Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Send a letter alone...
The last time Shopkeeper Shi saw Tangyuan was when he was one month old. Back then, he looked better than when he was newborn, though still a little yellow. But with big eyes and a good complexion, he was simply a beautiful child. Now, he's chubbier and whiter, and doesn't have the same overfeeding that some wealthy families have, resulting in a chin with several layers.
Tangyuan looked very pleasant, with round, pink eyes, a nose very similar to Xiao Xun's, and a similar face shape. As soon as she entered, she stretched out her hands in Lin Qiuran's direction. Shopkeeper Shi couldn't help but tease, "Oh, isn't this little Tangyuan?"
Zhao Xing looked at Lin Qiuran, then at Tangyuan, "Madam Lin, this is your baby. If he didn't look like me, I wouldn't have recognized him. I thought he was your sister, and you already have a baby."
Zhao Xing was quite surprised to see a child this age like Tangyuan. After Lin Qiuran took the child over, he touched Tangyuan's little hand and said, "He's doing well. He's not shy at all."
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "She's not even two months old yet. Zhao Xing, this is my mother. You can just call her Auntie Sun from now on."
Zhao Xing chuckled, "Auntie Sun, I'm a new clerk in the shop. My name is Zhao Xing. You can call me Xiao Zhao or Xiao Xing."
Sun smiled and responded, then spoke to Lin Qiuran, "Xiao Xun sent back two packages, but I didn't open them. You can go back and take a look. I'm sure they're Tang Yuan's mooncakes. The weather is nice today, and the sun is shining brightly. I took Tang Yuan out to bask in the sun. I was just strolling around the house anyway, so I came to see you."
Tangyuan was a little attached to Lin Qiuran, even though it was Madam Xu who was feeding him. After all, after being pregnant for several months, the person he was most familiar with was Lin Qiuran.
Lin Xia also came with her, carrying a small bag filled with diapers and other things. It was a lot of things to carry when going out.
Lin Qiuran said, "It's warm now, it might be nice to take him out for a walk."
Tangyuan was now energetic and not sleepy. He kept looking around the restaurant, his eyes full of curiosity about the unfamiliar environment, and a bit of vigilance, because after looking for a while, he turned his head to Lin Qiuran's arms.
He looked at Manager Shi and the others curiously, but his expression was very serious and his lips were tightly pursed.
Lin Qiuran couldn't help but smile, "You guys should be busy, and go back when you need to."
She took the child outside. The sun was not too strong and the wind was gentle at this time of year. It was very comfortable to enjoy the breeze and sun.
Lin Qiuran never asked Sun to put a hat on Tangyuan when she brought him out to cover his face. It’s okay for boys to have some dark spots, health is the most important thing.
Lin Qiuran didn't ask about the things Xiao Xun sent. Sun didn't open it, so she definitely didn't know what it was. She would go back and check it out in the evening.
She could actually feel that part of Sun's kindness to her was compensation for Xiao Xun's absence. She could feel all of this, but now she didn't have much affection for Xiao Xun. As long as Tang Yuan had a father who was an official and no other brothers and sisters, Lin Qiuran didn't really care.
Lin Qiuran was very happy to see the dumplings today, because he usually only saw them at night.
She smiled and asked Sun Tangyuan if she had been well behaved that morning, and then told them to be careful on the way back. "It's good to go out for a walk more often at this time of year. Otherwise, you'd be bored at home all the time. Otherwise, let my dad ask a carpenter to make a small cart for you. It would save effort."
Sun: "The glutinous rice balls are so heavy, it's not hard at all."
Lin Qiuran: "Won't he be heavier when he grows up? Besides, it's more comfortable for him to lie down. When he can sit later, it will be more convenient."
When summer comes, adults will definitely feel too hot to hold the baby.
Sun nodded, "That's true. I'll tell your father."
As they walked, Lin Qiuran talked to Sun about the shop. Sun was also the owner, so it was not surprising that she didn't know the employees. "Zhao Xing used to be a waiter at Yuxiang Teahouse. He was quite capable."
Sun sighed and smiled, and the few wrinkles that were once obvious on her face now faded a little. "It's enough for the shop to have you. Your father is just a rough guy who knows nothing. Don't bother with him."
Sun was thinking about what happened last night. Xiao Dashi didn't understand anything and just kept interrupting. It was useless to say anything. Lin Qiuran was already exhausted all day.
Xiao Dashi now took care of the household affairs, often returning to Xiaojia Village to weed and fertilize the land after planting, otherwise he would leave it alone. He was a good farmer and was willing to tend to the crops, so the shop was taken over by Manager Shi.
Lin Qiuran said, "How could that be? Dad is doing this for the good of the family. Manager Shi and the others know more about the shop, so with each of them doing their job, I can focus on cooking. Dad also knows more about farm work, so I haven't had to worry about spring planting."
Sun smiled. That made sense. If she and Xiao Dashi were to do the business, not to mention that they didn't have the skills, even if they did, they would probably just set up a small stall like her Aunt Yu's family, and would not think of opening a shop.
Getting up early and going to bed late is even more tiring.
Aunt Yu's family arrived in the county later than the Xiaos, but they'd been around for quite some time. Adding those vegetables to their stall had made them more profitable, but they were thinking about buying a house for their son and getting him married first, so everything else had to be put on hold. By comparison, Mrs. Sun had much less to worry about.
Now all she wants to do is look at Tangyuan. Tangyuan is so cute that Sun wishes she could take it with her every day.
Sun stayed for a while and then went back with the dumplings.
Lin Qiuran and Lin Dong slept in the restaurant for a while. She also gave Manager Shi the key to the teahouse. If he didn't go home, he could go to the teahouse next door to sleep for a while, which would be more comfortable than lying on a recliner.
But they could only sleep there for two days. Manager Shi went to the Xu family and finalized the decoration. A larger teahouse would definitely cost more, and the kitchen needed to be remodeled, which would cost an estimated 40 to 50 taels of silver.
The decoration was for the shop, so it was recorded in the shop's account next month. Although the money for buying the shop was also related to the shop, it was bought by the family after all, and had nothing to do with Manager Shi, so it was counted separately.
The profit sharing must be clear. Construction will begin the day after tomorrow, and half of the money will be paid first. The restaurant will provide two meals. This is all agreed upon.
Manager Xu knew that Xu Yuanheng wanted Lin Qiuran to expand the business, so he wrote a letter to tell him the news.
Manager Xu couldn't help but sigh that Madam Lin was also extraordinary.
In the afternoon, Zhao Xing arrived early, a cloth hanging over his shoulder, wiping and sweeping here and there. He also asked Shopkeeper Shi, "Shopkeeper, do we eat like this every day in our shop?"
Shopkeeper Shi touched his chin and said, "Not really. It depends on whether there are any leftovers. Today's braised pork and ginger duck is leftover. If not, then there's nothing to eat. If it's simple, we can just stir-fry some shredded potatoes or make some shredded cabbage."
New dishes depend on whether Lin Qiuran wants to eat them. If she wants to eat them, she will cook them. If she doesn't want to eat them, she won't cook them. They are just servants. If they want to eat, they can pay for it. Wan Niang has done this before. However, with two earners in Wan Niang's family, life is easy.
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. "Shredded potatoes are also good. I've never eaten anything this good before."
Shopkeeper Shi gave him a suspicious look, "You... earn quite a bit, so why are you so stingy with yourself?"
It’s so skinny, not even as plump as Tangyuan.
The teahouse is right next to the restaurant, but I didn’t even come to eat there.
Manager Shi works in a restaurant, so he can eat here on weekdays, otherwise he would definitely come here.
Zhao Xing smiled and said, "I should save money to marry a wife. Look at me, I'm short, not strong enough, and I don't have anyone at home. If I don't save some money, I won't be able to marry a wife."
Zhao Xing was very calm and collected. He noticed the visitor and waved his hands. "No more talking, no more talking. A guest has arrived."
Manager Shi thought he was very capable and could do the work of two people. If this continued for a month, then Zhao Xing was the right choice.
Zhao Xing worked briskly in the afternoon, and business was good in the evening. With an extra person at the front, everyone performed their duties in an orderly manner. After closing, Zhao Xing and his colleagues helped to tidy up the shop. Lin Qiuran locked the door and went home with Lin Dong.
Xiao Dashi came to pick us up today. He had nothing to do, so he just drove the car and provided pick-up and drop-off services.
Lin Qiuran was exhausted after a busy day, especially standing up while cooking. Taking a bus home was easier than walking. She had only just finished her confinement, but she had already lost a lot of weight.
When she got home, Lin Qiuran went to see Tangyuan first. She caught him awake, looking up with delight, and trying to turn over.
But he was still weak, and he reached to the side, but he couldn't turn over. He didn't get anxious or angry when he couldn't turn over, and tried a second time. Until he saw Lin Qiuran coming back, he babbled happily again.
Lin Qiuran hooked her finger at him, and Tangyuan stretched out her hands to be hugged. She picked Tangyuan up and held him in her arms, "Madam Xu, there's no rush to turn him over. Just let him turn over by himself for fun. Don't help him."
Lin Qiuran didn't want to force things. It had been less than two months, and he probably couldn't sit still after he started to grow.
Lin Qiuran instructed Madam Xu and the others, "He's very active right now, so we need to keep a close eye on him."
Lying in bed for over a month was enough. Lin Qiuran nuzzled Tangyuan's face. Tangyuan grew so fast that sometimes, as a mother, she didn't notice, and Tangyuan would learn a skill.
Tang Yuan hummed, and Lin Qiuran couldn't understand, "Come on, let's see what your father sent you."
Lin Qiuran carried Tangyuan back to the house, put several layers of diapers on the bed and put him on the bed.
She still really hoped that Tangyuan would have a father who loved and cared about him. She didn't know what Xiao Xun had sent. If there was nothing for Tangyuan, it didn't matter, because Tangyuan didn't remember things anyway.
There were two packages on the ground, one of which was long and narrow. Lin Qiuran opened it and saw that it contained several pieces of fabric.
Two of them had bright and fashionable patterns, obviously for her, and one had a dull color, meant for Xiao Dashi of the Sun family.
A few feet of blue and white cotton cloth, probably for Tangyuan.
Lin Qiuran had never seen these materials in Yu'an, and he estimated that they were from Xuzhou.
In the other package were four wooden boxes, which contained toys bought for Tangyuan, including rattles, clay figurines and small windmills. Tangyuan had all of these, which was not uncommon. The more unusual one was a clockwork puppy that could move. Lin Qiuran had nothing to play with in that era, so she couldn't help but wind it up and watch the puppy run two circles on the ground.
Then he showed it to Tangyuan, "Tangyuan, look, this is what your father sent you."
This puppy is nice.
Tangyuan is of the dog sign, and there is also a puppy doll, but it doesn’t look like one.
Lin Qiuran smiled and opened another box, which contained a few silk flowers, two flower hairpins, and a letter.
Lin Qiuran didn't read the letter immediately, but instead looked at the other boxes. One contained medicinal herbs, probably something he'd left for his family since he'd been injured. However, since he didn't understand medicinal herbs, he had no idea what they were for. The other contained eight taels of monthly allowance, all small change.
Xiao Xun has never returned since Tangyuan was born. Lin Qiuran accepted the money as it was for household expenses.
After looking through the things, Lin Qiuran called Sun in, "Mom, these are what Xiao Xun sent back."
Lin Qiuran didn't know how to make clothes, so she had the material taken by Sun. She also put the herbs in the warehouse, hoping they wouldn't be needed. Lin Qiuran read the letter first, and if she told Sun and the others, she would read it later.
Sun nodded and said nothing else. She just wanted Lin Qiuran to know that Xiao Xun was also thinking about her family and them.
Of course, it was not Sun who asked Xiao Xun to send things or write letters back. If she had to say such a thing, what use would Xiao Xun be at home?
How did Xu Yuanheng know to bring a gift to Tangyuan on the full moon day? How did he know to bring something to Lin Qiuran? Sun said everything, so what was Xiao Xun doing?
Sun was not partial, she just felt that she couldn't worry about it all her life, but fortunately, Xiao Xun knew how to do it without her having to mention it.
Lin Qiuran coaxed Tangyuan to sleep, carried her to the side room, and then returned to the room to read the letter. She knew Xiao Xun was illiterate, so she didn't think the letter was written by Xiao Xun.
But when she opened the letter, although she had never seen Xiao Xun write, she could clearly recognize Xiao Xun's handwriting.
It was a bit like what Lin Qiuran had written when she was just learning to write calligraphy. The characters were very large. She glanced at the whole thing and found that some of the characters were correct, some were written incorrectly, and some characters were directly replaced by symbols.
For example, Xiao Xun wrote the word "tangyuan" twice. When he wrote it for the third time, it became a mess, and then he simply drew a circle at the back instead.
Lin Qiuran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This letter was difficult to read.
But if you look closely, you can see
———
Qiu Ran:
I can't come back this month, so I've chosen a gift for Tangyuan, hoping he'll grow up strong. I can't go home often in Xuzhou, so please take the trouble to take care of Tangyuan and my parents.
I have learned to read and want to read more books and learn more about military tactics so that I won't fight recklessly in the future. I will try my best to make meritorious service and bring you to Xuzhou.
I don’t know when I will go home next time. If you, Tangyuan, or my parents have anything to say to me, you can send a letter here.
Lin Qiuran looked at the place written at the end of the letter.
The Tangyuan in the letter was really a Tangyuan. Fortunately, its name was Tangyuan. If it was really called Hu Zi, Xiao Xun would have drawn a tiger.
Lin Qiuran smiled, but didn't show the letter to Sun. She'd probably be surprised by what she read. These days are peaceful and prosperous, and he didn't go to war this year. Whether it was for promotion or victory, he naturally had to find ways to improve himself and not be a reckless person. Knowing what you should do is good, and if he gets promoted and the emperor gives him a house, that would be great too.
The family doesn’t have much money now, and Lin Qiuran doesn’t know whether houses in Xuzhou are expensive or not.
She put the letter back into the box and put the things away one by one. When Tangyuan grew up, she could show him these things.
She went to the study and wrote a reply. She told Xiao Xun that she had bought the teahouse next door and that Tangyuan was learning to lift his head. When he came back, he would probably be able to turn over a new leaf. Everything was fine at home, so he didn't have to worry.
Lin Qiuran didn't write much, and it's too late today, so he can only send it tomorrow.
She placed the letter in an envelope, sealed it with wax, and returned to the house with the candle. It was pitch black outside, with no moon in sight. Lin Qiuran looked up and saw dark clouds in the sky. She collected the clothes and diapers that were drying in the yard.
It rained at night, and when Lin Qiuran woke up, the stone slabs on the ground were wet.
Tangyuan didn't go out during the confinement period. It was the first time he saw the rain after the full moon. His face was full of curiosity. Lin Qiuran could imagine him growing up and going out to play in the water.
Lin Qiuran warned, "Don't go out even if the rain stops. I'm afraid it will start again."
Today she and Lin Dong went there holding umbrellas. There were not many people on the road. Lin Qiuran guessed that business was not very good, so she prepared fewer dishes.
There were not many people at noon, and it was quiet. Lin Qiuran worked for a while and then took a break. He could also find time to talk to Wan Niang. However, in the afternoon, Wang Zhubu came and Manager Shi talked for a while. Then he came to the kitchen to tell Lin Qiuran that the people from above would arrive at 3 p.m. today.
Lin Qiuran asked, "Should we keep the food simple?"
Shopkeeper Shi: "That's what he said."
It just so happened that there were fewer people today, so Lin Qiuran had time to cook the dishes for the post station. The restaurant had both chicken and duck, so Lin Qiuran asked the shopkeeper Shi to kill a chicken and a duck, and found dried fish and cuttlefish from the kitchen. She made the broth and cut small pieces of chicken to cook into chicken floss later.
Wan Niang looked at so many things and couldn't help asking, "Isn't it simple? It's hard to say simple, but doesn't the post station have a cook?"
Lin Qiuran smiled and said, "The post station is supposed to look simple, but the food is not simple. I wouldn't be happy to eat it if it were really simple."
Wan Niang was stunned.
Lin Qiuran said, "If the official is honest, he should make sure the dishes are simple and not difficult for others to prepare. If they are delicious, it means he is a good cook. If they are high-ranking officials, they have tasted all kinds of delicacies. If they make the dishes look simple but taste delicious, it shows the hospitality of the guests."
Wan Niang laughed dumbly, "There are so many tricks here."
Lin Qiuran: "That's for sure."
Spring planting was already over before we arrived. However, Xuzhou is so large, with so many counties under it, and if we delay two days here and two days there, we won't be able to catch up with the people in time for planting.
It was still raining outside, so the officials must have caught a cold. Lin Qiuran planned to make a pot of dumpling soup and then steam a basket of large dumplings. The other dishes would be warm, homely, and delicious.
Lin Qiuran took out the dried shrimps from the jar and asked Wan Niang to grind them into powder and stir-fry the bok choy later.
Restaurants also have this dish, called dried shrimp and cabbage. They don't make hand-shredded cabbage anymore, but this is what they do. The dried shrimps are quite large, and the result is a salty, fragrant, and delicious dish. Otherwise, if officials saw this, they would definitely say it was extravagant and not a good dish for home cooking.
When frying this, Lin Qiuran poured a spoonful of broth on it before serving. She gave it to Wan Niang to taste, and Wan Niang thought it tasted better than what she cooked for guests.
The cooking time is perfect, the cabbage is very crisp and tender, without any astringency, and it is fresh and sweet. But when you think about it, it contains the essence of a chicken, a duck and dried fish, so it is normal that it tastes good.
No wonder her cooking tastes bad, where does she put these things?
Chicken stewed with mushrooms is a common home-cooked dish. When cooking, a piece of pork belly is put in it. It is more fragrant than dry stew and the stewed soup is thick. Of course, the meat is taken out when serving.
Just bring a portion of the braised pork from the shop and it will be almost done.
They are all home-cooked dishes. The stewed chicken also includes chicken heads and feet. Lin Qiuran will be made into the dumpling soup only after the people from the post station come to pick him up, otherwise the soup will easily get messy.
He only received one penny of silver, which was lower than the salary Lin Qiuran earned at the post station at that time. He couldn't even get his original investment back. It was really just a favor.
The people from Xuzhou came in a horse-drawn carriage. County Magistrate Li and his men had been waiting there, but they did not see the prefect Zhao Jinshan. Instead, they saw the co-magistrate and the magistrate of the prefecture, one a fifth-rank official and the other a sixth-rank official.
The Tongzhi said, "Lord Zhao was busy with agricultural affairs in other counties, so he sent us here."
It was also because Zhao Jinshan had been here once before the New Year, so he felt more at ease with this place.
County Magistrate Li nodded and said, "First things first. My lords, please take a rest first. The food is ready."
Qian Tongzhi hummed a sound, but as he looked at the post station, his eyes were filled with disdain. When he looked at the food, his disdain grew even stronger.
County Magistrate Li lowered his head slightly and said, "The food is rough. Please try it first to see if it suits your appetite."
Several people and their attendants stood aside to serve. County Magistrate Li also stood aside. Qian Tong knew: "Last time I tried Yu An's home-cooked food, it was very good. Home-cooked food is cooked so well. It is true that beautiful mountains and clear waters are nourishing."
County Magistrate Li nodded with a smile. After drinking a bowl of dumpling soup, Qian Tongzhi's eyes lit up. He then tasted the stir-fried cabbage, and his eyebrows almost fell off.
Qian Tongzhi looked at the dish. It was just an ordinary dish, but he could taste the freshness of the shrimp. Yu Anke was not near the sea. He couldn't help but smile, "County Magistrate Li, this dish is extraordinary. You are also a wonderful person."
The last time Zhao Jinshan was here, he didn't pay much attention to the dishes, but when he thought about it carefully, he realized that he had put a lot of thought into these dishes.
Qian Tongzhi smiled and said, "I don't need to look at the fields anymore. I trust you to do the work. These few days, just take a look at the customs and people of Yu'an."
He thought working in the fields was tiring, so only Zhao Jinshan was willing to go.
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