Chapter 337

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Song Miao

Although no one knew where Dean Deng conjured the trial dishes from, everyone saw that when the Emperor left the Taixue, a Palace Attendant by his side was carrying a large food box.

Under the gaze of all, Zhao Yu boarded the imperial palanquin.

The carriage had not gone far when a group of masters at the Taixue began lecturing the students.

"The Emperor values scholars so, nurtures scholars so; you all must strive in your studies, lest you betray his grace!"

"What is 'ruling the world with filial piety'? This is it! Lambs kneeling to suckle, crows feeding their parents in return, Wang Xiang lying on ice — the Emperor eats a good steamed bun and knows to present it to the Empress Dowager; the matter may be small, the bun may be small, but the heart is truly sincere, the intent truly earnest!"

"The bun the Emperor ate and took back to the palace to honor the Empress Dowager — you eat such buns every day; with such good days, if you still do not exert yourselves, how can you justify it??"

Buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz buzz — noisy enough to irritate the ears.

A few bolder students couldn't help but call out: "Sir! When will we get to eat like this every day in the academy? Those few buns daily are even limited in number! Forget the buns, even that glutinous rice — the canteen won't buy a bit more; go late and not a single one, not a single mouthful remains — you go tell Dean Deng and Director Meng, the Emperor himself carried them off, surely they'll buy more from now on so we can all get a taste and really live the 'good life'!"

That master heard this and was quite displeased; he snorted and said: "The buns are right there in the canteen; others can eat them, you can't — whose fault is that??"

Since this master never put on airs and got along well with the students, someone immediately pushed their luck: "We're just wholeheartedly studying! Unlike them, thinking of eating all day long!"

Another chimed in: "Exactly! Right! Sir — heard the small canteen that exclusively serves the masters and Xuezheng gets many buns sent over separately every day, several flavors, only the small canteen has them, the students' big canteen doesn't — so many buns, the masters can't possibly eat them all, why don't you... why don't you help bring some out for us?"

"There's only that many in total, I bought them all up; other masters have none to eat, they'll come looking for trouble — you lot gonna bear that??" That master glared. "Just study properly! Do you study for a mouthful of bun? For the book I study?? No buns to eat and you won't study anymore??"

The group of students let out boos.

That master also knew his words weren't very pleasant, so he added a couple of comforting lines: "The Emperor praised it personally; surely the academy will buy back somewhat more — if you all can eat your fill and eat well, yet your studies show no improvement, let's see what excuse you find then!"

Though this master was comforting, his words weren't wrong.

Having received the Emperor's praise, the Xuezheng dared not be negligent and had already begun discussing purchasing more Song Ji buns.

Meanwhile Zhao Yu headed for Xuan De Gate; he had delayed quite a few hours at the Taixue, and by the time he returned the sky was already not early, so he didn't bother changing clothes and went straight to the Hou Ting.

It was also bad timing — Ciming Palace was just clearing the dining table — Empress Dowager Yang had her own health regimen and always ate dinner early.

Hearing the Emperor had arrived, and seeing Zhao Yu's robe and feet splattered with mud spots and gray dust, his face also showing fatigue he couldn't hide, she couldn't help but say: "My son has rushed about outside all day, finally returning — you should rest; a day or two doesn't matter, your daily filial heart, would missing these few times make it not count?"

Zhao Yu hurriedly said: "If your son doesn't come, his heart keeps thinking of Mother; better to simply come over and sit a while!"

At this moment palace attendants were already bringing a basin and handing over a towel.

Empress Dowager Yang watched Zhao Yu wash his hands and wipe his face, then urged tea to be served; once he had tidied up, she asked: "The Emperor went outside the city today to inspect the river dikes and channels — what was the situation? Is the rise severe?"

The Empress Dowager had ruled behind the curtain for many years and knew state affairs well; Zhao Yu dared not be negligent and hurriedly recounted everything he had seen and knew.

Learning the flood had receded and the capital faced no danger for now, Empress Dowager Yang also breathed a sigh of relief: "Autumn is approaching; endure another month or two and this year's floods will be thoroughly past; Your Majesty can sleep soundly too!"

Zhao Yu then also told of his dispatching Li Zhai and Feng Deju to Liu Ta He: "Several officials of the Du Shui Jian submitted memorials, and both the Ministry of Works and the Three Departments came to dissuade; your son thought, since the flood season has temporarily passed and it's not urgent, better to follow their advice and wait until winter when the water is low to dredge the river."

Ever since returning power, to avoid making the Emperor overthink, Empress Dowager Yang rarely formally inquired about court affairs openly; at this she merely responded a few sentences, indicating she understood, and added: "That is most prudent; with the water high now, it keeps everyone on edge — Your Majesty's conduct grows ever more thorough."

She praised a sentence, saw Zhao Yu had only sat down a short while and already drunk a cup of tea, and asked again: "You left early this morning and only return now — has the Emperor eaten?"

Zhao Yu hurriedly put down the teacup in his hand: "Just about to tell Mother — your son went to the Taixue today to visit the scholars, ate several kinds of buns, the flavor was very good, and heard those buns have quite an origin, so specially brought them back, wanting Mother to taste something fresh!"

Speaking to here, he couldn't help but say: "Pity I returned late, Mother has already eaten..."

Empress Dowager Yang said: "Though I've eaten, it's no harm to look at the buns my son brought — where are they?"

She had just spoken when a Palace Attendant immediately brought that large food box over, placed it on the table to the side, and opened the lid.

Zhao Yu said: "Your son ate several kinds today; that grilled meat chashao bun and tofu bun inside, one bite and you know they'll suit Mother's appetite!"

Empress Dowager Yang leaned in with great interest, looked around, and asked with a smile: "What is a grilled meat chashao bun? Which one is the tofu bun?"

Zhao Yu had only eaten once and actually couldn't tell them apart, but the Palace Attendant, just by watching once while standing by, already remembered extremely clearly, and hurriedly pointed them out to Empress Dowager Yang.

Empress Dowager Yang had just eaten and was actually full, merely not wanting to dampen the Emperor's enthusiasm.

Seeing this food box of buns, varying in size and shape, she asked: "Only I have them here? Does the Empress have them?"

Zhao Yu shook his head.

Empress Dowager Yang sighed: "Though she is magnanimous, you return from outside and only send to my place, not to hers — who wouldn't overthink?"

Speaking, she immediately ordered another food box brought, and turned to Zhao Yu: "When you return later, don't say it was divided from my place; just say two portions were prepared from the start, one for the Empress, one for me."

Zhao Yu froze, about to speak, but Empress Dowager Yang said: "Listen to me!"

Taking advantage of the palace attendants going to fetch the food box, she pointed at one of the buns: "The bun the Emperor specially brought back — though I've eaten, I still want to taste a bite — this one is the smallest, unknown flavor? Bring it for me to try!"

Zhao Yu also looked over, but froze.

There truly was an extremely small bun, roughly only the size of a child's fist, shaped unlike any he had eaten today.

Zhao Yu couldn't help looking at the Palace Attendant to the side and asked: "This is?"

"It is called a Golden Sand Bun, a newly made flavor; the bun shop sent it to the Taixue for trial tasting."

Hearing it was a flavor he hadn't eaten, Zhao Yu couldn't help saying: "Your son will also accompany Mother in tasting one."

Before long, two sets of bowls and chopsticks were presented.

Mother and son each took one.

Empress Dowager Yang didn't use chopsticks; the bun was really quite small, so she simply picked it up with her hand.

That Palace Attendant added: "The bun maker said, be careful of burns eating this Golden Sand Bun!"

The food box is double-layered; the lower layer holds charcoal and water for heat preservation — indeed very useful, but placed this long, the buns are no longer scalding, only still somewhat warm.

How hot could it be?

Though thinking this, Empress Dowager Yang still complied readily.

She didn't bite into it, but simply broke the bun open from the middle.

It was just a casual break, naturally without much guard, but the instant the dough skin split, completely unexpected, the golden-yellow filling inside practically burst out in a flow, its color extremely enticing, like a surging wave, like a waterfall, even dripping a bit onto Empress Dowager Yang's fingers — surprisingly still somewhat hot.

A novel filling, and she didn't know what it was made of; it smelled fragrant, with a milky aroma, a savory fragrance, and also the wheat aroma of the outer dough skin.

Empress Dowager Yang brought half a steamed bun close to her mouth and took a bite first.

Just as it entered her mouth, not long after, she blinked her eyes hard twice.

It's... actually delicious!

Before she even had time to chew, the filling's flavor had already surged onto her tongue — an extremely rich taste, sweet and salty intertwined, very rich and smooth; upon entry it was somewhat thick, then slowly, slowly it melted away, yet not greasy at all.

It wasn't smooth — the salted egg yolk had been crushed and sieved fine enough, but in the end it was still duck egg yolk, and one could still taste a very even sandy texture; with that sandy feel, when pressing against the tongue, one could just feel more of the salted duck egg yolk's unique savory flavor, along with an extraordinarily rich oily fragrance.

When biting down, the mouth was warm, full of the filling's aroma; first came the salted duck egg yolk's rich, mellow savory fragrance — it had been roasted, making the aroma stand out extremely, wrapped in an extremely rich and comforting cow's milk aroma, plus animal fat fragrance; the skin was soft, pores very dense, with a slight chewiness; chew a couple times and the filling mixed together with the dough skin, adding three parts more wheat fragrance.

Anything from one's children, as long as it's filial, no matter what, adds eight parts more goodness.

Empress Dowager Yang now gave this steamed bun an extra eighty points.

She originally intended to eat slowly, but the bun was originally very small; unknowingly, she finished the whole thing; when she looked up, she just saw Zhao Yu looking at her, and immediately praised: "No wonder my son would think of bringing it back — truly a good steamed bun!"

At this time palace attendants had already brought up the food boxes and were portioning them out; Empress Dowager Yang hadn't paid much attention before, but now she hurriedly spoke: "Divide all kinds of steamed buns evenly; the box I'm keeping for myself can have a few more of these Golden Sand Steamed Buns!"

She savored the aftertaste again and said: "No wonder it's called Golden Sand Steamed Bun — isn't it golden sand indeed!"

Zhao Yu had also already finished his own Golden Sand Steamed Bun; this thing was tiny, really not enough to eat.

The aroma of salted duck egg yolk mixed with thick cow's milk still lingered in his mouth; Zhao Yu came back to his senses and said: "Still haven't explained the steamed bun's origin to Mother — that steamed bun shop is called Song Ji, the proprietor also surnamed Song, precisely the 'Song Xiaoniangzi' that Censor Xin Feng spoke of that day!"

Empress Dowager Yang was startled and asked: "That is... the one who caught kidnappers in Hua Prefecture, managed the Tonghe River waterway canteen?"

"Precisely her!" Zhao Yu said, laughing heartily; "Today I met that student Han Li; Mother even praised his writing — the Du Shui Jian's Ma Jiancheng, and several other officials all praised that although he's not old, he's already a master at river management..."

As he spoke, he had the attending eunuch bring the booklet brought back from the Taixue, opened the diagrams inside for Empress Dowager Yang to see.

After all she had supervised the country, and supervised it very well; Empress Dowager Yang saw the value within at a glance and couldn't help saying: "Drawn so true to life; following this to do it, even in remote places with few teachers, even if they don't read many characters, they can still do a decent job!"

"Was this diagram made by that Han Li? Students like this now are Your Majesty's fortune!"

"Precisely made by that Han Li!" Zhao Yu replied; "Only he also said this diagram drawing was also inspired by that Song Xiaoniangzi's conduct in Hua Prefecture that day..."

He roughly recited a few sentences of what Han Li said today.

A resonant drum needs no heavy hammer.

Empress Dowager Yang clapped her hands and said: "This young lady has achieved merit repeatedly; two major cases in the Capital, then went to Hua Prefecture, yet afraid of making a show, lest remnants discover her connection to the cases; wanting to reward but unable; now with such an opportunity, must not slight her in any way, otherwise it would chill the hearts of meritorious people!"

She said: "I'll bestow the reward — my son specially brought such good steamed buns; I, as his mother, summon the chef household to reward properly; however one thinks it's fitting! In the future when spread, it'll also be a fine tale!"

Son filial, mother kind — naturally a model for all under heaven, very good!

Empress Dowager Yang having this intention, immediately summoned trusted palace attendants, calculated a time, found the nearest free day to make arrangements.

Because the sky color was not early now, she also instructed below: have someone go out of the palace tomorrow, go to that so-called Suanzao Alley's Song Family Eatery, issue an advance decree to "Song Xiaoniangzi", just saying the Empress Dowager will summon on a certain day, please arrange schedule in advance, make preparations.

After sitting a bit more in Ciming Palace, Zhao Yu then returned to Funing Palace.

Upon entering, he discovered the side hall already had the meal set out, and Deng Empress had been waiting all along.

Zhao Yu felt somewhat guilty and said: "Eat first! Why still waiting for me!"

Deng Empress said: "Heard people report back, saying His Majesty returned, went to Ciming Palace; thought even if Empress Dowager kept the meal, it wouldn't be good to eat casually; wait until return, if reset the meal, if it got heard, face would be hard to pass; better to wait a bit; if not full, just pick a few bites here; if full, I'll just eat myself."

Wife so considerate, Zhao Yu's guilt deepened, yet didn't know what to say, could only turn and tell the following eunuch to bring the food box up, pointing and saying: "Today went to Taixue, brought back some steamed buns..."

Deng Empress was very pleasantly surprised, personally went to receive them, very happy, saying: "Your Majesty so busy, still remembers to bring food back for this concubine!"

Then asked: "Did Empress Dowager's place get some? Must absolutely not miss it!"

With this, Zhao Yu could even less speak deceitful words.

He could only say: "Ciming Palace already had them; these are divided from there..."

"I... this time truly was somewhat negligent; another day I'll specially bring some things back for you; you must not take it to heart."

Deng Empress said softly: "Why does Your Majesty say this; this concubine knows Your Majesty's filial heart, absolutely would not overthink!"

Outside they all say the Emperor, because he was adopted, is deliberately extra filial to the Empress Dowager; but she, living with him day and night, knows very clearly her husband's filial piety comes from true heart, only truly no way to argue.