Chapter 207

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Apologies everyone, trouble to flip back a bit, the second half of the previous chapter has additions and adjustments, the original content was moved to the middle of this chapter.

Zhang Yong was poor from childhood, he ate no small amount of small fish, but who would be willing to use enough oil to fry them? And it was lard!

With such fragrance, such oil, this child ate with great delight.

While Zhang Fu at the side couldn't help but cast his gaze toward the large fish before him.

A large white carp with upturned mouth, split in half and laid flat, lay unceremoniously across the plate, resting comfortably, its surface delicately sprinkled full of seasonings.

Fermented black beans glossy black, fried garlic golden yellow, and also cornelian cherry and scallions cut extremely fine, underneath was a light soy-colored sauce, atop floated a thin layer of oil, setting off the white fatty fish especially beautifully.

The student knew well how to host guests, the fish belly's center position was placed facing him, making Zhang Fu accept it with peace of mind and no way to avoid it, ultimately taking a piece of belly meat from the middle-rear section.

Zhang Fu's experience was not little, but ultimately limited by region, he had never eaten such a preparation, once he picked up the meat he hurriedly sent it into his mouth.

But that piece of fish meat just entered his mouth, he immediately couldn't help but open his mouth, continuously exhaling outward.

Too hot!

It had already been set aside for a while, this fish meat was still extremely hot, not for other reasons, entirely because it was fatty.

Oil cools slower to begin with, this fish belly's bottommost strip was fatty to the point of being practically like oil, steamed until transparent, entering the mouth not only pasting the mouth but also sticking to the teeth along with this fish skin's gelatin.

Eating this one mouthful of fish, Zhang Fu at once felt what was called "exquisite".

Countless just-rights, only then produced this one mouthful of meat.

The fish was just right. Fish eyes white white, round round, steamed until they burst their frames, forcefully proving sufficient freshness. Fish skin white with a touch of yellow, permeated with oil, showing just how fatty and rich it was.

No decorative cuts made, the fish's fresh flavor and meat juices still tightly locked in skin and flesh, one bite, and they flow out.

The heat control was just right, chopsticks lightly prodded, the fish meat separated into flakes, just barely able to leave the bone, but the spine bone still carried a touch of faint pink.

The seasoning was just right, soy sauce and fermented black beans blended with that baa-baa sugar into a salty-freshness, a bit more would be salty, a bit less wouldn't be enough base flavor, the sauce reduced to just the right degree, not thick, otherwise there would be a bit of burnt flavor, also not thin, otherwise couldn't draw out the fish's freshness.

The condiments were also just right, cornelian cherry, garlic mince, fermented black beans all stir-fried with a bit of lard, proportions appropriate, finally sprinkled scallions, hot oil even more stimulated the scallion fragrance to perfection.

The fermented black bean cornelian cherry sauce's salty-spicy, just right neutralized that fish belly fat's greasiness, fish meat fine tender, firm, such a large fish, yet still this fresh tender, the fatty fat played an indispensable role within.

Condiments sprinkled sufficiently fine and even, one mouthful down, spicy is the main position, but doesn't steal flavor, spicy in an extremely lively way, salty-fresh is the base, relying on cornelian cherry, fermented black beans and scallion garlic's aromas and the fish's freshness to connect, setting off the fish meat even more fine tender, delicious, even without dipping in the bottom soup, the flavor is also fragrant and full enough, in the mouth layers unfold wonderfully.

By reason clear-steamed fish rarely can be a rice-accompanying dish, but this preparation, not only delicious, also very rice-accompanying.

Zhang Fu originally wanted to offer wine, eating and eating, already forgot what he wanted to do, only knew to bury head eating rice eating dishes, not long after, one large bowl of rice entered his belly.

Eating until the end, waiting until two tables of rice and dishes swept clean, everyone leaning on chairs resting bellies, he then reacted, slapped his thigh, said: "Just said would get that wine for everyone to pair with fried fish?!"

Right now that fried fish not even bones remain, only a few lonely heads that were despised!

"Set aside! Set aside! Wait until river channel busy finished then drink!"

"When the time comes Master Zhang comes again, we ask Song Xiaoniangzi to fry another large basin, eat until stuffed, together not drunk not return!!"

One meal down, everyone originally still somewhat unfamiliar, now actually became dining companions with that Zhang Fu, added several points of closeness, just persuading him if today can't wait, why not tomorrow evening come again, also asking where living, can send someone to deliver word and so on.

Indeed this day waited until nearly hai hour, Wu Gongshi only then brought several subordinates together with Kong Fuyang returned together, Han Li even later behind.

Learning today ate fish, and still such delicious fish, Wu Gongshi could still barely suppress, only breathing fire from nostrils, Kong Fuyang however anxious to the point of practically stamping feet, hurriedly chased to find Song Miao to ask clearly if tomorrow still has.

And Han Li after returning, seeing Zhang Fu and that Zhang Yong, indeed as Song Miao said, immediately sat down to examine and instruct a round, after asking finished, learning these few days both would stay in Hua Prefecture, living also not far, first took brush and ink, wrote a topic, also delineated book chapters, let Zhang Yong return to read, write an essay one piece, tomorrow come again.

Because he tomorrow with Wu Gongshi matters very many, also specially found Kong Fuyang, instructed the other party first help look at young son's homework.

Kong Fuyang naturally full mouth agreed not mention.

Zhang Fu, Zhang Yong father and two following sat at table side eating rice time, another room inside table side, similarly sitting two people.

Ten-person large round table, atop placed three dishes one soup, Liang Yan, Xiang Lin each occupying one side, both not speaking.

Xiang Lin cold face, staring at Liang Yan, seeing the other's expressionless appearance, heart instead more angry, cold snort once, just about to stab a few sentences, unexpectedly Liang Yan three mouthfuls two mouthfuls wolfed down rice, put down bowl and chopsticks, head not raised, stood up, turned head and walked outside.

His this action, turned Xiang Lin originally eight-nine parts dissatisfaction, into twelve parts fire qi, immediately threw hand's chopsticks forcefully onto table, also stood up, chased out door, facing outside loudly scolded, "dog bastard" "straight mother thief" "mouth mouth mouth mouth" "mouth mouth" clamored for a good while, also not know where learned such vulgar words.

Scolded this loud, this angry, emotions naturally agitated, seeing his face angered until through-red, behind two servants originally didn't want to manage, this moment also had to step forward to persuade.

One person said: "Young Master why bother with him same knowledge, wait until we returned hometown, with Old Master, Old Madam say clearly, send person away is it!"

Other person said: "Say one sentence ugly, Young Master is master, he is servant, both not one kind of identity, not worth bothering with him, scolding him still giving him face!"

Same words, persuade first time perhaps pleasant to hear, persuaded many, then no use.

Xiang Lin not only face red, even eyes red severely, also not know if angered, or cried, he said: "My father blinded eyes, can't see through his true face, dead alive all not willing let him go, grandfather grandmother however hard also can't win over father——actually still want divide my family property give that dog bastard, mouth mouth mouth accustomed to pretending pitiful, pretending appearance!"

Speaking to here, Xiang Lin at once thought of afternoon hour, birth father specially sent people come, brought whole set new clothes, new shoes come, let Liang Yan change into, bringing people went out door, until just now only returned.

Self already good stretch time no new clothes, new shoes, why surnamed Liang has, self doesn't have??? Self should have ten sets eight sets to be right! Or originally should only self have, surnamed Liang doesn't have!

Also another, why must bring Liang Yan out?

Afternoon met Rui Uncle time, he still specially asked father whereabouts, other party only said went out to discuss business.

Liang Yan unexpectedly already started being brought to understand family business??

Then this birth son counts as what?

Seeing Xiang Lin appearance not right, those two servants also somewhat flustered.

Among them one hurriedly said: "Young Master, why not we go fix that wretch——you first let me go ask, I already investigated, he extra that purse is this time going out when others gave, inside all food, this stupid goods really no knowledge, like got some treasure same."

"We throw some yellow mud, insects into his that purse inside, make him unable to eat!"

Usual days Xiang Lin very interested things, today he however even words too lazy to return.

He gritted teeth, hatefully said: "Ruining a purse counts as fart, you two useless! Whole day only produce rotten ideas!"

"You say, that dog bastard nowadays every morning once past mao hour gets up, goes to courtyard to practice plum blossom piles?"

Got two people's affirmation, Xiang Lin suddenly said: "Tomorrow go find axe, no, also need find a saw, we tomorrow night just saw those plum blossom piles, leave an edge edge, still call it stay on top, wait surnamed Liang morning climbs up, one step one empty, falls down, best falls stupid brain, even if brain no matter, falls break hands feet also not bad!"

"Wasn't it getting up early to practice on the Plum Blossom Piles? Wasn't it showing off? I'd like to see him keep showing off after breaking his hands and feet!"

This time, the two servants dared not speak.

"What's there to fear? I'm going too. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility! I won't let you get scolded!" Xiang Lin said, holding back a breath.

The two servants looked at each other, their faces turning pale.

Similarly in Hua Prefecture, what happened at the Xie Family Residence was still fresh in their minds; who would believe this young master's words of "I'll take responsibility" and "I won't let you get scolded"?

The next afternoon, after returning from the river canteen kitchen to the Yi Guan Guan, Song Miao took down the hanging fish.

After being salted and hung to dry for a day and a night, the fish meat was completely dried, called "overnight dried fish." Pressing the skin and flesh yielded only a slight rebound. Pan-fried with lard, minced garlic, and ginger strips, it already carried its own saltiness. A salty-spicy sauce was prepared, simmered for a moment, and once the broth reduced to half-dry, it was ready to serve.

This dish was also excellent with rice. Moreover, after wind-drying, the fish meat shrank and tightened, making the fish flavor richer and more intense—fresh with saltiness, saltiness with a sweet aftertaste. The skin was dry and crisp, and biting into it was firmer, more solid, and more fragrant. Not to mention, even the small bones between the meat were half-separated, making deboning easier.

When everyone returned, they had indeed finished eating. It was then that Kong Fuyang arrived late, while Han and Wu were nowhere to be seen, and Lu Wenming had not returned either.

Song Miao already knew the two would return late, but did not expect another to arrive at this time. Fortunately, today's dish was different from yesterday's and did not fear sitting for a while, so she first sent Kong Fuyang to sit, saying the food would be served shortly.

When she brought out the dishes with the flatbread, she saw that Zhang Fu and his nephew had already arrived.

By now it was past mealtime, and there were not many people in the front hall. Kong Fuyang collected Zhang Yong's essay, looked it over once, pointed out a few points, had him sit at a side table to revise it on the spot, and then said: "Wait until you've revised it, and we'll talk after Zheng Yan returns to see it."

Zhang Fu was also from a scholarly family. Although he had not previously heard Kong Fuyang's name, in recent days he had long known this man was a Scholar of the Imperial Academy. Hearing his critique and annotations for his nephew, he naturally understood the level involved, hurriedly thanked him, and had a servant bring down the brush and ink from the carriage and clear a side table for his son to write his essay.

When the food was served, especially upon seeing the fish, Kong Fuyang thanked him profusely and praised it without ceasing.

His mouth was naturally talkative, and at this time there was hardly any repetition; he was simply incessant.

Song Miao wanted to hear just how many sentences this fellow could praise, so she deliberately did not decline. Silently counting in her heart, she had slowly counted to thirty, seeing no sign of the man across from her running out of words. She herself was tired of counting and was about to speak when she heard someone behind call out "Song Xiaoniangzi."

She turned to look, and it was Xiang Yuan bringing a stranger through the door.

Not wanting to disturb Kong Fuyang's meal, Song Miao stepped forward a few paces, led the person aside for a distance, and then formally returned the salute.

Xiang Yuan made the introduction, saying only that the other man was surnamed Rui, an old friend of his, and had come together today to visit Han and Lu.

After the salute, she looked up, and just as they met eyes, Song Miao felt somewhat uncomfortable.

This gentleman surnamed Rui stood really too close.

When ordinary strangers meet, and they are of different sexes, they should properly keep at least four or five paces apart to be appropriate.

Her original position had been just right, but the other man, at some point, had rushed forward two paces, taking advantage of the slow salute to size her up.

This made her feel even more uncomfortable.

His gaze was very strange; he looked not only at the face but also at the figure, going from top to bottom once, then from bottom to top again.

Song Miao instinctively retreated two steps.

Only then did the gentleman surnamed Rui withdraw his gaze, saying jokingly: "Young Lady has fine looks! It nearly dazzled me for a moment!"

Song Miao said nothing.

Although she had no basis, she instinctively felt this explanation was not entirely true—there was more of a weighing feeling in this man's gaze toward her, as if he were not looking at a person, but at a piece of cargo.

This gentleman surnamed Rui was around thirty, with six or seven tenths of good looks. He wore a brocade robe, a jade crown, even his belt was adorned with jade, and the purse at his waist was exquisitely stitched. Everything was the best available in the shops, except the fan in his hand, which was an ordinary wooden fan, looking plain and old.

But Song Miao couldn't help but glance at the fan a few more times.

The frame was tortoiseshell and the ribs were ivory. Although not opened, one could already tell it was a very luxurious fan, far more expensive than the rest of his attire by more than double.

She did not speak much with this man, but said to Xiang Yuan: "It is truly unfortunate that Han and Lu have not returned at this time."

She added: "But there is another Young Master Kong, who is currently eating. You two might sit for a while, and I will introduce you shortly."

Just as she was speaking, there were not many idlers in the hall. Kong Fuyang, who had earlier seen someone coming to find Song Miao, and that it was Xiang Yuan, had been anxious and listening with pricked ears. Upon hearing his own name, he immediately endured the pain of putting down his chopsticks, stood up, turned his head and said: "Looking for me? What is it? If it's serious business, I'm not in a hurry to eat; let's hear it first."

Song Miao had not yet spoken when the gentleman surnamed Rui had already stepped forward, introducing himself in a few words, asking his question, and saying: "Young Master, eat first! Eat first! We'll talk in detail later!"

Speaking, he glanced at the dish on the table and said with a smile: "Young Master, so you like fish? I ate a kind of fish since childhood, called Sacrificial Fish. It dies once away from the sea, and the meat is tender, fresh, and fatty, layered. Locals call it Thousand Layer Cake."

He added: "Coincidentally, someone sent quite a few over the past few days, all cured with sea salt and wind-dried, big ones. Let me send some over."

Speaking, he turned around again to find the yamen runner to ask for wine.

As he walked back, he happened to come face-to-face with Zhang Siniang, who was bringing drinks, and the flatbread bearer.

Song Miao saw that Rui Fusheng first looked at Zhang Siniang's face, then turned to look at the flatbread bearer. After looking at the flatbread bearer, although they had already passed each other, he turned back to look at Zhang Siniang's back—at this moment he was clearly looking at her buttocks.

Although it was only a glance, that gaze still had little lust, only coldness.

?? Thank you to a certain year of Chun Nuan Hua Kai for gifting me one sachet, to the Secret Agent Cat Cat for gifting me two Peace Talismans, to a book friend for gifting me one Peace Talisman, mua mua =3=

? Thank you to the Book City's Chang Qing Jing _Ec for gifting me five Small Gifts, JINGJING~, sar., Zuo Kan Yun Qi, Wo Ai Nong Nong, Ao Te Man Xiao Jie, six people gifting me one Small Gift each: ）

? Thank you everyone^_^