My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 41
The general store owner seized the moment, patting the tub’s side. Young ladies, you have excellent taste! This is a newly arrived cypress tub, perfectly sealed to prevent leaks. If you’re genuinely interested, I’ll give you a special price.
Fu Jianxu remained hesitant, knowing without asking that such a quality item wouldn’t be cheap.
Standing beside her, Ji Xiaoyu casually remarked, I’ve never had a proper bath in my life…
Fu Jianxu looked up at her. The young girl’s eyes were lowered, her expression calm, as if she were merely making a casual remark. Yet her words pierced Fu Jianxu’s heart like a slender needle.
Everyone else had enjoyed a bath. How could her little girl go without?
We’re buying it! Fu Jianxu gritted her teeth, clutched her coin purse tightly, and declared firmly.
Hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu raised her head to address the shopkeeper. How much for this cypress tub?
The shopkeeper’s face lit up as he rubbed his hands together. One tael and three qian of silver.
Ji Xiaoyu’s eyes flickered slightly, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. The shopkeeper was clearly trying to inflate the price, seeing them as two young women. Undeterred, she calmly began to negotiate, swiftly bringing the price down to one tael of silver. As a final touch, she casually added, And throw in two wooden basins.
The shopkeeper feigned reluctance with a dramatic sigh, but ultimately agreed with a hearty laugh. Alright, young lady, you’re a skilled negotiator! Consider it a gesture of friendship!
Though the price had indeed been significantly reduced, Fu Jianxu’s fingers still trembled slightly as she counted out the silver from her coin purse.
The shopkeeper eagerly accepted the silver and immediately called out to his assistant, Go help the two young ladies deliver the tub to their home!
The shop assistant responded promptly, deftly securing the wooden tub with straw ropes and hoisting it steadily onto a flatbed cart.
Sister Jianxu, let’s go home. Aunt Chunhao and the others must be getting impatient, Ji Xiaoyu said, taking the oiled paper packages from Fu Jianxu’s hands and casually slipping her free hand into Jianxu’s.
Aunt Chunhao had invited them over for a festive meal several days earlier, wanting to celebrate the New Year with a lively gathering. The sudden touch made the tips of Fu Jianxu’s ears flush faintly, but she didn’t pull away, letting Xiaoyu hold her hand.
Her mind raced with thoughts. To prepare a comfortable bath for the girl, they’d need at least three or four cauldrons of hot water. Even with the two pots on their stove, that might not be enough. She’d have to borrow Aunt Chunhao’s kitchen tonight.
Finding a place for the tub was another problem. The kitchen was warm but cramped, while the bedroom was larger but lacked convenient water access. She sighed softly, resolving to expand the house once she earned enough money. If only they could afford a house in town with a proper bathing room…
Lost in thought, they arrived home. Fu Jianxu instructed the shop assistant to temporarily store the tub in the woodshed, to be moved to the kitchen when needed.
Gazing at the brand-new cypress bath barrel, she suddenly recalled Ji Xiaoyu’s joking suggestion of bathing together. The warmth that had just faded from her cheeks surged back. She shook her head frantically, as if trying to shake off those lingering, suggestive thoughts.
Regaining her composure, she rinsed the soybeans she had bought at the market and soaked them in clean water. Making soy sauce required patience the beans needed time to ferment slowly. After tidying up, she began preparing dinner.
The pork belly on the stove was beautifully marbled, with layers of snow-white fat alternating with crimson lean meat—three lean layers to two fatty ones—a sight that made her heart sing. Fu Jianxu cut the meat into bite-sized cubes and blanched them in cold water to remove the bl00d foam. While the meat simmered, she retrieved an earthenware jar, ladled in two spoonfuls of soy sauce, and added a spoonful of malt sugar.
Soy sauce in this era always lacked depth of flavor, and she had been meaning to make a batch to store for herself. Unfortunately, she had only recently found the time.
What are you making, Sister Jianxu? Ji Xiaoyu had materialized beside the stove, her nostrils twitching slightly. It smells delicious.
Dongpo pork. A fragrant way to prepare pork belly, Fu Jianxu explained with a smile, scooping out the blanched meat. Xiaoyu, could you chop some scallions for me?
She heated the iron wok and added half a ladle of lard. Once the lard melted, she arranged the meat pieces skin-side down in the wok. With a sizzle, the skin gradually turned golden brown, its rich, savory aroma mingling with the smoky scent of caramelization, filling the kitchen. Carefully flipping the meat, she poured in the prepared sauce and added half a bowl of yellow wine.
Too bad we’re short on time… she murmured. Authentic Dongpo Pork requires simmering over low heat for four hours. Since they needed to eat quickly, she had to simplify the recipe, tossing in two slices of ginger and a star anise.
Ji Xiaoyu handed her the chopped scallions, then rested her chin on Fu Jianxu’s shoulder. Sister Jianxu’s cooking is definitely better than anything you’d get in a restaurant.
N-no way, Fu Jianxu stammered, her ears flushing. She fumbled with the wok spatula, unsure how to hold it. It’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.
Seeing her flustered state, Ji Xiaoyu took pity and leaned against her for only a moment before straightening up. I’ll go tell Aunt Chunhao it’s almost ready.
The flames in the stove gradually died down, leaving only glowing embers. The meat broth in the iron wok bubbled gently, the liquid reduced to a thick, glossy glaze that coated the meat in a translucent amber sheen. When Fu Jianxu lifted the lid, a rich aroma of meat and wine surged forth, the steaming heat blurring her vision.
It’s done!
Fu Jianxu stood with her hands on her hips, letting out a triumphant laugh. The pork belly cubes trembled in the pot, their skin a glossy crimson that yielded to the slightest touch of chopsticks. The heat had been perfectly controlled, exceeding even her wildest expectations.
She carefully transferred the meat to the family’s finest plate, drizzled it with sauce, and sprinkled it with scallions. A shallow pool of savory juices glistened at the bottom, reflecting the oily sheen.
Xiaoyu! Come see! she called out the door, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement.
Ji Xiaoyu hurried in at the sound of her sister’s voice, taking a deep breath as she crossed the kitchen threshold. Her eyes lit up as she rushed to the stove. Sister Jianxu, you’re amazing!
Tilting her head back, Xiaoyu’s eyes curved into crescent moons. This color, this aroma—anyone would believe it was made by a master chef from a fancy restaurant!
Fu Jianxu’s ears flushed crimson from the praise. Clutching the plate, she stammered, L-let’s go. Aunt Chunhao must be getting impatient. She hurried out, plate in hand, desperate to hide her embarrassment.
In the neighboring courtyard, Fu Chunhao was busy setting the table. Seeing the two enter, she hurried to greet them, Aiyo, A’Xu, I told you not to bother!
Despite her words, the mouthwatering aroma drew her gaze repeatedly to the plate of Dongpo pork.
Fu Zhixiao emerged from the kitchen carrying the final dish, smiling. Exactly! Mother has prepared many of her specialties today.
The table was indeed laden with dishes stir-fried chives and eggs steamed, a large bowl of meatball soup simmered with greens and garnished with scallions, amber-glazed slices of cured pork with scallions emitting a unique fragrance, and even simple stir-fried cabbage glistened with oil. At the center sat Fu Jianxu’s plate of Dongpo pork, placed with care.
Fu Chunhao turned and retrieved a small jar from the inner room. Cracking the mud seal, a sweet, fruity aroma immediately filled the air. This wine is brewed from wild fruits Zhixiao gathered from the back mountain.
She poured a cup for each person. Try some!
Fu Jianxu stared at the liquid in her cup, unconsciously swallowing. The consequences of her last drunken episode were still vivid in her mind. She forcibly suppressed the temptation and silently ladled herself a bowl of meatball soup.
A’Xu, why aren’t you drinking? Fu Chunhao asked, taking a sip of her wine. It’s homemade and won’t make you drunk!
The sweet, fruity aroma kept wafting into Fu Jianxu’s nose until she finally couldn’t resist. She picked up her cup and took a small sip. The sweet-and-sour flavor exploded on her tongue, her eyes lighting up as she took another large gulp.
Sister, Ji Xiaoyu whispered, leaning close to her ear, drink less, okay? You had such a terrible headache last time you got drunk.
Fu Jianxu awkwardly set down her cup. I-I’ll just finish this one…
Ji Xiaoyu smiled without replying, then turned and refilled her own cup.
The young girl’s drinking posture was utterly charming. Her slender fingers cradled the rough porcelain cup as she took delicate sips, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as if hesitating. Yet she kept drinking, one cup after another, quickly and eagerly.
Fu Jianxu stared in disbelief.
So this is the real Xiaoyu! You forbid me from drinking but you’re having a grand time yourself!
Even if you love drinking, you can’t just gulp it down like that!
Just as she was about to intervene, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly turned and winked at her. Her beautiful fox-like eyes, flushed with wine, seemed even more alluring. As their gazes met, Fu Jianxu felt her heart skip a beat.
Why are you just staring at me, Sister? Ji Xiaoyu asked, propping her cheek on her hand with a mischievous smile. There’s so much delicious food today. If you don’t eat now, you’ll miss out!
I-I wasn’t looking at you! Fu Jianxu stammered, hastily lowering her head to shovel rice into her mouth. Her frantic movements nearly choked her on a grain of rice. Ji Xiaoyu chuckled softly and patted her back.
Aiyo, you two lovebirds are so sweet! Fu Chunhao’s eyes crinkled with amusement, her fingers twirling the wine glass, the liquid swirling gently inside.
Fu Jianxu’s face flushed crimson to the roots of her ears, and the chopsticks nearly slipped from her hand. She kept her head down, unsure how to respond, pretending not to hear as she focused intently on scooping rice from her bowl.
As long as you two live well together, this auntie can rest easy. Fu Chunhao tilted her head back and drained her glass, her gaze growing hazy.
Today was a good day—good food, good wine, good company.
She hadn’t felt this happy in ages, the wrinkles on her face smoothing out.
Suddenly, her gaze fell on the silent Fu Zhixiao, and her smile faded. Now I’m just worried about my Xiaoxiao…
With Xiaoge so capable, what’s there to worry about? Fu Jianxu asked, tilting her head in confusion as she looked at the dark-skinned youth sitting rigidly across from her.
Fu Chunhao sighed, her rough hand gently stroking Fu Zhixiao’s head. He instinctively flinched, but forced himself to remain still.
This child has been stubborn since she was little, Fu Chunhao said, her voice catching in her throat. When she was six, her father and older brother went hunting in the mountains and ran into a pack of wolves…
The next day, before dawn, she secretly took her father’s hunting fork and went into the mountains.
She was so small, the hunting fork was almost taller than her…
Mother, you’ve had too much to drink, Fu Zhixiao said, lowering her head and deliberately keeping her voice low.
Fu Jianxu keenly noticed the barely perceptible tremor in Fu Zhixiao’s voice.
As if suddenly realizing something, she lifted her head and studied Fu Zhixiao intently. In the flickering candlelight, Fu Zhixiao’s silhouette appeared particularly frail.
In the original novel, the author had lavished praise on this female lead’s intelligence and resilience, emphasizing how she differed from other women and how easily she had won the male lead’s favor.
Yet there had never been any mention of her needing to survive in such a way.
Only now did Fu Jianxu fully separate the ordinary, dark-skinned youth before her from the idealized figure described in the novel’s pages.