Su Ruanruan put away the silver notes and briefly explained to them the methods of writing with scallion juice and heating to reveal the characters.
I also mentioned how to make the words appear in white vinegar and carrot peel extract.
Jin Yu exclaimed, "This is truly unheard of. I wonder how Miss Su learned of this method."
Su Ruanruan, "..."
She couldn't very well say that this was something learned in later generations, and she was pondering how to explain it.
Huo Yan patted her head. "He's learned and well-read. Did he tell you that?"
Although no name was mentioned, she knew perfectly well who "he" referred to. Upon being suddenly brought up Mu Bai, Su Ruanruan's smile froze for a moment, then she nodded nonchalantly, "Mm."
She stood up. "You guys chat, I'll go check out the shop again."
Su Ruanruan didn't go to the braised meat shop; she could walk back to that all-too-familiar alley with her eyes closed.
The courtyard gate was tightly closed. She couldn't remember how many times she had stood at the gate, waving her arms and watching Mu Bai go to the academy.
She touched the red bean bracelet on her wrist, his soft whispers filling her ears.
A chill seemed to wash over her as Su Ruanruan looked up at the sky.
Snowflakes, like cotton wool, fluttered and danced, and in no time the ground was covered with white frost.
Su Ruanruan reached out to touch the coolness.
Brother Mu Bai, you said you loved white and snow the most. I wonder where you are now? Is it snowing where you are?
You once promised me, "To grow old together in the snow."
But now, none of us can keep that vow.
Sensing someone behind her, Su Ruanruan turned around. The man, like her, had a thin layer of white frost on his head.
Su Ruanruan looked up at him, her fair, snow-white cheeks slightly red from the cold.
Huo Yan looked down at her with calm, unwavering eyes. "You still can't forget him."
Su Ruanruan looked away, stretched out her hand, and watched the snowflakes gradually melt at her fingertips.
After a long silence, Huo Yan finally spoke, "I've already sent people to escort your uncle's family to Yiyang. They set off early this morning. They're worried about you..."
Su Ruanruan, "Yiyang?"
"Yes, it's Yiyang. General Zhao is stationed there. Do you know who your cousin-in-law is?"
Su Ruanruan, of course, had no idea.
"General Zhao spent his entire life stationed in Yiyang. Years ago, he unintentionally saved a rich girl from drowning, which ruined her reputation. In the end, he had no choice but to marry her."
"The two lived a respectful life together for five years, but in the end he fell in love with the general's wife's personal maid. The Zhao family's ancestral rules forbade taking concubines. The maid did not want to put the general in a difficult position, and she also knew that she was sorry to her young mistress, so she left for a distant place while pregnant."
"Later, the general's wife fell seriously ill and eventually passed away, and their only daughter also married far away."
"He has been searching for them for the past few years."
"You mean... my cousin-in-law is General Zhao's daughter? And her mother is that maid?"
Huo Yan said, "That's right, I saw her when I was a child. I saw her from afar when you and your uncle broke off your engagement in that village. Although it has been a long time, I still think she looks like her."
“A few days ago, I went to the village and asked her in person, and it was indeed her.”
Su Ruanruan smiled, "That's good, now my uncle's family has someone to rely on."
Huo Yan pulled her into his arms. "It's good that they left. At least they won't fall victim to Chu Ran's evil deeds. I promised them I would take care of you."
"Also, you should keep your promise to me."
"Okay." Su Ruanruan smiled bitterly.
That evening, a sedan chair was delivered from the tofu shop to Huo Yan's home.
Su Ruanruan, dressed in peach pink, sat on the bed, while the sounds of Huo Yan and the other three playing and laughing could be heard from inside the main room.
Ziwu stood aside, feeling very disappointed. She never imagined that her master and Young Master Mubai would end up like this.
Although the mistress had no family background, her appearance and knowledge were in no way inferior to those young ladies from noble families.
Why did she end up as someone's concubine?
Seeing her indignant expression, Su Ruanruan couldn't help but laugh, unsure whether she was trying to comfort herself or Ziwu.
"So what if I become a concubine? It's just a way to save my life."
Once Huo Yan gets married, she will be free.
By then, she should have already developed the ability to protect herself.
Purple Mist was unaware of these things.
Su Ruanruan asked, "How did things end up at the braised meat shop today?"
Purple Mist: "Everyone who came to the shop was refunded their copper coins. Some customers couldn't get the pattern printed, and when they made a fuss, the officials took them away."
"only……"
"Just what?" Su Ruanruan asked.
"But those laborers returned all the scraps of paper to the shop and left without taking a penny, saying they couldn't possibly take advantage of such a bargain..."
Su Ruanruan wasn't too surprised. She had sold steamed buns in their area before when she was disguised as Su He.
Don't let their manual labor fool you; they are a loyal, helpful, and united group, not a disorganized bunch.
The original intention of the braised meat shop was not to make money; she just wanted to use the money to do good deeds, to accumulate merit for Xiao Xi, and to hope that he would be happy in his next life.
Since some people don't cherish it, she will give this blessing to those who do.
“Starting tomorrow, once the food is ready, we will deliver it directly to the coolies market in the south by cart. We will no longer hand out paper slips. We will lower the price by two coins and sell it only to them. If anyone else tries to buy it, we will not sell it to them.”
"We only cook one meal a day at noon, and the menu changes every three days. If there are any leftovers, we give them to the elderly and beggars on the street so as not to waste them."
"Master, how are we supposed to make money like this?"
Su Ruanruan looked into the distance and said, "It's better not to make such a small amount of money. I wasn't expecting to make anything from it anyway."
"Now, all you need to do is manage the hot pot restaurant and the tofu shop well. It would be best to select a few clever employees to mentor. You'll have to hand over this place to them sooner or later. You don't need to go to the tofu shop every day; just have a reliable employee look after it. Sooner or later, I'll take you with me."
Purple Mist: "Take me away? Where to?"
Su Ruanruan fiddled with the teacup in front of her. "My ambitions lie elsewhere; there is a wider world out there."
Changing the subject, Su Ruanruan looked outside, "For example, the capital city."
Now that Huo Yan is protecting her, she can go and have a look around the capital.
Ziwu never expected that her master would want to develop his career in the capital.
She had heard her father describe the prosperity of the capital city when she was very young, but unfortunately she never had the chance to see it.
But now that the master has become someone else's concubine, how can he go to the capital?
"You should go back quickly, I don't need you to guard this place."
There's no need to drink nuptial wine, nor to lift the veil.
After seeing Zi Wu off, Su Ruanruan waited for a while but Huo Yan didn't come in.
Feeling sleepy, I went to bed first.
In a daze, someone grabbed my waist from behind.
A tingling, itchy sensation spread through my earlobes, and a strong smell of alcohol wafted into my nose.
"You're finally mine."
That night, a fierce wind and torrential rain raged, and the red candles flickered.
In the morning, the entire courtyard was transformed into a world of white snow.
Su Ruanruan huddled under the covers, not wanting to move a single finger. She had never seen such a fierce man before.
If she were the prey, he would truly devour her whole.
My body was very tired, but my mind was very clear.
Huo Yan, who had finished practicing his sword in the courtyard, came in and saw her staring at him with her eyes open.
Her face, so beautiful it could topple kingdoms, was flushed, her skin as white as snow. Her almond-shaped eyes were slightly red, traces of tears from the previous night.
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