Chapter 15: Cooking at the Inn

Sun grasped Lin Qiuran’s hand, “Qiuran, look, isn’t that Lady Yu?”

Lin Qiuran nodded and called to the driver, “Uncle, could you stop for a moment?”

Only four people had come back by carriage today. Lin Qiuran apologized politely to the lady riding with her. When the ox cart halted, Lin Qiuran slowly disembarked, and Lady Yu, accompanied by her maid, hurried after her.

Lady Yu patted her chest, relieved, “Fortunately, we caught up in time.”

Although the eldest son of the Wang family was a chief clerk, the family had no carriage. A carriage cost over a hundred taels of silver, which was beyond their means. Lady Yu had come on foot with her maid.

After today’s banquet, Lady Li and Chief Clerk Wang praised the dishes, and the clerk mentioned that the prefect was coming to inspect the county in a few days. The county magistrate was worried about how to entertain him. The grand restaurant might not be a suitable place for the prefect, so it would be better to host him well at the courier station.

The dishes today were excellent, fresh in flavor and varied in style.

When Chief Clerk Wang spoke, Lady Zhao dared not complain about the cook. Since it concerned her husband’s career, she was more careful than anyone and hurried to ask Lady Yu to find Lin Qiuran.

Lady Zhao was anxious, “The person was found by my sister-in-law, but do we know where she lives? Hurry and search; perhaps she hasn’t gone far.”

Lady Yu was still annoyed. “Sister-in-law, didn’t you think any cook would do? That they could conjure dishes from nothing?”

Lady Zhao admitted her mistake, “Sister-in-law, I didn’t give proper instructions yesterday, it was my fault. This concerns the master’s future and also Yu’an County’s reputation... Please don’t take my scolding to heart. Give Lady Lin extra wages; that will do.”

Lady Zhao had already found a cook, following the menu Lin Qiuran provided. If Lin Qiuran could not do it, that cook would fill in. Yet Lin Qiuran truly had talent.

Lady Yu snorted, “Only when Uncle is well can the family prosper.” But she only knew Lin Qiuran was from Xiaojia Village and was pregnant, making the journey back inconvenient.

She inquired around and learned that there was an ox cart returning to Xiaojia Village at the Shen hour, which Lin Qiuran would likely take due to her condition.

They hurried to the south city gate, where Lady Yu saw the ox cart moving forward with four people aboard, one of whom wore blue cloth—the very Lin Qiuran.

Lady Yu quickly had her maid call out, stopping the cart.

Lady Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Qiuran, seeing her expression, thought it was unlikely about the food and asked, “Lady Yu, may I know why you came after me?”

Lady Yu glanced at the driver and the lady in the cart, then lowered her voice, “Lady Lin, may I have a word with you privately?”

Lin Qiuran followed Lady Yu aside. Lady Yu whispered, “On the first day of next month, Prefect Zhao will inspect Yu’an County. I heard he is an upright and honest official. The county magistrate is worried about how to entertain him. Today, my uncle tasted your dishes and found them excellent. He wants to ask if you would be willing to cook for the occasion.”

If Lin Qiuran agreed, she wouldn’t even need to do a trial tasting.

Lady Yu said, “If you agree, you’ll be paid four qian of silver per day. Just prepare some delicious home-style dishes. No need for extravagance, but the taste must be good.”

The wages were calculated by Lady Yu and were already generous. Making banquet dishes paid nine qian per meal because there were many tables—sixteen tables, each with over ten dishes, taking almost a day and a half. Cooking at the courier station would be just one table, a lighter workload.

But it would still be a full day's work with no other tasks. A mere one or two qian would not entice Lin Qiuran.

Lady Yu also figured that if the meal was hosted at the best restaurant in the county, a fine table would cost at least one tael of silver for one meal. Inviting Lin Qiuran to cook, although the wages were the main expense, the ingredients she provided would cost much less.

This time Lin Qiuran did not haggle. Cooking for the prefect might mean several days in a row. She said, “Alright, just home-style dishes?”

Lady Yu nodded. That was Chief Clerk Wang’s plan. Prefect Zhao was clean and upright, with nothing to gain. Since he decided not to go to the grand restaurant, the meal should be simple. If they brought out exotic delicacies like wild game, poultry, or seafood at the courier station, people would notice, and it would be no different from eating at the restaurant.

Lady Yu later realized the difference indeed existed—the restaurant’s dishes were not as tasty as Lin Qiuran’s, and were more expensive.

Lin Qiuran said, “Since they are home-style dishes, I can think about what to cook on the day itself. Lady Yu, should I go straight to the courier station?”

Lady Yu nodded, “Yes, the station will receive you. Payment will be settled that day.”

Lin Qiuran agreed. The county courier station was reliable; they wouldn’t withhold her wages. If this task went well, she might stay a few extra days to earn more silver. Having work again right after leaving the Wang family was truly fortunate.

Lin Qiuran returned to the cart, which slowly headed toward Xiaojia Village. Sun and Xiao Dashí did not ask about the matter. The aunt beside them was curious but did not pry. Other people’s business was not for idle gossip.

Still, she wondered why the lady who spoke with Lin Qiuran was so well-dressed and seemed from a good family. Could it be that Xiaojia Village had relatives in the county town?

Back at Xiaojia Village, Lin Qiuran paid the carriage fare.

Once home, Sun quickly shut the door and asked what Lady Yu had come for—was there a problem with the food?

Lin Qiuran said, “On the first day of next month, Prefect Zhao will inspect Yu’an. He is honest, so the county magistrate wants me to prepare some home-style dishes for him, paying four qian of silver per day.”

Sun was shocked, mouth agape. “The prefect!”

For common folk, even the chief clerk was a big official; the prefect was above the county magistrate.

Lin Qiuran nodded, “I must go early on the first day.”

Sun asked, “Do you need to order the dishes in advance?”

For managing the Yu family estate and the Wang family banquet, dishes had to be ordered ahead because of the large number of people and variety.

Lin Qiuran shook her head, “No need. They said just home-style dishes. I’ll ask about dietary restrictions on the day.”

Home-style dishes could be made on the spot, but although Lady Yu said a few home dishes would suffice, if it were just simple stir-fry and stewed meat, they wouldn’t have sought her out.

They wanted dishes that looked ordinary but tasted extraordinary—ordinary on the surface, but with subtle surprises.

Sun did not think so deeply. She simply believed Lin Qiuran’s cooking was delicious and that the ingredients she prepared were quite useful.

Anyone could make home-style dishes, but to make them delicious required effort. Although she had spent two qian on spices before, it had already begun to pay off.

Sun smiled, “Are there still some spices left? If not, I can buy more tomorrow.”

Lin Qiuran said, “That’s fine, just as much as I bought before.”

There were actually some left, enough to use, but having a little extra was always good for unforeseen needs. Lin Qiuran planned to make rich broth as well.

There were still three days until the first, so she wasn’t in a hurry. She was quite tired and went back to rest.

Xiao Dashí had nothing pressing, so he went fishing by the river and caught two baskets of crucian carp. Sun noticed they were short of garlic at home, so she took four eggs, two sausages, and some money to exchange for garlic at Aunt Yu’s house.

Sun was very grateful to Aunt Yu. Without her help, there would have been no work at the Yu estate or Wang family, and cooking for the prefect would have been unthinkable.

When Sun explained her purpose, Aunt Yu immediately dug up garlic and refused to accept anything, especially money.

Sun insisted and left the money and items, “Just accept it. Eggs aren’t worth much, and the sausages were made by Qiuran. Now Qiuran cooks to sell in town and uses a lot of garlic. If not for you, I wouldn’t dare come again.”

Aunt Yu sighed, “It’s not valuable stuff, and our families can’t finish it all. There’s no need to pay.”

Sun smiled, “It’s not like it fell from the sky. When you’re close, you should give.”

Aunt Yu asked how the vegetable-selling business was going, and Sun said, “It’s alright, but it depends on the weather. If my father-in-law can catch fish, we can make money; if not, there’s nothing to do.”

Living by the grace of heaven, the past few days had been good. If no fish were caught, there were other jobs. Life was improving.

Sun did not mention the cooking job in the county town, fearing Aunt Yu might accidentally let it slip and cause resentment.

Aunt Yu said, “Take it slow. How’s Qiuran’s condition? Don’t let her overwork.”

Sun wondered why Aunt Yu suddenly asked that, “She’s fine, no morning sickness.”

Aunt Yu whispered, “That Li Cuihua who lives in your backyard has a sharp tongue. She said she saw you go to the clinic recently and that Qiuran might not keep the baby…”

Sun truly wanted to move away quickly. That woman only spoke ill and might cause trouble one day. Her heart was truly wicked.

Aunt Yu said, “Don’t talk about the money-making with others. She might get jealous. After all, you have a grandson, and your daughter-in-law is pregnant. She should watch her words.”

Sun returned home with a heavy heart as night fell. She fried three eggs for Lin Qiuran and sliced the sausages brought back.

Lin Qiuran ate a bowl of rice, then turned around, washed, and went to sleep.

The next day when Sun and Lin Qiuran went to sell fish, Sun reminded her several times, “Don’t go out alone at home. If you need anything, find Aunt Yu. And stay far away from Li Cuihua!”

Lin Qiuran nodded; she was grown up and didn’t really need so many reminders.

The Xiao family sold fish for two consecutive days. On the thirtieth, it rained all day, so none of the three went out. Sun worried that if it rained on the first day, Lin Qiuran wouldn’t be able to go; the ox cart wouldn’t run. But the next day, after the rain cleared, the roads dried.

Lin Qiuran took Sun to help. They rode the ox cart to the city gate and inquired about the courier station.

Inside, a man welcomed them—he was the courier station’s cook, round-faced and slightly plump, short in stature with a big belly.

“The officials haven’t arrived yet. They said there would be four or five people, plus guests from the county, so prepare for eight or nine at the table. If anything is missing, tell me; I can still go buy it.”

Lin Qiuran asked, “Is it just for one day?”

The cook didn’t answer. Lin Qiuran was brought here by order of Magistrate Li, who said to start with one day, and if the officials didn’t like the food, she wouldn’t be kept on.

Seeing no reply, Lin Qiuran didn’t press further. “Then I’ll get to work. Call me if you need anything.”

The cook nodded. He was paid wages and welcomed any help. It wasn’t that he looked down on Lin Qiuran, but a young woman—what skills could she have?

Lin Qiuran glanced around. The kitchen was well-stocked: live chickens, ducks, fish, pork belly, and large bones probably bought with the meat.

It was still early, and a cool breeze blew outside. By August, the weather had cooled considerably. Traveling from the prefecture to the county was tiring, so hot soup was necessary and comforting at this time.

Lin Qiuran planned to first make pork floss, then a pot of hand-pulled dough soup. But ordinary dough soup would be unremarkable. She said, “Madam, please kill the chickens and ducks.”

Lin Qiuran intended to make a rich broth. There’s a saying: even a clever housewife can’t cook without rice. For home-style dishes, even if decorated, the key was preserving the natural freshness. Some dishes may appear simple but are seasoned with rich broth, making them delicious and memorable.

The chicken, duck, and large bones were blanched with scallions and ginger to make broth, simmered slowly over low heat. Lin Qiuran also made chicken floss to use in the dough soup. The Wang family liked red-braised pork, so that dish was included.

As Lin Qiuran and Sun worked in the kitchen, the courier station’s cook waited outside.

By noon, no guests had arrived.

Lin Qiuran remained unhurried—the more time she had, the better she could prepare.

At the second quarter of the Wei hour, officials from the prefecture arrived.

The leading official wore a blue robe. County Magistrate Li, the assistant magistrate, Chief Clerk Wang, and four others accompanying Prefect Zhao followed.

Magistrate Li said, “You’ve traveled hard, sir. The courier station has prepared food. Please eat first.”

Prefect Zhao Jinshan nodded. He disliked restaurants, seeing them as wasteful. Simple home-style dishes were sufficient.

Magistrate Li signaled his attendants, who hurried to the kitchen. When the group went to the main hall, cold dishes were already set: simple smashed cucumbers and spinach with vermicelli.

Eight people sat at the table. Zhao Jinshan took the seat of honor. Magistrate Li said, “The food is simple. Please bear with it.”

Zhao Jinshan replied, “No matter. Food is the foundation of the people. We must eat what the common folk eat.”

The travelers were hungry from their journey. Dishes came one after another. Magistrate Li handed Zhao chopsticks, “Please start eating. We’ll discuss official matters in the afternoon.”

No wine was served, as there was business later.

Everyone waited for Zhao to begin. He first tasted the smashed cucumbers—refreshingly sour with a subtle garlic fragrance, easing travel fatigue.

The spinach was light and fresh. Both cold dishes were common household fare but well made. The exhaustion vanished from Zhao’s face.

Remembering Magistrate Li’s comment about the food being crude, Zhao said, “Making simple food taste good is no easy task.”

Li observed Zhao’s expression, unsure if he was praising or subtly teasing. “Sir, July had little rain, only two showers at the start and end of the month, but the canals and dikes are already…”

Zhao interrupted, “Let’s eat first.”

Magistrate Li ordered an attendant, “Go urge them to bring hot dishes.”

Apparently, it was just about the food.

Soon, hot dishes were served: stir-fried eggplant, stir-fried long beans, red-braised pork...

Though common, each dish had a unique flavor. After tasting one, Zhao’s eyes brightened. The courier station’s cook was skilled.

Finally, a bowl of hand-pulled dough soup was brought out, with jade-green vegetable leaves and evenly shaped dough pieces like pearls. Magistrate Li served Zhao and the others, “Traveling is tiring. Please enjoy some hot soup.”

Zhao ladled some, blew on it, and found the soup excellent—rich and fresh.

One sip chased away the weariness of carriage travel.

Zhao ate a lot, and Magistrate Li noticed. After the meal, he quietly instructed Chief Clerk Wang, “While Prefect Zhao is here, have Lady Lin cook all the meals.”