Volume 2, Chapter 9: Namasu Latter Part (1/2)

It was a recipe that Gaoshun brought over the next day.

This is a write down of the chefs dish. The employees had testified that the outline of the dish that was served to the proprietor is in here. The chef also said that was what they prepared.

Gaoshun flipped open the notebook and laid it on the table for her to see. It detailed the directions on how to cook the namasu that used scalded fish.

Maomao looked over it, stroking her chin.

You combine scalded fish with finely sliced vegetables and dress it with vinegar. It wasnt a particularly strange dish, though it noted a somewhat peculiar combination in the preparation of the vinegar.

There were several kinds of vinegar combinations noted it should be for the change in flavours according to the season and obtainable ingredients. The ingredients, types of fish and vegetables were not written in detail.

Hmm, Maomao stroked her chin.

You wont know what they essentially used with this.

That would be the case.

Maomao was looking over it, her head tilted, when an unamused Jinshi came in from her side. He had some longan[note]Also known as Dragon Eye. A cherry-sized tropical fruit that grows in clusters from trees. It has a relatively hard thin yellow-brown shell and the meat is white and very juicy. It has a dark brown seed, as mentioned below, though the part that is connected to the fruit is a lighter shade. Super sweet and tasty.[/note] meat in hands, and were splitting and eating it. There were some black, dry thing inside it.

Longan is a small lychee-like fruit that is harvested in summer. The dehydrated version is called Keienniku[note], Keien meat.   is just another name for Longan. I suppose it tastes a little like osmanthus () and has a circular () shape?[/note], and is used in herbal medicine.

Do you not know?

Looking like he was itching to do something, he propped his elbows on the table and stared into Maomaos face. Gaoshun looked at him with furrowed brows, but the warning itself wasnt good enough.

(You have to hammer it home.)

Maomao was giving the misbehaving Jinshi an icy look, when a hand stretched out, gently taking the longans from Jinshis hands.

Misbehaving children dont get snacks.

Fufufu, Suiren stood behind Jinshi with a bright smile. What is it, this atmosphere. Maomao couldnt tear her eyes away from the dark clouds that hung over that womans back.

I get it.

Jinshi lowered his brows[note]Not too sure, but it might have a similar meaning to knitting his brows? Out of displeasure?[/note], lifted his elbows. And when he corrected his posture, his old housekeeper nodded, Good, as she returned the longan back into Jinshis hand.

I thought the old housekeeper[note]Btw the word for old housekeeper also means wet nurse, and I think it means both in this case. Suiren is both his housekeeper and former wet nurse.[/note] just spoiled him, but it turns out there is a strict side for proper etiquette to her huh, Maomao thought.

The discussions had deviated somewhat, but they went back on track.

The incident occurred really recently, right?

It was about a week ago.

In terms of seasons, it was still cold yet. It is typical to use cucumber in namasu, but they would probably use other root vegetables for this season.

The ingredients would be something like daikon or carrot, right?

Vegetables that can be used in winter are limited. Ingredients had seasonal times the seasons to eat them are also limited.

They said they used seaweed for that.

At Gaoshuns words, Ah, Maomaos mouth gapped open.

Seaweed?

Maomao asked again.

Seaweed.

Gaoshun repeated.

Seaweed is used both as food and as traditional medicine. It was probably also used as the ingredients for namasu.

Having heard those words, Maomao inadvertently nodded.

(If you say that they prefer delicacies.)

They probably got their hands on some more or less unusual seaweed.

The sides of her lips shifted into a broad grin. Her double tooth was probably peeking out from her parted lips.

At that, Jinshi and the others looked at her in bewilderment.

Squinting in delight, she looked to Gaoshun.

If thats okay with you, is it possible to let me see the inside of the kitchen of that house?

Maomao said to Gaoshun, having nothing to lose.

Gaoshuns arrangement was swift, the plan was that Maomao will enter the kitchen of the aforementioned chef tomorrow. It seems that she could easily enter, with the officials who handled the incident already done looking through it. Normally it was like that, the one who was called Gaoshuns acquaintance should have looked around over-attentively.

The estate was situated in the north west of the city. All surrounding houses that lined up were altogether magnificent. The north-side of the city with the imperial court that was mainly resided by high ranked bureaucrats would be something like this.

Since the lady of the estate was asleep, fatigued and having lost weight, it was a manservant who let them in instead. They already got permission from the lady so it shouldnt be a problem.

(A manservant huh.)

Finding that strange, Maomao headed for that place.

Her companion was an official that was arranged by Gaoshun. He had been staring at Maomao doubtfully this whole time. Though he didnt seem to have come willingly, he looked like the type to follow Gaoshuns order, so there werent any issues at present. He was probably a military officer. His body, still young, wasnt perfectly built, but he moved sleekly with his whole body. He looks like someone, she suddenly thought.

Maomao assumed that he didnt really think to get along with her, so she thought that was fine.

Luckily, as poison had been used to make food, the kitchen hasnt been used since that incident.

It was when Maomao plod into the kitchen.

What the hell are you doing!

A man dashed towards Maomao, his eyes raised. Wearing high class clothes, a man in his thirties.

Dont just enter the kitchen, get the f*ck out! You! You dare bring in this kind of guys!

The man grabbed the collar of the manservant who had guided them in.

Maomao was looking with narrowed eyes, and her accompanying official took a step forward.

We properly got the ladys approval. Besides, this is our job.

Maomao sent a round of applause to the official who replied coolly to the violent man.

Is that true?

The man loosened his grip on the collar. As he coughed and spluttered, the manservant verified their claims.

Can we come in? Or are there any inconvenience?

At the officials words, though the man had clicked his tongue, Suit yourself, he spat out.

It seems that the lady of the official who had fallen into a coma was forced to bed. The estate was now managed by that officials younger brother. It seems to be the man from before.

Maomao surveyed the inside of the kitchen.

The cookware, as expected, seemed to have been cleaned and put away nicely by the chef, but aside from easily spoiled perishables like fish, the ingredients had been left as it is.

Maomao searched out the inside of the kitchen. And the thing she was looking for was easily found in the shelves.