Chapter 312: Miao's Kitchen Chapter 334: Superiority

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Hearing Song Miao's question, that patrol soldier at first paid no mind, saying that unrelated persons could not interfere in case details.

Only upon learning she was the victim's employer from yesterday, and seeing Qi Biaotou and two other burly men standing with arms akimbo behind her, did he run to the back; after asking someone, he came out and reluctantly explained a few sentences.

As for Song Miao asking where the extortionist had escaped from and why he had escaped, this patrol soldier acted like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, saying: "There is no jail here; we were supposed to escort him to the Great Xunpu on Shunping Street, but halfway we ran into people quarreling and causing trouble, and someone stealing. We wear these official uniforms—how could we ignore it? Is your business business, but business on the street isn't? Naturally we had to go catch thieves and break up fights!"

"Who would have thought that after we persuaded them to leave, those three had already slipped out of their cangues and gone who knows where!"

"Now that they've run off, what's to be done?"

Hearing the follow-up question, he was quite displeased: "What's to be done? They ran, they ran. All we can do is go around asking and make an effort to catch them; if we truly can't catch them, I can't do anything either!"

When asked again about those three men's names and origins.

The other party said: "They were originally to be sent up for continued interrogation, but with all our focus on catching thieves, we had no time to spare for anything else, and the clerk handling the interrogation was lost on the road as well."

—Not even remembering their names or native places.

At one moment he said they seemed to be from Yongzhou, at another he said they seemed to be from Yongzhou, and then again he said they were from Yongzhou.

This patrol soldier was not only perfunctory to the point of shamelessness, but his attitude was also extremely poor; after saying only a few words, he looked impatient, touching here one moment and fiddling with something in the back the next, leaving Song Miao's party of three cooling their heels outside.

Seeing that after someone entered the house there was no movement for a long while, Qi Biaotou, who was used to dealing with such places and knew how they operated, said: "I have a brother who runs an escort agency right next door in Liu Tong Alley. Let me go ask him first; we probably won't get anything out of asking ourselves."

Sure enough, after that patrol soldier went in, he never came out again.

The three of them waited idly for about two hours.

The other escort guard was younger; having waited until he was fuming, he truly couldn't bear it, and said to Song Miao: "Miss Song Xiaoniangzi, don't be anxious. Let me go ask for you!"

Saying this, he first went to question the others remaining outside.

But when he asked this one, that one couldn't be bothered to even respond; when he asked another, that one didn't even lift his head, just opened his mouth to shout where so-and-so had gone earlier. Hearing a chorus of "don't know" from all around, he considered the matter answered.

Asking several more times, there were even those who took out their anger on him.

"What are you rushing for! Are we only busy with your one matter? There are plenty waiting behind you. What do you think you are, rushing us here! Rush us again, and I'll treat it as picking a fight and causing trouble—I'll arrest you and lock you all up together!"

This escort guard was so angry his face turned red; he was about to argue, his fists clenched, but finally Qi Biaotou dragged him out, saying: "What are you doing! We're here to help Miss Song Xiaoniangzi. If you throw a punch today, you'll really be going in tonight to eat prison food—can't you see he's deliberately trying to provoke you?!"

The young escort guard was furious to the point of death; he mumbled in his mouth for a long while. He had a bellyful of good words learned from the old escort guards, enough to curse nonstop for an entire evening, but seeing Song Miao standing to one side, the words had reached his lips, yet he swallowed them hard. In his throat they transformed into one sentence: "A bunch of unvirtuous people!" which he spat out in condemnation.

But one curse wasn't enough to vent his anger; he couldn't help but add: "Every day we pay taxes and corvée to support them, and they order us around like servants. Now that something has happened, not one of them lifts a finger to help, and instead they're here making excuses for the evildoers! Why doesn't Heaven send down a bolt of lightning to strike them all dead!"

Seeing the young escort guard so angry, Song Miao instead comforted him, saying: "Thank you, Guard. You didn't need to suffer this here; it's truly because you're helping me that you've endured such hardship! But seeing his reaction is actually a good thing. I wasn't sure where to start fastest before, but now that I have this attitude here, I don't need to find another way—I can just ask at the Xunpu and find out where that old man is from."

The more the patrol soldiers of Nanxun Gate protected him, the more it showed that the people behind him had connections.

The young escort guard originally had a bellyful of anger, his face red with rage. Hearing Song Miao's words, his face was still red, but it had become a different kind of embarrassed red. He said: "I couldn't contribute any strength either, and almost caused trouble for Miss Xiaoniangzi..."

After the three left the Xunpu, Qi Biaotou said: "I'll go find some acquaintances to ask. Miss, why don't you find a place to sit for a while?"

Song Miao shook her head and said: "I just saw that patrol soldier was extremely arrogant; he must have some backing. Qi Biaotou, you ask here first. Song Ji does business with the Capital Prefecture Office, and I know some people inside. Let me go ask there and see if I can find someone who can speak up."

She took the young escort guard with her to the Capital Prefecture Office. On the way she bought some pastries, fruits, and cured goods. Since it was exactly the noon rest time, she had someone pass word and found several Chai Guan from the former Left Army Patrol Court.

Hearing it was Song Miao, they came out to look, and sure enough it was her in person. The Chai Guan were all very happy.

"It really is Miss Song Xiaoniangzi; I didn't believe it! It's been many days since we saw you. Later, Cheng Erniang took over, and recently a young couple came to deliver early food. Everyone misses you very much!"

"I bought your 'Song Ji Paper,' spending one thousand wen for the top grade, saying new Steamed Bun would be delivered. I've been waiting—what kind of new Steamed Bun is it?"

"Miss Song Xiaoniangzi, why don't you come be a cook in our Houshu Kitchen? Last time we discussed it once. If you're willing to come, besides the monthly allowance from the office, everyone is willing to chip in some money to subsidize you. Isn't your food shop already hiring many people? Leave the other matters to them, and come out here to earn some extra silver!"

"Exactly! Is there anyone in the world who dislikes having too much money? Come quickly. You only need to cook one noon meal a day!"

Everyone chatted and joked warmly for a few sentences before asking her purpose.

Song Miao told them the words and conduct of that Nanxun Gate patrol soldier. The faces of the Chai Guan almost all turned ugly.

"Bullying people too much!"

"Those at that Xunpu from top to bottom must have taken who knows whose benefits. Song Stall Owner, just wait. Once I find out clearly, I'll go uphold justice for you! Truly outrageous!"

Someone immediately said: "That extortionist old man is probably still in Jingcheng. Do you know what that man and woman look like? We'll assign people below and tell our street people to keep a closer watch. Maybe we can catch them within these two days!"

Song Miao had never seen those three people with her own eyes, so naturally she didn't know how to describe them.

She said: "Wait until I go back and carefully ask them about the people they've seen, then I'll come back with news."

"You can ask when you go back. It won't stop us from looking first here."

Someone else asked: "Have you told Brother Feng yet?"

Song Miao said: "I haven't told Censor Xin yet. I thought his side is still injured and resting, and besides, he hasn't returned to the office yet."

She paused, then added: "Since I don't know the situation, I thought it's better to ask someone familiar than a stranger. Even without Censor Xin, I've always been looked after by you gentlemen. Relying on my thick skin and past friendship, I might as well come and ask a favor—but if it's difficult..."

The words "if it's difficult" weren't even finished before the group of Chai Guan, hearing that Miss Song Xiaoniangzi didn't go to Brother Feng but came to them instead, were all grinning from ear to ear.

"Not difficult! What's difficult about it!"

"Exactly! What do we Chai Guan usually do? Aren't we here to handle matters for everyone? Isn't Song Stall Owner a commoner of the city?"

"Also, Brother Feng isn't here right now. If he were, with his hot temper, he'd probably hear you finish speaking and then grab his weapons and head to Nanxun Gate right after. The people at that Xunpu are just too poor. Who knows how many people have suffered losses like you! They must be taught a good lesson."

"If this matter is settled, Song Stall Owner, when we have time to visit, you can roast us some of those roast pigeons, right? And that grilled meat chashao. Last time Brother Feng sent two pieces to our home. After we ate them, old and young alike often think of them. The last time my father even ran to Song Ji himself, came back saying he went at the wrong time and missed the grilled meat chashao coming out of the oven—it nearly killed him with anxiety!"

Song Miao agreed to each one by one, and finally said: "Trouble you gentlemen. But if trouble arises and it's truly not going smoothly, or if it can't be done, please don't force it. Just come to my place. I'll be sure to properly thank everyone for their hard work. There's no wine in the food shop right now, but just with drinking cups and good meat, it'll be enough to fill everyone!"

Saying this, she handed over the snacks, fruits, and cured goods she had bought on the road, saying: "This time I'm asking you gentlemen to handle matters. It's not proper to come empty-handed. I don't have anything else, so I just bought some snacks and small pastries for the gentlemen in the Houshu to eat and play with!"

"You've come! Why bring food!"

"Why buy so much? That's too extravagant!"

"Don't buy next time. We'll come to your place and eat!"

"As long as we get news, I'll immediately tell the person who brings early food to pass a word for you. Don't rush! If it's fast, maybe by tomorrow morning there will be word!"

Song Miao kept thanking them, and saw the whole group of Guan Cha off to the Door.

That young Biaoshi followed at the side; he had still been thinking that although he was not old in years, he had escorted convoys outside for two or three years, barely counted as having traveled south and ventured north, and had seen quite a lot, so at a time like this he ought to help speak and handle the official greetings.

Song Xiaoniangzi was young after all, and had little experience with affairs...

But before his mind could figure out how he should speak, he saw these Guan Ye who were usually very imposing, one by one all wearing faces full of smiles, some asking about the Roast Pigeon, some asking about the Roasted Meat Steamed Bun, some asking about the drinks, and even asking when Song Ji would bring out new Steamed Buns and new dishes, and how they themselves could get to eat them.

— The Guan Ye of the Government Office, how were they not quite the same as he had imagined!

Before he only knew that Song Ji's food was extremely sought-after in the Biaoju, and Song Xiaoniangzi's Skill was even more pursued by everyone; who knew that in a formidable place like the Capital Prefecture Office, as long as it touched the "Song" character, it was all the same — they scrambled for it too — hey, even more than in their Biaoju!

At least Xu Shi was close to Song Ji; Xu Niangzi sometimes went out on business, or when someone passed by the way, everyone would gather together to buy; speaking of it, his own chances of eating good meat, good dishes, good things were many times more than these Guan Cha of the Capital Prefecture Office!

For a moment, this person standing in the Houshu of the Capital Prefecture Office actually gave rise in his heart to a genuine sense of superiority.

What of the Guan Cha of the Capital Prefecture Office?

Sometimes, perhaps they did not necessarily eat as well as he did!

When Song Miao led the young Biaoshi out of the Houshu, inside the Xunpu of Nanxun Gate, a Patrol Soldier was likewise just poking his head out from the back and coming out of the Room.

He looked around, and hurriedly asked the person beside him: "Have they left? That Young Lady."

It was precisely the one who had earlier used words to send Song Miao and the others away.

"Left long ago!" The person asked replied, "Just now Wu Biaoshi's Tian Biaotou even came to help inquire, asking what was up with that Old Man, whether he could give some Clues — most likely that Young Lady found someone."

That Patrol Soldier hurriedly asked: "What did you tell Lao Tian?"

"What else could I say! Just told him not to ask more, not to meddle more, that's all; that Wu Guanshi of Chengdong has already spoken, we little underlings, where would we dare to chatter!"

"That's exactly the meaning! That is a truly sky-reaching figure; you keep your mouth shut like an old buttock, if you loosen it yourself that's fine, but in the end you'll drag us down into disaster too!"

"Speaking honestly, today seeing that Young Lady, I actually understand a bit why someone would calculate this way and that, go around a big circle just to get the person back — truly born beautiful!"

"You think only born beautiful? I specially went to inquire this morning; heard her culinary Skill is outstanding, if truly scooped home, besides that face being already very good, she can also cook, and also manage a Shop — such a good thing, if I were a Yuanzai, I'd be moved too!"

The two were speaking here; at the side a Patrol Soldier who had just come on duty passed by, overheard a bit, and curiously asked: "Who sent the greeting? Just now I saw you two whispering non-stop; this morning I heard the neighbor say, yesterday we caught an old man who staged a carriage collision for fraud, and also a man and a woman — even my neighbor knows this case! How did it get stirred up so big!"

"Don't mention it! Who knew it would attract so many idle people with nothing better to do, one by one running into our Xunpu to watch the excitement, couldn't drive them away, couldn't shout them down; yesterday I was annoyed to death!"

"If it really blows up, it's us who'll get scolded — which Yuanzai is tormenting people here, if it really won't do, find an excuse to send them away!! Otherwise in the end we'll be dragged out to take the blame!"

"That one from Chengdong."

"The one surnamed Wu from Chengdong."

As the two answered one after another, the face of that later-arriving Patrol Soldier turned a bit pale.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and asked: "That His Mother's Milk Great Noble that one?"

Upon getting a definite answer, he sighed, shook his head, and said: "Truly... really hard to serve!"

"Be content! At least it's surnamed Wu, not surnamed Zhao; if the one surnamed Zhao were truly provoked, that would be hard to serve!"

"If the one surnamed Zhao were truly provoked, it wouldn't be us serving them!"

Several people were speaking away, when outside a person hurriedly ran in, loudly saying: "Yesterday, was an old man who staged fraud caught? Who took the case?"

Everyone stared blankly, and at once no one spoke.

That person anxiously urged again: "No one knows?? Feng Pu Tou of Shunping Street is asking; whoever knows, come out quick! Don't delay, lest you drag innocent people into getting scolded together!"

That Patrol Soldier from just now knew he couldn't avoid it, hurriedly stood up, and said: "I took it — what's up?"

This person said: "Hurry up; is there an Official Document? Is it still there? Take it and go a trip to Shunping Street; say the higher-ups are pressing urgently, need to find someone to question!"

That Patrol Soldier dared not delay, only said there was no Official Document, hastily packed up a bit, and hurried off to Shunping Street.

And right at this moment, Song Miao had already met up with Qi Biaotou who had inquired about the news.

"My brother asked around; only said it was strange, this time he couldn't find out anything, and even told him not to meddle in other people's business."