Tled by Serena Love

Unedited

Chapter 94 (1): Chicken Soup and Tofu Skewers

Everyone was talking happily, but the old madam interrupted their chat and they couldn't continue.

Whether when she was still in her boudoir or after she married Duke Xie's residence, she hasn't had this kind of family banquet for decades.

She doesn't like the excitement, and excitement is not in line with the rules at all, so she instinctively dislikes 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 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 the excitement again.

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 is halfway to 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.

Poor appetite and unhappy mood, coupled with getting older, the old madam's body is not as strong as before. She thinks about it over and over again, for fear that she will be the one to blame.

A few days later, the old madam received a post inviting everyone to enjoy the flowers. Flower viewing is just an excuse. The real purpose is to get everyone together to chat. Otherwise, noblewomen will suffer from illness all day when they stay inside their house.

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 has a high status, and she is the role model of the noble mistresses. If these ladies can get her attention, there is light on their faces.

When she was unhappy, she grabbed a lot of attention from people who are coaxing her to talk.

"Let me guess, are you worried about your daughter-in-law?" This pretty madam is 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 door of gossip just opened.

Jiang Shuyao can be described as a famous person in Beijing. After marrying Xie Xun by tricks, there is no sign of "settling down" at all. On the contrary, she has 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 didn't 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 in 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 is excusable for Mrs. Xiangyang to jump out to support the family business. But now the Lin family is 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 visited 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? It turns out that the rules in your mouth are used to suppress others, not to restrain yourself." Everyone that she looked at shook because of nervousness.

If they were named in person and told that she was unruly, their daughters would have difficulty negotiating marriage once the words were passed on.

Fortunately, the old madam is 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.

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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 to mention the old madam, even the nanny is not used to the excitement of people coming and going.

The old madam stood on the street food market entrance and said in surprise, "Is this the Lin family's street food market?"

The nanny was also very surprised. She just knew that the street food market business was good, but she had never expected it to be so prosperous. Such a long and wide street is actually crowded with diners. At first glance, there are people in need, and there are nobles in silk and satin. It was crowded, and there is no other place in the capital that is more lively than this.

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 is not as prosperous as the other side, and the market has not been fully repaired. It is just a long street of food stalls, but it is still very lively.

This street is newly opened, and it sells cheap food. Although there are still gluttons searching for food in it, the diners are more ordinary 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 fragrance, she actually started to be a little 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 should have eye problems. Her gaze falling on the old madam was a little wandering, so she couldn't see how expensive the cloth was on her even though the old madam was so close. She didn't know that the old madam is not the kind 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 couldn't open her mouth for a while.

"My chicken soup is made from whole chickens. It's fresh." She has a bad tongue, can't attract customers, and doesn't look like she has a handy hand, so there have been no diners in front of her food stall. But now someone has come, so she quickly cheered up.

The old madam didn't answer. She would not eat street food.

But because she came here and made the old woman happy for nothing, she felt guilty and asked the nanny to give her some money.

The old woman's ears were poor, she heard some words vaguely, and then the nanny gave her a large amount of silver. She and 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 is not particular, and it is nothing for her to eat here, 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 has 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 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."

Chapter 94 (2): Chicken Soup and Tofu Skewers

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 girls scooped up the seasoning separately, jumped off the bench again, trot over holding the bowl, and put the bowl in front of them, "Please try it."

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 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.

But sitting at a clean low table at this time, the lantern glowed with warm yellow light, people came and went on the street, and the little girl's voice is talking to the old woman. The old madam's numb stomach woke up, and she suddenly became hungry.

The old madam opened the mouth and said, "Don't stand. Sit down and eat with me." In the shocked eyes of the nanny, she took the chopsticks and prepared to eat.

She mixed the seasoning a little and picked the tofu skewers with chopsticks. The tofu skewers are wrapped in the rich and delicious chicken soup, the delicious and mellow fragrance blooms on the tongue, the warmth is in the mouth, and the plump and clear chicken soup that does not need to be chewed. The sweetness evokes gluttony.

This is the first time for the old madam to eat the tofu skewers, which are fresh to look at and fresh when chewing. The tofu skewers have tough skin, boil-resistant, and suitable for soup. The chicken broth was absorbed inside the tofu—it is soft and delicate. With a bite, the warm chicken broth splashed out in the mouth, both the freshness of chicken broth and the mellowness of soy blended together.

The chicken broth was boiled long enough, and the low fire allowed all the umami to come out, soaking the tofu skewers and green vegetables. The tofu skewers are heavy. When you put it in your mouth, you don't care about your posture. You have to breathe a little bit to prevent the chicken soup from dripping. While sucking the soup, biting, and chewing, the soybeans' aroma becomes stronger and more fragrant. In addition to being delicious, the vegetables are fresh, crisp, and refreshing, which further enriches the taste.

After eating the tofu skewers, the chicken soup left behind can't be wasted.

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 is clear, and the spices are filtered out. Only the boiled minced chicken and peanuts remain 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 is 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, 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, and the stall owner said 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 recipe 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 talking about was not Lin-shi. It was Jiang Shuyao.

How many days did Jiang Shuyao stay in the street food market?

Thinking about the street food market where people came and going, and thinking about she appeared here to improve the recipe, the old madam couldn't believe it and blurted out, "What style is this?"

The stall owner did not understand her reaction and said inexplicably, "What style?"

"A young miss of the Lin family is showing her face and walking around that street?"

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 and looking at the old madam's shocked and disapproving look. She was suddenly upset. From what hole this auntie came from and actually pointed to his lady's head?

"This lady, you said something wrong. Look at this street, which woman is abiding by the rules?"

She pointed to the food stall on the opposite side, "Her husband is a drunkard who drank to death, and the rest of the family were bloodsucker and robbed their mother and son of their wealth. If she abides by the rules and does not go out to sell food, the mother and son will starve to death." She pointed out a few more at random, "If she obeys the rules, she will be sold into a brothel by her brother and sister-in-law; if she obeys the rules, she will be bullied to death by her daughter-in-law and son; If she followed the rules, she would be given 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 that she didn't like Jiang Shuyao, Hui Niang sighed softly and shook her head, "If you want me to say, the rules are all cannibalism. You don't understand, but the young lady understands. She told us that in life, happiness is the most important thing. Although she didn't say this clearly, she took us in, taught us cooking, showed up here regardless of her identity. She turned the street food market into the most prosperous street in Beijing, and let us live again... Each thing is proofing this 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.

"A 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."

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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, Ahua 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 don't want me, so I followed my grandmother.

The old madam touched her hair, "You have suffered."

"It is 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 the young are eating and talking slowly. From Ahua's story to the various food stall owners' stories and then to the street food market story. Warm and cold. The food in the bowl is a simple chicken soup and tofu skewers. The aroma of the food dissipates the autumn night's coldness, and the heat brings up the warm and lively white mist. The night is getting colder until the winter ends, but the unfortunate people in the street food market will only have a warm spring in the future.

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