Chapter 30

Madam Wu, whose full name is Wu Wan, chatted with Young Lady Xu for a while before leaving. It was time for dinner, and she carried a large food box containing braised green fish. Since Young Lady Xu was preparing fish balls for sale the next day, dinner that night was also braised fish, and Madam Wu took a piece home.

Interestingly, Shao Ge’er only ate food made by Young Lady Xu. Even though he often ate braised green fish, he never got tired of it and could eat a bowl of bean porridge with it. Of course, even the bean porridge was cooked by Young Lady Xu.

Although Young Lady Xu had explained how to cook bean porridge, including how long to soak the beans, how much beans and rice to add, how much water to use, and when to use high and low heat to make the porridge soft and thick, Madam Wu’s porridge never tasted as good as Young Lady Xu’s. The flavor was significantly different.

Carrying the food box, Wu Wan returned to Laixi Alley. Her alley was in front of Guihua Alley, and most houses had two-entry courtyards, which were naturally more expensive than those in Guihua Alley. However, Laixi Alley also had smaller courtyards, priced five to ten taels of silver more than similar houses in Guihua Alley. This was because Laixi Alley had a small river in front, dug decades ago for the convenience of the town’s residents to wash clothes and fetch water. The river flowed to the docks on North Street, and there was a large locust tree with a well at the intersection of the alley, providing water for households without wells. The proximity to the river and well made the houses more expensive.

At the entrance of Laixi Alley, Wu Wan saw a ten-year-old girl washing clothes by the river and said, “Er Niu, tell your mistress that Young Lady Xu from Guihua Alley will have braised green fish, fish balls, and fish head tofu stew for sale tomorrow. Remember to go early, or it will sell out quickly.”

The girl immediately responded, “Yes, Mrs. Xia, I know.”

Most families living in two-entry courtyards were wealthier than ordinary people and often had one or two servant girls.

Along the way, Wu Wan informed familiar neighbors. She was generous and enjoyed chatting with the women in the neighborhood, so everyone in the alley knew her.

The neighbors already knew that Madam Wu’s delicious dinners were bought from Young Lady Xu. The word spread quickly, and now all the women in the alley planned to buy some food from Young Lady Xu the next day.

Meanwhile, Xu Qinyu was making fish balls at home. Since she was making fish balls, even the largest green fish could be used. Old Man He usually sent fish weighing two to three jin, as smaller fish couldn’t be caught with the net. Now, she accepted fish over three jin, using the meat for fish balls and the heads for fish head tofu stew, ensuring nothing was wasted.

She planned to price the fish balls at five wen per portion, with each portion containing ten half-jin fish balls. One jin of fish meat could yield about one and a half jin of fish balls. Fish meat was cheap, but it required starch. She used mung bean starch, which she made by grinding, filtering, and separating the starch. Grinding mung beans for starch wasn’t difficult, and she assigned this task to Fourth Brother.

While she sliced the fish, Ning Jie’er helped scrape the remaining meat from the fish bones, ensuring nothing was wasted.

Ning Jie’er now helped with tasks like scraping fish scales and other chores she could manage.

Xu Qinyu planned to give Ning Jie’er five hundred wen a month as pocket money. In the future, she would see what Ning Jie’er wanted to do. She didn’t necessarily have to help with chores, as Xu Qinyu could hire people for that.

The fish head tofu stew is priced based on portion size, with options at five wen, ten wen, and fifteen wen per serving. Overall, the braised green fish offers the best value. After making the fish balls, they can be stored, and another batch can be made tomorrow to ensure there’s enough to sell. The fish head tofu stew will be prepared tomorrow, as today’s braised green fish has already sold out.

Just as the fish balls finished cooking, someone knocked on the courtyard door. Xu Qinyu went to open it and found a tall, middle-aged man around forty years old, dressed in yamen official attire with a long sword at his waist. Seeing Xu Qinyu, the man said, “Are you Young Lady Xu?”

Xu Qinyu nodded, “And you are?” She already had a guess in mind.

The man said, “I am Xu Ren, an official at the yamen, known as Officer Xu. I came today to discuss some matters with your husband.”

As expected, it was Officer Xu. He must be here regarding the Jin Yin Zai theft case, as Fourth Brother had provided the crucial lead.

Xu Qinyu said, “Please come in, Officer Xu.”

She led him inside, and Pei Weixuan emerged from the room. Seeing Officer Xu, he nodded slightly and invited him to sit in the main hall.

Xu Qinyu served two cups of hot tea, though the tea leaves weren’t of high quality, as she had bought them for making tea eggs.

Recently, there had been a high demand for Jiangmi sausage at the dock, leaving her with plenty of eggs from Old Man He. She made tea eggs to sell, which was simple: boil the eggs, add soy sauce, salt, a few spices, and water, then cook with tea leaves. The key was to let the boiled eggs soak in the tea brine for an hour to absorb the flavor. They sold quickly at two wen each.

Officer Xu’s visit wasn’t about Young Lady Xu’s food but about Pei Weixuan. He knew Pei Weixuan’s insight helped solve the Jin Yin Zai theft case quickly. This young man had deduced the connection to Shopkeeper Ma just by hearing the case details and showing great talent. The yamen needed such people. Although clerks and officials were different, a long-serving clerk could still be promoted. So, he came to ask if Pei Weixuan would be willing to join the yamen as a clerk to help solve cases.

Officer Xu explained his purpose to Pei Weixuan.

After contemplating, Pei Weixuan said, “I’m afraid I must decline your kind offer, Officer Xu. I am an exiled criminal and cannot hold an official position, lest it brings trouble from above. Additionally, I ask that you keep my involvement in the Jin Yin Zai theft case confidential. I do not wish for others to know of my connection to it.”

Although it was unlikely that Empress Dowager Fu and the new emperor would extend their reach to investigate his actions here, Empress Dowager Fu considered him a complete failure, incapable of causing any trouble. She wouldn’t bother with his family. His plan was to keep a low profile and wait for an opportunity.

His elder brother had once told him that if anything happened to him, he had left some loyal black-armored guards for him. These guards were fiercely loyal to his brother.

Once he detoxified himself, he wouldn’t stay here but would seek out the black-armored guards to plan his next move. However, until he achieved something significant, he wouldn’t reveal his identity to avoid dangering his family.

Officer Xu was taken aback, not expecting Pei Weixuan to be an exiled criminal. Given this, he was indeed unsuitable to join the yamen as a clerk.

Officer Xu didn’t press further and respectfully said, “I apologize for the disturbance.”

Since this was the case, Officer Xu didn’t stay long. He got up to leave, and Pei Weixuan saw him out. In the courtyard, Xu Qinyu was placing the fish balls in a container. Fish balls could be stored for several days, especially in this cold weather.

Smelling the fresh aroma, Officer Xu couldn’t help but ask, “What food is this?”

Xu Qinyu smiled, “These are fish balls made from fish meat. They cost five wen per portion, with each portion containing ten half-jin fish balls. You can heat them up or braise them with some oil for better flavor. They can also be cooked with other dishes. The fish bones are ground into a paste, making them suitable for the elderly and children.”

Thinking of his two-year-old grandson, who was starting to eat solid food, Xu Kongmu decided to buy some fish balls for his family to try.

He said, “Please pack five jin for me to take home.”

“Of course, Officer Xu. Please wait a moment,” Xu Qinyu replied, wrapping five jin of fish balls in oil paper for him.

Officer Xu handed her fifty wen, and Xu Qinyu accepted it with a smile, saying, “We’ll also have fish head tofu stew for sale tomorrow. If you find it delicious, you can send someone to buy more.”

Officer Xu nodded and left. As he walked home, he couldn’t resist tasting a fish ball. It was fresh, delicious, and chewy, with no fishy taste. He still preferred the spicy and fragrant pork intestine fish he had eaten at the Xia family, but these fish balls were perfect for the elderly and children. He was sure his wife, daughter, and grandson would love them.

Thinking of this, Officer Xu felt a sense of anticipation.

Living on West Street, he was a minor official with a modest salary. However, his wife was a savvy businesswoman, and they owned two shops, making them relatively well-off. He found the fish balls not only delicious but also very affordable, accessible to ordinary townsfolk.
Given their quality and flavor, these fish balls could sell for over a hundred wen per jin at Donglai Restaurant.

Young Lady Xu clearly wanted to make her food affordable for the common people.

Officer Xu couldn’t help but admire her even more.

Back home, Officer Xu placed the oil paper package on the table. His wife, Madam Xiang, saw it and smiled, “What did you bring back?”

The fish balls had cooled during the journey, and their aroma had diminished. Those with less sensitive noses might not notice the scent.

Officer Xu explained that he had tasted delicious food made by a young lady at Xia Yuanzhi’s place and bought some for the family to try, without mentioning his visit to Pei Weixuan.

Madam Xiang couldn’t help but ask, “Is it really that good?”

“Try it and see,” Officer Xu replied.

Madam Xiang called a servant girl to bring chopsticks. She picked up a fish ball, finding it slightly cool, but it had no fishy smell and was fresh and chewy.

Surprised, she said, “It is delicious. It must be expensive, right?”

Officer Xu said, “It tastes even better when heated. Guess how much it costs per jin.”

Madam Xiang often dined at Donglai Restaurant, where the dishes were expensive and not as good as these simple fish balls. She guessed they would cost at least several dozen wen per jin.

“At least a hundred wen per jin, if sold at Donglai Restaurant,” she said.

Officer Xu smiled, “Only ten wen per jin.”

Madam Xiang was astonished, “Such craftsmanship and flavor for such an affordable price?”

“Yes, this young lady not only makes delicious fish balls but also braised green fish. A small one costs five wen, and a large one eight wen. She’ll also have fish head tofu stew tomorrow. Shall we buy some to try?”

“Of course, let’s buy some tomorrow,” Madam Xiang agreed.

She also mentioned that their grandson hadn’t eaten much dinner and shared her concern with Officer Xu.

Officer Xu was worried, “Why didn’t he eat well?”

Madam Xiang reassured him, “Don’t worry, we’ll try these fish balls tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll like them.”

“The time is still early. How about we heat up the fish balls and have everyone come out to try them? Xi Ge’er can also have a taste.”

Xi Ge’er is Officer Xu’s two-year-old grandson.

Madam Xiang immediately instructed the little maid to go to the kitchen and heat up the fish balls. Soon, the whole house was filled with a delicious aroma. Before Madam Xiang could call everyone, her son and daughter-in-law came over with Xi Ge’er, and her daughter Xu Yunlan also arrived, exclaiming, “Mother, what smells so good?”

Xu Yunlan, who is fifteen this year, takes after her father, tall and beautiful.

Madam Xiang smiled and said, “Your father brought you some delicious food.”

The fish balls were quickly heated. The little cook brought them to the table with about twenty fish balls per plate, drizzled with a few drops of sesame oil.

Xu Yunlan remembered her childhood when the family lived in a small courtyard and didn’t have as much to eat. She always looked forward to her father’s return, hoping he would bring some tasty snacks or cooked dishes. The aroma brought back warm memories.

Madam Xiang tasted a fish ball with sesame oil and found it even more delicious.

Xu Yunlan also tried one, her cheeks puffing up as she ate, her eyes lighting up. “Father, where did you buy this? It’s so good.”

She gave a fish ball to her little nephew, thinking he wouldn’t eat it.

The little boy had a poor appetite recently and had lost some weight.

To her surprise, he took a bite and then, in his baby voice, said, “Auntie, I want more.”

Xu Yunlan happily said, “Father, Mother, Xi Ge’er likes it too.”

Even Xu Yunlan’s brother and sister-in-law couldn’t resist trying it, and they all agreed it was delicious.

In the end, Xi Ge’er ate six or seven fish balls, and the rest were shared among the family.

Officer Xu hadn’t seen his family enjoy a dish so much in a long time. He planned to buy braised green fish and fish head tofu stew the next day to try.

…

Meanwhile, Xu Qinyu finished her kitchen tasks and prepared hot water for her fourth brother’s second medicinal bath.

This time, Pei Weixuan was much better than before. Although his meridians turned black after soaking for a while, he didn’t lose consciousness. He kept his eyes closed but was clearly in pain, with his meridians writhing and his face and lips pale. This session lasted for half an hour, and by the time he opened his eyes, the medicinal effects had subsided, and his meridians returned to normal.

Seeing this, Xu Qinyu and Madam Wen both breathed a sigh of relief.

…

The next day, after selling breakfast, Xu Qinyu bought ingredients and returned home. The family started to get busy.

Recently, Old Woman Luo didn’t dare to cause trouble at their house. After finishing her household chores, Madam Wen went out to wash clothes for others.

Pei Jianing stayed home to look after the two children.

When Xu Qinyu and Pei Weixuan returned with the ingredients, Madam Wen hadn’t come back yet.

Sometimes, Madam Wen returned in one or two hours, and other times, it took three or four hours, depending on how long it took to finish washing the clothes.

They all started working. The little black panther, Mo Yu, was running around with a fish in its mouth. Xu Qinyu let it be, as the fish was meant for Mo Yu and the little white snake.

Yes, the little black panther was renamed Mo Yu.

When they first called it Mo Shui, Ning Jie’er said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, the little white snake is called Bai Yu, which sounds nice. Why call the little black panther Mo Shui? Mo Shui should be ink. Why not use the ‘Yu’ character from your name and call it Mo Yu? It matches Bai Yu and sounds good.”

Xu Qinyu agreed, so Mo Shui was renamed Mo Yu within a day.

Indeed, Bai Yu and Mo Yu sounded great together.

Whether it was the effect of Pei Weixuan’s ointment or Mo Yu’s strong recovery ability, it was already running and jumping around the courtyard on its hind legs after a few days. It was a very energetic little panther. Sometimes, Xu Qinyu would see it carrying a small tree branch around the courtyard, not knowing what it was up to, probably just full of energy.

Whenever this happened, their eyes would meet the little beast’s innocent eyes, and the human eyes would helplessly look away.

The little beast would then continue playing on its own.

Mo Yu not only played by itself but also nudged the sleeping little white snake. It didn’t use its claws; it just nudged Bai Yu. The little snake had been nudged from the stove to outside the kitchen. Occasionally, Xu Qinyu or the Pei family would find it and put it back by the stove. Mo Yu would continue nudging it. Sometimes, when the little white snake woke up, Xu Qinyu felt it looked confused, probably not knowing how it ended up from the stove to the woodpile under the stove.

The little white snake woke up about once every few days. When it did, it would slither to Xu Qinyu for food. If Xu Qinyu wasn’t around, it would go to Pei Weixuan. If neither of them was there, it would find Ning Jie’er or someone else. The rest of the time, it was likely hibernating.

Mo Yu continued playing with the fish.

It also entertained Feng Ge’er and Yuan Jie’er, who watched it intently.

Xu Qinyu made another pot of fish balls, over thirty braised green fish, and about ten portions of fish head tofu stew. These were all cooked in a large pot together, saving time and effort.

Around 3:45 PM, the neighbors from Osmanthus Alley started lining up at the Pei family’s door. When the neighbors from Laixi Alley arrived, they found a long line already formed.

“Why are there so many people in line?”

“Aren’t you from Osmanthus Alley? Young Lady Xu’s fish is delicious. We come here at this time every day to buy it.”

“Oh, aren’t you from Laixi Alley? I recognize you. Isn’t this Mrs. Chen? Are you here to buy fish too?”

“Yes, we heard that Young Lady Xu from Osmanthus Alley makes delicious fish. Today, she made extra fish balls and fish head tofu stew, so we came to buy some.”

“Is there new food today? No wonder the aroma is different. I thought it was for her own family.”

“I wonder if it’s expensive? It must be a bit pricey. Young Lady Xu already sells braised green fish to us at such a low price, and we’re grateful for that.”

“Yes, yes, we’re already thankful to be able to eat braised green fish.”

Even the food shops on North Street can’t offer a meat dish for just five or eight wen.

The people from Laixi Alley didn’t expect the residents of Osmanthus Alley to support Young Lady Xu so much. They didn’t know how good Young Lady Xu’s fish was, as they hadn’t even tried the braised green fish.

Most residents of Laixi Alley were merchants’ families who occasionally dined out. They thought the people of Osmanthus Alley might not have access to good food regularly and hadn’t eaten out much, so they found Young Lady Xu’s fish delicious.

In any case, they would have to taste it themselves to know.

Xu Qinyu opened the courtyard door and saw everyone in line. She quickly apologized for the delay caused by today’s extra work.

The women and young ladies of Osmanthus Alley smiled and said, “Young Lady Xu, don’t worry. We’re not in a hurry. Take your time.”

Xu Qinyu then announced the prices for the fish balls and fish head tofu stew.

Fish balls were five wen per jin, and fish head tofu stew was available in portions for five, ten, and fifteen wen, depending on the size of the fish head.

Hearing that the new dishes weren’t expensive, just slightly more than the braised green fish, the residents of Osmanthus Alley were pleased. The fish balls were the priciest but still affordable. Spending ten wen to try a jin was reasonable.

The customers from Osmanthus Alley, who had been eating braised green fish recently, were excited about the new dishes. Most bought a jin of fish balls or a portion of fish head tofu stew.

The residents of Osmanthus Alley were usually frugal. Even with new dishes, each household only bought one type. Those who bought fish balls didn’t buy fish head tofu stew, so there were leftovers of both.

The residents of Laixi Alley could afford more and bought a bit of everything.

Those who bought first couldn’t resist trying a fish ball. It was convenient to eat, and the aroma was irresistible. After tasting it, one woman immediately decided, “Young Lady Xu, give me two more jin, no, five jin of fish balls.”

Such delicious food at ten wen per jin was affordable for them.

People in the back of the line started to worry, “Oh no, Mrs. Chen, you bought one jin earlier and now five more. Will there be any left for us?”

Xu Qinyu realized that those at the back might not get anything with this selling method. She quickly said, “Each person can only buy two jin of fish balls now.”

Mrs. Chen reluctantly agreed and moved aside.

Even with this limit, everything sold out quickly. The last customer, drawn by the aroma, bought the remaining two braised green fish. When she returned home, her family found the two fish just enough. She felt buying the extra fish was right, or it wouldn’t have been enough.

Everyone from Laixi Alley, whether they tried the braised green fish, fish balls, or fish head tofu stew, found it delicious. They planned to come back the next day to buy more.

After selling all the food, Xu Qinyu, Pei Jianing, and Pei Weixuan returned to the kitchen.

With Ning Jie’er and her fourth brother helping, Xu Qinyu collected the money while they helped serve the fish.

The kitchen was warm, and Xu Qinyu enjoyed counting the money there. She brought over a wooden box, and the copper coins clinked inside. It contained the money from selling breakfast and fish that day. She poured the coins onto the table, forming a large pile.