Not long after, Xiqiu returned with the maids again. This time, the trays were piled high with ingredients that had all been washed and prepped—beef and lamb, fish and shrimp from the kitchen, and fresh vegetables delivered from the Mo family's own estate.
Compared to the hot pot Mo Lixia knew in her old world, this one lacked certain seasonings. But the meat and produce were clean, fresh, and entirely natural, so the flavor was anything but lacking. She had also added a touch of dried tangerine peel, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger slices, garlic, and salt—perfect for a bitter winter day, warming the body and driving away the chill.
"Not bad at all," General Mo said, eyeing the bubbling pot with open appetite. "Lixia's 'swish pot'—no, hot pot—really is something."
Madam Mo placed a slice of lotus root into Mo Chen's bowl, then tasted one herself and nodded. "Mm. This is delicious."
Mo Lixia lifted a piece of lamb from the broth, dipped it in a little pepper and chopped garlic, and ate it with clear satisfaction.
Zhanchen had already reached the point where his patience was gone. He grabbed his chopsticks and joined in, piling lamb into his own bowl as if his cravings had climbed all the way up his throat.
Madam Mo carefully lowered a few spinach leaves into the pot.
Mo Lixia quickly reminded her, "Mother, swish the lamb first—meat gives the broth more flavor. Vegetables are for after you've had enough meat and want something lighter." As she spoke, she added a few slices of lamb to her parents' bowls.
General Mo glanced at the thin slices and chuckled. "Your knife work is good. So thin."
Mo Lixia shook her head. "Not me. Hongshang sliced the lamb."
General Mo laughed even louder. "So even slicing lamb takes skill now, does it?"
The steam filled the hall, the broth kept rolling, and the table grew warmer by the moment—until the winter outside felt very far away.
The next day, it was time for the fragrance shop to open.
Incense and perfume products were beloved in this era, and Mo Lixia arrived early—so early the shop had only just lifted its doors. She had named the place Huajianjian Fragrance Shop, a name with a quiet charm to it.
While the street was still thin with morning traffic, she had Xiqiu and Hongshang arrange the goods as quickly as possible.
Mo Yan had even purchased firecrackers for an auspicious opening, and her sister-in-law had brought two large pots of "Fortune in Abundance" to place by the entrance. Everything was an omen meant to invite good luck.
Because there hadn't been much time, they had only hired one new hand: a young girl named Huiyao. She had once belonged to a favored courtesan at Spring Flower House. When that courtesan was redeemed and left to start a new life, she took only her valuables and did not bring her attendants with her. Still, she showed a rare streak of kindness—she helped Huiyao buy her freedom and gave her some silver notes to find her own way.
A girl who had survived in that sort of place was quick and sharp, and Huiyao was honest besides. Though she had lived around that world, she hadn't been corrupted by it. Mo Lixia decided to take her in.
Her sister-in-law had said that on the first day, they wouldn't see too many customers. They could hire more people later.
Once everything was finally in place, the market crowds still hadn't arrived. Mo Lixia had been up since dawn and hadn't eaten a bite. Xiqiu had just made some porridge, and Mo Lixia was about to head back to the pharmacy's rear courtyard to eat when someone called out to her.
"Doctor Mo?"
She turned and saw a young woman in green waving at her.
"Doctor Mo doesn't recognize me?" the girl said with a smile. "I'm the one who bought that… women's medicine from your shop last time."
Mo Lixia paused, then remembered. "Ah. Miss Green."