Chapter 55

In rural households, where even enough food is a struggle, wine is a luxury. Hence, it’s not the elders who serve the wine.

At this table, the elders were the Chen and Lu patriarchs, followed by Chen You Tian, Shi Er Lang, and the Lu brothers. Only six adults were drinkers. The teenagers at the table knew better than to touch the wine, sitting obediently.

Whether in the city or countryside, inside or outside the home, it’s a widely understood rule that the younger generation doesn’t start eating until the elders do. Thus, the teenagers could only watch the adults' merriment. Shuan Zhu, the oldest among them, envied his uncle for being able to drink. At fourteen, he wasn’t allowed alcohol and hadn’t even tasted it.

Among their generation, Shi Er Lang was the more lively and eager for a drink. Seeing Sang Luo bring out the wine, he eagerly got up to receive it.

On a closer look, oh, it's not just ordinary liquor!

He picked it up and examined it from all sides, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Ale's wife, this must be from the general store at the market, right? I've seen it before, must cost about eighteen wen, right?"

Sang Luo didn't expect him to know even the price, and smiled, "Uncle Shi Er, you're quite the connoisseur! I'm on a budget and couldn't afford anything better."

"Not better? This is the best! I, Uncle Shi Er, am not a gourmet, just a glutton. My cravings are satisfied only during festivals with a jug or two of ordinary liquor. Today is a real treat."

Old Man Chen and the others agreed, "We wouldn't usually splurge on such a jar of wine. Ale's wife, your hospitality is unparalleled."

Sang Luo's eyes crinkled with a smile, "Then let's all eat and drink well tonight."

She hesitated on how to open the sealed wine jar. Seeing this, Shi Er Lang chuckled, "Don't worry about it, I'll handle it. Just need a rock to loosen the seal. You go sit at the table, we'll take care of pouring the wine."

Indeed, Sang Luo wasn't very experienced in serving drinks to men: "Then I'll leave it to Uncle Shi Er."

After greeting the elders at the table, she went to check on the children.

Shen Ning went to invite people. Shen An, being in charge of this table, saw that the boys aged twelve and up had joined the men's table. The kids' table was left with little ones, the oldest being ten-year-old Er Niu, and the youngest, two-year-old Tian Ya from Shen's family, and a four or five-year-old girl who seemed to be Shi's child, following Er Niu and San Niu.

Eleven children were squeezed together, three per bench, with the smallest ones like Shen Tian and the Shi family’s little girl not even sitting at the table. They stood by their brothers, waiting to be fed, leaving just enough space on a bench for Shen Ning, who had gone to call others, and Ah Xu, who hadn't arrived yet.

Shen An approached his sister-in-law quietly and mentioned, "Hu Zi has an older sister named Da Niu, and she didn't come today either."

He whispered to his sister-in-law, "Hu Zi said their grandmother was worried about too many family members attending. So, they left Hu Zi's mother, sister, and younger brother at home, and asked his second aunt to bring Ah Xu here."

Hu Zi was unaware of the change in attendance.

Observing that the entire Shi family had arrived, and so had his siblings, Shen An was concerned about his cousin Da Niu and his cousin Ah Xu's absence and thus shared this with Shen An.

Sang Luo's eyes flickered with understanding, realizing that the slight unease in Old Lady Lu's expression earlier was probably due to this situation.

She wasn't sure if the change in the Lu family's attendees was due to internal family dynamics or mere coincidence, and decided it wasn't her place to delve into the Lu family's affairs. Her purpose in hosting the feast was to express gratitude for everyone's help, not to probe into their family matters.

Unaware of the exact number of children in the Lu family, and now hearing about another girl named Da Niu, Sang Luo didn't want Shen Ning to omit inviting her, so she instructed Shen An, "Run over once more and invite your cousin Da Niu as well."

Old Lady Lu seemed to be considerate and mindful of etiquette, choosing to leave three at home, likely because she felt having too many attendees from one family might be inappropriate.

Sang Luo thought if it weren’t for Shuan Zhu, Tie Zhu, and Hu Zi, who had all helped at her house and were on the guest list, the old lady probably wouldn't have let these children come either.

Recalling the old lady's particularly tender and caring attitude towards her second daughter-in-law the other day, Sang Luo realized that inviting the second daughter-in-law with Ah Xu was likely an act of consideration for a family without a male figure to rely on.

Shen An, upon hearing his sister-in-law's request to invite others, nodded with a smile and quietly informed Hu Zi before dashing off.

When Sang Luo returned to the women's table, some asked about Shen An's departure. She explained with a smile, "I just found out Hu Zi has a sister, so I've sent Shen An to invite her too. It's not right to leave her alone at home when everyone else is here."

Old Lady Lu, feeling slightly embarrassed, responded, "Sang Luo, we really shouldn't impose. Honestly, having over a dozen of us from one family here is unheard of in our village."

Sang Luo interrupted with a laugh, "Rules are flexible, Old Lady. Our gathering here is a bit different from a formal banquet. It's just a few families getting together for fun. Besides, adding a few more people doesn't change that we only have three tables, and it doesn't cost me extra. Kids can squeeze in or stand at the corner. Don't you think?"

Everyone laughed, and Chen Popo chimed in, "Exactly, we're all familiar here. No need to be so strict with the rules."

Shi Dalang's wife and others joined in the laughter, and Old Lady Lu also smiled, "Alright, I see now. Sang Luo is generous, and I won't be embarrassed either."

With such encouragement, the atmosphere livened up immediately.

The children had already started eating at their table, and as soon as the men began to pour wine, Chen Lao Han, Lu Lao Han, and others started eating and invited everyone to join in.

Seeing this, Chen Popo suggested to her table, "Shall we start eating too?"

The others agreed enthusiastically, "Yes, let's eat."

As everyone reached out for food, Shi Dalang's wife picked up a piece of tofu and asked curiously, "What dish is this? I don't think I've seen it before?"

Chen Popo laughed, appreciating Shi Dalang's wife's astuteness. "Among the Shi family, Gan Shi is the most clever. Some are outwardly smart, while others are subtly astute. Shi Dalang is the former, but this Gan Shi is definitely the latter."

Without saying a word, she just smiled and picked up a piece of tofu to taste.

Sang Luo explained with a smile, "This is called tofu. It's less common around here. Everyone, please try it."

The guests, already curious, now reached for the tofu. Those who had initially picked meat put it aside to try the tofu.

After tasting, they were impressed by its smooth and savory flavor. Shi Dalang's wife inquired, "Where did you buy this? Is it expensive? I've never seen it for sale."

Gan Shi, savoring the tofu, also looked towards Sang Luo for an answer.

Sang Luo, having laid everything on the table, didn't hide anything. She revealed, "It's a family recipe from my mother's side. I made it myself."

Except for Chen Popo, Qin Fangniang, and perhaps Gan Shi, the rest were stunned. The same thought crossed everyone's minds: no wonder she could afford to build a house. Selling wild vegetables couldn't have supported such good food and housing.

Sang Luo, smiling, picked up a piece of fairy tofu and said, "This is called fairy tofu, also homemade. I simply mixed it with sugar water. Old Lady and aunts, please try it and see if it suits your taste."

Almost instinctively, everyone reached for the fairy tofu.

The taste of the fairy tofu, however, was not as straightforward as the tofu they had just tried. They all glanced discreetly at Chen Popo and Qin Fangniang for their reactions.

Shi Dalang's wife, known for her forthrightness, directly asked Qin Fangniang, "Fangniang, when you went to the county before, did you also sell this?"

Qin Fangniang, taken aback...

Thought to herself, "Why ask me when the creator is right here?"

Gan Shi: ...

"There she goes again, not thinking before speaking."

"It would have been better to directly ask Sang Luo instead of questioning Qin Fangniang in front of her."

Feeling a bit awkward and trying to smooth things over, Sang Luo interjected with a laugh, "It's alright. We're somewhat acquainted now, and since I've put the tofu out there, there's nothing secretive about it. Selling wild vegetables in the county was indeed true, but I also sold this fairy tofu. It's not a costly delicacy, just two coins a piece, enough to earn some money for daily expenses. I had asked Elder Chen to keep it quiet initially."

Everyone understood then; with such a unique recipe, the Sang family had good reason to be discreet.

"No wonder they were in a rush to build the house and erect a wall."

Seeing the securely lockable back gate, they understood even more.

Gan Shi, quick to grasp the situation, commented, "A family recipe used for livelihood should indeed be guarded. My sister-in-law was just too quick to speak. We shouldn't have asked. Don't worry, Sang Luo, what's discussed here stays among us."

Shi Dalang's wife and the Lu family's mother and daughter-in-law nodded in agreement. Especially Shi Dalang's wife and Lu Dalang's wife, who were visibly envious of Qin Fangniang.

"Two coins a piece for such an unseen delicacy must sell well."

Sang Luo noticed everyone's reactions and added, "No need to worry, now that my house is built. These tofu recipes aren't easy to learn, and it was my plan to sell them in the market eventually. As for my energy limits, making tofu daily is time-consuming, and traveling to and from the county is exhausting. That's why I wanted to ask if your families would be interested in joining this business venture like Elder Chen's family, contributing someone from home to help sell these delicacies?"

With the yard full of people, especially noisy children, Sang Luo's voice wasn't loud; her proposal was only heard by those at her table.

Chen Popo and her daughter-in-law smiled, having expected this.

The women of the Lu and Shi families were both shocked and excited: "Really!? Can we also sell this tofu?"

"Of course, let's eat first and talk in detail later."

The two families seemed as if they had been hit by a pie from the sky, still a bit dazed and disbelieving.

Just then, Shen Ning's voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Sister-in-law, Lu Erniang is here!"

Everyone snapped out of their daze, turning to look as Shen Ning and Shen An returned, accompanied by Feng Liuniang, Daniu, and Ah Xu. They all paused their meal to greet her warmly.

"Liuniang, come over here."

Their faces bloomed with smiles.

Feng Liuniang: ???