Chapter 95

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Seeing Cheng Erniang come out, Song Miao declined, saying, "Busy all day in the daylight, Second Young Lady should rest early, no need to be so polite."

"Xiao Lian and I are staying in the house for free; if we're not even allowed to do the work of helping out, I'm afraid I'll be too ashamed to sleep at night!" Cheng Erniang said, and seeing a pot of hot oil on the stove top, sizzling and frying something unknown, the front hall full of fragrance, she hurried forward, "My hands are already washed clean, cutting vegetables and frying things, I can do it all — Young Lady just give the orders!"

Seeing this, Song Miao no longer hesitated, and indeed called her to help fry that crispy fried noodle in the glutinous rice, and also told her many key points.

After the batter for the fried noodles is prepared, one must pay attention to the pot's coolness and heat, watch the fire at all times; two, control the frying time, once it passes, even if it looks fine, there will be a faint burnt bitter taste; if not fried through, eating it won't be crispy enough.

The crispy fried noodles and the sauce are mutually the finishing touch of the glutinous rice; even though making them is quite taxing on the mind, Song Miao has always only fried them fresh one night in advance, used them up early the next morning, to avoid the oil turning, the taste becoming unsightly, affecting reputation.

Cheng Erniang followed the method, fried two batches in succession, but fearing burning, neither was cooked through enough, so Song Miao took her hand in hand and guided her to re-fry once more, and also had her taste separately to compare.

"So even just a tiny condiment has so many particulars; no wonder the food I make always tastes bad." Cheng Erniang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

She added, "If I had Young Lady's skill, what worry would there be about not finding a meal to eat in the Capital."

Song Miao then asked along about her situation today, and also asked after she moved out, whether that starch-washing clothes work could still be gotten.

Cheng Erniang sighed, saying, "At noon the officials questioned us separately, and made us testify and press fingerprints, and took away quite a few people; right now the people left in that temple are all anxious to move out, where would there still be any work."

She added, "Even if there were, I wouldn't dare go back — Young Lady doesn't know, originally behind that temple there was a courtyard, heard an embroiderer was locked inside for many days, starved until only a handful of bones left; if the yamen hadn't discovered it in time today, afraid in a few more days a life would have been lost!"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but secretly look at Song Miao's expression.

This morning Song Miao had just asked about that Xu Da's clothing embroidery work; not long after, the yamen came knocking, and a Guan Cha specifically brought out that clothing, and asked the embroiderer; such coincidence, she naturally made associations.

Song Miao didn't conceal it either; because it involved the case, she omitted the gambling bust and the cloth at the door, only told of Shen Xingniang getting lost, and said, "I originally only thought it was a clue; who knew the yamen coming to the door would actually implicate Second Young Lady, causing you to lose your place to stay."

Cheng Erniang hurriedly said, "What do you mean implicate? We had to move sooner or later anyway; and thinking there's such a vicious person next door, and I'm bringing a little one, if he suddenly took a notion to abduct us mother and daughter too, I wouldn't even have a place to cry my tears!"

She laughed again, "Right now being able to keep Young Lady company for a few days, living in such a good house, is also the fortune we cultivated in our past lives!"

Regardless of before, the current Song Residence really has nothing to do with "such a good house."

Cheng Erniang mother and daughter stayed in Song Huai Zhou's room; although the patrol soldiers and censors had tidied up when they came to watch before, it was only barely passable as clean — right now inside there are still piled quite a few broken tables and rotten chairs, not even a single wardrobe, all moved empty long ago.

But Cheng Erniang still praised it full-mouthed; it could be seen, it was not merely superficial.

Losing parents young, raising a younger brother alone, daughter still small, husband dead, and driven out by husband's clan for the family property, yet still able to be so open-hearted and cheerful.

The world is full of people in honey jars who still complain it's not enough, who abandon themselves in adversity; yet few can find joy in suffering.

Song Miao liked this Second Young Lady before her more and more.

While finely dicing that white radish, she asked, "Besides Guangji Temple, do people in other places need starch-washing clothes? What other good work can we have?"

"There's a starch-washing shop in the Fangzi, can go inside to take work, but I'm a newcomer, and can't spare money to bribe that manager, so can only pick up what others leave behind to wash."

"Last time there was a piece of clothing, by the time it reached my hands it already had a tear; after sending it back, the customer didn't say anything, but the manager still wanted to fine money — working a day isn't enough for mother and daughter to make a living as it is, yet still have to pay out of pocket, where can one endure it, so had to seek something else."

"I originally found a few shops and tea houses wanting to seek work, but they dislike that my official language isn't spoken well enough!" Cheng Erniang mocked herself, "Alas, in the past farming and growing vegetables, the insects in the fields didn't despise my Fuzhou accent! Now instead they all pick on me, but in a day or two, where can it be changed? I don't believe they were born knowing how to speak official language!"

Although it's somewhat miserable, Song Miao hearing this, especially paired with her mouthful of Fuzhou official language, still couldn't help wanting to laugh.

Originally that Cheng Zijian's speech also carried a bit of accent, only he's been in the Capital long, it's no longer very obvious; right now this Cheng Erniang's mouthful of official language is the pure original flavor of Jiangnan West Circuit, quite interesting.

Today when Song Miao returned she was stuck on the road, and also tidied living quarters for Cheng Erniang mother and daughter, delayed quite a bit of effort; originally the prep time was a bit tight, but now with one more person helping, the situation instantly improved a lot.

Cheng Erniang is used to housework, hands and feet nimble; prepping ingredients, frying things all work; especially she indeed didn't lie, two arms strength very great, moving and lifting, carrying water, even faster and better than Cheng Zijian.

Two people chatting and laughing, finished packing everything by Hai hour.

A night without words.

Next day, Song Miao as usual, sky not yet bright, climbed up, went to front hall to steam glutinous rice, and began stir-frying sauce, making shaomai.

Right in the middle of working, she heard a burst of footsteps from behind, turned to look, it was that Cheng Erniang coming out from the back rolling up her sleeves, enthusiastically saying, "I'll come give Young Lady a hand!"

This time Song Miao truly didn't want her to help, only said, "I can manage alone, Second Young Lady go rest — the sky is still dark!"

And said, "Aren't you going out to find work during the day?"

Cheng Erniang said, "Where can one find it in a single day? I just thought to help out these two days, wait until finding something suitable then speak!"

Also said she herself wants to see how to prepare and set up stall, learn a few tricks, later go to wine shops and restaurants, also good for self-recommendation.

Although Song Miao felt this was an excuse, and didn't believe it much, she didn't refuse again.

Waited until everything prepared, and moved all kinds of food onto the stall cart, that Cheng Erniang also wanted to follow out to set up stall.

Song Miao asked Xiao Lian, she then said, "The child is used to sleeping late; I told her last night, saying if we come back and she hasn't risen yet, no need to mind!"

Momentarily arrived at Food Alley, saw inside a line of people winding, lined up very long; that Cheng Erniang at first was surprised, asked, "How come so many people queuing, what is this for?"

Then heard rising and falling "Song Xiaoniangzi", "Song Stall Owner", "Young Lady", "Finally here" and so on, simply like waves, shaking her ears buzzing.

Wait until seeing Song Miao appear, behind her many people don't know where they popped out from; stall not yet stable, that line winding back and forth, growing even more magnificent; to not block the road, simply nine bends eighteen turns; Cheng Erniang simply stunned dumb.

She took a good while before realizing to step forward to help.

Cheng Erniang joined, the students lined up behind instantly excited, far and near, each couldn't help but ask.

This one said, "Is this hiring help?"

That one asked, "Finally added people! Does this mean the portion from now on will be more? Won't be unable to buy anymore, right?"

Still someone urged, "Lunch! Song Stall Owner, you added people, should make lunch to sell! Make that pig trotter rice, I guarantee I'll eat every day!"

Song Miao then smiled and explained to the crowd it wasn't adding people, just a friend coming over to help look after for two days.

A group of students all let out boos, inevitably repeating old tunes, either urging her to add more people, or urging her to make more portions.

Total just those things, and with Cheng Erniang helping, in an hour sold clean, only left some yesterday's pre-orders not come to collect.

Seeing sky gradually brightening, Song Miao then urged Cheng Erniang to hurry home, only herself staying here to guard.

After another moment, continuously customers came to carry food away; that Cheng Zijian then hurriedly came out from the doorway.

Waited until in front of Song Miao's stall, he looked left and right, face unavoidably showing disappointed expression, said, "I thought Elder Sister would come today!"

Song Miao smiled and said, "Er Niangzi has come, but Xiao Lian was alone at home, and everyone was worried, so I told her to go back first—Cheng Gongzi came too late."

It turned out Cheng Zijian had been running about outside all day yesterday, exhausted in body and mind, and because Eldest Sister had found a place to stay and was still living at Song Miao's house, it was as if a great stone had fallen from his heart, so naturally he fell asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

When he woke up, the sky was already bright, and when he hurried out again, sure enough, he was late.

Song Miao took out the food he had ordered, and then told him again about sending the pork jerky to the government office yesterday.

Cheng Zijian hurriedly offered his thanks.

Song Miao went on, "I mentioned to Young Master Han that you wanted to hold a banquet to thank him, but he said there was no need for such trouble, just make a few dishes casually—once you've settled on a date, tell me in advance so I can make preparations."

Cheng Zijian agreed while asking anxiously, "Stall Owner Song, since you've seen Brother Han, do you know when he'll be back?"

Song Miao shook her head. "The government office is terribly busy. I see that Young Master Han even eats in a hurry—the guards at the gate told me they work two shifts a day, and even the judge and the Military Patrol Commissioner are living in the back office."

Cheng Zijian could only sigh, carrying the food, walking back dejectedly.

If you don't advance in your studies, you retreat.

He entered the Neishe and deeply felt his foundation wasn't solid enough, with many things he couldn't attend to. Besides working hard day and night, he also did many exercises according to Han Li's instructions, only hoping that man would return soon so he could get his corrections and make improvements.

Although there was a teacher to instruct him, in his heart Cheng Zijian actually trusted Han Zhengyan's guidance more, and had long regarded him as his First Teacher.

During these days when that person was away, he was quite anxious in his heart, only hating that neither his learning nor his talent stood out, unlike Kong Fuyang, who had actually caught Brother Han's eye and was seconded to the Capital Prefecture Office together with him.

—Never mind working two shifts a day, even if I didn't sleep for days I could follow orders and finish the work! Han Younger Brother, just give me a chance to show you?!

Song Miao naturally didn't know how eager Cheng Zijian was in his heart, only hating that he couldn't get a chance.

After selling all the food, she pushed the stall cart home. When she entered the back courtyard and saw no one inside, she knew Cheng Erniang had already gone out to find work, not going alone but taking her daughter with her.

Since no one was there, she didn't think much of it, simply ate something, took a bamboo basket, and went out to buy provisions.

Unexpectedly, before she had even reached the alley entrance, she saw someone walking toward her who looked quite familiar—it was Duan Shi, the wife of Li Doutou.

Seeing Song Miao, Duan Shi was very pleased and said, "Good thing I caught you here, otherwise I'd have made a wasted trip!"

Song Miao smiled and greeted her, then asked the purpose of her visit.

Duan Shi said, "Cold Food Festival is in a few days. Every year everyone sends qingtuan, bo bo, and biscuits back and forth—it's really meaningless, and you can't eat them all. The other day you brought over some fu cake, and my mother-in-law and I both enjoyed it. My husband even ate seven or eight pieces in one go and said he wanted to take some to the government office to give as gifts. Can you make some here?"

Song Miao said, "I can make them, but this fu cake is almost all red bean paste and can't be kept for long—it's best eaten within a day, not left overnight, otherwise it turns sour. Not being tasty is a small matter, but I'm afraid it would upset the stomach."

Duan Shi agreed at once, then said, "There's another matter. My mother-in-law is old and shouldn't eat too much cold food. Could you make her something warm? She ate it once and keeps thinking of the red bean paste inside your fu cake."

Song Miao thought for a moment and said, "I see the old lady likes wheat-based foods. How about I make her a red bean paste roll? A thin layer of dough, completely wrapped around red bean paste, with less sugar, thirty or fifty layers in one roll. I'll make the dough soft, so it's good eaten pulled apart or bitten together, not greasy. Hot and hot for breakfast, paired with a soy milk drink..."

Although Duan Shi had never eaten this red bean paste roll, as she listened she already pictured the appearance and taste according to Song Miao's words, and for a moment her eyes showed greed. She hurriedly said, "Make this one! Make more! I like to eat it too!"

After paying the deposit and agreeing on which day to deliver, Song Miao took her leave. When the shopping was done, carrying on her back and in her hands, she finally returned home.

It was already noon. She walked to the end of the alley and saw her own front gate was open. Before she got close, a small person jumped out from inside and called back, "Mother! Elder Sister is back!"

Jumping and running forward unsteadily, she hurried anxiously to take the things from Song Miao's hands—it was Xiao Lian.

Cheng Erniang answered from inside and also came out to meet her, to take the bamboo basket from Song Miao's back, complaining, "You bought so much, you should have brought a wooden board—or at least sent word, and I could have come to help!"

She also said, "The food is ready. My cooking is ordinary, young lady, please don't find fault!"

Song Miao smiled and handed a light bag to Xiao Lian, asking her to help carry it back. Then she took down the bamboo basket and gave it to Cheng Erniang, carrying only two baskets as she walked home.

As soon as she entered the door, she smelled the aroma of food. In the front hall a bench had been set up, with two dishes and a basket of steamed buns already prepared, still hot.

In the past, when she returned, the house was always cold and quiet. Now it suddenly had a few more traces of the warmth of daily life.

By the time Song Miao washed her hands and came out, Xiao Lian was already waiting expectantly.

She sat down and called out, then ate together with the mother and daughter.

One dish of green vegetable braised pork slices, one dish of spinach tofu egg soup, and a small plate of pickled goose meat.

The goose meat was bought fresh; everything else was made by Cheng Erniang herself.

Song Miao tasted it and suddenly discovered that this Er Niangzi had a very good quality—honesty.

She said her cooking was ordinary, and it really was ordinary, not false modesty.

The green vegetables were overcooked, the pork slices were cut too thin, with no texture at all. The spinach was salty, the tofu bland. The egg had clearly been beaten whole, as if she wanted to eat a whole egg, but it cooked and scattered directly in the pot...

Seeing the child only picking at cabbage and tofu, she moved the goose meat toward the child and also served her some egg.

Xiao Lian hurriedly said, "Elder Sister, you eat!"

Cheng Erniang also urged her to eat more.

As they ate, Song Miao suddenly noticed that Xiao Lian took a bite of steamed bun and then a sip of soup—not only her, but Cheng Erniang did the same.

She looked carefully and asked, "How is it that everyone's steamed buns look different?"

Cheng Erniang's face immediately showed embarrassment. She said, "Earlier I borrowed the kitchen at Guangji Temple. Wanting to save firewood, I learned from others how to make steamed buns. But at home we usually eat rice and rarely eat wheat foods, so I didn't make them well. They've been left overnight, and even steamed they're still dry and hard. I myself can hardly swallow them. I was really embarrassed to give them to you, so I just bought two."

Song Miao looked into the basket holding the steamed buns. Sure enough, there was one that looked much better, clearly from the same source as the one in her hand, probably bought from outside. The rest were all of various shapes.

She reached out and took a steamed bun made by Cheng Erniang, tore off a piece with force and tasted it. Sure enough, it was dry and hard. She thought for a moment and smiled, "It doesn't matter. I'll heat it over a fire and make it into water-activated fried bread. It'll be just as delicious."

There were only five steamed buns left in total. She cut them into small pieces with a knife, soaked them in water for a while, then lit the stove and heated oil. When the oil was hot, she wrung the steamed bun pieces until half-dry, put them in the oil pan and fried them golden. One spoon of sugar and two spoons of water, simmered into a half-thick syrup. She put the steamed bun pieces into the pan and stir-fried them. When the sugar water was mostly coating them, she took them directly out of the pan.

In just a moment, the dry, cold steamed buns had turned into water-activated fried bread, steaming with sweet fragrance.

Song Miao smiled and said, "This is also called glazed fried bread. I heard it's used at country banquets to press down the table for children to eat. Xiao Lian, try some and see if you like it?"

Square and square, fried golden and crispy, the water-activated fried bread was placed before Xiao Lian. The outside was coated with a thin layer of sugar syrup, bright and crystal clear like glaze, semi-transparent, and carried a sweet fragrance.

Xiao Lian almost forced herself to look at Cheng Erniang. Her little eyes seemed to speak—she wanted to eat, Mother, could she eat?

In Suanzao Alley, Xiao Lian drooled for a mouthful of steaming hot glazed fried bread. At the Capital Prefecture Office, the food before him had already cooled, but Cai Xiu had no appetite to eat at all.