Chapter 323: Miao Chu Chapter 345: Acquaintance

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

With escort guards protecting and neighbors helping on the side, Song Ji this night could be said to have had scares but no real danger.

But no matter what it was still a delay; by the time they had seen off all the people and the courtyard returned to quiet, Song Miao and Cheng Erniang had only just dozed for a short while when it was already the hour to get up.

The food shop bustled top to bottom, and finally Zhang Siniang, Da Bing, and the rest of the long-term and short-term hire women went out the door.

Seeing everything going smoothly, Song Miao said to Cheng Erniang: "Last night's commotion went on for half the night; Er Niangzi must be sleepy. Take advantage of this moment to steal some rest and go catch a nap first; otherwise in a bit when people return, it'll be busy again."

Cheng Erniang replied: "I've always needed little sleep; losing an hour or two doesn't matter, and besides by noon at rest time I can doze a bit — still, Young Lady should go rest first!"

"Young Lady is young, right at the age of craving sleep — when I was ten to twenty, I'd just lie on the bed board and be out; if no one shouted, by the time I opened my eyes the chickens outside would have crowed their throats hoarse, wishing they could fly in and fan my face with their wings!"

As she spoke, whether she thought of the scene of chickens dive-bombing in her youth, she couldn't help a "pu-chi" and burst out laughing.

Song Miao found her amusing; she looked up and saw Cheng Erniang laughing halfway, then opening her mouth wide and yawning a big, lazy yawn.

While yawning, she saw Song Miao looking at her, and hurriedly raised a hand to cover her mouth; covering and covering, she yawned two more times in a row, couldn't hold them back, finally finished, couldn't help laughing again, and said: "Th-this yawn, really comes at the worst time!"

The hour was still early, the sky only faintly bright, but with a bit of oil lamp light and the dawn outside, one could still see her smiling a bit shyly, yet also heartily.

"Er Niangzi is only ten to twenty right now, young in years, craving sleep plenty." Song Miao also smiled: "Right now we don't have any noisy chickens raised to fan faces here; you go sleep at ease!"

As she spoke, she stepped forward a few steps, took Cheng Erniang's arm, and led her toward the back courtyard, saying softly: "Go sleep; this afternoon the food shop still needs you to manage — if not for matters in the back, I'd want to sleep too!"

Cheng Erniang, her hand taken by Song Miao and urged so, was truly drowsy, but still forced her spirits up and asked: "Young Lady, what matter? Can I go handle it?"

Song Miao smiled and shook her head: "In a bit I'll get word from the Xunpu, and I still have to make a trip to the Capital Prefecture Office; the rest of the people can't help — really can't sleep, who knows, just as I lie down the news might arrive."

The two were speaking when they heard a hubbub outside the door; not long after, someone at the door asked: "Is this Suanzao Alley's Song Ji food shop? Is there a Song Xiaoniangzi here?"

In the miscellaneous room, the escort on duty had long heard the movement, quietly stood up, and watched the situation here.

Song Miao let go, signaling Cheng Erniang to go back first; turning her head again, she saw the visitor was dressed as a shop assistant, found it rather strange, answered with a sound, then asked the other's purpose.

That shop assistant smiled: "This little one is from the Carp Well's Mu Ji, specializing in selling cow and sheep milk and all kinds of cheese; yesterday a Young Master Han arranged with the shop to deliver a bucket of good cow milk in the morning, and also asked to help deliver a letter!"

As he spoke, he fished out a letter from his bosom.

Song Miao stepped forward, took it, lowered her head and opened it to glance first.

All vernacular, surprisingly not short, a good few hundred characters.

The letter first spoke of the hot weather, that everyone up and down here were helpers, all toiling day and night, but he these two days had matters, couldn't come help by day, and by night it was inconvenient to stay long, so could only send some cow milk first — before he'd heard her say that pouring cow milk over sweet embryo, adding some ice, made a distinct way to eat.

Earlier the weather was cold, not good for adding ice; now he got the chance, knowing the food shop always kept sweet embryo on hand, brought it to mix with cow milk; if encountering night watch, tell that person to freely mix some brewed strong tea, can serve as both food and drink, and she wouldn't have to worry about preparing it.

Also said the cow milk is newly delivered, give it to others to drink; by evening he'll come himself to replenish the sheep milk she usually drinks, only today not sure what time he can arrive; if too late, still put it in that wooden box, tell her to take it per her usual habit.

Also said yesterday's letter she brought has been received, and the steamed buns were also delivered to Cao Fuzi.

The latter got the steamed buns, was very happy, said a pile of pretty words, and also said "Only Xiao Song keeps me in mind!" clamoring that when busywork ends he must come back and eat his fill.

Because he heard Song Miao had a matter to entrust to his nephew, that Cao Xiansheng kept asking what happened, originally wanted to appear in person and help, but lately his affairs are truly miscellaneous: one, the Taixue monthly private exam; two, the neighboring Law School newly took in a batch of officials, right now needing to set a few test papers to probe their level.

It just so happened the Law School's original staff were mostly transferred away due to matters, couldn't spare suitable hands, so the Ministry of Rites coordinated Taixue's various teachers to support — right now they're all tied up in the school deliberating and setting papers, truly can't get away.

But though the person can't come out, the old master has already written a letter, and also had him help introduce; whatever matter, Song Miao can just treat Cao's nephew as Cao Fuzi to use.

Also said after he got the letter yesterday, he already sent a visiting card, inquiring when Cao's nephew has time; looks like today there'll be a reply.

Once the reply is obtained, if urgent, Song Miao can send someone to the Chen Family to deliver a message; the two places are very close, he's already instructed that a servant will bring the organized official documents.

If can wait a bit, better to have someone bring a verbal message, see when she wants to visit, he'll return early, and the two can go together to pay a visit.

Further on are all arrangements, writing clearly today, tomorrow, from what time to what time he ought to be at what place, but if when sending a message he's not there, through what method can he be found quickly — if anything, big or small, feel free to go find him, best to go find him, and so on and so forth.

One letter, from large to small, truly no matter too trivial, every single thing explained once over.

The assistant who delivered the letter and cow milk still stood opposite; Song Miao couldn't delay, hastily scanned through, then put it away.

The other saw she'd finished reading, hurriedly said: "Let me carry it in for Young Lady! Just don't know where to put it?"

Song Miao saw behind him a small handcart, two large buckets on it; she looked back at the space, then pointed at the stove by the door: "Trouble you, put it there!"

That assistant indeed heaved and hauled both buckets in, then took out a goods list, had Song Miao check it off.

After the man left, Cheng Erniang behind stood watching for half a day, hurried forward and asked: "Young Lady, how to handle this? Let me help!"

Song Miao laughed: "Just a bucket of cow milk, I can still manage!"

And urged her: "Go sleep! I'll just see how much is here, and save a portion for you too!"

"What is Young Lady saying! Where would I need to drink this! Originally it's Young Master Han sending it for the escort masters! Me and Xiao Lian sneaking sips of that sheep milk every day, already terribly embarrassed!" Cheng Erniang hurriedly declined, afraid if she stayed too long she'd really be left a portion, and scurried off.

Reaching the second gate, she couldn't help turning back, looking toward the stove side.

There, Song Miao was just opening and inspecting the two wooden buckets.

Both buckets had lids, sealed with wax; once opened, both full to the brim, one a large bucket of cow milk, the other a large bucket of ice.

Although it's nearing autumn, the weather is still very hot, especially in the miscellaneous room where the escorts rotate duty, the door curtain daren't be opened, windows must be shut tight, especially stifling.

Even without seeing the letter, not knowing what's said inside, not knowing how Song Miao plans to arrange, just looking at that ice bucket and that much cow milk, Cheng Erniang in her heart already guessed how those many escorts in the room would think.

— The day before it was already "Younger Brother Han" this, "Younger Brother Han" that...

She unconsciously glanced again at that table behind the screen in the front hall.

— There, a rather fat white porcelain bottle sat on the table, several lotus flowers inserted in the bottle.

Looked quite fitting.

One sent flowers, the other provided the bottle; one still busy going home to ask parents to help inquire, hasn't returned yet, the other...

Cheng Erniang hurriedly shook her head, shaking off all those thoughts.

— Although at work time she's the employer, off work she's treated as family, but precisely because of that, she shouldn't meddle randomly, shouldn't have random bias.

Whichever Young Lady thinks is good, she'll follow thinking is good; besides not necessarily only these two, no rush, matters still many, days still long!

Having obtained a large bucket of cow's milk, Song Miao was also somewhat happy.

She had originally still been thinking about what kind of drink to prepare during the day — hawthorn tea leaves were naturally very good, but unfortunately they were too light on the stomach, not suitable for drinking all day long; the other things also each had their pros and cons, in short they all fell just a little short.

Now that there was cow's milk, it was just as that Young Master Han said in his letter: brew strong tea to pour over it, or add sweet cheese, or not use sweet cheese, just pair it with freshly steamed quinoa and oats every day.

At that time, use reed stalks to suck up the various steamed grains from the bottom, chew and eat them; although they won't burst with juice, the wheat aroma is even fuller, more filling, and has a distinct flavor of its own.

This stuff is also simple to make; put the things on the stove, whoever wants to add cow's milk, add steamed grains, or sweet cheese, just come and mix it themselves.

As for Cao Fuzi's nephew's side, they received a reply letter at first, and didn't need to wait for that Young Master Han; they took those manuscripts themselves first...

She was just calculating this when Qi Biaotou brought people back from the Xunpu.

Having spent half the night in trepidation, not sleeping a wink, running back and forth, busy without stop — but he was quite happy.

Seeing Song Miao, Qi Biaotou wiped the oil sheen off his face, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and reported the good news: "The patrol soldiers at Zhuque Gate quietly told me the interrogation went very smoothly; both sides are biting each other, and they've already pulled in several people. Since it's a major case of breaking and entering and arson, once the people were caught, they reported to the Capital Prefecture Office; during the day they'll send both the people and the case over!"

He added: "Everyone at the Xunpu, top to bottom, worked very diligently and conscientiously! In the middle of the night, they even called up several patrol officers to interrogate them one by one separately!"

Hearing him describe the situation inside the Xunpu, Song Miao asked a few more detailed questions, finally having a clear picture in her mind. She hurriedly thanked him, called the short-term hired woman from the back to help serve tea and water, and said: "You've been busy all night and half the morning; you must all be hungry, right?"

She pointed at the stove nearby and said: "Breakfast is all inside. Since I didn't know what you all like to eat, I left some of everything. I've already given instructions, and I'll trouble Biaotou to also tell everyone: when you come back, just eat your fill — although the food shop can't scrape together much money, the food is enough to feed everyone!"

Qi Biaotou immediately grinned and said: "Hah, talking about this! Who works hard all day if not to eat a good meal! This time coming here, everyone was extremely quick, just afraid of not doing it wholeheartedly, letting down these three full meals you're feeding us!"

Song Miao said with a smile: "It all relies on you Biaoye; only then does my business here not get delayed!"

Speaking, she suddenly remembered a matter, hurriedly went to the side to fetch a basket, opened it and said: "I saw everyone came in a rush this time, not many brought towels, so I had Er Niangzi help sort through some previously prepared spares — they're all clean. There's a new rope pulled on the west side at the back; when the time comes, just hang them individually on the rope."

Qi Biaotou was exactly one of those who hadn't brought one.

Towels are a bit troublesome; once used they get wet, and it's hard to find a place to dry them.

But having a towel versus not having one, the feeling is completely different. Not to mention wiping hands and face, if you've broken out in a headful of sweat, splash some well water on yourself, wipe with a towel, and the whole person feels much more comfortable.

He couldn't help but grin, first greeting the men on his left and right, then reaching out himself to grab one, while saying: "Young Lady thinks so thoroughly! What can us old rough men say!"

Song Miao hurriedly added: "I saw everyone's clothes were sorted by day and numbered in sequence; although I don't know what they're for, I also had someone embroider them accordingly — you can just pick them by the characters."

Everyone immediately cheered up.

"Song Xiaoniangzi even noticed this?"

"Hey! It's the sequence we numbered when forming ranks!"

"Originally wanted to say, I don't know a basketful of big characters; even if you wrote my name I wouldn't recognize it. Only this sequence I do recognize — Song Xiaoniangzi put her heart into it!"

A group of people indeed followed the characters on top, each taking their own, went to the back to fetch water, simply washed up, and each came out happily to eat breakfast.

Besides Song Ji's various steamed buns, glutinous rice, snow steamed cakes, there was also a basin of small youtiao fried conveniently when making crispy fried noodles in the morning for fear it wouldn't be enough, and a pot of thick soy milk sent by a familiar storekeeper.

A group of escort guards lined up in batches, each going to the back to eat.

The small youtiao were made very solid; the outside was crispy, but the inside was still chewy and fragrant, chew and chew, the mouth full of warm wheat aroma. Because they were fried last, that hot oil had fried crispy fried noodles and crisp yellow beans before, absorbing both flavors — it was old oil, simply bullying people; the fried youtiao were completely unreasonable, chew a few more bites and the fragrance drives away all drowsiness.

These youtiao were very tough; chew chew chew, even the temples couldn't help but exert force along with them, veins bulging. The escort guards ate one, then another; at first none were willing to dip in soy milk. Eating to the end, it was as if their three souls and seven spirits had all been pulled out of the "sleep acupoint"; they were already incredibly awake. If at this time they went to tally escort accounts and daily ledgers, Xu Niangzi would be able to hit the abacus a few fewer times.

Once dipped in soy milk, they became another thing entirely, instantly renewed. The outside remained crispy; the beautiful fine air holes in the middle were perfect vessels holding the soaked juice. One bite, the mouth full of rich, sweet soy milk, mixed with wheat aroma, three parts less chewiness, yet still very chewy, very delicious.

While a group of people ate here, Song Miao was in the front hall tidying things. When preparations were about seven or eight parts done, she was just thinking of asking which escort guard had free time to accompany her out for a trip, when a familiar face appeared outside the door.

"Song Xiaoniangzi! Inspector Liao sent me to pass along a message for you!"

It was a Guan Cha from the Capital Prefecture Office.