Chapter 84: Miao Chu Chapter 83: Elder Brother

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Of the three pancake layers, Li Laoniang only took the outer one.

The pancake pattern on this layer was a faint burnt yellow, fine and dense; when bitten into, it gave a texture both familiar and strange.

Decades had passed; the pancake she had eaten with her sister that day had long since faded in memory. Even upon receiving a letter from afar and hearing it described, recalling the scene of the past, the pancake remained somewhat vague to Li Laoniang.

But with this one bite, the flavor of that time suddenly became clear.

Equally clear was the sight of two little girls laughing and tussling over a pancake.

Li Laoniang had thought of it for many days, yet feared her kin was gravely ill and dared not dwell on it, while also hoping to taste this morsel soon so her loved one could fulfill a small wish early and leave no regret — it had practically become a heart demon; now that she finally ate it, she felt an indescribable surge of emotion.

But after the emotion, her first reaction was — why is it so soft.

This pancake was even softer than the one in memory, soft with a hint of chew, adding to the eating experience, and carried a fragrance of oil.

That oil fragrance was very faint, easily overwhelmed by the aroma of pan-fried egg and stir-fried pork shreds wrapped inside — how could ordinary vegetable oil fragrance compete with meat fragrance?

Relying on teeth that still surpassed a young person's, Li Laoniang treated the pancake skin as if it had no presence at all, effortlessly biting through it, reaching the meat inside, then the white radish shreds, carrot shreds, celery shreds, and scallion shreds coated in sweet flour sauce.

Carrots crisp and sweet, white radish raw-sweet, celery crisp and firm, scallion shreds nine parts white one part green, slightly spicy on the tongue.

The freshly cooked pancake, warm and steaming, carried a grain fragrance that made one inexplicably think of wheat exposed to the scorching sun all day in the autumn countryside.

But although the pancake flavor was rich and mellow, the dough skin was truly too thin and too soft.

Li Laoniang chewed in big mouthfuls; after a few chews she felt the filling inside was packed a bit too generously.

Although the side dishes could not steal the fragrance and taste of the three pancake layers, they ultimately occupied the bulk of the mouth, making her somewhat regretful; she couldn't help taking the other two three-layer pancakes and haphazardly wrapping them around the already rolled pancake, then biting again on the right side.

This time the texture was just right.

The pancake was soft, slightly resilient, both soft and chewy; the sweet flour sauce was sweet with a hint of salt, the side dishes fragrant where they should be, crisp where they should be, spicy where they should be, refreshing where they should be — the mouthfeel was comfortable beyond words.

She ate while shaking her head, and let out humming sounds from her nasal cavity.

That head-shaking was not denial, but an involuntary movement made because eating was so comfortable.

By now Song Miao had finished cooking another three-layer pancake, let it cool a little, and handed it to Li Doutou's wife, Duan Shi.

Duan Shi had been waiting until her heart itched unbearably, and hurriedly received it.

She haphazardly spread a layer of sweet flour sauce, piled on all the side dishes, casually wrapped it, and stuffed it into her mouth; only after tasting the flavor did she chew a few mouthfuls whole, then realize her sweet flour sauce wasn't spread evenly, and that the stir-fried pork shreds, once bitten open, released meat juice that mixed with the sauce and leaked straight out of the pancake skin.

Duan Shi grew anxious for a moment, couldn't help biting left and right, a bite here, a bite there, rushing to eat it before the juices leaked out, utterly overwhelmed.

Eating pancakes is born to be this busy and chaotic; only then is there a feeling of exhilaration.

Duan Shi right now was both a mess and thoroughly enjoying herself.

The three-layer pancake she wrapped had fried mint leaves added, and also sour pickled vegetables, making the texture and taste even richer; very quickly she was eating just like Li Laoniang, shaking her head and swaying.

Seeing the two eat with such relish, Song Miao said: "If it were a proper three-layer pancake, warm water is usually used to knead the dough, making it more resilient and chewy; only today I used boiling water and warm water, so it eats even softer — if the taste isn't right, I have a batch of dough here kneaded with warm water, I'll cook it later for the old lady to taste?"

As she spoke, she discovered something was off.

That Li Laotai across from her was eating the pancake with such concentration and urgency, in a state of inseparable entanglement, also busy dealing with the sauce about to leak from her hand — she simply had no leisure to listen to her speak!

The whole explanation just now was practically like throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man.

But then, her own cooking made the diner too busy even to use her ears, only knowing to eat — doesn't that show she still has a bit of skill?

As a cook, Song Miao couldn't help giving birth to a touch of self-satisfaction.

She had originally thought Li Laoniang was old and might have bad teeth, so she specially kneaded the dough extra soft; but looking at that mouthful of teeth now, she realized she had over-worrieded, and simply couldn't be bothered to ask again, using the warm-water dough to freshly cook two more pancakes.

Meanwhile Li Laoniang swallowed the last mouthful of food, savored the flavor once more, suddenly reacted, and for a moment was embarrassed, only able to ask: "What did the young lady say just now?"

Song Miao pointed at the newly cooked pancake and repeated what she had just said.

Only then did Li Laoniang remember her purpose in seeking the pancake this time, hurriedly agreed, and reached out to take it.

Seeing she didn't separate the pancake layers, but looked like she wanted to eat a whole three-layer pancake in one go, Song Miao hesitated a moment, then still reminded: "The Wei hour has passed; should the old lady only taste a little, lest you fill your stomach — today is your birthday, I see the kitchen has prepared many dishes, there should be a banquet for guests, right?"

Li Laoniang and Duan Shi, each holding a new pancake, both froze at these words.

Song Miao's words were naturally not wrong.

Today is the actual birthday celebration day; no matter how much the Li family says they won't make a big affair, there will always be some relatives and old friends coming to eat the banquet.

But Li Laoniang decided on the spot, saying: "Guests are to be invited, but I am an old person, I can't eat that much, otherwise it would instead cause food stagnation and hurt the stomach."

As she spoke, her hands didn't stop; she had already started spreading sauce and adding toppings on the new pancake, and said to her daughter-in-law Duan Shi: "I'll just sit at the banquet and eat a token amount."

Duan Shi agreed.

Li Laoniang had found an excuse, but Duan Shi was not the birthday star, her seniority was also lower, yet she had no suitable reason; for a moment she could only stare at the pancake already in her hand, practically wanting to sigh, her hand unwilling to let go no matter what.

Seeing this, the Li Laotai, having secured her own portion, didn't forget her daughter-in-law; while rolling her pancake she suddenly said: "You'll have to receive guests later, you'll be the busiest! Definitely no time to eat, you must pad your stomach first, lest you starve! You eat a couple more bites too!"

As she spoke she still looked at Song Miao, as if to show this reason was particularly proper, absolutely not perfunctory, and definitely not gluttony.

Duan Shi received this excuse as if it were a sacred decree, and hurriedly said: "Exactly! Exactly!"

Li Laoniang was rolling her pancake, so Duan Shi couldn't intervene, but smelling the pancake in her hand was truly fragrant, she couldn't wait, and ate a bite with an empty mouth first.

Eating pancakes by the stove, the pancake just came off the griddle, cooled a little, then entered the mouth — the flavor within, the aftertaste within, the eater knows for herself.

After chewing twice, unknowingly, bite twice more chew twice more; before Duan Shi came to her senses, a whole pancake had gone down her stomach.

— Eating the pancake alone, it's actually this delicious!

Eating alone especially brings out the flour fragrance, even purer, even richer; the more you chew the more fragrant, eating and eating, a faint sweetness emerges — the wheat sweetness that the dough naturally carries after long chewing.

The two mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law ate pancakes here, each polishing off three nine-layer pancakes in one go, finally encouraging each other to stop.

Only after eating her fill did Li Laoniang finally have the leisure to confirm: sure enough, the pancake made with warm water dough was exactly the Mi Zhou three-layer pancake she had eaten in childhood.

But compared to the one eaten in childhood, Li Laoniang only felt today's first pancake was made even softer, even more delicious; she even wanted her sister to taste it.

"Young Lady, how much do you want for the recipes for these two kinds of cakes? Why not let me buy them from you?"

Song Miao heard this and smiled faintly, saying, "What kind of recipe is this? Many people in Mi Zhou know how to make them; Old Lady Li and Auntie Duan saw them today and probably learned them already. Once spoken, they're worth not a single copper."

She added, "Besides, Auntie Zhu and Sun Lizheng have often looked after me before, and I've heard the two families visit each other often. For such a small matter, if I were to sell it, what would that make of me?"

After speaking, she asked Lady Duan for brush and ink, and indeed, with a few swift strokes, she wrote down the steps and methods for making the cakes one by one, very detailed, even describing the small broom-like tool.

Old Lady Li got the recipe and was deeply grateful, and couldn't help but ask Song Miao to stay for a banquet.

Song Miao smiled and said, "It's not that I'm embarrassed, only that I still have matters at home and am currently doing business; I need to set up my stall early tomorrow morning, and many things aren't packed yet. If I have the chance next time, I will certainly come to impose on Old Lady Li for a meal."

Li and Lady Duan had previously heard Zhu Shi's introduction, but it was only mentioned in passing, and they didn't know Song Miao's family situation was like this. Clearly they had a food shop and real estate, not people who relied on gruel to get by, yet they ended up with an unmarried girl under the age of fifteen going out to set up a stall every day, so they couldn't help but ask a few more questions.

When questioned directly, Song Miao never hid anything and told the truth.

Hearing the rest was fine, but Song's mother had died of illness and Song's father had drowned—both were settled matters. Only her elder brother Song Huai Zhou had actually died halfway to bandits, his corpse never found, only someone returning with news. Old Lady Li had experienced many things and couldn't help but ask, "Where did your brother have his accident?"

Song Miao said the place, which was somewhere in the countryside under Hejian.

Old Lady Li slapped her thigh and said, "I still have a brother making a living in that place!"

She said, "Young Lady doesn't know, my maiden family runs a dart agency, originally from Hejian. Today you helped me so much, and won't accept my money as an old woman, I can't let you work for nothing—if you're willing, write down your brother's name, appearance, and background, and I'll send word back to have my old family brothers help look for him. If there's news, best of all; if not, it's still a gesture of goodwill. What do you say?"

Song Miao was overjoyed, quickly took paper and brush, wrote down everything she knew, thanked her, and added, "Even if nothing else can be found, if a piece of clothing can be returned, I would be endlessly grateful."

Old Lady Li took the paper, but couldn't help muttering, "What did your brother go to Hong Kid Kou for? That place is by a river bend, the water is very swift..." Old Lady Li muttered.

Song Miao only vaguely remembered the general idea, saying, "My elder brother followed his teacher on a study trip, originally helping to record water conditions, so they could serve as reference for the Du Shui Jian to manage flood control."

Old Lady Li was already very concerned, and hearing this, she felt even more solemn respect, saying, "You just wait, I'll have someone send word back soon! Relying on this bit of old connections and face, I'll find out the truth for you no matter what!"

When Song Miao came to the Li family, she carried two food boxes with Fu-character and Shou-character cakes; when leaving, she received a bamboo basket, carrying various fruits, and in her sleeve was a packet, which Old Lady Li, this Longevity Star, had forcibly stuffed into her for good luck.

Regarding her elder brother Song Huai Zhou's encounter with bandits, she originally didn't dare hope he was still alive, but hearing Old Lady Li's words today, she couldn't help but feel some expectation, only not daring to think too much, fearing that if expectations were too high, they would be dashed in the future.

After Song Miao returned home and settled all matters, truly exhausted, she washed up and slept. The next morning, after everything was packed, she pushed her cart out to do business again.

Today, as soon as the door opened, there were indeed more people waiting outside; at a glance, one could tell many were from Guozixue. They and the Nan Lu Academy students each occupied one side, clearly distinct like the Jing and Wei rivers.

Song Miao made several sales, and seeing students emerging one after another from the wall hole behind Nan Lu Academy's rear gate, she felt it was improper, fearing that too many and too mixed a crowd would truly draw the dissatisfaction of the academy's instructors and teachers.

She hurriedly explained to the people lining up behind, especially the buyers from Guozixue, saying she would return to Food Alley to set up her stall tomorrow, asking everyone not to come running then, and so on.

One told three, three told ten, ten told more, and in an instant everyone in line knew.

The Guozixue students cheered one and all, while the Nan Lu Academy students looked displeased. When it was their turn, they secretly advised Song Miao, saying it was too much trouble, and she might as well use this house to do business, as things were best as they were now, and so on.

Song Miao chatted with everyone in a distracted way, and when she looked up, she saw several customers were familiar faces. She smiled at once and said, "Young Master Wang, Young Master Lu, why have you come?"

"The exam is over!" Wang Chang laughed heartily, beaming with joy. "If I don't eat Young Lady Song's breakfast soon, the gluttonous bugs in my belly will starve to death!"

Several people behind in line were also Guozixue students who had come through the tunnel from afar, and they all laughed along.

Song Miao served everyone glutinous rice, packed some shaomai and a few drinks, then asked, "I didn't see Young Master Cheng today. Should I save some for him to take back?"

"People came from his hometown; right after finishing the exam he was called out, and only returned last midnight. He left again early this morning—heard he's looking for rooms everywhere, and asked us if there are any copying jobs. Neither is easy to find."

Wang Chang's words had just fallen when a classmate beside him asked, "This is Zijian's third year, right? I don't know how he did this time, but I dare not ask."

"And isn't Young Master Lu also in his third year?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent, each sighing.

Everyone here broke into a cold sweat for Cheng Zijian. In the teaching hall of Guozixue, Cai Xiu was again granted an audience with the National University Supervisor, and he too broke into a cold sweat for himself.

He placed an official document on the table before him, pushed it forward, and said respectfully, "Student was unwell yesterday, took leave and saw a doctor. Who knew that on the road I happened to meet a Legal Officer from the Capital Prefecture Office, and asked him a few questions."

"Since the Capital Prefecture Office has been very busy lately, Officer Zhang saw that Student understands some etiquette and is eager to learn, so he said to mention it to his superior when he returned. Who knew that once mentioned, it was accepted, and a transfer order was issued that very day, wishing to borrow Student to the Capital Prefecture Office as a Legal Officer..."

The Supervisor was stunned for a moment, then took the official document, opened it, and sure enough, it was a transfer order.

He read it once and smiled, saying, "This is a good thing. Since it is so, when you go to the Capital Prefecture Office, you must do your work well."

Cai Xiu saw that the Supervisor's face showed no sign of anger, so he breathed a sigh of relief. With difficulty suppressing the pride in his tone, he said even more respectfully, "This time it is all a matter of fortunate coincidence. Student thanks Teacher for your usual guidance. This time I will certainly not fail your teachings. It's just a pity I can no longer help with the proofreading and transcribing work at Xuezhong..."

The Supervisor said, "Official business is important. Since you have such an opportunity, go with peace of mind."

He also offered a few warm words of encouragement.

Cai Xiu agreed repeatedly. When he got outside and closed the door, seeing no one around, he couldn't help but direct a cold smile at the door of the Supervisor's room.

—You know I'm slapping your face, you must be very uncomfortable, but you can only endure it. What can you do to me?

No matter how difficult the road ahead, with my abilities and methods, I can still carve out a shortcut. Who can stop me!

?? Thank you Yellow Scorpion Palace for gifting me one sachet, two peace talismans, mu mu mu mu dun=3=

? Thank you Xian You for gifting me a sachet. Long time no see, best wishes~

? Thank you Book City My Cat Is Called Egg Egg for gifting me two small gifts. Special thanks to Qin^_^

? (End of Chapter)