110 Breathtaking (1/2)
Qie was too embarrassed to continue sitting there and watch the show. She has been in Jin Ling for more than 10 years and though she has never been assimilated into the noble circle, her reputation was stellar. She thought that this feast was an opportunity for her to finally get in with the nobles, but then this happened. She wanted to strangle Ye Jinrong.
Ye Jinrong didn't dare to make any sound as she obediently sat next to her aunt. She trembled with fear as she saw people around her murmuring and occasionally throw glances at her.
The upper-class women gave tips to the singer at the stage and Qie followed their example. She got someone to seal some money in an envelope to throw it up as a gesture of goodwill to the Elder Princess. However, no matter how much silver she gives, it would be of no use. The Elder Princess already has made up her plan.
When Wei Liujiang received the news, he instantly paled.
”Cousin, there is trouble,” Wei Liujiang told Mu Qinchu when he pulled him out.
”What problem could there be?” Mu Qinchu asked vacantly, his attention still on the acrobats.
Wei Liujiang has no other choice but to tell him the truth about Jinrong. His father made it clear to him that this matter should only be known by his aunt, but this was an emergency.
”What?” Mu Qinchu cried out in alarm. ”What have you done?”
”Tone it down! Quick! Help me clean this up or we'll both be in trouble,” Wei Liujiang pleaded desperately.
Mu Qinchu thought about it for a while before saying, ”I'll look for Zhao Qixuan. He has close ties with Young Royal Highness and he might be willing to help.”
”You must not tell him the truth. Just ask to see a servant woman. Once we see her, we can talk things out,” Wei Liujiang reminded him.
Upon hearing that Wei Liujiang was requesting to see the servant woman who used to work in the Ye family, Zhao Qixuan replied nonchalantly, ”Why do I need to step in for such a small matter? Just order the housekeeper to bring the servant over.”
Both of them were unable to speak of their difficulties.
Mu Qinchu said, ”I don't think that it's appropriate to take things into our hands since this is the royal mansion.”
”Isn't it just a servant? What is the matter?” Zhao Qixuan asked, still riveted with the show.
The two have no other choice but to look for Assistant Minister Mu.
At the theater troupe, Mum Gui returned and whispered something to Princess Yu De. The latter sneered and nodded before instructing, ”Keep a close eye on her.”
Qie and Ye Jinrong were sitting far away and could not hear what Mum Gui had said so they only continued sitting anxiously.
”Didn't you just return from Yang Zhou? Haven't you seen the servant woman?” Qie asked softly.
Ye Jinrong replied, ”I didn't see her, but I didn't know that she has left the Ye household.”
Qi warned, ”Whatever happens, just insist that you are the oldest daughter of the Ye family. Otherwise, be prepared to be divorced!”
Ye Jinrong held her tears back, not daring to say anything else.
Ye Jiayao has been busy working in the kitchen. The original 36 tables have increased to 39 which meant more work for her. Luckily, there were enough ingredients.
”Brother Yao, the dried fruits, honeyed preserved food, pastries, and appetizers are all plated and arranged,” Cui Dongpeng reported.
”Brother Yao, the candy box is also ready,” Deng Haichuan said.
”Brother Yao, the antelope penis soup, and the happiness soup are ready,” Wang Mingde told her.
The antelope penis soup was going to be served to the male guests while the happiness soup was reserved for the female guests.
”Alright. Wait for Manager Liu to send word.” Ye Jiayao was busy decorating a few dishes.
She woke up at three in the morning today to carve various flowers from white radishes because they would lose moisture when exposed for a long time. They have to be carved on the day of the celebration and placed in a basin of ice water.
Zhong Xiang concentrated on making the dragon-whiskers noodles. They have to be hair-thin, long and continuous; the finest strand must be able to pass through a needle.
After a short while, Manager Liu sent word to the kitchen that it was time to start the banquet.
Manager Hu arranged for a group of servant girls to serve the dishes.
Ye Jiayao has trained these servant girls before the banquet on the order of serving the dishes. She also taught them how to announce the names of the dishes, which have to be paid particular attention to.
Just as the guests settle down, the servant girls entered in a line, carrying a silver basin for them to wash their hands. They then passed them warm, white handkerchiefs to wipe their hands dry.
This procedure alone made the guests feel that the birthday banquet today was going to be extraordinary as they have never experienced this before.
After washing their hands clean, they were served some Lu Shan's clouds and mist tea. It was light but the deep and pure aroma of it was evident. The guests' attention was not on the tea but on the food being set on the tables, though.
There were four dishes of dried fruits: milk dates, fragrant peanuts, salt and pepper cashew nuts, and double-colored soft candies.
There were also four dishes of pastries: split yellow pea, walnut biscuit, thousand layered cake, and kidney bean roll.
The dried fruits did not seem special, but the pastries made everyone's eyes light up.
The split yellow pea was not in the common rhombus but in a heart shape. The orange-yellow color was glossy and luster, making it look very appetizing. The walnut biscuit was in a V shape, the thousand layered cake has changed from the regular square to a rhombus, and the kidney bean roll has beautiful white patterns drawn on them. They looked different and very delicious.
Xia Chunyu didn't want to admit it, but he was nervous at how people would think of the food. Their reactions would affect Yaoyao greatly. Before he could even lift his chopsticks up, he heard Zhao Qixuan exclaim from afar, ”What is this on the kidney bean roll? It is cool, sweet, smooth, and extremely delicious!”