Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
To achieve a smoother texture, the tapioca powder underwent additional rounds of filtration, ensuring its refined quality.
Qiao Xuan discovered various creative uses for the tapioca flour. When combined with steamed pumpkins and taros, they crafted delectable taro balls of different colors and flavors. Additionally, by blending the powder with brown sugar, they could concoct flavorful bubble tea, a delightful treat for all.
In preparation for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Day, they planned to sun-dry the cassavas so they could transport them to the province. The dried cassavas would then be used to make winter desserts, incorporating taros, bubbles, and sugar water.
However, a challenge remained: despite the increased production volume enabled by Qiao Xuan’s superpower, the total volume was still insufficient.
They needed a steady daily supply to ensure that the stock would last until the following year. Nevertheless, they remained optimistic that the situation would improve in the coming year, allowing for greater production and availability.
With the arrival of autumn and the colder weather, Qiao Xuan decided to hire workers to cultivate more barren land for cassava planting.
The villagers were intrigued by the unfamiliar crop and began asking questions. Qiao Xuan openly shared her knowledge, explaining the characteristics of the plant and how it should be handled. Whenever someone inquired about cassavas, she would provide detailed information and instructions.
One crucial point Qiao Xuan emphasized was that fresh cassavas needed to be bleached before consumption to remove toxins. This revelation surprised many, but their interest grew significantly after tasting the delicious cassava-based dishes such as balls, dumplings, steamed pastries, and pancakes.
Since wheat couldn’t be grown in their region and flour was expensive, cassavas became a viable and economical alternative. The ease of cultivation made it accessible for every household, and within three years, cassava plants spread to neighboring villages as well.
The powdered form of cassava was nearly identical to flour, making it a versatile and widely used ingredient in various culinary creations.
The cassava plants thrived in various types of soil, thanks to Qiao Xuan’s superpower that facilitated their growth. They adapted well to the local climate and produced larger, more abundant fruits.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, it was customary for the villagers to visit the Qiao Family and exchange gifts. They also planned to present gifts to the Yuezheng Family and Xie Jingrong, with the latter receiving gifts on behalf of Yuezheng Xiao.
Dragon fruits, papayas, pineapples, sugarcanes, tangerines, and bananas were all reaching maturity. The first section of the family had already indulged in the delightful flavors of these fruits and praised their quality. The bananas, pineapples, and dragon fruits were especially well-received.
Qiao Xuan carefully selected the ripe fruits as presents for the Yuezheng Family and Xie Jingrong. Although the quantity wasn’t large, the fruits were exceptionally fresh and flavorful.
Under First Madame’s instructions, Qu Shan was tasked with delivering the gifts along with those from Xie Jingrong. Qiao Xuan entrusted Qu Shan to handle the transportation of the gifts back to their intended recipients.
Qiao Xuan made a mental note to bring a larger quantity of fruits on her next visit. The fruits were thriving and possessed a delicious flavor that she was certain would be enjoyed by Yuezheng Xiao and the rest of the family.
As for the gifts prepared for the Qiao Family, they were not particularly extravagant. They didn’t include any of the fruits or special plants grown in their garden, such as watermelons or the precious snow fungus, honey, and lipsticks. Instead, they adhered to the traditional practice of purchasing items from stores.
However, this time they bought a slightly larger quantity of gifts compared to previous visits, as the Qiao Family were aware that they were in a better financial situation..