Chapter 519 Preferences
There is nothing more sorrowful than the death of a loved one, and during that period, Zhuang almost did not make it through.
"Xiangye, go and call Wanjun over, let her meet Yuesha."
Zhuang Wanjun is the niece of Zhuang's maternal family. She just came of age this year and was sent to the capital by her parents to find a marriage partner. Since they both came from the north, she and Lin Yuesha were practically from the same hometown.
"Yes, madam."
Lin Yuesha was very curious. After waiting for a while, she saw a little girl who was no taller than Lin Yuesha following behind Xiangye. The girl had her head down and almost buried it in her chest.
Zhuang shook her head helplessly and smiled at Lin Yuesha, "This is my good-for-nothing niece, she's very timid."
Zhuang Wanjun was the same way in the north. She was the kind of person who wouldn't even dare to step on an ant, but she became even more withdrawn after coming to the capital.
When Zhuang returned to her parents' home for her father's funeral, Zhuang Wanjun had already been sent to the capital. In the past few months, Zhuang Wanjun had no friends and had not visited anyone. She only had two maids by her side to talk to occasionally.
Lady Zhuang intended to take her niece to make offerings, but the appointed day had not yet arrived. She had just returned to the capital when she received an invitation from the old princess to attend a flower viewing party at the prince's villa on the fifteenth of July.
Everyone knew what the flower viewing party was for. Seeing that her niece was of marriageable age, Madam Zhuang planned to take Zhuang Wanjun to meet potential husbands.
"Wanjun, I am Lin Yuesha."
Lin Yuesha introduced herself, saying that she came from a small town called Chenjia Village on the northern border. She felt no shame about her rural origins and had never hidden them.
No matter how high you go, you must never forget your roots, especially since she still has many relatives back in her hometown.
"Moonlight Veil".
When Zhuang Wanjun heard that Lin Yuesha was from the north, she raised her head, glanced at Lin Yuesha quickly, and then lowered her head again.
"No manners."
Mrs. Zhuang smiled and scolded her, but she didn't know what to do with her introverted niece.
"Yue Sha, Auntie has two invitations here. How about Auntie takes you to the Prince's Mansion on the fifteenth of July?"
Zhuang had no other intentions. She was just considering that Zhuang Wanjun was too shy and wanted someone to keep her company. In addition, she genuinely liked Lin Yuesha and wanted to broaden her horizons. If it could lead to a good marriage, that would be a wonderful thing.
Marriage is a major event that emphasizes matching social status. Not all families in the capital are so narrow-minded. Most mothers-in-law want such a smart and considerate daughter-in-law.
Zhuang's two sons are not old enough, otherwise she would really like to have Lin Yuesha as her daughter-in-law.
As for why he liked it, the connection between people is a mystery. Zhuangzi believed in Buddhism, so he didn't think about these causes and effects in detail.
“Aunt Zhuang, I’ve just arrived in the capital and I’m not familiar with this place. It’s nice to be able to attend the flower viewing party at the Prince’s Mansion, but I still have work to do.”
Lin Yuesha had her own mission. These young masters and ladies went there for pleasure and romance, but she was different; she was there to do hard labor.
"ah?"
Zhuang was surprised that Lin Yuesha had made contact with Prince Luo so quickly. After hearing the reason, she smiled and said, "I see."
The flower viewing party at the Prince Luo's Mansion was attended by all the prominent figures in the capital. Those who weren't invited were scrambling to get in. If one could make a name for themselves with their dishes, they could indeed get custom-made meals.
"Yue Sha, how about this, you save your first table of food for your aunt."
During this period, the household was entirely managed by her daughter-in-law, who was busy with everything to keep things in order. Her eldest daughter-in-law's family was not in the capital, but in Lingnan.
"Now that her parents are returning to the capital to report on their duties, I must host a welcome dinner for them."
The cook in the manor is skilled at making vegetarian dishes, so Zhuang originally wanted to open a table at a restaurant outside, but then felt that doing so would be a bit exclusive and she was afraid that her in-laws would misunderstand.
"Auntie, Yue Sha did her best."
Lin Yuesha was worried about not having a chance to repay the favor, so she readily agreed.
Everyone has different pursuits. She doesn't like to put on makeup at home; she prefers to research recipes, which brings her joy.
"Yue Sha, your aunt actually has a concern."
Zhuang was thinking of Lin Yuesha's best interests, though she put it rather subtly. After all, cooking was a servant's job, and in front of the young ladies, Lin Yuesha might be considered inferior, or even looked down upon and unable to hold her head high.
Fearing that Lin Yuesha would be upset, Zhuang made a request, not a demand.
"Auntie, you're really overthinking it."
Lin Yuesha was grateful for Zhuang's consideration for her, but she didn't think there was anything shameful about earning money with her own abilities. Those young ladies spent money on makeup and new clothes, while she was able to create wealth with her own hands and provide a better life for her family. Why would she feel inferior?
As for the concept of hierarchy, it is something inherent in the times and cannot be eliminated.
If earning money through hard work is shameful, does that mean everyone is a fraudster who relies on their words?
"Moonlight Gown, can you cook?"
Zhuang Wanjun remained silent, becoming a background figure. However, when she heard that Lin Yuesha was the head chef of the Prince's Palace Flower Appreciation Party, her eyes immediately showed admiration.
"Yes, they make money by cooking."
Lin Yuesha spoke frankly, saying that the money she spent on buying the house was given to her by Jiang Baozhu, and that this money was Jiang Baozhu's savings, which she had to return as soon as possible.
Although Jiang Baozhu might not necessarily want it, Lin Yuesha wanted to think more about her good friend, as having money would at least give her a sense of security.
"These are brown sugar soft cakes that Yue Sha brought. Please try them."
When Madam Zhuang opened the food box, she was pleased to see her niece strike up a conversation. Zhuang Wanjun had always been like this; she rarely spoke more than a few words to her own aunt, answering only questions like a wooden puppet.
Zhuang Wanjun hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't resist tearing off a small piece and chewing it. Then her eyes lit up.
It's delicious, soft, and delicate, without the cloying sweetness of ordinary pastries. The first bite is light, but the more you eat, the more you savor it.
"I can cook lots of delicious food. If you want to go out and relax, you can come find me."
After inviting Zhuang Wanjun, Lin Yuesha remembered that she had come to ask Zhuang about the dishes for the flower viewing party.
"Make more light and simple dishes."
Zhuang immediately offered a suggestion. Because of the special date, many ladies from high-ranking families in the capital were Buddhists and ate vegetarian food on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, just like her. They would avoid dishes made with meat or pastries that used lard.
It would be even better if Lin Yuesha had any research on vegetarian dishes; if not, she could provide her own private recipes.
“Aunt Zhuang, Yue Sha doesn’t quite understand the rules in this regard.”
Madam Xu only loves to eat meat, and she doesn't discriminate between meat and vegetables. Granny Fang gave her several recipes, and Lin Yuesha confirmed some of them.
It seems that a vegetarian diet is something that cannot be ignored. Cakes and pastries make up a large proportion of the meal, and before the banquet, the ladies and young women would eat tea and fruit to fill their stomachs.
"I'll write it down for you."
As she spoke, Lady Zhuang wrote down the preferences of several ladies who were on good terms with her. Most of them liked vegetarian food, and the ladies' meals were separate from those of the young ladies and gentlemen.
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