While Long Zhenting plucked the feathers, Qing Mei took charge of steaming the rice. Watching the chicken in his hands, Qiao Zilin decided to change the menu. Instead of making the dried spicy diced chicken from before, she would prepare a juicy fresh chili stir-fried chicken.
She planned to use the bones to make a rich soup, while the meat would go into the stir-fry. With a flick of her intent, she retrieved fresh green and red chilies, along with a few fiery bird’s eye chilies, from her space.
Looking at the limited amount, she quickly realized something. They all loved spicy food, and the small supply in her space would never last long. If she wanted to keep eating like this, she needed to start growing chilies herself.
Carrying the peppers to the courtyard well, she began washing them. As she worked, she glanced at Long Zhenting and asked, “Husband, since we all enjoy spicy food, why don’t we plant some chilies? Do people around here grow them?”
Long Zhenting thought for a moment. “I haven’t seen any nearby families planting them, and they’re rarely sold in town. Do you want to try growing them?”
“I do, but I don’t have seeds,” Qiao Zilin said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Then an idea struck her. If fresh chilies were rare, dried ones might still be available. “Are there dried chilies in town?”
“There should be some at the general store. I’ll check tomorrow,” he replied.
Qiao Zilin nodded and returned to the kitchen. While she prepared the aromatics, Long Zhenting efficiently removed the bones from the chicken, handing her a neatly prepared carcass in no time.
She dropped the bones into a pot along with dried shiitake mushrooms and a handful of red dates, letting them simmer into a fragrant broth.
“The meat is ready, Wife.”
Qiao Zilin accepted the basin with a smile. “Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
Her gentle tone made Long Zhenting feel oddly pleased. “It’s nothing. You are the one working hard.”
Ignoring his gaze, she focused on cooking. She seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper, adding a drizzle of oil to seal in the juices, then let it rest for a while. Soon, the kitchen filled with the rich aroma of simmering broth.
“Qing Mei, shift the fire. We’re starting the stir-fry.”
She heated the wok until it was hot, poured in oil, and added the chicken once the temperature was right. The meat sizzled as she stirred it quickly, searing each piece evenly. When it was nearly done, she removed it from the pan.
Using the remaining oil, she sautéed ginger and garlic until fragrant, then added the fresh chilies. The sharp, spicy aroma rose instantly. Finally, she returned the chicken to the wok, adding soy sauce and a splash of strong liquor along the edge to enhance the flavor. After a brief simmer, the dish was complete.
“Smells amazing. Madam, what are we having tonight? This smells different from before,” Long Shiyi called as he stepped into the kitchen.
“Fresh chili stir-fried chicken. Are the others back yet? One more vegetable dish and we can eat.”
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, voices came from the yard.
“Madam, we’re back.”
With a quick motion, she tossed fresh greens into the wok. A pinch of salt, a few swift stirs, and the final dish was ready.
…
Dinner was lively and full of chatter.
Long Zhenting took a bite of the chicken. The fresh heat of the chilies hit immediately, followed by the tender, juicy texture of the meat. It was completely different from the previous dish, yet just as delicious.
“Delicious. This is even better than before.”
“The Madam’s cooking is incredible.”
“Even the restaurants can’t compare.”
“If Madam opened a tavern, it would be packed every day.”
They spoke between bites, though none of them slowed down for a moment.
After the meal, while Qing Mei cleaned up, Long Shiyi placed a sack of grain on the table.
“Madam, I went to Zhang Family Village today. Old Man Zhang sold me ten pounds of rice. He said it’s only enough for one mu of land.”
“Ten pounds for one mu?” Qiao Zilin frowned.
According to the knowledge she had learned, that amount should be enough for much more. With proper transplanting methods, two pounds of seeds could cover one mu, meaning ten pounds should be enough for five mu.
“Shiyi, how do they plant rice in the village?”
“They scatter the seeds directly into the field,” he replied. “Is there another method?”
Qiao Zilin did not answer immediately. She opened the sack and examined the grains. They were full and healthy, which meant a high germination rate.
But the method they used was wasteful and inefficient.
She decided to follow the techniques she had learned instead.
“Qing Mei, bring me a clean bucket with water.”
She poured the seeds into the water to soak. Long Shiyi hesitated. “Madam, Old Man Zhang said they should be planted dry.”
Qiao Zilin smiled calmly. “It’s fine.”
She sent everyone off to rest. They had all worked hard, and explaining her methods now would only confuse them. It was better to let the results prove her approach.