Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Chu Lan visits the Wei
Residence_l
Translator: 549690339
“I am also not clear about this matter, but since the Seventh Prince insists, we have no reason to refuse.” Wei Mingting said.
The Seventh Prince—whoever he wanted to dine with was an enormous blessing and honor, and who could refuse such an opportunity?
Wei Mingting was well aware he dared not.
“Why don’t we let the cook in the mansion prepare the meal? Although her cooking skills are average, she’s been with us for many years and she is steady. At least she won’t make mistakes.” Lady Yun suggested.
“No.” Wei Mingting rejected Lady Yun’s proposal, “If Xiumei s cooking is unsatisfactory and the Seventh Prince is not satisfied, he cannot hold the Wei Family accountable as it was his request. However, if we rashly switch cooks, that would be equivalent to deception, and a serious mistake on our part.” “But…” Lady Yun still seemed a bit worried and thought for a while before proposing, “Why not let Wanwan help? Her pastries are fantastic, as we all know. That could serve as some sort of safety measure.”
“Even if her pastries are good, they cannot be served at the luncheon table. It would be a joke if we do so. There is no need to think of anything else, let’s just do as the Seventh Prince requested.” Wei Mingting concluded, not giving Lady Yun more time to think.
Lady Yun subsequently passed on the news of the important guests’ arrival and instructed the entire mansion to make careful preparations, ensuring no mistakes were made.
In Wangmei Garden, Cuihe informed Wei Qingwan that Chu Lan was coming to the Wei Residence for lunch.
“Really? The Seventh Prince is coming to our house?” Wei Qingwan could hardly believe it.
That was the Seventh Prince! And he was coming to their house for lunch. This was an enormous honor!
-It is true. The instructions came from Madam, and fresh ingredients have already been procured from the market. The whole mansion has been alerted to be extra careful. There is no mistake.” Cuihe said with certainty.
Nurse Li came in and saw the excitement and anticipation in Wei Qingwan’s eyes. She couldn’t help shaking her head and saying, “Miss, even though the Seventh Prince is coming, you can’t actually meet him. Once boys and girls in a large family reach a certain age, they do not dine at the same table. The young masters and young misses in the mansion dine together only because our household is small and informal, but with the Seventh Prince visiting, we must adhere to the proper etiquette.”
Nurse Li’s words served as a cold splash of reality for Wei Qingwan, extinguishing her anticipation and bringing her back to reality.
“Nurse Li…” Wei Qingwan looked at Nurse Li, filled with trepidation.
Nurse Li sighed: “Miss, you must not act so recklessly in the future. My absence left room for you to make a mistake on our trip to the Government City. Wei Qingruo managed to exploit it. From now on, you must consult me before deciding anything. I’ll help you keep everything in check so that if anyone must bear responsibility, it will be me and not you.”
“Nurse Li, I know I made a mistake, and from now on I will always consult you on any matter.” Wei Qingwan said.
“That’s more like it,” Nurse Li said.
“But Nurse Li, can I really not do anything about today’s event?” Wei Qingwan asked.
“Not necessarily. Although you can’t see the Seventh Prince, you could prepare a few of your specialty pastries. Afterward, we could have them sent over with your meal. This is fair by all accounts, and it also presents you with an opportunity to showcase your exceptional culinary skills.” Nurse Li analyzed. “Alright, I’ll prepare osmanthus cakes in the main kitchen right now, and also speak with the cook to have my cakes served with the lunch.”
As Wei Qingwan started to rise, Cuihe stopped her, “Miss, the one preparing the meal in the kitchen today is not Cook Yu, but Miss Wei Ruo’s maid, Xiumei.
“Xiumei? Why is it her?” Wei Qingwan looked at Cuihe in confusion.
Nurse Li, who had just learned this news, also wore a look of puzzlement on her face, “He, what on earth is going on?”
“Slave does not exactly know all the details, but the Madam instructed it so. Just now when I passed by the kitchen, I heard Cook Yu complaining.” Cuihe replied.
Nurse Li gritted her teeth and said, “This Wei Qingruo really has brilliant tactics! She doesn’t forget to seize the opportunity to show off even at such times!”
“Nurse Li, what should we do?” Wei Qingwan asked worriedly.
“Don’t worry, although we might have lost our first move, it does not necessarily mean there is not an opportunity. As long as your cakes outshine others, no matter how many dishes Wei Qingruo asks her maid to prepare, they will fall short.” Nurse Li said.
Wei Qingwan’s skill in making cakes was well-known. It had been praised not only by the ladies of Xingshan County but also by many in the capital city.
Their elderly grandmother, who had lived a luxurious life from her youth up and was particularly picky about food, rarely praised any dish. However, she had spoken highly of the osmanthus cake made by the second young miss. This only served to highlight exceptional Wei Qingwan’s cake-making skills.
Wei Qingwan nodded, but then came across another problem.
She was still grounded by her mother, unable to leave Wangmei Garden, let alone go to the kitchen.
Nurse Li told Wei Qingwan not to worry: “You don’t necessarily have to go to the main kitchen to make cakes. I can fetch all the necessary items for you and you can prepare them here in the yard. After the cakes are done, I will have Cook Yu arrange for someone to deliver them to the front courtyard.
Although Nurse Li’s position in the mansion was not as prominent as before, she still maintained good relationships with several key staff members. She was certainly capable of taking care of this matter for Wei Qingwan.
Having agreed on this, Wei Qingwan and Nurse Li began their preparations. Meanwhile, in the main kitchen, Wei Ruo had asked everyone else to leave, leaving just her and Xiumei.
Wei Ruo was not familiar with the others. They had no rapport, and she was worried they might inadvertently make things worse.
Moreover, when the cook left, she didn’t look too happy – Wei Ruo had noted that. It was better to be careful given the cook’s resentment.
Although today’s meal was at Chu Lan’s insistence, she had had no choice in the matter. Since she had agreed to it, she needed to do a good job and avoid any mistakes.
Hence, Wei Ruo decided it would be just her and Xiumei. As long as they didn’t disclose her involvement in preparing the meal, everything would be okay.
Although there were only the two of them, Wei Ruo and Xiumei worked perfectly in sync, their skilled culinary abilities guiding them effortlessly. The stew and soup base were set to cook first. They resolved to only start stir-frying the dishes once they received word that Chu Lan, Lu Yuhong and the county magistrate had taken their seats in the main hall. This way, all the dishes would be served hot.
Dish after dish was served from the kitchen.
In the dining hall, four individuals were seated—Wei Mingting, Chu Lan, Lu Yuhong, and the County Magistrate.
LU Yuhong, who had not gone to check on the rice fields in the morning, was the first one to run over when Chu Lan told him they were going to the Wei Residence for lunch.
County Magistrate Qian repeatedly praised, “Such excellent cooking skills, truly! Mr. Wei, your luck with food is truly something..”
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