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

Returning from a trip to the riverside, Jiang Huaiyu nearly locked her face into a permanent polite smile. She had been bombarded by three women who tried to introduce her to local widowers as potential husbands, as well as a gaggle of gossips prying into her past. Uninterested in their endless small talk and drama, she politely deflected or shifted topics until she could escape.

Afterward, she decided it was best to avoid village gatherings and instead dedicated herself to teaching Tangbao to talk. Each day brought small victories, but nothing could compare to the moment Tangbao finally called her "Mama." Jiang Huaiyu was so overjoyed she nearly jumped three feet into the air.

Between lessons with Tangbao, she immersed herself in recreating the delicious recipes from her memories. Life was simple but fulfilling, even as she remained blissfully unaware of the increasing number of spies lurking around Wangjia Village.

Thankfully, her foresight in raising the height of her courtyard walls during the renovations paid off. While strangers prowled outside, their prying eyes couldn't penetrate her private space. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Wang Dazhuang's home. Everything from grinding soybeans to cooking tofu was in full view, though the most crucial step—adding gypsum to form the tofu—remained a mystery to their watchers.

The truth came to light when one of Yan Er's servants spotted Jiang Huaiyu delivering the carefully prepared gypsum solution to Wang Dazhuang's house. The servant immediately reported this to Yan Er, tacking on an additional comment:

"The widow is quite beautiful, too."

Yan Er lounged lazily, fanning himself with a folding fan, clearly in a good mood.

"Is that so? You're complaining about overseeing a little widow, Yan Yang?" he teased, his sly grin deepening. "Very well. Let's visit Baihua Pavilion tonight and clear your head. Tomorrow, we'll pay a rescue visit to this 'distressed widow.'"

Yan Yang's pockmarked face turned red, but the promise of the brothel soon won him over. Bowing low, he grinned and murmured, "Thank you, Young Master."

The next day, as the sun reached its zenith, Jiang Huaiyu had just finished preparing lunch and was about to feed Tangbao when a loud knock pounded against her courtyard gate.

She frowned, placing the bowl aside, and opened the door cautiously. Standing outside was Xu Chunhua, grinning smugly, alongside several servants and a man who reeked of arrogance. His beady eyes darted up and down Jiang Huaiyu, their gaze lingering far too long.

Jiang Huaiyu's instincts screamed danger. She immediately narrowed the door, leaving only a sliver of space. "What do you want?" she asked coolly.

Yan Er stepped forward, pushing past Xu Chunhua as he opened his fan dramatically. "I've heard rumors that the famed tofu in the county comes from Wangjia Village. At first, I didn't believe it. But lo and behold, amidst the mud of this village grows a lotus—a beauty and a delicacy both!"

The meaning in his words was clear, and Jiang Huaiyu's stomach churned.

"The tofu is indeed delicious," she said evenly, "but that's the work of the Wang family. It has nothing to do with me."

Yan Er snapped his fan shut, misinterpreting her calm refusal as fear. His smile turned predatory. "Ah, but it's said the recipe rests in your capable hands. You've been bullied into handing it over, haven't you? Fear not! With my help, you can break free. Come to the county, live in one of my family's estates, and no one will dare trouble you again."

Jiang Huaiyu nearly choked on her disbelief. Without another word, she slammed the door shut.

Yan Er stood stunned for a moment, his expression darkening. Turning to Xu Chunhua, he snapped, "You said she was being oppressed. Why, then, does she slam doors in my face?"

Xu Chunhua, now realizing her web of lies was unraveling, quickly scrambled to cover herself. "She's just afraid! If you punish the Wangs, she'll surely realize your power and submit."

Yan Er nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. Break down their door and teach them a lesson!"

Jiang Huaiyu, eavesdropping from inside, paled at his command. Hurriedly placing Tangbao in the safety of the bedroom, she rushed outside.

By the time she reached the Wangs' house, Yan Er's servants had already kicked the gate open, sending splinters flying. Inside, Zheng Xiaoyue shrieked in alarm while Wang Dazhuang stood frozen, grinding stones in his hands.

"What in the hell are you doing?" Zheng Xiaoyue shouted, her voice sharp enough to make the intruders pause.

Yan Er stepped forward, oozing self-righteousness. "I've come to right the wrongs inflicted on your poor neighbor. You've bullied a helpless widow into giving up her livelihood. I won't stand by and let it continue!"

Jiang Huaiyu's jaw dropped. Was this man insane?

Stepping around Yan Er's entourage, she moved to stand beside Zheng Xiaoyue. "Don't listen to him. I don't know who these people are. They're here for the tofu recipe. Xu Chunhua probably put them up to this."

Yan Er, blinded by her beauty, misread the situation entirely. To him, Jiang Huaiyu's defiant posture was simply her way of hiding her fear. Her whispered words to Zheng Xiaoyue were nothing more than pleas for protection.

"Enough!" he bellowed. "Give me the recipe, and I promise you safety and prosperity!"

Jiang Huaiyu stared at him like he had sprouted a second head. "And what do I get in return for handing it over?"

"You'll get a share of the profits!" Yan Er declared proudly, holding up a single finger. "One-tenth!"

Jiang Huaiyu burst out laughing. "Are you serious? You break into my village, harass my neighbors, and expect me to hand over my livelihood for scraps? Get out of my sight before I report this to the authorities!"

Yan Er's expression twisted into anger. For a moment, he seemed ready to retaliate, but then he turned sharply and stormed away, leaving his men scrambling to follow.

Xu Chunhua, caught in the fallout, tried to escape unnoticed but earned a stinging slap from Yan Er.

"You dare make a fool of me?" he snarled, kicking her hard before striding to his carriage.

Back at the Wangs' house, Wang Dazhuang paced angrily. "I'm going to the village elder. If that man comes back, we'll drive him out with sticks!"

Zheng Xiaoyue grabbed his arm. "And let them spread rumors about us? Do you want Jiang Huaiyu forced to give up the recipe?"

Jiang Huaiyu sat silently, her brow furrowed. Yan Er's predatory gaze had unsettled her deeply. It wasn't just the recipe he wanted—he wanted her.

"This isn't over," she murmured.