Chapter 52: Miao's Kitchen Chapter 52: Mediation

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

He Qi turned to look at Zhu Jie'er.

The latter only pretended not to see anything, still gazing longingly at Song Miao, then untied a small purse from her waist and held it out to Song Miao, saying, "Sister, can I trade this for a fried egg with you?"

That purse wasn't even as big as a child's fist, but it was embroidered with gold silk thread depicting dragonflies standing on dew-covered lotus flowers, along with ponds, expanses of lotus leaves, pavilions and terraces, and even two lines of poetry—exquisite beyond measure, made of fine silk.

Leaving aside what was inside, just the embroidery alone was worth a hundred eggs.

Song Miao hadn't yet had time to refuse when a maid who had followed behind jumped in fright and said, "The young lady has a weak spleen and stomach; she can't just eat anything!"

No sooner had these words fallen than Zhu Jie'er blinked her eyes, tears immediately fell, she opened her mouth and began wailing, calling out "Brother Qi."

He Qi hurriedly said to the maid, "Eating an egg or two is nothing. If your aunt asks when you get home, just say I was watching her—I told her to eat!"

The girl was about to speak more, but the old woman who had spoken earlier hurriedly said, "It's fine, Seventh Master and I are both here. Your brother just fell off the carriage and broke his foot; he can't move at all. I've been searching for bruise medicine in the carriage for half a day and couldn't find any. You'd better go back and check on him!"

Sure enough, two little girls came over to pull her, insisting on taking her out.

The maid had no choice but to leave, muttering under her breath as she walked, glancing back at Song Miao, then at the furnishings inside the door, and even staring at the signboard of the Song Family Eatery.

Once she was gone, Zhu Jie'er's tears vanished like a magic trick—gone as soon as she willed it, not even bothering to wipe them. She simply held the purse higher, urging Song Miao to accept it.

Song Miao dared not agree. She first looked at He Qi, saw him nod helplessly, then smiled, closed Zhu Jie'er's hand around the purse, and pushed it back, saying, "It's just a fried egg; no need to trade for it. I'm treating our Zhu Jie'er."

As she spoke, she indeed took an egg, cracked it into a bowl, and beat it.

Seeing Zhu Jie'er constantly touching the jasmine flower pinned at her temple, she asked, "Shall I make you some jasmine scrambled eggs, Zhu Jie'er? Smells wonderful."

Zhu Jie'er was so excited she could hardly speak, chattering away—first asking how jasmine was cooked into eggs, then asking if eating them would make her smell like a jasmine fairy.

He Qi hurriedly pulled her aside and instructed, "Don't move around and disturb the Song Stall Owner frying the eggs, or the flowers won't smell good."

Zhu Jie'er immediately closed her mouth, clutching the small purse, looking very nervous.

Song Miao picked some jasmine flowers, removed the stamens, receptacles, and calyxes, keeping only the petal portions that preserved the jasmine flower's shape. She blanched them lightly in salt water, mixed them with the beaten egg, and—fortunately having cow's milk brought back from the northern branch—added a small spoonful. Hot pan, hot oil, she quickly pushed them around on both sides.

This time she used vegetable oil, stir-frying lightly. As soon as the eggs set, she scooped them out. When served before Zhu Jie'er, it was a small plate of tender scrambled eggs carrying the clear fragrance of jasmine and a faint milky aroma.

Zhu Jie'er held the plate, exclaiming without cease, "So fragrant," "I like jasmine," "The flowers are so pretty." She thanked them happily and sat on the cushion beside He Qi.

He Qi teased her, "Want to give Brother Qi a bite?"

She hesitated for a while, looking very troubled, but finally truly used her chopsticks to offer him a bite.

And He Qi wasn't joking—he indeed took the plate on the table and accepted this bite of food from his sister.

Brother and sister sat side by side eating jasmine scrambled eggs.

This scrambled egg was different from the earlier bamboo shoot granule fried egg—it was made very fluffy, more tender and smooth than any scrambled egg He Qi had eaten before, with the egg fragrance carrying a faint milky scent and jasmine aroma.

A very fresh taste, a very comfortable texture.

One bite wasn't even enough to fill the gaps between the teeth!

He couldn't help but look at his sister's bowl and ask, "Zhu Jie'er, can you finish it? Will they save you a meal when we visit the Tian family later? Do you want Brother to help?"

Zhu Jie'er quickly showed him with her actions that she herself wasn't nearly full either—after finishing the last bite of fried egg, she revealed the clean bottom of her bowl, glared at He Qi, set the bowl down, and then praised Song Miao without stopping, saying she had never eaten such delicious scrambled eggs and that from now on her family should make her jasmine scrambled eggs every day.

After praising, she still wanted to chat with Song Miao, asking how her dishes could be so delicious, and whether, besides jasmine, other flowers could be used to fry eggs, when to fry them, and whether she could come play while they were frying.

She asked so nicely that Song Miao answered each question, listing many flowers. Seeing the child actually seemed to be seriously remembering, she finally smiled and said, "Actually there's also something called Jinque flower, which is also very suitable for scrambled eggs. Its petals are very sweet, and the sepals are a bit crisp, but it only grows in Yushan and is hard to find in Jingcheng."

Zhu Jie'er listened raptly and asked, "Jinque flower, what does it look like?"

Song Miao described it to her, and finally said, "I've only happened to eat it a few times; the taste is indeed quite unique."

The child asked, Song Miao answered, and He Qi stood by listening patiently without interrupting. Only after they finished talking about flowers did he find an excuse, take his sister, and bid farewell.

In front of Zhu Jie'er he dared not say much, but as he left he desperately made eyes at Song Miao, gazing reluctantly at the bamboo basket on the ground filled with bamboo shoots, and also at a basin of some unrecognized ingredient soaking in water.

The room still had a lingering smell of smoke and scorching. After seeing off the brother and sister, in broad daylight Song Miao did not hurry to close the door.

She took the small bamboo shoots to slowly peel, then took a thick needle and vertically pierced and scored each peeled shoot a dozen or so times, planning to make bamboo shoot stuffing for herself.

The pomelo peel had also been soaked too long, so it could be stuffed together.

Leaving aside Song Miao making these two elaborate dishes here, on the other side, Han Li and Qin Zong took a detour, first returning to the entrance of Sanzao County Alley. After asking the people still guarding there, they indeed all said that in the morning several patrol officers had taken out a young lady pushing a cart.

Learning that the young lady who was taken away lived in the house opposite the one he was watching, the Censor summoned by Qin Zong immediately grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Don't underestimate those rascals and hoodlums. There are many people and mixed voices in the Xunpu. As long as enough money is spent, they might very well be able to help spread the word."

He also said to Qin Zong, "You revealed your identity last night. If that young lady is questioned by people in the Xunpu and the people opposite get wind of it, she won't be easy to catch."

Qin Zong, having been questioned repeatedly by Han Li, was already feeling guilty in his heart, but he had been busy all night and felt he had made no mistake, so he felt somewhat wronged. Seeing the Censor say the same thing, he immediately panicked, fearing his efforts had been in vain, and urged them to hurry to the Xunpu.

To save time, he even specially summoned a nearby patrol soldier on kitchen duty to take a shortcut.

However, when the several people arrived at the place, they had thought it would take some effort to inquire about the news, but the very first person they asked knew the so-called "Sanzao County Alley Stall Owner."

"Isn't it that Song Xiaoniangzi who sells glutinous rice and shaomai?"

The patrol officer being questioned immediately became cautious. Seeing the waist plaque Qin Zong produced, he was still uneasy and asked, "Are you from the Capital Prefecture Office? What do you want with her? Did she commit a crime? Is the matter serious?"

Between the lines, he seemed very concerned.

It happened that this man was the patrol officer who had been in charge that morning.

Upon learning that the Imperial Academy Students were worried because breakfast hadn't arrived, and after inquiring that the stall owner had been taken by patrol officers, they had come to the Capital Prefecture Office to look for her. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and half-conceal, half-reveal the matter, only saying that Song Xiaoniangzi had reported to the authorities yesterday, and today she was invited in for questioning.

Finally he added, "The Song Stall Owner is a living person, and the stall is naturally mobile. Wherever business is good, she sets up her stall there; she doesn't have to be confined to the Taixue Gate!"

He continued, "For example, today, her food sells very well here with us—the person has already gone back, only a few questions were asked, nothing else."

He also asked several people what their relationship was with the Imperial Academy Students.

Knowing that Song Xiaoniangzi was fine and had already gone home, the group said no more, bade farewell, and left.

As soon as they went out, Qin Zong said, "What the patrol officer said may not be entirely true, but it is somewhat believable. It seems this time the matter probably has little to do with the people opposite."

Han Li said nothing.

The Censor beside them could no longer bear to listen and said, "You're thinking far too simply; his ghost talk, believing even three parts is too much — ordinary people reporting to the authorities, no deaths, no injuries, not a single thing lost, the Xunpu wouldn't have anyone handle it for ten or eight years; this time, if there weren't people behind the scenes exerting pressure, how could they possibly come knocking to capture people so early in the morning?"

Qin Zong instantly understood, yet couldn't help asking again, "But they captured the person and quickly released them, didn't make things difficult, and even bought all the food the person was selling — what are they after?"

That Censor then said, "Taking the person to the Xunpu — doesn't that count as making things difficult? But releasing them this early is indeed strange; I'm afraid that young woman has a few tricks up her sleeve."

He added, "We have to go there anyway; we'll know once we ask in a moment."

Speaking to this point, Han Li, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "Perhaps there aren't so many reasons; it's just that her glutinous rice and shaomai are truly delicious."

Qin Zong let out a strange "Ah?"

The Censor beside them laughed, looked Han Li up and down, and said, "I heard Qin Zong mention it last night, and only then learned that Younger Brother Han is the one who scolded Cao Xianggong's fighting cocks last time; the story you told made my wife very angry — since you study so well at the Taixue and write such good essays, being this capable, you rightly belong at the Censorate; how did you end up at our Capital Prefecture Office?"

He continued, "Whether left or right Xunyuan, we all come from the wind and go in the rain; normally we just catch a few petty thieves, arrest a few suspects; in a whole year there aren't even two major cases, and even if there are, they never land in our hands in the end — the Department of Criminal Investigation takes them all away."

As he spoke, his tone gradually took on an indescribable flavor: "We menial workers, no matter how bitter or tired, no matter how much we do, no one sees; how can we compare to you pen-pushers, saying a few sentences, easy and relaxed, not even moving your buttocks, known throughout the city and outside, even the Emperor has to put those few characters before his eyes and look again and again."

Qin Zong at first didn't feel anything was wrong; by the time he heard the latter part, he realized something was off, and it was already too late to stop him.

He had always known Han Li's temper, knew this was someone who wouldn't suffer a bit of grievance; if they fell out face to face, with this person's mouth, who could out-argue him?

But this Censor indeed had some ability; it was just that his temper was too stubborn and straight, and he cared too much about face; otherwise he wouldn't have remained a Censor for so many years, unable to climb up no matter what.

He was still hoping to learn a few moves; if Brother Han scolded this person who actually does the work away, he'd have to find someone else — wouldn't that be trouble?

In his embarrassment, Qin Zong hurriedly advised, "Censor Xin, Brother Han isn't just good with the pen; he previously in..."

"You mean he also followed outer prefecture officials and did work for two years?" Censor Xin laughed heartily, "I know; the person hasn't even reported for duty yet, and Magistrate Qin already gave instructions early on, saying this new arrival Han Li is no ordinary Taixue student, told the lower levels not to order him about casually; if he has matters, summon him to the top, and don't shirk — lend a few more hands."

As he spoke, his smile grew more mocking: "Can outer prefectures compare to the Capital? Outer prefectures have how many idle petty thieves in a year? The Capital has how many trivial cases in a single day?"

【76】 "I've been a runner at the Zhou Ya for twenty-odd years; first time I've heard of transferring a student over, not letting us use him, but instead requiring us to serve him — when I was doing kitchen duty, I'm afraid some people weren't even born in their mother's womb yet!"

"I've been doing Kitchen duty at the Zhou Ya for twenty-odd years, first time I've heard of transferring a Xue Shi over, not letting us order him around, but instead having us wait on him — back when I started Kitchen duty, some people probably hadn't even been born out of their mother's womb yet!"

"I have a bad temper; whatever words I have I say to your face, I won't play dirty tricks behind your back." He rested his hand on the baton at his waist, "Today although I came out, it wasn't for any trifling benefits; I only came because I heard that house indeed has a problem."

"Want to order me around? It's not something that can be done just by writing a few light and clever characters."

He finished speaking, only slanting his eyes to look at Han Li beside him.

Qin Zong secretly cried "bad," hurriedly stepped forward, intending to block between the two.

However, it was completely unlike his imagination; that Han Li didn't show the slightest anger, but said, "Is it Censor Xin Feng?"

"What, still want to record my name and go complain to Magistrate Qin?"

Xin Feng coldly snorted: "You go ahead and complain; don't bother inquiring, which official has Lao Xin ever feared? Even if the Capital Prefect came..."

He paused, about to say more, but heard Han Li across from him speak again: "I know Censor Xin's name and many deeds; when we went to the door yesterday, Magistrate Qin introduced you alone at length, saying among the many Censors in the left and right Xunyuan, only Censor Xin has the most meticulous mind, the strongest ability, does things most steadily, is most unafraid of hardship, and never shrinks from difficulty."

Han Li finished saying several "most" characters; Xin Feng's footsteps slowed considerably, and he even turned his body slightly, changing from the original sidelong glance to a direct gaze, and let out a light "hmph," saying, "No need to say nice things about me here..."

"In the first month of the third year of Guixin, there were bandits who masked themselves and formed a gang to rob civilian homes at night, ultimately injuring the master of the house; others investigated to no avail, only Censor Xin alone worked day and night without rest, didn't even observe the Lantern Festival, pursued for a full eight days, finally cornering them in Xiangfu County."

"The Censor alone led two county runners, faced seven or eight fierce bandits, fought on despite being slashed twice, not yielding an inch; if not for such bravery and strategy combined, how could the bandits have been held until reinforcements arrived, allowing the bandits to be captured with hands bound, and the victims' grievances redressed?"

"Such merit — how could it be matched by Han merely writing a few light and clever characters?"

Seeing the person before him slowly recount his proudest deeds, both holding up and praising, though straightforward, it scratched exactly where he itched; Xin Feng felt not only his heart itch, but even his throat began to itch.

He coughed lightly twice, saying, "Those things from many years ago, what's there to speak of; now I'm still just a lowly Censor..."

Yet in the end he couldn't help but straighten his chest.

Han Li added, "Magistrate Qin specially instructed that after I arrive at the yamen, whether there are matters or not, I should consult Censor Xin more, not fear losing face; although the Censor's temper is a bit straight, his character is upright..."

"I followed my teacher traveling and studying for several years; although I've seen others handle cases, my experience is ultimately shallow; just because I wrote a few essays and gained some reputation, but at this age the road ahead is long; today being transferred here, I also want to learn from all of you to truly do some things, not waste the days."

"Better to strike the golden bell once than beat the broken drum three thousand times — Han is thick-skinned; though presumptuous, I fear I must still trouble Censor Xin to guide me well in the future."

As he spoke, he cupped his hands in a salute.

Censor Xin was startled into hurriedly letting go of the baton in his hand, also standing straight, learning to bow and cup his hands in return.

After cupping his hands, his heart couldn't stop niggling.

— This scholar, isn't he just coaxing me with words? Coaxing so pleasantly, who could resist?

But after niggling, he couldn't help thinking again: even if he's coaxing me, he just arrived, where would he know so many of my deeds? Perhaps it really was Magistrate Qin who specially introduced them.

Further thought: so the higher-ups also know Lao Xin's ability; then why never promote me?

Also thought: his words just now were spoken so solemnly, one can truly hear great respect for me; why should I quarrel with a student? His essays are written that well; in the end he's the one skilled at wielding the pen — not only can he scold Cao Xianggong, he can also praise people, and praised me like this; if I give him a hand, in the future there will only be good, no bad; why was I so sharp-tongued just now?

He thought all this, and in the end felt embarrassed, dry coughed a few times, saying, "Younger Brother Han, Lao Xin speaks straight, not targeting you; if you have the heart to learn, whatever you don't understand just come find me; if you need a hand, just shout; if you don't know, we'll bring you a few times, and with your cleverness you'll master it all!"

The change was this fast; he was also a bit embarrassed, scratched the back of his head, saying, "I'll go to the front and take a look."

Seeing Xin Feng indeed walk quickly a few steps to the front, Qin Zong, who had been staring dumbfounded, couldn't help turning to ask, "Brother Han, when did you become so even-tempered and so good at praising people? How come you've never been like this to me?"

He asked again, "I actually didn't know Censor Xin had such a story; Fourth Brother, why didn't he tell me?"

"If you go catch a few bandits and get slashed twice by them, I'll be this even-tempered to you too." Han Li said blandly, "Doers are doers; their blood and sweat — how could it be shed in vain?"

Just as they were speaking, Xin Feng returned, looking rather embarrassed, first smiling at Qin Zong, hesitating a moment, then saying to Han Li, "Brother Han, may I borrow a moment to speak."

Han Li agreed in one breath, and the two indeed walked to the side.

"Younger Brother Han, what else did Magistrate Qin say about me? Did he say where Lao Xin did badly, and where he did well?"

After mustering courage for a long while, Xin Feng finally asked.

Scrambling for decades, still just a Censor — how could he not want promotion?

He'd already lost face; he wasn't afraid of losing it once more; it's just a transferred assignment anyway, and normally he scolds either Xianggong or imperial relatives — presumably they wouldn't bother to quarrel with the likes of him!

Here Han and Xin spoke alone, leaving only Qin Zong walking alone in loneliness, following behind, his mind momentarily only blank.

— Perfectly fine, the people were all invited by me; watching them, they still couldn't speak well; looked like a quarrel was about to start; at first I still wanted to mediate, show my ability to grasp the key points and mediate from the center; how did it end up that I seem to have nothing to do with it, and they seem like family instead?

How long have you known each other? How many sentences have you spoken, hey!