Chapter 9: Black Rice and Wheat Mushrooms

Chapter 9: Black Rice and Wheat Mushrooms

After finishing the lump soup, Ji Geer perked up noticeably and grabbed the old loofah sponge from Shen Miao's hand to wash the dishes. Shen Miao reached out to feel his forehead, and indeed, his fever had subsided!

This made Shen Miao wonder whether to praise the foot patches from Grand Physician Zhao as miraculous medicine or to suspect that her brother had been neglected by Uncle Shen's family.

But the subsiding fever was good news. Shen Miao didn’t fight Ji Geer for the task and let him wash the dishes. In the Song Dynasty, the common cleaning agents included rice water, plant ash, tea seed powder, or soap pods, with the latter two mostly used by wealthy families. After the fire, plant ash was scattered all over the Shen household. Ji Geer grabbed a handful from the collapsed wall and skillfully scrubbed while squatting on the ground.

With little grease, a quick rinse did the trick.

Shen Miao then led the ever-present shadow, Xiang Jieer, to ladle the still warm lump soup into the pottery jar and delivered it to the Gu family. The back door of the Gu household was open, and she peeked inside to find the courtyard eerily quiet. She called out for Auntie twice, but there was no response, so she left the pot on the table and headed back alone.

After returning, she started by preparing Ji Geer's medicine and then went to check the situation at the front. The Shen family's shop, which had been rented out, was still set up as a food stall with five or six sets of tables and chairs and a counter, though it was now in disarray.

However, the damage was much lighter than in the back hall. Shen Miao touched the wall, which was yellowed and blackened by smoke, and found it still sturdy. Most of the remaining furniture was ruined, so she rolled up her sleeves and made several trips to haul the broken wood to the backyard. Xiang Jieer pitched in by carrying some wood.

After finishing the dishes, Ji Geer joined the cleaning effort. Shen Miao couldn’t send him away, so she gave him lighter chores like sprinkling water and sweeping, urging him to take it easy and rest often.

After more than half an hour, they finally got the place roughly cleaned up. Sweating profusely, Shen Miao stood in the now empty shop, fanning herself with her hand for a brief respite.

But her thoughts were still racing, thinking that before the back hall was repaired, they could set up two simple beds and a set of tables and chairs here. Then she, Ji Geer, and Xiang Jieer could live here instead of the leaky kitchen.

Housing prices in Bianjing were sky-high, akin to modern-day Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. Renting an entire courtyard was unthinkable, and even a room in the outer city, managed by the "Lou Dian Wu," would set them back half a string of cash each month, which they couldn’t afford.

Shen Miao now had only about twenty strings of cash left, which was far from enough.

She was reluctant to return her siblings to Uncle's care, unsure if they'd be welcomed back. Rather than living under someone else's scrutiny, it was better to make do in their own home for a while.

Shen Ji swept the ashes into a pile and carried them to the corner of the backyard like an ant moving its nest. When he returned, he found his sister's eyes shining brightly, like a tiger surveying its territory.

Though comparing her to a tiger might be a bit unfair to her gentle features.

What Shen Miao had in mind was almost the same.

She would work hard to earn money and repair the house. One day, she would reopen the Shen Ji Dumpling Shop.

While they were busy, Gu Tusu came in carrying a large bundle of firewood almost as tall as a person, with a big winter melon in his hand, not even out of breath, and said in a loud voice, "Da Jieer, I brought you some firewood, which should last for half a month. By the way, was it you who sent the pot of mixed vegetable noodle soup to our courtyard? It was delicious! My mother had three bowls before stopping!" He peeked in from the door, saw Shen Miao and the others busy cleaning, and smiled, "I'll put these down and come help you."

Shen Miao widened her eyes, "So much? How can I let you spend so much?"

She was about to untie the purse at her waist to take out some coins.

But Gu Tusu had already taken the broom from Ji Geer's hand and patted his chest indifferently, "I went to the outskirts to chop it. It only cost me two bowls of tea and some effort, not a single coin. Next time I go to the outskirts to chop firewood, I'll chop some for you too."

Shen Miao was very grateful and hurriedly said, "Brother Gu, you've helped so much. Once I settle down, I must invite Uncle Gu and Auntie over for a gathering. Otherwise, how can I feel at ease?"

"We're neighbors and grew up together, no need to be so polite," Gu Tusu grinned and said no more. He went back and pushed his family's cart, helping Shen Miao transport the broken tiles and walls from the backyard. Shen Miao followed behind, helping to push the cart. When they returned, Ji Geer and Xiang Jieer had already picked up the scattered debris, pulled out the weeds, and swept the courtyard.

The four of them worked until the sun set. Gu Tusu was helping to chop the firewood when he heard that Shen Miao still wanted to go to the Tao Ji Wooden Furniture Shop on the street to buy tables and chairs. He quickly advised, "You haven't been in Bianjing for a while, so you might not know. The Tao Ji Wooden Furniture Shop was recently stormed by customers. The wooden furniture they sold was all rotten, and the tables and chairs would wobble after just two days of use. It's really no good. After Old Tao the carpenter died, Young Tao became a heavy drinker, and his hands shake so much that his craftsmanship gets worse every day. Don't go there anymore."

Shen Miao quickly asked Gu Tusu for recommendations, not hiding anything, and told him that she didn't need the best craftsmanship, just something cheap and sturdy. With three mouths to feed at home, she couldn't afford to be extravagant.

Gu Tusu paused while chopping the firewood, tightened the axe handle, and split another piece of wood, casually asking, "Da Jieer... aren't you going back to Jinling?"

Shen Miao had returned to Bianjing alone, and the news spread through the neighborhood in no time. His mother hadn't even finished her lunch when other aunties came to ask if Shen Da Jieer had come to take her siblings back to Jinling or if something had happened to the Rong family.

Gu Tusu didn't want to gossip like the women, but he was also curious. It wasn't for the sake of watching the drama, but he really wanted to know how long Shen Miao would stay in Bianjing.

If it weren't for Rong Dalang appearing out of nowhere, Gu Tusu had thought he would be the one to marry Shen Da Jieer.

Although he was still chopping wood, he nervously pricked up his ears, only to hear Shen Miao respond indifferently with a soft "Mm": "I won't be going back. From now on, it's just the three of us siblings depending on each other for survival."

Upon hearing the phrase "depending on each other for survival," Shen Ji, who was bending over sweeping the floor with his back to Shen Miao, twitched his ears slightly. However, he didn't turn around, just swept the floor with more vigor.

"Elder Sister, you..." Gu Tusu was first surprised, then a bit of inappropriate joy bubbled up before he came to his senses, feeling more flustered as if he had touched a sore spot. "I... I spoke out of turn, I didn't mean to pry! Your... your husband, could it be... he's dead?"

Shen Miao was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but let out a "pfft" laugh: "It's almost as if he's dead! Hah, just kidding. Actually, I've severed ties with his family. Rong's mother-in-law despises me for being a barren woman, and I despise Rong Dalang for being a mama's boy in his twenties who still sleeps with his mother. So we just went our separate ways!"

Gu Tusu's eyes widened. Every sentence in this conversation was like a series of shocks, leaving him unsure which to be more shocked about: Elder Sister has divorced? Elder Sister can't bear children? What? Elder Sister's scholar husband actually sleeps with his mother in his twenties? Then where does Elder Sister sleep? Between them?

No, how can Elder Sister speak so openly about such things!

"This... this..." Gu Tusu finally managed to blurt out, "The Rong family has gone too far!"

Shen Miao showed no ripple of emotion towards the Rong family, shrugging her shoulders: "Let's not talk about such trivial matters. It's getting dark, and you've been a great help today. Don't bother anymore, I'll tidy up myself later, and then I'll take a walk through the night market."

Indeed, he had spent the whole day at the Shen household, and it wouldn't do for people to gossip about Shen Miao. Gu Tusu had no choice but to sling the axe over his shoulder, stack the chopped wood under the eaves where it wouldn't get wet, and carefully instructed Shen Miao: "There's an old man dressed in rags on the left bank of Jinliang Bridge who sells stools and clothes poles every day, but he's actually an old carpenter. His home is right by Jinliang Bridge, with many wooden items stored for sale. He also makes doors, windows, and repairs roof beams, using durable wood and charges fairly. If you're not looking for intricate carvings, you can buy from him."

After seeing him off, Shen Miao stood at the back door, now just an empty frame, looking into the Shen family courtyard. The broken tiles and rotten wood, the overgrown weeds she saw this morning had all been cleared away. Although the wall was still half missing and there was no door, at this moment, the slanting light of dusk illuminated half the courtyard. Xiang Jieer sat under the eaves, tilting her little head watching a fluttering butterfly.

Shen Ji then brought out the medicine that had been simmering all afternoon from the kitchen. He stared at the bowl full of dark, thick medicinal liquid for a while, mustered his courage, and drank it all in one gulp. But it was so bitter that he shivered all over, his face contorting.

She couldn't help but smile.

In this emptiness, life seemed to be gradually returning.

Shen Miao also felt motivated, went inside to unpack her two boxes of luggage, and found half a bag of black rice and quinoa left in the box, and a little bit of yam left on the stove, just enough not to waste, so she decided to make black rice and quinoa yam buns for dinner.

While tidying up, she also found two pinwheel toys she bought when she first arrived at Jinliang Bridge, which she had forgotten about in the day's busyness, so she took them out for Shen Ji and Xiang Jieer to play with.

Xiang Jieer was overjoyed, running around the house with the pinwheel toy, while Shen Ji looked strangely at the pinwheel toy in his hand, the kind that only three-year-olds play with, and hesitantly spun the rotating bamboo leaf on top. Shen Miao was also embarrassed; she didn't know Shen Ji was so mature for his age!

She awkwardly laughed: "You play with Xiang Jieer for a while, I'll go steam some buns for dinner."

Entering the kitchen, Shen Miao became reliable again. She calmly peeled the yam, soaked the black rice and quinoa separately, first crushed the black rice in a grinding bowl, mixed it with flour to knead into dough, and let it rest for a moment.

She was very quick at these tasks, then crushed the sprouted quinoa and yam together in the bowl, added an egg and continued to mash into a sticky paste. If there were sesame seeds, adding some at this point would make it more fragrant, but today she had to make do without.

Adding some sugar and a small spoonful of lard, the filling was done.

The dough had also rested by now, divided into nine portions, the filling was wrapped inside, and steamed over water. As it steamed, the sweet aroma filled the room, so Xiang Jieer, smelling the scent, squatted by the pot with the pinwheel toy, waiting.

She blew on the pinwheel toy, salivating as she smelled the aroma.

Shen Miao was helpless, how could this child seem as if she hadn't eaten for three years?

So she suspiciously asked Shen Ji, who had come in to help wipe the stove and light the fire: "Xiang Jieer didn't seem so greedy when she was little, did you go hungry at your uncle's house?"

Shen Ji finished wiping the stove, then helped Shen Miao wash the clay pot: "Xiang Jieer was used to father's cooking since she was little. After father left, we went to uncle's house. Because they were collecting rent from our family, aunt didn't dare to skimp on food, but her cooking was like pig feed, it was just enough to fill the stomach, not to be enjoyed. Xiang Jieer and I haven't eaten such meals since." Shen Ji looked up, staring at Shen Miao, "Sister, don't you realize? Your cooking has a bit of father's flavor."

Xiang Jieer shook her head like a rattle: "Brother is wrong, aunt's cooking, even the pigs at her house wouldn't eat it!" Then remembering the taste of the lumpy soup at noon, she nodded vigorously, "Sister's cooking is delicious!"

Only then did Shen Miao realize, looking down at her hands.

She had committed the brief life of her original self to memory, just to not let others see through, to live a good life in this world. But no matter how clear the memories, she couldn't taste the flavors of childhood that were missed.

Shen Miao actually didn't know what the cooking of Shen Ji and Xiang Jieer's father, whom they missed, tasted like. Her culinary skills naturally came from her parents and grandfather in her previous life. Perhaps this was the connection between her and the original self, besides sharing the same name?

As they talked, the black rice and quinoa yam buns on the stove were ready.

***

Wild rice is similar to quinoa from later times, highly nutritious, great for making porridge, and also perfect for buns.

In her past life, Shen Miao loved black rice, quinoa, and yam buns during her weight loss period.

Black rice is rich and mellow, wild rice is chewy, and yam is delicate. With one bite, the layers of flavors are very rich, not too sweet or greasy, just the natural flavors of the ingredients. Moreover, it's low-fat and filling!

In her past life, maybe only Shen Miao got fat from her own cooking.

Black rice is rich in antioxidant anthocyanins, wild rice is full of protein, and yam is good for the spleen and stomach. These three combined are particularly good for the body.

Xiang Jieer isn’t picky at all. She seems to enjoy whatever she eats. Shen Miao wrapped the bottom of the bun with her clean handkerchief to prevent it from being too hot to hold. She squatted by the stove, holding a bun as big as her face in both hands, eating it bite by bite, savoring every mouthful. Her cheeks puffed up, reminding Shen Miao of the little golden hamster she used to have.

Ji Geer still eats very politely. Shen Miao watched him sit upright, using chopsticks to eat the bun slowly, and suddenly remembered that before her previous self left, he seemed to have already started studying in a private school. She wondered if he was still in school.

Thinking of this, Shen Miao asked a question.

Ji Geer seemed to flinch, lowering his head, and after a moment, he said, "...I injured Hai Geer at Master Liu’s place, so Master Liu won’t let me come back. Aunt beat me and threw me out."

Shen Miao arched her eyebrows.

Hai Geer is Uncle Shen’s only son, about the same age as Ji Geer.

Aunt had four daughters before she got this precious son, who’s been spoiled rotten since he was a kid and is extremely obese. In her past life’s memory, he wasn’t a likable kid.

Though her younger brother is a bit stubborn, Shen Miao could tell he wasn’t the type to go looking for trouble. Hai Geer must’ve done or said something to set Ji Geer off.

Seeing Shen Miao silent, Ji Geer thought his sister was angry. He looked up several times to gauge Shen Miao’s expression, holding the remaining half of the bun in his hand, unable to eat anymore. But thinking of Hai Geer leading the laughter at his parents’ death, even his own sister didn’t want him... those words still cut like knives in his heart. He couldn’t explain, hesitated for a long time, and finally blurted out:

"Sister, I’m sorry..."

"It’s okay, sister believes you must have had your reasons."

Unexpectedly, Shen Miao spoke at the same time.

Ji Geer looked up in surprise, and Shen Miao smiled at him, reaching out to pat his head: "Don’t be afraid. Once we settle down, sister will find another school for you to study."

After saying that, Shen Miao didn’t mention it again.

Ji Geer is more sensitive and mature than his peers. Children at this age also have self-esteem, so there’s no need to dig deeper. She turned to look at the sky outside, quickly finished her meal in a few bites, and instructed: "Sister is going to the night market later to buy what we need. Ji Geer, after you take your medicine, take your sister to sleep. Don’t follow me."

Xiang Jieer reluctantly said: "I want to go with sister."

Shen Miao put on a stern face: "No, sister has a lot to buy and won’t have time to take care of you. Stay home with Ji Geer. He’s sick. Watch him take his medicine and apply the foot plaster. Be obedient."

Ji Geer also said: "Don’t cause trouble for sister."

Seeing Shen Miao serious, Xiang Jieer didn’t dare to pester further but still pulled Shen Miao’s sleeve: "Xiang Jieer will be obedient and stay home with brother, but sister must come back."

Shen Miao softened her expression, bent down to hug her: "Sister really won’t leave, don’t worry."

After comforting her for a while, she solemnly assigned Xiang Jieer the task of watching the medicine pot, reminded Ji Geer to be careful with the fire, and then went out with her bag.

The "nang pei" of the Song Dynasty is varied, not just the simple cloth bundles seen in TV dramas. Shen Miao only realized after coming to the Song Dynasty that the styles of so-called luxury bags in later generations can almost all be found in the "nang dai" used daily by the Song people. They have small pouches hung on their bodies, as well as larger crossbody bags, shoulder bags, handbags, and backpacks. The materials range from leather to fabric, with various embellishments and embroidery. The ancients were actually quite trendy.

The bag Shen Miao is carrying now is one that her original self had treasured for many years—it has adjustable straps, can be worn crossbody or on one shoulder, and has a hard cowhide base that can bear weight without deforming. It is embroidered with magpies heralding spring, with tassels, and is exquisitely made. It was one of the dowry items her parents prepared for her.

Once out the door, the Bianjing night market is famously lively. It is said that at one point it was so bustling that even the royal procession couldn’t pass. Later, the court had no choice but to establish the "Street Department," and the Garrison Troops in green robes, like the "city management" of later generations, would patrol the streets at night to manage traffic, which improved the situation.

As night fell today, the lights illuminated the sky, and the noise was deafening. The stalls came back to life, with vendors calling out their wares along the streets. The Ma Xing Street, with its many entertainment venues and shops, was lit with candles all night, making the entire street so smoky that not a single mosquito could be seen.