With the figure entering, came a sweet aroma of cakes and pastries.
Who else could it be but Mother Lang Hao?
Mother Lang Hao had heeded her son’s advice and pondered over making two of her best desserts in the kitchen, planning to deliver them to the Song Family’s backyard tomorrow to foster good relations.
Just as she had steamed them to perfection, she heard from her husband that Scholar Song from the backyard had brought over a tray of food, and her son had welcomed him into the main room.
Upon hearing this, Mother Lang Hao knew that Scholar Song was from a polite household, one that would share good food with the neighbors without forgetting.
If her son did not return the favor, it would surely be impolite, so she immediately arranged the two freshly steamed desserts neatly and hurried over.
She arrived just in time to hear Lang Hao’s words, gave him a stern look upon entering, then respectfully placed the two plates of desserts on the table, saying, "Young Master, these are the two desserts that you instructed this old servant to prepare for delivery to Young Master Song’s home tomorrow."
Gu Zikai paused, his smile becoming more natural, and then logically passed the two plates of desserts to Song Chongjin, "Brother Song, this is a small token of appreciation, not meant as a grand gesture. If Madam and Old Madam enjoy it, I’ll have the kitchen prepare some more to send over another day. Our Kitchen Maid, not to boast, but she does make quite good desserts."
Song Chongjin sneered inwardly, exchanged pleasantries, took the desserts, and took his leave.
At the doorway, he overheard Lang Hao whispering to his mother, and Mother Lang Hao followed after him, "Young Master Song, Young Master Song, please wait—"
Song Chongjin turned to look at Mother Lang Hao, his eyes betraying no clear emotion of pleasure or anger.
Mother Lang Hao, normally breezy in her approach, couldn’t help but rein it in under that gaze and bowed slightly to Song Chongjin, "Young Master Song, I heard from Lang Hao that our young master likes the chive pockets that Scholar’s Lady makes, but was too embarrassed to ask. This old servant takes the liberty of asking to visit tomorrow to learn how to make those chive pockets from Scholar’s Lady, if it’s not too inconvenient?"
Indeed, as an old servant who had been with the Gu Family for many years, even her speech to outsiders carried an air of literary finesse.
Song Chongjin furrowed his brows and decisively refused, "These days, my wife is busy and not at home during the day, so you might not find anyone if you visit. However, my mother-in-law knows how to make them, too. If you’re free tomorrow, you can go ask my mother-in-law instead."
Initially, he was outright refusing, but halfway through, it occurred to him that although this Kitchen Maid was merely a Gu Family servant, the fact that she was sent to take care of Yongzhu proved her to be quite remarkable in character and conduct.
It wouldn’t hurt to let her interact more with his mother-in-law, which could also alleviate his mother-in-law’s boredom at home.
With this in mind, his tone softened in the latter half of his response.
Mother Lang Hao, who had already been disappointed, perked up immediately upon hearing the latter part of his reply, "Thank you, Young Master Song! I will make sure to visit and consult with Old Madam tomorrow!"
Song Chongjin merely nodded slightly and returned home with the two plates of desserts.
Wang Yongzhu saw that it took Song Chongjin half a day to return, carrying two exquisitely made desserts, presumably the Gu Family’s reciprocal gifts.
After a brief glance, she presented them to Old Granny Zhang.
Old Granny Zhang, looking at them, was as delighted as could be, holding onto the plates without letting go, "My goodness, these desserts are made so beautifully, they’re prettier than flowers! You see, city folks sure know how to come up with ideas and have such skilled hands. These delicate little things, how can anyone bear to eat them?"
One of these desserts was sweet osmanthus cake, layers of snow-white glutinous rice flour cut into diamond shapes, sprinkled with golden osmanthus petals, rich with fragrance.
The other was lotus seed paste pastry, its dough shaped meticulously, then deep-fried to bloom like lotuses, crispy and flaky, sweet and delightful to the taste.
Wang Yongzhu wasn’t particularly interested in the two plates of pastries, but upon opening a jar of pickles sent by Madam Gu, a tangy and spicy aroma wafted out, invigorating the senses.
Looking inside the jar, she found crisp radishes and fresh ginger soaking with a few red chili peppers floating on top.
The smell alone made one’s mouth water uncontrollably.
Wang Yongzhu considered the pickles a treasure. As she was observing mourning rites, there were many foods she couldn’t eat. Tired of the same few dishes every day, the sight and smell of these pickles made her feel as though she could eat a whole bowl of rice.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu disregard the pastries completely, Song Chongjin couldn’t help but curve her lips in a smile.
As soon as she mentioned that Gu Zikai’s kitchen maid would visit tomorrow, Old Granny Zhang became intrigued, "The kitchen maid from that Scholar Gu’s family in the front courtyard? I’ve heard from Madam Gu that although the kitchen maid is a servant, she might as well be half of Scholar Gu’s family."
"I also heard that she is no ordinary person—she comes from a prominent family in the Capital City. She’s one of those born to a noble family. It’s said that even the gatekeepers of the Prime Minister’s household could be compared to ninth-rank officials. They say that Gu Family’s kitchen maid, by the looks and talk of it, surpasses even official wives."
"These affluent households’ kitchen maids, what have they not done? Now, all of a sudden, she says she wants to visit to learn how to make chive pockets—could there be some ulterior motive?"
Thinking about this, Old Granny Zhang even pushed away the pastries she was holding.
Wang Yongzhu looked at Song Chongjin, "That madam only mentioned she wanted to visit to learn how to make chive pockets?"
Song Chongjin didn’t want to tell Wang Yongzhu that the chive pockets she had taken over had been devoured by Gu Zikai right in front of her. She vaguely replied, "It should be. What’s there to wonder about? If she comes to visit for the recipe of chive pockets, mother can just teach her. If she has other thoughts, can mother let her leave with any advantage?"
Old Granny Zhang, flattered by her son-in-law’s subtle praise, declared confidently, "Alright, then I’ll just wait at home to see what sort of person that kitchen maid from the front courtyard really is."
The next day, Wang Yongzhu went to the dye workshop, and Song Chongjin to the Academy.
Old Granny Zhang tidied up the kitchen, washed the clothes, swept the yard, and finally settled down. She sat in the courtyard on a small stool, picking vegetables.
Then she heard the door knocker clanging, "Old Madam Zhang, are you home? I am the kitchen maid from Scholar Gu’s house in the front courtyard—"
"I’m here, I’m here—" Old Granny Zhang got up to open the door.
Mother Lang Hao didn’t come to visit empty-handed; she brought a basket full of fresh and plump chives, along with tender shepherd’s-purse, standing at the door with a beaming smile.
Seeing Old Granny Zhang, she greeted first, "Old Madam Zhang—"
Old Granny Zhang also warmly ushered her into the courtyard, "You’re from the front courtyard—"
Mother Lang Hao quickly interjected, "Old Madam, you can just call me Madam Yu. My maiden name is Yu, and I married into the Li family."
"Madam Li, please come in. Yesterday, you brought such delicate and finely made pastries!" Whether it was surface courtesy or a genuine effort to please, Old Granny Zhang was sure to make her guest feel comfortable.
Madam Li eagerly followed into the courtyard and handed her basket to Old Granny Zhang, "These I bought fresh from the early morning market today! And this shepherd’s-purse is so delicious in dumplings! They’re not worth much; I just brought a couple of bunches over on a whim."