Chapter 55

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In the rural countryside, this year’s grain harvest barely sufficed to fill stomachs, making wine a luxury. Naturally, it was not the elders who would serve the wine.

At this table, there were only two elder gentlemen from the Chen and Lu families, with Chen Youtian, Shi Erlang, and two brothers from the Lu family seated below. Only six men in total could drink alcohol. The adolescent boys sitting with them were strictly forbidden from touching the wine; at the moment, they were sitting quietly and properly.

Whether in the city or the countryside, at mealtime, the younger generation must not reach for their chopsticks before the elders do—this was a rule understood by most families. So the boys were merely watching the adults’ lively gathering. The eldest among them, Shuan Zhu, was a bit envious of his third uncle’s ability to drink; at only fourteen, adults would not allow him to taste wine, and he had no idea what it even tasted like.

Among Chen Youtian’s generation, Shi Erlang was somewhat more lively in temperament and had a strong fondness for wine. When Sang Luo brought out the wine, he immediately got up to receive it.

Looking closely, “Oh! This isn’t loose wine!”

He examined the jar, eyes gleaming: “Ah Lie’s wife, this must be from the general store at the market, right? I looked earlier—this costs eighteen wen, doesn’t it?”

Sang Luo didn’t expect him to know the price so well and smiled: “Uncle Shi Erlang, you surely know your drink. I have limited money and couldn’t afford anything better.”

“Isn’t this good enough? It’s the best! Uncle Shi here isn’t just a drinker but a glutton. When my craving hits, I can only get a dime or two of loose wine during holidays. Today, I’m in for a treat.”

The older men nodded in agreement: “We usually wouldn’t dare buy this kind of jarred wine. Ah Lie’s wife, you’re a wonderful hostess.”

Sang Luo smiled, eyes curved in delight: “Then everyone, let’s enjoy good food and good drinks tonight.”

Seeing the wax seal on the wine jar, she hesitated, unsure how to open it. Shi Erlang laughed at her reaction. “No need to worry about that. I’ll do it. Just find a stone to knock the seal loose. You go to your seat; we’ll handle the wine here.”

Sang Luo knew little about serving men’s drinking affairs: “Thank you, Uncle Shi.”

After greeting the elders at the table, she turned to check on the children’s table.

Shen Ning had gone to invite people, leaving Shen An in charge of the children’s table. The boys, all around twelve years old or so, had joined the men’s table. This table was all children, the eldest being the ten-year-old Er Niu, and the youngest, Shen San’s two-year-old Sweet Girl. There was also a little girl of about four or five, following Er Niu and San Niu—likely a child of the Shi family.

Eleven children crowded together, three per bench. The smallest, like Shen Sweet and the Shi family girl, did not sit at the table but stood by their older brothers, waiting to be fed. This freed up a bench seat for Shen Ning, who had gone to invite others, and for the not-yet-arrived Ah Xu.

When Shen An saw his sister-in-law approaching, he quietly said, “Huzi has an older sister named Da Niu, but she’s not here today.”

The little one whispered to his sister-in-law, “Huzi said his grandmother worries that having too many family members would be inconvenient. His father, two brothers, and he himself came—four in total. At home this morning, his mother, sister, and younger brother stayed behind, and his second aunt brought Ah Xu here.”

Huzi didn’t know why the visitors had changed. He only noticed the Shi family was complete, as were the Shen Jin siblings. Concerned his sister and cousin Ah Xu hadn’t arrived, he quietly confided in Shen An.

Sang Luo’s gaze flickered. The slight unease on Old Madam Lu’s face at that moment must have been because of this.

She didn’t know if the Lu family’s mid-visit change was due to some tension between the sisters-in-law or mere coincidence. It didn’t matter. She was hosting the feast to thank everyone for their help. As for the Lu family’s internal affairs, she saw no need to pry.

She hadn’t known how many children the Lu family had. Upon learning there was not only Second Aunt Lu and Ah Xu but also a girl named Da Niu, she worried that Shen Ning might forget to invite her and said to Shen An, “Go again and invite your Da Niu sister.”

Old Madam Lu seemed sensible and mindful of appearances. Leaving three family members at home was likely because she felt there were already too many people present.

Sang Luo thought that if it weren’t for the fact that Shuan Zhu, Tie Zhu, and Huzi all worked at her home and were on the guest list, Old Madam Lu might not have allowed even these few children to come.

She recalled how the old lady had been unusually kind to the second daughter-in-law and suggested she bring Ah Xu along, probably to care for the second household, now lacking a male head.

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When Shen An heard his sister-in-law ask him to fetch someone, he smiled and agreed. After quietly speaking with Huzi, he ran outside.

When Sang Luo returned to the women’s table, some noticed Shen An leaving and asked. She smiled: “I just learned Huzi has an older sister. I sent Little An to fetch her as well. Everyone’s here, so it would be unfair to leave her alone at home.”

Old Madam Lu felt a bit embarrassed. “Ah Lie’s wife, it’s really nothing to boast about. In our village, such feasts with ten or more people are not customary.”

Sang Luo interrupted with a smile: “Grandma, customs are flexible. This gathering is more like a small family get-together; we don’t fuss over formalities. Besides, I’m no fool with money. Look, for all these people, we’ve prepared just three tables. Even with a few more guests, it’s still only three tables. The children can squeeze in or stand at the edges. It hasn’t cost me any extra silver. Isn’t that right?”

Everyone laughed. Granny Chen chimed in, “Exactly. We’re all familiar with each other; no one really sticks to those formal rules.”

The Shi family daughters-in-law joined in the laughter, and Old Madam Lu relaxed, saying, “Alright, alright, I see now. Ah Lie’s wife, you’re very generous. No one will mock you, and I’ll shamelessly be bold too.”

With jokes and compliments, the atmosphere warmed quickly.

At the children’s table, the meal had begun. As soon as wine was poured at the men’s table, the elder men started chatting and encouraged everyone to eat, and chopsticks began moving swiftly.

Seeing this, Granny Chen smiled and asked the table, “Shall we start eating too?”

Everyone agreed: “Yes, let’s begin.”

Just as they reached for the dishes, the Shi daughter-in-law picked up a piece of tofu and asked with a smile, “What dish is this? I don’t recall seeing it before.”

Granny Chen smiled. The cleverest among the Shi family was still Gan Shi. Some people’s astuteness was obvious, others more reserved. Shi Erlang was the former; Gan Shi, the latter.

She said nothing, just smiled and took a piece of tofu to taste.

Sang Luo laughed: “This is called tofu. It’s rare around here. Everyone, try it.”

Curious, those who hadn’t started eating yet reached for the tofu. Even those who instinctively grabbed meat first put it down and took some tofu.

As they tasted it, silky smooth and fragrant, everyone raised their eyebrows in surprise. The Shi daughter-in-law asked, “Where did you buy this? Is it expensive? How come I haven’t heard of it before?”

Gan Shi savored the tofu, glancing at Sang Luo.

Sang Luo had laid everything out openly and didn’t hide anything. Smiling, she said, “This recipe comes from my maternal family. I made it myself.”

Except for Old Madam Chen and Qin Fangniang (and perhaps Gan Shi), everyone was stunned. In that instant, the same thought crossed their minds: no wonder they were able to build a house. How could selling wild vegetables afford such good meals during those times?

Sang Luo smiled and took a piece of “Immortal Tofu,” saying, “This is called Immortal Tofu, also homemade. It’s simply mixed with sugar water. Grandma and aunts, please try it and see if you like it.”

Almost everyone immediately reached for the Immortal Tofu.

But this time, the taste wasn’t as pure as the tofu before, and they quietly looked toward Granny Chen and Qin Fangniang.

The Shi daughter-in-law, frank and outspoken, asked Qin Fangniang, “Fangniang, did you sell this when you went to the county before?”

Qin Fangniang: …
The very person is sitting right here. Why ask me that?

Gan Shi: …
Sister-in-law has made a silly mistake again.
It would be better to ask Sang Luo directly than to question Qin Fangniang in front of her.

She felt awkward, her mind racing to find a way to smooth things over. Sang Luo laughed and said, “It’s no problem. We’ve become somewhat acquainted. Since I’ve laid everything out, there’s no harm in sharing. It’s true we sold wild vegetables in the county, and we also sold this Immortal Tofu. It’s not a luxury item—two wen a piece—just to earn some silver for rice and grain. Grandpa Chen didn’t tell anyone because I asked him to keep it quiet for now.”

Everyone understood. The Shen family’s main house had been careful to keep such recipes secret.

No wonder they were in such a hurry to build a house and enclose the yard.

Seeing the lockable back gate, it all made sense.

Gan Shi smiled first: “Since it’s a family recipe and now a livelihood, it’s wise to be cautious. Sister-in-law speaks too quickly—we shouldn’t have asked. Ah Lie’s wife, don’t worry. We’ll keep this among us today and not spread it further.”

The Shi and Lu daughters-in-law nodded. Old Madam Lu was more relaxed, but the Shi and Lu daughters-in-law looked very envious of Qin Fangniang.

Two wen a piece for a food no one here had seen before—surely it would sell well.

Sang Luo observed everyone’s reactions and smiled: “There’s no need to rush. Now that the house is built, and the recipe isn’t easy to learn, I originally planned to sell these two kinds of tofu at the market. The villagers will learn sooner or later. But here’s another matter: my energy is limited. Making tofu every day takes a lot of time, and traveling back and forth to the county is tiring. Today, I also wanted to ask if either of your families would be willing, like Granny Chen’s, to spare someone to help make and sell these foods?”

With so many people in the yard, especially children, it was quite noisy. Sang Luo spoke quietly so only this table could hear.

Granny Chen and her daughter-in-law smiled knowingly.

But the Lu and Shi daughters-in-law were both surprised and delighted: “Really!? We can sell these too?”

“Of course. Let’s eat first and talk more later.”

Both families looked as if they’d been hit by a windfall, dizzy with disbelief.

Just then, Shen Ning’s voice came from outside the yard.

“Sister-in-law, Second Aunt Lu has arrived.”

Everyone snapped out of their daze and turned to see Shen An and Shen Ning returning with Feng Liuniang, Da Niu, and Ah Xu. They all set down their chopsticks and stood to greet them.

“Liuniang’s over here.”

Smiles bloomed on every face.

Feng Liuniang: ???