Chapter 104 Visiting Yu Cai at the Wu Family Home: He wasn't after any favors...
After Jiang Ji drove the oxcart into the village, he went straight to Jiang Dahe's house.
I thought Jiang Dahe would be frying tofu puffs at the workshop right now, but when I entered the house, Jiang Dahe, Liang Erxiang, Jiang Liu, Jiang Yu, and Bao Beiyuan were making glutinous rice balls in the kitchen.
Yesterday, Jiang Shun delivered some glutinous rice balls to Jiang Dahe's family.
It was the first time that Jiang Dahe's family of four had eaten glutinous rice balls. Although rice mochi is also made of glutinous rice, it has a completely different texture compared to glutinous rice balls with fillings.
After tasting the glutinous rice balls, the family of four were amazed by how perfectly round they were.
The family ate the forty glutinous rice balls that Jiang Shun brought over in two meals, and there were still twelve left at noon today—they simply couldn't bear to eat them to their heart's content.
But to entertain Bao Beiyuan, Jiang Dahe instructed Liang Erxiang to cook all twelve glutinous rice balls.
This made Bao Beiyuan somewhat emotional, so he went to Jiang Shun to borrow two catties of glutinous rice flour and stir-fried some black sesame filling, and then taught the family of four how to make glutinous rice balls.
Jiang Dahe was very embarrassed.
Glutinous rice costs ten coins a pound now.
Glutinous rice flour is more expensive, and he wanted to give Bao Beiyuan money, but Bao Beiyuan refused.
Therefore, upon seeing Jiang Ji return, he quickly began praising Bao Beiyuan to Jiang Ji and Ye Li.
This young man is great; he's warm-hearted, generous, and although he doesn't talk much, he's hardworking!
Upon hearing this, Ye Li immediately said, "Xiao Yuan, we have glutinous rice flour at home; it's kept in the storeroom."
Bao Beiyuan continued kneading glutinous rice balls with his hands, explaining, "Brother Li, I went bird hunting with Xiaomai yesterday and didn't notice where you got the glutinous rice flour from."
"When we get back to the county town, I'll resupply Xiao Shun."
"...Okay then."
Ye Li nodded.
If he were to deliver glutinous rice flour to Jiang Shun right now, Jiang Shun would definitely refuse it.
Thinking of what happened at the Ye family's house at noon, he said, "Second Uncle, I'll ask Xiaomai to bring some glutinous rice flour over later, so you can make a lot."
Two pounds of glutinous rice flour isn't enough to make enough glutinous rice balls.
The Jiang and Ye families were poor before, with little to no food, especially the Ye family, who could barely make ends meet with porridge, so everyone in them had big bellies.
The seventy glutinous rice balls he brought to the Ye family today were not enough—according to Ye Liang, he could eat dozens of dumplings, so he could definitely eat dozens of glutinous rice balls too.
There are seventy glutinous rice balls, but each person can only get seven, which means they can just taste them!
One pound of glutinous rice flour can make about forty glutinous rice balls.
Two jin only yields eighty pieces.
So, if you want to eat to your heart's content and have several meals, you'll definitely need to pack more.
After hearing Ye Li's words, Jiang Dahe wanted to shake his head, but Ye Li directly called Jiang Ya and Jiang Mai home.
He is going to visit Yu Cai tomorrow, and he plans to make some snacks.
Ye Li walked quickly, and Jiang Dahe stopped talking.
Oh well, I've had my share of food from my nephew-in-law anyway.
He would be polite to Bao Beiyuan, but not to Ye Li.
Jiang Ji stayed to help make glutinous rice balls. A little while later, Jiang Mai arrived, carrying three catties of glutinous rice flour and one catty of taro paste.
Ye Li specially saved some extra taro paste today, because the dessert he's going to make is taro paste egg tarts.
Before the New Year, he had a blacksmith make a pot. It looked like a deep, flat-bottomed round pot with four legs and a lid.
He used this pot as an oven.
While it can't compare to a real oven, it's perfectly capable of baking simple desserts like egg tarts.
Egg tart filling is easy to make; it's just goat milk, eggs, and sugar.
Egg tart crusts are easy to make. Just add corn oil, condensed milk, and water to flour, mix well, and then roll it out into a crust.
Without tin foil trays, he folded small paper boxes out of oil paper.
The cardboard box shouldn't be too big, otherwise the egg tart filling will easily leak out during baking, and the tarts will fail.
To make the cardboard box more sturdy, he even folded it into a double layer.
After stacking the tart shells, place them inside, then add a layer of taro paste, and finally pour in the egg tart filling. Now you can put them in the oven.
Jiang Ya assisted him, and the two of them, one big and one small, worked together to bake more than fifty small egg tarts by the time Jiang Ji, Jiang Mai, and Bao Beiyuan returned.
The egg tarts are really small, only half the size of an adult's palm, so small that even Jiang Ya can eat one in one bite.
But it looks good: the egg custard on the surface is golden brown, the middle is smooth and soft taro paste, and the last part is a crispy egg custard crust, with a rich and layered texture.
Moreover, it's piping hot right out of the pot, and the sweet, milky aroma keeps wafting into your nose.
Two words: Delicious!
Jiang Ya held one in each of his small hands, eating with great enthusiasm. If Ye Li hadn't stopped him, he could have eaten until he was full in one go.
To prevent him from being envious, Ye Li simply sent him to deliver egg tarts to Jiang Dahe's family.
Ye Li was also concerned about Jiang Tong's marriage, so she asked Jiang Ji to use the excuse of delivering egg tarts to inquire about it.
A short while later, Jiang Ji returned.
They also brought the latest news:
Jiang Tong reluctantly agreed that the other party was alright. In the next few days, he planned to visit the young man's neighbors to see if the matchmaker had exaggerated or hidden anything.
Upon hearing this, Ye Li became interested: "Why are you doing this again? I never realized before that Brother Datong was such a stubborn person."
Jiang Ji also found it funny.
However, Jiang Tong is already twenty-one, and the marriage has finally made progress. He is happy for Jiang Tong!
Nothing was said that night.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Ye Li stayed in bed as usual.
He didn't get up until the taro paste was ready.
Today, he and Jiang Ji went to visit a friend at the Wu family's house. Since Yu Cai was ill, he asked Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya to stay at home and be looked after by Bao Beiyuan for a day.
Moreover, Jiang Mai will be going to the private school on the eighth day of the lunar new year.
The little guy hasn't been studying properly since the Kitchen God Festival. With the New Year almost over, it's time for him to get back to his studies.
With Bao Beiyuan's level of expertise, teaching him would be no problem at all.
Ye Li promised to bring Jiang Ya some good food when he returned. Afterwards, the couple got on an oxcart and first went to deliver goods to Banxianju, and then to the Wu family.
When the two went to the Ye family yesterday, they had to pass through the county town, so they passed on a message to Peng Ximing: if Yu Cai sent someone over again, they should tell the person that the couple would visit the Wu family as agreed.
Therefore, as soon as the two of them arrived at Banxianju, Peng Ximing quickly came to greet them.
Yu Cai found out and is waiting for them at home.
With these words, the two felt relieved. Jiang Ji gave Peng Ximing a few egg tarts, and without lingering, the couple went to the Wu family's house.
Upon arriving at the Wu family's door, Jiang Ji parked the oxcart, got off, and went to knock on the door.
In just a few breaths, the door opened, and a servant-like person appeared at the door.
He glanced at Jiang Ji and Ye Li, and before Jiang Ji could speak, he said, "You two must be Jiang Linsheng and Manager Ye, right?"
Manager Ye?
Jiang Ji nodded slightly: "Yes."
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the servant became much more enthusiastic: "Then please come in quickly, the master, the eldest son, and the youngest son are all waiting for you two."
"……good."
Jiang Ji was somewhat stunned.
The whole family is waiting for him and Ye Li?
So he and Ye Li went into the Wu family's house. Ye Li was carrying a three-tiered food box containing egg tarts.
As the two walked to the hanging flower gate connecting the front yard and the main yard, they saw Wu Fulang, Yu Shiting and his wife, and Yu Cai also arrive at the hanging flower gate.
All four of them had smiles on their faces, especially Wu Fulang, who greeted Jiang Ji and Ye Li with great enthusiasm: "Hey, were you cold on the way? Come in quickly, there's a charcoal brazier, use it to warm up."
"Hot tea and snacks are all laid out, just waiting for you to arrive."
He said a few words as he approached Ye Li, took her arm, and said with a smile, "You've grown even more handsome in just a few days."
This wasn't the first time Ye Li had experienced Wu Fulang's enthusiasm, but the grand gesture from this family made him feel somewhat overwhelmed.
Yu Shiting also cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Ji: "I have long heard of Brother Jiang's great name. Today I finally meet you in person. You are indeed extraordinary in appearance and demeanor."
"We've finally managed to get together today, Brother Jiang. We'll have to have a few drinks later. Please come in."
As he spoke, he turned to the side, gesturing for Jiang Ji to come inside.
Jiang Ji was somewhat flattered and quickly replied, "I have long heard of Brother Yu's virtuous reputation. Meeting you today, I can confirm that you are indeed dignified and imposing."
Yu Cai chuckled upon hearing this: "Alright, don't be so polite. It's cold outside, come inside quickly."
Upon hearing this, Ye Li immediately asked, "Brother Cai, are you feeling any better?"
"Much better, it wasn't serious to begin with."
Yu Caidao.
That is, I had a stuffy nose and a sore throat. After taking medicine for two days, the symptoms have basically disappeared today.
With these words, Ye Li felt relieved.
He shook the food box he was carrying in his other hand: "I made a new kind of snack. You, Uncle Wu, Brother Yu, and Sister-in-law should all try it."
"OK."
Yu Cai became interested.
Food made by Ye Li is never bad.
So the group went inside and sat down.
A large round table was placed in the middle of the room.
Tea and snacks were laid out on the table.
There were more than ten kinds of snacks, which filled half of the table.
Ye Li glanced at it quickly and couldn't help but feel relieved that he had brought egg tarts; otherwise, ordinary pastries would not have been presentable.
Sure enough, when he opened the food box and laid out the small and cute egg tarts, he immediately received praise from the entire Wu family.
The top layer of egg custard looks like a crispy pastry, but it doesn't have a wine flavor, only a milky aroma. What's even more surprising is the taro paste in the middle. Although it's cold, it's still soft and delicate, and the taro flavor remains.
tasty!
Yu Cai was pleasantly surprised and ate three in a row before stopping. He looked at Ye Li and asked, "Is the recipe complicated? Can Banxianju serve it?"
Wu Fulang was savoring his egg tart when he heard this and immediately said, "Such a good pastry is right in front of you, and instead of appreciating it, you're full of money. Aren't you just letting Li Ge'er down?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Cai immediately grabbed Ye Li's hand and said with a smile, "I have a good relationship with Brother Li, so Brother Li won't blame me, right?"
Ye Li smiled and nodded: "Of course, Uncle Wu. If Brother Cai hadn't appreciated the deliciousness of this pastry, why would he have thought of sending it to Banxianju?"
"His gesture was a compliment to the dessert."
"Father, did you hear that?"
Yu Cai was pleased and looked at Wu Fulang.
Wu Fulang sighed helplessly: "No wonder you two have known each other for a short time but are so close. It turns out you were thinking the same thing."
“Father, if you want to say that you’re obsessed with money, just say so. Neither Li’er nor I will be angry.”
Yu Cai said with a smile.
Everyone in the room burst into laughter.
Wu Fulang reached out and tapped him: "Alright, alright, I know you two are getting along well. Li-ge'er, since you're here, then help me persuade him, he..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yu Cai hurriedly interrupted him: "Father! Li Ge'er and I are going back to our room, we're going back to our room."
As he spoke, he tried to get up by holding onto the table.
Seeing this, Wu Fulang knew he was shy, especially with Jiang Ji present.
However, after he and Ye Li left the main house, Wu Fulang followed them out and said to Ye Li, "Brother Li, you really need to persuade him."
“I found him a good match, and he agreed to meet her on New Year’s Eve, but when I asked him yesterday, he refused.”
“When you ask him questions, he just shakes his head and doesn’t give any explanation.”
“I’ve also asked around, and this young man is indeed quite good.”
In order to persuade Ye Li properly, Wu Fulang explained in detail why the young man was good.
Ye Li was surprised that Yu Cai was going on another blind date after only a few days apart.
He nodded hurriedly in agreement.
Even without Wu Fulang's explanation, he was curious himself!
So he helped Yu Cai back to the west wing of the main courtyard.
The three rooms in the west wing are connected: the left is a bedroom, the right is a study, and the middle is a tea room for receiving guests.
As soon as the two sat down, a maidservant came over with a teapot to serve them tea.
Before Ye Li could speak, Yu Cai said, "Did I scare you just now? You are the only good friend I have made in the past few years. My father and elder brother value you very much. My elder brother even canceled his reunion with his classmates so that he could meet you and Jiang Ji."
"They're exaggerating a bit. You and Jiang Ji should just ignore them."
"That's great! It means my Cai-ge is the darling of the group and everyone loves him. He's living a very happy life."
Ye Li said with a smile.
With those words, Yu Cai smiled broadly: "It's good that you don't blame me."
"Of course I'm not upset. I'm just wondering why you're unwilling to go on another date?"
Ye Li asked with great interest.
"..."
Yu Cai lowered her eyes, picked up her teacup and took a sip before saying, "You know, I want to find someone who can take care of me. But he's a scholar, and not very tall."
"I see?"
Ye Li nodded, then advised, "Brother Cai, before you meet someone you like, all ideal types are meaningless. Anyway, you don't have anyone else you like, so why don't you go meet this one?"
"What if it's love at first sight? Uncle Wu said the other person is good-looking."
love at first sight?
Yu Cai gently shook her head: "What's the use of having a good face?"
Can you lift him?
Is it possible to grab him in one go and prevent him from falling to the ground?
Ye Li, unaware of his subtext, immediately replied, "It's very useful. At the very least, it's pleasing to the eye and makes me want to laugh. Just like Jiang Ji, although when we first got married, he particularly disliked me and even said I was possessed."
"But what can you do when he has such a good face?"
"I was only angry for a moment, and then I stopped arguing with him."
“Brother Cai, let me tell you, a nice face is the most effective. When you're arguing, looking at the other person's face can help you calm yourself down.”
Yu Cai hadn't expected such an "interesting thing" to happen, and he smiled.
Then he said, "That's true. But I'm different from you. I have difficulty walking, and what I value most is that the other person can take care of me."
"To be honest, at least you can carry me, right?"
He doesn't care about saving face.
Furthermore, the person who was able to lift him up was also quite good-looking.
However, he was a little puzzled: "Brother Li, are you really trying to persuade me? Don't you think highly of Scholar Peng?"
“But I value you more. Now that a promising young scholar is in front of you, I will definitely advise you to meet him.”
"What if you like it?"
It can’t hurt to meet them.
Yu Cai was deeply moved by these words, and he reached out and grabbed Ye Li's hand again: "Good brother Li, I know you mean well, but I really only care about whether the other person has the strength to carry me."
"If I fall, the other person should be able to carry me, right?"
Ye Li blinked at these words: "...Brother Cai, why are you only emphasizing this point today?"
"Didn't you say before that you were introverted and wanted to find someone who was talkative?"
"You're acting like your ideal type has suddenly become a real person."
Yu Cai: "..."
He slowly released Ye Li's hand, looked away, and picked up his teacup again.
Ye Li was stunned at first, then widened her eyes in disbelief: "No, Brother Cai, there really are specific people?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Cai pursed her lips and said softly, "Who knows what the other party is thinking?"
He didn't want to be rejected again.
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