Chapter 34: Hawthorn Jelly – How Do You Get to the Prince Qi’s Mansion?

 

Yihuan scrambled out of bed.

 

“The people from Prince Qi’s Mansion?”

 

Ah-miao nodded. “Yes, they’ve sent several people… Miss, you’d better go take a look!”

 

Yihuan quickly tidied herself and soon made her way downstairs.

 

In the first-floor hall of the Shengjing Dessert Shop, a group of burly men stood waiting.

 

Some were armed with swords, while others carried large crates on their backs. They looked around curiously, with one even inspecting the snacks displayed on the shelves.

 

Yihuan caught sight of one man, who looked somewhat familiar.

 

He bore a striking resemblance to Cheng Lingwei, but his expression was softer, with a scholarly air and a hint of youthfulness.

 

Yihuan opened her mouth to greet him but hesitated, unsure how to address him.

 

The man spoke first. “Greetings, Miss Yihuan.”

 

At his words, the others turned in unison and respectfully greeted her as well.

 

Yihuan was momentarily taken aback. “And you are?”

 

The man smiled gently. “I am Cheng Lingyun, Liu Shizi’s personal guard. You may know my elder brother, Cheng Lingwei.”

 

Yihuan immediately understood. “Ah, so you’re Brother Cheng’s younger brother… Then I’ll also call you Brother Cheng.”

 

Cheng Lingyun nodded. “As you wish, Miss Yihuan.”

 

He smiled easily, giving off a much more approachable vibe than his stern elder brother.

 

Behind Cheng Lingyun stood several large men carrying different boxes. They silently observed Yihuan, their gazes making her feel slightly uneasy.

 

Perplexed, Yihuan asked, “Brother Cheng, what brings you to the shop so early in the morning? Did Shizi have any instructions for me?”

 

Cheng Lingyun chuckled. “Indeed, there is a matter. These gentlemen are repair craftsmen from our Mansion.”

 

As he spoke, one of the burly men stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Yihuan. “Miss Yihuan, Shizi sent us to check if your shop needs any repairs, to prevent future leaks or hazards.”

 

Yihuan was caught completely off guard, her face filled with surprise.

 

She turned to Ah-miao, who looked equally astonished, her jaw nearly dropping.

 

Ah-miao stammered, “R-repair our shop?”

 

She had slept soundly through the night and had no idea about the rainwater seeping into Yihuan’s room.

 

“That’s right. The Shizi said the Shengjing Dessert Shop was nearly blown over by the wind last night, so we came immediately to take a look.”

 

Yihuan: “…”

 

Cheng Lingyun smiled warmly. “Our Shizi does enjoy joking around, Miss Yihuan. Please don’t mind him.”

 

Yihuan forced a laugh, then said, “Well, thank you to the Shizi… Please follow me upstairs, gentlemen.”

 

With that, she led the three craftsmen to the second floor.

 

In the hall, Cheng Lingyun remained with Ah-miao.

 

Ah-miao quickly offered, “Brother Cheng, please have a seat. You must not have had breakfast this early—I’ll prepare some for you.”

 

Cheng Lingyun smiled and didn’t refuse, his delicate features lighting up with a gracious expression. “Thank you, Miss.”

 

His gentle tone made him pleasant to listen to, putting Ah-miao at ease.

 

She nodded and hurried off to prepare some food.

 

By the time Yihuan came back downstairs, Cheng Lingyun was already enjoying a donut.

 

He sat gracefully on a bench, taking a measured bite of the donut and savoring it carefully—a stark contrast to his elder brother’s more reserved demeanor during past visits.

 

Seeing him so relaxed, Yihuan casually asked, “Brother Cheng, does the donut suit your taste?”

 

Cheng Lingyun didn’t hold back his praise. “It’s excellent! I’ve heard from my elder brother about the many delicious treats at the Shengjing Dessert Shop. I’ve always wanted to visit, and now that I’m here, it truly lives up to its reputation.”

 

Cheng Lingyun had long heard about the shop’s unique offerings from Cheng Lingwei. He had been eager to visit, but the Shizi always brought his elder brother along instead.

 

Today, having seized the opportunity, he was determined to savor the experience fully.

 

Yihuan, flustered by his earnest compliments, replied modestly, “Brother Cheng flatters me. These are just ordinary snacks, nothing extraordinary.”

 

“Miss Yihuan, you’re too humble. These treats can’t even be made by the cooks in the Prince Qi’s Mansion… No wonder Shizi keeps coming back.”

 

Hearing this, Yihuan smiled faintly. “Shizi probably just finds them novel.”

 

Cheng Lingyun chuckled softly, not refuting her.

 

As he continued eating the donut, a bit of powdered sugar clung to his lips. He gracefully pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it away with elegance.

 

He smiled with ease, openly displaying his pleasure, which made Ah-miao—hiding behind the counter—unable to resist sneaking a few glances at him.

 

Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Yihuan chuckled. “Brother Cheng, would you like to try something else?”

 

Cheng Lingyun, without hesitation, grinned. “Sure, thank you.”

 

Unlike the reserved and serious Cheng Lingwei, Cheng Lingyun appeared much more at ease.

 

Yihuan picked out some of the shop’s best-selling treats and placed them in front of him.

 

Cheng Lingyun accepted them all with a smile and began chatting with her.

 

Cheng Lingyun remarked, “It’s no wonder the Shizi came to visit yesterday. If I were feeling low, I’d also want to come here, eat something delicious, and ease my troubles.”

 

Curious at his words, Yihuan asked, “What happened to the Shizi?”

 

Cheng Lingyun looked up and asked, “He didn’t tell you?”

 

Yihuan’s brows furrowed slightly. Liu Hexiao hadn’t said much yesterday, though his gloomy demeanor and absent-mindedness had been apparent.

 

She shook her head.

 

After a brief hesitation, Cheng Lingyun explained, “Yesterday was the anniversary of the Princess Consort’s death.”

 

Yihuan paused.

 

Noticing her expression, Cheng Lingyun continued, “After visiting the Princess Consort’s resting place, the Shizi didn’t return to the Mansion… He said he wanted to be alone, which caused us quite a bit of trouble finding him.”

 

He took another bite of food and added, “Later, around midnight, we saw him return, drenched from head to toe. That’s when we learned he’d been here, at the Shengjing Dessert Shop.”

 

So that’s how it was.

 

No wonder Liu Hexiao had seemed so melancholic and sorrowful yesterday—it was because of his mother.

 

In a low voice, Yihuan asked, “The Shizi and the Princess Consort must have been very close?”

 

Cheng Lingyun swallowed his food and replied, “Indeed. The Prince often campaigned across the land, so the Shizi grew up spending most of his time with the Princess Consort. She was the kindest of people and loved cooking. Back when she was alive, many noble families envied the Shizi for having such a wonderful mother.”

 

Hearing this, Yihuan felt a tinge of pity. “What a great loss.”

 

Cheng Lingyun sighed. “It truly was. After the Princess Consort passed away, Shizi was sent to live with the Old Madam. Though she adored him, the Old Madam didn’t cook for him like his mother did.”

 

Yihuan nodded. “Food made by others can never compare to a mother’s cooking.”

 

“Exactly,” Cheng Lingyun agreed. “Over time, the Shizi developed a habit of seeking out good food. If you mention any special dish in Shengjing, there’s no way Shizi wouldn’t know about it. Now that your dessert shop has caught his attention, if he spreads the word, you’ll likely have nobles flocking here in droves.”

 

Yihuan nodded slightly. She had experienced this phenomenon before—after all, it was Liu Hexiao’s offhanded remark that had popularized their hand-ground coffee.

 

However, recalling Liu Hexiao’s haughty mannerisms, she commented, “But asking the Shizi to help promote the shop? That’s probably as difficult as climbing to the heavens…”

 

Cheng Lingyun shook his head with a faint smile. “Miss Yihuan, perhaps you don’t fully understand the Shizi. Though he appears aloof and proud, he’s actually a soft-hearted person.”

 

He met Yihuan’s eyes and smiled knowingly, a hint of playfulness in his expression.

 

Yihuan caught his gaze and felt it was somewhat strange.

 

“Brother Cheng, don’t you think it’s a bit too forward to speak so openly with someone you’ve just met?”

 

Cheng Lingyun laughed nonchalantly. “Just casual conversation, Miss. Don’t take it too seriously.”

 

Yihuan returned a polite smile.

 

After a short while, the three craftsmen came downstairs. The lead craftsman bowed and said, “Miss Yihuan, we’ve inspected and repaired the roof, windows, and door frames upstairs.”

 

Yihuan smiled gratefully. “Thank you, gentlemen.”

 

She then took out a prepared box of snacks and said, “This is just a small token of appreciation. Please don’t find it lacking…”

 

The lead craftsman quickly waved his hands. “Oh no, no, we’re here on the Shizi’s orders. We can’t accept gifts from you.”

 

Yihuan insisted. “The Shizi’s thoughtfulness is much appreciated, but this box is for you gentlemen.” She then pointed to another box and added, “And this one is for Brother Cheng to bring back to the Shizi as a token of my gratitude.”

 

After all, Liu Hexiao had helped fix her window last night and even sent people today to handle the follow-up. Both logic and emotion called for a gesture of thanks.

 

Cheng Lingyun hesitated for a moment but didn’t take the box.

 

He looked at her with a faint hint of worry and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss Yihuan… but I doubt the Shizi will be eating much in the next few days.”

 

Yihuan froze. “Why?”

 

Cheng Lingyun met her eyes for a moment before replying, “After returning last night… the Shizi had a high fever.”

 

Yihuan stood in place, stunned. “How is he now?”

 

“My elder brother is with him, but I’m not sure of his condition. However, the Shizi’s first action upon waking this morning was to arrange for us to come repair your shop. So, he must still be well.” Cheng Lingyun’s words were concise, but they stirred a ripple of emotion in Yihuan’s heart.

 

Seeing Yihuan lost in thought, Cheng Lingyun felt his message had been delivered. He stood and excused himself.

 

“Miss Yihuan, it’s getting late. I must return to report to the Shizi. I won’t disturb you further.”

 

Yihuan forced a smile. “Alright, I’ll see you off, Brother Cheng.”

 

Cheng Lingyun smiled. “No need to trouble yourself… Oh, and the Shizi asked me to tell you he likely won’t be visiting for the next few days.”

 

Yihuan lowered her lashes slightly and offered a faint smile. “I hope the Shizi recovers soon.”

 

Cheng Lingyun gave a slight bow before leading his men out of the Shengjing Dessert Shop. They took only one box of snacks.

 

Yihuan held the box of uneaten treats and felt a vague sense of loss.

 

She frowned slightly. How did he end up falling ill? Wasn’t he supposed to be strong and fit, brimming with energy when scolding others…?

 

But as she recalled that his illness was likely because of her, an uneasy guilt began to settle in her heart.

 

Outside the Shengjing Dessert Shop, the repairmen eagerly opened the box of treats and quickly divided them among themselves.

 

“I’ve heard so much about how good the desserts here are, and it’s true!”

 

“No wonder the Shizi keeps coming back.”

 

“Keep your voice down! Aren’t you afraid the Shizi will hear you and call you out?”

 

The group ate while chatting away, stealing moments to exchange gossip.

 

Cheng Lingyun watched them and couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re all so lively now, but earlier, why were you acting so stiff?”

 

The head craftsman grinned sheepishly. “That Miss Yihuan seems to have caught the Shizi’s eye. If she becomes someone important in the future… naturally, we wouldn’t dare overstep.”

 

Another worker snorted. “How’s that possible? Miss Yihuan might be beautiful and kind, but she’s of low birth. How could she ever enter the Prince’s Mansion?”

 

A third worker, eating quickly, immediately objected. “And so what if she’s of low birth? If the Shizi likes her, why wouldn’t she be allowed in? Look at Miss Lu—she’s been infatuated with the Shizi for years. She’s the niece of the secondary consort, and her Lu family is also powerful, yet the Shizi pays her no mind!”

 

The head craftsman, noticing the argument brewing, intervened. “Alright, enough. Who are you to gossip about the Shizi’s affairs!?”

 

The two workers fell silent at their leader’s reprimand.

 

Cheng Lingyun chuckled lightly. “Master Fan, your words are always effective.”

 

Master Fan scratched his head, embarrassed. “You flatter me, Master Cheng.” After a moment of thought, he asked, “But, Master Cheng, why did you tell Miss Yihuan about the Shizi’s illness? Didn’t the Shizi specifically forbid us from informing her?”

 

Cheng Lingyun smiled and replied with confidence, “You all know how the Shizi is—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. If we’d followed his instructions and kept Miss Yihuan in the dark, how would she feel even a sliver of concern for him?”

 

Master Fan froze, then suddenly understood.

 

—

 

Yihuan stirred the soup in the pot with a spoon, her thoughts wandering.

 

The kitchen was filled with a faintly sweet aroma, and the translucent peach gum in the pot had been simmering for hours.

 

The Benjing Fengyuan medical text records: “Peach gum from the peach tree promotes fluid circulation, cures blood-related disorders, and can treat deep-set acne and burns when used in ointments.” 

 

In modern times, some claimed consuming peach gum replenished collagen, though such claims were unverified. Still, its texture and unique taste when used in desserts were undeniably appealing. 

 

Setting the spoon down, Yihuan began preparing the lotus seeds.

 

The dried white lotus seeds had been soaking overnight. Their outer skins had loosened and could be peeled off with a gentle rub.

 

Each seed was plump and tender to the touch. A light press confirmed they had softened just enough.

 

With a slight twist, the seeds split in two, revealing the pale green cores within. Yihuan removed the cores, placing the white lotus flesh into a bowl.

 

On a whim, she popped a lotus core into her mouth. The intense bitterness caught her off guard, making her grimace.

 

After the bitterness subsided, a faint astringency lingered on her tongue. As she grew accustomed to the taste, she noticed a subtle, refreshing clarity in it.

 

Despite the bitterness, the lotus cores didn’t seem entirely unpleasant.

 

Continuing to peel the seeds, Yihuan occasionally glanced at the fire under the pot.

 

Once she had prepared a small bowl of lotus seeds, the peach gum in the pot had thickened to perfection.

 

Stirring the dessert absentmindedly, Yihuan’s thoughts wandered.

 

I wonder how serious Liu Hexiao’s illness is… If he recovers, will he come looking for trouble again? 

 

Well, let him come. Better that than staying sick. 

 

Yihuan scolded herself inwardly. Since when have I become so soft-hearted?

 

She reminded herself of her goal: to run the dessert shop well and ensure a good life for her younger brother and Ah-miao. 

 

What business do I have worrying about Liu Hexiao? He’s the Shizi of the Prince Qi’s Mansion—what could he possibly need from me? 

 

Resolving her thoughts, Yihuan grabbed a handful of the glossy white lotus flesh and decisively added it to the pot.

 

She picked up the ladle to stir but quickly pulled her hand back—it was scalding hot.

 

The ladle, having been close to the flame for too long, had become hot to the touch.

 

Looking at her slightly reddened fingers, Yihuan suddenly paused.

 

She remembered a similar moment at Shuiyue Courtyard, when she had burned herself while making caramel pudding. Someone had immediately grabbed her hand and pressed it into cold water.

 

That hand had been long and strong, with prominent knuckles—strikingly elegant.

 

Their hands had intertwined in the cold water, but she could still feel his warm palm.

 

At the time, Liu Hexiao had frowned and said, “It’s already so red, and you still say it’s fine?” 

 

Then, in his usual haughty tone, he added, “So clumsy.” 

 

He seemed to always be such a contradictory person. 

 

Sometimes reckless and defiant, charging headlong into things. 

 

Sometimes cunning and mischievous, yet simple and gentle. 

 

Unbidden, Yihuan thought of his captivating peach-blossom-shaped eyes. The pupils were dark as the night, while the outer corners tilted upward ever so slightly. A casual glance from them was enough to exude an indescribable charm. 

 

Sucking on her burned finger, Yihuan felt an inexplicable emptiness in her chest.

 

At that moment, Ah-miao lifted the curtain and entered. “Miss, has Miss Hongyu’s sweet soup finished simmering?”

 

Yihuan quickly gathered her thoughts and murmured, “It’s almost ready. You can go ahead and prepare the other snacks.”

 

Ah-miao nodded. “The milk tea and pearls you cooked are ready. I’ve placed the pearls in a separate bowl as you instructed, so they can be added to the milk tea upon serving.”

 

Yihuan nodded approvingly. “Good. If any of the ladies particularly enjoy the pearls, feel free to add extra for them.”

 

If even Liu Hexiao couldn’t resist the pearls, the ladies will surely love them even more.

 

Yihuan ladled the peach gum and lotus seed dessert into a serving bowl. The translucent, glistening mixture sparkled invitingly under the light.

 

After inspecting all the snacks one last time, she handed them to Ah-miao.

 

Ah-miao took the food box and was about to leave for Qianjiao Pavilion when she noticed the thoughtful look on Yihuan’s face.

 

“Miss, what’s on your mind?”

 

Yihuan replied softly, “Nothing… I was just thinking about making something else…” She avoided Ah-miao’s gaze, her eyes drifting elsewhere.

 

Ah-miao tilted her head curiously. “But isn’t everything ready? The pearl milk tea and Miss Hongyu’s peach gum and lotus seed dessert are both done.”

[peach gum and lotus seed dessert]

 

 

 

Yihuan hesitated. “I heard the Shizi has a fever… He might not have much of an appetite. Actually, he’s helped us a lot. I was considering making something light to send to him.”

 

Ah-miao frowned. “But, Miss… If you deliver food to the Shizi yourself and word gets out, people might start gossiping again.”

 

Yihuan smiled faintly. “It’s alright. I’ll just drop it off at the gate and leave. No one will see.”

 

Unable to dissuade her, Ah-miao sighed and headed off to deliver the desserts to Qianjiao Pavilion.

 

—

 

After Ah-miao left, Yihuan took out a batch of freshly delivered hawthorns.

 

Each hawthorn was perfectly round and crimson red.

 

She gently touched one, then brought it close to her nose. Its faintly tart aroma was refreshing and invigorating.

 

Yihuan tipped the basket of hawthorns into a basin of clear water.

 

The bright red fruits floated together in clusters, looking almost picturesque.

 

Washing hawthorns wasn’t easy. After scrubbing their dusty surfaces, she found some residue stubbornly clinging to them. She added a spoonful of salt to the water.

 

Soaking the hawthorns in salt water made cleaning effortless, and soon, each fruit emerged smooth and gleaming.

 

Taking a small knife, Yihuan carefully removed the stems from the bottom of each hawthorn.

 

She worked with patience, meticulously cleaning every fruit. They looked like cheerful little red balls, split open as if smiling.

 

The washed hawthorns were placed in a pot with just enough water to cover them.

 

As the water gradually heated, the red fruits clustered together, their skins beginning to split. The clear water turned a delicate pink, slowly deepening in color.

 

The cracked red skins clung to the soft flesh beneath, creating a unique and charming appearance.

 

Once cooked, the hawthorns were transferred to a bowl of cold water.

 

The fruits, like playful marbles, plunged into the water and bobbed back to the surface.

 

The liquid from the boiled hawthorns, now a vibrant red with a mild tart aroma, was set aside to cool.

 

Yihuan returned to the bowl of hawthorns, now softened from soaking. With a gentle pinch, she easily removed the seeds.

 

She carefully extracted the fibrous strings within the fruit, knowing they could ruin the smooth texture of hawthorn jelly.

 

Focused, Yihuan worked meticulously to separate the flesh from the rest of the fruit. Once done, she placed the pulp into a mortar and began grinding it with a pestle.

 

In this era, there were no blenders. Achieving a smooth texture required painstaking effort, mashing the pulp bit by bit to separate the fibers.

 

After a few presses, she added some of the reserved hawthorn water and resumed grinding with a steady rhythm.

 

After about 10-15 minutes, the hawthorn pulp was finally smooth. Yihuan’s wrist ached slightly from the effort.

 

Lifting a small portion to inspect, she found the hawthorn puree a rich, vibrant red—soft and inviting, with no trace of harshness.

 

Switching to an earthenware pot, she poured the puree in to simmer over low heat. (Cooking in an iron pot would leave an unpleasant metallic taste.) 

 

As the hawthorn puree cooked, it became silkier and bubbled gently.

 

Yihuan added a generous amount of white sugar, stirring it in until the mixture smoothed out further, resembling a calm lake rippling under her spoon.

 

The sugar was crucial—too little, and the hawthorn jelly wouldn’t set properly.

 

She mused to herself about the cost of making the jelly. White sugar was quite expensive, especially the high-quality variety sold at Qingmu Zhai.

 

The ratio of hawthorn to sugar was roughly 1:2. While working, Yihuan joked internally: If I eat all this hawthorn jelly, I’ll probably gain a couple of pounds!

 

Once the puree was ready, she lined a square mold with oil to prevent sticking and poured the mixture in.

 

As the hawthorn puree cooled, it began to set slightly. Yihuan carefully smoothed the surface with a brush, then tapped the mold lightly to release any trapped air bubbles.

 

The hawthorn jelly, now firm and glossy, resembled a red gem in the mold.

 

She placed it in the ice cellar, where it needed to chill for at least an hour to fully solidify.

 

While waiting, Yihuan reviewed the shop’s recent accounts.

 

The ladies of Qianjiao Pavilion contributed about one-third of the shop’s daily revenue. Yet, only half of the pavilion’s residents had purchased snacks so far.

 

Why haven’t the others? Yihuan wondered. Do they not like sweets, or is there another reason?

 

Resolving to investigate further, she turned her attention back to the hawthorn jelly.

 

Once it had set, she unmolded it and used a damp knife to slice it into neat pieces.

 

The red hawthorn jelly, soft and jiggly like a dessert pudding, gave off a refreshing sweet-and-sour aroma.

 

[hawthorn jelly]

 

She arranged the slices carefully in a food basket and prepared to leave.

 

Stepping out onto Changming Street, Yihuan froze for a moment.

 

How exactly do you get to the Prince Qi’s Mansion?

 

*****

 

Translators Note:- hawthorn jelly:-

 

 

Peach gum and lotus seed dessert:–