Although this “Litchi Paste Water” bore the name of the litchi fruit, it was not actually made from litchis. Instead, it was brewed from smoked plums, cinnamon, granulated sugar, raw ginger juice, and honey. Fresh litchis were rare in the North, so people could only rely on this drink—which imitated the litchi’s flavor profile—to dispel the summer heat.
Speaking of the word “Li,” Qi Xun felt the character was somehow overly familiar.
As he watched Guo Lixiang lead a group of kitchen workers to bring various exquisite delicacies to the table, he suddenly remembered that Guo Lixiang’s “little master” was named exactly that: Xue Li.
Incidentally, today was her first day on the job. He wondered what kind of strange and rare dish she had prepared for him.
By now, Guo Lixiang had approached Grand Matron Wu to introduce the dishes one by one.
Qi Xun listened absentmindedly…
Salty: Steamed Huai White Fish with Wine, to whet the appetite and enhance freshness.
Sweet: Honey-Glazed Carved Kumquats, to soothe the intensity of the wine.
Sour: Plum Ginger Soy Sauce, to cut through greasiness and promote salivation.
Bitter: Bamboo Shoots Stewed with Ham, to clear heat and internal fire.
Pungent: Lamb Head with Pepper and Vinegar, to stimulate the palate.
“Good, very good.” Grand Matron Wu beamed, raising her hand to signal the nanny behind her to give a reward. “With you handling the banquet meals, I am more than at ease.”
Guo Lixiang retreated joyfully with his reward, while Qi Xun followed custom by tasting each dish. Once finished, he intended to stand and take his leave.
Unluckily, a guest arrived.
“Your junior, Liuzhu, pays her respects to the Grand Matron Wu.”
Qi Xun paused, his brow furrowing slightly. He had no choice but to delay his departure.
The visitor was Ji Liuzhu, the legitimate daughter of Lord Ji, the Vice Minister of War.
Her silk-like black hair was styled in a Wangxian bun, with pearl tassels pinned on both sides. She wore a Xiangfei-colored, cross-collared skirt embroidered with a hundred butterflies fluttering among flowers, and held an ivory-carved fan painted with peony branches. After gracefully greeting the Grand Matron, she turned her gaze toward Qi Xun, her eyes filled with shyness. She performed a refined Wanfu salute and said softly, “I wish the Marquis ten thousand blessings.”
Qi Xun’s expression remained indifferent; he merely gave a slight nod.
Grand Matron Wu glared at him for his coldness. Then, seeing Ji Liuzhu’s submissive and affectionate manner, she broke into a wide smile. She feigned anger as she scolded Qi Xun: “A while ago when you were bedridden, no one was here to keep this old woman company and ease my boredom. It was Liuzhu who came to visit every few days, making me feel less troubled. You, on the other hand—now that your injuries are mostly healed, you haven’t even gone to the Ji estate to offer your thanks. That is truly not the way of a gentleman!”
Hearing this, Qi Xun looked down at his grandmother helplessly. Here she goes again.
Ji Liuzhu’s cheeks flushed slightly as she hurried forward to take the Grand Matron’s hand. “Grand Matron, why blame the Marquis? Everything Liuzhu did was of my own free will. As long as the Grand Matron is happy to see me, I feel it is enough.”
“Truly a well-bred daughter of the Vice Minister of War.” Grand Matron Wu patted the back of Ji Liuzhu’s hand with satisfaction. She then turned back to Qi Xun. “The flowers in the garden are in full bloom today. Why don’t you take Liuzhu for a stroll? If she comes across any blossoms she likes, we can simply have the servants pick and bundle them to be sent to the Ji estate.”
“Liuzhu knows the Grand Matron dotes on me most,” Ji Liuzhu said with a smile, her eyes darting quickly toward Qi Xun. “Because of that, I noticed your knees haven’t been well. I intended to take advantage of today’s banquet to gather some jasmine petals, add safflower and peppercorns, and make floral knee-pouches for you. That way, we can dispel the cold and dampness while promoting blood circulation. On rainy days, your knees won’t sting as much.”
As she spoke, she reached up to lightly touch her hair. Early that morning, she had applied “Jade Maiden Peach Blossom” powder to her face, painted “Inverted Cloud” eyebrows, and dotted her lips with “Sandalwood Pearl” makeup. She had even carefully applied the pearl beauty marks—currently the trendiest fashion in Bianjing—on both her cheeks, all just so Qi Xun would remember her most beautiful side.
Her long efforts by the Grand Matron’s side had finally paid off today.
Hearing her words, Qi Xun actually broke into a smile. “I recall the jasmine variety planted in the Marquis’s estate has small thorns on the stems. A lady of the Ji family has a precious constitution; why not stay here to listen to music with the Grand Matron? I shall order the servants to pick them for you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he strode away gallantly. Grand Matron Wu was left behind, opening her mouth in frustration without being able to utter a single word.
That brat!
Ji Liuzhu stood alone to the side, looking as embarrassed as if she had applied too much red rouge to her cheeks, her hands wringing the surface of her fan.
The Grand Matron sighed inwardly. Out of concern for the girl’s dignity, she could only pretend nothing had happened and kindly invited her to sit beside her to listen to the music.
Having finally escaped the tiger’s den, Qi Xun felt his ears were much quieter, and even his body felt lighter.
The reception hall and the garden were strictly off-limits; having just escaped one Ji Liuzhu, he didn’t know how many Li Liuzhus or Wang Liuzhus were waiting for him there.
Qi Xun walked along a bluestone path, sighing at the fact that he had to take a detour even to return to his own quarters. He pushed open the side gate of the courtyard, but the moment the door creaked open, he froze in his tracks.
Beside the stone table in the courtyard, someone was hunched over, taking a nap.
The young lady wore a lotus-root-colored short tunic with narrow sleeves and a pale green pleated silk skirt. Her dark hair was lustrous and smooth, tied loosely in a bun with a simple silk ribbon. Pinned by her temple was a snowy-white gardenia flower—undoubtedly plucked from the white gardenia bushes in his own yard.
From top to bottom, she wore no brocade, yet she appeared pure; she wore no gold or jade, yet she appeared wise. Truly, she was like a “hibiscus emerging from water.”
The gardenia flower snuggled tenderly and quietly against her pearl-like face, accentuating the whiteness of her skin. Although he was standing a distance away, he felt as if he could smell that refreshing floral fragrance.
Perhaps his footsteps were too heavy, for as he stepped on the bamboo leaves on the stone path, they made a rustling sound. The young lady moved slightly, waking up with a frown. She stretched her limbs, gave a long yawn, and looked toward the source of the noise with teary, bleary eyes.
The next instant, her slender fox-like eyes snapped wide open.
“Qi… Qi… Marquis!” Xue Li wiped a bit of drool from the corner of her mouth—a result of dreaming about delicious food—and hurried to stand up and salute. “This humble woman greets the Marquis.”
Qi Xun retracted the softness that had surfaced in his eyes a moment ago, returning to his usual indifferent expression with a faint acknowledgment.
“Why are you here instead of the kitchen?” He walked forward and saw the food box sitting on the stone table. Realization suddenly dawned on him, and he looked at Xue Li with a slight smile. “Is today your first day of work, and you couldn’t wait to deliver a meal?”
Xue Li’s face turned red, and she hesitated to speak for a long moment.
This wasn’t for you! Your portion is still in the large clay pot, unseasoned!
The portion here was what she had specifically scooped out for her “Little Sister Qi” (Qi Yue) to enjoy.
Qi Xun mistook her embarrassed blush for shyness. He sat down on the stone stool with satisfaction. “Very well. Since you’ve delivered it to my courtyard, I shall dine here.”
Your courtyard?!
Xue Li looked around in shock. Seeing the sparse bamboo shadows, the stone bridge over a small pond, and the exquisite rockery in the distance—even the inconspicuous greenery was lush and well-tended. Then she saw the gold-lettered plaque hanging under the eaves: “Mozhu Hall.” Her heart sank.
This place was indeed Qi Xun’s residence.
Qi Xun wasn’t angry when he saw her standing there dazed. He took over the task of setting the table himself.
He laid out the bowl and chopsticks and lifted the lid of the food box. A fragrant aroma wafted out, but he discovered that inside was half a spring chicken.
He held his chopsticks, hesitating over the dish for a long time. Finally, he asked her quietly in a flat tone, “Did Guo Lixiang not tell you? I do not like the greasiness of chicken or duck.”
Xue Li finally snapped out of it. Seeing his indifferent expression, her heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly and warmly took the spoon and bowl from his hand, serving the soup with a bright smile. “The Marquis might not know, but my parents taught me a saying since I was young: ‘A little chicken with red dates is better than a Ganoderma herb!'”
“This Date and Mushroom Stewed Spring Chicken has been simmering over a fine fire since early this morning. It contains shiitake mushrooms, astragalus, goji berries, and Lingbao round dates. The broth is even seasoned with glutinous rice wine. If the Marquis is willing to taste it, you will surely find the flavor different from the usual. Not to mention, astragalus replenishes qi and blood, goji berries nourish the organs and brighten the eyes, and the chicken is the top-quality ‘Wenshan Reed Flower Chicken.’ Since you haven’t fully recovered, using this dish for nourishment is most appropriate!”
She held the bowl of soup out to him, her eyes curved into smiles. There was a hint of flattery in her expression, but when he saw it, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Qi Xun took the bowl. The young lady’s hands were slightly cool, just like the litchi paste water with crushed ice from earlier.
A gentleman drinking soup was very particular. First, he observed if the color was clear, then he inhaled the aroma of the medicinal ingredients. Finally, he used a long-handled spoon to scoop the soup, slowly sipping it to savor the flavor while avoiding any slurping sounds.
Xue Li watched with a sense of boredom, thinking that he could turn even drinking soup into a cinematic performance. She simply sat down on the stone stool beside him, resting her chin in her hands as she observed him. The more she watched, the sleepier she became, her eyelids feeling almost too heavy to stay open.
Sigh, ancient people just have too many rules.
When it comes to eating delicious food, one should eat however it tastes best and brings the most joy. Why are there so many restrictive ways?
Suddenly, a soft clink sounded as the soup bowl was placed back on the stone table. Xue Li opened her eyes groggily and leaned forward, asking eagerly, “What does the Marquis think? How is the flavor of this soup?”
“Passable.” Qi Xun used a cloth to dab his lips. He looked up at her, pausing for a moment on her round eyes before quickly looking away, a suppressed smile on his lips.
“Passable”?
If anyone else heard this evaluation, they might feel discouraged. But if anyone thought Xue Li would be disheartened by the word “passable,” they would be gravely mistaken.
To hear such a rating from the mouth of an “Iceberg Jade Lord” like Qi Xun—who was usually stingy with his words—was already a huge compliment. She wouldn’t set her own standards that high. After all, she was being paid by the Imperial Court! He wasn’t the one paying her salary.
“I assume you received the Imperial Decree this morning.” Qi Xun put away his handkerchief and began to show concern for her. “You don’t need to be too nervous. The rules of the Marquis’s estate are not as strict as the rumors suggest. Furthermore, you have the Rare Delicacies Shop to look after. Do not overwork yourself and damage your health.”
He was actually concerned about her being tired?
This gentle way of speaking was nothing like the rumored fastidious and harsh Marquis of Ningwu, who supposedly couldn’t tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes.
“Thank you for your concern, Marquis.” Xue Li thanked him and joked, “I am also basking in the Marquis’s glory; the business at the Rare Delicacies Shop is booming right now. The workers in the shop are so busy they can hardly stop.”
And wasn’t that the truth? The Imperial Decree had come so unexpectedly that those three kids in the shop were likely overwhelmed.
Qi Xun, oh Qi Xun, I really have to thank you…
“The ‘workers’ you mentioned—do you mean those three small children in your shop?”
Qi Xun frowned slightly. “Running an eatery is inherently hard work. Those children are still young. If you truly have them serving dishes, cleaning, and settling accounts, only for you to have to check everything yourself afterward, it would be better to hire another capable worker. It would at least share some of your burden.”
As Xue Li listened, her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She remembered something and stared at him intently.
…Wait. How did he know there were three children in her shop?