The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

The success of her tofu recipe and the excited reaction of Zheng Xiaoyue and her husband gave Jiang Huaiyu her first glimpse of a brighter future. She realized that sticking to just tofu, a stable and promising venture, was safer than introducing too many innovative ideas that might draw unwanted attention.

Putting her thoughts aside for now, Jiang Huaiyu addressed the couple with a serious expression.

"I specifically showed you how to make tofu today because I have a favor to ask," she began.

Zheng Xiaoyue immediately grew uneasy. Realizing the gravity of what Jiang Huaiyu had shared, she instinctively wanted to decline. "This is…"

"Please, let me explain first," Jiang Huaiyu interrupted. She glanced at the couple's reactions and decided to weave a convincing backstory. Lowering her gaze and speaking with a trembling voice, she continued, "You know I'm a discarded woman. My heartless husband threw me and my child out to marry another. He didn't even want to see his own son! Now, alone in a foreign place, I must find a way to survive.

"This tofu recipe is invaluable, but if word gets out, someone might force me to give it up. I'm just a weak woman—how could I protect myself?" Her delicate fingers rubbed at her eyes, reddening her skin as she looked at Zheng Xiaoyue with tear-filled eyes.

"But I'm lucky to have met you," Jiang Huaiyu said softly, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability. "You and Brother Wang are kind and trustworthy. If you're willing to help, we can split the profits equally."

Zheng Xiaoyue, naturally soft-hearted, hesitated. The idea was tempting—selling just a hundred pieces of tofu a day would mean a hundred coins. With a few taels saved, they could open a tofu shop in the county, easily making a tael of silver daily. Her son could finally attend private school, her daughter could wear new clothes, and her husband wouldn't have to work so hard.

It seemed too good to refuse, yet she turned to her husband for guidance.

Wang Dazhuang, usually reserved, felt a fire of ambition ignite. He knew tofu was unlike anything anyone had seen or tasted before. Having traveled to the capital, he understood how something novel could shake up the market.

Fortune favored the bold, and he was ready to take the risk for his family.

"I agree," Wang Dazhuang said firmly, surprising both women. "But we'll only take two parts of the profit. You keep the rest, Miss Jiang. That's fair."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled warmly at his honest demeanor, feeling grateful for her good fortune. "How about this: I'll take three parts, and the remaining four will go toward setting up a shop and hiring workers."

This suggestion pleased the couple even more. While straightforward and kind, they weren't naïve. Jiang Huaiyu's fair proposal reassured them that she wasn't greedy or short-sighted. For a unique product like tofu, having an exclusive shop in the county was the best long-term plan.

After a morning of planning and finalizing their partnership, Wang Dazhuang insisted on formalizing the agreement with the village head. Not because he distrusted Jiang Huaiyu, but because he wanted her to have a written guarantee for her own protection.

Amused but touched, Jiang Huaiyu personally drafted the contract. With a thumbprint from each party, their partnership became official.

As she left the Wang household, the lingering aroma of tofu caught the attention of villagers passing by, sparking curiosity about what delicious food was being made. Though her body ached, Jiang Huaiyu's eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Xu Chunhua, who had been eavesdropping and crouched so long her legs were numb, grumbled as she stood. She couldn't fathom Jiang Huaiyu's confidence in selling tofu at one coin per piece. Worse, she had no idea how tofu was made.

Determined to figure it out, Xu Chunhua planned to replicate the process she'd seen, returning home with leaves and grass stuck to her clothes.

With Wang Dazhuang handling the sales and publicizing tofu, and Zheng Xiaoyue helping with production, Jiang Huaiyu focused on managing the gypsum mixture. The workflow was smooth, and the future seemed promising.

Lying on her bed that evening, Jiang Huaiyu playfully poked Tangbao's puffy cheeks. His pouty face melted her heart, and she whispered, "Mama's going to be the tofu queen soon! When I earn enough, I'll buy a house with a courtyard in the county and send you to school. Maybe life brought me here to teach me how to slow down and enjoy it. If tofu can give us a simple and peaceful life, why not?"

For the first time since her arrival, she let herself dream of a quiet, steady future. She underestimated the greed of the powerful, assuming tofu alone wouldn't draw their attention.

Wang Dazhuang and Zheng Xiaoyue threw themselves into their work. Their livelihoods now depended on the success of the tofu venture, and their efficiency showed it. Zheng handled production at home, Jiang Huaiyu assisted with the delicate tasks, and Wang took the finished tofu out to sell.

The first batch never made it out of the village—it sold out instantly.

When Wang returned, his dark face was flushed with excitement. "Twenty coins! We earned twenty coins in just one trip!"

Zheng Xiaoyue gaped. "It sold that well? I was worried people wouldn't want to try it!"

"It's all thanks to Miss Jiang's suggestion to bring dipping sauce for samples," Wang explained. "I told people they could try a piece for free, and even Scholar Liu came over. After tasting it, he bought two pieces right away!"

In the Yun Kingdom, scholars held great prestige. If someone as respected as Scholar Liu endorsed tofu, it became a must-try for everyone in the village.

Over the next two days, tofu became the talk of the surrounding villages. Even county taverns began asking if they could get tofu dishes. People who had tasted it praised its silky texture and versatility, while those who hadn't were consumed with curiosity.

Thanks to Jiang Huaiyu's deliberate scarcity tactic, tofu fever swept through the region. By dawn on the third day, Wang loaded five boards of tofu and a jar of tofu pudding onto his cart and headed to the county market.

Standing by the gate, Jiang Huaiyu watched him leave. Noticing Zheng Xiaoyue's nervous expression, she smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Sister Zheng. Let's focus on making the next batch."

"You're right," Zheng said, relaxing. Even if tofu didn't sell well in the county, the demand in nearby villages was enough to keep them afloat.

Later that day, Jiang Huaiyu dressed Tangbao in a tiger-head cap made by young Xianghe. The little boy, with his chubby cheeks and bright grape-like eyes, looked adorable under the cap. Though he seemed unsure about wearing it, he giggled at his mother's delighted expression, revealing two tiny teeth.

As Jiang doted on her son, a knock at the door interrupted her moment. Opening it, she found Xu Chunhua wearing a stiff, awkward smile.

"You've been so busy at the Wang's house these past few days!" Xu said, her eyes darting around the yard. "I hear you're helping with the tofu everyone's talking about?"

Clearing her throat, Jiang replied evenly, "Sister Zheng has been overwhelmed with work, so I've been helping while taking care of my child."

"Oh…" Xu's gaze lingered on the courtyard, trying to catch a glimpse of the operation.

"Is there something you need, Aunt Xu?" Jiang asked, her patience wearing thin.

Xu hesitated, then leaned closer. "I just wanted to tell you something. I have relatives in the county with connections to taverns and restaurants. They said tofu is a rare delicacy, but it's a pity it's being sold by someone like Wang Dazhuang. If you were in charge, you could sell it for three coins a piece! Imagine the difference!"

Her tone oozed insincerity, but her true intent was clear—Xu Chunhua had her sights set on Jiang Huaiyu's success.