Chapter 43 My heart is racing.
"Did he choke on something or did he add oil to his mouth?"
"Speak properly to me."
...
When Song Jin saw her mother move, she knew that the journey on Wuma Street, which had already taken half an hour, would take even longer. She pursed her lips and called for the coachman to stop. Turning back, she heard Qu Maoze's ambiguous words, and she instantly exploded. She jumped off the carriage and aggressively shoved him.
She used considerable force, and Qu Maoze, caught completely off guard, crashed straight into the bluestone wall behind him. He groaned, clutching his chest, his expression a mixture of shock and pain. Even so, he forced himself to appear unharmed, and instead of blaming her, he cupped his hands in greeting and spoke softly in response.
"Miss Song looks as energetic as ever after just one day; she seems to have adapted well to life in the capital."
As he was talking, a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Song Jin, what's wrong with you? Are you really that hungry? There's been cow dung all along the way that's not enough for you to eat!" Niu Tielan was already a little uncomfortable, but Song Jin's outburst made her take deep breaths, but she still couldn't suppress her anger. She quickly got off the carriage, rushed over with small steps, and grabbed Song Jin's ear.
"Are you a thug or a bandit? Can't you be reasonable for your age? Can't you act like a little girl? Let me tell you, I've put up with you for a long time. You're acting like a crazy woman every day. You'd better know when to stop, or I'll really have to teach you a lesson..."
Back in the countryside, Song Jin was a little tyrant, but at most he was a bit arrogant in his speech and would do some underhanded things to retaliate against those who provoked him. He could be considered a reasonably reasonable little tyrant, and on the surface he still maintained a semblance of decorum.
She's been acting really out of control lately. She's really acting like she's the daughter of the Prime Minister. She's so disrespectful and acts like everyone's a firecracker. She thinks no one can control her.
Niu Tielan had been tolerating her for a long time, but before that she was simply too weak, and with her life hanging in the balance and every day potentially her last, she wanted to leave her daughter with some good memories.
No need for it now.
Even if she eats fried, roasted, boiled, or cold-dressed insects, she'll first give this fuzzy, sprawling foxtail grass a good trimming.
Having not felt her mother's power for a long time, Song Jin's narrow phoenix eyes widened in shock as she was slapped. Her ears burned from being pulled, and her bottom too—ouch, you can't hit someone from both sides!
She grimaced, "Ouch, ouch, ouch, Mommy, talk it over, let's talk it over calmly. Oh, give me some face, it hurts, it really hurts. Okay, it doesn't hurt, Mommy, your hand hurts too. Be careful with your hand..."
Her mother's wrists were as thin as bamboo, with fair skin clinging to the bone. Song Jin didn't dare to struggle, afraid of accidentally breaking her hand.
This enraged Niu Tielan even more. A faint red flush appeared on her cheeks, and her eyes welled up with tears of anger. She grabbed Song Jin and started punching him, but it didn't hurt the thick-skinned Song Jin at all.
The mother and daughter remained locked in a stalemate, while Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi, who had followed behind, were caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to offer any advice or not, and frantically tried to exchange glances with each other.
Song Anzhi: Go and persuade him quickly. You're young, so it doesn't matter if men and women shouldn't touch each other.
Song Qingzhi: Go ahead, you're perfectly capable of being a maid, don't be afraid.
...
Their carriages and horses were simple, nothing special in the bustling Wuma Street, but the people themselves were exceptionally outstanding. Even in the capital, where the average height was the highest, each one stood out from the crowd, with exceptionally striking looks and bearing. Now that a fight had broken out, the surrounding noise gradually subsided, and everyone turned to look at them.
"Madam, Miss Song, why don't you hear me out?"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Qu Maoze stepped forward with a smile and gently placed his hand on the wrist that Niu Tielan was twisting.
Niu Tielan instantly withdrew her hand, took a step back, and looked at him with surprise and suspicion.
Qu Maoze apologized: "I was momentarily excited and did not mean to offend you. Please forgive me, Madam."
Seeing his frank and apologetic demeanor, Niu Tielan realized she might have overreacted. She forced a smile, then glanced at Song Jin, who was covering her ears and backing away, and gave her a warning look.
Just you wait
Song Jin pouted and turned to glare fiercely at Qu Maoze, the culprit.
Pooh
Qu Maoze pretended not to see it. He slightly turned his head to face Niu Tielan, his gaze sweeping over her overly thin figure. He wiped the bloodstain from the corner of his mouth with his finger, and immediately a smear of blood spread across his lips.
Niu Tielan gave Song Jin a subtle glare again, hesitated for a moment, then took out a plain white handkerchief from her pocket and handed it over, saying apologetically, "Young Master Qu, please wipe it. This young lady is rather rude; please don't take offense."
Under Song Jin's angry glare, Qu Maoze took the handkerchief, wiped his mouth little by little, and chuckled: "It's nothing. After all, my identity is unknown, so it's understandable that Miss Song is wary. I came here to find a house. As for Madam, you should rest well after such a bumpy journey."
Niu Tielan frowned: "Looking for a house? Aren't you with Prince Qi?"
Qu Maoze laughed: "Prince Qi is kind-hearted. He sent someone to accompany me to the government office to obtain my identity and arranged a job for me. If I were to ask him to arrange my accommodation as well, wouldn't that be a bit too shameless? Luckily, I still have some silver on me, enough to rent a small house. I'll take care of the rest later."
"I see," Niu Tielan said with a sudden realization. Looking at Qu Maoze's familiar face, she hesitated for a moment before offering her suggestion: "Young Master Qu possesses extraordinary talent and bearing, but you are all alone in the capital and have no memory of your past. My daughter and I are also visiting for the first time, and we happen to be traveling the same way. It is fate that we have met. Why don't we lend you some money so that you can settle down?"
Niu Tielan felt something was off as soon as he finished speaking, fearing that the man thought he looked down on him. He was about to explain...
Qu Maoze smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll gladly accept your offer. I'll write an IOU right away. Even if I can't repay it all at once, I'll repay it in monthly installments. Please don't hesitate to ask if Madam and Miss Song need anything from me in the future."
Niu Tielan's feelings were indescribably complicated. This person not only looked like that person, but even their temperament was strikingly similar. If it weren't for the sixteen years separating them, she would have truly believed they were the same person. Watching him naturally put the handkerchief away after using it, she paused for a moment, then said...
"We've only met by chance, and we're both far from home, so there's no need for this."
Qu Maoze lowered his eyes slightly: "A loan is only a loan if it is returned. Giving without taking is charity. Although I am alone, I am not a beggar."
Niu Tielan interrupted him: "Then write it down. But it's messy here, and it's inconvenient to do anything. Let's go to the restaurant; it's almost lunchtime anyway."
Qu Maoze hesitated: "This..."
"Get on the carriage, or we'll really go hungry."
Niu Tielan didn't give him another chance to speak. After finishing, she turned around gracefully. Her back was slender, her steps were unsteady, and her delicate legs were faintly visible as her emerald green gauze skirt swayed...
Soon after, the view was blocked.
Qu Maoze met Song Jin's narrowed phoenix eyes. Looking at her bright and beautiful face, he smiled gently and asked, "Miss Song, what can I do for you?"
Song Jin squinted at the man in front of her who looked exactly like her so-called biological father in his youth and who happened to have amnesia. She suddenly smiled, walked towards him with a smirk, stood in front of him, and pointed at her neck with her hand, her expression both unrestrained and wicked.
"Don't let me catch you red-handed, or you're dead."
Qu Maoze asked frankly, "I don't know where I went wrong to offend Miss Song. She seems to have a lot of opinions about me."
Song Jin was also very blunt, saying directly: "You don't need to do anything, just standing there is the biggest sin."
Qu Maoze was momentarily speechless, then seemed to understand something: "Judging from this, is it my face? Or perhaps my name? If so, Madam and Miss Song should know who I am."
Two similar phoenix eyes met, one filled with wariness, the other with calm. The air around them seemed to freeze, then dissipated with Niu Tielan's soft voice.
"Are you planning to walk over there?"
Song Jin composed herself, gave Qu Maoze a light snort, and strode away.
Qu Maoze stood quietly, watching her leave without any politeness, watching her nimbly step onto the saddle and enter the carriage, and then watching the carriage curtain being forcefully lifted and floating in the air. He chuckled softly twice, and leisurely walked to the front of the carriage.
The brothers Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi stood there, two men with strikingly different appearances, both wearing the same hesitant expression: "You..."
Qu Maoze remained composed, smiling and bowing to them: "You two must be Young Master Song the Fourth and Fifth, right? I am Qu Maoze. I recently fell off a cliff and lost all memory of my past, only remembering my own name. Later, I met Prince Qi and Miss Song by chance, and came to the capital with them. We have some old acquaintances. Now, I will trouble you two."
After saying that, he lightly boarded the carriage.
The two brothers were left standing there, bewildered and uncertain.
"No way!"
"No way..."
**
Huixianglou is the most famous restaurant in Yong'an City, known for its superior taste and ingredients, as well as its high prices.
If the scholars in Shangyang Village complained that Tonghua Inn was a rip-off, then Huixianglou's prices made no attempt to conceal the fact that they were bandits.
A simple vegetarian dish can cost over a hundred coins, while meat dishes cost twice as much. And this is just for simple green vegetables that don't require much skill. Slightly more complex dishes can easily cost one or two ounces, with the most expensive ones costing over a hundred ounces.
Even though Song Jin didn't care much about money, looking at the exquisitely printed menu, she still said, "This is outrageous! Are there so many suckers in the capital?"
Song Qingzhi, who had been sitting absentmindedly to one side, suddenly perked up, his light green eyes darkening slightly. He explained, somewhat unconvinced,
"Huixianglou uses only the finest rice and vegetables, and its chefs are masters of a century-old culinary tradition with unparalleled skills. You can't find the same taste anywhere else. Even the waitresses here are unlike any other restaurant you'll find. How can they be ripping you off?"
Holding the menu, Song Jin pointed to the "Eighteen Delicacies" listed and said, "One hundred and eighty-eight taels of silver! How precious must that be? I might as well just eat gold!"
Song Qingzhi got excited and said, "Eighteen delicacies, including eight superior and eight inferior delicacies, plus hazelnuts, mushrooms, and sesame seeds, making a total of eighteen delicacies. Considering my experience as a skilled worker in this restaurant, I still think I got a good deal."
Song Jin's lips twitched, and she changed the subject: "Then this one, Cui Shuang Wang, what kind of nonsense is this, 888? Is it bear bile or tiger heart inside?"
Song Qingzhi clapped his hands, raised his chin, and praised, "You're right about that, but only half right. It really is a tiger and a bear, with bear paws and tiger claws as the main ingredients. Tell me, is it worth the price?"
Song Jin silently put down the menu, starting to worry about her tiger daughter's safety: "Is this thing so easy to make? And you even make a dish out of it?"
Song Qingzhi waved his hand: "Of course not. These dishes all need to be ordered in advance. We have people who specialize in collecting these rare ingredients. Once we have them all, we'll let the word out. They're usually in short supply."
The more expensive the item, the rarer it is. The capital city has no shortage of wealthy and powerful people. They order small quantities each time, but come once or twice a year to enjoy something new and build a reputation. There are plenty of people who can afford it, so there's no need to worry about it not selling.
Song Qingzhi's face, that of a foreign nobleman, was filled with arrogance.
Song Jin glanced at the menu, took it, and leaned over to Niu Tielan, pointing at it and muttering, "Mom, what do you like? This menu is all jumbled up and I can't understand it. Let's just order all the expensive items at the end."
Song Qingzhi's arrogance vanished. He pulled out the menu, slammed it onto the table, and said with a heavy heart, "Most of these dishes need to be ordered in advance. The kitchen might not have them. Just tell Kang Sheng what dishes and flavors you like, and he'll arrange it. Don't worry, I can't fool anyone, they're all the best."
Niu Tielan lost interest in the food and glanced at Song Jin: "You go ahead, I'll eat whatever I want."
Song Jin immediately said, "It needs to be replaced."
Niu Tielan's expression changed instantly. He pressed Song Jin's head down and said to Kang Sheng, who was waiting, "Make it a bit stronger in flavor, add more preserved eggplant and Sichuan peppercorns. Just make any soup, but no venison or lamb, anything else is fine."
Song Jin's head was pressed against the table. Hearing her mother order the dishes, she pouted and raised her hand, adding food in a muffled voice: "I want fish, with fewer bones."
Niu Tielan then released her, turning her head to ask Qu Maoze what he wanted to eat, but unexpectedly met his gaze. His eyes were slightly upturned, soft and gentle, and she was stunned for a moment.
"you"
Qu Maoze didn't look away, remaining calm and composed, and asked softly, "What's wrong, Madam?"
Seeing him like this, Niu Tielan's heart raced, and for a moment she felt a pang of disorientation, as if the person in front of her was indeed him, but she quickly regained her senses.
Impossible, absolutely impossible. Sixteen years have passed; how could someone be exactly the same as before? Moreover, after so many years, she wasn't even entirely sure whether the person before her was exactly the same as Qu Maoze in her memory, or just similar.
If this person hadn't lost his memory, she might have been able to get some information out of him, but he didn't even know who he was.
Niu Tielan lowered her eyes slightly, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, and said, "What do you want to eat? It's your turn."
Qu Maoze noticed the subtle change in her expression, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It's good that Madam has made her choice."
Niu Tielan had never thought anything of Qu Maoze calling her "Madam," since many people did it that way. But at this moment, looking into his smiling eyes that seemed to hold a deeper meaning, and hearing him address her as "Madam" and "Son," she suddenly felt a sense of ambiguity.
She leaned closer to Song Jin, feeling rather uncomfortable, and reminded her, "My surname is Niu, so please call me Mrs. Niu."
Qu Maoze raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised this time: "Madam's surname is Niu? Or did I mishear? Is it Liu or Liu?"
Niu Tielan was used to such reactions from outsiders, and she didn't mind at all. She explained earnestly, "It's just 'Niu,' Niu Tielan. 'Niu' means ox for plowing, 'Tie' means blacksmith, and 'Lan' means orchid. So just call me Mrs. Niu."
Qu Maoze looked at her earnest expression, paused, pressed the word "cow" to his lips, pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and chuckled softly, his tone lingering. Although he was speaking normally, there was a hint of tenderness in his voice.
"I see, so it's Mrs. Niu. Maoze greets Mrs. Niu."
Niu Tielan felt a little flustered, so she gave a casual reply, turned her face away, and looked at Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi opposite her.
The two brothers sat side by side, their eyes fixed on the bowls on the table, as quiet as fish, showing none of the frivolousness or dissoluteness of ordinary young masters. Whether towards the mother and daughter of unknown origin, or towards Qu Maoze, the amnesiac stranger, they treated each other with respect and genuine concern.
Niu Tielan thought to herself, the Song brothers have completely different personalities, and they are all capable. Even the most disliked Song Xingzhi, who is frivolous and high-profile, is indeed outstanding in talent. With all of them being so capable, even if the pillar of the family, Song Shang, is missing or dead, they will surely be able to gradually support the family.
She composed herself and slowly said, "This is your shop. You don't need me to tell you what you want to eat, do you?"
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, judging from Song Qingzhi's behavior, he definitely has a connection with Huixianglou.
This is not surprising. A grand restaurant like this, able to establish itself in the capital, must have the support of high-ranking officials and nobles—the Song family is absolutely suitable.
Song Qingzhi straightened his back and said, "Husband, wife, of course, we and the fourth brother aren't picky eaters."
Song Anzhi cautiously began, "Since Madam and younger sister, and this..." Qu Maoze reminded him, "Maoze, Qu Maoze, Fourth Young Master Song, just call me by my full name."
Song Anzhi's heart skipped a beat, and his face grew even weaker. He forced a smile and continued, "Madam, my younger sister, and Young Master Qu have finished ordering. Kang Sheng, please serve the dishes quickly."
Kang Sheng replied, "Yes, sir, please wait a moment."
...
While waiting, Qu Maoze sat at the table, picked up a pen and paper, and began writing an IOU.
Fifty taels of silver, to be repaid in installments over one year, with a minimum payment of one tael of silver per month, and the remaining amount to be paid in the last month.
His calligraphy is vigorous and flowing, and even those unfamiliar with it can see that he has a profound foundation and is not an ordinary scholar.
Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi, who had been observing him closely, looked at the cursive script with admiration, but their eyes also betrayed their surprise. The two brothers exchanged glances, beginning to have some doubts and speculations.
However, this person's words, actions, and even physique really resembled their father.
There's also Maoze, which is also their father's courtesy name.
Then another bout of amnesia, and it just so happens to happen around this time.
They could choose not to suspect anything, and as for that different face, given that it happened to their father, anything was possible.
It's this handwriting.
I can't understand it, I really can't understand it.
The two brothers looked at each other, beginning to doubt their own guesses, their hearts filled with turmoil. Their turmoil stemmed from...
If so, everyone's happy. They'd better be careful, lest they don't even know how they died.
If not, shouldn't this brat also die for daring to seduce their father's woman in front of them?
That gigolo, living off a woman and borrowing money, even paying it back monthly—who wouldn't see his ruthless intentions? They don't care about these pittances; they might throw them away when they feel like it, but they're not going to let some sleazy man use this to get close to their only wife.
The two brothers looked at each other, torn between death and a gruesome end. They chose the choice between dying halfway, regardless of whether Qu Maoze was the one or the other; anyone who stopped them would have something to say.
Looking at the IOU, Song Qingzhi quickly pulled out a fifty-tael silver note from his pocket and said with a smile, "With us here, how can we let Madam pay? I'll do it. I think Brother Qu is a handsome man. Even if you are suffering for a while, I believe you can quickly rise to prominence and make a name for yourself."
Qu Maoze looked up, his phoenix eyes gazing at him quietly. Song Qing felt a chill run down his spine. He slowly said, "I was rude. I only thought that Madam Niu was kind and helpful, and that we were traveling together, so I thought we could become friends. I forgot the difference between men and women, and I also forgot that you are the wife of the Grand Secretary. I hope you won't take offense."
Song Qingzhi couldn't help but nod. "That's right, that's right. You've got some sense, kid. If you know what's good for you, get lost in the future."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Niu Tielan, who had been silent just moments before, immediately looked up, pulled out a fifty-tael silver note, and placed it heavily on top of Song Qingzhi's note, making a resounding thud.
“What’s mine is mine, and what’s theirs is theirs. Does entering the Song family mean I can’t even see men? Should I atone for my previous medical treatment with my death?”
Song Qingzhi and Song Anzhi's faces stiffened, and they apologized repeatedly.
"Madam is very serious."
"We had absolutely no such intention."
"You are our elder, we should listen to you."
...
Because of this little incident, Niu Tielan even took the initiative to suggest looking at houses with Qu Maoze, a 'friend' who was unfamiliar with the area, so as to prevent him from being deceived.
Of course, this process definitely involves everyone working together.
On the way back, Song Jin sat in the stable, glaring fiercely at Song Qingzhi the entire time, her eyes filled with the meaning that he was doomed.
After all, if Song Qingzhi hadn't done that, her mother definitely wouldn't have offered to accompany someone to look at houses. And since she'd just been punished for targeting Qu Maoze, she could only direct her anger at that good-for-nothing Song Qingzhi.
She's so angry!
Sitting on his horse, Song Qingzhi also looked utterly dejected.
He also felt he was doomed, utterly doomed.
Song Anzhi sat down next to him and patted him on the shoulder sympathetically: "A real man..."
Song Qingzhi didn't even bother to look at him. Did he really think he was the only one going to die?
...
The people in the carriage, each with their own thoughts, quietly returned to the Song family.
Song Shunzhi, dressed in a dark red official robe, stood at the door, his posture upright and his face serious. When their carriage returned, he strode forward and stopped it.
"You two get down here and perk up!" He first scolded his two listless brothers, then became serious and whispered to Song Jin and Niu Tielan, "Madam and younger sister will return by carriage through the side gate. Please tidy your appearance briefly in the carriage. The eunuchs from the palace have been ordered to come and see you."
Don't be afraid.
Song Jin and Niu Tielan looked at each other in bewilderment.
Is this the treatment the family members of the Grand Secretary receive?
Guilty
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