Just as Song Shi was thinking about a way out for herself, a clear, melodious voice came from outside the door, greeting the occupants. It was the Heir’s Consort[1]The wife of the prince’s designated heir and, in this story, Qi Chuyao’s mother; her household position differs from that of the prince’s own consort. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3717371_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3717371_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
This was Song Shi’s first time meeting her. The woman was beautiful, with gentle features and a mild, graceful air. Her voice was pleasant to the ear, and she bowed with easy composure.
“Mother!”
Qi Chuyao rushed over like a little firecracker and threw her arms around the Heir’s Consort’s leg. “Yaoyao hasn’t brought you any sweets today! Sister Song made red bean tangyuan[2]Tangyuan are chewy glutinous-rice dumplings commonly served in soup; red beans supply the sweet flavor in this version. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3717371_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3717371_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); and lots of pretty pastries. They’re so delicious!”
The Heir’s Consort smiled and pinched her daughter’s round cheek, then turned to bow to the two elders. “I heard that Father-in-law brought back two excellent cooks and a female physician skilled in medicinal cuisine from Jiangnan. Since that’s the case, there’s no need for the original head cook, is there? Might I ask you to let Song Shi serve at Moonlight Courtyard?”
Song Shi was overjoyed at the suggestion. She wanted to rush back at once, pack her things, and follow the Heir’s Consort and Qi Chuyao home.
Biyu had already been dealt with, so her life was safe for the time being. As long as she served this mother and daughter well, given their personalities, she would probably have an easier time achieving her goal!
Qi Jinrui shot a subtle glare at Song Shi, who was beaming and practically ready to nod on the spot. Hadn’t she just said she would serve him until he grew tired of her? It hadn’t even been half an hour, and she already wanted to leave?
Hmph!
He wasn’t tired of her yet. There was no chance he would let her go.
“Sister-in-law, you may choose any cook in the residence, and the female physician as well. But not Song Shi.”
At that, the smile on Song Shi’s face moved to Qi Jinrui’s.
“Uncle Rui, you already have the two cooks and the female physician Grandfather brought back. Why can’t you let Sister Song go to Moonlight Courtyard?” Qi Chuyao’s cheeks puffed up in frustration. “You’re so bossy, too bossy! Yaoyao—Yaoyao won’t be friends with you anymore!”
She turned her head and gave a loud, indignant huff.
“Pfft.”
Everyone present burst out laughing, including Qi Jinrui, the one being threatened.
“Then your uncle will give you the two cooks and—”
“No! Yaoyao only wants Sister Song!” Qi Chuyao grabbed Song Shi’s hand and tugged her toward the door. “Sister Song, come with Yaoyao! Yaoyao will treat you well.”
Song Shi nearly laughed aloud. She wanted to leave too, but she didn’t dare move unless Qi Jinrui agreed.
At last, Prince Li turned his attention to Song Shi. Of course he knew who she was. In her letters, Princess Consort Li had praised her to the skies, and even Imperial Physician Xu had spoken highly of her.
She was pretty and looked obedient. As for her cooking… Prince Li glanced at the various pastries and sweet soups laid out on the table.
“Your Highness, try some.”
Princess Consort Li personally served him a bowl of red bean tangyuan and set it before him. “The ingredients in Song Shi’s pastries are ordinary, but their flavor is anything but.”
As she spoke, she introduced the treats on the table.
Golden pumpkin cakes, translucent pear cakes, pure white milk cakes, and date-blossom pastries—the four kinds of sweets all looked delicate and enticing.
Prince Li wasn’t fond of pastries; they were usually too sweet and rich. But since his wife had served him a bowl herself, he could hardly refuse. He took a small taste.
Hmm?
They smelled sweet, but tasted only mildly so—not cloying at all. The little tangyuan were soft and chewy, filling his mouth with the fragrance of red beans.
“Grandfather, try this milk cake. It’s delicious!” Qi Chuyao pointed to the small cubes of milk cake, her eyes shining. She loved Sister Song’s milk-based pastries and sweet soups best. Every one of them was especially delicious!
If she weren’t saving room for dinner, she could eat every last bite!
Prince Li sampled each dish. The sweetness of every one was perfectly balanced, bringing out the ingredients’ own fragrance. They really were excellent. Even he, who disliked sweets, found it hard to stop. No wonder Yaoyao liked Song Shi so much that she had asked her own mother to come and request her.
And it was no wonder Jinrui couldn’t bear to let her go. Prince Li shook his head with a laugh.
“Mother, you have some too.” Qi Chuyao pulled the Heir’s Consort down beside her. Her little mouth kept chattering; after praising the pastries and sweet soups, she started praising Song Shi, nearly lifting her to the heavens.
“Uncle Rui…” The little girl clung to Qi Jinrui’s arm and pleaded pitifully, “Please let Sister Song come back to Moonlight Courtyard with Yaoyao, okay?”
“She can still give you plenty to eat here.” Faced with the Little Glutton’s relentless coaxing, Qi Jinrui refused again. He might have agreed if it were anyone else, but not Song Shi.
She could be irritating sometimes, but she had plenty of good qualities too. Most importantly, every dish, pastry, and sweet soup she made suited his tastes. No other cook could manage that.
Seeing how firmly Qi Jinrui refused, Song Shi grew anxious about her future. Could she have done too good a job, so that this boy wouldn’t let her go? Maybe she’d end up serving not just him but his wife too, and then his children, until she died of old age?
She absolutely could not accept a future like that!
But if she slacked off from then on, she’d surely be punished. Forget it—she’d keep working for now. Hopefully the arrival of the female physician would distract Qi Jinrui. It would be nice if someone else could take over some of the trouble and share the burden.
While preparing dinner, Song Shi met the female physician.
She looked about Song Shi’s age, with a pretty, charming face and a naturally smiling mouth. She seemed easygoing.
“You must be Song Shi. I’m Nan Ling’er. Prince Li has instructed me to take charge of Commandery Prince Rui’an’s three meals from now on. You’ll serve at Moonlight Courtyard.”
Song Shi was delighted at first, but then she reconsidered. Qi Jinrui had been adamant in refusing both the Heir’s Consort and Qi Chuyao. Why had he agreed as soon as she left?
It didn’t seem like him.
Song Shi looked to Guanyue, who had brought Nan Ling’er over, for an explanation. Guanyue gave a small nod.
“From now on, please take good care of His Highness’s meals.”
Hmm? Why did that sound so familiar?
She remembered. The previous head cook had said the same thing to her when she left.
Unfortunately, Song Shi hadn’t worked any “miracles”: she’d lasted less than twenty days before being replaced. Well, serving Qi Chuyao and the Heir’s Consort would surely be easier and less stressful than serving Qi Jinrui. She wouldn’t have to go out of her way to prepare five meals a day, either.
At the thought, Song Shi’s steps as she left were light and cheerful. She could barely resist laughing out loud three times right there!
Song Shi came out of her room with a small bundle, and a little girl quickly ran toward her.
“Sister Song, Yaoyao’s here to pick you up!”
As she spoke, her big eyes darted left and right, as if she were keeping watch for someone. She was adorable.
Once Qi Chuyao had checked that the coast was clear, she happily took Song Shi’s hand and whispered, “Sister Song, while Uncle Rui’s still asleep, let’s hurry and go!”
On the way, Song Shi finally learned from the little girl what had happened after she left.
It turned out that after Qi Jinrui had gone back to his room, the Little Glutton had pleaded with the Prince and Princess Consort. If they didn’t let Song Shi go to Moonlight Courtyard, she would cry. In the end, the two reluctantly agreed to let her serve at Moonlight Courtyard for three days, after which she would return to Qing’an Courtyard.
Three days!?
Seriously? Three days wasn’t even worth going!
“Sister Song, aren’t you happy? Yaoyao’s so happy too! When Uncle Rui is feeling better, Yaoyao will ask Grandfather and Grandmother to let you stay at Moonlight Courtyard much, much longer!”
Song Shi: “…”
She wasn’t that happy.
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