Pale and smooth boiled eggs were continuously tossed into a ceramic bowl, soon filling up half of it.
Qi Huan then heated up oil in a wok, frying the boiled eggs until their surfaces wrinkled before scooping them out. With a bit of oil left in the wok, she sautéed star anise and ginger, added salt and sugar for seasoning, then poured in the fried eggs and some rich broth from another pot.
The wok bubbled and simmered, releasing an aroma that wafted about with the steam.
After the tiger-skin eggs were done, Qi Huan also cooked a few bowls of simple noodle soup with the broth.
Catching the scent, Yan Qing sniffed her way in, saying, "Sister Qi Huan, it smells so good!"
"Wash your hands, it's time to eat!"
"Okay!" Yan Qing nodded eagerly like a little chick pecking grains, then scampered off to wash her hands.
In Mo County, snow had already started falling in September, so they moved from the stone table in the courtyard to a room adjacent to the kitchen for meals.
On such weather, nothing could be cozier than a bowl of noodle soup and a cup of piping hot broth.
After finishing the last sip of soup, Yan Qinghe let out a satisfied burp. "Ah Huan, these eggs you made are so delicious! I used to hate boiled eggs the most, finding them bland and uncomfortably dry to swallow. Never expected them to taste so fragrant after being fried."
"Brother Yan is right!" Yan Qing chimed in, her eyes sparkling with little stars. "Sister Qi Huan is the best!"
However, she had one puzzling question. "Why are they called 'tiger-skin eggs' instead of 'chicken-skin eggs,' 'pig-skin eggs,' or 'dog-skin eggs'?"
Qi Huan chuckled at the child's whimsical world full of endless whys.
She patiently explained, "It's because the tiger-skin egg's shell resembles tiger stripes. After being deep-fried at high heat, the egg white's outer layer wrinkles and turns golden-brown, just like a tiger's pelt, hence the name 'tiger-skin egg.'"
"Oh, I get it now." Yan Qing scratched her head with a smile. "This is my first time eating such a peculiar egg."
Not just Yan Qing, many people in Mo County had never tasted tiger-skin eggs before. It was indeed a rarity. So Qi Huan planned to teach the cooks at the tavern how to make it as this month's new menu item.
With eggs costing one copper coin each, Qi Huan decided to price the tiger-skin eggs at three copper coins apiece after some thought. Deducting the cost of oil and seasoning, each egg could earn a profit of one copper coin. Small profits would accumulate into a considerable sum.
With her mind made up, Qi Huan was about to head to the tavern when a knock came from outside the courtyard.
Zhao Man went to open the door and called out, "It's Sister Lu."
Behind him, Qi Huan laughingly corrected, "How can you still call her Sister Lu? You should address her as Madam Wang now."
Lu Yueming pouted and ran over to link arms with her. "Ah Huan, you're teasing me again."
Taking off the quiver on her back, she waved it around. "Do you still have the mystical bow I gave you on your birthday? I promised to teach you archery back then but only found the time today."
That morning, while chatting with Xiu Wen under their shared quilt, he had mentioned that their path ahead might be fraught with peril. She wasn't scared since she knew martial arts. However, she worried for Ah Huan's safety.
Aware of the situation between Ah Huan and Young Master Li, she took it upon herself to teach archery so her friend could defend herself if danger arose.
Knowing her good intentions, Qi Huan smiled. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Yueming."
She turned to retrieve the mystical bow from her spatial pouch.
In the meantime, Lu Yueming also called over Yan Qing to help carry a target from the neighboring courtyard and set it up against the wall opposite the main hall.
Light snow was still falling in the courtyard, so she led Qi Huan to the doorstep of the main hall, allowing her to shoot from inside the hall towards the target.
"Ah Huan, first stand sideways with your feet shoulder-width apart, hold the bow with your left hand, and draw the string with your right..."
Worried her explanation might not be clear enough, Lu Yueming also demonstrated with her hands, constantly adjusting Qi Huan's posture until she learned how to grip the bow properly. Then she started teaching her how to release the arrow. "Inhale as you draw, exhale as you release. Draw the string to your jaw, keep your shoulders and elbows level, draw swiftly but release slowly!"
After going through the key points, she encouraged Qi Huan, "Ah Huan, you try it."
Qi Huan focused, drew the bowstring, and released an arrow.
The arrow feather only flew a few steps before dropping down. If aimed at an enemy, it would have only tickled them.
Lu Yueming quickly realized the issue - Qi Huan lacked arm strength. Not wanting to discourage her, Lu Yueming came up behind her, embraced her, and guided her hands to draw the bow again, hitting the bullseye.
"See, Ah Huan? Archery isn't that difficult. It's just that your arm strength is temporarily lacking. Let's practice lifting sandbags next."
As she went to retrieve the sandbags from the neighboring courtyard, Li Shuchen instructed Yan Wu, "Go to the Yunying Caravan and give Xiu Wen a few more days off."
"Yes, sir."
After he finished speaking, Qi Huan knowingly shifted closer to him. "You're not getting jealous of Yueming too, are you? Why don't you just hold me and shoot another one?"
Li Shuchen's eyes darkened with a somber hue.
Her words carried a subtle implication... Reining in his emotions, he explained, "I actually intended to tell you later, but it's fine to say it now. I've already ordered the descendants of the Tang clan to build repeating crossbows, as well as explosive 'plum blossom' needles. There are many ways to ensure your safety. You can choose the easiest method."
Qi Huan pondered for a moment. In fact, she still had her 'Great Turtle Skill' of retreating into her spatial pouch when danger arose.
Since her safety was assured, and she would have an abundant supply of hidden weapons, learning archery wasn't that crucial anymore. With her thoughts clear, she smiled and accepted Li Shuchen's kind offer.
She had just put down her bow when Li Shuchen held her up again.
"Didn't you say you weren't going to learn anymore?"
Li Shuchen didn't respond but guided her to draw the bow. A feathered arrow pierced through the air, hitting the bullseye and even splitting the arrow Lu Yueming had shot earlier.
Qi Huan: ...A man's desire to win is truly terrifying.
When Lu Yueming returned, Qi Huan explained the situation and invited her to the tavern instead. "Yueming, I'm going to teach the cooks at the tavern how to make tiger-skin eggs. Would you like to join me? You can try them once they're done."
"Sure!" Lu Yueming readily agreed.
With Xiu Wen away from home and no maidservants accompanying her, she would have been bored staying alone, so she happily linked arms with Qi Huan and rode with her in the carriage.
Upon arriving at the tavern, Qi Huan first arranged for Lu Yueming to have tea in a private room, then headed to the kitchen to teach Da.
After the tiger-skin eggs were cooked, the kitchen staff gathered around to taste them. With a brief explanation, Qi Huan took a bowl and went upstairs to find Lu Yueming.
The bowl contained only a single egg.
It wasn't that she was stingy, but in her previous life, she had heard experts say that it's best to only eat one egg a day, so she had only brought one to serve.
After finishing the egg, Lu Yueming praised it repeatedly and thought of her two closest people: "Qi Huan, I want to buy some to take back! One portion for my mother, and one for Xiu Wen."
"After I finished cooking earlier, Da made some more. If you don't mind, I can pack some for you."
"Thank you, Qi Huan."
With the eggs packed, as the evening approached, the two of them rode in a carriage back home. After traveling for a while, Lu Yueming lifted the carriage curtain and said to Yan Wu, "Yan Wu, could you please stop by the Worry-Free Mahjong Parlor? My mother is definitely there. I'll give her the eggs so she can take them home and have them heated up for dinner."
After Lu Yueming got married and left home, her mother was the only mistress left in the mansion. Lu Yueming was afraid she might feel lonely, so she suggested that she go to the mahjong parlor to play and socialize on her way back home. Little did she know, after going once, her mother became hooked.
She had poor luck but still loved to play.
She attracted people's affection, just like the God of Wealth.
After all, everyone wanted to win her money.
Lu Yueming offered to buy her a mahjong set so she could play with the maids at home, but her mother refused, insisting that the mahjong parlor was livelier.
Fortunately, the parlor didn't allow high-stake gambling, so Lu Yueming went along with her mother's wishes. As long as she was happy, that's what mattered.
Lu Yueming entered the mahjong parlor while Qi Huan waited in the carriage, not getting out or noticing the fleeting malicious glint in the eyes of the old beggar at the alley entrance.
