Divorced woman with child travels through time

As they walked and chatted, Dazhuang excitedly said, "Sister-in-law Chen, our chili peppers are going to sell like hotcakes! I saw that all the customers in that shop really love them."

Chen Wenfang laughed and said, "Yes, this stuff is never hard to sell. If the fresh ones don't sell, we can make them into dried ones."

"Made dried? What does that look like?"

"You'll know later."

As Chen Wenfang walked, she glanced around. "Hey, there's a shop for sale over there? I'll take a look when I come back."

Because we spent some time at Qiuyue Tower, it was already noon when we arrived at Ouyang Mansion. They were probably having lunch. I don't know if it's because Magistrate Ouyang governs well, but the people under his jurisdiction are relatively wealthy. Anyway, everyone in Lijia Town eats three meals a day.

The gatekeeper of the Ouyang residence recognized them and rushed over to say, "Please wait a moment, I'll go and inform them."

The two waited at the door, and soon a servant came out to greet them and led them inside.

The Ouyang family was having dinner when they arrived. Ouyang Junyan said, "Since Madam Chen is here, let's sit down and have a simple meal together." For the past two years, Madam Chen had been sending food every month. She and his wife got along well, and Madam Chen was a sensible and polite person. It would be fine for them to visit each other as ordinary friends.

Jiang Mingyue smiled and said, "Come, sit here with me."

"Then thank you, sir and madam." Chen Wenfang bowed generously and accepted the greeting readily. Dazhuang, however, seemed a little flustered. Chen Wenfang secretly tugged at his sleeve, and Dazhuang tried his best to calm himself down, sitting down as Chen Wenfang had done.

Chen Wenfang took out the stir-fried pork with chili peppers that she had packed at Qiuyuelou and said, "Perfect timing. These are the chili peppers we just grew. I used them to make a dish at Qiuyuelou upstairs. Could you all please taste it and tell me if it's good and if there's anything that needs improvement?"

After Chen Wenfang placed the dish on the table, a fragrant and spicy aroma immediately filled the air. Qiuyuelou was only a five-minute walk from Ouyang Mansion, and given the hot weather, the dish was still piping hot.

Ouyang Jin was the first to pick up a piece of meat and eat it. "Wow, how did you make this? Mom, you have to try it, this meat is so delicious!" He quickly picked up a piece of lean meat for Jiang Mingyue.

Chen Wenfang also catered to people who had never eaten chili peppers before. This dish of stir-fried pork with chili peppers used tender green peppers, resulting in a mild spiciness level of about 3/4, which most people should be able to handle.

Jiang Mingyue finished her meal gracefully, and a light sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead. Seeing this, Chen Wenfang quickly called Caixiu to bring her some water. Jiang Mingyue, still showing no sign of impatience, took the cup, her face slightly flushed. After drinking the water, Jiang Mingyue slowly said, "Madam Chen, the meat you made is delicious, but it's a bit too spicy."

Chen Wenfang said apologetically, "If Madam wants to eat it later, we can ask them to put in less chili, so it won't be too spicy."

"Spicy? You could say that." Jiang Mingyue smiled knowingly and said to Ouyang Junyan, who wasn't touching his chopsticks, "Husband, why don't you try some? It really tastes good."

"Is it spicy? I don't think so." Ouyang Jin picked up another piece of meat and put it in his bowl, eating with elegance and speed.

Ouyang Junyan looked at Ouyang Jin with displeasure and said, "I'll wait and see when this little brat will remember to put a piece on my plate."

Ouyang Jin smiled sheepishly, picked up a piece for Ouyang Junyan with serving chopsticks, and said, "Here, Father, please try it."

Ouyang Junyan picked it up with satisfaction and tasted it. His eyes lit up. "This tastes pretty good. It's slightly spicy and quite delicious."

After saying that, he picked up another green chili pepper and tasted it. "This one is actually even better. It has a smooth texture, is salty and slightly sweet, and has a pleasant aftertaste. Hmm, not bad, not bad."

The father and son chatted with Chen Wenfang as they ate. Ouyang Junyan looked at a bunch of green chilies next to them and asked, "Madam Chen, are these the chilies? Did you grow them?"

Chen Wenfang ate slowly and as elegantly as possible, and only after finishing her food did she reply, "Yes, we planted eight acres of chili peppers this year, and they might sell for a while."

Ouyang Junyan nodded and asked, "Is it selling well? Do you need me to help you promote it?"

"No need to trouble you, sir. You are very busy. We can handle this small matter ourselves. After we save the seeds this year, I will teach the villagers how to grow this chili next year. Everyone can grow it, which will add a dish to our table."

Ouyang Junyan stroked his beard with considerable satisfaction. Madam Chen was truly sensible.

Jiang Mingyue laughed from the side, "It's a pity this thing is difficult to transport, otherwise it could have been sent to the south very quickly. And let me tell you, I've worked up a sweat and feel much more relaxed."

Chen Wenfang smiled and took out two jars of chili sauce from the coffee table next to her, saying, "I have some ready-made chili sauce here. You can take a look, but don't try it. This one is quite spicy and is suitable for people who are traveling long distances. Of course, it can also be eaten as a side dish on ordinary days."

As he spoke, he opened a jar of chili sauce in front of him, and the spicy aroma immediately wafted out. Ouyang Jin was in high spirits and used the serving chopsticks to pick up some and put it on his rice. He took a bite and exclaimed, "Hiss, it's so spicy, but it tastes really good!" He ate while shoveling rice into his mouth, looking like he was enjoying his meal very much.

Ouyang Junyan couldn't resist adding some to his rice, and sure enough, the father and son both enjoyed the spiciness.

Jiang Mingyue laughed and said, "This stuff is good. Madam Chen, I'll take the initiative to order five hundred jars for my brother. Look at these jars, each jar weighs one jin (500 grams).

"Madam has a good eye; she's sure it's one jar and one pound," Chen Wenfang praised.

“Alright, let’s tentatively order 500 jin. How long do you think it will take to pick up the goods? Caixiu, go get the silver to pay for it,” Jiang Mingyue said generously.

"Madam, I haven't even said how much a jar costs yet!" Chen Wenfang said, both amused and exasperated.

"It's alright. I know you're in business. You just earn a meager living. This is at most thirty coins a can," Jiang Mingyue said with a confident smile.

Chen Wenfang was completely convinced and gave a thumbs up, praising, "Accurate, Madam is truly amazing, I admire you."

Jiang Mingyue chuckled, pleased to see the father and son enjoying their meal. Caixiu brought over twenty taels of silver and handed it to Chen Wenfang, who quickly declined, saying, "No need for so much, Madam. I also have some pickled vegetables that cost only twenty-five coins a jar. Why do I need so much money?"

Jiang Mingyue laughed and said, "You can accept it. Yueyue brings us food every month and doesn't want any reward money. How can I, a dignified wife of a county magistrate, keep eating for free? If you don't accept it, are you looking down on me? It won't be good to let you come to our door again in the future."

That's a serious statement. Chen Wenfang reached out and took the money, saying, "Thank you, Madam."

Jiang Mingyue nodded. Chen Wenfang had also finished eating, so she and Dazhuang bowed and took their leave.

After the two left, Caixiu opened the bundle on the table. Inside were five neatly arranged packets of pastries. Upon opening them, she found three catties of brown sugar sachima and two catties of sesame sachima.

Ouyang Junyan picked up a piece and ate it, saying, "Madam Chen is so thoughtful; her pastries are still the best."

Jiang Mingyue smiled and nodded in agreement.