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She used this incident as a negative example for Ruyi. “You must never follow your sister’s example. It’s truly disappointing your master.”

“I understand, Mother. If it doesn’t work out, you can find me a husband in Tianshui Town. It’s conveniently close to you and Master. My sister is naive, but I’m not. It’s clear that the Feng family is trying to take advantage of us.” “What do you mean?”

“This is just my speculation, but I think they must have inquired about our family before and learned about the Wang family’s situation, which is why they tried to establish a connection with us. My sister is foolish because she can’t figure out her position in her in-laws’ house. She’s the Feng family’s prized possession, but she gave away her dowry and tried to please her in-laws at every turn, as if our family couldn’t find her a husband and had to push her into the Feng family.”

Shopkeeper Lu patted Ruyi’s head and said, “You see through things better than your sister. She is indeed naive.”

“Mother, my sister wasn’t always like this. She’s too honest and sincere, but the Feng family has enchanted her.”

“Although it’s true, she wouldn’t fall for their tricks if she were clear-headed.”

“Perfect! From now on, Master will be mine alone. Hehe. She got married and forgot her roots, but I won’t. I wish Mother and Master were mine alone.” “You little schemer!”

On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Old Mister and Mistress Wang returned to the Qiao family as expected.

When Qiao Mai went to welcome them, Old Mistress Wang held her hand and talked for a while.

“Oh my, it’s finally good to be back. I feel uncomfortable everywhere in the Capital.

“How about you stay here in the countryside from now on? You’re getting old, so you should stay where you feel comfortable. I’ll take care of both of you. If they miss you, they can come to my place.”

“Haha, I think that’s a good idea.”

Inside the house, the heated bed was already prepared. The old couple sat on it while Qiao Mai sat beside them. The maidservants were busy serving tea, fetching snacks, and arranging fruit platters.

Even Old Mistress Wang’s maidservants enjoyed staying with the Qiao family.

“Dear, I must tell you, everybody loved those snacks you brought for us during the New Year. They behaved like country bumpkins who had never seen the world, eating so ungracefully.”

She made a disdainful expression while saying this.

“It means they liked the snacks I made. When the two of you return next year, I’ll make more preserved meat and sausages. These things can only be made in winter; they’ll spoil in the summer.”

“Yes, I should thank you in advance. You work the hardest in the family, taking care of the shop and thinking about us. You’ve really done well.”

“As long as you enjoy the food I prepare, it doesn’t matter how hard the work is.

We all share in the glory.”

Old Mistress Wang held her hand, her eyes welling up.

“You’re the most adorable, considerate, and kind-hearted girl I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh, am I that great in your eyes? I’ll have to make something delicious for you later.”

“Haha!”

Old Mister Wang sat on the side, sipping his hot tea and watching them. It seemed so much like a mother-daughter relationship.

As their conversation continued, Old Mistress Wang turned the topic towards Ruxin.

“Your eldest disciple went to the Wang family to pay her respects on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Did you know about it?”

“I didn’t know. The Feng family is trying to ingratiate themselves with you.”

“Out of respect for you, I met with her and invited them for lunch.”

Qiao Mai remained silent for a moment. “She is no longer my disciple, and you don’t need to show any courtesy for my sake.”

Old Mistress Wang was surprised. “What happened?”

Qiao Mai then explained the incident of Ruxin visiting her family on the second day of the Lunar New Year and the situation where they demanded the recipe from her.

Old Mistress Wang became quite angry upon hearing this. “The Feng family is insatiable. They had such a good girl from our family, but they’ve influenced her to this extent. It’s like dealing with wolves in sheep’s clothing. They have their own brains; why don’t they use them?”

“If she manages the recipe well, she could make a lot of money. She could easily earn tens of thousands of taels annually, even if it’s just in the nearby cities and counties. They’re leaving this great business opportunity behind, insisting on obtaining more recipes. They’re really foolish.”

“A small snack recipe can earn so much?”

“Yes, don’t underestimate these small snacks. They taste exceptionally good regardless of the season. I’ve visited her shop; she makes a net profit of at least twenty taels daily.”

“That’s six hundred taels a month. After deducting the costs, assuming it’s five hundred taels a month. That’s six thousand taels a year. Even if we reduce it to five thousand, imagine the income in ten or twenty counties.

“With a shop like this, all it takes is some renovation, and they can open for business. The Feng family only cares about my recipe; they never think beyond that. They have shallow knowledge and only focus on the present, unable to see the bigger picture.”

“People like the Feng family can only stay in small towns, looking at the world from a well. They will never achieve great wealth.”

As they continued their conversation, the old couple’s mouths watered at the thought of these snacks.

Seeing their reactions, Qiao Mai chuckled and said, “How about this? I’ll prepare some of these snacks for us to enjoy?”

Old Mister Wang eagerly agreed. “Sure, I’d love to taste these snacks that are so profitable.”

“Great, I’ll go make them. But lunch might be a bit late.”

“No problem. We’ll wait!”

Qiao Mai smiled and went to the kitchen. She saw the kitchen maids busy at work.

“Let’s postpone lunch until dinner. I’ll prepare something else. You can help me with the preparations. It’ll be faster this way. Also, let’s make some nourishing soup. After lunch, we can all have a bowl.”

“Yes, Mistress!”

Qiao Mai rolled her sleeves, put on an apron, and started working.

Making cold noodles was a straightforward process. After preparing the batter and steaming it, she let the kitchen maids take care of that and started preparing the sauce.

The first step was to prepare the chili paste. Since they had both elderly and young family members, she didn’t want it to be too spicy but still wanted it to be flavorful. The ratios were crucial.

The kitchen maids watched in awe as Qiao Mai added various ingredients to the oil. They didn’t dare to ask unless Qiao Mai taught them. That was the rule in the Qiao family.

Qiao Mai noticed their curious eyes and explained while working.

“By frying these ingredients in oil until they’re almost burnt, the oil will absorb their fragrance. When you pour this oil into the chili paste, it becomes more aromatic.”

“There seem to be many ingredients in this.”

“Indeed, this is the key to deliciousness. You’ll get to taste it later. I’ll prepare some for all of you to try.”

“Thank you, Mistress. We’re in for a treat today.”

“These small snacks are very delicious. After I’m done, I’ll send some to Old Mistress Wang first. Others should also be coming to her place, so let’s send them all there.”

Once the chili oil was ready, the room was filled with fragrance, making it irresistibly aromatic.

Qiao Mai decided not to include gluten in the dish. She believed that whether with or without gluten, the cold noodles would be equally delicious.

Once steamed, she cut it into strips, placed cucumber shreds on the bottom, added the noodles on top, and drizzled it with the red chili oil.

She prepared a tray with two bowls and covered it with a gauze net. The kitchen maids started taking the food to Old Mistress Wang’s place.

Within moments, the servants from the Wang family arrived to assist. Qiao Mai entrusted the rest of the work to the kitchen staff and returned to Old Mistress Wang’s side.

Yuan Jiaqi was indeed present, and even Ling’er was there. Qiao Mai watched as each of them held a bowl, eating heartily and not sparing a moment for conversation.

Qiao Mai opened a small jar she had brought along. It contained the sesame sauce she had prepared.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes! It’s so refreshing. After eating heavy meals during the New Year, this is just perfect.”

Qiao Mai held her jar out to Old Mister Wang, saying, “Should I add some of this?”

Without hesitation, he extended the bowl towards her. “Add some, let this old man have a taste.”

Qiao Mai scooped two spoonfuls of sesame sauce into his bowl. He sniffed it and confirmed, “Is this sesame sauce?”

“Yes, it’s produced by your Wang family workshop. It’s already available in the county during the New Year and quite expensive.”

Old Mister Wang mixed it into his bowl and tasted it. “I think it’s better without this. These kinds of snacks should be light and refreshing..”