Unlike her two sisters who cried and screamed, the first thing Minglan did when she heard that she didn't have to attend classes was to ask Xiaotao to go to Changdong to submit a note for leave - morning self-study will be suspended for three days, and I, your sister, want to rest and recuperate.
Yao Yiyi had studied for more than ten years in her previous life and was tired of reading early in the morning. She initially took Mr. Zhuang's class to learn more about the affairs of the time. She couldn't just ask the maids and old women in the inner house what the emperor's name was. But after studying for a few years, she knew everything she needed to know about the world. In recent years, Mr. Zhuang had stepped up his efforts to teach how to write eight-legged essays and policy essays. Minglan had only ever been able to write court records, which did not require parallelism or antithesis and had no limit on the number of words. She felt drowsy as soon as Mr. Zhuang started lecturing and had long wanted to leave.
After dinner, I pushed the books aside, washed my face and feet, and went to see Old Master Zhou happily. Without the burden of getting up early the next day, I slept soundly. When I woke up, I stretched my body and felt refreshed.
It was the turn of summer and autumn, and the sky was clear. Minglan was like a child who had just finished her summer vacation. After greeting everyone, she asked Mother Cui for a fishing rod and fish basket to go fishing in the lotus pond in the mansion. Mother Cui knew that Minglan had always been sensible and well-behaved, and seeing that she had worked very hard in studying and teaching her younger brother in recent years, she agreed and gave her a basin of bait. She also instructed Danju and Xiaotao to watch Minglan carefully and keep her away from the pond so that she would not fall in and be eaten by the fish. Minglan nodded frequently.
There were two ponds within the Sheng Mansion. One was larger, located near the main residence of Sheng Hong's wives and concubines, while the other, barely larger than a palm, was near Shou'an Hall and the private school. The lotus pods, lotus roots, fish, and shrimp in the larger pond were all well tended. Minglan thought for a moment and headed straight for the smaller pond. She chose a spot. Danju set up a small bamboo chair for her under a large silk umbrella. Yancao and Qinsang, one carrying tea and the other fruit and snacks, placed them on the small bamboo table. Seeing the grand display, Minglan felt it would be a shame not to catch a dozen fish, but the more anxious she was, the less luck she felt. Fortunately, Xiao Taoyuan, a country boy with extensive experience fishing and catching shrimp, taught Minglan how to bait the float. Under her expert guidance, two fish were immediately hooked. The fish in the small pond were used to a comfortable life and had never been caught before. They were all stupid and dumb. In just half an hour, Minglan had caught eight or nine of them. She was very proud of herself. At this time, she saw a black thing in the clear water. She had an idea and took a long-pole net bag. Together with Xiaotao, she fished in that direction a few times and then lifted it up. Everyone saw that it was a fat-headed and big-eared turtle, which was pulling at the net bag in a daze. Minglan was happy. She waved her little hand and called off the attack with the stupid fish and the fat turtle, and went straight to the small kitchen on the west side.
After Aunt Lin successfully entered the house, for various reasons, Old Madam Sheng became increasingly unwilling to interact with others. She claimed that she wanted to be a vegetarian and set up a small kitchen with only five or six stoves, which was completely separated from the mansion. This habit was brought to Dengzhou as well. The small kitchen was only responsible for the food and drink of Shou'an Hall. When they saw Old Madam Sheng's favorite Sixth Young Lady coming, they all smiled and saluted respectfully.
Minglan emptied the fish basket and asked Danju to take the carps and the turtle back to keep them in water. She used the five crucian carps to cook. Two were made into two bowls of crucian carp soup, and three were made into two portions of scallion-flavored crucian carp jerky. Minglan followed the instructions of her mother, the chef, as she cooked. When lunch was served at noon, one portion of soup and fish jerky was served to the table, and the other portion was given to Mother Cui, Danju, and Xiaotao.
Minglan sat at the table in high spirits, blinking her big eyes at Old Madam Sheng. Unexpectedly, the old lady didn't start eating and just stared outside. Rich families have strict rules; Minglan couldn't even touch her chopsticks until the elders told her to start eating. Just as she was about to ask her grandmother, the curtain at the door suddenly lifted, revealing a slender figure. Minglan saw who it was and her mouth dropped open...
"Brother Heng, eat more. You have to study in the afternoon. You must eat well and make this place your own home." Old Madam Sheng said to Qi Heng kindly, and then told the housekeeper to serve him some food. Qi Heng, with his rosy lips and white teeth, smiled politely in response, "This fish is delicious. Old Ancestor, you want to eat it too... Eh? Why isn't Sixth Sister eating it?"
Minglan had been burying her head in the bowl, then she raised her head slightly and said with a forced smile, "Eat it, eat it."
Old Madam Sheng smiled and said, "These two fish dishes are a gift from Miss Ming today. She caught the fish and ordered it to be cooked this way. They are really delicious."
Wild crucian carp is already delicious. The crucian carp soup is made by frying the crucian carp in boiling oil until it turns golden brown and then putting it into a casserole. It is topped with bamboo shoots, fresh mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms and tender tofu, and plenty of fragrant ginger. It is simmered on a small red clay stove for two hours until the tofu is pierced. The soup is milky white, delicious and smooth. Mrs. Sheng and Qi Heng couldn't help but drink two small bowls.
There was also the scallion-flavored crucian carp jerky, which was made by slicing the fish, marinating it with salt, ginger juice and wine for an hour, then repeatedly stir-frying it with peppercorns and scallion segments in warm oil. It had a strong scallion aroma, was slightly spicy and salty, and had a light sour and slightly sweet taste. It was extremely appetizing and refreshing. Qi Heng ate so deliciously that he ate two bowls of rice in a row. His image of a banished immortal was destroyed, and the servant behind him was speechless.
After dinner, tea was served. Qi Heng sat on a high ivy-covered stool below Old Madam Sheng. He wiped his fingers elegantly, picked up the tea bowl and said, "Thank you so much, Sixth Sister, for taking so much trouble for me."
What the hell! Minglan was nestled in a large ebony chair with rich flowers on three sides, sitting side by side with Qi Heng. The chair was high and the legs were short, so her feet were hanging in the air. She stared at the rattan stool under Qi Heng where she was used to sitting, and laughed a few times, "What a coincidence, what a coincidence," with a slight creaking sound hidden behind it.
Old Madam Sheng laughed and said, "This little monkey is so naughty. As soon as she was told she didn't have to go to school yesterday, she went fishing with her fish basket on her back today. It was just for fun, though. Don't thank her, Heng'er!"
Qi Heng's eyes sparkled with a smile: "Sixth sister, what are we going to eat tomorrow?"
West Lake Vinegar Fish and Clear-boiled Soft-shelled Turtle Soup, but you don't have a chance, they will be served tonight! Minglan made up her mind, with an innocent smile on her face: "Brother Yuanruo, you asked a good question. I will go to the kitchen to ask later."
Old Madam Sheng remembered something and said, "I heard you kept a few live carp and a turtle in the yard."
Qi Heng immediately looked at Minglan with a burning gaze. Minglan could only giggle once more and confessed reluctantly, making an excuse: "...The carp and turtle need to be raised for two days, and only after they have spit out all the mud and sand can they be cooked..."
"Then when will all the mud and sand be spit out?" Qi Heng asked, and seemed to be suddenly very interested in eating.
Minglan could only resign herself to her fate and say, "Probably, it seems like, around the day after tomorrow, hehe..."
Qi Heng said happily, "Then it's a deal. We'll have carp and turtle the day after tomorrow! Sister, please don't be stingy and refuse to serve them."
Minglan laughed awkwardly a few times, lowered her head and took a big bite of the loquat. She rolled her eyes, then looked up and asked innocently, "Grandma, will Brother Yuanruo have lunch here from now on?"
Old Madam Sheng's eyes twinkled as she smiled and said, "Brother Heng and your eldest brother will soon take the imperial examinations, so they need to focus on their studies. For the time being, he will eat here. When the family school is ready, he can eat there with your two brothers."
Minglan was overjoyed. She immediately turned to Qi Heng and clapped her hands, saying, "Great, great! Mr. Zhuang said in the Analects, Confucius said, 'When three people walk together, one of them can be my teacher.' If Brother Yuan and Big Brother study hard together, they will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort. They will definitely pass the exam together in the future!"
Qi Heng was happy. He reached out and pinched the bag on Minglan's head, feeling that it felt very good. "Thank you for your good wishes, sister."
There was dirt on Minglan's head, and her depressed little face flushed red. She puffed up her cheeks and said, "No more talking." She didn't want Qi Heng to look at her cute face, so she couldn't help but touch her head again.
After tea, Madam Fang arranged for Qi Heng to take a nap in the right cubicle, and instructed several maids to bring water and prepare towels for him to wash. Minglan originally wanted to chat with Old Madam Sheng and discuss the daily arrangements after she no longer had to study, but now there was a big trouble in the cubicle, so she had no mood to do so and returned to her own pear blossom cabinet.
After Madam Cui had made the bed and pillows, she took Xiaotao with her and went to teach her how to iron. The four green maids rested in the outer porch. Danju helped Minglan undress and wash. The pear blossom cabinet was quiet and warm, with only Danju's gentle whispers in her ear: "... Miss, you're grown up after all. Why do you still wear your hair in a childish bun? It's ridiculous. Madam Fang taught me how to do it a long time ago. I'll comb your hair into a pair of beautiful, hanging buns. Wouldn't it look beautiful with some hairpins and pearls?"
Minglan made a face at the mirror and Danju, then said with a wry smile, "Take your time; this little bun is easy to comb."
Danju seemed to have thought of something and whispered into Minglan's ear, "...Master Qi is a kind person. I think he likes you. Why do you seem so indifferent?"
Minglan turned her head and looked at Danju, who had a look of concern on her face like an older sister. She lowered her voice and said seriously, "I know you mean well, but don't you think about this? He's the son of a noble, a nobleman, and I'm just the daughter of a prefect. I have a legitimate sister and a distinguished illegitimate sister. It's pointless to get so close to her. Don't let it just lead to trouble."
I'm so sorry. She's a utilitarian modern person. Qi Heng and she have no connection, no connection, and there's no way they could possibly marry each other. In this ancient world with its strict ethics, could they even develop a pure "friendship"? Even if he became her brother-in-law, she would have to avoid suspicion. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't see the need to befriend this guy. On the contrary, it was full of dangers. If she didn't handle it well, she would offend those two sisters who were aroused by love, which would be fatal.
Danju was a smart man, and he understood it immediately. His face darkened as he whispered, "...It's a pity. I'm thinking about the girl. Master Qi is such a good person..."
Minglan looked at Danju for a moment, smiled, and shook her head. She pulled Danju over to sit with her and whispered, "Sister Danju, you're doing this for my own good. I know that. Now that we're both growing up, I want to give you a few words of advice today."
Danju sat up straight in a solemn manner. Minglan looked her in the eyes seriously and whispered softly, word by word, "As girls, our reputation is of paramount importance. Even a few rumors can be fatal. I am of such status, but I can only live a decent life thanks to the old lady's kindness. Whether for myself or for the kind old lady, my behavior must be cautious and polite. Even if my words and actions cannot bring honor to the old lady, they must not bring her disgrace!"
Danju noticed Minglan suddenly acting like a grown-up and listened intently. After serving Minglan for several years, she knew that her mistress, though childish in appearance, was actually a man of great insight. Minglan continued, "...Sister, I am the head of this household. Not only do I rely on you, but Xiaotao is honest and straightforward, and those four green girls also need your supervision. If more little maids come in the future, I won't be able to personally reprimand and teach them. That will also be your job. So, you must keep a close eye on things and make sure the little maids don't break the rules and act recklessly. I leave this matter to you."
Her words were earnest and her instructions were solemn, and she even sounded a bit stern at the end. Danju knew that this was Minglan's recognition of her status. She was happy but also felt a heavy responsibility, so she nodded seriously.
…
After settling Qi Heng down, Fang Mama went to the Buddhist temple. She saw a small four-legged incense burner made of white jade and decorated with double dragons spitting pearls in the niche. Incense was curling from the burner. On the table in front of her was a silver tray with engraved floral patterns and some fresh fruits on it. Old Madam Sheng was sitting beside her with an open Buddhist scripture in front of her. She was twisting a string of her usual red sandalwood incense beads in her hand, her eyes slightly closed, but she was not chanting any scriptures.
When Fang Mama came in, she smiled and said, "The old lady's eyesight is not good, why not ask the sixth girl to read the Buddhist scriptures? The girl has a nice voice and it's catchy. Even I like to listen to it."
Old Madam Sheng smiled and said, "Let her sleep. Children need more sleep to grow. Besides, she has been very worried these days, with her mind full of lawsuits. She should rest well."
Mother Fang chuckled when she heard this: "Today, when Young Master Qi came to dinner, the old lady saw how surprised the young lady was, and her eyes almost fell into the bowl. It was really funny. But when you think about it carefully, the young lady is really a sensible person. It's worth it that the old lady loves her so much."
Old Madam Sheng opened her eyes and turned a page of the Buddhist scriptures. "Master, your name is well chosen. She is so clear-headed, thoughtful, and careful to avoid suspicion. She truly deserves the name 'Ming'."
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