Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 94
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure and CitrusP
Chapter 94: Chicken Soup and Tofu Skewers
Everyone was chatting merrily, but the old madam interrupted their conversation, bringing it to a halt. Whether in her boudoir or after her marriage into Duke Xie’s residence, she hadn’t had a family banquet like this in decades. She had never been fond of such excitement, as it went against the rules, which she held dear, and she instinctively felt repelled by it.
"Fine." She said, putting down her chopsticks, "I'm not feeling well. You continue to eat."
She said that she was not feeling well, so the Xie family had to express their condolences and ask questions.
The old madam waved her hand impatiently, "I'm used to it. I'm just getting older, and I'm tired."
After all, the old madam had been strict-faced for many years, so no one noticed her unhappiness. When she left, everyone returned to their excited state.
It was still early when the old madam returned to Shouning Hall, and it was not time to go to bed. Since she couldn't sleep, she sat for a while and got hungry. The nanny asked someone to go to the main kitchen and get some vegetarian soup.
After taking a few sips, the old madam put down the spoon and sighed, "Sure enough, I am old. My belly is empty, but I still have no appetite."
The nanny persuaded, "Old Madam, look at what you are saying. If you are old, isn't this slave maid halfway into the soil?"
The old madam was depressed today and couldn't laugh. She just shook her head, "I'm just getting older, and sometimes I really can't see what the little ones are thinking." The crown prince came to Duke Xie's mansion, and the queen rewarded Jiang Shuyao. The crown prince himself supported the street food market. One after another, the old madam not only hurts her face, but she also feels so painful and wonders if she was too much.
"Am I the one who is hateful?" she said to herself.
The nanny lowered her head quickly when she heard the words, but she did not dare to answer.
With a poor appetite and a heavy heart, coupled with the toll of age, the old madam’s health had weakened. She pondered over these matters, worrying that she would be the one to blame for any issues.
A few days later, the old madam received a post inviting everyone to enjoy the flowers. Flower viewing was just an excuse. The real purpose was to get everyone together to chat. Otherwise, noblewomen would suffer from illness all day when they stayed inside their houses.
Although the old madam didn't have much interest, she still went. After she got there, she started to think again. When she thought about something, her face's expression became more rigid and serious, causing other people to whisper.
There was the woman who had a sharp look and wanted to talk to the old madam. Seeing her serious expression, her eyes rolled around, and she said, "What's the matter with the old madam Rong today? Is there something annoying?"
The old madam had a high status, and she was the role model of the noble mistresses. If these ladies could get her attention, there was light on their faces.
When she was unhappy, she grabbed a lot of attention from people who were coaxing her to talk.
"Let me guess, are you worried about your daughter-in-law?" This pretty madam was quite clever at talking and made it easier for everyone by opening the topic. In the tone of an old sisters' chat, everyone rushed to agree, and a flood of gossip erupted.
Jiang Shuyao can be described as a famous person in the capital. After marrying Xie Xun by tricks, there was no sign of "settling down" at all. On the contrary, she had become more and more serious—the opening of the wharf's restaurants, establishing the street food market, and then breakfast stalls.
She is a good, noble mistress. Why should she smell of copper?
While everyone was waiting to see her jokes, not only did she not fail to do the business as they thought she would, she made the business prosperous. Even their husbands and sons talked about the Lin family's food and detoured to buy some food from time to time before coming home.
"I heard that she often shows up at the street food market."
"What can you say, isn't her mother the same temper? But back then, the skinless and faceless people of the Lin family wanted to occupy the Lin family's family property. It was excusable for Mrs. Xiangyang to jump out to support the family business. But now the Lin family was so wealthy. She can spend her entire life just eating her natal family's money. Why should she continue to make money?"
"Yes, this kind of daughter-in-law is really worrying. I heard that she had visited not only the street food market but also the dock. She really doesn't understand the rules!"
The group of people talked, and the old madam's face became darker and darker.
With a "bang," she threw the teacup on the table.
The person who was talking about Jiang Shuyao's gossip just now realized that he had made the wrong kind of flattery and quickly bowed her head for fear of offending the old madam.
"Doesn't understand the rules? So, the rules you speak of are merely tools to suppress others, not to restrain yourself?"
The words hung in the air, causing a ripple of tension. Everyone was shaken, their nerves on edge from the unexpected sharpness of the statement. If they were named in person and told that she was unruly, their daughters would have difficulty negotiating marriage once the words spread.
Fortunately, the old madam was not an unforgiving person. After saying a few words indifferently, she left the house because she was unhappy, leaving a group of people sitting in the house secretly gritting their teeth for fear that someone would say that they chewed their tongues and annoyed the old madam.
The old madam did not immediately return to Duke Xie's mansion after leaving that house.
She feels depressed these days, and it's good to come out and breathe.
She told the coachman to make a circle around the river. Finally, she got out of the carriage and took a walk by the river.
"You tell me, is what they said makes sense?" the old madam asked the nanny.
The nanny hurriedly bowed, "Old madam, don't take it to your heart. They are just a bunch of unruly women with long tongues."
The old madam laughed, and the look on her face was even more ugly, "What's wrong with me. Didn't I think the same as they think?"
The nanny dare not speak anymore.
The old madam walked along the riverside and said quietly, "Rules? What are the rules? I'm getting old. Old and confused."
She paused and stood by the river in a daze. The nanny stood by and dared not say anything.
Seeing that the sky darkened, the nanny was waiting to give a reminder, but she heard the old madam suddenly say, "Where is Lin family's street food market?"
The mother was taken aback for a moment. Her family worked in the outer courtyard and knew very well about the outside world, so she heard a little bit and replied, "I heard it is at the end of the river."
The old madam nodded and said, "Let's go."
The nanny was taken aback, "The old madam is going back to the house?"
The old madam shook her head and walked slowly along the riverside, "Go to the street food market."
The mother was completely dumbfounded, and after walking for a while, she reacted, "Old madam, don't you want to take the carriage?"
"Go over."
The old madam did not bring many people to the banquet this time. Apart from the two coachmen, there was only one nanny. The two were slow, and when they arrived at the street food market, the sky was completely dark. Lanterns were hung all over the market, and the whole street was illuminated like a long fire dragon. It was a busy time.
Not only the old madam but even the nanny found themselves unsettled by the bustling activity. The old madam stood at the entrance of the street food market, her voice tinged with surprise. "Is this the Lin family's street food market?" she asked.
The nanny, equally astonished, could hardly believe her eyes. She knew the street food market had a good reputation, but she never imagined it would be this prosperous. The street stretched wide, packed with diners from all walks of life. There were commoners mingling with nobles draped in fine silks and satins. The sheer liveliness of the place far surpassed any other in the capital. It was truly a scene unlike any other.
The old madam didn't know why she wanted to take a look. She was planning to take a look and leave, but she was shocked by the first impression.
She moved her gaze to the side. There was a narrow street next to her, which was abruptly cleaned up and connected to the street food market. There were long wooden racks on the street, with huge signboards hung on them. The style was so domineering.
This narrow street, though not as grand as the other side, exuded a unique charm. The market was still in the process of being fully repaired, yet the rows of food stalls stretched along the street, creating a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.
The street was newly opened, catering to those looking for affordable meals. While food enthusiasts still roamed, eager to sample every offering, the majority of diners were everyday people.
The old madam thought for a while and walked towards the narrow street.
The nanny hurriedly followed her.
The market looked acceptable, but the food stall was rudimentary to the extreme.
The old madam had no appetite after being hungry for so many days, but when she stepped into the street food market full of rich aromas, she suddenly felt a bit greedy.
She turned around and watched a food stall owner scoop out the food from a large pot and serve it. The greedy insects disappeared silently.
The two went around in a circle, preparing to walk out of the street food market, and when they reached the end of the street, they were suddenly stopped.
The owner of the street food stall happened to have no diners in front of his stall. Seeing that the two of them went back and forth without getting any food, he said enthusiastically, "This lady doesn't know what to eat?"
It was the first time that the old madam faced such a down-to-earth soliciting scene, and she didn't know how to deal with it.
Seeing that she didn't answer, the stall owner thought he had guessed right and raised his finger to the food stall next to him and said, "Why don't you look at these chicken soup tofu skewers?"
Instead of recommending business from his own food stall, he pushed them to another stall. Out of curiosity, the old madam did not leave but came to the food stall he pointed to.
Standing in front of the food stall was a poorly dressed old woman, her clothes were washed white, her eyes were a little muddy, her temples were gray, and seeing diners approaching, she quickly said, "What do you want to eat, a bowl of chicken soup and tofu skewers?"
She must have had eye problems. Her gaze wandered as it fell on the old madam, so even though the old madam was very close, she couldn’t tell how expensive the clothes she wore were. She also didn’t realize that the old madam was not the type of person who would eat here.
The nanny should naturally answer for the old madam, but looking at the old man at this time, she found herself momentarily at a loss for words.
"My chicken soup is made from whole chickens. It's very fresh." She had a bad tongue, couldn’t attract customers, and didn’t look like she had a deft hand, so there were no diners in front of her food stall. But now someone had come, so she quickly cheered up.
The old madam remained silent—she had no intention of eating street food.
Feeling guilty for causing the elderly woman unnecessary joy, she instructed the nanny to give her some silver.
The old woman's ears were poor, she heard some words vaguely, and then the nanny gave her a large amount of silver. She quickly said, "Two bowls can't cost so much money." She turned her head and shouted to the stall owner next to her, "Hui Niang, help me see how many copper plates I need."
Hui Niang at the food stall next to her was busy and shouted, "Wait a minute!"
Seeing that the old woman had misunderstood, the nanny was about to say that they weren't buying food, but the old woman had already opened the lid of her pot quickly and started to say, "You sit down first, the tables and chairs are clean, and the tofu skewers with chicken soup will be here soon."
The nanny was at a loss for a while. She walked up to the old madam and hesitated, "This..."
The old madam was silent for a few breaths and said, "Forget it, sit down."
The nanny's eyes widened in surprise. She wasn't picky, and eating here wouldn't be an issue for her, but how could the old madam agree?
The old madam sat down at the low table. Although the low table was simple, it was cleanly polished. Even though the wood was not good, it had a layer of light.
After uncovering the pot, steaming white mist emerged, with the rich fragrance of chicken soup, instantly making the food stall's surroundings dyed with a sweet and delicious smell.
The nanny was standing behind the old madam. She was a little greedy when she smelled it and said to the old woman, "Aunt, why don't you open the lid when you cook the soup? The chicken soup smells so delicious. No wonder you have no guests here. ."
As the old woman scooped the chicken soup, she said, "No, the lady has explained that the chicken soup must be simmered slowly to keep the tofu taste."
The nanny thought about it for a moment and estimated that the lady she was talking about was Lin-shi, and she was a little confused, "Then if your business is not good, won't your wife blame you?"
"How can it be? The lady said she gave this recipe, and she arranged the business. If it is not sold well, it is because of her. We will get rewards if it sells well, but we only need to ensure the food's taste. The rest, we don't have to worry about it."
After scooping two bowls of chicken soup tofu skewers, sprinkling green onion, and coriander, the old woman asked, "Do you want garlic chili sauce? More or less?"
The nanny turned her head to look at the old madam. The old madam did not speak, so she replied, "Yes, just whatever is suitable."
The old woman turned her gaze to the side, focused her gaze, and found the garlic chili sauce jar.
Seeing her like this, the nanny inevitably worried about the taste.
Although the chicken tofu skewers look simple, her eyes are not good. Wouldn't she accidentally put too much seasoning?
As she was thinking like this, a crisp child's voice sounded, "Grandma! Let me do it."
The old madam and the nanny turned their eyes to the street, and a little girl ran over with two bowls. She was panting, watching them sit here, and quickly said, "Guests, wait a minute, it will be ready soon."
She ran over, put the bowl down, then dragged a small bench. She stood on it and picked up the spoon, "Do they want hot sauce? More or less?"
The old woman repeated what the nanny said.
The girl scooped the seasoning separately, then jumped off the bench again, trotting over with the bowl in hand and placing it in front of them. "Please try it," she said.
The old woman followed behind her slowly and put the chopstick holder on the table.
The old madam and mother were stunned.
The girl seemed to have guessed what they were thinking and explained, "My grandmother's eyes are not good. But I watched the delicate work of putting condiments daily. Don't worry. The taste is definitely not bad."
After she finished speaking, she returned to the food stall and said to the old woman, "Grandma, let's eat. The steward gave me an extra egg today. Let's split it in half."
The old madam and the nanny looked at each other, and the nanny hesitated and asked, "Old madam, do you want to eat it?"
The old madam cast her gaze on the chicken tofu skewers in front of her. The chicken soup was clear and yellow, with sporadic grease on the surface. The dried tofu was tender and yellow. The chicken soup piled up on the bottom of the bowl, and the vegetables were added to the bowl—the whole bowl was brightly colored. White garlic sauce and crushed peanuts are adorned in the center, and it smelled delicious and warm.
When she had no appetite, the main kitchen was too exhausted to cook for her. Everything flying in the sky or swimming in the sea was brought to the table for her, but she still had no appetite.
Sitting at a clean, low table with the warm yellow glow of the lanterns, people coming and going on the street, the little girl's voice gently speaking to the old woman, the old madam's numb stomach stirred, and she suddenly felt hungry.
The old madam opened her mouth and said, "Don't stand. Sit down and eat with me." In the shocked gaze of the nanny, she took the chopsticks and prepared to eat.
She mixed the seasoning gently and picked up a tofu skewer with chopsticks. Wrapped in the rich, savory chicken soup, the skewer offered a delicious, mellow fragrance that bloomed on her tongue. The warmth spread through her mouth, and the plump, clear chicken broth, soft enough to be swallowed without chewing, evoked a deep sense of gluttony.
It was the old madam's first time trying tofu skewers, and she was struck by how fresh they looked and tasted. The tofu had a tough skin that was resistant to boiling, perfect for soaking in the soup. The chicken broth had seeped into the tofu, making it soft and delicate. With a bite, the warm broth splashed in her mouth, the freshness of the chicken and the mellow soy blending together in perfect harmony.
The chicken broth had been simmered long enough, its umami fully extracted by the slow fire, infusing both the tofu skewers and green vegetables. The tofu skewers were substantial, and when placed in her mouth, it required no concern for posture. She had to take care to breathe slightly to prevent the chicken soup from dripping. As she sipped the broth, bit into the tofu, and chewed, the aroma of the soybeans grew stronger and more fragrant. The vegetables, fresh and crisp, added a refreshing contrast, further enhancing the depth of flavor.
After finishing the tofu skewers, she could not bring herself to waste the remaining chicken soup.
There was no spoon at the food stall, so the old madam hesitated for a while and held up the bowl to drink it.
The chicken soup was clear, and the spices were filtered out. Only the boiled minced chicken and peanuts remained at the bottom of the bowl. After drinking the chicken soup, she poured the dry ingredients from the bottom of the bowl into her mouth and chewed it carefully. The finishing touch was full of enjoyment.
It wasn't until she put down the bowl that she suddenly realized that she didn't follow the rules today. She just sat down on the street and actually ate street food. She even ate it clean, and didn't even think of what she was eating.
After she finished eating, her face was uncomfortable. It happened that Hui Niang at the food stall next to her had finished her work. She ran over to help count the money. Seeing that the old madam's face was not good, she suddenly became nervous, "This lady, does it taste bad?"
How could it taste bad? It was too good and the old madam began to doubt herself.
"No, it tastes good."
The stall owner nodded and realized that her clothes were not ordinary materials. A tasteful noble affirmed her cooking, and she was very happy, "That's good." She found the change, put it on the table, and sighed, "I don't know when the shops here can be repaired. Then there will be no need to eat on the street, and the nobles will not dislike our food."
The old madam didn't say anything, so the stall owner continued to mutter to herself, "Hey, I don't know when the lady will come. I heard from people from the old street that the lady went there before and improved the recipes one by one—the food went up to a higher level! You should remember to try it again when that time comes."
The old madam was taken aback. The ‘lady’ that the stall owners were referring to was not Lin-shi, so it could only be Jiang Shuyao.
Jiang Shuyao actually stayed in the snack street for a few days?
Reflecting on the bustling street food market, where people came and went, and considering that she had come here to improve the recipe, the old madam couldn't help but voice her disbelief. "What a scandal!" she blurted out.
The stall owner did not understand her reaction and said inexplicably, "What ‘scandal’?"
"A young miss of the Lin family showing her face and even walking around in public?"
The stall owner smiled and said, "Yes, Miss has no airs at all. We are so lucky. She can teach her craft to us, hand in hand."
The old madam took a mouthful and said, "How can she be so unruly?"
Only then did the stall owner hear the old madam's objection, she turned and noticed the old madam's shocked and disapproving look. The sudden revelation made the stall owner upset. From what hole this auntie came from and actually pointed to his lady's head?
"This lady, you’ve got it wrong. Look around—on this street, which woman is abiding by the rules?"
She pointed to the food stall across the street. "Her husband was a drunkard who drank himself to death, and the rest of the family were bloodsuckers, robbing their mother and son of their wealth. If she followed the rules and didn't sell food, she and her son would starve to death." She pointed out a few more stalls at random. "If she obeyed the rules, her brother and sister-in-law would sell her into a brothel; if she followed the rules, she'd be bullied to death by her daughter-in-law and son; if she adhered to the rules, she'd be handed over to an 80-year-old man as a plaything."
She finally pointed to the old woman selling chicken soup and tofu skewers, "And Aunt Hu, if she abides by the rules and doesn't let Xiaohua go out and sell food, how can they, grandmother and granddaughter, support themselves?"
After Hui Niang finished speaking, she turned to the old madam and said, "No women in this street follow the rules, but this is the busiest place in the whole capital. High-ranking officials and ordinary people, when they come, they would give praise."
The girl squatting and eating noodles behind the food stall heard her name and poked her head out from behind the food stall, "Yeah, what's the use of rules? The lady said, only crafts are real. When we learn a craft, I won't die from starvation." She smiled, her eyes full of hope, "When I get older, I can learn to settle the accounts. The lady said that as long as I pass the test, she will use me. When I make money, I will fix the thatched roof at home with large tiles. There will be no dripping on rainy days."
The old madam just blurted out spontaneously, but she didn't expect to be refuted. She looked at Hui Niang awkwardly, not knowing what to say for a while.
Seeing the old madam's disapproval of Jiang Shuyao, Hui Niang sighed softly and shook her head. "If you ask me, the rules are nothing but cannibalism. You may not understand, but the young lady does. She taught us that in life, happiness is the most important thing. Though she never said it outright, she brought us in, taught us how to cook, and appeared here despite her status. She transformed the street food market into the most prosperous street in Chang’an and gave us a chance to live again... Each of these actions is proof of that truth."
After she finished speaking, diners came to her food stall, and she quickly turned back to entertain them.
On the cold autumn night, steaming white mist wafted from the food stalls, and diners on the street stopped or passed by. The lanterns swayed with the wind, and the orange light sprinkled in front of the food stalls, casting a circle of bright shadows fused with the misty heat.
Obviously, the old madam's usually most annoyed with noise, but she feels extremely peaceful inside. She stared at the lantern and was stunned.
Seeing that the old madam was sitting there motionless, the old woman thought that Hui Niang had caused her displeasure and stood up nervously, rubbing her wrinkled hands on the whitish apron.
When the girl saw this, she said, "Grandma, eat quickly. The noodles won't taste good." She followed the old woman's gaze and looked at the old madam. Seeing her sitting there in a daze, she ran over and said, "Do you want another bowl?"
The old madam regained consciousness and her gaze collided with the girl's innocent eyes.
"Ah Hua, come here quickly." The old woman had now noticed the old madam's dignity. She was calling her ignorant granddaughter over for fear of annoying the noblewoman.
The old madam laughed suddenly, and she said, "Okay, let's have two more bowls..." As she said that, she was dumbfounded. She looked at the nanny and asked, "Do you want to go back and bring some bowls for your grandchildren? "
The nanny breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Well, they will love this food."
The girl took the business and bounced away.
After a while, she brought two bowls of tofu with chicken soup and put them on the table. She was about to turn around, but she was stopped by the old madam, "How about you come over and eat with us? Don't squat over there to eat. Just sit down and eat with us."
The guests did not dislike it. Of course, Ah Hua was willing to sit. She quickly took her bowl and came over.
No words when eating, no words when sleeping.
[T/N: This is some of Confucius's rules or habits.]
The old madam stirred up the bowl of tofu for a while and finally spoke, "Are you and your grandmother alone in your house?"
"Yes, my mother didn't survive the winter last year, so she left. My father married a stepmother. They didn't want me, so I followed my grandmother.
The old madam touched her hair, "You have suffered."
"It was neither hard nor bitter. Since my lady asked us to work in the street food market, I can eat every day."
"Oh? What are you eating? Do you like the food here?"
...
The old and young conversed slowly, their words meandering from Ah Hua’s tales to those of the various food stall owners, and eventually to the story of the street food market itself. Warm and cold. The aroma of the food softened the autumn night's bite, while the rising steam, warm and lively, wrapped the air in a gentle mist. The night would grow colder still, lasting until winter's end, but for the unfortunate souls of the street food market, only the promise of a warm spring lay ahead.
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