Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 77
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 77: Egg Fried Rice
As soon as Jiang Shuyao left the shop, she heard a quarrel erupting nearby.
She and Xie Xun looked at each other and walked along with the crowd.
As soon as they reached the edge of the crowd, a shopkeeper ran over, out of breath, and said, "Miss, someone is making trouble."
Jiang Shuyao had already had some bad guesses in her mind, so she wasn’t surprised and asked calmly, "What’s the matter? Speak slowly."
The shopkeeper explained, "Well, the young lady asked me to send someone to follow those sneaky people, so my people naturally followed them. Those people didn’t try to steal the secret recipe or recruit the cook. Instead, they found a shop and sat down. After ordering the food, one of them ate half a plate and suddenly vomited, saying that the food was not clean. Then the other two also vomited. They accused the food of having a problem and started quarreling with the waiter."
The shopkeeper spoke angrily, "Unexpectedly, there are still small-time rascals who dare to come to the Lin family’s site to cause trouble. We’ve already sent them to the officials and reported them."
Jiang Shuyao glanced at the arguing crowd and sighed, "This is not a shipyard. The people standing around and watching are all ordinary people. If you just handle it like this and report them, can you convince the crowd?"
"This..." This was also the first time this shopkeeper had run a food business, so he hesitated, "Our people have already clarified whether the food is clean or not. The officials will clear us."
Xie Xun, who had been watching from the side, interjected, "There is a more urgent matter for that shop. Three people vomited in a row and caused trouble. Even if they were wronged, the business would suffer tonight, and it may even affect the whole street for the next few days."
Speaking of this, the shopkeeper was also furious, "No! What disgusting people! If it was an upright grab for business or a straightforward conspiracy, fine. But they had to use such underhanded tricks to make people disgusted. The damage might not be huge, but if they keep coming here from time to time, it will be incredibly annoying."
"Wasn’t it all okay for a few days, but today there are ruffians?" Jiang Shuyao wasn’t entirely clear about the interest struggles behind these people.
Since they were going to open the street food market, the Lin family had naturally investigated the backgrounds of various businesses. The shopkeeper, being well-informed, replied, "A few days ago, everyone was watching and laughing, thinking that our street food market wouldn’t survive. Although there were many shops, it was only for ordinary people. What was the threat? They didn’t expect that in recent days, there would be more and more diners. Both civilians and wealthy people would come to taste our food. The number of diners who usually go to restaurants has been decreasing, and they’ve started coming here instead. It’s obvious that we’re blocking their way. Naturally, someone is getting anxious."
Xie Xun was also an official, and he knew a lot about these things, "If these people are sent to the government, at most they would get hit a few times by a board and had to lay down a few days. After a few days, they would come out. As the shopkeeper said, although it won't hurt our business, it would disgust people."
The shopkeeper echoed, "Exactly. Xiangyang Mansion backs our Lin family, but there are also people behind other restaurants whose backing is not worse than ours. Hey, we are also businessmen, so naturally, we know that robbing people is not kind, but someone always try to squeeze in. In the shipping business, the Lin family could take action, but... but no one thought that those high-ranking officials or elegant scholars must come here to eat." This matter will not be so simple. There must be a big move, "It's a pity that the imperial concubine Lin has vowed never to intervene in the Lin family's business since she entered the palace. Otherwise, we will not be so suffocated, and we could deter those who want to reach out."
Hearing what he said, Jiang Shuyao couldn't help but fret together, "What should I do? If my mother was here, she would know how to deal with it."
Xie Xun stood by and cleared his throat, "Cough."
Jiang Shuyao turned her head and glanced at him curiously.
Xie Xun felt her gaze and emphasized his sense of existence, "Ahem."
Jiang Shuyao, "Give my husband a glass of water."
Xie Xun said helplessly, "I don't want to drink water." He stopped holding back, and said directly, "Behind the Lin family is the Xiangyang Mansion, which cannot compete with the strong and powerful behind the best restaurants in the capital, but you are different."
"Me?" Jiang Shuyao looked at him and said in surprise, "You don't say that my backing is Duke Xie Mansion, do you?"
Xie Xun was a little speechless, "Naturally not." He was not so loud, he explained, "His Royal Highness."
"Crown... Crown prince?" Jiang Shuyao was dumbfounded.
"Yes, I gave him the method of making ice before, and when there is delicious food involved, I believe the prince will help us." Xie Xun laughed, "Let them shut down tonight. I will see the prince tomorrow. If they want to bring people to cause trouble in the future, they will have to think twice."
Jiang Shuyao nodded, and the stone in her heart fell. She looked at the diners, who were still talking at the door of the shop, and worried, "What should I do here?"
The steward said respectfully, "We have already clarified and told everyone that the government would give us justice."
Even if Jiang Shuyao doesn't understand business, she knows that this won't reassure the diners. Instead, they would feel that the Lin family is deceiving them, "It's not good, you have to dispel their doubts completely, so that even if someone makes trouble in the future, the diners will not doubt our cleanliness."
The shopkeeper was dumbfounded and scratching his head, "This..."
Jiang Shuyao said, "You go to a nearby food stall to borrow a cart with a stove. Didn't they say that our market is not clean? Then let's show them the cooking process and let them see how clean it is."
The shopkeeper's orders went down, and everyone worked quickly. The arrangements were quickly made.
The cook of the impacted restaurant was a servant from the Lin family. She was married and became a wife early, but her husband was greedy and liked to gamble. If he lost money, he would punch and kick her. Sometimes even her son would not be spared. There was not a day where she was not injured. After Lin-shi decided to open the street food market, she went back to the Lin family's mansion once and happened to see her limping, passing by with scars on her face.
The rest of the people did not care about this. However, because of the grievances she suffered in her marriage, Lin-shi was extremely upset about bullying between the husband and wife and immediately asked her to come over. The lady's husband was picky. If the food was not delicious or meals were not satisfying, there would be another punching and kicking. She was afraid of being beaten, so she was very serious about cooking. Over time, she has developed a good cooking skill and was very good at controlling fire.
When Lin-shi wrote to Jiang Shuyao about this, Jiang Shuyao suggested that she learn to cook fried rice. Fried rice sounded simple, but it was not easy to make good fried rice. From steaming rice to rice frying, every step is exquisite. The rice had to be separated and not sticky. The eggs should wrap the rice grains as much as possible. The eggs' outer layer had to not be burned in order to ensure the rice's fragrant flavor. The ability to control the heat was a strict requirement for making fried rice.
The woman was shy. When Lin-shi asked her to work as a cook in the market, her first reaction was to refuse. Later, Lin-shi repeatedly emphasized that she did not need to show her face and promised that her gambler husband would not dare to do anything to her again. Moreover, the cook would have enough money to allow her children to go to academy, so the cook reluctantly agreed. Now that she has tasted the sweetness of this job, she shrinks into her small kitchen and fries rice with peace of mind.
But this peace of mind was broken tonight.
"Didn't the lady say that I don't have to show up?" she said in surprise.
The shopkeeper didn't understand her doubts, "What kind of showing up is this? You just have to cook a meal in front of people. Besides, you are not a young lady. You are afraid of showing your face, but haven't you seen the lady standing outside?"
The cook just didn't dare to meet people. In the past, her husband always punched and kicked her from the head. Now that she has left her husband's claws, she still feels afraid of strangers.
The shopkeeper continued to persuade her and finally said, "Madam didn't treat you badly, and the young lady believed in you and was bold enough to teach you her craft. Now it is time they need you. Do you have to refuse??"
His words reached the cook's heart, and she gritted her teeth, "Okay, I'll go."
The food stall was pushed to the entrance of the shop. The street was crowded with people who were watching the excitement.
The shopkeeper brought out the fried rice that those rascals had eaten today, "This is what those people ate. You can see that the remaining half of the plate is egg fried rice." He pointed to Sun Niangzi, "This is the chef of our shop. We will let her cook a pot of egg fried rice on the spot. You can check the ingredients, utensils, and our method. Will the fried rice be unclean enough to make people vomit after half a plate? Come on."
The excitement was so new that diners talked wildly.
"Fried rice? It looks very simple. I think the other shops' foods are not easy, but fried rice should be easy at first glance."
"Yeah, it's nothing more than rice and eggs. How delicious can it be? Even if it is clean, it is not interesting to eat."
Sun Niangzi felt that everyone's eyes were on her, and she became even more nervous.
She seemed to remember the panic when she was cooking for her husband, and she would be beaten if she didn't do it well... When she thought about it, her hands began to shake.
Feeling that more and more people were coming around, she couldn't help but retreat a few steps.
Suddenly, a warm hand was placed on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"
The cook turned her head and met Jiang Shuyao's beautiful eyes.
"Are you scared?" Jiang Shuyao asked.
Sun Niangzi had never been so close to a nobleman and quickly lowered her head, "Don't dare."
Jiang Shuyao chuckled helplessly, "What do you dare or don't dare? If you are afraid, then you don't have to hold it. Let's think in a different way. I know the things in your family, I can understand."
The cook trembled and looked up in surprise.
She was a servant. How could she ever think that her bad things will stain the ears of the mistress? And she, a noble lady, not only heard and remembered her problem but also comforted her and sympathized with her so gently.
She opened her mouth several times, but didn't know what to say, so she blushed and lowered her head.
Jiang Shuyao patted her shoulder, "It's okay. Cooking shouldn't be burdensome. It should be pleasant, reassuring, and satisfying. In the same way, food should be healing. I hope that one day you can feel these feelings." After she said this, she turned and left, preparing to discuss how to end it with the manager.
As soon as she stepped forward, there was a trembling call from behind her.
"Miss!"
She turned around, saw the cook forced a big smile at her with red eyes, "I can."
Jiang Shuyao was taken aback for a moment, "...I said, it's okay, don't force it."
"No, Miss. This slave maid did not force herself."
After she finished speaking, she bowed respectfully, turned, and walked out of the hall. She came out to the door of the store.
The fire was burning, the flame's tongue was swaying in the air, and the air became hot.
As soon as everyone saw that it was just a woman, not a male cook, they immediately felt contempt. After all, all restaurants' cooks were descendants of royal cooks, and they had never heard of any female cook.
Sun Niangzi should have flinched when she heard their discussion, but at this time, her fighting spirit was aroused. The young lady taught the recipe of her fried rice. It is okay to despise her, but her young lady must not be despised.
She tried to ignore the look in the onlookers and imagined that she was in her kitchen.
The swaying tongue of fire, the cooked rice, the side dishes... As she swept around, her heart gradually sank. But the moment she held the handle of the wok, she suddenly realized what the lady said.
Cooking should be peaceful for the mind.
Everyone saw that the woman, who looked timid, suddenly lifted up and changed her personality.
She held the wok handle and slid it on the fire a few times to heat it. She smoothly rotated and greased the wok, flipped her right wrist, and scooped a large spoonful of rice into the wok.
The egg fried rice was made with overnight rice. When steaming the rice, she placed gauze in the steamer to absorb excess moisture, ensuring the grains remained dry and separate for the fried rice. Once transferred to the wok, the rice swiftly loosened. The grip on the wok had to be steady, and the movements quick, as the rice should never be mashed or broken, preserving each grain in its entirety.
Sun Niangzi was prepared for the next step. Her arms tensed with strength as she stir-fried. The rice flipped and swirled in the wok, releasing a tantalizing fragrance. As the moisture evaporated from the grains, she reached for the golden egg mixture, smoothly swirling it in the air before evenly drizzling it over the rice. Her wrist remained fluid, continuously stirring and turning the iron wok.
Once the egg mixture was added, Sun Niangzi quickly began stir-frying. With one hand, she lifted the iron wok, using the fire's tongue to keep the bottom of the pan rotating. At the same time, she gently pushed the rice with a wooden spatula, ensuring each grain was evenly coated. The rich, savory scent of eggs gradually filled the air. With every movement, the rice became enveloped in a delicate layer of egg, and as she shook the pan, the once white grains began to turn golden, leaping in the air.
Accustomed to physical labor, she found this work trivial. As she held the wok, shaking and tossing the rice, the grains jumped and twirled as though they might escape, only to land back into the pan with perfect precision each time. The onlookers, captivated by the display, could hardly take their eyes off the mesmerizing dance of the rice.
Seeing that it was nearly done, she sprinkled a pinch of fine salt and chopped green onions into the pan, further enhancing the fragrance of the egg fried rice. With another swift toss, the rice arced gently through the air. She tapped the metal ladle against the iron wok and poured the golden creation onto a large, white porcelain plate.
The onlookers couldn’t help but fixate on the "simple" egg fried rice before them.
The mound of fried rice gleamed in golden hues—tender, fragrant, and perfectly cooked. On the white porcelain plate, it looked as though a plate of shredded gold had come to life. The aroma was pure and unpretentious, with no distractions—just the harmonious scent of eggs and rice, taken to its pinnacle of perfection.
The cook snapped out of her trance, only to realize that the surrounding area had fallen silent.
The skeptical diners stood mute, their doubts hanging in the air. Is it simple? Of course, it's simple. It's just egg and rice. But why is this pan-fried egg fried rice so attractive?
The shopkeeper broke the silence. "Are any guests willing to try the dish?"
The fried rice had already dispelled the doubts about its cleanliness. Now, it was time to overcome the lingering skepticism about its "plain" taste.
An elderly man at the front stepped forward. He was a farmer who had toiled his way through rigorous studies, competed in the imperial examinations, and eventually entered the court as an official. His children and grandchildren, ever attentive to his tastes, often brought him the finest delicacies, unaware that what he truly longed for, the flavor he had missed for so many years, was the pure and simple aroma of such humble dishes, not the extravagance they often offered.
He scooped up a spoonful, his actions watched with curiosity by the crowd, and took a bite of the egg fried rice.
The freshly cooked rice was steaming, its aroma of eggs rich and enveloping. As soon as it touched his tongue, the delicate, mellow fragrance swept across his palate, filling his entire mouth. The egg was soft and tender, clinging to the plump, sweet grains of rice, each bite smooth and perfectly balanced.
The rice itself was plump and soft, its moisture fully absorbed by the frying process, making each grain round and elastic. The rice danced in his mouth, its texture clear and distinct, accompanied by the fresh fragrance of green onions, a hint of oil, the rich warmth of egg yolks, and the clean essence of rice. The flavors melded seamlessly, and his spirit seemed to sink into a tranquil state. It was as if the very essence of "warmth," "naturalness," "purity," and "peace" had been captured in a single bite.
The old man hadn’t experienced such a sensation in years, and a flicker of excitement now lit up his face.
"How is it?" The eager diners, noticing his prolonged silence, quickly pressed him for an answer.
"Good," he nodded lightly at first, then with growing conviction, his voice becoming firmer, "Very good. Just... this... give me another plate!" As he spoke, he turned and stepped into the quiet shop.
"This... what does this mean?" The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, each wondering if this elderly man was somehow connected to the shop.
At this moment, those students, who had just finished eating, passed by and squeezed in the crowd to watch the excitement.
The picky student was always greedy. Hearing that someone needed to taste-test, he rushed to the front, "I'll come, I'll come."
The shopkeeper saw that he was dressed in brocade clothes. He was obviously not an ordinary citizen, nor the ordinary diners that the market wanted to attract, so he looked at Jiang Shuyao in the distance. But Jiang Shuyao did not shake her head. He retracted his gaze and hesitantly handed the porcelain spoon to the picky student.
Although the picky boy had a strong mouth, he knew right and wrong. This plate of food only consisted of rice and egg, so he would not ask for the smell of dragon meat.
He scooped a spoonful and brought it to his mouth. The egg was soft and delicate, and the rice grains were lightly coated in a thin layer of egg. Though he was clearly eating rice, the rich fragrance of the eggs seemed to permeate every grain. The sweet rice had a satisfying, chewy texture, and with each bite, the egg’s aroma deepened. The perfect balance of heat made the rice soft, while the egg retained a silky, mellow quality—its richness spreading like a subtle, fatty scent that swirled in his mouth.
"The taste is simple," he mused, "only the fragrance of egg and rice, yet the two flavors are so perfectly balanced, taken to their extreme. It may seem simple, but it holds a great deal of craft." He reached for another scoop, but the shopkeeper immediately snatched the plate away.
What are you doing? There’s drool on the spoon!
"Ah." He was so absorbed in the taste that he hadn’t even noticed. He quickly recovered, "Then... give us a few more plates."
One of his classmates, poking him from behind, asked, "Haven’t you had enough?"
"Let’s take it back to the academy," the picky student whispered, "When we stay up late to study, we’ll need something to snack on. Do you really want to go to the cafeteria for steamed buns?"
The classmates were momentarily stunned.
The picky student, having enjoyed such a delicious meal, was in an unusually good mood. He turned to Sun Niangzi and offered a compliment, "Your craftsmanship is exceptional."
Sun Niangzi stared at him blankly and then turned her gaze to the diners who were watching. They shook their faces, tried to breathe in the aroma, and talked about the scent in their mouths. The expressions on their faces did not have the slightest maliciousness, only the yearning and expectation for food, peaceful and full of goodwill.
The old man who entered the shop patted the table and yelled with his farmer-style loud voice, "Don't freeze! Quickly cook me a plate. This old man can't help being hungry."
The diners burst into good-faith laughter. The old man was walking around the street food market all day. They also got acquainted with him and joked, "Old man, be careful to eat too much, and your stomach can't support it!"
"Bah, you think I am you? You have a cat's stomach."
The cook had long been accustomed to a life of trembling, and she would kowtow to the heavens if she was not beaten. Thank God for his pity. In this kind and leisurely atmosphere, she felt like a world away from the life she once lived. As if the green bud broke the picture, a certain part of her heart trembled, and she fell into an indescribable softness. She felt that she suddenly understood what the lady said.
Food was healing.
"Hahaha, old man, don't just push yourself just because this sister-in-law is so skilled." The diners were still talking.
"No, no, I don't deserve the praise," Sun Niangzi suddenly lifted her head, correcting herself in a soft voice. But as she spoke, her tone grew louder, filled with a renewed energy she hadn't felt in years. "It’s the young lady who taught me. The fried rice I make is nothing compared to what my young lady can do! Don’t rush, old man, I’ll cook it for you now!"
The picky student listened, glancing at his classmates before his gaze landed on Xie Ye. "The young lady? Wait... could it be Miss Jiang?"
Xie Ye rolled his eyes, a look of exasperation on his face. "Otherwise?"
The picky student slumped in defeat, nearly tossing the spoon from his hand. "No! I won't accept this! I'm not reconciled! This—this—what are you laughing at?! It’s not you who’s shocked!"
They were moving too much, and everyone looked at them. After a while, someone recognized their clothes, "Is this a student from Qingtang Academy?"
"Huh? That's the best academy. The students in it are either rich or expensive, and they won't be working for this shop."
"Then... let's go in and try it?"
"Okay, okay, I'm hungry from just the smell."
What started with one soon grew to two, then more. The onlookers who had originally come only for the spectacle were now entering the shop. The shopkeeper, ecstatic, quickly instructed the waiters to greet the newcomers and show them to their seats. He couldn’t help but think that business in the coming days would be far busier than it had been.
The street food market buzzed back to life, its former vibrancy restored. The recent storm seemed like a distant memory, as the only sounds now were the laughter of diners and the hum of excited chatter. Word of mouth spread quickly, and in addition to the usual novelties of the market, the snack shop had gained a reputation. The owner, known for his upright and open nature, was now the talk of the town.
The steaming heat may have dissipated, but the fragrance of the street food market lingered for miles. Diners strolled or sat, each with a story to share—some filled with joy, others with sorrow—but all found solace in a warm bowl of fragrant food. They had fully embraced the ordinary, yet lively, summer night, their hearts content in the shared atmosphere.
Red lanterns hung along the street, casting a warm glow that lit up the long road, resembling a dazzling fire dragon eager to shine even brighter than the stars above.
Xie Xun, watching the lively scene unfold, turned to Jiang Shuyao and asked, "Relieved?"
Jiang Shuyao nodded and smiled, "Yes." She turned and walked towards the street, "Finally, the arrangements are almost done here."
Xie Xun walked side by side with her, protected her from a rampage urchin, and asked, "Are you still going to come here often?"
Jiang Shuyao waved her hand to the naughty kid, who apologized and said that she was fine. After an elder grabbed the little boy and walked away, she continued to walk with Xie Xun and replied, "Not as often."
Xie Xun nodded.
She added, "I will try to stay with you at home in the future."
Xie Xun was caught off guard, his ears flushing a deep red. Yet, he was no longer the shy young man who kept his thoughts hidden. He was now the one whom Jiang Shuyao had openly acknowledged as her sweetheart.
With a playful tilt of his lips, he said, "You're so wonderful."
The bold confession caught Jiang Shuyao off guard, and she suddenly smiled, her body instinctively bending slightly in amusement.
But as her smile lingered, Xie Xun froze, standing still as if something had caught his attention.
Jiang Shuyao, sensing a shift, stopped her smile, wondering if something was wrong. Just then, she heard him ask, "Tired, right?"
"A bit." Jiang Shuyao replied unclearly.
Xie Xun stretched out his hand, "Then I will take you home."
The bright and warm lights gleamed on the side of his face, making his cold facial features appear soft and warm. Jiang Shuyao placed her palm in his palm and repeated his words, "You are so wonderful."
On the ordinary and lively street food market, the two of them walked on the street holding hands. Sometimes they moved closer, and sometimes they scattered to avoid the crowd, but their fingers were always clasped together. Their backs disappeared on the street and gradually merged into the summer.
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