Chapter 56: Miao Chu Chapter Fifty-Six: Going Out

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

If only two people were reaching for the same dish at once, it wasn't so obvious, but when that number doubled to four, it became very noticeable.

For a moment, except for Qin Zong, who was busy pouring drinks and urging everyone to eat, everyone else couldn't help but look at that plate of pomelo peel stuffing.

Soon, two more pairs of curious new chopsticks were added to the plate.

The two owners of the new chopsticks reached for the pomelo peel stuffing while laughing and joking.

"Eating is eating, why is everyone just eating and not saying a word?"

"With all these dishes on the table, don't just go for one plate!"

However, as the pomelo peel stuffing they picked was sent into their mouths, the two people's voices seemed to be sealed, and they never made a sound again, but their hands were like they'd been injected with chicken blood, reaching into the plate of pomelo peel stuffing again and again.

Slowly, the originally noisy table actually became quiet.

Qin Zong had just finished pouring a round of drinks and was flattering Censor Xin, asking him to bring more contracts this time, but as he spoke, there was only his own voice in the courtyard, plus the sound of bowls and chopsticks colliding; besides embarrassment, he also felt strange.

He turned his head and saw that everyone at the table, except Han Li and two or three people beside him, were standing, standing while holding bowls and reaching chopsticks toward the table.

At this moment, someone finally started speaking at the table again.

"Hey, if you're picking vegetables, just pick them, don't block my chopsticks!"

"Ding Lao! Ding Lao!! Move your hand forward a bit, leave some for those behind, otherwise I won't be able to pick any!"

Is it really that serious?

He had ordered at least two plates of every dish, how could they not be able to pick any?

Qin Zong felt strange and hurried over, about to greet them, but saw Sun Lizheng look up, his eyes brightening instantly, waving toward the front hall and calling out: "Song Xiaoniangzi is here—let's make room, leave a spot for her here."

Sun Lizheng said while squeezing to the side, trying to make a spot.

Among the others scrambling to pick vegetables, one or two quick ones said: "No need, no need to sit there, we have an empty spot here."

An even sharper one also chimed in: "Song Xiaoniangzi, sit here; their side has a table corner, not comfortable to sit, my side is more spacious!"

However, these people were all a step too slow.

Only saw Han Li, seated closest to the middle gate, stand up leisurely, turn to greet Song Xiaoniangzi, and point to the other set of bowls and chopsticks on the table before him, saying: "Song Stall Owner, sit here; bowls and chopsticks are ready, I've saved some clean dishes for you, just right to eat while hot."

While speaking, he actually relied on the geographical advantage and calmly reached out to take the dish from Song Xiaoniangzi's hand, placing it before himself.

And on that table surface, at some point he had already cleared a space, just enough for that plate with room to spare!

Damn!

One thing cannot be two.

The first time with the pomelo peel stuffing, people didn't understand your approach; the second dish, and you do it again—that's too obvious!

For a moment, several people at the table looked at Han Li with strange expressions.

As for Sun Lizheng, he suddenly seemed to realize something.

When they sat down earlier, everyone had humbly deferred, originally asking Young Master Han to take the seat of honor beside Censor Xin, but he firmly declined, finally choosing a seat with his back to the front hall, closest to the middle gate, sitting among the patrol soldiers.

Vaguely, a thought arose in his mind.

—Damn, so he's a Taixue student; for a bite to eat, thinking three steps ahead, truly damn capable!

No wonder you all can become officials in the future!

And Han Li seemed to know he had aroused public anger; once the dish was placed on the table, he first took the chopsticks saved for Song Miao and picked three or four bamboo shoot stuffings into her bowl, then lifted the whole plate and passed it around the table one by one.

He did it so openly that naturally no one had anything to say.

But with a large plate of bamboo shoot stuffings, under everyone's eyes, he took it himself while others hadn't, so naturally no one dared to pick too many; after the plate went around once, when it was taken back, there was still half a plate left.

After all, those closest could still grab the most to eat!

Sun Lizheng had already lost all shame; when the plate was placed before him, he picked five bamboo shoot stuffings in one breath.

Such a unique preparation.

Meat filling stuffed into the bamboo shoot core, plump and full, the sauce bright and oily, slowly trickling down along the many scored cuts on the bamboo shoot body, the sauce fragrance mingling with the bamboo shoot aroma wafting out.

Who could resist this!

He bit off more than half in the first mouthful.

Biting down, he first tasted the extremely fresh bamboo shoot, then bit into the rich wood ear and pork filling inside; the salty freshness carried a hint of sweetness, that sweetness had the meat flavor of the pork itself, and among it was the fresh sweetness of the young bamboo shoots, carrying a wild mountain air onto his tongue.

It was simply like a mouthful of spring rolling on his tongue.

The bamboo shoot body had been scored seven or eight times, originally especially easy to absorb flavor; first pan-fried then simmered, the pork's meat fragrance had already been cooked to permeate through.

Bamboo shoot stuffing was not like pomelo peel stuffing with a burst of soup in every bite; its juice was less, but the flavor was richer.

The bamboo shoot tips were crisp and tender, the bamboo shoot body was crisp, the meat filling inside was very fresh, without a hint of pork's gamey smell, only meat fragrance; chewing and chewing, sometimes the bamboo shoot's fresh sweetness suppressed the meat fragrance, sometimes the meat fragrance suddenly burst out, and then again he bit into crisp wood ear bits; the texture layers were very rich, but the bamboo shoot always took the lead.

There was also a dish of oil-braised bamboo shoots made by the Jiu Lou on the table; it couldn't be said that the oil-braised bamboo shoots tasted bad, but compared to this bamboo shoot stuffing that few had eaten, with a truly outstanding flavor, it was instantly weakened.

But people like Sun Lizheng, with clear purpose and shameless, were still the minority at the banquet.

Everyone picked bamboo shoots and couldn't help but praise the cook first.

"Bamboo shoots can actually be prepared like this."

"Truly fresh!"

"Young Lady, what skilled hands!"

"Looks delicious at a glance!"

"Smells truly fragrant!"

After praising, they hurriedly invited Song Miao to sit.

A table was either Guan Cha or patrol soldiers and Lizheng; they couldn't speak freely and still had to discuss shift rotation and stakeouts.

Song Miao naturally wouldn't be so lacking in tact.

She held the bowl, thanked Han Li, greeted everyone, and said: "I'll go eat up front; if anyone knocks on the door, I can answer it."

The others couldn't keep her, only busying themselves to add dishes for her.

Song Miao smiled: "I left dishes in my pot; a biscuit is enough."

Speaking, she indeed took two Chive Leaf Pancakes and left.

If it had been earlier, everyone would surely have added meat and dishes for her, but hearing she had dishes left in her pot and thinking of the Pomelo Peel Stuffing flavor, everyone's hands stopped moving—was it this table of dishes, or that Pomelo Peel Stuffing and Bamboo Shoot Stuffing?

Pomelo Peel and Bamboo Shoots were both seasonal dishes; Pomelo Peel Stuffing was already so outstanding, one could know Bamboo Shoot Stuffing must also be a delicacy!

As for this table of ordinary vegetable and meat dishes, when couldn't they be eaten?

Even a fool would choose!

Once the cook left, the remaining table of people instantly quieted down, unanimously eating the Bamboo Shoot Stuffing in their bowls.

They had all grown tongues; those who could distinguish good from bad were naturally not just Sun Lizheng alone.

Soon, someone started it and suddenly stood up; thus, in a swish, nearly everyone at the full table stood up.

Everyone stared covetously, all fixed on that plate of Bamboo Shoot Stuffing; in the blink of an eye, a pile of chopsticks rushed into the plate.

In that cramped space, chopsticks inevitably bumped chopsticks, and even two or three people unluckily grabbed the same Bamboo Shoot Stuffing, or had their eye on one but struck empty, having it snatched away.

There were also clever ones who, seeing their hand couldn't get in, took a detour to pick up the Pomelo Peel Stuffing on the side.

Qin Zong still held the bamboo tube in his hand; seeing this table of people act this way, he was even a bit stunned.

——Just now such good meat, good dishes, patrol soldiers and chayi were all very restrained, having to be served one by one; how was it that at this moment, everything was completely different?

It was only two dishes, looking a bit novel and special, but surely not to this extent?

One by one, had they never eaten good things?

Seeing everyone's reaction, Xin Feng didn't ask, nor listen to what formalities Qin Zong was saying, and immediately grabbed chopsticks to snatch into the plate.

He was always running outside; when doing errands, he never had time to care about seniority or rank, let alone eating—it was whoever was fast who got it; now relying on his thick long arms, he grabbed three Bamboo Shoot Stuffings in one go.

After all, he had gotten Qin Zong's table of dishes for free, so he still knew to show some consideration; after letting one Bamboo Shoot Stuffing into the other's bowl, he put one in his own mouth while saying: "Brother, today I'll teach you a lesson first—those who snatch to eat are all good things; they all say this Song..."

Only the "Song" character had left his mouth when the Bamboo Shoot Stuffing had already entered his mouth; tasting the flavor, Xin Feng didn't even care to speak to Qin Zong again, turning and shouting: "A table of good dishes, what are you snatching! So many chickens, ducks, and geese—eat more meat!"

While shouting, his chopsticks were cutting in line into the Bamboo Shoot Stuffing plate.

Those patrol soldiers might yield, but the chayi from the yamen didn't care at all, only shouting: "Feng-ge, my Feng-ge, we're brothers eating at the same table—you can't do this!"

Someone else propped his chopsticks aside, shouting: "You're the Superior, what are you snatching from us below for!"

Things snatched to eat naturally taste especially good.

Everyone had already eaten much meat and vegetables up front; now getting Song Miao's two stuffed dishes, they deeply regretted being quick-handed before and having small stomachs now.

But after all, many monks and little porridge; soon the Pomelo Peel Stuffing and Bamboo Shoot Stuffing were snatched cleanly eaten, especially the thin meat cake under the Pomelo Peel Stuffing, which, having absorbed the fresh taste of the pomelo pulp, was especially clear and sweet, and the soup juice made one's stomach and intestines feel warm and comfortable.

"If only there were a bowl of rice..."

Someone sighed.

This person had just sighed when their sleeve was pulled hard by the person beside them.

This person was stunned, turned to look, and saw the person next door making eyes at them.

He suddenly realized.

Young Master Qin was so generous; a group eating and drinking for free—where was there room to pick and choose?

This person regretted very much and was about to make amends, but didn't expect to hear someone beside them echoing.

"A steamed bun or steamed cake would be good, without filling, so one can taste the original flavor of this Pomelo Peel Stuffing and Bamboo Shoot Stuffing!"

He was startled, turned his head, about to remind them, but caught sight of the appearance of the person echoing him and was stunned on the spot.

——It was actually Qin Zong, Young Master Qin himself!

After echoing, Qin Zong looked at the braised goose left in his bowl and felt the goose meat was drier than before, the braising not thorough enough, the taste truly ordinary; for a moment he actually felt food had no flavor.

He regretted it quite a bit.

"The cooks at ordinary Jiu Lou truly don't have her skill; if I had known earlier! Alas!"

"If I had known this Song Xiaoniangzi had such skill, making such fresh dishes, why would I have told her not to make them and eat Jiu Lou with us!"

During the meal it gradually fell silent; echoing was not right, not echoing was against one's conscience.

It was Han Lidao who finally said: "We ten-plus people; the Song Stall Owner also has to set up the stall and purchase supplies, and may not have time to make food for so many people."

This reasoning was also quite sound.

The whole table became embarrassed again.

Someone suggested: "Why don't we chip in and ask Song Xiaoniangzi to make whatever she makes at home, and make a portion for us, like today, as a side dish?"

Xin Feng swept a glance at that person's head and spat: "Are you here to eat, or here to do Kitchen Duty?!"

But after spitting, he still couldn't help but sigh.

Going from luxury to frugality is hard!

Normally having such a table of good things to eat, one couldn't even laugh in secret fast enough; today having a comparison, one actually felt such good dishes had dimmed.

After the table of people finished eating and arranged the rotation, they naturally went to their respective posts and began stakeouts and watch.

Some assigned to watch the Front Hall Miscellaneous Room, upon arriving at the front hall, still found time to praise Song Miao, praising her skill and asking how the Pomelo Peel Stuffing and Bamboo Shoot Stuffing were made.

Others felt it a pity.

"Alas, up front so many pomelos were eaten, the peels were all thrown away; who knew this thing made into dishes would taste so good, wasting good things!"

But when Song Miao broke down the steps one by one for them to hear, the questioner's brow furrowed without stop.

"So troublesome—need blanching, need changing water, need chopping meat, need stuffing..."

Song Miao smiled: "Actually it's just home cooking; surely many southern people know how to make it."

"Such delicious dishes, why doesn't the Jiu Lou sell them?"

"It's still troublesome. They're just ordinary ingredients, but if the price is set too high, no one wants to eat them; too low, and it's not worth making—both require cooking to order, take a lot of effort, and can't be kept long. Especially the Pomelo Peel Stuffing: the peel needs to be blanched and soaked starting at least the day before, but if soaked another day or two, it easily goes bad. If prepared and no one orders, it's wasted."

She explained at length.

But the more she explained, the hungrier everyone became.

Delicious things naturally make one want to eat them at every meal, yet no one felt comfortable speaking up, so they kept it in their bellies, looking at each other, waiting for someone else to speak first.

Song Miao didn't think so much.

After tidying the stove, she went back to the Back Courtyard to find Han Li.

The latter was speaking with Sun Lizheng.

Sun Lizheng listened while nodding, occasionally patting his chest; seeing Song Miao come over, he smiled and gave a greeting, then made way and left through the Small Path at the back of the house.

Song Miao asked no further, went forward, and settled the time with Han Li.

The other party, along with Xin Feng and Qin Zong, since all three had originally come from the front of Suanzao Alley, put on the appearance of having finished their inquiries, and returned along the same road.

After Han Li and the others left, that originally quiet house across the way, after Teacup Time, began to emit faint noisy sounds again.

Seeing someone guarding over there, Song Miao didn't bother further, returned to her room, took out the House Deed and Land Deed, copied the text with brush and paper, put them back in their original place, kept only the copy close to her person, and, judging by the Sky color, went out the Door.