Xu Jiang returned to the shop, sealed two hundred strings of cash, wrote a thank-you note, and prepared a jar of wine, a can of tea, and a jar of rock honey, each with a piece of blessing paper on it. She put them together as a gift and asked Zhu Huwei to take it to the old master of Jackal's uncle.
After Guard Zhu thanked his friend on his behalf, he took the gift and left to deliver the message.
Lately, he and Guard Xue have been guarding the shop at night, and are free to move around during the day. Guard Xue usually goes home to rest, while he is full of energy and runs around the capital.
After the gift was given, Uncle Jackal officially became a member of the family. Xu Jiang found a piece of wood, drew the shape of Uncle Jackal, wrote some words on it, and after blowing it dry, gave it to Liang Mo to carve.
Liang Mo was naturally very happy. He held the wooden board and sat under the tree for half a day.
Xu Jiang cut paper and made a shopping list and a food list. The shopping list listed the paper, ink, and auxiliary materials needed for Hu Xu and Wen Hui to publish their books, while the food list was to prepare a small banquet for the Great Heat.
After making the list, the sun was setting and she packed up to go back to the Lou residence, wanting to go back early to accompany Mrs. Lou.
Mrs. Lou has been a little restless and has a poor appetite recently. Lou Jing is very worried, but he has been busy with court affairs recently and has been leaving home early and returning late, so he has no time to accompany and take care of her.
Xu Jiang saw this and wanted to stay with her more to comfort her and relieve her boredom, and also to make Lou Jing feel at ease.
After packing up the things and explaining the relevant matters to Liang Mo, Xu Jiang was about to get on the car with Yin Yin when a runner came to the door and brought her a letter.
Xu Jiang asked, "Where did the letter come from?"
The errand boy said, "Dali Temple."
Xu Jiang gave him some money as a reward and said, "Thank you for your help."
After running errands and thanking for the reward, he left.
Xu Jiang held the letter but did not open it. Seeing that she looked indifferent, Yin Yin held her hand. She smiled and then got into the car.
As Shopkeeper Wang said his farewell, the carriage drove out of Huailiu Lane. Xu Jiang had the guard driving the carriage go around to Yongshoufang and buy some light, easily digestible pastries for Madam Lou to take back.
After returning to the Lou residence, she went directly to Mrs. Lou's courtyard.
When the little girl saw her coming into the courtyard, she knew she was looking for Madam Lou and pointed, "Madam is in the young master's study."
Xu Jiang patted her head and took out a bag of cakes for her to share with the other maids. They crossed the corridor and arrived outside Lou Yunchun's study. Liu Mei was guarding the door, a hint of worry between her brows.
"Madam Liu." Xu Jiang called out, and she came back to her senses.
Liu Mei smiled, "I'm back."
Xu Jiang nodded, then asked, "How is your aunt today?"
Liu Mei sighed, "I still can't sleep or eat well. I came here after waking up from a nightmare in the afternoon. I have been here until now and haven't even had a sip of tea."
Xu Jiang was also a little anxious when she heard this. "I'll go take a look." Then she took the cakes from Yin Yin's hand and handed them to Liu Mei. "I bought some cakes when I came back just now. Please ask Madam Liu to sort them out and bring them over. I'll serve some to my aunt."
"Okay, I'll go right away." Liu Mei took the pastries and went to the kitchen.
Xu Jiang then said to Yinyin, "Yinyin, go get the jar of plum wine I just got from my room."
"Okay." Yin Yin also hurried there.
Xu Jiang straightened her clothes, smiled, and walked into the room. Seeing Madam Lou sitting in a chair in front of the desk, reading a book, she called out softly, "Auntie."
Mrs. Lou looked up and smiled, "A Jiang is back."
Xu Jiang stared at her face, which was similar to Lou Yunchun's, and sighed secretly. Then he stepped forward and said, "I'll come back early to accompany you after I finish my work in the market."
As he spoke, Xu Jiang observed her face in the fading sunlight outside the window. He felt that she looked even more haggard than before she left the house that morning. He reached out and took the book from her hand, saying, "Reading for too long is bad for your eyes. Take a break. If you still can't put it down, let me tell you something."
"We'll see tomorrow." Madam Lou pulled her to sit on the couch by the window and asked, "Did your visit to the government office go smoothly today?"
Xu Jiang nodded, "Yes, the county magistrate has made a fair judgment, and the perpetrators have been brought to justice."
Madam Lou noticed the sadness between her brows and comforted her, "Now that you have been punished, there is no need to worry about it anymore. It is not worth it to hurt yourself."
I had come to accompany her, but instead it only added to her worries. Xu Jiang simply laid the matter out to her, complaining coquettishly, "I was just a little irritated by what that man said."
"Since you know it's nonsense, there's no need to take it seriously. If you take it seriously, won't that just satisfy his wishes?"
Xu Jiang nodded heavily. "You're right. I was young and foolish, so I lost my temper and brought suffering upon myself. I'll sleep over it tonight, and tomorrow I'll forget all those nonsense." He snorted again, "I'll still vent my anger today, otherwise I'll be miserable."
A smile lit up Mrs. Lou's eyes. She raised her hand, patted her on the back, and coaxed her, "Okay, just vent your anger for a bit."
Just at this moment, there was a knock on the door. Liu Mei stood outside holding a tray and asked with a smile, "Madam, Madam Xu, it's boring to just sit and talk. Would you like some snacks?"
Xu Jiang cooperated and touched his stomach, "I'm just hungry."
Madam Lou hurriedly said, "Bring it in."
Liu Mei brought not only cakes, but also two bowls of apricot porridge, a plate of vinegar lotus root, and a plate of chopped celery, all of which were appetizers.
Apricot curd porridge is made by boiling wheat kernels and apricot curd together, then adding milk and honey. It is said to soothe heart heat and reverse qi, and stimulate appetite. The porridge must have been cooked earlier, so it's not too hot to hold and is perfectly edible.
Xu Jiang glanced at Madam Lou with a greedy look on her face. "I've heard Zhaoyue say that the apricot yogurt porridge at home is delicious, but I never had the chance to try it. Today I can finally enjoy it."
"He's been eating it since he was a child." Madam Lou smiled when she mentioned her son, and then said to Xu Jiang, "Try it. If you like it, ask the kitchen to make it again tomorrow."
Xu Jiang couldn't wait to scoop a spoonful into her mouth, squinting her eyes as she tasted it, praising its deliciousness. She then scooped a few more spoonfuls, pounding the soft wheat kernels and saying, "This wheat must be new wheat, to make it so soft and mushy. Apricot curd and milk alone would be too greasy, but with this new wheat, it's refreshing and fragrant."
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