The residence was enormous, so naturally, everyone had a place in it.
After Miao He’s vegetables were carried in, they passed the concierge first and then to the steward’s hands before they reached the kitchen. The kitchen was also partitioned for the different masters in the residence. There was a cooking area for Liang Lao ye and furen¹, for Er Lao ye², San Lao ye³, all handled by various servants. Because the young master was picky about food, the young master’s kitchen was intentionally separated from the room, which differed from the other masters.
For Miao He’s vegetables, the steward said they were sent by the hospital and were designated for the young master to consume; thus, they were carried to the kitchen where the young master’s dishes were cooked. The vegetables were not packed in large wicker boxes as one would expect. It came in a large red-lacquered, intricate box. The servant carried the box to the designated location and placed it on the side of the aisle, slightly obstructing the path. Those passing by noticed the box and moved it, and those seeing the box moved it again. Another servant moved the box away after noticing that it did not appear to be carrying vegetables.
With this mini tumult, the vegetable dishes that should have been given to the young master were mixed with other masters. Just then, the second branch chef, who had his hands clasped behind his back while patrolling, caught sight of the box. “Where did this come from? How come it looks like this?”
All the assistant cooks in the kitchen room had their hands full since even starting at an earlier time. Some were occupied with washing the vegetables and peeling them, and some busied themselves with wringing the neck of chickens and chopping them. There was no time for them to spare a note about who brought it when they were running in circles. “I don’t know. It seems someone brought it over just now.”
The second chef raised his eyebrows and opened the lid of the box to look, and almost in an instant, his expression changed. Inside, the emerald green vegetables were clean and gratifying. The leaves were fresh, tender, and unwrinkled, with no visible moth-eaten spots. Just by looking at the appearance, one could tell that this dish was anything but ordinary.
AD
Come to think of it, his maternal Uncle Feng’s family had a difficult time fighting for the right opportunity to serve the Liang family for some time now. And with these vegetables, weren’t they a heaven’s blessing?
Vegetable farmers’ dream job was to provide food for large families. Besides earning more money, they could also accept additional orders for preparations, such as the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which they could easily pick up. By the following year, you could still earn a lot of money compared to those who sold vegetables on the street! To compete for the incredible opportunity, the Feng family worked hard, fattened their soil, and eventually produced vegetables that resembled those in the box he was holding right now. Furthermore, he, the second chef, lavished the first chef with gifts and was praised for the exceptional quality of his work, so he was qualified to provide vegetables in the kitchen.
And this matter had only recently been decided; how came someone else already dared to replace his family?
And how come it’s such a formidable enemy?!
As he pondered, the second branch’s chef’s crisis awareness was full to bursting. He coughed, covered the box, and removed Miao He’s vegetables as he said, “I’ll take it outside and ask. For things, no one knows where it came from, ask clearly, ah. You guys continue working, don’t let me catch you being lazy!”
With only a few steps away from the kitchen, the second chef immediately found a minor worker with a surname of Wu, called Wu Mian. He was regarded as someone who had a relationship with him and could thus, be trusted.
When he hurried to a deserted corner, the second chef looked down and whispered to Wu Main, “I’ll leave this box of vegetables over to you. Take it outside, and I don’t care whether you sell it or throw it away! It is entirely up to you. Just be quick and don’t let anyone catch you. Understand?!”
Wu Mian was perplexed for a moment, but when he opened the lid himself, he finally understood. Who could have missed the news that the second chef was proud of himself for serving in the kitchen solely because his uncle Feng’s family had won the qualifications to provide for the masters? Hey, if those vegetables that Wu Mian saw were served to Lao ye and furen, he was confident that the Feng family had to step down.
Wu Mian rolled his eyes. “I want to sell it. This money—”
Beads of sweat rolled down from his brows, and some even pooled in his eyes, causing him to squint. The second chef waved his hands impatiently because of the sting in his eyes. “It’s all yours, all yours!” He pushed Wu Mian to take all the small profit from it so he could be in the same boat as him. And there would be no reason for the boy to rat him out.
“Yah, nice, nice. I’ll carry it out now!” Wu Mian wiped his palms on the side of his trousers vigorously and was about to lift the box and depart.
The second chef, on the other hand, was uneasy. He twisted his body to avoid Wu Mian’s eager hands and warned, “When the gatekeeper asks about the box as you’re about to leave, just say that my uncle Feng’s family gave you an extra box of vegetables today. That they are no longer fresh, and I have requested that you return them.” It just so happened that the packaging did not seem to encase vegetables, which made it easy to conceal from people’s prying eyes and ears. As for dealing with the gatekeeper, he ought to not find out if the second chef still wished to return home with his uncle Feng’s family in good relation.
“Got it! Don’t worry about my work! I will do it properly for you!”
Seeing Wu Mian leave with a broad smile on his face, the second chef looked around to ensure no one was hiding in the shadows. His head gazed at the departing back, which seemed straighter and happier than it was before. In contrast, a feeling of agitation that had lodged itself into his heart from the beginning still haunted me to feel restless. It felt as if he had missed something, but he could not pinpoint what and where it was. He shook his head and sighed, perceiving the foreboding feeling as mere guilt, and turned around towards the kitchen to work.
Wu Mian stepped out of the Liang mansion’s gates seamlessly, with his mind racing. After all, the proceeds from the vegetables he wanted to sell would all fall into his pockets. He reasoned that if he worked harder, the money would follow suit! Since the vegetables seemed as if gods’ hands crafted them, it distressed him to sell them so casually.
A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he remembered the news he had recently heard. With that said, Wu Mian bore a goal in his heart.
AD
***
Miao He was oblivious that his beloved vegetables were picked up again and again after he left them in the Liang mansion. He was at a small noodle stall on the curb of the road with Second Aunt Yang, having lunch.
After purchasing the meat, he wanted to investigate the price of the vegetables in passing, so they turned to the marketplace on the east side of the town. A quarter along their way, they spotted a pastry shop and went in for a stroll. Mainly to look at snacks such as dried fruits and to see how they were processed into desserts. He also bought two boxes of mung bean cakes and carried them with one hand. Miao He liked to eat soft and sweet mung bean cakes. Especially those with a pure bean paste with a rich and mellow flavor, and a hint of sweet aroma. If it could be iced, then it would be much tastier.
In fact, multi-processed food could conceal the quality of the raw materials. If one could make it taste delicious, most people would speculate that they were just good at the craftsmanship and knew a knack or two. They would not suspect that there was something wrong with the materials used. Miao He also thought about using the living soil and taking the road of food processing. Because he had to hide it from Yand Dalang previously, he deemed it unfeasible. And now he had confessed, it was still plausible to go on it as another way to earn money. He was just tired to start.
In any case, this trip to market research and purchasing exhausted him. And the donkey cart, driven by Uncle Ma, which was stationed at the town’s entrance, would not depart back to the village until 3 o’clock in the afternoon. For more than half a shichen, Miao He’s legs became two heavy sticks of lead. Regardless of Aunt Yang’s reproach, he kept on walking and walking until Aunt Yang pulled the stubborn ger into the roadside noodle stall to eat noodles. Today, Second Aunt Yang stayed and accompanied him for half a day and even treated him for a meal.
Not long after, two bowls of steaming noodle soup plus a plate of pot-stewed vegetables were served on the table. As soon as Miao He smelled the savor, his stomach growled, and his hands rushed to get ahold of a bowl and wolfed it down. Second Aunt Yang, who sat beside him, had no time for civilities either, and immediately gobbled up. People in the village were unconcerned about each other’s eating habits or the food, so they all ate noodles while slurping loudly.
Miao He discussed his plan to Aunt Yang after he sipped on his tea, that he would take a ride in the town toward the entrance just an hour before the donkey cart was about to drive. Second Aunt Yang shook her head and chanted a few words about how indolent young people these years were. If it were her, anyone who walked now could reach the village in time!
Miao He just smiled. Of course, if he insisted, he could just leave. But if Miao He walked back, his feet would be peppered with blisters, and he might not get out of bed. And the person waiting at home for him must feel anxious again. When he went out this time, Dalang said to not economize and instead rode in a car back and forth. When Miao He mentioned this to Second Aunt Yang as a reason, she was silent for a moment and did not force him to go on foot on the road.
AD
Around this time, the pot on the table was drained of tea. Miao He turned around, requested another pot, and settled in to listen to the guests’ merriment chatting. “Have you been to Dahe Restaurant recently? There is a new dish over there, which is quite novel. It is said that people who have eaten were enticed to eat more of that strange food!”
“What kind of dish is that to be called a novelty? Wait, this Dahe Restaurant—is it the one that spread rumors and made a bet with Yangshui Teahouse previously?”
“Yes, ah, I thought Dahe Restaurant had just changed the owner to a young master. I didn’t believe that they would rise from the dead and were really prepared to recruit people. Fortunately, Yangshui Teahouse ignored the raucous. I heard a powerful backer was residing in this county town, and that Dahe Restaurant had one behind them.
“I also heard the dishes at Yangshui Teahouse are good, but they are expensive. I haven’t tried them yet, though. You said Dahe Restaurant released a new dish. Is it really comparable?”
“What’s it called again, bean-something? Tofu? Or douhua? Anyway, those who have tasted it remarked they were tender and delicious and left a rich aftertaste. Also, it can be eaten in sweet or salty, like singing and acting in an opera. You know what, why don’t we try them together later?”
Once he heard this, Miao He could not help turning his head and asking the middle-aged man who was talking just now, “Forgive me for intruding, but may I ask this guest if you are talking about tofu pudding? Made from soybeans—the white, tender, and soft food?”
After all, it was not too offensive to be interrupted by a polite, good-looking, little ger. The man was taken aback for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, it should be this name! That person seemed to have said it was made of soybeans. Little ger, do you know this too? But Dahe Restaurant said that was absolutely unique only to them.”
Miao He’s astonishment turned to flabbergast. “Is there no such kind of food before?”
“Of course not. I was aiming at this food just now because I want to try it.”
‘Also, Dahe Restaurant? I seemed to have heard this name before. Where is it again?’ A fragment flashed in his mind, but it was too fast, and Miao He could not grasp it.
And so Miao He showed little care, simply offered a smile, and thanked the middle-aged man. The chatter concluded its end. When all was said and done, the man bid goodbye and went to Dahe Restaurant with his friend and Miao He focused on his business. A little later, he remembered where he had heard it.
This was because the original host’s former love interest, Miao Yuan, as luck would have had it, was walking down the street together with his classmates. Miao He, who now rested under a small noodle stall, raised his eyes and noticed them. When he saw Miao Yuan, the former instantly remembered that Dahe Restaurant was where Miao Min had said he had seen Miao Yuan before.
But those were trivialities. At this moment, Miao He ran into his old love interest without warning. How should he play this?
To say the original host loved Miao Yuan so much, besides their relationship as childhood friends, Miao Yuan also had the looks going on for him. The kind of looks that were a far cry from Yang Dalang’s rugged, fashionable, and good-looking features. The former now wore a moon-white scholar robe and looked like a refined man. It was just his face that bore a faint expression that screamed complacently with oneself.
Their gazes met at that precise moment, as if by an unknown force, and Miao Yuan stumbled in his steps. He seemed a little shaken. The people following him also found Miao He in an instant. However, among the supposed private school students was someone with mediocre facial features dressed in nice clothes. The only disturbing thing was his wrists were tied up, and he looked like he was enduring an injury. His line of sight followed Miao Yuan’s and soon landed on Miao He.
While Miao He was preoccupied with contemplating who this person was, a classmate next to Miao Yuan approached him. Miao He was, indeed, a sight to behold. It would be a lie to say that such unrelenting clinginess did not make Miao Yuan and his classmates feel even the slightest bit proud.
“Oh, it’s Brother He again. Sigh, It was hard for you to check the school today now that it’s closed and sitting here waiting for someone. But allow me to persuade you one more time. Mingyuan* is highly valued by the master and is clean-living and honest. Plus, getting involved with a married ger is impossible. I would advise you to end that fire now and go back to where you should be. Don’t let us see you again. It’s useless.”
The person who just spoke had a gentle tone, which sounded like he meant good intention, but he was utterly talking to himself ah!
Miao He snapped his head to look at Second Aunt Yang and saw her expression was unequivocally bad. He was about to deny the allegations, but Aunt Yang had already fired before him.
“What nonsense are you spouting? We’ve been here for a while now, but you bumped yourself onto us, and had the guts to say that? Is it possible that the entire street belongs to your family? That we have to make way?! A good, well-dressed scholar dashed over to have a talk once he saw a married ger by the road. He spoke as if he’s unfamiliar with the customs nor as if he deemed the book he reads unorthodox!!”
Married and unmarried gers had different hairdos. The latter wore braids, whereas the former did not.
The man suddenly choked on the words spoken by Aunt Yang and fell short to react on time. “Auntie, I’m afraid there are some misunderstandings. What I said was all substantiated, definitely not—”
Second Aunt Yang blasted from her seat and cut in, “Do you know who I am?!”
The classmate involuntarily took a step back, baffled. Miao Yuan, who stood at a distance, could not help but rush up to the scene and cupped his hands to greet her.
“It’s been a long time, Second Aunt Yang. I heard Yang Xiongdi was a little ill, but I’m unsure how he’s doing now. Is it any better?”
AD
The author has something to say:
*Ming Yuan = the courtesy name of Miao Yuan
Footnotes:
[1]老爷 夫人 lǎo ye fū ren – addresses for master or lord and madam or lady, respectively. The masters of a household.
[2] 二 老爷 èr lǎo ye – er means two so it means the second branch of the family. This means these relatives are brothers of the first masters.
[3] 三 老爷 sān lǎo ye – san is three, then means “third branch’s master”
The residence was enormous, so naturally, everyone had a place in it.
After Miao He’s vegetables were carried in, they passed the concierge first and then to the steward’s hands before they reached the kitchen. The kitchen was also partitioned for the different masters in the residence. There was a cooking area for Liang Lao ye and furen¹, for Er Lao ye², San Lao ye³, all handled by various servants. Because the young master was picky about food, the young master’s kitchen was intentionally separated from the room, which differed from the other masters.
For Miao He’s vegetables, the steward said they were sent by the hospital and were designated for the young master to consume; thus, they were carried to the kitchen where the young master’s dishes were cooked. The vegetables were not packed in large wicker boxes as one would expect. It came in a large red-lacquered, intricate box. The servant carried the box to the designated location and placed it on the side of the aisle, slightly obstructing the path. Those passing by noticed the box and moved it, and those seeing the box moved it again. Another servant moved the box away after noticing that it did not appear to be carrying vegetables.
With this mini tumult, the vegetable dishes that should have been given to the young master were mixed with other masters. Just then, the second branch chef, who had his hands clasped behind his back while patrolling, caught sight of the box. “Where did this come from? How come it looks like this?”
All the assistant cooks in the kitchen room had their hands full since even starting at an earlier time. Some were occupied with washing the vegetables and peeling them, and some busied themselves with wringing the neck of chickens and chopping them. There was no time for them to spare a note about who brought it when they were running in circles. “I don’t know. It seems someone brought it over just now.”
The second chef raised his eyebrows and opened the lid of the box to look, and almost in an instant, his expression changed. Inside, the emerald green vegetables were clean and gratifying. The leaves were fresh, tender, and unwrinkled, with no visible moth-eaten spots. Just by looking at the appearance, one could tell that this dish was anything but ordinary.
AD
Come to think of it, his maternal Uncle Feng’s family had a difficult time fighting for the right opportunity to serve the Liang family for some time now. And with these vegetables, weren’t they a heaven’s blessing?
Vegetable farmers’ dream job was to provide food for large families. Besides earning more money, they could also accept additional orders for preparations, such as the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which they could easily pick up. By the following year, you could still earn a lot of money compared to those who sold vegetables on the street! To compete for the incredible opportunity, the Feng family worked hard, fattened their soil, and eventually produced vegetables that resembled those in the box he was holding right now. Furthermore, he, the second chef, lavished the first chef with gifts and was praised for the exceptional quality of his work, so he was qualified to provide vegetables in the kitchen.
And this matter had only recently been decided; how came someone else already dared to replace his family?
And how come it’s such a formidable enemy?!
As he pondered, the second branch’s chef’s crisis awareness was full to bursting. He coughed, covered the box, and removed Miao He’s vegetables as he said, “I’ll take it outside and ask. For things, no one knows where it came from, ask clearly, ah. You guys continue working, don’t let me catch you being lazy!”
With only a few steps away from the kitchen, the second chef immediately found a minor worker with a surname of Wu, called Wu Mian. He was regarded as someone who had a relationship with him and could thus, be trusted.
When he hurried to a deserted corner, the second chef looked down and whispered to Wu Main, “I’ll leave this box of vegetables over to you. Take it outside, and I don’t care whether you sell it or throw it away! It is entirely up to you. Just be quick and don’t let anyone catch you. Understand?!”
Wu Mian was perplexed for a moment, but when he opened the lid himself, he finally understood. Who could have missed the news that the second chef was proud of himself for serving in the kitchen solely because his uncle Feng’s family had won the qualifications to provide for the masters? Hey, if those vegetables that Wu Mian saw were served to Lao ye and furen, he was confident that the Feng family had to step down.
Wu Mian rolled his eyes. “I want to sell it. This money—”
Beads of sweat rolled down from his brows, and some even pooled in his eyes, causing him to squint. The second chef waved his hands impatiently because of the sting in his eyes. “It’s all yours, all yours!” He pushed Wu Mian to take all the small profit from it so he could be in the same boat as him. And there would be no reason for the boy to rat him out.
“Yah, nice, nice. I’ll carry it out now!” Wu Mian wiped his palms on the side of his trousers vigorously and was about to lift the box and depart.
The second chef, on the other hand, was uneasy. He twisted his body to avoid Wu Mian’s eager hands and warned, “When the gatekeeper asks about the box as you’re about to leave, just say that my uncle Feng’s family gave you an extra box of vegetables today. That they are no longer fresh, and I have requested that you return them.” It just so happened that the packaging did not seem to encase vegetables, which made it easy to conceal from people’s prying eyes and ears. As for dealing with the gatekeeper, he ought to not find out if the second chef still wished to return home with his uncle Feng’s family in good relation.
“Got it! Don’t worry about my work! I will do it properly for you!”
Seeing Wu Mian leave with a broad smile on his face, the second chef looked around to ensure no one was hiding in the shadows. His head gazed at the departing back, which seemed straighter and happier than it was before. In contrast, a feeling of agitation that had lodged itself into his heart from the beginning still haunted me to feel restless. It felt as if he had missed something, but he could not pinpoint what and where it was. He shook his head and sighed, perceiving the foreboding feeling as mere guilt, and turned around towards the kitchen to work.
Wu Mian stepped out of the Liang mansion’s gates seamlessly, with his mind racing. After all, the proceeds from the vegetables he wanted to sell would all fall into his pockets. He reasoned that if he worked harder, the money would follow suit! Since the vegetables seemed as if gods’ hands crafted them, it distressed him to sell them so casually.
A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he remembered the news he had recently heard. With that said, Wu Mian bore a goal in his heart.
AD
***
Miao He was oblivious that his beloved vegetables were picked up again and again after he left them in the Liang mansion. He was at a small noodle stall on the curb of the road with Second Aunt Yang, having lunch.
After purchasing the meat, he wanted to investigate the price of the vegetables in passing, so they turned to the marketplace on the east side of the town. A quarter along their way, they spotted a pastry shop and went in for a stroll. Mainly to look at snacks such as dried fruits and to see how they were processed into desserts. He also bought two boxes of mung bean cakes and carried them with one hand. Miao He liked to eat soft and sweet mung bean cakes. Especially those with a pure bean paste with a rich and mellow flavor, and a hint of sweet aroma. If it could be iced, then it would be much tastier.
In fact, multi-processed food could conceal the quality of the raw materials. If one could make it taste delicious, most people would speculate that they were just good at the craftsmanship and knew a knack or two. They would not suspect that there was something wrong with the materials used. Miao He also thought about using the living soil and taking the road of food processing. Because he had to hide it from Yand Dalang previously, he deemed it unfeasible. And now he had confessed, it was still plausible to go on it as another way to earn money. He was just tired to start.
In any case, this trip to market research and purchasing exhausted him. And the donkey cart, driven by Uncle Ma, which was stationed at the town’s entrance, would not depart back to the village until 3 o’clock in the afternoon. For more than half a shichen, Miao He’s legs became two heavy sticks of lead. Regardless of Aunt Yang’s reproach, he kept on walking and walking until Aunt Yang pulled the stubborn ger into the roadside noodle stall to eat noodles. Today, Second Aunt Yang stayed and accompanied him for half a day and even treated him for a meal.
Not long after, two bowls of steaming noodle soup plus a plate of pot-stewed vegetables were served on the table. As soon as Miao He smelled the savor, his stomach growled, and his hands rushed to get ahold of a bowl and wolfed it down. Second Aunt Yang, who sat beside him, had no time for civilities either, and immediately gobbled up. People in the village were unconcerned about each other’s eating habits or the food, so they all ate noodles while slurping loudly.
Miao He discussed his plan to Aunt Yang after he sipped on his tea, that he would take a ride in the town toward the entrance just an hour before the donkey cart was about to drive. Second Aunt Yang shook her head and chanted a few words about how indolent young people these years were. If it were her, anyone who walked now could reach the village in time!
Miao He just smiled. Of course, if he insisted, he could just leave. But if Miao He walked back, his feet would be peppered with blisters, and he might not get out of bed. And the person waiting at home for him must feel anxious again. When he went out this time, Dalang said to not economize and instead rode in a car back and forth. When Miao He mentioned this to Second Aunt Yang as a reason, she was silent for a moment and did not force him to go on foot on the road.
AD
Around this time, the pot on the table was drained of tea. Miao He turned around, requested another pot, and settled in to listen to the guests’ merriment chatting. “Have you been to Dahe Restaurant recently? There is a new dish over there, which is quite novel. It is said that people who have eaten were enticed to eat more of that strange food!”
“What kind of dish is that to be called a novelty? Wait, this Dahe Restaurant—is it the one that spread rumors and made a bet with Yangshui Teahouse previously?”
“Yes, ah, I thought Dahe Restaurant had just changed the owner to a young master. I didn’t believe that they would rise from the dead and were really prepared to recruit people. Fortunately, Yangshui Teahouse ignored the raucous. I heard a powerful backer was residing in this county town, and that Dahe Restaurant had one behind them.
“I also heard the dishes at Yangshui Teahouse are good, but they are expensive. I haven’t tried them yet, though. You said Dahe Restaurant released a new dish. Is it really comparable?”
“What’s it called again, bean-something? Tofu? Or douhua? Anyway, those who have tasted it remarked they were tender and delicious and left a rich aftertaste. Also, it can be eaten in sweet or salty, like singing and acting in an opera. You know what, why don’t we try them together later?”
Once he heard this, Miao He could not help turning his head and asking the middle-aged man who was talking just now, “Forgive me for intruding, but may I ask this guest if you are talking about tofu pudding? Made from soybeans—the white, tender, and soft food?”
After all, it was not too offensive to be interrupted by a polite, good-looking, little ger. The man was taken aback for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, it should be this name! That person seemed to have said it was made of soybeans. Little ger, do you know this too? But Dahe Restaurant said that was absolutely unique only to them.”
Miao He’s astonishment turned to flabbergast. “Is there no such kind of food before?”
“Of course not. I was aiming at this food just now because I want to try it.”
‘Also, Dahe Restaurant? I seemed to have heard this name before. Where is it again?’ A fragment flashed in his mind, but it was too fast, and Miao He could not grasp it.
And so Miao He showed little care, simply offered a smile, and thanked the middle-aged man. The chatter concluded its end. When all was said and done, the man bid goodbye and went to Dahe Restaurant with his friend and Miao He focused on his business. A little later, he remembered where he had heard it.
This was because the original host’s former love interest, Miao Yuan, as luck would have had it, was walking down the street together with his classmates. Miao He, who now rested under a small noodle stall, raised his eyes and noticed them. When he saw Miao Yuan, the former instantly remembered that Dahe Restaurant was where Miao Min had said he had seen Miao Yuan before.
But those were trivialities. At this moment, Miao He ran into his old love interest without warning. How should he play this?
To say the original host loved Miao Yuan so much, besides their relationship as childhood friends, Miao Yuan also had the looks going on for him. The kind of looks that were a far cry from Yang Dalang’s rugged, fashionable, and good-looking features. The former now wore a moon-white scholar robe and looked like a refined man. It was just his face that bore a faint expression that screamed complacently with oneself.
Their gazes met at that precise moment, as if by an unknown force, and Miao Yuan stumbled in his steps. He seemed a little shaken. The people following him also found Miao He in an instant. However, among the supposed private school students was someone with mediocre facial features dressed in nice clothes. The only disturbing thing was his wrists were tied up, and he looked like he was enduring an injury. His line of sight followed Miao Yuan’s and soon landed on Miao He.
While Miao He was preoccupied with contemplating who this person was, a classmate next to Miao Yuan approached him. Miao He was, indeed, a sight to behold. It would be a lie to say that such unrelenting clinginess did not make Miao Yuan and his classmates feel even the slightest bit proud.
“Oh, it’s Brother He again. Sigh, It was hard for you to check the school today now that it’s closed and sitting here waiting for someone. But allow me to persuade you one more time. Mingyuan* is highly valued by the master and is clean-living and honest. Plus, getting involved with a married ger is impossible. I would advise you to end that fire now and go back to where you should be. Don’t let us see you again. It’s useless.”
The person who just spoke had a gentle tone, which sounded like he meant good intention, but he was utterly talking to himself ah!
Miao He snapped his head to look at Second Aunt Yang and saw her expression was unequivocally bad. He was about to deny the allegations, but Aunt Yang had already fired before him.
“What nonsense are you spouting? We’ve been here for a while now, but you bumped yourself onto us, and had the guts to say that? Is it possible that the entire street belongs to your family? That we have to make way?! A good, well-dressed scholar dashed over to have a talk once he saw a married ger by the road. He spoke as if he’s unfamiliar with the customs nor as if he deemed the book he reads unorthodox!!”
Married and unmarried gers had different hairdos. The latter wore braids, whereas the former did not.
The man suddenly choked on the words spoken by Aunt Yang and fell short to react on time. “Auntie, I’m afraid there are some misunderstandings. What I said was all substantiated, definitely not—”
Second Aunt Yang blasted from her seat and cut in, “Do you know who I am?!”
The classmate involuntarily took a step back, baffled. Miao Yuan, who stood at a distance, could not help but rush up to the scene and cupped his hands to greet her.
“It’s been a long time, Second Aunt Yang. I heard Yang Xiongdi was a little ill, but I’m unsure how he’s doing now. Is it any better?”
AD
The author has something to say:
*Ming Yuan = the courtesy name of Miao Yuan
Footnotes:
[1]老爷 夫人 lǎo ye fū ren – addresses for master or lord and madam or lady, respectively. The masters of a household.
[2] 二 老爷 èr lǎo ye – er means two so it means the second branch of the family. This means these relatives are brothers of the first masters.
[3] 三 老爷 sān lǎo ye – san is three, then means “third branch’s master”
