45 Not Cold
◎Rejected◎
When Jiang Qinglan emerged from the Princess's residence, he saw only dark clouds in the sky and frosty winds blowing across the ground. In the half-acre lotus pond, yellow leaves and withered branches were blown here and there.
She didn't know what kind of storm would come tomorrow, and she couldn't help but shiver.
She returned to Jiangmi Lane and took off her hair with a heavy heart, only to find a golden hairpin lying in her dressing box.
The apricot blossoms are just beginning to bloom, embracing a gilded and fire-forged elegance.
This wasn't a gift from the princess, it was clearly from him!
She closed the box with a snap and lay down on the bed in a daze.
That night, I tossed and turned and was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Most of them were filled with anxiety and fear. For someone as arrogant and spoiled as Xie Shizi, having his honor so greatly humiliated, I wonder how furious he would be.
Will he force himself on her and tie her up?
Or was it like in the novel, where he made trouble for her, causing her restaurant to close down and making it difficult for her to make a living, forcing her to seek his protection?
Or would he get so angry that he would throw in the towel and send someone to harm her?
I was filled with fear and worry, and spent the night in a daze.
But perhaps, beyond these emotions, there is also a hint of hidden joy.
After all, he was still good-looking. She had fantasized about him before.
When she learned that his father was only a seventh-rank official, she half-seriously thought that there might be a possibility between them.
However, her mind told her that it was impossible.
Qi Da is unmatched, and the noble family is unmatched.
She was a modern person, and choosing a partner who was inferior to her in every way would still be tolerated. But a child of destiny like him could never expect tolerance.
What about her modern self-esteem and desire for freedom?
Different upbringings and family backgrounds create different personalities, aesthetics, and principles of conduct. It's like a chasm that's difficult to cross.
In romance stories, love that ignores class is so beautiful; in real life, it is so unfortunate.
The next day, it was just dawn.
Jiang Qinglan got up and saw the clear sky and bright stars outside the window. There was no sign of rain, so he felt relieved.
After covering Tuantuan with the quilt, she went to make a cup of strong bitter chicory root water.
After sipping half a cup, the faint bitterness and the aroma of chocolate filled the air, and I actually felt my mind clearer.
Legend has it that in 17th-century Europe, coffee was so expensive that people began roasting bitter chicory root instead of coffee beans. Since arriving here, Jiang Qinglan sometimes drinks chicory root powder when he's craving coffee to soothe his homesickness.
This chicory coffee tastes very similar to real coffee. If you add some milk and sugar, you can imitate any latte or cappuccino.
Although it does not contain caffeine and has no effect of refreshing the mind, Jiang Qinglan is used to drinking coffee when he stays up late to write papers.
As soon as I tasted this flavor, my brain seemed to react and became clear like a conditioned reflex.
Last night, Wang Huiniang was very worried when she saw her coming back in a daze, but she didn't dare ask any more questions in front of Tuantuan.
Early this morning, she came knocking on the door.
Seeing Jiang Qinglan holding a cup of something dark and strong, she frowned and said, "What kind of medicine is this? Why are you drinking it again?"
When this drink was first prepared, Wang Huiniang and the others had tried it, but they all drank it with hideous faces and vomited profusely, and they never wanted to try it again.
Only Jiang Qinglan, like an addict, would drink a whole cup every two or three days.
"It's chicory coffee." Jiang Qinglan corrected.
"Well, who cares about that?" Wang Huiniang looked at the dark circles under her eyes and asked with concern, "What happened to you last night?"
After a night of contemplation, Jiang Qinglan had already made up his mind. "There are some things. I'll tell my sister later."
Pursing his lips, he continued, "Didn't I say a few days ago that we should go to the countryside to collect more vegetables and local products, pickle some sauerkraut and radishes, and make salted duck eggs? You can also go and see the piglet. We agreed in advance that we will raise it until the New Year and then kill it directly."
"I think these days are perfect. The frost has passed, so it's a good time to harvest the vegetables. Let's set off today."
Wang Huiniang was shocked: "So hurried? I haven't even sent the message to the countryside yet."
Her hometown is Songlin Village. Whenever she needs to buy something, she sends a message to Muramasa, and he arranges it in advance.
"Besides, our shop is also a mess. Also, behind the restaurant, we just demolished the old building and are laying the foundation for the new one."
"Though I know those foremen well enough, they won't cut corners. But building a house is a big deal, and I still need the owner's supervision to make sure it's done."
Jiang Qinglan had already thought it through: "We'll just be gone for three or four days. Let Yue Niang take care of the shop. Although she's quiet, she's very smart and can handle it."
"Tuantuan is old enough now and can manage himself."
"As for the house renovation—just let Hu Zi take a few looks at it when he's free."
As she spoke, she held her face in her hands, revealing a tired look. "I can't care about so much anymore. My heart is too confused. I have to go out and hide for two days."
Wang Huiniang has always been considerate, and seeing her firm tone, she didn't ask any more questions and went to arrange the matters herself.
Not long after, she came back with a tray and said softly, "Last night, I saw that you looked strange, so I went to cook early in the morning."
As he spoke, he put down a bowl of vegetable and lean meat porridge and a plate of steamed chestnut flour cake with osmanthus sugar.
"Put down the medicine quickly and eat some porridge and rice. No matter how difficult it is, I'm your sister, and you still have to eat."
It is easy to add icing on the cake, but difficult to provide timely assistance.
Jiang Qinglan felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He felt as if someone had pulled him away from the tangled mess.
In this strange world, having such a sister is worth it. Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, she smiled sweetly and picked up the bowl of lean meat porridge.
——
"It tastes good. Today, everyone in the small kitchen will get a reward!" Xie Linchuan put the Tianqing Ru kiln bowl on the round rosewood table and took the towel handed to him by Pinglin with a smile.
The master was happy, and Pinglin was also overjoyed.
"This green glutinous rice porridge was cooked early in the morning. The whole house was filled with fragrance. Would you like another bowl, my dear?"
"No," Xie Linchuan stood up and picked up the black whip, "Before the roll call, I have to go to the Princess's Mansion first."
At this moment, Mo Shan called out from outside: "My Lord, the Princess is here."
Xie Linchuan smiled, revealing two deep dimples at the corners of his mouth, and walked out like a whirlwind.
Pinglin went to the accounting office to withdraw money, and then he gave the small kitchen a thorough inspection, and he also got some benefits.
He was in high spirits and went to the stable to get the horse out, thinking that he could ride it when he went to the government office later.
After finishing this work, half an hour had passed. When he returned to Lingquan Courtyard, he saw a person standing in the house in the courtyard. Who else could it be but his master Xie Linchuan?
He went in quietly, bowed and lowered his eyebrows, and reminded: "Master, the time is almost up, we must go to the government office."
After returning from the eldest princess, Xie Linchuan suppressed the raging anger in his heart and stood there in silence for a long while, feeling as if he were in a dream.
I am full of doubts and have thought about thousands of things, but I still can't find the answer.
At this moment, Wen Pinglin's words brought his thoughts back to reality, and he was shocked to realize that this was true.
In the past twenty years, no one has dared to trample on his heart like she did!
He suddenly raised his foot and kicked the rosewood table upside down. With a loud bang, the paperweight, inkstone... on the table rolled all over the floor.
Although Pinglin knew his master's moods were unpredictable, he was still horrified by this scene and quickly moved aside, fearing a repeat of the last time he was kicked and had to stay in bed for ten days or half a month.
Xie Linchuan had a stern face, grabbed the black whip, and walked out without saying a word.
His eyes were dark, filled with the wrath of thunder and the fire of a prairie fire, ready to burst out.
Pinglin just huddled in the corner, not daring to make a sound.
Xie Linchuan walked to the gate of Lingquanyuan angrily, but saw a green shadow.
It is Xia Yin.
She was not afraid of the impending storm, and said calmly, "The ancestor invites you to Qingxin Courtyard."
Xie Linchuan didn't even glance at her, just ignored her and walked quickly.
Xia Yin immediately added, "Our ancestors said that since this is about Madam Jiang, just two words won't delay your husband's business."
Xie Linchuan paused.
…
In Qingxin Courtyard, Old Madam Xie was fiddling with an orange the size of a fist.
I saw a person standing at the door, like a towering snow-capped mountain or a thousand-foot icy lake, without saying a word.
She smiled and said, "Come and have some crab stuffed with orange to cool down your temper."
Xie Linchuan frowned and said impatiently, "I don't want to eat. Grandma, if you have anything to say, please tell me now."
Madam Xie ignored him and turned to Xia Yin, "This orange is cold, so go make me a bowl of noodles."
She thought for a long time but still couldn't remember how to say it, so she said, "It's cabbage noodle soup with some pepper, dill, plum blossoms, etc."
Xia Yin asked, "But it's not cold?"
"齑" means finely divided, and "不寒" is because a lot of cold-dispelling ingredients are added.
"Shan Jia Qing Gong" says: "Use very clear noodle soup, chop cabbage, and mix with ginger, pepper, fennel, and radish. If you want it perfectly cooked, add a cup of Yuanqi. Also, add a handful of plum blossoms, which is called 'plum blossoms'."
Prepare a very clear noodle soup and add chopped Chinese cabbage, ginger, pepper, fennel and dill.
If you want a softer texture, add a cup of old vegetable brine.
You can also add a handful of plum blossoms, so it is also called plum blossom paste.
Madam Xie beamed. "Yes, that's right! That's it! These sour-minded scholars came up with such a weird name. I, an old woman, would have called it Cabbage Noodle Soup!"
Xia Yin took the order and left. Only then did Old Madam Xie glance at Xie Linchuan.
——He was left alone for a long time, his eyes still dark.
Madam Xie scooped up a spoonful of crab orange with a small silver spoon, enjoying the sweetness, and said lightly, "Don't go. They are afraid you will cause trouble, so they have already hidden away."
"Get out of here?" Upon hearing this, Xie Linchuan's anger, which had been suppressed for a while, instantly ignited.
After pacing around the room a few times, he was so angry that he started laughing. He kicked the brocade stool far away, making a small hole in the wall.
"Looking for trouble? Will I eat her?"
Madam Xie pointed to the bronze mirror beside her and said, "Look for yourself. You look like you're about to eat someone, aren't you?"
Xie Linchuan really walked over.
The person in the mirror had furrowed brows, deep-set black eyes flashing with the sharpness of a leopard hunting. His jawline was taut, as if he was gritting his teeth, ready to devour flesh and drink blood.
In front of his grandmother, Xie Linchuan had nothing to pretend.
After a long pause, he flung away the black whip, picked up the overturned brocade stool, and sat down: "I just want to ask her why she didn't agree."
His voice was still trembling slightly, revealing that his anger had not yet been completely suppressed.
Old Madam Xie said calmly: "Didn't the eldest princess say that 'Qi Da is not an equal'?" It turned out that before the eldest princess met Xie Linchuan, she first conveyed a message to Old Madam Xie.
Xie Linchuan slammed the table and said, "What do you mean Qi Da Fei Ou? If it were someone else, wouldn't he have accepted this overwhelming wealth?!"
Out of consideration for his ancestors, he only used 10% of his strength, but he still managed to shake the orange all over, causing the crab meat and orange bits to spill out, spilling all over the dish.
"Oh, you rascal!" Old Madam Xie scolded him, looking up. "Yes, if she were someone else, would you be willing?"
He shook his head again and said, "No matter how rich the Dongping Palace is, it can't compare to the royal family. Why don't you agree to Baoqing?"
Xie Linchuan choked and was stunned.
He has always been arrogant and has never thought about the four words "put yourself in others' shoes"?
At this moment, Xia Yin brought in some cold dishes. Old Madam Xie rubbed her hands and said, "You came just in time!"
In the bowl, there are green cabbage, white noodles, and red dried plum petals, placed in a sky-blue open-mouthed Ru kiln bowl. Combined with the sparse plum blossoms on the glaze, it is extremely elegant.
Old Madam Xie had no time to appreciate these things, she just picked up the bowl and started slurping the noodles.
The noodles were soft and tender, the cabbage was sweet, and the spicy flavor of pepper, ginger and other ingredients warmed her whole body, making her feel very happy after eating.
Seeing Xie Linchuan's face still pale, she smiled and said:
"Don't just stand there. She's not here anyway. Go to the government office first. A man should be prepared for anything.[1] You're too impatient. You need to be patient."
After this commotion, Xie Linchuan calmed down a bit. Remembering that he had an appointment with Liu Changfeng in the government office, he tried his best to suppress his depression and irritability.
Just at this moment, the lazy sound of a cat was heard, "Meow meow——".
A snow-white cat walked leisurely past the window. It was Mrs. Xie's Snowball.
Mrs. Xie laughed, picked up the cat and rubbed its furry little head.
"Grandma told you long ago that love is about mutual consent. You can't just do whatever you want."
Xie Linchuan frowned and said nothing.
Xuetuan felt extremely comfortable being moved, like a pool of water, lying soft in Madam Xie's arms, meowing.
Xie Linchuan pondered for a while, then suddenly leaned over and took Xuetuan from his grandmother's arms.
How could he have ever seen these little things in his eyes? Old Madam Xie didn't know what he was going to do, and said nervously: "You have a strong hand, but be careful not to hurt it!"
Sure enough, after suddenly changing places, Xuetuan felt uncomfortable, became restless, and screamed loudly.
Xie Linchuan did as he was told, slowing down his movements and imitating his grandmother's way of stroking the cat's head slowly with three fingers.
Xuetuan struggled for a while, but it was no use, so he gave up and squinted his eyes to enjoy it.
Seeing this, Xie Linchuan smiled coldly.
Don't want to?! I'll make you do it willingly! Just like this cat, meowing in my arms!
…
As soon as Xie Linchuan left, Mrs. Xie finished eating the cold dishes and called Xia Yin to clean up.
Xia Yin asked, "Grandfather, is this cold food to your liking?"
"Just barely." She pressed the corner of her lips with a handkerchief. "To be honest, the carrot and mutton soup at Xinghua Restaurant is still delicious. It's all Sanlang's fault. He scared people away. I can't even drink the mutton soup!"
Xia Yin said, "Oh, speaking of the young master, when he came in, he looked like he was ready to kill someone. But it was the old ancestor who was so powerful that he calmed down with just a few words."
Madam Xie smiled and shook her head: "Just wait and see, there are still more offenses to be endured."
【Author’s words】
[1] Zhang Lei’s poem “Showing the Millet Straw”: Regardless of career status, one should be determined. A man who has ambitions should not be idle.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
