Hua Hao and Yueyuan stared intently at the old lady, afraid that she would be dissatisfied as usual and furrow her brows.
During the hot sumr, the old lady didn’t have much of an appetite. Because of this, the kitchen tried to prepare different dishes every day, yet none of them could ignite the old lady’s hunger. Those chefs had been hired at a high cost.
Now, though Fulan’s cooking wasn’t highly anticipated by Hua Hao and Yueyuan, how could it compare with professional chefs? However, the little girl prepared so hotown dishes, and the old lady found it refreshing, which was not a bad thing.
As they were just pondering this, the old lady began to speak.
"The bun’s skin is chewy, smooth as it slips into your mouth, and after a few bites, it slides right into the stomach. And this broth, it’s fresh and savory, bursting with flavor the mont you sip it, truly full of color, aroma, and taste, leaving a lasting impression."
After saying this, the old lady finished sipping the broth and took the last bite of the bun.
"Miss Qiu, your skills are quite good, better than those at ho and outside. How did you acquire such craftsmanship?"
Qu Fulan smiled, "I used to get bored at ho, so I learned a few things from the family cook. That cook knew quite a variety of dishes, though I’m not sure where she ca from."
The old lady nodded, "I see, this soup dumpling is delicious. I reckon the other two dishes won’t be any less flavorful."
Qu Fulan had soone bring over the rice noodle rolls, a dish that had to be eaten fresh off the stear; it wouldn’t do to wait.
When the old lady saw the two translucent white rolls on the plate with the at inside, she couldn’t help but ask, "What kind of food is this?"
"Old lady, this is called rice noodle roll, made from fresh rice, flavorful and aromatic. Paired with a unique sauce, it tastes absolutely delicious. Our family back ho used to love it."
Just looking at the thin-skinned, at-filled rolls increased her appetite. Hearing about the exclusive sauce and recalling the earlier soup dumplings, she already trusted Fulan’s culinary skills.
"Bring it over for to taste."
Qu Fulan placed the plate in front of the old lady and poured so sauce over it. The taste aside, the translucent white roll with the rich brown sauce was visually striking and seed very appetizing.
The old lady picked up a piece with her chopsticks, took a bite, chewed a few tis, and nodded, "Hmm, it’s smooth and has a certain firmness. It’s both fragrant and aromatic as it enters the mouth. It’s amazing how sothing made of rice can be so flavorful. And this sauce looks like soy sauce, but it doesn’t taste like it, having a sweet scent. It’s quite unique."
Hua Hao and Yueyuan were both very surprised upon hearing this.
Qu Fulan explained, "Rice naturally has a fragrance, though one must distinguish between aged and new rice. Although aged rice offers a better texture, it doesn’t match the aroma of new rice. New rice, when ground into rice slurry, might not have the texture of aged rice, but it is undoubtedly fresher and healthier and boasts a better fragrance. The sauce is not ordinary soy sauce either; quite a few ingredients go into it."
The old lady nodded, "It seems that the simplest things are sotis the most demanding of attention. It’s clear you have a knack for this."
Qu Fulan quickly said, "It’s all thanks to my master’s teachings. I’m quite dull and have been scolded many tis."
The old lady was amused.
Just then, soone ca from outside, calling through the curtain, "Old lady, the eldest young master and Third Miss, along with Miss Ying, have co to greet you."
The old lady let them in.
Soon after, the group appeared in the side hall and greeted the old lady in an orderly manner.
The old lady laughed, "You’ve co just in ti, right when Fulan was making breakfast for . I’ve tasted it, and it’s utterly delicious. You’re in for a treat today."
Pei Yuan smiled, "If the old lady says it’s good, it must be good."
Third Miss and Miss Ying also sat down to taste it.
Originally, they thought the old lady was exaggerating, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
"The taste is indeed quite good, much better than those in the restaurants outside," Third Miss sincerely praised.
As the legitimate daughter of the Pei Family, she had naturally eaten outside before, but those places, though visually appealing, couldn’t match the taste of ho.
Pei Yuan said, "Those establishnts sell ambience and connections; guests go there for enjoynt, not just for a good al. Yet these breakfast dishes taste excellent, especially the pancakes and fruit, I bet Tuan will love them."
The old lady imdiately said, "Then you should take so ho for him. I’ve heard it’s hot lately, and Tuan’s appetite hasn’t been great. He’s lost quite a bit of weight."
Pei Yuan turned to ask Qu Fulan, "Are there still any warm servings in the kitchen?"
Qu Fulan replied, "These pancakes are best made fresh for taste, but I’ve already pre-prepared the ingredients. I’ll just need to fry them later, and we can send them to Tuan when they’re ready."
Pei Yuan nodded.
However, Ying Man’er remained silent from beginning to end, evidently unwilling to admit that a maid’s cooking could be good.
After everyone finished eating, Heir Pei stepped in through the door adorned with morning dew.
The old lady knew he didn’t return last night as he had gone to welco Master Huideng and felt worried for him.
"Have you had breakfast? You likely didn’t rest well last night, so you should return and have a good rest. There’s no need to rush here to greet ."
Heir Pei replied, "Yesterday, the Emperor kept the Master in the palace for questioning, and I accompanied him. We retired at the beginning of Hai hour, so I’m not tired, but I indeed haven’t had breakfast."
The old lady laughed, "How unfortunate for you; today, Fulan made us so delicious breakfast. We all ate it, and everyone praised it. There’s none left now, so you’re out of luck."
Pei Ji’an had just finished a sip of tea and, upon hearing this, looked at Qu Fulan, "Really none left?"
Qu Fulan knew the old lady was joking, so she said, "There is, the rice flour and seasonings are still in the kitchen. I can fry so up quickly."
"Then today, I’d like to taste your cooking."
Qu Fulan turned to leave, but Pei Ji’an stopped her, clapped his hands outside, and a guard entered with an embroidered box.
Pei Ji’an slightly raised his chin at Qu Fulan, "I got sothing good in the palace for you; take it."
"Thank you, princely heir." Qu Fulan said as she took the box from the guard. She couldn’t feel what was inside, nor did she intend to open it.
"Open it and take a look," he instructed.
Qu Fulan tried to ignore the curious gazes around her and opened the box.
Inside was a pair of jade bracelets, lustrous and smooth, transparent and bright, impeccably flawless—clearly top-quality jade.
"Truly a fine piece," Pei Yuan remarked with a smile, "It suits this girl quite perfectly."
Pei Ji’an’s gaze fell on Qu Fulan’s wrist, white as jade, with a hint of laughter in his voice, "Try them on."
Qu Fulan picked up one of the jade bracelets, feeling its weight in her hand.
Yueyuan stepped forward, "Let help you put it on."
Saying that, she draped a silk handkerchief over Qu Fulan’s hand, and the jade bracelet slipped on smoothly over the silk, fitting perfectly, as if made just for her.
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