Chapter 6: Cured Meat and Sausages
Speaking of making cured meat, Yuan Yao felt it was something from a distant past.
When I was young, I once made this with my mother, and I still vaguely remember: salt, Sichuan peppercorns, chili powder, and various spices all need to be ground into a fine powder. Later, this mixture must be thoroughly rubbed onto the surface of cleaned pork strips. A hole is drilled at the top of each strip to thread through palm-leaf ropes. After marinating, the meat must be hung up for smoking.
Yuan Yao assigned tasks to her younger sisters: Yuan Shuang helped her wash the meat and rub it with salt, while Yuan Qi and Yuan Li were responsible for gathering some cypress leaves.
Smoked meat requires cypress wood, which imparts a natural, fragrant aroma. Fortunately, there happened to be two large pomelos in the house; Yuan Yao cut them open as well, since their peels would soon prove very useful.
Yuan Shuang had never seen so much meat before; she applied the spices with extreme care. Yuan Yao smiled and said, “Move a bit faster; just make sure it’s evenly coated. We still need to make cured sausages shortly.”
“C-cured sausages?” Yuan Shuang swallowed hard.
“Yes.” Jiang Song’an had brought back not only meat but also several sets of pig intestines. Some of the pork belly, being half fat and half lean, could be directly minced to make cured sausages, which would taste wonderfully fragrant.
Yuan Yao dared not let Yuan Shuang handle the meat chopping, so she went to the kitchen, selected a sharp knife, and began mincing the meat herself, while Yuan Shuang took charge of evenly coating all the remaining pork with spices.
In the small courtyard, just as the four sisters were bustling about with great energy, Jiang Song’an returned.
The moment he stepped into the yard, he saw Yuan Yao hurrying back and forth. The once desolate courtyard now brimmed with vitality and a sense of home, filling Jiang Song’an with an unfamiliar warmth.
He curled his lips into a slight smile and strode over to Yuan Yao. Looking at the neatly chopped and marinated pork, Jiang Song’an expressed mild surprise: “Didn’t you say you’d wait for me to return before handling this?”
Yuan Yao suddenly looked up, having not even noticed Jiang Song’an’s return. The three sisters simultaneously ran over excitedly: “Brother-in-law is back!”
Yuan Li rushed ahead but abruptly halted just before reaching Jiang Song’an. The little girl suddenly covered her nose, displaying obvious cautious disdain: “Brother-in-law… you smell a bit…”
Jiang Song’an had been slaughtering pigs; naturally, he didn’t smell pleasant, and the hem of his clothes was still stained with pig’s blood.
Yuan Shuang and Yuan Qi felt too embarrassed to speak up, and their awkwardness kept them from drawing closer. Seeing this, Yuan Yao suddenly felt like laughing; she stood up and walked over, saying, “The hot water is ready. You should go take a bath first.”
Although she showed no sign of disgust, there was still a hint of reluctance in her manner as she avoided moving too close. Jiang Song’an sighed helplessly and said, “Alright, I’ll go first then. There’s a roasted chicken in the basket; let’s have it for dinner.”
Upon hearing about the roasted chicken, all three sisters’ eyes lit up again. Yuan Yao promptly hurried to the kitchen to prepare supper.
There were still some flatbreads made that morning; after reheating them and stir-frying a dish of green vegetables, along with the roasted chicken Jiang Song’an had brought back and the congee simmering in the pot, the evening meal already looked quite abundant.
Dinner was set on the table when Jiang Song’an emerged from his bath. Yuan Yao noticed him casually taking his soiled clothes to the sink to soak, and she pressed her lips together. In truth, Jiang Song’an was often very attentive; it was simply that her previous fear of him had caused her to overlook his many virtues.
Tonight’s dinner features roasted chicken, and there’s so much unfamiliar meat in the courtyard! The three sisters were utterly thrilled, especially Yuan Li, who simply couldn’t stop talking.
Yuan Yao couldn’t bear it any longer and gently scolded, “Xiao Li, one should not speak while eating nor talk while resting. Have you forgotten everything I taught you before?”
Yuan Li pouted her lips and reluctantly murmured, “Oh.”
For a moment, no one at the dining table dared to speak.
Yuan Yao sighed inwardly, recalling those years in Chang’an. As the family grew wealthier, the rules multiplied. She had strained herself to mold her younger sisters into ladies of Chang’an’s elite, imposing strict standards on their speech and conduct. Yet this only drove Yuan Li further away from her; though the third sister voiced no complaints, she scarcely seemed happy either.
Had she truly been wrong?
Thinking of this, Yuan Yao’s tone finally softened as she placed a piece of chicken into Yuan Li’s bowl. “Talking while eating makes you choke. We can discuss it after the meal; you may have a piece of candy afterward.”
Hearing this, Yuan Li instantly brightened, breaking into a wide smile. “Thank you, Big Sister!”
Jiang Song’an lifted his gaze to look at her, his eyes deep and unreadable, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
After the meal, Yuan Shuang rushed to wash the dishes while Yuan Yao continued preparing the pork. Having finished eating, the meat was now mostly cured; the next step was to build a rack, light a fire, and begin smoking it. Jiang Song’an approached at that moment. “Let me help you,” he said.
Yuan Yao did not refuse.
While Jiang Song’an constructed the rack, Yuan Yao arranged the cypress leaves that Yuan Qi and Yuan Li had gathered beneath it, then carried over all the cured pork. It had to be said, Jiang Song’an was swift at everything he did. In the time it took Yuan Yao to turn around a few times, he had already finished building the rack—sturdy and secure—and thoughtfully lit the fire for her.
“You’re smoking the meat, right? Do you need pomelo peels?” Jiang Song’an asked.
Yuan Yao exclaimed in surprise, “Yes, how did you know?”
“My mother used to make it before.”
Jiang Song’an spoke with casual ease, yet Yuan Yao felt a sudden jolt in her heart. This seemed to be the first time she had ever heard him mention his parents. In the past, since she had disliked Jiang Song’an himself, she naturally never cared about his family either.
A hint of guilt stirred within Yuan Yao once more. Lowering her eyes, she said, “In the kitchen; we happen to have two pomelos at home.”
Jiang Song’an nodded and fetched it for her.
The smoke from the burning cypress leaves carried a fresh, woody fragrance, mingling with the scent of pomelo peels as it slowly permeated the pork. Of course, the dominant flavors came from the spices. Once smoked and roasted in this manner, then air-dried for a few more days, the cured meat could be preserved for a very long time. When ready to eat, one simply needed to wash and boil it to reveal an exquisitely delicious dish.
Yuan Shuang brought her younger sisters over as well, gathering around with curious excitement. Jiang Song’an controlled the heat skillfully; the cypress leaves burned slowly, producing little smoke, and the smoking process would take nearly the entire night.
Yuan Shuang: “Sister, are we still stuffing sausages tonight?”
Yuan Yao thought for a moment and shook her head. “Let’s do it tomorrow. Go wash up and get some rest; tomorrow is already the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, and we’ll have more work to do.”
Yuan Shuang took Yuan Qi and Yuan Li off to bed, and Yuan Yao prepared to retire as well. However, glancing at the dirty clothes Jiang Song’an had left soaking, she knew that if they weren’t washed tonight, they would be even harder to clean tomorrow.
Just as she was about to walk over, she saw Jiang Song’an casually picking up the soapberry pods and heading toward the basin. Noticing her, he looked slightly surprised. “What are you standing there for? Go wash up and get some sleep.”
Yuan Yao stood stunned: “These clothes…”
Jiang Song’an lowered his head, then frowned: “It’s all pig’s blood. I’ll handle it myself; you don’t need to worry.”
Yuan Yao pressed her lips together. In her previous life, she would have felt extremely awkward, but now, she simply let him be. However, there was something she wanted to ask Jiang Song’an—namely, about this half of the New Year’s pig she had never seen in her past life.
“Why did you suddenly bring back pork? You never mentioned it before.”
Jiang Song’an curled his lips casually at her question. “It was a last-minute decision today. The butcher Zhang needed extra hands, so I went. Maybe I did the work of three men; they added a bit more pay and gave it to me at a discount.”
Yuan Yao knew his capabilities and didn’t doubt his words. Yet just as she turned to leave, Jiang Song’an suddenly said, “We’re not short on food or drink at home. It’s only one egg; you didn’t need to do that.”
Yuan Yao froze abruptly.
It took her a moment to grasp the meaning behind his words: he had indeed overheard yesterday’s incident when she lied to give her egg to her younger sister.
Yuan Yao pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say; after a moment, she could only reply, “I understand.”
She went to the washing room, and after cleansing herself, exhaustion washed over her entirely. Sleepiness quickly took hold, and she fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
She had no idea how long she had slept when Jiang Song’an entered the room.
After their time together last night, he now acted with natural ease, reaching out to pull Yuan Yao into his embrace. He was like a living stove, radiating endless warmth. Yuan Yao let out a soft, half-asleep murmur and simply yielded to him.
However, the warming stove was not flat; before long, it pressed uncomfortably against her. In her drowsy state, Yuan Yao shifted slightly, and immediately behind her came a hot, scorching breath.
“Don’t move…”
“I’m no saint…”
Jiang Song’an had promised not to force himself on her, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t seek his own pleasure. Embracing her from behind, his large hand moved with precise ease, firmly grasping a certain spot.
Yuan Yao, already half-asleep from his nudging, now fully opened her eyes.
Jiang Song’an noticed and pressed forward even more boldly: “You don’t find me repulsive now, do you? I just went to wash again.”
Yuan Yao: “…”
Had he noticed her disdain for him back then?
Before Yuan Yao could dwell on the thought, Jiang Song’an grew even bolder, capturing her earlobe between his lips from behind. Yuan Yao abruptly clutched the bedding, squeezing her eyes shut…
..
The twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.
It was the last day before the New Year, and busyness persisted as usual. As soon as Yuan Shuang rose, she went to check on the cured meats from the previous night. After a whole night of smoking, they were finally complete; they felt slightly firm to the touch and carried the fragrant aroma of spices and burning wood.
Jiang Song’an emerged from the room first and hung the cured meats beneath the roof beams. Yuan Qi asked curiously, “Where is Eldest Sister?”
Jiang Song’an replied with a hint of guilt, “She is washing up.”
Yuan Li laughed, “Eldest Sister has been so lazy these past two days, getting up even later than us!”
Yuan Shuang replied, “That’s because Eldest Sister is utterly exhausted; she did so much during the day!”
Inside the room, Yuan Yao silently dressed herself: “…”
She gritted her teeth in frustration, deeply regretting having believed Jiang Song’an’s lies. At night, in bed, that man ceased to be human at all—he was nothing but a two-legged beast cloaked in human skin!
Although things didn’t go that far in the end, he still managed to take advantage of her plenty. Yuan Yao stamped her foot in frustration; he could forget about any hopes for tonight!
Throughout the entire day, Jiang Song’an worked with unusual diligence, taking charge of every task both inside and outside the courtyard. Sometimes Yuan Yao even wished to find fault and scold him, but she couldn’t find a single opportunity.
After finishing all the chores on the last day before the New Year, the Jiang family’s small courtyard finally began to show some festive atmosphere.
The couplets and lanterns would be put up tomorrow. Tonight, after an early dinner, everyone prepared to rest. However, at that moment, Yuan Yao suddenly said, “Come all to my room; I’ll distribute new clothes to you.”
“!!!”
Yuan Shuang, Yuan Qi, and Yuan Li all widened their eyes.
New clothes!
They would have new clothes to wear for the New Year this time!
Yuan Yao felt quite happy herself, though she didn’t show it. Only after her younger sisters had gathered in the room did she bring out the gifts she had secretly prepared for a long time: “This one is for Ah Shuang, followed by Xiao Qi and Xiao Li.”
A complete set, from the inner lining to the padded jacket and skirt, even including silk stockings—Yuan Yao had prepared everything for her younger sisters. All three outfits were in festive red, with slight variations in shade: pink, peach red, and pomegranate red. After all, it was Chinese New Year; one must dress in cheerful colors to look proper.
The three sisters were utterly overjoyed.
They nearly flipped the roof off with their excitement.
Yuan Yao shook her head with a smile. “Alright, go to bed early now. But remember this first: no getting them dirty tomorrow. You must wear them at least until the third or fourth day of the New Year, or there won’t be any new clothes for you next year.”
The few of them exchanged glances—would there be more next year?
Overcome with excitement, they hastily nodded in agreement, then carefully accepted the new clothes. As the three sisters headed out, they nearly bumped into Jiang Song’an, who was just entering the room. “Slow down,” he said helplessly.
Yuan Yao sighed helplessly and began tidying up the items in the box.
Actually..
At the bottom of the chest lay a set in deep blue. Yuan Yao suddenly remembered; in her previous life, she had secretly made it for Jiang Song’an as well, but in the end, she hadn’t dared to present it. Just as she hesitated, Jiang Song’an approached from behind.
Yuan Yao hastily closed the chest.
“They are overjoyed,” Jiang Song’an said.
Yuan Yao: “Children are always happy over the smallest things.”
Just as she finished speaking, Jiang Song’an embraced her from behind.
“I’m happy too. Do you know why?”
Yuan Yao paused, puzzled. “Why? You don’t have new clothes either.”
Jiang Song’an’s breathing grew heavier: “More than new clothes, I prefer what happened tonight.”
Yuan Yao: “…”
After speaking, Jiang Song’an bent down, lifted Yuan Yao into his arms, and eagerly carried her behind the curtains…