Chapter 90: Chinese Toon Noodles

Chapter 90: Toon Leaf Noodles

In the kitchen, Shen Miao had tied on a floral apron with her sleeves rolled up high, revealing her lean and strong forearms. She blanched the toon leaves and then gave them a cold water rinse. After that, she neatly arranged the toon leaves on the cutting board, picked up the kitchen knife, and began chopping with a rhythmic "da-da-da" sound. Soon, a small pile of finely chopped toon leaves accumulated on the board.

A unique, rich aroma started to permeate the air.

Xiang Jieer and A Tao were quietly peeking through the kitchen window, watching as Shen Miao calmly prepared toon scrambled eggs as if nothing had happened. They crouched down and exchanged looks.

"The lady has already begun the six rites, so why is she so calm?" A Tao asked, resting her chin on her hands.

"I don't know either," Xiang Jieer said, copying her pose.

Right after Ning left, Shen Miao excitedly announced they'd be having toon leaf noodles and scrambled eggs with toon for dinner, saying that if they didn't enjoy this fresh taste in spring, they would have wasted the season.

"Why does it seem like the lady is more excited about toon scrambled eggs than her own wedding?" A Tao asked, puzzled, turning to Xiang Jieer. "Is toon really that delicious?"

Xiang Jieer slurped and nodded emphatically, "Delicious."

A Tao: "..."

She turned her head back silently, recalling the recent events—when Shen Miao was hurriedly called back by Tang Er, who was out of breath, from the fast-food shop on Imperial Street, she walked into the house to find Ning cradling a lively goose adorned with a red silk flower around its neck and red cloth strips on its feet.

Shen Miao understood immediately.

Before Shen Miao got back, Ning had already been warmly greeted by A Tao, Fu Xing, Xiang Jieer, and Chen Chuan, who had seated her in the courtyard and served her pastries and hot tea. They had peppered her with excited questions, such as whether the Xie family had sent anyone, who had come, where they were, what the Xie family had said, and even where they had caught the live goose, showing how thoughtful they were.

The flurry of questions had Ning nearly overwhelmed.

The Book of Rites records: A goose is traditionally used as the betrothal gift. This is a wedding custom that has been passed down since the Zhou dynasty.

Geese migrate, heading south in autumn and north in spring, always punctual, never missing their season; and they are loyal, if one dies, the other will not choose another mate, symbolizing loyalty and the auspicious meaning of growing old together.

But lately, live geese have become harder to come by, and even if someone is commissioned to hunt them, they are very expensive. Nowadays, many families use geese or wooden carvings of geese as substitutes. More affluent families might commission a pair of bronze geese.

The goose the Xie family sent was strikingly beautiful and large, with a brown head and a broad white eyebrow stripe extending from the base of the beak to both sides of the neck. Its feathers were full, and it flapped its wings with considerable strength, as if it were the lead goose!

Everyone was ecstatic, but when Shen Miao walked in and saw the goose and Ning, she just smiled.

Then she curtsied gracefully, saying, "Greetings, Ning."

"I congratulate you as well, Lady Shen," Ning said, quickly standing to return the greeting. Seeing that Shen Miao was calm and composed, without any affectation, she inwardly praised her and then gently explained, "Though Lady Shen has no parents or brothers, you do have an uncle. I was originally going to the outer city to discuss this matter with him, but the person in charge sent by the Xie family from Chenzhou specifically instructed me to come to Lady Shen's home to propose the marriage... So today I've come unannounced, and I hope Lady Shen doesn't mind."

A Tao's eyes sparkled: at this stage of the three letters and six rites, the bride and groom aren't required to be present, only the matchmaker and the elders of the family are required. But Lady Shen has no parents, so according to etiquette, Uncle Shen and Ding should be invited. However, even A Tao, who was bought later, knew that Lady Shen had long since stopped interacting with her uncle's family! The Xie family... no, it must be Ninth Geer who already knew about her estrangement with Uncle Shen and had specifically informed his parents about it.

Oh, Ninth Geer is so thoughtful, always putting Lady Shen first! A Tao realized this and felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

Sure enough, Lady Shen also smiled and replied, "There's no need to mind. My parents are gone, and my uncle and aunt are unkind. I have long since fallen out with my uncle's family, so what use would it be for them to decide? They wouldn't prepare a dowry for me anyway, so what does it matter if I decide this marriage myself?"

So straightforward and sharp. A Tao inwardly praised her lady again, our lady is so bold! Truly a lady who is used to being in charge! So candid!

With these words, Ning also understood Lady Shen's character.

Just as well, there was no need to beat around the bush. Ning immediately stood up, holding the glossy, beautifully shaped goose, and handed it to Shen Miao, solemnly saying, "I am entrusted by the Xie family to come today to propose marriage to the Shen family. This goose is a token of the Xie family's sincerity, I hope Lady Shen will accept it, as a symbol of the love between the two families, and the beginning of a good relationship."

Shen Miao then reached out to take the goose, holding it in her arms, and took out two strings of coins, handing them to Ning, "Thank you for your trouble, please accept this."

"The Xie family has already given me my due," Ning pushed the money back, smiling, "This completes the betrothal gift ceremony. Later, Lady Shen can send someone to release the goose by the Golden Ming Pond. By the way, when it comes to the betrothal gifts, the Xie family will provide a list of gifts and send people to deliver them. Lady Shen will also need to prepare a dowry list and the bride's wedding letter, which will be exchanged at that time. Finally, the two families will invite a master proficient in the five elements to calculate an auspicious wedding date, and then the engagement will be finalized."

A Tao listened more carefully than Shen Miao, her mind already imagining the lively and grand scene when the Xie family would bring the betrothal gifts. She was so excited she wanted to jump up and down, but Lady Shen just nodded, keeping in mind the two things she needed to prepare, and thanked Ning again, "Thank you for your guidance, Ning. Why don't you stay a bit longer and have dinner with us later?"

"No, I still have a few more families to visit," Madam Ning gracefully declined.

"Let me walk you out," she said, accompanying Madam Ning to the door.

Upon returning, she noticed everyone in the courtyard silently staring at her and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me? Are you hungry? How about we eat different toona dishes later? Also, Tang Er, could you help me set the wild goose free later? Don't keep it tied up like this."

So Tang Er, somewhat bewildered, took the wild goose and went out.

A Tao always felt that Madam Shen was too calm and composed about her own situation!

"Sister, it seems like you're just handling official business at the government office," Chen Chuan also said, holding Thunder.

Xiang Jieer, who was nibbling on a braised chicken leg nearby, shook her head, "No, no, no, sister just seemed like she was making an appointment with Madam Ning to go shopping at the market."

A Tao nodded vigorously, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Shen Miao thought for a moment, then dramatically pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve, dabbing at her dry eyes, "Oh my, I'm so happy, I could cry!"

The courtyard fell silent, except for the chirping of a fat sparrow overhead.

Shen Miao put away the handkerchief and smiled, "Alright, isn't this what we've already agreed on? I am happy, I just didn’t let it show. It's getting late, I'll go prepare dinner, you all go play."

A Tao silently watched as Madam Shen entered the kitchen and began washing the toona sinensis buds delivered by the farmer in the morning. She lowered her eyes and handled the kitchen tasks, her expression as usual.

"Madam Shen is just too remarkable, facing such a big event without changing her expression," A Tao concluded, retracting her hand from the window sill and returning to the front shop to do her work.

Inside the window, Shen Miao reached into the bamboo basket and pulled out a few round eggs. With two crisp "crack" sounds, the eggs were gently cracked on the edge of the bowl, and the golden yolks and transparent whites slid through the cracks into the bowl. She picked up chopsticks and quickly whisked, mixing the whites and yolks until they blended into one, then poured the chopped toona sinensis into the egg mixture, sprinkled a pinch of salt, added a few drops of sesame oil, and mixed again.

She heated the oil in a pan, and when the oil was warm, she slowly poured the mixed toona sinensis and egg mixture into the pan.

As soon as the egg mixture hit the pan, it sizzled, instantly spreading out at the bottom, with golden bubbles forming at the edges. At the same time, the unique aroma of toona sinensis rose with the steam, filling the entire kitchen. The egg mixture gradually solidified, and once the bottom was set and colored, Shen Miao deftly flipped the entire egg with a spatula.

The green of the toona sinensis was speckled within the golden omelet, and the aroma became even more intense.

She slowly fried it over low heat until both sides were golden, then plated it!

Shen Miao sniffed the aroma and was satisfied as she placed it on a plate. Some places serve toona sinensis without blanching, thinking it diminishes the aroma, but Shen Miao blanched it for health reasons.

Although toona sinensis is delicious, not blanching it can easily lead to food poisoning.

After blanching and cooling, it still keeps the original crispness and sweetness of the tender buds, and the aroma does not completely disappear, but it is indeed lighter than without blanching. Moreover, once blanched, the red toona sinensis turns green, not as visually appealing as before.

The toona sinensis before the rainy season has a good texture and contains less nitrite, so eating it once is enough.

Shen Miao set the omelet aside and began making toona sinensis mixed noodles. While scrubbing the pot, she glanced out the window; the two little heads peeking from the bottom of the window were gone, and the courtyard outside was quiet.

She put down the scrubber, turned her back to the stove, patted her chest, took several deep breaths, and quietly dabbed water on her face to calm her heart, which had been beating wildly since Madam Ning appeared.

That was close—I almost lost my composure outside.

In this life, considering the marriage of Da Jieer and Rong Dalang, this body is a second marriage. But if you talk about herself, the "soul" within this body... combined with her past life, this is the first time she is about to marry someone. Perhaps only she knows the resolve it required.

Shen Miao let out a long breath, picked up the kitchen knife again, and began slicing the noodles.

The pot of boiling water next to her was already bubbling, she added some bean sprouts in to blanch, quickly fished them out to cool, and set them aside in a bowl with the leftover toona sinensis from the omelet.

She suddenly remembered her grandfather from her past life asking her why she never wanted to get married, was it because of the social pressure, busy work, or because her friends' marriages were a mess? Or did she want to be someone who avoids marriage? Or did she not like men?

The last possibility nearly caused Shen Miao to choke on her tea.

Grandpa feigned innocence: "Go ahead, say it. Whatever your reason, Grandpa supports you."

Shen Miao smiled. She always knew her grandpa was more open-minded than other parents who just pushed for marriage, which was why he could discuss this issue with her so calmly.

How had she answered back then? She denied each one: "Work is busy, and the pressure is high, but that's not the reason. Seeing friends' marriages have more downsides than upsides does serve as a warning, but that's not why either. I also have friends who are true romantics, living happily and lovingly together. It's definitely not about being against marriage or gender issues."

"Then why is it?"

Back then, Shen Miao gazed out at the city's countless lights, her voice softening: "I just want to find someone I truly like, who truly likes me back. It must be someone I like, really like."

In her past life, she never met such a person and passed away.

But in this life, fortunately, she met him early.

A northbound grain transport barge, a bowl of mushroom and meat sauce noodles, a bag of sour sand fruits.

Their connection was fleeting, yet deeply intertwined.

Shen Miao thought of the past. Her hands moved deftly as she prepared the noodle toppings: minced garlic, chopped green onions, sesame; frying peanuts until fragrant, then crushing them and adding them in, pouring hot oil to immediately release the aroma. Then adding soy sauce, vinegar, and salt.

Mix it all together, and a simple yet fragrant topping is ready.

Boil the noodles, then drain them, then portion each serving of noodles, bean sprouts, Chinese toon, and chopped Chinese toon omelet into bowls, pouring over the freshly prepared topping.

Shen Miao planned to start selling this noodle dish the next day, so today she let everyone have a taste.

Shen Miao pushed open the window: "Fu Xing, go call Ninth Geer to eat." She then turned to call A Tao, "The noodles are ready; set the table. Everyone come in and get their own later."

Just as Shen Miao finished speaking, a customer walked into the shop, loudly asking, "Is anyone here?"

"Yes, yes! Just a moment, I'll be right there." A Tao quickly set the table and hurried out to greet.

Shen Miao peeked out from the kitchen; it seemed to be a middle-aged man, wearing an exquisite brocade robe, covered with an expensive cicada-wing gauze.

She only caught a glimpse because the man, with his hands behind his back, walked to another part of the shop, curiously looking around, seemingly attracted by Ninth Geer's calligraphy and paintings on the wall.

Many new customers come in like this, Ninth Geer's calligraphy and paintings are truly eye-catching. Shen Miao's shop even attracts scholars from the Imperial College or academies who book tables in advance for literary gatherings, always wanting to sit near the long table by the "Roast Duck Painting."

Speaking of which, Ninth Geer's calligraphy and paintings have really brought in many literati and scholars to her shop.

Shen Miao didn't pay it much mind, continuing to wipe down the counter and stove, and reminded Xiang Jieer and Chen Chuan, who came in to get noodles, to be careful as the bowls were still hot.

Soon, A Tao came in and said, "The customer smelled the Chinese toon and also wants a bowl. Should we make one for him? But we haven't listed it on the menu yet."

Shen Miao said, "It's okay, make one for him, it's quick, just right."

"How much should we charge him per bowl?"

Shen Miao thought for a moment, Chinese toon wasn't as expensive or rare as in later times, it's just a wild vegetable, and there's no other meat, so she said, "Charge twelve coins."

A Tao nodded and went out to respond. Shen Miao heard her crisp voice in the kitchen saying to the well-dressed customer, "We can make it; twelve coins for a bowl. Please sit anywhere, we also have spicy Chinese cabbage for three coins a plate and vinegar peanuts, would you like some of those too?"

The middle-aged man had a pleasant voice, clear and smooth, as if smiling, it floated in lightly: "Alright, then bring some of those too."

"Alright, please wait, I'll bring them to you right away."

A Tao sold more side dishes, happily returning to open the jar of pickled spicy Chinese cabbage, and whispered to Shen Miao, "Madam, today's customer is quite handsome, looks like he's in his forties, but still so handsome! He's the most handsome person I've seen besides Ninth Geer."

Shen Miao was curious, lowering her head to ask, "Is he really that handsome?"

Can someone in their forties still be called handsome? That's not easy. Men have a short prime, whether in ancient or modern times, in China or abroad. Even Bai Laosan, poor guy, never even had a prime.

"Really. So tall! As tall as Ninth Brother," A Tao gestured, "You'll see for yourself, I'm not exaggerating."

Shen Miao finished mixing the noodles and was eager to try: "Then I'll take the noodles out myself and see for myself. I've seen plenty of short and skinny men, but I haven't seen anyone as tall as Ninth Brother."

She placed the noodle bowl on a tray, carried it, and lifted the door curtain.

At this moment, there was only the middle-aged man in the shop. He stood with his back to Shen Miao, hands behind his back, in front of the "Roast Duck Painting." Indeed, he was very tall, dressed in a bright, elegant blue brocade robe with wide sleeves, layered with stiff gauze—a very fashionable middle-aged man.

"Mr., your noodles are ready," Shen Miao called out.

He turned around, and seeing it wasn't A Tao, his eyes flickered briefly before he smiled slightly and asked, "Are you Mrs. Shen?"

The moment Shen Miao saw him, she indeed understood why A Tao said he was handsome.

He was really handsome.

His handsomeness wasn't just in his looks but in his bone structure and aura, with bright eyes and well-defined brows, as radiant as spring. Even with some wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and a short mustache, his striking appearance remained undiminished.

Shen Miao was momentarily dazed, then bowed slightly: "Yes."

His smile deepened, looking her up and down, and seeing she was still holding the tray, he sat down at the nearby table: "Just put it here."

Shen Miao then carried it over, and he glanced at the black pottery bowl containing the noodles and praised: "That's a fine pottery bowl."

A Tao also came out with the side dishes, hearing the man's words, she proudly said: "Sir, you have a good eye. This was bought for the lady by her fiancé."

The man had just picked up his chopsticks, but upon hearing this, his hand paused in mid-air, and he looked over with wide eyes.

Shen Miao's face turned red, covering A Tao's mouth, retreating while smiling apologetically: "Hehe, this girl's had too much toon and her mind's a bit foggy. Please, enjoy your meal."

She quickly pulled her aside, whispering, "What fiancé? You can't say that."

"Then what should we call him?" A Tao blinked, muffled in Shen Miao's palm.

Good question. Shen Miao was at a loss.

Behind them, the middle-aged man let out a low chuckle.

Shen Miao's face turned even redder.

But this stylish gentleman seemed oddly familiar, as if she'd seen him somewhere before. Shen Miao racked her brains but couldn't remember, but this gentleman must be here for the first time.

Someone with such a striking appearance, if he had been here before, Shen Miao felt she should not have forgotten. Lost in thought, she entered the courtyard, where Xiang Jieer and Chen Chuan were already slurping their noodles, heads down. Tang Er hadn't returned yet, and Youyu had gone to get water.

While she was greeting the guest, Ninth Brother had arrived. Seemingly wary of the plants, he and Yan Shu sat far under the corridor, and Fu Xing had just brought out their noodles from the kitchen.

Noticing Xie Qi's red eyelids, Shen Miao walked over.

Xie Qi's eyes were itchy, and he had just used eye drops, causing tears to stream down. Unable to see clearly, he lifted his head in confusion, searching for Shen Miao.

His eyes were wet, his sockets red, looking oddly like a young wife who'd been crying in secret.

"Are your eyes feeling better?" Shen Miao asked, walking up to him. Her hands clenched at her sides as she resisted the urge to touch Ninth Brother's eyes.

Seeing him like this, she couldn't help feeling a little worried.

"Better, it's nothing," Xie Qi said, lifting his face and offering a reassuring smile through his teary eyes. "I've already used the medicine. It'll be better in a couple of days."

He raised his head, the lines of his neck beneath his collar tightening as he did so.

Shen Miao restrained herself from looking further down and smiled somewhat stiffly, "That's fine."

After a pause, she suddenly remembered that she should inform Ninth Brother about the matter of the wild geese and proceeded to explain in detail that Madam Ning had already visited. Unexpectedly, Xie Qi first showed joy, then confusion, "But why haven't I received any letters from my family?" He then asked, "Who from my family has come?"

After the betrothal presents are presented, the next step is to inquire about the names. A senior family member should come to deliver the birthdate card.

"Madam Ning didn't mention it," Shen Miao scratched her head, unfamiliar with the details of these procedures, and sat down beside Xie Qi, thinking before she spoke, "Madam Ning only mentioned the matter of the betrothal presents later."

This doesn't seem correct, Xie Qi became even more puzzled, "After the betrothal presents, the name inquiry, and the auspicious ceremony, then comes the betrothal presents. How could she skip the earlier steps and only mention the later ones?"

According to reason, my mother and father shouldn't have acted so rudely. Even if they didn't come personally, they should have chosen a respected elder from the clan to come.

Shen Miao shook her head, "Perhaps it's already arranged, so Madam Ning didn't mention it."

But Xie Qi was not reassured. Covering his tear-filled eyes with a handkerchief, he immediately called over Yan Shu, who was focused on slurping his noodles, "Yan Shu, go to Spring Manor and have the servants there send two people to quickly ride back to Chenzhou City to clarify the situation."

"Alright," Yan Shu immediately sped up his noodle slurping.

Shen Miao hurriedly intervened, "It's alright, let's ask someone to inquire with Madam Ning tomorrow before making any decisions. Don't make Yan Shu go out of the city so late, it's not safe."

Yan Shu, with his mouth full of noodles topped with sauce and chopped Chinese toon, looked bewilderedly at Xie Qi and then at Shen Miao, unsure whom to listen to.

Finally, Xie Qi softened his voice, "Never mind, then you listen to Lady Shen."

Yan Shu nodded joyfully and went back to slurping his noodles.

"You should eat too, it'll get cold soon," Shen Miao moved the noodles over.

Xie Qi's vision was blurry, but he had already smelled the strong aroma of Chinese toon in the courtyard and smiled, "The Chinese toon before the rain is as tender as silk. Although I couldn't see clearly when I came in, I could already smell the springtime scent of Lady Shen's home."

Just as Xie Qi was about to pick up his chopsticks, the sound of a customer calling came from the shop again.

Shen Miao quickly stood up, stopping A Tao who was halfway through her meal and about to get up, "I'll go, you keep eating."

She lifted the curtain and went in to see that the customer had already eaten all his noodles, not even leaving any side dishes. He was wiping his mouth with a handkerchief he carried.

"Ah, these noodles are delicious," the middle-aged man turned to look at Shen Miao, praising continuously, "The Chinese toon leaves are thick and the buds tender, the aroma is rich, mixed with the noodles, it's really good."

"We're glad you liked it," Shen Miao also smiled, "Please come again."

"I will," the middle-aged man smiled and took out half a string of coins, placing them on the table, "No need for change, this bowl of Chinese toon is the first fresh taste of spring, worth the price."

Shen Miao immediately smiled with eyes like crescent moons, she liked such generous customers, and so she thanked him warmly, "In a few days, our shop will also have cottonweed, mixed into glutinous rice flour to make cottonweed rice cakes, which are also very delicious. When you come next time, I'll give you a plate."

"Then thank you," the middle-aged man nodded with a smile, got up to leave, and as he reached the shop door, suddenly turned back and asked, "Lady Shen, do you know if there's a good pastry shop nearby? I don't often buy outside, and I want to order some wedding pastries but don't know where to go."

Shen Miao said, "Is your family preparing for a wedding? Congratulations. There's a Wei Family Pastry Shop north of Jinliang Bridge; it's been open for twenty years, and their pastries are quite good. You might want to check there."

The middle-aged man smiled again, "Thank you."

He then turned to leave.

Shen Miao really felt he looked familiar, especially when he smiled. On an impulse, she took a couple of steps forward and asked, "May I ask your name, sir? If you come again and I'm not here, I can inform the staff to prepare the cottonweed for you."

The middle-aged man had just turned back and hadn't answered yet when Shen Miao heard footsteps behind her, followed by Yan Shu's suddenly very surprised voice, "Lady Shen, I want another bowl... Huh? Sir, what are you doing here?"