Chapter 67 Fulfilling Zengzi's Promise: Slaughtering a Pig and Strolling Through the Street
There were many people, so two tables were set up.
The dishes on both tables were the same: braised pork belly, stir-fried pork slices with potatoes, sweet and sour fish, as well as congee with preserved eggs and lean pork, stir-fried preserved eggs with wood ear mushrooms, cold shredded radish salad, and stir-fried lotus root strips.
We're all family, so sit at whichever table you like.
Ye Daji wanted to drink Shaoxing wine, so Ye Li brought out the Shaoxing wine used for cooking for him to drink.
This rice wine has a low alcohol content, so it's fine to drink it occasionally.
It was a rare opportunity for Jiang Ji to have dinner at the same table as Ye Daji, so he sat down next to Ye Daji.
However, his bowl contained rice wine, just like Ye Li's.
Jiang Ya sat next to Ye Li. The little guy first drank half a bowl of sweet rice wine before picking up his chopsticks and eating meat in big bites.
The table was laden with delicious food. His big eyes looked around and he felt dazzled, wishing he had an extra mouth.
Ye Daji took a sip of Shaoxing wine, and as the flavor spread in his mouth, he happily picked up a lotus root strip.
The lotus root strips were crisp and refreshing, with a hint of sweetness amidst the spiciness. This unique flavor startled him, and he subconsciously glanced at Ye Li at the other table.
Needless to say, this must be Ye Li's doing.
When they cook, they only add sugar to cold dishes like preserved eggs to enhance the flavor.
I never expected that lotus root strips could be sweetened, and that they would blend so wonderfully with the spiciness.
With such skills, one will never have to worry about money, no matter where they are.
He spoke up: "Brother Li, have you told Xiao Ji about your house construction?"
“He told me,” Jiang Ji immediately said from the side.
Ye Li swallowed the piece of meat in his mouth and said, "Tomorrow we will visit Master Han and take a look at the brick shop. If nothing unexpected happens, construction will begin in the next few days."
Ye Daji nodded.
Once the young couple has discussed and agreed, it's settled.
"Your older brothers and I will come to help then."
"No need, we can just hire the villagers." Ye Li shook his head.
"Wouldn't that be twenty coins a day? If the three of us come over, we'll save you sixty coins a day."
"...Okay then."
Ye Li did not refuse again.
Ye Liang coughed and said, "Brother Li, just use whatever you can find in the garden. Don't buy meat specifically."
Given his third brother's dietary standards, the three of them would definitely need to buy meat if they stayed for a meal here.
Just one casual purchase and sixty coins are gone.
Doesn't that mean we saved money for nothing?
So he had to give him a heads-up first.
Ye Li laughed and said, "Okay, then we'll have pancakes and tofu every day."
"This food is excellent; we couldn't afford it before," Ye Liang said with satisfaction.
Liu Yi sat opposite Ye Li, savoring the lotus root strips with added cane sugar.
These lotus root strips were stir-fried in hot oil and sugar, which is different from the usual cold dish preparation.
But it was really delicious, and he couldn't stop eating it, one bite after another.
However, upon hearing Ye Liang and Ye Li's conversation, he couldn't help but chuckle.
As Ye Liang's bedmate, he knew better than Ye Daji how much Ye Li was willing to eat.
He couldn't help but look up at Ye Li.
This is the first time he has sat down to eat with Ye Li face to face since Ye Li got married.
He was surprised to see Ye Li pick up a piece of fish belly, remove the large bones, dip the snow-white fish meat in the sweet and sour sauce, and then put it in Jiang Ya's bowl.
He had personally experienced what Ye Li was like in the past.
Later, Ye Li made tofu puffs, and his personality changed, but he didn't witness it firsthand—
Not counting Ye Wencheng's wedding, he was so busy that he barely had time to breathe that day, while Ye Li went straight to the bridal chamber after arriving at the Ye family home. The two of them just greeted each other and didn't talk much.
Therefore, in the past six months, Ye Lianglai has been doing chores or buying meat, and he has never interfered.
He would also urge Ye Liang to work harder so that Ye Li could rest.
But he himself kept his distance from Ye Li.
Tang Yu had previously given Ye Li a handkerchief, but he hadn't responded to it at all.
Therefore, seeing Ye Li being both kind and patient with Jiang Ya at this moment was more impactful than Ye's numerous praises over the past two or six months.
This brother-in-law has indeed changed a lot in personality.
Looking back on the past six months of coldness, he immediately wanted to make amends.
There's nothing to give Ye Li right now, so let's chat for a bit first.
So he asked, "Brother Li, what kind of house do you plan to build?"
Ye Li was unaware of Liu Yi's thought process. Upon hearing this, he explained the idea that had been finalized the day before.
But before he could finish describing his warm room, Ye Daji interrupted him: "No, no, you can't build it like that."
"Hmm?" Ye Li looked over, somewhat puzzled.
Ye Liang also frowned: "A long, narrow room sandwiched in the middle, isn't that... something? It's so unlucky. We can't build it like that."
"That's right, they're just kids, acting on a whim, no way."
Ye Daji shook his head repeatedly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
Ye Li: "..."
He blinked and realized what was happening.
He muttered "get rich quick" to himself, scratched his head, and looked at Jiang Ji.
Jiang Ji also scratched his head. He had only considered the need for warmth before and hadn't thought much about it.
Seeing Ye Li looking over, he said, "Then let's change the layout."
Change the perspective.
Ye Li frowned, and after a moment, he had an idea: "How about this, since all three rooms are the same size, we can build a wall and a door in the middle of our room to divide it into two rooms, creating a one-bedroom apartment layout, what do you think?"
In this way, the only way for the inner room to get light is through the window at the back of the room.
But what he wanted was a warm room; if windows were opened in the walls, with the current insulation technology, it would definitely leak air.
If you really want to open a window, then place it at the front, making it the same style as the living room window, so you can borrow light from the living room.
After he finished his description, everyone present pondered for a moment, found no fault with it, and nodded: "Then let's leave it at that."
It looks a bit strange, but it's not unacceptable.
That way it will definitely be warm!
So the conversation shifted to the house.
The Ye family's house is old and dilapidated. Based on their current income, they will build a new house next year.
It was built very large, like the one at Jiang Tong's house.
When the topic came up, everyone in the Ye family became more talkative.
Liu Yi and Tang Yu had no intention of separating the family. They got along quite well, and the family business required the whole family to work together. If they separated, they would have to do both business and farm work, and they would definitely be too busy.
Therefore, the two of them started discussing it with great interest, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Everyone looked radiant and their eyes sparkled.
Jiang Ji glanced at Ye Li as he watched this scene.
Ye Li seemed to be feeling the spiciness, and was taking small sips of rice wine. His bright red nose made him involuntarily curl up the corners of his mouth.
cute.
Ye Li is adorable in every move she makes.
Recalling how Ye Li had taken his hand in front of the Ye family that morning, his heart felt even sweeter.
It's a pity there are too many people around, otherwise he would definitely have pulled Ye Li back to the room and given her a good kiss.
After finishing their meal, Ye Daji and the others didn't linger. They took the tofu with them, intending to bring it back to the Ye family home to fry tofu puffs.
Ye Li has other matters to attend to. Tomorrow, Jiang Ji is going to visit Master Han, and he plans to make Sichuan peppercorn chicken so that Jiang Ji can take it over.
When Jiang Ji passed the prefectural examination last time, Liang Erxiang prepared a gift of several pounds of spicy peanuts as a thank you gift for his teacher.
This time, with ample funds at home, the scale of the teacher appreciation gift should naturally be raised.
Therefore, as soon as the Ye family left, Ye Li and Jiang Ji got busy.
First, boil water to remove the chicken's feathers.
Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya don't need to go out to collect firewood today, but Jiang Mai is really into slingshots and wants to go up the mountain.
Jiang Ya thought for a moment, then slung her large purse over her shoulder and followed.
He was so full that he wanted to go for a walk.
The two little ones went out, leaving only Ye Li and Jiang Ji at home. Jiang Ji immediately put his earlier idea into action: he would wash the pots and pans on the table later and go back to his room for a kiss first!
Ye Li agreed.
Ye Li, deeply in love, only feels that there are too few intimate moments between them!
After returning to their room and cuddling for about fifteen minutes, both of them emerged from the west room with flushed cheeks.
Indulging in debauchery during the day is still a bit too stimulating!
The fire in the stove had gone out, so Jiang Ji relit it. Then the two of them seriously washed the pots and pans they had used at noon. By the time they finished, the water had boiled.
Jiang Ji went to pluck the chicken's feathers, while Ye Li prepared Sichuan pepper water.
The recipe for Sichuan peppercorn chicken is very simple. As long as you have enough Sichuan peppercorns, peppercorns, and chili peppers, the taste will be good.
Ye bought two ounces of each of these three seasonings this morning, enough to last for several uses.
Ye Liang also bought three roosters; two were given as gifts, and one was kept for their own consumption.
After Jiang Ji finished cleaning the three roosters, Ye Li took out the soaked Sichuan peppercorns, peppercorns, and chili peppers, and stuffed them into the chicken's cavity along with scallions and ginger. Then she sealed the chicken's cavity with bamboo skewers. Next, it was ready to be put into the pot, seasoned, and stewed.
A farm-raised rooster is actually very easy to stew; the meat will be tender in half an hour.
However, to make the chicken breast, chicken feet and other parts more flavorful, they need to be stewed for an extra half hour and then soaked overnight, then they will be no different from the Sichuan peppercorn chicken sold in the store.
When Jiangmai and Jiangya returned home, the whole yard was filled with the aroma of sesame seeds.
Jiang Mai took a deep breath, and her frustration lessened considerably.
I had bad luck today; the slingshot didn't work. But the Sichuan peppercorn chicken that Brother Li made was so delicious, I couldn't keep a long face.
Soon it was dinnertime. Ye Li took a Sichuan peppercorn chicken out of the small iron pot, tore it up, put it on a plate, and served it on the table.
The Sichuan peppercorn chicken was perfectly seasoned, the meat was tender but not dry, and even the chicken breast was incredibly flavorful. Jiangmai and Jiangya kept saying how delicious it was.
With a plate of Sichuan peppercorn chicken on the table, the leftover meat and vegetables from lunch just don't taste as good.
Of course, this only applies to Jiangmai.
Jiang Ya didn't feel any difference between the two, and ate until her belly was round and full.
After the meal, he and Jiang Mai took out their wages and planned to count them.
They're going to the county town to go shopping tomorrow!
The next day, Jiang Dahe came to see Jiang Liu off to work, and he also brought the mule cart.
After entrusting their chickens and pigs to Jiang Liu, the family of four, carrying two Sichuan pepper chickens, a basket of dates, and a basket of preserved eggs, boarded a mule cart and headed to the county town after breakfast.
Today was not a holiday, and Master Han was teaching at the private school. Jiang Ji was familiar with Master Han's schedule, so the four of them went to the private school first.
Upon arriving at the private school, they asked the gatekeeper to watch over some mule carts, and the four of them went together to Master Han's office.
Upon seeing Jiang Ji, Master Han was quite pleased.
At only eighteen years old, Jiang Ji passed the county-level imperial examination and became a subsidized student, which allowed him to study at the county school. He had plenty of time to take the provincial-level imperial examination.
The future is bright!
He encouraged Jiang Ji for a few words, and then praised Ye Li for being virtuous, and Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya for being sensible and adorable.
He also inquired about Jiang Mai's studies.
Jiang Mai will be eight years old next year. If he wants to take the imperial examination, he will have to go to a private school next year.
However, his student's virtuous wife's cooking skills were truly superb. He didn't know what was in that basket, but the aroma kept wafting into his nose as it was placed on his desk!
The family of four didn't realize Master Han's ulterior motives. They stayed with Master Han for about half an hour until it was time for him to start class. Only then did they go to the backyard of the private school to pack their luggage, led by the teaching assistant.
Before the imperial examination, Jiang Ji's bedding and some books remained at the private school because he was unsure whether he would pass.
If we move to a different place in the future, we'll have to move all these items back home.
After packing his belongings and loading them onto the mule cart, Jiang Ji glanced at the house where he had lived for ten years, then got on the cart, cracking his whip as he drove away.
This is not goodbye forever.
Master Han was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and was very learned. He was also his mentor, and he would visit Master Han often in the future.
It was still early when we left the private school.
The four men rode in a mule cart to the brick shop.
After finding out the prices of the bricks and timber, the four of them left the brick shop without lingering.
I'm not buying anything today, I'm just here to get a feel for the market.
To find out exactly how many bricks and timber will be needed, you need to ask the bricklayer first.
With business done, it's time to go shopping.
Ye Li asked Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya where they wanted to go for fun.
This stumped them both, as they had never explored the county town before and didn't know where to go for fun!
In the end, Ye Li made the decision.
Ye Li asked Jiang Ji to buy fabric so that he could make cotton-padded clothes.
At the fabric shop, Ye Li bought two pretty hair ties for Jiang Ya.
Just today, Jiang Ya had styled her hair in two little pigtails, so Ye Li tied the new hair ties to the two little pigtails. The little one was so happy that she stood in front of the bronze mirror and didn't want to leave.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he now knew what to buy.
He wants to buy a bronze mirror!
From then on, he would look in the mirror and admire himself every morning after waking up.
Ye Li agreed and told Jiang Ji to turn the car around and go to the mirror shop to buy a bronze mirror.
But Jiangmai wasn't interested in any of that.
He and Ya Ge'er earn money very slowly, so they need to spend it wisely.
For example, if he went to school, the tuition alone would cost six taels of silver a year.
Not to mention the cost of buying books and the daily consumption of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Li Ge is his brother-in-law, not his biological mother, so he should save money himself.
However, if he really went to study at a private school, then only Li Ge and Ya Ge'er would be left at home...
His little face scrunched up.
That will be very tough for Brother Nali and Brother Ya.
Ye Li sat in the middle of the mule cart, and Jiang Ya sat in his lap. The little girl held the hair tie that hung down to her ears and swayed happily in Ye Li's arms. She even discussed with Ye Li what hairstyle she should have tomorrow.
After Ye Li finished discussing with him, she turned her head and saw Jiang Mai beside her looking displeased and with a frown on her face. She couldn't help but ask, "Xiaomai, what's wrong?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mai quickly shook her head: "It's nothing."
“Something must have happened. It’s rare for you to come to the county town to play, and you’re not even half as happy as Ya-ge. How can this be nothing?”
Jiang Ya looked over, tilted her head, and asked, "Second Brother?"
Jiang Ji, who was sitting on the carriage shaft driving the cart, also turned around: "What's wrong?"
Jiang Mai: "..."
He looked a little embarrassed, scratched his head, and said, "I'm wondering whether I should go back to school."
“If you like it, then read it,” Ye Li said.
This little guy is always quite proud when he talks about being able to read.
They should be willing to read.
But why are you hesitating now?
Jiang Mai continued scratching his head: "It's expensive. Besides, my older brother and I are both in the county town, so it's just you and Ya-ge'er left at home, isn't it?"
"……puff."
Ye Li laughed.
This little guy is really a worrywart.
He couldn't resist reaching out to rub Jiang Mai's little head.
Jiang Mai tried to dodge, but the mule cart was cramped and his arms were long, so Jiang Mai couldn't escape.
He patted Jiang Mai's head a few times as he pleased and said with a smile, "Your brother won't need to pay tuition for his studies from now on. Besides, there will be new income for the family, so you don't need to worry about money."
"As for me and Ya Ge'er, we don't work in the fields. We just feed the pigs and chickens. It's not hard work at all."
"But we still need to make tofu, and fry tofu puffs," Jiang Mai reminded her.
"That's easy to handle, you'll find out in a few days," Ye Li said, keeping everyone in suspense.
Jiang Mai was completely confused.
Jiang Ji said, "Xiaomai, listen to your brother Li. You don't need to worry about the money."
"If you want to read, then read."
“That’s right. Study hard and try to pass the imperial examination like your older brother. It would be great to have two scholars in one family.”
Ye Li added.
Of course, the best scenario would be for two people from the same family to pass the imperial examinations.
The title of Juren (举人) is similar to the Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation novels. Once the foundation is established, one can be called an Ancestor, thus becoming different from ordinary people.
It truly transcended class.
If a family has two members who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, then in the mortal world, as long as their family members don't break the law, they can live a comfortable and carefree life, only enjoying themselves.
Jiang Mai was persuaded by Ye Li and Jiang Ji, and he began to waver.
Is there really no need for him to worry about money?
And what tofu is is easy to figure out.
Does this mean that if the two brothers bring the tofu back to the Ye family in the future, Li Ge will stop frying tofu puffs?
Jiang Mai couldn't understand it, but now even his older brother was advising him to study if he wanted to.
Then he naturally wants to read it.
How wonderful it is to read! Even knowing just a few words will earn you respect.
If you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, look at the food your family has been eating these past few days and the smiling faces of your fellow villagers.
That's great!
He used to live at his second uncle's house. Although his second uncle treated him like his own son, and although he had little memory of his own father, he had an older brother.
Every time his older brother came back, he would remind him to be obedient, sensible, not naughty, not to ask his second uncle for things, to help with chores, and to protect Ya-ge'er...
His older brother gave him a lot of advice.
So much so that he secretly wiped away tears.
He wanted to be like the other boys in the village, begging his father for this and that.
But he didn't have a biological father.
He could only passively accept what his second uncle gave him.
Of course, he was very grateful to his second uncle; without his second uncle, he wouldn't be here.
It's really good to have fame and fortune.
Once he passes the imperial examination and achieves official rank, he will have everything, just like his elder brother.
He has everything without even having to ask.
He wants to study!
He must study!
He looked at Ye Li, his little face full of determination: "Brother Li, I want to study."
"Good, that's ambitious! I'll go study next year and try to pass the imperial examination to become a scholar."
Ye Li immediately agreed and offered encouragement.
Jiang Mai nodded earnestly: "I will do my best."
"Then, before your older brother goes to the county school to register, let him teach you properly and give you a foundation. From now on, don't go to collect firewood in the afternoons."
Ye Lidao.
Jiang Mai looked at Jiang Ji in front of her.
Jiang Ji nodded without turning his head: "Okay, it's settled then."
Coincidentally, he had already moved all his books from the private school back home, and a few primers could be left for Jiang Mai.
The family of four chatted and laughed, and soon arrived at the mirror shop.
Jiang Ya refused to use Ye Li's money. He earned a good wage himself. In the summer, Ye Li not only gave him and Jiang Mai a high-temperature allowance, but also raised their wages to two coins a day.
During this period, he would occasionally receive a reward. After saving for half a year, he had accumulated more than a thousand copper coins!
But he was unwilling to spend it all.
He also wants to go to the pastry shop to buy some snacks later.
So he picked and chose, and spent one hundred coins to buy a small mirror the size of his palm.
Once he got his hands on the mirror, he couldn't bear to put it down, and he used it to reflect his reflection from the mirror shop to the pastry shop.
Upon arriving at the pastry shop, he was so captivated by the variety of pastries that he completely forgot about the mirror.
He wanted to eat them all; the more he looked at them, the more he wanted them.
He pointed to the pastries on the counter and asked Ye Li, "Brother Li, can I really buy whatever I want?"
"Of course, as long as you have enough money, buy whatever you want."
Ye Li smiled and pinched his little cheek.
He was overjoyed, like a little mouse that had fallen into a rice jar, and asked the waiter to pack two pieces of everything for him.
He didn't know which one was good, so he tried them all first.
Two pieces each, then cut into four pieces, one piece for each of the four people!
So soon, he spent more than two hundred coins.
Jiang Mai, standing to the side, couldn't help but rub her chest in distress.
But he was also surprised by Ye Li's generosity.
I never expected that when Brother Li said he would spend money freely, he really meant it.
At Yezaopo, let alone children, even adults wouldn't have the courage to buy over two hundred coins worth of pastries in one go.
But Ya Ge'er did it.
Brother Li truly keeps his word and always does what he says.
Such a good brother, he will surely pass the imperial examinations in the future and repay his kindness.
Ye Li had no idea what Jiang Mai was thinking. After Jiang Ya finished shopping, they left the shop carrying several bags of pastries.
After confirming that Jiangmai wasn't buying anything, they turned around and went home.
Having fulfilled Zengzi's promise to kill the pig, the next step was to get busy building the house.
In the afternoon, I went to see the bricklayer to discuss important matters.
We will try to finish building the house before Jiang Ji enrolls in school.
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