Pharmacist Penumbra (Draft)

Chapter 12 : Wontons

It was a light sunny day with the scent wet earth. Ying Yue was in a cocoon of gentle warmth covered by a thick winter blanket, as she prided her eyes open.

Removing the winter blanket, she felt a cold wind greet her form. She shivers in response.

Grumble, grumble.

The sound startles her, as a small movement occurs under the sheets. A small head covered with silky black locks pops out of the sheet. The little boy yawned with misty eyes, "Mama?" he draws out.

His form wobblies unsteady. As she places her hand against his body, she scoops up the tired child in her arms. He clings onto her like a climbing vine.

"Hungry..." he mumbles out. Ying Yue sighs heavily, as she grabs a cloth and wraps it around the little boy like a safety sling. Then another movement occurs, as Long Fan stretches his long body.

He blinks rapidly seeing Ying Yue and the little boy in her arms. "Good morning, Gen- Long Fan." she greets, correcting herself. He gives her a lazy smile, as a rather loud grumble is emitted. "It seems that I have two hungry people to feed," said Ying Yue.

A sharp knock breaks the tranquil silence, as both the General and Ying Yue are on high alert. Her eyes scan from one end of the room to the other looking for a place to hide. She spots a dressing panel and darts for it.

Then a young servant girl walks in. "Greetings, General Long Fan. I am here to inform you that there will be no dishes delivered to you today, but there will be fresh ingredients sent to your personal kitchen." informed the maid. As she bows and takes her leave, he stops her.

"Why is it?" he questions with a blank strong gaze.

"Apparently, that one of Consort Ming's maidservants have been food poisoned and that they are trying to find the culprit," she answered.

"Is she alright?" asked Long Fan.

"She is in a stable condition, but far from well. Excuse me, General, but I must attend to my duties." answered the maid. She bows and leaves the room of the General.

This shocks both Ying Yue and Long Fan, as she moves away from her hiding spot.

They both go to change to their respective clothes for the day. As Ying Yue adjusted the sling to make sure that the little boy slept comfortably, "Long Fan, where is your personal kitchen?" asked Ying Yue.

As he guides her to the kitchen, she sees the necessary equipment. The place was untouched, but it was clean.

She sees some flour, eggs, minced meat, various herbs and spice and lots of seasonings. Just by looking at the ingredients presented in front of her, she already knew the dish that she wanted to cook ever since she arrived at Harem. Wontons.

She sees Long Fan in her peripheral vision standing displaced and awkward int he kitchen, as she sees that she can put him to work. She simply instructs him what to do with the filling, which she turns to go make the wonton dough.

She grabs the eggs, flour and salt. Cooking has always been an outlet, where she can vent out all her frustration. It calms her down. Her arms move on instincts, as the ingredients slowly combine to make the dough. Rolling it out thinly, as she cuts with precise lines. Ready to be made into wontons.

Seeing that Long Fan is done with his part, she sets him onto another task. She instructs and demonstrates how to fold a wonton. As she is satisfied that he won't need her assistance, then she turns her attention to making the soup. She throws in the stock and various herbs and seasoning.

From the corner of her eye, she sees that Long Fan is very focused on the task at hand. His hands are large making him a bit clumsy.

The soup creates a light and fragrant which wafted gently rousing one's appetite. She pours the wontons that Long Fan had prepared into the pot of soup. As they wait a few minutes for the wontons to cook through.

A small movement indicates that the Little One is awake. "Morning, Little One. Are you ready for breakfast?" she asked in a gentle tone.

Little One nods his head in answer. After the soup is down, Long Fan carries the large pot of wonton soup and Ying Yue carries four bowls and spoons. They arrive to a small dining area in the General living quarters.

A soft thump as the pot is placed onto the table, she set four bowls. Confused at the incorrect amount of bowl, "Why have you brought more bowls then necessary?" he asks.

"I think you should ask our guest." stated Ying Yue.

Two figures sheepishly remove themselves from behind a rice paper door. Ming Su and a very lanky but scholar like man, as they tremble under the terrifying scrutinizing gaze of the General. Ying Yue was oblivious to this.

"Come and sit with us. I doubt that we can finish this entire pot by ourselves." stated Ying Yue, as she scooped portions of the wonton soup for all the men.

She blows gently onto a wonton to cool it down. The Little One opens his mouth in hungry anticipation, as he chews into the warm delicious wonton. Focused on the task at hand, as she focuses wholeheartedly on the Little One. Long Fan sighs, "Hey kid. Let Ying Yue eat her portion of the meal before these two finish the entire pot by themselves." addressed Long Fan catching the two men gobbling down the wonton like they have never seen food.

They stop the movement of their spoon in guilt, as they offer the rest of the soup to Ying Yue. There isn't much left, but to Ying Yue, it's enough.

She downs the rest of the soup, as she carries the pot and bowls and wedges it into her side. Walking to a well, as she splashes frigid water to wash the item and hands them back to Long Fan to return. "Thank you for helping me last night, Long Fan, but I must return to my duties," she states and walks off to the Pearl Palace.

The scholar-like man walks up to Long Fan. "Is this the woman that Ming Su has been talking about?" asked the man cheekily.

"It is none of your business, your Majesty." grunted out Long Fan with a dark expression. The man coughs violently, as he coughs blood. "You're Majesty!" yelled out Long Fan, as he holds a firm grip to steady the sickly pale man.