Reclaim the inheritance
The moment the thought popped into my head, it sprouted like a spring bud breaking through the soil and grew vigorously in an instant.
The next morning, Pei Qingwu prepared all the materials and summoned Shen Wuniang and Yu Yi, who were practicing nearby.
It just so happens that this is also a good opportunity for them to learn.
"Master has a new idea?" Shen Wu Niang's eyes lit up. She brushed the corn flour off her hands and came over.
Yu Yi followed closely behind, standing quietly to the side, her eyes also full of curiosity.
“That’s right. With the provincial examination just around the corner, the candidates from Qinzhou City will soon be heading to Chang’an to take the exam. Since we’ll be leaving in the next few days, let’s make some Dingsheng cakes.”
"Ding Sheng Gao (a type of rice cake)?" Shen Wu Niang blinked. "It sounds auspicious! How do you make it?"
Pei Qingwu rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and walked to the cutting board: "Take the best glutinous rice, sift it carefully, and take the finest powder."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yi immediately and nimbly began scooping rice and sifting out the flour.
Pei Qingwu then instructed Shen Wuniang: "Wuniang, go and fetch some glutinous rice, in a ratio of 2:8, and add some freshly milled wheat flour to make the texture softer."
With all the ingredients prepared, Pei Qingwu personally demonstrated: "Watch closely, this rice noodle is the foundation, so it must be handled gently. First, lay a layer at the bottom of the bowl..."
As she spoke, her fair fingers gently tossed the snow-white rice noodles.
"Then, the icing sugar must be ground very finely, dissolved in water, and made to a moderate consistency—neither too thin nor too lumpy. Pour it in little by little, while slowly mixing it with your hands. Remember not to knead it; only then can you achieve a soft and fluffy texture."
Standing to the side, Shen Wuniang carefully imitated her master, mixing the sugar water into the rice flour and striving for evenness while kneading and stirring.
Yu Yi, meanwhile, was carefully mixing another portion of rice flour with slightly different proportions, preparing to make the cake topping.
“Master, white alone might not be festive enough,” said Shen Wu Niang.
Pei Qingwu nodded approvingly: "Well said, then let's get some red yeast rice and grind it into a fine powder."
She took a portion of the mixed rice noodles, added red yeast rice powder, and the snow-white color instantly turned into a delicate peach blossom color.
"This symbolizes good fortune coming your way."
Next came the molding. Pei Qingwu took out several newly made carved jujube wood molds, some shaped like a writing brush and a ruyi (a type of scepter) symbolizing "certainty," and others like Kui Xing pointing to the Big Dipper symbolizing "winning the championship."
"A thin layer of cooked oil needs to be brushed on the inside of the mold. This will make it easier to unmold the food." She carefully filled the bottom of the mold with white rice flour, pressed it down and leveled it, and then covered it with the bright red powder.
Finally, gently scrape it smooth and cover it with a drawer cloth.
The water in the steamer was already boiling, steaming with heat. Pei Qingwu personally placed the mold into the steamer: "The heat is key. Steam it thoroughly over a high flame, about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If the heat is too high, the outside will be cooked but the inside will be raw. If the heat is too low, it will lose its soft and chewy texture."
While waiting, Pei Qingwu looked at his two focused apprentices and said gently, "This Dingsheng Cake is for the students who are going to Chang'an. It's not just for the auspicious wish of 'certain victory,' but also for its melt-in-your-mouth, soft, and sweet taste, which can soothe their homesickness and the tension of the exam, and let them know that there are many people in their hometown who are looking forward to their success."
The rising steam blurred the window frame, and a sweet fragrance wafted through the air.
When the time came, Pei Qingwu deftly lifted the lid.
The steam rises, carrying a rich aroma of rice and sweetness. The Dingsheng cake in the mold has quietly taken shape, with a snow-white cake body supporting a pink top, clear and full patterns, and an enticing color.
"It's done!" Shen Wuniang exclaimed in delight.
Yu Yi's eyes were full of smiles as she carefully picked up a piece of cake that had just been unmolded. Its texture was soft yet chewy, indicating that it would taste great.
Just then, Gu Heng, who was dismantling the door panels, walked over, his face grim: "Master..."
"What's wrong? Did someone upset you up ahead?" Pei Qingwu raised his wrist, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and asked with a smile.
"No, that's not it," Gu Heng said.
He was clearly holding his breath; his cheeks were bulging, like an angry pufferfish.
"That is..."
"Two scoundrels came to the door, claiming to be the landlord's uncle and aunt. I told them that our landlord has no relatives, but they just wouldn't leave!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Qingwu immediately knew what had happened.
That day, she sued her former mother-in-law and brother-in-law in court, seeking to leave her husband's family. The matter caused quite a stir. She wondered why, according to the original owner's memories, her uncle and aunt, who were so sharp-tongued and mean, had never come to cause trouble.
The timing is perfect.
Sushan Xiaoji is up and running, and it's just one step away from becoming a big and strong business. At this time, going there to reap the rewards not only avoids risks but also avoids the hardships of the early stages of entrepreneurship.
That's really...
The others in the shop naturally knew about Pei Qingwu's affair, and upon hearing this, they all showed expressions of indignation.
"Master, how can these two be so shameless? Let Brother Shi beat them out!" Shen Wuniang said indignantly.
Pei Qingwu raised his hand to stop him: "It's alright, I'll go out and take a look."
This dynasty governs the world with filial piety. Even sages value filial piety, let alone fighting against commoners. In any case, this original owner was raised by her uncle and aunt. It would be unseemly to have them beaten out in broad daylight.
After wiping the powder off his hands, Pei Qingwu went outside.
A travel-worn couple stood in front of the door. The man was about forty years old, wearing a slightly worn linen round-necked robe, with high cheekbones and shrewd eyes. The woman wore an indigo printed ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a plain silver hairpin in her hair. Her face showed the fatigue of a long journey, but more than that, it showed a sudden gleam of greed when she saw Pei Qingwu and the scale of the shop.
It was Pei Zhongli, the original owner's uncle, and Zhou Shi, his aunt.
Before Pei Qingwu could say anything, Madam Zhou stepped forward, her voice rising with reproach and scrutiny: "Oh dear, the Pei Dongjia they're talking about, it really is you, you little brat! You made such a scene, insisting on divorcing the Sun family, just to become such a lowly merchant? You've completely disgraced the Pei family! If your parents knew this in the afterlife..."
She deliberately left things unsaid, creating an awkward silence.
Pei Zhongli, his face grim, rebuked her: "Third Sister, what kind of behavior is this! A widowed woman, out in public alone trying to make a living? This is utterly ridiculous! Pack your things and come home with us! Do you think we'll starve you?"
Pei Qingwu calmly asked, "What brings your uncle and aunt here?"
Zhou pursed her lips, the feigned concern on her face vanishing instantly, and she said shrilly, "What do you want? Isn't it all for your own good! You've caused such a scene at the Sun family that everyone knows about it. That old hag Liu came to our house the other day, crying and wailing that you killed her son and you still don't know what's good for you. As your uncle and aunt, we feel so proud!"
She stepped forward and reached out to grab Pei Qingwu's arm, but he dodged her. She immediately became angry and scolded, "Do you think you can live a carefree life just because you left the Sun family? A young woman, widowed at such a young age, with no one to rely on, still showing her face in public doing this kind of vulgar business, what kind of behavior is this? If word gets out, where will the Pei family's reputation be?!"
Pei Zhongli, feigning concern, stroked his beard and sighed, then continued, "Third Sister, your aunt is just being anxious. What kind of business can a girl like you do? Your uncle has found you a good place..."
Ignoring Pei Qingwu's inward eye roll, he lowered his voice and said, "You know Wang Sihu of Dangting County, our hometown, right? He's a veteran official in the county, with a solid financial background and a respectable position. He's just a bit old and is looking to take a concubine. I think you would be a good fit for him."
"As a concubine?" Upon hearing this, Pei Qingwu's gaze turned icy cold. "Uncle, are you serious?"
“Of course it’s true!” Zhou exclaimed, a smug smile spreading across her face. “That Wang Sihu promised a dowry of twenty strings of cash! Think about it, twenty strings! That’s enough for an ordinary family to live on for several years! You’ll be living a life of luxury there, a hundred times better than staying here kneading dough! With this money, we can supplement our household expenses. Isn’t that a win-win situation?”
Twenty strings of cash as betrothal gifts...
Pei Qingwu sneered inwardly. It wasn't enough that the original owner of this body had been sold once; now this couple wanted to treat her like merchandise and sell her to an old official they had never met as a concubine, all for the sake of those twenty strings of cash.
She said loudly, "Uncle and Aunt have probably forgotten that in the main hall of the prefectural government, Magistrate Zhao has already ruled that I should establish my own household and be freed from the control of the clan. Therefore, my marriage is not for others to interfere with."
"Others? We're actually strangers now?" Pei Zhongli's face suddenly darkened, revealing a hint of fierceness: "We are your own uncle and aunt! Your parents died early, and my wife and I raised you. Shouldn't you listen to us? The Household and Marriage Law states that grandparents and parents can be the officiants in marriages. Although we are not your biological parents, we are still your elders!"
"Does being a relative or elder mean you can force a respectable woman to become a concubine?" Pei Qingwu retorted sharply, "The law clearly states: 'If a marriage is violated by the law, the grandparents or parents who officiate at the marriage shall be held solely responsible.' My parents are both deceased, and my uncle has already accepted the betrothal gifts from the Sun family and married me off, which is considered a clear settlement. Now I am free. You two are neither my parents nor my grandparents, so what right do you have to officiate my marriage? Furthermore, does the Registrar Wang know that 'a respectable woman cannot become a concubine' when he wants to take me as a concubine? You accept betrothal gifts and force a respectable woman to become a concubine; this is blatant abduction of a respectable person, and according to the law, you should be sentenced to three years of penal servitude!"
Every word she uttered was a direct quote from the law, causing Pei Zhongli and his wife to turn pale and then flushed.
Zhou, who was ignorant of the law, felt a tightness in her chest and jumped up, shouting, "Don't try to fool us with these pretentious platitudes! What law? Filial piety is paramount! If you disobey your elders, you are unfilial! We'll go to the prefectural government and sue you for being disobedient and unfilial. Let's see if the officials will help you, who disrespects your elders, or help us, who have endured so much hardship!"
"Accus me of being unfilial?" Pei Qingwu glanced at her indifferently: "Then go ahead and accuse me. I have neither disobeyed nor defied you, nor have I failed to provide for you. I simply do not wish to be treated as merchandise and sold off again. As for this charge of being unfilial, let's see how the magistrate decides."
"By the way, I, Pei Qingwu, can earn back a mere twenty strings of cash in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
With that, she stopped paying attention to Pei Zhongli and his wife.
The two of them were so angry at this stubborn attitude that they trembled with anger. Zhou was about to step forward and tear at him, but Gu Heng, who jumped out to protect Pei Qingwu, scared her back.
Pei Zhongli also reached out to stop her. He knew that this girl had become tough now and was knowledgeable about the law. Forcing her would probably be difficult, so it was better to leave for the time being and make other plans.
"Fine! Very well!" Pei Zhongli gritted his teeth and squeezed out the words: "Since you are so stubborn, don't blame us elders for not showing any kinship! You can continue your business here, and one day you'll regret it!"
After saying that, he grabbed Zhou, who was still cursing, and stormed out of the backyard.
“Master…” Gu Heng asked worriedly.
Pei Qingwu waved his hand: "It's alright, I'm not afraid of what they might do. Besides, I also have a score to settle with them."
The Household Ordinance clearly stipulates that if the parents are deceased and there are brothers, when the family is divided, unmarried women can receive half of the betrothal gifts of their unmarried brothers. However, if the family line ends, unmarried women can inherit all the property.
The original owner lost her father at the age of four and her mother at the age of six. She had no other brothers or sisters, so according to the law, she was entitled to inherit all of her parents' property. Although the Pei family was not considered extremely wealthy, the gold and silver they left behind were enough to support a weak woman. However, Pei Zhongli embezzled all of it and in the end, he only gave her some meager dowry, pushing her into a pit of fire.
The original owner of this body was mild-mannered and timid, and dared not say much even when bullied, but Pei Qingwu was not like that. No matter the era, she would not be bullied by others.
It just so happens that this is also an opportunity to reclaim what was rightfully hers for the original owner.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
