Chapter Eleven: It Is Done

Madam Yu smiled and said, “The matriarch is very pleased. Let’s sit down and finalize the arrangements.”

Madam Sun glanced at Lin Qiuran with surprise and joy. It was really happening! Qiuran was truly talented; she had thought it might not work out.

Lin Qiuran breathed a sigh of relief. Though she had prepared many banquets before, starting anew here without anyone’s help, relying solely on her own skills, held great significance for her. She smiled at Madam Yu and replied, “Very well.”

Madam Yu led the two to the main hall, the reception area of the Wang family.

Once there, Madam Yu invited Lin Qiuran and Madam Sun to sit. She said, “My mother-in-law’s sixtieth birthday banquet will be held six days from now, on July 27th. We have arranged sixteen tables, each seating ten guests, with sixteen dishes per table.”

Lin Qiuran understood the implication. Generally, the number of dishes exceeded the number of guests, but the Xiao family had been poor, so they compensated by serving larger portions per dish. Although the Yu family had some wealth, the villagers were poor; throwing a lavish feast would deplete their funds quickly.

Sixteen dishes was a fairly standard banquet size. More extravagant ones could have eighteen, twenty-six, or even twenty-eight dishes, always in even numbers.

Madam Yu continued, “We need four cold dishes, one soup, and the rest hot dishes. You may decide on the balance of meat and vegetables, but the braised pork and lucky pouches must be included. My mother-in-law has poor teeth and usually struggles to chew meat, but the braised pork you made suits her palate perfectly—it practically melts in the mouth, delicious beyond compare. The lucky pouches are festive and tasty; it’s the first time I’ve seen them. My mother-in-law specifically requested these two dishes.”

Madam Yu had just sampled the dishes herself. She had tried braised pork made by others, but none compared to Lin Qiuran’s—the softness and richness were astonishing. The lucky pouches were cleverly crafted, with savory-sweet shredded meat complemented by cucumber strips that prevented greasiness. The cold dishes were refreshing as well. These four dishes alone made it impossible for the Wang family to consider anyone else.

Lin Qiuran said, “No problem. I’ll give the menu some thought and come by again in a couple of days to finalize it. Madam Yu, with so many dishes, I’ll need to come a day early to prepare. Also, regarding my fee…”

Before Madam Yu could say anything, Lin Qiuran continued firmly, “I require eight qian of silver, half as a deposit. And we won’t handle dishwashing, so please have all bowls, plates, and utensils ready.”

With so many dishes, she would be busy for at least two days, leaving no time for other work. She had already earned three qian for half a day at the Yu estate. Asking for eight qian for the Wang family’s banquet was reasonable.

Madam Yu pondered briefly. “Is eight qian a bit much?”

In the county town, fees for such banquets ranged from five qian to one tael of silver, depending on the chef’s skill and reputation. Madam Yu had intended to offer six qian, surprised that Lin Qiuran dared to ask for more.

Lin Qiuran replied, “The matriarch’s sixtieth birthday is a joyous occasion. I’m sure Madam Yu hopes the banquet will be perfect.”

Madam Yu smiled. “Very well. There is a kitchen maid in our household who can assist on that day. If anything is missing or uncertain about the menu, we can discuss it later. If you need more time to prepare anything, just inform me today. The taste is most important—please keep that in mind.”

Lin Qiuran nodded. “Leave the banquet to me. Rest assured, Madam Yu.”

Madam Yu handed over half the deposit. There was no need for a formal contract; the Wang family was well-connected, and no one would risk ruining their future.

After leaving the Wang residence, Madam Sun spoke to Lin Qiuran, “Qiuran, I really thought it wouldn’t work.”

Lin Qiuran replied, “I thought so too. But then I reasoned that if it wasn’t going to work, they would have told me by now. If they didn’t like it, they’d simply send me away. The longer they delay the tasting, the better the chance.”

Madam Sun nodded in agreement. “Well, you must be hungry. Let’s eat first.”

If it had been just Madam Sun, she would have gone straight home, but Lin Qiuran had prepared food and was pregnant—she couldn’t go hungry.

Lin Qiuran was also curious to sample the local cuisine, to understand her rivals and better plan her future banquets.

Unable to find a decent small eatery, Lin Qiuran strolled along the street and finally settled on a two-story restaurant that looked respectable.

Madam Sun, true to her nature, refused to enter the restaurant with Lin Qiuran. “You go in. I’ll just buy two buns, and that’ll do.”

Lin Qiuran persuaded her, “If you want buns, then I’ll have buns too. We’ll both eat buns and then head home. No need for the ox cart; I’ll walk with you.”

Madam Sun’s face betrayed her inner conflict. “Oh, alright, alright, let’s go.”

Lin Qiuran smiled. If Madam Sun insisted on buying buns, she wouldn’t be able to eat inside anyway. “Just this once. I want to see how others’ cooking compares to mine.”

Inside, they sat in the main hall. Lin Qiuran ordered two dishes: braised pork and a mixed vegetable medley.

The braised pork cost eighty wen, the vegetable dish twenty wen, and rice two wen a bowl—she ordered two bowls.

Madam Sun silently thought it was daylight robbery.

The braised pork arrived first, sweet in flavor, clearly pre-cooked. It looked glossy and appealing, and the taste was acceptable but not as tender or flavorful as Lin Qiuran’s own version. After a few bites, it felt cloying.

The stir-fried vegetables came quickly, containing carrots, potatoes, greens—a simple mixed stir-fry with uneven texture. Some vegetables were overcooked, others still hard. To cook such a dish properly, each ingredient must be treated separately and added with precise timing.

Madam Sun, never one to dampen spirits—especially since Lin Qiuran had chosen the dishes—had to praise it despite her reservations. “No wonder it’s a big restaurant; the flavors are indeed good.”

Lin Qiuran touched her nose. If anyone else saw this, they’d think Madam Sun was a planted promoter for the restaurant.

Having tasted the dishes, Lin Qiuran now had a clear idea of pricing if she were to set up a street stall. The restaurant's portions were small—just over a pound of meat for eighty wen. But a street stall, lacking the spaciousness and brightness of a restaurant, couldn’t command such prices.

After the meal, Lin Qiuran bought over a dozen kinds of spices from the spice shop and dried fragrant mushrooms from a general store. She planned to make her own thirteen-spice blend—preparing well was essential to good cooking. Certain dishes depended heavily on seasoning. Such secret recipes must be prepared privately, not at the host’s home. She also intended, once her business stabilized, to commission a finely made kitchen knife, since knife skills affected the flavor too.

The spices were expensive. The meal cost one tael of silver, and the spices two qian.

With time to spare, Lin Qiuran accompanied Madam Sun to inquire about house prices in the county town. She learned that three-room houses in less desirable locations cost twenty to thirty taels; better ones could reach forty or fifty taels. In general, better location and larger size meant higher prices.

Madam Sun sighed inwardly. The Xiao family had never saved such a sum in all these years. It was only by selling a lingzhi mushroom and Lin Qiuran digging up some gold that they had amassed any wealth.

With so little silver, buying a house would exhaust their funds. Madam Sun preferred Lin Qiuran to keep money on hand for the future, so that she and her husband—and the child—could live comfortably. Although a house in the county town was desirable, it was not entirely secure.

Madam Sun wanted to say more, but since Lin Qiuran managed the money, she feared speaking might make Lin Qiuran suspect her of changing her mind.

Thinking this over, the two reached the ox cart. They had arrived early; only Aunt Li, who had come in the morning, was there. They had to wait for others.

Aunt Li lived next to the Xiao family. She had three sons—one had joined the army, the other two farmed at home. Their life was fairly decent.

She looked Lin Qiuran over and finally fixed her gaze on Lin Qiuran’s belly. “Sister Sun, why have you been running to the county town so often these days?”

Madam Sun and Xiao Da Shi went almost daily. Today, Madam Sun had brought Lin Qiuran along. Aunt Li had seen them from afar entering a shop, but the distance and the cloth covering the basket prevented her from knowing which shop.

Madam Sun replied, “Just to look around and exchange some things.”

Aunt Li said, “Why go all the way to the county town to exchange things? We have neighbors here who can do that.”

Lin Qiuran touched her belly and said, “I wasn’t feeling well yesterday. My mother brought me here to have a look and to exchange some things as well.”

She smiled at Aunt Li. “Auntie, do you come to the county town to shop?”

Aunt Li carried a package of snacks wrapped in red paper, very eye-catching. Lin Qiuran knew one should not boast about one’s fortune when away from home to avoid envy.

Aunt Li patted her thigh. “My daughter-in-law is pregnant too, poor thing can’t keep anything down. My son is so concerned he insisted I come to the county town to buy some tasty food. He still has work to do and can’t come himself, so here I am. Qiuran is lucky; my daughter-in-law is picky and delicate.”

Madam Sun frowned. She disliked hearing such remarks, as if implying Lin Qiuran was unlucky. Others had husbands who cared for their morning sickness; Lin Qiuran, without one, was not delicate.

There is a saying: better to fight for dignity than for bread. Madam Sun was not quarrelsome but did not want Lin Qiuran to worry unnecessarily. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Qiuran squeezed her hand and said, “Sister-in-law, she’s not delicate, she’s fortunate to have someone who cares.”

Lin Qiuran gently patted Madam Sun’s hand. If others wanted to boast, so be it. Going along with their words wouldn’t cost anything.

It would be unwise to mention that she had earned money and planned to move away soon; such talk might cause resentment.

She understood the principle of quietly amassing wealth.

Aunt Li smiled. “Ah, fortune or no fortune, it’s all nonsense. Sit down quickly. When you have a child, you must be extra careful.”

Aunt Li felt smug. By her reckoning, the Xiao family was pitiable—only one son, now gone. The elderly couple lived with a daughter-in-law, and she wondered how life would go on. Two old people and one woman were a burden; even the harvest was difficult.

She guessed their trips to the county were to dig up things to sell, probably not even enough for the fare. Without a man, there were many worries. It would be better to terminate the pregnancy and remarry.

Lin Qiuran was foolish for not seeing this.

Once everyone gathered, the cart slowly headed back to Xiao Village. Upon arrival, Lin Qiuran took four wen from her sleeve and gave it to the driver, then followed Madam Sun home.

Aunt Li, carrying the snacks, asked Lin Qiuran if she wanted any. Lin Qiuran shook her head. “Take them back for Sister-in-law. I won’t eat.”

The sun was setting. Madam Sun’s face, tanned and weathered, showed a trace of embarrassment. “It’s all my fault, letting you suffer.”

Why hadn’t she bought some snacks today?

Lin Qiuran softly reassured her, “What grievance? You and father treat me well, there’s no lack of food or drink. Could those melons, fruits, and chicken from the other day have come from thin air? Besides, our family makes money every day. We might move to the county town soon. But these things can’t be told to outsiders—wealth must be kept low-profile. Auntie, don’t mind what others say.”

Madam Sun was moved. Lin Qiuran was far wiser and more perceptive than she had imagined. Buying a house in the county town was definitely the right choice.