Qin Rong’s braised pork rice had received unanimous praise.

When she ran into Teacher Chen, even he couldn’t help but ask when it would be available again.

Actually, Qin Rong had another plan—she wanted Yu Xiaoshan to sell braised pork rice outside Feilu Academy.

She had already inquired with Madam Chen and learned that the academy didn’t have a canteen.

Most of the students bought their meals from outside.

Since the lunch break was short, many students preferred eating near the academy.

Qin Rong counted the silver she had on hand—just over eight taels. It was still far from enough to open a full shop, but opening another food stall could bring in more income.

She shared her idea with Yu Xiaoshan, who agreed immediately.

After all, Qin Rong’s food was delicious, and it would surely sell well even at Feilu Academy.

Since carrying food to the academy was more work, she decided to raise Yu Xiaoshan’s daily wage by ten copper coins.

After finalizing the plan with Yu Xiaoshan, Qin Rong began working on the menu.

She planned to sell boxed lunches—one meat dish and one vegetable for ten copper coins, and two vegetable dishes for seven.

She ordered 100 lunch boxes from her uncle, priced at two copper coins each.

If someone wanted to take the box away, they’d pay an additional two-coin deposit, which would be refunded when the box was returned.

To build a reputation for the boxed lunches, the first day’s menu had to be impressive.

She decided to prepare fifteen portions of Mapo Tofu and stir-fried shredded cabbage with vinegar, and another fifteen of braised pork rice with mushrooms and greens.

Mapo Tofu didn’t exist in this era, so Qin Rong planned to introduce it as her signature dish. She also needed a name for her lunch business.

She chose “Qin’s Boxed Meals” and decided to make a signboard with the name.

Since she had never made Mapo Tofu in the ancient way, she started by testing the recipe.

She soaked tofu bought from Lady Tofu in well water to firm it up, rinsed it again in cool water, cut it into cubes, and parboiled it.

Then she drained the tofu and moved on to prepping the sauce—a crucial step for Mapo Tofu.

She chopped some pre-boiled minced meat, crushed garlic, and shredded ginger, and placed them in a small clay bowl.

Then she added soy sauce and a pinch of salt, mixed it well, and left it to marinate.

In a larger bowl, she combined soy sauce, starch, her homemade spice powder, chili powder, and water, stirring it into a sauce to be used later.

Once everything was ready, Qin Rong lit the fire, heated the wok, poured in oil, stir-fried shredded green peppers, then added the marinated minced meat. The sizzling sound was music to her ears.

Once the meat browned, she added the tofu and the prepared sauce. The dish bubbled in the pot, releasing a rich aroma that filled the kitchen.

“This smells amazing!” exclaimed Qin Yue, taking a deep whiff.

After finishing the Mapo Tofu, Qin Rong packed a large bowl and took it to Teacher Chen’s house.

She happened to run into him at the door.

The smell of the dish stunned him; for a moment, he was completely captivated.

Madam Chen opened the door, saw Qin Rong, and smiled warmly. “Rong girl, what brings you here?”

Qin Rong smiled and replied, “I made a new dish today—Mapo Tofu—and wanted you to try it. I was also wondering if Teacher Chen could write a signboard for me. Tomorrow, I’d like to send my younger brother to sell boxed lunches at the entrance of Feilu Academy.”

Teacher Chen, already distracted by the aroma, instantly agreed.

Though he had no idea what a boxed lunch was, he was sure it had to be delicious.

“Of course!” he replied eagerly, only realizing afterward how hasty he had sounded.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

Madam Chen hadn’t seen her husband this flustered since their child was born.

Smiling, she said, “Rong girl, just tell us what you need written.”

Qin Rong handed over the tofu and said, “Just write ‘Qin’s Boxed Meals.’”

Teacher Chen nodded, though his eyes drifted back to the bowl of tofu, completely lured by the scent.

“Please try it and let me know if anything needs improvement,” Qin Rong said cheerfully. “It is a bit spicy though—little Bao might not be able to handle it.”

Little Bao looked a bit disappointed but cheered up at the thought that he’d soon be able to eat Qin Rong’s food regularly at the academy gate.

Madam Chen and Teacher Chen each took a spoonful of the Mapo Tofu.

The tofu was tender, the sauce spicy and flavorful. The savory tofu and spicy sauce combined perfectly—it was simply delicious!

One bite led to another, and soon only one spoonful remained. The couple looked at each other, both holding their spoons.

Finally, under Madam Chen’s intense gaze, Teacher Chen reluctantly set his spoon down.

“Really, we’re too old to be fighting over food,” he thought.

When Qin Rong returned home, she already had the signboard ready—“Qin’s Boxed Meals” would launch the next day!

…

On the first day of selling, Qin Rong prepared 50 portions each of braised pork rice and Mapo Tofu boxed meals.

She went with Yu Xiaoshan to sell them at the academy gate.

After lunch break, a wave of students flooded out.

Seeing the sign for Qin’s Boxed Meals, many were curious and wondered what it was.

“What’s a boxed meal?” a young student asked.

Qin Rong recognized him—he was the young heir of the grain shop on West Street.

She opened two examples: “This is braised pork rice, ten copper coins. This is Mapo Tofu rice, seven copper coins.”

Most students who could afford an education came from fairly well-off families, so the price was reasonable.

The moment she opened the boxes, the rich aroma of the dishes wafted out, drawing even more students over.

“Would you like a boxed meal?” Qin Rong asked with a smile.

“I’ll take one of each. No need to return the boxes—I’ll keep them,” the student replied.

“Alright!”

Since it was a soft opening, all meals were pre-packed. Later, when business picked up, they’d bring large buckets and keep food warm with hot water beneath.

Qin Rong swiftly handed over the meals.

With the first buyer, more followed. Before long, over half the meals were sold.

Yu Xiaoshan was thrilled.

He’d been worried all night—what if no one bought the food?

Some students decided to eat on the spot.

After just one bite, their eyes lit up, and they stopped talking altogether, focusing on devouring the food. It was just too good—better than anything they had ever eaten!

So delicious it made them want to cry!

How could anything taste this good?!