Action followed swiftly after decision. Once Lin Yuan finalized her plan with Madam Ming, she called over both Da Ye and Shui Ling, asking them to compile the nas of pastries and dishes that had appeared in the stories told over the past few days. Later, she herself would be responsible for recreating them.
There were far fewer pastries and dishes ntioned in "Journey to the West," and the most intriguing one—Monk Tangseng’s at—had not yet made its appearance in the tiline of the story.
Nonetheless, when Sun Wukong caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, there had been quite a few ntions of divine ambrosial drinks and delicacies, which could easily be made into a series.
However, it was still winter, and peaches weren’t in season. If she waited until peach season, she could certainly borrow the na "flat peaches" for the fresh fruit!
While "Journey to the West" offered limited options for dishes, "Dream of the Red Chamber" was bursting with inspiration. Pastries and dishes were plentiful, and even casual conversations between characters could effortlessly produce a wealth of elegant dish nas.
Hearing the task Lin Yuan assigned, Shui Ling was montarily overwheld.
Madam Ming noticed her discomfort and chuckled, saying, "Don’t worry too much about it. Plenty of the girls at Idle Tea House listen to your storytelling every day. You don’t even need to do the tally yourself—just find a few people to ask, and they’ll surely have it all for you!"
Madam Ming had a point. The enthusiasm the girls at Idle Tea House had for "Dream of the Red Chamber" absolutely exceeded Lin Yuan’s expectations. Initially, the others had all joked about Shui Ling not being great at narrating stories. But now? Every one of them eagerly followed her, hoping for spoilers!
Both Da Ye and Shui Ling quickly busied themselves with their tasks. When it was just Madam Ming and Lin Yuan left in the room, Madam Ming kept glancing at Lin Yuan with an expression that seed to suggest she had sothing on her mind.
Lin Yuan found herself uneasy under her gaze, so she put down the abacus in her hands and smiled, saying, "If Madam has sothing to say, just say it directly. Staring at like that makes think I’ve got stains on !"
Madam Ming burst into laughter, nodded, and replied, "Since you’ve said so, I hope you won’t bla for being a busybody."
Lin Yuan shrugged, signaling she didn’t mind. Madam Ming paused to consider for a mont and then lowered her voice as she asked, "Have you heard the rumors about Su Zhe, Pri Minister Su, visiting the gates of the General Mansion? I’ve heard the gossip everywhere from the guests at Idle Tea House. They’re saying that..."
Just as she reached the critical point of the story, Madam Ming stopped speaking and instead shot Lin Yuan a aningful look, leaving Lin Yuan both amused and exasperated.
"If you’ve got sothing to say, say it," Lin Yuan urged. "I’ve heard far too many rumors in my life—you wouldn’t believe how much I can tolerate. Even the worst wouldn’t bother ."
After all, no insult could be worse than those she endured back in Lin family Hamlet, where people pointed at her spine and called her the Little Disaster Star. Compared to that, anything else sounded outright pleasant.
Though Madam Ming didn’t know much about Lin Yuan’s past, her own experiences gave her so ability to empathize. She regretted bringing up such unpleasant matters but pressed forward anyway.
"Actually, it’s nothing too damning. They’re simply saying that Miss Su from the Su family has taken a fancy to Second Young Master Xia, and that Pri Minister Su is using his influence to pressure him into breaking his promises and marrying Miss Su instead."
Madam Ming tactfully avoided reiterating any negative remarks directed at Lin Yuan.
Her restraint, however, didn’t an Lin Yuan was ignorant of the gossip. She vividly rembered that when she first arrived in the Capital City, many people had spread rumors labeling her a shaless wench who ca between Su Qiuyu and Xia Zheng, desperate to climb her way to fortune like a bird that dreams of becoming a phoenix.
But back then, Lin Yuan had chosen neither to display her strength nor to retaliate against such absurd chatter, scoffing at it instead.
Looking back, she suspected many of those rumors had likely been deliberately spread by those with hidden agendas.
Smiling lightly, Lin Yuan brushed aside strands of fine hair from her forehead, her expression calm and untroubled. "Whom Xia Zheng chooses to marry is his freedom and his right. No one can dictate his decision. Ha! If soone truly believes they can force Xia Zheng’s hand, I’d actually be curious to see which divine figure they are!"
As Lin Yuan spoke, she idly played with the pen rest on the table, her confidence evident. Her deanor left Madam Ming montarily silent.
"Boss... Please don’t bla for ddling. I know you and Second Young Master Xia are deeply in love, and I sincerely hope you both grow old together in happiness. But n—they always carry a bit of fickleness in their hearts. You might want to keep an eye open just in case," Madam Ming advised cautiously.
Lin Yuan raised a brow, inwardly noting that Madam Ming was a bit too straightforward. If anyone else were in her place, hearing such a discouraging remark while in the throes of romantic bliss and nearing engagent, they might dislike Madam Ming deeply.
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