When he had visited Qi Yue’s courtyard the previous night, the pastry her maid served seemed to be this very kind—shaped like plum blossoms, with exquisite openwork on the petals, appearing remarkably elegant.
He was not someone who normally enjoyed sweets, and since being plagued by a stomach ailment, he rarely touched pastries at all.
Yet for some reason at the time, as if possessed, he had been enticed by that faint, lingering sweetness. Without much thought, he had picked up a piece and taken a small taste. To his surprise, it lacked the usual cloying heaviness of common snacks, leaving only a gentle, long-lasting fragrance in his mouth.
Eating the cake had been a mindless act, but it wasn’t until noon today, when Yun Feng brought over the usual bowl of dark brown medicinal soup, that he realized the dull aching in his stomach—which had followed him like a shadow for days—had not flared up today.
If there was anything different about his diet compared to before, it was those few pieces of moon-white pastry that resembled the Ding Sheng cakes but surpassed them in form.
Qi Xun’s gaze narrowed slightly. After a moment of silent contemplation, he turned to his attendant and ordered, “Go and investigate where the young lady has been going lately and whom she has been meeting.”
It was currently high noon, and business was booming inside Xue’s Treasure Delicacies Shop. Diners were feasting on steaming hot meals, their laughter and the clatter of dishes mingling with the faint sounds of stir-frying from the back kitchen, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere of the common marketplace.
Jiang Xiyu was buried behind the front counter calculating accounts, her fingertips making the abacus beads click and clack rhythmically.
She listened to the constant sound of the beads as if she were hearing copper coins jingling into a purse, her eyes curving into happy crescents.
In the kitchen, however, there was a different kind of peaceful scene.
Xue Li was carefully sifting the japonica and glutinous rice that had been air-dried overnight on a bamboo sieve, focusing intently on making the cakes.
Only when the powder was sifted to a sufficiently delicate and soft consistency did she knead in the steamed and mashed yam paste, which had been filtered to remove any coarse fibers.
The yam paste was as brilliantly white as snow and as fine as fat in texture. Once mixed evenly with the two types of rice flour, it took on a texture as gentle and lustrous as jade.
Typically, Ding Sheng cakes were colored with red yeast powder to give them a coral brilliance. However, since this version was a medicinal version modified with yam, adding red yeast powder would instead mask the natural moon-white color and the innate fragrance of the yam. So, she chose to add no color at all, returning to simplicity.
Xue Li brought out the plum blossom wooden molds and set them on the white pastry table used specifically for flour-based snacks.
Speaking of which, these molds were something she had specially commissioned from a flower-mold craftsman.
The main body of the mold was in the shape of a five-petaled plum blossom, with exquisite patterns carved into the center of the petals. This ensured the snacks would have a graceful form after being steamed, making them look more elegant when plated. One board could produce nine cakes; she had asked the carpenter to make five boards in total—not too many and not too few, just enough to handle the ever-increasing orders.
She took a powder brush and first swept away the rice flour left over from yesterday’s initial attempt at making the cakes, then used a fine silk sieve to sift the yam-glutinous powder into the molds.
The moon-white powder drifted down like snow, evenly filling every petal indentation. Through the golden beams of the afternoon sun, a layer of warm, intoxicating hazy light shimmered over the powder, as if the winter sunshine from outside the window had been crushed and wrapped into the cakes.
When the plum blossom molds were filled to sixty percent capacity, Xue Li put down the silk sieve and used a tiny silver spoon to gently fill the centers with the prepared jujube paste.
When she first designed this pastry, she thought that since yam has a clear, sweet flavor and the effect of strengthening the spleen and stomach, it would be very suitable as a medicinal tonic for those with stomach ailments. However, if she solely pursued health without adding any sweetness, it might be hard for diners to enjoy, and sales would not be high. Therefore, she chose red dates—a nourishing item—as a purely natural sweetener.
The dates she chose were Golden Thread jujubes, which have thin skins and thick flesh. After removing the pits, she simmered them over a slow fire and then sifted them into a fine paste. The color was a bright red, and the fragrance was rich and sweet without being heavy or cloying.
Yam is gentle and stomach-nourishing; jujube paste nourishes the blood and calms the mind; roasted glutinous rice flour warms the middle and tonifies deficiencies; while japonica rice flour harmonizes the stomach and stops diarrhea. Combined, they formed a health-preserving delicacy that appeared ordinary but contained profound benefits within.
Seeing Qi Yue unable to put them down yesterday, with a light in her eyes she couldn’t hide, Xue Li knew this pastry would certainly not go ignored.
Actually, before they parted last night, she had specially tucked a box of the snacks into Little Sister Qi’s hands to take home.
Originally, she was worried the girl was only drinking plain porridge at home, which would lead to malnutrition and harm her stomach. She told her that if her stomach felt empty or panicky, she could use one or two pieces to line her stomach, as it was most protective.
Looking back now, she felt that act might have been a bit ill-advised.
Given Little Sister Qi’s level of self-control when it came to food, it was hard to say if that box of Yam Plum Blossom Cakes had safely survived the night.
A helpless smile touched Xue Li’s lips as she shook her head gently, then refocused on the pastries before her.
She continued filling the plum blossom molds with the powder, used a wooden ruler to smooth the surface until it was as flat as a mirror, and then flipped them onto a wooden board. With a few light taps, the cakes slid smoothly out of the molds. She then carefully transferred them into the steamer.
Taking advantage of the gap while the cakes were steaming, she strolled to the front of the shop and scanned the room.
The three little beggars were each performing their duties.
Dougu, with her hair tied in two cute, pointed little buns, held a rag in her hand. She was standing on her tiptoes, working hard to wipe down the counter that was half a head taller than she was.
Mo’er was running dishes in the dining area. Holding a plate of Crispy Sweet and Sour Lotus Root, he darted between the tables and chairs with great speed. It had to be said, this child was quite nimble at serving, and a smile was plastered on his face at all times—likely because these days were far better than his previous life begging on the streets.
And what about Ci’er?
Since their encounter during the vegetable patch incident, Xue Li had noticed that although this boy was young, his mind was as fine as a hair.
His assigned job was splitting wood and tending the fires, but over the past few days, she had sensed a certain spiritual affinity in him for culinary arts.
For example, the heat of the kiln was always unstable. Even when she personally roasted the Scorched Jade Cheese Cake, she often struggled to grasp the timing, resulting in the color being too dark. But whenever she had Ci’er watch the fire, he could always bring the cakes out when the center was moist and the exterior color was just right, without a hair’s breadth of error.
Then there was the staff meal of Steamed Shad a few days ago. She and Xiyu had been fretting over how to clean the fish and had planned to go ask Madam Lu how to settle it quickly. Who would have thought that by the time they returned a cup of tea later, the fish had already been cleaned and was lying neatly on a porcelain plate.
Ci’er had stood to the side, rolling up his sleeves and washing his hands with a composed expression.
When the two of them asked, they learned that the boy used to go to the market to beg. There was a fishmonger nearby who killed fish every morning; with nothing better to do, he had watched once or twice and learned how.
Thus, the division of labor among the three had stabilized: Dougu was responsible for washing and picking vegetables, wiping tables, and sweeping; Mo’er ran the floor, delivered dishes, and greeted customers; and Ci’er, in addition to splitting wood and tending fires, served as a little apprentice by Xue Li’s side whenever he was free.
Although the oldest of these children was only seven, and having them serve plates and wash vegetables at that age was indeed a bit regrettable, the laws of the Great Song did not set an age limit for employment; they only had clauses for prosecution against extreme cases of unscrupulous exploitation.
Furthermore, how could Xue Li bear to exploit these adorable children?
She paid each of them a wage of three hundred wen a month, provided room and board, and even looked after their elderly granny.
They ate with her and Jiang Xiyu, sometimes even tasting the fine dishes custom-made for Little Sister Qi. They also lived with her and Jiang Xiyu in the old Xue family residence.
The five of them visited the old woman every few days; if the Treasure Delicacies Shop was truly too busy, they would take turns sending someone to visit her.
Of course, Xue Li’s sheltering of these beggars wasn’t just out of kindness.
First, the three children were truly pitiful yet likable. Second, the business at Treasure Delicacies was growing more prosperous by the day, and a shortage of hands was inevitable. Although they were children and not as capable as adults, what one person couldn’t do, the three together could manage.
As the saying goes, “Three clumsy tailors are better than one Zhuge Liang,” right? Moreover, the emotional value these three children brought her far surpassed any clumsy tailor.
Looking at the orderly scene before her, Xue Li nodded in satisfaction. She turned back to the kitchen, where Jiang Xiyu had finished the accounts and was helping her watch the fire.
“Madam Lu has sent over the processed flatbreads,” Jiang Xiyu reported.
Xue Li gave a light-hearted acknowledgement, her almond eyes focused on how the Yam Plum Blossom Cakes were steaming.
Jiang Xiyu looked at her, hesitating to speak, then helplessly leaned in and patted her shoulder, saying mysteriously, “Why aren’t you worried at all that Madam Lu will play tricks?”
“Play tricks?” Xue Li smelled the clear, sweet fragrance drifting from the pastries and felt completely at ease. “Even if she wanted to play tricks, she would have to have the opportunity first.”
“How so?”
Xue Li turned to look at her and said unhurriedly, “You think that by using her flatbreads for processing and selling, we are subject to her control, and there’s a risk of her copying us?”
Jiang Xiyu nodded vigorously in agreement.
Xue Li flicked her forehead with a finger. “Actually, it’s quite the opposite!”
“First of all, we hold the core technology. The fillings newly added to the flatbreads are personally made by us before being sent over. She only handles the flatbread crusts; if she wants to steal the secret recipe, she can’t. If the taste isn’t good, and Madam Lu sells them for too much, people won’t want to buy them. If she sells them at the same price, diners will prefer to come to the Treasure Delicacies Shop, where the food was first introduced. If she tries to undersell us at a low price, she won’t make more than a few wen for herself, which wouldn’t even match the profit-share we give her. It would be a thankless effort.”
“Secondly, our positioning has always been mid-to-high-end; branding is especially important. For one thing, the carvings on the pastry molds are custom-made by a mold craftsman. And the Scorched Jade Cheese Cake—when it comes out of the oven, it’s served in Ru kiln peacock-patterned porcelain cups. Just for this presentation and packaging, those high-ranking officials and nobles are willing to pay extra.”
“And the most, most, most important point is—”
Seeing her emphasize it so, Jiang Xiyu hurriedly asked, “What is it, what is it?”
As soon as her words fell, she received another flick to the forehead from Xue Li.
“Ouch!” Jiang Xiyu clutched her forehead in pain.
“The sweet-savory flatbreads!” Xue Li said, exasperated. “The ‘Sweet Honey Flatbreads’—the newest item sold as a bundle with the scallion oil flatbreads at Madam Lu’s shop—doesn’t its recipe remain in our hands?”
Jiang Xiyu’s eyes finally flashed. “Oh right! I actually forgot about that! Ever since the sweet-savory flatbread combo went on the shelves, she’s been earning a fortune these past few days. In the end, she’s still relying on our recipe. How would she dare play any tricks?”
“Exactly.” Xue Li felt gratified. It was just time for the Yam Plum Blossom Cakes to come out, so she lifted the lid.
A gentle wave of steam rushed toward them, carrying the freshness of the yam and the sweetness of the red dates. It enveloped the two of them with a warm, sweet-scented embrace.
Jiang Xiyu lowered her head to waft the scent and took a fine sniff. Her eyes lit up. It seemed that just by smelling it, she had already tasted the pastry. “Today’s pastry seems even more fragrant. A’li, did you improve the recipe?”
Xue Li was in high spirits and was about to speak when a thunderous scolding came crashing down from outside:
“Xue Li!!! Your crimes are grave!”
The voice sounded familiar, but why did it sound like someone coming to trash the place?
Xue Li and Jiang Xiyu looked toward the source of the voice in confusion, only to see Qi Yue rushing into the back hall with a face full of indignation. she screeched to a halt in front of Xue Li, her eyes bulging with anger.
Xue Li was startled by this display. “…I, what did I do?”
To her surprise, upon hearing this, Qi Yue’s expression changed instantly.
Her red lips pouted, the rims of her eyes turned red, and she immediately burst into a flood of tears.
While crying, she didn’t forget to continue her scolding: “Wuwu, it’s all your fault! Why must you make the food taste so delicious? It makes it so I can’t keep my mouth shut every day! Now… now I haven’t even slimmed down, I’ve grown even fatter! I’m so angry!”
Xue Li was stunned into silence. Finally, she turned her head to exchange a glance with Jiang Xiyu.
“Didn’t we agree you were paying for a monthly meal plan here?” Xue Li took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, smiling as she said, “Think about it—you paid so much silver. If I, the chef, didn’t look after your mouth and treat your stomach well, how could my conscience be at peace?”