Chapter 27: Ginger Milk Pudding – Market Research in Sweetwater Alley

 

Liu Hexiao paused momentarily, turned to look at her, and his clear, peach blossom-shaped eyes revealed his inner thoughts.

 

He quickly let go of her hand, splashing a few drops of water in the process.

 

Yihuan noticed that his wide sleeve robe was also damp.

 

Liu Hexiao glanced at the water, saw her slightly reddened thumb, and frowned.

 

“So clumsy,” he said coldly, his tone utterly devoid of sympathy.

 

Yihuan: “…”

 

Liu Hexiao decisively removed his wet outer robe and tossed it aside.

 

Beneath the scarlet robe was a white silk tunic with a fine brocade belt embroidered in intricate patterns. It gave him an air of refined elegance.

 

Yihuan had thought he already looked stunning in scarlet, but the white suited him even more.

 

Seeing her dazed expression, Liu Hexiao waved his fingers before her face. “Burned silly?”

 

Yihuan snapped out of it. “Of course not.”

 

Liu Hexiao chuckled softly, then picked up the spoon he had set aside earlier.

 

He examined the candle flame and the pudding with its unfinished caramel layer. Wrapping the spoon in cloth, he mimicked Yihuan’s actions and held it over the fire.

 

Yihuan was surprised. “Your Highness, let me do it instead…”

 

Liu Hexiao glanced at her. “Forget it. Your fingers are so swollen they look like radishes. Soak them in water for a while.”

 

As he skillfully roasted the spoon, he added teasingly, “By the time you’re done, they’ll be water radishes.”

 

Yihuan: “…”

 

Can we even have a normal conversation ever!?

 

Yihuan glanced at her hands soaking in the water. While slightly swollen, they weren’t that bad.

 

Liu Hexiao heated the spoon until it was hot, sprinkled a layer of sugar over the pudding, and asked, “Is this much enough?”

 

Yihuan examined it and replied, “Add a little more around the edges.”

 

Liu Hexiao sprinkled more sugar. Yihuan nodded. “That’s enough.”

 

With a single motion, Liu Hexiao pressed the heated spoon onto the sugar. The crystalline sugar immediately sizzled and caramelized, forming a glossy, amber layer.

 

Liu Hexiao’s lips curved into a slight smile. Looking at Yihuan, he said, “Not so difficult after all.”

 

His bright smile revealed a rare innocence.

 

Yihuan admired the caramel layer he had made and couldn’t help but praise, “It’s perfectly caramelized, even and shiny…”

 

This simple compliment greatly pleased Liu Hexiao. “All right, leave the rest to me.”

 

Yihuan didn’t expect Liu Hexiao to enjoy this task so much. She nodded. “Then I’ll rely on you, Your Highness.”

 

Standing side by side, one continued soaking her swollen hands while the other meticulously caramelized the pudding.

 

When Liu Hexiao finished six small bowls, he still seemed unsatisfied.

 

“That’s it?” he lamented. “I feel like I haven’t fully shown my talent.”

 

Raising her hands from the water, Yihuan thought, If you enjoy it so much, why not work in the shop and make caramel for us next time…

 

Liu Hexiao noticed her damp sleeves and frowned. “Cheng Lingwei!”

 

Cheng Lingwei approached promptly and bowed. “Your Highness, your orders?”

 

“Find her a change of clothes,” Liu Hexiao instructed.

 

Yihuan cautiously asked, “Changing again?”

 

Liu Hexiao frowned. “What else?”

 

“Oh,” Yihuan replied, then pitifully added, “Your Highness, will my wages be docked today? This is a workplace injury…”

 

Liu Hexiao scoffed. “Hiring you as a cook is a losing deal… But, oh well, who told me to be so kind and charitable?”

 

Yihuan beamed. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

 

When Yihuan returned in fresh clothes, Liu Hexiao had already taken the caramel puddings to visit the Old Madam.

 

Yihuan changed into clean clothes and came back. Cheng Lingwei addressed her politely: “Miss Yihuan, shall I escort you back?”

 

Yihuan nodded and got into the carriage.

 

Cheng Lingwei’s driving skills were excellent, and the ride was so smooth that Yihuan began to feel drowsy.

 

In her dream, she found herself sitting on a vast, glossy surface that emitted a faintly sweet aroma. Beneath her was a pale yellow substance… pudding!?

 

Yihuan was amazed. Was she sitting on caramel pudding?

 

Just as she marveled, snow began falling from the sky—sparkling white, crystalline… sugar?

 

A sense of foreboding crept up on her. Looking up, she saw a gigantic iron spoon, glowing red with heat, descending toward her. Holding the spoon was none other than Liu Hexiao!

 

Yihuan panicked, unable to escape, and woke up with a jolt.

 

It was just a dream.

 

Wiping the sweat from her brow, her still-tender, red fingers touched her forehead, and it stung.

 

“Liu Hexiao… is truly a nightmare in every sense,” Yihuan thought to herself.

 

The commotion startled Cheng Lingwei. From outside the carriage, he called, “Miss Yihuan, are you all right?”

 

“I’m fine…” Yihuan quickly replied.

 

Cheng Lingwei continued, “By the way, there’s a small box beside your seat with premium burn ointment. His Highness asked me to give it to you. Are your burns severe?”

 

[Note: Burn ointments were a luxury in this era, often made from rare herbal blends. A gift like this signifies great care and attention.] 

 

Yihuan, surprised, asked, “For me?”

 

Opening the box, she found a small, white porcelain bottle inside. Its lid revealed a cool, refreshing scent that was soothing.

 

She smiled faintly, pleasantly surprised.

 

By now, the carriage had stopped. They had arrived at the Shengjing Dessert Shop.

 

Yihuan alighted with the ointment and thanked Cheng Lingwei. “Thank you, Brother Cheng.”

 

Cheng Lingwei nodded and said, “His Highness also asked me to bring you these—some crystal grapes from the Western Regions. He said they’re the sweetest.”

 

He handed her a beautifully arranged basket of fruits.

 

Yihuan’s smile froze. “Liu Hexiao… always so inconsistent. If he wants to annoy me, he could just say so!”

 

Suppressing the urge to complain, she forced a smile and said, “Please thank His Highness for me.”

 

At this moment, Ah-miao and Lin Yiran, came out to greet her.

 

Lin Yiran cheered, “Sister is back!”

 

His eyes lit up when he saw the grapes. “Wow! Such beautiful grapes…”

 

Still maintaining a strained smile, Yihuan handed the basket to them. “You can figure out what to do with them… If they’re not tasty, use them to make wine.”

 

[Note: Grapes were considered exotic during this period, often imported from the Western Regions (modern Central Asia), making them a rare and valuable gift.] 

 

As Yihuan walked away, Lin Yiran exclaimed, “Wow! These grapes are so sweet!”

 

Yihuan paused, doubting her ears. “Really!?”

 

Returning to the shop, Ah-miao followed her and said, “Miss, a strange young lady visited earlier.”

 

“What kind of strange lady?” Yihuan asked curiously.

 

Ah-miao replied, “She wandered around the shop for a long time but didn’t seem to know what she wanted. When I asked her, she said she was looking for ‘women’s food.’”

 

Yihuan was taken aback. “What does that mean?”

 

“I’m not sure,” Ah-miao replied, shaking her head. “When I asked her to clarify, she just said she wanted something suitable for women to eat. Then, when I asked where she had heard about us, she got evasive and ran off.”

 

Yihuan found this odd but couldn’t make sense of it for now. So she put the matter aside.

 

“Women’s food…” The thought sparked an idea in her mind.

 

Her current customer base mainly consisted of married women. Aside from buying breakfast or pastries for their families, what might they enjoy for themselves?

 

In ancient times, women prioritized familial duties, with limited focus on personal care. However, nutritional desserts that could warm and nourish the body might appeal to them.

 

Yihuan’s eyes lit up with inspiration.

 

Yihuan thought of something that could perfectly align with this idea: Ginger Milk Pudding.

 

This traditional dessert, popular in Guangdong cuisine, was a perfect blend of warm and cooling properties, combining ginger and milk.

 

[Note: It is a medicinal delicacy in traditional Chinese medicine, believed to aid digestion and improve circulation.] 

 

She gathered several pieces of fresh ginger, washed them thoroughly, and carefully sliced them into thin pieces.

 

The golden-yellow ginger slices, smooth and fragrant, emitted a sharp, spicy aroma—almost like a mischievous young boy, bold and spirited.

 

Not everyone enjoys the strong taste of ginger, but it is one of the most warming and healthful ingredients.

 

Yihuan stacked the slices together and chopped them into fine pieces, creating a mound of pale-yellow ginger mince. She placed the ginger into a sieve and pressed it with a large spoon, squeezing out a clear, golden liquid.

 

The ginger juice dripped into a bowl, bright and pure.

 

Next, she poured fresh milk into a pot and lit the stove.

 

Gradually heating the milk, she stirred in white sugar. Many people prefer to use brown sugar, believing it to be more nourishing. However, brown sugar contains oxalic acid, which can react with milk proteins, reducing nutritional value and potentially causing bloating.

 

[Note: In traditional medicine and cooking, white sugar is often considered more neutral than brown sugar, which is “warming” but can alter the composition of certain foods.] 

 

As a skilled pastry chef, Yihuan understood not only the origins of desserts but also the nutritional balance behind each creation.

 

She heated the milk until it was hot but not boiling—around 80°C was ideal. Watching the edges of the pot, she waited until tiny bubbles began to form, then quickly removed it from the heat.

 

Lifting the pot high, she slowly poured the hot milk into the bowl of ginger juice.

 

The creamy milk mixed with the spicy ginger, creating a novel and harmonious flavor. The pale-yellow ginger juice cooled the milk slightly, bringing its temperature to just the right level for mixing.

 

At around 70°C, the milk and ginger juice combined to form a smooth, custard-like pudding. The temperature was critical—too high or too low, and it wouldn’t set.

 

Before long, the ginger milk pudding had solidified beautifully.

Satisfied, Yihuan carried the pudding downstairs to test customer reactions.

 

She spotted a poised and elegant woman buying donuts. Dressed in an embroidered indigo gown, the woman exuded refinement, though a trace of worry lingered on her face.

 

“Madam, how many donuts would you like?” asked the maid, Yusi, standing beside her.

 

“At least one for each child—five or more,” the woman replied softly.

 

Yusi sighed. “Madam, you’re too kind… Coming all this way to buy donuts for the children of the concubines.”

 

The madam frowned slightly. “Since they are my husband’s children, they are mine as well.”

 

Yusi protested, “Madam, you treat them as your own, but they don’t treat you as their mother.”

 

The madam’s expression stiffened. “Enough.”

 

As Yusi gathered the donuts, she added, “Madam, you shouldn’t trouble yourself with such errands. Your health isn’t strong, and it’s better to leave these tasks to me.”

 

The madam let out a long sigh. She hadn’t wanted to come, but maintaining her reputation as a virtuous wife required effort.

 

Married for ten years, she was now twenty-seven but remained childless. According to the adage “Of the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest”, her husband had every right to divorce her. Yet he kept her as his primary wife out of consideration for their shared years.

 

To preserve harmony, she had arranged for three concubines to join the household, who collectively bore five children. However, the concubines, emboldened by their status as mothers, increasingly sought to undermine her authority.

 

Today, one of the concubine’s children had demanded donuts from a newly opened dessert shop in Changming Street. Though sending a servant would have sufficed, the madam had come in person to make a show of goodwill.

 

Having no energy to browse further, the madam prepared to pay and leave when Yihuan approached, observing her pale complexion.

 

“Madam, are you feeling unwell? You look a bit pale,” Yihuan said with concern.

 

The madam smiled warmly. “Thank you, dear. It’s nothing—just chronic anemia. I’ve gotten used to it.”

 

Realizing something, Yihuan asked, “Do you often experience cold hands and feet?”

 

The madam hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, quite often.”

 

Yihuan thought for a moment. “Have you been taking herbal remedies for nourishment and warmth?”

 

The madam looked surprised. “How did you know?”

 

Yusi, wary, interjected, “Why do you ask so many questions? That’s personal matter.”

 

Yihuan quickly explained, “Please don’t misunderstand. I only thought this dessert might suit the madam’s condition.”

 

She pointed to the ginger milk pudding she had just prepared, a bowl of pale yellow custard-like dessert.

 

“What is this?” the madam asked curiously.

 

“This is ginger milk pudding,” Yihuan replied with a smile. “It’s made with fresh ginger, milk, and sugar. It’s excellent for nourishing the blood and is particularly beneficial for women.”

 

The madam grew more interested. “I often drink ginger tea. This seems similar.”

 

Yihuan seized the opportunity. “Since you’re buying so many donuts, I’d like to offer you a bowl of this as a complimentary gift. Please give it a try.”

 

[Note: Complimentary samples were a common practice in ancient markets to introduce new products and build goodwill with customers.] 

 

Encouraged by Yihuan’s earnestness, the madam agreed. “All right, I’ll try it.”

 

Yihuan beamed and guided her to a seat, serving the ginger milk pudding in a delicate bowl with a small, elegant spoon.

 

“Please enjoy, madam,” Yihuan said expectantly.

 

The madam elegantly took a bite. The texture was smooth, somewhere between creamy milk and soft custard.

 

The rich, warm milk melded beautifully with the faint spiciness of ginger, creating a surprising harmony of flavors.

 

A delighted smile spread across the madam’s face. “This is wonderful! Much better than the ginger tea I usually drink.”

 

The madam eagerly took another spoonful, savoring the creamy and mildly spicy dessert. Its smooth texture and warm sweetness spread through her body, bringing a comforting heat that seemed to improve her circulation.

 

After finishing half the bowl, she felt noticeably better—her limbs warmed, and even her cold fingertips regained some life.

 

The madam looked up with satisfaction. “You said this is called ginger milk pudding?”

 

“Yes, madam. How do you find it?” Yihuan asked with a smile.

 

“It’s excellent,” the madam replied warmly. “How much does it cost?”

 

This question caught Yihuan off guard. She hadn’t yet decided on a price.

 

After thinking for a moment, she replied, “Three coins per bowl.”

 

The madam looked surprised. “That inexpensive?”

 

Yihuan hesitated—had she priced it too low? Smiling, she explained, “Since you’re our first customer, this bowl is complimentary. For the next three days, it will be three coins a bowl. After that…umm… we haven’t finalized the price yet.”

 

The madam nodded in approval. “Very well. Yusi, from now on, have someone buy me a bowl of ginger milk pudding every other day. We can stop with the ginger tea.”

 

“Yes, madam,” Yusi replied obediently.

 

Yihuan watched them leave with a bright smile, her heart brimming with satisfaction.

 

Ah-miao approached her, grinning. “Miss, it seems like the ginger milk pudding is going to be a hit!”

 

“I hope so,” Yihuan said thoughtfully. “It should be quite appealing to the ladies. But we still need to test its pricing limits over the next few days.”

 

“How will we test the pricing?” Ah-miao asked, tilting her head curiously.

 

Yihuan explained, “When other ladies come to buy desserts, offer them small samples of ginger milk pudding. If they want more, tell them it’s three coins a bowl. Observe their reactions—if they hesitate, the price might be too high. If they pay without hesitation, we’ll try raising it to five coins. If even that feels effortless for them, we might consider ten coins.”

 

Ah-miao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Finally, we have a premium dessert to sell!”

 

Yihuan nodded but added cautiously, “However, we mustn’t raise the price too much. Alienating customers with high prices will hurt the business in the long run. Ten coins a bowl will be our upper limit.”

 

“Got it!” Ah-miao said, noting the plan carefully. Then she asked, “But Miss, if we’re focusing on the shop, what about the breakfast stall and our agreement with Jinxiu Restaurant?”

 

Yihuan considered this and replied, “Right now, the shop’s customer flow isn’t enough to cover our operating costs, so we need to keep generating outside revenue.”

 

Ah-miao nodded, listening intently. Though unfamiliar with business jargon, she understood the need for diversification.

 

“I’ve already discussed this with the owner of the old noodle stall,” Yihuan continued. “From now on, he’ll collect our goods in the morning and sell them at his stall. For every sale, we’ll split the profits fifty-fifty after deducting costs.”

 

“That’s a great idea!” Ah-miao exclaimed. “This way, we don’t have to pay rent for the breakfast stall, we can sell more food, and we don’t even have to spend time managing the stall ourselves!”

 

“Exactly,” Yihuan said with a smile. “Different stages of business require different strategies. In the beginning, when we had no capital or shop, we had to work hard and accept smaller margins to build a foundation.

 

“But now that we’ve shown the noodle stall owner how profitable our products can be, he’s eager to collaborate. It’s a win-win—he earns more by extending his stall hours, and we gain a steady revenue stream without additional labor.”

 

Ah-miao clapped her hands in realization. “So that’s how it works!”

 

“As for Jinxiu Restaurant,” Yihuan continued, “their customers are mostly men dining for business or social gatherings. Introducing desserts there might not be as effective. For now, we’ll keep supplying them with sour plum soup. It’s simple to make, and even though the profit margin isn’t high, the demand is steady.”

 

Ah-miao nodded again. She had become adept at making sour plum soup, producing enough to supply the restaurant for an entire day in just half an hour.

 

Although the shop required no rent, miscellaneous expenses were mounting, and Yihuan was also preparing to fund Lin Yiran’s education.

 

Lost in thought, Yihuan stood up decisively.

 

“Miss, where are you going? Can I help?” Ah-miao asked.

 

Shaking her head, Yihuan replied, “I’m heading to Tianshui Alley to do some market research.”

 

*****

 

Translators Note:- Ginger Milk Pudding