Main Street, North District of the Capital
Su Lele walked along the main street of the northern district, looking around at restaurants, eateries, cloth shops, cosmetic stores, and general shops…
The Su residence was located in the northern district, where minor officials and wealthy merchants mostly lived, along with those in the southern district.
The eastern district was the richest and largest area of the capital—home to the imperial palace, the Crown Prince’s residence, the Second Prince’s residence, the Duke’s mansion, the Prime Minister’s residence, and other high-ranking officials.
The western district, on the other hand, was the poorest area, where small traders, vendors, shop assistants, clerks, and accountants lived. In simple terms, it was like the “urban village” areas in modern cities.
After wandering for a while, Su Lele brought Qiuyu straight to a general store.
“Shop assistant, do you have dried chili peppers?”
She hadn’t seen any chili in the Su household kitchen, nor in any of the dishes.
“Yes, 50 wen per jin.”
“I’ll take 10 jin. And give me one jin each of Sichuan pepper, black pepper, bay leaves, star anise, cinnamon…”
She planned to make chili powder and five-spice powder.
After buying spices, she headed toward the market.
Her third brother would be returning home tonight, so she wanted to prepare several dishes. Soon, she arrived at a pork stall.
She planned to make braised ribs. “Uncle, how much for the ribs?”
“15 wen per jin. If you buy more, I can give you a discount,” said the butcher, pointing to a slab weighing about 5 jin.
Su Lele read the situation quickly. “I’ll take all of that.”
“Alright!”
The butcher weighed it—5 jin and 2 liang.
“Little miss, that’ll be 70 wen.”
The pork belly looked good—perfect balance of fat and lean. She noticed pig head and offal sitting in a basket on the ground. It seemed people in ancient times didn’t really eat offal.
“I’ll take one jin of pork belly—and I want that offal too.”
The butcher said frankly, “Pork belly is 20 wen per jin. The offal doesn’t taste good—it has a strong odor. If you want it, the whole basket is about 10 jin. I’ll give it to you for 10 wen. Total is 100 wen.”
Su Lele paid without hesitation and told him someone would come to collect it later.
On the way back, they passed a shop with a long queue outside.
Qiuyu complained, “This Daoxiang Pastry Shop always has long lines. Last time Madam wanted jujube cake—I had to queue forever to get it.”
Is it really that good? Su Lele wondered. So many people lining up… Maybe she could make pastries to sell in the future. Back in modern times, she used to sell homemade pastries in her snack shop—they were very popular.
After returning to the residence, Su Lele learned that her sister-in-law’s family had come and were chatting in the front hall.
“Dear in-law, try this jujube pastry—I never get tired of it,” someone said.
“Mother, try the fruit leather Second Sister made—it’s sweet and sour.”
Madam Yang took a bite, chewed, and praised, “It’s indeed good. I heard from the servants that your appetite has improved recently—is it because of this?”
“Yes, but Second Sister said not to eat too much.”
“She’s just concerned about you.”
“I know!”
“Mother, Sister-in-law, I’m back,” Su Lele said.
“Greetings, Madam Li.”
As expected, Madam Li praised her warmly.
“Madam Li, since you rarely visit, stay and chat with Sister-in-law. Please stay for dinner tonight—I’ll cook. My third brother will also return later, and since Headmaster Li is off duty today, we can invite him over too.”
Li Chuyun said playfully, “Yes, Mother, invite Father too. I haven’t seen him in a while—I miss him.”
“Alright, thank you for the trouble,” Madam Li replied.
“It’s no trouble at all—we’re family,” said Wang Huilan, who was very fond of this considerate daughter-in-law.
..
As evening approached, Su Lele hurried to the kitchen.
The pork offal had already been brought back. She instructed Madam Lin to clean it thoroughly with coarse flour and salt, washing the intestines repeatedly until the odor disappeared.
Other servants were busy making fruit leather, so Qiuyu helped Su Lele—peeling and cutting potatoes.
Su Lele first prepared braised offal.
After blanching it, she rinsed it in cold water. Then she added water to a large pot along with star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, dried chili, soy sauce, sugar, scallions, ginger, and salt, and put in the offal.
She told Qiuyu to bring it to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until tender.
Next, she made braised ribs.
She blanched the ribs with Sichuan pepper, ginger, and scallions, then removed and drained them. In a pan, she heated a little oil and melted sugar over low heat. When it turned a light amber and began bubbling, she quickly added the ribs, coating them evenly. Then she added soy sauce, poured in hot water to cover the ribs, brought it to a boil, and simmered for about an hour.
Soon, the aroma of braised meat filled the kitchen and drifted into the courtyard, attracting the servants.
It also attracted two eager food lovers—Grandfather and her younger sister—who were already waiting in the kitchen.
Su Lele sped up, cooking multiple dishes at once. Soon, dishes like potato chicken stew, fish head tofu soup, twice-cooked pork, dry pot potatoes, and cold cucumber salad were ready. She only needed to stir-fry one more dish—hot and sour shredded potatoes.
By then, the ribs were tender. She added salt, reduced the sauce over high heat, and plated them.
The old and young duo stared at the ribs eagerly. Su Lele couldn’t help but laugh and gave each of them a piece.
“Delicious! The ribs are tender and flavorful—even I can chew them with my bad teeth,” Grandfather said.
“Second Sister, it’s so good! I like the sweet-salty flavor,” said her younger sister.
While listening to their praise, Su Lele lifted the lid of the braised offal pot. Instantly, an even richer aroma burst out, filling the entire kitchen.
She tested the pork head with chopsticks—it was just right.
She instructed Qiuyu to slice the intestines, liver, heart, lungs, ears, and pork head meat, filling a large plate.
Finally, Su Lele stir-fried shredded potatoes.
She drained the potatoes, heated oil, added dried chili, scallions, and garlic, then stir-fried the potatoes with salt and a splash of vinegar before plating.
The dishes were soon served.
The Su family and Headmaster Li and his wife looked at the unfamiliar dishes and couldn’t help swallowing.
Su Lele finally saw her third brother. He wore a dark green robe, stood tall, and carried an elegant, scholarly demeanor.
“Second Sister, you’ve only just recovered—you should rest more and not overwork yourself,” Su Yian said with concern.
He had already heard from their mother that she hadn’t rested since recovering—making candied hawthorn, fruit leather, and now this entire feast.
“I’m fine, don’t worry—I won’t overexert myself,” she replied. The men of the Su family were all warm and caring.
Su Lele picked up a piece and placed it in Grandfather’s bowl.
“Everyone, try it! Grandfather, taste this pork head meat and see if it suits your taste.”