Miao Chu

Chapter 216 Growing Out of Shape
After walking a while and exiting through the second gate, Song Miao turned around and saw that Han Li had followed. She stopped and turned back to explain, "So that you may know, young master, many boatmen asked me privately what the tea is called, whether it is expensive, and where I can buy it."

Upon hearing this, Han Li quickly realized what was going on and said, "I was about to ask that too. This tea doesn't taste like ordinary tea. It quenches thirst and relieves fatigue, but it doesn't have the flavor of tea. The aftertaste is also pleasant—it's not meant to refresh the mind, is it?"

Song Miao nodded in agreement and said, "It's getting late, and I was worried that everyone would have trouble sleeping when they got back, and that they would have to work again tomorrow, so I didn't brew any tea. I specially changed to a different kind—it's made by drying the leaves of common hawthorn. Actually, if you taste it carefully, if you have a discerning palate, you'll find it has a slightly astringent taste, but the sweetness is very strong. This tea is especially suitable for quenching thirst in the summer. It's good both hot and cold. It can promote saliva production, aid digestion, and remove stagnation and dampness. A cup of this after doing strenuous work is just right."

"But where did it come from? Is it even possible to find it?"

Upon hearing his question, Song Miao understood his meaning and replied, "I asked an aunt surnamed Xia to help me find them last time. They've already been dried, and there's still a full basket. Since the price doesn't matter, I thought it would be better to give everyone two bags to take back as a small gift from you, young master."

Knowing that Han Li usually disliked taking the lead in this area, and that when he did things, even if it was with good intentions, he would often use the name of the government—it was strange, as he seemed to only want literary fame, not personal fame. Not only did he not want it, but he also deliberately avoided showing off in his actions and gaining a good reputation.

Therefore, after making the suggestion, Song Miao added, "It's really cheap. They're all over the mountains. We just pick them and dry them. I wonder if we could send them to you?"

Han Li replied, "Of course I can deliver it—but it will be a hassle for stall owner Song to help clean it up."

Song Miao continued forward, leading the people into the storage room.

When they arrived at the destination, she opened the door and went inside. She walked to a bamboo basket, took two bundles of hawthorn leaves tied with straw rope, handed them to Han Li, and explained, "They were already packed. Just pick up the middle rope and take them back. If it's convenient, please tell them to have someone come and pick them up before they leave."

Han Li took a look and found that they were just ordinary hawthorn leaves, dried in the sun, but the leaves were plump and there were no insect holes or dirt. It was clear that the person who picked and dried them had put a lot of care into it.

He first agreed to Song Miao's request, saying that he would send someone to pick it up in a while. Then, holding the handful in his hand, he asked, "Why don't you send me a few portions too? The more the better—I'll make up for the missing amount here."

“This is what I prepared myself, without spending any public funds. If you like it, young master, please feel free to take as much as you like—if it’s really cheap, there’s no need to talk about the price!” But as Song Miao spoke, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is the one we usually prepare not as palatable as this? Would a pound be enough for you, young master?”

She usually prepares drinks for everyone. Because of the summer heat, she often makes drinks such as perilla drink, bamboo sap drink, mung bean soup, and sour plum drink, which are either cooling or refreshing. During the day, she also prepares drinks that are refreshing and easy to store, so that everyone can take them to the river.

It's been almost two months now. Before, everyone praised him and said he was good. This young master Han has never complained. He drinks whatever he's given, and not only does he drink it all up, but he also gives serious praise from time to time.

How could things change so quickly?

She could only remind him, "Although soaking in hot water is fine, it's best to boil it for a while and then let it simmer for a bit so that the flavor can come out fully—does the young master intend to cook it himself?"

Han Li shook his head and said, "I'm afraid Mr. Song has forgotten for a moment—you'll be returning to the capital in a few days, leaving me here alone. If I can't leave something behind..."

He paused for a moment before saying, "At least these hawthorn leaves will give me something to drink."

Song Miao was taken aback, then laughed and said, "It was my fault. I abandoned my employer and ran away as soon as I got the money!"

Han Li laughed and said, "Save some hawthorn leaves for me first. When I return to the capital, I wonder if the plum syrup that stall owner Song mentioned last time is ready yet. If it is, please keep it chilled and save me a cup to eat as soon as I enter. I wonder if that's possible?"

Of course it can.

Song Miao nodded and smiled in agreement, then said, "The summer flood season is only two months away. If everything goes smoothly, you can return to the capital next month, young master. When you get back to the capital, try the plum syrup and if you like it, I'll save some for you. I'll also make some fresh plum sauce for you to dip the roast goose in when you come back, how about that?"

"I already told Chef Zhang that I would reserve some pickled vegetables, and I also gave you instructions on your preferences. You might even enjoy the food more than when I was there!"

Han Li's smile hadn't faded, but he shook his head and said, "That's definitely not the case. I consider myself knowledgeable and have seen many good chefs, but I've never met anyone like Miss Song, who not only has excellent skills but also cooks to my liking. I never will."

He was clearly praising Song's exquisite craftsmanship, but his solemn and confident demeanor suggested that he was praising more than just the craftsmanship.

After finishing his sentence, he hesitated for a moment and then said, "I used to have some stubborn ideas and went astray. Now that I've come to Huazhou and done something, I'm thinking of turning back and slowly making changes. If you, Mr. Song, ever think of anything in the future and see that I haven't done something, like this matter of hawthorn and tea, and you can't find me right away, just help me make a decision. I will do anything for you."

"I have never experienced your stubbornness, young master." Song Miao smiled. "But I have remembered your words. I have always been bold and easily take things seriously. If something happens in the future, I will really take the initiative. Young master, you should be more careful and not regret it when I cause trouble."

Han Li just smiled, his eyes softening with his smile.

He didn't respond to that sentence, but said, "The other day, Kong Fuyang saw what stall owner Song was doing and came to me saying that he only hoped that when he went out to serve as an official in the future, he could have a young lady named Song. At that time, she would take care of his meals and logistics, and she could also be his most capable advisor and retainer."

"I laughed at him for 'dreaming,' after all, there's no such thing as a free lunch." Han Li's eyes and voice softened as he spoke, "Until today, I suddenly woke up—I don't know where my good fortune came from, but it turns out that for the past two months, I've been dreaming..."

His words were very serious, and the praise in his tone was so direct that Song Miao felt a little embarrassed. She pursed her lips and replied, "I'm so lucky to have such a good superior as you, young master. Not only do you pay me well, but you also make sure to help me get credit. You always take responsibility and step up when things happen. Even if we don't count Huazhou, you've already helped me secure countless benefits in the capital's government alone. You also take care of my business all the time..."

"I've said the same things to others, but perhaps no one cares. Only you, young master, have always taken it seriously. I deserve credit for it, but if not..."

She paused here, then laughed and said, "It's all your fault, young master, for praising me so much that I almost forgot the important matter!"

So he recounted his encounter with Liang Yan that morning, as well as Xiang Lin's attitude, the Xiang family's situation, and all the arrangements.

"No wonder Liang Yan was still at the post station so late today, even though the Xiang family was holding a funeral, and he had such a big bruise on his head. It turns out..."

Song Miao nodded and said, "I see that he has nowhere to go right now, so I'm thinking of letting this kid stay here for a few days. Once the merchant caravan's schedule is set, we can send him over. It won't cost much money. He can just share a room with Dabing. I just don't know if this is acceptable to you, young master?"

"Is there enough room? I remember that Dabing's room is full of things, and the room is too cramped. Why don't we open another room? We don't need to use the public funds; we can pay for it from my own account."

“They’re all kids, and Dabing assured me there would be no problem—he’s happy to have a companion.”

The two walked out while talking.

Just as she was closing the door, she heard footsteps. Song Miao turned around and saw Dabing carrying a lantern, running towards them. Upon seeing the two of them, he hurriedly said, "Madam, Young Master Han, someone from the Xiang family has arrived—it's the steward outside, wanting to see you, Madam!"

Song Miao and Han Li exchanged a glance.

Han Li said, "I'm afraid they may not be here to pick someone up. Let me go with you to take a look."

The two stepped out of the outer hall, where the Xiang family steward was already waiting.

Han Li naturally stepped aside and first spoke to the boatmen about the hawthorn leaves.

Everyone was delighted. They followed Dabing to the back to get their own leaves, then, clutching their bellies, took their leave. Han Li saw them off at the door.

The mule cart was parked outside. After everyone had boarded the cart, when he returned to the house, Song Miao was still frowning as she listened to the steward speak.

"I'm so sorry to have bothered you, young lady. I should have arrived earlier, but I didn't expect so many things to happen..."

The old steward looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept in a long time. As soon as he sat down, he gave Liang Yan a quick look. Seeing that he was wearing new clothes and had medicated oil on the bruises on his head, he knew that Liang Yan was living a good life.

He breathed a sigh of relief, placed a bundle on the table, opened it in front of Song Miao, and said, "Young Master Yan left in a hurry today and didn't bring anything. I brought him two sets of clothes..."

"No need, no need! I have clothes now, Uncle Sheng. If Xiang Lin finds out, he'll definitely make a scene, and it might implicate you. You should just take them back and leave them there!"

The supervisor sighed and said, "Why are you so rigid, child!"

He added, “I knew you wouldn’t accept it—this was bought on the spot at the tailor shop based on your size, and it has nothing to do with the Xiang family. Besides, the house is in a mess right now, and no one can take care of anything else.”

Liang Yan looked at the open bundle, inside were two sets of neatly folded new clothes and half a string of cash.

He was stunned for a moment, then quickly called out, "Uncle Sheng."

Manager Xiang said, "Although I am just a subordinate manager, I was once taken care of by your father and watched you grow up. Shouldn't I provide you with a couple of sets of clothes?"

He then turned to Song Miao and said, "Miss Song, I have an acquaintance who is going to the capital to do business. I originally wanted to send Liang Yan to his place to go to the capital to seek refuge with Master Zhu. Unfortunately, when I went to ask, I found out that he had to take several other routes and it was inconvenient to bring a child with him."

“Right now, Young Master Yan is all alone out there and can’t find a suitable place to stay for the time being. I’ll book a room for him at the official post station so he can stay here for now. We’ll come to pick him up when a suitable caravan comes along. But he’s still young, so we’ll have to ask the young lady to help look after him on a regular basis.”

Song Miao said, "Don't worry, Manager. Even if you didn't say anything, Liang Yan and I already knew each other, so I would have taken a second look."

He added, "If we're talking about going to the capital, it will take me at least seven or eight days, and at most half a month, to get back to the capital anyway..."

She briefly explained her subsequent plans, then turned to look at Han Li again.

The latter nodded.

Song Miao then said, "Besides myself, there are many students in my group. We also hired a caravan to escort us, and we went directly to the capital. It just so happens that I also know that Master Zhu..."

She listed the advantages, and finally said, "If you can't find a more suitable candidate, you might as well let me take him to the capital."

Where could Manager Xiang possibly find a better candidate? Upon hearing this, he was overjoyed.

Once the matter was settled, he immediately stood up, ready to take his leave.

Liang Yan quickly stopped him and said, "Uncle Sheng, I lost my comb earlier and borrowed Manfu's. I put it on the bedside table and covered it with a pillow. Could you please tell him to go and get it himself?"

Manager Xiang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Manfu and Laicai have already been kicked out of the Xiang family. I just saw them off this afternoon. I'm afraid you won't be able to return that comb."

Liang Yan was stunned, completely unable to believe his ears, and hurriedly asked for the details.

Manager Xiang said, "It was the young master who chased them away—he said that Manfu and Laicai were disobedient and even stole things. He originally wanted to give them thirty lashes and even cut out their tongues, but I stopped them because they were just short-term employees. In the end, I couldn't stop them, and he chased them away after making a fuss."

At this point, Steward Xiang added, "Young Master Yan, when you arrive in the capital, study martial arts diligently. If you become successful in the future and remember my kindness, then my efforts today will not have been in vain!"

After speaking, he left in a hurry.

When the steward left the post station, the carriage was clearly parked at the entrance, but he didn't move for a long time.

He really didn't want to get on the carriage; he was so tired that he didn't want to go back to the Xiang family at all.

The reason Manfu and Laicai were kicked out was because Xiang Lin was worried that the two would talk nonsense outside, saying that he, as their son, had killed his father.

On that day, Xiang Lin asked the two men to cut down the plum blossom stakes, but they didn't go; Xiang Lin went himself.

There were so many people present that night that everyone saw how Rui Fusheng "broke" the wooden stake.

The situation was urgent, and no one had time to think about anything else. Later, Xiang Yuan died and Rui Fusheng was arrested. Once a thorough investigation was conducted, the strangeness of the plum blossom stake was naturally discovered.

Xiang Lin's actions were a fluke, so he naturally wouldn't be punished. However, he felt guilty and kept chasing after this person or that person.

In just half a day, four people had been chased away by him, and another five or six people, although not chased away, had resigned on their own.

Today is only the first day of the ritual, and the young master is already clamoring to leave.

He was adamant about not going to the capital, urging himself to prepare his carriage and horses, as he would return to his hometown after the seventh day after his death.

But the master had arranged for the young master to study in the capital because he was worried that the grandparents on both sides would spoil the child, and that relatives with their own agendas would indulge him and raise him to be corrupted.

Given the current situation, it's inevitable that things will go astray; the only question is how far they'll go.

The Xiang family's fortunes have only been established in the last ten years or so, so it's only a matter of time before they decline.

I signed a long-term contract, so I need to find a way to get out of here as soon as possible...

　Thank you to Little Deer for personally gifting me the He Shi Bi jade pendant! :)
　　Many thanks to Jade Green Radish for the peach blossom fan, Little Strange 666 for the sachet and amulet, and Qingmei Slender for the heart-shaped sachet. And thank you so much for the sachet you gave me! =3=
　　Thank you to book friend 20210301105364913388 for the two peace charms I hung up, and to Hanshan Hui for the one peace charm you gave me.

　　thank you all
　　(End of this chapter)