Back at the Ye family home, Ye Bajin put down the two large wooden buckets and was about to unload the tables and chairs.

Ye Caiping said, "The tables and chairs don't need to be dismantled; we'll have to move them out tomorrow."

"That's right. Just tie them to the cart, and I'll come pick you up tomorrow."

After Ye Bajin finished speaking, he drove the oxcart away.

Grandma Ye came out, dumbfounded: "These things... are all for tomorrow's stall?"

"Um."

What exactly are we going to sell?

"You'll find out tonight."

Grandma Ye was uncertain. She and Grandpa Ye had tried setting up a stall when they were young, selling porridge and rice noodles, but they lost everything.

The Ye brothers also tried this more than ten years ago, trying to sell wontons like others, but they couldn't even make back the cost of the tables and chairs.

In her view, her family couldn't earn that kind of money; their only destiny was to honestly farm.

Despite her grief, Grandma Ye still helped carry the wooden buckets and various ingredients into the house.

Ye Caiping walked into the kitchen and saw Du Shi preparing to put the brown rice into the pot. Starting today, it was the eldest son's turn to cook.

"Sister-in-law, I'll cook tonight." Ye Caiping placed the ingredients on the stove.

When Du saw her carrying in bags and packages, she knew there was something delicious to eat: "Okay, you make it."

She took off her apron and couldn't wait to leave the kitchen.

The Ye Jin'er sisters, Old Lady Ye, Madam Du and Madam Wei, and others gathered outside, watching her work through the window.

Ye Caiping wasn't worried about them learning how to make it; anyone who had eaten it could probably guess.

But the soul of her dish lies in the spices and white pepper she uses. No one else can imitate it.

Ye Caiping first soaked the wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli, peanuts, and other ingredients in boiling water.

Next, I started making chili oil.

First, grind the dried chili peppers into powder, mix them with white sesame seeds, and add some of her homemade spice powder.

The lard was heated until it was sizzling hot, and then poured on top with a sizzling sound, instantly releasing its aroma.

"It smells so good!" Ye Jin'er sniffed.

"This chili sauce must be delicious with rice." Mrs. Du swallowed hard.

Grandma Ye was heartbroken: "This oil is practically free, of course it will taste delicious."

Ye Caiping started washing her face again.

"Is this rice flour or wheat flour? Can it be washed like this?" Mrs. Wei asked.

Ye Caiping said, "This is for making gluten, a snack from the north."

Ye Caiping didn't know if there was gluten in the north of the Zhou Dynasty, but she would just pretend that for now, since information was scarce and no one knew the truth.

One pound of flour was used to wash half a basin of water and a fist-sized amount of gluten.

By this time, the wood ear mushrooms and other ingredients should be soaked and ready.

With everything ready, we started heating the oil in the wok.

Once the water boils, add the gluten, wood ear mushrooms, daylily buds, diced pork, and other ingredients in that order.

After boiling it, add her special spice powder, then add water and cook until thickened, finally adding white pepper.

Sprinkle with chopped green onions, and the aroma will immediately fill the air.

"My God, what's that smell?" Ye Daquan exclaimed excitedly as he carried in his hoe.

Accompanying him were Old Man Ye, Ye Erquan, and the Ye Yong brothers.

As soon as they entered, they smelled a strong and unique fragrance, which immediately invigorated them.

"It's my mother who's making the delicious food," Ye Jin'er said with a smile.

Ye Caiping said, "You're back just in time, let's eat!"

Grandma Ye and Madam Du went into the kitchen and brought the bowls, chopsticks, and a whole pot of spicy soup to the main room.

The weather had turned cold, and Old Man Ye, who had been busy in the fields all day, didn't smell bad. After washing his hands, he couldn't wait to sit down at the table.

Ye Caiping ladled a bowl of spicy soup for everyone.

Everyone looked at this unfamiliar dish, which resembled both porridge and soup, and couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.

Ye Daquan couldn't wait and took a big slurp: "My God...it smells so good...it's hot! Hot!"

"Why are you in such a hurry? You'll burn your tongue! Let's see how you eat then!" Du scolded.

"Even if it's cooked, I'll still eat it. Mmm, what's this flavor? It smells so good!"

Old Man Ye and the others also took a bite, their eyes widening in surprise.

"I've never tasted anything like this before."

"It smells so good, it's almost like my tongue is going to fall off."

"Mom, what's this?" Ye Jin'er looked at Ye Caiping with bright eyes. "Are we going to sell this tomorrow?"

“Yes. This is called Hu La Tang (spicy soup).” Ye Caiping also took a couple of bites.

Well, today's soup base isn't bone broth, so it's a bit lacking, but her recipe hasn't changed, and her standards are still up to par!

Old Man Ye looked at Ye Caiping: "Are you selling this tomorrow?"

"Yes, we sell them first thing in the morning. Dad, you can add chili peppers. Try adding a little, and you can also add vinegar."

Old Man Ye quickly added half a spoonful of chili oil, and his eyes lit up even more.

Ye Daquan ate half a bowl with gusto: "It's so delicious, it's sure to be a big seller."

"Shut up, and stop bragging." Old Mrs. Ye glared at him.

When Ye Daquan used to sell rice noodles and porridge, he boasted that they would sell like hotcakes, but he ended up losing a lot of money.

The brothers sold wontons, and Ye Daquan boasted about it, only to almost lose his underwear in the process.

“That’s right, brother, you’re such a jinx,” Ye Erquan said.

"You're the one who's a jinx, your whole family are jinxes!"

"My whole family is your whole family."

"Hahaha!"

The whole family laughed.

The hot and sour soup tasted so fresh that the pot was almost empty in no time.

Ye Daquan wanted to add more, but Ye Erquan stopped him, saying, "My Ye Peng hasn't eaten yet, let's save two bowls for him."

The cassava at home was still soaking in the river, and Ye Peng was keeping watch on the riverbank.

Mrs. Wei also felt sorry for her son, so she quickly took out a food box, packed up the remaining spicy soup, and asked Ye Erquan to deliver it over.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!