Song Dingxiang [Completed]

C30.1 Soy Sauce. (1)

Chapter 30.1

Song Yulan carried the child back home with Xu Dashan, and Fang shi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although she claimed not to fear separation, she hoped more than anything for her daughter to live a good life, avoiding separation if possible.

No matter how pampered a daughter is at home, once she becomes someone else's daughter-in-law outside, she can't enjoy the same comfort as at home. Only Li shi doesn't care about these things, as long as the daughters-in-law don't cause trouble, she doesn't interfere.

Fortunately, both Fang shi and Zhang shi are down-to-earth people, even if Fang shi is a bit petty, Li shi chooses to ignore it.

With the situation settled on Song Yulan's side, peace returned to the Song family.

The summer sun beat down mercilessly, turning Song Dingxiang's forehead damp with sweat as she inspected the rows of wooden barrels lined up in the courtyard. Six or seven of them, worn smooth by years of use, brimmed with a dark, glistening liquid - her homemade soy sauce.

The air hung heavy with the salty, savory aroma.

She ran her calloused fingers along the rough surface of a barrel, feeling the warmth of the afternoon sun seep through the wood. It was a familiar sensation, one that spoke of countless hours spent tending to her soy sauce.

Each day, she meticulously stirred the contents, ensuring an even fermentation process.

The anticipation of the finished product danced on her tongue. Soon, the rich, umami flavor of her soy sauce would be ready to enhance countless dishes.

But Song Dingxiang wasn't one to rest on her laurels. A spark of creativity ignited in her eyes.

Beyond the soy sauce, she envisioned another culinary masterpiece - a fiery chili sauce that would tantalize taste buds with its vibrant kick.

Chili wasn't popular in the area, as the spicy taste wasn't widely accepted. Most of the chili brought to the area was cheap and mainly used by pharmacies for sweating and warming effects.

Using the money earned from renting the shop, Song Dingxiang bought a large quantity of dried chili and planted the seeds in a newly opened piece of land.

Instead of grinding them plain, she turned the leftover chili skins into a fiery seasoning. With a mortar and pestle, she crushed them to a powder, then added a touch of toasted sesame seeds for nuttiness and a drizzle of oil to smooth it out.

This homemade chili paste packed a punch and a unique flavor, a secret weapon for her seasoning at home.

*

The summer sun beat down mercilessly, turning the air thick and heavy. Even the cicadas seemed sluggish in their usual relentless chirping.

Inside their humble dwelling, Fang shi lay on a simple bed, sweat beading on her brow. Despite the oppressive heat, a different kind of fire burned within her – the fire of childbirth.

Beside her, Li shi, her face etched with worry, moved with a quiet urgency. She knew the toll this labor was taking on her daughter-in-law.

Disappearing into another room, she returned with a small, intricately carved wooden box. With trembling hands, she opened it, revealing slices of ginseng, their golden color a stark contrast against the dark wood.

These were no ordinary roots. Li shi had treasured them for years, a precious gift meant for a time of great need.

Without hesitation, she began boiling them, the air soon filled with the earthy, invigorating scent. The aroma wasn't just a fragrance, it was a promise – a promise of strength and renewed energy.