Miao Chu

Chapter 251 Turning Around
Liang Yan was both angry and annoyed.

Let alone children, even adults find it difficult to weigh the pros and cons when they get angry.

At this moment, he disregarded everything else and shouted loudly, "A person's name is not to be changed, and his surname is not to be changed. My surname is Liang, and I have been called Liang Yan since I was a child. My mother asked a scholar to help her choose this name, so that I would be 'strict with myself'."

“My father’s surname is Liang, never Xiang. He was a bodyguard. If you ask what connection my father has with the Xiang family—he used to escort goods for the Xiang family, and he lost his life protecting the goods and the people—my father did such a thing, and he was worthy of the escort fee and his conscience! Why wouldn’t I dare to acknowledge him?!”

"If you're asking what my connection is with the Xiang family, my father lost his life because of them, they raised me for several years, and I owe them money for daily expenses—I accept that! If you want to talk about something, talk about me, not my father!"

Every word he uttered was harsh and he became more and more agitated as he spoke. As he spoke, not only did he clench his fists, but his face also turned red with anxiety, clearly showing that he was taking it seriously.

Yang Mian, who had initially thought he was in the right and had the upper hand, was shocked to hear such inside information. He exclaimed, "Ah!" and said, "I...I didn't know about this...Is it true?"

Liang Yan said, "Who said my father's surname is Xiang? I'm going to go find him and get this straight!"

He added, “I have identification documents, travel permits, birth chart, and the letter from the Xiang family that they came to take me away—if you don’t believe me, I’ll go back and get them for you as proof!”

Seeing his reaction, Yang Mian was startled, realizing that what he had just said was probably true and he hadn't lied. He quickly said, "No need! No need to take it! I just heard it from someone else. I'm sorry, Liang Yan, I didn't understand and just talked nonsense here. I apologize! I'm so sorry!"

He added, "I really don't remember who it was! Let me ask around later, and I'll explain it to your fellow disciples, okay?"

As she spoke, seeing that Liang Yan had already turned around, looking like he was going back to demand an explanation, she was afraid of causing trouble, so she quickly stepped forward and grabbed him, saying, "Didn't you want to find my uncle to make a stove? We've been delayed today. He's going to Kucha to do business in a few days, and who knows when we'll meet again! Do you still want to make a stove?!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly pulled Liang Yan outside, saying, "I don't know who spread the word. They all said it in such detail that I believed it, and everyone else believed it too. They all thought you were surnamed Xiang and were the son of Xiang Yuan."

"That man is wicked. He helped the kidnapper escape. Our Master Cheng has a younger sister who was kidnapped by the kidnapper. The kidnapper was caught a month ago, and the authorities finally managed to rescue her. She used to come to the martial arts school often to play and help everyone pick up arrows. She was very familiar with us. After she was rescued, she never came back. I heard that she has lost a lot of weight and is so scared that she doesn't like to talk. Everyone hates that kidnapper to death!"

Liang Yan was dragged to the door.

He said helplessly, "I'll go tell Zhu Zhan first."

"Just send someone to deliver a message!"

As expected, Yang Mian called over a fellow disciple who was passing by and asked him to pass on a message to Zhu Zhan, saying that Liang Yan was going home with him and would be back in the afternoon. He then called a carriage and forcibly dragged the latter onto it, apologizing incessantly along the way.

Seeing that the other party genuinely admitted his mistake, Liang Yan said, "You didn't do it on purpose. Besides, if it were me, I would also look down on people who help kidnappers do bad things and wouldn't want to talk to their children. I don't blame you! I should thank you, otherwise I wouldn't know why no one likes to talk to me."

Yang Mian then said, "Don't worry, when I get back tomorrow, I will definitely explain things clearly for you and find out who was lying behind my back!"

Liang Yan did not intend to wait until tomorrow.

But naturally, he wouldn't explain further to Yang Mian.

The two were of similar age and chatted all the way, quickly becoming acquainted.

Yang Mian had long been curious and, after holding it in for half a day, finally couldn't resist asking about Liang Yan's background.

Liang Yan only said that his parents had died and that he was currently staying at Zhu Zhan's house. He told others that he had gone to stay with his great-aunt Zhou, but in fact he had been adopted and was receiving financial assistance from her.

"It's alright if you tell anyone, I've always relied on people's kindness..."

Yang Mian retorted angrily, "What do you take me for!"

He added, "Zhu Zhan's family is good, and I don't want outsiders to gossip about them—am I bad?"

He said, “There are always those who spew filth and like to gossip about others. My mother is four years older than my father. She was married to an older man before, and after he passed away, she remarried my father. There are always gossipy people outside saying that my mother brought my sister to our house to try and take over the family property. It’s so awful. They even come to me and talk about it, as if they’re worried because my family is so harmonious. Don’t pay attention to those people! My mother says they’re like flies. There’s no crack in the egg, but they still want to stand on it and rub their hands together!”

"I see your stance is very solid, and your archery is accurate. Master Tong always praises you. Do you have some secret?"

“There are no other tricks, I just practice more. I draw the bow 300 times a day, hold a horse stance for an hour, and hang sandbags on my arms and legs. My master told me not to draw so many and hang so many heavy ones, saying it's not good, but I can't help it…”

Yang Mian was startled and said, "You're overdoing it! Be careful your arms and legs don't hurt!"

When the carriage arrived at the Yang family's residence, the two had already become sworn brothers.

Upon arriving at the destination, Yang Mian immediately called out to his sister, brother, sister, father, mother, aunt, and uncle, and then forcibly pulled Liang Yan inside, shouting, "A friend from my martial arts school came back with me today!"

The Yang family was clearly used to being warm and hospitable. One by one, they greeted Liang Yan, serving him tea and water, offering him a seat, inviting him to stay for dinner, and even suggesting that he stay overnight.

Liang Yanzhi said he had something to do and needed to go home for dinner, but no one paid any attention to him.

Mother Yang said, "Where do you live? I'll send someone to deliver a message saying that you're staying at our house for lunch. When you kids visit each other, who doesn't eat at one house here and another there?"

He added, "In the past, when so many of Mian-ge'er's fellow disciples came, they always ate at home!"

Yang Mian hurriedly said, "Mother, don't force him to stay. Next time he comes, he'll have to rush back to class—just bring him some food for the journey!"

Then he called him uncle and explained Liang Yan's purpose.

"...His sister wants to build a roasting oven, so she can roast geese, chickens, and ducks!"

The uncle then asked, "What kind do you want? An above-ground tile kiln, or a brick kiln built against the ground?"

Upon hearing Song Miao's description, Liang Yan quickly said, "Sister said that a ground-level stove is best, as it's easier to clean!"

Uncle Yang said, "They just built one in the back yard, it's also on the ground. Let me take you to see if it's true."

He took Liang Yan over to take a look. After looking at the furnace, they chatted for a while and found out that there were even blueprints. He took out the blueprints and said, "I don't know what kind of furnace your sister wants. I only know how to make brick and tile furnaces, and earthen kilns. I don't know anything else. Go and ask her if it's the style she wants."

After Liang Yan asked carefully and thanked them in a hurry, he was about to leave when he finally couldn't refuse and was given a few meat-filled pastries before leaving.

He hailed a mule cart and headed straight for Suanzao Lane.

Upon entering, I saw someone inside tidying up the dishes and chopsticks.

Liang Yan couldn't help but rub his eyes, thinking he was just seeing things.

The person inside had already heard the commotion, looked up, and upon seeing him, appeared quite surprised and grinned, saying, "It's Young Master Liang!"

“Zhang… Zhang Niangzi? What are you doing here?” The one inside was naturally Zhang Si Niang, who had already come to work.

She said, "I came to the capital to stay with you, and I'm working at our restaurant right now!"

Just then, Song Miao, who had heard the commotion, came out from behind. She was quite surprised to see Liang Yan, greeted him, and quickly poured him some tea, asking, "Why are you here at this hour? Are you hot? Have you eaten?"

Then he added, "We just drew water from the well. Go wash your face and hands quickly. We just finished making some cold jelly, which has been soaking in the well for half a day. Wash your hands and have a bowl to cool off!"

Upon seeing Song Miao, Liang Yan disregarded his sweat and thirst, eagerly handing over the blueprints as if presenting a treasure, saying, "Sister, there's a senior brother at my martial arts school whose uncle can make stoves. See if this works! Is it the kind you want for roasting geese, chickens, and ducks?"

Song Miao took a look and sure enough, it had several kiln designs drawn on it.

She asked in surprise, "You made this special trip in the middle of the day just to deliver a letter to me?"

Liang Yan was drinking water when he heard this. He accidentally swallowed a hawthorn leaf, and as he was holding it in his mouth, he looked up and froze.

When he was in Huazhou, he heard Sister Song talk about the stove to others a few times. At that time, she described the appearance and taste of roast goose, roast pigeon, roast chicken and other dishes, which really made people's mouths water.

In addition, the expectant look on Sister Song's face when she spoke left a deep impression on him. So much so that when he heard that someone could make kilns today, he didn't care whether it was the same kind or not. Without thinking, he rushed out. He had nothing else on his mind but how happy Sister Song would be if he succeeded by accident!

He didn't really think much about anything else.

Seeing the other person's dazed expression, Song Miao immediately understood.

She said, "Looking at the drawings this uncle made, he seems to know what he's doing. I'll find some time in the next couple of days to go over and ask him. It would be great if he could make it!"

He then said gently, "Next time something like this happens, just send someone to let us know—did you ask for leave this afternoon? Could you rest at home for a while before you leave?"

Liang Yan couldn't help but say, "Others don't know what kind of stove my sister wants. I'm afraid they'll make a mistake and make my sister come all the way here for nothing!"

He hurriedly added, "I didn't ask for leave, I have to go back to class—I won't have time in a moment!"

She added, "Sister, I'm not drinking any more jelly. I just drank a lot of water, and I'm afraid I won't be able to find a toilet on the way!"

He ran to the backyard, went to the snow room, washed his hands and face, and saw that Xiaolian's room door was closed. He checked the time and guessed that she was taking a nap. Although he felt regretful, he did not disturb her and returned to the outer hall.

As soon as he came out, he saw that Song Miao had already brought him two bundles and a food box.

"Some of these snacks were originally ordered by guests, but I made an extra portion for myself to eat for fun. Take some back with you. Practicing martial arts is very tiring, and you get hungry easily. You can use them to tide you over when you're hungry, or share them with your fellow disciples. It's up to you!"

"There are some things you can put in there, and some you can't. I've written labels indicating when it's best to eat them. You can decide for yourself!"

Then he pointed to the food box and said, "There's jelly inside. I've prepared a sweet and sour sauce and packed it with you. If you're worried about it being inconvenient on the way, you can take it back and eat it later—there's ice in the food box!"

She knew that Liang Yan was a very serious person, and fearing that he would be late for returning to the martial arts school, she did not insist on keeping him after confirming that he had indeed eaten the pastries.

Just then, there was a sound of hooves and wheels outside.

When Song Miao went out to take a look, she saw that it was the coachman, Master Xu, who had just returned after delivering the goods with Cheng Erniang.

Cheng Erniang unloaded the two loads from the cart and, seeing Liang Yan, hurriedly said, "Liang Yan is back?"

He added, "How long can she stay this time? Xiaolian is probably already asleep. I'll go wake her up!"

Liang Yan hurriedly said, "Auntie, don't call her. I'll just be back for a moment, I'll be leaving right away!"

Seeing that they were talking, the driver quickly closed the carriage, called out to Song Miao, and asked, "Madam, it's almost time. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now?"

Song Miao glanced at the water clock and saw that there was still more than half an hour before the roll call. She said, "Master Xu, you've come at the right time. My younger brother is going back to the Xu Family Martial Arts School in Baokangmen Wazi. Why don't you take him there? There's still some time left for the round trip, so you don't need to come back. Just go to the roll call."

Master Xu readily agreed and immediately beckoned Liang Yan to get in the car. He helped open the carriage and carried his bundle and food box for him, laughing as he did so, "I didn't expect these things to be so heavy."

Song Miao then said, "If it's convenient, I'd like to trouble you, Master, to take him into the martial arts school."

Master Xu patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, madam, leave it to me, Old Xu! I'll definitely deliver the person safely!"

Liang Yan got into the car, and after sitting for a short while, as soon as they left Suanzao Lane, Master Xu started chatting with him. He first asked if he and Shopkeeper Song were siblings, what he was there for, how long he had been at the martial arts school, where his family was, what they did for a living, and so on. It was as if he wanted to find out everything about Liang Yan's ancestors.

Liang Yan initially answered honestly, but as he heard more and more questions, he became less willing to talk.

Seeing that there was still a street to go before Baokangmen Wazi, Master Xu suddenly said, "Oh dear, Liang family boy, I forgot something. Once you go through Baokangmen, it's not easy to turn around. The streets there are narrow, and I'm afraid it will take me a long time to find my way out."

"It just so happens that it's my grandson's birthday today. I had promised to bring him some sweet cakes at noon, but I spent so much time delivering goods this morning, and now I've taken on this job with you. I'm already in a hurry, and if I can't find my way out, I'm afraid I won't get home until late at night. You're younger, and the distance isn't far right now. Why don't you be considerate of me, an older person, and help me walk there?"

Liang Yan, a mere child, was already easily embarrassed when faced with an elder who was going home to deliver sweet cakes to his grandson. How could he possibly say no?
He readily agreed, adding, "It's alright, I can walk back myself. Master Xu, please hurry back to celebrate your grandson's birthday!"

Master Xu said, "Are you really alright? Never mind, if my wife finds out in the future, she'll blame me..."

Liang Yan said, "I won't tell, don't worry."

Sure enough, he got off the mule cart carrying a food box and two large bundles on his back.

Master Xu put him down and, without stopping for a moment, whipped the mule and drove it away.

He drove very slowly, and even hung a piece of cloth of a different color on the outside of the carriage—this was a sign used by mule carts in Beijing to attract customers, indicating that the carriage was available for passengers—as he drove, he would occasionally stop passersby and ask them if they wanted a ride.

After running for about half an incense stick's time, a woman carrying a small child called out to him. After getting into the carriage, she said, "Master, go to Chengxiang Embroidery Workshop."

Where is it?

"Go ahead from behind Baokangmen Wazi, and I'll call you when we get there!"

"Okay!"

Master Xu drove the cart without mentioning whether it was convenient to turn around or not, nor did he mention that he needed to go back to celebrate his grandson's birthday. He urged the mule forward.

(End of this chapter)