Chapter 18 Counterattack

Chapter 18 Counterattack

From early autumn to the onset of winter, Yao Niang had become proficient in her finger techniques and could play some simple musical pieces.

Yao Niang had also changed from light summer dresses to heavy winter clothing. She returned early one morning after learning the guzheng and immediately called out as they passed by the North-South Goods Shop: "Uncle Lian, I want to get down."

Uncle Lian, who was driving the carriage, stopped and knew that the young lady wanted to buy snacks. He smiled and set up the footrest for the maids to help her down. Yao Niang rushed straight to the pastry counter, where the shop assistant recognized her and bent down to ask: "Miss Yan, what would you like?"

"I want half a pound of Jade Dew Cake, half a pound of jujube paste pastries, three taels of milk cakes, and another box of pine nut lily pastries," Yao Niang said, well-prepared.

After buying the pastries, she went to buy fruits, browsing casually: "Buddha's hand is not tasty but smells wonderful; my mother loves it, so I'll buy some of that. And some of what I love—shop assistant, I want tangerines, milk pears, persimmons, winter jujubes, and two large pomegranates."

After selecting everything, she had the maids carry them and then headed to the candied fruit section. Winter was the perfect season for plums, and sugar green plums, perilla plums, and rose plums were all bestsellers. Yao Niang, of course, wouldn't miss out on these.

Having bought everything, Yao Niang instructed Uncle Lian, who was driving the carriage: "It hasn't snowed yet, but I want to go to the Jade Tower to buy mutton buns."

The buns there were different from others; their skins were layered and flaky, and the mutton inside was not at all gamey. Yao Niang and her parents loved them.

Uncle Lian took her there, and while they were buying the mutton buns, she noticed many people buying plum buns nearby. She sent Hongxiu to buy two baskets, returning with a full load.

Seeing her return with so much, Jie Shi couldn't help but laugh: "No wonder you're back so late. Did you go shopping?"

"Mmm, close your eyes, Mother, and guess what I bought," Yao Niang teased.

Jie Shi played along, closing her eyes. Yao Niang placed the mutton bun under her nose, and she sniffed before guessing correctly: "Mutton buns from the Jade Tower."

Yao Niang giggled: "Yes, I bought them specially for you. Oh, right, I also bought Buddha's hand for you because you love its scent, don't you?"

Street food that becomes famous is always exceptional. Jie Shi inhaled deeply: "Thank you, my daughter."

"Mother, why are you thanking me? Oh, and those plum buns everyone was queuing for—be careful when eating them; they're filled with soup. I couldn't resist taking a bite in the carriage, and it almost scalded my tongue." Yao Niang stuck out her tongue for Jie Shi to see.

Jie Shi felt her heart ache, but then heard someone enter and say: "Yao Niang, did you plan to empty the entire street? There's no place to sit with all your things here."

Yao Niang saw that it was Yan Yingqi with Yan Jingzhao and quickly had the servants move the snacks and fruits to her room, leaving only the buns behind.

She thought neither Yan Yingqi nor Yan Jingzhao would eat them, intending to share them only with her mother. However, the usually picky Yan Jingzhao quietly finished all the plum buns.

Even Yan Yingqi, who had just complained about her buying everything, was engrossed in eating the mutton buns. Jie Shi managed to take two from him.

"Our Yao Niang is indeed good at buying snacks," Jie Shi remarked happily.

Yao Niang smiled: "Actually, I saw someone frying fish into long strips, turning them golden. Instead of using ordinary spices, they used cumin powder from India, which smelled incredibly fragrant. I bought a jar from the North-South Goods Shop to use in the kitchen for fried dishes. It was quite expensive, costing me three hundred cash, more than I expected."

"We can try making it with pomfret for dinner tonight. The pomfret from autumn is still stored in the ice cellar," Jie Shi said, interested in the idea.

Yao Niang looked at Yan Jingzhao and said: "Brother, I noticed something about you."

Yan Jingzhao looked up, curious: "What is it?"

"Even though you don't like the food at home, especially traditional dishes, you love trying new things from outside. Last time, I bought some crab roe baked buns. I thought I'd just offer them to my brother, assuming he wouldn't be interested, but he didn't hesitate and ate them all." Yao Niang covered her mouth and laughed.

Yan Jingzhao blushed slightly.

He was currently studying in Ying Tian Prefecture. Usually, his meals were sent from home or he dined out with classmates. Despite his carefree demeanor, being a scion of a noble family, he never ate at small street stalls. Yao Niang, on the other hand, enjoyed everything she tasted and had no qualms about it.

Unable to resist, Yan Yingqi asked, "Yao Niang, how is your konghou playing coming along?"

"The techniques are mostly learned. My teacher said I need to practice more. To say something a bit shameless, perhaps one day it won't be Li Ping who plays the konghou in China, but me, Yan Shenfei."

Yan Yingqi burst into laughter, while Yao Niang pouted.

After the meal, Yan Yingqi mentioned Yan Jingzhang's marriage to Lady Xie: "Once his marriage is settled, I'll feel relieved. However, his studies are really a headache for me. We've hired renowned teachers here in Jin Ling, a place rich in culture, yet he still doesn't show much progress."

In reality, besides talent, diligence is essential in studies. When Yan Jingzhao was under the care of Third Elderly Lady, although she pampered him, Yan Yingqi and the eldest branch often checked on his studies. Being naturally competitive, Third Elderly Lady took great care of Yan Jingzhao's education over the years.

Moreover, Yan Jingzhao himself worked very hard. However, due to his early success and straightforward personality, his emotions were quite clear. The last time Yan Jingzhang was criticized by his teacher for not even knowing how to tackle exam questions, Yan Jingzhao beat him up. When Lady Zhen and Concubine Yin urged him to teach Yan Jingzhang more, he bluntly suggested that Yan Jingzhang should be reborn.

Hearing Yan Yingqi bring up this topic, he merely snorted coldly.

Yao Niang glanced at her brother and couldn't help sneaking back to her room first. Upon returning, Xin Wan, Qian Niang, and Ying Niang arrived. She then brought out the snacks and preserved fruits she had bought earlier to treat them.

They gathered together to peel pomegranates. Compared to when they first returned from the northwest, their relationships had improved significantly. Even though Ying Niang and Yao Niang weren't particularly close, they got along well.

"I knew you'd bring something back from outside," Xin Wan smiled.

Yao Niang laughed and said, "Winter always leaves my mouth dry, so I crave fresh fruits. Sending others to buy might not get what I want, so I stopped by and bought some myself."

It wasn't that they lacked food; it was simply an excuse to socialize. Whether they came over or Yao Niang visited them, it was a way to stay connected.

Soon, they started talking about Yan Rubei's marriage. Yan Rubei had already held her coming-of-age ceremony last month and would be getting married by the end of the year.

Ying Niang suddenly asked, "Third Sister, did you give these snacks to Brother Zhou?"

Yao Niang shook her head, "What are you talking about? My mother takes care of everything for him. Why would I need to bring him anything? I barely have enough for myself."

Though Yao Niang was young, she understood the importance of propriety between men and women. Lady Xie had emphasized that a woman's reputation must be spotless. Therefore, since Zhou Lingguang moved into their residence, Yao Niang had only seen him a handful of times.

"In fact, I don't like how Jie Jie acts now after what happened before," Ying Niang said.

Yao Niang pretended not to hear and suggested, "Since you're all here, let's think about making some embroidery to give to Jie Jie as a gift, so we don't duplicate efforts."

Qian Niang was skilled in painting and embroidery, while Yao Niang learned from Lady Xie and could now make sachets.

Xin Wan, being somewhat frail, rarely did embroidery, and Ying Niang, being the youngest, offered, "I'll make two cords for her."

"At your age, making two cords is already impressive," Yao Niang smiled.

After some laughter and games of double dice and flower cards, they dispersed. For dinner, the barramundi was made into fish fillets, roasted and sprinkled with cumin powder, which left Yao Niang completely enchanted by its aroma.

"Mom, it's really delicious, crispy and fragrant." Yao Niang stomped her feet in delight.

Yan Yingqi cleared his throat lightly, and Yao Niang quickly put her legs down. But the cumin was too fragrant, and Mrs. Xie had added a little Sichuan pepper powder, which enhanced the flavor even more.

She didn't allow them to eat too much: "It's already dry and windy outside. If you eat so much, be careful not to get heat in your body. Make sure to drink chrysanthemum tea after eating."

"I'll listen to Mom." Yao Niang said with a grin.

Seeing everyone enjoying their meal, Mrs. Xie felt happy, especially since Jingzhao and Yao Niang were now much closer to her. She felt no regrets, but having no regrets did not mean she could forget what Lady Zhen had done. After sending someone to treat An'er last time, she had been very obedient. Mrs. Xie let her investigate openly while using her own people to verify things secretly.

Unexpectedly, it turned out that Lady Zhen had indeed been whispering poison in Yan Yingqi's ear, though she had been very subtle about it, there was definitely her involvement.

Thus, Mrs. Xie would not let her off.

Yan Jingzhang's engagement ceremony was held with great pomp, and Mrs. Xie naturally went to help. She also mentioned to Old Lady Yu, "When Miss Yu from our family enters the door, you can only hope for a grandson. What a wonderful marriage!"

The Yus were related to Old Lady Yu, so praising them was a given. This marriage had been proposed by Lady Zhen, which brought her some prestige.

But then Mrs. Xie teased, "Since the eldest son is engaged, the third son shouldn't be far behind. Compared to the second son, the third son is easier to arrange. I think childhood sweethearts are the best match."

Old Lady Yu smiled widely at these words; she certainly wanted her direct grandson to marry her granddaughter. However, Lady Zhen disliked this idea immensely. Ignoring Xin Wan's orphaned status and frail appearance, she simply wasn't suitable material for a clan matron.

Mrs. Xie, however, brought it up in front of everyone, and Lady Zhen tried to suppress her fury as she looked at Mrs. Xie, who met her gaze without any fear.