Chapter 90 Chapter 90 Houfu cooking alone...
Madam Qin found it unbelievable. Lu Zheng had already introduced himself, so the other side must know that he was from Anyang Marquis's Mansion. After asking around a little, they would know that Lu Zheng was the old marquis. So why was he asked to do such a small thing when they knew everything?
To be honest, Mrs. Qin had thought about it. The family was dressed simply, and Lu Zheng said they had an accent from other places. She also asked the servants to inquire and found out that the family was indeed from other places and had just arrived in the capital not long ago.
If it was Madam Qin, even if she felt embarrassed to ask for too much, she would still use this favor to her advantage. For example, she could use Lu Zheng's connections to help introduce someone.
But the post only asked if the Marquis's Mansion was hosting a banquet. Madam Lin said she was good at cooking and volunteered to come. This wasn't a request for help, but rather an offer to help the Mansion with work.
Madam Qin was puzzled, "My Lord..."
Lu Zheng took the note away, read it, and then took it back. He sighed and said, "The child's mother has said more than once that it's just a small thing, so there's no need to thank me. I guess she wouldn't ask for big things, so she just said a small thing to put our minds at ease."
Besides, since they knew it was the Marquis' Mansion, they certainly wouldn't ignore it. To that family, the Marquis' Mansion was a tree and a tiger; they had to maintain the relationship, and it couldn't be a one-time deal.
Lu Zheng was willing to do anything, but in Lin Qiuran's eyes, he was just an old man who suddenly appeared, insisted on repaying a favor, and looked a little weird. He was probably afraid that it would be bad to make other requests, so he thought that there would be no harm in acting cautiously, and on the contrary, it would be very smart.
Lu Zheng liked the child, but he did not inadvertently ask where Lin Qiuran's husband was. Just as he thought, even if the child was not Minzhi's offspring, he would still like him.
Because he loves Lin Qiuran, he thinks she is pretty good, but of course not as good as Tangyuan.
Lin Qiuran's approach was naturally much better than simply asking Lu Zheng to help buy a house from the beginning. Being sensible and understanding, Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Since she has asked, just do it."
Perhaps it wasn't just a simple banquet; it was unclear what Lin Qiuran was trying to achieve. Regardless, this wasn't a difficult task for Madam Qin.
Madam Qin nodded and looked at the post again. "I live in Luyang Street in the east of the city. The houses there are not cheap. I don't know if they bought it or rented it."
Madam Qin hoped that they would live a better life, at least not lack money. She wrote a reply, telling Lin Qiuran that the Marquis's residence would be hosting a flower viewing banquet in three days and that he needed to come three days in advance to prepare the menu for the banquet tea and snacks. He was to come as promised.
Mrs. Qin didn't ask Lin Qiuran to bring the dumplings with her; it would have been too abrupt. If they got closer, they'd eventually see each other. She thought this was a good idea; if Lin Qiuran was capable, they'd feel more at ease.
I don’t know if I can see Minzhi’s child in my lifetime. I haven’t told anyone else about this. It would be best if the child’s mother is capable.
Mrs. Qin was worried that Tangyuan was not doing well. Looking at the child, she couldn't help but think of her grandson. She felt heartbroken when she thought of her grandson suffering.
But to be honest, although the Xiao family's financial situation is not as good as those of the wealthy and powerful families in the capital, Tangyuan has had no shortage of anything since Lin Qiuran knew that she had this child.
When Lin Qiuran first came here, Xiao Dashi caught fish every day and could sell them out. He soon moved to the county town to make it more convenient for him to do business, and he no longer had to worry about food and drink.
Business was good, and the family soon had a shop and saved some money. Before Lin Qiuran gave birth, they had moved to a bigger house.
Tangyuan didn't have to squeeze with others when he was born. Not long after he was born, his family bought the teahouse next door and expanded the restaurant. Before he was one year old, the family had a restaurant.
Sun often said that Tangyuan was lucky. He had a wet nurse to care for him since birth, and when Yu An was in trouble, Xu Yuanheng took him away, and he grew up peacefully. There were times when he was sick, but with Lin Qiuran watching over him day and night, he always got through it safely.
Now that he was old enough to start studying, he had moved to the capital. The house was bigger and he had his own yard, where he could live comfortably and have more things to play with.
Although Tang Yuan didn't know, Lin Qiuran knew that Xiao Xun had been promoted. The Xiao family was no longer a merchant family, and Tang Yuan had a father who was an official, so he could take the imperial examinations in the future. It wasn't a promising future, but at least Tang Yuan could go to school and have the opportunity to study.
In Sun's eyes, this is what it means to grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth. Think about what Xiao Xun had when he was a child, and what did Aunt Yu's children have?
Moreover, the house was large, with plenty of places to play. Lin Qiuran had said he wanted to build a swing for Tangyuan in the yard, and he had been choosing a spot these past two days. After choosing, he planned to go ice skating and build a snowman. He still found these things quite novel.
Lin Qiuran waited anxiously for a reply from the Anyang Marquisate. She wondered if they would agree to this. If not, she would have to find another way.
How can we let people understand the taste of Jindinglou? We can't just set up a stall. Jindinglou is a restaurant, opened in the capital, and the prices of dishes must be different from those in Yu'an. Setting up a stall is useless.
After waiting for more than half an hour, the doorman came in to report that the servant from Anyang Marquis's Mansion had delivered the invitation.
Lin Qiuran couldn't wait to take the invitation and open it. The invitation stated that the Marquis' Mansion would hold a flower viewing banquet in three days, and she had to go there tomorrow to discuss the menu.
Done.
This note was different from the one written by Lin Qiuran. She had chosen the paper, written on it and put it in an envelope. However, the note from the Marquis' Mansion was made of different paper, with tiny petals on it.
Lin Qiuran took note of this and looked at the post again. It was no longer a post, but a ladder.
The banquet was to be held three days later, so they went there three days in advance, leaving two full days for preparation. This was more troublesome than preparing the banquet in the past, but it was understandable. After all, this was a banquet, and the Marquis's Mansion was wealthy and powerful, so it couldn't be as simple and casual as a banquet in the county town.
Lin Qiuran put the note away and told Sun that he would be going out tomorrow.
Sun asked, "What are you doing?"
Lin Qiuran said, "I'm going to the Marquis' Mansion to discuss the menu and promote Jindinglou."
Lin Qiuran felt that it was not simple. This was a flower-viewing banquet, and there should be tea and snacks during the banquet. If guests were invited to dinner, food would definitely be prepared. If not, the banquet would focus on beautiful and delicious snacks. It all depended on the host's wishes.
Lin Qiuran is not good at making dim sum, but she has good knife skills and can shape them effortlessly, so she can definitely help.
In addition to dim sum, Lin Qiuran can also make other things. She is good at steaming dim sum, and the things she makes are also exquisite and beautiful. It depends on whether the Marquis' Mansion wants them.
Sun nodded, as if she was back to the time when she prepared a feast for the Wang family. She subconsciously said, "I'll go with you and help... Wait, are we going to the Marquis' Mansion?"
Lin Qiuran smiled and nodded, "Yes, if you've stayed at home long enough, you can go with me. If you don't go, I'll take Lin Chun and the others with me that day."
Lin Qiuran felt that people couldn't just sit idle all the time. Once idle, it was easy to get into trouble. Not wanting to look at this, not wanting to do that, and easily having random thoughts.
Just like Tang Yuan, when he's idle, who knows what tricks he'll be thinking. If the child is quiet, he's definitely up to something, and Tang Yuan, being sensible and obedient, is no exception.
If Sun Shi felt it was boring and wanted to do some work, that was fine. Of course, it was fine if she didn't want to go. After all, it was the Marquis' Mansion. Lin Qiuran still remembered that time when she went to the Jiang family, Sun Shi was very scared.
When Sun heard that it was the Marquis' Mansion, she wanted to go but was a little afraid.
She said, "I'd better not go this time. I'm afraid I'll say something wrong and cause you more trouble. You should also be careful. If you can't do it, come back. It's not necessary to do it."
Sun knew that Lin Qiuran went out to make money, but the Marquis' Mansion was such a big place and the Marquis lived there, so there must be a lot of rules, and she felt a little scared.
Lin Qiuran said, "It's okay. This is the same family that Tangyuan helped on the road that day. I will be careful. Don't worry, mom. Just keep an eye on Tangyuan at home."
Lin Qiuran planned to send him to school after the New Year, so he could play as much as he wanted these days, and as long as he didn't go too far, she wouldn't restrict him.
She will not be at home tomorrow and no one knows when she will be back. Sun loves her child very much. Lin Qiuran sees that the child has improved a lot in recent days and is afraid that she will return to her old ways when she is not at home. Once Tangyuan acts coquettishly, Sun will lose her principles.
Sun imitated Tangyuan and assured him, "Don't worry, I will definitely take good care of him."
Leave the task of taking care of the dumplings to her.
The next day, Lin Qiuran went out at dawn. She brought Lin Chun with her. The place was a bit far away, and it took more than a quarter of an hour to get there by carriage.
After arriving, he handed the note to the doorman and was brought in without waiting.
Lin Qiuran stepped over the threshold and glanced at the Anyang Marquis Mansion out of the corner of his eye.
The Xiao family is already doing well now, but after seeing the Marquis' Mansion, they feel that there is more to it than meets the eye.
The snow on the road was swept, and the swept snow did not pile up on both sides, but was carried away, making it look very clean.
The snow had not melted yet, and the ornamental trees on both sides were covered with thick snow, like a layer of white hats. It was a very nice view. The house was large, but it did not look empty. Every blade of grass and every tree was very exquisite.
When we met maids and servants on the roadside, they all lowered their heads and were very well-behaved.
Lin Qiuran felt that all of this could be learned. She could even observe how the Marquis's mansion held banquets in a couple of days and learn the art of entertaining people. Coming to the capital, she, like Tangyuan, found everything new and exciting, a chance to see the world and learn new things. Back in Yu'an, she'd have thought everything was good, like a frog in a well.
Yes, Tangyuan needs to learn to read and write, and she also needs to learn some skills.
Lin Qiuran didn't know where the maid was taking her. After passing through many small paths, corridors, and the round archway of the moon gate, she finally arrived at a courtyard.
Two maids were guarding the gate to the courtyard. Inside were three rooms, with side rooms. A thick curtain hung at the door, and a maid was also guarding it.
The maid brought Lin Qiuran to the door and said, "Madam Lin, please wait a moment. I will go in and report."
Lin Qiuran nodded and didn't let her wait too long. Soon the maid came out and invited her in.
After entering, there was a warm and fragrant smell, a mixture of floral and fruity scents, which was very soothing. Lin Qiuran caught a glimpse of a pot of gardenias from the corner of his eye. Winter flowers are indeed joyful.
Lin Qiuran didn't look around, and Madam Qin didn't look him up and down. She waved at Lin Qiuran and said, "You must be Madam Lin."
Lin Qiuran bowed and said, "Greetings, old lady."
Mrs. Qin smiled and said, "Come and sit down. I'll tell you about the banquet."
Lin Qiuran sat down opposite Madam Qin. It was a Luohan bed with a small table in the middle, on which were snacks and fruit plates.
Lin Qiuran said, "Madam, I am good at making steamed buns and carving patterns. Madam, please tell me what needs to be done."
Madam Qin originally wanted to invite people over to go through the motions and let Lin Qiuran do whatever he wanted. But seeing Lin Qiuran's serious look, she really became interested. She said, "In the past, when we held a flower viewing banquet, we just prepared some tea and cakes. You said you are good at making steamed cakes. What are you good at?"
Carving, carving flowers on the radish? The chef in the Marquis’ Mansion can do that too.
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "Madam, the most important thing about eating dim sum is the eating. Even if I describe it to you in a fancy way, if you haven't tried it, you won't know what it's like."
Mrs. Qin thought this made sense. She had originally planned not to ask anything and just let Lin Qiuran come over to help. She would decide on the menu and let her see it. There were chefs and cooks in the mansion, so they had everything they needed.
But now it seemed that doing so would be too hasty. She said, "You can try it. There's a small kitchen in the yard. Jinxiu, take Madam Lin there. Madam Lin, if you need anything, just tell Jinxiu and let her prepare it for you."
Lin Qiuran nodded, "Does the old lady have any dietary restrictions?"
Madam Qin said, "I don't have any dietary restrictions, but I prefer spicy food. However, I won't need it when making snacks today."
Lin Qiuran understood and went to the small kitchen.
Although it was called a small kitchen, it had everything you need: large woks, iron pots, steamers, and ovens. Lin Qiuran also spotted Xu Yuanheng selling thirteen spices and mushrooms, their small bottles prominently displayed on the shelf.
Lin Qiuran was a little surprised, and a little proud. This was something she made, and it had arrived in the capital before her. The fact that it was in the Marquis's Mansion proved that it was good.
There were two cooks in the small kitchen. Lin Qiuran asked them to make peeled mung bean filling, which should be dry, fine and with less water, and no seasoning was needed for the time being.
She is not good at this, but she can do other things by herself.
The kitchen had all kinds of meat and vegetables, as well as live shrimp and seafood. When Lin Qiuran looked around the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of cow's and goat's milk in the bucket.
She couldn't help but ask, "Miss Jinxiu, where does this cow's milk and goat's milk come from?"
It's been over a year since weaning, but it's a good thing, so keep an eye out for it. Lin Qiuran knows how to make Cantonese-style syrups, having learned how to make them when she was just starting to steam them. Some banquets require desserts.
But I haven’t tried milk tea or something like that because they are mostly sold outside.
The milk here smells a bit fishy, so you can make ginger milk or something like that.
Jinxiu said, "This was sent by Zhuangzi."
Jinxiu was close to Madam Qin and was quite familiar with these matters. Knowing that Lin Qiuran had a child, she said, "If Madam Lin also needs this, we can send it to your residence every day. It won't be a big deal."
Lin Qiuran really needed this, so she hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you very much. I can pay you daily or monthly."
If it is delivered every day, then Tangyuan can drink milk every day.
Jinxiu smiled and said, "Well, Madam Lin, take another look and tell me if there's anything missing."
Lin Qiuran nodded, "Okay."
She looked at what was in her hand and asked Lin Chun to take out the knife. She was busy in the kitchen, planning to make some Cantonese steamed snacks, such as shrimp dumplings, custard buns, and barbecued pork buns, which are small and easy to eat. In a place like a banquet, they must be eaten in small bites.
It would be best if the taste is not too strong, but I think there is tea for rinsing your mouth.
Lin Qiuran also made double skin milk, ginger milk and almond goat milk with milk.
After these were ready, Lin Qiuran asked the cook in the small kitchen to prepare the red bean paste. She seasoned it with milk and sugar, and used red bean paste for the petals and mung bean paste for the leaves.
Lin Qiuran compared the flowers in his impression, so he used a knife to pick up an appropriate amount of bean paste, carved the texture of the petals on the knife, and then embedded the petals layer by layer on the plate. He did the same with the leaves, and decorated the stamens with osmanthus powder, which was simply lifelike.
The taste is just like ordinary red bean paste, which is ok. But if you say it is delicious, it is definitely not.
The two cooks were amazed and still staring blankly. Lin Qiuran turned to them and asked, "Are there any snacks ready?"
Stacks of snacks were brought into the house. There were red beans on the double skin milk and ginger milk, and osmanthus honey on the almond and goat milk.
Mrs. Qin is not like Lu Zheng. She does not care about food and even sneers at Lu Zheng's delicious food. She is such an adult, but she can't control her mouth and often needs people to remind her. It's really embarrassing.
Lin Qiuran was still in the kitchen. She didn't come over because the food was not finished.
Qin looked at the dishes on the plate and couldn't help asking, "Were all these made by Madam Lin?"
Jinxiu said, "The snacks on the plate were bought from outside the mansion, but the plate was prepared by Madam Lin."
Qin looked at it carefully, with admiration in her eyes. She said, "This is a peony. If I hadn't known that it didn't bloom at this time of year, I would have believed it. This one is really beautiful. It will be very impressive to display it."
Lin Qiuran can only make something simple when he comes here today. If it were spring or summer, with edible plant pigments, it would definitely look better.
Mrs. Qin thought this was great, displaying it to be pleasing to the eye. "Can flowers be eaten?"
Jinxiu said, "Mrs. Lin said it's edible. It's made of red bean paste, but it's mostly for decoration. If you want to try it, you can try this."
Qin picked up a shrimp dumpling, put it in her mouth and bit half of it. She slowed down and took a look at what was inside.
Minced meat and shrimp.
Living in the mansion of the marquis, Qin had never lacked for chicken, duck, fish, meat, delicacies from land and sea... She had eaten both at home and outside, and this was something new and delicious to her.
Qin felt that ordinary people would not do these things. When she thought about Lin Qiuran's proposal to hold a banquet at the Marquis' Mansion, she understood.
Qin said, "Jinxiu, please ask Madam Lin to come over."
The steamed dumplings with minced mushrooms made by Lin Qiuran were also served. They were also small and exquisite. There were two on a plate with a radish flower next to them. They looked very beautiful.
Qin tasted it again, but finally restrained herself from eating too much. She couldn't help but ask, "Madam Lin, your cooking skills are so good, are you planning to open a restaurant in the capital?"
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