Chapter 54

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Zhou Cunzheng’s wife looked utterly confused. “What—Li Qi?”

Following Zhou Cunzheng’s gaze to the item he was holding between his chopsticks, she said, “What Li Qi? That’s tofu.”

“Tofu?”

“Yes, bought it at the market today.” Her eyes brightened with excitement. “You wouldn’t guess who sold it.”

“Who?”

The whole family exchanged looks, and the youngest son urged, “Mom, stop teasing us.”

She had been holding back and now, prompted by her son, she smiled and revealed, “It’s from our village, from the Shen family’s main branch—the Sang sisters.”

The family nearly dropped their jaws.

“Who?”

“The girl who fled here during the famine?”

She nodded. “That’s her.”

She recounted how she met Sang Luo at the market that morning and described Sang Luo’s reaction. “Her business was quite good. I arrived at the market early in the morning, and she had nearly sold out. The tofu trays, each holding sixteen pieces, were stacked three trays high. Another bucket of ‘Immortal Tofu’ was almost gone too.”

“Immortal Tofu?”

The Zhou family glanced into the vegetable basket, noticing a few bowls still covered. She lifted the lid on one, revealing bright green pieces, cut neatly into bite-sized squares, resembling jade.

“That’s it,” she explained. “I planned to mix it with something savory for you all, but the Sang sister gave me a small piece. So I mixed it with sugar water for the kids at home to eat—it’s very refreshing in this heat. Since we have plenty of vegetables, I just soaked it in sugar water and cooled it in the well. After you eat, each of you try a little.”

With so many people, everyone just took two or three spoonfuls before it was gone.

After finishing their meal, the smallest child, whose father had just taken away his bowl and chopsticks, quickly grabbed another bowl and scooped two spoonfuls of the Immortal Tofu to try first.

He sighed contentedly after a bite. “Mom, you really got this right. On a hot day, just one bite feels so good!”

Those without rice saw his enjoyment and decided to skip rice and go straight for the tofu.

Zhou Cunzheng glanced at the Immortal Tofu but didn’t reach for it. Instead, he tasted the regular tofu and nodded—it was the flavor of his memories.

Seeing him this way, his wife asked, “What did you say about Li Qi?”

He pointed to the tofu. “This is what I know as Li Qi. About five years ago, when Magistrate Zhang first arrived and held a banquet for the village elders, Sixth Uncle brought me along—you remember?”

How could she forget? It was intended that her husband would take over as village head, but their family wasn’t strong enough and was outmatched. She only replied with a hum. “Was this dish served at the banquet?”

Zhou Cunzheng nodded. “Yes, it was on the menu. We sat at the back and only tasted a bit, but I overheard the Wang family patriarch saying it was quite rare. How did the Sang sister make this? And she calls it ‘tofu’?”

“Different places have different customs. The Sang sister fled here from the north; it’s no surprise her terms differ from ours,” she said dismissively, more interested in the Shen family’s affairs. “Shen San and his wife have truly struck gold this time.”

Zhou Cunzheng was silent for a moment. “They deserve it.”

He viewed the Shen family’s split as something that shouldn’t have happened, but as village head, his role was nominal. All official documents and registrations bypassed him; no one took him seriously.

“Have you eaten?” she asked.

“No, I brought this over first, worried you might be hungry. I’ll eat after you’re done.”

He paused, looking at the basket—no extra bowls or chopsticks remained. “Next time, bring it after we’ve eaten. No rush now.”

His wife’s eyes creased with a slight smile. “Go ahead and eat.”

After the meal, she began packing up the basket to return. Zhou Cunzheng wanted to ask if the Shen family’s new house was finished and when they might hold a housewarming, to bring a measure of rice as a good omen.

But thinking back to how he hadn’t intervened in the family split before, and now they were prospering, he decided against it. No need to add embellishment when no help was given in hardship.

...

On the mountain, Shen Jin had finished plucking feathers early and rushed home for lunch.

Shen An asked Sang Luo how to handle the chicken and duck feathers. She looked them over and instructed to separate the good chicken feathers, soak them in wood ash water to degrease, rinse with clean water, then dry—these could be used to make feather dusters.

As for the rest, mix with wood ash and compost it in the outhouse.

“Can feathers really be composted?” Shen An asked.

Sang Luo nodded. “Not only can they, but they’re excellent material for improving soil.”

Chicken and duck feathers mixed with wood ash and manure greatly enrich the soil. Sang Luo planned to clear land on the other side of the mountain to use this.

They cleaned the chicken and duck offal and set it aside in the kitchen. After washing her hands, Sang Luo cooked a simple vegetable porridge. After the three ate, she took the three ducklings to a small stream near the spring pool to let them swim briefly.

Since they were still young, the ducks needed water contact but couldn’t stay in too long; their bellies must stay dry, only their feet could get wet.

She timed it carefully—about four to five minutes—then returned the little ones to the backyard.

With the morning’s work done, she locked the gate and took a short nap with the two younger children.

In the afternoon, she rendered lard, then stewed chicken, roasted duck, and prepared marinated dishes and a braised pork. These dishes could be made in advance; by evening, just slicing and plating was needed, while braised pork and chicken steamed, and the duck stayed in the pot ready for final seasoning with scallions and garlic.

By the time Chen Grandma and the Lu family matriarch arrived, carrying their bowls and plates, the aroma of meat wafted down the mountain before they even reached the courtyard.

It smelled like braised pork, stewed chicken, and another fragrant scent hard to identify.

They exchanged glances and quickened their pace.

Shen An and Shen Ning were washing vegetables by the spring pool. Seeing the two elder ladies, they stood and greeted them warmly.

“Your sister-in-law started cooking so early?”

The two little ones nodded. Shen Ning said, “She prepared some cold dishes and meat dishes that could be done in advance.”

Entering the courtyard, Sang Luo saw the visitors and quickly set aside her work to greet them.

Chen Grandma sniffed the air. “The smell reached all the way from the foot of the mountain. So you prepared chicken, duck, and meat?”

Sang Luo took the basket from her hands with a smile. “Yes, nothing fancy. We’ll trouble you and Chen Grandma today.”

The two elderly ladies laughed. “With chicken, duck, and meat, what more could you want? What would count as a good meal then?”

They joked as they entered the kitchen, and upon seeing the several ceramic pots and bowls of prepared dishes, Lu Grandma exclaimed, “Sang Luo has good skills.”

They had come to help but realized there was little left to do. Sang Luo, though young, was skilled and organized. The time-consuming dishes were prepped, and she could manage the rest alone.

After a brief survey of preparations, the two ladies quickly divided tasks, taking over washing and chopping vegetables from Shen An and Shen Ning, who were sent to other chores. Seeing no room in the kitchen, the two younger children went off to finish fencing.

In the kitchen, Sang Luo minced meat to make fried meatballs, using tofu pulp from the day’s tofu production, a bit of flour, chopped greens, and eggs, seasoned and fried golden.

Chen Grandma noticed the golden balls and chuckled, “The children will be delighted—this is more lavish than New Year’s.”

When Sang Luo brought out a pot containing three pieces of white tofu and three pieces of green Immortal Tofu, Chen Grandma raised her eyebrows. “Serving both these dishes tonight?”

Sang Luo smiled affirmatively, and Chen Grandma’s heart warmed, confirming her initial hunch.

Just then, Lu Grandma entered with freshly washed vegetables, curious about the unfamiliar dishes.

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Sang Luo briefly introduced the dishes without claiming them as her own, only laughing, “We couldn’t afford many fancy dishes, so I made some fresh treats to liven things up. You’ll get to try them at the feast.”

Lu Grandma naturally praised them.

Both tofu dishes were simple to prepare. Because there were many children, the Immortal Tofu was served in three sugar-water-dressed plates, while the regular tofu was made into minced meat tofu. Another portion was split into chicken blood tofu and duck blood tofu.

Chen Grandma observed from the side and glanced at the stove’s side stone slab. She smiled at Lu Grandma, “You’re in for a treat today.”

Lu Grandma took this to mean a gastronomic delight and smiled in agreement.

Chen Grandma suspected Sang Luo had other plans by including both tofu dishes. Such a spread was hardly due to a lack of dishes.

The feast included stewed chicken, braised duck, braised pork, marinated pork intestines, marinated pig ears, garlic-fried chicken and duck offal, chicken blood tofu, duck blood tofu, Immortal Tofu, and fried meatballs.

The blood tofu dishes, though small in portion, counted as one dish each—nine substantial bowls in total.

There was also braised pig liver and a simmering radish bone soup, plus vegetable dishes uncounted.

Ten or so dishes, mostly meat—how could this not be lavish?

Hence, the two tofu dishes on the table suggested Chen Grandma sensed Sang Luo’s intentions.

Previously, making Immortal Tofu was a lengthy process, plus tofu itself—selling it at the county market involved a day’s work and a twenty-mile round trip.

Sang Luo was no iron woman; she couldn’t endure such strain.

Moreover, Chen Grandma knew Sang Luo as someone who remembered kindnesses and repaid them.

With the Shi and Lu families helping build the house, Sang Luo likely planned to repay their kindness in kind.

Chen Grandma guessed that after this busy farming season, some in those families might follow in Fang Niang’s footsteps, benefiting from Sang Luo’s skills and making a livelihood from them.

...

In the kitchen, cooking continued. A group of invited children who didn’t have to work in the fields arrived early.

The meat aroma made the children drool, but like Shen Jin, they only peered at the courtyard from the gate. Seeing no tables set, they knew the feast wasn’t yet ready.

Their stomachs rumbled loudly in protest.

Huzi said, “Shen Jin, your nose’s the best. Can you tell what dishes they’re making?”

Shen Jin sniffed. “Bone broth with radish.”

The children nodded vigorously.

“And what else?”

Huzi sniffed again. “Radish’s smell’s too strong; I can’t smell anything else.”

Shen Jin sniffed more deeply. “Stewed chicken, braised pork, and…”

He couldn’t identify the other scent, though it was fragrant and strong, overpowering the radish broth. He said, “Duck.”

They hissed excitedly.

“Shen Jin, you’re amazing, naming so many dishes by smell.”

“Third brother, when will uncle bring the tables? Why no feast yet?”

“Yeah, why hasn’t Dad come? Grandma said he should be back early to set up tables.”

“I’m so hungry, I want meat.”

“I want chicken.”

Shen Jin said, “I want to eat everything. I only ate two spoonfuls of porridge at lunch to save room for tonight.”

Huzi was stunned, then impressed. “You’re clever. I never thought of that.”

Lunch was rare today, with fried eggs served. He’d eaten more than intended.

Huzi thought if he followed Shen Jin’s example and saved room, he could eat more dishes.

Chicken, duck, braised pork!

His mouth watered uncontrollably.

Behind the house, Shen An heard the noise and came out to find a crowd of children at the gate.

Younger ones like Shen Tie and Shen Tian were squeezed out at the back.

Shen An asked, “What are you all doing?”

They all turned, eyes bright. “We’re smelling what dishes will be served tonight. You know, right?”

Shen An smiled. “Good dishes. The feast will start soon. Why the rush?”

Shen Jin swallowed hard. “You don’t understand, we’ve been looking forward to this for days.”

Shen An gave them a disapproving look. “Wipe your drool.”

Shen Jin: ???

Drool?

He hurried to wipe his mouth—and accidentally started drooling.

Not just him; when Shen An said to wipe drool, all except the oldest, Huzi, reacted similarly.

Shen Ning, arriving later, laughed at the scene.

She said, “Why ask now? Ask my second brother and he’ll only say which dishes my sister-in-law bought. No one can see the table yet. Fine, little ones, go play. Huzi and Jin, come help me and my second brother with the fence.”

The younger ones, excited to attend the feast at Shen An and Shen Ning’s house, obeyed and scattered, amusing themselves around the spring water pipes, the banana leaf roof over the chicken coop, and wildflowers.

The four older children went to work on the fence, with Huzi and Shen Jin eager to help. Although inexperienced, they quickly learned from Shen An and Shen Ning.

Huzi admired the Shen family’s progress. “Your place keeps changing bit by bit, getting better every day.”

“Of course,” Shen An proudly said, “Look at that chicken coop—it was built by my sister-in-law. Cool, right? Your coop doesn’t have a banana leaf roof, does it?”

Huzi and Shen Jin shook their heads.

Shen An said, “Banana leaves don’t let rain through. My sister-in-law said it’s good for keeping dry.”

Shen Ning added, “And it shades the coop in the heat, so the chickens and ducks don’t get too hot.”

The siblings boasted about their sister-in-law’s handiwork, which made Huzi eager, glancing over at their coop, wondering if he could get his elder brothers to build one at home.

Just then, the group of children playing nearby stirred; Huzi and the others stepped out and nearly jumped for joy.

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“My dad’s bringing the tables!”

San Niu cheered, “My dad’s carrying a table too!”

Shen Jin, Shen Yin, Shen Tie: ...

Their dads hadn’t done anything.

Shen An stopped working on the fence and ran over to see if help was needed.

At the foot of the mountain, Da Niu and Er Niu each carried two benches. Da Niu handled it well; Er Niu struggled and hurried to take a rest.

Others came down to help carry tables and benches, including Shen Jin, Huzi, and even Shen Ning.

The kids were as excited as at New Year, following the adults carrying tables into the courtyard.

Because the kitchen was large, Sang Luo’s front yard was much bigger than the backyard, and the three tables were arranged with some spacing.

Children carried benches, placing them around the tables.

What a lively scene.

Sang Luo came out to ask Chen Youtian, Shi Erlang, and Lu Dalang, who had brought the tables, when their families would arrive. The big dishes were being heated, and those ready were being set out.

Shen Jin’s group, seeing the golden fried meatballs, cheered loudly.

Chen Grandma helped bring out dishes and laughed, “Don’t touch the food yet. We must wait for everyone to arrive, perform ancestral rites, and settle the Kitchen God before eating. Understand?”

Someone led the chorus of “Yes!”

Chen Grandma smiled and went inside. More children meant more cheer and good energy.

Sang Luo was stunned.

Ancestral rites and Kitchen God ceremonies? She hadn’t prepared for these at all.

Seeing Chen Grandma enter, she hurried over. “Grandma, I didn’t know about those rules. I wasn’t prepared.”

Both elder ladies were momentarily silent.

Isn’t this common knowledge?

Sang Luo thought: It’s not her fault. Growing up in an orphanage, she knew nothing of these and had no ancestors to honor.

Chen Grandma asked Lu Grandma, “Do you have incense and candles?”

Lu Grandma nodded, “Yes, I’ll go get them.”

She quickly left.

...

The three families arrived quickly. Lu Grandma returned with incense and candles. Under the old ladies’ guidance, Sang Luo set up a bowl of rice with some braised pork as offerings. They honored the Kitchen God and then the ancestors.

Qin Fangniang’s group arrived next.

Leading them were Chen Lao Han and Chen Youtian, carrying a fire basin and a ladder. Others had gifts, and older boys carried firewood.

Sang Luo was confused but was led by Chen Grandma and summoned Shen An. Surrounded by the feast guests, they performed the customary rituals.

Though she didn’t understand the meaning behind carrying the fire basin and the ladder laid on the ground, the lively atmosphere was undeniable.

Once inside the courtyard, Qin Fangniang presented her gifts with auspicious words, followed by the Shi family sisters-in-law and Lu Dalang’s wife.

Only then did Sang Luo realize the three families had brought rice, oil, and firewood to bless and prosper her household.

Overwhelmed, she gratefully stored the rice, put the oil in the kitchen, stacked the firewood under the eaves, and ushered everyone to the feast.

She noticed Lu family’s second daughter-in-law missing and asked Lu Grandma, “Where’s your daughter-in-law and kid? I don’t see Ah Xu either.”

Lu Grandma, busy in the kitchen, paused and looked out. The entire first branch family was present, the third son too, but not the second daughter-in-law or Ah Xu.

Lu Grandma’s face darkened. Looking at her eldest daughter-in-law, she saw her avoid eye contact, nervous.

Earlier that morning, she had told the family not everyone should come—since four of the five sons in the first branch were invited, including the child Shi Tou who hadn’t helped.

But with so many people in the Lu family, it was impertinent for one branch to take all the seats at another’s feast.

Because four of the five sons in the first branch were invited, and the third son too, Lu Grandma thought it inappropriate to leave the second branch mother and child out alone, so she said the eldest daughter-in-law and four grandchildren, including Shi Tou, would eat at her house.

She hadn’t expected the second daughter-in-law and little grandson not to come, while the eldest daughter-in-law and Shi Tou were present.

Her mouth tightened, but she restrained herself from showing displeasure or sending the daughter-in-law away.

She explained to Sang Luo, “Liu Niang thought it too crowded and preferred to rest at home, so she didn’t come.”

Sang Luo replied, “But isn’t the point of warming the house to have a lively gathering?”

She called Shen Ning, “Go invite your Lu second aunt and little Ah Xu to come join us.”

Shen Ning responded crisply and ran off.

Lu Grandma laughed, “How can we say that? Our whole family is here to eat at the big house.”

Chen Grandma sensed something and lightened the mood with jokes, making everyone laugh and smoothing things over.

Lu Grandma, unfazed, invited Qin Fangniang and others to help carry dishes in the kitchen.

The women moved back and forth several times, and the tables soon brimmed with dishes, three tables full of food that stunned the entire courtyard.

Qin Fangniang and the Shi sisters-in-law were equally astonished.

So lavish! Their eyes were dazzled.

Everyone swallowed hard but dared not sit at the tables yet.

Chen Grandma laughed, “What are you dawdling for? Let’s eat. I think one table for men, one for women, and one for children is fine. If it’s cramped, just stand by the table and stretch your hands out.”

The three tables could fit everyone if squeezed.

Amid lively chatter, they took their seats, but no one touched the food, waiting for Lu family’s second daughter-in-law and little grandson.

Lu Grandma quickly said, “No need to wait. There’s plenty of food; come whenever you want.”

Lu Grandpa agreed.

Sang Luo looked at Chen Grandma, who nodded. Then she said, “Alright, let’s start. I bought a small jar of wine for the old men at Chen and Lu’s table. I’ll go get it now.”

“Wine too?” Shi Erlang’s eyes lit up.

Sang Luo smiled, “Not much, just enough for a few sips. Don’t be angry, uncles.”

“Not angry at all,” Shi Erlang laughed heartily. “Just a taste is fine—I haven’t had a drop in half a year.”

Sang Luo went back into the kitchen and soon returned with the small jar.

Seeing the wine, even the usually taciturn Chen Lao Han and Chen Youtian showed excitement.

Chen Lao Han laughed, “Sang Luo, no need to be polite today. We’ll let you splurge.”

Sang Luo smiled, “Just a jar of plain wine. No splurging here. As long as you enjoy, that’s enough.”