The 11th Islamic Music Youth Showcases Talents, Suffering from Lovesickness, and the Heartbroken
It was already noon when Xiao Xiangyue woke up. As usual, he wanted to call out to Brother Yun, but when he came to his senses, he remembered that Luo Guyun had already left. He felt the sheets dry, his underwear neatly arranged, and his skin not sticky at all. Had he dreamed last night? He vaguely remembered Brother Yun wiping him and changing his clothes while he was half asleep. He looked down and saw the red kiss marks on his shoulders and chest that had not yet faded. This couldn't be a dream, Xiao Xiangyue was sure.
I felt a little empty inside. I lazily got up and changed my clothes.
Chunmei came in with a lunch box in one hand and bedding in the other, and Banben followed her, jumping and skipping.
"Yue'er finally woke up? I've come to see her several times!" Bandeng said with a smile.
Chunmei patted him: "You are so disrespectful! Did you call Yue'er?" She took out the porridge from the food box and said: "Before the young master left, he ordered that if he woke up, he should drink this bowl of barley porridge first."
He picked up the bedding and spread it neatly on the couch. Xiao Xiangyue asked, "What are you doing?"
Chunmei said, "The young master is worried about you living alone in the huge South Courtyard, so he wants to find a servant to look after you. Bandeng is ten years old in the next two months, and you and I will get along well. From now on, let Bandeng sleep on the soft couch in the outer room. He will be able to take care of the young master if anything happens to him at night."
"The young master also asked me to wake Yue'er up for breakfast at noon every day." Ban Bench said proudly with his chest puffed out.
"This...it's cold outside in winter. The bed is wide, so why not let Banben sleep with me in the bedroom." Xiao Xiangyue thought for a while and said.
"Okay, okay! I want to sleep with Yue'er!" Banben jumped up happily.
"Let's talk about it in winter!" Chunmei patted him again.
The days flowed by peacefully and gently. In a blink of an eye, it was the end of the year again.
This year, Lizhuang still set off fireworks on New Year's Eve. Luo Guoyun had specifically instructed the foreign companies in the city to purchase a batch of fireworks every New Year's Eve, regardless of his presence. The New Year's Eve dinner was also prepared by Shujiangchun's head chef, Chef Jiang, at the village. Nothing had changed.
Xiao Xiangyue's smile was no longer as bright, simply because she lacked those affectionate eyes under the dazzling fireworks.
Luo Guoyun had been gone for more than half a year when he sent a letter. It was several thick pages, containing a few simple words about the complexities of military affairs, but they were going smoothly. The rest of the letter was filled with inquiries about Yue'er's health, whether she was ill, her appetite, what she ate, whether she had gone to see fireflies alone in the summer, and whether it would be best to wait for Brother Yun to return. If she wanted to go alone, there were many mosquitoes in the fields, so she should wear a sarong to avoid being stared at. Winter was approaching, so if she still wanted to play in the snow, remember to cover her mouth and nose with cotton cloth to avoid breathing in the cold air, which would probably be better for her lungs... Luo Guoyun's regular script was vigorous and solemn. The content, however, was filled with trivialities and trivialities, which seemed a bit out of place. Xiao Xiangyue didn't mind. She smiled brightly as she held Brother Yun's letter, carefully tucking it under her pillow and taking it out to read whenever she had time. Luo Guoyun also sent a Western violin with the letter. It was said that a foreigner played this instrument at a cocktail party and thought it sounded very nice. Yue'er would definitely like it, so she found a way to order one.
Xiao Xiangyue had never seen a violin before, so she took it to her uncle-in-law's school. He explained that he had used a violin in the past, accompanying foreigners at the imperial court, and that he probably knew the technique. He believed the instrument was suited to playing soothing, melodious tunes, and with some practice, it should be easy. Xiao Xiangyue, a gifted musician, quickly mastered the technique, even composing several pieces specifically for the violin, intending to play them for Brother Yun when he returned.
Since this letter, there has been no news from Luo Guoyun and he has never sent back a single word.
July is the height of summer.
Principal Xie Fusheng of the only public primary school in the county came to Lizhuang under the scorching sun and handed over a letter of appointment, saying that he would specially hire Xiao Xiangyue to be a teacher at the school to teach music when school starts in September.
Xiao Xiangyue had always enjoyed composing music for fun. After five years of studying music theory with his uncle, his talent for composition became increasingly apparent. He drew inspiration from interesting things in daily life and the sights of nature. He excelled at using local materials, composing dozens of songs, such as "Frog Ballad," "Shepherd's Song," "Fishing Song," and "Yangtze River Tune," all with beautiful, fresh, lively, and catchy melodies. He was also easygoing, and whenever he had free time, he would teach these songs to the children in the courtyard, starting with Bandeng Sanhu and a dozen other children from the village. As these songs spread, everyone found them so appealing that more and more people gathered, and the courtyard often became the site of Xiao Xiangyue's personal mini-concerts.
Many villagers, both adults and children, flocked to the venue. Word of mouth spread, and nearly everyone in the surrounding area could hum a few of Xiao Xiangyue's songs, making them a hit. The children at the county primary school began singing them, and Principal Xie, a man in his forties with a unique perspective on educational philosophy, learned about them. Upon inquiry, he discovered that these beloved songs were composed by a young master from Lizhuang, and he took note.
It was also a coincidence. Last month, on Cheng Jin's eighteenth birthday, he invited Xiao Xiangyue and the brothers of the village protection team to dinner at Shujiangchun Restaurant. It happened that County Magistrate Li was entertaining some cultural figures in the county at Shujiangchun, and Principal Xie was also there. During the meal, Principal Xie mentioned that the song that students had been singing recently was written by the young master of Lizhuang. County Magistrate Li had met Xiao Xiangyue twice and had a very good impression of him. He kept praising the young master for his extraordinary demeanor and young talent. As he was talking, he saw someone who was also having dinner at the restaurant and immediately called him over. Xiao Xiangyue also recognized County Magistrate Li. The last time he came to the village to present an award to Luo Guoyun, he was neglected by Brother Yun, and he still felt a little sorry for him. So he sat down properly, answered every question, and was humble and polite.
Principal Xie had a conversation with him. He was impressed by the boy's natural charm, excellent conversation, and musical talent. He immediately proposed that he be invited to teach at the school. Xiao Xiangyue thought it was just talk and didn't take it seriously. Unexpectedly, Principal Xie took it seriously and reported it to the higher authorities, who specially hired him to teach music at the school.
When Chunmei saw Principal Xie, she initially thought he was here to propose marriage again. Xiao Xiangyue's reputation was widespread, and matchmaking had been a constant presence for the past six months. When the young master left, he had instructed that no marriages be arranged before the young master turned eighteen, and all proposals should be dismissed. Just as she was about to dismiss him, she saw Principal Xie holding out a letter of engagement, realizing he was seeking a tutor. Unable to make a decision herself, she quickly brought Principal Xie to consult with her uncle.
The uncle pondered, "With Yue'er's musical talent, she's more than qualified to be a professor at that higher school. It would be nice for her to gain some experience. But Yue'er is weak, and I'm afraid it would be inappropriate for her to travel back and forth."
Principal Xie said hurriedly, "Music is not a core subject and we only have classes twice a week. You can hire a carriage to get around, and the school will pay for it."
Chunmei said briskly, "How could my young master be short of that little money for travel expenses? Why don't we ask Yue'er first. If he's willing to go, we can arrange for a few brothers from the village protection team to be responsible for picking him up and dropping him off."
Cheng Jin was already the deputy leader of the village protection team. When he heard that Xiao Xiangyue was going to the county to teach, he was very worried and wanted to drive to pick her up personally. Xiao Xiangyue found horseback riding interesting. After learning from him for a few days, she could barely ride. She was in high spirits and rode in and out. Cheng Jin had no choice but to pick two young men from the village protection team, Heizhu and Afeng, to be responsible for personal protection. Heizhu's full name was Deng Shaozhu. He was the cousin of Bandengdie. Because of his dark skin, everyone called him Heizhu. He was honest and simple, but he was born to be a martial artist. He often won the first place in the competitions of the village protection team. Afeng's name was Chen Feng. He was the third son of Mr. Chen from the nearby Chenjiazhuang Normal School. He was experienced, quite smart, and could read. Both of them were extremely reliable. Every time they escorted Xiao Xiangyue to school, they would wait at the school gate early before the class was over, for fear that something might go wrong.
The county primary school had two to three hundred students and only nine teachers. Although Xie Fusheng was the principal, he also taught Chinese to several classes. Initially, no one was optimistic about Xiao Xiangyue. Seeing that he needed to be picked up and dropped off at class, he looked like a spoiled young man with only a good appearance.
Xiao Xiangyue didn't understand how others viewed him; he simply taught according to his own methods. His music classes were lively and engaging, not traditionally taught according to rigid music textbooks. Rural children generally started school late, and some were around his age, making him very approachable. He brought many musical instruments from the west courtyard to school, explaining and playing them one by one for the students. The children were given new experiences and their horizons were broadened. He also used local materials, such as bamboo, a common species in western Sichuan, to teach students how to make simple instruments. They carved bamboo joints into clappers and branches into flutes. He would weave funny stories into clapper raps, allowing them to experience the beauty of music. He worked hard to instill in his students a love and appreciation for music. Over time, Xiao Xiangyue's music classes became so popular that even the shyest children were encouraged to sing out loud. His classmates also loved this handsome and easygoing young teacher, and during recess, many children would hang out with him, laughing and singing. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the county held a celebration. Xiao Xiangyue organized a student chorus and bamboo flute ensemble, which was widely praised. Provincial officials praised Luling County's educational achievements. Principal Xie was overjoyed, convinced that he was a discerning talent expert, and that Xiao Xiangyue was the perfect steed.
Among the teachers was a nineteen-year-old Miss Zheng, a graduate of the provincial women's normal school. She was deeply attracted to Xiao Xiangyue, liking his looks and admiring his talent. She felt that although they were a few years older, as long as their love was true, age was no longer a distance. She boldly wrote a love letter and personally painted a picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water. She saw an opportunity and placed it under his podium. Xiao Xiangyue saw the picture and understood what was going on. She returned the letter to Miss Zheng unopened, explaining that she was already engaged and could not accept such things from a young woman.
Miss Zheng has a suitor, the third son of the wealthy Guan family in the city, known as Guan Sanshao. Somehow this letter fell into his hands. Guan Sanshao was jealous. One day, he stopped Xiao Xiangyue at the school gate after class and questioned her. It happened that Heizhu and Afeng came to pick her up, and saw a man looking at him fiercely from a distance. He rushed forward and heard the man saying something about seduction and shamelessness. He was furious and beat Guan Sanshao to the ground with punches and kicks. He left with the man still unsatisfied. After returning, he told the story of how the man bullied the young master and how the young master was scared to death. He exaggerated it. When Cheng Jin heard that someone was bullying Xiao Xiangyue, he was furious. The young master had asked him to take good care of Yue'er before leaving, but now she was bullied under his nose. How could he accept it?
After being beaten, Guan Sanshao returned to investigate and discovered he had offended the young master of Li Zhuang. He was horrified. The Li Zhuang guards were renowned, and even the government relied on them for work; how could they possibly afford to offend them? He then learned that one of their leaders was the son of the owner of a local pharmacy. He prepared generous gifts, hoping to gain access to Cheng, the owner, to apologize and put the matter behind him. Cheng Jin, furious, didn't care. He threw the gifts aside, telling the other party to wait.
The school was on winter break. Xiao Xiangyue walked to the school gate, holding a pile of books in her left hand and a violin in her right. Heizhu and Afeng, who had been waiting there for a long time, came to greet her. Heizhu took the things, and Afeng leaned over to whisper something in his ear. Xiao Xiangyue frowned, her eyes widening: "Really?" She bit her lower lip and stamped her foot, saying: "Let's go to Xunfang Pavilion!"
Cheng Jin was a clever, loyal, and efficient man. However, he was somewhat of a playboy. When he was sixteen, his family arranged a marriage for him to his cousin, three years his senior. His cousin was gentle and virtuous, eager to marry. For some reason, he was dissatisfied, repeatedly postponing the wedding date and spending his days sleeping with prostitutes and frequenting brothels. He had lovers in Xunfang Pavilion and Wanchun Tower, two of the larger brothels in Luling County. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, two women fought in the street for his favor, causing a sensation. His cousin, overwhelmed with shame and humiliation, attempted suicide by hanging herself, but was rescued in time. Shopkeeper Cheng, furious, vomited blood and sought the advice of Chunmei, who wanted to punish this wicked son. Chunmei invited the elders of the clan to witness, and had Cheng Jin apologize to his cousin in front of everyone and swear in the ancestral hall to stop his misconduct and live a good life with his cousin. Only then did the situation calm down. Xiao Xiangyue was also present at the time and thought he had truly reformed, but she never expected that only two months later, he would go to the brothel again to seek pleasure. She was furious.
The three of them arrived at Xunfang Pavilion. Xiao Xiangyue recalled her experience in Yishun County that year and didn't want to enter such a place. She stopped at the door and said to Heizhu and Afeng, "Go call him. I'll wait here. If he doesn't want to come out, drag him away."
Across the street, two dandy young men, fanning themselves with paper, approached Xunfang Pavilion. They spotted the man standing at the doorway and approached with a drooling look on their faces: "Oh, this is the new young man, isn't he? He's so handsome! How much is one night... to accompany you and have fun..."
Hei Zhu and the other two came out. Cheng Jin quickly walked up to Xiao Xiangyue and whispered, "Why are you here, Yue'er? This isn't the place for you!"
Xiao Xiangyue said angrily, "Ajin can come, but why can't I? Come back with me quickly!"
The two dandies saw Xiao Xiangyue talking to Cheng Jin and left them aside, and said sourly: "Since you are here, why are you pretending to be so noble? I can afford any money to sleep with me for two nights..." As they spoke, they poked his face with their folding fan.
Cheng Jin was fuming with rage. He was furious to see someone insult Xiao Xiangyue right in front of him. He unleashed his fury on the two dandies, all three of them attacking them, leaving them with a dreadful sight. They clutched their bloody mouths and lashed out, "You... dared to hit my young master, Guan? Wait, you'll see what happens..."
Coincidentally, these two playboys are the eldest and second sons of the Guan family.
Cheng Jin sneered: "I'm going to hit you, go back and wait for me."
When the three Guan brothers met, they realized they were in serious trouble. They had actually offended the young master of Lizhuang. Figuring they couldn't just sit there and wait for death, they gathered their brothers and, trembling with fear, waited for them to seek revenge.
West Courtyard. Xiao Xiangyue closed her eyes and concentrated, her fingers moving as the melodies of the zither flowed from her fingertips.
The school had just finished its winter break, so he had more time to study music with his uncle. He was playing a new guqin piece.
The sound of the zither was like a gentle sigh, or an earnest call, stirring the heartstrings. The master sat with his eyes closed, listening. Suddenly, he opened them, his blood boiling, and vomited blood, which splashed onto his graying beard. He clutched his chest and trembled, saying, "Yue'er... Yue'er, why do you play such a sad tune? This tune hurts my heart... and even my body..."
Xiao Xiangyue, immersed in the music, suddenly opened her eyes, startled. She quickly supported her uncle and said anxiously, "Uncle, what's wrong? Yue'er... I was just singing along, not realizing that this tune was harmful to my health."
The master said with difficulty, "The most important thing about zither music is the artistic conception, and the artistic conception comes from the heart. Yue'er has pain in her heart, she can cry, she can shout, she can vent it. She must not be so sad and depressed. If she continues like this, her mind and spirit will inevitably be damaged..."
Xiao Xiangyue knelt down anxiously, choking with sobs, "Yue'er didn't do it on purpose. I just had something on my mind and did it unconsciously. Yue'er knows she was wrong!"
The master took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Rhythm is like human speech, which can be interpreted; it is also like human emotions, which can be communicated. Since Yue'er is distracted, please do not compose music for the time being, so as not to hurt yourself."
Coming out of the west courtyard, a light drizzle began to fall. Xiao Xiangyue silently repeated her master's words, "Rhythms are like human speech, which can be interpreted. They are also like human emotions, which can be communicated with." She felt melancholy.
Sanhu came running over breathlessly, "Young Master...Ah Jin and dozens of his brothers are at Yangliuping in the north of the city, fighting with the young master of the Guan family!"
Xiao Xiangyue was startled. He ignored the rain and mounted his horse, galloping towards the north of the city. That day, Young Master Guan stopped him at the school gate. Before he could figure out what was going on, Heizhu and Afeng rushed over and beat him up. His skin was originally white, and the story that he turned pale with fear was pure nonsense. At the gate of Xunfang Pavilion, it was Ajin who started it first. Now he was going to the door to seek revenge, which was really too domineering. Thinking that this was all because of him, Xiao Xiangyue felt a little anxious. He rode his horse at a fast speed in the rain.
At Yangliuping, north of the city, the scene was a chaotic mess, with forty or fifty people engaged in a fierce fight. Some fought barehanded, others brandished weapons. Half the men were already wounded, while others lay on the ground, howling. Xiao Xiangyue shouted for them to stop, but his voice was drowned out by the clamor of fighting, and no one listened. Seeing his shouts were futile, he drew the jade flute from his waist and began to play.
The flute's sound lingered, relentless, like celestial music from the azure heavens, gentle and delicate. It carried the scent of an icy spring, the soothing sound of a gentle breeze. Hearing the flute's sound, the fighting slowed, then gradually ceased, and a momentary silence fell on the scene. The violent aura slowly dissipated, and some wondered why they had fought so long ago? Why had so much rage erupted? The uninjured supported the injured, dejected, each departing in dejection. A fight was ended by the beautiful, resonant sound of the flute.
Everyone rode back. Just now, the other side was almost entirely on the receiving end of the blows; only two of the men in the village defense team had sustained minor injuries. Cheng Jin asked curiously, "Yue'er, what was that tune you were playing just now? We were clearly having a great time fighting, so why do we stop wanting to fight after hearing it?"
Xiao Xiangyue said, "This is a fragment of a score left over from the Warring States Period, called "Anhe Qu". My uncle and I have re-written the second half of it. It is said that in ancient times, a strange man played this song on the battlefield, and both sides stopped fighting and laid down their armor, successfully ending a war. Although our revised song has not been able to stop the war, it can also make people's anger disappear, their emotions become calm, and the hatred in their hearts melt away..." Before he finished speaking, his body swayed and he was about to fall off the horse. Cheng Jin was closest to him and was shocked. He hurried to hold him up. Only then did he see that his face was really pale and his breath was weak.
The disease comes like a mountain, with great force.
Xiao Xiangyue had been working hard and exerting a lot of energy to prepare for the school performance some time ago. In addition, she was emotionally depressed and had been holding on. She was also caught in the rain while riding a horse, and with these multiple blows, her condition worsened. She had a high fever for several days and could not eat or drink. When she was delirious with fever, she kept calling out "Brother Yun, Brother Yun", which was heartbreaking. Chunmei was so anxious that she burst into tears. Uncle Shi was also beating his chest and stamping his feet, saying that if he had known that Yue'er was hurting her body due to worry, he should have persuaded her more. Several doctors were invited to live in the manor to take her pulse and treat her. They stayed by her bedside day and night, and she drank huge bowls of bitter medicine. After seven or eight days, the fever gradually subsided. She was still weak and haggard, unable to eat, and her body was frail. Her face was pale, without a trace of blood. The doctor said that the young master's pulse was weak and powerless, and that he was probably worried and worried, which had consumed his energy. He could only recuperate slowly. The doctor prescribed some tonic medicines for strengthening the body, but after taking them for more than ten days, there was no improvement. He just lay there listlessly every day and didn't even have the strength to get up.
Cheng Jin deeply regretted his recklessness, which caused Xiao Xiangyue to fall ill after being caught in the rain. In addition to handling the affairs of the village protection team every day, he spent most of his time in the South Courtyard with him, reading storybooks, telling jokes, and trying every way to make him happy.
Chunmei brought a bowl of medicine. Cheng Jin had seen Luo Guyun feeding him medicine. He took the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and fed it to his mouth. Xiao Xiangyue forced herself to stand up and gave Cheng Jin a weak smile: "Yue'er, drink it yourself." She took the strong and bitter medicine and drank it all in one gulp without blinking. Cheng Jin sighed inwardly. Although Xiao Xiangyue seemed easygoing and close to everyone, she was actually the lively and smart Yue'er only in front of Luo Guyun. Without Luo Guyun, she could not taste bitterness or sweetness. It was clear that only a shell was left.
Chunmei closed the door and came out. Seeing her master wandering anxiously in the yard, she wept and said, "Young Master has been gone for nearly two years. There's no news from him. He doesn't say anything, but he misses me deeply. Look at his illness. It's lingering and protracted, and he's getting weaker day by day... If anything happens to him, how will he explain it to me when he returns..."
The master stamped his feet and said, "Yue'er is a fool! You will understand it after listening to his music. He feels no pain when fire burns his heart, and no cold when ice bites his bones. It's as if his soul is not in his body. I'm afraid this kind of torture will not last long..."
Chunmei sighed, "The young master must have gone to the battlefield, which is why he couldn't send the message. I'm worried day and night, just in case something unexpected happens... The young master is very smart and understands everything. How can I not be worried when we are so close?"
The uncle comforted him, "I heard that there have been frequent wars in the Central Plains. Perhaps the postal routes have been blocked, which is why there's been no news. Yun'er is brave and resourceful, and has capable people around him to help him, so he shouldn't be in any serious danger. Yue'er, on the other hand, is frail and worried, which is really worrying. I can only hope that he can gradually come to his senses."
It's New Year's Eve again.
Xiao Xiangyue had been ill for over a month. Cheng Jin spent the entire day with him, chatting with him and trying every way to cheer him up. One day, an idea struck him. He pulled out a dozen pages of paper, shaking his head and reciting: "Do not touch or approach furry animals such as cats, dogs, rats, rabbits, and foxes. Do not inhale pollen, smoke, carbon dust, or other dust, and stay away from them at least ten feet away. Do not consume honey, dairy products, nuts, beans, shellfish, or mangoes..."
"What is this?" Xiao Xiangyue asked curiously.
"The young master wrote it before he left! We each have a copy, even the bench!" Cheng Jin replied. He then read seriously: "Rash and asthma are more likely to occur in spring, which may be related to sunlight, air, dryness and humidity..."
Xiao Xiangyue snatched it away, and Luo Guyun's elegant handwriting caught her eye. She then took a closer look at the contents, and was momentarily mesmerized.
During his illness, Xiao Xiangyue felt groggy, mostly reminiscing about his past with Luo Guyun. Almost sixteen, he understood many things he hadn't understood as a child. He recalled several times in the middle of the night when he'd felt Luo Guyun's body was cold, and he'd found it strange. Brother Yun had abundant yang energy, and his body was always warm, so how could he be so cold? He'd tried to warm him up, but was pushed away. At the time, he'd thought Luo Guyun disliked him sleeping and always clinging to him, and he'd been a little unhappy. Now, he understood Brother Yun's restraint and patience. He used to be mischievous, teasing Luo Guyun whenever he got on his back. He'd bit his ears a few times, reached under his clothes to tickle him, and noticed the slight rise in his crotch, curiously trying to scratch it. Brother Yun blushed in shame, laughing triumphantly. And then there was that year when he fell and Luo Guyun moved to sleep in the outer room... Xiao Xiangyue understood it all. Brother Yun, who is six years older than him, likes him, loves him, and is well-intentioned and deeply in love. He has always been protecting him, caring for him silently, and waiting for him to grow up.
"Will Master Jiang from Shujiangchun still prepare today's New Year's Eve dinner?" Xiao Xiangyue asked as she got out of bed and put on her clothes.
"...Yes! Aunt Chun also instructed us to make more of Yue'er's favorite dishes and bring them to the South Courtyard." Cheng Jin was pleasantly surprised to see him get up by himself.
"No, I'll go to the main room to eat with everyone." Xiao Xiangyue said in a cheerful voice.
Colorful fireworks bloomed over the village. The surrounding villagers had already taken their seats, and the place was crowded with people, making it very lively. Xiao Xiangyue, wearing a cloak, sat under the corridor, gazing up at the colorful flowers in the dark night sky with a burning gaze. His pale and thin face was as firm and serene as after a meal, calm and distant. He had suddenly realized that even if Brother Yun was at the ends of the earth, his eyes must be looking at him at this moment, but he just couldn't see it. Last year, he was sad because of the lack of those affectionate eyes. This year, he understood that Luo Guyun had never left, but had just changed the way he accompanied him. Even if he was not around and there was no news, the love Brother Yun gave him was enough to warm him for a lifetime.
Brother Yun, Yue'er has grown up and is waiting for you to come back.
Under the brilliant fireworks, Xiao Xiangyue muttered silently.
Master Jiang from Shujiangchun came over with a bowl of porridge and said respectfully, "Young Master, you didn't eat much for dinner. Try this bowl of porridge and see if it suits your appetite."
One spoonful is sweet, fresh and smooth.
"Frog leg porridge? It's winter now, where do the frogs come from?" Xiao Xiangyue asked curiously.
"The young master has always wanted the young master to be able to drink this porridge all year round. The little chef came up with an idea. In the summer, we catch fresh frogs and store them in ice cellars to make them hibernate, so they can be taken out and used whenever needed. Last year the temperature was too low and we didn't control it well. This year we readjusted the storage cellar and added straw, and it finally worked. If the young master wants to eat this porridge in the future, he will have it anytime." Master Jiang replied with some pride.
Xiao Xiangyue's complexion grew better day by day, and by the time school started, she had almost recovered. She taught twice a week as usual, and in her spare time, she played the piano, composed music, and studied music. Her days were peaceful and tranquil.
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