Chapter 51.
After a sound sleep, the rooster in the backyard diligently began crowing before dawn.
Sang Luo woke up in the dark, went into the kitchen, and lit the stove. While boiling water, she started processing the last batch of solidified fairy tofu. After cutting them up, she set aside the smaller pieces into two large bowls.
Once the water boiled, Sang Luo reduced the heat, scooping out the water. As the bottom of the pot dried, she added a spoonful of lard and stir-fried the leftover tofu dregs from last night. She then poured the freshly boiled water into the pot to simmer.
Meanwhile, she chopped the wild onions left from last night. After ensuring the tofu dregs had boiled thoroughly, she seasoned it with salt and sauce, garnishing it with green onions before serving it in a large soup bowl.
After rinsing the clay pot with hot water, she also stir-fried a bowl of fairy tofu. Breakfast for three was thus prepared.
Ideally, tofu dregs make the best breakfast filling for pancakes, but due to limited ingredients at home, they opted for this simpler meal.
Shen Ning, rubbing her eyes, entered the kitchen and stared at the large soup bowls on the table, eventually realizing, "Sister-in-law, is this the leftover tofu dregs from last night?"
Sang Luo smiled, "Yes, we're having this and the fairy tofu for breakfast. Go freshen up and then come eat."
Shen Ning was amazed, realizing that even tofu dregs could be eaten. But then again, soybeans were edible, so why not their dregs?
Seeing that breakfast was ready, she quickly went to wash up. When the siblings arrived, Sang Luo was steaming the remaining tofu dregs, inviting them to eat while explaining, "Tofu dregs are nutritious and tasty, but don't overeat them. The most important thing is to cook them thoroughly and boil them for a good while to avoid any upset stomach or worse, food poisoning."
Noting their stunned expressions, she reassured them, "Properly cooked, there's no danger. I'll steam these leftovers. For lunch, just lightly fry them in oil, add water to boil, and season to taste. They can also be fed to the chickens, but only the cooked ones, mixed with the wild vegetables, barnyard grass, and bran you gathered yesterday. For chicken feed, it should be 90% of the other stuff and just 10% cooked tofu dregs, no more than that."
Shen Ning's eyes lit up, "We can feed this to the chickens?"
She seemed more excited about feeding chickens than eating it herself.
"Sister-in-law, then we can raise more chickens, right?"
Raising chickens mainly costs grain and bran. If tofu dregs can replace some of the bran, they could keep more chickens since wild greens and barnyard grass are free.
Sang Luo pondered and found it feasible.
"Alright, it might be hard to buy more chickens in the village now, but ducks and geese can eat this too. I'll buy some more ducks and geese later."
If they end up raising many, and run short of bran, they could simply buy more.
They had breakfast in the dark. Sang Luo reminded them that the ducklings should only be fed half-cooked rice and plenty of clean water for now. Chen You Tian and Qin Fang Nian knocked at the Shen family's gate outside.
When picking up things, Chen You Tian's attention was drawn to the shallow wooden frames Sang Luo had asked him to make, which were also being taken to the county, apparently containing something.
Noticing his curiosity, Sang Luo explained with a smile, "I bought the stone mill to make this food. I'll sell these myself today, but when uncle and aunt come over for the feast tomorrow, I'll prepare some for you to try. Aunt, if you're interested in selling, just come and get the goods from me after the busy farming season."
Before Chen You Tian could respond, Qin Fang Nian's eyes sparkled, "A new food item? Can I take a look?"
"Of course," said Sang Luo as she lifted the lid off one board of tofu, pulling back the cloth for them to see.
The pre-dawn dimness was enough for them to see, albeit not clearly: "It's similar to fairy tofu, but a different color. We've never seen it around here."
Sang Luo knew that soy tofu existed in the Great Qian Dynasty according to her original memory. Its production was tightly held by certain noble families, who didn't rely on it for profit but cherished its uniqueness, shared only within their exclusive circles.
What did the common folk eat?
Well, that hardly mattered to those noble families.
Noble families remained prestigious because they possessed resources and heritage unavailable to others, including books, antiques, art, and various recipes.
For noble-born girls, a significant part of their dowry consisted of these heritage items, often valued more than gold, silver, or jewels.
Naturally, Sang Luo just pondered this and replied cheerfully to Qin Fang Nian, "It's indeed similar, but with a different texture. Auntie, you'll taste it tomorrow. It's even better for cooking than fairy tofu. If sold, it could probably outsell fairy tofu."
Qin Fang Nian was thrilled. In just over ten days of setting up their stall, they had saved a substantial sum, an amount she previously dared not even dream of. In less than half a month, they had earned enough to be exchanged for a silver ingot.
Such earnings were directly convertible into silver.
Qin Fang Nian, previously worried about the seasonal availability of fairy tofu's ingredients, was excited by the new product. Smiling with wrinkles forming at the corners of her eyes, she said, "Let's sell it, I'll definitely try it tomorrow."
At this point, she realized something - tomorrow wasn't just a visit by her family, so was Sang Luo planning to introduce tofu to the Shi and Lu families?
Was she merely using the dish as hospitality, or also revealing it was her creation?
This thought briefly crossed Qin Fang Nian's mind before she dismissed it. Whether or not to inform others was Sang Luo's decision. Even if the Shi and Lu families became interested in selling it, Sang Luo had every right to agree. Her involvement already showed great consideration for Qin Fang Nian's family.
They proceeded to head down the mountain, load the cart, and set off in the dark.
…
They headed to the county, specifically the western market.
The sale of Sour Jujube Cakes saw a boost today with many returning customers, likely because the women and children at home enjoyed them. Some even bought in large quantities. As for the tofu, having previously introduced Fairy Tofu, many were curious about this new item. After Sang Luo explained various ways to cook it, most sales were successful.
Comparatively, Fairy Tofu's sales slowed down a bit due to the influence of the new tofu. While some bought both, those on tighter budgets opted for the novelty, hence Fairy Tofu sold slightly slower than before.
Fortunately, there were only three batches of the new tofu, totaling forty-eight pieces. After selling for half an hour in the morning market, they almost ran out, which then accelerated the sale of Fairy Tofu.
By noon, having sold everything, Sang Luo wrapped up and strolled around the western market. Counting her money, she bought a live chicken and a duck, cautious about spending more as she planned to buy a kitchen knife later. She then waited at the western market entrance for Qin Fang Nian.
This arrangement was made since Sang Luo had many items to sell and it was nearly impossible for her to carry everything alone to meet Qin Fang Nian at the eastern market. They had agreed earlier that morning for her to wait at the western market entrance.
Sitting on a stone bench at the entrance, Sang Luo waited for about fifteen minutes before seeing Qin Fang Nian approaching with her cart, quickening her pace upon spotting Sang Luo.
After meeting, Qin Fang Nian noticed Sang Luo had bought a chicken and a duck, both looking plump, and estimated the cost to be at least one hundred and twenty wen.
Impressed by the thought of tomorrow's feast, she realized the meal would be quite lavish.
Considering that this year's taxes were collected in advance in spring, most farmers in the county, except for wealthy families like the Zhous, had been tightening their belts for over half a year. Even on festive occasions, few could afford such lavish preparations.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Qin Fang Nian helped Sang Luo load her purchases onto the cart and asked, "Do we need to buy anything else today?"
Sang Luo said, "I need to buy a kitchen knife. I was worried about not having enough money, so I didn't dare to buy anything else in the western market besides this chicken and duck."
Qin Fang Nian thought for a moment and said, "It should cost around three hundred and forty-five wen, right? In recent years with the war, anything made with iron has become expensive. But this is just my estimate; our family is still using the iron knife we brought from our old home when we fled."
Valuable possessions like kitchen knives, hoes, and axes, which could be used as weapons and were valuable, were carried along during the escape, while bulkier items were left behind.
After speaking, she pulled out her money pouch and said, "This is the money from selling tofu today. Count it."
Being in this business for a while, she had become adept at managing her finances. Normally, she would keep her share in her sleeve and put the rest in the money pouch for Sang Luo, avoiding the need to recount after completing business.
Sang Luo counted the money and said while tucking the money pouch into her bosom to avoid thieves, "It looks like enough. Let's go buy the knife. I'll return your pouch after we make the purchase."
After buying, the money pouch would be empty.
Qin Fang Nian found it amusing yet felt for Sang Luo. Despite earning more, Sang Luo hadn't managed to save any money over these days.
At the iron shop, the price for a ready-made knife was higher than Qin Fang Nian's estimate, costing three hundred and eighty-five wen.
Sang Luo emptied Qin Fang Nian's pouch and began checking her sleeve and her own pouch, finding it cumbersome to handle so much copper coin. "It's really not easy dealing with copper coins. They take up so much space and are so heavy. How many pockets do I need to empty for a knife?"
It was both awkward and humorous.
This just goes to show that being 'wrapped in wealth' is an exaggeration. Even if you were to wind a fortune around yourself, layer upon layer, you might still not manage to wrap ten thousand coins.
After emptying several pockets in exchange for a kitchen knife, Sang Luo reflected on the high prices and the inconvenience of using coins, noting she only had thirty-eight coins left. Carefully storing the knife, she and Qin Fang Nian headed to the grain shop with a plan.
Their target—flour and soybeans.
Soybeans were needed for tofu making that night for the next day's market, to earn some money for meat and eggs. As for flour, with fresh okara (tofu residue) from tofu making, she had already considered making okara pancakes and balls for breakfast, but lacked ingredients due to poverty.
Now, with some money left, she could buy flour today and earn more tomorrow to buy eggs. Not only satisfying her cravings but also securing a snack and a substantial dish for guests.
Contentedly, she gave herself a mental pat on the back for her clever and thrifty lifestyle.
She carefully calculated and purchased just enough supplies, and with the few remaining coins, she headed to a pharmacy to buy some star anise and cinnamon bark for making marinade.
At that time, marinade ingredients were primarily available in pharmacies. Their use as spices was not widely known, though a few like Sang Luo were aware. The pharmacy boy, familiar with these requests, could guess from the medicinal names she mentioned that they were for cooking.
The pharmacy clerk wasn't surprised by Sang Luo's modest request for a small quantity, as it was common for customers to buy tiny amounts of items.
The assorted items, wrapped together, emptied the last few coins from Sang Luo's pouch.
But now, she had her marinade ingredients.
Chapter 52
On August 25th, before dawn, oil lamps in the houses of Shili Village gradually lit up.
The climate in the Daqian Dynasty was slightly different from Sang Luo's original timeline, which was expected given the different time and space. Nonetheless, the villages in Qingpu Township of Qiyang County were about to start rice harvesting in the next couple of days.
The farmers, who usually ate only two meals a day, made sure not to start their day hungry. Women got up before dawn to cook, changing from two meals to three, and providing dry food to sustain the energy needed for several days of intense agricultural work.
The midday meal ideally included some meat. Even the poorest households, who normally skimped on food, made an effort to add some nutrients to the meals of men working in the fields to maintain their strength.
While the women of Shili Village were busy, Sang Luo was equally occupied. Qin Fang Nian was not selling divine tofu today, but Sang Luo still had to, along with two trays of regular tofu.
She would have made more if not for financial constraints, so she had to carefully plan her purchases, resulting in only two trays.
She reserved three pieces at home for cooking that evening, leaving only twenty-nine pieces to sell at the market.
Fortunately, she also had divine tofu to sell, ensuring a decent profit from this trip.
After more than ten days, Shen An was finally able to accompany his sister-in-law to do business again!
Shen An was ecstatic, eagerly preparing since early morning. He had gathered and cleaned lotus leaves the day before and now carried a basket full of them on his back, while Sang Luo, though somewhat reluctantly, shouldered the tofu and divine tofu.
Fortunately, walking 20 miles every day had significantly improved her physical condition. While families in Shili Village were just lighting their lamps and busy preparing breakfast, Sang Luo and Shen An set off from their home.
Shen Ning had to stay behind at home; Sang Luo hadn't yet managed to save enough money to buy a lock, and even if Shen Ning wanted to come along, someone needed to stay behind to watch the house.
…
Sang Luo hadn't visited the early market at Sanli Village for quite some time. Previously busy with her stall in the county town, she couldn't attend to business at Sanli Village's major market. On previous market days, Sang Luo would check with Old Lady Chen about setting up a stall. If the latter was willing, Sang Luo would bring a portion of divine tofu for her.
However, today Old Lady Chen was too busy to worry about selling a few pieces of tofu. Sang Luo, needing money, naturally took it upon herself to make the trip.
Upon reaching the market, her first stop was the butcher's. She greeted the butcher with a smile, who, after scrutinizing her for a moment, recognized her.
"You're... the friend of my daughter who sells divine tofu?"
Sang Luo laughed, "Yes, that's me. Uncle, you have a good memory to still remember me."
The butcher grinned, "Of course, I remember. But you two look much healthier now, I almost didn't recognize you at first. So, are you here to buy meat today?"
Sang Luo nodded, "Indeed, I need to buy meat. We're preparing three banquet tables at home today. However, I'm a bit short on cash at the moment. I plan to sell the tofu and divine tofu I brought and then buy the meat. I'm concerned that due to today's rice harvesting, there'll be a high demand for meat. By the time I sell my products, there might not be any good meat left. That's why I came specially to ask if you could let me choose some meat in advance and hold it for me until I can pay for it later today?"
The butcher chuckled upon hearing this, "Well, that makes sense. These days, every family from nearby villages is likely to buy some meat to boost their energy for the rice harvest. If you come too late, there won't be any good meat left. Alright, tell me which cut you want, I'll set it aside for you. Make sure you come by midday; any later and I might not be able to keep it for you."
Meat doesn't keep well in hot weather, and after midday, the number of buyers usually decreases, risking unsold stock.
"Understood, holding it until midday is definitely enough. Uncle, would you like to buy some tofu or divine tofu?"
As it was still early and there were no customers at the butcher's, he curiously asked, "I know about divine tofu, but what is this tofu?"
Shen An, quick-witted as ever, immediately unveiled the left side of the tofu load and lifted the covering cloth, saying with a smile, "Look, it's like this. This tofu is delicious when cooked."
Sang Luo glanced at him, slightly amused.
"You've only tasted tofu dregs, oh, and soy milk and tofu pudding. When have you ever eaten cooked tofu?"
However, appreciating the boy's cleverness in helping to attract business, Sang Luo continued, "This tofu is similar to divine tofu, but when actually prepared as a dish, it's even tastier. If you cut some streaky pork to stew with the tofu, or add some lean meat to cook it, it's delicious. Even without meat, simply frying it until golden on both sides, adding some garlic and sauce for seasoning, and topping it with green onions makes it an exquisite dish, no less delicious than meat."
"More delicious than meat?" The butcher was skeptical, "That's hard to believe."
Sang Luo smiled, "You'll know once you try it, uncle. If it's cooked skillfully, the taste will make you long for more. Moreover, there are so many ways to prepare it, and you don't need me to teach you. If auntie is good at cooking, she can figure out many variations herself."
The butcher, swayed by Sang Luo's convincing pitch, stretched his neck to examine the tofu, "Alright, give me one piece of tofu and two pieces of divine tofu."
The butcher's family, also engaged in farming, had a busy day ahead. The divine tofu, besides being a side dish, served as a refreshing snack with some sugar water, especially beneficial during the hot days of rice harvesting.
"Sure thing, uncle. How about bringing a bowl to hold them? It's better than using these lotus leaves."
Without hesitation, the butcher called to his wife inside their home, and soon his wife emerged carrying two large soup bowls.
Indeed, big bowls were needed since Sang Luo's tofu and divine tofu were quite substantial. Regular household bowls could only accommodate one piece each.
As Sang Luo handed the tofu to the butcher's wife, she was impressed by its delicate, trembling texture, looking even more appealing than their homemade pork lard.
She exclaimed, "This looks beautifully made, how should we eat it?"
Sang Luo patiently explained the various ways to prepare and eat the tofu.
After hearing about a few cooking methods, the butcher's wife decided, "Let's take two pieces of tofu and one more divine tofu, making it three in total."
She then spoke to her husband, "Let's get some for our daughter too. She's always craving this divine tofu. This tofu seems good as well, although I'm not sure how it's made. It's quite a skillful craft."
Sang Luo simply smiled and didn't dwell on the compliment, instead shifting the conversation to their daughter, "Your girl will definitely be happy. Uncle and auntie are so caring towards her. She's lucky to have such loving parents."
The change of topic delighted the butcher couple, making them quite pleased.
While she initially came to buy meat, Sang Luo ended up selling five pieces of tofu first, marking a good start to her day.
The butcher, instead of adjusting her purchase against the meat cost, handed her the full payment of ten coins for the tofu.
Sang Luo accepted the money without fuss, comfortably tucking it into her purse, then carefully covered her tofu carrier before picking up the meat.
She chose a large, well-cut piece of pork belly, one and a half pounds of lean meat, a pig's ear, a tongue, a pork bone, and another pound of fatty meat for rendering oil.
The butcher and his yet-to-enter wife listened in surprise. A feast for three tables? That's quite substantial.
Such lavish spending on meat was common last year, but rare this year, as most people struggled to achieve even half-full stomachs.
They looked at Sang Luo's loaded carrier and understood – she had skills to earn her way.
The butcher briskly cut and weighed everything she requested. As he weighed and priced each item, the total came to eighty-seven coins.
Seeing no objection from Sang Luo, he put all her meat in a basin, set it behind on his counter, and added a piece of pork liver as a bonus. "You've bought a lot. I'll chop the bone for you when you come to collect it."
Sang Luo thanked him with a smile, knowing that most households would hesitate to use their kitchen knives for chopping bones, risking a blunted blade.
Having settled the meat order, she didn't leave immediately but rested her carrier and asked the butcher, "Uncle, would it be alright if I set up my stall next to yours for a while?"
On this busy farming day, few vendors would come to the market, making the usually lively village market quite sparse. Most people would buy meat, as vegetables were abundant at home. Therefore, today might be a market day, but the real hotspot was near the butcher's shop.
The butcher, understanding the day's dynamics, responded with a smile, "Sure, as long as you don't block the front of my meat counter."
"Sure, sure," Sang Luo cheerfully set up her stall next to the butcher's. In all the surrounding villages, anyone coming to San Li Village to buy meat would first see her tofu stall.
The butcher glanced at her stall indifferently. Since they were selling different items, he didn't mind her presence or see her as a threat to his business.
So, as buyers for meat started arriving, they noticed a carrying pole stall right next to the butcher's, selling unfamiliar white and green items.
Unfamiliarity was no problem; Sang Luo was an expert talker. She remained quiet while people bought meat, not wanting to interfere with the butcher's business, but once they paid, she immediately engaged them in conversation.
"Auntie, have you ever tried tofu? It's known as 'vegetarian meat,' meaning it's nourishing like meat but cheaper. Just two coins per piece, and it's tasty. When braised with meat, it soaks up all the flavors, almost like eating meat itself."
"Two coins. Slice it thick, fry it in lard until golden, add some thin slices of pork belly or a bit of minced lean pork, and stew it together. It's so delicious, you won't miss the meat."
Nutritious, perfect for braising with meat, soaking up all the meaty flavors, and just as tasty as meat for only two coins!
The woman she addressed caught these critical points in the conversation and halted her intended departure, approaching Sang Luo's stall.
Once the woman stopped, making a sale wasn't difficult. Sang Luo had a way with words, and she captivated the woman's attention with her talk about food.
A butcher nearby chimed in helpfully, "The fairy tofu made by this young lady is top-notch, especially the green one. Whether seasoned with salt or sweet, it's delicious and refreshing in this hot weather. Our family is particularly fond of it. They only come to sell once every market day. The white one is new, but it sounds just as good, and for two wen, it's worth a try. It's a nice addition to the meal after these tiring days."
The woman, already tempted, was quickly swayed into action by the butcher's endorsement.
She didn't fully believe it could be as nourishing as meat, but since it was marketed that way, she thought there must be some truth to it. For two wen, why not give it a try?
And so, she actually pulled out her money to buy.
Sang Luo didn't need to hawk her wares around; simply resting her shoulder pole next to the butcher's stall, six out of ten meat buyers were persuaded by her to purchase tofu or Immortal Tofu.
Before the hour of Si (9-11 am), just after Chen (7-9 am), most of the tofu she brought was already sold. Everyone was busy, especially the women who needed to assist in the fields early, hence they bought their meat early too.
Only a few pieces were left. By coincidence, among those coming for meat was a familiar face.
The wife of Zhou Cun Zheng (Village Chief Zhou).
Chapter 53
Selling in the market on this day, encountering someone from Shili Village wasn't surprising to Sang Luo. It was only towards the end of her tofu sales that she met the first villager; if she had sold slower, she might have met more.
Now with a new kitchen and courtyard walls at home, Sang Luo wasn't as anxious as before. Her original plan was to sell tofu in the surrounding areas after the farming season, so there was nothing to hide. She greeted Zhou Cun Zheng's wife with ease, cheerfully calling her "Auntie Zhou".
The wife of the Zhou village head, originally out to buy meat, was caught off guard upon seeing Sang Luo. Her gaze fell on the carrying pole in front of Sang Luo, which clearly indicated selling goods.
"A-Lie's wife, are you selling something?"
"Yes, I'm selling some food items. Auntie, would you like to take a look?"
The wife of the Zhou village head leaned in closer, noticing the distinct items on each side of the carrying pole. On the left was a bucket with a greenish substance, while the right held a square box with neatly arranged white blocks.
"What are these foods?"
She had never seen them before.
Sang Luo smiled, "The white one is called tofu, a very delicious dish. It can be braised, stewed with meat, or fried. All are quite tasty. The green one is called 'Fairy Tofu,' which can be used in cooking or as a snack. It's good both hot stir-fried and cold mixed. If you're having it as a snack, pour over some melted malt sugar syrup, it tastes exceptionally good."
While explaining, she cut a small piece for tasting, placed it on a leaf, and handed it to the wife of the Zhou village head, adding with a smile, "Auntie, please try it. This one is unseasoned, so it won't taste as good, but it'll give you a general idea."
The wife of the Zhou village head was still trying to comprehend the difference between tofu and 'Fairy Tofu.' Her mind also pondered over how Sang Luo from the Shen family's main house had such a skill to set up a stall and start a business, explaining the newly built house. The village rumors about her making money by gathering wild vegetables... seemed like a ruse.
Zhou Village Chief's wife's thoughts whirled rapidly as she took the green, jade-like food called "fairy tofu" from Sang Luo. Made from beans?
Contemplating this, she tasted the fairy tofu, finding its texture surprisingly delightful.
She imagined her children loving it with some sweetened water, and her husband enjoying it with a bit of oil, salt, and scallions – truly refreshing!
"How much is this sold for?"
"It's affordable, just two coins per piece, enough for a big bowl. Would you like to try one, Auntie?"
Two coins seemed reasonable. Zhou Village Chief's wife nodded, "Alright, I'll take one."
She decided to forego the sweet version and planned to mix it with sauce for lunch, thinking it would be a hit after a day under the sun.
Sang Luo used a lotus leaf to scoop out a piece of fairy tofu and also picked a larger piece from the unsliced corner, saying, "Auntie, since I bought a chicken from you yesterday, consider this smaller piece a gift from me."
Zhou Village Chief's wife's eyes visibly softened with gratitude: "That's very kind of you. I'll come back to you if we like it."
Her gaze then shifted to the white tofu, asking Sang Luo, "And how much for this?"
Sang Luo replied, "Same price, two coins per piece. You're here for meat, right? This tofu has a different texture from the fairy tofu. It takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with. If you stew it with a few slices of meat, it'll absorb the savory meat flavor. There are many ways to prepare it. It's a busy day; you could try one piece."
Already interested, Zhou Village Chief's wife felt even more inclined to buy, especially after receiving a free piece of fairy tofu. Wanting to support Sang Luo's business, she nodded, "I'll take one as well."
Sang Luo happily agreed, and Shen An deftly passed her a lotus leaf to scoop up the tofu. The tender white tofu on the green leaf looked appetizing.
Zhou Village Chief's wife placed both pieces of tofu in her basket, then paid Sang Luo four coins: "You're busy, I'll go buy the meat."
Sang Luo nodded as the village chief's wife bought a strip of pork belly from the butcher. Before leaving, she glanced at Sang Luo's carrier, seeing only a few pieces of tofu left. She courteously asked if Sang Luo needed company on the way back, but Sang Luo declined, saying everyone was busy, so she was okay going back alone.
The remaining tofu sold out in no time as the next meat buyer arrived at the butcher's stall.
With the remaining pieces of 'Fairy Tofu' from the tasting section, Sang Luo decided to give them all to the butcher.
The butcher gladly accepted the lotus leaf containing about half a piece of 'Fairy Tofu,' "Oh, I'm getting a good deal here."
Sang Luo laughed, "Not at all. If you don't mind it, then it's fine. Today, I benefited from your presence too."
After exchanging a few casual words, Sang Luo counted out 87 coins to pay and carefully packed the meat, then bid farewell to the butcher and headed to the general store across the street.
With only 33 coins left, Sang Luo bought six eggs. Noticing the row of small jars with the word 'wine' written on red paper on the counter, she pondered for a moment before inquiring about the price of the wine from the shopkeeper.
After asking around, the cheapest wine, a rather small jar slightly larger than a man's palm, cost 18 coins. There was also bulk wine available, priced at three coins per jiao if you bring your own jar.
"That's really expensive."
Sang Luo hesitated for a moment before deciding, "I'll take a jar."
The coins in her palm quickly dwindled to just nine, so she decided to buy two sheng (a unit of measure) of soybeans, leaving her with just one coin.
Shen An watched as his sister-in-law, who had worked hard the previous night making tofu, sold it early in the morning only to end up with a single copper coin.
The young boy's shoulders drooped as he looked at the food they had exchanged for their hard-earned money, feeling a vague sense of heartache.
Sang Luo packed everything carefully, nestling each egg among the soybeans. As she prepared to lift the load, she noticed Shen An's listless demeanor. Lifting the burden, she stepped out of the store and after a few steps, seeing him still looking downcast, she asked with a smile, "What's the matter?"
Shen An glanced at his elder sister, his expression a bit forlorn: "It's so hard to earn money, but it's spent too quickly."
Sang Luo paused, then laughed: "It's alright. Although the money is spent, our home has changed a lot, hasn't it? We've added so many things. Think about the burden we carry now, the pottery and cookware at home, the new tables, chairs, beds, and even the stone mill and the chickens and ducks, and our beautiful yard. Doesn't that make you feel happy?"
Shen An pondered and realized it was true; he often felt as if he was living in a dream with how unreal the recent changes seemed.
He nodded in agreement.
Seeing the young boy's mood lift slightly, Sang Luo didn't dwell on the topic and cheerfully added, "Remember to welcome your friends properly this evening. Today's meal is both a housewarming and a thank-you feast, to show our gratitude to those who helped build our house – the uncles, aunts, grandpas, grandmas, and your friends. I'll be busy today and might not be able to attend to everything, so you and Ah Ning will be in charge of the kids' table, okay?"
Shen An listened intently and assured her, "Don't worry, big sister, I can take care of it."
…
By the time they returned home, it was mid-morning. Perhaps hearing their conversation, Shen Ning emerged from behind the house. Spotting them, her eyes lit up and she ran out excitedly.
"Big sister, big brother, you're back!"
Sang Luo, noticing her hands covered in dirt, smiled and asked, "What were you doing in the backyard?"
"Making a fence. I added a little more this morning. Once it's done, we can let the chickens out."
A child who keeps finding tasks for herself, thought Sang Luo, who hadn't asked for any of this. She couldn't help but praise, "Ah Ning, you're so capable!"
Shen Ning's eyes curved into a smile as she approached Sang Luo's carrying pole and asked, "Big sister, what did you buy?"
Shen An, already familiar with the day's purchases, recited them one by one, concluding with, "But it was expensive, nearly all of today's earnings were spent."
He almost sighed.
Shen Ning: "Ah..."
Shen An: "But big sister says it's necessary. Everyone worked hard on our house, and today we are hosting a feast to thank them. Understanding gratitude and manners means people will be willing to help us when we need it."
Listening intently, Shen Ning, remembering their past struggles, nodded repeatedly, "Then let's follow big sister's advice."
The siblings chatted as they followed Sang Luo into their home.
Earlier, with the courtyard door closed, Shen Ning had run to open it, waiting for Sang Luo while saying, "Big sister, not long after you and second brother left this morning, Chen Granny, Lu family's Granny, and Shi family's Auntie came. They brought a lot of vegetables. I've put them all in the kitchen."
Sang Luo, already aware of this, nodded, "Okay, I'll check them later."
Sang Luo placed her load at the kitchen door and entered the house with the bucket. Shen Ning followed closely, saying, "Auntie Chen and Auntie Lu said they'll come to help us this afternoon. Big sister, you don't need to rush this morning. With three people helping, starting preparations at the end of the 'wei' period will be timely. They will also bring dishes and utensils, and the tables and chairs will be arranged by the uncles in the evening."
Sang Luo thought about the dishes she planned to prepare, realizing that last-minute preparations wouldn't suffice.
Nonetheless, she nodded and smiled, indicating she understood.
As she entered the kitchen and unpacked the bucket, Sang Luo saw the generous amount of vegetables brought by the families. The combined contributions were more than enough for the day, and thankfully, they wouldn't need to rely on wild onions and garlic as each family had brought plenty.
With this in mind, Sang Luo had a clear plan for the evening's menu.
She turned to Shen An, "Little An, I need you to run an errand. Go to Auntie Chen's house and borrow a pair of scissors. We'll need them for butchering the chicken."
Poultry organs were a delicacy not to be wasted, and scissors were essential for properly processing the chicken and duck intestines.
Shen An immediately set off down the hill.
Sang Luo filled a large earthenware pot with water and called Shen Ning to help start the fire.
Confused, Shen Ning asked, "Big sister, are we preparing lunch this early?"
"Not lunch. We need to butcher the chickens and ducks first. We'll boil water for scalding the feathers. This task is time-consuming, and leaving it for the afternoon might be too late."
Ah, Shen Ning remembered the laborious task of plucking feathers, especially duck feathers, which were particularly difficult to remove.
Rolling up her sleeves, the little girl declared, "Big sister, I'll help you."
She swiftly left the house to fetch firewood.
While Shen Ning was heating water, Sang Luo carried two large pottery basins outside and prepared two bowls, each with a mixture of half a bowl of saltwater. She went back inside and pocketed the kitchen knife.
Yesterday's purchase of two chickens and a duck were confined in the newly constructed bamboo chicken coop. Sang Luo opened the coop door, looking inside at the two birds.
Whichever one comes forth first will be chosen.
The hen cautiously poked its head out, clucking softly.
"Alright, it's you then."
The hen was barely out of the coop before Sang Luo firmly grabbed it.
With the coop door shut, she held the chicken by the wings and carried it over to where the basins and knife were. She plucked its neck feathers and then quickly slit its throat to bleed it. By the time Shen An returned with the borrowed scissors, both chickens and ducks were already butchered, and their blood had been taken to the kitchen to coagulate.
After boiling two pots of water for scalding, Shen An and Shen Ning began the laborious task of plucking feathers.
Shen Jin, who had left Shen Yin and Shen Jin at home with Sweet, came by carrying half a basket of pebbles. He immediately noticed the two pottery basins with the birds being plucked.
Excitedly, he exclaimed and hurried over, placing down his basket near Shen An and Shen Ning. He squatted between them, looking from the chicken to the duck, almost drooling with delight.
"Shen An, are we having chicken and duck for tonight's feast?!"
"Did you really decide to slaughter the chickens and ducks you bought the other day?"
He pinched his own cheek, then did it again in disbelief, "Is this really for tonight's dinner? Can I have a piece?"
Shen An: …
"Yes, you can."
Shen Jin was thrilled, wishing time could fast-forward to dinner. Eagerly, he offered, "I'll help you pluck feathers, I know how to do it!"
Not daring to get too close to Shen Ning, he instead moved closer to Shen An.
While the Shen household's youngsters busily plucked feathers, at the Zhou household, Zhou Village Chief's wife had finished preparing lunch and was carrying it in a basket to the fields.
The family had left for the fields just as dawn broke, having eaten an early breakfast. After working for hours without a break, they were starving. Seeing the meal arrive, they eagerly awaited the patriarch's signal to pause for lunch.
They gathered under a tree at the field's edge, first grabbing bamboo tubes to gulp down some water and catch their breath. Only then did they approach the food basket.
Taking turns with bowls and chopsticks, they first dished up rice. As the lid of the pot containing the meat dish was lifted, its aroma filled the air, leaving the sons gathered around the basket momentarily stunned.
"What's this dish?"
Zhou Village Chief, who had been drinking water, heard his sons' collective questioning and craned his neck to see.
？？？
Shoving aside his sons, he took a bowl and chopsticks from the youngest, picked up a piece, and examined it closely in shock: "Is this Li Qi? Where did it come from?"
Chapter 54
Zhou Village Chief's wife, confused: "What's Li Qi?"
Following her husband's gaze to the item he held with his chopsticks, Zhou Village Chief's wife clarified, "What Li Qi? This is tofu."
"Tofu?"
"Yes, bought it at the market today." The wife of the village chief sounded excited. "You'll never guess who was selling it."
"Who sold it?" The family looked at each other curiously, and the youngest son urged, "Mom, stop keeping us in suspense."
The village chief's wife, already eager to share, revealed, "It's from our own village, the Sang family's eldest house."
This revelation almost dropped everyone's jaw.
"Who?"
"The girl who fled the famine?"
She nodded affirmatively: "Yes, her."
She recounted her encounter with Sang at the market, describing Sang's reaction and the brisk business, "When I arrived around Chen time, most of her stock was already sold out. The board she used to display the tofu could hold about sixteen pieces, and she had three such boards. Even the other bucket of Xian Doufu was nearly sold out."
"What's Xian Doufu?"
Now, the family glanced towards the food basket and noticed a few uncovered bowls. The village chief's wife lifted the lid off one, revealing the emerald-green, jade-like tofu, neatly cut into perfect squares.
"This is Xian Doufu," she explained. "I was planning to prepare it with a savory sauce for you all, but Sang gave me a small piece, so I used it to make a sweet dish for the children, feeling it was really refreshing. Our family doesn't lack vegetables, so I decided to prepare it with sugar water and chilled it in the well. After lunch, everyone can have a taste."
With many mouths to feed, there was only enough for each person to have a couple of spoonfuls.
Why wait until after the meal? In such hot weather, the mere sight of the Xian Doufu felt cooling to the core. The youngest, having just lost his bowl and chopsticks to his father, grabbed another one and scooped up some Xian Doufu to try first.
After one bite, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Mom, this is really good! It's so refreshing on a hot day!"
Seeing his enjoyment, those who hadn't yet served themselves rice changed their minds, turning instead to serve up some Xian Doufu.
The village chief also looked at the Xian Doufu but didn't crowd in; instead, he tasted a piece of tofu and recognized the flavor from his memory.
His wife, curious about his earlier comment, asked, "What were you saying earlier about 'Li Qi'?"
The village chief pointed to the tofu and explained, "I know this as 'Li Qi'. Remember when County Magistrate Zhang first took office five years ago and hosted a banquet for the local elders? Uncle Liu took me along, remember?"
"How could I forget? We hoped you might become the next village head, but our family's resources couldn't match others. It was inevitable," his wife responded with a nod, recalling the event. "Did you eat this at the banquet?"
The village chief confirmed, "Yes, this dish was served there. We were seated at the lower end and just got a taste. But I overheard the Wang family patriarch at the main table talking about it being a rare delicacy. How does that Sang lady know how to make it and call it tofu?"
"Different places have different customs," his wife replied nonchalantly. "Sang is a refugee from the north, so it's not strange that her terms differ from ours. Anyway, the Sang family of the Shen household has really struck gold this time."
The village chief remained silent, feeling it was well-deserved.
He always thought the Shen family's division was unjust, but as a mere figurehead chief, he had little real power or involvement in official matters.
"Let's eat. Have you eaten yet?"
"No, I brought this first, worried you might be hungry. I'll eat when I return home after you've eaten."
The village chief paused his chopsticks mid-air, noticing there were no spare bowls or chopsticks left in the basket. "It's okay; you can bring more next time. We aren't in a hurry."
His wife's fine lines at the corner of her eyes lifted slightly, "Just eat."
After the meal, as she prepared to carry the basket back home, the village chief seemed to want to say something. He called her to stop but then waved his hand dismissively, "Never mind, nothing important. You can go."
He had thought of inquiring if the main house of the Shen family had completed their new home and, if so, when they planned their housewarming celebration, to contribute a bucket of rice for good luck.
But upon reflection, considering his non-involvement during the Shen family's division, and now that they were prospering, he decided against it. There was no need to add to their celebration, having not provided aid in their difficult times.
…
Back at the mountain cottage, Shen Jin had already run home to eat after helping with the plucking.
Shen An asked Sang how to deal with the chicken and duck feathers. She advised selecting the good feathers to soak in ash water to degrease, then clean and sun-dry them for making a feather duster.
The rest could be mixed with ash and used as fertilizer in the privy.
Shen An was surprised: "Chicken and duck feathers can also be used as fertilizer?"
Sang affirmed, "Yes, not only can they be used, but they also make excellent fertilizer material."
The combination of chicken and duck feathers, wood ash, and manure can significantly improve soil quality. Sang is planning to clear some land on the other side of the mountain, where this mixture will be useful.
After cleaning the chicken and duck giblets thoroughly, she stored them in the kitchen for later use. Then, after washing her hands, Sang quickly cooked some vegetable porridge. After the meal, she took the three ducklings out to a small ditch near the spring for their daily swim.
This had become a twice-daily routine ever since she brought the ducklings home.
Being so small, the ducklings needed to get wet but couldn't stay in the water too long, or they might get sick. She only let their feet get wet, being careful not to wet their bellies.
Timing the swim for about four to five minutes, Sang then brought the little ones back to the yard.
That marked the end of the morning chores. She locked the courtyard door, returned to the house with the children, and all took a short half-hour nap.
In the afternoon, she started by rendering lard, followed by stewing chicken, roasting duck, and preparing braised pork. These main dishes could be prepared in advance. In the evening, she planned to slice the cold dishes right before serving, steam the braised pork and stewed chicken, and leave the roasted duck in the pot until the last moment when she would reheat and garnish it with green onions and garlic.
In the midst of these preparations, Old Madam Chen and Old Lady Lu arrived, carrying their own tableware. Even before reaching the small courtyard, the rich aroma of meat cooking wafted down the mountain, tantalizing their senses.
The scents seemed to include braised pork and stewed chicken, plus another mouth-watering fragrance they couldn't immediately identify.
The two women exchanged glances and quickened their pace, drawn by the inviting smells.
Shen An and Shen Ning were washing vegetables by the spring. Seeing the two elder women, they stood up to greet them: "Auntie Chen, Auntie Lu, you're here!"
They hurried to help carry the baskets.
"Did your sister-in-law start cooking this early?"
The two children nodded, with Shen Ning adding, "Sister-in-law has already prepared some cold and meat dishes that could be made in advance."
While they were talking, they entered the courtyard. From the kitchen window, Sang saw the arrivals and quickly put aside her work to greet them, exchanging pleasantries.
Old Madam Chen sniffed the air, "I smelled the delicious aroma from the foot of the mountain. Are you preparing chicken and duck dishes?"
Sang took the baskets from the old ladies, smiling, "Yes, we're having chicken and duck today. Thank you both for your help."
Both elderly ladies chuckled, "With chicken, duck, and meat, what more could be considered good food?"
They all moved into the kitchen, where the sight of several ceramic basins and soup bowls filled with prepared dishes drew praise from Old Lady Lu: "Ah, Sang, your cooking skills are impressive."
Initially, they thought they were there to take charge of cooking, but after seeing the dishes Sang had prepared, they realized they weren't needed. Despite her young age, Sang's culinary skills seemed to surpass theirs. She had meticulously planned, preparing time-consuming dishes in advance and capable of managing the rest single-handedly.
After assessing the preparations, the old ladies quickly found their roles in helping with simpler tasks like washing and cutting vegetables.
They quickly divided the work. Shen An and Shen Ning were relieved of their vegetable washing duties and sent off to complete the unfinished bamboo fence.
Meanwhile, Sang was busy in the kitchen, making meatballs using the fresh tofu residue from today's tofu making, mixed with a little flour, chopped greens, minced meat, and four eggs, seasoned and deep-fried.
When Old Madam Chen came in to chop vegetables and saw the golden-browned meatballs, she exclaimed, "The children will be thrilled today; this is more lavish than a New Year's feast!"
Upon seeing a ceramic basin containing three pieces of white tofu and three pieces of green 'Fairy Tofu', Old Madam Chen raised an eyebrow, "Are these two dishes also for tonight's meal?"
Sang Luo nodded with a smile, and Old Madam Chen knew her earlier guess was right and chuckled heartily.
At that moment, Old Lady Lu entered with washed vegetables and was surprised to see the unfamiliar dishes in the ceramic basin, prompting a question.
Sang Luo briefly introduced the dishes without mentioning that she made them herself. She only said with a smile, "We couldn't afford many fancy dishes, so I decided to be a bit crafty and prepare some novel foods to make the feast lively. You can try them later and see if you like them."
Old Lady Lu naturally applauded the effort.
Preparing both types of tofu wasn't complicated. Considering the many children present, she simply topped the fairy tofu with sugar water for three dishes, while the regular tofu was used to make minced meat tofu with two blocks and the last block was split to make chicken blood tofu and duck blood tofu.
Old Madam Chen, observing this, turned to Old Lady Lu and said with a smile, "You're in for a treat today."
Old Lady Lu thought she was referring to the good food and happily agreed.
Old Madam Chen felt that Sang Luo's inclusion of fairy tofu and regular tofu in today's menu wasn't just about adding variety to compensate for a lack of lavish dishes.
The menu was already sumptuous: stewed chicken, braised duck, braised pork, spiced pork strips, spiced pig's ears, garlic-fried chicken and duck offal, chicken blood tofu, duck blood tofu, fairy tofu, fried meatballs.
For dishes like blood tofu, where the portion wasn't enough for all, two tables had duck blood tofu, and one table had chicken blood tofu, counting as one dish in total. This made up nine big bowls already.
Plus, there was a pig liver dish and a simmering turnip bone soup, not even counting the vegetarian dishes.
With over ten dishes, mostly meat, how could this not be considered lavish?
Thus, today's inclusion of both types of tofu was a highlight of the feast, leading Old Madam Chen to sense that Sang Luo had other intentions.
Previously, making fairy tofu was time-consuming enough, and now adding regular tofu to the daily routine meant more work, including traveling over twenty miles to the county to set up a stall for half the day.
Sang Luo, after all, wasn't made of iron; she couldn't handle such a workload indefinitely.
Moreover, from what Old Madam Chen knew of Sang Luo, she was someone who remembered even the smallest favors and would repay them if she could.
With the Shi and Lu families having helped build her house, Sang Luo probably had long harbored the thought of reciprocating their kindness.
Old Madam Chen speculated that after this busy farming season, there might be people in the Shi and Lu families who could start a business like her granddaughter, Fang Nong, leveraging Sang Luo's culinary skills.
…
The kitchen was still bustling with cooking, and a group of children, not required to help with the rice harvesting, arrived early for the feast.
The aroma of meat tantalized the kids, their mouths almost watering, but they dared only peek into the yard like Shen Jin, knowing that it wasn't time for the banquet yet as the tables were not set up.
Their stomachs growled audibly with hunger.
"Shen Jin, your nose is the sharpest, can you tell what dishes are being cooked?" asked Hu Zi.
Shen Jin replied confidently, "Bone broth with turnips."
The group of children nodded vigorously in agreement.
"What else is there?" Hu Zi sniffed the air, "The turnip smell is too strong; I can't make out anything else."
Shen Jin sniffed again, "There's stewed chicken, braised pork, and..."
He couldn't identify the rest. The scent was appetizing and dominant, overpowering even the turnip broth, but it was unfamiliar to him.
He added, "There's duck too."
Shen Jin chuckled, recalling the duck feathers he had plucked himself that day.
The other children gasped in awe.
"Shen Jin, you're amazing to be able to discern the smells of so many dishes."
"Big Brother, when is our uncle going to bring the tables? Why hasn't the banquet started yet?"
"Yeah, why isn't my dad here yet? Grandma said he needs to come back early today to help move the tables and chairs."
"I'm craving meat so badly."
"I want to eat chicken."
Shen Jin boasted, "I want to eat everything, and I only had a few bites of porridge at noon just so I could save room for tonight's meal."
Hu Zi's face showed shock, which quickly turned to admiration. "Wow, you're smart. Why didn't I think of that?"
"Today, we got to eat solid food at home because of the busy farming season. We even had eggs for lunch, and I couldn't control myself and ate too much."
Hu Zi thought to himself, wishing he had the foresight to follow Shen Jin's strategy and save room for more dishes.
"Chicken, duck, braised pork!"
The thought alone made his mouth water uncontrollably.
Shen An, busy tying up fences at the back, overheard the commotion and came out to see a group of children gathered at the gate of his house.
The little ones like Shen Tie and Shen Tian, too small to jostle for a position, could only stand at the very back.
Shen An approached, "What are you guys doing here?"
A group of children, drooling towards the kitchen, turned around, their eyes lighting up at the sight of Shen An.
"We're smelling what's for dinner tonight, you know about it, right?"
Shen An laughed, "Good food. Dinner time is almost here, you'll see it soon. Why the rush?"
Shen Jin swallowed hard, "You don't understand, we've been looking forward to this for days."
Annoyed, Shen An glanced at him, "Wipe your drool."
Shen Jin: "?"
Did he drool?
He hurriedly wiped his mouth.
Ironically, there was no drool at first, but his wiping made it appear...
Not just him, upon hearing about wiping drool, all the younger kids, except for the older Tiger, reacted just like Shen An.
Shen Ning, who arrived later, laughed at the scene.
She said, "Why bother asking now? If you ask my brother, he'll just tell you what dishes my sister-in-law bought. Isn't it better to wait and see them beautifully arranged on the table? Okay, little ones, go play. Tiger, Jin, come help my brother and me with the fence, will you?"
The group of kids, excited about eating at Shen An and Shen Ning's house, readily followed Shen Ning's instruction. They scattered around, some inspecting the water pipes from the mountain spring, others admiring the banana leaf roofing of the chicken coop, and even picking wildflowers to entertain themselves, forming small groups immersed in their play.
Shen An and the four older kids went to work on the fence. Tiger and Jin were especially eager to help with chores at Shen An's house, fearing not having enough work to do rather than too much.
Neither Tiger nor Jin had built a fence before, but with guidance from Shen An and Shen Ning, they quickly got the hang of it.
Tiger, observing the surrounding area of Shen's house, commented, "Your place changes a bit every day and keeps getting nicer."
Shen An proudly replied, "That's right. My sister-in-law is very smart. You see that chicken coop? She built it herself. Impressive, right? Does your chicken coop have a banana leaf roof?"
Both Tiger and Jin shook their heads.
Shen An explained, "Building a banana leaf roof is not only attractive but also rainproof. My sister-in-law said banana leaves don't let rain through."
Shen Ning added, "And it provides shade on hot days, so the chickens and ducks won't overheat."
The siblings bragged about the chicken coop built by their sister-in-law as they worked, sparking Tiger's interest, who kept glancing towards the Shen family's chicken coop.
Thinking about it, should he go home and get his older brothers to join the feast too?
Lost in thought, he noticed a commotion among the children playing by the house. Tiger and a few others stepped forward to look, almost jumping in excitement!
"My dad's bringing a table!" one exclaimed.
San Niu also cheered, "My dad brought a table too!"
Shen Jin, Shen Yin, Shen Tie: ...
Their father never did anything like this.
Shen An stopped working on the fence and ran over to see if help was needed, then noticed Da Niu and Er Niu each carrying two stools down the hill. Da Niu was managing, but Er Niu was visibly struggling, so he quickly ran to assist.
It wasn't just Shen An who went to help with the stools. With more tables and benches being brought over, Shen Jin, Tiger, and even Shen Ning also rushed down to help.
The children were as excited as if it was a festival, crowding around the adults carrying tables into the courtyard.
Since the kitchen was built quite large, the front yard of the Sang Luo's house was noticeably larger than the backyard. Gradually, three tables were brought in and, with some rearranging, fit into the space.
A bunch of kids were carrying benches, each one placing a bench next to the tables.
Such a lively scene.
Sang Luo came out to inquire about the tables from Chen You Tian, Shi Er Lang, and Lu Da Lang, and upon learning that their families would soon arrive, she started warming up the main dishes and began setting them outside.
When Shen Jin and the others saw the golden-fried meatballs, they excitedly shouted in joy. Chen Granny, helping to bring out the dishes, laughed upon seeing this: "You all mustn't touch the food on the tables yet. We have to wait until everyone arrives. We need to offer sacrifices to our ancestors and settle the Kitchen God before we can start the feast. Understand?"
It's unclear who led the chant, but they all unanimously shouted their acknowledgement.
Granny Chen chuckled as she went back inside, pleased with the children's enthusiasm. Their presence added a lively and cheerful atmosphere.
Sang Luo, in the kitchen, was bewildered.
Sacrifices to the ancestors and settling the Kitchen God?
She was utterly unprepared for this.
Seeing Granny Chen come in, Sang Luo quickly approached her: "Granny, I didn't know about these two customs you mentioned. I wasn't prepared."
The two elder women were momentarily taken aback.
Wasn't this common knowledge?
Sang Luo: ...
It wasn't her fault, really. Having grown up in an orphanage, she was completely unaware of these traditions, and without any ancestors, it never occurred to her to perform such rituals.
Old Lady Chen asked Lu's elderly mother, "Do you have any incense or candles at home?"
Lu Lao Tai Tai nodded affirmatively, "I do. I'll go get them right now," and she hurried out.
She briskly walked outside to fetch the items.
…
The guests from the three families arrived promptly. Lu Lao Tai Tai returned with incense and candles. Under the guidance of the two elder women, Sang Luo set up a bowl of rice and some braised pork as offerings, performed the ritual for the Kitchen God, and paid homage to the ancestors. Soon after, Qin Fang Niang and her group arrived.
Leading the way were Chen Lao Han and his son Chen You Tian, carrying a brazier and a ladder. Others followed, each carrying something; youngsters like Da Niu even had bundles of firewood on their backs.
Still somewhat bewildered, Sang Luo was guided by Chen Pozi to join Shen An and others for the customary rituals.
Although Sang Luo didn't understand the significance of carrying a brazier over a ladder laid on the ground into the courtyard, the festivity was undeniable.
Once inside the courtyard, Qin Fang Niang presented her gifts with auspicious words, followed by the Shi family sisters-in-law and Lu Da Lang's wife.
It was only then that Sang Luo realized all three families had brought her rice, oil, and firewood to 'add wealth and prosperity'.
Grateful yet unsure how to express her thanks, Sang Luo stored the rice in the bin, placed the oil in the kitchen, stacked the firewood under the eaves, and hurriedly ushered the guests to their seats.
At that moment, she noticed the absence of Lu family's second daughter-in-law and Ah Xu. Concerned, she asked Lu Lao Tai Tai, "Grandma Lu, why didn't the second sister-in-law and Ah Xu come?"
Busy in the kitchen, Lu Lao Tai Tai paused at the question, stepped outside, and realized everyone from the eldest household was present, including the third son, but the second son's wife and Ah Xu were missing.
Lu Lao Tai Tai's face darkened. She glanced towards her eldest daughter-in-law, who appeared guilty and evasive, unable to meet her gaze.
Recollecting her instructions from that morning – not everyone could attend due to the size of the families, especially since four from the eldest household were invited – she remembered Sang Luo's request to include children like Shi Tou, who hadn't helped with the work.
Yet, with so many from the Lu family, it would be quite brazen to all attend the feast at someone else's home.
As four out of the five men from the eldest Lu household were invited, and the third son also going, Lu Lao Tai Tai thought it inappropriate to leave the second household's mother and son at home alone. She decided this morning that eldest daughter-in-law Chun Niang would stay with her grandson Shi Tou at their home.
She didn't expect the second daughter-in-law and grandson to be absent, while the eldest daughter-in-law and Shi Tou were present.
Lu Lao Tai Tai's jaw tensed, suppressing her displeasure. She refrained from showing any resentment and didn't ask the eldest daughter-in-law to leave. She explained to Sang Luo, "Liu Niang felt it inappropriate to come with so many people and preferred resting at home, so they didn't join us."
Sang Luo responded, "But isn't a warm house gathering all about the lively atmosphere?"
She immediately called Shen Ning, "Go invite your Lu second aunt and Ah Xu over for the feast."
Shen Ning crisply agreed and swiftly ran off.
Lu Lao Tai Tai smiled, "How can I say this? Our large family coming over feels like visiting a wealthy household."
Chen Pozi sensed something and cleverly deflected the conversation with humor, eliciting laughter and lightening the mood.
Lu Lao Tai Tai, acting as if nothing was amiss, cheerfully urged Qin Fang Niang and others into the kitchen to assist with serving the dishes.
The women bustled in and out, gradually filling the tables with an impressive array of dishes that left everyone in the courtyard stunned.
Qin Fang Niang and the Shi family sisters-in-law were also momentarily taken aback by the lavish spread.
The abundance was so overwhelming it dazzled their eyes.
Everyone swallowed hard but hesitated to sit at the laden tables.
Chen Pozi chuckled at the sight, "What are you all waiting for? Take your seats. Men, women, and children at separate tables sound good. If there's room, join a table; if it's crowded, stand by the side. You can still reach the dishes with a little stretch."
All three tables, though a bit crowded, should comfortably accommodate everyone.
Amidst bustling commotion, everyone settled into their seats, but no one reached for their chopsticks, waiting for the second Lu daughter-in-law and grandson.
Lu Lao Tai Tai, seeing this, hurriedly gestured, "No need to wait, with so many dishes, there's plenty for everyone whenever they arrive."
Lu Lao Han echoed her sentiment. Sang Luo glanced at Chen Pozi, who nodded in agreement, prompting Sang Luo to announce, "Alright then, let's start the feast. For Chen Lao Ye and Lu Lao Ye at this table, I have a small jar of wine, which I will bring over now."
"Wine too?" Shi Er Lang's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Sang Luo smiled, "It's not much, just enough for a few sips each. Please don't mind, elders and uncles."
"Not at all, not at all," Shi Er Lang laughed heartily. "Even a taste would be great for me; it's been nearly half a year since I last had a drink."
Sang Luo, still smiling, entered the kitchen and soon returned with the small jar of wine.
Even Chen Lao Han and Chen You Tian, usually reticent, couldn't hide their excitement at the sight of the wine.
Chen Lao Han chuckled, "Sang Luo, I won't stand on ceremony today; thank you for this indulgence."
Sang Luo laughed, "A jar of turbid wine is hardly a big expense. Just enjoy the feast."
Chapter 55
In rural households, where even enough food is a struggle, wine is a luxury. Hence, it's not the elders who serve the wine.
At this table, the elders were the Chen and Lu patriarchs, followed by Chen You Tian, Shi Er Lang, and the Lu brothers. Only six adults were drinkers. The teenagers at the table knew better than to touch the wine, sitting obediently.
Whether in the city or countryside, inside or outside the home, it's a widely understood rule that the younger generation doesn't start eating until the elders do. Thus, the teenagers could only watch the adults' merriment. Shuan Zhu, the oldest among them, envied his uncle for being able to drink. At fourteen, he wasn't allowed alcohol and hadn't even tasted it.
Among their generation, Shi Er Lang was the more lively and eager for a drink. Seeing Sang Luo bring out the wine, he eagerly got up to receive it.
On a closer look, oh, it's not just ordinary liquor!
He picked it up and examined it from all sides, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Ale's wife, this must be from the general store at the market, right? I've seen it before, must cost about eighteen wen, right?"
Sang Luo didn't expect him to know even the price, and smiled, "Uncle Shi Er, you're quite the connoisseur! I'm on a budget and couldn't afford anything better."
"Not better? This is the best! I, Uncle Shi Er, am not a gourmet, just a glutton. My cravings are satisfied only during festivals with a jug or two of ordinary liquor. Today is a real treat."
Old Man Chen and the others agreed, "We wouldn't usually splurge on such a jar of wine. Ale's wife, your hospitality is unparalleled."
Sang Luo's eyes crinkled with a smile, "Then let's all eat and drink well tonight."
She hesitated on how to open the sealed wine jar. Seeing this, Shi Er Lang chuckled, "Don't worry about it, I'll handle it. Just need a rock to loosen the seal. You go sit at the table, we'll take care of pouring the wine."
Indeed, Sang Luo wasn't very experienced in serving drinks to men: "Then I'll leave it to Uncle Shi Er."
After greeting the elders at the table, she went to check on the children.
Shen Ning went to invite people. Shen An, being in charge of this table, saw that the boys aged twelve and up had joined the men's table. The kids' table was left with little ones, the oldest being ten-year-old Er Niu, and the youngest, two-year-old Tian Ya from Shen's family, and a four or five-year-old girl who seemed to be Shi's child, following Er Niu and San Niu.
Eleven children were squeezed together, three per bench, with the smallest ones like Shen Tian and the Shi family's little girl not even sitting at the table. They stood by their brothers, waiting to be fed, leaving just enough space on a bench for Shen Ning, who had gone to call others, and Ah Xu, who hadn't arrived yet.
Shen An approached his sister-in-law quietly and mentioned, "Hu Zi has an older sister named Da Niu, and she didn't come today either."
He whispered to his sister-in-law, "Hu Zi said their grandmother was worried about too many family members attending. So, they left Hu Zi's mother, sister, and younger brother at home, and asked his second aunt to bring Ah Xu here."
Hu Zi was unaware of the change in attendance.
Observing that the entire Shi family had arrived, and so had his siblings, Shen An was concerned about his cousin Da Niu and his cousin Ah Xu's absence and thus shared this with Shen An.
Sang Luo's eyes flickered with understanding, realizing that the slight unease in Old Lady Lu's expression earlier was probably due to this situation.
She wasn't sure if the change in the Lu family's attendees was due to internal family dynamics or mere coincidence, and decided it wasn't her place to delve into the Lu family's affairs. Her purpose in hosting the feast was to express gratitude for everyone's help, not to probe into their family matters.
Unaware of the exact number of children in the Lu family, and now hearing about another girl named Da Niu, Sang Luo didn't want Shen Ning to omit inviting her, so she instructed Shen An, "Run over once more and invite your cousin Da Niu as well."
Old Lady Lu seemed to be considerate and mindful of etiquette, choosing to leave three at home, likely because she felt having too many attendees from one family might be inappropriate.
Sang Luo thought if it weren't for Shuan Zhu, Tie Zhu, and Hu Zi, who had all helped at her house and were on the guest list, the old lady probably wouldn't have let these children come either.
Recalling the old lady's particularly tender and caring attitude towards her second daughter-in-law the other day, Sang Luo realized that inviting the second daughter-in-law with Ah Xu was likely an act of consideration for a family without a male figure to rely on.
Shen An, upon hearing his sister-in-law's request to invite others, nodded with a smile and quietly informed Hu Zi before dashing off.
When Sang Luo returned to the women's table, some asked about Shen An's departure. She explained with a smile, "I just found out Hu Zi has a sister, so I've sent Shen An to invite her too. It's not right to leave her alone at home when everyone else is here."
Old Lady Lu, feeling slightly embarrassed, responded, "Sang Luo, we really shouldn't impose. Honestly, having over a dozen of us from one family here is unheard of in our village."
Sang Luo interrupted with a laugh, "Rules are flexible, Old Lady. Our gathering here is a bit different from a formal banquet. It's just a few families getting together for fun. Besides, adding a few more people doesn't change that we only have three tables, and it doesn't cost me extra. Kids can squeeze in or stand at the corner. Don't you think?"
Everyone laughed, and Chen Popo chimed in, "Exactly, we're all familiar here. No need to be so strict with the rules."
Shi Dalang's wife and others joined in the laughter, and Old Lady Lu also smiled, "Alright, I see now. Sang Luo is generous, and I won't be embarrassed either."
With such encouragement, the atmosphere livened up immediately.
The children had already started eating at their table, and as soon as the men began to pour wine, Chen Lao Han, Lu Lao Han, and others started eating and invited everyone to join in.
Seeing this, Chen Popo suggested to her table, "Shall we start eating too?"
The others agreed enthusiastically, "Yes, let's eat."
As everyone reached out for food, Shi Dalang's wife picked up a piece of tofu and asked curiously, "What dish is this? I don't think I've seen it before?"
Chen Popo laughed, appreciating Shi Dalang's wife's astuteness. "Among the Shi family, Gan Shi is the most clever. Some are outwardly smart, while others are subtly astute. Shi Dalang is the former, but this Gan Shi is definitely the latter."
Without saying a word, she just smiled and picked up a piece of tofu to taste.
Sang Luo explained with a smile, "This is called tofu. It's less common around here. Everyone, please try it."
The guests, already curious, now reached for the tofu. Those who had initially picked meat put it aside to try the tofu.
After tasting, they were impressed by its smooth and savory flavor. Shi Dalang's wife inquired, "Where did you buy this? Is it expensive? I've never seen it for sale."
Gan Shi, savoring the tofu, also looked towards Sang Luo for an answer.
Sang Luo, having laid everything on the table, didn't hide anything. She revealed, "It's a family recipe from my mother's side. I made it myself."
Except for Chen Popo, Qin Fangniang, and perhaps Gan Shi, the rest were stunned. The same thought crossed everyone's minds: no wonder she could afford to build a house. Selling wild vegetables couldn't have supported such good food and housing.
Sang Luo, smiling, picked up a piece of fairy tofu and said, "This is called fairy tofu, also homemade. I simply mixed it with sugar water. Old Lady and aunts, please try it and see if it suits your taste."
Almost instinctively, everyone reached for the fairy tofu.
The taste of the fairy tofu, however, was not as straightforward as the tofu they had just tried. They all glanced discreetly at Chen Popo and Qin Fangniang for their reactions.
Shi Dalang's wife, known for her forthrightness, directly asked Qin Fangniang, "Fangniang, when you went to the county before, did you also sell this?"
Qin Fangniang, taken aback...
Thought to herself, "Why ask me when the creator is right here?"
Gan Shi: ...
"There she goes again, not thinking before speaking."
"It would have been better to directly ask Sang Luo instead of questioning Qin Fangniang in front of her."
Feeling a bit awkward and trying to smooth things over, Sang Luo interjected with a laugh, "It's alright. We're somewhat acquainted now, and since I've put the tofu out there, there's nothing secretive about it. Selling wild vegetables in the county was indeed true, but I also sold this fairy tofu. It's not a costly delicacy, just two coins a piece, enough to earn some money for daily expenses. I had asked Elder Chen to keep it quiet initially."
Everyone understood then; with such a unique recipe, the Sang family had good reason to be discreet.
"No wonder they were in a rush to build the house and erect a wall."
Seeing the securely lockable back gate, they understood even more.
Gan Shi, quick to grasp the situation, commented, "A family recipe used for livelihood should indeed be guarded. My sister-in-law was just too quick to speak. We shouldn't have asked. Don't worry, Sang Luo, what's discussed here stays among us."
Shi Dalang's wife and the Lu family's mother and daughter-in-law nodded in agreement. Especially Shi Dalang's wife and Lu Dalang's wife, who were visibly envious of Qin Fangniang.
"Two coins a piece for such an unseen delicacy must sell well."
Sang Luo noticed everyone's reactions and added, "No need to worry, now that my house is built. These tofu recipes aren't easy to learn, and it was my plan to sell them in the market eventually. As for my energy limits, making tofu daily is time-consuming, and traveling to and from the county is exhausting. That's why I wanted to ask if your families would be interested in joining this business venture like Elder Chen's family, contributing someone from home to help sell these delicacies?"
With the yard full of people, especially noisy children, Sang Luo's voice wasn't loud; her proposal was only heard by those at her table.
Chen Popo and her daughter-in-law smiled, having expected this.
The women of the Lu and Shi families were both shocked and excited: "Really!? Can we also sell this tofu?"
"Of course, let's eat first and talk in detail later."
The two families seemed as if they had been hit by a pie from the sky, still a bit dazed and disbelieving.
Just then, Shen Ning's voice came from outside the courtyard.
"Sister-in-law, Lu Erniang is here!"
Everyone snapped out of their daze, turning to look as Shen Ning and Shen An returned, accompanied by Feng Liuniang, Daniu, and Ah Xu. They all paused their meal to greet her warmly.
"Liuniang, come over here."
Their faces bloomed with smiles.
Feng Liuniang: ?