zhuang liked them, it would be a way of doing her a favor.

Liu Ya subtly reminded Lin Yuesha, emphasizing that Zhuang Shi came from the capital. Lin Yuesha had no intention of befriending her, but what she needed most for her father's treatment was connections. If her food could please Zhuang Shi, that would be even better.

Unlike the northern regions, the capital city is isolated and helpless without connections, so one must be adept at maneuvering.

"Miss, would you like to make seafood pancakes?"

Qi'er cheered. A while ago, Miss made some vests for the Master. In the end, when it reached her, she got a cold one, but it still tasted very good.

"Yes, today we bought milk in Longjing, and the farmers gave us some scallions. If we make seafood pancakes with scallions, they will definitely taste better than before."

After Lin Yuesha finished speaking, her eyes darkened. It was a pity that although these foods were delicious, they were considered "heating" foods, and her father could not eat them.

“Miss, we have taken the first step. Once we reach the capital, we will surely find an even more skilled doctor.”

Bai Cha understood her young mistress's worries and hurriedly offered comfort. In Lin Yuesha's heart, family was the most important thing; it was practically her everything.

"Yes, we've arrived in Yingcheng, and we're getting closer and closer to the capital."

Lin Yuesha dismissed her negative thoughts, took a deep breath, and decided to do her best and leave the rest to fate. She did everything she could, as long as her parents and stepbrother were safe and healthy.

Lin Yuesha asked to borrow the inn's kitchen, and the innkeeper agreed without hesitation, saying with a smile, "Miss Lin, please feel free to use the oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and firewood."

Because of Lin Yuesha's hazelnut pastries, the shopkeeper received two tips from Zhuang Shi. He saw Lin Yuesha with a smile and regretted not tasting the hazelnut pastries.

Being fawned over by the wealthy must feel wonderful.

"When my maid comes back with the milk later, I'll save a few pieces for you to try from the next batch."

Lin Yuesha, taking advantage of the convenience, was generous and exchanged a few pleasantries with the shopkeeper before heading straight to the kitchen.

With Bai Cha helping out, Lin Yuesha deftly chopped squid and scallions. Once the oil was hot, she scooped a spoonful, and the seafood pancake immediately solidified in the pan. When a small hole appeared on one side, Lin Yuesha quickly flipped it over with a spatula.

Making seafood pancakes doesn't require much skill. You just need to control the heat to keep the squid tender, with bright green scallions, a golden-brown pancake, and the white squid meat still visible.

"Miss, is the seafood pancake ready?"

Bai Cha was already full, but she couldn't resist her young mistress's cooking. She swallowed hard and asked expectantly.

"Okay, you can try it."

Lin Yuesha picked up the white tea with her chopsticks, and Bai Cha immediately opened her mouth and swallowed it eagerly, giving a thumbs up as she sipped the hot tea: "Miss, it's so delicious!"

It's delicious, but it's too hot to eat.

Lin Yuesha was both amused and exasperated. The white tea was too hasty; it was bound to burn its mouth if it wasn't blown on before drinking.

With plenty of ingredients, Lin Yuesha made a lot. The seafood pancakes were fresh out of the pan, crispy on the edges and soft on the inside. While they were still hot, Bai Cha brought a plate of them to Zhuang Shi.

After waiting a while, Bai Cha brought back an empty plate, and her maid Liu Ya came downstairs with her.

Liu Ya smiled broadly and became even more enthusiastic towards Lin Yuesha, "Miss Lin, you really have a way with things! For the past few days, our lady has been overwhelmed with worry and has only drunk a little porridge. I didn't expect that she would like your seafood pancakes so much!"

“Aunt Zhuang hasn’t been eating much these past few days. She can’t eat anything too greasy. It would be best to have some plain porridge and pickled vegetables with her.”

The inn provided congee for its guests, but the rice wasn't very good. Liu Ya brought a small bag of rice and started a fire to cook the congee, sniffing the air as she watched Lin Yuesha's movements.

"I brought some pickled vegetables. If you don't mind, please have these."

Lin Yuesha's pickled radish is appetizing, served with red chili peppers and a few drops of sesame oil, each piece is crystal clear.

My stepbrother loves this dish the most. He doesn't need any other dishes; he can drink two large bowls of plain porridge just by eating some pickled vegetables.

"Very good!"

Liu Ya was overjoyed and inquired about Lin Yuesha's residence in the capital. Her mistress wanted to invite Lin Yuesha to her home, so she could send out an invitation.

"Sister Liuya, I don't have a place to stay for the time being."

Lin Yuesha explained her family's situation. Xiao Qi was going to the capital to take the imperial examination and needed to find a house in the capital. She originally thought that more than 20,000 taels of silver would be enough, but after learning about the prices in the capital, she realized her poverty even more.

Prices in Beijing are relatively reasonable, but courtyards are expensive and not easy to find one that suits your taste.

If acquiring a courtyard were that simple, officials wouldn't need generations of their families crammed together, especially in the inner city, where money alone might not be enough to buy a house.

Left with no other choice, Lin Yuesha turned her attention to the area where the inner and outer cities meet.

"Miss Lin, do you have no relatives in the capital?"

If you bring your whole family to the capital and have no relatives, you can only stay in an inn temporarily. However, the capital is crowded with people, merchants, traders, and those taking the imperial examinations.

Inns in the city need to be booked in advance, otherwise you won't be able to find a decent one.