The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 19

Something else! Exactly, there’s something else.

Who said tofu could only be used in dishes?

“Tofu can be used for more than just dishes.” Bai Zhi smiled, her usually cool expression softening slightly.

Wei Ziwan looked up at her. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of tofu porridge or tofu pudding.” Everyone knows about those common dishes.

Bai Zhi shot Wei Ziwan an annoyed glance. Who did this troublemaker think she was underestimating?

She cleared her throat and spoke unhurriedly, “What I’m thinking of isn’t a dish or porridge, but a sweet soup—a sweet soup that the imperial concubines in the palace love. The imperial kitchen calls it ‘Osmanthus Tofu Delight.'”

Wei Ziwan raised an eyebrow and set down her teacup. “Tell me more.”

Bai Zhi had seen the imperial kitchen’s chefs make this sweet soup and had tasted it a few times. She knew the basic steps and ingredients: osmanthus petals preserved in sugar, silken tofu cut into cubes, a hint of tea fragrance, and the aroma of milk. Those were the main components.

After listening, Wei Ziwan thought it was worth a try. The sweet soup from the imperial kitchen naturally had an exquisite taste, and most importantly, it wasn’t commonly found among the common folk.

At least, she had never tasted or heard of it before.

“If the imperial concubines love it, it’s likely to be popular among the common people too. The key is, how confident are you in making it?”

“About eighty percent. After a few tries, it should work out.” Bai Zhi didn’t want to sound overconfident. Although she knew the steps and recipe, she had never made it herself. Success or failure would depend on trial and error.

Wei Ziwan pondered for a moment and made a decision. “Let’s go buy some tofu and sugar now. As for the osmanthus and milk, this is the season for osmanthus flowers, and there are plenty of osmanthus trees in the manor. We can ask Aunt Chen first.”

They needed to find out if they could freely pick the osmanthus flowers and where to get the milk.

The door slowly opened, and Aunt Chen was called back into the room.

After hearing Wei Ziwan’s questions, Aunt Chen thought for a moment and said, “How much osmanthus do you two need? If it’s not too much, I can have my son pick some for you when he returns. As for the milk, the manor has some. If you don’t need much, you can get it directly from the cowshed.”

Bai Zhi’s heart leapt with joy. It seemed they only needed to buy tofu and white sugar.

However, Aunt Chen’s next words doused her enthusiasm. Tofu cost ten coins per pound, and buying a few pounds wouldn’t be a problem, but white sugar cost a hundred coins per pound. They only had a hundred coins left, which wouldn’t be enough for experimentation.

She looked at Wei Ziwan.

Wei Ziwan closed her eyes, took out ninety coins, and instructed, “Aunt Chen, please buy four pounds of tofu and half a pound of white sugar. We’ll also need your help with the osmanthus and milk—about three pounds each.”

It was best to avoid causing too much trouble or owing too many favors. Although Aunt Chen was responsible for serving them, she was still part of the manor, and they were merely guests.

If this plan succeeded, they would have to thank her properly and give her a few coins as a reward.

“The tofu must be silken tofu, the softer the better.” Bai Zhi added, thinking to herself that this expenditure of ninety coins had nearly emptied their savings, leaving them with only ten coins.

This plan had to work. Otherwise, they would truly have no way out.

So she put her heart and soul into it, trying again and again with utmost care.

When the first bowl was ready, Bai Zhi tasted it and handed the spoon to Wei Ziwan, signaling her to try it as well.

Wei Ziwan glanced at her, elegantly picked up a clean spoon from the table, and took a delicate sip.

Bai Zhi was momentarily stunned, her hand trembling slightly. This annoying troublemaker was disdaining her again! She should have added some bitter herbs to the bowl to teach her a lesson.

Wei Ziwan savored a few more bites before gently setting the spoon aside. “The taste is decent. The osmanthus could be a bit sweeter, but it’s no wonder the imperial concubines love it.”

The silken tofu cubes melted in the mouth, the osmanthus petals preserved in sugar were neither dry nor overly sweet, the faint tea aroma complemented the richness of the milk, and there was no hint of gaminess. It was quite good.

At this moment, Bai Zhi’s heart was filled with excitement. She smiled and said, “Of course, the imperial concubines love it. I think we can sell it for at least ten coins a bowl.”

She was telling the truth. The elderly concubine, who had lost two teeth, adored this soft, easy-to-eat Osmanthus Tofu Delight. As for the other concubines, well, Bai Zhi had never left the cold palace, so she couldn’t say for sure.

With the faint aroma of osmanthus lingering in her mouth, Wei Ziwan smiled faintly. “So, husband, what’s the next step?”

Bai Zhi instinctively replied, “Of course, we’ll turn all this tofu into Osmanthus Tofu Delight and sell it.”

But how much tofu could they make from all those soybeans? How many bowls of Osmanthus Tofu Delight would that be? Could she handle all that work?

Wei Ziwan gave her a strange look. Was this girl a fool?

“Your recipe isn’t particularly unique. Someone with a keen sense of taste might replicate it quickly. Besides, ten coins a bowl is a bit expensive for common folk. They might not be willing to spend that much, especially when a bowl of rice porridge only costs three coins. Most importantly, by the time you finish selling all these soybeans, it’ll be ages. What about planting the radishes?”

Bai Zhi’s expression froze, and the excitement in her heart cooled down again.

Seeing her stunned, Wei Ziwan smiled faintly. “But there’s no need to worry. We just need to maximize the profit from this recipe in the shortest time possible.”

Maximize the profit in the shortest time?

Bai Zhi had an idea. “Sell the recipe to some merchants or restaurants?”

But as Wei Ziwan had said, the recipe wasn’t particularly valuable. It probably wouldn’t fetch much money.

Wei Ziwan stared at the teapot on the table for a long time before saying, “Since selling it isn’t cost-effective, let’s not sell it. We’ll give it away for free. Those who recognize its value will naturally take it.”

“Give it away for free?” Bai Zhi was shocked.

“Exactly. But there are conditions for giving it away. Come, let’s change into more presentable clothes.”

After Wei Ziwan explained further, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but admire her cleverness once again.

Before long, a handsome young man in a snow-blue robe and a stunningly beautiful woman in a moon-white dress walked out of the manor.

Their striking appearances and elegant demeanor immediately drew the attention of passersby.

Noticing the gazes of the onlookers—most of whom glanced at her briefly before focusing on Wei Ziwan—Bai Zhi hesitated and said, “Should we go back and get you a straw hat?”

Wei Ziwan rolled her eyes. “We’re going to a high-end restaurant in the city to discuss business. If you’re so concerned, husband, shouldn’t you buy me a fine veil hat instead?”

A straw hat? What were you thinking?

They’d probably be thrown out before they even entered the restaurant.

Bai Zhi fell silent. She would love to buy one, but she had no money—not a single coin to her name.

All the money was with this troublemaker, and only ten coins remained.

So she shouldn’t have spoken at all.

When the two reached the official road not far from the manor, several carriage drivers eagerly approached to solicit their business.

“Where are you headed, young master? My carriage has soft cushions—very comfortable.”

“You two are such a perfect match, like a pair of celestial beings. Would you like to ride in my carriage? I drive very smoothly.”

“Young master…”

The carriage drivers spared no effort in trying to win their business, but Bai Zhi remained calm. They had already asked around: hiring a carriage from the manor to the city cost twenty coins, which was the cheapest option.

So…

So, with only ten coins to their name, they walked past the carriages and stopped beside an ox cart.

Bai Zhi asked indifferently, “Uncle, how much to the city?”

“Three coins per person. For two, it’s only five coins.” The ox cart driver looked somewhat incredulous. Such refined people were asking about his ox cart!

They must be curious, right? They couldn’t possibly want to ride an ox cart.

Without hesitation, Bai Zhi climbed onto the ox cart and reached out her hand. “Let me help you up.”

Wei Ziwan calmly took her hand and climbed up.

The carriage drivers’ expressions twisted in disbelief.

Judging by the couple’s attire and demeanor, they looked like the type to ride in carriages. Yet they had chosen an ox cart! An ox cart!

The ox cart was slow and bumpy, and along the way, it stopped to pick up a few farmers. The driver glanced nervously at the couple, who sat stiffly, seemingly unfazed.

But their appearance and demeanor, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a group of dusty farmers, was anything but ordinary.

When another middle-aged woman boarded, the ox cart became quite crowded.

Bai Zhi glanced at Wei Ziwan, who seemed to be stiff all over. She clenched her fists and said in a calm tone, “Madam, lean into my arms.”