Ten days later, during the holiday, Wang Yan went home and got two packets of chili powder.

Mix wheat flour and potato starch in a 2:1 ratio, add salt, cumin powder, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and a small amount of chili powder, then add boiling water and knead into a smooth dough.

Roll out the dough, cut it into pieces, and steam it for 15 minutes.

Heat oil in a wok, add scallions, cilantro, star anise, and fennel seeds and fry until all the spices are dry. Remove and drain the oil.

After the oil has cooled down, pour it back into the pot, add two spoonfuls of chili powder, one spoonful of cumin powder, half a spoonful of Sichuan peppercorn powder, half a spoonful of sugar, and a suitable amount of salt, and stir-fry until fragrant.

Pour the steamed dough pieces into the mixture and stir, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning.

Spicy and chewy, the aroma filled the whole yard.

Zhihan came to inquire after being instructed by Granny Hua, and Aunt Sun kindly filled a basin with food for her to take away.

He turned his head and looked at Wang Yan with a bitter expression. Needless to say, this spicy snack was sure to be a hit with everyone.

But, sigh, I'm so tired! Just as I was lamenting to myself, Qingqian came over excitedly, "Madam has a reward for you."

He carried a tray with two silver ingots, two delicate gold bracelets, and a packet of silver melon seeds on it.

The reason for the generous gifts this time is that I instructed my servants to write down the recipe for crispy rice crust for many families at the last birthday banquet.

The lady forgot about it later, and just then, the spicy strips were served again. Qingmei reminded her, and that's how these rewards were made up.

Grandma Sun was feeling tired just now, but now she's full of energy and ready to knead two more big bowls of dough!

………………

As the weather gradually gets colder, sweeping the backyard in spring and summer isn't really a hard job, except for the inability to stand out.

I sweep it twice a day, morning and evening. The area is quite large, but since it's the backyard, the requirements aren't that meticulous.

Unlike the front yard, where you have to kneel down and carefully wipe it again after sweeping, except on rainy or snowy days when you can take a break.

They only needed to mop once, and even though Granny Hua was very particular about details, Chunlan was the one who did the meticulous work at her door.

But now that the weather is getting colder and there are more fallen leaves, Wang Yancai realizes how difficult this job is.

They sweep almost from morning till night, and the garbage has to be transported out several times a day.

Grandma Sun could cook some red bean and barley porridge, and she and Chunye could enjoy some of the hot soup to replenish their energy.

The back room is now in turmoil again. After the new year, they will release Zhimo and Zhiruo.

Chun Cui now feels an urge to say something sarcastic whenever she sees them, but somehow, on someone's orders, she holds back. Her face looks extremely conflicted.

Wang Yan didn't care. She wouldn't be ten years old until next year, and her birthday wouldn't be until summer, so she wouldn't have much of a chance to compete.

Chunyu and Chunxue, however, had a sudden inspiration and diligently sent many handkerchiefs and purses that they had embroidered themselves to the senior maids.

Second-class maids were required to be skilled in knitting and embroidery, as well as tea preparation and hair combing.

The purpose of giving this gift was twofold: firstly, to present it as a present, and secondly, to let the head maid see the quality of her cooking skills.

The two of them did displease the people in the next room, who got angry and made a fuss over several things. Even Chunju glared at them for several days.

Since the last water-splashing incident, she rarely bothered them.

There have been quite a few commotions these past two days. Meanwhile, in the wife's room, several people are discussing who should be promoted.

"Chunyan and Chunxi are too young, not quite right. Chunxue is steady and reliable, but Chunyu is quick-witted."

Chunye and Chunlan are hardworking and meticulous, but Chunlan is a bit too impulsive.

Chunju is alright, but Chuncui is absolutely out of the question. Though she's a bit older, she's always been fond of vying for the top spot and causing trouble. As for getting into the second tier, I don't know how much trouble that would cause!

After hearing Qingqian's summary, Qingmei chimed in.

"Zhimo came a couple of days ago, and judging from her expression, she was most satisfied with Chuncui."

Qingyu chuckled and gave her a look, as if to say, "You still don't know what's going on?"

Chuncui's aunt married a first-class maid who had been released from the old lady's household. Now she works as a minor manager in the outer courtyard.

Zhi Mo was hoping to find a good job for her younger brother, so how could she not try to curry favor with Chun Cui?

Qingyu spoke up, "There are still more than two months left, let's wait and see!"

"That's right. There's no rush. We'll take a closer look and find something usable. Let's focus on the winter clothes for the public treasury first."

A third-class maidservant had one set of uniforms per season, but winter clothes were difficult to dry, so an extra set was added, making it two sets.

It's all from head to toe. This time, the clothes aren't gray.

The lady said that there were no flowers in the yard in winter, so the little maid who worked outside should wear red.

Qingyu chose a stone red color for the little girls, as it was both dirt-resistant and festive.

I specifically asked them to make it a little longer so it could fit in the bowl. I was worried the little girls would grow up too fast.

Wang Yan went to get her measurements taken and then forgot all about it. It would take more than a month for the clothes to arrive.

In a side room of the main courtyard, Zhimo and Zhiruo were doing needlework together.

As they were about to leave, the important tasks of serving their masters were gradually relinquished, except for needlework, which they still kept in their hands.

Zhimo glanced sideways at Zhiruo, "I heard from the news that your mother went to beg the madam to betroth you to Changqing in the Prince's courtyard."

"Mmm." Zhiruo blushed and responded with a soft hum, her head bowed.

Zhi Mo felt a pang of sadness in her heart. They were both her daughters, and her mother only ever asked her to find ways to help her younger brother.

She didn't know how to cultivate relationships or ask for favors when she got married; she just waited for her wife to give her instructions.

The lady didn't say anything. After finally pleading, judging from the hints Qingmei and the others gave, it seemed like they were going to arrange for her to marry one of Steward Wang's distant nephews.

She overheard her father talking about her nephew in private, when he was drunk, and it seemed like he wasn't a good person.

Why? She's prettier and smarter than Zhiruo, and now she's going to marry a lowly servant who has no power and might even be morally flawed.

In the future, Zhiruo will definitely be the head steward's wife, and Changqing will value her so much! What about her? The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became.

"I'm going out to get some tea!" she said coldly, then went out for some fresh air.

"Go ahead!" Zhiruo didn't seem to care much.

As I stepped out of the house, I saw Zhihan carrying a box, heading to deliver spicy strips to the Prince's courtyard.

This thing is novel, and recently many masters have specifically come to the main courtyard to ask Granny Sun to make it.

Zhi Mo bit her lip, standing there blankly, lost in thought.

Once back in the room, she urged Zhiruo, "Why don't you make a belt for Brother Changqing?"

Zhiruo put a piece of plum candy she had brought back in her mouth and said seriously, "What are you saying? You're still working in Madam's courtyard, how can you embroider things for outsiders?"

He stammered a little, "Wait, let's make it for him when we get home after the New Year."

Zhi Mo echoed, poured herself a cup of tea, and said no more.

“Yan girl,” Aunt Sun winked at her.

Wang Yan was secretly delighted; it was time to distribute the rewards again.

After finishing work in the evening, I deliberately stayed a little later than usual. The Third Miss rewarded me with a pair of jade earrings and a packet of copper coins. The Fifth Miss rewarded me with a pair of pearl earrings. The Eighth and Ninth Misses together rewarded me with a string of coins.

Putting aside all the other miscellaneous items, I collected about a dozen taels of silver in commission over the past ten days.

Grandma Sun gave her all the jewelry she had received, except for one of the two gold bracelets that the old lady had given her.

Wang Yan packed up a bag of gold and silver jewelry and headed back to her room. Halfway there, she suddenly bumped into someone, nearly scaring her out of her wits.