Chapter 50 Mao Ya and Chicken Cake
Dayin Dynasty was similar to the Song Dynasty, with a developed commodity economy. The "fang market system" of previous dynasties had long since collapsed, and people had many opportunities to build their own houses.
The burnt Qi family’s house was built by their grandfather. It has a typical layout of front pavilion and back house. It is the most ordinary private house. According to the market value, it is about 500 taels, which is equivalent to 500,000 in later generations. This price is considered to be above average in the Xiqiao area where the alleys are dense like cobwebs, and it is two to three hundred taels cheaper than the prime location at the entrance of the alley.
Very poor rents exist everywhere.
I didn’t expect that there would be so many people wanting to buy this burnt-out house. Even Mrs. Xu and the patrol officer named Bi from the Military and Horse Division came.
When Mrs. Xu saw Su Ruojin, she had a cunning expression on her face and smiled proudly at her, "Yellow-haired girl, this yard is not something you can imagine." After saying that, she twisted her hips and squeezed in front of the three brothers of the Qi family, pretending to be Princess Jin's steward sister. She threatened the Qi brothers to sell their house to her.
Bi Changgui, the patrol officer of the Military and Horse Division, was not to be outdone. He glanced at Su Ruojin and his master and servant, smiled contemptuously, and stood in front of the three brothers of the Qi family and made it clear that if they wanted to live in the capital, it was best to sell the yard to him, otherwise the Qi family would suffer. Nice looking bro.
It was really lively when one of you sang and another came on the stage. Su Ruojin frowned. I didn’t expect that the houses in the capital were so popular, and even the burnt ones were so popular. Just a few middle-aged men just wanted to pick up the leaks. I didn’t expect that Mrs. Xu and Bi Changgui had noses. He was so smart, he even caught his eye.
Does Huaping know?
Su Ruojin looked at the old Taoist who was standing aside but was ignored. When their eyes met, the old Taoist smiled lightly.
Su Ruojin nodded slightly and saluted in return.
Shu Tong saw these two people fighting for the yard, and his whole body tensed up nervously: "What should I do, Second Lady?"
Su Ruojin comforted the impatient Uncle Shutong, "Don't panic." Just when he was about to see how the old man could use his magic skills to trick the two people away, he suddenly heard the Yamen's shout, "Get out of the way... A private house is on fire for no apparent reason, and the government is investigating Case...get out of the way..."
Shutong was surprised: "The government has intervened, and this house is in trouble."
People from the government actually intervened. Su Ruojin became less sure about whether he could get this shop. He whispered to Uncle Shutong, "Go and find out where the man named Hua is. If you see him, just ask him. When can I get this shop?”
"He...he is just a helper. He will definitely not be able to do anything to the government." Shutong felt that the shop had flown away and looked helplessly at the old man. No matter what, it would not be easy for the magician to come out for a trip. The money would definitely You have to give it, it’s really a waste of time.
Su Ruojin also looked at the old Taoist priest who ended his life calmly. When he saw him floating out of the crowd with a fly whisk and a Taoist bone, his frown suddenly relaxed and he said again, "Just go and ask me what I just said." It depends on what the person named Hua will do."
"Oh." Shu Tong was in a low mood, so he sent Su Ruojin home and took some money to Huaping to pay for the Taoist priest. He thought to himself, why is it so difficult to find a shop?
Huaping did not drink tea and listen to songs in the usual teahouse. Today, Mr. Shen took a few of them to pay homage to the young master and listened to the old master's words. From then on, they became the young master's people.
Shutong searched around but couldn't find it, so he had to go home first.
Su Ruojin only regretted that she was too young to run out, and it was so difficult to even find a shop. She was upset when Yang Siniang came over and called her, "Ajin, my mother is back!"
She was not even that happy when she heard the news, and went to her house with Yang Siniang in despair.
Yang Birong felt that her good friend was unhappy, "What's the matter, Ah Jin?"
"Oh!" Realizing that she was not in a high mood, Su Ruojin quickly adjusted her mood, opened her mouth and forced a smile, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about flying a kite on an outing in a few days."
“I chose a big butterfly, it’s so beautiful...” Yang Siniang’s little mouth kept opening as soon as she talked about eating, drinking and playing.
Su Ruojin couldn't help but laugh. Well, you have to eat the food one bite at a time and do the things one by one. The store owner is not in a hurry, he will rent or buy one one day.
Mao Ya stood beside Mrs. Yang. She was slender and had a slightly dark complexion. Her yellowish hair was tied into two buns as if she couldn't comb it through. She pursed her lips and looked serious, like a little girl who was ready for battle. Guard.
Su Ruojin was very satisfied at first glance. He looked like a qualified security guard on duty! The whole person's mood instantly improved.
When she came up, she saluted Mrs. Yang and said, "Ah Jin has met Madam!" Mrs. Yang smiled and asked her to come forward and have a look, "Are you satisfied?"
Su Ruojin smiled and nodded, "Madam, if you gave her to me, wouldn't the Duke's mansion be able to talk?"
“Since I can take him out of the mansion, of course I have settled everything with the Duke’s mansion.”
“That moon silver…”
Mrs. Yang said, "As long as she has enough to eat and drink, you can give me Yueyin."
“These must be fine.”
Su Ruojin was so happy that she reciprocated the challenge and gave Mrs. Yang a free recipe, "Chicken cake with milk tea will win the hearts of young ladies even more."
If there is cream, various cakes and snacks will go better.
Mrs. Yang was willing to take Mao Ya from her natal family, partly because of the neighborhood, and partly because of course she wanted to be on good terms with the young lady. Maybe she would add delicious food to the shop as soon as she was happy!
Sure enough.
Mrs. Yang was very happy: "Although I have a recipe, I would like to ask Ah Jin to make it for us first so that my cook can learn from it."
Su Ruojin, of course, readily agreed.
For Chinese snacks, the secret of Western-style egg cakes is to separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, then beat the egg whites and add sugar to form a foam; add sugar, water, and oil to the egg yolks, mix well, and add flour to form a paste;
Su Ruojin said to the cook, "Be sure to beat the egg whites into such a foam that they won't fall over with a chopstick, otherwise the cake won't taste good."
Add the beaten egg whites to the egg yolk paste in two batches. There was no oven at this time, so she put the mold into an empty iron pot and burned it for a quarter of an hour. Then she opened the pot and placed the mold in it for another quarter of an hour. Now, take it out to cool, unmold it, and cut it into small cakes.
“Madam, if you want to make it often, you need to customize a square iron box and bake it in a stove like a pancake, so that the cake tastes good.”
Yang Siniang couldn't wait to take it into her hand and eat it. She took one bite and found it soft and sweet. It was different from any snack she had eaten before. "Mom, even children without teeth can eat it. It's so delicious!"
After finishing talking about one piece, I had already eaten it, and then I took another piece and couldn’t stop at all!
Mrs. Yang was angry and funny, so she slapped her hand, but she dodged it.
Su Ruojin smiled and took Mao Ya home. Mrs. Yang brought a small plate of chicken cakes to her to take back. Due to the conditions, chicken cakes were not easy to make, so she was not polite, "Thank you, Mrs."
Happily I took the cake home.
On the way home, Su Ruojin brought her a piece of chicken cake and said, "Try it too."
Mao Ya didn't take the cake and looked at the cake, "You exchanged it for me, right?"
Su Ruojin:…
(End of this chapter)