“Ban Qin!”
Someone shouted from outside.
The maid, sitting in the veranda while trimming new branches, looked up in response.
“Are these the pig liver and sheep liver you asked for?” A young maid leaned in, holding her nose and handing over an oiled paper package.
The maid stood up with a smile to accept it.
“Why would you want such things? It’s frightening,” the younger maid asked with a touch of disdain.
“It’s for mistress,” the maid explained.
The younger maid grimaced.
“She won’t touch what the kitchen sends but eats this? That’s just foolish,” she remarked.
“My mistress isn’t foolish,” the maid defended.
The maid standing outside the door had a momentary daze upon hearing this.
This kind of conversation, this name…
It seemed that this month, things hadn’t actually changed, as if those maids coming and going had never happened.
“You’re not afraid of the fool, but I am. I’m leaving,” the young maid waved her hand and hurriedly ran off.
The maid entered with the oiled paper package.
“Hey, the pastries are ready,” peeked out two maids from the kitchen, glancing at what she held with some disdain. “Are you really going to eat that?”
“Maybe you should tell the mistress not to eat it?” the maid teased.
“I still want to live… I’m definitely not going,” chuckled one maid, withdrawing.
“She’s even changed your name; I don’t want my name changed,” said another, also retreating inside.
“It doesn’t matter what I’m called, as long as I’m still me,” the maid laughed, stepping into the kitchen.
The dough was ready, the small carved brick stove was hot, and the steamed liver and kidneys were mashed into paste. Three maids sat in the kitchen: two were stuffing dumplings, and one was roasting them in the stove.
“Weird stuff, how did they come up with these…”
“Leaving the good pastries from the kitchen uneaten, and insisting on eating this, all this stuff is fit only for dogs…”
The two maids muttered to each other, then suddenly fell silent.
The fragrance spread throughout the kitchen.
“Hot, hot!” exclaimed the maid as she carefully placed the freshly baked treats onto a bamboo tray, blowing on her fingertips.
“It smells so nice!” Two other maids couldn’t resist approaching, admiring the golden, fluffy little cakes.
The maid smirked, reaching out to break one open.
“Would you like to taste and see how the seasoning is?” she asked.
After a moment’s hesitation at the sight of the filling, the two maids, unable to resist, decided to try it.
“Mmm!” exclaimed one maid, nodding with wide eyes. “It’s delicious.”
She mumbled with her mouth full, quickly taking another bite and cooling it off.
“Let me try too. I prepared this filling; let’s see how it turned out.” Another maid couldn’t hold back and casually wiped her oily hands on the nearby cloth, then took the remaining half and bit into it.
Very few people passed by Cheng Jiao-niang’s courtyard, except when absolutely necessary.
At this moment, two maids reluctantly hurried past the courtyard. They wanted to walk past quickly, but suddenly one of them halted.
“Mmm, it smells wonderful,” she sniffed.
“Yeah,” the other maid agreed, sniffing as well and glancing towards the courtyard.
They exchanged a glance.
“Treating the simpleton with such special treatment again, she’s even more spoiled than the other mistresses,” they remarked with disdain. “Who knows what good it will do.”
The maid carried the food box into the room, knelt to set up the dining table, placed the box on it, then moved the table and walked over to the window.
“Miss, your meal is served,” she said respectfully, bringing the table closer.
By the window, the young lady reclined with her eyes closed, opened them, and adjusted her posture.
“Miss, would you like to taste it?” the maid inquired.
Cheng Jiao-niang picked up a small pastry, broke it apart, and savored it slowly.
The maid remained composed; having already sampled it herself, she was confident in the final product.
“It’s too aromatic,” Cheng Jiao-niang shook her head and remarked, setting it aside after just one bite.
The maid let out a sigh of surprise.
“Is it… not good because it’s too fragrant?” she asked, puzzled.
“No, it’s not good. It’s too superficial. It’s not just about smelling good; it needs fragrance when you taste it,” Cheng Jiao-niang explained slowly, savoring her porridge with a spoon.
With so much attention to detail, Miss truly had refined tastes. How did she develop such discernment? Even those from prestigious backgrounds might not be this particular.
The maid felt somewhat resigned. Perhaps only the real Ban Qin possessed such exceptional culinary skills.
“I am inept, Miss,” she bowed and confessed.
“That’s alright, it’s just a small matter; I will help you improve,” Cheng Jiao-niang assured her, without looking directly at her, pausing briefly. “As long as you want to.”
The maid beamed with gratitude, bowing once more to express her thanks.
“I appreciate your concern, Miss,” she replied.
Cheng Jiao-niang ate her meal in silence while the maid attentively served the dishes.
“Miss, what is this called?” she asked suddenly. “I never realized these lower-quality foods, which others avoid, could taste so delicious.”
Cheng Jiao-niang glanced at the golden cakes on the green bamboo plate.
“Taiping*,” she said spontaneously, pausing briefly as she waited for the name to become clearer in her memory. “Taiping steamed buns.”
“Taiping?” the maid echoed, smiling. “It’s such an auspicious name! Eating this every day ensures eternal peace.”
Would those who don’t get to eat this remain restless?
“Mother!” Cheng Qi-niang came in, holding her skirt and calling out.
Second Madam Cheng quickly hushed her.
“Your brother just fell asleep,” she said.
The nursemaid beside her hurriedly took the baby from her arms and bowed before stepping back.
With Cheng Qi-niang here, the child wouldn’t sleep well.
“Mother, Aunt is biased!” Cheng Qi-niang cried out, kneeling beside her mother and gently shaking her arm.
“What’s happened now? Who is she favoring?” Second Madam Cheng asked.
She silently acknowledged that First Madam favored her own child. She understood that even with her own children, a mother could have preferences, let alone between them, who were only brothers.
Reflecting on her past thoughts, she realized, “I used to believe that a sister-in-law could be like a mother, but she’s not the real mother.”
“That fool!” Cheng Qi-niang exclaimed.
“The fool?” Second Madam Cheng frowned, lightly fanning herself. “What is she doing this time? It’s not like she’s spending her own money anyway.”
The maid nearby coughed softly as a gentle reminder.
One must not speak improperly in front of the children; their innocent words could be thoughtless.
“Your aunt looks after her, and she’s unwell. It’s only natural to show some favor,” Second Madam Cheng said, brushing over her earlier words.
“She’s a fool, not sick like the fourth brother. What’s the point of her always eating fancy food every day? When you’re ill, eating well can help heal your body, but can a fool become less foolish just by eating well?” Cheng Qi-niang shouted, clutching her mother’s arm. “Mother, I want that too! Am I really less valuable than a fool?”
Second Madam Cheng felt a bit dizzy.
“So, she’s getting special treatment?” she asked the maid.
“Seems like it,” the maid replied. “Apart from the three daily meals and occasional snacks, the kitchen staff often sends over fruits and vegetables that are separately purchased, not our usual fare.”
“Mother, I want a small kitchen too. I don’t want to eat what’s served from the kitchen,” Cheng Qi-niang quickly added.
If the money was from family funds, why weren’t all the children in the family treated the same?
If it’s not public funds, then it must be from the late Madam’s dowry. Since it’s dowries, they should discuss it in detail, right?
Second Madam Cheng paused for a moment while holding her fan.
“Alright, since she’s getting her own food prepared, you can too. Whatever you want to eat, tell the kitchen,” she said, looking at her daughter with a nod and a smile.
Translator’s Note:
*Taiping（太平）translates to “peace” in English.
