Rebirth of the Exclusive Herbalist

“Auntie just got back today and didn’t make any cakes!”

“Oh!” Hong Ge’er, who had been excited just moments ago, immediately drooped his head. Even the carefully cooked dishes on the table couldn’t attract his attention.

Su Qingqi actually liked this little fellow quite a bit. Seeing this, she felt a pang of sympathy and had to comfort him: “Tomorrow, Auntie will make you some delicious cakes, okay?”

“Okay!” Hong Ge’er’s eyes immediately brightened, and he responded quickly and loudly.

Everyone: “…”

What was originally a warm welcome banquet was disrupted by this cute little fellow. Everyone realized how little Su Qingqi had been valued in the past, which made the situation even more awkward, especially for Mrs. Han, who felt the most uncomfortable at that moment. Even her four-year-old grandson Hong Ge’er didn’t know who Su Qingqi was and called her by the wrong title.

Fortunately, there were no outsiders at this meal; otherwise, who knows what others would think.

After the meal, Su Qingqi was quite stuffed and overwhelmed. The enthusiasm she received was more than an ordinary person could bear. They had heard from the eldest brother that her medicinal cuisine was both delicious and good for health, so everyone expressed a desire to try it. Su Qingqi agreed to their request—she would prepare a special medicinal banquet for them.

When Su Qingqi left Mingyan Hall, it was already late afternoon. She reluctantly held a cute little bun by the hand, with the bun’s servants and nanny following behind. Ming Lan also followed respectfully, watching the girl in front who was closely attached to Young Master Sun, and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

It was surprising that they trusted her so much, to the point of entrusting the Su family’s eldest grandson to her care.

“Third Aunt, you must remember to make cakes for Hong Ge’er!”

Repeatedly reminded by the little fellow not to forget his cakes, Su Qingqi felt quite awkward. Was this little guy a bit of a foodie?

“Don’t worry, Hong Ge’er, Auntie won’t forget!” Although she really wished he wouldn’t keep reminding her… Auntie’s ears might get calluses.

With his aunt’s reassuring response, Hong Ge’er beamed brightly, happily bouncing and holding his aunt’s hand. This time, he was determined to remember where Third Aunt lived.

In the future, if he wanted to eat something delicious, he would go find Third Aunt!

Returning to the courtyard she hadn’t stayed in for a few months, Su Qingqi found it had been completely renewed. There were now many more varieties of flowers, plants, and trees, and several more sturdy maids. Su Qingqi just smiled at the changes.

Minglan, worried that the young lady might be tired, had the stronger maids carry hot water to the adjacent bathhouse. This bathhouse had been specially renovated for Su Qingqi, as it was part of the large courtyard she had.

The so-called renovation didn’t involve much change. They just cleared out the adjacent room, set up four screens with rosewood frames depicting kittens and butterflies, added a large bath tub, and connected this room with her sleeping quarters by a door.

After spending about a month on the ship, Su Qingqi was really looking forward to a hot bath. She subtly told little Hong Ge’er that she was tired and needed to rest.

She hoped the little fellow would recognize the way and leave.

However, the little guy showed no sign of leaving. He roamed around her courtyard quite freely, or rather, explored it. The servants following him hurried to keep up, calling out, “Young Master Sun, be careful, don’t fall!”

Su Qingqi couldn’t help but silently complain: Little troublemaker!

Forget it, she thought.

She decided to enjoy a comfortable hot bath and then have a good sleep.

When Su Qingqi woke up, it was nearly dark. After freshening up, she remembered the energetic little fellow and asked Ming Lan, “Ming Lan, when did Hong Ge’er leave?”

Ming Lan’s expression was a bit strange. She cleared her throat and replied, “Miss, Young Master Sun hasn’t left. He’s taking a nap in the east wing. He even mentioned the pastries you made before falling asleep.”

Su Qingqi’s mouth twitched: “This little foodie! Did my sister-in-law come to take him back?”

“Lady Sun did come, but, ahem, Young Master Sun threw a tantrum and refused to leave,” Ming Lan said, recalling the scene she witnessed earlier with some exasperation.

Su Qingqi asked, “…Doesn’t the elder brother care?”

“Master is not here. I heard he rushed back to the military camp.”

No wonder!

Never mind. Since there’s a small kitchen in the courtyard, she decided to cook a meal for the family tonight. She called a maid in and asked her to fetch some fresh ingredients from the kitchen.

“By the way, Minglan, where did Second Brother go?”

Recalling today’s welcome banquet, where only Second Sister-in-law attended and Second Brother was absent, Su Qingqi asked curiously.

“I heard that Second Young Master and the Cousin Young Master went to receive guidance from a scholar a few days ago regarding the spring examinations. They probably won’t return for a few days,” Minglan had inquired about the household matters while Su Qingqi was asleep.

“And, Miss, regarding the matter you asked me to investigate about Concubine Tian, I have results,” Minglan reported back with the findings.

After hearing this, Su Qingqi remained silent for a moment and then sighed, feeling that Concubine Tian had been wrongfully accused.

In the Da Qing Dynasty, among noble families or high-ranking households, there was a customary practice that if a wife from a marriage passed away, her sisters could be considered as potential replacements as the main wife. This was also the reason why Governor Su had sent his two illegitimate daughters to the Wuchang Marquis’s household. Therefore, women marrying into high families would be wary of their unmarried sisters.

Knowing the truth behind Concubine Tian’s false accusation, Su Qingqi felt relieved and began preparing dinner in the small kitchen. This time, she made a larger quantity of food.

Fortunately, the Su family wasn’t too large; otherwise, Su Qingqi wouldn’t have been keen on cooking.

After Minglan informed everyone, Su Qingqi finalized the menu and began her preparations. She arranged for several maids to wash vegetables and peel fruits, while she herself quickly handled various meats like chicken, duck, and fish. Her swift and skillful knife work amazed the kitchen staff.

Third Miss turned out to be a hidden culinary expert.

But considering Third Miss’s previous status, it was not surprising that they didn’t know.

Su Qingqi prepared three types of soup in pots: one with old duck, one with medicinal black chicken, and one with wild game bird. She also made a duck meat porridge and steamed a large pot of green rice. She then instructed the firekeeper to tend to the stove properly.

Su Qingqi began making a wine-cured steamed duck. The wine used in the household was sweet and aromatic, of high quality, but Su Qingqi still refined it with her techniques to enhance the fragrance and purity.

She applied the improved wine to the duck meat. With the aid of her techniques, the meat absorbed the flavors quickly without needing much marinating time. She then cut the duck into cubes, placed them in the steamer, and added the remaining wine to steam with the duck.

This time, the dishes featured a significant amount of duck meat. According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” duck meat is beneficial for improving complexion, nourishing yin, and regulating internal organs, making it suitable for the elderly and children.

She also dealt with two baskets of large Taihu crabs, using her techniques to handle them.

Speaking of crabs, Su Qingqi’s favorite preparation was steaming them to preserve their original flavor. Since her grandmother was elderly and preferred lighter dishes, steaming was ideal.

The meal included more than just these dishes, such as crystal pork knuckle, Kung Pao chicken, braised yellowfish, and steamed crucian carp.

Not only meat dishes, but vegetables were also essential: stir-fried cabbage, tofu skin vegetable rolls, Dinghu mountain vegetarian dish, Luohan vegetarian dish, and stir-fried three-thread vegetables. Particularly, Dinghu mountain vegetarian and Luohan vegetarian dishes required a variety of ingredients and were somewhat cumbersome to prepare, taking a bit more time.

Finally, there were some pastries and pickles.

The pickles were prepared by the household chef, but Su Qingqi refined the flavors with her techniques to make them more delicious. For the pastries, since it was evening, she made some hawthorn cakes for digestion, making extra to avoid Hong Ge’er’s constant reminders.

The prepared dishes were all sealed in food boxes to keep warm and set aside.

The meal she prepared was very sumptuous. Although eating too well in the evening isn’t ideal for health, Su Qingqi thought that for this one meal, it was fine to indulge a little, especially since her dishes were all beneficial to health.

In the kitchen, the firekeeper, while smelling the rich aroma and swallowing saliva, was astonished by how quickly Third Miss prepared the meal.

In just one hour—equivalent to half a time period—Su Qingqi had managed to prepare the meal at lightning speed, thanks to her use of the “Food Canon” as a guide.

Since cooking didn’t require the same concentration of spiritual energy as extracting essence from medicinal ingredients, Su Qingqi used very little mental effort and still looked vibrant and energetic after finishing the meal.

By this time, it was already dark. Lanterns were hung everywhere in the residence, and Su Qingqi’s small courtyard was no exception, adorned with lanterns by the servants.

“Minglan, have someone notify Grandmother and the others that the meal is ready. I’ll freshen up and wake up Hong Ge’er,” Su Qingqi said, tidying up the kitchen, washing her hands, and then instructing Minglan.

Minglan nodded and went out.

After Su Qingqi finished freshening up and tidying her clothes, she went to the east wing to wake up Hong Ge’er. The nanny and a few servants taking care of him were there.

Upon seeing Su Qingqi, they quickly bowed and greeted her.

Su Qingqi merely nodded and entered the room. She saw Hong Ge’er curled up like a little pig in his blanket, sound asleep on the soft couch, his little face rosy.

“Little lazy pig, it’s time to get up and eat,” Su Qingqi said, playfully pinching his little face.

Hong Ge’er, groggy and blinking his eyes open, saw his Third Aunt and immediately kicked off the blanket, snuggled into her arms, and sleepily asked, “Third Aunt, did you make the cakes?”

Su Qingqi, finding his behavior amusing, patted his little bottom and said, “Yes, I did. Get up and have your meal.”

Hearing that his aunt had made the cakes, Hong Ge’er instantly woke up, cheered, and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

Su Qingqi chuckled, picked him up, helped him wash up, and then took his soft little hand to Mingyan Hall for dinner.

Since Su Qingqi personally cooked the meal, and after hearing Su Zhijin describe her culinary skills, the family was eagerly anticipating it. To everyone’s surprise, the eldest brother even rushed back.

All the dishes were devoured, and not even the hawthorn cakes for digestion were left.

Everyone’s stomachs were filled to the brim.

The old lady, supported by the maid, returned to the courtyard. Despite not having a big appetite, she ate quite a lot and was stuffed, which pleased Su Yuanhong and Mrs. Han greatly.

After being impressed by the feast, Su Yuanhong, as a father, was completely won over by Su Qingqi’s cooking. Thinking that his daughter was home temporarily to prepare for marriage and that there wouldn’t be many opportunities to enjoy her cooking again, he felt a pang of regret.

He couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied with the Marquis’s son-in-law, whom he had been quite pleased with before.

Su Qingqi was unaware of her father’s inner thoughts. She chatted with her two sisters-in-law while helping little Hong Ge’er rub his belly.

The first day back passed just like that.

In the following days, Su Qingqi didn’t cook anymore. She only made a pot of medicinal soup each day for her grandmother and father to help with their health.

Although Governor Su was somewhat regretful that he couldn’t enjoy his third daughter’s exquisite dishes anymore, he accepted that, as a proper young lady, it was reasonable for her to cook only occasionally.

At this time, Su Qingqi was still unaware that, even though she had returned to the Jiangnan Su residence, the Marquis of Chu was still crazily dispatching people to monitor her every move.

She was so occupied with little Hong Ge’er’s demands for good food that she nearly forgot about the Marquis of Chu, who was far away in the capital.

—

Marquis of Huaining

Hearing reports from his subordinates, the Marquis of Chu learned that Ah Qi was very fond of her four-year-old nephew and played with him every day. This reminded him of his own dire situation, with his face showing a trace of gloom.

Ah Qi likes children, and he couldn’t give her any. It was simply a sorrow beyond measure!