Chapter 30: Scallion and Pork Rolls

Chapter 30: Scallion and Pork Rolls

They had their backs to the alley entrance, each engrossed in their tasks. Some had sewing baskets on their laps, embroidering; others held small winnowing baskets, peeling peanuts; and one clutched an old loofah, with a wooden basin at her feet, scrubbing household bottles and jars.

Aunt Li, the biggest gossip, was right there with them.

Though Shen Miao carried a heavy load, she walked lightly and silently, approaching unnoticed. They were so absorbed in their work and chatter that they hadn’t noticed her. Shen Miao stood behind a messy pile of miscellaneous items, listening with interest for a while.

One said, "Why hasn’t the Xie family come these past few days?"

Another replied, "Perhaps Steward Zheng didn’t take a liking to Shen Da Jieer!"

Someone else sighed, "Even though they’re servants, they’re servants of the Xie family! They probably earn more in a month than we do from all our hard work. Even matching with Shen Da Jieer would be a stretch. It’s only natural they wouldn’t be interested. Shen Da Jieer is pitiful, but after all, she’s been married before and isn’t a young maiden anymore."

Another chimed in, "Not necessarily, I heard her ex-husband was impotent."

Another questioned, "No, that’s not right. I heard it was Shen Da Jieer who couldn’t conceive, which is why her mother-in-law divorced her."

"Divorcing after three years without a child seems too hasty, isn’t it? No, I heard from Old Gu’s wife that her ex-husband had an inappropriate relationship with his own mother, and Shen Da Jieer couldn’t bear it, so she…" The skepticism grew.

Someone else gagged, "I’ve heard that too, it’s hard to believe. Let’s not talk about it."

Another sighed for her, "Regardless, Shen Da Jieer’s looks are top-notch. Not just in our alley, but within a ten-mile radius, there’s no one as well-put-together as her. It’s a pity she was divorced by her husband and now has the stigma of possibly being infertile. Even with her beauty, no one dares to approach her. Ah, life’s tough. The Shen family, one after another, all seem to have it rough."

Xiang Jieer looked up at her sister in confusion, seeing that she even smiled a little, tilting her head before continuing to lick the candy stick her sister had made for her. Since her sister wasn’t angry, it didn’t matter! Xiang Jieer’s little head was filled with nothing but food and her sister.

The candy was made by her sister before she went out to set up her stall. She melted rock sugar over a low flame, sprinkled in some roasted walnuts and crushed peanuts, then turned off the heat and used a bamboo stick to twirl it around until it formed a big round candy stick.

The candy, with its fragrant, crispy nuts, was simply delicious!

Xiang Jieer was completely absorbed in eating the candy, while Shen Miao listened with equal fascination, until she heard Aunt Li, who was embroidering a handkerchief, bite off the thread and say sourly about Ji Geer, "Shen Da Jieer went all out to curry favor with Steward Zheng, but it wasn’t entirely in vain. Yesterday, Gou’er came back and said her brother Ji Geer is studying phonetics and composing poetry. He’s also acquired a lot of fine stationery, probably all from Shen Da Jieer’s efforts with the Xie family!"

Ji Geer wasn’t at the stall today; he stayed home to study.

The clay oven at Shen Miao’s house had dried, making it much faster to bake the red bean buns. The oven was well-sealed, with a stable temperature, so he didn’t need to watch the fire. Besides, the summer exams in May were just two weeks away, and Ji Geer needed to focus.

So she left him at home to study in peace.

Shen Miao had piled Ji Geer with homework based on the key points Xie Ninth Geer had previously outlined: fifty sheets of calligraphy practice daily, a short essay on the "Four Books," memorizing "Phonetics Primer," composing two phonetics poems, and three essays praising virtues… ahem, I mean, policy discussions.

In this version of the Song Dynasty, "Phonetics Primer" didn’t exist yet, but Shen Miao had memorized it! She recited it for Ji Geer, had him transcribe it word by word, and then memorize it himself.

Though her family had been chefs for three generations in her past life, they weren’t just any chefs! Her grandfather was not only a skilled calligrapher but also an expert in painting flowers, birds, and landscapes. He had a house full of classical books.

Her parents had known each other since childhood, living just half a street apart. So when she got tired of learning cooking from her grandfather, she would slip over to her grandfather’s courtyard to relax. The breeze was soft, the sun warm, and her grandfather would leisurely dry books, read, and brew tea on the terrace. She would sit in his lap, listening to him read, sipping tea, and dozing off.

Those days seemed unforgettable, even across two lifetimes.

The books she had memorized with her grandfather, the lessons she had learned, hadn’t faded away. They were still etched in her mind.

Now, just as her grandfather had once recited "Phonetics Primer" for her, she did the same for Ji Geer, explaining, "This was compiled by an old scholar in Jinling City. I think it’s very helpful for learning old phonetics, tonal patterns, antithesis techniques, and rhyme usage."

Ji Geer was immediately captivated and copied it down himself, memorizing it daily.

Needless to say, the strategy of extensive practice is the fastest way to improve exam results. Ji Geer’s progress in recent days was so impressive that even Shen Miao noticed. She even scored a few damp wooden boards from Old Man Yang for free. The boards were waterproofed, so washing them with water would clean off the ink, saving paper for Ji Geer’s calligraphy practice.

So for the past few days, Ji Geer had been hitting the books day and night, his mind completely absorbed in books and practice questions. He seemed a bit out of it during the day, and even in his dreams, he was reciting phonetic mnemonics: "Clouds to rain… snow to wind… sunset to clear sky…"

So these women could gossip about her all they wanted, but they’d better not say a word about Ji Geer, who was studying his heart out.

Suddenly, Shen Miao spoke up behind them, "Hello, aunties, everyone’s here, huh?"

Her voice startled the women who had been gossiping behind her back, nearly making them drop what they were holding. By the time they looked up, startled, Shen Miao had already regained her composure.

Before they could speak, Shen Miao pointed at them with sorrow, "You can gossip about me all you like, but don’t you dare badmouth Ji Geer. You know, in life, you can flatter your way to many things, but not knowledge! If fancy pens and paper could make you smart, everyone would be a scholar. Aunt Li, you criticized Ji Geer for not studying, and now that he’s working hard, you still pick on him? Let’s cut to the chase, just answer me this: Have my siblings and I ever taken a bite of your food or worn your clothes? Why are you treating us orphans, who’ve lost our parents and only have each other, this way?"

Aunt Li turned red and pale from Shen Miao’s blunt accusation, feeling truly guilty.

Shen Miao didn’t show anger; instead, her eyes welled up as she spoke. She pulled out a handkerchief to dab at her dry eyes, her hand shook as she pointed at them, "Aunties, you’re so heartless, you’re pushing us to the brink! If I hear this again, I’ll hang myself right at your doorsteps! Then we’ll see each other every night and catch up!"

"This... this is too much!"

"Da Jieer, don’t be mad, we just heard it from others, the aunties were only chatting."

"Yeah, yeah, it’s not really us saying it."

"Oh no, I left the stove on, I’ve got to go..."

"Same here, my baby’s probably awake, I should head out too!"

With that, they scattered like a flock of startled birds, and Aunt Li also seized the chance to slip away. Shen Miao straightened up, dabbed her eyes again, and snorted softly. She lifted her head and said, "Xiang Jieer, let’s go."

As she reached her doorstep and was about to open the door, she noticed Gu Tusu standing at his family’s doorstep. She didn’t know how long he’d been there. Shen Miao glanced at him and nodded slightly in greeting.

Unexpectedly, Gu Tusu lowered his head and suddenly spoke, "Da Jieer, you’ve changed so much from before."

Shen Miao paused and turned around.

"In the past, if they talked about you like this, you would always cry and run home..."

"Second Brother Gu," Shen Miao interrupted his reminiscence, sighing somewhat helplessly.

She had no fear of being exposed as not being the original Shen Da Jieer. She lifted her head, and this was the first time since returning to Bianjing that she had looked at Gu Tusu for so long. The alley was empty except for the two of them, but Shen Miao still softened her voice, "You know, people don’t stay the same forever. The crying Shen Da Jieer has grown up. The Shen Da Jieer who was pampered and knew nothing of the world’s malice, who married into Jinling for three years, only I know what she has been through."

Although she was no longer Shen Da Jieer, only she could know her.

Shen Miao had all the memories of Shen Da Jieer in her mind, and she deeply felt her weakness and regret. She whispered, "For three years, away from my parents and siblings, I had to face another unfamiliar 'home' alone. I had to deal with my mother-in-law’s endless torment from the moment I opened my eyes: washing clothes until midnight before I could sleep; getting up before dawn to fetch water and cut grass; spinning and embroidering all day to make ends meet... Second Brother Gu, you must understand, a woman, if she is loved by her parents in the boudoir and then marries a good man, can live a life without hardship and retain her innocence. But how many such women are there in the entire Song Dynasty? Of course, I was not so lucky. Moreover, my family is broken, and I have been divorced by my husband’s family, now I have nothing. When you say such things, doesn’t it seem... too harsh on me?"

Gu Tusu was choked by Shen Miao’s words, his face turning red, and he didn’t know what to say.

"I didn’t mean that..."

Shen Miao shook her head.

"If one always dwells on the past, how can one move forward? Whether it’s fortune or disaster, I should accept the trials that fate gives me, and I firmly believe that no one will be unlucky forever. I like a play, there’s a line that says 'My fate is up to me, not heaven,' although it’s a bit cliché, I believe that one day, I will be able to live a good life with my own hands."

Shen Miao looked at him earnestly and said word by word:

"Second Brother Gu, since I came back, you have been very helpful. I thank you, thank you and Aunt Gu, Uncle Gu for taking care of Ji Geer and Xiang Jieer, and thank you for still caring about the immature Shen Da Jieer. I think you should also understand, I am no longer the Shen Da Jieer in your memory. So... Second Brother Gu, you should also look forward. I sincerely hope that you will meet a virtuous woman you like in the future and live a happy and healthy life... As for me, I will naturally work hard and live well."

"Second Brother Gu, don’t worry about me anymore."

After saying that, she bowed deeply and, without waiting for his reply, led Xiang Jieer into the house.

She had thought about clearing things up with Gu Tusu before, but she didn’t expect the opportunity to come so suddenly. But it was just as well, Gu Tusu was not a bad person, but she didn’t want to be so cautious anymore, so that in the future when she faced the Gu family, she wouldn’t feel indebted.

Gu Tusu stood in place for a long time, as if he had just found his breath again, and slowly leaned against the rough courtyard wall, slowly lifting his head. The sky in the alley was a deep blue, with thick clouds hanging in the sky, but it seemed as if he had returned to that day three years ago, he seemed to see the narrow alley decorated with lanterns and colored silks, the musicians crowded at the Shen family’s doorstep, and indeed, it was a scene of great joy.

The Shen family’s dowry boxes filled the small courtyard, and the newly made four-carried bridal sedan was already waiting at the alley’s entrance. According to custom, the bride’s feet must not touch the ground before she leaves the house. But Shen Da Jieer had no elder brother, and Ji Geer was still young.

It was he, after their birth characters were matched, who, as her sworn brother, carried her to the bridal sedan chair.

Da Jieer, clad in green robes and a ceremonial cape, holding a round fan, leaned lightly onto his back like a delicate swallow.

Her slender arms encircled his neck, and Gu Tusu's eyes brimmed with tears, nearly buckling under the weight of emotion. To this day, he still remembers that day vividly. Because, that day was the closest, yet the farthest, he had ever been to Da Jieer.

Joyous melodies filled the air, and the felicitous words of relatives, friends, and the bridesmaids resonated in his ears. The mere span of a few dozen feet bore the weight of a thousand pounds upon his steps, and he walked slower and slower. Upon reaching the bridal sedan, he hesitated to release her. Only after the bridesmaid's persistent prompts did he clench his teeth and lower himself.

Da Jieer entered the sedan, her visage veiled by the round fan adorned with mandarin ducks frolicking in water. She uttered her final words to him in a clear, crisp tone:

"Gu Erge, thank you."

Gu Tusu rose, his gaze still downcast, and extended his hand to adjust the embellishments on her emerald wedding attire.

"Ah Miao..." His voice quivered, thick with emotion. During the Song Dynasty, it was improper for anyone but a woman's parents or spouse to casually utter her given name, and people usually addressed her by her rank. Yet, he succumbed to the urge, and for the first and final instance, he vocalized the name he had silently cherished countless times, "Should the Rong family mistreat you, send word, and I shall assuredly champion your cause."

In that instant, Da Jieer stood speechless, and before she could respond, the bridesmaid brusquely shoved him aside, "Tut tut tut, young master Gu, on this auspicious day, how could you utter such ill-omened words. Just in time, the auspicious hour has arrived, lift the sedan—"

He was thrust aside as though a mere effigy, stumbling a step in the process. He gazed vacantly at his hands. The realization struck him—he had relinquished his hold, and with Da Jieer, he had surrendered this lifetime.

Henceforth, she was to wed another.

A wave of impulse swelled within him as the jubilant music resumed. Amidst the drumming, he abruptly raised his gaze, only to discover the red veil of the bridal sedan had been drawn back. Amidst the clamor, Da Jieer slightly lowered the round fan, unveiling a pair of smiling eyes, and gently called out to him:

"Gu Erge, I depart now, fare thee well."

The suona's high-pitched notes soared, the gongs and drums resounded, and firecrackers crackled to life. Da Jieer's voice appeared to fragment amidst the din, scattering to the winds. The sedan rocked and receded, and the familiar, tender eyes were once more concealed by the undulating curtain.

That impulse ultimately faded within those eyes.

Indeed, regardless of all, he too wished her well, a lifetime of felicity.

Unfortunately, in the end, nothing went as planned.

The Shen family was gone, and Da Jieer returned alone, but the hand that had been let go was let go forever. Who could blame him for being too humble back then, not daring to compete with the elegant and scholarly Rong Dalang? If only he had been braver back then... If only he had confessed his feelings to Da Jieer earlier... How wonderful it would have been...

Now... it was too late for regrets.

He tilted his head back, exhaled a breath of turbid air, wiped his eyes roughly, and without looking up again, turned and closed his own door.

***

Shen Miao felt a sense of relief after speaking her mind. She didn't want to let anyone down, but sometimes she couldn't go against her own heart, nor could she deceive herself. Just as cooking couldn't be faked, she believed living life was the same.

She briskly walked into the kitchen, her hand touching the knife handle, habitually twirling it in a perfect arc, and her heart calmed down.

No more overthinking, today's lunch will be a delicious meat roll!

She started chopping the meat with a thud, thud, thud. Making meat rolls was simple: mix flour with water, knead it, and let it rest for a quarter of an hour. Chop the meat filling, add salt, oil, soy sauce, and the pre-ground homemade thirteen-spice powder, mix well with chopped scallions, then roll out the dough as thin as possible, almost like paper.

Then spread the meat filling evenly, roll the dough into layers, cut into sections, and steam for a bit more than a quarter of an hour before serving.

The finished meat roll, when bitten into, is soft, fragrant, and full of meaty goodness. It can be dipped in sauce for even more flavor!

Besides the scallion and meat flavor, meat rolls can also be made with preserved vegetable and meat filling, braised meat filling, or spicy meat filling. Each filling is equally delicious, and in Shen Miao's heart, they are all mouth-watering delicacies.

Just as the rolls were being steamed, Xiang Jieer, drawn by the aroma, came over.

She was busy at home, not noticing that someone had stopped at the entrance of the alley while she was speaking alone with Gu Tusu, and had listened to her heartfelt words about life's vicissitudes.

In the bustling market, Xie Qi carried a large rattan book box, while Yan Shu walked empty-handed. Qiu Hao dutifully led a sleek black Texas donkey, with one hand holding the reins and the other supporting the bedding and two boxes of books on the donkey's back. The trio and the donkey turned away from Willow East Alley and stepped into the lively street market.

Yan Shu asked somewhat disappointedly, "Ninth Geer, why didn't you call out to Shen Miao just now? Didn't we come specifically to buy some egg yolk pastries to bring to the academy to honor Doctor Yao?"

That day, Shen Miao gave Ninth Geer a box of egg yolk pastries. After tasting them upon returning from the soaked chicken banquet, Ninth Geer nodded repeatedly, saying they were excellent. He couldn't bear to eat them himself, keeping only two and sending the rest to the courtyards of the lady and the matriarch.

As his servant, Yan Shu was lucky enough to taste half of one.

But that half had left him craving until today.

Xie Qi didn't answer; he seemed lost in thought. After a while, he smiled.

"My fate is in my own hands, not heaven's?" What a good phrase, but I wonder which play it's from? In Bianjing, with all its various performances and dramas, I haven't heard of it. Could it be from Jinling? I'd like to hear what story it tells.

Qiu Hao had a hard time leading the stubborn donkey, which was clopping along. Yan Shu also patted the donkey's rump, muttering complaints, "Stupid donkey, get moving! Hurry up! Qiu Hao, give it a whip, and it'll behave... Ninth Geer, the lady has sent all the household carriages and horses out for banquet errands and purchases. Now we have to walk all the way to the outer city. By the time we reach the academy, it'll probably be dark."

The big servant named Qiu Hao finally reined in the unruly donkey and scolded Yan Shu, "You dare to talk about the lady? If Zheng Neizhi finds out, you'll get another beating."

Yan Shu pouted and snorted, "If I get beaten, it's because you snitched."

Qiu Hao glanced at him sideways and ignored him, dragging the donkey ahead on his own.

Xie Qi didn't pay attention to the servants' bickering. As he walked, he murmured to himself, "Whether it's fortune or misfortune, one must accept the trials fate gives and believe that no one is unlucky forever... Shen Miao's words are so profound."

Yan Shu then realized his master hadn't been listening to him at all and puffed up his cheeks again, silently grumbling in his heart, "I don't know if anyone is unlucky for a lifetime, but here's someone who's been unlucky for half a lifetime."

The master and servants walked down the street, and even Jinliang Bridge was out of sight before Xie Qi came to his senses and suddenly realized, "Oh right, we haven't bought the egg yolk pastries yet..."

Yan Shu gritted his teeth in frustration, "...It's too late to turn back now!"

Xie Qi thought for a moment, called over a loiterer by the street, paid him a few coins, and ordered him to deliver a message to the Xie family. The loiterer, hearing it was the Xie family from West Bell and Drum Lane, didn't dare to mess around and nodded obsequiously.

"Let Zheng Neizhi send someone to Shen Miao's house to buy some and then deliver them to the academy. Even if we had gone earlier, Shen Miao wouldn't have been able to make them in time." Xie Qi originally didn't want anyone to know he was going to such lengths for a snack, but now he had no choice.

Yan Shu then beamed with joy, tugging at Xie Qi's sleeve and pleading, "Those egg yolk pastries are truly delicious. I've been craving them ever since I last had one. This time, Ninth Geer, you must save one for me. I'm not greedy; one will do."

"When have I ever skimped on your food? Hurry up, if we waste any more time, see how you'll get back."

The master and servants walked further and further away. After more than half an hour, the sound of horses and carriages echoed at the entrance of East Willow Lane, and the households in the lane immediately cracked open their doors and windows to peek outside.

Oh my, a well-dressed middle-aged man was standing at Shen Miao's door. Isn't that the Xie family's steward Zheng again? He's knocking on Shen Miao's door again! Everyone perked up, and some couldn't resist, openly watching with curiosity.

Shen Miao opened the door and was momentarily stunned to see Zheng Neizhi. She then noticed the neighbors' prying eyes and felt a slight helplessness: her earlier impassioned speech had been in vain, and now she was in a situation she couldn't easily explain.

But Shen Miao still greeted him properly and inquired, "What brings you here, Zheng Neizhi? Is there something important?"

Zheng Neizhi laughed heartily, "Indeed, there are two good things. First, our Ninth Geer specifically sent me to order fifty more egg yolk pastries to bring to the academy as gifts for the doctors. Second, our matriarch has been craving Shen Miao's egg yolk pastries since she had them some time ago. Chef Fang at home has tried several times but couldn't make them, so the lady has sent me to ask if we could buy Shen Miao's pastry recipe, so we don't have to go out to buy them often."

It seemed that the gift she gave to Xie Ninth Geer had been shared with the elders of the Xie family, which had greatly helped her. Shen Miao was momentarily stunned but immediately put on a smile and joyfully opened her courtyard gate wide.

Previously, Shopkeeper Wei was unwilling to buy her red bean bun recipe, fearing it was easy to replicate. If a competitor figured it out, he would lose both his wife and his money, suffering a great loss. But the Xie family was different; they weren't in business, so they didn't have such concerns.

Her eyes lit up as she eagerly invited Zheng Neizhi in, "So that's how it is. Please come in, Zheng Neizhi, and let's discuss this in detail... Ji Geer! Ji Geer! Stop reading for now! Brew some tea for your sister! Xiang Jieer! Stop chasing the chicken! You're going to make it lose its feathers! Go to the kitchen and bring some of the cookies I just baked for our guest! Remember to wash your hands!"

The god of wealth has come knocking once more. Who cares about gossip and rumors!