12 Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens

The distance from the front of Tianqing Temple to Chang Gate is six or seven li, yet Wei Jinyun felt lighthearted, her pace brisk. She arrived much faster than she had the day before.

By contributing both labor and resources to "rebuild" the Zhang family's perimeter wall, she ensured that even if they eventually realized their property boundaries had been encroached upon, they would have no recourse against her. Would they dare make a scene out of thin air? That would be like a thief crying "thief." If the matter escalated, she could simply produce the land deed, revealing that she was merely returning property to its rightful owner, which would only leave them even more unable to explain themselves. They would have no choice but to swallow their pride, and in the future, they would even have to thank her for helping repair the wall.

Upon reaching the Grass Market, she didn't rush to buy supplies or pork belly; instead, she first strolled over to Wang’s Carpentry Shop.

As soon as she stepped inside, she was greeted by the fresh, clean scent of wood. Master Wang was crouched on the floor, half-bent, hammering away intently at her small cart, which was already taking shape. In just two or three days, the frame had been assembled, and wood shavings and sawdust covered the floor.

"Business is booming, Master Wang!" Wei Jinyun called out happily. "You truly live up to your renowned reputation among the local craftsmen. To think you've made such progress in so little time!"

Master Wang looked up at the sound of her voice. Pleased by the praise, his face crinkled into a smile that made even the wrinkles dance. "Ah, Mistress Wei, you're here. Come, take a look and see if I’ve built it to your liking. I hope you don't mind, but I found your design so novel that I prioritized this cart. Rest assured, the tables, chairs, and steaming baskets you ordered will certainly be ready by the deadline."

He yawned twice as he spoke, his eyes bloodshot. Like many craftsmen, his usual work was fairly repetitive. Having encountered such a fresh design, he had been obsessed with studying it, barely finding time to eat.

Wei Jinyun circled the cart, carefully inspecting the framework, especially the dimensions of the space reserved for the clay stove at the bottom. She tested the height and grip of the handle and was thoroughly satisfied.

"Your craftsmanship is beyond reproach, Master Wang. This cart is even better than I imagined," she couldn't help but exclaim. When it came to woodwork, there was simply no substitute for a seasoned master.

"Don't you worry, Mistress Wei. I used sturdy materials; it’s guaranteed to be steady. I even added a three-inch-high wooden guard rail around the top so that even if someone bumps into it while you're in the market, nothing on the counter will fall off," Master Wang said, patting the solid surface with pride.

"I won't be doing business in the Grass Market," Wei Jinyun replied, staring at the guard rail and nodding in satisfaction. "Master Wang, would you mind carving some simple patterns on the visible parts of the counter?"

Master Wang grew interested. "What kind of patterns would you like, Mistress Wei?"

"Nothing too complex, just simple, elegant motifs. Perhaps bamboo leaves, orchids, autumn chrysanthemums, or winter plum blossoms—something with fluid lines that can be recognized at a glance. Mainly, I want the cart to look more refined."

She intended to sell pastries, but not in the Grass Market. Her strategy was high turnover with small margins, avoiding the "tourist trap" effect of Xu’s Bakery, which relied on visitors to Pingjiang Prefecture buying souvenirs. She didn't have the physical strength to sustain that pace, and with her grandmother and younger sisters to care for, the grueling schedule of the market was out of the question—nor could she compete with the century-old prestige of Xu’s.

Though it wasn't spring and she had missed the peak flower-viewing season of Pingjiang, the summer heat brought lush, verdant trees to the temples, gardens, and academies. The environment would be cool and secluded, perfect for the endless stream of scholarly tea gatherings. Since her shop would be located in front of Tianqing Temple, the pastries had to be exquisite and targeted at the literati to build her reputation. She already had an ideal location in mind for her target audience...

"Of course, of course! Never mind those simple patterns—if you asked me to carve peonies, I’d do that, too," he said. Having spent his life making basic tables and chairs, he welcomed the challenge.

The three large steaming baskets were already finished, stacked on the counter at the shop's entrance. Wei Jinyun ran her hand over them; there wasn't a single splinter to be found.

"Master Wang, I'll take one of the baskets for now," she said. After a moment's thought, she paid an extra hundred copper coins. "Mistress Wang truly has a pair of nimble hands. If it's convenient, could you ask her to weave six small, delicate bamboo food boxes, four bamboo baskets, and twenty palm-sized lace-edged bamboo bowls for me? I'll pay for these separately. If she isn't here now and the money isn't enough, I'll settle the balance when I come to pick them up in two days."

Most people who bought baskets and woven goods purchased ready-made items, which cost only a few coins more. Although Mistress Wang’s skillful hands produced impeccably polished bamboo strips, her business was far less successful than her husband's. Having finished the large steaming baskets in just two days, and with only three smaller ones left to do—a job for an afternoon—she had gone out to buy groceries and stroll around.

Hearing that his wife had work, Master Wang was delighted and readily agreed. "You can pick up the cart in two days as well! She has plenty of bamboo strips on hand, and this is her specialty. I guarantee they'll be exquisite and durable!"

He carefully tucked away the money, thanked her profusely, and went off to find his carving knives and chisels.

Stepping out of the carpentry shop, Wei Jinyun went to the bridge head to hunt for some secondhand small cabinets. At a pottery stall, she picked out some delicate floral saucers and asked for some discarded porcelain shards. The vendor, completely bewildered, gave her a whole pile for free. In this day and age, who on earth wanted broken porcelain? What could she possibly do with it?

As she descended the bridge, she saw people hawking bags. *Zhaowen* bags, satchels, mountain-trekking gear—shoulder bags and cross-body bags were all available, with a "buy three get one free" deal. The ancients certainly knew how to do business. The patterns were intricately embroidered, complete with clasps and decorative tassels woven from rattan and grass. Gritting her teeth, she spent one hundred and eighty copper coins on the spot.

Finally, she bought pork belly, Fen wine, some seasonings, and two baskets of jasmine flowers. The man carrying the load was overjoyed and helped her carry her small cabinets back to the shop.

Back at the store, her two younger sisters were waiting for her at the door. Wei Fuling sat on a stool, boredly watching ants move home, her skirt trailing on the ground. Wei Fuqu was playing with a woven bamboo dragonfly, glancing toward the street corner every now and then. When they saw Wei Jinyun, they lifted their skirts and ran down the stone steps. They prepared tea for her and took turns fanning her with small cattail fans, their arms working hard to create a cool breeze, much like a human-powered electric fan.

They helped her unload the goods from her basket. Wei Fuling was sharp-eyed; she spotted the two identical cloth bags of different colors, with soft, thin straps that were just the right length for her shoulders.

"One for each of you, a gift from your sister."

"It's a satchel!" Wei Fuling reached inside to feel the lining, then pulled out a round pebble she had just picked up and tucked it inside, bouncing it. "Sister, this can hold so many little treasures! I’ll put the dragonfly and cricket Grandpa Li gave me in here, along with my dolls. It’ll be so convenient to carry when I go out with Brother Meng." She looked up, smiling, and tugged at Wei Jinyun’s sleeve. "Sister is the best."

Wei Fuqu took hers, gently draped it over her shoulder, and found it hung perfectly at her waist. She examined it closely and fastened the cloth clasp. "It's beautiful," she whispered. When she looked up, her gaze lingered on Wei Jinyun’s face for a moment before she quickly looked down, clutching the strap subconsciously. "Thank you, Sister."

"If Grandmother embroiders a sparrow or a butterfly on them, they’ll look even better," Wei Jinyun said, rubbing the fuzzy heads of the two sisters who had burrowed into her arms. The money was well spent!

Xiao Zhang and Er Niu were currently working on the wall between the Zhang and Wei properties. The faster this job was finished, the better, as there was no telling when Zhang Renbai’s parents might suddenly return. The wall was already more than half finished and much higher than the original. Wei Jinyun poured the porcelain shards into the courtyard and asked them to mix the sharp fragments into the mortar along the top of the wall once they finished building it.

"It should definitely be paved that way," Xiao Zhang said, glancing at the shards as he laid bricks. "After all, Mistress Wei's household consists only of women and children; this is much safer."

Wei Jinyun’s original wall was so low that even young Brother Meng could scramble over it in one go. Now that the four of them had moved in, she had to be extra vigilant against thieves. Even though the shop assistant had boasted upon her arrival that Pingjiang Prefecture was so peaceful under Magistrate Lu that one could leave their doors unlocked at night, the Magistrate wasn't a spider with eight legs; how could he look after her humble little household when he was already busy patrolling the city gates every day?

Wang Qiulan sat on her stool, smiling as Wei Fuqu helped her thread a needle, while Wei Fuling stood to the side cracking walnuts for her. Her granddaughters were so obedient and clever—forget a sparrow or a butterfly; she would even embroider double-sided patterns for them if she could.

Wei Jinyun placed the two baskets of jasmine in a cool spot and turned to prepare the pork belly. The preserved mustard greens had been a gift from her great-aunt and had been soaking since before she left. She drained them, chopped them into fine bits, and left them in a bamboo basket to dry.

She blanched the pork belly with green onions and ginger in cold water to remove any gamey smell. Once the water boiled, she skimmed off the scum and aromatics, started a fresh pot to caramelize some sugar, and seared the meat in the syrup. She then added a bowl of yellow wine and soy milk, tossed in some ginger and green onions, and left it to simmer slowly.

While the meat stewed, she stir-fried eggplant with green beans and amaranth, and tossed a vinegar-dressed cucumber salad.

The meat in the clay pot cooked quickly over high heat. Wei Jinyun tested it with a chopstick, then removed the two strips of pork belly to slice them. The knife made a rhythmic "thump-thump" on the cutting board. She sliced the meat into thick pieces, layering them skin-side down with the salted mustard greens.

When the rice in the steamer was done, the meat on top was ready as well. The juices from the meat had seeped into the rice, making it glistening and rich. The sisters helped set the table. Wei Jinyun placed a plate over the bowl and flipped it over with a swift turn of her wrist, revealing the perfectly arranged *Meicai Kourou* (steamed pork with preserved vegetables).

"I have to eat my fill today," Xiao Zhang said, picking up his chopsticks before Er Niu. "You hold yourself back!"

The thinly sliced pork belly was translucent, the skin slightly wrinkled, wobbling at the touch of a chopstick. It practically melted on the tongue, so tender it hardly required chewing. Though it looked oily, the fat had been thoroughly steamed away, leaving only a rich, dense, and non-greasy fragrance. The mustard greens were arguably even better than the meat, having absorbed all the savory juices and mixed with the rice—a perfect balance of sweet and salty, and incredibly succulent.

The eggplant and green beans were fresh and tender, the amaranth bled a vibrant purple juice that dyed the rice, and the vinegared cucumbers were delightfully crunchy.

"I can't hold back at all, it’s too fragrant! This is food for the gods," Xiao Zhang said, taking a sip of Fen wine. When he opened his eyes, he saw Er Niu had already devoured a massive bowl.

"What do you mean, Er Niu? You’re a wild ox! Oxen should eat more grass!" Wei Fuling giggled, and even Wei Fuqu, who usually disliked fatty meat, ate two extra pieces.

With the meat and Fen wine in their bellies, the men worked with even more vigor afterward.

"Sister bought so many jasmine flowers," the sisters said after their nap, sitting beside Wei Jinyun and helping her sort the flowers. "With this many to steep in tea, we'll be smelling like jasmine all summer long."

"It’ll be more than just that," Wei Jinyun said, tossing the jasmine into a flat basket. "Sister is going to use these to earn money, to buy sugar for Fuqu and Fuling."

Jasmine—a flower that was as beautiful as it was delicious.