The morning light carried a warm, golden glow, and the late spring weather had long since lost its earlier chill. However, the early morning market still felt slightly cool.
The morning market was already bustling with activity, with vendors of all kinds standing in the government-designated area, calling out their wares. Originally, most of what was sold in the morning market was vegetables, fruits, and meat, but now that the world is at peace and people live and work in contentment, they have begun to seek out more comfortable and leisurely ways to please themselves.
In the morning market of Qingyun County, many vendors are already selling unique snacks. The most famous is the plum blossom soup cake sold by a woman surnamed Li. The soup cake is colored in three colors, pink, white and yellow, and is pressed into the shape of a plum blossom using a plum blossom mold. It is then cooked in boiling water and topped with hot clear chicken broth.
The soup dumplings are soft and chewy, the chicken broth is rich and flavorful, and upon closer tasting, a delicate plum fragrance lingers in the mouth, with a subtle hint of sandalwood—a truly elegant and delicious treat. Whether people are seeking a pleasant experience or simply indulging in the freshest flavors, Li Niangzi's stall is always bustling with customers.
A young girl dressed in coarse cloth carried a bamboo basket and followed closely behind the girl in front of her.
The girl had fair skin, and although her dress wasn't expensive, it was impeccably clean. The air in the morning market was filled with the aroma of food, making one's mouth water. She was clearly like most people, her nostrils twitching from the scent, but she didn't stop walking.
The young maid seemed a little nervous: "Miss, let's hurry back after we buy the tofu! I could have done it myself." The master has never liked his young mistress running around.
Gu Yaoniang didn't take it to heart. Today was the day her younger brother, Gu Pingsheng, returned home from the academy once every ten days, and she wasn't comfortable letting Bitao go grocery shopping by herself.
Upon reaching the meat and vegetable section, Gu Yaoniang stopped in front of Zhang's butcher stall. Seeing her, the stall owner rubbed his apron around his waist and smiled, saying, "Mrs. Gu is here. Another small portion of pork belly?"
Qingyun County wasn't large, and over time, most of the residents became acquainted with her. Gu Yaoniang bought very little, and other shops would often give her a hard time, but Boss Zhang always greeted her with a smile, and would even help slice or chop meat if needed. Therefore, Gu Yaoniang always bought meat from his shop.
Gu Yaoniang nodded, then added crisply, "Please help me chop the meat into minced meat!"
He turned and instructed Bitao to buy some tofu. The little girl left, looking back every few steps, appearing extremely worried.
After Boss Zhang wrapped the minced meat in oil paper, Bitao returned, panting, and the two of them headed home.
Gu Yaoniang was planning the dishes to prepare for the day. She had always loved tinkering with food and enjoyed making exquisite things. Three years ago, her family had given all their money to that person, and they were struggling to make ends meet. So she tried even harder to find ways to use the limited ingredients to make some nice dishes to improve her family's life. Seeing her family enjoy their food made her very happy.
Holding a piece of soft, pliable tofu with her slender, pale fingers, she carefully cut it into small, finger-sized cubes with a knife, gently dipped them into simmering water, then scooped them out to remove any remaining beany smell.
Gu Yaoniang stood in the cramped kitchen space, carefully rolling up her sleeves and collar before placing the blanched tofu on the blackened pot lid. Then she picked up a piece of minced meat with alternating layers of fat and lean meat and instructed Bitao by the stove, "Turn the fire up!"
The little maid puffed out her cheeks and blew another breath into the bamboo tube used for blowing fire. Flames leaped out of the stove, lightly licked the pot's side, and then weakly retreated.
"Miss! All the firewood for today has been packed in! Please make do with this."
Gu Yaoniang sighed, then dipped the somewhat blackened wooden spatula into the earthenware pot beside the stove. It made a short, sharp scratching sound at the bottom of the pot. When she took it out, she saw only a few specks of white on the tip of the spatula, and let out another long sigh.
Without a strong fire and the smoky flavor of pork fat, the minced meat I bought today to improve my brother's diet would probably all be consumed by this big iron pot as soon as it hits the pan.
Yao Niang frowned in thought. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She walked to the water vat, filled a small bowl with water, and poured it into the pot. She saw tiny, sparkling bubbles begin to rise to the surface of the water, and the water began to ripple slightly.
The woman quickly poured the minced meat into the pot, stirring gently with a wooden spatula to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. With a soft crackling sound, the red and white minced meat gradually tightened and turned white, the fat melting into a clear liquid, releasing a rich aroma. The woman leaned forward, her slender waist narrowly avoiding the soot around the stove, carefully using a small spoon to scoop the rendered pork fat into an earthenware pot.
The pot sizzled and crackled, the lean minced meat turning an enticing reddish hue. The cook scooped out about half, then slid a spoonful of soybean paste, which had been prepared beforehand, into the pot, instantly filling the kitchen with a rich aroma. She then sprinkled salt, minced ginger and garlic into the pot, and poured in the blanched tofu, filling the room with a delicious fragrance.
"What a pity, my mother threw away all the chili peppers that my second uncle brought back last time. Otherwise, this braised tofu would have been even more delicious!" Yao Niang said with regret.
Upon hearing this, Bitao became anxious. "Miss! Please don't mention the Second Master in front of Master and Madam! The Second Master has been gone for so many years, and every time he comes home, he makes the Old Master and Old Madam sick. If you mention him, Master and Madam will be unhappy again."
"This little girl is being far too paranoid," Yao Niang thought to herself. Her second uncle had indeed left home without saying goodbye years ago, which was undeniably unfilial. But there was nothing she could do.
When my second uncle returned home that year, it was quite a grand affair. I heard he brought over a dozen carriages, flags fluttering in the wind, and even hired a team of bodyguards to accompany him. Yao Niang still remembers that day when her younger brother and a group of boys were playing wildly outside, following their second uncle from the city gate to see which family was grand and powerful, but they ended up following him all the way to their own house.
Grandparents were naturally delighted to see their second son, whom they hadn't seen for many years, return home, but they were furious when they heard that their second uncle had gone into business.
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