Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 12015

"So you went to visit your in-laws? No wonder I didn't see her." After understanding the situation, Madam Sun didn't dwell on the topic any further, because Yang Ruoqing had already cut the spicy strips and was about to start mixing them into the previously prepared seasoning sauce.

All eyes were drawn to the movements of her hands...

"Can we eat now?" Tuantuan and Yuanyuan squeezed next to Yang Ruoqing, each hugging one of her legs, and looked up eagerly to ask.

"Okay, the first one is for you two. Take small bites, it'll be a little spicy and pungent," Yang Ruoqing said.

Actually, the first one in the true sense was the one she ate herself, because she wanted to taste it as she cooked it so she could make adjustments to the texture as needed.

But that doesn't count. At this moment, she picked up a spicy strip, broke it in two, and like an adult bird bringing an insect back to its nest and feeding it to the two fledglings, she fed the two pieces of spicy strip to Tuantuan and Yuanyuan respectively.

"Is it delicious?" Liu, who was watching from the side, swallowed hard and asked the two children.

"Mmm, delicious, the most delicious thing in the world!" Tuantuan nodded as she ate, giving Yang Ruoqing a thumbs up: "My mom is the most amazing person in the world!"

"Haha, this emotional value is pretty good." Yang Ruoqing squinted her eyes.

"How about Yuanyuan? Is it delicious?" someone else asked.

Yuanyuan's mouth was covered in red oil, which was probably a bit spicy. His little tongue was sticking out, and he kept exhaling.

However, his eyes fell on the large bowl of spicy strips. "Mom, I want another one, this time a longer one, a bigger one."

"Haha, no need to say more, the fact that he still wants to eat means he also thinks it's delicious." The people next to him had already begun to interpret Yuanyuan's words.

"It's made by Qing'er, so it must be delicious. I'll try one too." Liu Shi had already stretched out her hand and joined the queue behind Yuan Yuan.

Yang Ruoqing gave one to Yuanyuan and another to Liu.

Then, she brought the bowl to the others in the kitchen, saying, "Come on, everyone, have a taste and feel free to give your feedback."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered around, curiously trying the new food that Yang Ruoqing had created.

"It tastes good, and it's great with drinks. It's more satisfying than peanuts!" Yang Huazhou said.

Yang Huazhong nodded repeatedly. The way the two brothers ate the spicy strips was a bit comical. They didn't bite them in small bites at all, but slurped them up in one go like they were slurping noodles.

How could such a hearty way of eating not be exciting?

"I'll distribute them later, everyone can take some home for their kids to try." Yang Ruoqing took the shortest spicy snack and ate it slowly.

Judging from everyone's reactions, it didn't seem like an act; it must have been genuinely good. Even Mrs. Sun ate two of them.

Yang Ruoqing felt that the homemade spicy strips she made were infinitely better in taste and hygiene than the spicy strips sold in the convenience stores near schools in later generations.

At the same time, there is not a single piece of high-tech stuff in my spicy strips. They are full of the flavors of common seasonings such as soybeans, sesame seeds, and chili oil. So, while they have a chewy texture, they also eliminate the plastic feel that some of the spicy strips of later generations have.

At the same time, it has a chewy texture, but it's also very soft and glutinous, so both adults and children can enjoy it.

As for the spiciness level, it's entirely flexible. Today's spicy snack is on a mild level; too spicy and strong stimulation is bad for your health.

Although the villagers in the Mianniu Mountain area have loved and been accustomed to eating spicy food for generations, and every meal must be accompanied by spicy dishes, otherwise it would be bland and tasteless.

However, from a scientific point of view, long-term consumption of overly spicy foods is not good for the body. Therefore, spicy snacks should not be too spicy; they should be mildly spicy with a hint of sweetness to enhance the flavor.

"It's really delicious, but it seems like there's a little sugar in it?" Madam Sun was also a discerning person; after taking a couple of bites, she immediately noticed the sugar.

"I put it away. I was the one who carried the candy jar for my sister earlier," Xiaohua said while eating nearby.

Da Sun said, "That's right, I wasn't wrong. This spicy stuff, if you add sugar, won't it be a little... you know?"

"What is that? I don't understand," Liu asked curiously.

Da Sun stammered, unable to quite put her words into words: "Anyway, it's just that..."

Yang Ruoqing said, "Isn't it a bit strange that it's both spicy and sweet?"

Madam Sun's eyes lit up, and she was about to nod subconsciously, but then she felt a little embarrassed, after all, this was something that Qing'er had worked so hard to make.

"It's not exactly a hodgepodge, it's just that the taste is a bit strange. It's the first time I've ever eaten something that's both spicy and sweet," said Mrs. Sun.

Yang Ruoqing smiled slightly: "Adding sugar is partly to enhance the flavor, and partly to neutralize the spiciness. If it were purely spicy and salty, it wouldn't be a snack; it would be a real dish to eat with rice, which the children probably wouldn't like."

"So that's how it is. I was wondering." Madam Sun understood. She ate one piece and then stopped eating.

Obviously, while these spicy snacks are well-made, nothing in the world is perfect, and not every food can suit everyone's taste.

Yang Ruoqing didn't force it. Seeing that the two children enjoyed the food, she knew that today was a success.

"Haha, Qing'er, your aunt doesn't like this kind of food, but I do. Give me your aunt's share later!"

Well, besides Liu, there's no one else who could utter such beastly words.

Yang Ruoqing smiled and declined Liu's seemingly joking but actually heartfelt request.

"No, that won't happen. My aunt doesn't like this kind of food, but that doesn't mean the rest of the Sun family doesn't, especially Da Shunzi and Xiao Shunzi!"

Xiao Hua chimed in, "Yes, I think this stuff would be a hit with kids. We should definitely save some for the two straights."

Madam Sun also suggested, "We should also send some over to Duo'er's children."

Yang Huazhong had just finished slurping up the spicy snack in his hand and was thinking of having another one, but upon hearing this, he immediately wiped his hands on the handkerchief he was using to wipe sweat from his shoulder, deciding not to eat any more. "Okay, I'll go to the pasture to pick up the children later this evening, deliver the tofu, and bring some spicy snacks for Duo'er as well."

After everyone ate spicy snacks, drank tea, and washed their hands, they continued making tofu.

At this time, the fermented soy milk had gradually solidified into tofu pudding. Yang Huazhong and Yang Huazhou brought over a large wooden bucket and used a large ladle to scoop the tofu pudding from the pot into the large wooden bucket. Luo Fengtang also rolled up his sleeves and came over to help. He easily lifted the wooden bucket, which weighed seventy or eighty pounds, with one hand and strode into the yard.

Two simple wooden plank beds made from dismantled single doors were placed in the courtyard, covered with gauze. Yang Huazhong and Yang Huazhou followed behind to the wooden plank beds and began scooping tofu pudding into the gauze, one ladle at a time. Under the wooden plank beds were two large wooden basins used to catch the dripping soy milk that overflowed from the gauze.

"Third Brother, Fifth Brother, save me two bowls of tofu pudding, okay? I want to drink tofu pudding after I finish my spicy strips." Liu shouted at Yang Huazhong and the others who were working at the kitchen door. She vividly demonstrated the saying "eating what's in your bowl while eyeing what's in the pot."

"Fourth sister-in-law, no need to rush. There's a big bowl of tofu pudding here, enough for everyone." Sun smiled and brought over a large bowl, which was filled with white tofu pudding!
Liu nodded happily, stuffed the remaining half of the spicy strip into her mouth, and then went to the dish cabinet to find bowls and chopsticks.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan clung to Yang Ruoqing, wanting more spicy snacks.

Yang Ruoqing gave each of them two sticks and told them, "You can only eat these last two sticks before lunch, and you can eat them again at dinner."

The two children took the spicy strips from their hands without objection and ran to the yard to watch Yang Huazhong and the others press tofu.

In the kitchen, Yang Ruoqing weighed the remaining spicy strips; they weighed exactly five jin (about 2.5 kg).

Five pounds of spicy strips are piled up in the basin; they look quite substantial.

Yang Ruoqing took the kraft paper she had prepared beforehand, put half a pound of spicy strips into each kraft paper package, and finally bundled them into ten portions.

After keeping one portion for the Luo family, the Yang family, from the eldest son to the youngest son, each sent out one portion, the Sun family sent one portion, and Duo'er sent one portion, totaling nine portions of spicy strips.

There's one last serving of spicy strips left. Yang Ruoqing will give it to Sun Shi and let her do a favor by giving it to whomever she wants.

"The tofu will take a while to ripen, so I'll take this opportunity to deliver the spicy strips so they can eat them fresh and taste even better," Yang Ruoqing said to Sun Shi.

Mrs. Sun naturally nodded and agreed.

As for the portions for Da Sunshi, the fourth branch, and the fifth branch, Yang Ruoqing didn't need to deliver them separately; she could simply hand them over to Da Sunshi, Liushi, and Yang Huazhou in the kitchen.

When Tuantuan and Yuanyuan heard that Yang Ruoqing was going out to deliver spicy strips, the two little brothers volunteered to be her little helpers (little tails). Yang Ruoqing granted their wish and took them with her when she went out.

The first stop for the mother and her two children was Xiao Erfang across the main road. Today, Yang Yongjin was still at the restaurant in town and hadn't returned yet, so he took Xiao Sanzi and Yongxiao there to play as well.

Cao Bamei was the only one at home. She was cleaning the house in the backyard when she saw Yang Ruoqing bringing the children over. Cao Bamei quickly put down her broom and came over to greet them.

Yang Ruoqing explained her purpose and placed the package of spicy strips she had brought on the table. Cao Bamei was overjoyed and rummaged through her drawers to find snacks to treat Tuantuan and Yuanyuan.

"These spicy strips are a fresh treat. When Xiao Sanzi and the others come back later, they'll definitely love them," Cao Bamei said with a smile.

Yang Ruoqing smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. We didn't make much; it's just for everyone to try something new."

Yang Ruoqing delivered the things and was about to leave when Cao Bamei stopped her and whispered, "Have you heard about what happened in the Fifth Branch today?"

Yang Ruoqing was taken aback: "What's wrong with the Fifth Branch?"

Cao Bamei looked surprised: "What? You live across the street, and you didn't hear anything?"

Yang Ruoqing was also surprised. "No, Second Sister-in-law, we live in the connecting area, but the courtyard gate is always closed. Unless firecrackers are set off, you really can't hear anything."

“No wonder, I knew it!” Cao Bamei said knowingly.

"Second sister-in-law, just say what you want to say quickly, I still have to deliver spicy strips to other people's houses later," Yang Ruoqing said. Just then, the two children went to play at the door and were not around to eavesdrop.

Cao Bamei then pulled Yang Ruoqing aside, glanced in the direction of the fifth house's courtyard wall, and whispered:

“This morning I was cooking in the kitchen when I heard Jiang Guiling scolding Da Bao in the kitchen of the fifth room next door.”

The second and fifth rooms share the same east wall, and their kitchens are practically next to each other. It's not surprising that Cao Bamei could hear the noises coming from the kitchen next door.

"What did Jiang Guiling say to Da Bao?" Yang Ruoqing asked.

Cao Bamei said, "It seems to be about the wedding of a cousin of Jiang Guiling's uncle's family, and it's about how much to give as a gift."

"Oh." Yang Ruoqing nodded. "How much gift to give is up to Jiang Guiling, isn't it? When did it become Da Bao's place to decide? I'm afraid the criticism isn't directed at Da Bao."

“Oh dear, you’re absolutely right,” Cao Bamei said excitedly, patting Yang Ruoqing’s arm. “From what Jiang Guiling was saying, it seems she has a problem with our fifth uncle and aunt. It’s probably because she’s not satisfied with the amount of the wedding gift. She doesn’t dare to complain to her in-laws directly, so while they were cooking breakfast, Da Bao helped her put firewood in the fire, and she gave Da Bao a good scolding.”

"My voice was a bit loud, maybe I wanted my fifth uncle and aunt to hear me... Sorry, I heard it too."

Yang Ruoqing thought back to today's tofu-making activity, when Bao Suyun, who had promised to participate, suddenly disappeared without even saying goodbye... Now, considering what happened in the kitchen of the fifth room this morning, everything made sense.

"And then what? What happened after the argument?" Yang Ruoqing asked Cao Bamei calmly, without telling her about Bao Suyun's absence from the tofu-making process.

Cao Bamei pouted: "What else can we do? Jiang Guiling is the one who calls the shots in their family. Da Bao is obviously being coaxed. Later, your fifth aunt came to the kitchen and helped to coax him. Jiang Guiling's voice gradually lowered. It seems that the whole family compromised. They'll give her whatever amount she wants!"

Yang Ruoqing nodded. "That's how it should be. Guiling has a lot of power in managing the household in the fifth branch, but she can't just use the money as she pleases. My fifth uncle is still the main breadwinner in the family, so she definitely has to consider his opinion."

This matter must have stemmed from a disagreement between Fifth Uncle and Jiang Guiling, who dared not openly defy him. So she targeted Da Bao to pressure her in-laws, especially her father-in-law, to back down.

Look, this move has succeeded. Not only has her father-in-law backed down, but her mother-in-law has also gone to Jiangjia Village for a banquet, making Jiang Guiling look good.

“That Jiang Guiling is too domineering. I feel sorry for your fifth aunt. She spent the first half of her life watching her mother-in-law’s face, and the second half she has to watch her daughter-in-law’s face.” Cao Bamei shook her head, looking very sorry.

Yang Ruoqing simply curled her lips and said, "Every family has its own problems. Nothing in this world is perfect. As long as Aunt Wu and the others are happy, we outsiders have nothing to say."