Chapter 64: First Time as Head Chef at a Wedding Banquet
With the ox cart, their speed improved drastically. When they arrived at the Jiao family’s house, the wedding procession hadn’t even set out yet. Jiao Yang was still nervously being dragged around by Xiao Luo-shi to get his groom’s attire in order, while the sedan chair and horses at the gate were being repeatedly checked by people, all terrified of even the slightest mistake.
Those helping with the wedding procession were either sitting, standing, or squatting around the Jiao household, each holding a bowl of noodles topped with the minced meat and egg sauce Wen Yao had prepared the previous day.
Boiled noodles, a scoop of savory sauce, some chopped scallions, and a spoonful of hot oil poured on top—sizzle! The aroma instantly spread, making everyone ravenous.
Despite being sedan chair carriers for years, this was the first time they’d had such a delicious breakfast. Everyone was full of praise for the Jiao family.
If even the outsiders felt that way, the Jiao family’s relatives and friends were even more impressed. They praised Xiao Luo-shi’s grandniece to the skies, and several even tried to ask her to act as a go-between to hire Wen Yao as head chef for their own future events.
Xiao Luo-shi didn’t dare make promises on Wen Yao’s behalf and casually brushed them off with vague laughs and comments until the Wen family arrived by ox cart. Only then did she drop all those conversations and rush over to welcome them.
“My dear sister, you’ve finally arrived.” Then she turned to the Wen brothers and the younger generation, quickly instructing, “You lot, go grab a bowl of noodles in the kitchen. The procession’s about to set out.”
No matter what, they couldn’t miss the auspicious hour.
Luo-shi pulled her along as they walked. “Leave them be, they’ve already eaten. Everything’s arranged, right?”
Xiao Luo-shi nodded. “Everything’s been checked. Now we’re just waiting to fetch the bride. Oh, where’s Yao Yao? Yao Yao—”
She turned and shouted.
Wen Yao handed Da Tou over to Wen Ying, instructing, “Your mission today is to keep an eye on Da Tou. Once all this is over, I’ll buy you the latest hairpin.”
Wen Ying held Da Tou’s hand and replied, “I don’t want a hairpin. I want the nine-ring puzzle you gave Da Tou.”
Wen Yao: “….” Such a proper little girl, and she didn’t like girly things—she liked boy stuff. Fortunately, Wen Yao had plenty of those; they were practically ten-for-a-dollar in her space.
“Alright, you got it.” Wen Yao nodded, and Wen Ying happily pulled Da Tou along to go play with kids from the Jiao family around their age.
Only then did Wen Yao catch up to Luo-shi and Xiao Luo-shi, following them into the back kitchen.
Though the banquet was still a ways off, it was time to start prepping so they wouldn’t fall into chaos later.
First, everything that needed steaming had to be steamed. All the vegetables for stir-frying had to be chopped fresh—cutting them the day before risked spoilage.
Luo-shi and her two daughters-in-law bustled around, assisting Wen Yao.
Those who had helped the day before already had some idea that this little girl from the Wen family was capable, but stealing her culinary secrets? Not so easy. With three “bodyguards” flanking her at all times, they couldn’t even get close.
Just as things were getting organized, the band outside began to assemble. Drums and gongs filled the air, and the wedding procession cheerfully set off to bring the bride home.
The bride was from the city, and marrying into a rural family like theirs was technically a step down. That’s why the Jiao family had gone all out—to avoid slighting their new daughter-in-law and to ensure Jiao Yang wouldn’t be looked down on by her family in the future.
Otherwise, in the past, what kind of rural wedding had such extravagance? A sedan chair and a tall horse? Even an ox cart was considered a big deal.
Wen Yao had never seen a traditional wedding before and really wanted to watch the fun. But with so much to do in the kitchen, she couldn’t get away. All she could do was look forward to Wen Ying telling her about it later.
The kitchen buzzed with activity for hours. Just after si hour (around 9 a.m.), the sound of drums and gongs echoed from the village—the bride was back.
Most of the crowd from the Jiao family ran outside to greet her, and even children like Da Tou and Wen Ying crowded around the groom on his tall horse and the bride in her sedan chair, shouting good wishes.
At moments like this, the wedding attendants would toss candy prepared by the bride’s family, throwing it all along the way.
Villagers cheered and gathered joyfully to scoop up the sweets.
Finally, right on cue, the procession entered the Jiao family’s gate before the auspicious time for the wedding ceremony.
Back in the kitchen, Wen Yao was craning her neck so hard it looked like it might snap.
“If you want to watch, go. I’ll keep an eye on things here,” Luo-shi said when she saw her like that.
Wen Yao’s eyes lit up. “Grandma, I can really go?”
Luo-shi gave her a look. “Why not? It’s your second cousin’s wedding—you’re a proper family member. But go now while there’s still time. Take a quick look and come right back. Once the ceremony ends, guests will start taking their seats, and you’ll need to be back here to cook, understand?”
Wen Yao shot off like a rocket. “Don’t worry, Grandma! Just one look!”
At the main hall, Wen Yao couldn’t squeeze in at all. All she could see were taller heads in front of her—so frustrating!
A cousin from the Jiao family spotted her hopping up and down trying to peek and said, “Come, I’ll take you in.” She dragged her through the crowd like threading a needle until they reached the front.
At that moment, the bride and groom were bowing during the ceremony.
The bride looked petite, especially standing next to the tall and broad Jiao Yang. She appeared so dainty and delicate. With the red veil covering her face, it was hard to see her clearly, but judging from her mannerisms, she seemed to be a very gentle person.
Wen Yao joined the others in cheering and clapping, grinning like a fool. When the officiant finally shouted “Ceremony complete, escort to bridal chamber,” she snapped back to reality and rushed toward the kitchen.
Time to get to work.
As soon as she returned, Luo-shi pulled her in, tied an apron around her, and handed her a spatula. Cai-shi took charge of the fires at the stoves, while Luo-shi and Li-shi each took a spatula, ready to help stir-fry.
In the end, it was the seasoning that determined the taste. As long as Wen Yao handled the key points, they were good.
“They’ve started setting the tables. Yao Yao, are you ready?” Wen Xiuyi ran in, rolling up his sleeves as he entered the kitchen.
Wen Yao stood before the stove, took a deep breath, then exhaled. Loudly, she said, “Let’s begin.”
The flames shot up, and smoke began to rise from the hot wok. With a loud sizzle, a burst of white steam surged up, instantly infusing the kitchen with the energy of fire and cooking.
Wen Yao turned into a spinning top, moving constantly between the three large woks on the stoves. Luo-shi, Li-shi, and Wen Xiuyi each manned one spatula for stir-frying, while Wen Yao managed the heat with Cai-shi and added seasonings where needed.
As the aroma of one dish after another wafted over the Jiao household, guests slowly began taking their seats.
