Chapter 217

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

After Song Miao walked a stretch and exited the Second Gate, she turned to see Han Li had already caught up, so she stopped her footsteps, turned around, and explained: "To let Young Master know, just now quite a few boatmen privately asked me, wanting to know what that tea water is called, whether it is expensive, and where it can be bought."

Hearing this, Han Li quickly reacted and said: "I also wanted to ask earlier; this tea water doesn't taste like ordinary tea leaves when drunk, it relieves fatigue and thirst when drunk, but has no tea flavor, and the aftertaste is also comfortable—it's not something used to refresh the mind and brain, is it?"

Song Miao nodded in agreement and said: "It was getting late, and I was afraid everyone wouldn't sleep well after returning, and would have to work again tomorrow, so I didn't brew tea leaves, but specially changed to another kind—it is ordinary Hawthorn leaves dried and boiled to steep; actually, if one tastes carefully and has a picky tongue, one might feel it has a bit of astringency, but the sweet taste is very full; this kind of tea is especially suitable for quenching thirst in summer, good whether drunk hot or cold, it can generate fluids and aid digestion, remove stagnation and dispel dampness; drinking a bowl after heavy labor is just right."

"But I don't know where it came from, and whether it can still be found?"

Hearing him ask this, Song Miao understood his meaning and replied: "It was me asking an Auntie surnamed Xia to help find it last time; it has already been dried, and right now there is still a full basket; as for the price, it doesn't matter; I was thinking, why not give everyone two packets to take back, just counting it as a small gift Young Master prepared himself."

Knowing Han Li usually didn't like to stand out in this regard; when doing things, even personal kindness was often crowned with a public name—very strange, he seemed to want only literary fame, not personal fame; not only did he not want it, but he was obviously deliberately avoiding making a show of himself in handling affairs and gaining a good reputation.

Therefore, after Song Miao finished her proposal, she specially added a sentence: "It is truly a dirt-cheap price; they are everywhere on the wild mountains, just picked and dried; I don't know if they can be given as a gift?"

Han Li agreed: "Naturally they can be given—it's just that it will trouble Stall Owner Song to help pack them again."

Song Miao then continued forward, leading the person into the Miscellaneous Room.

When they arrived at the place, she opened the door and entered, walked to a bamboo basket, took two bundles of Hawthorn leaves tied with grass rope, handed them to Han Li, and explained: "They are already packed; just pick them up by the rope and take them back; if it's convenient, Young Master, tell them to send someone to come in and take them before leaving."

Han Li took them and looked; sure enough they were just ordinary Hawthorn leaves, dried, but the leaves were very plump, with no wormholes or dirt; one could tell the person who picked, selected, and dried them was very careful.

He first agreed to Song Miao's words, only saying he would send someone to take them in a while, then holding the bundle in his hand, he asked: "Why not also give me a few portions? The more the better—I'll make up the missing money amount here."

"This is what I prepared myself, no public funds were spent; Young Master, if you like it, there's no need to rush, you can take it freely—truly it's cheap, there's no need to talk about any money amount!" But while Song Miao said this, she couldn't help but ask again: "Is it that what you usually prepare to drink isn't as suitable to the taste as this? Is one jin enough for Young Master?"

She usually prepared drinks for everyone; because of the midsummer heat, she often made Perilla Drink, Zhili Drink, Mung Bean Soup, Sour Plum Drink, etc., some to disperse heat, some to relieve summer heat, taking turns; during the day she would also specially prepare heat-relieving and durable ones for everyone to take to the He Dao Shang.

It had been almost two months; before, everyone praised it, only saying it was good; this Young Master Han never picked faults, drank whatever was given, drank it cleanly, and also often seriously came to praise it.

How could it change in the blink of an eye?

She could only remind: "Although soaking in hot water works, it's best to boil the water for a while, then simmer for a moment, so the flavor can come out fully—does Young Master plan to brew it himself?"

Han Li shook his head and said: "Stall Owner Song might forget at once—in a few days you will return to the Capital; then I will be left alone here; if I can't keep some..."

He paused here, then said: "With these Hawthorn leaves, at least I can keep a mouthful to drink."

Song Miao was stunned, then smiled: "It's my fault; seeing the silver in hand, I threw aside the employer and ran away myself!"

Han Li also laughed and said: "First leave some Hawthorn leaves for me; when I return to the Capital, I don't know if that Green Plum Dew Stall Owner Song mentioned last time is ready; if it is ready, keep a bowl for me chilled with ice to drink as soon as I enter the door; I don't know if it can be done or not?"

Naturally it can.

Song Miao nodded and smiled in agreement, then said: "The summer flood season only has these two months left; if everything goes smoothly, next month Young Master can return to the Capital—after returning to the Capital, if you taste that Green Plum Dew and like it, I will leave you plenty more, and also make some fresh plum sauce for you to dip roasted goose when you come back; how about that?"

"I already told Head Cook Zhang earlier; at that time I will leave some Pickled Vegetable Jar, and have told them your taste; it's not certain Young Master won't eat even more fragrant than when I was here!"

The smile on Han Li's face had not faded; he just shook his head and said: "That certainly won't be; I consider myself experienced and knowledgeable, and have seen quite a few good cooks, but I have never met one like Young Lady Song who not only has good skill, but whose skill just suits my appetite; I really will never meet one like that in the future either."

He was clearly praising Song Miao's skill, but that serious and certain look, as if what he was praising was not just skill.

After finishing speaking, he hesitated a moment, then said: "I used to have some stubborn ideas and went astray; since coming to Hua Prefecture and doing one thing, I have already wanted to turn around, and am slowly changing; Stall Owner Song, if in the future you think of something and see I haven't done it, just like this Hawthorn tea leaf matter this time, if you can't find me for a while, just go ahead and make the decision yourself; I have nothing to object to here."

"I haven't really experienced Young Master's stubbornness." Song Miao smiled; "But I've remembered the words; I've always been bold, and am the type who takes things seriously—if in the future there is something, I really will make the decision first; Young Master, you should think carefully, don't wait until I cause a mess and regret it too late."

Han Li just smiled, smiling until the corners of his eyes became soft.

He didn't respond to this sentence, but said: "Earlier Kong Fuyang saw Stall Owner Song's conduct and ran to tell me, only hoping that when he himself goes out to be an official in the future, he could have a Young Lady Song to manage the meals and manage the logistics, and also be the most capable advisor and guest."

"I laughed at him for 'daydreaming' at the time; after all, where in the world is there such a good thing." Han Li said here; not only his eyebrows and eyes, but his voice was also gentle; "Until today, I suddenly woke up—I don't know where my luck came from; it turns out that for these two months, I have been in a dream..."

He said this very seriously; the praise in his words was really too straightforward; Song Miao felt a bit embarrassed hearing it; she pursed her lips and replied: "I am the one who is lucky to have met a Superior like Young Master—not to mention the silver is given in full, and the credit is also advocated for me; when things happen, he always shoulders and covers for me; even if not counting Hua Prefecture, just the Capital Prefecture Office has already helped strive for who knows how many benefits; usually he also takes care of the business all the time..."

"The same words, I have also said to others; only it's not certain anyone cares; only Young Master alone has always taken them seriously; I have my own credit, but if there were not..."

She paused here, then smiled: "It's all Young Master's fault; praising and praising, making me feel proud in my heart, and almost forgetting the serious matter!"

So she recounted meeting Liang Yan this morning, and Xiang Lin's attitude, the Xiang Family's situation, and all the arrangements.

"I was wondering why today, when the Xiang Family was holding a white funeral, Liang Yan was still staying at the Yizhan so late, and had such a big bruise on his head; it turns out..."

Song Miao nodded: "I see he has nowhere to go; I intend to let this child stay here for a few days; when the merchant caravan time is set, I'll send him over; it won't cost much silver; just let him share a room with Da Bing; I just don't know if Young Master thinks it's okay or not?"

"Is there room? I remember Da Bing's room has many things placed in it; the houses are really too narrow; why not just open another room? It doesn't need to come out of the public account; I'll give it from here."

"They are both children; Da Bing pats his chest and says no problem—he's happy to have a companion."

The two walked out while talking.

Just as they were closing the door, they heard a burst of footsteps; Song Miao turned and saw Da Bing running over carrying a lantern; seeing the two, he hurriedly said: "Young Lady, Young Master Han, the Xiang Family people have come—it's the steward, waiting outside to ask to see Young Lady!"

Song Miao and Han Li looked at each other.

Han Li said: "I'm afraid it's not necessarily to pick someone up; I'll go with you to take a look."

The two exited the Outer Hall; the Xiang Family steward was already waiting.

Han Li naturally stepped aside and first told the boatmen about the Hawthorn leaves matter.

Everyone was very happy; they followed Da Bing to the back to each take some leaves; then, holding their bellies, they bade farewell and left.

Han Li went out to see them off.

The mule cart was waiting outside; after everyone got on the cart, when he returned to the room, Song Miao was still frowning and listening to the Xiang steward speaking.

"Really troubling Young Lady; I should have come earlier; who knew there would be so many matters..."

The old steward's face was full of fatigue; he looked like he hadn't closed his eyes for a long time; as soon as he sat down, he first gave Liang Yan a full-body examination; seeing him in a new set of clothes, with medicine oil applied to the bruise on his head, he knew his days were passing well.

He breathed a sigh of relief, put a bundle from his hand on the table, opened it in front of Song Miao, and said: "Young Master Yan came out in a hurry today and brought nothing; I brought two sets of clothes to deliver..."

"No need, no need! I have clothes now, Sheng Shu; if Xiang Lin finds out, he will definitely make a scene; I'm afraid it will implicate you; you'd better help take it back and keep it!"

The steward sighed and said: "You child, why are you so stubborn!"

He continued: "I knew you wouldn't accept it—this was bought ready-made at a clothing shop according to your size; it has nothing to do with the Xiang Family; besides, now the house is in a mess, and no one has time to care about other things."

Liang Yan looked at the opened bundle; inside were two sets of neatly folded new clothes, and also half a string of cash.

He blinked, then hurriedly called out, "Sheng Shu."

Manager Xiang said, "Though I'm just a lower-level manager, your father once looked after me, and I've watched you grow up—don't I deserve to give you two sets of clothes?"

Then he turned to Song Miao and said, "Song Xiaoniangzi, I originally knew someone heading to the Capital to do business, and I meant to send Liang Yan there to follow him and join Inspector Zhu. But when I went to ask, I learned he still had to take a detour through several places, so it's inconvenient to bring a child along."

"Right now, Young Master Yan is alone outside, and he won't find a suitable place to stay in a short while—I've gotten him a room at the Yi Guan Guan for now, and he'll stay here until a suitable caravan comes to pick him up. But he's still young, so I ask you, Young Lady, to keep an eye on him from time to time."

Song Miao said, "Manager, don't worry. Even if you hadn't said so, Liang Yan and I already knew each other before, and I'll keep an extra eye on him."

She added, "As for going to the Capital, I'll be leaving here in seven or eight days at the earliest, or half a month at the latest—I was planning to return to the Capital anyway..."

She briefly explained her subsequent arrangements, then turned back to look at Han Li.

The latter nodded.

Song Miao then said, "Besides me, my group has many students, and I've hired an escort team to protect us. We're going straight to the Capital, and I happen to know that Inspector Zhu..."

She spoke at length about the benefits, and finally said, "If you can't find a more suitable person, you might as well let me take him to the Capital."

Manager Xiang could hardly find a better choice; hearing this, he was overjoyed.

Once the matter was settled, he immediately stood up, preparing to take his leave.

Liang Yan hurriedly called him back, saying, "Sheng Shu, I lost my comb earlier and borrowed Man Fu's. It's placed by the bedside under a pillow. Could you tell him to come get it himself?"

Manager Xiang hesitated, but still shook his head, saying, "Man Fu and Lai Cai have both been driven out of the Xiang Family. I just saw them off this afternoon. I'm afraid your comb won't be returned."

Liang Yan was stunned, hardly believing his own ears, and hurriedly asked for the details.

Manager Xiang said, "It was the Young Master who drove them away. He said Man Fu and Lai Cai didn't obey orders and even stole things. He originally wanted to give them thirty heavy boards and even cut out their tongues. I stopped him because they were only short-term hires, but I couldn't stop him in the end, and he drove them away with his shouting."

Saying this, Manager Xiang added, "Young Master Yan, when you reach the Capital, train hard in martial arts. If you achieve something in the future and remember my kindness, then my efforts today won't have been in vain!"

After speaking, he hurried away.

After that Manager Xiang left the Yi Guan Guan, his carriage was clearly waiting at the door, yet he stood still for a long while without moving.

He truly didn't want to get on the carriage; he was truly exhausted, so exhausted that he didn't want to return to the Xiang Family at all.

The reason Man Fu and Lai Cai were driven away was that Xiang Lin worried they would talk nonsense outside, saying that this son of his had killed his own father.

That day, Xiang Lin had ordered these two servants to saw the Plum Blossom Piles, but they didn't go, so Xiang Lin went himself.

There were far too many people present that night, and everyone saw how Rui Fusheng "stepped and broke" the wooden pile.

At the time, the situation was urgent and everyone was too busy to pay attention to him. Later, Xiang Yuan died, Rui Fusheng was caught, and once a thorough investigation began, the suspicious nature of the Plum Blossom Piles was naturally discovered.

Xiang Lin's action was a case of unintended consequences, so naturally he wouldn't be punished. But he himself felt guilty, driving away one person after another.

In less than half a day, he had already driven away four people, and another five or six, though not driven away, had already tendered their resignations on their own.

Today was only the first day of the funeral rites, and the young master was already clamoring to leave.

He insisted on not going to the Capital, urging that the carriages and horses be readied, saying that once the Seventh Day passed, he would return to his hometown.

The Old Master had originally arranged for the young master to go to the Capital to study because he worried that the elders on both sides would spoil the child, and that relatives with their own agendas would indulge him, spoiling the boy.

Given the current state of affairs, going bad was inevitable; one just didn't know how bad he would turn out.

The Xiang Family's business had only been built up in the last ten or so years, so naturally it would fall apart even faster.

I signed a long-term contract, so I still need to find a way to leave as soon as possible...

?? Thank you Xiaoxiao for gifting me the Zuo Feel He Bi:)

? Thank you Feicui Luluobo for gifting me a Peach Blossom Fan, thank you Xiao Qiguai666 for gifting me a Sachet and a Peace Talisman, thank you Green plum Shou for gifting me a Xinxiangnang, thank you Rang Xiang Bu Dao for gifting me a Sachet=3=

? Thank you everyone for gifting me two Peace Talismans, thank you Han Shan Hui for gifting me a Peace Talisman.

? Thank you everyone