Chapter Seventy-Five: A Bowl of Shrimp Meat

In fact, most of them were already dead; only a few remained alive. There was nothing to be done about it—freshwater crayfish cannot survive long once taken out of water. Still, as they hadn’t been dead for long, they were relatively fresh.

She soaked the crayfish in water, adding salt and vinegar, letting them sit for several hours. By the time everyone had finished their afternoon chores, the impurities had mostly been drawn out. She then pulled off the heads and gills, carefully cleaned the bodies, and removed the dark veins.

She heated oil in a pan, tossed in minced garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and red chilies until fragrant, then added the crayfish, stir-frying until they turned color. She poured in enough water to cover the crayfish. Ideally, she would have added some beer, but that was impossible in this era, so she used some cooking wine instead.

She let them simmer for a while; when the sauce had reduced, she added salt and continued braising. After about two more minutes, the crayfish were ready to be served.

Lin Sangqian couldn’t resist peeling one to sneak a taste. The spicy, aromatic flavor exploded on her tongue, making it hard to stop at just one. It was so delicious, she was sure she could eat two big bowls of rice with it.

Those in the courtyard had long caught the scent, and a lively commotion arose.

“Miss Lin may be young, but she’s a wonderful cook!”

“And quite impressive too—she’s even running a workshop now, making good money every day! I asked Sister Liao, and she said it’s all Miss Lin’s doing. What an extraordinary young lady!”

“Look at my own daughter—I feel like giving her a kick.”

“Haha! If you really did, you wouldn’t have the heart for it!”

They came to help Lin Sangqian carry out the dishes. The two large baskets of crayfish filled six plates, more than enough for everyone. Lin Sangqian also stir-fried two vegetable dishes and steamed a huge pot of rice.

Just then, Lin Hongda returned. As soon as he caught the aroma, he grew excited. “Crayfish! Isn’t it?”

“That’s right, Father. Wash your hands—it’s time to eat.”

Zhao Lan’er had been hesitant to try at first, but after tasting one, she couldn’t stop exclaiming how delicious they were. Though peeling crayfish took some effort, no one minded the trouble.

As Lin Sangqian was wrestling with the shells, suddenly a bowlful of crayfish meat appeared before her. She looked up—it was Lin Wenyan who had given it to her.

“Brother, you don’t have to do this for me. Eat it yourself.”

“I’ll peel some for myself later,” Lin Wenyan said with a smile. “You eat first.”

Lin Sangqian was deeply moved. Liao Shuxia, feeling a twinge of envy, couldn’t help giving Lin Hongda a nudge with her foot. Startled, he hurried to peel a whole bowl of crayfish for her.

Several passers-by outside the gate couldn’t help pausing to savor the tantalizing aroma before moving on.

While eating, Lin Sangqian thought that in the future, her fried chicken shop could also sell spicy crayfish on the side—the business would surely thrive.

In a few days, it would be the end of the month; once the family’s housewarming banquet was over, she would go into town to see if there were any suitable storefronts available.

Life, she was certain, would only get better and better.

…

After Liao Shuxia finished embroidering the two purses she’d ordered, Lin Sangqian took them to the Yu family herself. She could have asked Lin Hongda to deliver them, but on second thought, since the lady had specifically asked not to use the main entrance, it probably meant she didn’t want too many people to know about the purses.

To be safe, she decided to deliver them in person.

She arrived at the west side gate of the Yu residence. Finding no one at the door, she knocked. Soon, an older maid opened the door, giving her a once-over.

“Young lady, whom are you looking for?”

“Hello, I’m here to deliver the purses,” Lin Sangqian replied.

“The purses? Oh, I see. Come in, then.”

Lin Sangqian followed her inside, keeping her gaze straight ahead, not looking around. This surprised the maid, who thought to herself that this young girl must not be ordinary.

The maid led her into a room. As soon as she entered, Lin Sangqian caught the faint scent of powder and perfume—a woman’s fragrance. This must be the lady’s room.

“Wait here a moment.”

Before long, Kang Ya appeared.

“Beautiful sister,” Lin Sangqian greeted her with a bright smile, “your purses are ready.”

“Let me see.”

Kang Ya came over, and Lin Sangqian handed her the purses. Admiring the exquisite designs, Kang Ya was thoroughly pleased.

“Your mother is truly skilled. I’ve been to the capital and seen many embroidresses there, but none as talented as your mother,” Kang Ya praised.

“I’m glad you like them, sister. If you wouldn’t mind, please help spread the word. My mother can embroider any design.”

Kang Ya laughed, clearly fond of this clever girl, and couldn’t resist pinching her cheek. “Of course, I’ll tell others. By the way, I haven’t paid you for the purses yet.”

At her words, a maid nearby brought over a money pouch and handed it to Lin Sangqian.

Lin Sangqian took it, and was startled by its weight.

Judging by how heavy it was… there must be at least thirty taels inside!

“Beautiful sister, this is too much,” she said.

“It’s not too much,” Kang Ya replied. “I love these purses, so to me they’re worth thirty taels. I’m generous when it comes to things I truly like.”

Since that was the case, Lin Sangqian didn’t stand on ceremony and put the pouch away. Money, after all, should never be refused!

“If you ever need anything else, beautiful sister, you know where to find me.”

“Certainly. You two, see this young lady out properly and don’t be negligent.”

“Yes, madam.”

Two maids immediately came over to escort Lin Sangqian out. Meanwhile, Kang Ya kept fiddling with the two purses, admiring them.

The embroidery was truly exquisite—the mandarin ducks seemed alive, and the gardenias were beautiful.

Mandarin ducks and gardenias both symbolized love.

Would he… accept them?

Kang Ya’s heart began to race. Yet when she thought of her relationship with that man, her face grew pale with anxiety.

On her way out, Lin Sangqian ran into Lin Hongda.

“Qianqian? What are you doing here?” he asked in surprise.

Lin Sangqian muttered a brief explanation and reminded him to keep it quiet. Lin Hongda nodded in understanding.

“Who exactly is that lady?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“I don’t know either,” Lin Hongda replied. “I’ve only been here a few days and haven’t been to the inner quarters, nor have I heard anything about them.”

“All right, I’ll head home then—I still have to deliver chicken feet to Fortune Inn later.”

“Be careful on the road,” Lin Hongda urged.

“By the way, Father, if you have any close friends here, invite them to our house for the warming banquet. The more the merrier.”

“All right, I will.”

Lin Sangqian continued walking with the two maids. Passing a pond, she noticed several fat carp swimming gracefully and stopped with the maids to watch for a while.

At that moment, someone silently approached her from behind.