Chapter 26: Crème Caramel: How About Letting Go of My Hand First?!

 

Hong Yu raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction and said, “How can we let her enjoy all the good things by herself?!”

 

Huan’er narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and nodded knowingly before following Hong Yu downstairs.

 

—

 

The weather was clear and sunny, with a gentle breeze and bright skies.

 

Yihuan sat inside Shengjing Dessert Shop, writing something carefully, stroke by stroke.

 

Ah-miao finished tidying up the shop and walked over to ask, “Miss, what are you doing?”

 

Yihuan replied, “Analyzing customer profiles.”

 

Ah-miao tilted her head in curiosity. “What are customer profiles?”

 

Yihuan smiled and explained, “It’s a way to categorize customers into different groups and analyze their needs based on their characteristics.”

 

Seeing that Ah-miao still looked puzzled, Yihuan pointed at the white paper in front of her, where several categories were listed. “Look, Ah-miao, this is a summary of the customers we’ve had in the past few days. They mainly fall into three groups: housewives who run their households, laborers from nearby streets, and a few scattered customers like students and young women.”

 

Ah-miao listened attentively. “So, it seems like the housewives and laborers like our desserts the most?”

 

Yihuan shook her head. “Not necessarily.” She pondered for a moment before explaining, “We’re located at the far end of Changming Street, so it’s not the best location. The customers who come here are usually either heading to Jinxiu Restaurant for a meal or passing by on their way to Tianshui Alley. They tend to have clear goals and rarely stop to visit a dessert shop on a whim. Since our opening, most of our customers have come because of our initial marketing efforts.”

 

She pulled out a map she had sketched earlier. “Look, we’ve used two strategies to attract customers. The first was placing promotional materials at the breakfast stall near the entrance of Changming Street. The customers there are mostly laborers looking for affordable meals. They’ve bought our food primarily as breakfast and are limited in their spending power. Once our half-month promotion ends, they likely won’t come all the way here anymore.

 

“The second strategy targeted Jinxiu Restaurant, but most of the diners there are middle-aged men, who generally aren’t interested in desserts.”

 

Hearing this, Ah-miao grew worried. “What should we do, then? Once our promotion ends… won’t they stop coming altogether?”

 

Yihuan nodded. “Exactly. To make real money, we can’t rely on them. What I mean is, they’re not our most important customer base.”

 

Ah-miao understood and asked, “So the housewives… they’re our key customers?”

 

Yihuan hesitated for a moment. “For now, they seem more reliable. These women manage their household expenses and have the authority to decide on food purchases. Yesterday, four housewives came in and bought enough breakfast for their entire families for two days, saving themselves the trouble of cooking at home.”

 

Ah-miao nodded vigorously. “So, we just need to focus on serving the housewives well?”

 

Yihuan said, “This customer’s can provide some steady profit, but it’s far from enough.” She frowned slightly before continuing, “Right now, only a few housewives in our vicinity know about the shop, and most of them are from modest households in the West Market. The wealthier families on the east side of the city wouldn’t come this far.”

 

It was common knowledge that high-ranking ladies from noble families rarely left their residences, and even if they did, they certainly wouldn’t wander near Tianshui Alley.

 

Ah-miao suddenly realized something. “Miss, now I understand why you gave those housewives discount vouchers. It’s to encourage them to bring more people, right?”

 

Yihuan nodded. “Exactly. Everyone has their social circles, and as the saying goes, ‘Birds of same feather flock together.’ A housewife from a modest household is likely to have friends in similar circumstances.”

 

She contemplated further. Although this group of customers didn’t spend much per visit, they had the potential to provide consistent and sustainable business. However, for the shop to thrive, she needed to attract a broader customer base.

 

After some thought, Yihuan suddenly asked, “Ah-miao, have you ever been to Tianshui Alley?”

 

Ah-miao froze and instinctively shook her head vigorously. “No… never.”

 

Having been sold into servitude by her family years ago, Ah-miao had always dreaded the idea of ending up in Tianshui Alley. Just hearing the name made her shiver.

 

Yihuan said, “If we want to explore new customer groups… I think we should try introducing our desserts to Tianshui Alley.”

 

Ah-miao quickly protested, “Miss, why would you bring our desserts to a place like that? Just a few days ago, when that courtesan came to our shop, even the housewives couldn’t stop gossiping…”

 

Yihuan responded calmly, “Actually, women generally have a stronger preference for sweets than men, and young women especially tend to crave them. The women in Tianshui Alley, particularly the high-class courtesans, don’t have the responsibility of managing households. They earn their own money and can spend it however they please.”

 

She recalled a report she had read in her previous life, which stated that working professionals and university students were the main customer base for dessert shops.

 

However, she wasn’t entirely sure if this applied to ancient times. The girls of Tianshui Alley likely had different tastes and habits compared to modern office workers or students. She wasn’t sure what kind of desserts would appeal to them.

 

This uncertainty sparked a bold idea.

 

“Ah-miao… how about we take a trip to Tianshui Alley?!” Yihuan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Ah-miao expectantly.

 

Ah-miao froze, shaking her head vehemently like a rattle-drum. “No, no! Miss, you’re a lady of noble status. How could you go to a place like that?!”

 

Yihuan rolled her eyes. “If I were truly a noble lady… would I be kneading dough every day?!”

 

Ah-miao was momentarily speechless.

 

Still, she tried her best to dissuade her. “But Miss, reputation is everything for a woman. If word got out that you entered Tianshui Alley, even if you stayed completely virtuous, it would tarnish your reputation!”

 

Yihuan understood Ah-miao’s concern, but she knew that to succeed, she needed to know her target customers up close. Only then could she understand their preferences and successfully cater to them.

 

She reassured Ah-miao, “Don’t worry. If I go, I’ll disguise myself and make sure no one recognizes me.”

 

Ah-miao, full of apprehension, reluctantly nodded her agreement.

 

—

 

Meanwhile, outside the shop, a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old peeked in.

 

She had her hair styled in a maid’s bun and clutched a crumpled piece of paper bearing the elegant script: Shengjing Dessert Shop.

 

She glanced at the shop’s signboard, comparing it to the paper in her hand, and murmured, “This must be the place Miss mentioned!”

 

The girl was none other than Huan’er from Qianjiao Pavilion. Following Hong Yu’s instructions, she had searched all over Changming Street and finally located the shop.

 

Just as she was about to enter, a carriage slowly pulled up in front of the shop.

 

Startled, Huan’er hid to one side. “Wait… isn’t that the Liu Shizi’s carriage?”

 

—

 

At the entrance of Shengjing Dessert Shop, the sound of horse hooves echoed.

 

Yihuan looked up and saw Cheng Lingwei seated atop the carriage, nodding politely in her direction.

 

Ah-miao grew excited and exclaimed, “Miss, Master Cheng is here to pick you up.”

 

Yihuan nodded. “Take care of the shop. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

 

She picked up a small chest, walked to the entrance, and smiled faintly. “Brother Cheng.”

 

Cheng Lingwei stepped down from the carriage, placed a footstool for her, and took the chest from her hands. “Miss Yihuan, please.”

 

Yihuan lifted her skirt carefully and climbed into the carriage.

 

As she lifted the curtain, her eyes were drawn to the sight of an opulent crimson robe that shimmered like flowing light, lazily draped across the cushions.

 

Liu Hexiao was reclining on the soft seat inside, his entire posture exuding a relaxed, boneless charm. With his head propped on one hand, his half-closed eyes suggested he was napping.

 

Yihuan froze momentarily and stammered, “Your… Your Highness?”

 

Liu Hexiao opened one eye languidly and said, “You’re here? Sit.”

 

Yihuan hesitated briefly before replying with an indistinct, “Mhm.” She glanced around but found no proper seat inside the carriage, as the floor was covered with plush carpeting.

 

After some deliberation, she silently knelt in a corner.

 

A small table stood between them, holding a plate of fresh grapes. Each grape was plump, a glistening shade of purple that looked almost too perfect to be real.

 

In the confined space, Yihuan felt uneasy. Liu Hexiao, however, spoke casually, “If you want some, help yourself.”

 

Yihuan blinked. “Thank you, Your Highness.” She realized Liu Hexiao still had his eyes closed as he rested.

 

Remaining quiet, she sat motionless, unsure why he had come today. She didn’t dare ask, instead sneaking a glance at him.

 

His complexion was paler than most men, his features deep-set and strikingly handsome. His high nose bridge and faintly smiling lips gave him an effortlessly roguish charm, even as he rested.

 

Despite his temper, he’s undeniably good-looking, she thought.

 

“Do you like what you see?” Liu Hexiao suddenly asked, opening his eyes and grinning as he caught her gaze.

 

Yihuan quickly lowered her head, embarrassed.

 

He leaned forward, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her. “I’m asking you a question.”

 

His voice was low and captivating, curling into her ears like an enchantment.

 

Blushing furiously, Yihuan murmured, “You’re… good-looking.”

 

Liu Hexiao smiled in satisfaction. “At least you’re honest.”

 

Yihuan thought to herself, I slipped up! One fleeting moment of admiration, and he caught me red-handed.

 

“These are grapes from the Western Regions,” Liu Hexiao said, plucking one from the plate and tossing it into his mouth. “They’re called Amethyst Grapes and are said to be exceptionally flavorful.”

 

He chewed thoughtfully before declaring, “Delicious! You should try one.”

 

Feeling it would be rude to decline, Yihuan nodded and reached for a grape.

 

Her slender fingers, as pale as scallion stalks, pinched a single grape. The vibrant purple of the fruit against her fair fingers made the sight unexpectedly graceful.

 

She popped the grape into her mouth and bit down gently. Almost immediately, an intense sourness overwhelmed her senses, making her jolt in shock.

 

Is there anything more sour than this? she thought, her brows knitting tightly as her eyes began to water.

 

With no polite way to spit it out, she forced herself to swallow the grape.

 

Watching her distressed expression, Liu Hexiao burst into laughter, leaning back with mirth. “Was it good?”

 

Yihuan glared at him silently. “Was that fun for you?”

 

He smirked unapologetically. “Very.”

 

Infuriating! Yihuan thought.

 

She raised her gaze to him. “Your Highness, didn’t you find it sour? To trick me into eating one, you even sacrificed one yourself?”

 

Liu Hexiao chuckled but didn’t respond directly.

 

Instead, he continued to study her with an amused glint in his eye, his mood seemingly lifting the more he looked at her.

 

Seeing Yihuan’s sulky demeanor, he teased, “Don’t be mad… It was just a little joke. Do you like grapes?”

 

Yihuan reluctantly replied, “I only like sweet ones.”

 

Liu Hexiao’s tone turned serious, almost earnest. “I do too.”

 

Sensing his good mood, Yihuan seized the moment to ask, “Your Highness, may I seek your advice on something?”

 

Liu Hexiao sat up straighter, intrigued. “Go ahead.”

 

After a moment’s hesitation, Yihuan asked, “Do you know what kinds of foods courtesans prefer?”

 

Liu Hexiao nearly spat out the grape he was eating. “What?! You’re asking me what courtesans like to eat?”

 

With a look of incredulity, he shook his head in mock disdain. “How would I know?”

 

Yihuan tilted her head. “I heard you’re a regular at Qianjiao Pavilion…”

 

Liu Hexiao adopted a serious expression. “So what if I am? I only go there because their Mandarin Duck Fried Rice is delicious.”

 

Yihuan almost choked. Her worldview felt shattered. Staring at him in disbelief, she asked, “You go to a brothel… for the fried rice?”

 

Liu Hexiao stubbornly defended himself. “What’s wrong with that?”

 

Yihuan could only laugh helplessly. “Fine…”

 

In her mind, she couldn’t help but be impressed by his reasoning, even if it was absurd.

 

Liu Hexiao’s lips curled into a smile. “You don’t believe me? Aside from the fried rice, their Jade Bamboo Shoots are also excellent. My friends and I go there often.”

 

Then, with unexpected enthusiasm, he added, “Next time, I’ll take you there to try them.”

 

Yihuan quickly waved her hands. “No need, Your Highness. Thank you…”

 

Liu Hexiao chuckled softly and asked, “Why are you so curious about what courtesans like?”

 

After a brief pause, Yihuan replied vaguely, “I was just curious.”

 

Liu Hexiao gave her a knowing look, which she avoided by looking out the window.

 

Moments later, Cheng Lingwei’s voice called out, “Your Highness, Miss Yihuan, we’ve arrived at the Prince’s Mansion.”

 

—

 

Yihuan entered the small kitchen at Shuiyue Courtyard for the second time, only to find it significantly different.

 

The entire space had been meticulously cleaned, the countertops spotless, and the kitchenware gleamed as if new.

 

Even a simple open stove for roasting had been added.

 

Her mood lifted as she turned to Cheng Lingwei. “Brother Cheng, this kitchen seems quite different?”

 

Cheng Lingwei nodded. “The Shizi said the kitchen would be used often in the future, so he had it refurbished. Miss Yihuan, does it meet your standards?”

 

Yihuan froze for a moment. Used often… Each word struck her like thunder on a clear day.

 

Forcing a smile, she replied, “It’s… perfect.”

 

As her gaze fell on the widened doorway and the cushioned bench outside, she could already picture Liu Hexiao lounging there, watching her work.

 

Yihuan had originally planned to resign after her current stint, but with Liu Hexiao’s grand arrangements, it seemed unlikely he would let her leave.

 

She sighed inwardly. Fine, I’ll wait for the right moment… Maybe if I cook something terrible, he’ll finally let me go.

 

She quietly encouraged herself while beginning the afternoon’s dessert preparations.

 

The Old Madam had poor teeth, so pastries like croissants were unsuitable for her. After much consideration, Yihuan decided to make crème caramel.

 

She started by taking six eggs and carefully cracking them open, leaving only a small hole to separate the egg whites from the yolks.

 

The remaining six yolks were all placed into a large bowl.

 

The bright yellow yolks bumped playfully into each other, almost mischievously. Yihuan added sugar, then picked up a whisk and began stirring in slow, circular motions, always clockwise.

 

When the yolks and sugar blended smoothly, she stopped whisking.

 

Next, she found a small pot and lit the fire beneath it. Adjusting the flame to its lowest setting, she gently stirred in pre-prepared cream and milk with a ladle.

 

The warmed milk and cream quickly melded together, and Yihuan added a few drops of premium vanilla extract from Qingmu Zhai. This was the crowning touch to her crème caramel.

 

As the aroma of the milk grew richer, it brought a quiet joy to the senses. While heating the mixture, Yihuan kept a close eye on its temperature.

 

The key to making a perfect pudding lay in utilizing the eggs’ unique property of solidifying when heated. The temperature was critical.

 

Egg yolks begin to solidify at approximately 65°C, harden further, and will turn crumbly if heated to 80°C—much like the texture of boiled egg yolks.

 

However, since thermometers didn’t exist in ancient times, Yihuan had to rely entirely on her experience. When the edges of the pot began to emit steam, she knew it was just right. If the mixture boiled, it would mean failure.

 

“What smells so good?” a lazy male voice interrupted. Yihuan looked up and, sure enough, someone had appeared on the chaise longue.

 

Liu Hexiao met her gaze and asked, “What are you making today?”

 

Yihuan replied softly, “Crème caramel.”

 

Liu Hexiao became intrigued. “Caramel? Do you burn the sugar?”

 

Yihuan nodded. This part, however, gave her the most headache. Without a blowtorch, she wasn’t sure how to heat the caramel layer on top.

 

Liu Hexiao, unexpectedly excited, came over. “Let me see.”

 

Yihuan said, “Wait a bit. I need to finish the pudding first.”

 

When Yihuan was focused on cooking, she became utterly absorbed, ignoring Liu Hexiao’s presence entirely.

 

For his part, he didn’t interrupt further and simply watched her intently as she moved through the steps.

 

By now, the milk mixture in the pot was ready. She removed the pot from the heat and poured the warm milk mixture into the bowl of egg yolks, releasing a wave of intoxicating sweetness.

 

Seeing that the milk hadn’t been boiled, Liu Hexiao asked, “Why don’t you boil it first? Are you sure this won’t kill me?”

 

Without taking her eyes off the task, Yihuan replied, “If it boils, the result will be egg drop soup.”

 

Liu Hexiao: “…”

 

The milk mixture needed to be strained—twice.

 

The creamy milk mixture flowed into the egg yolks, turning the entire bowl a soft, elegant yellow that looked irresistibly smooth. Yihuan took a fine mesh strainer and filtered the mixture carefully, removing any impurities, before straining it a second time.

 

The best pudding mixture was free of any lumps or solids.

 

Only by preparing it this way could the pudding achieve a silky, smooth texture.

 

She poured the pale yellow pudding mixture into small bowls, filling six in total.

 

The six bowls stood neatly in a row, almost as if awaiting inspection.

 

Liu Hexiao examined them closely. The pudding mixture was thick and creamy, its soft yellow hue exuding a gentle, tranquil elegance.

 

Internally, Liu Hexiao began to anticipate the result, though outwardly he raised an eyebrow and quipped, “Making so much—are you trying to kill me with food?”

 

Yihuan answered honestly, “I’m afraid of failing.”

 

This was her first attempt at making crème caramel since arriving in ancient times, and she lacked confidence.

 

Liu Hexiao paused and said, “You won’t.”

 

With that, he returned to his chaise longue and resumed reading.

 

Yihuan smiled faintly and stopped looking at him, returning to her work.

 

She found some gauze and carefully sealed the tops of the pudding bowls before placing all six into a tray, ready to bake in the bright oven.

 

This was her first time using such an oven, and she wasn’t confident about the temperature control. To safeguard the puddings during baking, she added a layer of water to the tray to create a water bath.

 

This process would take at least half an hour.

 

While the puddings baked, Yihuan pondered how to make the caramel layer.

 

In modern times, all it took was a blowtorch: aim the flame at the sugar, and in seconds, you’d have the perfect caramel layer.

 

But here, where could she find a blowtorch?

 

She had once seen someone use a special heating lamp in an oven to create the caramel, but that wasn’t an option either. The heat in this oven was evenly distributed, making it impossible to apply heat locally. Overheating might ruin the pudding entirely.

 

Scanning her surroundings, Yihuan’s eyes landed on a nearby candle.

 

An idea struck her.

 

After half an hour, the puddings were finally ready.

 

Yihuan carefully removed one pudding bowl and peeled back the gauze.

 

The pale-yellow liquid had now solidified into a creamy custard. Its delicate, smooth appearance made her reluctant to touch it, for fear of marring its fragile perfection.

 

Feeling a surge of joy, Yihuan washed her hands in a basin of water and prepared to make the caramel layer.

 

The caramel layer relied on heat to caramelize the sugar. Without a blowtorch, she needed another medium to transfer the heat.

 

Yihuan brought out the candle she had noticed earlier and lit it.

 

Then, she sprinkled a fine layer of sugar over the pudding’s pale yellow surface.

 

Pulling out a small iron spoon, she wrapped its handle in cloth to protect her hand and held the other end over the candle flame, heating it thoroughly.

 

Before long, the spoon became scorching hot. Yihuan quickly pressed the heated spoon gently onto the sugar, as though using it as a mold.

 

The sugar sizzled under the spoon, filling the room with a rich, caramelized aroma.

 

Liu Hexiao, ever sensitive to enticing scents, immediately abandoned the book in his hand and rushed over.

 

“Is it ready?” he asked eagerly, eyeing the small bowl in her hand. The pudding now sported a light brown sugar crust. However, since the spoon was small, she had to repeat the process several times to cover the entire surface evenly.

 

Yihuan proudly held out the bowl. “Look, Your Highness! A hand-made caramel layer!”

 

Her excitement was evident—despite the lack of proper tools, she had managed to produce this caramel crust, and she was quite pleased with herself.

Liu Hexiao, intrigued, exclaimed, “How did you manage this?”

 

Yihuan, smiling, explained, “I just heated the iron spoon over the candle flame and…”

 

Before she could finish, she picked up the spoon— “Ah!”

 

She accidentally touched the scalding end of the spoon and recoiled as if shocked by electricity!

 

Liu Hexiao reacted instantly, grabbing her hand. To his alarm, her snow-white fingers were already turning red from the burn.

 

Spotting a basin of water nearby, he swiftly plunged her fingers into the cool water.

 

“Your Highness…” Yihuan stammered as her sleeve was soaked from his sudden action. She looked at him, startled. “I’m fine…”

 

Liu Hexiao frowned slightly. “Fine? Your fingers are this red, and you call it fine?”

 

Yihuan said nothing. Truth be told, the burn hurt quite a bit. Her hand remained submerged in the cool water, and after a moment, the pain began to ease.

 

Breathing a sigh of relief, she looked up—and found herself meeting Liu Hexiao’s profile.

 

He was staring intently at her hand in the water, his expression oddly concerned.

 

Yihuan coughed lightly and said, “Your Highness… um, I think I’m fine now. Perhaps… you could release my hand?”

 

*****

Translators Note:- Extremely sorry about the late upadtes, I had many pending assignments which are completed now. So I will Update regularly from now on. Thank You<3❤️❤️

Crème Caramel Pudding:-