Zhao Jiaqi's head was pounding. She now thought bringing him along might have been a mistake; sooner or later, she'd be pestered to death by his incessant questions!
She raised her arm, interrupting his query: "Don't ask, and even if you do, I won't tell you!"
Why so many questions every single day!
However, she underestimated Song Fei's persistence. The next day, the moment he saw Zhao Jiaqi, he approached her, holding a small notebook in one hand and a dripping ink pen in the other, following her and bombarding her with questions about why this and why that!
He cited the Emperor's words as his justification: If you don't understand, ask; don't pretend to know what you don't.
Fan Zehao, after being glared at fiercely by his wife, could only...
Zhao Jiaqi, driven to her wit's end by Song Fei, surrendered.
The two sat on a stone bench in the courtyard. Before Song Fei could ask another "why," this time, she proactively answered.
"Fermented tofu isn't always bad. As long as it doesn't have green mold, it's usable. This process is called fermentation."
"Second, soaking white tofu in strong liquor is to sterilize it, so you won't get an upset stomach or feel unwell after eating it! Only after soaking in strong liquor can this effect be achieved. Ordinary wine can also be used, but its effect isn't as good as strong liquor."
"Third, seasonings definitely have proportions. I'll write down a detailed list for you later!"
"Fourth, if the fermented tofu is made, where else would you store it if not in a jar? Storing it in a jar is to better preserve the tofu's texture, and it's clean and hygienic!"
"Fifth... what was the fifth one?"
For a moment, Zhao Jiaqi forgot his incessant chatter from yesterday. She hadn't clearly heard the fifth question.
Song Fei, after jotting down her words, quickly asked the fifth and final question.
Song Fei: "Your Highness, I have one last question."
Upon hearing "last," she nodded quickly. She needed to relieve herself urgently. "Ask away."
"You stayed in Langxiang Town for such a long time this time, and even bought a house. Was it solely to make this fermented tofu? Is there another hidden meaning? Also, after soaking the fermented tofu in white liquor, will it truly not cause an upset stomach? Have you eaten it yourself?"
Was this even a single question?!
How many question marks were packed into that one statement?
He was practically splitting hairs with her!
She answered even more curtly: "You guess!"
With those two words, Zhao Jiaqi flicked her sleeves and left, heading straight for the privy. Song Fei, who had been following, wanting to understand further, stopped in his tracks.
He knew that if he took a few more steps, a certain vinegar barrel lurking in the shadows would certainly be dealt with very badly, very... badly, for inadvertently offending the Empress.
At noon, during the meal, Zhao Jiaqi asked Chunfen to bring out several plates of fermented tofu. Everyone had worked so hard and waited so long; it would be a pity not to taste it.
"Chunfen, you can have a bite first. I permit it."
Good things should be shared. Zhao Jiaqi felt Chunfen had worked diligently. When the tofu was fermenting, her eyes were practically glued to it. Her contribution was indispensable.
However, Zhao Jiaqi's words didn't sit well with Chunfen. She wore a distressed expression, forcing a smile that was more bitter than tears.
"Eat it!" Zhao Jiaqi urged her.
Chunfen, steeling herself with a resolve to face death, picked up a piece, closed her eyes, and put it directly into her mouth. The pungent spiciness immediately flooded her oral cavity. She wasn't poisoned, but she nearly choked to death from the spice.
"Cough... cough cough..." Chunfen coughed, her face red and tears streaming down her face. This sight made everyone even more hesitant to try the tofu.
Zhao Jiaqi sighed faintly and handed a piece to Fan Zehao: "Try it. See how it tastes?"
He, still giving face to his wife, took a small bite. It was quite fragrant, slightly spicy, with a balanced saltiness, and the reddish hue was appetizing. Crucially, it melted in the mouth, leaving only a fragrant, spicy flavor.
Even an eighty-year-old toothless granny could eat it. It was a delicious side dish that went well with meals.
"It's very delicious!" Fan Zehao gave an objective assessment, stating it was not an attempt to appease his wife or curry favor.
Since the Emperor had eaten it, and the Empress hadn't held back, even Sir Song was popping the fermented tofu into his mouth. These people weren't afraid of death, so why should they, as guards and maids, be afraid?
Besides, if the Emperor and Empress died, and they hadn't taken good care of them, they would have to be buried with them. Since they couldn't escape, they might as well eat.
Being a gluttonous ghost was better than a starving one.
With one bite, their eyes lit up. They never expected the tofu to be so delicious, even better than pickled radish shreds.
The table, which had been filled with disdainful faces, was now filled with people eating with gusto.
After the meal, Zhao Jiaqi began to ask Song Fei: "What do you think about opening a fermented tofu workshop?"
Song Fei nodded enthusiastically without a second thought: "There wouldn't be any problems with that. The braised pork made with this tofu is also delicious. I didn't get enough to eat before it ran out!"
As he spoke, he licked his lips. It was truly delicious; he wasn't exaggerating at all. If such meals were served every few days, wouldn't life be wonderfully pleasant?
Suddenly, he realized that after accompanying the Emperor and Empress on this trip, he'd be ashamed to go home if he didn't gain ten pounds.
However, what caught him off guard was the Empress's next sentence. Zhao Jiaqi said: "Since that's the case, then quickly find a place. We'll build the workshop and turn this county into an industry based on various tofu products, increasing the income of the local villagers."
"You find people to build it first. I'll go and write down the recipe for making fermented tofu, and also create several more bean products to increase the variety." She clapped her hands, the decision made, and flicked her sleeves as she walked away.
What the heck?
Build a workshop?
He was the Minister of Revenue, not a construction manager! How did this task fall onto his shoulders?
This wouldn't do; he didn't know how!
But if he admitted he didn't know how to build a workshop, wouldn't people laugh? Since he didn't know, he could find someone to take the blame, and then it would be perfect.
Without a second thought, he dragged his brother-in-law, Fang Mingjiang, out. Accompanying him was Song Lan. This pair truly traveled as a couple.
Song Fei, with a hint of borrowed authority, conveyed the Empress's instructions from the previous day to Fang Mingjiang, stating gravely: "The Empress said we need to build the workshop as soon as possible, so as not to delay the livelihoods of the local common people!"
Fang Mingjiang, who greatly admired the Empress, heard this and couldn't possibly doubt his brother-in-law's words. He immediately buried himself in the task. Seeing this, Song Fei smirked, his face beaming with pride.
But he didn't stand idle. Anticipating the Empress's next move, he pre-emptively purchased several indentured servants. Ten strong men, five young girls, plus a manager, making a total of sixteen people.
When the broker delivered the people, Song Fei didn't conceal anything from them. He gave them a lesson: "The Fancy Tofu Workshop is the Empress's enterprise. You must know who you are working for. If you do well, the reward of silver is a minor matter. If you perform exceptionally, becoming a free citizen is very possible. If you don't do well, I don't need to say more; selling you off is a small matter. As for who dares to buy you..." Song Fei snorted coldly.
If the Empress sold them, who would dare to buy them?