Chapter 29: A Gift for the Empress Dowager’s Birthday
Only after quite a while did Hua Ling finally figure it out. Did what he said mean that she was free now, that she no longer had to be bound by him? At the thought, she was overjoyed. Yay, freedom!
For the next two days, Jin Junxi did not appear. Presumably, he was busy with the four-piece set. Mu Yelei was also nowhere to be seen all day long, and who knew what he was occupied with. As for Hua Ling, she racked her brains over what gift to give. If it was too shabby, she couldn’t present it; if it was too precious, she didn’t have the money. What should she give?
The gift had to be novel yet not expensive, something that cost little money but could still win the applause of the entire hall. That was the most important thing. But in this ancient era, where material resources were extremely scarce, it truly gave her a headache.
“Madam, it’s time to eat.” Yuechun walked in carrying the meal.
“All right, I’m coming.” Hua Ling drew back her thoughts and decided to eat first. Only after eating would she have the strength to keep thinking. But as soon as she saw the food on the table, Hua Ling frowned and said, “Yuechun, why is it always these same few dishes? Isn’t there anything else? I prefer drinking soy milk when I get up in the morning. Go get me a cup.”
“Soy milk? What is that? This servant has never heard of it.” Yuechun shook her head as she spoke. Such a strange name—Madam’s tastes were truly quite special.
“What? You don’t even know that?” Hua Ling was startled. Was it not even possible to drink a bowl of soy milk? Or... Thinking of this, Hua Ling asked, “Do you know tofu?”
Yuechun shook her head, her face full of confusion.
“Tofu skin? Tofu pudding?”
Yuechun continued shaking her head, only now there were even more black lines across her face. What on earth were all these things? She had stayed in this prime minister’s manor for so many years, yet she had never heard of any of them.
Hua Ling’s eyes lit up. If this place didn’t have these soy products, wouldn’t she be making a fortune? At the thought, she began chuckling foolishly to herself, frightening Yuechun beside her terribly. Yuechun hurried forward and called, “Madam, Madam, are you all right?”
Called back to herself by Yuechun, Hua Ling covered up her loss of composure and said, “Yuechun, are there soybeans here?”
“Yes. Madam, what do you need them for?” Yuechun asked, somewhat puzzled.
“Go get me some. The more, the better.” Hua Ling’s eyes shone brightly. Now she knew what she was going to present for the Empress Dowager’s birthday.
Although Yuechun did not know what Hua Ling intended to do with them, she still nodded and went off.
There was still one most important thing missing: a stone mill! Hua Ling suddenly thought of it. Where should she find such a thing? Ordinary commoner households should have one, right? People in ancient times all relied on stone mills to grind flour. It seemed she would have to trouble Uncle Xu.
“Cailian,” Hua Ling called out.
“Madam, what are your orders?” A young maid hurried in and asked.
“Go tell the steward, Uncle Xu, that I want a stone mill. Have him get one for me quickly, and it doesn’t need to be too big,” Hua Ling said with a smile.
“Yes, this servant will do it right away.” With that, she ran out.
After Hua Ling finished giving these instructions, her mood was refreshed. Looking at the food on the table, she began eating heartily. This time, she had an appetite!!!
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Also recommending Xiangxiang’s completed work, “The Time-Traveling Modern Consort of the Eccentric Prince,” and the newly opened pit, “The Flower Dragon Teases the Phoenix: Consort Wants a Divorce Letter.” If you have time, everyone, please go take a look!! Hehe.