Chapter Nine: The Birthday Banquet

Lin Qiuran felt that catering banquets was actually quite manageable. While it was more tiring than processing fish and didn't seem to pay as much for the moment, it was a long-term business. Once she could take on larger banquets, the earnings would surely increase.

Selling fish long-term was not a viable plan. If one day the river yielded no catch, or the weather turned bad, they would be left helpless. However, Lin Qiuran did not intend to stop selling fish entirely after moving into catering. Neither fish nor banquets were daily occurrences; if she could combine the two, filling the gaps between catering jobs with selling food, she would undoubtedly earn more.

The Yu family had been satisfied this time, and it was quite possible that others would come knocking soon. She hoped they would be from the county seat. A banquet in the village paid three hundred copper coins—more labor-intensive than selling fish—but in the county seat, that fee could likely double. In the long run, this would be more respectable than mere trading. After all, among the four social classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants sat at the very bottom.

Madam Sun nodded. "Very well, but you must take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

"Don't worry, Mother, I know my limits," Lin Qiuran replied.

Lin Qiuran then instructed Madam Sun on how to handle potential inquiries, emphasizing that she must mention she was a young widow, as some families were superstitious about this. If someone did book a service, she should accept immediately, then inquire about the type of banquet, the number of guests, and the number of tables. Madam Sun listened carefully, asking for clarification multiple times until she finally said, "I have it all memorized, rest assured."

That evening, Madam Sun made stir-fried eggs with chives. The golden dish filled the plate, but Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi still ate thin porridge. Lin Qiuran placed a large portion into each of their bowls, but seeing it was too much, Madam Sun moved half of it back to Lin Qiuran’s bowl. Lin Qiuran couldn't help it; she knew Madam Sun would only touch meat or eggs when the table was full of such dishes and there were no pickles left to accompany the meal. Indeed, in this era, stir-fried eggs were considered a meat dish.

After dinner, Lin Qiuran didn't have to wash the dishes. She went to the backyard to pick vegetable leaves to feed the chickens, while Xiao Dashi went to catch bugs—this helped the vegetables grow better, and the chickens produced eggs with richer yolks after eating the insects. Lin Qiuran was terrified of bugs and would keep her distance, so this was a task for Xiao Dashi. She dug up some garlic and peeled it so it would be ready for tomorrow, making her work easier the next day.

Xiao Dashi had caught over thirty crucian carp that day, still lively in the bucket. She planned to make garlic-scented crucian carp again tomorrow, keeping one for lunch. After seeing the garlic-scented carp at the Yu family banquet, she had developed a craving for it herself.

As darkness fell, Lin Qiuran placed the peeled garlic in a bowl and had Madam Sun heat some water. Usually, the heat wasn't so stifling, but today was sweltering; even with a headscarf on, she felt greasy. Bathing at home was inconvenient, but she feared she wouldn't sleep if she didn't wash. Madam Sun boiled a large pot of water, bringing it in and changing it twice until Lin Qiuran was finally clean. She twisted her hair dry before heading to bed.

The next morning, Xiao Dashi went to the river at the first light of dawn, but he only caught two fish, leaving the bucket mostly empty. Usually, they sold the fish caught the previous day to ensure daily income. Missing out like this made Xiao Dashi feel guilty; he kept his head down, sighing repeatedly when he returned home.

"I only caught two today; it certainly won't be enough to sell," he lamented.

Lin Qiuran comforted him, "Father, perhaps it will rain tomorrow, and we wouldn't be able to sell fish anyway. Two are enough for our own meals. Besides, I've been busy for days, so a rest is just right." Xiao Dashi knew she was just being kind; his daughter-in-law was capable, and it was he who felt inadequate.

Lin Qiuran didn't mind; she had never expected the fish business to last forever. She prepared the crucian carp from the previous day with garlic sauce and placed them in the wooden bucket for Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi to load onto the cart. "You don't need to buy meat today; just get some tofu. Let's have fish for a change."

She kept one carp for lunch, planning to steam some rice and drizzle the garlic-infused sauce over it. Xiao Dashi had also caught a carp and a crucian carp; she planned to use the crucian carp for soup in the evening, and the four- or five-pound carp for a meal the next day. Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi had been working hard. She thought of making a large fish stew with pancakes, using plenty of oil to make the pancakes golden and crispy.

Feeling lighter after the comfort, Xiao Dashi told Madam Sun, "Qiuran is such a good child, and she thinks so clearly. On the way back, if you don't buy meat, pick up some fruit; I noticed we've run out."

"I'll buy some honeydew melon," Madam Sun said. "Qiuran likes sweet things; grapes are too sour compared to melon."

Xiao Dashi nodded firmly. "Tomorrow I'll go fishing first, then check the woods—maybe I can hunt something to sell."

When they arrived at their usual spot in the county, they already had returning customers. As soon as the cart stopped, a customer approached and bought two fish, asking, "Why weren't you here yesterday?"

As Madam Sun weighed the fish, she replied, "My daughter-in-law handles banquet catering. Someone needed her services yesterday, so she was busy helping out."

The man nodded. "So she's a master chef. No wonder the food is so good."

Madam Sun smiled, remembering Lin Qiuran’s instructions: "If your family is hosting an event, you can ask for my daughter-in-law; her skills are impeccable."

The customer nodded and left with the fish. Madam Sun collected six copper coins. Several more customers stopped by, though they only inquired. Few people hired professional chefs; usually, villagers relied on sisters-in-law or relatives to help prepare meals, and as long as there was some meat, it sufficed. Only wealthy families like the Yus would hire a professional. It was better in the city, but there were already well-known masters, and as a newcomer, it was difficult for Lin Qiuran to break in.

After selling the fish, they prepared to buy fruit and tofu. It was the season for fruit, and Madam Sun chose a fresh, oval-shaped honeydew melon. After paying, she heard someone calling "Granny" behind her. Thinking they couldn't be calling her in this unfamiliar city, she kept walking until the person caught up and tapped her shoulder. "Ma'am, you walk quite fast! Is it your daughter-in-law who does the catering?"

Madam Sun nodded quickly. "Yes, yes! I didn't think you were calling me. My daughter-in-law can indeed cater."

"Ma'am, it's too crowded here. Shall we go somewhere else to talk?"

The girl was only fifteen or sixteen. Madam Sun followed her to a quiet alley.

"My daughter-in-law can do it," Madam Sun said, "but I must tell you—my son passed away recently, and my daughter-in-law is pregnant. I'm worried you might find that taboo."

For weddings, people usually sought out a "woman of complete fortune"—someone with a harmonious marriage and children—to prepare the dowry or the banquet. As a young widow, Lin Qiuran might be avoided by some. However, Madam Sun felt it didn't matter; they had hired a "woman of complete fortune" for Lin Qiuran's own wedding, and her son had still passed away. Still, she had to be clear to avoid offending anyone or losing money later.

The girl nodded. "It doesn't matter. I am a maid for the Registrar Wang family. Our mistress is turning sixty in a few days. If it's convenient, come by tomorrow to demonstrate your cooking. If it goes well, we can finalize the arrangement."

A tasting was standard unless the chef was already famous. The birthday banquet was in seven days, and the household planned to hold a grand celebration. They were curious to see if this woman’s daughter-in-law could handle it.

"The Registrar Wang family, I see," Madam Sun said. "Is tomorrow morning convenient?"

"It is," the maid replied.

It turned out just as Lin Qiuran had predicted—perhaps it would rain tomorrow, and this was an even better opportunity. After asking a few more questions, Madam Sun and Xiao Dashi hurried to finish their errands and head home. They arrived late, and Lin Qiuran was waiting anxiously.

"Why are you back so late?" Lin Qiuran asked as she helped carry the items inside. "Was it hard to sell?"

Madam Sun smiled. "No, the fish sold well. We were just delayed by something else. You wouldn't believe it—after we packed up, a maid from the Registrar’s house chased us down to ask if you cater banquets. The mistress is turning sixty, and she wants you to come for a tasting tomorrow! It’s a stroke of luck—your father didn't catch many fish this morning, and I thought we'd have nothing to do tomorrow."

"I accepted on your behalf," Madam Sun added. "Shall we go take a look tomorrow?"

Lin Qiuran would never miss such an opportunity. "Let's go. Mother, you can come with me, and Father can take a rest at home."

There was no need for the whole family to go. Besides, Lin Qiuran worried that someone from the village might look for her, and she didn't want the house to be empty.

"That sounds fine," Madam Sun agreed. "Also, look at this melon—let's cut it later. We made two hundred and three coins today. After buying the melon, tofu, and our meal, we have one hundred and eighty-four left."

Lin Qiuran still took the bulk of the earnings, leaving the change for Madam Sun, knowing they would always need money while out and about, and they worked hard helping with the fish.

Once the coins were tucked away, Lin Qiuran began to ponder what to cook for the tasting. At the Yu family, she had made a simple vegetable dish, relying on the quality of the flavor. Simple dishes often showcased a cook's skill better, and the village's resources were limited. But the Registrar's house would be different; they would have more wealth, and meat dishes were a must. Being the Registrar’s family, their palates would be more refined and their expectations higher.

She turned to Madam Sun. "Mother, did they mention why they chose me?" Was it because of the fish, or the banquet at the Yu family?