Chapter 170 Rongguo Mansion Prepares to Welcome Guests
“Girl, our ideal is a bit too far-fetched, a female knight-errant becoming a female merchant…” Yuan Hongqu pretended to be shocked and a little unable to accept it.
"Granny, I was just saying it, but it really scared you!" Daiyu said with a mischievous smile.
"My dear girl, next time you're joking, please tell me beforehand." Yuan Hongqu patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
When she suddenly heard Daiyu say that, Yuan Hongqu's mind went blank for a moment. If she had raised Lin Daiyu to be a strong woman and a businesswoman, she would probably be remembered in history, but in a bad way.
However, she quickly realized that Daiyu was joking and immediately returned to normal.
"I told you in advance, so I won't scare you." Daiyu blinked, smiling like a cunning little fox who had succeeded in her scheme.
"Alright, you scared me. I'm not in the mood to make desserts right now. I was planning to make a Jade Ruyi Roll and a Plum Crystal Soup, but I'll have to surprise you. I can't make them today." Yuan Hongqu said with a serious expression, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Granny, you can't do that!" Daiyu immediately stepped forward and pleaded, "I deliberately didn't eat any snacks today, just waiting for your new ones, Granny, I won't scare you anymore, let's go make some snacks..."
The two of them laughed and joked as they headed to the small kitchen, having completely forgotten about what had just happened at the Rongguo Mansion.
Meanwhile, in the Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu had just returned to his study in a daze when Jia Lian sent someone to the Lin family to inquire, confirming that Daiyu would indeed be coming to the mansion the next day.
For a while, the Rongguo Mansion was quite busy, decorating the garden and tidying up the warm rooms. Should Daiyu rest at Rongqing Hall or Rongyue Courtyard when she comes tomorrow? Have Daiyu's favorite tea and snacks been prepared?
Upon this preparation, the Jia family realized that when Miss Lin was in their household, she was usually very particular about her food and drink, which was mostly prepared by the small kitchen in Rongyue Courtyard. The snacks and tea she ate elsewhere were just for show, and they rarely saw her enjoy eating food from outside.
She usually eats more often at Grandmother Jia's place, so we can ask the maids who serve meals at Rongqing Hall what dishes Miss Lin used to like, and prepare the banquet for tomorrow accordingly.
Unexpectedly, Yuanyang was the one who served the most meals at Rongqing Hall. After thinking about it carefully, Yuanyang realized that the dishes that Miss Lin usually ate at Rongqing Hall were mostly sent from the small kitchen of Rongyue Courtyard. As for the dishes sent from the main kitchen here, she rarely used them.
The dishes sent by Rongyueyuan could be made in their main kitchen to look about 80-90% similar, but the taste was far inferior; Rongyueyuan's dishes were much more delicious. Even a simple dish like Longjing Shrimp, Rongyueyuan brought out the shrimp's freshness to its fullest, something they could never replicate.
If you ask Yuan Hongqu, she will only say three words: "The ingredients are good."
The shrimp are all the same, except that the Longjing tea used by the original red lotus is produced in the space and roasted by themselves.
Therefore, it's impossible for the Rongguo Mansion's main kitchen to replicate the same taste.
They're in a real bind trying to figure out what to cook for tomorrow's banquet.
The head cook went to ask Wang Xifeng for advice, since apart from the old lady, the person with the closest relationship with Miss Lin was Second Madam Lian.
Wang Xifeng, having learned of her purpose, immediately spoke.
"In my opinion, you don't need to worry about the dishes that Miss Lin usually eats. You can't cook them well anyway. If you do, it will just be a poor imitation and make you a laughing stock. You should just use your best skills and make sure Miss Lin likes your cooking."
"Second Madam is absolutely right. However, tomorrow is the arrival of the Princess, which is different from before. We are afraid that if we neglect her, we will be blamed."
"Miss Lin isn't that petty. Besides, Miss Lin said she's coming to visit the old lady tomorrow. Do you think she's just here to show off her status as a princess?"
"Second Madam, given your relationship with Miss Lin, there's naturally nothing to worry about. Miss Lin won't put on airs in front of you. We are servants, but I'm afraid Her Highness the Princess won't tolerate any mistakes from us," the head maid said anxiously.
When Miss Lin lived here, she almost never ate the food from their main kitchen. They thought it was convenient for them. Now it seems that the more trouble they saved before, the more worries they have to worry about now.
God is so fair!
"Just use all your best skills, that's all. Although Miss Lin has become a princess, she's not arrogant at all and is still as easy to get along with as before," Jia Lian said as he walked over.
He visited the Lin family yesterday, so his words are more believable.
Upon hearing this, the headmistress responded and went to draft the menu.
Inside the side hall, Jia Lian was sighing to Wang Xifeng.
“After Lin Daiyu became a princess, things are definitely different. In the past, when she came here, her family would never have made such a fuss. Now, the whole household is so busy that they don’t even have time to spare. They’re even drawing up menus, finding tea leaves, and sending people to clean Rongyue Courtyard overnight…”
“My sister’s status is different now.” Wang Xifeng rolled her eyes at Jia Lian. “Is the rank of the Consort in the palace higher, or is the rank of Princess Lin higher?”
“Naturally, a princess has a higher status,” Jia Lian said, teasing his daughter.
“Big sister, when you grow up, learn skills like Princess Lin and try to become a princess yourself, so that your father can also be proud.”
Wang Xifeng burst out laughing upon hearing this.
"Jia Lian, don't you dare corrupt my daughter!" Wang Xifeng hugged the eldest daughter.
"If you want fame and fortune, go earn it yourself. Do you think the position of a princess is as easy as radishes and cabbages, readily available? In the past thousand years, only one Lin Daiyu has appeared in the world, and even in the next thousand years, no one can compare with her talent. Second Master Lian, with our dislike of reading, how could we possibly have a daughter who loves reading?"
Upon hearing this, Jia Lian instinctively shook his head.
"My daughter doesn't need to be too clever, just happy and peaceful throughout her life." These days, Wang Xifeng often takes care of the child herself. After all, she is her own flesh and blood, and the more she takes care of her, the deeper her affection grows.
"Alright, whatever Second Grandmother says is right. From now on, our eldest sister can do whatever she wants. I was just saying something nonsense, and you've given me such a long speech. I'll never dare to say anything nonsense to you again..."
"Are you still feeling wronged?" Wang Xifeng glanced at Jia Lian sideways, but before she could utter her sarcastic words, she heard Ping'er's voice from the doorway.
"Second Master, Second Madam, the Old Madam wants you to go there quickly."
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