Exquisite Craftsmanship

Lian Baiping took only a few words' worth of time to obtain a handful of dried vegetables from the Chen family, then returned to Ju'an Pavilion in less than half a teacup's time. After exchanging greetings with the others in the courtyard, he personally delivered them to the kitchen door.

"Mister Ji, the dried vegetables have been brought over. Just one handful, exactly."

"Mm, good. Bring them in."

"Yes!"

Lian Baiping lightly shook his sleeve, spilling all the dried vegetables from within it. He caught them gently in his hands and entered the kitchen.

Ju'an Pavilion's kitchen had only one door and one small window, yet it did not seem dim inside. Ji Yuan was chopping seasonings on the Cutting Board beside the stove, while the flames in the Earthen Stove kept dancing.

"Sir, the dried vegetables."

"Mm, put them in this Wooden Basin and spread them evenly."

Lian Baiping looked at the moderately sized Wooden Basin on the small wooden table. A layer of light gauze had been laid inside it, and it seemed just large enough to fit an entire fish.

Following Ji Yuan's instructions, Lian Baiping evenly spread out the handful of dried vegetables. Then he watched Ji Yuan sprinkle the chopped ingredients over them, place the remaining chunks of fish into the basin, and tuck dried vegetables into the gaps between the fish meat.

"Back when I was traveling by boat on the Chunmu River, a fisherman once made Steamed Fish with Dried Vegetables. Decades have passed, yet Ji still cannot forget it."

"Then we are in for a treat today, to have you personally cook this dish, sir!"

Ji Yuan lifted the Wooden Basin and set it atop the pot, which had been fitted with a steamer. He covered it with the steamer lid, then