Chapter 41: Yin Miaomiao’s Visit

Warning: Food porn ahead!! I got so hungry translating this chapter T_T

Shao Ming squatted in front of the kitchen stove and tended to the fire. However his eyes were looking without blinking at the flash of the knife in Ran Yan’s hand flying up and down. Adding to that was Ran Yan’s coldly elegant and solemn face, Shao Ming felt his scalp go numb. He thought in his heart, wasn’t it just making dishes, do you need to be so serious?

Ran Yan’s culinary skills were diverse, be it Shandong cuisine, Szechuan cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Western cuisine, she had a rough knowledge of them all and equally had a few dishes she was good at (in each type of cuisine). To her, cooking was just like dissection, as long as you managed to grasp each aspect perfectly, there would be no fear of failure.

Shao Ming looked at a sparkling and translucent jade-like flower birthed in Ran Yan’s hands, not only did his eyes widen and jaw drop, he even forgot to tend to the fire.

“Add wood.” Ran Yan reminded him, there was still the Milk-broth Eight Treasures Chicken sealed in the pot, the fire must not be cut off.

Shao Ming came to his senses, and quickly stoked the fire.

As the proverb says, those that receive benefits from others are unable to act impartially[1]. Ran Yan made a resolution that she had to give her all in this task and break through shifu’s sense of taste in one move. Therefore, the dishes she made, regardless of whether it was novelty, appearance, fragrance or taste, she had given ample effort to every aspect.

Wu Xiuhe crouched on the veranda squinting his eyes while basking under the sun. Suddenly a waft of fragrance assailed his nostrils, his pair of eyes widened slightly, and looked towards the small kitchen. Sounds of sizzling came from within, alongside the glutinous inducing aroma. Wu Xinghe swallowed violently.

He waited for a long time, but there was still no indication of the dishes being served up, Wu Xiuhe’s empty stomach made a rumbling noise. After hesitating for a while, he stealthily put on his clog shoes and quietly moved over there.

Wu Xiuhe lay in front of the window, deeply breathed in this waft of fragrance, and swallowed his saliva again. He peeped through the small crack.

After looking for half a day, he still could not see the direction of the kitchen stove. He felt anxious in his heart, and was just about to moisten his finger with a little saliva to poke a hole in the paper window[2], but at this moment the door opened with a creak.

Wu Xiuhe was caught off guard and still maintained his posture where he was about to poke the window. They stayed face to face for a moment. Wu Xinghe calmly without embarrassment put his hand behind him, coughed dryly twice and said, “The sun was strong on the veranda, so I came over to avoid the sun for a little while.”

“Shifu, please eat.” Ran Yan felt amused inside, at the same time felt that her decision to cook dishes was the right guess.

No matter how eager Wu Xiuhe was in his heart, he still had to maintain his dignity. He tidied his wrinkled lapels and sauntered into the living room.

Shao Ming carried a tray and followed behind Ran Yan to enter the room. Waiting till Wu Xiuhe sat down on the seat, Ran Yan personally served each dish to the table.

Within the plain-coloured fine china plates, a few fresh green “leaves” embraced a bouquet of jade-like flowers, the flower petals were complex, they were nearly transparent, and the light green colour of the petal veins could be seen clearly. Beside this bouquet of flowers were orange-red coloured stir-fried shrimps, it appeared crispy and tasty. Ran Yan said, “These are braised king prawns.”

Braised King Prawns
T/N: you have no idea how hard it was to find this one photo where there was a ‘transparent’ flower, the others photos all had purple orchids

The other plate was a golden-bright and dazzling scene, and was set off by the red-brown oily soup. It emitted waves of the strong fragrance of meat. Ran Yan said, “This is chicken with hot ginger sauce.”

Chicken with Hot Ginger Sauce

“This dish is Wensi tofu soup.” Following that she served a pure white shallow plate, within the transparent egg yolk coloured soup were fine white threads resembling a flower in a flash of blossom, the threads scattered to all four corners from the middle. Bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms were decorated in between. It looked pure and beautiful.

Wensi Tofu Soup

Next was a white bowl, the lid was lifted open, and the red colour of the meat within shone out, sparkling and shiny, waves of its fragrance assailed the nostrils. “This is.. red braised pork belly.” It actually was cooked using the method of Dongpo pork, but the renowned Mr Su Dongpo had yet to be born, thus Ran Yan changed its name.

Following that, the Milk-broth Eight Treasures Chicken seemed a lot plainer. However, its thick broth would inevitably stimulate one’s appetite once one saw it.

Milk-broth Eight Treasures Chicken

Other than that, there were also a few refreshing side dishes to whet the appetite.

Even though there were a large variety of dishes, but the portion of each dish was not a lot. For example, the Dongpo pork, within the little earthenware bowl, there was only two pieces the size of a small egg. Whereas for the braised king prawns, she had meticulously selected six prawns that were even in size and had beautiful outward appearances.

She did not know if it was because the ingredients in the Tang Dynasty were all organic food, the quality of these few dishes greatly exceeded Ran Yan’s own expectations.

“Shifu, it is not suitable to eat greasy food in the summer, therefore the amount I prepared is a little small, moreover I do not know what type of food you like, why don’t you try it first?” Ran Yan ignored Wu Xiuhe’s fixed gaze and handed over a pair of chopsticks with both hands.

Wu Xiuhe received the chopsticks, and immediately clamped onto the shining red Dongpo pork in the white bowl. Ran Yan understood clearly then, it seemed that this cheap shifu really loved pork meat.

Dongpo pork was fatty but not greasy, it was crispy, fragrant and delicious, melting in the mouth. It nearly made Wu Xiuhe swallow his own tongue. After one bite, the fluids in his mouth were even more stimulating, his saliva almost drooled out. But in order to protect his dignity as an elder, he could only look at it with reluctance to part, and turned to pick up the chicken with hot ginger sauce.”

The chicken pieces were stripped from the bone, every piece were cut into even sizes. The flesh was tender but not mushy, the rich fragrance of the ginger and the chicken fused together perfectly. Wu Xiuhe was in high spirits as he ate, thinking in his heart, accepting this disciple was not a mistake, just based one this skill, she could sweep the entire Suzhou. He really picked up a treasure!

Before this, Shao Ming had been permitted to eat a little from each dish in the kitchen, but when he saw the delicious food on the table presently, he still secretly swallowed his saliva.

Ran Yan personally ladled a small bowl of tofu soup for Wu Xiuhe, just as she prepared to pass it over, she heard Miss Xing’s voice calling from outside, “Miss!”

Ran Yan glanced at Wu Xiuhe and said, “Shifu please enjoy your meal. I will go out for a while first.”

This precisely suited Wu Xiuhe’s wishes. If Ran Yan was not here, he might as well just directly use his hands to grab the food, why would he use chopsticks that were so troublesome! It made his old heart burn with anxiety.

Waiting till after Ran Yan walked out, Wu Xiuhe looked at Shao Ming and said indifferently, “You may withdraw as well.”

Shao Ming gave his assent, bowed and retreated. He thought in his heart, there were still some left in the kitchen, he had to quickly wrap it up and bring it back to let his younger sister and mother try!

Ran Yan exited the living hall and saw that Miss Xing was standing at the courtyard’s entrance. She was constantly shifting her feet, revealing that she was somewhat anxious.

“Miss Xing?” Ran Yan called out.

“Miss.” Miss Xing came forward to greet her. Her gaze swept across Ran Yan’s casual dress and said, “Third Miss Yin came to visit you, she’s currently waiting in the living hall. Miss must hurry a little and change your clothing, as to not lose etiquette.”

Ran Yan realised that her body would definitely have the smell of oil and smoke, thus did not protest. She turned her head caught sight of Shao Ming coming out, thus gave him instructions, “Go back and inform shifu that I am taking a trip back to the courtyard, and will return in the evening to see him.”

Shao Ming originally thought that Ran Yan would be arrogant like the other noble ladies, but after interacting with her, he felt that although her appearance looked a little stern, her personality was not bad, thus had a good impression of her. After hearing her orders, he immediately replied, “Don’t worry, Miss. I will go and tell him now.”

Returning to the courtyard, Ran Yan first went to bedroom to wash her face. She changed into comfortable clothing and loosely pinned her dark hair into a bun, giving an air of casual languidness. Miss Xing felt that only a gentle and dignified appearance was good, thus all the clothing she prepared for Ran Yan were to conceal the cold, serious aura on her body to the utmost.

Ran Yan also had never protested. She was not a person that liked to follow conventions, in the past she did not have time to dress up. But since there were requirements now, changing a little was also good.

After getting ready and reaching the living hall, she saw Yin Miao-miao in a pea-green straight-lapel muslin dress sitting on a seat. Her dark hair was drawn up in a lively and elegant cone-bun[3], on top of it was decorated with a few silver Chinese snowball flowers. Her fair skin was like a top quality lamb rouge jade, her sharp chin joining a slender neck. A pair of gem-white flesh that were not large and not small were revealed at her chest. A few stray hairs were lightly blown by the summer wind, brushing mischievously by her cheek. Yin Miao-miao noticed that someone had entered and lifted her head slightly while stroking the stray hairs at her temples. She look at Ran Yan and smiled lightly, bent her head to place the cup in her hand down properly, before rising gracefully and saying, “Ah Yan.”

This was really a girl that was refined and elegant in all aspects! Ran Yan also could not help but exclaim in admiration in her heart, it was already said that the Yin family’s daughters were paragons, yet they were not particularly rigid.

Ran Yan smiled faintly, looking at her sorrowful eyes that seemed to contain water mist, she was afraid that if she was not gentle enough it would scare her, hence slowed her voice and said, “How is Miao-miao’s body? Is there somewhere uncomfortable?”

“I was just greatly frightened that day and feel somewhat uncomfortable in my heart. It is nothing worrying, I am a lot better now.” Yin Miao-miao’s voice was soft like a normal person.

Ran Yan could not help recalling that at the water pavilion, Yin Miao-miao’s smiling face while she suggested playing hide and seek. She had a constant feeling that there was a discrepancy between that and her current performance. However, she did not exclude the possibility that it was caused by her good mood due to the crowded, lively atmosphere of that day.

Ran Yan’s gaze swept across her light pink painted nails, and enquired, “Miao-miao came to look for me today, is there a reason?”

Yin Miao-miao smiled shallowly, “Can’t I come look for you without a reason?” Following that, as if she thought about something, her eyes downcast, and said sadly, “Ah Yan, don’t blame me, you know that our Yin family’s daughters, even making friends are controlled. You were sent to the estate by Uncle, after that he acted like he forgot about you, his daughter. Those in Suzhou city all thought that you were abandoned by the Ran clan. I… I naturally also could not come visit you.”

Ran Yan was startled. She had not thought that Yin Miao-miao would directly speak about this. Under the strict education of the Yin residence, Yin Miao-miao could frankly say these kind of words, it could be that she really treasured her as a friend, or it could be that it was a type of scheme to strive for her good will, or perhaps Yin Miao-miao herself had a mind to rebel against the strictness of the Yin residence. Ran Yan momentarily could not see through which it was.

“Such is the way of the world, I do not blame anyone.” Ran Yan thought in her heart that the main reason why the original owner (of this body) arrived at such miserable circumstances was still because her personality was too weak, she really could not blame the heavens or others.

“Ah Yan is different from the past. Your days in the future will definitely be better.”Yin Miao-miao said sincerely.

Ran Yan heard that her words were genuine, and thus did not think too much, smiled and said, “If only your words would come true.”

Miss Xing served up two plates of cake. The estate did not entertain guests often, Miss Xing had only made one or two types just in case. Luckily this morning she made a pot, otherwise they could only serve tea to their guest now.

“Ah Yan, is your servant alright now?” Yin Miao-miao asked.

Ran Yan observed Yin Miao-miao’s expression out of the corners of her eyes and said, “Her situation now has stabilised, there is no risk to her life. Last night she woke up once… I really don’t know who she offended, they actually wanted to take her life.”

Yin Miao-miao sighed, “This matter happening at the Yin residence, all of a sudden two people were met with harm inexplicably. These past few days at home, everyone has been jumping at shadows, it really makes one fearful. Luckily Wan Lu guniang is alright, otherwise I really do not know how to account for it to you.”

“Miao-miao doesn’t need to blame herself.” Ran Yan sipped a mouthful of tea, raised her head and acted like she was asking without any intensions, “Were all your servants by your side on the day of the tea party?”

Bringing up the circumstances of that day, Yin Miao-miao’s complexion turned a little pale. She said, “Two days ago Miss Wei helped Mother prepare for the tea party, she said that there wasn’t enough well-mannered staff, thus borrowed a servant from me for a few days. Who knew…”

“Miss Wei?” Ran Yan recalled back, and realised that she did not have any impression of this person.

Yin Miao-miao nodded her head and said, “She’s a concubine Father took in last year. Mother’s body isn’t well, so Father let her help manage some minor matters in the household.”

Miss Wei… At the tea party that day, Ran Yan actually did not notice this person. Just as she was thinking about it, she heard Shao Ming frantic shouts, “Miss! Miss! It’s bad!”

Ran Yan smiled apologetically at Yin Miao-miao, got up and walked to the corridor and saw Shao Ming rushing towards her like a gust of wind, “Miss, Great Doctor Wu choked (on his food), I patted his back for a little while, but the situation became worse and worse, his complexion has already turned a little blue!”

[1] 吃人的嘴软: lit. the mouth that eats people is soft. (eating people: receiving benefits/exploiting the poor; soft mouth: soft-spoken aka treats those they receive benefits from nicely)

[2] 窗户纸: literally window paper. It’s like the Japanese shōji: a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood which holds together a lattice of wood or bamboo.

[3] 锥髻: see picture