Power Up Artist Yang - Chapter 350

Xie Yufeng’s first remark upon seeing Yujia’s face that morning was “You look horrible.”

Yujia gave a tough smile as she went over to the side of the room to wear some thicker robes today. When she stepped out of her blankets that morning, she noticed just how cold it was. It had already been getting chilly the past few days. With the temperature being so frigid this morning, it was a clear sign that winter was arriving.

The capital, being fairly northern, meant that along with less sweltering summers, bone-chilling winters were bound to arrive. It would be Yujia’s first winter in this world. Back in her old life, although heating was expensive, at least it existed. She didn’t know how bad things would get in this era.

Regardless, Yujia went to take out a set of thick robes from drawers at the side of her room. Wrapping layers upon layers around herself, she ended up in a set of light jade robes. The good part about ancient wear was probably the excellent insulation so much layering provided.

“Did you not sleep well?” Yufeng continued as Yujia finished dressing.

While now moving to brush her hair, Yujia sighed. “Not sleeping well is an understatement. I didn’t sleep at all.”

Yufeng was silent for a few minutes, then said, “This evening, I’ll prepare you some medicinal tea that can help with insomnia.”

“Ah.” Yujia looked up, pausing for a moment in brushing her hair. She gave a soft smile. “I’d appreciate that.”

“It’s nothing.” Yufeng waved her hand. “I used to make it for myself all the time. I’m glad we’re back. At least here, they have the ingredients I need.”

“I’m glad we’re back too.”

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Yujia sighed yet again.

While stepping outside of her courtyard, Yujia noticed bits of frost sprinkled over the grass at her feet. Was it really that cold last night? It didn’t feel that cold under her blankets, and it was cold but not as cold in her room as well.

Taking a glance back at the courtyard, Yujia thought of the previous inhabitant, Wei Yunjing, her master’s deceased wife. She had all sorts of complex inventions lying around. If she was skilled enough to create indoor plumbing and a fanning system for the summer, perhaps she also implemented some archaic form of a heating unit inside the room that Yujia didn’t know about. It would explain the difference in temperatures.

Hugging her arms a little closer to her, Yujia hastened her steps. Perhaps if she moved more, the generated body heat would keep her warmer, until she reached her destination: the kitchens. The good news was that it didn’t take much of a walk to get there.

Once she pushed open the doors of the kitchens— the sounds of chopping and stirring could already be heard from outside— Yujia’s face was flooded with a gust of hot air.

Chef Hong was inside, chopping minced meat that looked like pork. Lili, the other worker in the kitchens, was feeding a large crackling flame that sat in its hearth. Old Wu, another worker, was stirring a pot simmering over the hearth. Along with the steam in the room, an aromatic scent drifted along.

When they heard the doors creak open, Chef Hong was the first to see Yujia. She immediately slammed the blade in her hand down, declaring, “Girlie!” Hastily wiping her hands down on the apron she tied around her waist, Chef Hong rushed forward, faster than Yujia could interact. The large woman clasped her hands down on Yujia’s shoulders, face beaming with pure joy. “You’re back!”

Lili stopped tending to the flames and approached Yujia too, waving her hand with a grin.

Yujia couldn’t help but grin back. “Yeah, I am.”

While Lili went to shut the doors behind Yujia, Chef Hong now grabbed Yujia’s arms, looking up and down. “Girlie, did you lose weight? Look how thin you are now, aiya.”

“And your face!” Chef Hong stepped back, shaking her head. “My girlie must not have rested well. Traveling is quite exhausting, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes,” Yujia agreed.

“Old Wu!” Chef Hong turned around, barking at the man stirring the porridge. “Ay, ladle a bowl of congee for her, will you?” She turned back to Yujia before waiting for a response. “Upon hearing you returned last night, I specially made sure to give you something extra replenishing and nutritious. Eight Treasure Congee, with glutinous rice, black rice, pearl barley, red dates, lotus seeds, peanuts, mung beans, and Chinese yam. It’s been simmering all night. You’re sure to like it.”

Yujia did find herself drooling at that description. Eight Treasure Congee was a delicious classic, and nothing sounded better at the moment.

As Old Wu placed a bowl of the congee in front of her, Yujia gave him a word of thanks before digging in. The moment she ate a spoonful, her face lit up. The texture of the porridge was perfectly creamy, paired with a slight crunch from the lotus seeds or peanuts. With a touch of sweetness, it was warming and delicious to eat. In the bites that contained red dates, an extra hint of sugar touched her tongue. As a combination, the bowl was simply irresistible. She finished it quickly and helped herself to another bowl.

In the midst of her eating, Chef Hong nodded appreciatively, saying, “This is why I’m glad you’re back, girlie. No one eats quite as well as you in this villa.”

Yujia called out, “What about Lili?” The girl turned her head in Yujia’s direction while Yujia went on, “Don’t you like eating Chef Hong’s dishes? Have you tried a bowl of this congee yet?”

Lili nodded while smiling brightly. “I had a bowl earlier this morning!”

Chef Hong wrinkled her nose, remarking, “Don’t be fooled at how she claims she ate. That girl is nothing like you. Look at you, having two bowls. This is why you’re my favorite person to cook for.”

Yujia sheepishly finished her second bowl. “And you are my favorite cook,” she replied.

With a smug look, Chef Hong said, “There’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of congee on a winter morning.”

“It is definitely getting colder,” Yujia responded. The interior of the kitchen was considerably warmer, with fires for cooking burning and doors closed. This was the reason for why she rushed to get in here. She knew it would be warm.

“We’ll be bringing out winter cloaks soon. Got to stay warm— falling ill in winter is never a good sign.”

“Winter cloaks…” Yujia mused.

She was excited to try them on. Her experience with cloaks was rather limited, the only one she wore before being Bo Zhizhong and the dark red cloaks he liked wearing. Then again, whenever he gave her his cloak as a “gift”, she did end up selling it for quite a decent amount of taels…

Her master bought her a winter cloak months ago when providing her funding for her wardrobe. It was one lined entirely with furs on the inside, appearing quite heavy when she lifted it. Of course, because it was still summer at that time, she never actually wore it, though she imagined that movement in it would be rather limited with how heavy it was.

It would certainly keep her warm, though the heaviness was a downside.

Yujia remembered down coats from the modern era. She owned one as her default winter wear. Considering how lightweight and insulating it was, it was one of the best purchases she made. Down feathers didn’t seem all-too-popular during this time, however. She hardly saw it around.

For a moment, she imagined what it would be like to have a down coat in this time, imagining the puffy synthetic look on her. She couldn’t help but snicker at that idea. It looked too ridiculous, to pair modern fashion with the clothes of ancient times.

Except still, those coats and jackets were wonderfully warm. She wouldn’t mind wearing it in private, if only it existed…

That was when it hit Yujia.

She liked staying warm in the winter. Who didn’t? It was a universally shared inclination.

So, what would be a more heartfelt gift than a hand sewn winter cloak, perfectly innovative to be extra warm and lightweight?