Transmigrated into an Ancient ABO Fantasy World: A Culinary Comeback - Chapter 7

Xie Yu’an was true to his word and didn’t delve into Wang Xiaojin’s peculiar behavior. Wang Xiaojin continued to cook various dishes for the picky Madam Liu, earning 200 coins each time.

At noon that day, Fan Xi came to take over her shift again, while she went to the Liu family’s kitchen to prepare meals. Fan Xi mentioned there was something good in the kitchen today. When Wang Xiaojin checked, she found a fresh piece of donkey meat. In modern times, the most famous way to prepare donkey meat was the donkey meat burger, which came in two versions: the round Baoding-style bun and the oblong Hejian-style bun. As the saying goes, “Beijing slickers, Tianjin talkers, and Baoding’s loyal followers” (meant as a compliment). Thinking of Fan Xi, that loyal follower, she decided to make the Baoding version.

Donkey meat has a delicate fragrance and lacks the strong gamey taste of other meats, so the spices used for braising it after boiling are relatively simple just over a dozen. She packed them into a spice bag and added it to the boiled donkey meat broth, then simmered it over low heat for another hour. Once done, she finely chopped the meat.

While the meat was cooking, Wang Xiaojin had already prepared the buns round, flatbread-like discs. She stuffed them with the freshly braised donkey meat, making six burgers in total. Paired with fragrant wonton soup, she handed them over to Madam Deng along with the servants.

In the main hall, Madam Liu had been in high spirits lately, eating well and sleeping soundly. At lunch with her son, whom she hadn’t seen in days, she noticed the dark circles under his eyes and frowned in displeasure. “Jin’er, look at yourself! You have no self-restraint!”

Liu Fujin jumped in fright and stammered, “Mother, you’re right, but I’ve been staying up late studying recently, not fooling around.”

Madam Liu snorted, unconvinced. Even when Madam Deng led the servants in with the meal, her expression remained sour.

Madam Deng, adept at reading the room but unsure of the reason for her mother-in-law’s mood, carefully instructed the servants to set the table. When she sat down, she dared not occupy the chair fully, perching only on the edge. The tension in the air was palpable until Madam Liu picked up a porcelain spoon and tasted the wontons. Her stern expression immediately softened. After wiping her hands with an embroidered handkerchief, she took a small bite of the donkey meat burger, her face lighting up with the blissful expression of a true food lover. The bun was fragrant, the donkey meat tender and not greasy, leaving no heaviness in the stomach.

Madam Liu had tried all kinds of stuffed buns but never one with donkey meat. She found the flavor unique. Alternating between bites of the burger and sips of the savory wonton broth, she enjoyed a meal that was light yet deeply satisfying, without any lingering restlessness.

After leisurely finishing the last spoonful of soup and rinsing her mouth with tea, she addressed the young couple coolly, “Don’t think that just because the food is good, I’ll let you off the hook. If you don’t learn restraint, you’ll regret it.” With this warning, she left the hall, leaving the two to exchange bewildered glances.

Wang Xiaojin knew nothing of the Liu family’s affairs. She only noticed that Madam Deng seemed to be doing better, though she had no details. Happily selling her board noodles for the day, she pocketed another 750 coins, bid Fan Xi farewell, and cheerfully headed home.

The next day, as usual, she set up her stall. Counting her earnings, she realized she’d be able to repay Qin Yin’s debt in about five days. Earning 10 taels of silver in half a month might seem unimaginable to villagers, but in Dongyang County, it was only average. Just look at the extravagance of the Liu family, how many such households existed in the city? Even among street vendors like her, many owned multiple restaurants or shops, their wealth beyond measure.

And that was nothing compared to the Xie family. According to Fan Xi, the Xie family was on par with royalty, their status terrifyingly high. As for that young girl, her origins were even more mysterious.

Wang Xiaojin had a very clear understanding of her own capabilities, yet she couldn’t help but compare herself to Xie Fu. As for the reason, she didn’t know she just wanted to reach Xie Fu’s level.

The future was too distant. For now, Wang Xiaojin tidied up her stall and began hawking her goods, only to notice something unusual about her surroundings today. The streets were cleaner, the trees and flowers looked freshly trimmed and full of life. By the riverbank in the distance, the usually noisy laborers seemed unusually restrained. The atmosphere was simply different.

Before long, she saw a group of people surrounding a few leading figures as they walked toward the embankment. The middle-aged supervisor of the embankment hurried over, bowing and scraping as he led the way for them.

Wang Xiaojin wondered if she was witnessing some high-ranking official incognito. She paid it no mind and continued selling her board noodles. Given the situation, the laborers might not have time to eat today. By the time the big shots finished their speeches, she’d probably have already packed up.

But to her surprise, the important guests didn’t delay the laborers’ time. They wrapped up by mealtime, and the workers scattered in all directions, with several heading straight for her stall.

The one inspecting the site today was actually Xie Xing, Elder Xie, accompanied by her protégé, the local magistrate Li Chao. The visit was mainly at Li Chao’s invitation to inspect the newly constructed waterworks, he wanted to show off his achievements. Xie Xing understood perfectly. Li Chao was one of the younger officials in the Xie faction, with plenty of flaws but also sharp wits and some talent, so Xie Xing turned a blind eye to his shortcomings.

For instance, today’s waterworks were well-built, with solid materials. Willows and elms had been planted along both banks to reinforce the embankment, and the laborers were paid a monthly wage of six guan, a considerate sum. However, Xie Xing wasn’t entirely convinced about the wages.

Just then, noticing a crowd of laborers gathered around a small stall, Xie Xing grew curious. She declined Li Chao’s invitation to a banquet at a restaurant, left her attendants behind, and went with Li Chao to investigate.

Up close, she saw a handsome female Qianyuan selling what appeared to be noodles bright red and very appetizing.

By then, the laborers had already squatted down and started eating. Watching them enjoy their meal, Xie Xing ordered a bowl for herself. It was truly impressive, the noodles were springy, the broth fragrant and spicy, with a slippery, chewy texture she’d never encountered before. Xie Xing hadn’t expected this small Dongyang County to be such a hidden gem. First, there was Mistress Deng, and now this street vendor all serving delicacies unheard of in the capital. Truly, talent thrived among the common folk.

While Xie Xing leisurely sipped her soup, many of the laborers were already on their second or even third bowl. She estimated they’d each spent at least thirty wen. It seemed her protégé hadn’t lied six guan a month was plausible.

After finishing her meal, Xie Xing couldn’t resist striking up a conversation with the vendor. With a kindly expression, she asked, “Young master, your skills are remarkable. Has anyone given you trouble while setting up shop here?”

At these words, Li Chao immediately tensed up, staring at her intently. Wang Xiaojin, sensing the extraordinary air about the two, replied, “Not so far.”

Xie Xing smiled and pressed on, “What do you think of these waterworks? Do you feel the magistrate is wasting money? Speak freely.”

The magistrate was likely that relative of Qin Yin’s, though Wang Xiaojin didn’t know Li Chao personally. Unsure of Xie Xing’s rank or character, she answered cautiously, “Of course not. Flood control, irrigation, trade, city water supply, all rely on waterworks. It’s just.”

“Just what?” Xie Xing hadn’t expected this humble food vendor to be so well-spoken, answering with such ease.

“Fetching water isn’t very convenient. It would be much better if we had pipes running directly to homes or vendors. Personally, I think bamboo or ceramic pipes would be quite suitable.” Unlike the Liu residence, which had water delivered to their doorstep, Wang Xiaojin had to fetch water herself to cook noodles, which was quite troublesome.

“Excellent! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!” Xie Xing’s eyes lit up as she clapped her hands and laughed heartily. She instructed Li Chao to take note of the idea, patted Wang Xiaojin on the shoulder, and then left.

Back at the Xie residence, Xie Xing was still preoccupied with the idea during dinner. Xie Yu’an found it odd and asked her aunt, “Who could possibly be worth all this fuss?” Xie Xing didn’t elaborate, as she believed Xie Yu’an had a loose tongue and might leak the idea prematurely which would mean handing over the credit for the performance evaluation to someone else. Given that the current emperor was open-minded and governed wisely, she preferred to pave the way for her own protégés.

So, she simply mentioned that there was a noodle stall run by a woman named Wang Xiaojin at Dongyang Bridge, whose cooking was innovative and whose demeanor was steady and knowledgeable unlike the average villager. She suggested Xie Yu’an interact with her more to observe the extraordinary people among the common folk.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu’an frowned slightly. “Wang Xiaojin? She’s…” She paused, not wanting to expose the other’s shortcomings, then continued, “In any case, she absolutely couldn’t be knowledgeable she’s a bit foolish, actually.”

“That’s not true at all. Yu’an, have you been bullying her? Let me tell you, you can’t just do whatever you please because of your family’s status,” Xie Xing said sternly.

“Not at all! You’re all just biased against me, you’d rather believe her than me!” Frustrated, she pouted and ran off, thinking to herself that she’d find a way to teach that dull blockhead a lesson.

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