The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“What have you prepared?” Zhuang Yonghe said, scratching his ear: “How come I don’t know?”

“If you knew, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” Mrs. He tactfully replied. She laughed while delivering a stack of items into the house. When she came out, she spread them out for Zhuang Yonghe to see: “Look, how do they look, are they not pleasing to the eyes?”

They were a new set of bed sheets and pillow covers, in a light but lively autumn color. It was not too eye-catching, yet radiant. Mrs. He added a lace edge which made them look even more charming.

“Not bad.” Zhuang Yonghe examined them, picking up two cylindrical items and started laughing: “These are…”

“The fillings for the pillows, not yet finished. Zhuang Qingning doesn’t like to sleep on ceramic or wooden pillows; she prefers buckwheat hull fillings. She said they feel comfortable, so I’m planning to make a pair with buckwheat hulls for the two of them.”

Mrs. He replied: “If it’s not enough, I’ll make a few more. The pillow covers will need to be changed regularly, so it’s good to have some spares.”

“Go ahead and make them.”

Zhuang Yonghe respected his wife’s needlework skills and her dependability. He didn’t have to worry about it at all, and just focused on planting beans during the autumn season.

And Mrs. He, having pulled out the items, took the opportunity to start sewing, as the sunlight was good but not glaring, and with the children busy shelling the wheat in the courtyard.

On the other side, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Mingliang were practicing making tofu skin in the tofu workshop.

The process of soaking the beans, grinding, and boiling them was the same as making tofu. The difference came after boiling the soy milk.

The secret recipe for the tofu skin had been added to the soy milk, now we just had to wait for a thin layer to congeal on the surface as the large wooden barrel of soy milk cooled down.

When the film had almost formed, they lifted it off with a smooth bamboo stick, let it dry a little bit to remove the excess soy milk, and that’s how fresh tofu skin is made.

Fresh tofu skin, whether fried, stir-fried, stewed, or served cold, is a delicious dish. It is rich in protein and easy to digest, making it a very nutritious food, especially for the elderly and children.

Soon they made the first sheet of tofu skin. Zhuang Qingning thought it was sufficiently dried, so she borrowed Mrs. Wen’s kitchen. She prepared some garlic and coriander, made a cold tofu skin dish, and asked everyone to try it.

The first one to taste it was none other than Mrs. Wen.

Mrs. Wen took a bite of the long strip of fried tofu skin, chewed it for a while before swallowing it.

“Auntie, how is the taste?” Zhuang Qingning asked.

“The taste is not bad.” Mrs. Wen waved her hand: “You can take it out and let them have a taste. If it’s as much of hit as I think, you should be able to sell it well in your tofu shop.”

“Alright, then I’ll take it it out and let them have a taste.” Zhuang Qingning took the plate.

“By the way.” Mrs. Wen stopped her: “Since you’ve created a new dish, shouldn’t the rent change? Shouldn’t we swap the hot tofu for this tofu skin?”

“We do not have to change everything, just occasionally. You can decide the amount.”

“But I should clarify, it’s not that I think this tofu skin is delicious, it’s just that having hot tofu every day can be monotonous. A change of taste might be welcome.”

“Alright, no problem.” Zhuang Qingning agreed cheerfully, then playfully made a face at Mrs. Wen: “Auntie, you’re much kinder than before. If this continues, I think you could consider living in the county town for a few days. This way, Uncle Yutian won’t have to worry as much.”

At that, Mrs. Wen’s face flushed, and she spat on the ground: “You girl, are you trying to entertain yourself at my expense?”

“All I’m saying is that you’re so clever and nice. Speaking frankly, if I had a daughter like you, I would go to the temple and pray to the Bodhisattva every day. It’s just a pity that I don’t have that kind of fortune…”

“Yes, Auntie, you’re right.” Zhuang Qingning stifled her laughter: “Today, I bought a chicken from the town. I’m stewing it at home right now. Now that the tofu skin is ready, I’m considering stewing them together. It should give a unique flavor. Once dinner is ready, I will bring it to you.”

“As you see fit.” Mrs. Wen replied with no pretense,

Zhuang Qingning’s cooking was impeccable, she could make an ordinary dish taste extraordinary. Mrs. Wen, realizing that she was growing increasingly fond of delicious food, dispensed with pretenses and enjoyed as much as she could.

“And about the chicken. There are so many chickens at home, big and small, male and female. If you want to eat chicken, you could simply pick one out. Yet you specifically went to town to buy one. I think you must be doing good business and earning a lot, so you can’t even keep it in your pocket anymore?”

“Alright, I’ll listen to Auntie. Next time I have a craving, I’ll pick one from Auntie’s place. Just don’t feel sorry for the chickens then.”

Zhuang Qingning chuckled, carrying the plate to leave: “Then Auntie, you take a break. After I finish, I’ll bring the chicken soup and tofu skin to you.”

With that, she was out of the door like a gust of wind, and Mrs. Wen could no longer see Zhuang Qingning in the doorway.

This girl is becoming craftier every day.

Is she worried I’ll be reluctant to kill a chicken?

All those chickens in the house lay eggs every day. How many could she eat? She was getting tired of eating eggs and was thinking about how to deal with them. Perhaps she should kill a few, so she wouldn’t have to worry about collecting eggs every day.

She decided that she should give Zhuang Qingning a couple to take home, even if she doesn’t want to kill them, she could let them lay eggs in her yard.

While Mrs. Wen was mulling over this, Zhuang Qingning had already divided the tofu skin among Zhuang Mingliang and the others working nearby for them to try.

The tofu skin was tender and slightly chewy, it tasted excellent, especially with Zhuang Qingning’s cooking…

Compliments on its deliciousness followed one after another.

“It’s really delicious. I have eaten tofu skin before, but this is the tastiest one I’ve ever had.”

“Right, Zhuang Qingning’s cooking skills are unparalleled.”

“Zhuang Qingning can make such good tofu, of course, the tofu skin would also taste good. In the future, I fear we may need to expand the tofu workshop…”

“Right now, I just want to know Zhuan Qingning’s secret. She’s so good with people and her work… I might sound frivolous but if I could have a daughter like her, I would go to the temple and pray to the Bodhisattva every day. Unfortunately, I do not have that kind of luck.”

“Your words are a bit misplaced, you should think about how we can make this tofu skin well in the future as well, so Zhuang Qingning can rest assured..”