Chapter 146

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Wu Gong had absolutely no mind left to go listen to how that courier runner answered.

He had clearly not been hungry at all just now; on the way back, he burped once, and his throat still held a vegetable flavor that made him feel not quite comfortable, but right now, smelling these two fragrances, he instantly craved them.

If they are steamed buns, it seems… it also wouldn't be impossible to eat half another one, just to taste the flavor?

Thinking like this, he followed the fragrance and very quickly found that table in the left corner.

Walking all the way, he saw that in the front hall almost everyone was looking in that table's direction; from time to time someone would call a courier runner and ask what the fragrance was, whether it could be bought.

When Wu Gong walked near, he saw that Da Bing had just retreated from the table's edge, looking like he had just brought dishes up — at the table seven or eight familiar students were squeezed together, currently vying to be the first to stretch their chopsticks into the big basins on the tabletop.

With just one glance, Wu Gong forgot the circle of students at the table's edge.

There were actually quite a lot of foods laid out on the table, there was meat, there were vegetables, plate by plate, seven or eight plates laid out.

But in his eyes there was only the two big basins packed full to the brim right in the middle.

In the basins were layer upon layer of rolls; each layer's dough skin was extremely thin, the whole body wrapped full of thick, sticky brown sauce, looking like flower rolls, yet with more coils than flower rolls, looking even more oily-bright, sticky.

The sauce was half-flowing, not-flowing, so much it almost completely covered the dough body, exceptionally enticing.

Even more terrifying was that fragrance.

An especially heavy, rich sweetness, carrying a hint of smoke, and also the scorched fragrance of dried fruit, extremely rich and mellow — even though he hadn't eaten it yet, he could already imagine the flavor within.

Da Bing had always been quick-witted; just as he made way, he raised his head, saw the person, and hurriedly reminded the students at the table: "Master Wu has come!"

A whole table of people, all reacted half a beat late; their mouths were chewing things, yet they couldn't speak well, instead they shifted their buttocks against each other to make room for a seat of honor, each becoming even more squeezed.

Wu Gong then said: "You eat yours, no need to mind me, I'll just taste the flavor!"

He took the chopsticks Da Bing handed over, pushed that bowl aside, and thanked: "I'll just taste one bite, no need for a bowl."

Because standing and reaching over was hard to pick up, he leaned half his body forward; he originally only wanted one, but didn't control the force well, the chopsticks stabbed in and actually pierced straight through diagonally to the bottom, skewering two fat rolls.

Wu Gong's heart thumped hard once.

— How could it be this soft?

"What is this? Flower rolls?" he couldn't help asking.

Da Bing said: "Our Young Lady Song said this is Sugar Flower Roll, also called Red Sugar Sesame Sauce Flower Roll — using crushed red sugar, sesame sauce mixed as filling, rolled out layer by layer!"

And said: "Young Lady Song ran several shops before finding such good red sugar; originally sugar is expensive, this pack is even more expensive! Sir, quickly try it!"

Skewering two rolls, Wu Gong hesitated a little, hurriedly nodded, on one side thinking two would probably be too much to finish, on the other side hooked by that fragrance so he couldn't care about anything else, couldn't help but bite one mouthful first.

An extremely fluffy, soft mouthful.

Just out of the pot not long ago, still very hot; one bite open, hot paste-like sauce slowly flowed out from between the dough skin and dough skin's folded crevices.

In the mouth it was hot, the dough skin was already quite hot, even hotter was that sauce — melted red sugar and sesame sauce mixed together, sticky tight, as if they would die together in one place, eaten into the mouth, the flavors also merged with each other.

Extremely rich, extremely fragrant and sweet, but not cloyingly sweet.

The dough skin was originally white, carrying wheat aroma, but at this time because that red sugar was steamed and had long since melted, mixed with sesame sauce of extremely deep color, the sticky, half-flowing sauce liquid seeped layer by layer along the crevices and dough skin, making that dough skin already become transparent like amber, also the color of brown amber.

The red sugar is native red sugar, sweetness not high, carrying the wood ash fragrance of an earth stove.

The sesame sauce is extremely rich and mellow, having a thick and heavy, roasted nut scorched fragrance, especially also carrying a faint bitter taste unique to roasted sesame, making the flavor even heavier, aftertaste even fuller.

Wu Gong swallowed most of it in two or three mouthfuls; when it came to the last mouthful, it was precisely the very bottom of this sugar flower roll, one bite into the mouth, the mouth suddenly intensely sweet and bitter — it was eating that caramel-colored crystal-bright hard shell.

The hard shell was only a small piece, it was red sugar syrup, not fully melted red sugar granules, sesame sauce, the three accumulated in the same place, long steamed into being.

This one mouthful of ultimate sweet-bitter fragrant richness, the dough skin didn't even eat like dough anymore, hard, fragrant, scorched bitter taste especially obvious, sweet taste also especially rich and mellow, texture even had a bit of crispness.

At once it made Wu Gong unable to help but suck in several breaths sharply.

— Too beautiful, this flavor is really too beautiful!

Fist-sized flower rolls, he previously felt he fundamentally couldn't finish eating, result in one go he ate both clean, couldn't help but want to go skewer more.

That Da Bing hurriedly pointed at the other big basin and said: "Sir, over there there's also Spicy Pork Cube Flower Roll."

Wu Gong only then reacted, just now that fragrance of fragrant-spicy, where it came from.

Having tasted the fragrant-sweet flavor, then tasting this Spicy Pork Cube Flower Roll is another kind of flavor.

Broad bean paste together with cornel, Sichuan pepper stir-fried fragrant, and also stir-fried together with pork cubes; inside the pork cubes some are big, some small; the small ones have fragrance and flavor, the big ones have texture; likewise half-raw filling, relying on the filling's fat to moisten, this salty flower roll's surface is completely oily-bright; whether lightly torn by hand or lightly bitten by mouth, that oil-carrying meat juice will seep out along the dough skin's grain.

Broad bean paste salty-fresh, cornel spicy, Sichuan pepper fragrant and numbing; meat odor rolls around in this stir-fried seasoning, rolling until it completely doesn't know its own identity, only knows exploding oil and juice in a person's mouth.

Fresh-fragrant salty-spicy, and also full wheat aroma dough layers pressing the stomach, eating makes a person really too satisfied.

Watching Wu Gong one flower roll after another into his mouth, Da Bing only then knew that originally the "one bite" inside "just taste one bite" was actually this kind of meaning.

In his heart he felt a bit uneasy.

— An official's one bite, and a small apprentice like myself's one bite, how come the difference is this big?

Wu Gong is merely a petty official, one bite can equal five big flower rolls!

No wonder others all say a prime minister's belly can hold a boat!

Sometimes, if the staple food is made delicious, it will make a person fundamentally not want to eat dishes.

Seeing the two big basins of flower rolls both already about to hit bottom, the other plates except for one palate-cleansing cold dish, fundamentally no one moved chopsticks to pick up.

While a table of people scrambled to eat flower rolls, two streets away, Xiang Yuan was opening and reading a letter.

The Xiang Family steward's estimate had no mistake; the next day afternoon, the reply letter from the Capital arrived at the Xie Family.

Xiang Yuan wanted to inquire about Song Miao's situation, not directly going to ask Zhu Butcher, but finding another person.

However the Song Family originally already had quite some talk; especially since Song Dalang left, that young daughter's conduct at home is even more making people unable to help but take an extra look.

Although the missing person case and gambling house case inside details are not known to outsiders, a young lady with no relatives and no protection, relying on herself alone setting up a stall to earn money to repay debts, and still able to escape alive from a tyrant like Liao Qingjiao's hands, preserve the family business, is already sufficiently unusual.

Ordinary people didn't know the circumstances behind it, but seeing how the students dealt with the Tingjiao Hang head, and seeing Song Ji deliver breakfast to the Xunpu and the yamen every day, they only thought she had won the care of many people through her cooking skills. By a twist of fate, by the time the gambling den was exposed and Headman Liao was caught, this idea wasn't entirely false.

But Xiang Yuan was a man of the business world, naturally he could see some connections, knowing that things behind the scenes weren't necessarily so simple.

Opening a Tingjiao Hang in Jingcheng—how could it be without some background and means?

That Song Xiaoniangzi could escape from that person's hands—if it was purely luck and coincidence, it was enough to show her luck was truly excellent; if it was a plan she devised herself, it showed this person was smart and keen.

Whether it was luck or keenness, Xiang Yuan was very satisfied.

He asked: "I see this Song Xiaoniangzi is already of marriageable age. It seems the marriage has already fallen through, and now she owes many debts. She must be anxious, right?"

Headman Liao was caught, but the people he relied on behind him were not caught.

A young lady, without support, so beautiful, and smart, with such outstanding skills, and able to earn money herself—those who set their eyes on her will only increase, not decrease.

Isn't she afraid? Isn't she nervous?

The steward finally understood a bit of the meaning at this time.

But he had a good impression of that young lady, especially now that he had received a letter from Jingcheng. After learning of her experiences, he felt even more pity for her and wanted to help. So he said: "Isn't her stall set up in Taixue Houxiang? Both sides are academies, full of men of marriageable age. A young lady with such skills, who can read and write, and with such looks—if she isn't anxious, there are plenty of people who are!"

"It's not that simple." Xiang Yuan smiled and shook his head. "Taixue has how many students? Not everyone can become an official. Even if they do, if they are assigned to a Clear Water Office, a remote region, or their official career doesn't go well, being an official's daughter-in-law might not be so good either."

"Besides, with her conditions, she doesn't have a single capable father, brother, or relative. The truly good ones won't look at her; even if they do, they only think of taking her back as a concubine. Look at her spirit—does she seem like someone willing to be a concubine?"

He said a lot of words, not knowing whether they were for the steward to hear, or for himself to hear.

After a pause, Xiang Yuan said again: "Marriage is a union of two surnames. Don't think those students are fools. Every time the imperial examinations come, who isn't sharpening their heads to curry favor with the powerful and noble?"

"To put it bluntly, although that young lady has looks and skills, just based on her lack of support, I don't know how many families wouldn't want to deal with her."

"As for ordinary scholars—she is already running her own business at a stall, braving wind and rain. She is no longer the sheltered pearl of the boudoir who doesn't know the world's dangers. If she had a choice, do you think she would be willing to suffer hardship with a poor scholar?"

"This young lady looks good on the outside, but if you look closely, there's nothing much to her. In this world, who doesn't value family background, and who doesn't mind her ill-fated fate?"

The steward was quiet for a moment, then asked: "Master Xiang, what do you mean?"

Xiang Yuan smiled proudly and said: "First, stretch it out a bit. It's still early. She is indeed smart and beautiful. If you rush her, it might backfire."

He looked at the time and said: "It's about time. Hurry and find a few strong men to carry the prepared money to her door, and I'll go find her with you!"

Taking advantage of the mealtime, there were people coming and going inside the Yi Guan Guan. It was just right to deliver it there.

Since we're giving, we must give it with great fanfare.

Let everyone know that I, Xiang Yuan, am a man who keeps his word and values reputation!

Song Miao had finished dinner and was in the room drafting recipes for dishes of different portions and their ingredients, and calculating how to use the fewest people while considering the most movement paths—the kitchen was never better with more people.

The space is limited. One more person standing means one less person's worth of space.

People move. Once they move, a patch of space is occupied. When others run around, they are very likely to be affected, or both parties affect each other.

Two people running toward each other almost collided, then hurriedly made way for each other. It seemed like only a very short time, but one very short time after another would greatly affect the progress of cooking.

Especially since what they were making was large pot dishes, which are already hard to make delicious. If not careful, if it became too strong, burnt, or stuck to the pot, it would be hard to fix.

Also, the placement of items, the stove, the ingredient table, and so on would affect the speed of cooking.

Imagine when adding seasoning—if the ingredient table is too far away, or in a backhand position, by the time you get it, the dish might have cooked too long, or because it wasn't flipped in time, the bottom would stick to the pot.

Just as she was considering each item one by one, Song Miao heard knocking at the door outside. When she answered the door, it was Da Bing.

"Song Xiaoniangzi! Many people have come outside. The one at the head is surnamed Xiang. He says he's come to thank Miss for finding his son!"

Da Bing was very excited and hurriedly added: "I saw it. Behind them, they carried a pole with a red cloth on top. One corner was blown open by the wind—inside was all copper coins!"

He said happily: "Song Niangzi, you're really amazing! Wanted posters were posted everywhere outside, and in the end, only you could find that child! With this bit of wealth, although it's not enough, it can still pay off more debts. After returning to Jingcheng, you won't have to work so hard! When you're tired, you can rest for two days!"

He urged again: "Hurry, hurry. I'll lock the door for you!"

Saying this, he indeed snatched Song Miao's keys, helped lock the door, then hurriedly followed behind and went out.

Song Miao came out of the Main Hall, thinking it was a secluded corner, but didn't expect Xiang Yuan to sit down at an empty table right in the center with an air of importance. Seeing her come, he smiled and cupped his hands, but did not stand up. Instead, among the several poles beside him, he chose the nearest one, lifted the red cloth covering it, and said: "Song Xiaoniangzi, thank you for bumping into my son at home, saving us some trouble. Xiang Mou comes to offer thanks!"

After speaking, he clapped his hands.

The servants heard the sound and all at once lifted the red cloths covering the poles in front of them.

Although it was the Yi Guan Guan, not everyone there was an official. As long as they paid and there were empty rooms and empty tables, ordinary commoners were also received.

It was just mealtime. Huazhou was originally a thoroughfare of waterways, but because the Huang He changed course, flooding everywhere, some were blocked here, and others heard the news and wanted to come do business with the flood disaster. At this time, the front hall could be said to have gathered quite a few people.

Large baskets, with large round winnowing baskets on top. Several hundred guan of money were divided into six portions, piled on six round winnowing baskets, piled high—completely like small mountains of money, looking especially intimidating.

For a moment, a commotion arose in the hall, accompanied by low exclamations.

Before Song Miao could speak, Xiang Yuan said again: "Actually, these past two days many people have advised me, saying that a child found at home doesn't meet the requirement of three hundred guan. Even giving thirty or fifty guan would be enough. But I have always kept my word—a spit and a nail, absolutely no discount."

Song Miao saw his manner and felt somewhat uncomfortable. Seeing Liang Yan, she knew the Xiang Family courtyard was in a mess, and she was even more unwilling to meddle in their family affairs. She shook her head and said: "You are too kind. It was merely a small effort. There's no need for this."

Xiang Yuan said: "I knew Miss would not accept it. I have another proposal."

"Earlier I invited Song Niangzi to come to my home to manage the kitchen. You said leaving your hometown was inconvenient. I know you are running a food stall in Jingcheng, but a stall is after all not a long-term plan."

"Here is five hundred guan. Miss can count it. I will use five hundred guan as capital to rent you a shop in Jingcheng to run a wine and food shop. You provide the skill, I provide the money. I can also help purchase fresh ingredients from various prefectures to sell. If we profit, we split it three to seven. How does that sound?"