Chapter 15: Red Oil Fermented Bean Curd
(II)
Before going to bed, Yuan Shuang already knew the purpose of this winter melon ointment. Winter melon is known for its skin-whitening properties; simmered with a small amount of oil and honey, the resulting ointment serves as a folk remedy for hand care. Applying a thick layer onto the hands before sleep, and persisting with this routine over many years, would gradually make the hands fair and tender.
Yuan Shuang watched as her older sister applied the balm to her hands, saying, “If you truly wish to become an embroiderer, you must care for your hands from a young age. I’ve heard that in Chang’an City, many embroiderers have hands so smooth and fair they lack even a trace of roughness.”
Yuan Shuang was startled: “Why is that?”
“The finest embroiderers always work on the best silk; hands that are too rough would surely damage the fabric.”
So that’s how it is… Yuan Shuang had never known this.” She looked at Yuan Yao with admiration. “Older Sister… you know so much…
Yuan Yao smiled. “I am older than you, so naturally I know a bit more. Apply this winter melon cream every day, and let me know when it runs out. From now on, you are not to do any of the heavy or rough chores in this household.”
Yuan Shuang quickly protested, “But I want to help you, Older Sister!”
“It’s not that I don’t want your help; I’m just saying don’t rush to do everything yourself, understand?”
“Alright… but Sister, you alone…”
Yuan Yao paused for a moment, then smiled: “Sister won’t do it either; let your brother-in-law handle it.”
Yuan Shuang couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing: “Then Sister will wipe too. Sister’s hands are beautiful as well; they need to be protected.”
Yuan Yao smiled and said, “Alright.”
Of course she would wipe it off. In her previous life, Yuan Yao had possessed many excellent recipes for beauty and skincare; however, given the current limited conditions, many of the necessary raw materials were unavailable, so she could only proceed gradually.
–
On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the streets once again became as bustling as they had been before the New Year.
Early in the morning, Yuan Yao went out together with Aunt Dou. The tools and items she carried today were even more numerous than in the preceding days, prompting Aunt Dou to look at her in great surprise: “What are all these things?”
Yuan Yao smiled and explained, “These are the raw blocks of hairy tofu, these are the clay jars, and here are all the prepared seasonings, such as chili powder and various spice blends.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. With such an impressive setup, your business is sure to thrive.”
Yuan Yao smiled and set up her stall for the day.
She also had bean cakes and arrowroot powder, but in limited quantities, so she placed them aside. She had only just arrived and hadn’t even started calling out when the woman from that day approached.
“You’re here?”
Yuan Yao greeted her with a smile.
The woman nodded. “The offer to give half a cake still stands, doesn’t it?”
“It does, of course it does.” Yuan Yao immediately cut half a kidney bean cake and handed it to her. The woman laughed, “You’re quite something! I hadn’t even said I wanted to buy it, yet you just gave it to me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll take it and run?”
Yuan Yao replied, “No need to worry. I have confidence in my own goods.”
The woman smiled. “True, your products are indeed excellent. I’ll take ten kidney bean cakes. Don’t you have any mung bean cakes today?”
“I didn’t make any today, but I do have some fermented bean curd. Would you like to try some?”
“Fermented bean curd?” The woman’s eyes widened. “You know how to make it?”
Judging by her reaction, she clearly knew what it was. Yuan Yao immediately poured a jar of her freshly pickled batch into a bowl. “Have a taste, on the house!”
Now the woman could hardly contain her excitement. “Fermented bean curd is a delicacy. I once had it in the prefectural capital, but no matter how hard I tried to recreate it at home, I failed. Getting the tofu to develop that white mold is no easy feat. Hey, why is all your tofu still white?”
Indeed, all of Yuan Yao’s hairy tofu is pure white; not a single speck of discoloration can be found.” Yuan Yao smiled. “It does require quite a bit of effort.
The woman nodded. “The taste is excellent. How do you sell it?”
By now, a crowd had gathered around the woman, drawn by Yuan Yao’s previous generosity in giving things away for free. Seeing that enough people had assembled, Yuan Yao resumed her hawking: “Red-oil fermented bean curd, freshly marinated red-oil fermented bean curd! Fresh, spotless white hairy tofu paired with genuine spices and chili peppers—everyone with a moment to spare, come take a look!”
While calling out, she began preparing the dish. The three sisters, quick-witted as ever, promptly assisted their eldest sister nearby. Yuan Yao lifted the cloth covering the winnowing basket, revealing rows upon rows of pristine white tofu blocks neatly arranged before the onlookers. The fine white mold atop them was truly snow-white and fluffy, so inviting that one almost felt compelled to reach out and touch it.
Before beginning, Yuan Yao wiped her hands in front of everyone, then carefully placed each cube of tofu into the basin. There was no need to remove the white mold; she simply smoothed the surfaces and generously sprinkled them with a mixture of spice powder and chili flakes, ensuring every side of the tofu was thoroughly coated. The spice blend contained cinnamon, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, and more—one whiff confirmed its authenticity!
“This young lady is truly generous!” the onlookers exclaimed with great interest. Once coated in the seasoning, the tofu cubes were neatly arranged in clean earthenware jars, then covered with authentic sesame oil and white liquor before being tightly sealed.
“Young lady, is it done already?”
Yuan Yao replied, “Yes! After returning home, seal it for about seven or eight days, and it will be ready to eat. Just remember, when serving, do not use dirty chopsticks to scoop it out. Since I’ve added oil, it can be preserved for quite a long time.”
“How much? How much?”
This was the question on everyone’s mind.
“Thirty wen per jar. Don’t think it’s expensive; the jar itself is included. The ingredients are all genuine, and I’ll prepare everything right here on the spot. Also, just like before, each jar contains twenty pieces. For the first five buyers, I’ll throw in two extra pieces. I haven’t brought much today, so it’s first come, first served. If you’d like to place an order for next time, I’ll still give you two extra pieces.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the woman from earlier immediately pushed her way to the front. “I want some! I want two jars! That means you’ll give me four extra pieces!”
“Sure, no problem!”
“Hey, hey, I want some too! I want some too!”
Once one person started, others swarmed like bees. Yuan Yao immediately got busy.
She had just begun, and both manpower and resources were extremely limited. In fact, today she only had eight jars’ worth. The first five jars, which came with a free gift, sold out quickly. The remaining three jars sold more slowly, but once Yuan Yao started offering them with free bean cakes, those sold out fast too. Anyone arriving after that would simply have to wait until next time.
Earlier, Yuan Yao had mentioned that pre-orders for the next batch would also include delivery, so those who hadn’t managed to buy any now came forward to inquire.
Yuan Yao smiled, “Yes, but it’s hard to say when the next time will be. I need to dry and air the tofu; definitely not by the next market day, probably the one after that.”
“How do we reserve it?”
“Just give five wen for now; you can make up the rest next time.”
Five wen isn’t much… Some more generous folks would pay it right on the spot. Yuan Yao happily accepted the money and asked Yuan Qi to record the donor’s name, thus completing the registration.
The onlooker found it highly amusing and offered a few words of praise: “Young lady, your business is surely destined to flourish.”
Yuan Yao smiled and replied, “Then I shall take your kind words as a good omen.”
Aunt Dou had observed Yuan Yao’s entire sales process from start to finish. Seeing that most of the goods were now sold, she stepped forward with a smile: “Sister-in-law, I truly had no idea you were so gifted with words! I certainly never saw this side of you before! I must learn from you!”
“Auntie, you’re being too polite. Today was my first time selling fermented bean curd; they’ll surely go home to taste it. Once they find the flavor delightful and return, you must seize the opportunity to promote it as well. After all, it is your family’s tofu that makes it so excellent.”
Aunt Dou nodded hurriedly, “I remember! I understand!”
–
That’s about all for today.
Just as Yuan Yao was packing up her stall to head home, a large crowd suddenly surged toward the market entrance. They were local residents of Shenmu Town, rushing to spread the news: “Refugees are coming! A huge group of refugees has arrived!”
Refugees?
Everyone froze for a moment, then looked up.
Indeed, a group of refugees had already entered the town. Their clothes were tattered and filthy, their bodies heavy with exhaustion as they stumbled through the town gate. Upon seeing this, Yuan Yao’s heart skipped a beat; Jiang Song’an had been right after all.
He had said that the snow disaster in the north would surely drive refugees southward, and sure enough, here they were.
Yuan Yao immediately packed up all her belongings and prepared to head home with her sisters. Seeing this, Aunt Dou also stopped her street vending; these refugees had been starving along their journey—those slightly better off would beg along the streets, but should they encounter someone vicious and desperate, they might even resort to robbery.
The two families hurried back together, supporting each other along the way. On their return, they noticed that the scale of refugees arriving in Shenmu Town this time was truly significant—at least over a hundred people—and no one knew where they had come from.
Aunt Dou sighed, “What a sin, what a sin! In times like these, I do pity them, but my own family is barely getting by either. It’s all because of this weather and the war…”
Yuan Yao’s expression remained grave and silent as she quickened her pace.
Just as she turned the corner of a street, Yuan Yao suddenly spotted a ragged couple standing at the intersection. Her steps halted abruptly, and in the next instant, her eyes widened in shock.