Miao Chu

Chapter 223 Uncut Jade
Zhou helped Liang Yan up, her face beaming with smiles.

If someone is a good person, they will naturally feel a sense of satisfaction when they do a good deed.

Not only Zhou, but Butcher Zhu was also laughing.

His face was already quite fleshy, and when he smiled, the puffy flesh stretched out even more. He couldn't help but rub his shiny face with his big hands, looking very happy.

Butcher Zhu looked at his daughter, Zhu Shi, and grinned as he asked, "Today is such a joyous occasion, and a big one at that. I'll call your brother and the rest of the family back later—why don't you stay home for dinner?"

Zhu agreed and then went to keep Song Miao.

The Zhu family banquet was specially held for Liang Yan, so there was bound to be some conversation during the meal. Song Miao, being an outsider, wouldn't have bothered if she had any sense.

She smiled and said, "I have to go to Jixian Academy for some business. I'll come back another day to share in the good fortune!"

Seeing that Zhou was about to arrange accommodation for Liang Yan, and that she had taken measurements at home today while they were making summer clothes, she said, "So that Auntie knows, Liang Yan's luggage is still in Suanzao Lane, and there are still some things to take care of. Why don't we go back to my place tonight? I'll send him back after everything is settled."

Zhou had no objection.

Having arranged with the Zhu family to return around 5 PM to pick them up, Song Miao boarded a mule cart and went to the Jixian Academy, located below the Hanlin Academy.

Upon arriving at her destination, she first sought out a guard, introduced herself, and asked him to help her pass on her message.

After waiting for only a short while, two people hurriedly came out from inside.

Aside from the guard, the other one looked very familiar.

As the man approached, his face was already beaming with smiles. He said, "It's Miss Song! You've finally returned to the capital! How have you been?"

When he saw Song Miao carrying an oil paper package, a bundle, and a basket on her back, his eyes practically crinkled into fish tails with laughter. He rushed forward to help her carry them—it was none other than the little Youyou Xuelu.

Song Miao greeted him and then said, "It's been a long time. Why do you seem to have lost some weight, Scholar?"

The person opposite gave instructions to the guard, then led Song Miao to the back, saying, "Don't even mention it! Ever since we came to Jixian Academy, we haven't been eating or sleeping well, and the place is so hot—that's not all, there are so many complicated things to do, sigh!"

The two talked as they went, encountering a few people along the way, all of whom had dark circles under their eyes and dull expressions, and even their greetings were weak and listless.

When they arrived at a room, You Xuelu knocked on the door, called out "Sir," and pushed the door open to enter.

Song Miao immediately spotted Master Chen behind the desk, his brows furrowed and his old face contorted in a frown.

Upon seeing Song Miao enter, the other party immediately put down the pen in her hand, her bitter face and furrowed brows disappeared, and her mouth, which was originally a sunken upper half-circle, almost instantly changed from top to bottom into a happy lower half-circle.

With each up and down movement, Master Chen's few remaining old teeth were revealed in a smile.

He stood up, walked over, first showed Song Miao a seat, then turned to urge her, "Xiao You, bring me the Xinyang Maojian tea that Xiao Min gave me last time... no, summer Maojian isn't as good as spring and autumn... didn't Liu Hanlin just say he was going out to buy Xuepao Suopian Yin? Find someone to get some from him! Iced!"

Song Miao hurriedly thanked her, but then declined.

"Yes, yes! It's so hot today, you need something cool to beat the heat!"

As Master Chen spoke, he took a folding fan and then personally moved an ice basin from behind the table, placing it next to Song Miao. He said, "If you need anything, young lady, just send someone to deliver a message! Why come here in this sweltering heat?"

Song Miao hurriedly took the ice basin and said, "Because I had something to do, I specifically asked Young Master Cheng to help me find out where you are. You happen to be nearby today, and since it's not far, I came along—I've hired a mule cart!"

As she spoke, she presented all the things she had with her, including a local gift from Huazhou, a box of freshly made egg rolls, and a bottle of plum syrup.

"When I was in Huazhou, I came across some newly harvested plums. It just so happened that Young Master Han saw them and said that you, sir, really like sweet and sour things like this, so he asked me to make a bottle for you..."

Master Chen beamed, half scolding and half praising, "This Zhengyan, he never knows how to say nice things, but he's quite considerate when it comes to caring for people!"

As he spoke, he reached out and took the plum syrup, then asked when it could be eaten, whether it should be diluted with water, and whether there were any other special considerations.

Song Miao smiled and said, "I'm a fermented pickle, so it can be stored for a long time. The aroma and flavor will be even more mellow if it's stored until next year. But it's edible now, just with less sediment—just dilute it with water, or take a few pieces and a spoonful or two of dew, crush them and boil them with water. It tastes pretty good too."

Upon hearing that it could be eaten immediately, Master Chen couldn't wait any longer and couldn't resist opening the lid.

The tartness of the green plums and the sweetness from being preserved with sugar were enough to make his mouth water just by smelling them. His remaining teeth, which were still holding on, seemed to be tingling with tartness as if they were either afraid or expectant.

Ripe pickled plums are different from unripe pickled plums; they are not as refreshing, but they are richer and have a more robust flavor.

The pineapple is like a sharp blade wrapped in thick cotton. You know exactly how sharp it is, but through the cotton, it feels strangely blunt to the touch.

Master Chen said, "I'm not afraid of making a fool of myself. If a gift is presented to me in person, I'll accept it on the spot!"

As he spoke, he took out his teacup, steeped the remaining tea in one gulp, rinsed it with water, and immediately prepared to pour out plum syrup.

Song Miao hurriedly went to take it, smiling and saying, "I'll take it!"

She took the bamboo spoon that came with the bottle and was about to mix the drink when she heard someone talking as they walked in.

"Brother Chen, I'm a bit too late. Not only are the snow-infused drinks sold out, but all the other proper thirst-quenching drinks are also gone. I could only grab some random ones—you can choose whatever you like!"

Song Miao looked up and saw that the newcomer was a chubby old man with graying temples and sweat on his face. Although he was in Jixian Academy, he was not wearing an official robe, but rather the same casual clothes as Master Chen.

He was accompanied by a servant who carried a food box in each hand and presented it to Master Chen as soon as he entered the room.

Master Chen quickly pointed to Song Miao and told her to choose for herself.

Song Miao casually picked up a bamboo tube and thanked her.

The visitor was extremely surprised to see Song Miao and asked, "Why is there a young lady here—is she a junior member of Brother Chen's family?"

As he spoke, he subtly began rummaging through his clothes, looking for a gift.

Master Chen said, "She's a young friend of mine—the tofu buns you had at Xiao Deng's last time were made by her." The visitor was taken aback, then delighted, and hurriedly asked, "The bun lady from Huazhou??"

Having said that, he no longer bothered to pay attention to Master Chen, but hurriedly turned to Song Miao and asked, "Young lady, are you still making those tofu buns? When are you making them? How can I buy them?"

Song Miao had only made tofu buns once, and after a moment's thought, she knew that the person in front of her had most likely eaten them at the Imperial Academy.

She explained the situation that day and then said, "The weather is hot now, and tofu doesn't keep well. If you want to eat it, sir, it would be better to wait until it cools down, or I can bring it over in a food box with ice—but it will definitely have to be reheated by then, and the taste will be completely different."

The plump old man then asked about Song Miao's residence. After learning that it was in Suanzao Lane, he quickly wrote down the address and added, "I'll come and visit when I go to the Imperial Academy another day!"

He chatted for a few moments and was about to take his leave, but before he left, he couldn't help but sniff and ask, "Why do I smell plum juice?"

Master Chen cursed the dog's nose in his heart, but said aloud, "It's green plum dew, completely different from sour plum soup!"

He hesitated for a moment, but since the other person had spoken, and he really wanted to show off, he finally asked, "Would you like a bite?"

***
Ice is chiseled into blocks and piled at the bottom of a bowl. Freshly made plum syrup is poured in, along with some shaved ice. There are two wrinkled plums at the bottom. If you scoop it up with a spoon when you eat it, it's an icy, sweet and sour plum syrup with a refreshing plum flavor. If you just put in ice blocks and drink it directly after it's chilled, it's a different flavor altogether.

Despite his advanced age, Master Chen still had an iron stomach and tried all of Song Miao's methods. Sometimes he held the bowl of shaved ice, and sometimes he held the iced plum syrup. Each had its own merits, with a sweet and sour fragrance that made him feel cool from his mouth to the soles of his feet.

While drinking his beverage, Master Chen did not forget to ask questions, all about matters concerning Huazhou. He first inquired about the river conditions of Wang Jinghe, then about the progress of the hydrology and canal digging, and also about Cen Dezhang, and so on.

Song Miao replied to each question, explaining how Han Li managed the waterways in Huazhou, and how he borrowed grain and manpower, among other things.

Liu Hanlin had already prepared a serving of plum drink and wanted to sit down, but seeing that they were discussing serious matters, he had no choice but to take his leave.

After the man left, Song Miaocai said, "I came here today at the request of Young Master Han to deliver a letter to you, sir, and also a personal seal."

As she spoke, she carefully took out the letter and the cloth bag and handed them to the person opposite her.

Master Chen took it, unfolded it, and read it for a long time, especially the last few pages, which he flipped through again and again. After finally finishing reading it, he asked, "Has Miss Song met a patrol inspector named Xin Feng in the capital's government office?"

Song Miao nodded in agreement, briefly introduced Xin Feng's situation, and then said, "He is an extremely enthusiastic and capable person. I was just planning to visit him tomorrow. Did the young master give any other instructions in his letter?"

Master Chen smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He simply opened the cloth bag, poured out the stone seal inside, dipped it in ink, and tried it. Sure enough, he kept stroking his beard, looking at it repeatedly, and then picked it up to look at it in the sun. He clearly liked it.

As he was looking at the seal, he suddenly looked up and said, "It's such a long way, and it's so hot, yet Zheng Yan still has the nerve to ask you to bring things back for him!"

As he spoke, he took out a piece of white jade from his sleeve.

The two were separated only by a small square table, no more than half an arm's length and width.

Master Chen placed the white jade in front of Song Miao and said, "I recently acquired a piece of rough jade. It's very smooth and lustrous, perfect for a young lady to wear. Take it and when he returns, ask him to find some time to carve a jade pendant for you. Choose a style you like—just say it was my idea! It's impolite to make someone do work for free!"

He added, "You probably don't know, but besides making tables and chairs, Zheng Yan is also quite skilled at carving..."

Song Miao quickly waved her hand, not touching the jade, and said with a smile, "Sir, you have misunderstood Young Master Han."

As she spoke, she untied the sachet from her waist, took out a seal from inside, and said, "Young master, you are very kind. It was just a small favor, but you even gave me a seal—it's so beautiful! The characters are beautiful, and the carving and arrangement are beautiful too!"

Song Miao originally liked this chapter very much. While talking, she couldn't help but turn it over and hand it to Master Chen to see the raised engraving on it.

The latter was taken aback for a moment, then honestly accepted it without ceremony, copied the seal onto a piece of paper, admired it for a while, and couldn't help but praise, "It's really beautiful—this kid does have some skill!"

He added, “Even so, I am, after all, an elder. Since I said I would give it to you, and it’s not much, there’s no reason to take it back.”

As he spoke, seeing Song Miao place the sachet on the table, he took his own white jade in one hand and the sachet in the other, about to stuff it into her mouth.

But as soon as he opened the sachet, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked, "Why is there another seal inside? Is it also a seal made by Zheng Yan?"

"No, this is the name stamp I used in the river kitchen before."

Song Miao recounted the events of that day, explaining that a total of three seals were carved. Besides herself, two other individuals, Kong Fuyang and Lu Wenming, each received one.

"This seal has a very neat and elegant design. It saved me a lot of effort. Now that I'm back in the capital, I've gotten so used to it that I've been carrying it with me all this time that I hadn't even thought of it."

The chapter is excellent; not only her, but the other two also cherish it immensely.

Especially Kong Fuyang, when he first got it, he wanted to make two copies of it all the time.

Once, he read in some miscellaneous book that printing with raw hide paper produced more vibrant colors and smoother lines than printing with ordinary Xuan paper. He actually believed it and ran to the kitchen, hesitatingly wanting to borrow the pigskin lid to take a look.

Ultimately, feeling that it would dishonor his beloved Zhang, he still didn't dare to take action.

After hearing the two anecdotes, Master Chen listened with great amusement and asked, "May I take them out and have a look?"

Song Miao nodded immediately.

Of course, nothing is impossible.

Master Chen casually placed the jade aside, carefully poured out the stone seal inside, and gently turned it around in his palm, first looking at the seal's body and then its base.

After a while, he took a piece of silk cloth, wrapped the stone seal in it, put it back in, and put his own white jade in as well. He smiled and said to Song Miao, "I think this jade is very suitable for you to wear, so I specially kept it. I am getting old and rarely want to give things to the younger generation. Don't refuse—otherwise, where will I put my face?"

He then placed the sachet in front of Song Miao and said, "Both seals are very beautiful, especially the name seal, which has the best meaning."

Seeing Master Chen's actions, Song Miao seemed to have a premonition and said, "This stone seal is very beautiful with its colorful patterns—and the characters are naturally formed. I wonder if it has any origin?"

"What does Zheng Yan say?"

"Young Master Han said he picked it up by the river when he was young."

"Yes." Master Chen smiled. "He used to treasure it so much, but he always kept it away, which was a real pity. Now that it's finally been put to good use, you can take it out and use it more often if you have the chance!"