Madam Yun’s brows shot up as she scolded angrily: “Wan’er!”
The servants nearby all looked flustered.
But Su Liuyue suddenly stepped forward with a faint smile. “Aunt, do you have ginger in the kitchen?”
The atmosphere had been tense, yet she asked an unrelated question that left everyone stunned—including Xue Lingwan, who stared at her blankly.
Madam Yun paused, then nodded. “Of course we do…”
“And milk? Do you have any?”
Madam Yun nodded again. “Ever since Yike became pregnant, I’ve ordered milk to be bought daily. Liuyue, why do you ask…”
Su Liuyue smiled. “There are too many people in the room—it’s stuffy and not good for Cousin‑in‑law. I won’t go in for now. But I know a dessert that can help ease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Didn’t Aunt say she’s had no appetite lately? Why don’t I try making this dessert and see if she’s willing to eat it?”
Madam Yun was stunned, almost dazed. “Liuyue, you actually know how to make desserts?!”
She had never heard of such a thing before!
Xue Lingwan frowned, about to speak, but Su Liuyue glanced at her and cut in first: “I studied a little when I was bored at home. Cousin, you seem rather free—why don’t you come with me to the kitchen?”
Xue Lingwan: “???”
Free? Was this woman mocking her?!
Seeing her cousin’s dark expression, Su Liuyue’s lips curved slightly, her voice cool: “Weren’t you worried I might harm Cousin‑in‑law? If you’re so concerned, why not come and watch for yourself? Or is it that you only talk, but deep down you actually trust me?”
Who would trust someone as arrogant and cold as her!
Provoked, Xue Lingwan bit her lip and snapped: “Fine! I’ll go with you and see what kind of ridiculous dessert you can make! Just don’t harm my sister‑in‑law!”
With that, she strode ahead toward the kitchen.
Su Liuyue gave Madam Yun a reassuring look, then followed slowly with Ersi and Er’an.
On the way, the two maids whispered nervously: “Miss, you weren’t joking, were you? You really know how to make desserts?” –
Su Liuyue smiled faintly. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
As it happened, her birth mother had loved sweets—and so did she. In her previous life, her greatest hobby was experimenting with desserts and pastries in her spare time. For this, she was often teased by her colleagues at the police station, who joked that no one would ever imagine the tough chief—who struck fear into the most vicious criminals—secretly had the same sweet tooth as a girlish young lady. But teasing was one thing; their bodies told the truth. Whenever she brought her homemade desserts to the station, they were snatched up instantly.
Ersi and Er’an looked at her as though they’d seen a ghost.
The Xue residence wasn’t large, so after only a few steps, they reached the kitchen, where Xue Lingwan was already standing by the stove, glaring at her.
Su Liuyue ignored her completely. She asked Xue Lingwan’s maid to fetch the ingredients she needed, then began directing the others with practiced ease. “Ersi, light the fire. Er’an, come with me and lend a hand.”
She swiftly peeled and chopped the fresh ginger. Her movements were so skilled that no one could believe she had never set foot in a kitchen before.
Once the ginger was minced, Su Liuyue took a clean piece of cloth, wrapped the ginger inside, and called back the dazed Er’an, instructing her to fetch two clean bowls. Then, using all her strength, she squeezed the cloth until drops of yellow ginger juice seeped out, filling the air with its sharp, spicy aroma.
Xue Lingwan frowned deeply. What on earth was this woman trying to do? Who in the world made desserts like this?!
The others looked on in confusion and curiosity, but seeing how serious she was, none dared interrupt.
When the ginger juice was ready, Su Liuyue said: “Ersi, prepare to boil the milk.”
In ancient times, there were no special pots for boiling milk. After searching for a while, Su Liuyue had only found a teapot normally used for brewing tea, so she had to make do.
After washing her hands, she poured fresh milk into the teapot, added the right amount of sugar, and brought it to a boil. Then she instructed Ersi to bring over the two bowls of ginger juice. Removing the milk from the fire, she silently counted forty seconds in her mind, then carefully poured the milk from a height into the bowls.
When everything was done, she set down the teapot, clapped her hands, and smiled. “All right. Now we just wait a little while.”
“This… this is it?!”
Xue Lingwan’s sharp voice suddenly rang out. “Isn’t this just ordinary boiled milk? You only added ginger and sugar—what’s so special about that?! Mother has people boil milk for my sister‑in‑law every night, and she’s never once been able to drink it. As for this concoction, I doubt she’ll want it either!”
Earlier, Ersi and Er’an had managed to hold their tongues with this Second Young Lady of the Xue family—after all, their mistress had indeed, well, coughed, not treated the Xues very kindly before. But with her repeating herself again and again, even saints would lose patience!
Seeing Ersi about to retort, Su Liuyue raised her hand slightly and smiled faintly. “Did I ever say this was ordinary boiled milk?”
“Do you even need to say it? I have eyes—I can see for myself!”
“Oh? Then, if it turns out this isn’t ordinary boiled milk, will Cousin kneel and apologize to me?”
“You…” Xue Lingwan’s eyes widened, then she couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. “So that’s what you were waiting for! Fine, I’ll bet with you. But if I catch you playing tricks, don’t blame me for being rude!”
Su Liuyue only smiled lightly, saying nothing more.
From then on, Xue Lingwan stared unblinkingly at the two bowls of milk. She refused to believe it was anything other than boiled milk. Surely this woman was planning to swap the bowls when she wasn’t looking, just to humiliate her! She would never let her succeed!
Su Liuyue ignored her, letting her watch as much as she pleased, and strolled leisurely into the courtyard. She had made ginger milk pudding countless times before. To be safe, it usually needs to sit undisturbed for ten minutes.
Unfortunately, in ancient times, there were no precise timekeeping instruments, so she could only silently count the seconds in her mind.
Back then, her mother’s favorite dessert was the ginger milk pudding she made. Su Liuyue couldn’t help but wonder how heartbroken her mother must have been when she learned of her death in the line of duty.
Since arriving here, Su Liuyue had been doing her best to adapt to this new life. Except for those lonely nights lying awake in bed, she tried not to think about her past life. But now, as she once again prepared this familiar dessert, her heart involuntarily tightened. She couldn’t suppress the deep longing and sorrow that quietly spread within her.