Chapter 292: Miao's Kitchen Chapter 314: Relief

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Upon hearing Cheng Erniang's tone, that Shen A'po had already guessed Song Miao's identity, and hurriedly came forward to greet her as well, saying: "Is this the shop's proprietress Song Xiaoniangzi? Young Lady, please look — I'm truly not boasting — throughout the Capital, at this price, let alone making clothes, even the fabric alone cannot be bought!"

She gestured at a jacket in her hand, saying: "The material is already rare; furthermore look at this workmanship, this tailoring, this style — Young Lady, my family wants to make a name, which is why we'd even lose money to offer this price..."

Song Miao examined that jacket seriously.

Shen A'po's words were not exaggerated in the slightest; it was indeed excellent workmanship. Although the style was largely similar to other food shops, one glance showed it was made with care — the tailoring was particularly neat, the stitching also very meticulous.

Moreover, these were clearly just sample garments, yet they had actually embroidered the four characters "Song Ji Food Shop" in several places on the chest and cuffs.

Recently when Cheng Erniang and the others went out to browse and select, they had also mentioned wanting to embroider characters on the clothes; each shop brought out their previous embroidery samples, most of which were extremely stiff, and it was rare to see any passable ones — the prices were all considerably higher.

Yet the embroidered characters on this set of sample clothes were extremely lively and beautiful; the lines were finished cleanly, the stroke thickness just right, appearing remarkably round and smooth — completely like enlarged printed characters, capturing both form and spirit.

For this quality, even if slightly more expensive, as long as it wasn't excessive, Song Ji would purchase.

However, the other party quoted such a low price that not only Song Miao, but even Cheng Erniang who habitually prioritized frugality, couldn't help but harbor doubts, looking over with great conflict.

Things being abnormal, Song Miao asked: "Is this price only for a single time? The shop needs clothes made for all four seasons; if we engage you for all of them, how would the pricing work?"

Shen A'po hesitated a moment, saying: "All four seasons need making?"

Song Miao found it even stranger, saying: "According to what you said earlier, isn't it for the sake of future business that you're willing to offer such a low price? If it's not for all four seasons, only this once, why give a discount?"

The other party hurriedly said: "Yes! Yes! For the other seasons, how does Young Lady want them made? How many sets? Let me go back and calculate the price, then reply to you!"

She didn't even know how many sets Song Ji wanted to make, yet proactively made samples and quoted a low price, coming to solicit business.

Song Miao already knew there must be a reason inside, but seeing this old woman's words and conduct, she clearly had no ill intent — rather she came to deliver a benefit — so she directly asked: "May I ask which embroidery workshop A'po is from? Who is the proprietor?"

Shen A'po said: "Right near Xiangguo Temple, at Baokangmen Waizi, there's a Yunxiang Embroidery Workshop — if Young Lady doesn't feel at ease, you can naturally visit and see for yourself! A truly proper embroidery workshop!"

Finished speaking, she again pressed for the numbers.

Hearing the four characters "Yunxiang Embroidery Workshop," Song Miao only felt them familiar; a brief thought and she immediately recalled this was the one that had posted a reward of over a hundred strings of cash after the Upper Yuan Festival, searching for their runaway embroidery girl.

She immediately asked: "I recall that workshop has a Shen Niangzi — I wonder if today's garments have any connection to her?"

That Shen A'po originally had a smiling face; hearing Song Miao's question, she subconsciously glanced toward Cheng Erniang at the side.

Cheng Erniang was also sharp-witted; using the excuse of having matters at hand, she withdrew to the back courtyard.

Once the person left, Shen A'po put the clothes back on the table, stepped back two paces, and said: "Don't know how to say it — this old woman's mouth is clumsy, so I'll just kowtow loudly to give Young Lady great thanks!"

Speaking, she indeed knocked her head to the ground, performing a full grand salute toward Song Miao, solid and proper.

The opposite party's movements were truly too fast; Song Miao was startled, unable even to decline in time, and hurriedly stepped forward to help embrace her up, saying: "How can this do — what is A'po saying?"

That Shen A'po, hearing Song Miao's one question, for some reason her eye rims reddened, tears falling incessantly, saying: "I originally discussed with the two of them — if Young Lady didn't know, we wouldn't speak of this, just treat it as coming to do business — but Young Lady asked, and my heart aches..."

Her wrinkled face, tears crisscrossing along the wrinkles, falling while she wiped with her hand, truly couldn't wipe fast enough, and nasal mucus also flowed out with the tears — truly feeling embarrassed, she hurriedly used her handkerchief to blow her nose, fearing loud noise, half-blowing half-wiping, making an even greater mess, both wretched and embarrassed, yet still flustered and frantic.

Seeing this, Song Miao only said: "I'll go fetch some water."

Actually the front hall had a copper basin of clean water, but she pretended that water didn't exist, and went to the back courtyard instead.

When she came out again, Shen A'po was already sitting properly; seeing Song Miao, her two swollen eyelids still red, corners of eyes still wet, yet she hurriedly stood to welcome her, received the copper basin, saying: "Troubled Young Lady to care."

She washed her hands, too embarrassed to wash the dirty handkerchief, just set the copper basin aside, herself clutching her hands and sitting down, saying in a low voice: "My niece is called Shen Xingniang, was tied up in Guangji Temple, thanks to Young Lady's rescue..."

"The two of us aunt and niece went to the yamen to quietly inquire; the Chai Guan said they couldn't disclose, but we pleaded for a long time, and finally understanding the victim's mind, they still revealed the bottom line..."

"That day the yamen could find the temple, entirely relied on Young Lady's carefulness, and Young Lady's kind heart — change to another person, if they hadn't noticed, or noticed but didn't take it to heart, specially reporting to officials several times, who knows if I'd ever see Xingniang again!"

Hearing this narration, Song Miao then learned that this Shen A'po across from her was actually Shen Xingniang's own aunt; her husband died early, children passed away one after another, she was a solitary widow, and for many years had always relied on her niece Shen Xingniang for survival, no different from a biological mother and daughter.

That day she accompanied her into the Capital; barely seeing her niece make a bit of a name through her skill, before they could even rejoice, the disappearance incident occurred.

Shen A'po said: "Not hiding from Young Lady — at that time I even had the heart to die — barely waited until the person was rescued, no matter what, she's a whole person, the rest doesn't matter, being alive is already ten thousand fortunes!"

Also said: "Afterwards, nursed her for a while, the person also recovered her wits; from the yamen we learned news, the two of us have been constantly thinking of coming to thank, but inquired several times, all said Young Lady went to Hua Prefecture, not yet returned..."

Both sides conversed for a while, Song Miao said: "I merely reported a message, a convenient matter; afterwards finding people or rescuing, all were the efforts of the yamen officials — truly no need to take it to heart."

Then asked about Shen Xingniang's current situation.

Shen A'po's expression paused slightly, saying: "Quite good."

Then pressed to ask how many people in Song Ji total, how the four-season clothes were prepared, so she could go back and report.

Song Miao briefly told her, and also said: "Shen Niangzi has good skill; have her properly quote a price — with this connection, we should mutually help each other, not give away or sell at a loss — whose money isn't hard-earned; if you want to acknowledge the sentiment, just interact more frequently."

She actually had many words she wanted to say, but after all the person facing her wasn't Shen Xingniang herself, and she also saw this Shen A'po mostly had some unspeakable difficulty, so ultimately couldn't press further.

Shen A'po sighed: "She originally instructed me not to let Young Lady know, just fearing if Young Lady knew, you'd be too polite, and these clothes couldn't be given away..."

"Even knowing, such good clothes at such a low price, I also dare not accept!"

Song Miao solemnly said: "Truly just acting with the trend, no great effort expended; if thanks, only have Shen Niangzi thank those officials — we're just an ordinary household; if in daily interactions we constantly mind our own shortcomings, both sides will be restrained, which instead isn't the long-term way."

She paused, then said: "Trouble A'po to help convey greetings to Shen Niangzi; if she has free time, please come visit often, drink some tea, eat some snacks — I run a food shop here, people day and night."

Shen A'po said a basketful of thanks before leaving.

However, by afternoon, she carried a large basket and came to the door again.

This time she brought one set of clothes for each of the four seasons; the other three seasons were fine, but the winter clothes had high-quality fine cotton sewn inside, and the price actually wasn't much more expensive than summer clothes — completely giving them away.

How could Song Miao agree, sighing: "A'po knows my meaning, why not explain clearly to Shen Niangzi?"

Shen A'po said: "I explained, but my niece's character is stubborn; she also said once autumn enters, the two of us will go south, not staying in the Capital, leftover materials hard to bring, waste to leave, thinking better to make clothes for Young Lady here!"

She pointed at the several sets of clothes on the table, saying: "Right now the clothing styles are all made; later when making new ones, Young Lady just needs people to copy according to these — can save considerable effort!"

Song Miao asked in surprise: "Go south? Shen Niangzi won't do business anymore?"

Shen A'po smiled bitterly, saying: "Originally not really a business either — just hanging under Yunxiang Embroidery Workshop to take outside work; Xingniang's skill is good, many come seeking, eight out of ten are for wedding clothes; now an incident happened, first the reputation sounds bad, second her health hasn't been good lately, going back to rest is also good."

Hearing this, Song Miao sighed softly, saying: "Since it's so, I even more cannot accept — Shen Niangzi unwell, how can I have clothes made for ten-odd people here? Trouble A'po to go back and help say a word: just say I know her kind heart, but it's unnecessary; please ask her to properly recuperate her body."

Shen A'po was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly advised and spoke, but seeing Song Miao's attitude was firm, she really could not persuade her, so she forcibly left the clothes in the basket and left first herself.

Song Miao actually very much wanted to go and get acquainted with her, but hearing that Shen Xingniang had been in poor health recently, she worried about disturbing her, or causing people to make more associations, so for the time being she did not dare to ask too much.

In recent months, the Capital has recovered quite a few lost victims.

After everyone returned to their respective homes, some hid in their rooms for many days yet still were unwilling to go out; others suffered from a fright illness, could not bear to see outsiders; and still others could not sleep peacefully day and night.

One only hopes that Shen Xingniang's so-called discomfort is merely an ordinary ailment, and not some lingering aftereffect.

Although they have never met, the other party bears this name and also knows the kesi silk technique, so Song Miao cannot help but think of her a bit more in her heart.

Song Miao thinks of Shen Xingniang here, yet there is also someone thinking of her.

After eating dinner, Xiao Lian helped clear the bowls and chopsticks, hurriedly went to wash her hands, then hovered around, glancing at Song Miao from time to time; seeing her put down the brush and move her neck, she rushed out at once and asked, "Eldest Sister, shall I massage your shoulders and back for you?"

As she spoke, she had already moved a small stool and stood eagerly to one side.

Song Miao could not help but laugh and asked, "You studied at the medical hall all day today, aren't you tired?"

"I'm only a tiny bit tired." Xiao Lian extended her right pinky, held it before her face, pressed her ring finger and thumb against the pinky's tip, squeezing out a "tiny bit" gesture.

"I'm the one who costs money; Eldest Sister and Mother earning money is what's tiring!" She said this, placed the small stool behind Song Miao, stepped up on it, and indeed began pressing and kneading.

"Just yesterday I massaged Mother's back, and she said it was very comfortable!"

Her small hands pressed on the back; the strength was actually not great — rather than physical comfort, it was more like comfort of the heart.

Letting the child hammer and press for half a cup of tea's time, Song Miao turned her head and saw fine beads of sweat already seeping from the tip of Xiao Lian's nose, so she smiled and said, "All right! I feel much looser now! Rest for today; another day you can massage Eldest Sister again!"

Xiao Lian was very happy and asked, "Really much looser?"

Then she said, "I'm already learning acupoints; Master said, once I know the acupoints accurately, even if my strength is small, pressing will still be very useful — Eldest Sister, just wait!"

As she spoke, she wiped her hands, fished something out from her pocket, held it up before Song Miao, and said, "I just made it; for Eldest Sister to rub on itches!"

Song Miao was somewhat surprised; she took it and looked — it was a lidded coarse pottery box the size of a walnut, filled full of a deep purple ointment, giving off a faint medicinal herb fragrance.

"It's Purple Grass Ointment; I saw Senior Sister making it, specially went to give her a hand, just wanting to learn to make a box — heard rubbing it on mosquito bites is especially useful, one application and it stops itching!"

"Mother and I don't attract mosquitoes; only Eldest Sister attracts them severely. Last time that mosquito-repelling sachet I made, don't know why, didn't seem to work very well. Eldest Sister carry this; if bitten it won't be so itchy!"

Xiao Lian very seriously explained the making method to Song Miao.

Inside were used purple grass, Chinese angelica, saposhnikovia, fresh rehmannia, frankincense, and so on, plus sesame oil and beeswax — not cheap, but Senior Sister heard it was for "the elder sister who makes dried meat, dried fish, char siu roast meat buns, tofu buns, mung bean cakes," and without a second word, gave a portion.

She was very proud and said, "Several senior brothers asked Senior Sister for some; Senior Sister ignored them all; they were so jealous, saying I got lucky!"

She also leaned against Song Miao, enumerating what each herb inside might do, what each person did, what new things happened at the medical hall today, what she learned, that she memorized pharmacology fastest and best, earned Master's praise; furthermore, the day after tomorrow Master will take a group of senior sisters and brothers to the Capital vicinity to act as itinerant doctors; pity she is too young and cannot go along.

Song Miao had been busy all day; at this moment listening to a few sentences of childish talk, especially from such a small, well-behaved Xiao Lian, she felt very relaxed, and discussed back and forth with her.

When she heard the words "itinerant doctor" and such, knowing that in the past one or two years Doctor Lin has not sat at the hall much, she felt some curiosity and could not help but ask a bit more.

Xiao Lian then said, "Master said, there are many good doctors in the Capital, not lacking her one; but down in the villages, in the countryside, many old people, especially grandmothers, clearly have many ailments yet always fail to get good treatment; also some people have thin face skin, some illnesses, seeing a male doctor, they dare not let them examine; she takes us to treat the sick, we apprentices can see a bit more, patients can get diagnosis — nothing could be better!"

A child speaking adult words here is naturally all learned.

Song Miao long knew that Lin Laodaifu's medical skill is good; recently hearing Xiao Lian come back and parrot her words, she only feels her medical ethics are also extremely good.