Chapter 7: Love in Love Li Zhuang practices cooking skills and meets his uncle in Qiao Qiao Teahouse
Li Chunmei was arranging spring plowing for her tenants in the courtyard. From a distance, she spotted a tall, upright young man on the edge of a field, leading a child towards the farm. As he approached, her eyes widened, her mouth wide open: "...Young...Young Master?" Then, in delight, she repeatedly shouted into the house, "Daddy, come out...Young Master is back! Young Master is back!"
Li Chunmei was a maidservant brought along as a dowry by Luo Guoyun's mother, and the two were like sisters. Mrs. Luo brought Chunmei to the Luo household, intending to keep her as a concubine for Commander Luo, so they could be together for a long time. Unfortunately, Commander Luo had no such interest. Mrs. Luo's health declined after giving birth to a son, so Chunmei helped raise Luo Guoyun until he was six years old. After several years, and growing older, Mrs. Luo found a wealthy man in her hometown and married her off. She also transferred the farm to Chunmei's name, leaving the couple in charge of its management. This was meant to provide a safety net for the future. The farm boasted over 5,000 mu of fertile land, with 70 or 80 tenants, primarily growing rice. Over 3,000 hectares of forestland produced a variety of mountain products and medicinal herbs. Li Chunmei was a capable and spirited woman, managing the farm in an orderly manner and generating a substantial annual profit. Mrs. Luo left her to her own devices. Chunmei used the surplus money to open a pawnshop, a pharmacy, and a cloth shop in the city, which prospered. Chunmei's husband's surname was Deng, and they had a five-year-old son, whose full name was Deng Limin and whose nickname was Bandeng. When Luo Guyun was twelve, Chunmei brought her husband and newborn son to Anyang City to visit Mrs. Luo, staying there for six months. Although they hadn't seen each other for several years and the young man had changed significantly, she recognized him instantly, having raised him from childhood.
"Auntie Chun." Luo Guoyun stood still and spoke. The young man looked a little tired, but his temperament was calm.
Li Chunmei was so happy that she didn't know what to do. She wiped her tears and laughed. She quickly took him to the farm. She looked at Xiao Xiangyue and asked, "Who is this child...?"
"This is my sworn brother, Yue'er," Luo Guoyun replied after a moment's thought. With the title of sworn brother, he became half the owner of the manor, and no one could bully him from now on.
Xiao Xiangyue slept soundly on Luo Guyun's back all the way. She had just woken up and was still a little confused. She didn't hear clearly what they said, and just smiled sweetly at Chunmei.
"Oh my, this child is so beautiful... How come he looks like the person in the painting?" Chunmei said, "Maybe he was too tired from the journey. How come he is so thin?"
The manor house had three courtyards, one for entrance and one for exit. At the entrance stood a large courtyard, white-walled and green-tiled, surrounded by rice paddies. Only a wide ridge at the gate connected it to the outside. Chunmei's family lived in one courtyard, while the other two were vacant.
Li Chunmei is a capable and eloquent woman. Bandengdie, on the other hand, is simple and honest, taciturn, and obedient to his wife's every word. Chunmei has the final say in everything in and out of the village.
Chunmei led the two of them to the South Courtyard and said to Luo Guoyun, "The South Courtyard faces the sun, so it's warm in winter and cool in summer. It's cleaned all year round, and everything is fully furnished. I'm looking forward to Madam bringing you over to stay for a while." Xiang Xiang added, "The young master will stay with you tonight. I'll tidy up the West Courtyard tomorrow, and then I'll let the young master go over."
Luo Guyun surveyed the courtyard. It consisted of three adjacent main rooms, with a bedroom enclosed by a living room. The study was large, and knowing his penchant for calligraphy, it even had the four treasures of the study. There was also a small kitchen and several side rooms, housing farm tools and other miscellaneous items. He said, "Don't bother. Yue'er is still young, so stay with me. We can talk when she's older." He thought Xiao Xiangyue was afraid of the dark and frail, so living together would be easier to care for. They'd shared a bed all this time, and they were used to it.
Rumors of what happened in Anyang City had spread throughout Luling County, though Li Chunmei simply couldn't believe it. Seeing Luo Guyun now, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken. The next day, she set up a memorial tablet in the main hall to honor Commander Luo and his wife. Luo Guyun also set up memorial tablets for Xiao Pingzhou and his wife, Aunt Song, and Yishui Yihan, and together with Xiao Xiangyue, they offered incense and worshipped them daily.
After settling down, Luo Guoyun discovered that the area around Luling County was not peaceful either, with bandits often appearing. Chunmei said that a batch of goods from the village was robbed during transportation last year, and the more affluent households in the surrounding villages were also often patronized by robbers.
Luo Guyun began to set up a village protection team.
He selected seventy or eighty strong young men from the tenants. Following military training practices, they were divided into small teams, trained daily, and competed periodically, with the winner becoming team leader. He personally taught the Luo family's sword techniques and boxing and kicking skills. Dozens of these vigorous young men began daily training in the farmyard at dawn, their roars deafening, until dawn, when they dispersed and returned home to their farm work. Luo Guoyun, raised in the military camp and having commanded battles involving tens of thousands of troops, was a natural leader, possessing a commanding presence and a clear sense of rewards and punishments. The team members admired this young master and held him in profound respect. In a short time, these young farmhands were trained to be unstoppable. The farm guards were rigorously organized and disciplined, a crack unit ready to charge into battle at any moment. Last month, several reckless gangs of thieves had robbed the cloth shop of fine silk and stolen the tenants' oxen, only to be dealt with one by one by Luo Guoyun's team. From then on, all the thieves within a hundred miles knew that Li Zhuang was not someone to be trifled with and dared not attack again.
In addition to training the village guard team, Luo Guyun focused all his attention on Xiao Xiangyue's diet.
Xiao Xiangyue had been on the road for a long time and was in a bad mood and had a poor appetite. Pork was too greasy, and beef and mutton were too smelly, so he basically didn't eat them. He would occasionally eat a couple of pieces of chicken or duck, but if he ate a little more, his stomach would be bloated and uncomfortable. Luo Guyun knew that the child was not deliberately picky about food, but was simply weak. Without the skills of Doctor Sun, he couldn't use medicinal food to treat him. Worried, he tried every means to find something he liked to eat, and asked Chunmei to make fresh food in different ways every day. He always hoped that if he could eat a few more bites, his body would naturally get better.
The numerous streams and valleys near Lizhuang teem with small fish and shrimp. That day, Luo Guoyun scooped some up with a bamboo basket and brought them home to Chunmei, who removed the heads and tails and asked her to finely chop them, including the shells. She then added some ground pork and mixed it with sesame oil to make the filling. Bandengdi kneaded the dough, rolled it into thin wrappers, and made wontons, known locally as chao shou. The delicious and enticing wontons were served, drizzled with a small spoonful of red oil. Xiao Xiangyue's appetite was piqued, and he devoured nearly a full bowl, still wanting more. Seeing his love for them, Luo Guoyun would regularly bring in fish and shrimp, roll out the wrappers himself, and make them for him in the small kitchen in the south courtyard. His first few attempts were hideous, with bizarre shapes that were unsightly. But after a few tries, he found the knack, and his wrappers became ever more refined. Whenever Xiao Xiangyue worried about food, she'd clamor for Brother Yun's red oil shrimp wontons. Luo Guoyun felt a sense of accomplishment.
Seeing Xiao Xiangyue's frail appearance, Li Chunmei also thought of a local method for treating children's stomach problems. Take live loaches from the ditch and the gizzard lining of a large rooster, marinate them lightly with salt, bake them on a clay stove until crispy, mash them in a mortar and pestle, and mix them with white rice. It is crispy and fragrant, and especially appetizing. Xiao Xiangyue can eat a small bowl every time. Luo Guoyun often goes to catch loaches. Where there are many loaches, there are also many eels. Debone the eel, cut it into thin strips, and simmer it with some bean paste. Pour a large spoonful of this sauce on freshly rolled noodles to make a hat. The eel strips are delicious, the noodles are smooth, and the sauce is rich but not greasy. Xiao Xiangyue also loves this eel noodle dish.
Luo Guyun discovered that most of Yue'er's favorite foods came from the water, including vegetables like lotus root, water chestnuts, water shield, and water caltrops. He devoted himself to researching aquatic ingredients and created his own "Three Black Soup." He used wild turtles and mullet from the valley, combined them with a two- or three-year-old black-bone chicken raised there, and added water chestnuts and lotus seeds to create a thick soup. Enjoying only the broth, without the meat, it was nutritious and nourishing, perfect for replenishing qi and blood. Xiao Xiangyue always enjoyed a large bowl of it. The soft-shelled turtle's skirt, rich in gelatin, was tender and glutinous, making it a favorite in both clear broth and braised dishes. However, the key was to master the heat; overcooking would make it too soft, and undercooking would make it difficult to chew. Luo Guyun meticulously experimented, finally achieving just the right balance, earning Yue'er's affection. The nearby villagers knew that the young master of Lizhuang loved turtles and soft-shelled turtles, and whenever they were caught, they would be brought to him, ensuring a daily feast on the table.
After a period of recuperation, Xiao Xiangyue's face finally showed some flesh, her complexion became rosier, and her spirits improved. Every day, she played the flute and pipe, sang little songs she made up, and jumped around in and out of the farmhouse, like a happy little sparrow.
It was a warm, sunny spring day. Li Chunmei stepped into the south courtyard, where a flurry of activity unfolded. The ground was awash in water and foam.
All I could hear was Xiao Xiangyue protesting loudly: "Brother Yun, the soap nut got in my eyes...Brother Yun, water got into my neck...Brother Yun, my clothes are wet!"
Xiao Xiangyue was prone to headaches, which were exacerbated by the cold. Back in Alsophila Valley, every winter, she would wash her hair in the sun; the warmth of the sun dried her hair quickly, keeping it from getting cold.
It was still chilly in the spring, with temperatures still low in the mornings and evenings, but the afternoon sun was bright, so Luo Guoyun thought about washing Yue'er's hair. He had seen Aunt Song wash a child in Alsophila Valley and thought it would be easy, but when he tried to do it himself, he was in a mess. Hearing Yue'er's loud grumbling, he panicked and even knocked over the basin.
Li Chunmei couldn't help laughing. When had her young master learned to serve others like this? She quickly fetched some hot water and rinsed it carefully. As she washed, she said, "Leave these things to Aunt Chun. I'm too busy. There are other servants in the manor, so you don't have to do it yourself." Luo Guyun could only smile awkwardly.
After carefully wiping the child dry, Chunmei finally remembered why she had come. She said, "Tomorrow is the monthly settlement day for the pawnshop. We've opened up a new piece of mountain land to grow medicinal herbs this year and hired dozens of temporary workers. I have to go take a look tomorrow. If you don't want to deal with the pawnshop, then the young master should go and get familiar with the business."
Luo Guoyun remembered that April 1st was Xiao Xiangyue's eleventh birthday, which would be in a few days. It was a good opportunity for them to go to the city together and get some extra clothes made for the child.
Xiao Xiangyue was a light sleeper, easily awakened at night, never getting enough sleep and liking to stay in bed in the mornings. Luo Guoyun had a very regular life, waking up at dawn every day, wiping his face before heading to the courtyard to lead the group in training. He would return at dawn, wash himself, and wake him up for breakfast.
The next morning, Luo Guyun came back from training and finished his work. He saw Xiao Xiangyue still asleep. He called him several times but he still didn't wake up. Thinking of going to the county town, he picked him up and changed his clothes.
Xiao Xiangyue was dazed, pulling his arm and calling out urgently: "Daddy, Daddy!" She was anxious and worried. Luo Guyun was stunned. Ever since she learned about her father's death in the tree hole, Yue'er had never mentioned her father again. She also followed the daily worship ceremony and burned incense in an orderly manner, with a calm expression and no emotion could be seen. Xiao Xiangyue called out a few times and woke up. Seeing that it was him, she felt a little embarrassed and whispered: "Yue'er... dreamed of Daddy!" Luo Guyun felt a pain in his heart. This child was very sensitive and delicate. He must be afraid that he would feel guilty about his father's unjust death, so he never mentioned it. He hugged the person and said: "Yue'er, in the future, if you miss Daddy, Mommy, or Aunty, you can tell Brother Yun directly. Don't keep it in your heart." Xiao Xiangyue blinked her big eyes and nodded vigorously.
After breakfast, the two of them headed for the county town. Lizhuang was only three or four miles away, and Luo Guoyun usually rode a horse, making the journey a short while. Today, he wanted to give the children more exercise and movement, so they held hands and walked at a leisurely pace.
Ah Huang chased after him from behind.
Ah Huang was Chunmei's large yellow dog, used as a guard dog. While Luo Guoyun and his companions were training in the courtyard, Ah Huang would stand by. He seemed to know that he was the manor's master and was particularly affectionate with him, rubbing against anyone he saw.
A child nearby sneezed loudly. Luo Guyun suddenly remembered Sun Mu's words about Xiao Xiangyue not being around furry animals like cats and dogs. He hurriedly chased Ah Huang away. The dog clung to him, running away for a moment before rubbing against him again. Luo Guyun had no choice but to carry the child on his back, trying to keep him away from the big dog.
Xiao Xiangyue was naughty and didn't behave well on his back. She would breathe on Luo Guoyun's neck, tickle him under his armpits, and sing a little song in his ear. This made him feel itchy and numb. He gritted his teeth and pretended to be angry, threatening to throw him down if he continued to make trouble. Xiao Xiangyue swung her legs, feeling confident and proud, and said in a crisp voice: "Brother Yun is the one who can't bear to throw me down! Last time he fell off his horse, Brother Yun was so badly injured, but he didn't let Yue'er get hurt!"
We laughed and joked all the way and unknowingly entered the county town.
Luling County was bustling. Seven or eight streets stretched across the city, and there were several large teahouses. Xiao Xiangyue was quite interested in the teahouses, and when she passed one, she dragged Luo Guoyun inside to take a look.
The teahouse was still packed. On the small stage, an elderly man in his seventies, clutching a pipa, sang and played the tinkling sound of a lute. Xiao Xiangyue listened carefully and realized he was singing the Suzhou Pingtan opera "The Case of Judge Shi." The surrounding noises drowned out his singing and playing. After the song, no one noticed him, let alone threw money on the stage. The elderly man, embarrassed, clutched his pipa and found a lonely corner to sit down.
Xiao Xiangyue's previous performances at the teahouse were always well-received, and she still felt quite proud when she thought about it. Seeing the old man's expression, she felt a little uncomfortable. She took the initiative to approach him and said, "Old man, this is Sichuan, and you, a Suzhou Pingtan native, simply won't understand. Sichuan opera or Qinqiang are popular here, so why not try something different?"
The old man was quite surprised to see that it was a handsome child: "I am singing Suzhou Pingtan, can you understand it?" Xiao Xiangyue replied: "Of course, I can sing too!" She took the pipa, tried playing a few times, and started to communicate warmly with the old man.
Luo Guoyun knew that he was obsessed with music and would not be interested in collecting debts from the pawnshop. So he said, "Brother, go to the pawnshop first. Yue'er is here chatting with the old man, so don't run around. We'll meet at Shujiangchun next door at noon."
Shujiangchun, a Sichuan restaurant, has a specialty dish called "live-ferry silver carp," which Xiao Xiangyue loves. They take foot-long wild silver carp from the river, steam them until half-cooked, then smother them in a secret, scalding sauce and simmer them alive. The fish is tender and melts in your mouth, and the secret sauce has a unique flavor that can't be replicated elsewhere. Luo Guoyun took him to try it a month ago, and the child kept talking about it when he got home.
At noon, Luo Guoyun finished his work and went to Shujiangchun, but he didn't see anyone. He wondered if Xiao Xiangyue was still in the teahouse. When he went back to the teahouse, he saw Xiao Xiangyue's eyes were red, tears were hanging on her cheeks, and her nose was twitching. She was very sad. He was shocked and walked away for a while. Was she bullied? He hurried forward and hugged the child anxiously: "Yue'er...what happened?"
Xiao Xiangyue leaned against him and sobbed, "Brother Yun, this is Daddy's senior brother, Uncle Li. Turns out... he came here looking for Daddy. What a coincidence, we actually ran into him!"
The old man's name is Li Tiannian, and he is Xiao Pingzhou's senior apprentice. In their early years, they opened a drama troupe together in Jiangnan. The two worked together for many years and had a tacit understanding. Later, Xiao Pingzhou got into trouble and fled to Alsophila Valley, and the troupe disbanded. Li Tiannian was a music fanatic. He was obsessed with music all his life and never married. Apart from being obsessed with composing music and playing the piano, he didn't know how to make a living. After wasting a few years, he missed the days with his junior apprentice very much. It seemed that he heard that his junior apprentice had fled to the southwest, so he followed the way to look for him. Xiao Pingzhou's former opera troupe was well-known to women and children in Jiangnan. Wherever Li Tiannian went, he would go to teahouses and taverns to inquire. He hoped to find out about his junior apprentice. He had no money left, so he performed to earn a little money. He arrived in Luling County after searching for three whole years.
After hearing the whole story, Luo Guyun paused for a moment before saying to Li Tiannian, "Master, wandering the world alone is not a long-term solution. Why don't you come back with us to Li Manor and stay there? Yue'er likes music, and you could be a good tutor for him. There are other children at the manor, so we'll hire you as a teacher. You'll earn a fixed monthly income, and your life will be settled down."
Li Tiannian had been wandering for so many years, and seeing Xiao Xiangyue suddenly moved him to tears. He also knew that his junior brother had passed away, and his junior brother's son was the closest person to him in the world, so how could he not agree?
The three of them dined at Shujiangchun. Luo Guoyun went to the pharmacy to fetch a horse, and then returned with his uncle to the inn to pack. Li Tiannian had nothing but a few large boxes of books, filled with various musical scores, qin tabs, and opera scripts, some of which were rare and unique. Xiao Xiangyue took a quick look at them and was fascinated. Back in Lizhuang, he consulted with his uncle every day to study.
Li Tiannian discovered Xiao Xiangyue's exceptional talent for music. Thinking he was approaching seventy and his days were numbered, he vowed to pass on his life's learning to the child, devoting himself wholeheartedly to his education. The west courtyard became a haven for the elderly and the young, filled with a variety of musical instruments and music sheets. Xiao Xiangyue's exceptional talent, coupled with the meticulous guidance of his uncle, saw her musical skills steadily improve.
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