Chapter 318: Wonderful Kitchen Chapter 340: Orange Peel

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Han Li heard this and immediately said: "I happen to know an Imperial Censor—I just don't know what clues?"

"It's a Purple Robe official." Song Miao spoke up immediately.

She did not avoid Qi Biaotou, but upon hearing this, the latter stood up at once and said: "Let me go to the back and see how they're dividing that fruit." After speaking, he hurried off to the back, unwilling to listen even half an ear more.

As the saying goes, vermilion and purple are heavy ministers.

In Da Wei, vermilion and purple are honored; officials of sixth rank and above wear scarlet robes, which are vermilion, while officials of fourth rank and above wear purple robes.

Such a high rank, plus a case value of tens of thousands of strings, one can imagine how big the case actually is.

—He's just a dart runner; normally dealing with Xunpu, the Capital Prefecture Office, and friends on various roads is already enough. What Imperial Censorate, impeachment, Purple Robe officials—he'd rather not provoke them at all, not worth a finger press.

He originally wanted to hide in the Back Courtyard, but just as he stepped out of the Second Gate, Qi Biaotou couldn't help but look back again.

In the Front Hall, a young man and woman sat at separate tables, their expressions and postures quite ordinary, showing no panic or tension, as if they weren't discussing a high official major case, but calmly planning what to eat in the evening.

Damn it!

He had inquired during the day and already understood Han Li somewhat.

A Emperor Reputation, an official-less Imperial Censor, with a pen and mouth so formidable, it's only natural he doesn't fear those officials.

But why is Song Xiaoniangzi, who runs a Food Shop, not afraid at all?

Although as the party involved she had no choice but to face it, it made him, the dart runner who should be the boldest and most experienced in conduct, look rather cowardly.

As soon as he reached the Back Courtyard, he saw several brothers scattered to the side, eating fruit in twos and threes.

They were all lazy and coarse men; with fresh sweet melons, who knew if they were washed, anyway they hadn't peeled them or cut them up, just gnawed on them whole.

There were also plums, pears, and such, each eaten with juice dripping, looking very satisfying.

Seeing Qi Biaotou, everyone called out softly.

"Qi Tou!"

"Qi Ge!"

"Eating this pear, so sweet, so crisp! Not hard at all! Not a bit of residue, one bite a bubble of sweet water, like drinking honey water—I've never eaten such a thing before! Where did that Han brother get it? Can I ask him? Ask him to buy some for Old Lady too!"

"Have you ever drunk honey water? Talking nonsense right here! Tou! This plum is better, it's a bit sour, but sweet within the sour, very flavorful, the plum taste is too strong!"

Someone else handed him a large sweet melon: "Boss! This sweet melon is crisp, crunchy, and soft, truly different from the cheap goods we usually buy, I've really broadened my knowledge! Eat this quickly!"

Qi Biaotou laughed: "You fellow, do you even know how to eat—where is there something that's crisp, crunchy, and soft all at once!"

But he still took it, saying: "Be careful, Song Xiaoniangzi's courtyard is very clean, don't make the floor sticky, or people will look down on our conduct!"

Just as he was speaking, he wiped the sweet melon skin with his sleeve twice and took a bite.

It was indeed loose and crisp, but not hard at all; eating to the part near the sweet melon flesh and seeds, the texture was soft and powdery, extremely sweet.

It turned out he was the one lacking knowledge!

Earlier someone said eating that pear was like eating honey water; Qi Biaotou tasted this sweet melon and for a moment couldn't find another description, also feeling it was simply like eating honey.

People being different is one thing, but fruits being different is another!

Eating sweet melon in his mouth, clearly very sweet, but once it reached his belly, the root of his tongue actually had a returning sourness and bitterness.

That sourness and bitterness wasn't a taste, but came back up from the belly, making Qi Biaotou shake his head secretly, and he could only sigh in his heart.

There was no way.

With elders above and children below, not like these young people, bachelors with nothing to fear!

He ate the sweet melon in two or three bites, then asked again: "Who's on night watch tonight? Is the paste to be applied during the day all prepared?"

Although envious, he ultimately couldn't compare with young people in spirit; all he could do was handle his current business well and not betray the customer's trust!

In the Back Courtyard, when Qi Biaotou swallowed the last bite of sweet melon, in the Front Hall Song Miao was receiving the orange Han Li handed over.

Ordinary north-south transport, fearing branches would poke the fruit, often doesn't include branches; otherwise a space that could carry a hundred catties might only hold twenty or thirty catties—and still couldn't guarantee intactness.

But the oranges Han Li delivered this time came with branches and leaves, looking especially fresh.

Song Miao held the orange in her hand, not eating it, just lightly playing with it, and then recounted one by one the many situations she had found during her investigation.

That Boss Liao was just an ordinary Tingjiao head the year before; not long after, he suddenly could take on such a large Tingjiao Hang, not only that, but also won bids for Tingjiao matters in many places around Zhuque Gate.

To participate in government bids, there are naturally corresponding conditions; especially since Tingjiao concerns people's livelihood, the requirements for Tingjiao Hangs are even greater.

According to Boss Liao's Tingjiao Hang's number of people, size, handling methods, etc., at that time they actually didn't meet the bid conditions at all, but he not only could participate continuously, but also kept winning bids.

"I checked the bid records over the years; in every matter Boss Liao won, among the handlers there was an official named 'Wang Ying'; investigating this official further, he managed Tingjiao Hang bids for nearly three years; besides Boss Liao's wins, there were also Jinglong Gate, Song Gate, Chenqiao Gate, and many other places where the bidders were unqualified..."

"This person not only manages Tingjiao Hang bids, but also manages bids for docks in eight wards south of the four gates; just the money involved by Tingjiao Hangs in all places adds up to no less than tens of thousands of strings? If adding ward market docks, the copper involved is countless."

"I can only find files available for external review by various departments; if some Imperial Censor hears of it, sees it, and feels there is indeed something, further investigation might uncover more problems."

According to Wei criminal law, officials accepting bribes and perverting justice: one string of value, one hundred strokes; fifteen strings of value, death by strangulation.

Although officials have countless ways to evade and gain bribes through other means, as long as something is done, traces will be left.

Tingjiao Hangs sound dirty, but profits are actually extremely high; Song Miao saying tens of thousands of strings of copper is just a conservative estimate; the real number will only be larger; one can imagine how much the involved officials received in bribes.

"Such a big matter, how could a single handler official decide? Investigating further, that official Wang's superior at the time was surnamed Yang, named Yang Shizhi—currently transferred to Grand Justice Evaluator, supervising affairs at Jinglou Dian... there's another one, already wearing a Purple Robe."

Another assignment with extremely heavy power, dealing with wealth day after day.

The Imperial Censorate hears reports and has the duty of supervision and impeachment; if it's true, getting such a big cargo for nothing, there might be follow-up consequences later.

If in the end they could bring down a high official, it would truly be a relief.

Han Li listened very seriously, not interrupting the whole time; until Song Miao finished speaking, he then asked: "What you just said, do you have any evidence left?"

Song Miao said: "I made some copies earlier—I'll go get them."

She said this and returned to the back courtyard room, taking out all the documents she had previously organized.

Han Li received them and immediately leaned under the lamp, examining them one by one.

Song Ji's oil lamp wick was rather fine; Song Miao saw the light was weak, so she specially lit another lamp, and took scissors to trim the wick. Seeing Han Li still examining closely, she did not disturb him, simply took a dish, first washed a fresh pear, carefully peeled it, cut it into tooth-sized pieces, and arranged them on bamboo skewers.

After cutting the pears, she then picked up the oranges she had set aside earlier, slowly peeling the orange peel.

The orange could not be called very ripe; the peel and flesh stuck tightly together, so Song Miao peeled it especially carefully.

She put the white orange pith into the dish, while the green-and-yellow peel was separated into four sections, kept as intact as possible. After peeling, she first tasted a slice, looked up, and saw Han Li opposite had already put down the documents in his hand, looking at her.

With food still in her mouth, it was not convenient to speak, so Song Miao pointed at the many documents with her finger, tilted her head slightly, making an inquiring gesture.

Han Li looked at her again, then said: "The investigation is extremely clear; it is no longer merely clues. Even any random person in the Censorate, as long as they follow the trail, can dig something up."

He continued: "If we want to impeach, I can actually contribute, but it is ultimately better for a remonstrant official to be proper and legitimate—it is convenient to summon and inspect archives from various places, and to urge follow-ups. Stall Owner Song, if you are at ease, why not entrust these copied drafts to me? I will organize them these two days, draft a manuscript, and then go with you to find a remonstrant official."

"Handed to Young Master, where would there be any unease?" Song Miao shook her head. "I just don't know which one to find? You have been truly busy lately; if you cannot get away, you can write a letter, and I myself..."

As she was speaking, Han Li looked at her and slowly said: "I don't like hearing this."

Song Miao paused slightly, quiet for a breath, only pushed the bowl of cut pear pieces on the table toward him, said nothing, but glanced over, then lowered her head to eat her own orange.

Dongting Hongju, a small one, had a strong flavor—eight parts sweet, five parts sour, exactly the sweet-and-sour taste Song Miao liked most.

She ate it section by section; after finishing, she wiped her hands clean, then looked up and said: "Young Master has been rather picky lately—this you don't like to hear, that you don't like to hear—what exactly do you like to hear?"

Xiao Xiao interjected, but she laughed again: "Forget it, I won't say more—when does Young Master have free time? Where shall we go, and which official shall we find—urging you like this, do you like to hear it?"

Han Li immediately smiled with a very comfortable look, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curving up, saying: "Where did that come from—Stall Owner Song can urge me as much as you like; compared to those distant polite words, it is truly much more pleasant to hear."

He continued: "Although you have never met this person, you are familiar with his family—his uncle is Cao Laoxiansheng, the one who loves the grilled meat chashao in the food shop most."

He laughed: "I will return tonight to select an auspicious time and organize the manuscript properly. If you have time tomorrow, is it convenient? Why not come to Xuezhong after Shen Hour? We will first greet Cao Fuzi, and the day after tomorrow go to the Censorate to find Cao Yushi."

Hearing of Cao Yushi's origin, Song Miao was quite surprised and asked: "When I visit, should I bring some grilled meat chashao?"

This was actually a joke, but unexpectedly Han Li said after hearing it: "It is not impossible—if there is time, why not bring some steamed buns? I have recently heard my senior brother calling out, saying they were pulled to set questions, and couldn't leave until finished; for many days at noon they haven't come to your place to eat, all complaining."

As he spoke, he spread out the many manuscripts, confirming details with Song Miao place by place, asked a few questions, then asked for paper and brush, writing while asking, until he had filled three large pages, then set the draft paper aside to dry.

After finishing here, he did not let Song Miao take over; he himself carried the brush and inkstone, about to go to the back to wash, and casually picked up the small dish with orange pith on the table, asking about the orange peel: "Why not put them in together? I'll take them to the back and throw them away."

Song Miao smiled: "Young Master need not bother with it. This Dongting Orange is unlike other oranges, somewhat like an orange; I like its citrus fragrance a little, and plan to keep it to smell."

Just as she was speaking, seeing that more than half of the peeled pears on the dish beside her had been eaten, only one small piece left, she was about to clear it away, but that dish along with the pears was taken by Han Li.

He said: "Since I have eaten, Young Lady should not eat; the meaning is truly not good."

After speaking, he carried things left and right and went to the back courtyard.

Left alone, Song Miao sat in the front hall, reacted for a moment, then smiled with her head down; seeing the draft paper beside her had dried, she went over and carefully collected it.

Just as she was rolling the paper, she heard footsteps behind her; she turned back and saw a small child run out.

It was Xiao Lian.

Song Miao was somewhat surprised and asked softly: "Weren't you just put to bed? Why are you up again? Can't sleep? Or is somewhere uncomfortable?"

Xiao Lian shook her head and said: "Sister, I had just lain down when I remembered what Fifth Senior Sister said during the day—she rode in Wang Sanshu's carriage the day before yesterday and saw those bad people, saying there were many troublemakers among them; one of them was young, his hair had turned white, and his ears could fan wind..."

She paused, put both hands on her ears, making a flapping gesture, and said: "Like pig ears..."

Song Miao's hand paused; she first put down the manuscript and said: "Prominent ears?"

"Yes! Yes!" Xiao Lian hurriedly said, "Sister said before that if someone in the family has ears that can fan wind, then there might be others in his family with them too; children with white hair are also like that—when I came back today, on the street I saw such a person, and sitting opposite him was Xu Shifu!"

"He wore a headcloth, but didn't cover it well; presumably the pockmark on the top of his right forehead was too big, too red, too painful, so he didn't dare tie it too tightly—Master said this is spleen deficiency with excessive fire—so his hair was exposed, very white!"

Although it was a child's words, Song Miao still took them seriously; she seriously asked where on the street the person was met, whether the other party had seen her, confirmed a few more details, then touched the child's head and thanked her, urged her to sleep, and asked Qi Biaotou to come out.

She briefly repeated Xiao Lian's words, then explained Xu Shifu's situation, finally saying: "Although I don't know what they are doing, it is probably nothing good—I don't know if we can keep an eye on these two people? To prevent them from causing trouble."

Qi Biaotou immediately arranged for people to go out.

But before long, the people who went returned, saying: "Among that row of teahouses and wine shops, there are still quite a few guests; inside they didn't see any prominent-eared, white-haired youth. One didn't qualify, and the other is hard to find..."

White hair and prominent ears are naturally easy to recognize, but looking only for Xu Shifu, without an acquaintance to lead the way, since they haven't met, there is simply no way to start searching.

Song Miao thought for a moment and said: "I will draw a portrait of him."

As she spoke, she hurriedly went to the back to get paper and brush.

Xu Shifu had worked in the food shop for quite a while; Song Miao was very familiar with his appearance and did not need anyone to describe him. Relying on her memory, with a few strokes she sketched his facial outline; it took only about a small half of a time period, and she finally finished the drawing.

She put down the brush, looked up, and saw two people sitting at the opposite table—one was Qi Biaotou, and the other was an escort guard.

Seeing she had stopped drawing, the two hurriedly called the other escort guards out to look at the painting together, and arranged several people to take the portrait and quietly go out the door.

After the people left, Qi Biaotou pointed to a page of paper on the table and said: "Young Master Han saw that Young Lady was serious and didn't want to make a sound to disturb, so he left first—a letter was left there."

Song Miao was not surprised; she casually took that page of paper. There was nothing else on it, only two lines.

"A bamboo tube of withered wood; chatting over a single branch."

She was first stunned, searched on the table, then turned her head, and saw a bamboo tube on the neighboring table; inside indeed was inserted a branch with leaves and an orange twig. Besides the leaves, seven or eight orange peels were tied with rope on the branch tips, made into a blooming shape.

It was rather crude; only when brought close to smell did the citrus peel and leaf fragrance prove quite strong. Touch it, shake it three times—a shameless appearance.

Song Miao greeted Qi Biaotou and the others, returned to the room, and brought that bamboo tube of citrus "flower" branch back, placing it on the small wooden stool by the bed.

The next day at noon, an escort guard hurriedly returned to the food shop and said: "That old man who spreads rumors... I think I saw him!"