Miao Chu

Chapter 245 Panic
Madam He was somewhat surprised.

But she quickly understood the maid's thoughts and said, "He Ying is easy to talk to, and the He family is easy to talk to. It's just a matter of me making a call—but have you thought it through? Do you really want to choose someone by his side?"

He added, “The eldest son doesn’t want to be protected by his ancestors. He’s ambitious and busy all day long. People around him follow him from morning till night. If you choose an ordinary family, I can still find a place for you in their businesses or shops when you settle down. But if you choose the He family, you might have to work for them.”

“Our family is much more relaxed. You’ve been in the mansion for over ten years, you’re good at everything and you know everyone. If you go to his place, life might not be so easy.”

The maid exclaimed "Ah!" but said, "I still want to serve the old lady!"

She added, "I think the young master is of good character, so the people around him must also be reliable and hardworking..."

Madam He said, "What you think is not without reason."

She paused for a moment and said, "Take another look. The He family isn't just He Ying. Isn't Xiao Qi of good character? Although she's a bit childish, she's very kind and has no desire for fame or fortune. With such a master, the servants are more likely to do good deeds. In the future, she may not be any less successful than others."

He added, “You’ve been in contact with many people, so take another look. Marriage is a matter between two families, and it’s all about mutual consent. You’re choosing your partner, and they’re choosing you. Let’s not do a blind marriage. Get to know each other, and if you have a good feeling about each other, then it’s not too late to bring it up.”

In the Great Wei Dynasty, people did not pay much attention to the separation of men and women. When unmarried men and women were looking for each other, they often went out together to get to know each other. When Madam He mentioned this, the maidservant hesitated for a moment, blushed, and went to fetch water.

Although Madam He smiled on the surface, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If it weren't for the fact that men should marry when they reach a certain age and women should marry when they reach a certain age, and she didn't want to delay the woman's prime years, and there really weren't any suitable candidates in the household, she really wouldn't have been willing to let the person she had personally trained go to another family.

Moreover, although the He family has a good family tradition, they have many offspring and a large clan, so there is a lot of talk between the different branches of the family. He Ying is also opinionated and manages people very strictly...

It would be better to choose someone who follows Xiao Qi.

When people are young, their thinking is always different. They think that as long as there is a future, they are not afraid of hardship. Little do they know that once they have experienced the first hardship, it will be difficult to avoid it in the future...

Having watched them grow up, although she was unwilling to force them to make choices according to her own ideas, Madam He couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

She thought for a moment, then called over another servant and instructed, "Go to the He residence and send a message to the eldest son and the seventh son. Tell them that I want to host a banquet at Qingfeng Garden, since their old garden is next door. There are several magnolia trees in blooming beautifully, and a pond of lotus flowers. I would like to borrow it for a day. Ask if that's alright."

After the He family returned to their hometown for the Qingming Festival, the elders were too old to travel, so the main people in charge stayed with them. Only the two brothers returned to Beijing.

As soon as Madam He's message was sent, she immediately received a reply from her eldest son, He Ying, who said that all the necessary arrangements would be made that day and that Madam He could relax and enjoy her trip.

There was no news from He Qi for a long time, until the afternoon of the next day, when Bei Zhi specially came to visit.

"This humble servant sends his regards to the old lady on behalf of the young master. The young master said he returned late and asked the old lady not to be angry—he heard that you are hosting a banquet with seven or eight guests. Considering that his cousins ​​are not in the capital, and Zhu'er is still young, and everyone else has a proper job, he is the only one who has just received the imperial decree and is free these days. He asked if he could go and accompany them, help with things like rowing a boat, holding an umbrella, or ordering dishes..."

Madam He smiled and called out "Yuhe", saying, "Take Beizhi to see the play list and menu you drafted."

Then he said to Beizhi, "When it comes to food, Xiaoqi is an expert. Go back and have him give me his opinion. I won't treat him badly. This time, I've invited Miss Song from Song's Restaurant in Suanzao Lane to help add dishes!"

Bei Zhi was both surprised and delighted, saying, "If my young master knew, he would probably be laughing in his dreams tonight!"

***
Song Miao didn't know whether He Qi laughed in his dreams at night; she only knew that she really couldn't laugh at the moment.

Since it had been arranged in advance to send various meat and vegetable steamed buns to Master Cao today, she simply made a lot more than she could handle. She asked Cheng Erniang to take some to sell, and divided the rest into two portions: more for the Masters and less for Cheng Zijian, Wang Chang, and others. She also specially prepared a few for He Qi.

However, when the appointed time came, and Cheng Zijian, Wang Chang, and the others came out to help move and lift the steamers, everyone in line was in an uproar.

The large steamer could hold dozens of steamed buns on each layer, and they were piled up so high that Song Miao had to carry them down one layer at a time.

The meat buns and vegetable buns are plump and white, with different fillings, but the aroma is equally tempting. In particular, the mutton buns, chicken broth buns, pickled cowpea and minced meat buns, and tofu buns are all soaked in oil and juice.

Those at the front of the line, smelling the aroma, all went crazy.

"My God, it smells so good!!!"

"Oh my god! Oh my god!! She's making steamed buns! How come there's not a breath of wind coming through!! Miss Song is making steamed buns!"

"It still has to be steamed buns! Rice rolls are delicious, glutinous rice is delicious, but I still love noodles the most!! If it's steamed buns made by Miss Song, I could eat them three times a day!"

"You're dreaming! There will definitely be a limit, and three meals a day? You're dreaming!"

"Damn it, when will it be my turn?!"

"I'm so drooling! I knew that memorizing was so hard, it would surely bring good fortune—and here it is!!!"

"The aroma is so enticing it's making my legs weak—ugh, I was already starving, and this smell is insane! Can't you hurry up a bit?!"

Those at the front of the line went crazy, while those at the back were both excited and bewildered.

"what is that??"

Is it sticky rice?

"I give up! What are you looking at? It's steamed buns—Miss Song made steamed buns!"

"I wonder what kind of filling it has, and whether I'll even be able to buy it when it's my turn to get in line!"

"Huh? Huh?! Where are they taking them?!"

The crowd, who had just been overjoyed, were suddenly stunned.

The orderly queue immediately became agitated, with people rushing up to ask questions.

"Miss Song, is that a steamed bun? You've started selling steamed buns now?"

"Shopkeeper Song, what can we order in advance, but not you?"

"Is it Cheng Zijian and Wang Chang from the Imperial Academy's inner dormitory? I know they helped stall owner Song copy books, but didn't we eat braised pork trotters and taro with pork belly before? I also remember they delivered breakfast once. Why is this never going to end?"

"Shopkeeper Song, how about I copy a book for you too? What kind of book do you need?"

"Why do they have steamed buns to eat while we don't? It's one thing for people to be different, but can money be different too?"

These many words exploded in front of Song Miao almost all at once, making her ears ring and making Dabing wish she could shrink behind the steamer to hide.

Song Miao hurriedly raised her voice to explain, "Please don't worry, everyone. Song's shop isn't selling steamed buns right now—these are special orders from the teachers! Young Master Cheng and Young Master Wang are just here to help the teachers carry their food..."

Hearing that the steamed buns were ordered by the gentlemen, the line immediately fell silent. Even though everyone was cursing in their hearts, no one dared to say a word.

After a long pause, someone finally couldn't help but ask, "Miss Song, although it's true that people should respect their teachers, why can the gentlemen have steamed buns and even place orders, but we can't?"

"Exactly! I'd like to eat steamed buns too, Mr. Song. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was a child. Since you consider me a future teacher, may I order a few as well?"

A cart full of food sold out quickly.

In the past, people who couldn't buy it would crowd around it, but today many of those who did manage to buy it refused to leave, staying together and talking incessantly.

"Stadium owner Song used to say he couldn't keep up with demand! But even with so many more steamed buns today, he can still keep up!"

"Street vendor Song, please sell steamed buns! Sell steamed buns!!"

"Whether it's steamed buns or not doesn't matter. Since we can make so many steamed buns today, can we make an extra pot of glutinous rice tomorrow?" "Preparing more rice noodle rolls would also be fine!"

Song Miao fled in panic with the flatbread.

***
In the food alley outside the Imperial Academy, Song Miao pushed her cart and fled, while in the teaching quarters inside the Imperial Academy, Jia Chang, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy, could not escape.

"Xiao Jia, have you eaten the steamed buns that Lao Cao brought over?"

"When can you deliver the steamed buns every day? Can you do it tomorrow? I didn't get any tofu steamed buns today, and everyone said they were delicious, so I keep thinking about them!"

"Can you hurry up? It's just a few steamed buns, why make it so complicated!"

"Old Jia, if you're having any trouble getting those steamed buns in, feel free to tell us, and we'll help you solve it!"

The group of scholars, mostly old men, were eloquent and well-connected, so Jia Chang couldn't find an excuse to use.

If you say the steamed buns aren't tasty, you'll probably get beaten up immediately by a group of old men whose fists tremble when they throw them.

As soon as he said he was too busy and would only work on it when he had a spare moment, a teacher would hand over the documents he had prepared long ago.

"Check if it works. If not, tell me what's wrong and I'll have someone fix it right away!"

Secondly, it was said that the funds for the Imperial Academy's kitchen subsidies came from the imperial court and were originally intended for the purchase of ingredients and staffing. If they wanted to purchase ready-made steamed buns separately, they would have to apply for approval at each level. Immediately, a teacher took the initiative to ask, "Who should approve this official document?"

Jia Chang had no choice but to explain the usual procedure for submitting and approving official documents.

Before the words were even finished, everyone in the room had already come up with a solution.

"Old Lü, do you have a brother in the Ministry of Rites?"

"No need, Lao Lü. I have a student here too. It's not a big deal. What's the big deal about stopping someone from eating a steamed bun at the Imperial Academy? I'll tell him to help out and make sure the process doesn't get stuck and waste our time!"

"Old Liang, don't you have a..."

“Go and call Xiao Fang. I remember Xiao Fang saying that he has a senior brother at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices…”

Seeing that the old men who could never be summoned no matter how hard they tried, who would repeatedly beg the instructors for alms, complaining of back pain, leg cramps, or headaches, suddenly had no more backaches, their legs became nimble, and their minds became sharp and quick.

"You're looking for Mr. Tian? Which year was he a student?" "Oh dear, my memory is terrible, I really can't remember. What do I need him for?" "Forget it, it's not appropriate for a teacher to boss students around all the time. Besides, I'm not familiar with him. Although I taught him for three years, I only taught him twice. I don't even recognize his face."

Now, you're looking for Mr. Tian? I know him well! He joined the lower-level dormitory in the eighth year of the Yuan You era, in the Shouxinzhai! I mentored him for three years, and last month, on my birthday, he even came to my door to offer his congratulations and gifts! I'll go get him! Leave this to me; don't try to take it from me!
In an instant, they transformed from poor, decrepit old men into renowned teachers with students all over the world, vying to show off the competence of their students.

When Jia Chang was dealing with three or five people, he could still use his skill of shirking responsibility. But now, seven or eight out of ten people in the room were old men, each with high seniority, seniority, and status. If he accidentally said something wrong, they would seize on him and spit from their gaping teeth could spray all over his face. He dared not be angry, nor dared to speak up, so he could only agree.

Having finally escaped the group and returned to his room, Jia Chang quickly sat down, took a sip of water, and then grabbed some paper and pen to do some math.

The steamed buns at that so-called Song Ji Restaurant are really not cheap!

The vegetarian steamed buns were fine, but the meat steamed buns were one or two coins more expensive than any of the ones sold outside.

When you really need to make a purchase, you should try to negotiate a lower price, or find another supplier with a lower price so that you can get a kickback.

Jia Chang knew best just how capable the chefs in the imperial kitchen were; the food they made couldn't possibly be good.

The teachers had been making a fuss for a long time, and seeing the current uproar, he knew that it was probably impossible to delay any longer. After calculating for half a day, he finally had a general idea of ​​the situation and was able to relax.

—Not all teachers and officials need to eat steamed buns. If the kickback is sufficient, they can order more. If they really refuse to give kickbacks, in order to shut these old men up, they have to hold their noses and ask for a hundred or so. The rest can be bought from another place. Once the number is enough, it's the same to eat from that side.

When the time comes, have the kitchen give some to the academic officials and the Chancellor Deng every day, and keep some for yourself as well—you know what, when that Master Cao sent some over today, he didn't think much of it at first, but after eating one, he found it really delicious, no wonder a bunch of people are clamoring to order some.

The bun he ate today was called a chicken broth bun. The skin was thin and even, and every bite was filled with meat, some kind of minced meat. When you bit into it, the meat juice mixed with oil burst out, hot and glistening. If you weren't careful and didn't manage to swallow it all in one bite—the meat juice was just too hot and plentiful to swallow—it would drip all over your hands.

The meat was exceptionally fresh and fragrant, rolled into a meatball that wasn't loose at all, and surprisingly, it felt quite firm when you bit into it...

After dealing with a bunch of old men for half a day, Jia Chang was exhausted. Thinking of the steamed bun he had just eaten, he couldn't help but swallow.

He stood up, walked to the table next to him, and took the food box he had just brought back.

This food box was given to him by Master Cao, who told him to try it. There were originally eight packets inside, but after eating one packet of chicken broth, there were seven left.

I heard that the tofu buns are delicious. Jia Chang opened the lid, preparing to carefully search for the tofu buns—should he break them open to look, or… wait, where are the buns?

The food box, which was originally packed full, is now empty; even the dried lotus leaves that used to line the bottom are gone.

Jia Chang couldn't believe it. He picked up the food box, turned it over and over, and examined it carefully again.

It's obvious that there wouldn't be any hidden mechanisms in a food box.

The seven steamed buns of different sizes inside were indeed gone.

How could it have disappeared?!

He had been carrying it in his hand the whole time, except when he was stopped by the teachers earlier, and he had to explain to them, which delayed him for half a day, and then put the food box away...

Jia Changru was struck by lightning.

Yes, put it aside!
Which despicable old geezer not only ate his own food but also secretly stole his steamed buns?!

***
In another classroom not far away, several teachers were so excited that their eyes turned red.

"Old Cao, you're something else! You secretly hid so many!"

Master Cao was also quite bewildered, saying, "I remember I finished eating them! I even threw away the lotus leaves at the bottom, so how did seven more suddenly appear? There weren't seven in my whole box!"

"Did you take the wrong one?"

"Should we ask and return it to them?"

"Wait! I remember now, it seems... this box is for Xiao Jia, right?"

"Yes, he most likely took yours. You even had the character 'Jia' pasted on the bottom of this food box! Isn't that your handwriting?"

"Forget it then, what's the point of paying it back! I'm not paying it back!"

"So it was for that bastard! Don't return it! I'll curse anyone who tries to return it! A share for those who see it!"

Five or six people rushed forward.

Master Cao quickly grabbed one and took a big bite.

Wow, it's tofu steamed bun! It's so tender and fragrant, with soft dough and plenty of filling!

Hey! That was delicious!
(End of this chapter)