nucmednet Chapter 148 Appreciation for both refined and popular tastes
Chapter 148 Appreciation for both refined and popular tastes
After handing over the food to be delivered to Ji Mansion to Qi Zhonghu according to the old rules, Cheng Yuntao calmly revealed the answer.
What was presented to everyone was the fried mushrooms that had been divided into small portions. Compared with the rose sugar steamed cheese and peach blossom ice cream from the previous two days, the appearance of these fried mushrooms was indeed much more ordinary.
For a moment, the expectations on everyone's faces were instantly replaced by disappointment, and doubts came like a tide.
"Ms. Cheng, the food you had at your house a few days ago was all meticulously crafted and elegant. I was looking forward to tasting some delicacies again today. But look, how can these ordinary fried mushrooms be compared with the delicacies from the past two days?" After saying that, the man glanced at the fried mushrooms in the food box with disdain.
A wealthy young lady nearby, adorned with pearls and jade and dressed in silk and satin, gently covered her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief. "That's right, you're being too perfunctory. These fried mushrooms look so unremarkable, it's really... disappointing."
Feng Mulin muttered to himself that these unprepossessing fried mushrooms were not as interesting as the snake soup he had guessed, and he couldn't help but complain.
"Miss Cheng, we've all admired your craftsmanship and creativity in the past, but this dish is truly unconvincing. Fried mushrooms can be found everywhere in the streets and alleys, so how can they be considered a delicacy that pairs well with a classic like 'The Legend of the White Snake'?"
Jing Zimo frowned slightly, his heart full of confusion and loss. He had heard that there was a very clever girl selling food outside the theater, and that the daily food was all related to the theater, so he came here specially just to taste this unique delicacy. However, the ordinary fried mushrooms in front of him could not meet his expectations.
He had always held a high regard for elegant pursuits, whether it was poetry, songs, calligraphy, or painting. In his view, food that matched the drama should be as refined as the finest of fine arts. But now...
"Is this the food related to 'The Legend of the White Snake'?" Jing Zimo finally couldn't help but ask, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Miss, I've heard that your previous dishes were all exquisite, but this fried mushroom is so ordinary. I really don't see the connection between it and 'The Legend of the White Snake', let alone its elegance."
Perhaps the disappointment in Jing Zimo's tone was too obvious, Cheng Yuntao's gaze couldn't help but fall on him and she looked at him a few more times.
The scholar before me was tall and lean, like a bamboo in a courtyard, brimming with the air of a scholar. He wore a moon-white robe, made of fine, crisp fabric, with straight, neat pleats. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with navy blue silk thread, embroidered with a neat, circular pattern with meticulous needlework. A plain silk sash, tied neatly at the waist, held in a square shape, the tassels uniform in length, swaying in the wind as if in a rhythmic pattern.
His hair was thick, jet black, neatly tied atop his head, secured with a simple ebony hairpin, not a strand out of place. His posture was straight, his face fair and gentle, yet radiant with a cold air. His every move and gesture exuded the air of a stern, courteous scholar, his words and actions following the rules, unbending in their inability to make even the slightest mistake.
Facing the crowd's doubts, Cheng Yuntao still smiled and said slowly, "Don't judge food by its appearance. Although these fried mushrooms may look ordinary, they are actually very special." As she spoke, she picked up a portion of fried mushrooms and handed it to Jing Zimo, "Young Master, why not try it and make your decision later."
Jing Zimo was a little hesitant, but under the gaze of everyone, he still took the fried mushrooms.
He took a skeptical bite, and instantly, the crispy outside and tender inside tasted delicious. The fresh aroma of the mushrooms blended perfectly with the crispy batter, and the unique flavor instantly conquered his taste buds. Jing Zimo's eyes widened instantly, and the disgust on his face was swept away, replaced by full of surprise: "This...this tastes so wonderful!"
In his impression, although mushrooms are delicious, they always have a lingering "strange smell". He originally thought that this kind of food cooked with crude oil should taste extremely greasy, but he didn't expect it to be so delicious.
Cheng Yuntao looked at Jing Zimo with a smile. Jing Zimo coughed awkwardly twice and continued seriously, "Although these fried mushrooms do taste good, they are still just an ordinary snack. If you can't give us a convincing reason, I don't think anyone will be willing to pay for them."
After hearing what Jing Zimo said, the people around him, who had been somewhat relaxed by the delicious food, became hesitant again and turned their eyes to Cheng Yuntao.
"For the past two days, I've focused on the 'meaning' of the food, combining the lyrics and core content of the opera to create corresponding dishes. Today, I'm changing the perspective and intending to start with the 'form'. Don't you think that this mushroom, with its plump, round cap and tall, slender handle, resembles an oil-paper umbrella opened on a rainy day?"
"As we all know, the protagonists of the opera 'The Legend of the White Snake,' Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen, fell in love with each other because of borrowing an umbrella. This umbrella is the object of their bond. Using this as inspiration doesn't seem too far-fetched, does it?"
After hearing Cheng Yuntao's explanation, everyone whispered to each other, as if they felt that what she said did make some sense, but Jing Zimo still felt that it did not meet his expectations.
"Miss Cheng," Jing Zimo frowned slightly, his tone holding a hint of insistence, "Although your explanation is ingenious, in my opinion, these fried mushrooms still feel like the crudest of street snacks. They are still far from the elegance I understand."
Cheng Yuntao was not stumped by his question. Instead, she looked him straight in the eye, her gaze firm and gentle. "Sir, since you mentioned elegance and vulgarity, why don't we discuss it in detail? What exactly is elegance and what is vulgarity?"
She paused briefly, glancing at the crowd around her. "Perhaps in the eyes of many, those exquisite and expensive dishes, prepared by famous chefs and presented like works of art, are considered elegant."
Cheng Yuntao shook her head slightly. "But I think elegance isn't determined by the value of ingredients or the complexity of the cooking process. True elegance is something that touches people's hearts and conveys emotions and culture, just like 'The Legend of the White Snake'. It's not some high-brow, high-brow tale, but a story that's passed down through the streets and by the mouths of ordinary people."
"Moreover," Cheng Yuntao's voice became more determined, "there is no clear distinction between elegance and vulgarity."
"Elegance can draw nourishment from ordinary life and become more down-to-earth; vulgarity, when infused with sincere emotions and profound connotations, can also be elevated to elegance. If we only pursue superficial splendor and refinement, while ignoring the stories and emotions behind the food, then even the most expensive food will be nothing but superficial and vulgar."
After listening to Cheng Yuntao's words, everyone fell into deep thought. Jing Zimo was also stunned. He had never thought about the definition of elegance and vulgarity from this perspective.