An aqueous composition comprising an esterified cellulose ether being at least partially dissolved in an aqueous liquid, wherein the esterified cellulose ether comprises groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOH, wherein R is a divalent hydrocarbon group is produced in a process which comprises the step of a) mixing the esterified cellulose ether with the aqueous liquid, and b) maintaining or adjusting the degree of neutralization of the groups —C(O)—R—COOH of the esterified cellulose ether at or to less than 0.45 and setting the temperature of the mixture of the esterified cellulose ether and the aqueous liquid to less than 10 C to at least partially dissolve the esterified cellulose ether in the aqueous liquid.