Facing the desperate counterattack of the three, Shen Lingwei showed not the slightest hint of panic.
She stepped forward calmly, neither servile nor overbearing, and said word by word, “In this world, everything follows reason. Since you question the food I prepared, why not take a look—what exactly did I make, and what did you make?”
She bent down to pick up the paper that had fallen to the ground and said, “Yam porridge strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach. Poria cake promotes fluid metabolism and reduces dampness. Millet porridge warms the center and harmonizes the stomach. Which of these is not easy to digest and beneficial to the spleen and stomach?”
Cook Liu opened her mouth.
“But what about what you made? Shredded chicken with scallion oil, deep-fried ribbonfish, braised pork ribs, honey-glazed duck, and chestnut cakes…”
With each dish Shen Lingwei named, Cook Liu and the others grew more flustered.
“You’ve worked in the kitchen for three years. Don’t you know that these foods are greasy and rich, the hardest to digest? Don’t you know that the Second Young Master has been ill for a long time, his body weak, his spleen and stomach as fragile as a three-year-old child’s, unable to handle such food?”
Cook Liu’s face turned deathly pale. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t utter a single word.
At that moment, Chen Shitou suddenly remembered something and stepped forward to testify. “I can also testify. A few days ago, when Cook Liu brought chestnut cakes, Madam Shen saw it and even reminded her that the Second Young Master’s spleen and stomach were weak, and chestnut cakes are hard to digest, so he should eat less. But not only did Cook Liu ignore her, she even mocked Madam Shen in front of everyone, saying she was just jealous and nitpicking.”
He looked at Cook Liu with clear disgust.
“I was there at the time and heard everything clearly. These two old women also joined in ridiculing Madam Shen. Several maids in the courtyard witnessed it as well.”
After that, a few maids stepped forward one after another to testify for Shen Lingwei.
At this point, further words were useless.
Cook Liu’s body swayed. Her face ashen, she collapsed to the ground.
Pei Jinzhi raised his hand, and Chen Fan immediately led the servants to drag the three away.
After this turmoil, Jinghe Courtyard finally returned to peace.
According to the Old Madam’s earlier promise, from now on, the kitchen of Jinghe Courtyard would be under Shen Lingwei’s control.
Moreover, her monthly allowance was increased from five taels to ten taels.
Ten taels of silver was enough for a family in this era to cover several years of food and clothing.
Soon, the news spread throughout the entire Marquis residence. The Taoist Hu Wang also heard about it.
That very evening, after some thought, Hu Wang went to the Old Madam and reported that while observing the stars, he saw a guest star encroaching upon the Ziwei Star, indicating instability in the Second Young Master’s fate.
Hearing this, the Old Madam, who had just relaxed, grew anxious again.
“Master Hu, what do you mean? Ke’er has clearly already turned the corner.”
Hu Wang stroked his goatee, his expression grave. “I mentioned before that the Second Young Master’s three souls and seven spirits are missing one. Although he was fortunate to expel the impurities from his body today, that only treated the symptoms, not the root. Seeing that my formation was tightly set, the evil spirit changed its method, attaching itself to the food and taking advantage of the opportunity.”
The Old Madam was horrified. “Then… what should we do?”
Hu Wang sighed, looking compassionate. “It is also my oversight. I did not expect the evil spirit to be so cunning. However, rest assured, Old Madam. I have already adjusted the formation. Tomorrow night, under the full moon, I will conduct another ritual and completely expel the evil spirit.”
“However…” He paused, then added, “I heard that today a cook used some rustic method to help the young master expel his retained food. While it temporarily solved the urgent issue, it also disrupted the structure of my formation. Now that the evil spirit is on guard, tomorrow’s ritual may require more effort.”
The Old Madam was stunned. “Shen’s method… disrupted the formation?”
“You may not know, Old Madam. My formation relies on the balance of yin and yang and the mutual generation of the five elements. The method that cook used belongs to the ‘water’ element, forcefully flushing the intestines. While it expelled the accumulation, it also weakened the ‘earth’ element suppression I had set. Now that the evil spirit is no longer restrained, I fear it may become even more rampant.”
The Old Madam grew anxious again, clutching her prayer beads tightly.
“But there is no need to worry. I have traveled the world for many years—there is no evil spirit I have not encountered. This time, I will certainly ensure the young master’s safety.”
He then spoke of several other households and how he had cured them.
The Old Madam still hesitated. “How could I doubt you, Master? It’s just that Ke’er has just suffered so much… I truly am afraid.”
Hu Wang replied, “Your love for your grandson is understandable. Tomorrow, when I perform the ritual, that cook must not be allowed to approach. Her worldly aura may offend the spirits.”
The Old Madam pondered for a long while before finally nodding.
“Very well. We shall do as you say.”
Hu Wang smiled in satisfaction, a trace of smugness flashing in his eyes.
As he walked out of the courtyard, his young apprentice asked in confusion, “Master, didn’t you say before that we should wait two more days for an auspicious date?”
Hu Wang curled his lips into a cold smile as he walked leisurely forward.
“Foolish child, what do you understand?”
“Isn’t the timing decided by your master?”
With his hands behind his back, he looked at the full moon in the sky and narrowed his eyes.
“That cook saved the Second Young Master today. Tomorrow, she might become the favored one in the Marquis residence. If we delay any longer, what place will there be for us?”
The apprentice suddenly understood. “So you’re rushing the ritual tomorrow because you’re afraid she’ll take the credit?”
“Credit?” Hu Wang sneered. “Do you think I care about credit? What I care about is silver!”
He was merely a wandering charlatan. His reputation had been fabricated with money. Every time he arrived somewhere new, he would first hire people to praise him in teahouses and taverns, then target prominent families.
If the patient recovered, he claimed it was due to his ritual. If the patient died, he blamed fate or shifted responsibility to others.
Those wealthy families feared scandals and would not publicize being deceived. By the time they realized the truth, he had already taken the money and fled.
This time, however, he had a feeling that this cook might actually have some real skill.
But it didn’t matter. Once tomorrow’s ritual was done and he had the money, he would leave the capital. After changing his identity, who could possibly catch him?
At the same time, in Jinghe Courtyard.
Pei Ke was still somewhat weak, lying on the couch. His gaze curiously followed the food in Shen Lingwei’s bowl, as if wondering why there were no big ships or carriages.
Shen Lingwei sat by the couch, holding a small celadon bowl, gently coaxing him to eat.
“Second Young Master, just one bite. This bite is the ‘stabilizing pillar’ of the big ship. Once you eat it, the ship can sail steadily.”
She scooped up a spoonful of milk and gorgon fruit porridge. The soup was milky white and translucent, emitting a sweet fragrance.
Pei Ke had been keeping his lips tightly shut, but after hearing her description, they loosened slightly, though he still didn’t open his mouth.
Shen Lingwei wasn’t anxious. She took out the little bear doll from her sleeve. “Look, this is Xiong Da. He lives in Bear Ridge. Today he helped chase away the monster in your belly and is very tired. Will you eat a little with him?”
Pei Ke stared at the bear doll, his eyes filled with confusion, as if wondering where Bear Ridge was.
Seizing the moment, Shen Lingwei said, “You want to hear this story, don’t you? Then let’s finish this bowl of milk porridge first, and I’ll tell you the story of Xiong Da and Bear Ridge, alright?”
Pei Ke looked at her steadily. After a long while, he finally nodded gently.
Shen Lingwei scooped up another spoonful and blew on it softly. “Here.”
At last, Pei Ke opened his mouth and drank the spoonful of porridge.
When Pei Jinzhi arrived, this was the scene he saw.
The room was dimly lit. The woman knelt beside the couch, patiently coaxing his son to eat.
There was no urging, no force—only utmost gentleness, like a quiet stream flowing through the mountains, unhurried yet full of quiet strength.
“Come, one more bite. This one is Xiong Da’s honey jar. Once he eats it, he’ll have the strength to climb trees again.”
Her voice was soft, like the breeze of early spring, filled with patience.
Pei Jinzhi stood outside the door, unmoving.
For a moment, the scene overlapped with a memory buried deep within him. Something long frozen in his heart seemed to loosen ever so slightly.