Chapter 108: Ancient medicated diet

Early in the morning, as the sun’s rays broke through the clouds and illuminated the bright blue sky, Lin Feng stood in front of the stove in the large kitchen of the Bai family’s main residence.

He wore a comfortable hanfu-style outfit with a dark brown apron tied around his neck and waist.

Ever since wearing the comfortable hanfu on the first day of Qingming, Lin Feng had developed a liking for traditional clothing. It was completely different from the stiff brocade hanfu he had worn during the Bohai Spring Festival.

Others thought it was simply a passing novelty or a personal preference, but Lin Feng knew he was drawn to these clothes because he was more accustomed to wearing them.

Fortunately, although the wardrobe Designer Lin had prepared for him consisted mostly of three core styles—chic, romantic, and bohemian—which she said best suited his color palette and aesthetic preferences, it also contained plenty of traditional-inspired clothing featuring mandarin collars, frog buttons, layered robes, and cross-collars.

What Lin Feng wore today was an actual cross-collar hanfu robe in the style of the Ming dynasty. It had loose sleeves with the cuffs tapered at the wrist, making it easy for him to cook and water the plants without worrying about getting his sleeves dirty.

After meeting the elders of the Lin and Bai families and paying his respects at Mother Lin’s grave, Lin Feng felt as though another weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

His mood had improved considerably.

He was especially happy when he remembered that he would likely see a certain man he had sorely missed over the past half month at tomorrow’s banquet.

The boy’s amber eyes seemed to shimmer with liquid light as he smiled gently and stirred the ceramic pot.

The middle-aged chef glanced at the pot.

"Third Young Master, it’s been simmering for almost three hours. Is it nearly done?"

The previous soups had been ready after just two hours. This one was taking longer.

Since the beginning of the Qingming period, the beautiful young master had been waking up early every morning to prepare these soups for the Old Master and the others without fail.

The servants felt a little sorry for him having to get up so early and prepare everything himself, but they were also touched by his filial piety.

"Fire and water must achieve harmony," Lin Feng explained. He waved a hand over the pot, guiding some of the steam toward his nose before inhaling gently. "The best way to prepare this longevity broth is to use the traditional slow-cooking method, the ’old fire double stew’. Rather than letting it boil vigorously, you simmer it gently in a double boiler for two or three hours."

"Since Grandpa is already advanced in age, we must pay special attention to nourishing his liver and spleen. Two hours over gentle heat allow the ingredients to release their essence, making the broth easier for Grandpa’s delicate stomach to absorb."

Lin Feng then skimmed off another small piece of scum and fat floating on the surface, leaving the soup as clear as spring water.

"If you leave even a single drop of fat floating on the surface, it can breed phlegm and obstruct qi, so they must all be removed as soon as they come up."

The middle-aged chef, Aunt Lihua, listened attentively.

She didn’t mind that the third young master was younger than her. These ancient recipes and tips for preparing medicinal dishes were things she had never learned before, and she was delighted to absorb as much knowledge as she could.

She already knew a few things, but hearing them explained so poetically gave her a fresh perspective.

Phrases such as ’ginger protects the stomach from cold herbs while dates masks bitter medicine with natural sweetness’. Also, ’extreme flavors destroy the five organs’, ’flavors must be mild, medicine must be balanced’ and ’salt is added only at the final breath of cooking, and only a pinch’.

Just listen to them, they sounded all so impressive.

She imagined herself standing in front of her apprentices, with one hand on her back and another brandishing her sleeve, saying these words like a wise sage.

How impressive was that!

"Third Young Master is truly knowledgeable!" she praised again.

Aunt Lihua was a tall, portly woman from the north with a loud, boisterous voice and an unrestrained personality. Every word she said boomed with energy and sounded very sincere.

Lin Feng smiled a little shyly.

He did not know how much longer he would be staying at the Bai family’s residence, so he wanted to teach the chef these ancient recipes to help maintain the family’s health, especially that of Grandpa Bai, who was already advanced in age.

Finally, when the aroma of red dates and warm herbs had infused the steam, Lin Feng added a pinch of salt and turned off the heat. He stirred the broth gently before pouring a little into a spoon to taste.

It was perfect. It was neither bland nor bitter from the medicinal herbs.

The herbs blended harmoniously with the natural umami of the ingredients, while the gelatin released during cooking gave the broth a rich, silky texture that lingered on the tongue. The clear soup was best enjoyed slowly, allowing people to savor its delicate flavors.

Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction, then asked the servants to serve the soup while he removed his apron.

Grandpa Bai, Uncle Tingyu, and Aunt Ranmiao had just woken up and were still moving about sluggishly.

As members of the main branch of a large clan, they had been extremely busy with family affairs throughout the Qingming period. Now that they had finally had a chance to relax, they had slept in and were leisurely making their way downstairs.

According to family tradition, they would spend the day after Qingming resting at home before returning to their usual routines.

At this time last year, they would have been exhausted and visibly thinner. This year, however, they had a precious treasure at home who had painstakingly prepared medicinal soups for them every morning throughout the Qingming period.

Not only had they avoided losing weight, but they even seemed to be glowing with a healthy luster.

Wen Ranmiao was especially delighted when she looked in the mirror and noticed how smooth and radiant her skin had become.

She looked a few years younger!

The ancient medicinal diet recipes her nephew had discovered really were effective!

Instantly, all kinds of business opportunities flashed through Wen Ranmiao’s mind, but she quickly suppressed them.

After all, the recipes weren’t hers.

Still, she planned to ask Lin Feng about them once tomorrow’s banquet was over.

When the three elders went downstairs for breakfast, they were told that Lin Feng had already prepared everything in the small garden pavilion at the back of the residence.

The three of them therefore made their way leisurely toward the back garden, thinking it would be a nice chance to enjoy spring.

"Hmm?" Wen Ranmiao suddenly paused.

The others stopped as well.

The servants weren’t surprised.

Even they, who tended to the garden by sweeping up fallen blossoms and leaves and performing other routine tasks, were astonished by its appearance every time they came here.