Chapter 90
Ye Jiayao had thought that it was Zhao Qixuan that was treating for dinner today so she wasn’t expecting to see Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang .
“Li Yao, I was just about to look for you . I have the ice tickets you mentioned yesterday,” Mu Qinchu said eagerly as if he was really familiar with the chef .
Ye Jiayao’s lips twitched . “So fast?”
Mu Qinchu nudged Wei Liujiang who immediately took out a set of ice ticket and handed it to Ye Jiayao .
Ye Jiayao looked over the ice tickets calmly as she counted them . “Why are there only 500g?”
Mu Qinchu explained, “It wasn’t easy to get 1kg at once . I’ll bring you another 500g in a couple of days . ”
“No need!” Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng said simultaneously .
Xia Chunfeng, finding himself in an awkward position, signaled for Helian Jing to speak first .
Helian Jing immediately said, “Li Yao, tell me how much you need and I’ll get it for you no matter the amount . ”
Was Mu Qinchu’s help really needed for this? Helian Jing wanted to be the one to help Big Yaoyao .
Xia Chunfeng couldn’t help but wheedle, “It’s just 1kg of ice, how hard can it be to get it done?”
Mu Qinchu held in his words of resentment . That’s easy for you to say because you all are careless . I had to suffer a scolding just to get this 500g of ice!
Ye Jiayao smiled . She had no doubt that Little Jing can get the ice easily, but this was blackmailed from Mu Qinchu . She was not going to let this arrogant guy off the hook so easily . She said to Mu Qinchu, “In the next days then . I know that you wouldn’t want to delay because this ice is to be used for Helian Mansion Old Princess’ birthday celebration . ”
Mu Qinchu’s eyes widened . If that was really the purpose of the ice, then he must obtain the remaining 500g as soon as possible .
“The weather has been hot lately so the ice supply had been short . Don’t worry, though, I’ll do my best and I won’t cause a delay to the Old Princess’ birthday celebration,” Mu Qinchu promptly promised .
Zhao Qixuan shooed the child on the seat next to him and subsequently offered it to Ye Jiayao . “Li Yao, sit and drink with us . ”
Those who didn’t really know Li Yao were stunned . The seating arrangements had always been exquisite, very distinct . The Young Royal Highness Jing was seated in the main seat, while Xia Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan sat on the seats on either side of him . No one had any objections to this seating arrangement because their statuses were distinguished . Why on earth would Zhao Qixuan allow this chef to sit by his side? Wasn’t that a bit weird?
Out of all of them, it was Wei Liujiang who was the most shocked . This Li Yao must be the best chef ever! He had such good relationships with a group of Royal Highness and Heir-Son Lords . If Liujiang hadn’t seen this with his own eyes, he would have thought that it was impossible .
“Move away . ” Helian Jing pushed Zhao Qixuan . “Li Yao, come sit here . ”
Zhao Qixuan happily gave up his seat . “Yes, yes! Li Yao, come and sit . ”
What was happening? Everyone was confused .
Mindful of the flabbergasted expression on the people’s faces, Ye Jiayao walked over to Helian Jing, yet she didn’t sit . Instead, she picked up a flagon and poured herself and everyone else a glass of wine . She picked up the glass and said, “Everyone, thank you for coming! I hope you all drink and eat happily . Cheers!”
Helian Jing added, “Come, come, let’s drink up . ”
Everyone dutifully drank .
Ye Jiayao topped up the glasses again and said, “Young Royal Highness Jing, this is to thank you for your trust in letting me organize the Old Princess’ birthday celebration . I can’t thank you enough . Cheers!”
Helian Jing frowned and said, “Nonsense . You’re not an outsider . ”
Nevertheless, Ye Jiayao drained her glass and looked over at Little Jing, smiling .
Helian Jing had no choice but to drink up as well .
On her third glass, Ye Jiayao wanted to toast to Zhao Qixuan . “Brother Xhao, I have something to ask of you . ”
“You don’t have to ask, just say it if there’s something bothering you,” Zhao Qixuan immediately replied .
Ye Jiayao smiled and said, “Then I’ll assume you already agreed . I’ll tell you about it later . ”
After she had downed three glasses of wine, Ye Jiayao announced, “I have some errands to run in the kitchen, excuse me . I’ll join you all in another day . ”
“Are you really that busy? Aren’t there other chefs in the kitchen?” Helian Jing asked disappointedly .
“But I’m the main chef . ” Ye Jiayao turned to the others . “Alright, you guys continue drinking . I’m going to leave now . ”
Once she exited the door, the welcoming smile on Ye Jiayao’s face turned into a sneer . Oh, Wei Liujiang, Wei Liujiang . You’ll get what’s coming to you .
After the feast, Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng went with Zhao Qixuan to find Li Yao . They wanted to hear what Yaoyao wanted to ask Zhao Qixuan for .
“What do you need, Li Yao?” Zhao Qixuan asked .
“I heard that you have business in the south . I want to ask if you can get me some coconut fruits from there,” Ye Jiayao answered .
“Coconut fruit? That thing isn’t tasty,” Zhao Qixuan protested .
“I have use of it . ”
“Okay, sure . How many do you want?”
“These things are not spoiled easily, so if it’s convenient, the more the merrier . Can you obtain a few hundred?”
Zhao Qixuan waved her concerns away . “That’s not an inconvenience . You can have as much as you want . You’re in luck because there will be a ship going to the south tomorrow . I’ll just instruct them to get your fruits . ”
Ye Jiayao exclaimed happily, “Thank you . ”
“Yaoyao, if you have a problem, just come and find us . There’s no need to seek help from Mu Qinchu,” Helian Jing told her .
Ye Jiayao chuckled a bit . “I was just ripping him off . I wanted to cause him trouble . ”
Xia Chunfeng laughed out loud . This Li Yao was really interesting .
Helian Jing was relieved now that he finally knew that Mu Qinchu and Yaoyao weren’t becoming friends . He said to Zhao Qixuan, “I never liked that guy . Next time, I won’t come if he’s there . ”
“I only met him halfway here,” Zhao Qixuan explained .
After the three nobles left, Ye Jiayao got off work and headed over to Auntie Jiang’s house, carrying a massive bag . Tonight, she was making a very important condiment – chicken essence .
Chicken essence was a very common condiment in the modern days, but it had not been invented yet in this era .
Jiang Li opened the door . He took over the bag Ye Jiayao was carrying and shouted, “Mother! Third Madam is back!”
Auntie Jiang came out from the kitchen . “Third Madam, have you had dinner? I made dumplings . ”
Ye Jiayao shook her head with a smile . “I already ate at the restaurant . You guys eat . Jiang Li, help me bring these to the little kitchen, will you?”
“Sure!”
Jiang Yue ate the last dumplings quickly and ran out . “Third Madam, are you going to cook?”
Ye Jiayao replied, “Why, yes . If you have nothing to do, you can come help me . ”
“Mother, I’ll go and help Third Madam!” Jiang Yue called happily .
Auntie Jiang laughed . “Go ahead, little girl, learn from Third Madam . ”
Jiang Li went to chop the firewood and lit up the fire .
Ye Jiayao washed her hands and took out two stone mortars, passing one to Jiang Yue . “Crush that bag of rock sugar to a powder . ”
Jiang Yue happily obeyed .
Ye Jiayao handled the chicken meat herself and tore the chicken breast that had already been cooked and drained this afternoon to tiny shreds . She removed the veins and placed it in the stone mortar to pound it into fine pieces .
Jiang Li was keeping busy with the fire, wondering when should he show the Third Madam the mold .
Ye Jiayao placed the tiny pieces of chicken onto the plate and separated it with chopsticks, gradually adding some fine salt into it until it was the right level of saltiness . She then proceeded to cut the ginger, spring onions, and mushrooms into tiny pieces before placing it in the crock .
“Is the pot heated?”
Jiang Li tuned back in and nodded . “It’s heated . ”
“Place some salt at the bottom of the pot,” Ye Jiayao instructed .
There weren’t ovens in this era, so she could only do this the old-fashioned way . She placed some salt at the bottom of the pot and placed it on the crock to grill it .
She turned it around periodically, continuing to grill it again and again until the water has vaporized and the tiny pieces of vegetables had become crispy little granules .
Next, she grilled the chicken shreds . When it was softened, she mixed all the ingredients together and pounded it over until it turned into powder . She added some sugar and stirred it all up .
Ye Jiayao put a bit of the chicken essence on her fingertip and tasted it . Yes! It tasted really incredible! Her first attempt at making chicken essence was successful!
“Third Madam, what are these?” Jiang Yue asked curiously .
Ye Jiayao smiled mysteriously . “This is my secret condiment . Don’t tell anyone else about this, okay?”
Both brother and sister nodded . “We won’t speak a word . ”
Ye Jiayao transferred the finished chicken essence into a dry container and gave the rest to Jiang Yue . “Give this to your mother and tell her to use it when cooking soup or vegetables . Just add a pinch in . Only a small pinch, okay? And only add it when the food is almost ready to be served . This would make the dish taste amazing . ”
“Really? That’s really great stuff . ” Jiang Yue carefully held it, worried that she’d spill it .
“Find a dry container to store it in . Don’t let it get wet because it wouldn’t be nice to use then,” Ye Jiayao reminded .
Jiang Yue nodded . “I’ll go and find a container now . ”
Ye Jiayao felt great as she looked at the container of the chicken essence on the stove . This was her secret weapon . Whether she could shine on the Old Princess’ birthday celebration not only depended on the Ice Cream Mooncake, but also on this chicken essence .
“Third…Third Madam, I’ve completed the mold,” Jiang Li said hesitantly .
“That quick?” Ye Jiayao was surprised .
Jiang Li nodded . “It’s done . ”
“Well, bring it out and show it to me!” Ye Jiayao said excitedly .
Jiang Li had kept the mold with him so he just quickly took it out and handed it to Third Madam .
Ye Jiayao was amazed at how delicate the mold was made . It was tiny and could easily be opened and closed . The carvings inside were exactly what she wanted .
“I took some flour and tried it on . Do you want to see the effect, Third Madam?” Jiang Li wasn’t sure if Third Madam liked it . Third Madam said she wanted it to be delicate so he made it small and dainty, but when it was done, he thought that it was too tiny .
“Yes, yes, I want to . Go get it, quick . ” Ye Jiayao was just thinking of getting something to try this with .
Not long after, Jiang Li came back with some flour .
“Oh my gosh, that is so adorable!” This was what she was after! The rich mooncakes would be too filling if made any larger . This mold was perfect to just sate the appetite and the curiosity of the guests .
“Jiang Li, you have such fine hands . I love this mold very much . I have four more sample drawings here, just follow this size and make the other four . ” Ye Jiayao cradled the mold admiringly .
Jiang Li smiled abashedly and scratched his head . He was happy that Third Madam was pleased .