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

The better the tofu sold, the more jealous Xu Chunhua became. Her regret burned like a hot coal in her chest—she should never have let her dislike for Jiang Huaiyu's pretty face stop her from getting close to her. Now that insufferable Zheng Xiaoyue was reaping all the benefits!

Xu Chunhua fumed as she imagined the silver coins piling up from the tofu sales. She couldn't shake the feeling that those coins rightfully belonged in her purse.

Adding insult to injury, her perpetually drunken husband had berated her the previous night. After learning that the profitable tofu business originated with the young widow next door, he had barked at her, "You're useless! Long hair, short sense! You'd better snatch that tofu business!" His beer-soaked breath and threatening tone only spurred Xu Chunhua's resentment further.

Today, she stood in Jiang Huaiyu's courtyard, saliva flying as she tried to talk her way into the tofu business.

Jiang Huaiyu, clearly uncomfortable, stepped back with a polite yet distant smile. "I think there's a misunderstanding, Aunt Xu. The tofu business belongs entirely to Brother Wang and Sister Zheng. I merely contributed a little silver for a share of the profits."

Xu Chunhua's brows furrowed as she prepared to hurl more accusations. However, Zheng Xiaoyue, hearing the commotion, stormed over, hands on her hips and fury in her eyes.

"Xu Chunhua, what nonsense are you spouting now?" she demanded, her voice sharp as a blade.

Xu Chunhua flinched at the sight of Zheng Xiaoyue, well aware of her fiery temper and reputation for fighting tooth and nail. Grumbling under her breath, she shot Jiang Huaiyu a hateful glare before retreating.

After watching Xu scurry away, Zheng Xiaoyue turned to Jiang Huaiyu. "Was she pestering you about the tofu?"

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled. "Yes. I thought she was a decent person at first, but I see now I was mistaken."

"She's the worst!" Zheng scoffed. "She acts all innocent and victimized when people are around, but when they're not, her mouth is as foul as a sewer!"

Jiang Huaiyu smirked. "Ah, a classic 'white lotus.'"

"What's that?" Zheng asked, puzzled as she resumed grinding soybeans.

"Never mind," Jiang replied, laughing. "Just that her type is rare, thankfully."

"You're telling me! Did you know she once accused the village butcher of stealing her 'family recipe' for braised pork? Her 'family recipe,' ha! That butcher's the son of a county tavern chef!"

Hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu was both amused and alarmed. She resolved to stay vigilant—people like Xu Chunhua could be far more dangerous than they appeared.

Before they could continue their conversation, the courtyard gate swung open, and Wang Dazhuang entered with a broad grin, his excitement palpable.

"Big news!" he boomed, his voice full of triumph.

Jiang Huaiyu exchanged a glance with Zheng Xiaoyue, sensing a good report.

"Sold out!" Wang declared, his face flushed with pride. "Not only the tofu but every last bit of tofu pudding too!"

Balancing her baby on her hip, Jiang Huaiyu asked calmly, "You've worked hard, Brother Wang. How did it go?"

"It was amazing!" Wang said, guzzling a ladle of cool well water before continuing. "I shouted a few times at the market, and people immediately gathered. Once they realized it was real tofu, some even begged to pay extra just to buy more!"

"What did you do?" Zheng asked eagerly.

"Exactly as Miss Jiang instructed—I refused to raise the price and made them form a line. One block of tofu or one bowl of pudding per person, no exceptions. It caused such a stir that even the constables came to see what was going on!" He reached into his waistband and pulled out a cloth bundle. Unwrapping it, he revealed several small silver pieces.

"Guess what? Lady Qiu's daughter loved the tofu pudding so much she gave me an entire silver tael as a reward! With today's earnings, we've made three taels and eighty-seven coins in total!"

Xu Chunhua, who had been lurking by the gate, nearly choked on her own jealousy. Three taels!

She glared daggers at Jiang Huaiyu. That woman wouldn't give her so much as a sliver of the recipe, let alone a share of the profits. Stewing in bitterness, Xu Chunhua's thoughts turned dark.

Inside the courtyard, Jiang Huaiyu took one of the silver taels, patted Tangbao's back, and said with a smile, "You're doing wonderfully. Just a little more hard work, and we'll save enough to open a proper shop. After that, things will be much easier."

"But…" Wang hesitated, unsure about her taking less.

"I trust you and Sister Zheng," Jiang said, cutting him off. "Besides, as a single mother, it's better for me to avoid drawing attention. You two can handle the hiring and shop management."

Her words struck a chord with Zheng Xiaoyue, who felt deeply moved. At first, she had helped Jiang Huaiyu out of sympathy, never expecting it would lead to such an opportunity. Now, her admiration for the young widow grew.

For Wang Dazhuang, the trust placed in him strengthened his resolve. Clutching the silver in his hand, he silently vowed to ensure their tofu shop became a thriving business, giving his family the life they deserved.

Back home, Jiang Huaiyu flopped onto her creaky bed, chuckling to herself. "I'm starting to feel like one of those crafty landlords," she joked to Tangbao.

Though she wasn't entirely trusting of the couple, she knew they wouldn't risk their newfound prosperity by betraying her. As long as she controlled the gypsum-water recipe, her position was secure.

"Who knew I'd one day get to lie back and count money?" she mused aloud, glancing at Tangbao. "What do you think, little one?"

Tangbao stared at the silver in her hand, his chubby cheeks puffing as he babbled, "Yah yah!"

"Exactly," Jiang replied with mock seriousness. "This is for your bride price someday."

"Yee!"

"And for building you a big house too…"

The mother and son continued their nonsensical exchange, their laughter filling the small room with warmth.

Over the next few days, the profits from tofu allowed Jiang Huaiyu to repair her home. The once-dilapidated tile roof was replaced with sturdy green tiles, and the yard was paved with flagstones. She even raised the courtyard wall to prevent prying eyes.

But Xu Chunhua's envy only grew with each improvement. Unable to replicate the tofu process—especially without knowing how to use gypsum—her attempts at making it resulted in watery, tasteless failures. Frustrated and desperate, Xu Chunhua hatched a sinister plan.

Leaving her daughter with strict instructions not to eat the food on the stove until her brother returned, Xu Chunhua hurried to her brother's house in the county.

Her brother, Xu Qiusheng, worked as an attendant to the wealthy and influential Second Young Master of the Yan family. Xu Chunhua demanded that he introduce her to the young master.

"Are you insane?" Xu Qiusheng snapped. "Second Young Master barely notices me, and you expect me to just waltz in and introduce you? You're out of your mind!"

But Xu Chunhua wasn't deterred. "Help me this once, and you'll share in the fortune to come. Refuse, and you'll regret it!"

Seeing his skeptical expression, she leaned in and whispered, "Have you heard about the tofu everyone's talking about?"

"Of course," Xu Qiusheng said, frowning. "Second Young Master has his men buying it, but they often come back empty-handed and have to pay triple for a few pieces!"

Xu Chunhua smirked. "That tofu is made at my house."

His eyes widened in shock. "You're joking!"

"Keep your voice down," Xu Chunhua hissed. "Just introduce me to the young master. I'll handle the rest. Once the deal is made, you'll have nothing to worry about!"