Chapter 344: Wonderful Kitchen Chapter 346: Food Prescription

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

No matter his ability, Zhao Yu was always diligent in governance; usually busy with state affairs, he would sometimes be absent at the last moment, sending someone to pass word.

If it were usual times, Empress Dowager Yang would surely agree, and also tell the Emperor to pay attention to his diet and rest, without a second word.

But today early in the morning she summoned Song Miao into the palace; besides when eating the early meal, she would think of the golden sand Steamed Bun one moment, then the pickled leg flaky Steamed Bun the next, feeling a bit peckish, and partly because Zhao Yu had sent word early that he wanted to come over for lunch at noon.

Yesterday her filial son returned the Steamed Bun, and between the lines there was hidden regret, saying that according to the Taixue students, this Song Ji Steamed Bun, when just out of the pot, tasted better than after being kept for a long time by more than a bit.

Today hearing he would come to share the noon meal, Empress Dowager Yang was full of spirit, very wanting to play the kind mother once, so early in the morning she sent an official out.

Now suddenly learning Zhao Yu had business and could not come, she first nodded, thought it over, and still said: "Go tell His Majesty a word, today this old body invited that Song Xiaoniangzi who makes Taixue Steamed Bun into the palace, there will be freshly made Steamed Bun to eat—when it's done at noon, send it over to him; although state affairs are important, one must remember to eat!"

Not being biological, her speech was reserved.

Empress Dowager Yang's one sentence had clear and hidden meanings that differed.

Seeing the yellow gate eunuch hastily receive the order and leave, she then withdrew her gaze, smiling as she asked Song Miao questions.

Empress Dowager Yang was already quite amiable; after Song Miao seriously declined the bestowed gold once, her attitude became even more kind and approachable. Chatting for a while, she also asked Song Miao what other food she sold besides Steamed Bun, how business was, what her current debt situation was, and whether repayment was difficult.

Song Miao laid out her situation completely.

She neither avoided her difficulties nor only complained; the focus of her narration was on what she had done and what others had helped with.

Left and right neighbors, the street li zheng together with Zhu Shi, the patrol soldiers, the Taixue students, plus Xin Feng, Du Haoniang, and others—none stood by with folded arms; later as business grew, there were also Food Shop Li Cheng'er, Zhang Siniang, Big Pancake, and others, plus a number of short-term and long-term hired young ladies.

She told amusing stories from when she set up her stall; after returning from Hua Prefecture, how the Taixue students called themselves "Wang Song Shi" and urged for rolled rice noodles.

She said how Li Zheng's wife Zhu Shi sent taro and yam over, how she responded to Li Zheng's request to make anti-sand sweet taro for Zhu Shi, the other party happily carrying it back, only to be intercepted by an acquaintance halfway; for the sake of face, it was almost entirely eaten by others. She originally hid it, but later accidentally let it slip, and even now Zhu Shi brings it up every few days to grumble.

She said how the stall owners in Food Alley saved spots for her; and just now when the door opened, a group of children had already brought saved money, shouting loudly to jointly buy one or two pieces of mung bean cake, snow steamed cake, half a tube or a tube of sweet batter, etc.

The serious discussions among the children when buying—how they would slowly eat after dividing—were still fresh in their ears; but as soon as they got them, at the door they ate them all clean, left staring at each other.

And she only relied on giving a mung bean cake accidentally fried with a broken mouth, not good for selling, to make all the children laugh until their teeth showed, each patting their chest and boasting they would go promote Song Ji, letting the whole family come buy food.

The matters themselves were already adorable; spoken from her mouth, they became even more vivid, like a painting of a prosperous market, truly full of interest.

Though not directly praising, that common people could afford Steamed Bun and glutinous rice was enough to show the Emperor's rule.

Empress Dowager Yang listened with beaming brows and smiling eyes.

A young lady, alone with no family support, naturally could not be without difficulties.

But when Song Miao spoke of difficulties, while speaking she also clearly explained how they were solved and the current situation, and who helped and who contributed.

In her mouth, the market had good people and bad people, but no matter what, good people were always more than bad people; difficulties, as long as one found ways and worked together, could all be solved.

Her words had not a bit of meaning asking others for help, but Empress Dowager Yang originally hadn't been able to bestow gold and already wanted to contribute; listening now, her desire to contribute grew more and more eager.

A person's attitude and emotions are contagious.

Is it not seen that when someone falls into a deep mud pit, if the one who fell just lazily doesn't move, legs crossed waiting for someone to pull, and when people come, still complains with a full mouth, heavy and lifeless, lying on the ground like a dead pig, unwilling to exert any strength—even those who originally wanted to help very much would be discouraged upon seeing such a situation.

But meeting someone like Song Miao, who with her own strength already climbed to the pit mouth, only lacking the final step—even a passerby would think to lend a hand, give more strength, to help her climb out quickly.

Empress Dowager Yang at this time couldn't help but extend her "hand."

She heard Song Ji recently encountered strange things, and couldn't help asking: "Clearly the cart was driven so slowly, how could someone rush out and claim to be injured by being hit?"

Song Miao said: "It was also a coincidence; the cart that day was all carrying doctors."

"That Doctor Lin has superb medical skill and broad knowledge, having practiced medicine everywhere under heaven; in the south he had seen such a scam—that person had a fake injury, specially coming to extort people, and was exposed on the spot..."

She said the constables, after investigating, had already timely discovered the extortionist old man and all fugitives in the house; plus the Capital Prefecture Office had already intervened; probably it wouldn't be long before they could pull out the radish and bring up the mud, dealing with many fugitive criminals.

Empress Dowager Yang had ruled behind the curtain for many years; although she no longer interfered in state affairs now, her mind was still very clear, and she immediately sensed something fishy.

"Since he is a repeat offender, how could he act rashly? How did he find your food shop's cart?"

Those near vermilion become red; those near ink become black.

His companions were all fugitives, and he himself committed extortion—could he be a harmless person?

Such experienced criminals, making such a big commotion as soon as they act, naturally couldn't be randomly stopping people on the road to extort. After all, things can happen once or twice but not three times; after two or three times, once it spreads in the Capital, ordinary people would be on guard and it wouldn't be so easy to succeed.

Furthermore, since they are fugitives, after entering the Capital they would more or less restrain themselves a bit; how could they so openly commit crimes?

"I don't know; I only have an ancestral home that was previously envied by others. Recently I've been selling at stalls outside, and because people patronized me, I've gained a little fame, probably also arousing envy."

She paused, then said: "The Capital Prefecture Office is still investigating in detail, but since it involves court officials, I'm afraid it won't be cleared up quickly..."

Empress Dowager Yang was originally smiling; hearing about the fugitive crashing the cart and extorting people, the smile on her face was gone; hearing this, her face truly turned green.

She was originally a bit thirsty; because the matter of the cart "hitting" the old man was very worrisome, she had held her teacup in front of her early on and actually forgot to drink for half a day. Now, getting angry all at once, she heavily "thudded" the teacup on the table, angrily saying: "Such matters that corrupt public morals—how can they be tolerated! Even officials are involved; if not thoroughly investigated, the house will be hollowed out by these bugs without us knowing!"

Speaking, she opened her mouth to call someone.

But before she could call out, Song Miao had already stood up and said: "It would be good to let the Empress Dowager know; if you speak, it could naturally be solved immediately. But on ordinary days, would one only encounter such a troublesome matter? I have the Empress Dowager's kindness and can handle it myself. If common people see and hear, thinking everything requires the Imperial Household to speak before it can be solved, that may not be good."

"Now there is already a Censor in the Censorate following this matter, and a student in Taixue helping—although I am only a debt-ridden orphan girl, my business has come to this, with ten or twenty hired people in the food shop, trade has entered Taixue and government offices, and today I can even enter the palace to cook for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. With so much help, if I can't even handle calculating my family's property, how can I do business in the future?"

These words were truly spoken sincerely; Empress Dowager Yang, hearing them, was silent for a few breaths, and asked: "Then what do you mean?"

Song Miao hurriedly said: "Let the Capital Prefecture Office and the Censorate handle it—when I was young, I heard my mother tell stories; in those years when the Empress Dowager ruled behind the curtain, she rarely interfered in court affairs, only telling the ministers to each do their own thing and each perform their duties. Then, when our family's food shop rested in the afternoon, we didn't even need to close the door or lock it; even if left open empty, with the shopkeeper walking away for two to four hours and returning, nothing in the house would be lost."

"I have an elder brother who previously used this as an example, directly saying that what the ancient books call 'governing by doing nothing' referred to the Empress Dowager's past achievements!"

"The current reign is also sage-like; with Your Majesty's ability, subordinates serving diligently—surely they won't let the wicked go and make the good suffer!"

Empress Dowager Yang's temper was indeed a bit impatient, but hearing such words, her full chest of anger was extinguished by more than half at once.

Song Miao's words naturally were not without reason.

When she ruled behind the curtain before, she indeed governed quite well, with favorable timing and circumstances, and her own efforts were indispensable.

Empress Dowager Yang considered herself very good at grasping the big and letting go of the small, rarely interfering in specific details, and extremely good at employing people; the ministers she discovered and promoted, at least during her time in power, few failed to live up to expectations.

When she held power herself she could let go; now that power had clearly been returned, if she still interfered, it would indeed be improper—not only would the Emperor look bad, but perhaps it would also affect her own reputation.

Empress Dowager Yang nodded and said, "Then we shall do as you say, and wait a bit longer. If there is still no progress, I will inform His Majesty of this matter and ask him to personally look into it!"

She finished speaking, barely suppressing the corners of her mouth that wanted to curl up, coughed once, and couldn't help but ask, "Back when your family ran a food shop, what was the public order and people's livelihood like in the Capital? Did your elders ever tell you the details?"

Even though she was the Empress Dowager, it was precisely because she was the Empress Dowager that it was even harder to have the opportunity to be truly acknowledged face-to-face by commoners for her past efforts and achievements—who wouldn't love to hear praise that comes from the heart and is not false?

Song then selected a few more old incidents from the food shop and recounted them in detail.

Empress Dowager Yang listened with great delight; if she weren't so preoccupied thinking of the steamed buns, she practically wouldn't have been in a hurry to eat her rice at all.

It was Song Miao who saw the hour was not early and took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty just said you liked the Golden Sand Steamed Buns and the Pickled Leg Flaky Steamed Bun. In a moment, this daughter will go to the Canteen; leaving other things aside, these two must be made first—what does Your Majesty think?"

The two were speaking when that eunuch who had gone to report returned in a rush.

He entered the hall, found Empress Dowager Yang, hurriedly performed a salute, and was about to speak, his mouth already open, but upon seeing Song Miao to the side, he paused for a moment.

Song Miao saw this and was about to withdraw, but the eunuch had already stepped forward and began explaining in a low voice.

The smile on Empress Dowager Yang's face this time was truly and genuinely withdrawn.

Her expression was ugly as she asked, "How did such a thing suddenly happen? How is the Chao Zhong responding now?"

"His Majesty is making arrangements and has already urgently summoned the Two Prefectures and the Imperial Guard into the palace..." That eunuch hurriedly explained at length.

Empress Dowager Yang listened to the end, then asked about a few more details before finishing.

Waiting for the eunuch to withdraw to the side, she pondered for a moment, looked up at Song Miao, and said, "Song Xiaoniangzi, it is truly inconvenient; something has come up suddenly, and I'm afraid we won't be able to eat the steamed buns today."

Although Song Miao didn't know what had happened, seeing this scene, she couldn't help revealing a few shades of disappointment and said, "Since childhood I've heard of Your Majesty's reputation, and originally thought I'd get an opportunity to make a few of my specialty steamed buns to present..."

Empress Dowager Yang saw this and also sighed, saying, "If it were some other matter it would be fine, but unfortunately..."

She paused slightly, not hesitating, and said directly, "There's nothing that can't be said. Before long, the outside will know—the Liu Ta He river dike has collapsed, flooding is widespread, the disaster situation is unpredictable, and now there are many victims. His Majesty is urgently mobilizing the Xiang Army and dispatching the Imperial Guard to go rescue and save people. Grain, cloth, medicinal herbs, and all other things must be quickly allocated. At this time, I truly have no mood to eat steamed buns either..."

She added, "I won't keep you longer—today hearing Xiaoniangzi speak was very interesting; another day I will invite you into the palace again..."

Song Miao heard about the Liu Ta He matter and her heart shook greatly; for a moment she couldn't even speak.

After a long while, she finally rose, expressed thanks, performed a salute, and took her leave.

A eunuch was already waiting in front to lead the way, prepared to guide her out of the hall.

Song Miao followed for a stretch, and seeing not far ahead was the high door sill, she looked back; Empress Dowager Yang sat frowning in the armchair, wondering what she was thinking.

She repeatedly recalled the other party's words in her heart, hesitated for a moment, finally stopped her footsteps, called out to that eunuch, and said, "Official, please wait a moment!"

Speaking, she turned around, walked quickly forward, went to not far in front of Empress Dowager Yang, performed a salute, and said, "Your Majesty, this daughter has something to say!"

Seeing Song Miao return after leaving, Empress Dowager Yang was startled and asked, "What is it?"

"The Chan Prefecture river dike collapsed and the water burst through; commoners are trapped and suffering disaster, displaced and homeless. Whether the Chao Zhong dispatches the Imperial Guard or the Xiang Army, the most urgent supplies are surely food and water. After all, even if they find people, they may not be able to rescue them immediately. Moreover, ordinary grain is first hard to carry, and second, in flood-stricken areas, dry firewood and open ground are hard to find, making cooking rice exceptionally difficult..."

"This commoner girl's ancestors have a recipe that can make a kind of Bean Porridge Cake, originally for traveling long distances. Once made and properly stored, one piece can stave off a day's hunger, dry to eat without thirst, and can also be brewed with soup or water to drink. Previously in Hua Prefecture, it has already been trial-made many times; river channel officials and laborers, high and low, all know of it..."

"Right now the food shop is also newly making a batch, originally prepared for the Du Shui Jian people on the river dike outside the city. Today it can be finished; at that time it can be sent into the palace for trial. If the Chao Zhong finds it useful, I will present this recipe!"

?? Thank you Xiao Xiang Mao Mao Chong for personally sending me a sachet, Qiong Mei Shou for personally giving Zhu Jie'er a stalk of immortal grass^_^

? Thank you Book City Yan Huo Yu Zi You for personally sending me a ray of Light of Spirit, Ao Te Man Xiao Jie for sending me a Codeword Tool, Book Friend_Ea for sending me a small token of appreciation=3=

? Grateful to Book Friend for personally sending me two Peace Talismans, Book Friend and Book Friend two persons for personally sending me one Peace Talisman each:)

? Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance, good health in the New Year, all the best, and a happy family~

? Previously already requested leave from everyone; during the New Year I will take time off, tentatively two days, possibly extended hehe~ Food Friends eat well and drink well for the New Year!