Chapter 85 Sesame Peanut Rice Cake
A few days later, when Zhao Zhongcheng returned home, he learned that his daughter had gone next door to keep Old Mrs. Lu company. She hadn't even had a sip of tea and angrily ran over to find her.
Zhao Zhongcheng had visited the Lu family many times and knew the place well. When he arrived at the old lady Lu's courtyard and heard his daughter's laughter, he suppressed his anger and tried his best to enter calmly.
"Yingying, your father is here." Grandma Lu squinted at him, recognized Zhao Zhongcheng, and patted the little girl's hand with a smile. "He's here to take you back."
"Then I won't go back. I want to stay with you," Zhao Yingying huffed. Seeing her father return, her biggest concern was, "Father, have you seen Brother Lu?"
"Mm." Zhao Zhongcheng nodded.
Grandma Lu was also very concerned about her grandson's situation and asked anxiously, "How is my Lu Zhao? He went to Lin'an and only brought a clumsy wine seller with him. He must have lost weight. It must have been hard on him."
"Grandma, Lu Zhao is actually doing well; he's even stronger than before," Zhao Zhongcheng said truthfully.
"How is that possible?"
Grandma Lu didn't believe it. "Although Lin'an is wealthy, I know my grandson's temperament. With his meager salary and lack of business acumen, his life must be incredibly difficult."
Speaking of this, she became angry, blaming it all on her lecherous son, who had brought suffering to her beloved grandson. But she couldn't scold her son in front of others, so she could only sigh softly.
Zhao Yingying didn't believe Lu Zhao would be doing well either, thinking it was just something her father used to appease Old Madam Lu.
Zhao Zhongcheng opened his mouth, but didn't say anything more about Lu Zhao. Instead, he said he had something to discuss with his daughter and asked her to come home with him.
"Go on, Yingying. Your father has had a long journey. As his daughter, you should go back and talk to him," said Old Mrs. Lu. Zhao Yingying had no choice but to go back with her father.
As soon as she entered the Zhao family's gate, Zhao Yingying said unhappily, "Why did you insist on making me come back? I just arrived at the Lu family."
"You're not allowed to go to the Lu family anymore," Zhao Zhongcheng said, frowning.
"Why?" Zhao Yingying asked, displeased. "You know how I feel about Brother Lu, don't you? Why won't you let me go to the Lu family? Have you mentioned my situation to Brother Lu?"
She asked several questions in a row, all about Lu Zhao. She had liked Lu Zhao since she was a child, and among all the men around her, Lu Zhao was the most outstanding, being both literate and skilled in martial arts.
Zhao Zhongcheng was furious and shouted, "I said you can't go, and that's final! Lu Zhao said there's absolutely no possibility between you two, and told you to give up on that idea! I'm so ashamed. I went to him all this time, only to be met with a cold shoulder!"
Seeing his daughter's stunned expression, he softened his tone, "Yingying, there are many good men in the world besides Lu Zhao. Dad will find you someone better, okay?"
"No way! I only like Lu Zhao!"
Zhao Yingying cried, "Why doesn't he like me? Why?"
"Tsk, you little brat, you're getting more and more unruly. Did I spoil you too much before?" Zhao Zhongcheng put down his face. "Stop crying. Lu Zhao will never return to Bianjing in this lifetime. There is absolutely no possibility between you and him."
He hardened his heart and instructed the servants around his daughter, "Keep a close eye on Miss and don't let her go to the Lu family again, or I'll break your legs!"
The words "absolutely impossible" kept echoing in Zhao Yingying's mind, and she cried bitterly.
Zhao Zhongcheng didn't budge. He had already humbled himself by making this trip for his daughter. But the Zhao family would never marry their daughter to a man without ambition.
Seeing his daughter shake her head, Zhao Zhongcheng decided to turn away from the matter and go to his wife to discuss it.
~
Meanwhile, the Qiao family has specially closed for the day, for no other reason than that Qiao Mianmian has come of age.
In ancient times, the coming-of-age ceremony (及笄) signified a woman's coming of age. In most families, women would wait until they reached this age before marrying them off.
Only poor families who simply cannot afford to raise their daughters will marry them off early.
Today, not only the Lin family's wedding party has arrived, but also the second and third branches of the Qiao family, as well as other neighbors, all coming to witness the ceremony.
Among those who came, Madam Luo was the highest-ranking. Madam Lin hoped that her daughter could also live a good life, so she specially asked Madam Luo to help with her coming-of-age ceremony.
After Madam Luo placed the hairpin in Qiao Mianmian's hair, the ceremony was complete, and everyone praised her.
Mrs. He looked at her niece with a smile, "Our Mianmian has grown into a great beauty."
“Mianmian looks like my sister-in-law. My sister-in-law was beautiful when she was young,” Zhou Shi chimed in.
Chun Sheng's mother nodded in agreement. "When I first saw Chun Sheng's mother, I thought a fairy had come to our alley. Now Mianmian is even more beautiful. I watched Mianmian grow up. When Mianmian gets married, you must call me."
“Me too!” Jin immediately replied.
Amidst laughter and cheers, everyone offered their blessings to Qiao Mianmian.
Looking at everyone, Qiao Mianmian felt so warm that she shed tears of happiness. This was an atmosphere she could never have felt in her previous life, yet now she had so many people who genuinely blessed her.
"Why are you crying?" Madam Lin handed over a handkerchief and wiped her daughter's tears. "If you keep crying, your rouge will all come off. My daughter is just like me, so beautiful."
Qiao Mianmian wiped away her tears, "Yes, we all look good!"
After the neighbors finished offering their blessings and chatted for a few minutes, they dispersed, leaving only relatives to eat.
Not the entire Lin family came; only Qiao Mianmian's maternal grandparents and two uncles and aunts were present. There were many people, filling three large tables.
However, today Qiao Jiaxing and Cao Yuan are in charge of cooking; the couple will be preparing dishes for everyone.
"Please don't mind, everyone. My cooking skills aren't as good as Mianmian's, but I've done my best." Qiao Jiaxing brought out the last of the longevity noodles. "Eat more, everyone. We'll be even happier if you're full."
Qiao Mancang poured wine for the men, and Lin Shi also filled their glasses. Taking advantage of Qiao Mianmian's coming-of-age ceremony, the whole family gathered together and drank until they were almost all drunk.
After seeing her maternal grandmother's family off, Qiao Mianmian walked into the alley and happened to run into Xu Mingxuan and Lu Zhao, who were talking.
"Miss Qiao, you look absolutely stunning today!" Qingjiu's praise was completely unbiased; it was a pure exclamation upon seeing something beautiful.
Qiao Mianmian stopped and touched her hairpin, smiling brightly at the three people opposite her. "Really? I think I look beautiful today too. My sisters-in-law specially dressed me up. The rouge and these pearl earrings were gifts from my two sisters-in-law. Aren't they especially pretty?"
She was already beautiful, and her cheerful personality and willingness to praise herself made her even more charming.
Qingjiu nodded in agreement. "Yes, Miss Qiao, you are even more beautiful than many of the noble ladies I've seen in Bianjing. Isn't that right, sir?" He nudged his master beside him, and when he didn't hear a reply, he tugged at his master's sleeve. "Sir, don't you agree?"
"Hmm," Lu Zhao finally replied.
Everyone is happy to be praised. Qiao Mianmian happily went home, leaving Lu Zhao and the other two. Lu Zhao asked Xu Mingxuan what he had just said.
Xu Mingxuan was also stumped, but Qingjiu reminded him, "Scholar Xu asked, what kinds of academies are there in Bianjing?"
Next spring, Xu Mingxuan will participate in the provincial examination. If he passes and becomes a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination), he will go to Bianjing (Kaifeng) to participate in the metropolitan examination.
Although he hadn't passed the provincial examination yet, Xu Mingxuan, as a scholar, was full of curiosity about things in Bianjing.
Lu Zhao briefly explained, "Actually, I didn't stay at the academy for very long. After you pass the imperial examination, you can go to Bianjing to take a look. But the prosperity is dazzling, so don't get too caught up in it."
He added a word of caution: many people who arrive in Bianjing are tempted by all sorts of entertainment and end up addicted, losing both money and their health. Every year in Bianjing, scholars die on the streets, some because they repeatedly fail the imperial examinations and give up on themselves, and many others because they have been swindled out of their money.
"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Lu. I will definitely study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination!" After learning about his family's situation, Xu Mingxuan studied even harder. "Lord Lu, please come in and sit down. I'll make you some tea."
Lu Zhao nodded and followed Xu Mingxuan into the Xu family home.
Madam Xu was teaching Zheng Wuhua and Yunzhu embroidery when she saw Lu Zhao arrive. She told the young girl to go home first.
When Zheng Wuhua returned home, she saw her third sister counting money and stared in astonishment, "Third sister, how come there are so many copper coins?"
"Of course it's earned!" Zheng Sanhua took out the glutinous rice cakes she had bought and handed them to her younger sister to eat. "I specially saved these for you. They're coated with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts. They're especially fragrant."
"Third sister, you're so kind!" Zheng Wuhua didn't bother to pick up chopsticks and ate directly with her hands. The sesame seeds and peanuts were roasted, ground into powder, and coated with white sugar on the glutinous rice cake, making it fragrant and sweet.
She was busy eating glutinous rice cakes, while Zheng Sanhua was busy counting money.
“Father, Mother, we’ve saved up some money these past few months. I’m thinking of working hard and opening a firewood shop.” Zheng Sanhua was addicted to making money.
Zheng Ming said, “Opening a firewood shop is not that easy. From renting a place to hiring people, it costs money everywhere. Don’t think that just because we’ve made some money now, our family can go all out. What if we lose money? Wouldn’t all this work have been for nothing? Besides, we don’t have that much money.”
Every penny he earned was hard-earned, and he's already risking everything for this. He really doesn't have the guts to open a firewood shop.
Zheng Sanhua, however, was very confident in herself. "You're just timid and don't dare to take risks. If you keep hoarding that little bit of money, you can only earn a tiny amount each day. How can your family's life improve quickly?"
Jiang was quite satisfied with their current income. "Sanhua, our family has no debts now. The money you earn is enough to make the family eat meat, which is already very good."
“But my father and I are both working hard to earn money. In a few years, my father will be unable to work anymore, and I can only do so much on my own. Parents, we can’t just look at the money in front of us. We have to look to the future so that we can earn more money.”
The more Zheng Sanhua talked, the more she wanted to open a firewood shop. "I don't want Dad to be rubbing his back every day, and I don't want to see Mom washing clothes in the river in the dead of winter. I want you to be able to enjoy your old age in peace, and for my sisters to live comfortably. Don't they say that our family has no sons and will never amount to anything? I'm determined to make our lives better, and let those people in the firewood shop see that our business is booming!"
After putting the money away, Zheng Sanhua carried two bundles of firewood to deliver it to the Qiao family.
She saw Qiao Mianmian sitting in the courtyard chatting and laughing with her sisters-in-law, and she felt very envious.
Qiao Mianmian also saw Zheng Sanhua, took the money and ran over, "Sanhua, you're here. Just leave the firewood here, and I'll get you some sesame candy."
After living in the alley for a while, Qiao Mianmian and Zheng Sanhua got along better and better, especially since they were only a year apart in age, making them the only girls in the alley who were about the same age as her.
Qiao Mianmian pulled Zheng Sanhua into the house to eat sesame candy. While eating, Zheng Sanhua talked about her family, "I think my parents are too timid. They dare not do this and they can't do that. How can they make money like this?"
“I think so too.” Qiao Mianmian thought for a moment, peeked out the window, and then whispered back, “You know, my mother is paying me wages now. I think you are a very ambitious person, and you are also very capable. If you want to open a firewood shop, I can lend you my wages. Although it’s not a lot, with your savings, it’s enough for you to open the firewood shop first.”
She had intended to use her wages to buy fabric, rouge, and jewelry, but her family gave her all of it, and the two taels of silver remained unused.
“No way, I have my own money. Although it’s tight, I’ve calculated that if I save for another month or two, it should be enough.” Zheng Sanhua was prepared for a do-or-die situation. “Anyway, that money is what I earned. Even if my parents don’t agree, I’m going to take the money and do it!”
“But Sanhua, you only have a dozen or so taels of silver in total. Not only do you have to rent a shop, but you also have to pay rent every few months. You also have to keep collecting firewood, paying the woodcutters, and some customers will even buy on credit. You need to have money on hand to keep the business running. You can’t just run out of money today and then tell the woodcutters you don’t want the firewood they bring, can you?”
Qiao Mianmian has been in business for so long that her mindset has broadened.
Seeing Zheng Sanhua frowning in thought, Qiao Mianmian continued, "Just listen to me. I don't have much money. I'll lend you my wages after a month or two. Don't be shy. We're friends who live in the same alley. If you make money, just take me to a dessert shop for some food and drinks."
She laughed and hugged Zheng Sanhua's arm, whining and coquettishly saying, "Oh, Sanhua, aren't you very confident? You're sure you can pay me back, right?"
"Of course!"
“Then it’s settled. I’ll lend you the money. But this is our secret, so don’t tell anyone else,” Qiao Mianmian said.
"Sister Mianmian, you're such a good person." Zheng Sanhua and her sisters couldn't say this. Their parents were too rigid in their thinking. It was only after moving here that they gradually got to know Qiao Mianmian and finally found someone with whom they could talk. "If I were a man, I would marry you."
Qiao Mianmian laughed heartily, "Oh dear, it's better if we're sisters. Men may change their minds, but good friends last longer."
"Oh right, this is my birthday present for you." Zheng Sanhua took out a pink silk flower from her pocket. "I was so busy talking about other things that I forgot to give you this. Don't worry, once I make money, I will definitely pay you back with interest."
The silk flowers were only the size of a fingernail, yet they were incredibly lifelike, and Qiao Mianmian said she liked them very much.
The two talked for a while until the Qiao family called them for dinner, at which point Zheng Sanhua got up to say goodbye.
Both Lin and Qiao Mancang were drunk and still sleeping in the house. Dinner was prepared by Hu Qianqian and Cao Yuan.
Cao Yuan asked if they should wake their parents, but Qiao Mianmian said no, "It's rare for them to rest like this, let them sleep. There's some food left in the kitchen, so they'll have something to eat if they wake up. Sister-in-law, please sit down, I'm starving."
Cao Yuan was delighted to see her sister-in-law wearing the pearl earrings she had given her. She served rice to her sister-in-law and was about to serve rice to the others when her sister-in-law pulled her to sit down.
"Second sister-in-law, we can do it ourselves. You've had a long day, you don't need to serve us like this." Qiao Mianmian got up to serve rice to her grandmother. When she learned that her grandfather was also drunk and hadn't woken up, she smiled and said, "This is the first time I've seen so many people in our family drunk."
Mrs. Zhang looked at her granddaughter with affection, "Our youngest darling has grown up, and they are happy. That's enough, that's enough. I can't eat that much. You sit down and eat too."
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