Divorced woman with child travels through time

Wang Erniu gently massaged Chen Wenfang's wrist and said, "Are you hungry? Should I have Chu Yi bring you something to eat? I need to go toast some guests."

Chen Wenfang shook her head and said softly, "I'm not hungry. Chahua and the others brought me some food. You can go ahead and do your work."

"Okay." Wang Erniu left the room as instructed.

Outside, Wang Hanyang was receiving guests. Chu Yi saw Ah Li in casual clothes from afar, turned around and went into the room to find Wang Erniu. He happened to run into Wang Erniu who was coming out, and told him what had happened.

Wang Erniu hurried out to greet Ah Li, "Sir, what brings you here?"

Ah Li smiled faintly, "I've come to deliver a small gift on behalf of the county magistrate and his wife. Mr. Wang, you can go about your business without further concern."

Wang Erniu noticed that he didn't like to socialize, so he said, "Then please eat and drink as you please, just like at home. I apologize for the inconvenience." He then called Dazhuang over to entertain the guest and led him to his seat. Ah Li clasped his hands in greeting and entered the inner seat.

Soon, the guests filed in. Xiong Dajia and Qi Heng were there, along with the villagers from Wangjiazhuang. This time, Chen Wenfang learned from her previous experience and started accepting gifts. However, she divided them into two categories: those who wanted to write their names in the ledger and those who simply put their gifts down and sat down. This was to avoid gossip.

This time, Wang Erniu followed Chen Wenfang's habit and prepared a heavy feast of fish and meat to ensure that the guests were full and satisfied. Chef Wang was in charge of the cooking, with a bunch of aunties helping out. Each table was prepared with ten main dishes, two seasonal vegetables, and four kinds of desserts and fruits, enough for eight people to eat their fill.

The main dishes included braised pork knuckle, braised fish, roast chicken, braised duck with radish, stir-fried pork with chili peppers, stir-fried river fish with chili peppers, mutton and red date soup, braised pig's feet with peanuts, braised pork, and stir-fried pork intestines. The stir-fried pork intestines was Chen Ji's signature dish, which Chen Wenfang taught Chef Wang step by step. The seasonal vegetables were stir-fried lotus root slices, green beans, and eggplant. The four desserts were rice candy, multi-flavored peanuts, boiled peanuts, and watermelon.

Chef Wang, influenced by Chen Wenfang, prepared dishes that were rich in oil and sauce, with a generally strong flavor that was very appetizing. However, serving rice to guests was too extravagant and ostentatious. After discussing it, Wang Erniu and the others decided to make coarse flour steamed buns instead. They specially ground bean flour and other coarse grains into a fine powder and added them in small amounts, about 70% white flour and 30% coarse grains. They then used fermented dough and had several strong young men, including Wang Xiaoguang, knead it thoroughly. With the addition of a little syrup, the steamed buns turned out to be just as good as those made with white flour and became very popular.

Xiong Dajia sat at the same table with Qi Heng. Xiong Dajia was dressed as a man and wore light makeup today, so she didn't stand out.

"Brother Qi, it's been a long time." Xiong Dajia greeted Qi Heng.

"How have you been lately, Master Xiong? How's business?" Qi Heng immediately returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"Thanks to you all, it's alright." Xiong Dajia was as cheerful as ever.

"Excellent!" Qi Heng couldn't help but smile broadly. Just then, some strong young men served the dishes. "Let's begin! The food is served! Please make way, everyone!"

The two exchanged a smile. "Please!" "Please."

After the two of them picked up some food and tasted it, Qi Heng said, "I didn't expect that Wangjiazhuang would have a master chef. This braised pork knuckle is really delicious."

"Indeed excellent, tender and flavorful, truly unique in our Great Song Dynasty!"

Qi Heng nodded. He had never tasted such dishes during his years of traveling in the Song Dynasty. "What Master Xiong said makes sense. I don't think I've ever seen these dishes before. I'm afraid they are not Chen Ji's own creations."

As they were talking, two more dishes were brought out, along with a basket of steamed buns. Normally, Qi Heng wouldn't look down on steamed buns, but perhaps because they were fresh out of the steamer and smelled so good, or maybe because the dishes were a bit too salty, he unconsciously took one and took a bite. Wow, this steamed bun was chewy and delicious!

He couldn't help but recommend to Xiong Dajia, "This Mrs. Chen's cooking skills are really good. Xiong Dajia, try these steamed buns. No wonder Chen's shop became an instant hit. With such skills, how could it lack customers?"

Xiong Dajia also took a steamed bun, took a bite, chewed it carefully, and nodded, saying, "Brother Qi is right. It's fortunate that Chen Ji sells side dishes, otherwise our business would all be taken over by Chen Ji."

After saying this, the two of them laughed. It was the same at the other tables. The conversations were all praising how delicious the food was. Their table was full of acquaintances of Wang Erniu, and they ate in a more refined manner. At the other tables, the dishes were quickly eaten up as soon as they were served. There were also enough steamed buns and generous portions of food. People in ancient times did not have the habit of packing leftovers, so they could eat slowly after all the dishes were served.

Ah Li set up a table in the inner room with Uncle Liu Hai, Wang Fugui, and Da Zhuang, all of whom knew each other. Ah Li didn't talk much, except for occasionally asking Da Zhuang what this dish was or that dish was. He basically ate the whole time, and his appetite was comparable to Wang Erniu's. Uncle Liu Hai held up his wine glass, wanting to offer a toast, but seeing that Ah Li didn't want to talk to anyone, he pulled Wang Fugui to drink instead.

Wang Erniu came out to toast everyone, and worried that Chen Wenfang was hungry, so he went to the kitchen to get a few dishes to serve her. However, Chef Wang told him that Chunlan had already taken them, so he cut a few slices of melon and brought them over.

Inside the room, Chunlan, Yanxia, ​​Chahua, and a few others were keeping Chen Wenfang company.

"Master, your makeup looks so beautiful today. I want to dress like this for my wedding," Yanxia said with a hint of envy.

"If you save up more money, you'll naturally be able to dress like this too. Could it be that you've found your Mr. Right and want to get married?" Chunlan laughed at her.

“I don’t have a husband, but I’ve saved up quite a bit of money. My mother said that my wages are all part of my dowry, and she doesn’t want them.” Yanxia said proudly.

"Your mother is so kind. You should choose a man carefully, don't end up like me," Chahua said with a sigh.

"Sister Chahua is great too. Your husband and aunt all praise you for being capable," Yanxia said with a smile. "Among all the wives in Wangjiazhuang, you are the most capable."

"Hehe, that's right, things will definitely get better between us and our employer in the future." Camellia was happy when praised and was prone to boasting.

Chen Wenfang smiled as she watched. It was wonderful; everyone seemed to be doing well. She didn't dare laugh too loudly. Her makeup was a little thick today, and she was worried it would come off. This wasn't the kind of setting powder she used in her previous life. Although she really wanted to wash her face, she had to wait until evening; there was a wedding night festivities to attend. She wanted to look her best. The new house had been completely transformed, everything was red—brand new red quilts, a brand new mahogany bed, brand new furniture… a vibrant, festive red scene…

Wang Erniu brought in a watermelon and said with a smile, "Aren't you hot? Have some watermelon to cool off."

Seeing Wang Erniu come in, Chahua and the others tactfully went out.

Chen Wenfang carefully ate a slice of melon, and Wang Erniu sat down on the edge of the bed. The two held hands and enjoyed their rare time together.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after spending some time with guests outside, I decided to go and see my younger brothers, who were playing with firecrackers outside.