Chapter 29: Hundred-Year Wild Ginseng Chicken Soup

Today was the day the Imperial Examination ended. Early in the morning, Su Mingyue had the cook prepare a pot of chicken soup.

This chicken soup was made with the hundred-year-old wild ginseng from Master Su’s personal collection.

The cook trembled as she received the wild ginseng. “Miss, this might not be a good idea. What if the master finds out…”

Cui Cui, standing nearby, also tried to advise her. “Miss, please reconsider.”

What kind of spell had the miss been put under? If the master finds out, no one will escape unscathed.

But Su Mingyue showed no sign of backing down. She waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine, just make the soup. If anything happens, I’ll take the responsibility. What are you all worried about?”

Anyone would know that the imperial examination was one of the most grueling experiences. Those with frail bodies sometimes didn’t make it through the exam without ill effects.

Shen Lang didn’t seem to be in the best health, and after several days of exam, how could his body, nourished by nothing but porridge and simple meals, hold up?

What if he fell ill?

Thinking of this, Su Mingyue shuddered. If that happened, she’d have to live a widow’s life early, and that couldn’t be allowed!

So in the end, Su Mingyue decided to make him some chicken soup to restore his vitality!

Originally, she wanted to cook the soup herself today, but after thinking about it, she realized she had hardly cooked since she was born. So, she stopped herself from acting on this foolish impulse.

It was better not to make trouble at a time like this…

Thus, the difficult task was handed over to the cook.

Su Mingyue, as the top of the family hierarchy, had made her decision, so the cook naturally didn’t dare to refuse.

As the cook prepared the soup, her heart bled.

Only the master could afford to do such a thing. If anyone else were in charge, they’d never be able to support the miss like this…

What was being stewed in this pot was not chicken soup; it was nothing less than white silver…

She believed that with the wild ginseng’s added essence, every drop of water in the pot could easily be worth a tael of silver.

Su Mingyue watched the cook’s movements and couldn’t help but nod in approval.

This truly was soup made with hundred-year-old wild ginseng.

The persistent fragrance filled the courtyard, wafting through the air, many times more aromatic than any soup they had ever made!

Once the chicken soup was ready, Su Mingyue carefully packed it up and was about to head out.

But as she passed through the front hall, she was spotted by Master Su.

“Minyue, where are you going?”

Su Mingyue, feeling guilty, turned around. “Father, don’t you know today is the day of the exam?”

“I know, but what does that have to do with you leaving?” Master Su was confused. “And I was just about to ask, what is that fragrant thing you’re carrying?”

“How does it not have anything to do with it? Maybe your future son-in-law is out there!” Su Mingyue replied, a little disgruntled, though she didn’t dare to mention what was inside the basket.

Master Su: “…”

Is this daughter planning to marry someone who isn’t even learned?

Seeing her attitude, he didn’t know if she was planning to catch her own husband in person…

“Daughter, listen to me. That’s not the trend anymore.”

“Back in the day, it was the father who went to catch the Son-in-law, and they were looking for top scholars and flower candidates. But here, it seems you’re the one going, and not even after a major scholar…”

Wait a minute, nowadays they’re not even looking for a scholar…

If she wanted a scholar, she should have said so earlier. The best suitors he had picked for her were at least Jinshi-level.

If she’s fine with a Xiucai, he could actually find a few options.

But the problem had been that their family was a little poor, and his daughter would have to live a tough life after marriage. He had no interest in that.

“Father, what are you thinking?”

Su Mingyue could tell from her father’s expression that he was imagining something inappropriate.

Fuming, she stomped her foot. How could a young lady like her be that bold?

Catch a husband? Impossible!

Of course…

If it were Shen Lang, then she could go personally to catch her husband under the rankings…

“I didn’t say anything. You’re the one thinking too much.” Master Su tried to defend himself, but his next words betrayed him, “Daughter, if you are going to catch a husband, it should be the number one on the list. Forget about the others.”

Their county was so small, and he had already looked into it. He truly looked down on them!

Su Mingyue: “…”

So he still doesn’t believe that she isn’t going to catch a husband…

But since they had already gotten to this point, Su Mingyue couldn’t help but reply, “Father, your standards are so high. You insist on the top scorer. I think Xiucai is already good enough.”

Although she had absolute confidence in Shen Lang, she still didn’t dare to dream of the top scorer.

After all, Shen Lang’s best rank in the school was just third.

She needed to make things clear to her father and get ahead of things, like preparing a preventive measure.

Master Su was slightly stunned upon hearing this. Could it be that his daughter was really desperate to get married?

Is that what her standards had lowered to?

Does she really just want a scholar???

Before he could think further, Steward Li rushed over, flustered. “Master, master, this is bad! The miss has made chicken soup with your hundred-year-old wild ginseng!”

Master Su: “…”

A menacing gaze shifted toward the scene.

Was he hearing things? Wild ginseng chicken soup??

Had he misheard…

Su Mingyue immediately realized the mistake she made, thinking she hadn’t even left before being caught…

Seeing her father’s increasingly twisted expression, she immediately put down the food box and gave him a smile full of flattery.

“Father, please listen to my explanation, I mean, my excuse. I saw you’ve been working so hard with business lately, so I thought I’d have the cook make you some chicken soup to help you recuperate.”

Upon hearing this, Master Su’s expression softened a little.

Su Mingyue decided to press on.

She then lifted her sleeve and gently wiped her eyes, which had no tears, and said, “I’ve never had a mother since I was little, and I don’t want you to leave me so early…”

Master Su’s heart completely melted. Truly, she was his thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket, so concerned about his health.

That wild ginseng stew was certainly worth it. If needed, he could always acquire more.

After all, money could never compare to the sincerity of a daughter.

He waved his hand and scolded Steward Li, “What’s all this fuss? It’s just that the my daughter stewed a wild ginseng root. That root is lucky!”

Steward Li: “…”

You didn’t say that before.

Who told him to make sure that the wild ginseng was properly stored, lest the miss play with it and ruin it?

Now, the miss directly stewed it, and you don’t have a word to say.

He never realized his master had two faces like this!

“Father, stop blaming Steward Li, it’s all my fault.” Su Mingyue seized the opportunity to flatter him.

“Alright, alright, our Mingyue is just kind-hearted. Father will listen to Mingyue.” Master Su now thought nothing was more important than his daughter.

Indeed, in this family, only his daughter truly cared for him.

“Then, Father, remember to go to the kitchen for the soup.”

“Alright, I’ll go now.” Master Su excitedly stood up.

Su Mingyue thought for a moment and then continued, “Father, wait! I didn’t use all the ginseng, I’ve left a big portion, and I’ll stew it for you again later.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you. Whenever you want to stew it, stew it.”

Master Su smiled and nodded, happy as long as his daughter was happy.

Su Mingyue happily touched the hairpin on her head. Very good, the plan was a success!

After all, Shen Lang still had more exams to take, and the rest of the wild ginseng could wait until then. She would stew it for him when he had another exam.

This was a stroke of luck, and now that she had paved the way for her father, next time she wouldn’t need to be so cautious.

Hehe, she really was a clever little thing!

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but glance smugly at Cui Cui, as if to say, “See how smart your young lady is!”

Cui Cui, standing aside, turned her head away, truly unable to look.

Miss, doesn’t your conscience hurt?