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墨書 Inktalez
Nangong Shuang couldn't help but smile wryly; it seemed that Qian Ruyi was unaware of Qian De's true intentions. However, since she had already taken on the task, she could only give it her all and strive for perfection.
"Miss, do you know if Wu Shilang has any particular likes or dislikes?" Nangong Shuang asked.
Qian Ruyi tilted her head in thought. "Uncle Wu is over fifty and has been said to suffer from some kidney deficiency, often taking tonics. He also has mild rheumatism, which causes joint pain on rainy days. Oh, and he absolutely detests fishy flavors; he never eats anything with a fishy taste."
Nangong Shuang noted this information and began to mentally construct the menu. She needed to cater to Wu Shilang's tastes and health requirements while also showcasing her culinary skills without being overly extravagant or raising suspicion. It was indeed a challenge.
After bidding farewell to Qian Ruyi, Nangong Shuang headed straight for the kitchen. Upon entering, she found several young servants and matrons busy at work, all of whom looked surprised to see her.
"I heard that Miss Nangong is in charge of the cooking today?" an older matron approached her. "I am Wang Po from the kitchen. The Chief Steward has already briefed me; please let me know if you need anything."
Nangong Shuang thanked Wang Po and began inspecting the kitchen's ingredients and seasonings. The pantry was well-stocked with various meats, vegetables, and dried goods. She also checked the spice cabinet, which was filled with an array of seasonings, including a few rare medicinal herbs.
"How many dishes are we preparing for today’s banquet?" Nangong Shuang asked.
"The Chief Steward said to prepare eight dishes—four cold and four hot—plus two desserts," Wang Po replied. "Wu Shilang will arrive at noon, and it's already past the hour; you need to hurry."
Nangong Shuang nodded and quickly began planning. She took out paper and pen, wrote down a detailed menu, and handed it to Wang Po. "Please prepare the ingredients according to this list; I will go get some additional supplies from the medicine cabinet."
Wang Po looked at the menu in surprise. "Miss, your skills are impressive; just hearing these dish names makes one salivate! The medicine cabinet is over there, but the Chief Steward said you need to report first before taking any herbs."
Nangong Shuang nodded in understanding and walked over to the medicine cabinet for a closer look. It was locked, and the key should be with the steward. Just as she hesitated, Qian De appeared at the kitchen door without her noticing.
"Need any herbs?" he asked coldly. "What do you need?"
Nangong Shuang respectfully replied, "In response to the Chief Steward's inquiry, I require a small amount of Astragalus, Goji Berries, Shan Yao, and Fu Ling, along with some Angelica and Chuan Xiong—common herbs used for seasoning medicinal dishes."
Qian De looked at her suspiciously. "Do you know how precious these herbs are? Just good quality Astragalus alone can be worth several taels of silver."
"Nangong Shuang understands the importance of moderation and will use them sparingly," she said humbly. "If the Chief Steward does not permit it, I can find other ways."
Qian De pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "Fine, I'll get them for you myself. But remember, if there's any waste, there will be severe consequences!"
He opened the medicine cabinet and retrieved a small amount of herbs according to Nangong Shuang's request while keeping a close eye on her every move as if fearing she might steal something. Nangong Shuang remained composed and focused solely on her task without being affected by his scrutiny.
With all the ingredients ready, Nangong Shuang began to showcase her culinary skills. She first prepared the main ingredients by marinating pork, beef, and chicken separately, adding different seasonings based on their medicinal properties. Then she started preparing the side dishes, ensuring each step was precise—considering not only color and aroma but also balancing their medicinal qualities.
The young servants and matrons in the kitchen watched in awe; they never expected that this seemingly delicate maid possessed such exceptional culinary talent. Nangong Shuang's knife skills were sharp and her control over heat was precise; especially in her use of various medicinal ingredients, she demonstrated an extraordinary understanding of culinary medicine.
"Miss Nangong's skills surpass even Chef Chen by three points," Wang Po exclaimed in admiration. "Especially that Astragalus Braised Beef Brisket; just smelling it makes one’s appetite soar."
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