Master Zhang, the mason, arrived at the Yun residence with several apprentices and their tools, just as promised.
According to Yun Qingyi’s plans, the existing kitchen would remain intact, while a large oven would be built alongside it.
The oven needed to be as large as possible. First, a larger space would make temperature control easier. Second, with so many people in the household, even for tasting sessions, making too little would only leave everyone wanting more.
Her original idea had been to make grilled fish. But after purchasing fresh edible flowers, she had come up with another plan—to make flower pastries as well.
The fresh ingredients of Yunmengze had to be put to good use. Waste was out of the question.
Before construction began, Yun Qingyi set off a string of firecrackers for good luck, following modern customs.
The festive atmosphere usually reserved for holidays spread through the Yun household.
And surprisingly, it worked.
As soon as the firecrackers exploded, Master Zhang and his apprentices became as enthusiastic as if it were New Year’s. They worked with renewed energy, repeatedly confirming the young lady’s requirements and paying meticulous attention to every detail.
When people feel appreciated, they naturally do their best work.
One of the management principles Yun Qingyi had learned from her parents in the modern world was this: employees only need to exert twenty percent effort to meet basic expectations. The real challenge is discovering how to motivate them and unlock their full potential.
Of course, firecrackers weren’t her only strategy.
The construction work didn’t interfere with the existing kitchen, so she instructed Aunt Shui and the kitchen staff to prepare several more dishes.
These days, the Yun household enjoyed crispy fried fish every day. From the masters to the servants, everyone had snacks to enjoy.
Although Master Zhang and his apprentices had already tasted the fried fish before, Yun Qingyi still invited them to have some during their breaks.
If the snacks were this good, there was no need to mention the meals.
Fish ball soup, fish with tofu pudding, braised pork belly, roujiamo, soup dumplings, and fresh soy milk—Aunt Shui and the others had already learned to prepare these dishes quite skillfully.
Because these foods were best enjoyed freshly made, the craftsmen were amazed by the delicious meals.
“Third Miss is beautiful, kind-hearted, and such a talented cook. She’s truly exceptional.”
“After eating food from the Yun residence, how am I supposed to enjoy ordinary meals again? Is Third Miss hiring cooks? Maybe my wife could learn a few recipes.”
The men showered Yun Qingyi with praise—partly sincere, partly flattering.
“There’s no rush,” Yun Qingyi replied calmly. “Once you’ve finished building this oven, I’ll be able to make many more dishes. When I have a hundred or so recipes, opening a restaurant won’t be out of the question.”
Everyone was stunned.
How many hidden talents does Third Miss actually have?
While the workers busied themselves with construction, Yun Qingyi wasn’t idle either.
After eating several meals of fish with tofu pudding made without chili bean paste, she had reached her limit.
Although everyone else thought it tasted wonderful, as a professional chef, she knew it was still missing its soul.
Unacceptable.
A few days earlier, she had asked Yun Zhong to buy fresh chilies and broad beans. After two days of drying the chilies to remove excess moisture, she finally decided that today was the day to make bean paste.
In her previous life, the famous Pixian doubanjiang was made from broad beans grown in Pixian County.
Since these beans came from Yunmengze, she supposed this version could only be called “Yunmengze bean paste.”
When she had asked Yun Zhong to buy the broad beans, she had specifically requested that the stalks be included.
Before assigning people to shell the beans, she repeatedly instructed them not to throw the stalks away.
“Dry them in the sun. They may be useful later.”
Xiaoyu and several kitchen maids cut the chilies into small pieces. They shelled, washed, and finely chopped the broad beans, then cleaned and minced the Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and garlic.
Only then was the preparation complete.
Next came Yun Qingyi’s turn.
She poured half a wok of oil and heated it to medium temperature. Adding the dried chilies, she slowly stir-fried them over low heat until their color deepened and their aroma emerged.
Then she added the chopped broad beans and mixed everything thoroughly.
Next came the Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and garlic. She continued cooking the mixture over low heat until the fragrance grew rich and intense.
Finally, she seasoned it with salt and sugar.
Yun Qingyi tasted a small spoonful.
Perfect.
Seeing her satisfied expression, Xiaoyu grew curious.
“Miss, you’ve made another delicious dish. May I try some?”
Yun Qingyi immediately realized the misunderstanding.
Xiaoyu had assumed the bean paste itself was a finished dish.
Actions spoke louder than words.
Picking up a small amount with her chopsticks, Yun Qingyi glanced at the eager faces behind Xiaoyu.
“You can all have a taste.”
What she meant was for everyone to share that one small portion.
Unfortunately, Xiaoyu misunderstood.
She put the entire bite into her mouth at once.
Instantly, her expression became wonderfully complicated.
But she didn’t dare say the young lady’s creation tasted bad. She didn’t dare spit it out, yet she couldn’t swallow it either.
Shuiling, watching nearby, covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Handing Xiaoyu a large jug of water, Yun Qingyi said with a smile, “That’s not how you’re supposed to eat it. Too salty? Too spicy?”
After gulping down nearly the entire jug, Xiaoyu finally gasped for breath.
“Miss, it’s so… so…”
She searched for the right words.
“So flavorful!”
Seeing Xiaoyu’s reaction, everyone else immediately shook their heads and refused to try it.
“This is a seasoning,” Yun Qingyi explained. “It’s meant for cooking fish, not for eating by itself.”
She then called over Aunt Shui.
“The fish with tofu pudding has been missing one ingredient all this time. Make another batch, and add a spoonful of bean paste when preparing the broth.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Aunt Shui returned to the kitchen at once.
Ever since Third Miss had taken charge of the kitchen, there was never a moment’s rest. They were either cooking meals or testing new dishes.
Aunt Shui’s cooking skills improved every day, and even Steward Shui and Shuiling enjoyed better meals as a result. Their standing within the household had risen accordingly.
Though busier than before, Aunt Shui was more motivated than ever.
To Yun Qingyi, the household kitchen was more than just a kitchen—it was her food research and development center.
She needed to speed up her experiments and launch her Fish Flavor House as soon as possible.
When the upgraded fish with tofu pudding was ready, those who had helped make the bean paste were given the first tasting opportunity.
They had all eaten the original version before.
The moment they tasted the improved dish, their admiration for Yun Qingyi deepened.
“I thought the fish with tofu pudding was already delicious,” Shuiling exclaimed after her first bite. “Who knew this bean paste was the true soul of the dish? All those fish we ate before were wasted!”
By the time she reached for a second piece, however, she discovered there wasn’t even a shred of fish left.
Immediately, she regretted wasting time talking.
Since there was no fish left, she scooped up two spoonfuls of the broth instead.
To her surprise, even the soup alone was perfect with rice.
After the entire fish had been devoured and the bean paste had cooled, Yun Qingyi instructed Xiaoyu to fetch several clean ceramic jars.
The bean paste was sealed away for storage.
One batch would last a long time.
From now on, making the upgraded fish with tofu pudding would be easy.
Yun Qingyi’s happiness increased by several more points.