Chapter 355: The Wonderful Kitchen Chapter 357: Concern

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Kong Fuyang asked aloud, but he already had the answer in his heart.

——Need to ask? Sugar from the Song family, how could it possibly not be delicious!!

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the student opposite glanced into the boat cabin and said in a very low voice: "Fragrant!"

This person put on a look of savoring the aftertaste, gritted his teeth, and said: "I, I'll break off a piece for you to taste?"

That piece of sugar was about a cun long, more than a finger wide, and quite thick; it looked like it could be snapped, but there were originally only two pieces, as if one had already been eaten, leaving only a palm-sized piece of sugar remaining.

Right now, buying things on the boat was inconvenient, and getting something sweet was not easy, let alone Song's sweetness; how could Kong Fuyang do such a thing as snatching food from a hungry mouth.

"You eat! You eat yours!" He hurriedly waved his hand, then pointed to the cabin next door, "I'll go steal some from Han the Skinflint to eat!"

Speaking, he stepped over the wooden plank laid horizontally between the two boats; at first he tiptoed, but when he walked into the small cabin at the back and saw that inside was empty of people, he couldn't very well steal openly, so he had to retreat outside and head toward the main cabin.

Inside the boat cabin, Han Li held a stack of manuscripts and was talking to two students; seeing Kong Fuyang come over, he paused for a moment, but did not ask what he was there for; instead, he gestured toward the next cabin and said: "You come just in time—on the table by the window in my room there is a bundle; inside is a bag with your name written on it; go find the one marked with 'One'; I'll come later."

Kong Fuyang was obedient; he neither asked more nor delayed, but went straight back to the cabin from before.

This time, having received the master's instructions, he became all the more open and aboveboard, swaggering into the room to search; soon he found the corresponding bundle.

Inside the bundle were two cloth pouches, one large and one small; the mouth of the small one was tied with a slip, which was indeed Han Li's handwriting, with a single "Kong" character written on it.

Inside the small bundle were several palm-sized small oil-paper packages, stacked neatly and squarely, each marked with a number, from one to eight.

Kong Fuyang found "One" and opened it; inside was full to the brim, all sugar wrapped in glutinous rice paper, one piece after another, exactly like the piece in that student's palm just now.

What was "Two"?

Just as he was thinking, he heard footsteps outside; he looked up, and it was Han Li returning after finishing his instructions.

"Since my name is written on this, are they all mine?"

Seeing Han Li nod, Kong Fuyang couldn't help but ask: "Then why only tell me to find 'One'? I'll take the whole pouch and save trouble; isn't that all right?"

Han Li said: "This time outside, at the very least you'll have to stay for ten days or more; if you take them all and eat them in one breath, what will you eat later?"

He added: "The stall owner Song originally prepared them as one package every three days; you come back in three days to take the one marked 'Two'?"

Kong Fuyang followed by opening two more packages; seeing they were all the same square sugar blocks, and hearing such a question, he was almost angry enough to laugh, and couldn't help but say: "Eat them all at once?? Only a three-year-old child can't keep overnight sugar; how old am I, do I have no self-control at all?? Do I need you to help me manage them??"

He added: "Besides, no matter how greedy you are, this small package has at least twelve or thirteen pieces; three pieces a day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I can make them last four days!"

Han Li did not exchange more words with him; he stepped forward a few paces, took away all except the one marked "One," and said: "Then come find me in four days; I'll give them to you all at once."

Speaking, he also took out a larger oilcloth package from the large cloth pouch and handed it to Kong Fuyang, saying: "This is for someone else; you watch and distribute it; there's only this much, no more."

Finishing speaking, he pointed to the water clock and asked: "It's the Wei hour; have you finished checking the load capacity of the Shu Zhou carriages, horses, and boats?"

Kong Fuyang held an oil-paper pouch and an oilcloth pouch, smiling on his face; hearing this, his smile immediately froze; he hurriedly turned and slipped away, while running, not forgetting to call back: "Right away! Right away!"

Because he ran in a hurry, when stepping down the wooden stairs, he carelessly stepped on empty air, staggered once, and almost fell; he hurriedly steadied himself, looked down, and saw that the "One" character package perhaps had not been wrapped properly just now; at this moment the oil paper had loosened a bit, exposing the sugar blocks inside.

The fragrance was not strong, but it smelled quite sweet; in the middle was mixed the taste of roasted fruit kernels.

Kong Fuyang couldn't help but feel curiosity arise.

Things made by Young Lady Song naturally were not unfragrant.

But what that fellow just said was "Fragrant"; what kind of fragrance was it, to be able to think of "Fragrant"?

He unconsciously reached out and took a piece, sending it into his mouth.

Before the sugar melted, the taste entering the mouth was only a faint sweetness, quite fragrant.

Kong Fuyang didn't think much more; knowing there were fruit kernels inside, he very naturally began to chew.

But after chewing only two times, he stopped his steps.

Very crisp and brittle; whether sugar or fruit kernels, both had a very neat texture, not sticking to the teeth, nor scraping the gums; but once chewed, the sweetness immediately changed its whole face.

If the previous sweetness was like a fresh orchid in an empty valley, then at this moment his mouth seemed to have become various peonies fighting, leisurely displaying a fresh and bright scene of competing in beauty and splendor.

That sweetness now became a very heavy burnt sweetness; within it was an extremely rich milky fragrance; the two combined very beautifully; the fight was also gentle: you throw a light, floating punch, and I offer a lingering, continuous leg; eating it truly was sweet on the left and fragrant on the right; the flavor was both thick and heavy.

Without using the character "Fragrant," one simply could not describe its richness. But that "Fragrant" had not yet reached the point of being cloying; it was stopped by the fruit kernels inside and a bit of saltiness.

Using extremely little salt to support the sweetness made the sweetness taste richer and fuller; in the aftertaste there was also a faint burnt bitterness, the lingering taste given by sugar caramelized just right.

Kong Fuyang couldn't help but lean toward the ship's side; he seriously savored "a few chews" and finally recognized that the fragrant fruit kernels inside were canarium nuts.

The canarium nuts were obviously roasted, carrying a nutty roasting aroma; their outer skin was not as obviously astringent as walnut skin; the taste of the kernels was not as unique as almonds; although they had a nutty fragrance and a non-greasy oiliness, they did not compete for flavor at all.

Their kernels were very thick; the texture was tighter and crispier; relying on just-right roasting, the chew was crisp rather than hard.

Kong Fuyang stood in place; his eyes seemed to be looking at the river water near and far, but his mind was completely blank; his three souls and seven spirits were all feeling the taste in his mouth.

By now he had chewed many times; the canarium nuts were completely crushed; mixed with the melted sugar, they became a texture like quicksand; rich, smooth, mellow; his whole mouth was fragrant and sweet.

Truly "Fragrant"!

A piece of sugar one cun long and one finger wide seemed to be swallowed down his throat after only a few chews; only the fragrance of the aftertaste remained in his mouth, taunting him—if you have the ability, come take another bite!

Having casually made do for who knows how many days, Kong Fuyang's mouth was truly bland; he could not bear a bit of taunting; he couldn't help but pinch another piece.

From light to rich, from rich to fragrant, from fragrant back to light...

Pity that this wonderful flavor could only last for the time it took to chew one piece of sugar.

Fortunately, he had here a whole oil-paper package of sugar! Even if he ate another piece, the remaining amount wouldn't fill two palms!

Standing by the ship's side, Kong Fuyang unknowingly ate one piece after another without stopping; until he finally came to his senses, looked down, and saw that only half of the sugar pieces remained in his hand.

His heart was startled; he secretly called it bad; he dared not delay any longer; while savoring the aftertaste in his mouth, he hurried back to the cabin first, put the cloth pouch and oil-paper package aside, and hastily began checking the numbers for Shu Zhou carriages and ships' load capacity.

Naturally, what needed checking was not just Shu Zhou alone.

After finishing the urgent matters at hand, he had to go urge the other anxious ones; when he returned to his seat, his gaze involuntarily fell on a corner of the tabletop.

Busy for half a day, rewarding myself with a piece of candy — that's nothing, right?

……

By afternoon, the summary that needed to be submitted was finally finished; Kong Fuyang read it through from start to finish, very satisfied, and couldn't help reaching again toward the oil-paper packet in the corner.

——Written this well, doesn't it deserve a piece of candy?

You should know, there's still a whole lot left, not even two palms would be enough to count!

From two palms not being enough to count, to one palm not being enough, to nothing left to count — it only took half a day's effort.

So that very evening, after everyone had eaten, Kong Fuyang still shamelessly rubbed his way into the neighboring ship cabin, crowding around a table in the corner.

"Zheng Yan... Song Xiaoniangzi's candy, give me another packet, would you?"

"Smelling this good, you hoard it all for yourself — what if you embezzle it?"

……

A moment later, Kong Fuyang strode out of the ship cabin with a spring in his step, clutching a thick stack of manuscripts, two palm-fruit candies tucked in his purse.

Hey!

Just a few more calibers to count, done in passing, no trouble at all — future credit is his own too — but these two candies, he got them for free!

Not only did he get these two candies for free, just now Zheng Yan also agreed in one breath that once back in the Capital, he'd pay out of his own pocket to have Song Xiaoniangzi make him a big bag, enough to eat his fill in one go, no more scrimping!

Only who knows how many matters here will cause delays, when will everything get done — he still remembers back in Hua Prefecture, Song Xiaoniangzi said around Mid-Autumn, Song Ji would open for business.

This time, will he make it in time?

His roast whole pig, roast duck, the legendary roast pigeon that bursts with juice at one bite... will he get to eat them?

……

Those concerned about the food shop opening are naturally not just Kong Fuyang alone.

In the afternoon, far away at the Song Ji main gate at the end of Suanzao Alley in the Capital, the "steamed buns sold out" sign had barely been hung when a carriage pulled up with an old and a young leading a group, arriving right on time.

The little one, the moment she entered, her mouth wouldn't stop chattering — first a round of greetings, then asking about Xiao Lian; learning the person hadn't returned, she wasn't discouraged, just circled around Song Miao calling "Jiejie, Jiejie" like a little bird, clear and crisp, chirping away.

When snacks and drinks were served, she first gulped down half a cup of green plum drink, threw back her chest, put on an extremely bold big-mouthed drinking posture, let out a "Ha", very seriously made the teacup clink a bit on the table, and praised: "Jiejie's drinks here are just delicious!"

A child acting like an adult, especially cute.

For a moment everyone in the room looked at her, watching and each unable to help laughing.

Besides the little one, there was also an old one sitting to the side; seeing her granddaughter like this, she was delighted beyond measure, laughing as she pointed at Song Miao and said: "This one at home urges me day and night, asks three to five times a day when your food shop opens; today she says 'if we don't go now we'll miss Song Jiejie's food shop opening', tomorrow 'if we don't go now Song Jiejie and Xiao Lian will miss me to death', like twisted candy, utterly shameless!"

This old and young pair are naturally the long-unseen He Lao Furen and her granddaughter Zhu Jie'er.

And Zhu Jie'er, hearing her grandmother speak like this, blinked her eyes, hugged her teacup and leaned toward Song Miao, asking: "Isn't that so? Doesn't Song Jiejie miss me?!"

She didn't even wait for Song Miao to answer, immediately adding: "I don't believe it! I miss Jiejie and Xiao Lian so much! I miss you this much, how could you not miss me at all?!"

Seeing this child could perform the whole play alone, Song Miao couldn't help laughing either, responding: "Truly miss you very much; whenever making sour-sweet or sweet treats, I always think if Zhu Jie'er were here, she'd surely find ways to praise me over and over, praise me until I don't know how proud I'd be!"

Also said: "Xiao Lian also keeps mentioning you, asking me 'when can Zhu Jie'er come', and asking Er Niangzi 'when can I go find Zhu Jie'er to play'; Er Niangzi said Xiao Lian calls your name in her dreams at midnight! Even after sitting up she wasn't fully awake, mumbling about wanting to compete with you in cu suan cao!"

Zhu Jie'er heard this, nearly jumped up, anxious as can be, saying: "I just pulled several big cu suan cao the day before yesterday, pity I couldn't come, otherwise I'd definitely beat Xiao Lian — why didn't Song Jiejie call me to come?!"

Also said: "I love sweet things, sour-sweet things! Whatever Jiejie makes for me I love to eat — Jiejie, what are we eating tonight?!"

Just as they were talking, she looked up and saw a tiny figure carrying a bamboo basket enter through the gate; her two eyes instantly lit up bright enough to light a lamp, and she called out "Xiao Lian", flying out like a bird to greet her.

The two children held each other's hands, busy talking nonstop, wanting to prick their ears to hear the other, and rushing to say their own piece; in the end it was completely each talking their own, hard on them that they neither minded the other's noise nor feared not hearing clearly.

It was Xiao Lian who, after talking a good while, saw He Lao Furen sitting there upon entering, her face flushed red, afraid she'd appear ill-mannered, hurriedly shut her mouth, ran over to return salute and ask after her health.

The latter laughed and waved her hand, saying: "You two go play, no need to mind me."

Song Miao also smiled, saying to Xiao Lian: "You two go play in the back — your Han Gege sent someone with things, I had them put in the room, go in later and don't be scared."

The two little ones acknowledged with "oh oh", holding hands and went to the back, naturally followed by several maidservants all with smiles on their faces.

Once they left, He Lao Furen's smile slightly faded, she turned to Song Miao and said seriously: "Something happened here before, why didn't you send someone to tell me?"

Her tone was slightly displeased: "Still hid it saying the food shop was too busy, told us to wait a bit before coming — if I hadn't heard Yan Lao Furen mention it in passing, I wouldn't know to this day that someone intruded at night in the back courtyard, and all that messy business; I thought you were truly too busy with business to spare time for this old customer!"

Song Miao hurriedly explained a few sentences, then said: "They're all worrying matters; the saying goes, fine steel should be used on the blade's edge, it's not right to encounter a little trouble and come ask Old Madam for help, right? Either way, if it really can't be handled in the end, even if you don't bring it up, I'd take the initiative to come to your door."

He Lao Furen then said: "The two families' children play together, we come and eat often, I just treat you as a junior; this isn't just going through the motions, nor just polite words — next time there's anything, just send someone to call, no need to be this distant, makes it hard for me to visit later!"

Song Miao saw this, sincerely apologized, thanked her, sat and chatted a few idle words, then asked: "What does Old Madam want to eat tonight? Or should I have things prepared as I see fit?"

He Lao Furen then said: "Tonight there's a family banquet I can't decline, have to go eat a banquet later; can the food shop spare time tomorrow afternoon?"

Seeing Song Miao nod, she laughed: "You just prepare a few simple dishes for me, just the two of us, Zhu Jie'er and I, making do, anything's fine."

Speaking, she sighed: "Recently entered autumn, weather's dry, people get irritable too; should eat more soups and broths, but at this age I often get up at night, I originally wanted to come here for some soup to moisten things, but now I don't dare."

?? Thank you Mai Dou Ai Xiao Du for sending my Wen Si Yong Quan, Da Nuo Xiao Xi for sending two Peace Talismans, Ma Er Bu Xiang Pao and Book Friend for one Peace Talisman each:)

? Thank you Book City^Queenie for sending three Inspiration Lights, Pang Pang Sai Gao for giving me a Small Gift=3=