NOVEL WEB Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Getting on Track
Jiang Huaiyu's culinary skills had always left Xiao Cao salivating, and the mere mention of her dishes made the usually serious girl seem more like the youthful maiden she was. Exhausted but content after the day's work, she fell into a deep sleep that night, dreaming of the delicacies yet to come.
The next morning, after enjoying the hearty breakfast Xiao Cao prepared, Jiang Huaiyu made her way to the shop. True to form, Qi Jue had worked diligently through the night. Though his tanned complexion betrayed no signs of exhaustion, Jiang Huaiyu could tell from his prepared list of purchases that he'd been thorough. She glanced at the crisp handwriting on the page, each character bold and precise, and couldn't help but smile.
"Excellent," she said, her tone warm. "Follow this plan. Here's a hundred-tael banknote to cover the costs, and you can start keeping the books immediately."
Handing him the note, Jiang Huaiyu's heart twinged—her new venture had already cost nearly a thousand taels, between purchasing the property and preparations. Without the steady income from the soap shop, she might have been forced to settle for a street-side stall, braving the elements to make ends meet.
Her financial journey was a stark reminder of why merchants commanded such respect and envy in Daliang. For every success story of riches and renown, countless others had toiled for generations to build a foundation, enduring hardships few could imagine.
Jiang Huaiyu's soap and tofu ventures had spared her the slow climb, allowing her to leapfrog the initial struggles. Yet, she couldn't help but think of how different her life would have been without these opportunities—perhaps squabbling with village gossipers like Xu Chunhua over petty disputes in Wangjia Village.
Satisfied with Qi Jue's plans, she left the shop in his capable hands and headed to a nearby teahouse to meet with Steward Lin.
"Here are the workshop's deed and address," Steward Lin said, introducing a lean, weathered man at his side. "This is the workshop manager. If you have any specific instructions, feel free to discuss them with him."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded, glancing at the workshop deed before turning to Lin. "Have the spice merchants agreed to supply us consistently?"
"Everything has been arranged," Lin replied with professional calm. "The merchants will deliver a batch of spices to the workshop every ten days. Payments can be settled directly at your shop."
Jiang Huaiyu's admiration for Lin grew. Efficient and meticulous, he handled matters with a precision she wished she could steal for her own operations. Yet, she knew Qin Ziqin would never part with such a competent steward, nor would Lin leave his established role willingly.
She turned her attention to the workshop manager, giving her instructions: "When the spices arrive, grind them into fine powders and package them separately. Deliver the finished goods to the shop along with the soap factory's deliveries. Do a good job, and there will be bonuses at year's end. But if there's any negligence…"
Her voice carried just enough weight to make the manager straighten up, his initial dismissive attitude melting under her piercing gaze. "Understood! I promise there won't be any issues," he replied hastily, nodding like a woodpecker.
"Good," Jiang Huaiyu said, her tone softening. "Just remember, diligence will be rewarded."
The promise of a year-end bonus brightened the manager's mood. He left with a renewed enthusiasm, eager to prepare the workshop for its new purpose.
By midday, Jiang Huaiyu was back home, ready to cook the braised pork knuckles she'd promised Xiao Cao.
"Madam, I've already put the pork and spices in the kitchen," Xiao Cao chirped. "But… are you sure these spices will make the food taste good?"
Her skepticism was understandable. Most of the spices Jiang Huaiyu used were commonly seen in sachets for repelling insects, not cooking.
"Just watch and learn," Jiang Huaiyu teased, rolling up her sleeves.
She prepped the knuckles by singeing the skin over an open flame, scraping off any residual hairs, and washing them thoroughly. She then wrapped a mix of star anise, peppercorns, angelica, and other herbs in a cloth pouch, tossing it into a pot of boiling water. The pork followed, along with dark soy sauce and malt sugar to create a rich, caramelized glaze.
Soon, the kitchen was filled with an intoxicating aroma that blended the smoky scent of the hearth with the complex interplay of spices and soy.
"Smells good, doesn't it?" Jiang Huaiyu asked, looking over her shoulder.
Xiao Cao stood frozen, inhaling deeply like a mesmerized puppy, her eyes wide with awe.
After simmering the dish for over an hour, the pork knuckles emerged glistening with a deep amber glaze. The meat was tender yet firm, the fat rich but not greasy. Paired with a bowl of steaming white rice, it was the perfect comfort food.
Both women sat at the table, savoring every bite. The satisfaction was evident in their contented silence, broken only by occasional sighs of delight.
Then came a knock at the door.
Xiao Cao jumped up to answer it before Jiang Huaiyu could stop her. Moments later, she returned with none other than Ruyi in tow.
"I brought the first batch of perfume from the workshop," Ruyi announced, her tone formal yet distracted. Her nose twitched as she caught the lingering aroma of the meal, a faint flush creeping up her cheeks.
"Oh? Let me see," Jiang Huaiyu said, setting down her chopsticks.
The ceramic bottle Ruyi handed over was beautifully crafted. Jiang Huaiyu removed the stopper and took a careful sniff, a subtle smile tugging at her lips. "Not bad. Did the workshop soak the petals in the distilled alcohol?"
Ruyi hesitated, surprised. "Yes, actually. One of the workers accidentally spilled petals into the mixture. We thought it was ruined, but the next day, the floral scent had blended beautifully with the alcohol, softening its harshness."
"Happy accidents," Jiang Huaiyu mused, setting the bottle aside. "You've done well. From here, just keep the accounts in order and send me the ledger monthly."
Ruyi nodded but couldn't help stealing glances at the remnants of the meal on the table. The tantalizing aroma seemed to mock her restraint.
"Anything else?" Jiang Huaiyu asked politely, her tone signaling the end of their conversation.
"…No, that's all," Ruyi replied stiffly, bowing before making her exit.
As the door closed behind her, Jiang Huaiyu chuckled softly. Let her stew in her own haughtiness for a while longer, she thought. After all, Ruyi's initial disdain had been hard to forget.
Over the next few days, everything fell into place. The spices arrived at the workshop on schedule, and Qi Jue oversaw the shop renovations with care. Though he apologized profusely for staining the walls of the storage room with candle soot from his late-night studies, Jiang Huaiyu reassured him that she didn't mind.
Qi Jue nodded, his sincerity shining through.
As the first shipment of ground spices arrived at the shop, Jiang Huaiyu watched with satisfaction as sturdy shelves were unloaded and assembled. Everything was coming together.