Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 11
Tled by Serena Love
Edited
Chapter 11: Breakfast
Jiang Shuyao wanted to earn some credit. Being respectful and modest didn’t suit her, but she could be a good performer. Of course, in modern terms, being sweet and good is what is commonly called "sucking up."
Jiang Shuyao was also quite determined. She got up early and rushed to the main hall. Fortunately, it was getting hot and the temperature in the morning was not too low. After waiting for two minutes, the Old Madam woke up.
At this time, Xu-shi also arrived. In her many years of being married into this family, she had never been late to offer greetings in the morning.
When Jiang Shuyao saw Xu-shi arrive, she had a good idea. Isn't Xu-shi the standard for a good daughter-in-law? It should be very useful to follow her.
Thinking of this, Jiang Shuyao smiled friendly at Xu-shi.
Xu-shi couldn't figure out what Jiang Shuyao was thinking. Seeing that she smiled at her, she was a little bit horrified, okay? Was she holding something against her?
She was cautious, sensitive and thoughtful. No matter what she thought in her heart, she wouldn’t show it on her face.
"Third sister-in-law came early today," She said to Jiang Shuyao in a kind and gentle manner.
Before Jiang Shuyao spoke, the second branch's lady, Zhou-shi, came. She didn't think that Jiang Shuyao would be here already. When she saw the two of them talking, her eyes swept over them and she smiled in a meaningful way, "Eldest sister-in-law, third sister-in-law."
Xu-shi did not want to bother with her. Seeing that the old madam's maid came out, she was the first to step into the hall.
Jiang Shuyao hurriedly followed, in fear that the lagging student wouldn’t be able to copy their role model’s work. She was so close behind Xu-shi and seemed to be stepping on the hem of Xu-shi's skirt.
With a glance, Zhou-shi felt that something was afoot! She also hurried inside.
Xu-shi heard the footsteps of the two behind her, and didn't know what happened. Her own footsteps also became a little frantic.
The old lady was sitting on the Arhat bench waiting for her daughters-in-law to greet her. When she raised her eyes, she saw the three of them rushing in as if they were being chased by dogs.
After all, the Xu-shi had been dignified and cautious for many years. She was just a little confused but quickly recovered and respectfully greeted the Old Madam.
This action made Jiang Shuyao feel relieved. She deserved to be everyone's model lady, as even her greetings had a special charm.
She reacted quickly, and followed Xu-shi's lead as if she was looking at her in a mirror to greet the Old Madam.
Zhou-shi was still thinking about what tricks were occurring, and was half a step behind.
The Old Madam’s eyes swept over, and Zhou-shi's heart tightened. What’s going on? Did she make a mistake?
Fortunately, the old lady didn't say anything, so Zhou-shi's thoughts drifted away. The day before yesterday, when she ordered clothes, she’d given the embroiderer some silver. Hopefully, Xu-shi will never find out...
No matter how they conversed with the Old Madam, Jiang Shuyao stood aside like a piece of wood, displaying a stern and cautious appearance.
It wasn’t until the maids served the meal that Jiang Shuyao's mask of aloofness instantly shattered to pieces.
It's over, she got up too early and didn't eat breakfast.
The old madam liked to have a light breakfast. It was enough to eat congee with two plates of stir-fried vegetables, and a plate of pickles.
Although Jiang Shuyao was a foodie, she couldn’t eat a bowl of plain rice porridge. She just looked at the white rice porridge and thought of salted duck eggs.
Roll it on the table, peel off the eggshell, and use chopsticks to clamp it. Then separate the white, tender and salty egg whites, revealing the red and orange egg yolk inside. With marinated egg yolk, red oil would come out with a poke.
Or white rice porridge with Xiaolongbao. The small steamed buns must be enjoyed. Bite open the fluffy hot steamed bun skin, and savor the tender and salty meat inside.
As she thought about it, her belly made an untimely "guru guru" sound, which stood out in the quiet moment.
Everyone looked at her, and she smiled embarrassedly, "I thought of coming over to greet the Old Madam earlier, so I didn't have breakfast."
The Old Madam put her chopsticks down, and said indifferently, "My third daughter-in-law, there is still some congee and side dishes in the kitchen. Why don't you have a meal with me?"
Jiang Shuyao isn’t stupid, and understood how to refuse, "No, Old Madam, please eat. Daughter-in-law will naturally serve by the side. How can a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have breakfast on the same table?" Of course, she really didn't want to eat this plain porridge and pickles.
The Old Madam replied unhurriedly, "Yes, of course these dishes don’t suit your tastes. Otherwise, you wouldn't have set up a small kitchen in your courtyard as soon as you got married."
Jiang Shuyao pretended not to hear her sarcastic tone. She blinked, her eyes gleamed and her eyes were clear, "Daughter-in-law's mother's appetite isn’t very good, so daughter-in-law loves to think about food on a daily basis, hoping that her mother would eat a few more meals. After I got married, I saw how hard my husband works and thought that it would be better if I make some warm vegetable soup for him from time-to-time." As she said this, her face didn’t turn red and her heartbeat didn’t quicken.
Is her cooking delicious? That’s inevitable.
To feed Xie Xun? Uh... he has freeloaded meals a few times, so it's not a lie.
Xu-shi was in charge of the domestic affairs of Duke Xie's mansion. There are her people everywhere. Naturally, she knew that Jiang Shuyao was lying.
Her gaze swept across Jiang Shuyao's face. This woman is... really thick-skinned.
However, she didn’t give less food to the twins. Even Xie Yao, who is a picky eater, would eat a lot every time.
Thinking of this, Xu-shi spoke for her in an unprecedented way, "The Third Brother can't put the book down when he starts reading. If the small kitchen is always ready to make some soup, it is better than having people go back and forth to the main kitchen."
The Old Madam nodded. It's acceptable to think this way, but... What kind of good dishes can Jiang-shi make? It's better to send a few cooks and maids to Xie Xun's courtyard.
She asked people to clean the table and chatted for a while as usual. Xu-shi and Zhou-shi left, while Jiang Shuyao stayed to copy scriptures in the small Buddhist hall.
Knowing that she hasn't eaten but still asking her to copy scriptures, Jiang Shuyao knew that the Old Madam wanted to discipline her.
Although she wasn’t talented at scheming, she has read many novels. There are many means to clean up a daughter-in-law in secret, and the Old Madam’s method is still comparatively mild.
She kneeled in front of the table in the small Buddhist hall, and when the nanny was gone, she took out two cakes wrapped in oil paper from her arms. She made them the previous night, and had Bai Zhi heat them up in the morning while she washed up. As they were hidden inside her sleeves, they were still hot.
Uncovering the oily paper, the fragrance of the fried brown crust on the outside flowed out. Jiang Shuyao inhaled contentedly and took a large bite.
"Kacha," the outer layer of the puff pastry was crispy and the inner layer was soft. After biting the cake, the oily smell of lard instantly reached her nose. The peppery dough was sufficient and the seasoning was simple, just some chopped green onion and salt. The meat filling had a faint numbing taste, but it retained the most fragrant and tender side of the meat, without a trace of a fishy smell.
The fat of the pork belly had been roasted and entered the crust, making the crust smell like fat and fire.
Jiang Shuyao finished the meat pastry in three bites, and took out the shredded carrot cake.
The shredded carrot cake tasted much more refreshing than the meat pastry. The shredded carrots had a bitter taste, but it was very mild. It had a fresh vegetable fragrance, was crispy and refreshing, and still left a sweet aftertaste in the mouth.
This meal was very satisfying. Jiang Shuyao sat on the futon contentedly and waited for the aftertaste to dissipate.
She didn't want to start copying the scriptures until she was full, and when she was full, she remained idle. She felt a little embarrassed when she saw the Buddha statue.
"Guanyin Bodhisattva, I'm really sorry. I'm too hungry, I don't mean to be disrespectful." She turned over, knelt on the futon and knocked her head a few times.
After the prayer, Jiang Shuyao went outside to ask for a cup of tea, but the nanny mistakenly thought that she was extremely hungry and wanted to drink a cup of tea to pad her stomach.
The nanny was old and couldn't bear it, her eyes full of pity lingering on her for a few moments, and Jiang Shuyao felt very guilty.
During the next few days, Jiang Shuyao was very disciplined. She was the first to come, and the last to leave. After more observation on how Xu-shi served the Old Madam, she also learned a little bit. From time to time, she helped the Old Madam place a cushion or something, with attentive eyes and quick hands.
Finally on the seventh day, Jiang Shuyao saw that the Old Madam was in a good mood and handed in the scriptures that she had copied.
The Old Madam took it. She had almost forgotten about this. Her first two daughters-in-law would have finished copying on the second or third day.
She flipped through it casually, but her brows furrowed after only a single glance.
“How did you write?" The old lady had never seen such ugly characters in her entire life.
Jiang Shuyao was depressed, "Scriptures." She really felt that her handwriting wasn’t that bad.
"You, you are just being perfunctory!" The Old Madam became more and more angry. After ten days of copying, the result is this ghost image! It’s better not to copy at all. If she says it seriously, this would be a disrespect towards the Bodhisattva.
"Daughter-in-law dare not." Jiang Shu was wronged. Who can understand the pain of being not gifted academically? "Daughter-in-law is not good at academics. No matter how much I write, the words will be like this, but I wrote every word seriously, with sincere respect. So why not just pay attention to my 'sincerity' when copying the scriptures?"
"Okay, you’re still talking back. I think you will start talking about flowers." The old lady insisted that she was being perfunctory and rubbed her temples, "Forget it, forget it, since you are unwilling to put in effort, how can I force you?"
Jiang Shuyao felt very wronged. Her wrist was sore after copying scriptures these days, but she was still criticized.
The Old Madam saw her dropping head was drooping and pitiful appearance, which made her heart feel even more congested.
Why did her perfect son end up marrying such a woman?
The more she thought about it, the more distressed she became. She waved her hand to have Jiang Shuyao quickly leave and not make her angrier.
The nanny hurriedly stepped forward and rubbed her temples, "Old Madam, it's not worth it to be angry."
The old lady could only mutter her hopes, "Just wait for the time to come when he could leave her."
Jiang Shuyao returned. In the yard, she stood under the corridor for a while, and then called Bai Zhi, "You say, will Duke Xie's mansion dismiss me?"
Bai Zhi and the maid behind her were so scared that they knelt down, "Miss!"
Jiang Shuyao really didn't understand. She just wanted to ask them about this. So when she saw them kneel, she anxiously said, "Why are you kneeling? I'm just asking you a question."
"Miss." Bai Zhi tremblingly looked up at her, and seeing that she wasn’t angry, stood up tentatively and asked, "Why are you asking this?"
"I have always been confused about this. When I married into Xie Guogong's mansion, it was a forced marriage. If he wanted to divorce, he only had to consider Xiangyang's mansion and the imperial concubines, but he could’ve found a way.”
"Miss..." Bai Zhi felt distressed when she saw her clearly. Although the young lady used to be stubborn and arrogant, she has changed now, simply because of her deep admiration for her husband, but this admiration also broke her heart.
Bai Zhi lowered her head, and couldn't say any words of comfort.
Jiang Shuyao held her chin and thought out loud, "You say, what will it be like when I go back to my maternal family after I have divorced?"
"Miss will definitely find a beloved person again." This was also agreeing that Jiang Shuyao would be abandoned eventually.
Jiang Shuyao's scalp felt numb, "Then what if I don't marry anymore?" Who knows who will marry her next? If her husband is a pervert or has a group of masters in the backyard, she wouldn't know how she died. Xie Xun can be regarded as an excellent husband. Whether he pays attention to her or not and although he has a stern face all day long, he has a good temper and looks pleasing to the eye. Looking at him a few more times would improve her mood.
"Then, look for a Taoist temple to live at," Bai Zhi was puzzled by Jiang Shuyao's reluctance to remarry.
Taoist temples aren’t comparable to large houses. Safety, housing and food are major issues.
Jiang Shuyao felt that her future was dark. She rubbed her head and wailed, "God, I hope Xie Xun will divorce me later."
Xie Xie came back to pick up a letter, and heard Jiang Shuyao's words at the corner of the corridor.
He paused and frowned slightly. His already cold face became even colder.
Stepping forward slightly, he looked at the back of the woman down the corridor.
Her hair was piled high, and a few jade hairpins were simply inserted. Her black hair was like ink, and her slender neck appeared more white and fragile. Even while wearing an elegant white dress, she couldn’t hide her graceful and luxurious temperament.
He retracted his gaze and stopped thinking about how he saved her that day.
Jiang-shi, after all, was too obsessed with him.
But why bother? Even though she married him, he won’t reciprocate her affections.
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