Princess's delight
Upon hearing the princess's words, Pei Qingwu dared not delay and hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, it is indeed I, Pei Qingwu."
"You have quite a refined demeanor. I heard you once caused a scene at the government office, seeking to leave your husband's family and establish your own household. You're quite remarkable." The princess took a sip of hot tea and smiled. "Lady Li said you make excellent pastries. The charcoal fire in this room is burning brightly, making it unbearably hot. I'd like to eat some refreshing and cooling pastries to relieve the greasiness. Do you have any ideas?"
Pei Qingwu bowed and replied, "Your Highness, I will do it immediately and will certainly not fail Your Highness's trust."
Although there were already pastries and desserts in this era, similar to modern ice cream, they were too sweet and cloying. The princess desired something refreshing and cooling, so a different approach was needed.
As Pei Qingwu walked toward the kitchen, her mind raced.
During my undergraduate military training, a freshman fainted from heatstroke on the first day, so the school specially made mung bean soup to distribute for free. Mung beans are a classic and always effective way to cool down. She could grind mung beans into powder, steam them, mix them with mint juice and honey, press them into cakes, and then put them in an ice cellar to cool them down.
Mung beans are cooling and can clear heat, while mint adds a refreshing touch. They melt in your mouth and relieve summer heat and dryness.
Then, you can use some fresh fruit, such as pears, peaches, grapes, etc., diced and soaked in chilled cheese syrup①, then add some honey and sprinkle with a little crushed ice.
The fruit pieces are sweet and juicy, the cheese milk is refreshing and cooling, and it's even more refreshing when chilled.
Another option is to mix mung bean starch with water, boil it, cool it until it solidifies, cut it into pieces, and then drizzle it with mint syrup and crushed ice. The result is crystal clear, smooth, and refreshing, and it's perfect for relieving the dryness caused by charcoal fire.
After some thought, Pei Qingwu felt it was feasible, so he hurriedly withdrew to prepare.
With a firmer mind, my steps became more steady.
The stove fire rose, and smoke billowed. Pei Qingwu rolled up his sleeves and did everything himself, his cleverness and ingenuity flowing from his fingertips.
The mung beans are finely ground and sifted, then placed in a steamer and steamed until soft and fluffy. Meanwhile, fresh mint is crushed into juice, mixed with the finest acacia honey, and combined with the mung bean powder. The mixture is then pressed into a mold, making it square and neat, and immediately sent to be placed in an ice chest to be chilled.
Then, I took some chilled yogurt, washed the freshly picked crisp pears, peaches, and grapes, cut them into small dice, and soaked them in the yogurt. I drizzled them with amber honey syrup, sprinkled them with crushed ice, and served them in a small glass cup. The red, white, purple, and green colors were quite beautiful.
Finally, mix mung bean starch with water and simmer over low heat until thickened. Pour it into a shallow dish and let it naturally cool and freeze into ice. Once it becomes crystal clear, cut it into small cubes about an inch in size. Separately, brew a small pot of mint and licorice syrup and chill it as well. Pour it over the mixture when you want to use it, and then sprinkle with crushed ice.
With everything prepared, Pei Qingwu remembered what the princess had said about the unbearable heat. In a flash of inspiration, he recalled a good remedy for relieving the heat from the market. He quickly ordered someone to fetch two qian of raw licorice root and half a liter of water, simmer it over a low flame until it became a thick juice, filtered it, and poured it into ice and snow. In an instant, he had a bowl of clear, sweet, and refreshing ice and snow licorice drink.
After confirming that everything was in order, Pei Qingwu placed the four kinds of iced snacks into the prepared gilded silver dishes and glass cups, placed them on the tray, lowered his head and held his breath, and re-entered the grand hall.
The charcoal fire inside the hall was still burning warmly, making one feel as if they were in the height of summer, with the princess leaning against soft pillows, her maid fanning her, while she idly played with the beaded bracelet on her wrist. When Pei Qingwu came in, she only lazily lifted her eyelids.
Pei Qingwu knelt and offered food before the princess, saying in detail, "This humble servant is terrified and offers my clumsy skills to Your Highness."
The princess glanced at the exquisite pastries in her hand and said, "They look quite novel and delicate. Please introduce them to me one by one."
"Yes." Pei Qingwu said respectfully, "This is Mung Bean and Mint Jade Stamen Cake. Mung beans are refreshing and cooling, while mint relieves depression and generates heat. After being chilled, it melts in your mouth. This is Seven Treasures Ice Cream. Fresh fruit is soaked in ice cream and mixed with honey. It is sweet and sour and refreshing. This is Crystal Agar Jelly. The clear powder is frozen and covered with mint and licorice ice dew. It is refreshing and relieves dryness. There is also a cup of Iced Licorice Drink. It is made by taking advantage of the licorice's effect of generating fluids and detoxifying. It is served with fresh ice. Although it is a folk drink, I dare to offer it to Your Highness for a refreshing drink."
Golden plates and jade cups, emerald green and glistening, with wisps of icy steam rising from them, made the pastries appear even more exquisite and lovely. The princess glanced over them, her expression indifferent, neither pleased nor angry. With her slender fingers, she picked up a silver spoon and stirred the Seven Treasures Ice Cream slightly. She scooped up a spoonful containing fruit pieces and put it into her mouth. After savoring it for a moment without uttering a word, she took a small piece of crystal agar jelly. A palace maid beside her poured mint syrup and crushed ice over it. The jelly was smooth, cool, and refreshingly sweet.
After tasting it, she put down the silver spoon and glanced at it lightly. The maid beside her understood and scooped up some icy licorice to drink. She brought it to her lips, took a small sip, and felt that the taste was like a refreshing spring, instantly cleansing her throat and tongue. Her brow seemed to relax slightly, and then returned to calm.
For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the hall, with only wisps of icy air dissipating.
Pei Qingwu knelt with his head bowed at the foot of the steps, his face calm, but his heart was pounding like a drum, and his palms were slightly sweaty.
Whether the princess was satisfied or not, this silent uncertainty was more unsettling than any reprimand.
After a long while, the princess took a handkerchief and gently wiped her lips. The bottom of the glass cup tapped on the rosewood table, making a very crisp sound that broke the silence in the hall. Her gaze fell on the top of Pei Qingwu's head, and when she spoke, her voice was devoid of any emotion: "The snacks are alright, quite relieving my irritability."
Upon hearing this, Pei Qingwu's heart tightened, and he held his breath in anticipation.
“Three days from now, I will host a small banquet at my residence to entertain the ladies of Qinzhou City. The refreshments during the banquet are up to you.” The princess paused, then added, “Don’t make me lose face.”
These words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, and Pei Qingwu's anxious heart suddenly settled down.
Overwhelmed with surprise and a sense of great responsibility, Pei Qingwu kowtowed deeply, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "This humble servant thanks Your Highness for your great kindness! I will certainly do my utmost to prepare carefully and dare not fail Your Highness's trust!"
The princess nodded slightly, said nothing more, and simply raised her hand to signal her to leave.
Pei Qingwu bowed again before rising and leaving the main hall with light yet solemn steps.
Once they were a little further away from the princess, Li Yinzhu grabbed Pei Qingwu's hand, extremely excited: "Master Pei, I knew it, I knew you could do it!"
"You'd better seize this opportunity! I'll need you to earn my own little savings in the future... You don't know, since I started investing in you, the money I receive each month, plus my own monthly allowance, has made me the richest among my sisters..."
Li Yinzhu held Pei Qingwu's hand and walked out, chattering away. Pei Qingwu listened with a smile the whole time, but when they were about to part, he couldn't help but ask, "Did the princess say what kind of banquet she was hosting?"
Li Yinzhu said, "As I said, the princess is hosting a banquet called the 'Spring Exploration Banquet.' Although the chill of the first month has not yet dissipated, the princess wishes to emulate the elegance of the ancients and take advantage of the approaching Spring Equinox to invite the ladies of the city to enjoy the spring scenery and appreciate the new and ingenious items in the warm pavilion of the princess's residence, so as to alleviate the loneliness of the deep winter and also to symbolize the auspicious sign of discovering the spring. There may be plum blossom vases and daffodil offerings during the banquet, which is probably to create a warm spring scene in the midst of the charcoal fire in the cold winter."
Pei Qingwu understood.
The Spring Equinox falls in the first month of the lunar calendar, when all things begin to revive. The princess's banquet must not only reflect the dignity and luxury of her imperial lineage, but also embellish the occasion with the vitality and elegance of the approaching spring. Therefore, the desserts must not only be exquisite and novel with a refreshing taste, but also in line with the theme of exploring spring, echoing the spring tidings in color, shape, and meaning.
She bid farewell to Li Yinzhu and returned home, her mind already completely absorbed in the grand banquet that would take place in three days.
The ice cellar needs to be expanded to store more ice, the ingredients need to be carefully selected, and six unprecedented desserts need to be conceived that are sure to amaze the audience while maintaining an antique elegance.
That night, Pei Qingwu laid out paper and ground ink under the lamp, integrating his knowledge of baking, and gradually sketched the outlines of six kinds of pastries.
It must be refreshing and light, fitting the theme of exploring spring, while also being novel and unique. It should combine the best of both Chinese and Western techniques, with exquisite ingredient pairings, and use the materials available in this era to create a refreshing and novel flavor.
Three days later, at the princess's residence, the charcoal fire in the warm pavilion burned brightly, making the room as warm as early summer, yet without any stuffiness. This was because huge ice chests were placed in the four corners, and the cool air neutralized the warmth of the charcoal fire.
The place was adorned with early-blooming green plum blossoms, daffodils, and golden cups and silver stands, full of the spirit of spring. The noble ladies and gentlemen of Qinzhou City, who had been invited, arrived in their finest attire, their jade pendants jingling, their hair fragrant and their hair swaying. In the hall, a long table covered with brocade was set up, where Pei Qingwu had carefully prepared a dessert feast.
Six kinds of desserts were served in precious tableware and arranged in a pleasingly staggered manner. Each one was like a finely crafted work of art. The icy steam and elegant color made one feel coolness even before tasting them.
The princess took her seat amidst the adulation of the crowd. Her gaze swept over the long table, and the corners of her lips curved slightly upward. She then raised her hand to signal Pei Qingwu, who was dressed in full regalia, to step forward and introduce them one by one.
"Qiongying Xue'e Su is made by skillfully blending wheat starch, ghee, and cheese to form a half-open plum blossom shape. The petals are as thin and translucent as paper, layer upon layer, light and fluffy. The stamen is decorated with ghee-dyed toppings, just like dots of red stamen. Placed on a glass plate of crushed ice, it is like a plum blossom just beginning to bloom on a branch of ice and snow."
"The emerald stream flows like ice and jade. Green bean shaved ice is made into the shape of a winding stream and placed in a green jade plate. The stream is crystal clear and is actually transparent agar jelly. The stream is filled with green mossy stones carved from mint jelly and pebbles made from candied water chestnuts and lotus seeds. On the stream, a few duckweeds carved from thin cucumber slices and edible pansy petals float. Finally, it is sprinkled with very fine ice shavings, just like a mountain stream where the snow has just melted."
"The golden sparrow carries a spring roll. The translucent skin is as thin as a cicada's wing, wrapping honey-soaked elm buds, bamboo shoot shreds, and fine egg crepe strips. It is rolled into an exquisite little roll, with one end pinched into the shape of a sparrow's head, dotted with black sesame seeds, and a small golden-dyed honey-soaked goji berry held in the sparrow's beak, just like a golden sparrow carrying a branch to announce the arrival of spring."
"Seven-Colored Spring Breeze Cheese is made with pure goat milk, mixed with seven layers of cheese paste naturally colored by different ingredients: light pink from beetroot juice, pale yellow from pumpkin puree, light green from matcha powder, pure white from glutinous rice flour, light purple from purple sweet potato juice, orange-yellow from citrus juice, and light blue from butterfly pea flower juice. These layers are stacked in a transparent glass cup, resembling a solidified sunrise. The top is sprinkled with crushed dried fruits of various colors, such as dried peaches, dried apricots, raisins, and diced kumquats."
"Fragrant snow floats in the jade cup. Fresh jasmine flowers are taken and soaked in honey water to preserve their white appearance and fragrance. Egg whites are whipped and mixed with a small amount of precious rose syrup to create fluffy, white fragrant snow clouds. The soaked jasmine flowers are then placed in a small, exquisite white jade cup."
"The exquisite fruit spring crystal jelly is made by boiling the finest agar-agar to make a gelatinous substance, which is then cooled and solidified into a jelly. Finely diced seasonal fruits, including pears, apples, citrus segments, and precious Persian dates and longan pulp, are evenly suspended within it. On top of the jelly, a crystal-clear spring dewdrop shaped by a mold is placed."
After the six desserts were introduced, all the ladies in the room held their breath, their eyes shining with admiration.
Such ingenuity, such charm, such refined elegance—not to mention Qin Prefecture, even the imperial kitchen in Chang'an might not be able to surpass it.
The beauty of desserts is not only about satisfying one's appetite, but also a feast for the eyes and the soul, perfectly matching the princess's elegant intention to explore spring on the day of Lichun.
The princess picked up the silver spoon, her gaze lingering for a moment between the Qiongying Xue'e Su and the Yuzhan Fuxiang Xue, before finally gently scooping up a spoonful of Xiangxue Yun and elegantly bringing it to her lips.
The hall was silent, with only the hissing of the icy air and the soft crackling of the charcoal fire.
"Cool and smooth, with the rich fragrance of roses, light as snow, fragrant and long-lasting... truly 'spring snow melts, and a subtle fragrance floats in the air'."
Upon hearing this, Pei Qingwu felt relieved.
She had done her best; success or failure, it all depended on the taste on the princess's lips in that one moment.
Now that the princess says it's good, it truly is good.
"Your Highness is too kind. I am humbled."
After the princess finished praising him, the standing lady-in-waiting immediately announced, "His Highness has bestowed rewards; ladies, please make yourselves at home."
The guests, who were already itching to try the six exquisite and unprecedented ice cream dishes, picked up their silver spoons and jade chopsticks upon hearing this.
Exclamations of amazement and praise rose and fell, instantly filling the warm pavilion.
"Wow! This Qiongying Xue'e Pastry is truly as thin as a cicada's wing, melts in your mouth, and has a flavor that truly evokes the pure elegance of plum blossoms braving the snow."
"Look at this emerald stream flowing with ice and jade. The water is crystal clear, the mossy stones are lush and green, and the pebbles made of water chestnuts and lotus seeds are crisp and smooth to the taste. What a clever idea!"
"This 'Golden Sparrow Holding Spring Roll' has a chewy yet smooth rice paper wrapper, a filling of tender and sweet elm seed and bamboo shoot shreds, and a touch of goji berries that bring it to life. It's absolutely wonderful!"
The ladies of wealthy and powerful families, who were usually reserved and had seen many fine things, were now captivated by these pastries that combined artistic conception and delicious taste. They whispered among themselves, praising them endlessly.
The freezing point on the table decreased at a visible rate, and the palace maids immediately and swiftly removed the empty cups and quickly presented the second serving that had been prepared in advance.
Inside the warm pavilion, the charcoal fire crackled, the air was filled with cool mist, and the fragrance of flowers wafted in the air. Coupled with the glittering jewels and cheerful laughter that filled the room, it truly created a rare and warm spring atmosphere in the cold winter.
The princess sat in the main seat, looking at the lively scene before her. The Spring Festival banquet, which she had been planning for days, was even more perfect than she had imagined. Her eyes and brows were filled with genuine joy and satisfaction.
"Good, good, good!" Looking at Pei Qingwu who was standing there, the princess said "good" three times in a row. Her voice was clear and melodious, and she was very satisfied. "Today's Spring Festival banquet is made more worthwhile with these delicious dishes. Master Pei is very clever and has a unique talent. These six kinds of iced food have made the spring atmosphere vivid and fragrant."
The princess paused, looked around at the guests, and said loudly, "Such ingenious ideas deserve to be written down."
The lady-in-waiting beside her had already understood and immediately brought over the prepared writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. She quickly spread out a sheet of snow-wave paper on the small sandalwood table in front of the princess and ground the fragrant ink.
The princess picked up a small purple-tipped brush, pondered for a moment, and then wrote with great skill and grace on the paper.
In a short while, a seven-character quatrain was written.
A hush fell over the room, and everyone’s eyes were fixed on the small piece of paper.
The lady-in-waiting carefully picked up the poem and read it aloud in a clear voice.
"Frost settles on the jade table, dotting the emerald carpet; even the finest paintings cannot capture this icy goddess."
A gentle east wind secretly blows through the Qingwu Garden; only then do I believe that phoenixes and unicorns truly exist in the human world.
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