At the beginning of the Chen hour, the mother and daughter each carried a basket on their backs. Xia Li’s basket contained Icy Jelly, while Mrs. Xia’s held several porcelain jars of seasonings and some beautiful empty bowls and plates, all tightly covered with cloth.
Before leaving, Mrs. Xia still made Xia Li wear a bamboo hat.
They arrived at the eastern end of the village and boarded Old Huang’s ox cart. The fare was three coins per person, and buckets or baskets occupying seats also required payment. By holding their baskets in their arms, Xia Li and Mrs. Xia avoided additional charges.
When eight people had boarded, Old Huang set off with the cart.
The other passengers were all heading to the county market to sell goods, carrying buckets and baskets that took up considerable space. Seeing Mrs. Xia and her daughter unusually laden with so many items, they were burning with curiosity.
Xia Li greeted them with a cheerful smile before settling into a daze on the cart.
Old Li from the southern end of the village couldn’t hold back any longer and asked, “Li Girl, what do you have in those baskets?”
Mrs. Xia quickly replied, “Just some freshly picked vegetables for a sister at the embroidery workshop. She often helps me out, and since I have no money, I can only thank her with fresh produce.”
Vegetables wouldn’t need to be covered so tightly. Old Li pursed her lips but didn’t press further.
The crimson morning sun hung low in the east, thin morning mist not yet fully dissipated. Dewdrops glistened on flowers and grass, while a gentle dawn breeze carried scents of blossoms, greenery, wheat, and rich earth. Vast golden wheat fields stretched as far as the eye could see…
The village morning was exquisitely beautiful.
To the east and north of Huaxiang Mountain Range lay expansive plains with fertile soil—a true land of fish and rice. It was currently harvest season for winter wheat and rapeseed, with busy figures already working in the fields.
Xia Li felt deeply grateful. To have transmigrated into peaceful times, far from war and suffering, with a mother who cherished her—this was true fortune.
After half a shichen, the ox cart arrived at the county town and stopped outside the city gates. Old Huang said he would depart from the same spot at the end of the Wei hour in the afternoon and wouldn’t wait for latecomers.
The passengers hurried off the cart and rushed toward the market, hoping to secure good spots.
Mrs. Xia and Xia Li went straight to Yixiang Restaurant after entering the city.
Tongning County was less than a hundred li from the provincial capital Jin’an Prefecture, with well-developed water and land transportation, making it an important town in Xiangjiang Province. The streets bustled with traffic, numerous shops lining the prosperous streets.
Yixiang Restaurant stood on the bustling Sanjin Street, where wide avenues echoed with competing vendor calls. Most shops were blue-brick tile-roofed buildings, with only a few wooden structures.
The two-story restaurant featured carved vermilion doors already wide open, colorful lanterns hanging alongside.
Xia Li followed Mrs. Xia inside. The main hall was spacious, containing over twenty square tables. A vermilion staircase stood to the left, with a brown counter directly ahead. Small wooden menu plaques hung on the wall behind it.
The hall ceiling was exceptionally high, with vermilion railings encircling the second floor. Behind them stood small vermilion doors leading to private rooms.
Xia Li was surprised to find such a luxurious restaurant in an ancient small county.
Glancing at the menu plaques, she counted over thirty dishes, along with snacks like soup dumplings and shaomai, plus desserts such as fermented glutinous rice balls and pear with snow fungus soup.
Several tables were occupied by well-dressed patrons leisurely eating breakfast.
A waiter approached and said, “Aunt, miss, here for breakfast? Our restaurant’s pastries and sweet soups are quite excellent.”Xia Li said, “Brother Waiter, we’d like to speak with the manager about something.”
A middle-aged man in a blue robe behind the counter replied, “I’m Manager He. What brings you here, young lady?”
Xia Li and Mrs. Xia approached the counter, placing their baskets on the ground. Xia Li took out three fine blue-and-white porcelain bowls and two matching plates from the basket, arranging them in a row on the counter. These dishes were normally reserved for festive occasions, but they had brought them along to enhance the presentation of the Icy Jelly.
Manager He asked in confusion, “What is the meaning of this?”
Two waiters gathered around, and the diners turned to look at them.
Xia Li smiled without answering and continued her preparations.
She first scooped a generous portion of Icy Jelly into each of the three bowls. Then, she inverted one bowl onto a blue-and-white plate, creating a small, dome-shaped pale red “iceberg” on the plate. Next, she turned the Icy Jelly from three small cups onto another plate, forming three pale green “icebergs.”
The red Icy Jelly had a touch of Rose Syrup added to it, while the green one contained a bit of Aloe Juice. This type of Icy Jelly had a slightly thicker consistency, making it easier to shape and more visually appealing, though its texture wasn’t as tender as the optimally prepared version.
Even with the increased concentration, the Icy Jelly made from Lan Deng Long Zi still wobbled slightly and sagged a bit, somewhat affecting its appearance. Nevertheless, its crystal-clear transparency was so stunning that it drew cheers from the onlookers.
Xia Li first added some brown sugar syrup and crushed peanuts to the three bowls. To one bowl, she added extra Red Bean Paste and sesame seeds, and to the third, she included Candied Melon Cubes and Rose Syrup.
Then, she garnished the plate with the single “iceberg,” drizzling honey water, Rose Syrup, Candied Melon Cubes, and sesame seeds around it.
She did the same for the three small “icebergs,” adding the same toppings as the large one.
After finishing, Xia Li explained, “This dish is called Icy Jelly, a family heirloom recipe. It’s cool, sweet, smooth, and refreshing, quenching thirst and relieving summer heat. It also has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, stimulates appetite, and strengthens the spleen. Suitable for all ages, it’s the perfect summer dessert.” She then pointed to each bowl and plate in turn, introducing them: “This is Original Icy Jelly, this is Three-Delicacy Icy Jelly, this is All-in-One Icy Jelly, this is Rosy Beauty, and this is Three Musketeers.”
Manager He exclaimed in surprise, “The names are quite unusual. Is this edible?”
Xia Li replied, “It’s made from ingredients, of course it’s edible.” As she spoke, she handed the Original Icy Jelly to Manager He. “Please, have a taste.”
Manager He could tell that the mother and daughter were likely here to sell their recipe. Regardless of whether the Icy Jelly was as good as they claimed, at least it looked appealing.
He took the bowl, stirred it with a spoon, and ate slowly, savoring it carefully. His face showed no expression, and even if there was a flicker of amazement in his eyes, it vanished instantly.
Xia Li thought to herself, What a cunning merchant.
She smiled and asked, “Manager He, what do you think? Isn’t it refreshing, smooth, sweet, and thirst-quenching?”
Before Manager He could respond, a young girl stepped forward and said, “Uncle He, the Second Young Lady and Fourth Young Master asked you to bring all this Icy Jelly to the private room. They’d like to see it.”
Xia Li turned to look and saw a girl of about thirteen or fourteen, wearing a pea-green vest with her hair styled in hanging braids. Fair-skinned and clever-looking, she appeared to be a maid from some household.
Manager He very much wanted to say, “Wait until I’ve negotiated the price before taking it,” but he didn’t dare. He instructed the waiter to bring a tray and carry these bowls of rice noodles with ice to the private room on the second floor. Then, turning to Xia Li and her mother with a smile, he said, “My young lady and young master are interested in this food. Please come with me to meet them.”