Chapter Ninety-One: Hosting a Banquet

Chapter 91: Hosting the Banquet

Lady Qin, nearing seventy, had witnessed much in her life. When Lü Zheng spoke of repaying a kindness, and Lin Qiuran requested nothing more than to assist with the banquet at the Marquis’s estate, offering her culinary skills, her true intentions were not hard to discern.

Lin Qiuran made no secret of it, openly admitting, "Madam, our family hails from Xuzhou. We once ran a restaurant there, and now, having moved to the capital, we wish to revive our craft. However, the capital is far grander than I imagined, with countless eateries. If we were to open a restaurant directly, I fear it might not attract many patrons. Hence, this approach. I hope you will forgive my presumption."

Moreover, had she not re-encountered Lü Zheng, Lin Qiuran would not have considered cooking at the Marquis’s residence. Everyone had their motives; if Lin Qiuran’s skills proved inadequate, the Marquis’s household was under no obligation to employ her.

Lady Qin nodded, acknowledging Lin Qiuran’s frankness. "That is not a bad idea at all. Your culinary skills are exceptional. In all my years, I have never tasted anything so novel and delicious."

Lin Qiuran quickly demurred, "You flatter me, Madam. These are merely humble home-style dishes."

Lady Qin smiled, waving a dismissive hand. "That is not quite right. If they were merely home-style, as you suggest, and you wish to open a restaurant in the capital, why would customers choose yours when there are so many? I am hosting a Flower Viewing Banquet, inviting ladies from prominent families. If you describe the dishes as simple, even out of modesty, others will perceive them as lacking value."

Scarcity breeds value. Consider embroidery: everyone can do it, yet skilled embroiderers and master jewelers who create exquisite pieces are highly sought after, with people taking pride in owning their creations. You must never refer to your cooking as mere home-style fare in public.

Lin Qiuran nodded thoughtfully, a habit she had acquired in Yu’an. She used to consider such nuances when cooking for Xu Yuanhang, though he later became less particular.

In Yu’an, as long as the food was delicious, portions generous, and prices reasonable, business flourished. But in the capital, such establishments were plentiful; one more or one less would make little difference. Lin Qiuran realized that while these qualities were necessary in the capital, they were insufficient.

For noble ladies, cheap and abundant food might offer a fleeting novelty, but they would soon find it unrefined. Instead, beautifully presented dishes, especially those perceived as exclusive, would hold greater appeal.

Indeed, the Xiao Family Eatery initially faced this very issue—its decor was simple. Though improvements were made later, the problem became evident once more upon their relocation to the capital.

Despite her modesty, Lin Qiuran had been contemplating opening an establishment akin to Yu’an’s Golden Tripod Restaurant.

Lin Qiuran nodded. "I understand. It’s just that in your presence, Madam, I found myself speaking candidly."

A hint of amusement flickered in Lady Qin’s eyes. "Regardless of the era, skill is the cornerstone of one’s livelihood. What you possess, if others do not, makes it unique. This principle applies to all endeavors. Furthermore, in speech and action, one should always hold back a little and conceal a little. This applies to everyone; never be overly straightforward."

This was the unspoken code among the capital’s aristocratic ladies.

Lin Qiuran clenched her hands, nodding. "Thank you for your invaluable guidance, Madam."

Lady Qin pressed her temples. "It is hardly guidance, merely a few words. Now, on the day of the banquet, I shall send someone to fetch you."

Lin Qiuran initially considered declining but then realized this arrangement might be preferable. There was a distinct difference between volunteering one’s services and being formally invited. This was for appearances, especially since the Madam was willing to assist—why refuse?

Lin Qiuran couldn’t help but feel she had encountered a benefactor. She expressed her profound gratitude.

Lady Qin, advanced in years, felt her energy wane after such a lengthy conversation.

Noticing her fatigue, Lin Qiuran promptly took her leave.

On her journey home, she continuously reflected on Lady Qin’s words.

To hold back a little and conceal a little in speech and action… The restaurant menu should not list every dish she could prepare. Instead, there should be two tiers: the ground floor would offer the usual fare, primarily for profit, while the private rooms on the second floor would gradually introduce more refined dishes at higher prices.

The number of private rooms would remain limited. With so many people in the capital, some would inevitably miss out… and that was precisely what Lin Qiuran desired.

If she were later invited to cater another banquet, she should not immediately accept. The restaurant could open a little later, but all necessary preparations must be meticulously made.

Moreover, it should not be too grand—not only to maintain an air of exclusivity but also because Lin Qiuran did not possess vast sums of money.

Had Lady Qin not offered her advice, Lin Qiuran would have planned to accept any subsequent banquet invitations after this event, using them to promote her restaurant. However, after hearing Lady Qin’s counsel, she felt there was no need to rush.

Slow and steady wins the race. She was not in dire need of money for daily living, and the shop location was yet to be finalized. She could afford to wait.

Lin Qiuran arrived home by noon. Tangyuan had already finished his meal and was playing with Sun Shi by the side gate.

The stables were nearby, and as soon as the carriage entered, Tangyuan chased after it. Lin Qiuran watched from inside through the curtain, fearing he might stumble or collide with the carriage.

Frowning, Lin Qiuran called out, "Tangyuan, stop running!"

Tangyuan halted in his tracks, waiting for the carriage to stop before hurrying towards it.

Dressed warmly, he resembled a plump tangyuan as he approached. "Mama, Mama, you’re finally back!"

Lin Chun descended from the carriage first, carrying a ceramic jar, followed by Lin Qiuran, who held her knives. Their thick winter clothing made getting in and out somewhat cumbersome. After alighting, Lin Qiuran smoothed her skirt.

Sun Shi smiled from nearby. "You’re back. Did it go well?"

Lin Qiuran nodded. "It did."

Besides securing the banquet, there was an unexpected bonus. She handed the cloth bag containing the knives to Sun Shi, then picked up Tangyuan, bouncing him gently. "This success is largely thanks to Tangyuan."

Tangyuan, too young to understand, simply hugged Lin Qiuran’s neck and kissed her, knowing only that she had been out working all morning.

Sun Shi said, "You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I saved some food for you."

Lin Qiuran replied, "Yes, I’ll eat in a bit. Was Tangyuan well-behaved this morning?"

Before Sun Shi could answer, Tangyuan declared himself well-behaved. Lin Qiuran tapped his nose. "You say it yourself, but others might not believe it. Mama, you tell me."

Sun Shi confirmed, "He was quite obedient this morning."

This was true. Sun Shi did not spoil him, and he rarely complained.

Lin Qiuran suggested, "Then tonight, I’ll prepare something new and delicious to reward Tangyuan, and to thank you, Mama, for your hard work in looking after him."

Behind them, Lin Chun carried a large jar of cow’s milk, a gift from Jinxiu upon their departure. Jinxiu had mentioned that from tomorrow, it would be delivered directly to their home—one jar of goat’s milk and one of cow’s milk for two qian of silver, settled monthly. It wasn’t expensive, only six taels a month.

Lin Qiuran now found it affordable, though in earlier times, her family could not have afforded it.

Jinxiu hadn’t offered to deliver it for free if they were short of money, but judging by Lin Qiuran’s attire—though slightly old-fashioned, it was still silk—she likely wasn’t lacking funds. Since she wasn’t, there was no need to quibble over small sums.

Lin Qiuran planned to make malatang for dinner.

She had tasted this dish outside before—a simple bone broth with sesame paste and spicy broth. At home, they had stock, and she could prepare an "erbajiang" (a blend of sesame and peanut paste). The chili peppers brought from Yu’an were potent, so it was unlikely to taste bad. Now, with milk, she could add it for enhanced flavor.

Tangyuan’s eyes lit up. "Mama, what new dish is it?"

Lin Qiuran explained, "You like hotpot, don’t you? What I’m making is called 'spicy boiled meat.' It’s a fragrant and spicy broth where we cook frozen tofu, vermicelli, cabbage… and we can also add fish balls and meat rolls, all dipped in sesame paste."

The bone broth would be stir-fried with a spicy base, then tempered with milk to mellow the heat. Sesame paste was wonderfully aromatic, and all these ingredients were available in the capital. Cooking a steaming pot for the family to enjoy together would be a cozy affair.

Lin Qiuran sent Lin Xia out to buy ingredients: sesame paste and peanut paste. If those weren’t available, she could buy sesame seeds and peanuts to grind at home.

They didn’t have frozen tofu at home, as they lacked a freezer, so she would buy some. If fresh vegetables were available, she would get those too. She also wanted to check for fresh beef and lamb, which could be frozen at home—it would harden in half a day. Lin Qiuran could slice the beautifully rolled lamb herself, just like those sold outside.

Tangyuan already loved hotpot, and hearing Lin Qiuran describe this spicy version, he craved it all afternoon, imagining meat rolls and frozen tofu coated in sesame paste flying directly into his mouth.

The kitchen was bustling all afternoon. Lin Chun and Lin Ying prepared fish balls and shrimp paste for Lin Qiuran to use.

Tangyuan loved meat but disliked vegetables, so as Lin Qiuran instructed, they peeled a large cabbage, selecting the tender leaves and heart, which were more palatable.

Lin Xia couldn’t find fresh vegetables but bought bean sprouts instead. Lin Qiuran deemed this acceptable—better than no vegetables at all.

In the capital, dusk fell early in this season. As soon as darkness descended, Lin Qiuran entered the small kitchen.

She stir-fried scallions, ginger, garlic, spices, and chili in lard until fragrant, then poured in clear stock and added milk. The aroma instantly elevated, wafting out of the kitchen. Tangyuan, at the doorway, couldn’t help but sniff. Of course, if Lin Qiuran had permitted it, he would have stationed himself in the kitchen.

To make it easier for Tangyuan to eat, Lin Qiuran used a slotted spoon to remove the chili and spice residue after the soup came to a boil. The broth turned a creamy orange, clean and appetizing.

She first added the fish and shrimp balls, which took longer to cook, followed by frozen tofu, vermicelli, and noodles. Just before everything was fully cooked, she blanched the cabbage, bean sprouts, and sliced meat. Since the lamb was thinly sliced, it cooked quickly—a brief dip was enough. Each ingredient was cooked to perfection, ensuring the best texture.

Once cooked, she ladled the contents into bowls, topping each with two large spoonfuls of erbajiang, a spoonful of minced garlic, and a sprinkle of chopped scallions. Lin Qiuran personally disliked the numbing sensation, so she omitted the numbing chili oil but placed it on the table for Tangyuan and Sun Shi to add if they wished.

And so it was done. Lin Chun carried the dishes out. Truth be told, even if these dishes had been cooked with just bone broth, they would have been delicious, let alone with all the added ingredients.

Tangyuan watched Lin Chun emerge, pondered for a moment, and decided to wait for his mother to join him for the meal.

The spicy soup had been prepared in the main courtyard’s small kitchen, so it was still steaming hot when served. Each person received a large bowl. Sun Shi had never tasted anything like it, but it smelled wonderful. Her bowl was filled with a bit of everything, making it remarkably convenient to eat.

Lin Qiuran said, "Go ahead and eat. If it’s not spicy enough, you can add another small spoonful of chili."

But not too much, or it might upset their stomachs.

Lin Qiuran took a taste. With quality ingredients, the dish was exquisite. The meat was tender and fresh, unlike the duck rolls often found in street-side malatang. The fish and shrimp balls were homemade: the fish balls springy, the shrimp balls smooth and delightfully chewy.

However, a cook’s self-assessment wasn’t enough. Lin Qiuran observed Sun Shi and Tangyuan. Tangyuan didn’t exclaim, but quietly focused on eating, patiently coating the meat rolls in sesame paste before popping them into his mouth. He closed his eyes in enjoyment, then moved on to the frozen tofu, letting it soak up the broth and sesame paste before eating. The spiciness made him pant and blow between bites, yet he persevered.

After a few mouthfuls, he finally remembered to offer praise, stating simply, "Mama, this is truly delicious."

"It smells so good! And there’s a scent I’ve never encountered before—it makes me feel all dreamy."

Lin Qiuran explained, "I added milk. It makes pastries and dishes taste better. Try a bowl tomorrow morning. If you don’t like it plain, I’ll try making something else for you."

Like milk curd or fried milk, there were many options.

Lin Qiuran would never force Tangyuan to eat something he disliked. With so many alternatives available, there was no need to insist on something he didn’t enjoy.

Tangyuan nodded, now too engrossed in his meal to speak.

Sun Shi also found the flavor delightful, though she couldn’t tolerate as much spice as Tangyuan, so she didn’t add extra chili. She ate it as is, taking sips of the broth from time to time, and soon felt warmth spreading through her hands and feet.

The broth had a milky aroma. Tangyuan likely didn’t remember it; he had drunk milk as an infant but had switched to solid food later, so he wouldn’t recognize the scent now.

It was cow’s milk, safe for human consumption, and adding a little to the cooking intensified the aroma.

With a charcoal stove in the room and the food piping hot, the three of them soon began to sweat, their faces flushed. There was nothing more comforting than hot soup in winter. After finishing, Sun Shi leaned back lazily in her chair.

After the meal, Lin Qiuran took Tangyuan for a stroll in the garden. The estate was vast, and a walk helped with digestion.

Tangyuan felt that day had been perfect: playing during the day, enjoying delicious food at night, and later, he could snuggle beside his grandmother and mother. Tomorrow promised more play—thinking about it, he felt utterly carefree.

At his age, he truly had no worries; eating, playing, and having fun were his paramount concerns.

Sometimes Lin Qiuran envied Tangyuan, growing up without a care in the world. He was her child, and she would protect that innocence at all costs.

In two days, Lin Qiuran had to go out. She instructed Tangyuan to be obedient at home. "No mischief. Wait patiently for my return."

Tangyuan declared, "Mama, don’t worry. Don’t you trust me? I was very well-behaved today. You can ask me next time, and I’ll tell you the truth."

Lin Qiuran nodded, then focused on preparing for the banquet over the next two days. She felt the bean paste flowers lacked vibrancy and tried dyeing the paste with other ingredients. However, options were scarce in winter, making dyeing quite challenging.

Ultimately, she only managed to extract juice from carrots mixed with orange peel for an orange hue, and black wolfberries for purple.

She sent Lin Xia to inform the Marquis’s estate about these requirements, ensuring everything would be prepared in advance and nothing would be missing on the day.

As if good things came in pairs, on the morning of the eleventh, the broker also brought news about a shop.

Though many businesses lined the streets, not all were profitable. Plenty of shops opened and closed, so renting or buying was always an option.

Lin Qiuran sent Lin Ming to inspect it. Whether to buy would depend on his assessment.

If it wasn’t suitable, they could wait a while longer.

Lin Ming reported that the shop was good, though the price was a bit high and required further negotiation.

Lin Qiuran nodded. The next day, she took the carriage from the Marquis of Anyang’s estate to prepare the pastries. The bean paste and other ingredients had already been prepared.

The guests had not yet arrived. Lin Qiuran calmly mixed colors and sculpted flowers. When the pastries were served, she knew the guests would soon be there.

Her hands never stopped moving, and in the kitchen, she couldn’t hear the guests’ conversations or laughter.

In the front courtyard, the room was as warm as spring. Roses and gardenias bloomed gloriously. Colorful flowers, though cultivated indoors, stood against the lingering snow outside. Common in summer, they seemed rare and beautiful in winter.

Some guests leaned in to inhale the fragrance until servants brought in trays of pastries. A lady noticed exquisitely crafted pastries nestled among the blooming peonies and exclaimed, "Madam, has the Marquis’s estate managed to grow peonies in winter? But isn’t it extravagant to pluck them merely for decoration?"

Lady Qin smiled without answering. Someone else looked closer and teased, "What are you seeing? Take another look."

Upon closer inspection, the lady realized the flowers were handmade.

They possessed the texture of petals, even stamens, and emitted a delicate fragrance.

Lady Qin said, "Please try them. To complement today’s Flower Viewing Banquet, I specially commissioned someone to create these."

Lin Qiuran had improved the bean paste by adding milk, enhancing its flavor.

One guest, a niece from Lady Qin’s maternal family, savored a bite. It was delicious, but most importantly, it was exquisitely beautiful. Serving these would surely impress. She said, "Aunt, when did you find such a skilled person? Do tell me."

Lady Qin replied, "That is a difficult question. Madam Lin, who made these, has a passion for it. We share a certain affinity, and I appealed to her interests, which is how I persuaded her to help me organize this banquet."