Chapter 109

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

On the other side, after seeing off that father and son, Cheng Erniang carried a bucket into the back courtyard; when she came out, she couldn't help but say to Song Miao: "It's not yet the Dragon Boat Festival, yet this swamp eel can be this large — truly rare — and the stone snails are also clear and translucent."

Having received the swamp eel and stone snails sent by Han Li, Song Miao naturally wouldn't take them for nothing, so she said: "Stone snails don't keep well; in two days I'll use them to braise a chicken soup and send a portion to Young Master Han as a return gift."

Since she would braise stone snail chicken soup in a few days, and in a few more days would also need to ferment field snails, washing and scrubbing snail shells was unavoidable; she added: "I see there are no spare brushes at home; when I go out to purchase supplies tomorrow, if I forget, Er Niangzi remind me to buy a few bristle brushes."

Cheng Erniang agreed at once, but said: "Had I known earlier, when I returned from the slaughterhouse that day, I would have picked up some of the pig bristles they didn't want on the way back, and later made a few brushes myself, saving the money of going out to buy them."

"You actually know how to do this too!" Song Miao was somewhat surprised.

In the days Cheng Erniang had been here, her words and actions had previously been somewhat careful and tentative; only now was she gradually relaxing. Hearing the admiration in Song Miao's tone, she rare felt proud and smiled: "When I used to sell vegetables on the street, there was an old woman next to me who sold these; I followed her and learned for a while. Though the skill isn't good enough to sell, making them for my own use is still fine."

Song Miao half-jokingly said: "If that's really the case, another day we'll tell the meat stall owner to help save some pig bristles for us!"

Cheng Erniang took it seriously and began calculating earnestly: "We buy quite a lot of meat normally; if we ask for it, they'll most likely agree. Outside brushes aren't expensive, but they can't stand up to how much we use them; if I make them myself, we can save quite a bit!"

Speaking, she counted on her fingers: in the future when we have tables and chairs, a brush will be more useful than a rag for cleaning; when washing steamer baskets, a bristle brush won't absorb oil as easily as a bamboo brush and will be easier to wash, and so on.

Seeing her so happy, Song Miao didn't play the wet blanket, and joined the discussion: "When dusting clothes, bedding, and mats, a bristle brush is also much more convenient!"

She added: "It's a pity pig bristles are still a bit hard, not as soft as horsehair."

Just as they were speaking, Xiao Lian, who had been wiping a bench with a rag nearby, interjected: "Mother, that pig-and-sheep slaughtering courtyard has horse tail hair!"

Cheng Erniang said: "I sweep and clean all day; how could I not have seen it?"

"It's a horse tail! A long, long tail, black and shiny, looking exactly like the tails of the horses we see on the road!" Xiao Lian insisted firmly.

Cheng Erniang didn't take it to heart, casually saying: "I've never heard they also slaughter horses; maybe you saw wrong."

Xiao Lian pouted and stopped talking.

Cheng Erniang naturally saw her daughter was unhappy, and smiled: "Alright alright, our Xiao Lian can recognize horse tails now."

Xiao Lian called "Mother," her voice drawn out long; seeing she wasn't very happy, she went off to the back courtyard with dragging steps.

Cheng Erniang was both annoyed and amused, and said to Song Miao: "This child, ever since she moved in here with Young Lady, her temper has grown even bigger! Don't know where she learned it."

Song Miao said: "Most likely she really saw someone bring horse tail hair; children are stubborn about reason, and feeling wronged in her heart, she became upset just now."

She knew the closer people are, especially adults to children, the more easily neglect arises.

Cheng Erniang had suffered too much hardship all along; she couldn't even manage her own well-being, and when she couldn't even eat a full meal, it was hard to care for her daughter that meticulously; once it became habit, it often couldn't be changed.

Between birth mother and daughter, it wasn't appropriate for her to meddle, so she didn't speak.

But by afternoon, seeing Xiao Lian still listless and unhappy, speaking less but not doing less work, she felt heartache and couldn't help going to the back courtyard to find her, asking softly: "Did you feel wronged?"

A child's tears are shallow; they flowed out at once. Wiping her eyes, she said: "Sister, I really saw horse tail hair!"

She also said: "I didn't want to cry; it's just that my eyes' water wanted to flow on its own!"

Though pitiable, it was also rather funny.

Song Miao hurriedly gave her a handkerchief to wipe her face, and asked in detail about the horse tail situation. It turned out she had seen it in the kitchen, thrown in a corner on the ground. Xiao Lian, seeing no one around, was too curious and even touched it.

"Prickly and scratchy!" she gestured seriously. "When I came here on the road I saw someone feeding a horse, and I went to touch that horse's tail; the feeling in my palm was exactly the same!"

She also said: "Only this horse tail wasn't like the previous one; it smelled a bit. After touching it I washed my hands with soapberry for a long time, but my hands still had the smell — I didn't even dare tell Mother, afraid she'd scold me!"

Song Miao analyzed with her for a long while, first guessing who brought it over, then guessing which day a horse might have been slaughtered, or which day horse meat was eaten and the tail left, and it smelled because it had been left for a long time.

Seeing Song Miao believed her, Xiao Lian was instantly coaxed into a good mood, and her face had a smile again.

By afternoon, Song Miao was working in the back courtyard with Cheng Erniang, and Xiao Lian was helping rub green bean skins, when at the front Sun Lizheng's wife Zhu Shi arrived.

As soon as she entered she said: "I heard news that you ran into trouble, but the rumors outside are unclear; so I came myself to ask."

Song Miao told her the whole story, and Zhu Shi couldn't help cursing: "Where did this idiot come from, ruining someone's reputation without knowing the facts!"

She also said: "I was wondering why Old Sun was called away early this morning, busy all day without a trace; don't know which black-hearted ghost made these foods to harm people."

Song Miao then asked about her family situation, and about that younger uncle Sun Er's follow-up.

Zhu Shi sighed and said: "I'm not afraid to tell you; most likely he'll have to spend a few years in prison."

"But with Old Er that kind of person, addicted to gambling, even if you tie his hands and feet he'll crawl out to gamble; locking him up is actually a good thing, better than outside where he can't be controlled, always having to clean up messes; as for the rest, there's no time to care about that much for now."

The two chatted a few more sentences, then Zhu Shi said: "There's actually another matter; I'll ask along the way if you have any ideas — my father has an out-of-town wealthy guest of many years, always very straightforward, takes good care of business. This time he's personally come to the Capital, and wants to invite him to our home as a guest."

"Because time is tight, he only has one morning free. Originally he wanted to order a full banquet, but this early, eating anything isn't suitable, so instead he doesn't know what to do."

"This person has traveled far and wide, seen a lot. My father went out and found a few cooks, but none were satisfactory. I thought of you — do you have anything impressive that won't look like we're slighting him?"

Song Miao asked the time, then the guest's age, native place, taste preferences, usual likes, etc., and also asked how many people would be accompanying in total.

Zhu Shi answered each one, and finally added: "I've met him a few times; he's quite a particular person. Heard he loves dealing with literati; every time he comes to the Capital, he spends money to host literary gatherings, inviting talented scholars over."

Song Miao thought for a moment, drafted a menu, and handed it to Zhu Shi: "Auntie take it back for the family to look over; if it passes, I'll come to hold down the scene."

Zhu Shi lowered her head to look, but saw a long list of names on it, three in a column, fully four or five columns written.

She didn't know many characters, but recognized shrimp, bun, claw and such words, and couldn't help clicking her tongue: "So early in the morning, eating this many dishes?"

Song Miao smiled: "Pick and choose from inside; one cup three pieces, not much to eat at all; at that time adjust according to headcount."

Zhu Shi smiled and said: "Not to mention anything else, your skill is what I trust most; waiting for you to win me face."

Finished speaking, she asked Song Miao for the price.

Song Miao rarely took outside work, thinking she was just putting up her signboard, building her reputation at this time; estimating the current market price, she lowered it a bit.

Zhu Shi heard the number and frowned: "Don't look at my face; this many varieties, you only quote this price, you'll work yourself to death, where's the profit!"

She waved her hand: "Can't be bothered to ask you; I'll go back and set the price for you myself."

Zhu Shi hadn't been gone long when two more people came outside — Sun Lizheng followed by a patrol soldier.

Just sent off the wife, now the husband comes; Song Miao was also somewhat surprised. Asking the purpose, Sun Lizheng told her about recent street and alley peddlers selling meat jerky, with many people eating it and falling ill.

He took out the small box he was carrying, opening it as he said: "Is this the thing—Miss Song Xiaoniangzi, have you ever bought one before?"

Song Miao took a look and shook her head.

The patrol soldier standing nearby was also an acquaintance, saying: "Better not to have bought it; in the future, buy and eat less of these things of unknown origin."

He added: "They are searching everywhere for the person who makes this stuff. Stall Owner Song, if you see anyone selling this again, or have any clues, hurry to report it to the authorities."

Song Miao then looked carefully at the meat jerky again, reaching out to pinch two strips and smell them.

The meat jerky came in strips and slices, looking brownish-black, smelling of fermented black beans and pungent spices, but such heavy seasoning could not mask the indescribable stench of not-fresh meat underneath, almost rotten.

The smell was faint, hard to put into words.

Song Miao only felt it was somewhat familiar, similar to the smell she had smelled on the street that day, yet not quite similar, as if she had smelled it somewhere else too.

She pondered for a moment, suddenly realized, turned back to call Cheng Erniang and Xiao Lian, and handed them the roe deer jerky and venison jerky, asking: "Have you ever smelled anything similar to this smell?"

The two looked for a while, studied for a moment, and both said: "In the past few days, people often sold this stuff on the road, but haven't seen it elsewhere."

Xiao Lian also said: "It smells strangely fragrant!"

Song Miao then pulled Cheng Erniang aside and asked quietly: "The other day, there was a puddle of dirt kicked onto Xiao Lian's pants; I smelled that smell, and it's a bit like this one—Young Lady Erniang, what do you think?"

Cheng Erniang sniffed carefully again, hesitantly shaking her head: "Not very similar—this one should just be old, not very fresh, right? But that footprint stinks to high heaven, it's making me sick."

She added bashfully: "My nose has never been very sharp; actually there are many smells I can't quite make out."

Song Miao had no choice, thought for a moment, then stepped forward to Sun Lizheng and the patrol soldier and said: "A while ago I went to Cao Men Street; passing by a row of slaughterhouses there, I seemed to smell this smell, only I don't know where it came from, or if it's the same."

The patrol soldier said: "Let me report it up and see if we can find anything out."

Song Miao reported the clue, then considered the matter ended, and didn't take it to heart.

Early the next morning, she and Cheng Erniang set up their stall as usual; as soon as they arrived, many students gathered around asking about what happened yesterday, all talking at once.

"We've already inquired at the Xunpu; heard it was because they ate that meat jerky that their stomachs went bad!"

"Not just the Tang family—many people in the city were hit, and some even died."

"Such an unreasonable family; fortunately our eyes are bright!"

Song Miao had to thank them profusely, and added: "Naturally bright; if not bright, how could we, as future officials, uphold justice for you?"

These words made every student gathered around feel very pleased in their hearts; one or two all felt these words were definitely praising themselves, not others, and couldn't help but join in boasting.

One said he had long guessed it was the old Tang family head whose old brain was muddled and remembered wrong.

Another said that although the problem had been found in the meat jerky, in this weather, the culprit should still be brought to justice sooner rather than later; the Capital Prefecture Office just doesn't know how to do things—if he were the one in office...

He hadn't finished saying what he would do if he were in office when, outside on the street and alleys, gongs and drums were struck, along with shouting and the noise of a crowd, all bustling and clamorous.

Not long after, a large group came in from the outer main street, at the head of them was Tang Huo, flanked by yesterday's neighbors and clansmen, not one missing.

Behind them, people squeezed and crowded; originally thought it was someone important, but hearing everyone talk, they were all just onlookers coming to see the fun.

"What is this? Gongs and drums again—I thought there was a dragon and lion dance."

"What dragon and lion dance? It's those few blind people from yesterday who wronged a little lady selling glutinous rice..." Someone who knew the full story had to help explain, "Oh, yesterday I followed them to that stall owner's house; you wouldn't believe it, the stove was so bright it could be used as a bronze mirror!"

"I went too; it was a senseless disturbance, knowing nothing, coming to their door to cause trouble; luckily they did everything cleanly, otherwise it would be hard to clear their name."

"Turns out they ate the wrong meat jerky."

Being pointed at like this, the three of them felt very embarrassed on their faces.

Especially Tang Huo, his face turning red then white; he hurried forward, first bowing in a circle to the people around, then bowing to Song Miao, loudly saying that yesterday his heart had been covered by lard and he had wronged a good person, and so on, and publicly admitted his great mistake, drawing a chorus of noisy comments from those around.

Seeing this person's behavior, Song Miao naturally stopped pursuing it, and had to step forward again to ask about the condition of the child and Old Man Tang.

Tang Huo sighed and said only that last night he had brought his wife and children back overnight, seen a doctor, and the old and young had recovered somewhat, but the diarrhea still wouldn't stop.

"The two little ones can't take medicine; they vomit as soon as they drink it; the family is anxious to death; I thought that yesterday we made such a big scene, fearing it would make it hard for the young lady to do business, and surely someone was spreading rumors, so I hurried to come and do what should be done first; if anyone talks nonsense in the future, just send word to me, and I'll go argue it out for you!"

At this time he actually started talking about reason.

Song Miao listened and then said: "I have two folk remedies; actually, for the sake of self-preservation, it's best not to say them; if they don't work well..."

Tang Huo hurriedly bowed repeatedly, saying: "Young lady, please speak; I won't wrongly blame anyone again!"

Song Miao said: "Your family has rice; roast the rice until it's just scorched yellow, then boil it with water to make scorched rice soup; children and elders can eat it down, and it might stop the diarrhea."

She added: "Another one: go to the pharmacy and get two taels of dried pomegranate peel; boil it in water and drink it, or grind it into powder and boil it in water and drink it; both are very good for stopping diarrhea, as long as you ask the doctor clearly whether they can eat it; if problems arise from eating it, I won't take responsibility."

Both remedies were extremely simple, not even worthy of being called medicine; they were things eaten in daily life.

Tang Huo, a burly big man, heard this and his eyes turned red; he said: "If it really works, our whole family will remember the young lady's kindness."

Song Miao said: "Hurry and go; no need for you to remember the kindness; just don't come looking for trouble again."

Tang Huo was so embarrassed he couldn't stand it; he bowed repeatedly, then finally left with the people carrying the gongs and drums.

Such a thing was just like what's written in storybooks, like what storytellers say with their mouths; it's not often seen in daily life; the people present, when they went back, would surely spread the word, so that the name of Song Ji became known to even more people than before, needless to say.

Song Miao set up her stall here, while Cheng Erniang took the breakfasts ordered by various families to deliver.

When she delivered to the Capital Prefecture Office, she followed instructions, reported Song Miao's name at the gatehouse, and asked the guard to pass a message to Han Li, Young Master Han inside, only saying that Stall Owner Song planned to deliver breakfast back as a return gift tomorrow noon, asking him to save his stomach, just waiting to eat the ready-made food.

Not long after, a message came from inside, saying there was no need to go to the trouble of delivering food back and forth; the Han family surname person has a day off tomorrow and wants to not be invited to the door to eat a hot meal; also attached a letter, asking Cheng Erniang to take it back to Song Miao.

?? Thank you for the sachet you unexpectedly sent me personally, book friend personally sent me two peace talismans with tassels: ）

? Thank you to book city My Cat Is Called Egg Egg and Zuo Zuo You You for personally sending me a small gift each=3=