Xu Daya’s whole body stiffened. Instinctively, she stepped back and hesitated for a while before slowly shuffling inside. Standing by the stove, she nervously twisted the hem of her clothes with both hands, not daring to raise her head.
Xu Mingzhu slipped a pair of chopsticks into the clay pot and twirled up a lump of amber-colored syrup. After blowing on it to cool it down, she held it out to the girl. “Come on, open your mouth and have a taste.”
Cradling the chopsticks in both hands, Xu Daya licked the syrup little by little. Every now and then, she sneaked a glance at Xu Mingzhu. The fear in her eyes gradually lessened. “It’s sweet… so sweet.”
“Daya, take it and enjoy it slowly. If it isn’t enough, Auntie will cook more for you.”
“Thank you, Auntie.” Holding the candy, Xu Daya didn’t leave. Instead, she went behind the stove to tend the fire.
Xu Mingzhu smiled. “Thank you for helping Auntie keep the fire going. I’ll make you more candy later.”
Hearing this, Madam Zhou chuckled. “Daya is already ten years old. Why are you still treating her like a little child?”
Xu Mingzhu continued stirring the pot as she replied, “Daya is only ten. Of course she’s still a child. I’ve actually been thinking about sending her to school. Girls should learn some knowledge too. Only then can they understand right from wrong. I don’t want her to make as many mistakes as I did before finally coming to her senses.”
“What? School?” Madam Zhou stared at her in disbelief.
It wasn’t that she didn’t love her daughter. But in all the villages for miles around, it was rare for boys to attend school, let alone girls. After all, sending even one child to school meant the entire family had to tighten their belts. It was no small expense. Although Xu Mingzhu had earned some money, she was already married and would need money in the future to raise her own children.
With that in mind, Madam Zhou gently cautioned her: “Mingzhu, don’t bring this up again in the future. I’m worried the Song family might misunderstand if they hear about it.”
Xu Mingzhu never stopped working her hands as she answered casually, “Sister-in-law, I earned this money myself. It has nothing to do with anyone else. I’ve already made up my mind. The family doesn’t need a half-grown child helping to support the household. Once Daya regains her health, I’ll go into town and make some inquiries.”
Madam Zhou still shook her head.
“What is it? You don’t agree?”
“It’s not that I disagree,” Madam Zhou said. “Daya is my child. It’s enough if she learns to recognize a few characters. But if she really attends school, the tuition, books, paper, and brushes would cost at least a dozen taels of silver a year. Earning money isn’t easy for you. I’m afraid you’ll work yourself too hard.”
Hearing those words, warmth filled Xu Mingzhu’s heart.
Madam Zhou was an honest and kind woman. Even though she had every reason to resent the original Xu Mingzhu, she had still followed her husband to haul stones and help repay her debts. Now, after receiving only a little kindness in return, she was the one worrying about Xu Mingzhu’s well-being.
Firmly, Xu Mingzhu said, “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I know what I’m doing.”
Seeing that she had already made up her mind, Madam Zhou said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Xu Daya kept staring at Xu Mingzhu. Over the past two days since returning home, her aunt hadn’t hit her once. Not only that, she even wanted to send her to school, just like the young ladies from wealthy families in town. The more she thought about it, the more unreal it felt. She pinched herself hard. It hurt. But she didn’t dare make a sound.
After some time of stir-frying, the malt syrup in the pot gradually changed from a pale golden color to a rich amber hue. Xu Mingzhu added a few pieces of dried tangerine peel and a small handful of osmanthus blossoms.
“Mingzhu, you have to add these when brewing alcohol?” Madam Zhou asked curiously.
“They’re for flavoring,” Xu Mingzhu replied as she stirred. “If it’s only sweet, it won’t taste good. It needs layers of flavor. The tangerine peel adds fragrance, and the osmanthus enriches the taste. That’s what gives the finished brew its character.”
Xu Ming’an, who had just come in carrying firewood, shivered slightly. He decided right then and there that no matter how the liquor turned out, he absolutely was not going to drink it.
After simmering for about half an hour, the malt syrup had reduced considerably. Its color was clear and bright, and its aroma was intoxicating.
Xu Mingzhu scooped up a spoonful and tasted it. The sweetness was accompanied by the fresh citrus scent of tangerine peel and the rich fragrance of osmanthus, but it lacked the distinctive bitterness of hops.
Compared to modern beer, it was clearly an entirely different drink. But in Great Jin, it would probably be considered quite a novelty.
“Alright, take it off the heat.” Xu Mingzhu poured the cooked malt syrup back into a clean ceramic vat. Once it had cooled to the point where the outside of the vat felt warm but not hot to the touch, she added the wild yeast she had cultivated over the past few days using rice and bran.
“Second Brother, move the vat next to the stove. It needs to stay warm, but not too hot.”
Once everything was ready, Xu Mingzhu put on the lid and wrapped the vat tightly in an old cotton quilt. “There. Now we just wait for it to turn into wine.”
“Mingzhu, how long will that take?” Madam Zhou asked.
“Two or three days, depending on the weather.” Xu Mingzhu thought for a moment before adding, “Don’t open the lid during that time. If outside air gets in, the batch could spoil.”
Early the next morning, Xu Mingzhu and the others headed to their usual stall by the moat. A long line of customers was already waiting for them.
Just as Xu Mingzhu wondered why everyone was lining up so orderly today, Li Laizi squeezed through the crowd.
“Mingzhu, you’re here! I’ve thought a lot about what you said the other day, and I think you were right. If you don’t want to gamble, then I won’t gamble anymore either. Didn’t you want to sell braised meat? I’ll help you. No charge.”
Before Xu Mingzhu could even respond, he joined Xu Ming’an in unloading the braised meat.
Seeing them already busy, she found it hard to object and simply began setting up the stall.
“Boss Xu, I’m serious,” one customer said. “Your business is doing so well. You have to get up before dawn every day and push your cart back and forth. That’s exhausting. Why not rent a small storefront in town? It’d be easier for you, and more convenient for us. We wouldn’t have to race here every day to get a spot in line.”
Xu Mingzhu continued weighing meat as she replied, “You’ve spoken my exact thoughts. Do you think I haven’t considered opening a shop? I dream about it.”
“Then why haven’t you done it?” the man asked, confused, stuffing a slice of meat into his mouth. “Not enough silver?”
Xu Mingzhu didn’t hide the truth and nodded openly. “To be honest, we’re still quite a bit short. As you can see, this is only a small business. The silver we’ve saved is still far from enough to cover rent for a shop in town.”
Then her tone changed, her eyes lighting up. “But I already have a plan. Once the conditions are right, I’ll definitely open one. When that day comes, you’ll all have to come support me.”
“Of course we will!”
Everyone immediately agreed, smiling from ear to ear.
“When the time comes, I’ll bring a few of my old neighbors and brothers from the neighborhood. We’ll be sitting in your shop every day.”
Several people waiting in line chimed in as well.
“Boss Xu, make sure you let us know when you open your shop. We’ll definitely come!”
“Deal.” Xu Mingzhu laughed, never pausing her work as she weighed meat and collected payments.
Listening to Xu Mingzhu chat and joke so naturally with customers, Xu Ming’an couldn’t help but admire her. His little sister was eloquent, quick-witted, and even capable of writing storybooks. If their father were still alive, he would surely be delighted to see her now.
After the busiest rush had passed and the crowd gradually thinned, Xu Mingzhu finally found a moment to catch her breath.
The male lead’s debt was repaid, and Xu Daya was redeemed. The money she earned now was hers to spend as she wished.
She took out twenty wen and handed it to Li Laizi. “Thank you for your help today. Here, take these twenty wen.”