Chapter 197: People in Ancient Times Are Even Worse

"We all have the surname Meng and live in Mengjia Village of Huaiyuan County; from now on, if you want fish, come find us, and you won't have to pay such a high price."

"Haha, then I'll thank you all first."

The two exchanged smiles, bowed to each other, and Qiao Mai hurried the carriage away.

After Qiao Mai went far, she asked passersby and learned that this was Huaiyuan County, belonging to the Ming Emperor's realm in the southeast, a place called Yancheng.

Here they produce salt and fish; in the backward ancient times, these diligent Nanfang people had already devised every way for a living, beginning to sun‑dry fish and dried shrimp for sale.

She wasn't in a hurry to return home; along the way she bought some fresh Dried Fish Stick and also some pickled dried sea fish whenever she saw them.

She would also buy some kelp, dried shrimp, sea cucumber, dried conch meat, and the like.

Her silver was so plentiful it hurt to hold, so she considered it welfare for the common folk of Nanfang.

If her own household couldn't eat it, she sold it at the shop; there were storage spaces all around.

Thus, on this journey she was like an invader entering a village, sweeping away all the good goods; the open space in front of her house was filled with boxes of seafood.

Everyone laughed, for guarding a talent like Qiao Mai, it would be hard not to become a glutton.

"Only want to study and learn characters, not practice Martial Arts?"

Qiao Mai kissed her beloved young lady, "After the New Year, Mother will invite one for you, okay?"

Late at night, after everyone unloaded the goods, Qiao Mai let them all rest and didn't have the Kitchen Maid cook for herself.

The old lady followed her into the kitchen and asked, "What are you wearing?"

"But it's very comfortable."

Soon, on a dark night, she hurried the carriage back to Tianshui Town, opened the Dameng, and as soon as she entered Jixiang Yuan, the Qiao Family became lively.

"What a strange sight."

They stared in great shock, all of it being something they'd never seen before in their lives.

Smelling the scent of sea fish, everyone suddenly felt hungry, and Qiao Mai knew she had sparked their cravings.

"It's been five days."

Those sitting in Keting were rather embarrassed; Qiao Mai had already been exhausted from rushing back from afar, yet they unconsciously kept waiting for a midnight snack.

"Master, it's been a while since you came out, huh."

"Tomorrow at noon I'll treat you to it, and in the morning I'll fry a piece for you to try first."

"Hmm, what do you want to say?"

Yuan Jiaqi said shyly, knowing that his cooking could at least fill a stomach.

Nevertheless, seeing so many fish and shrimp, the old man was pleased, grinning, as it seemed tomorrow's snacks were secured.

Some people ate while sipping the broth.

Everyone looked both like they wanted to leave and didn't, ridiculously cute.

The old lady went satisfied to feed her poultry, while Ling'er wrapped her arms around Qiao Mai's neck, snuggling in her embrace.

"Alright, when the New Year comes I'll give you two sets as a New Year gift; not now, I still have to go out and contact him."

Everyone was extremely curious; when they saw Qiao Mai lift a five‑ or six‑hundred‑jin giant fish off the carriage, they all opened their mouths.

Everyone ate with great relish, especially the old man, who, ungraciously, ate his own while eyeing the bowls of others.

"Ouch, that was too wild,"

She hurriedly stored the carriage in the space; by day she rode a winter jujube to hurry along, and at night she flew with wings.

Qiao Mai alone unloaded the goods from the carriage while those below helped; Old Mr. Wang stroked his beard and watched, everyone laughed like fools, only he remained sober.

Yuehong and Yuexia took turns holding Ling'er while eating, sharing the seafood, all tinged with the light of serving Ling'er.

Ling'er shook her head, "No, the brothers are studying, only Nü'er is playing; that's just not right."

The next day, everyone craving instant noodles arrived early at Qiao Mai's courtyard; Yuehong, fearing they'd be bored, brewed tea for them in Keting.

Qiao Mai sighed; even educated women in ancient times couldn't take imperial exams, and the textbooks they now study aren't suitable for Ling'er, so having the old man start teaching this servant girl from scratch would be improper.

Could one cart hold that many items? Only those clueless fools could manage it.

Qiao Mai got up, saw the scene, and laughed, wearing odd Sleepwear and clogs as she headed to the kitchen.

Yuehong and Yuexia waited at the kitchen doorway, knowing the Master didn't like anyone watching when cooking.

"What noodles? I also want to eat."

"Mother, after the New Year I'll be four years old, okay?"

Even Yuan Jiaqi, who loves reading, drools when talking about Qiao Mai's cooking.

"Hehe"

"Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, any more?"

"No need, I'll make it myself. So, why aren't you all going to sleep?"

It seems after the New Year, she'll still need to find a lady mentor for the young lady.

"I want to study and learn characters together with the brothers, okay?"

Fortunately, Tianshui Town is in winter; she didn't let anyone bring things inside, so the fish were laid on tables side by side, and everything else was stacked in boxes on the floor.

"Alright, you go make it in Keting, I'll start the pot of noodles."

As for the others, it was all their first time.

Ling'er nodded obediently, and Qiao Mai asked her again.

"How many days?"

Early in the morning, Qiao Mai prepared a grand seafood feast for everyone.

"By the way, that big fish of yours?"

"Young lady, you're at the age for play; Mother will let you play until five, and then she'll find you a lady mentor to teach you well, okay?"

In front of each person was a bowl of deluxe instant noodles, so even Ling'er got a share.

We'll leave after you finish your meal.

If you want to eat it tomorrow, I'll make it for you then; eating too much at night is bad for your health.

Everyone knows Qiao Mai is tired, so no one disturbs her sleep; everyone's stomachs grumble, but they stay.

First bring water to a boil, then clean the shrimp and blanch them briefly in the hot water.

Alright, I'll add some other seafood for you.

This dish is endlessly enjoyable, especially in the modern Earth, where they come up with countless variations.

Xiao Qing's eyes widened; the master doesn't eat the food he raises in his own space, but eating what others provide seems to thrill him.

Then he boiled another pot of water, took out a bunch of instant noodle blocks from the space, and prepared a deluxe bowl of noodles for each person.

Steamed yellow croaker, braised ribbon fish, pan‑fried tuna slices, garlic‑steamed oysters, oil‑braised large shrimp, garlic crab—each served in a large basin.

So he went to a box, grabbed a large basin, scooped out half a basin of shrimp, and took it to the Chufang.

After breakfast, the old master, satisfied, led the children to class.

"Madam, what would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."

Yuehong and the other person carried them into the Keting; Qiao Mai, carrying her own, entered last and saw everyone already eating impatiently.

She sat down without a word and began eating; the room was filled with the slurping sounds of noodles.

The old master had prepared the Wine early; once the seafood was on the table, he urged everyone to start eating.

Sleepwear.

Give me two sets for Wang Jiaru's Old Servant too? And I also want the one you're wearing on your feet.

You still want to eat, sir?

The one you wear when sleeping?

Then it's settled; tomorrow morning's breakfast will be this.

The servants were sent away, but the family members stayed; they were all in Qiao Mai's Yuanzi, looking at the sea delicacies piled like a small mountain.

There were instant ramen, hand‑pulled instant noodles, mixed noodles, and so on; the flavors were countless, and no one could resist such noodles.

In no time the noodles were ready; Qiao Mai served them in a huge sea‑colored bowl, each bowl holding three large shrimp, a few slices of ham, half an egg, and a few emerald‑green leaves as garnish, making it look especially appetizing.

"Just asking," the old master said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Ling'er was still asleep, so she didn't get to eat, but Qiao Mai never felt sorry for her; she usually cooks for her as well.

People from the ancient times fare even worse; their resistance is lower.

When word spread that she had returned, no one felt like sleeping; after being away for several days, what new thing is this again?

"Hmm,"

Ling'er shook her head again, "Martial Arts is too exhausting; I can't endure this hardship, better to study."

"Fine, my daughter can learn anything, as long as she enjoys learning."

"Hehe, mother is really great."

Ling'er hugged Qiao Mai's face and kissed it, "Mother, you're so fair, so fragrant."

(End of chapter)