Chapter 79: Joyful Harmony

The twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month—what later generations would call the Little New Year—was also the day to honor the Kitchen God. Aside from the New Year itself, it was the festival the common folk valued most. On this day, no matter how tight their circumstances, everyone would offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God, praying for favorable weather and enough food for the coming year. The Kitchen God represented whether one could fill their belly, and the ancients were especially devoted to this ritual.

At this moment, the snow that had fallen for several days finally stopped, as if on purpose for the people's worship. In every village and hamlet, households swept the snow from their doorsteps. All of Jiujiang was filled with the flavor of the New Year.

—

Meanwhile, in Shouchun, within the Chu residence's kitchen, laughter rang out—men’s and women’s voices mingling in cheerful banter.

“Husband, you’re really hopeless. And you still want to teach me?” Daqiao rolled her eyes at Chu Feng, eyeing the dumpling wrappers he had rolled out, which were anything but round.

Chu Feng was indignant. “Don’t judge them by their uneven shapes. The dumplings I make will definitely taste good!” He refused to admit defeat, but Daqiao only pursed her lips, her expressive eyes seeming to say, “Who would believe that?”

“Here, you roll the wrappers, I’ll handle the filling. Today, I promise you’ll get a steaming hot meal of dumplings,” Chu Feng declared, full of confidence and ready to take charge. After all, dumplings—didn’t you just need hands to make them?

As the saying goes, even if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve seen pigs run. He’d eaten dumplings all his life—on the Little New Year, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and even the second day. He’d eaten so many he could almost be sick of them.

With two sharp knives, a fine piece of lean pork, and a head of pickled cabbage—finding fresh vegetables in the bitter winter was no easy task—they began. The cutting board echoed with the rhythm of their work.

Following Chu Feng’s instructions, Daqiao carefully rolled dumpling wrappers. To her credit, they looked more or less right. Perhaps women were born with nimble hands.

“Look how nice mine are!” Daqiao held one up in her palm, a proud smile on her face. She’d become more relaxed lately, thanks to Chu Feng’s companionship. She realized there was no need to exhaust herself with propriety, especially in private, for Chu Feng seemed to prefer her easygoing side. Too much formality was actually counterproductive.

“You’ve got a long way to go,” Chu Feng said, pretending not to notice, thoroughly enjoying this tranquil moment.

Daqiao curled her lips, just about to roll another, when a small head popped around the kitchen doorframe. Xiao Qiao’s eyes darted around as she whispered, “Sister, is brother-in-law here?”

“Xiao Qiao, you’re just in time. Your brother-in-law said he’d make dumplings today—he claims they’re delicious. Come join us, and you can have a taste,” Daqiao called with a smile.

Xiao Qiao hesitated, but her craving for good food won out. She stepped inside, met Chu Feng’s gaze, and shot him a glare, ignoring him completely.

“Sister, is this really going to be tasty?” Xiao Qiao was there for the food, but the thin dumpling wrappers didn’t look promising.

“You’ll have to ask your brother-in-law,” Daqiao admitted, not sure herself.

Xiao Qiao turned away, pretending not to hear.

Daqiao looked surprised. Had Xiao Qiao and her husband quarreled? Why didn’t she know? Her mind turned, and she asked mischievously, “Husband, when did you bully Xiao Qiao?”

“I—” Chu Feng almost answered instinctively, but caught himself and said righteously, “Of course not, right, Xiao Qiao?”

Xiao Qiao took a deep breath and forced a sweet smile, her tone heavy with meaning. “Sister, brother-in-law didn’t do anything. Really, nothing at all—except maybe his ‘eyesight’ isn’t very good!”

Daqiao looked bemused. “Really?”

“Ahem!” Chu Feng blushed and quickly changed the subject. If this conversation went on, things could get dangerous. He had to bribe his sister-in-law, and fast.

“Xiao Qiao, I had someone grind glutinous rice flour. I’ll make you sweet rice balls later. Oh, and some cakes too. They’re all delicious!” Chu Feng said, trying to sound casual.

Daqiao shot him another strange look, which made Chu Feng nervous. It seemed a woman’s sixth sense was not confined to modern times.

Xiao Qiao, pleased her little scheme had worked, stifled a laugh. But for the sake of food, she decided to help. “Brother-in-law, what are these rice balls? Are they good?”

“They’re delicious!” Chu Feng was pondering the best way to make them. In later times, such things were commonplace, but in this era of scarce delicacies, every treat was precious.

So the three of them—Daqiao suspicious, Xiao Qiao secretly delighted, Chu Feng sweating—each harbored their own thoughts. By now, the dumpling filling was ready.

“All right, don’t just stand there. Let’s wrap them!” Chu Feng was afraid the women would get distracted again, so he urged them to follow his lead.

The filling was cabbage and pork, all hand-chopped. The best part, though, was the company of the two sisters—besides the scent of the food, his nose was filled with their delicate fragrance. In the modern era, people would line up for such a work environment even without pay!

After some time, they finished wrapping dozens of dumplings. Daqiao and Xiao Qiao’s cheeks were dusted with flour, but seeing their handiwork, they nodded with satisfaction.

Chu Feng, however, was speechless. The dumplings came in all shapes and sizes—too varied to describe.

“Start the fire. You two try the dumplings while I make the rice balls,” Chu Feng said, having the glutinous rice flour, sesame, and sweet syrup prepared.

Dumplings and rice balls—one savory, one sweet—were not so different.

—

Soon, Chu Feng had the sweet filling ready, and the glutinous rice dough was formed. He wrapped the filling inside, rolling them into neat little balls.

“This is easy—let me try!” Xiao Qiao couldn’t resist joining in. Her nimble fingers quickly shaped the dough, and she gave each ball a gentle squeeze—they were soft and fun to play with.

Daqiao, too, was curious and joined. The dumplings were left aside for now; they’d wait until the rice balls were done, since these two treats were usually enjoyed together.

When the water was boiling, Chu Feng recalled his mother’s steps from years ago and carefully cooked everything. At last, the balls floated to the surface.

“Come, come, have a taste!” Chu Feng said confidently. Since arriving in the Three Kingdoms nearly a year ago, he’d adjusted well, but his only real complaint was the food—so much plainer than in his own time. There were fewer spices, and even fewer dishes.

If he’d been born in a flourishing age, he thought, he might have opened a little restaurant and done quite well.

The two sisters, holding their earthenware bowls, started with the rice balls.

“Mmm, delicious!” Xiao Qiao’s eyes turned to crescents with joy at the sweet syrup and sesame melting in her mouth.

Daqiao nodded in agreement.

After a few rice balls, Xiao Qiao tried the dumplings. The two flavors balanced each other perfectly, both as good as any cake.

“Brother-in-law, this is amazing! I’ve never had anything like it. Why don’t sister and I open a shop in the market and sell these? We’d make a fortune!” Xiao Qiao mumbled between bites.

She spoke without thinking, but Chu Feng listened with interest. Daqiao, seeing his thoughtful look, tensed and quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks, scolding, “Xiao Qiao, don’t speak carelessly!”

She then bowed slightly and said, “Husband, Xiao Qiao is young and inexperienced. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Daqiao understood well: to serve a prince was like living beside a tiger—especially one as ruthless as Chu Feng. Who knew how he’d take such a suggestion?

“What’s the harm?” Chu Feng smiled. “How much money could a few pastries make, anyway? But perhaps... it could be a new venture—not just for profit, but for something more…”

His eyes narrowed, deep in thought.

PS: Another chapter will be posted later.