Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 38 Numerous Mishaps

By now, the sky had fully brightened.

The front courtyard had long been prepared with tables and chairs. Since this was a birthday banquet hosted by the women of the household, there was no separation between men and women. Instead, the family sat together at dozens of low tables.

Just as they passed through the front courtyard where the banquet was set up, before the main gate had been fully opened, an elderly servant suddenly hurried over: "Eldest Miss, there's a problem. You need to make a decision quickly."

Since Xie Ping was primarily in charge of the birthday banquet arrangements, the servant came directly to report to her.

Xie Ping was annoyed. This servant truly had no sense of occasion. With so many elders present, wasn't this deliberately making her lose face?

She took a deep breath and asked, "What happened?"

The servant replied: "Eldest Miss, while preparing the dishes just now, the kitchen discovered that the fish delivered this morning are only palm-sized. Their small size would be one thing, but they're all dead. What should we do about this?"

"What?" Old Madam could hardly believe it. "Who uses dead fish for a birthday banquet?"

Wasn't this inviting bad luck, cursing her to an early death?

Xie Ping quickly said, "Take me to see."

Old Madam's right eyelid had been twitching constantly, making her feel uneasy: "There's still time before the banquet. Guests won't arrive for a while yet. Let's all go take a look."

Xie Zhongcheng, Xie Jingyu, and Xie Shi'an remained in the front courtyard, while Old Madam led the womenfolk to the rear kitchen.

When she saw the small fish floating belly-up on the water's surface, Old Madam's face completely darkened: "Who was responsible for purchasing these fish?"

An elderly servant answered: "Steward He is in charge of all kitchen purchases."

Xie Ping tightly clenched her handkerchief.

She had trusted He Xu so much, entrusting most matters to him. Who would have thought that scoundrel would cause such a major disaster for her!

The fish being small was bad enough, but to deliver dead fish—just how much silver had he embezzled!

"Old Madam, I... I misjudged his character," Xie Ping said with bowed head. "I'll immediately arrange for someone to buy fresh, large fish."

Yuan Shi sighed: "By the time the fish are bought and returned, the banquet will have already started. There's not enough time."

Concubine Tao spoke up: "Then simply omit the fish dish."

"A birthday banquet cannot be without fish," Yun Chu said calmly. "These fish have been dead for about half an hour. If we make the flavor stronger, it can mask the lack of freshness."

Old Madam looked at Yun Chu: "Are you sure this will work?"

"The Yun residence has a dish called sour and spicy crispy fish. After deep-frying at high temperature, with the addition of dogwood and aged vinegar for flavor, most people won't be able to tell," Yun Chu explained. "Concubine Yu, you know how to make this dish. I'll leave it to you."

Her composed demeanor made the previously flustered crowd feel as if they had found their anchor, as if the dead fish weren't such a terrible matter after all.

Ting Yu stepped forward: "Yes."

Among the four senior maidservants by the madam's side, she was the one skilled in cooking. She felt she had finally found her moment to shine.

She handed her child to the wet nurse and stepped into the kitchen. As she entered, she heard Yuan Shi speaking: "Chu'er, our household still needs you to take charge. Fortunately you're here, otherwise we truly wouldn't know what to do..."

Concubine Jiang added: "The madam has talent for household management. Naturally, such a small matter is nothing to her."

Ting Yu, who had just entered, bit her lip. Clearly, she was the one solving the current pressing problem, yet everyone only praised the madam, completely forgetting about her...

Old Madam's expression was complicated.Originally, the plan was to perfectly host a birthday banquet and reclaim Yun Chu's authority over household management. But before the banquet even began, problems arose, forcing Yun Chu to step in and handle the aftermath...

The Old Madam had to admit that the legitimate daughter raised in the General's Manor was indeed superior in every aspect compared to others.

"Check everything delivered by the morning purchases," Yun Chu said coldly. "You're all experienced hands in the kitchen. Handle minor issues yourselves. If you truly can't resolve something, report it immediately."

"Yes!"

The kitchen matrons and maids responded in unison.

Only then did the Old Madam lead the female relatives to the front courtyard to greet guests.

A mocking smile tugged at Yun Chu's lips.

She knew this birthday banquet wouldn't be particularly splendid, but she never expected such major mishaps.

Even before it started, a whole vat of fish had died. Who knew what other troubles awaited.

But would He Xu really dare to purchase a vat of dead fish? It felt more like the fish had been deliberately suffocated...

Although the rough work matrons in the manor held many grievances against Xie Ping, they probably wouldn't dare to sabotage the banquet.

Yun Chu thought to herself, perhaps the Old Madam was just unlucky...

The Old Madam, Yuan Shi, and several young masters and misses sat chatting in the front courtyard's flower hall. Concubines weren't permitted at such occasions, so Yun Chu and Xie Jingyu stood at the main gate with their eldest son Xie Shi'an and eldest daughter Xie Ping to welcome guests.

The first to arrive with congratulations was Xie Jingyu's subordinate, Official Hu, who came with his wife and daughter to offer birthday wishes.

"Official Xie, Madam Xie." Official Hu bowed with clasped hands. "Just a humble gift, please accept it."

Xie Jingyu returned the courtesy. "Shi'an, please escort Official Hu to his seat."

Looking at Xie Shi'an, Official Hu sighed with emotion. "When this humble official first visited the Xie residence two years ago, Young Master Xie was only this tall. Now he's grown so much."

Xie Shi'an exchanged pleasantries with Official Hu as they entered the front courtyard.

Yun Chu smiled and greeted Madam Hu.

Noticing Yun Chu's pale complexion, Madam Hu said, "I heard Madam Xie has been seriously ill, yet still manages the banquet. That must be quite taxing."

"Not at all," Yun Chu replied. "This banquet was entirely handled by my daughter. I merely offered some guidance. All major and minor decisions were hers to make. With Ping Jie'er assisting me, I'll have much less to worry about in the future."

Madam Hu looked at Xie Ping in surprise. "Miss Xie is only thirteen or fourteen, yet she managed such a large banquet alone?"

Xie Ping responded, "It's all thanks to Mother's excellent teaching."

This implied she acknowledged having single-handedly organized the entire banquet.

Just then, many guests arrived and, hearing that a thirteen-year-old girl had managed the banquet, couldn't help but show admiring glances.

Xie Ping accepted all these praises.

At that moment, a matron hurried anxiously from the back.

Her heart sank, and she quickly said, "I have some matters to attend to and must excuse myself for a moment."

She took the matron aside and asked with a frown, "What's wrong now?"

"Eldest Miss, the pork and mutton purchased for the kitchen are short by at least ten catties each," the matron said, slapping her thigh. "There's no time to send someone to buy more now..."

Xie Ping gritted her teeth in anger.

He Xu was her own maternal uncle—why was he specifically undermining her?

She twisted her handkerchief and said, "Then reduce the portion in each bowl slightly. Today's guests are all officials from wealthy families—they won't miss a bite or two of meat."The old woman opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed the words she intended to say, accepting the order and returning to the back kitchen to continue her work.

Xie Ping composed herself and walked over to stand beside Yun Chu, resuming her duties of greeting guests.

Every lady who arrived would inquire about Yun Chu's health. Though Yun Chu claimed to be largely recovered, her pale complexion and frail figure made it evident she was forcing herself to receive visitors.

Just then, the Yun family's carriage arrived.

Last time, when the Yun family had stepped forward to arrange for the burial of Xie's prematurely deceased legitimate children beside the Yun ancestral shrine, it had been a public slap to the Xie family's face. Everyone now watched with curiosity to see what attitude the current Yun family would display toward the Xies, especially with Yun Chu appearing so gravely ill.