Chapter 50 Maoya and Egg Cake
The Dayin Dynasty was similar to the Song Dynasty, with a developed commodity economy. The "fangshi system" of previous dynasties had long since collapsed, and the people had many opportunities to build their own houses.
The burnt Qi family, this house was built by their grandfather, a typical shop in front and house in the back, belonging to the most common houses, according to the market value of about 500 taels, equivalent to 500,000 in later generations. This price is considered medium to high in the area of Xiqiao where the alleys are dense like spider webs, and is 200 to 300 taels cheaper than the prime location at the entrance of the alley.
Extremely poor rents exist everywhere.
I didn't expect that there would be so many people who wanted to buy this burnt house. Even Mrs. Xu and the patrolman named Bi from the military department came.
When Mrs. Xu saw Su Ruojin, she had a cunning face and smiled at her smugly, "You little girl, this yard is not something you can dream of." After that, she twisted her hips and squeezed in front of the three brothers of the Qi family, putting on the face of the housekeeper's sister of the Princess of Jin and threatening the brothers of the Qi family to sell the house to her.
Bi Changgui, a patrol officer from the Bingmasi, was not willing to be outdone. He glanced at Su Ruojin and his servant, smiled contemptuously, and stood in front of the three brothers of the Qi family and hinted clearly that if they wanted to make a living in the capital, they'd better sell the courtyard to him, otherwise the brothers of the Qi family would be in trouble.
It's really lively with one person taking over and the next one coming on stage. Su Ruojin frowned, she didn't expect that houses in the capital were so popular, even burnt ones were still so sought after. Just now a few middle-aged men wanted to take advantage of the bargain, but she didn't expect that Mrs. Xu and Bi Changgui had such a sharp nose that they actually set their eyes on them.
Does Hua Ping know?
Su Ruojin looked towards the old Taoist who was originally conspicuous but was now left aside. When their eyes met, the old Taoist smiled indifferently.
Su Ruojin nodded slightly and returned the greeting.
When Shu Tong saw the two groups of people fighting for the yard, he tensed up nervously: "What should we do, Madam Er?"
Su Ruojin comforted Shu Tongshu, who was irritated, "Don't panic." Just when she was about to see how the Taoist priest would use his magical powers to trick the two men away, she suddenly heard the shouts of the yamen runners, "Get out of the way... There was an inexplicable fire in a civilian house, and the government is investigating the case... Get out of the way..."
Shu Tong was surprised: "The government has intervened. This house is in trouble."
The government officials actually intervened. Su Ruojin was no longer sure whether he could get the shop. He whispered to Shu Tongshu, "Go and find where that Hua is. When you see him, ask him when we can get the shop."
"He...he's just a hanger-on, he definitely can't do anything to the government." Shu Tong felt that the shop was gone, and looked at the old Taoist helplessly. No matter what, it was not easy for the charlatan to come out, and he must pay him. It was really a waste of time.
Su Ruojin also glanced at the old Taoist priest who calmly ended the incident. Seeing him holding a whisk and floating out of the crowd like an immortal, his frown suddenly relaxed and he said, "Go ask me what I just said and see what Hua has to say."
"Oh." Shu Tong was listless. He sent Su Ruojin home, took some silver to find Hua Ping, and prepared to pay the Taoist priest. He thought, why is it so hard to find a shop?
Hua Ping was not drinking tea and listening to songs in the teahouse as usual. Today, Mr. Shen brought them to meet the young master according to the old master's instructions, and from then on they became the young master's people.
Shu Tong searched around but couldn't find it, so he had to go home first.
Su Ruojin only hated that she was too young to go out and run around. It was so hard to even find a shop. She was feeling annoyed when Yang Si Niang came over and called her, "Ajin, my mother is back!"
She was not even happy to hear the news, and went to Yang Si Niang's house in a depressed mood.
Yang Birong felt that her good friend was unhappy, "What's wrong, Jin?"
"Oh!" Su Ruojin realized that she was in a bad mood and quickly adjusted her mood. She forced a smile and said, "Nothing. I was thinking about going outing and flying a kite in a few days."
"I chose a big butterfly, it's so beautiful..." When talking about food, drinks and fun, Yang Si Niang's little mouth kept talking.
Su Ruojin couldn't help but laugh. Well, you have to eat one bite at a time and do one thing at a time. There is no need to rush for the shop. You will be able to rent or buy it one day.
Mao Ya stood beside Madam Yang. She was slender with a dark complexion. Her yellowish hair was tied into two buns that looked like they could not be combed. She pursed her lips and had a serious expression, like a little guard ready for battle.
Su Ruojin was very satisfied at first glance. This state is that of a qualified security guard on duty! His mood improved instantly.
She came up and saluted to Madam Yang, "Ah Jin greets Madam!"
Madam Yang smiled and asked her to come forward and take a look. "Are you satisfied?"
Su Ruojin smiled and nodded, "Madam, you gave her to me, won't the Duke's Mansion say anything?"
"Since I can take him out of the house, of course I have already discussed it with the Duke's Mansion."
"That Moon Silver..."
Madam Yang said, "As long as she is well fed and well watered, you can decide how much the monthly salary should be."
“These will definitely be fine.”
Su Ruojin was very happy, and returned the favor by giving Madam Yang a recipe for free, "Egg cake with milk tea will win the hearts of the young ladies even more."
If there is cream, various cakes and desserts will be more suitable.
Mrs. Yang was willing to bring Mao Ya from her parents' home, partly because of the neighbors, and partly because of course she wanted to be on good terms with the young lady. Who knows, if she's happy, she might add a delicious dish to the shop!
It is true.
Mrs. Yang was very happy: "Although there is a recipe, please ask Ah Jin to make it for us first so that my cook can learn from it."
Of course Su Ruojin agreed readily.
For Chinese desserts, the secret to Western-style egg cakes is to separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, then beat the egg whites and add sugar to make them foamy; stir the egg yolks with sugar, water, and oil, then add them to the flour to make a paste;
Su Ruojin said to the cook, "You must beat the egg whites into such a foamy state that a chopstick can be put into it without falling, otherwise the egg cake will not taste good."
Add the beaten egg whites to the egg yolk paste twice. Since there was no oven at the time, she put the mold into an empty iron pan and baked it for a quarter of an hour. Then she opened the pot and put the mold back in and baked it for another quarter of an hour. Then she took it out to let it cool, removed it from the mold, and cut it into small cakes.
"Madam, if you want to make it often, you need to customize a square iron box and bake it in an oven like a sesame cake, so that the cake will taste better."
Yang Si Niang couldn't wait to take it in her hand and eat it. She took a bite and found it soft and sweet, different from any snack she had eaten before. "Mom, even a child without teeth can eat it. It's so delicious!"
After he finished one piece, he took another one and couldn’t stop!
Madam Yang was both angry and amused. She clapped her hands, but she dodged.
Su Ruojin smiled and took Maoya home. Madam Yang brought her a small plate of egg cake to take back. Due to the limited conditions, egg cake was not easy to make, so she didn't say anything politely, "Thank you, Madam."
I happily took the cake home with me.
On the way home, Su Ruojin gave her a piece of egg cake and said, "Try it too."
Mao Ya didn't answer, looking at the egg cake, "You exchanged it for me, didn't you?"
Su Ruojin: ...
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
