Chapter 23: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 23: Exceptional Culinary Skills
In the kitchen, everyone had their doubts about the dumpling soup that Daohua was preparing. Some even sympathized with County Magistrate Yan, thinking he would be the one to suffer the most from it.
When other young ladies wanted to show filial piety, they would usually prepare a couple of dishes, at least two sweet treats, if not the main course. It was rare to see someone like Daohua who seemed so casual about it.
However, as the water continued to boil, the soup gradually turned milky and thickened. A faint, natural aroma of rice began to spread through the air.
Daohua sprinkled a little salt, added some chopped spring onions, and a few drops of sesame oil, then declared the dumpling soup ready.
From the moment she entered the kitchen to when the soup was finished, it took less than fifteen minutes.
Simple and quick!
“Let’s go, take it to Father.”
Daohua instructed Ping Tong to carry the soup, and then she eagerly made her way to the front courtyard of the yamen.
As soon as they left, the kitchen was filled with the sound of swallowing saliva.
“I didn’t expect the dumpling soup to smell so delicious!”
Aunt Ren stared at the soup pot for a while, then reluctantly turned away and waved for the other maidservants to clean up the pot.
“Aunt Ren, we saw how the young lady made the dumpling soup. Why don’t we try it too?”
The white flour that the young lady brought was used up, but there was still some left in the kitchen.
Aunt Ren, who was also craving the soup, nodded in agreement. “Alright, let’s give it a try. If it turns out well, we’ll have a new soup to add to the menu.”
The kitchen staff quickly got to work.
After some time, they looked at their own dumpling soup, exchanging puzzled glances.
“This is right... the young lady made it this way. How did it turn out so different?”
The soup the young lady made had a fragrant aroma that could be smelled from a distance.
The one they made... while not bad, it was plain and lacked the mouthwatering fragrance.
Aunt Ren sighed. “I’ve heard the old lady praise the young lady’s cooking skills before. I thought it was just flattery, but now I see it’s true!” She had more knowledge than the others about what went on in the kitchen.
She understood now: the simpler the dish, the more it tested one’s cooking skills.
Meanwhile, in the front courtyard of the yamen, County Magistrate Yan had been busy all morning discussing the placement of the refugees with the deputy magistrate, clerks, and advisors. Suddenly, a faint yet alluring fragrance wafted in.
“Hmm, what’s that smell?” Deputy Magistrate Xu craned his neck, looking toward the door.
Magistrate Yan also looked in that direction, his eyes shining with anticipation.
He recognized the smell.
The last time his second and third brothers came back, his eldest daughter had made dumpling soup that smelled just like this.
The others in the room also looked toward the door with curiosity.
Advisor Lin, joked, “Seems like the lady has sent something to the magistrate early this morning. I wonder what delicious food it is. It smells so good.”
Magistrate Yan smiled. “I’m hungry too.” He gestured for someone to bring the food over. “Everyone, please wait a moment. We’ll eat together.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Normally, they wouldn’t be so casual, but the smell was so tempting that they couldn’t help but stay.
Even the usually aloof Advisor Xiao remained seated.
The allure of good food was evident.
Soon, a young girl, about eight or nine years old, walked in with a smile, a maid carrying a food box behind her.
At the sight of her, everyone was impressed.
What a charming little girl!
Her presence and the brightness in her eyes made her stand out.
Magistrate Yan stared in surprise at Daohua. “What are you doing in the front courtyard, child?”
Daohua, seeing so many people in the room, was also slightly surprised. She politely greeted Magistrate Yan before smiling and explaining, “Mother said that Father has been busy these past few days, so I wanted to come and see you.”
Magistrate Yan smiled in appreciation. “That’s thoughtful of you. But the front courtyard is where we handle official matters. You shouldn’t come here randomly in the future.”
Daohua nodded obediently. “It’s my fault for disturbing Father’s work. I’ll leave right away.”
Magistrate Yan waved his hand. “The meeting is over. You haven’t disturbed us.” He turned to the others. “This is my eldest daughter, Daohua. Please don’t mind her.”
Daohua remained smiling, then greeted each of the guests according to their seats, with grace and poise.
The guests were all impressed by the young girl’s manners, demeanor, and eloquence.
Deputy Magistrate Xu smiled. “So this is the eldest daughter. No wonder the magistrate always speaks so highly of her. Now I understand why—such a well-behaved and thoughtful young lady.”
Master Liu, the clerk, also smiled. “Her presence and manners certainly put my own wild daughters to shame.”
Advisor Lin’s smile was a bit stiff, but he still offered a compliment to Daohua.
The only one who remained silent was Advisor Xiao, who merely nodded at Daohua with a smile.
The others were used to his distant behavior. While he was exceptional, he was often too aloof, rarely paying attention to anything beyond official matters.
After chatting for a bit, Magistrate Yan turned to Daohua. “Did your mother ask you to bring food?”
Daohua shook her head. “Not yet, lunch will be later. Mother was worried that you were too busy and might get hungry, so I decided to make some dumpling soup to tide you over.”
At this, the others in the room were a bit disappointed.
Dumpling soup?
That fragrant smell had them thinking it was some extravagant dish.
But it was just ordinary dumpling soup!
Advisor Lin’s expression brightened.
Dumpling soup... typical of someone from the countryside. Showing filial piety with something simple instead of something more extravagant.
Just as everyone was about to feel let down, Magistrate Yan smiled with great anticipation. “Really? I’m actually a bit hungry.”
With a bright smile, Daohua took the food box from Ping Tong and stepped forward to open it.
Immediately, a rich, fragrant smell filled the room.
Everyone, who had previously been indifferent, now stretched their necks toward the food.
Magistrate Yan noticed the looks on the others’ faces and, seeing that there was plenty of soup, smiled. “Everyone, please help yourselves.”
Daohua, ever perceptive, started serving the soup, beginning with Magistrate Yan, then to the others. She handed each bowl to Ping Tong to deliver.
Soon, everyone had a bowl of soup in front of them.
Not too much, not too little—just enough for everyone in the room.
Advisor Xiao glanced at the bowls in front of everyone and, for the first time, appeared slightly surprised. He turned his gaze to Daohua, his eyes flashing with something like interest.
Daohua smiled politely. “I won’t disturb Father any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”
Magistrate Yan nodded and watched his eldest daughter leave.
Once she was out of sight, he turned to the others, his tone a bit more urgent. “Please, everyone, try it!”
With that, he eagerly dug into his soup.
The others, unable to resist any longer, also began eating.
Even Advisor Xiao, usually so reserved, slowly picked up his bowl, casting one last glance at the direction Daohua had left. He thought to himself: The magistrate’s eldest daughter is indeed clever and quick-witted.
(End of Chapter)
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