The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

In her newly purchased residence, Jiang Huaiyu boiled a pot of hot water for the young girl to bathe and change clothes. Meanwhile, she tidied up the kitchen. Not long after, the delivery of two zhangmu canopy beds arrived. The faint scent of camphor lingered in the air, helping to repel insects.

One bed was placed in the main house's bedroom, and the other in the west wing's bedroom. Although the servant quarters were traditionally in the front rooms near the gate, Jiang Huaiyu couldn't bring herself to make the young girl sleep so far away.

Jiang Huaiyu wasn't one to challenge the societal norms of her time; after all, she had bought this girl as a servant. But she believed in treating her employees with respect, seeing it as hiring a live-in worker rather than reducing her to mere property.

When the young girl emerged from her bath, now dressed in a pale yellow outfit, she was like a completely different person. Her pale face shone, and her expression was free of fear, standing strong like a young sapling in the wind.

Jiang Huaiyu praised her with a warm smile. "What a clean and lovely child! Why were you so dark and dusty before?"

The girl hesitated briefly before answering quietly, "Traveling from the borderlands with my father. If we didn't smear ourselves with dirt, people might… eat us."

"Eat you?!" Jiang Huaiyu's eyes widened in shock.

But as she thought about it, her heart sank. Tales of such tragedies were not unfamiliar in historical records. It was heartbreaking to realize that even in the vibrant, seemingly prosperous Dayun, such horrors could occur.

"Do you have a name?" she asked.

The girl's gaze fell. "My father called me Xiaocao." (Little Grass.)

She quickly lifted her head, determination flashing in her eyes. "You must be a good person, just like that kind gentleman who helped me. Since you brought me here, Xiaocao will serve you and the young master with all her heart."

Though she had no formal education, Xiaocao had seen enough of the world during her journey to the capital to understand how servant and master relationships worked in wealthy households.

Jiang Huaiyu wasn't easily moved, but something about the way this girl persevered, living up to her name like a tenacious blade of grass, tugged at her heart.

"As long as you work diligently and honestly, you won't be mistreated," Jiang Huaiyu assured her with a gentle smile.

Xiaocao's once-dim eyes brightened, and she awkwardly performed a clumsy bow. "I'll do everything Madam asks—and I'll do it well!"

Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but chuckle. "Good. Now go and rest for tonight."

"I should stand guard for you tonight, shouldn't I? Madam, don't worry—Xiaocao won't fall asleep. If you need anything at night, just call!" The young girl's earnest expression, paired with her overly serious tone, made Jiang Huaiyu laugh again.

"I don't need a guard. Besides, if you don't sleep tonight, who will help me clean the house tomorrow?"

Xiaocao's straightforwardness was almost endearing. With a soft expression, Jiang Huaiyu cradled Tangbao and walked into the main house.

Watching her retreating figure, Xiaocao felt a rare sense of peace settle over her. Fingering the small wooden token around her neck, her father's last gift to her, she murmured, "Father, there really are good people in this world."

For the first time in days, Xiaocao allowed herself to cry quietly.

Sleeping in her own home felt different. The faint morning sounds of street vendors drifted in from afar, but it wasn't noisy—just lively.

Tangbao, however, had his own way of waking her. Now that he could say "Mama," he gleefully called for her the moment he woke.

"Mama!"

"Yes, yes, I'm here," Jiang Huaiyu replied lazily.

The little boy blinked at her, his tiny face full of confusion at her response. Then, deciding to play cute, he babbled and cooed.

After amusing herself with Tangbao, Jiang Huaiyu carried him to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. In the bustling capital, she had access to special baby foods like soft porridge, which she stored in the well to keep fresh. Today, she planned to steam some for Tangbao's breakfast before tackling her house chores.

When she stepped out of the main house, she was greeted by the sight of Xiaocao already hard at work, sweeping leaves from the courtyard.

"Madam, you're awake! I've already made congee, and I warmed the little master's porridge. I'll bring it to you right away," Xiaocao said, lowering her head respectfully.

Her expertise in these tasks was heartbreaking to witness. Jiang Huaiyu sighed softly before smiling. "Thank you. Have you eaten yet? Let's eat together, and afterward, you can accompany me to the market."

"Yes, Madam!"

Xiaocao quickly set aside the broom and scurried to the kitchen.

After a simple breakfast, the two women headed west, with Xiaocao carrying most of the load. Today's shopping list included medicinal herbs and beef tallow for Jiang Huaiyu's planned projects—homemade soap and bath beans.

The latter, a traditional skincare product in Dayun, was made with herbs and flowers, leaving the skin soft and fragrant. Jiang Huaiyu planned to create a small batch first for personal use before experimenting further.

By the time they finished shopping, their feet felt like lead. The herbs alone cost seventeen taels of silver, and some of the flowers still needed to be sourced by the apothecary's staff. Xiaocao followed every instruction without complaint, even as exhaustion clearly weighed on her.

"Enough for today. The rest can wait until tomorrow. Let's go make dinner," Jiang Huaiyu said, beckoning Xiaocao to follow her to the kitchen.

Though hesitant to intrude, Xiaocao followed closely, determined not to let her inexperience in cooking show.

The kitchen, larger than the one back in Wangjia Village, quickly became Jiang Huaiyu's favorite spot. She assigned Xiaocao tasks like washing vegetables and hauling water, while she prepared other ingredients.

Tonight's meal would include eight treasures fish balls—delicate fish balls mixed with water chestnuts, pine nuts, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms. Using her knife skills, Jiang Huaiyu skillfully deboned the fish and ground the meat into a fine paste.

"You've never had fish balls, have you?" she asked Xiaocao with a teasing smile. "Today, we'll make a dish that promises good fortune—eight treasures for a full and happy life!"

Xiaocao's eyes widened in amazement as she watched her mistress deftly prepare the ingredients.

By the time the dish was ready, the round fish balls floated in a light, fragrant broth, paired with a side of tender greens. They set up a simple table in the courtyard under the soft glow of lanterns and moonlight.

Jiang Huaiyu ladled a bowl of soup for Xiaocao, the delicate fish balls nestled with green scallions.

"Thank you, Madam," Xiaocao murmured, her cheeks flushing as she accepted the bowl.

Jiang Huaiyu smiled. "Eat. You've earned it."

For the first time in years, Xiaocao felt a hint of warmth—a taste of home.