Chapter 221

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Song Miao saw the visitor and quickly stepped forward, smiling as she welcomed him inside, saying: "Just returned yesterday, only rested for one night — Young Master He's timing is truly perfect!"

This person was naturally that Guozixue student He Qi who once wailed and bawled over a single meat shaomai, and then, to avoid taking the exam, used an excuse to hide back home.

He kept clamoring to patronize the stall daily, yet three months have passed and he hasn't managed to eat a single meal there.

Hearing that word "perfect," the other party was visibly overjoyed, the corners of his mouth curling up, saying: "Of course, the timing must be perfect! It shows I have tremendous fate with Stall Owner Song!"

Song Miao first offered him a seat, saw sweat on his nose tip and forehead, followed his gaze out the door, and saw the blazing sun outside, scorching so fiercely the sunlight seemed to bend, so she asked: "What would Young Master like to drink? If hot, simmering a perilla drink is just the seasonal thing to relieve heat; if cold, I have freshly made plum dew, not yet tasted — this can also be mixed with warm water, depending on Young Master's preference."

"Cold! Cold!" He Qi practically shouted instantly, "I'll drink hot when I'm old — normally I hate eating hot food at high noon in summer! It heats my whole head and face!"

With a mournful face, he said: "Recently the weather is scorching, roasting my head till it's burnt; I go home and one after another they still want to teach me summer health preservation, saying 'fight heat with heat'! Making a pile of heavily tonic, heavily heating dishes, perfectly good cooks, perfectly good kitchen, forced daily by them to make medicinal diets, I smell it and touch it and my whole body is hot, not a shred of appetite!"

Song Miao couldn't help laughing, saying: "There is some reason to it, though — the stomach likes cold, but the lungs and viscera fear cold; if one is constitutionally cold and deficient, eating too many freezing things now will only bring suffering later."

She added: "I've heard people say before that summer is precisely the time to supplement and expel cold..."

"My uncle says I'm sturdy as an ox, Grandmother praises me as a furnace; with this heat, if you don't give me some freezing cold to suppress it, I won't even last till later — right now I'll burn into charcoal!"

He spoke to this point, seemingly thinking of something, and said with full anticipation: "That plum dew is sweet-and-sour, right?"

Seeing Song Miao nod, he said delightedly: "I love sweet-and-sour drinks most!"

Impatient beyond measure, he immediately turned his head toward the door and called: "Bei Zhi! Bei Zhi! Don't rush to tether the horse! Help me get ice!! Hurry up and bring some ice back — you drink a sip yourself before returning!"

A prompt reply came from outside the door.

He Qi said to Song Miao again: "Song Xiaoniangzi, after the plum drink is ready, wait for my ice first, all right?"

Song Miao smiled and agreed, rising to go to the back courtyard.

The moment she left, He Qi suddenly stood up, chased out the outer gate, and called back Bei Zhi who had just mounted his horse and hadn't gone two steps, asking: "Where are you thinking of getting ice? Get more; once the drink is made, Song Xiaoniangzi can keep some for herself too, this heat is too bizarre!"

Bei Zhi hurriedly reined his horse around and said: "Young Master rest assured, I see Qin Fang Garden is nearest, just two streets away; conveniently tonight Eldest Young Master is hosting a banquet there, the courtyard will certainly have ample ice prepared, and who knows, maybe even some rare ingredients."

"I'll go in and say a few nice words, just say Young Master you want it, and we'll surely be able to bring out something from the kitchen too — we've come so many times, never imagined this time such luck, actually running into Song Xiaoniangzi's return, I didn't even have time to prepare a gift for Young Master in advance, perfect chance to swipe some from there!"

He Qi was overjoyed, shouting: "I knew you were clever!"

He further instructed: "Don't take those that can't keep long — Song Xiaoniangzi just returned last night, I'll sit idly with her a while then leave, avoid meal time, lest she has to personally cook again, bad for her rest!"

Finally he said: "Weather's hot, go fast and return fast!"

Bei Zhi hurriedly acknowledged and galloped off.

Only after seeing the man off did He Qi return to the room.

In the back courtyard, Song Miao didn't fetch the plum dew; before long she came out carrying a pot, poured He Qi a cup, and said: "Originally prepared in advance for Er Niangzi — she went out on business, this tea has sat in the well for a long time, cool and refreshing; ice hasn't arrived yet, Young Master make do with this to quench thirst first!"

He Qi first tried a sip, smacked his lips to taste, then immediately gulped down the whole cup, sighing: "So comfortable — what tea is this? Though not light and floating, it's very deep and penetrating! Perfect for drinking in summer!"

"It's hawthorn leaf tea I brought back from Hua Prefecture." Song Miao smiled, "Though a rampant growth, its efficacy is excellent, very good for promoting saliva and quenching thirst."

She added: "If Young Master gets used to drinking it, I'll bring a packet back for you?"

He Qi agreed at once, then asked how to brew this tea, memorized what Song Miao said, repeated it once more, and finally laughed: "I'll go back and teach them!"

He also asked whether Song Miao's trip to Hua Prefecture went smoothly, and when she planned to resume stall business.

Song Miao answered each in turn, finally saying: "I just returned, still have some matters to handle, thinking to dodge laziness, rest a bit, ponder some new foods — roughly a few days, not certain yet."

"If Young Master has leisure these days, if you can dodge the heat, feel free to come eat a simple meal; you've said so many times before, never really got to eat properly."

He Qi ignored everything else, hearing the word "change," was startled, and said: "Change which one? Perfectly fine as is, why change?"

"I'm thinking of replacing the shaomai." Song Miao said, "Dog days of summer, eating piping hot meat shaomai is ultimately a bit greasy; bamboo shoots are also past season, without that one flavor, the vegetarian shaomai always lacks a bit of freshness — what does Young Master think?"

"The glutinous rice is fine, right??"

"Glutinous rice is fine, suitable for all four seasons."

He Qi instantly relaxed, pondered a while, and said seriously: "I just now thought back over all the dishes I've eaten recently; because the weather is hot, indeed I have no appetite for any; replacing the shaomai is good; after the bitter summer passes, bring these few items back — in cold days I love Song Xiaoniangzi's lamb shaomai and bamboo shoot vegetarian shaomai too much!"

He also asked what new foods she planned to make.

"Still thinking; the weather is truly too hot, afraid some things if left a while will easily spoil, and if people eat them and ruin their stomachs that would be trouble."

For instance, the dried tofu in vegetarian shaomai is extremely prone to spoilage in summer; being made of soybeans, once the weather heats, leaving it in the open is bad, putting it in the pot is worse — if you can't keep the pot constantly boiling, cover it and it won't last two hours before turning sour; simmering long in dried lotus leaves is no good either.

"Common, easy-to-make, easy-to-sell foods, Food Alley already has people selling them; afraid my new items here won't necessarily be more liked than the originals — Young Master don't set your hopes too high, lest you be disappointed later."

Hearing this, He Qi immediately shook his head vigorously, saying: "Song Xiaoniangzi actually talks nonsense too! Your foods, I've never eaten one I didn't like!"

He added: "Actually you could make steamed buns, pickled vegetable meat buns and such; I see many people in the academy love eating them!"

Song Miao smiled: "Someone already makes them; that stall owner's lamb buns taste very good."

"With your skill, even if a hundred people made them together, they couldn't match you! What's there to fear!"

"Everyone has their own skill; still better each does their own, harmony brings wealth." Song Miao smiled, "Just thanking Young Master He for his favor."

He Qi blanked for a moment, then smiled again, saying: "Exactly, I was thinking crookedly."

As the two spoke, behind them Liang Yan came out carrying fresh fruit and snacks.

Song Miao went forward to receive them and arranged them on the table.

He Qi hurriedly also stood up, saying: "Just now didn't get to ask — but don't know who this person is..."

"He's a Liang family younger brother I knew earlier; coincidentally met again in Hua Prefecture; this time entering the Capital wanting to enter a martial academy to study martial arts."

Song Miao introduced in a few sentences, then introduced He Qi to Liang Yan.

Liang Yan immediately stepped forward and performed a bow.

He Qi hurriedly helped him up, groped around his waist in a fluster, finally unfastened the sachet tied there, and handed it over: "First meeting, nothing else, inside only two small coins..."

Liang Yan didn't dare accept, scared stiff, hurriedly dodged, and anxiously looked toward Song Miao.

Song Miao had handled Zhu Jie'er's sachet before, so upon seeing this one from He Qi she realized that although the pattern and size differed slightly, the embroidery was all top-notch, and inside was an unknown number of gold or silver coins, making it only more valuable.

Liang Yan, this little brat, was afraid of owing a favor he couldn't repay and was scared to death; although she knew He Qi meant only kindness, giving without expecting anything back, she still didn't want the former to carry too heavy a burden, so she smiled and stepped forward to stop him, saying: "Young Master, please don't make things hard for him—the adults aren't around at home, he's well brought up and doesn't dare accept."

She added: "Little Yan is still looking for a wuguan and martial arts teacher; Young Master, if you know of any suitable ones, keep an eye out for him and tell us a name—that would be a great help!"

He Qi had originally given the sachet as a sincere meeting gift, but upon hearing Song Miao say this and seeing Liang Yan's awkward look, he realized he had acted improperly.

He hesitated for a moment, but in the end took the sachet back, saying: "Alright, I just don't know what kind of martial arts you want to learn?"

He then introduced the various famous masters he knew—stick masters, sword masters, fist masters, archery masters, and so on—in detail.

Song Miao followed Liang Yan and listened around for a while, thinking she was just broadening her knowledge, but Liang Yan was full of longing, finally sighing: "They're all great masters; I'm afraid I can't enter their doors as a disciple."

"See which one you like; though I can't guarantee you'll be accepted, I can still make an introduction," said He Qi.

Liang Yan hurriedly waved his hands, about to decline, but Song Miao gently patted his back, then smiled and said: "We don't know the situation yet; once we're settled, if we need anything, I'll bring someone to find Young Master."

She then asked Liang Yan to pour more tea for He Qi.

While speaking, a sound of horse hooves came from outside—it was Beizhi returning after having left.

He called out excitedly from outside, then came in through the door, with a large basket on his back, a large bundle on his shoulder, and a cage in his hand; as soon as he entered he said: "Good for Young Master and Song Xiaoniangzi to see, what good things I've snatched!"

He first set down the cage; as soon as it touched the ground, "gugugugugu" came from inside; he lifted the cover, and a chicken head poked out.

The chicken head stood steadily, its feathers like silk; from the start it looked left and right, full of energy.

Song Miao recognized it at once, saying: "What a spirited black-boned chicken!"

Beizhi immediately said: "Young Lady has good knowledge! Just sent from Shaozhou; I told the kitchen to pick the fiercest one—I thought, the fiercer the chicken, the more it runs around, the better the meat must taste!"

Speaking, he then unloaded the bundle and the back basket respectively.

Inside the back basket were whole square blocks of ice, wrapped layer upon layer with grass, cloth, and oil paper outside; as soon as one got near, a chill assailed the face—complete with ice cones and ice picks.

The things inside the bundle were far more complex; first a thick layer of moss, and as soon as it was opened, a complex smell rushed out.

The smell should have been fragrant, but too mixed and too strong; upon first smelling it, one couldn't distinguish anything at all, only feeling dizzy.

Beizhi was about to speak, but upon smelling the odor, he lowered his head and looked; his complexion changed, and he cried out: "Why so much grass!"

He Qi stepped forward to distinguish them, saying: "Seems to be for enhancing fragrance; this one looks like cilantro, yet seems not to be cilantro."

Beizhi quickly came to his senses, turned the bundle over to look at the pattern on the cloth, and stamped his foot, saying: "Ai ya! Because I didn't want to do it myself, I had someone hang it on my shoulder—turns out I grabbed the wrong one!"

He then hurriedly apologized to He Qi, saying: "Originally it was many dried mushrooms, said to be newly delivered from Shanxian; there was a big basket of fresh ones and a big basket of dried ones, and I specially took some dried ones; who would have thought... it's this little one's carelessness!"

He then asked: "Or should I go again and take them anew?"

He Qi shook his head: "Big Brother has them at home; there must be more at home; next time I come I'll bring some for Song Xiaoniangzi."

Speaking, he then said to Song Miao: "I still have matters; after drinking that plum dew ice drink I'll head back first; I'll come again another day!"

Song Miao, reminded by this sentence, hurriedly turned to look at the water clock in the corner, saying: "I was just about to ask—Young Master, did you finish school early and are in a hurry to go home?"

She added: "It's almost noon; even if you hurry, you should eat? Though it's hot and there's no appetite, since you've come to my door, my family is a food shop, and I really don't want to let anyone leave on an empty stomach—Young Master He, what would you like to eat? I'll make something quick; it'll be done in a flash!"

He Qi hemmed and hawed, thought up excuses for a good while, about to find a reason from the school, when he heard voices outside; soon after, two people came in, wiping sweat from their heads and faces.

It was Cheng Erniang and Cheng Zijian.

The two, upon entering and seeing such liveliness inside, were both stunned.

Song Miao saw Cheng Zijian coming over under the big sun at noon and knew there must be something to say, but He Qi was present, so she didn't ask first; she greeted him first and said: "Young Master Cheng, at the latest when do you need to go back?"

Cheng Zijian looked at the water clock and gave a time.

Song Miao then said: "I've had no appetite these past two days from the heat and haven't eaten much; I was just about to start cooking—have a meal before you go."

Cheng Zijian turned to look at Cheng Erniang first; upon getting her nod, he nodded eagerly.

Song Miao then went to ask He Qi.

Seeing that Song Miao was going to cook anyway, He Qi couldn't help but think wildly: cooking for one is cooking, cooking for two or three is also cooking; sigh, heaven doesn't want me to be a considerate person! Who made me have such a greedy mouth!

He sighed and said: "I'll go along with Brother Cheng!"

He added: "Just right, there's a chicken—kill that chicken; last time I returned to my hometown I learned how to pluck chickens and ducks; I'll do the plucking!"

?? Thank you to Yellow Scorpion Palace for sending two sachets as a gift; keyboard warriors, don't argue—it's you who sent the super large sachet, one each; Qing Mei Shou, Mai Dou Ai Xiao Du sent one sachet each; smells so good, is it osmanthus flavor?

? Thank you to Zhen Zi and book friend for each sending two peace talismans as a gift,, book friend sent one peace talisman: )

? Thank you everyone, also thank you Food Friends for all kinds of votes=3=