Miao Chu

Chapter 120 Changing Last Name
The steward was actually thinking about what Xiang Yuan had told him earlier, and when he first entered the side hall, he would occasionally go out to take a look outside.

But when breakfast was served, the table was laden with dishes of dried tangerine peel and mung bean drink, pork rib soup, rich and fragrant glutinous rice, and shumai, among others. Everyone at the table ate so much that they didn't even have time to talk.

Xiang Yuan, the head of the household, gets up before dawn, and the Xiang family steward and the other workers get up even earlier.

The person in charge barely slept last night, having been busy all day. He was starving, and seeing this table full of food, he couldn't resist. Seeing that they were still talking outside and there was no other movement for the time being, he hurriedly made the most of the time to eat.

He was enjoying his meal, savoring the delicious aroma of the scallion and mutton filling, completely absorbed in it and oblivious to his surroundings, when suddenly he heard a violent coughing fit outside. Startled, he quickly put down his chopsticks, swallowed the shumai in his mouth, and stood up abruptly.

After hurriedly leaving the side hall, the steward did not approach but instead stood at the doorway, observing the situation at the banquet.

At the table, Xiang Yuan coughed for a while, tears welling up in his eyes. After finally calming down, he heard Zhu the butcher's concern and quickly shook his head, saying, "It's nothing, I choked because I ate too fast, but I'm fine now."

He swayed his head from side to side with great sincerity. When he finished swaying, he didn't care about anything else. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, picked up his chopsticks, and went to pick up his favorite chrysanthemum greens.

It's too late to say, then soon!
Before he could even put the chopsticks of chrysanthemum greens into his mouth, a person suddenly darted out from the side hall, hurried a few steps forward, and called out, "Sir! It's already the hour of Yin (3-5 AM). If you don't leave now, you might be too late!"

Xiang Yuan's hand froze instantly, and his expression froze even more. When he looked up, he saw that it was indeed his trusted steward.

He then realized his earlier vigorous shaking of his head and hurriedly said, "No rush, no rush! Brother Zhu has treated me to such a rare and delicious meal, and I'm enjoying it today. A little more time won't make a difference. I've already eaten half of it. The dishes are served quickly, so it'll only take another cup of tea at most..."

He himself knew best how sincere his words were; he practically wanted to vomit blood to prove it!
But the trusted steward was completely unaware of this. Not only was he unaware, but upon hearing this and seeing the situation, he felt two kinds of admiration.

The first thing is admiration for the strong resolve of their master's family.

The Zhu family's hospitality was truly sincere; the food they prepared for the stewards was so delicious that it left him completely bewildered, which gives you an idea of ​​how bad the breakfast on the main table tasted.

Especially now, the plate of chrysanthemum greens on the table is tender and emerald green. Standing at a distance that is neither too close nor too far, the aroma of the cold salad can already be smelled, which is exactly what the host likes.

Yet he managed to resist eating, and at this very moment, he gave himself a secret signal! Indeed, the most important thing for those who do great things is to be ruthless to themselves!

The second thing was admiration for his family's eloquence and acting skills.

His expression was so anxious, so genuine, and his words so urgent, praising and complimenting, giving the Zhu family plenty of face while showing that he was real, genuine, and didn't want to leave even a little bit!
I have to eat one bite at a time, and while I'm eating, I almost want to lose my brain. Yet the host can do this much. No wonder they can run a big business. As the host, I can only be a gofer!

While admiring him, the manager couldn't help but feel a surge of fighting spirit. Not wanting to appear incompetent, he quickly roused himself and said loudly, "Sir, you specifically instructed this morning that we should set off no later than 3 AM. It's been raining all the way. If we're any later, we'll have to rush on the road. What if we accidentally overturn the goods, hurt someone, or injure the mules or horses?"

"Besides, it's the rainy season, so we're already moving slowly. What will happen to our group if we don't make it to our lodging?"

"'A cup of tea here, a cup of tea there, where are we going to get so many cups of tea for you'—that's what you said yourself!"

Xiang Yuan had long known that his manager was quite capable. In the past, when negotiating business with others, the manager had often helped him by giving the final push. However, he never expected that this ability would be used on him, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

Upon hearing this, Butcher Zhu took it seriously and hurriedly said, "Brother Xiang, why didn't you say so earlier? If you had, I wouldn't have forced you to stay! Sigh, look at how I've ruined things with good intentions!"

As Zhu the butcher spoke, he stood up, as if to see him off.

As for the steward standing to the side, he had already come forward, holding the back of the chair, as if to help pull out the chair and ask him to get up and get out quickly.

The chrysanthemum greens in front of him were lush and green, almost ready to be eaten. The spicy aroma of wasabi and chrysanthemum greens filled his nose, but before he could even take a bite, a menu of dishes that had just been delivered was placed on the table. He had just looked at it and it was all the dishes he wanted to try.

Xiang Yuan grabbed the edge of the table with one hand and supported himself on the chair with the other. He pushed himself down with his buttocks and refused to let go of the chair. He then hurriedly winked at the person in charge.

The latter had no idea that his master had suddenly changed his mind. He thought that the master thought he hadn't done a good enough job, so he grabbed Xiang Yuan's arm and tried to pull him out, saying, "Master, let's go! We'll come again next time! Are you afraid that Master Zhu won't invite us to dinner next time?"

Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Xiang Yuan, quick-witted as ever, hurriedly said, "Wait! Wait! I just remembered! I made an appointment with Xiao Dong this morning to meet at the South Gate Foreign Affairs Office to pick up a batch of goods. The appointment is late, so I can finish eating and rest for a while before going!"

He forcefully pried the steward's hand away, shooed him away, and said, "Go eat your breakfast, I know what I'm doing!"

The manager was understandably confused—when did we meet with Xiao Dong? Who is Xiao Dong? What goods are we delivering? I've been following you from morning till night, how come I didn't know?
But Xiang Yuan ignored him. Before the person had even left, he couldn't resist picking up his favorite dish and starting to eat.

The raw garland chrysanthemum salad retains the refreshing taste of the garland chrysanthemum. One bite and the flavor hits your nose, almost piercing your skull.

Crisp, spicy, and refreshing, it has a satisfying crunch when you eat it. The sesame oil and vinegar soften the slightly bitter taste, leaving only a rich aroma, sweetness, and a hint of bitterness. It's especially refreshing and appetizing.

Xiang Yuan ate voraciously.

Butcher Zhu was also eating.

As the two ate, they heard the sounds around them and felt as if a large rabbit was sitting next to them, trying to steal their food. They looked up at each other and saw that the other was putting a chopstick of grass into their mouth, chewing and chewing until the grass quickly shrank and disappeared.

One bowl wasn't enough, but before we could order another, the next dish had already arrived.

This time it's char siu pastry, with a crispy and fragrant outer crust and a sweet and savory filling.

Next came a small bowl of vegetarian noodles mixed with Sichuan pepper oil, which was numbing and spicy, using the unique spiciness of the Sichuan pepper oil to complement the aroma of the wheat.

Next came a soup of pig's blood and chives, with plenty of pepper. The pig's blood was firm and tender, even a little "crisp," and the chives were sweet.

……

……

To finish, we used mung bean cake, which was icy cold.

It has a very refreshing pure mung bean flavor, a pleasantly sweet taste, and a milky aroma. It doesn't feel powdery at all; it's all smooth and moist. When you hold it on your tongue, it's like holding a small spoonful of spring snow. When warmed by the air in your mouth, it melts and dissipates almost instantly, leaving only the milky and refreshing mung bean aroma lingering in your mouth.

The twelve or thirteen kinds of food each have their own unique flavor and characteristics.

Although there was only a small amount of each item, there were so many varieties that Zhu and Xiang, in particular, ate quite a lot more. By the end, they were both so full that they could barely move.

Even so, when he put down his chopsticks and slowly drank the chrysanthemum tea to cleanse his mouth, Xiang Yuan clearly let out a big burp, but still couldn't help saying, "Actually, I could eat another basket of shrimp dumplings and chicken feet, and a few more bites of raw chrysanthemum greens..."

Butcher Zhu didn't dare to let him eat anymore.

If it really gets stuck in your throat, and the person still has to travel, it would be troublesome if they vomit.

The two sat down and drank a couple more sips of tea. Xiang Yuan then said, "Brother, there are a few dishes, especially the chrysanthemum greens, that I really like. Could you ask the chef about them?"

Zhu the butcher readily agreed, but inwardly he was wondering: He was so anxious before, but now he has time to see the cook. Is he in a hurry or not?
Soon, Song Miao entered the side hall.

Upon seeing the person in question, and noticing that he looked so different, not only was Xiang Yuan taken aback, but even Zhu the butcher, who already knew his name, was quite surprised.

But eating is the most important thing, so Xiang Yuan hurriedly said, "Young lady, you have excellent cooking skills. I pride myself on traveling all over the country, but there are many dishes I have never seen before. I wonder what kind of cuisine they are and what the story is about them?"

Song Miao replied, "I don't know the specifics either; it's a family recipe."

He added, "As for the dishes, there's nothing special about them. They're just like other chefs. They pay attention to what's in season and what's served in order."

Then Xiang Yuan pressed for the order.

Song Miao couldn't help but say a few words, but she suggested eating lightly flavored foods first, so that the tongue wouldn't lose its freshness after eating strong-flavored foods. She also suggested that it's best to eat salty foods first and sweet foods later, because eating sweet foods can dull the tip of the tongue. In addition, she suggested paying attention to the intervals between different types of food and trying to avoid eating the same type of food repeatedly.

When Xiang Yuan asked why sweetness would make the tongue feel dull, she replied, "The tip and root of the tongue have small red dots that resemble millet grains. Some people call them 'taste pores' and they can taste the five flavors."

"The tip of the tongue has the most sensitive taste buds, while the back of the tongue has the most. If you test salt and sugar, you'll find that the time it takes to taste salty and sweet flavors is different..."

Song Miao's voice was pleasant to hear, and she spoke in a very organized and unhurried manner, telling her story in a gentle and detailed way. In particular, when she talked about food and drink, it was very interesting, and people would unconsciously listen to what she was saying.

So everyone in the room, not just Xiang and Zhu, but also the guards and bodyguards who had finished breakfast and came out to see what was going on, were all listening with great interest.

Some people even secretly stuck out their tongues to check the so-called "taste buds," but unfortunately, they didn't have any salt or sugar to test them.

After she finished answering, everyone at the table and around her fell silent, all looking at her as if waiting for her to continue. Song Miao had no choice but to ask, "Does the esteemed guest have any further guidance?"

Xiang Yuan then came to his senses and asked, "I've always liked chrysanthemum greens, but I've never tried your raw salad before. Do you have any secret recipe, young lady? And how can I share it with others?"

Song Miao then said, "If others asked, I might not tell them, but you are a distinguished guest of Father Zhu—he is a kind man, and his daughter, Madam Zhu, has helped me a lot—since you have asked, I will not hide it from you."

"There are a few tricks to making this garland chrysanthemum. First, you have to choose small-leaved ones, not round ones. The round leaves have more serrations and are thinner, making them crisper to eat. Second, you have to let it dry thoroughly. The drier it is, the more flavorful the sauce will be. Third, you have to shake the salt in first..."

Song Miao explained several points in one breath, in great detail, as if she were teaching him step by step.

After saying that, he added, "If you have the patience, I can write down a recipe for you, and you can give it to the cook to follow later."

"Young lady, you can actually read?" Xiang Yuan asked almost out of the blue.

Song Miao nodded and said, "I recognize a few characters."

Soon someone brought her pen and ink, and she picked up her brush and wrote down the prescription in no time.

Song Miao's calligraphy possesses a natural structure and refined style. Even the stall sign she casually wrote that day could attract many students in the food alley to stop and take a second look. Now, when she presented it to Xiang Yuan, its effectiveness could be described as using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, which might not be entirely accurate, but it was by no means an exaggeration.

Xiang Yuan looked at her again and again, and suddenly couldn't help but ask, "I wonder if there are any other family members in your household, young lady? Would you be willing to work in the kitchen of someone in another state?"

A stranger, whom you've only met once and know nothing about your background or origins, wants to hire you to go to another state.

The capital city is already the most virtuous place in the world, and I am a native of the capital. My family's property, passed down through generations, could still be taken away by others. If it weren't for the help of Cheng Zijian and his students, as well as Han Li, I might not have been able to get it back.

A lone woman, hired to go out, and the employer is not surnamed Han, so she has no idea whether she can be relied on. If something really happens, wouldn't she be helpless and have no one to turn to?
She shook her head and said, "Thank you for your kind invitation, but my ancestors are all here, and there are still many things to take care of. It's really not the right time."

Xiang Yuan was a businessman by nature, extremely adept at reading people. Upon hearing this, he secretly regretted his actions, realizing he had eaten too much and hadn't thought things through properly, making a rash decision. He quickly tried to cover it up, saying, "Don't worry, young lady, my family has some wealth and is quite well-known in the area..."

He then quoted the hire fee.

That's quite impressive.

But it's only considerable.

If she were offered an astronomical sum that would allow her to immediately pay off her debts and even have some left over, she might be tempted. But this amount is simply not worth even considering.

Song Miao has been working hard day and night since she arrived, earning more and more money each day. Moreover, she has a skill and plans to open a restaurant. She already has a good reputation and a steady stream of customers. How could she be blinded by such a small amount of money?
She smiled and shook her head, politely declining.

Xiang Yuan was very disappointed. He wanted to say something more, but Zhu the butcher sensed something was wrong and said, "Brother, are you in a hurry to leave or not?"

The steward, who had been putting on an act, was now genuinely anxious and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Sir, it's really getting late! If we don't set off now, we'll have to wait until tomorrow!"

Xiang Yuan turned to look at the water clock and was startled. He quickly told people to pack their things and prepare to leave. He then said to Song Miao, "Young lady, please think it over again. The hiring fee is negotiable. I will be going to the capital in a while, and I will come to inquire again then!"

After saying a few words of farewell to Butcher Zhu, he hurried out the door.

Zhu the butcher lagged two steps behind. Seeing that the man had left, he said to Song Miao, "Girl, this man is a good friend and has a lot of money, but he's all talk and no action. Don't pay him any mind!"

I paid her the bill.

Song Miao hadn't thought that much about it, and was taken aback when she heard this. She quickly thanked him.

After receiving the money, she noticed the amount was not quite right, so she stopped the butcher, Zhu, and said, "Master Zhu, you've given too much money!"

Butcher Zhu exclaimed, "Young lady, your cooking skills are truly superb! I'll definitely ask you to cook for me next time I have a feast!"

He added, "Not much, just enough to supplement our diet. What you said earlier, praising my daughter and me, really made me proud!"

As he spoke, he couldn't stop smiling. With his fat belly sticking out, he staggered every three steps, humming an off-key tune, and walked out in a hurry and slow manner, waving and calling out, "Brother Xiang, I've come to see you off!"

***
Xiang Yuan hurriedly arrived at the courtyard, looked around, and seeing that everything was almost taken care of, he suddenly remembered something and asked his attendant, "Where are the two children?"

The attendant hurriedly replied, "The eldest young master got into the mule cart a long time ago, but when he couldn't find the young master, he went back into the house to look for him."

Xiang Yuan frowned immediately and hurriedly walked to the right wing.

He quickly arrived at a doorway, and before he even entered the house, he could hear the sounds of children making a ruckus and things being smashed inside.

"I'm going to sleep, I'm not getting up. Go ahead and call my dad if you dare!"

"Why should he be called Young Master? I'm the Young Master, I'm Father's son!"

With a dark expression, Xiang Yuan kicked the door open and shouted before even stepping inside, "Xiang Lin, you dare say that again!"

As he spoke, he looked around the room.

Since he couldn't find a suitable stick, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a whip, snapped it in half, and rushed forward.

The boy named Xiang Lin was startled by the voice and hurriedly cried out, "Father! Father! I was wrong! I was just talking nonsense!"

As she was saying this, she started to roll off the bed.

He wasn't wearing shoes or socks, and was still covered by a blanket. It was too late. Xiang Yuan rushed forward, pinned him down, flipped him over, and slapped his buttocks and thighs a few times!

Xiang Yuan believed he hadn't used even a fraction of his strength, but Xiang Lin was already screaming in terror, crying and wailing incessantly.

He has always been ruthless in disciplining his son. Now he thinks the other son is useless. If he hadn't been so quick to call him "Dad" and admit his mistake, he would have been more respectful. But he is so mean and unpleasant behind the scenes, and then he turns around and has no backbone at all. It is really disappointing.

—If we don't fight now, they'll really fly to the sky!

This time, Xiang Yuan raised the whip high, but just as he struck it once, a figure suddenly pounced over and lay directly on top of his son.

He immediately stopped and said, "Liang Yan, what are you doing?"

If Song Miao were here, she would recognize that the person blocking Xiang Yuan's son, Xiang Lin, was none other than Xiao Lian, the little friend she had met in the kitchen earlier that day.

Liang Yan turned around and said, "Uncle Xiang, he wasn't wrong. I'm not actually surnamed Xiang, so he shouldn't call me Young Master. You injured him, and he'll be on the bus later. It wouldn't be good if he got sick. You should remember this and beat him again when you get home."

When I got home, my two old parents were there, so I didn't argue at all.

Xiang Yuan was furious, but looking at Liang Yan, he couldn't vent his anger. Especially when he saw Liang Yan's face, his anxious expression seemed to overlap with the anxious face he had shown years ago.

He said urgently, "Why shouldn't you call me Young Master anymore? If it weren't for your father taking those two knives for me and carrying me down the mountain back then, how would I be alive today?"

He added, "I already recognized you as my son, but are people gossiping behind my back again?! When we go back this time, I'll change your surname to Xiang, throw a big banquet, and let everyone know that the Xiang family has a new young master!"

Before Liang Yan could speak, Xiang Lin, who was being held down, was kicking and flailing his arms, shouting, "I won't allow him to have the surname Xiang! I won't let him take my surname!"

　There's a little extra update today, thank you everyone for your votes!

　　A friend asked how to buy amulet sachets, they're so cute haha.

　　Actually, it's another name for tipping. Many years ago, Qidian readers had different names for tipping authors. One hundred Qidian coins was called a peace charm, five hundred Qidian coins was called a sachet, one thousand Qidian coins was called a peach blossom fan, ten thousand Qidian coins was called the He Shi Bi jade, fifty thousand Qidian coins was called a spirit beast egg? I don't quite remember what one hundred thousand Qidian coins was called, it was something like a fairy flower in the fairy garden or something like that.

　　Although this saying doesn't exist now, I feel more comfortable using nicknames when expressing gratitude than stating numbers, hehe.

　　(End of this chapter)