Chapter 40 Conversation: Lord Luo's words burn my brain
While Lu Junnian was teaching Ji Shubai how to turn a blind eye upstairs, Song Jin was diligently digging bitter melon in the kitchen in the backyard.
Bitter melon stuffed with meat is actually very simple.
Remove the head and tail of the bitter melon, cut into inch-long segments, and scoop out the flesh in the middle with a spoon. Chop the slightly fatty pork belly into minced meat, season with a little salt, pepper, shrimp oil, and chopped green onion and ginger, and stuff it into the bitter melon.
Add a little oil to the pan and heat it. Fry the flesh at both ends of the bitter gourd until it is shaped and then put it down. Add hot water to the pan and cook slowly over low heat.
After about two cups of tea, add a little soy sauce to adjust the color and seasoning, continue to cook for a while, and when there is not much water, add starch water to thicken.
There is no need to dry up the soup, just serve it out and leave it there for a long time, long enough for the bitter gourd to absorb the juice. Then when you take a light bite, the slightly bitter bitter gourd will have a meaty aroma.
Due to the special taste of bitter melon, it will not feel greasy but very refreshing. It will taste even better if it is chilled with ice in the summer. However, Song Jin has no ice at the moment, so he can only use well water.
After two servings of stuffed bitter melon were ready, Song Jin placed them on a flat plate to make sure that the bitter melons were soaked in the soup to make them more flavorful. He then put them into a food box and carried the box upstairs.
"Master Lu, I have prepared two servings of your bitter melon wine for you."
While placing the food box on the empty table next to him, Song Jin spoke enthusiastically to Lu Junnian.
"Okay, boss, I'll have someone bring the lunch box back to you later."
"Thank you, Master Lu. Do you want to order any more dishes?"
Song Jin took the opportunity to ask if they wanted more dishes, but Lu Junnian waved his hand and said, "No, two people can't eat that much."
After getting the confirmation, Song Jin did not bother him any more. She bowed slightly and said goodbye and went downstairs. Before leaving, she saw Ji Shubai staring at her, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, which was different from the beginning. When she wanted to take a closer look, the corners of his mouth dropped again, and he buried his head in eating, as if nothing had happened just now.
She suspected she had seen it wrong.
Lu Junnian kept his promise and sent a lunch box back near the hour of You. The messenger brought a message saying that the Imperial Censor Luo wanted Song Jin to come to the government office at noon tomorrow to help make tea. All the tea utensils were ready, so Song Jin could just go.
Song Jin agreed and promised to arrive at the yamen at noon the next day.
Song Jin had heard in the past that government officials were not allowed to buy private houses in the place where they were employed, so they all lived in the government office. But at the same time, he was wondering what a Suzhou native like Ji Shubai should do?
That day Lord Luo said that he didn't go home often, but that meant he still had a house. He couldn't sell the old house just for an official position, right?
Song Jin couldn't figure out the specific situation and was too lazy to think about it. After she arrived at the government office and reported the reason, a clerk led her in.
After the clerk led Song Jin to the room where the censor lived, he told her to wait in the living room. The censor would be there soon, so Song Jin stood obediently in the hall and looked around the room carefully.
The layout is not luxurious, but it has everything you need.
In the center of a rosewood table with cloud patterns is a pink-painted flower-and-bird porcelain screen, with a pine tree bonsai at each end. In front of the table is a rosewood table with a ruyi pattern, with an armchair on each side.
Song Jin's eyes fell on the armchair. Made of huanghuali wood, the lines from the backrest to the armrests were smooth, especially the armrests, which looked like they had been touched countless times and had an oily luster. The backrest was carved with a Ganoderma lucidum pattern, and even the four legs had patterns on them.
Song Jin stared at the chair, unable to take his eyes away. He could not help but quietly walk closer and wanted to touch the antique. However, before he could put his hand on it, a magnetic voice came from behind.
"Manager Wen?"
Song Jin was startled and quickly withdrew his hand and turned around, and immediately saw Lord Censor Luo who had just stepped into the hall.
"Lord Luo."
Song Jin looked like a thief caught in the act, his face turned red and his voice trembled.
Lord Na Luo seemed indifferent and said with a smile: "Why? Do you like this chair? This is a public property of the government office. I can't give it to you on my own initiative."
Lord Luo made a joke, and Song Jin's heart settled down. He also smiled: "I just think it looks good."
"You have a good eye, you really know what's good." Lord Luo said as he passed by Song Jin: "Come, let's go to the back and make tea."
This Lord Luo was exactly the same as Song Jin had in mind: he was not arrogant and had a nice voice. Otherwise, she would not have had the chance to drink tea with him at the same table.
Song Jin followed Lord Luo into the backyard, which was a small patio with no flowers or plants planted inside. Instead, there was an unknown large tree with its branches spread out, occupying half of the sky.
"This place is not like the Chai family's. It's a simple place. You and I can drink tea and talk in this courtyard. No one will disturb us right now."
Song Jin was just happy that Lord Luo was not arrogant, but was immediately stunned by the word "speak".
What was she talking about? What could a small business woman like her have to say to a high-ranking official from the capital? Wouldn't it be a mistake if she talked too much?
I'm going to die.
Song Jin's heart was in his throat, but he could only pretend to be calm: "I am often free, but you are too busy and rarely have time to drink tea."
Lord Na Luo sat down on the stone block under the tree, and a servant came over to set the tea set.
"What a coincidence! When I was working in Guangdong, I got to know a few tea merchants. Later, when I returned to the capital, I often bought some Phoenix Dancong tea. This time, I brought some here. Today, we will not drink Wuyi tea, but this Phoenix Dancong tea."
Song Jin said hello, and then sat down opposite him according to Lord Luo's instructions.
The process of making tea had already been demonstrated that day. Song Jin did not say anything today and focused on making tea. It was Lord Luo who spoke.
"I heard from a casual chat the other day that you are a relative of the mistress of the Suzhou merchant Bai family. Is your last name Wen?"
When Song Jin heard this, he realized it was indeed a fatal question.
"Yes, my surname is Wen, and I am a distant relative of the second master and his wife of the Bai family."
"Oh, that's right."
Song Jin didn't know what was "right", but she soon got the answer.
"Do you know that the wife of the second branch of the Bai family is currently suing the first branch over the issue of establishing an heir?"
Song Jin's hand holding the cup almost slipped when he heard this, and his heart began to pound.
"I have heard a little about this matter, but this is the successor of the Bai family. My last name is Wen, and if I ask too much, I am afraid I will be criticized, so I don't know much."
"Oh, really?" Lord Luo's tone was full of doubt. Song Jin didn't know why he asked this, so he had to collect his thoughts and concentrate on making tea.
"The Bai family is a wealthy family in Suzhou, so the issue of succession is no small matter. Anyone who suddenly inherits such a family business would be happy, but disputes are inevitable."
Song Jin knew that he had something to say, so he didn't ask and just listened to what he had to say next.
"Logically speaking, this is a family matter that should be resolved within the clan. But now it's being brought to court for everyone to judge. Why do you think this happened?"
Song Jin's hand trembled as he poured the tea, and he looked at Lord Luo in confusion.
"What I mean is that the winner and loser of this succession lawsuit are very clear. I can understand that the lawyer encouraged the lawsuit for money, but why did the eldest lady insist on making a fuss? After all, it would not be good for her if the quarrel broke out."
Song Jin thought, do you think she will benefit if they don't fall out? It's hard to take a step forward, and it's also hard to take a step back. People always have to think about themselves.
"I don't quite understand what my aunt is thinking, but since you are talking about establishing an heir, it must be for the sake of the family business."
"Oh, is it just for the family business?"
Song Jin glanced at Lord Luo. Unlike Ji Shubai's scrutinizing gaze, his eyes were gentle instead. She felt relieved.
It's not like she had never seen the way of communicating by using riddles before, but she didn't understand why Lord Luo asked these questions. However, since he asked, Song Jin couldn't avoid it, so she just spoke out.
"Your Excellency is extremely intelligent, so you will naturally understand the reason."
"Understand what?"
Song Jin put down the tea bowl, changed his usual flattering smile, and said seriously: "Once a woman gets married, she belongs to her husband's family. If the husband is reliable, the woman will have someone to rely on for her whole life. But if the husband is unreliable, it is hard to say how she will live her life."
"Take aunt for example, she has no children at this age. A man should think about having offspring, and a woman should think about the future. Now that her husband is dead, aunt should think about herself. If the eldest branch of the Bai family could get along with aunt, there wouldn't be so many problems with the succession. So instead of asking aunt why she wants to fight a lawsuit that she can't win, you might as well think about why aunt doesn't want the eldest branch to inherit."
"So, you know the reason behind this?" Lord Luo was not angry, but asked Song Jin calmly.
"Sir, this woman has her own difficulties. According to the laws of our Ming Dynasty, it is difficult for a woman to inherit a family business. But think about it carefully. When my uncle was lingering among the women, who was responsible for managing this family business? It's not that my aunt is incapable of managing the family business. She was just unlucky to be born a woman."
Lord Na Luo laughed, put his hands on the stone table and asked, "So you think your aunt should inherit it?"
"My Lord, I never said that. You are framing me by saying that."
"Hahaha——" Lord Naro laughed loudly: "It's just a joke, no need to take it seriously. Come on, continue making tea."
Song Jin poured a cup of tea from a deep cup and handed the teacup to Lord Luo. Lord Luo didn't say anything, so she didn't pour it for herself.
Lord Luo saw through her thoughts and picked up the teacup and said, "You can have some too. This year's new Dancong tea is very fragrant. I wonder if you can get used to it."
After hearing this, Song Jin thanked him happily and poured herself a glass. She was used to drinking, but she didn't expect that Shan Cong had become famous during the Ming Dynasty.
"I heard that Shopkeeper Wen's store is newly opened. How did you think of opening a store here?"
Song Jin talked with Lord Luo for a while and was no longer as reserved as he was at the beginning. Now that Lord Luo asked him about it, he spoke frankly.
"My family is in decline and it's hard for us to make ends meet, so I came to my aunt to seek a way out."
"Oh," Lord Na Luo said, twisting his beard, "I heard that your land was taken away by someone, but is it difficult for you to survive?"
“Ahhh—”
Hot tea burns the mouth, and Lord Luo’s words burn the brain.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com