Chapter 24 Preparing for Both Sides Cao Mama's heart skipped a beat, and her mind immediately changed...
Cao's mother's heart skipped a beat, and her expression immediately changed. She had just stepped forward to persuade her, hoping to shift the topic from whether Su Zhihan could cook or not, to Wu's mother failing to learn and instead turning around and blaming her.
But now, Madam Xu's words have brought things back to square one. Mama Cao's palms were sweating as she tried to maintain her composure, while quickly signaling to Su Zhihan with her eyes not to hesitate and to immediately admit her mistake.
If we admit our mistake now, this matter will be over.
Ultimately, Han-jie didn't ask Wu-ma-ma to do it; it was Wu-ma-ma's own muddled thinking that led to this mess.
Madam Cao had already decided that, judging from Madam Xu's temperament, she would probably punish Han Jie'er for five days... at most half a month's wages, and she would secretly give the money back to Han Jie'er later.
Just as Cao Mama was eagerly anticipating the outcome and Wu Mama was glaring angrily, Su Zhihan nodded: "Wife, I do know the recipe and can make it."
In an instant, the large kitchen became so quiet that only the crackling of firewood and the bubbling of boiling water could be heard.
Cao Mama's expression froze instantly, and she secretly glanced at Xu Niangzi's expression. Seeing that Xu Niangzi had a stern face and showed no anger at all, she was not happy at all, but secretly groaned in her heart.
The powerful and wealthy families in the capital all liked to employ chefs from all over the country. As the rental fees kept rising, the number of skilled chefs attracted was astonishing.
The Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion was not immune to this trend of competition. At its peak, it employed dozens of cooks, and with the apprentices and servants they brought, the number could reach several hundred.
In addition, there were three maids who came with the ladies when they married into the Marquis's mansion, and the cooks among them were also quite skilled.
In this extremely fierce competition, Chef Xu had the last laugh. Although there were other cooks in the manor who specialized in making steamed buns, flatbreads, and fish, Madam Xu controlled all the banquet arrangements and daily food preparations.
For example, Su Zhihan made tea cakes for the second young lady, but unless the second young lady or other young ladies specifically requested them, the tea cakes would not appear on any master's desk, let alone be shown to the master.
Cao Mama would argue with Wu Mama and ignore Zhang Mama, but when it came to the tasks assigned by Xu Niangzi, she had no room for resistance whatsoever.
Cao's mother pulled out a handkerchief from her waist, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and hesitated again and again.
Logically speaking, given how things have come to this point, she shouldn't have needed to step forward anymore. However, considering that Han Jie'er lied for Daya's sake, Cao Mama couldn't get over that hurdle in her heart.
She gritted her teeth and stepped forward, blocking Su Zhihan's path. Cao Mama's face hardened, her voice stern: "You brat, what are you doing acting tough in front of Madam Xu? Hurry up and explain the whole story!"
However, the listless Wu Mama perked up and perked up again: "Madam Xu, take a look..."
Madam Xu: "Shut up."
Wu's mother and Cao's mother immediately dared not speak again. One of them was gloating, while the other was anxious and worried. The rest of the people in the kitchen were also absent-minded, secretly glancing over here.
"Han'er is in big trouble this time." Qiuyue whispered to Sulan, who was huddled together, as she looked at the scene ahead.
Given Madam Xu's intolerant nature, it's hard to guarantee that Su Zhihan won't leave the main kitchen. Thinking of this, Qiu Yue felt a faint sense of joy: "Once she leaves the main kitchen, she won't have such a smug life anymore."
"Why are you jealous of her?" Su Lan glanced at Qiu Yue. "At least we've been able to cook a meal these past few days because of her."
They all came into the main kitchen wanting to learn the skills, and the family had given Wu's mother a lot of money.
But while Aunt Wu collected everything, she was extremely possessive of it, never letting them touch it. Over the years, they hadn't even learned the basics.
After Cao Mama offered to teach Han Jie'er how to do things last time, Wu Mama, fearing gossip, also taught the two of them to try it out.
Although it was just a simple dish, it was much better than before. Thinking of this, Su Lan became worried: "I think it's good that Han Jie'er is here. At least we all have more opportunities."
"What you're saying... I, I was just saying a few sarcastic things." Qiu Yue blushed. Su Lan's words made her seem petty. Actually, after Wu Mama made her do that last time, she had apologized to Cao Daya in private behind Wu Mama's back.
However, seeing Han Jie'er, who had only been in the kitchen for a short time, being able to cook and receive praise and rewards, while he himself hadn't made any progress in the past few years and was being complained about by his parents for being useless, he couldn't help but feel resentful.
Qiuyue and Sulan whispered a few words to each other, but fearing that Madam Xu or Mama Wu would notice, they quickly shut their mouths and continued to eavesdrop.
Over there, Madam Xu already knew the reason for the matter from the conversation of the group and the reaction of Cao Mama. She didn't like Su Zhihan very much to begin with, and now she disliked her even more.
Seeing that Su Zhihan was still stubborn, she said coldly, "Sister Han, are you sure you can do it?"
Before Su Zhihan could answer, Madam Xu continued, "If you can make it, I will allow you to receive the monthly salary of a third-class cook, and from now on, you will be in charge of preparing the meals for third-class maids."
Wu's mother was taken aback at first, then her eyes widened. Preparing food for the third-class servants was her job.
But thinking that Su Zhihan couldn't make that thing either, Madam Wu swallowed her words and changed her tone, saying, "Madam Xu, what if she can't make it?"
"If you can't make it, Han-jie..."
"From now on, you don't need to come to the main kitchen anymore. Go back to cleaning and sweeping."
She said she was going back to clean, but everyone in the kitchen knew that Yang Liu, who had left, had taken over Su Zhihan's old chores.
Su Zhihan wasn't born into the household; the family couldn't let her sit idle after buying her. They'd already changed places twice and she still couldn't go; next time they'd have to go to an even worse place.
After speaking, Madam Xu looked at Su Zhihan and said, "Do you know how to do it or not? If you say you don't know how now, I will fine you a month's salary, and this matter will end here."
"Madam Xu..."
"Madam Xu—"
Cao's mother and Wu's mother spoke one after the other, but their tones were completely opposite. The former was relieved, while the latter was regretful.
Madam Wu had originally thought she could use Madam Xu's help to get rid of Su Zhihan, but seeing that Madam Xu remained unmoved and kept glaring at Su Zhihan, she just hoped that the girl would lose her mind and say something—
"Madam Xu, then I'll make it for you to try."
Upon hearing Su Zhihan's words, Wu's mother was so shocked that her eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and then she nearly burst out laughing.
"You little rascal, what's wrong, what's wrong..." Cao's mother's mouth was dry, and she only regretted that she was a step too slow and could not stop Su Zhihan.
Now it's too late!
Cao's mother felt a pang of regret and lost the strength to speak. Thinking about the comfortable days she had spent and the things she had discussed with her husband, she felt like a deflated balloon, instantly losing all her energy.
Ignoring the reactions of those around her, Su Zhihan added, "But the tofu isn't available every day. If I go with someone to get it, it will take about three days."
Madam Xu raised an eyebrow and gave Su Zhihan a deep look. She had originally thought that Su Zhihan was concerned about her reputation and unwilling to show weakness, which was why she stubbornly refused to admit her mistake.
But now she seems confident?
Madam Xu glanced at Su Zhihan and said, "Since that's the case, I'll give you three days. If you can't hand over the goods after three days, no matter who pleads for you, I will kick you out!"
Originally, Cao Mama, who had been ready to come begging for forgiveness after hearing that it would only last three days, lowered her head again and did not speak to Su Zhihan after Xu Niangzi left.
That evening, she took Cao Daya to apologize, carrying two bolts of fine cloth, two jugs of wine, and a chicken.
"Aunt Cao, what are you doing?"
“Madam Jiang, it’s all Daya’s fault, please don’t blame Han’er…” When Cao Mama saw Jiang Zhenniang, her eyes instantly reddened.
She pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and stuffed the things into Jiang Zhenniang's hands: "If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know, and I will definitely help!"
"Aunt Cao?" Jiang Zhenniang looked bewildered and turned to look at Su Zhihan.
Su Zhihan knew what had happened in the main kitchen that day, and she was both annoyed and amused. She reached out to help Cao Mama up and said with a smile, "Didn't I say before that I wasn't lying?"
"There really is such a thing as edible bad tofu."
"It's the kind of bad that's different from what Mother Wu understands as bad. We'll need to prepare for it for a few days."
Su Zhihan had to persuade Cao Mama quite a bit before she could finally convince her that she could produce the item.
In the following two days, while preparing the 'bad tofu', she didn't forget to visit Xiao Hong's house.
This time, when Grandma Chen saw Su Zhihan, she was even more enthusiastic. She happily opened the door and invited Su Zhihan to sit inside.
She had been eagerly awaiting Su Zhihan's arrival and had her granddaughter tidy up the house thoroughly. After Su Zhihan sat down, she brewed a cup of tea and brought it over: "This tea was bought from a villager when we went to inquire in the countryside. They said it was wild tea picked from the mountain. I don't know much about tea, but it smells wonderful. Please take a look, Madam Su."
Su Zhihan took a sip, but her reaction was indifferent.
At present, the tea market is monopolized by the imperial court. If you want to buy tea, you have to go to the tea shops under the government. There are countless kinds of tea cakes and tea balls.
Of course, the best tea is the dragon tea offered to the saints.
As a prominent and wealthy family, the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion could retrieve any kind of tea from its storeroom. For example, when Su Zhihan first made tea cakes, she used low-grade loose tea that cost thirty coins per catty. Later, when the second young lady specifically asked her to make tea cakes, she used tea powder ground from medium-grade tea leaves.
Those who make tea cakes alone, one cake costs forty strings of cash.
Su Zhihan was already shocked, and the mothers in the kitchen told her that the masters in the house used top-quality tea, which cost a hundred strings of cash per sachet.
It's only the size of a matchbox, and if you calculate it directly, it can only be used a few times to make tea.
"But it doesn't taste good?"
"The tea itself is actually quite good, but unfortunately the processing method was a bit rough."
Seeing Grandma Chen's tense expression, Su Zhihan explained slowly, "If you keep it for your own use, it's not bad. If you want to make some money, you can buy it from them and sell it for about forty or fifty coins a pound on the market."
Grandma Chen was regretting listening to Su Zhihan's words and was remorseful that she should not have listened to the villagers. She had given the tea to Su's wife to taste. When she heard that it could be sold for forty or fifty coins a catty, she was first delighted, and then she was stunned.
For her, whose family only used loose tea at seventeen coins a pound, tea costing forty or fifty coins a pound was already considered excellent. She forgot that a noble family like the Marquis's would never use such tea.
Grandma Chen felt both annoyed and delighted. She was annoyed that her flattery had backfired, but delighted that Madam Su was indeed telling the truth and was truly from the Marquis's kitchen.
Su Zhihan took a sip and put down her teacup. She then asked the reserved Xiao Hong to come forward and inquire about Uncle Li.
Xiao Hong had a lot to say, but she quickly blurted it out: "Although Uncle Li said he injured himself by falling, it looks like he was beaten."
"Later, Grandma and I went to the country market and asked around. Sure enough, Uncle Li had been beaten up!"
"It is said that the people who beat up Uncle Li also sell tofu in the city. They saw that Uncle Li's business was good and he could sell out every time, so they deliberately staged an accident to injure him."
Xiao Hong said this with great anger: "Miss Su, guess who that person is?"
"...Could it be that old man who's been lying?"
“That’s right!” Xiao Hong nodded emphatically and continued, “It’s not so much Old Man Zhou, but rather his son who is the real culprit.”
"Their family has a terrible reputation. Everyone in the area knows that they do a bad job and cheat customers. But they happen to have a brother who is a constable in the government office. He helped them escape this time."
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