Chapter 245

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

He Lao Furen originally thought the chilled Sweet and Sour Pork was a sweet-and-sour flavor, and would certainly go well with rice, but as she ate, she discovered it was not at all.

—She only focused on eating the Sweet and Sour Pork piece by piece, completely forgetting to pair it with rice.

In the past, whether eating Sugar Vinegar Pork Tenderloin or other similar dishes, because the sweet-and-sour taste was heavy, no matter how well the flavor was adjusted, one would more or less want to get some rice to neutralize it.

But this dish, because it had ice, reduced that heavy concentration of heavy sour and heavy sweet upon entry, inexplicably giving a feeling of lifting something heavy as if light; one only felt it ought to be allowed to solely enjoy one's mouth at this moment, all taste should be left for it, not letting rice come to snatch even a fraction of its territory.

The one that truly goes with rice is that Perilla Cucumber.

The perilla aroma inside is too unique, a flavor beyond imagination, paired with the cucumber's clear freshness, it is completely a match made in heaven; the two clearly contradictory words, refreshing and rich, are embodied to perfection in this dish.

Usually she always felt cooked cucumber was not as good as when raw, but at this moment cut into thick slices, pan-fried on both sides, the ring with skin on the edge even developed mottled tiger-skin wrinkles, yet the juice inside was locked in dead tight, not a single drop managed to escape.

The perilla was cut into fine threads, stir-fried, its aroma fully stimulated, the flavor deeply permeating into the cucumber.

The cucumber was cooked very soft, but biting it still emitted a slight "Crack!" sound, salty and fresh, with spiciness.

Similarly one bite one burst of juice, that juice is too absolute, it is the cooked cucumber juice produced from pork fat pan-frying together with soy sauce and cornel, carrying the cucumber's refreshment, the cornel's spicy bite, and the unique aroma brought by the perilla after stir-frying, integrating everything.

If one encounters an unconfident tongue, upon just tasting such a flavor, one might even generate self-doubt — Am I worthy to eat? What virtue and ability do I have?

Blocked by these two dishes, when He Lao Furen ate, she really had no mind to care about the rest, only knowing to single-mindedly eat.

Old in years, seen much, fresh things from heaven and earth all tried, her intestines and stomach at this moment have already become more fond of ordinary flavors.

The several dishes before her are all ordinary ingredients, except that Sweet and Sour Pork requires passing through oil which is more troublesome — for storekeepers it is also not troublesome — the rest are all home cooking.

And Song Ji's home cooking, changed the pairing, adjusted the flavor profile, still remains within the taste framework of people's innate habits, don't know why, eating it is always particularly palatable, particularly comfortable, and can even have some surprise.

That surprise is within expectations, and does not need you to expend half a bit of effort or energy to adapt, as if meeting a close friend in a foreign land, the other party changes appearance, spirited, sees you, overjoyed, after meeting, a chat, still the former appearance, former temperament, also former way of getting along, no need to re-familiarize a single bit, just both more mature, experienced more.

And after you chat deep into the night, sleep with feet touching, all feelings, condense into one sentence — Hey! Good thing it's you! As expected it's you!

Song Miao prepared dishes, and did not make a lot, because it was a small dining table, cooking according to the number of people coming, naturally also estimating the appetite of one old and one small.

Thus one meal eaten finished, on the table except for half a basin of remaining ice, a bit of minced garlic and cornel fragments, even the perilla leaves were picked clean — He Lao Furen tried taking them to mix with cucumber slices to eat with rice, extremely fragrant, thus once started could not stop.

When picking up the last piece of Sweet and Sour Pork, He Lao Furen finally came back to her senses.

Only one piece left?

She ate seven or eight parts full, enjoyment not exhausted, still wanted to eat more, thus couldn't help but ask: "Song Xiaoniangzi, is there still that Perilla Cucumber? How about serving another small plate? I'll add two mouthfuls of rice, pair it to eat."

At once Zhu Jie'er, who still had the last Sweet and Sour Pork from her own bowl in her mouth, also had her eyes widen, hurriedly tilted her head to look at Song Miao along with her, if not for her mouth really unable to spare space, she would truly want to follow and ask — "Can I also have a few more pieces of Sweet and Sour Pork!"

And that maidservant at the side had already hurriedly snatched to reply: "When the invitation cards were sent earlier, it was already told to Young Lady, asking her to cook by headcount, don't make extra, there is not a single bit more!"

While speaking, also very quickly signaled with eyes at Song Miao.

Song Miao also responded: "Really made according to portions, there is no more — Old Lady if you have leisure, come often and sit, if no leisure, having the kitchen make it at home is also about the same."

Ah?

But that is really too far off, not one kind of flavor, not one kind of delicious!

Thus one old one small, sitting together at tableside, not by prior agreement both let out one long one short sigh, one wrinkling old eyebrows, one wrinkling small eyebrows, both looking very disappointed.

Chopsticks holding the last grain of Sweet and Sour Pork, He Lao Furen actually had a bit of reluctance to immediately eat.

She couldn't help but say: "Is this question not good to ask? What makes your Sweet and Sour Pork, fried so it's both crisp and tender?"

"To speak of it is shameful, earlier Zhu Jie'er returned home, spoke of the chilled Sweet and Sour Pork eaten at your place, I had the house make it once following that, delicious is delicious, but compared to yours, really like two different things, just don't know where the problem lies!"

Song Miao then asked how that He Lao Furen's household cook made this Sweet and Sour Pork.

A moment listening finished, she said: "Most likely the mansion's kitchen followed the Sugar Vinegar Pork Tenderloin method to make it, also used small tenderloin, tender is tender, but this Sweet and Sour Pork emphasizes mellowing, crispiness, abundant meat juice, solid meat fried out only has meat juice, can also be soft tender, just very hard to be crisp."

"Then how should it be done?" He Lao Furen listened entranced, subconsciously asked a sentence.

But she finished speaking, immediately reacted, hurriedly said: "Storekeeper's livelihood secret recipe, ought to be absolutely cannot be revealed right? Young Lady need not mind, I misspoke a moment!"

Song Miao smiled: "Naturally it's not good to publicize it everywhere, but it's not that it absolutely cannot be said—Old Lady, do you not trust me? Besides, cooking originally has no secrets; pointing it out is worth a penny, and even if it isn't pointed out, a cook with some knowledge can take one glance, taste one bite, and get eight or nine out of ten right."

She said: "I usually use Pork Belly sliced into extremely thin long slices, seasoned, coated in flour paste, rolled into grains, fried then re-fried — Old Lady return to mansion one say, that cook's wife will understand."

No need to return to mansion to find cook's wife, He Lao Furen at this moment hearing, herself also understood, said: "No wonder you said solid meat fried cannot produce this mouthfeel! Originally it's using meat slices to make rolls! No wonder outside especially crisp, inside also crisp tender!"

She speaking, couldn't hold back, lowered head towards Sweet and Sour Pork bit a bite.

Indeed not saying the time didn't notice, now carefully examining, inside the crisp shell, at the bitten cross-section, the meat grains are layer upon layer rolled, one bite open, meat juice also surges out along with it.

"Actually using Pork neck sliced thin slices to roll, fried Sweet and Sour Pork also delicious, only Pork neck although oil flowers like snow, fat tender extremely, yet cannot fry out Pork Belly this kind of crisp mouthfeel, will be more tender, Old Lady can both try, and see which one more liked."

Song Miao finished speaking, again smiled: "But each person accustomed fire timing, seasoning different, made things flavor naturally also different, even same recipe, same technique, same master taught out, mouthfeel also not entirely same."

"Old Lady feels my Sweet and Sour Pork compared to ordinary even more delicious, perhaps is because my skill hits it off, only hoping fate deep some, future leisure often come sit, much much patronize my business!"

"Even if not come patronize, also hope you and Zhu Jie'er more come as guests — Xiao Lian these two days keeps mentioning newly made good friend, yesterday I made Amber Walnuts, she wouldn't even bear to eat, said wait for Zhu Jie'er to come eat together!"

Who doesn't like being thought of?

Who doesn't like being thought of because "oneself" is "oneself"?

Not to mention Zhu Jie'er anxious beyond measure, born with taste that matches Song Miao's skill "hits it off", He Lao Furen at this moment also gives rise to an impulse, hate not tomorrow still come here eat a meal, or eat two meals, try what flavor that Pork neck rolled fried Sweet and Sour Pork is, again with this Song Xiaoniangzi speak speak, chat a while.

He Lao Furen has always been a person who enjoys sharing joy more than enjoying alone.

She thought of today's eaten glutinous rice cake, again thought of that Perilla Cucumber, again thought of chilled Sweet and Sour Pork, couldn't help but say: "Song Xiaoniangzi accept or not outside banquet?"

"My family has a Courtyard, lotus flowers just blooming, looking just about to bloom in full — originally wanted to invite a group of old friends gather, admire flowers drink tea, naturally also need to eat, you if have leisure, can you come help add a few dishes? Also no need others, just move today's these over!"

Song Miao with Xiao Lian went out to send off that one old one small two, Da Bing in front hall packing things, hearing outside sound, again couldn't hold back, quietly with side Cheng Erniang said: "Er Niangzi, I just now almost couldn't hold back from interjecting, our Young Lady's cooking, delicious ones are many more, today these several naturally good, but others equally good, even better, that Old Lady hasn't seen yet! Better to have her place a full table banquet!"

Cheng Erniang also said: "This words although not very polite, actually very reasonable, just don't say it out — if can give our Young Lady a chance, make a full table, fear one banquet eaten finish, whoever eats banquet, one counts as one, all will be caged into our food shop guests!"

Two people according to Song Miao early early already instructed arrangements, check gaps fill omissions once, put next day can pack all prepared, sky color already not early.

Seeing already arrived at early agreed hour, still not see that coachman Xu Shifu come, Cheng Erniang couldn't help puzzled, asked: "Could it be I remembered wrong hour?"

Da Bing said: "Something seems to have come up at Xu Shifu's house these past couple of days, so he arrived a bit late. I'm fine here at least—at worst I'll just get home and rest a little late. As long as it doesn't delay the morning meal delivery."

Hearing Da Bing explain it this way, Cheng Erniang said no more.

Whose family doesn't have some big or small matter? As long as nothing major is delayed in the end.

After about an hour, Xu Shifu finally arrived late.

The mule cart hadn't even come to a steady stop when he saw Da Bing standing at the doorway, and he immediately shouted loudly: "Ai! I originally wanted to come earlier to pick you up, but the child next door suddenly came down with a fever again and kept raving, so his family begged me to take him to see a doctor first. I finally found a clinic and thought I'd hurry over here, but who knew the road at Zhou Bridge was completely blocked."

"I heard the carriage in front almost hit a horse-drawn carriage, but it didn't in the end. It's just a pity that I'm someone with errands to run. Watching the sky grow dark, there was nothing to be done. Fortunately, although the sky is dark, the time is still early..."

He kept explaining without stopping here, but Da Bing wasn't very happy in his heart. Just hearing the other party bring up a child, he didn't want to pick a fight, so he said: "Forget it, be earlier next time."

When the cart body was opened, Da Bing felt even more uncomfortable.

As soon as the door opened, he saw much yellow mud on the floor inside, some places still wet, as if it hadn't been cleaned up yet—midsummer, so hot. If it had gotten wet in the morning, it would definitely have dried by now.

It looked very much like they had just finished transporting cargo and rushed over without having time to tidy up.

He couldn't help but say: "Er Niangzi said Xu Shifu knows every road and understands how to run fast. Even I know Zhou Bridge is always blocked in the morning, at mealtime, and at night. Why did you still go that way?"

Xu Shifu acted completely indifferent and said: "What's a big deal? Just a little late, and nothing was really delayed! It's just a child. He already admitted his mistake just now. Why do you keep harping on it?"

While speaking, the mule cart traveled to the corner position.

The cart driver suddenly pulled tight the reins and jumped down from the mule cart.

Da Bing was stunned, hurriedly opened the front door of the cart body, and asked: "Xu Shifu, what are you doing?"

Before his words fell, he saw the other party facing away from the outside, found a section of enclosure wall, and loosened his lower garment...

Da Bing felt uncomfortable all over seeing this.

He had followed Song Miao for over two months, especially when in Hua Prefecture. Whenever a batch of laundresses and aunties came, he would teach them those fifty-two rules many times over, and the most important among them was "cleanliness."

Day after day, he now couldn't stand such behavior and really couldn't help but say: "Xu Shifu, why not turn back and relieve yourself inside our food shop instead..."

Xu Shifu had already pulled up his lower garment and returned by this time. Hearing the words, he gave a cold snort and said: "You little brat, how old are you? You haven't even grown your hair fully, and you're already so affected! Out here sometimes there isn't even a wall corner. I turn my back, find an empty space, and it's just as easily solved. Learn from you, looking for toilets everywhere—you'd hold it until you burst!"

But this is someone else's wall corner! Why don't you turn your back and relieve yourself at your own family doorway!

Da Bing was seething with anger here. At Junyi Bridge Street, He Lao Furen, who had just returned home, was full of joy in her heart.

She called her personal maid and named six or seven people in succession, saying: "Send them all invitation cards. Just say I'm holding a banquet to admire flowers and invite them to come!"

The maid wrote down the names one by one, then said: "After this meal is over, I'm afraid Song Ji will suddenly gain several more guests!"

He Lao Furen said: "Whether there will be more or not, we can't decide by saying so. It all depends on her own ability!"

The maid then said: "I can see it now. Not only do we sisters like her, but you, Old Furen, also like that young lady very much, right?"

He Lao Furen laughed and said: "She is a clever person—never mind that. I don't know why, but from the moment I met her, I felt strangely close to her. Sitting with her and talking is very comfortable."

The maid said: "Not to mention Old Furen, I think she's a top-notch person. With that young lady's skill and her temperament, that shop will surely succeed sooner or later. As for her herself, she will definitely be someone with a great future!"

She sighed again: "I truly admire her. The last time I went to inquire, I only learned that something happened in her family. She's carrying a debt alone. It's hard that she's managed to hold on. Now she's gathered several people together. If I had even half her ability..."

He Lao Furen said: "You are very good too."

"You've taken care of me for seven or eight years. You're meticulous, hardworking, and in all my matters, you put your heart into everything. You know when I'm cold or hot. I've seen it all!" He Lao Furen smiled. "In the blink of an eye, you're sixteen. You know my temper—I never speak in roundabout ways. In the whole residence, choose for yourself. If there's a suitable one, I'll go and negotiate for you. If there isn't a suitable one, choose from outside. Or if there's someone you trust, tell me the conditions, and I'll act as matchmaker for you."

The maid was stunned, her face turned red. After a long while, she said: "This servant... this servant entirely relies on Old Furen's help to make the decision!"

She added: "If he could be someone who reads books and writes..."

He Lao Furen said: "Tell me the truth. If there's someone you like, don't hide it from me. This is a lifelong matter."

"No! Really none!" The maid hurriedly said. "It's just that this servant thinks our residence probably doesn't have a suitable one. But He family's Eldest Young Master reads well, is capable, and if he has a servant attending him, that person probably knows how to read and has good character..."

As she spoke, she became more and more embarrassed, and her voice grew lower and lower.

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