Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 64
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 64: Hot pot (1)
The old madam collapsed and sat with a black face. Her expression of joy from earlier shattered.
The nanny reminded her, "Old madam, although the crown prince said there is no need to mobilize the elders, we still have to save face. The maids in the third courtyard can't hold the stage, so we have to dispatch people quickly. There is also the main kitchen. They should hurry up to prepare the banquet."
The old madam did not speak and tightly squeezed the Buddhist beads in her hands.
"Old madam?" The nanny called her anxiously.
The old madam said with a calm face, "You think, why did the crown prince come over?"
The nanny was stunned for a moment and said, "Didn't His Royal Highness say that he wanted to meet with his subordinates?"
The old madam sneered, "Get together? Can't they gather in the East Palace? Can't they gather in a restaurant? Even a painted boat is more suitable than the third courtyard of Duke Xie's Mansion. Why come here?"
The question so dumbfounded the nanny, but it made sense.
Jiang-shi's matter was still hot in her mind, so the old madam quickly figured out the key points and mocked, "He really has a skill. Yesterday I said that Jiang-shi was not beneficial to his career. Today he can invite the crown prince to Duke Xie's residence to give Jiang-shi a face. Go, get someone to open their small kitchen, and ask for what ingredients they need."
When the nanny heard the old madam's plan, she said in amazement, "This..." That is the crown prince. Wouldn't it be negligent to entertain him in the small kitchen?
The old madam said in a hurry, "Then order the main kitchen to prepare a banquet. What else can we do? After all, we can count on the main kitchen to save the day." She turned the Buddhist beads in her hand again, "If you want to hit me in the face, you have to look if she has the ability first, don't just slap yourself on your face."
After she finished speaking, she slapped the Buddha beads on the table angrily, "It's in vain that I look after my youngest son. I didn't expect him to be so fascinated that he would dare to invite the crown prince over to carry her sedan chair."
Xie Xun was wronged. His Royal Highness, the crown prince's decision to go to Duke Xie's Mansion was completely beyond his expectations.
The whole thing started at noon today.
Xie Xun thought about what the old madam said yesterday and was afraid that Jiang Shuyao would be angry. He specifically went to the prince, hoping to reward his wife the next time he has any merit.
He has been accompanying the crown prince since he was a child, the two grew up together, and the relationship was close. The prince agreed without thinking.
After Xie Xun left, the crown prince felt that it was more and more interesting! This is Xie Boyuan, but he was begging for his wife!
The curiosity for gossip in the prince's heart was surging. So Lin Cheng, the big mouth, was immediately called.
Lin Cheng's eyes lit up when he heard the gossip, and he stomped his feet excitedly, "Xie Boyuan is possessed by a monster, right? How can a Taoist priest like him move his heart?"
The prince nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "This Jiang-shi is truly a remarkable woman. I had heard the rumors about her when I was in Manjing City. Back then, I thought she was unworthy of Boyuan, and even considered going to my mother to oppose the marriage. But to think that someone so cold, like a sculpture of ice, could actually be warmed—that’s something incredible!" He spoke with a serious demeanor, as if discussing state affairs, and then unfolded his papers with an air of formality. "Tell me, is Jiang-shi beautiful?"
Lin Cheng thought for a moment, folded his fingers, and nodded, "Beautiful."
"But Xie Boyuan is not the type to be swayed by beauty, is he? Every time he has a 'chance encounter' with a lady, his face always looks so unpleasant."
Lin Cheng smirked, "I think Xie Boyuan's fascination has nothing to do with beauty. His wife cooks really well. The key is that she cooks with a style that has never been seen, a taste that has not been tasted. Let alone him— whoever he is, they have to be tempted, slurp—"
The prince recalled the fern-root noodles he had tasted that day, and he couldn’t help but swallow. As a prince, he had savored the finest delicacies from both mountains and seas, yet that day marked the first time he had experienced spiciness. The smooth, sour, and spicy fern-root noodles were unlike anything he had ever encountered.
Lin Cheng smacked his lips in contentment and said with a smile, "Boyuan hasn’t brought any food these past few days. My appetite has been poor for everything else. Alas, I feel so picky. But Boyuan has agreed to let me dine at the Duke Xie’s Mansion. Hehehe. I’m hoping to see my sister-in-law, so I can persuade her to have the Lin family open some restaurants soon."
In fact, Xie Xun wanted to refuse Lin Cheng, but he hesitated, thinking that the old madam said that Jiang Shuyao was not a good wife who could assist her husband.
Isn't it good for his official career to let a colleague come to Duke Xie's Mansion because of Jiang-shi?
So he reluctantly agreed.
When the crown prince heard this, he became interested, "Don't go alone."
Lin Cheng dumbfounded, "Huh?"
The crown prince went to Xie Xun with great interest. Of course, he wouldn't say it clearly. The excuse he gave was the same plan as the rhetoric that was "guessed" by the old madam, but Xie Xun saw through his plan at a glance.
His serious face was like an ice block, "Your Royal Highness." Xie Xun and the crown prince are more like good brothers. There was no formality between monarchs and ministers, so he bluntly said, "Your status is honorable. I am afraid that Duke Xie's mansion will not be able to serve you well."
Lin Cheng probed his head and said, "Casual, casual."
The prince nodded in agreement.
"It is not reasonable." Xie Xun said as he squeezed a gentle smile.
A bright moonlight smile, soft and soothing tone... appeared on Xie Xun.
Terrible!
The prince pushed Lin Cheng forward, and Lin Cheng shivered, "Boyuan, I think you are right. His Royal Highness is very honorable, and it is improper if the hospitality is insufficient. But I am different, I can eat anything! My sister-in-law can make whatever, I will eat it all!"
Crown prince: Ah... this friendship of so many years... so fragile.
The crown prince said, "Boyuan, you have to relax. When you and I were ordered to inspect the Huaizhou army, wasn't it also a solar eclipse, and we had some coarse tea and plain rice? When I went, there was a hurry. I hurried on the road and swallowed dry food for several days without touching any hot food."
The prince then said, "I just want to get together with my subordinates. Why pay attention to rules so much? Can't the East Palace hold a private gathering?"
Xie Xun thought silently for a few seconds. If he wants the old madam to throw away her contempt for Jiang Shuyao completely, the crown prince's visit to the house is indeed a good opportunity.
He reluctantly agreed, "Okay."
Before Lin Cheng had time to be happy, a group of people came out behind him.
"Ah, Your Highness, you mentioned gathering with your subordinates?"
"Boyuan, did you plan to host a banquet at Duke Xie's Mansion?"
There was so much noise that Xie Xun's temples pulsed.
"I--" He said, everyone was quiet immediately.
"I don't mean to host a banquet at Duke Xie's Mansion. You are confused."
Naive, too naive. To be mixed up in politics to this point, even if they were not from several generations of a big family, at least they had known some tactics since childhood.
As soon as his voice finished, the colleagues spoke up and down,
"Well, since the prince is going, this minister shall accompany you."
"Boyuan, our two mansions happen to be on the same street. Shall we go back together?"
"Yes, your Royal Highness is out of the palace. How can we not go with you?"
Xie Xun gritted his teeth. They decided to fix him together, right?
So supported by various reasons, a group of people from the East Palace arrived at Duke Xie's mansion mightily.
There are the crown princes with the position high above them and descendants of various aristocratic families. Every single person is full of weight. At the door is a gathering of the court's future leaders, both the emperor and the courtiers.
Jiang Shuyao was dazed when she faced this scene as soon as she returned from the second branch.
Xie Xun placed the group of people in the hall, found Jiang Shuyao in the wing, and explained it carefully.
Jiang Shuyao nodded in a daze and asked Xie Xun how to arrange the banquet.
Xie Xun thought about the group of people and had a headache, "I will ask the main kitchen to move a table for the banquet and prepare dinner for the banquet."
Jiang Shuyao gazed up at the sky, pondering, "Is there enough time?" The preparation for ancient banquets was no small feat; it required meticulous planning and execution.
Xie Xun, sensing her concern, responded with a hint of worry, "It shouldn’t be a problem to prepare a simpler one."
Jiang Shuyao didn't know how Xie Xun was in the East Palace. To her, she felt like her husband's colleagues and boss had come to her house for dinner. If she didn't bring out her signature dishes, she would be afraid of shaming her husband.
"Or, let me prepare it?" She still has this confidence.
"No." Xie Xun refused without thinking, "It will make you tired."
Jiang Shuyao said, "No." Before, she had no pressure to cook alone when friends had dinner, not to mention that she didn't plan to make sophisticated dinner today.
"The iron pot that I ordered before has already been delivered. It just happened that today I was practicing making hot pot ingredients in the second branch with second sister-in-law, which just happened to come in handy."
"Hot pot?" Xie Xun blinked.
"Yeah." Jiang Shuyao nodded and pushed his shoulders, "Don't worry, go chat with them and wait for a while to eat."
Xie Xun was confused and pushed out of the room door. Looking back at her with a bright smile, he suddenly felt soft.
He strode over, bowed his head, and said to Jiang Shuyao, "Thank you."
Jiang Shuyao was embarrassed by his serious tone, "It's really nothing, you go quickly, don't leave the guests hanging."
The crown prince thought in his mind that he didn't think Jiang-shi could make delicious food that would surprise everyone.
First, there were simply too many people, and it was impossible for her to prepare food for such a large crowd in such a short amount of time.
Second, while it was easy to make something delicious, creating something truly exceptional was a different matter. The fern-root noodles he had enjoyed that day were indeed remarkable, but Xie Xun was doubtful that Jiang Shuyao could effortlessly whip up a dish that surpassed them.
With so many people and so little time, he reasoned that the mansion would likely have the main kitchen handle most of the preparations, leaving Jiang Shuyao to contribute one or two dishes. They could sample the dishes separately, which would allow her to showcase her skills while also giving Xie Xun the opportunity to honor her and ensure the guests weren’t neglected.
With this thought, he waited for the food with the attitude of watching a show.
Unexpectedly, the speed of serving dishes was beyond his expectations, and the maids came over with three iron pots.
Everyone was stunned, staring at the empty weird-shaped pot. What does this mean?
Before anyone could speculate further, the maids returned, each carrying additional plates. This time, everyone found themselves holding dishes in both hands.
There was a brief moment of surprise. Was the food always served so quickly at the Duke Xie's Mansion?
But when the maids placed the plates down in front of them, everyone was left speechless, their expressions a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
Raw?!
As they looked at the table, a burst of color greeted their eyes—green, white, red, yellow—spanning across the dishes in vibrant hues. There was an abundance of both meat and vegetables, but all were raw.
The vegetables included cabbage, tofu, mushrooms, gluten, lotus root slices, kelp, and more. For proteins, there were meat rolls, beef rolls, spicy beef, coriander balls, quail eggs, tenderloin, fish fillets, and others.
There were also fish balls, crab sticks, blood tofu, goose intestines, duck intestines, tripes, loin slices, and countless other ingredients that couldn’t be fully identified at a glance. The variety was overwhelming.
Everyone was stunned, unable to make sense of what was before them. The array of ingredients, from familiar vegetables to more exotic offerings, left them bewildered. Jiang Shuyao had prepared a diverse spread, carefully selecting ingredients without regard for anyone’s status or preferences. Many of the dishes included internal organs, which some might consider unappealing, but given their raw state, even those with discerning eyes couldn’t identify them.
"Boyuan, what does this mean?" The crown prince’s voice broke the silence, echoing the confusion shared by all.
Xie Xun, just as puzzled, could offer no answer. If Jiang Shuyao had been present, she would have explained it all with her usual patience, but today, with this group of people so intent on rushing here, he doubted any explanation would be met with understanding.
He unconditionally trusted Jiang Shuyao. Without a hint of hesitation, he simply said, "It’s just a new way of eating."
There was no need for further explanation. After all, this group of top aristocrats had entered his house almost forcefully, their guilty consciences preventing them from asking any more questions.
As the dishes were laid out, the maids brought in a few more plates. The dry dipping ingredients included crushed peanuts, sesame powder, pepper, chili powder, and other seasonings, ready to complement the meal and enhance the flavors.
The dipping sauce was made with sesame oil, minced garlic, coriander, salt, vinegar, and other seasonings. A popular variation among northerners, known as sesame dipping sauce, typically consisted of thick sesame sauce combined with red fermented bean paste, sugar, and additional seasonings that added depth, color, and fragrance to the sauce.
As if the feast wasn't over yet, the maids carefully added the hot pot base to the pot and poured in the rich, milky white, and clear broth. They then lit the charcoal fire underneath the pot, releasing an instant explosion of hot, spicy, and fragrant scents that overflowed from the pot.
The taste was incredibly bold, rich, and spicy, instantly awakening one’s appetite. The soup in the pot was bubbling vigorously, with a shimmering layer of clear red oil floating on the surface. As the hot soup bubbled, the oil rolled gently, its vibrant color enticing everyone nearby. Just the sight of it made mouths water.
Bai Zhi jotted down Jiang Shuyao’s words and read them aloud to introduce the dishes: “This is called hot pot. This pot is spicy, that one has a milder kick, and this one features a light mushroom broth.”
"All the dishes on the table are side dishes. You can put whatever you want. Don't be afraid of the smell. Just pay attention to the heat. For example, this blood tofu will be stale if it was cooked for a long time. At first bite, it would be tender as it melts quickly, and it is extremely fresh."
"There are also goose intestines. When blanching in the hot pot, pay attention to the amount of "ups and downs." Don't overcook it accidentally. It cooks quickly. When the time comes, you should fish it out immediately. This way, the duck intestines will remain crisp and will not be too tough to chew."
Bai Zhi introduced the ingredients one by one, leaving everyone in a daze. Although the food on the table was raw, they couldn’t help but drool as she spoke. The tantalizing aroma of spice and deliciousness wafted through the air, teasing their senses. With each breath, a refreshing hint of Chinese herbs seemed to dance in their noses.
Finally, after completing her introduction, Bai Zhi stepped back and waited for further instructions.
As the highest-ranking person in the room, the crown prince spoke first. “You don’t need to be so cautious. Just dig in!”
The moment his words fell, everyone eagerly embraced the laid-back atmosphere. Chopsticks were swiftly grabbed, eyes sparkled with anticipation, and sleeves were rolled up as they turned their attention to the table—only to be met with a delightful dilemma.
What should I eat first?
Several chopsticks froze in the air. In fact, some pairs of chopsticks were lowered down.
Xie Xun elegantly picked some meatballs and explained calmly, "As the maid said just now, let's put the ones that are difficult to cook first."
Everyone praised him secretly. Just now, they were busy controlling their saliva, so no one paid attention to what the maid had said. As expected, Xie Boyuan was able to be elegant, calm, and sober no matter what situation he was in.
Xie Xun could easily read their thoughts just by observing their expressions.
Ah, my apologies. My wife has spoiled me with so many delicacies that I can hardly feign ignorance or stubbornness anymore.
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