Chapter 54. Tusu wine sprinkled with pepper, salt, and cooking wine…
Since Pei Yu opened his woodworking shop, business has been booming, and he often has to go out. Today, he got up early to cook a pot of red bean porridge, and fearing he wouldn't have time to grab a couple of dates, he left.
Yang San Niang was still asleep in her bedroom, unaware that Pei Ya had woken up.
Lu Qiong, who lived near Zhen'anfang, also woke up at this time, but did not want to leave the bed at all. However, she still had to rush to make Tusu wine, so she became somewhat resentful.
She lifted the covers, and the cold air rushed in, making her hands and feet feel numb. The cotton clothes she was wearing were also icy cold, as if they had just been taken out of an ice cellar. However, she warmed up after wearing them for a while.
The Spring Festival is just six or seven days away, so we must make Tusu wine by today at the latest, otherwise we won't be able to make it in time for the sacrificial ceremony.
In this way, the newly purchased yeast will not be used, but it can be used to brew other wines in the future.
Lu Qiong stopped worrying about it and went to the kitchen. She found a pickled radish from a pile of jars. The radish had already released clear, bright juice and emitted a fresh, sour smell that made her mouth water.
I picked up a few pieces and put them in the bowl. They were cut into large pieces, so they were pickled for a while, but now they are all fully pickled and have no strange taste that raw radishes have.
I added a lot of sugar when I pickled it, so it tastes sweet and sour now.
After finishing a small piece, Lu Qiong couldn't resist trying another. It was crisp and refreshing, with a hint of spiciness. Even the marinade had a sweet taste, and it felt cool and refreshing in the cold weather.
Before I knew it, I had finished the whole small bowl. I was really too greedy. Luckily, I made a lot, so I can eat it for almost a month!
She put down the bowl, sealed the jar, and went to the stove. She mixed flour with water to make a batter, spread it on the pan, and fried it into a pancake. Finally, she sprinkled sesame seeds on top. At this moment, Lu Xuan also came over after smelling the aroma.
"The aroma of my sister's cakes is so strong that I can smell them even in my dreams..."
Lu Qiong pointed at the tip of her nose, suppressing a laugh: "I think you're really good at talking a good game!"
Lu Xuan stopped making a fuss and followed her closely, while Xue'er followed them around, wagging her tail incessantly.
"After you finish eating, you'll have to help with the chores. We'll use up all the new wine we bought today."
Lu Xuan's eyes widened, and she took a few steps back: "Finish it all? That would take a whole day..."
He grumbled under his breath, but his subordinates didn't hesitate at all. After finishing their pancakes, they quickly grabbed a few pieces of pickled radish and went off to make Tusu wine.
Besides the wine itself, the most important ingredient in Tusu wine is the medicinal herbs: rhubarb, atractylodes macrocephala, cinnamon twigs, aconite... all mixed in the correct proportions, placed in clean gauze, tied tightly, and then put into the wine jar.
Lu Qiong chose strong liquor, but she couldn't stand the smell alone. Lu Xuan also covered her nose, afraid of being choked by the smell of alcohol.
The two of them worked together to pour the wine into the new wine jar until it covered the medicinal herbs. The jar was almost full, and they made two small jars in the end. There was another jar that Jinniang asked her to make.
It needs to be soaked for several days, and in the meantime, it should be kept in a cool place.
Lu Xuan carried the wine jar out the door, and Lu Qiong followed behind her. The two talked about what happened on New Year's Day. They changed into new clothes, stayed up all night, and put up paper-cut window decorations... Lu Xuan also invited Wei Pan to go to the temple fair, where there were supposedly fireworks to watch at night.
Upon reaching Xiangguo Temple, Lu Xuan stopped: "What about you, sister? Don't you want to go out? The lantern festival on New Year's Day is bigger than usual, who knows..."
Lu Qiong turned her head and asked her with a smile, "What are you unsure about?"
Lu Xuan, however, remained mysterious and said nothing in the end, just smiling at her.
Jinniang still lives in Tongji Lane. She used to walk there without any inconvenience, but today she found the passageway too narrow. The two of them could walk side by side without anyone else in between.
Passing by the Pei family's residence, it was deserted. Without Yang San Niang, even though people still lived there, it felt somewhat desolate.
"Golden Maiden!"
Lu Qiong knocked on the door and called out, while Lu Xuan obediently held the wine jar beside her, using all her strength, afraid of accidentally dropping it.
Perhaps someone was in the courtyard, for the door opened as soon as they called out; it was Jinniang's husband who opened it. Seeing that it was Lu Qiong, Liu Haiyan opened the door even wider, and the group greeted each other before heading to find Jinniang.
Upon entering the room, one sees Jinniang sewing purses. There are already three or four small, exquisite purses in the small bamboo basket beside her, and the fabric she chose feels smooth to the touch.
Lu Qiong walked closer and saw that it was the character "福" (fu, meaning good fortune).
A person with good handwriting may not necessarily be able to sew beautiful characters. After all, embroidery is a skill that requires considerable skill. Jinniang has been staying in the embroidery workshop for a long time, and her skills have become much more refined.
Jinniang put down her work and smiled as she pulled the person over: "You've finally finished making the wine?"
Lu Qiong, equally self-righteous and proud, laughed and said, "I'm busy preparing for the New Year, and there are also many trivial matters to attend to at the shop. I can't close for the next few days..."
Jinniang glared at her, but before she could speak, a sound came from outside. Someone was crying, and there was also arguing.
Forget about talking about "slacking off," the two made eye contact and rushed out of the yard.
The Pei family's door at the end of the alley was tightly shut, but Yang Sanniang was paralyzed on the ground, clutching her chest and crying incessantly, banging on the door: "Yaya was sick and you didn't even glance at her, she's gone and you didn't even seem worried..."
The gate remained closed, with only the door knocker rings tapping lightly a few times.
The door finally opened mercifully, and a young man in a dark robe stepped out, but refused to leave the courtyard, his expression showing a hint of impatience: "Pei Ya is missing. What's the use of looking for me? You'd be better off reporting to the authorities..."
Yang San Niang thought he had a change of heart, but she never expected him to be heartless.
She was stunned for a moment, and the tears that had just flowed were frozen on her face. Suddenly, she felt that the person in front of her was a stranger, as if she had never met him before.
He seemed to have only come to get rid of her; after saying those words, the door was closed again.
With a bang.
Lu Qiong and the other man arrived just then and tried to help her up from the ground, but Yang San Niang stubbornly stood up on her own.
I used to think Yang San Niang had a bad temper, but today I felt sorry for her.
Jinniang approached a little closer, and afraid of disturbing her, she said softly, "Third Sister, if you are tired, would you like to sit in my room for a while?"
Only then did Yang San Niang raise her head, and a glimmer of light returned to her dull eyes. She walked into the house on her own.
It turned out that Pei Ya had gone missing this morning. Third Sister had searched everywhere but couldn't find her. Pei Yu was also asking around in Bianjing. She thought she would ask Pei Huai Ren to help her search, but who would have thought he would have this kind of attitude.
Lu Qiong brought over a cup of warm water and placed it in Yang San Niang's hand. She accidentally touched Yang San Niang's icy hand, which must have been frozen for a long time.
But Yang San Niang acted as if nothing had happened, and Lu Qiong had never seen her like this before.
She's always been smug, with a high-pitched voice, and she'd always yell back when provoked... she shouldn't be like this now.
Lu Xuan, who was watching from the side, also felt uncomfortable. She should have thrown a rock at the Pei family and killed him to vent her anger.
Fortunately, she only thought it to herself; otherwise, if Lu Qiong had heard it, she would have been terrified.
Yang San Niang didn't want to mention that person again, but instead stroked the scalding cup in her hand and murmured, "If it snows, Ya Ya won't be able to find a place to stay..."
"It's all my fault for being so forgetful; I almost lost my talent the other day."
Lu Qiong never expected that her words would come true, but if she couldn't find her by evening, the chances of her survival were slim.
But she couldn't say such things to Yang San Niang's face, so she held San Niang's hand and comforted her, "Everything will be alright, we'll help look for her together."
Jinniang nodded, and although Lu Xuan didn't reply, she tacitly agreed.
Seeing that they were all helping her, Yang San Niang finally felt the pressure in her heart ease and forced a smile through her tears.
Jinniang originally wanted to send the whole family along, but Lu Qiong dissuaded her: "You should stay home and rest, and keep an eye on Shuangjie."
Unable to let go of the matter, she asked Liu Haiyan to help her search while she stayed home and kept an eye on the Pei family.
...
Light snow was falling at Longjin Bridge, and the chill was biting as you walked down the street. Even so, the vendors still pushed their carts, calling out their wares while rubbing their hands together to keep warm.
"Roasted chestnuts, stewed taro... ten coins a serving..."
There was an inn nearby, three stories high. As evening approached and the sky gradually darkened, the waiter lit the lamps early.
It was cold and many people were taking a break, so the shop was too busy. The shopkeeper said to the waiter outside, "Amu, take these dishes up to the customers on the third floor."
The servant sweeping the snow immediately responded with a "Yes!" and put down his broom, carrying a plate of candied melon and a serving of rice cake. Amu had been small and thin since childhood and couldn't do heavy work, but the shopkeeper kept him on because he was nimble and agile.
Before long, he arrived at the third floor. Turning right on the stairs led to the guest rooms, several of which were occupied by bodyguards.
Aside from being a bit noisy and receiving complaints from other customers, they are very generous with money. Amu was even tipped once, so he doesn't mind doing this kind of work that strains his legs.
But today was a little different. The bodyguards weren't drinking, but instead ordered sweets. Although he was a little puzzled, Amu still dutifully brought in the candied melons.
As soon as the plate was put down, a money bag was tossed over, and judging from the sound, it contained quite a few copper coins!
Amu smiled and nodded: "Please enjoy your meal, gentlemen!"
After he left, the room fell silent again.
After a while, Liu Shancai frowned and carefully examined the child eating candy in front of him, somewhat helplessly asking, "Where did this person come from?"
Duanba was feeding the food, and after the candy melon was finished, he offered it rice cake, grinning foolishly: "I picked it up on the street."
"Found it?"
Liu Shan's brow twitched, and he couldn't calm down for a long time. He exhaled a breath of stale air: "What are you going to do about their parents?"
Perhaps because he was used to being expressionless, he spoke too loudly to a child and startled him.
Pei Ya frowned, tears welling in her eyes, her lips pursed, looking utterly aggrieved.
Duanba glared fiercely at Liu Shan, then turned to Pei Ya with a smile: "Eat more. If you're hungry, we can order a lamb leg. This inn isn't great, but the lamb leg is excellent. Sprinkle it with pepper, salt, and cooking wine, then roast it over the fire—it'll be so fragrant and juicy..."
As soon as he finished speaking, several swallowing sounds came from inside the room, and even Pei Ya opened her mouth, drool about to drip down her chin.
Seeing their gluttonous looks, Liu Shan couldn't bear to look at them, so he waved his hand and let them go.
Duanba understood his meaning and immediately called back the servant from earlier, saying that they wanted to eat lamb leg today!
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