Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life Chapter 132 - 131: Tusu Wine

In the garden behind the County Governnt, the trees were desolate, and the cold plum blossoms stood alone as Xiao Chong stood in the pavilion, one hand behind his back and the other holding a wine jug. The west wind blew, making his robe flutter loudly, displaying an air of carefree rebellion.

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

Soon, a sound of rapid and steady footsteps approached, indicating the person’s profound internal martial arts skills.

"Sir, I have found a clue. Eight servants disappeared overnight two days ago in the alley behind the Wang Family in the west city. Very suspicious." Shu Qi reported in a low voice as he approached.

Xiao Chong said indifferently, "The Wang Family? The one with the spice shop?"

"Yes."

"And then?"

Shu Qi continued, "The spies went to inquire; those families without n received rewards from their masters today, dressed in new clothes, pasted Spring Festival couplets, hung charms, visited neighbors to celebrate the New Year, drank wine, attended banquets, bustling with no sadness at all."

Xiao Chong sighed, picking a plum blossom with his raised hand, and remarked, "Human life is as cheap as grass, not even worth this leftover plum blossom in my hand."

Shu Qi stood nearby with his head down, silent, vigilantly guarding the surroundings.

Yesterday, as soon as they arrived at Lin Family Manor, they sensed sothing amiss. The two dilapidated fishing boats that used to dock at the pier, one was dismantled claiming it would be converted to a sampan.

What necessity could there be for changing a fishing boat to a sampan at New Year’s Eve? Moreover, there were clear traces of blood residues penetrating deep into the wood grain of those boat planks, along with a mysteriously damp village road, despite no rain for the last few days.

Inside Lin Wanwan’s courtyard, they saw the pebble paths smooth as mirrors, yet the flower beds on both sides were wet and muddy, evidently having been scrubbed thoroughly.

Could the ager number of servants in Lin Wanwan’s house possibly clean the paths spotless and reflective? They’ve been here before; the preparations for the New Year could never suffice for such detail.

More importantly, Xiao Chong found sprays of blood on the water pool’s edge in the courtyard, marks that only occur from soone being chopped or stabbed, sensitive as martial artists are to such traces.

Of course, it might not be human blood, but animal blood, since slaughters during the New Year festivities are common. Yet, such culinary affairs shouldn’t happen in the courtyard in front of the main building of the noble’s residence where guests are received.

Shu Qi also noticed the anomalies and quietly inford Xiao Chong, to which Xiao Chong replied indifferently, "I’m here as a guest today."

In the feudal age, the imperial powers didn’t reach the villages, and people didn’t report to the officials for investigations. Xiao Chong had no idle ti to find trouble; the affairs in the County Governnt were overwhelming, especially after managing the Wanghai Salt Field and Ta Mountain Dam, leaving him no chance to set foot down. Finally, he relaxed during New Year’s Eve.

Later, Xiao Chong sent Shu Qi and others to investigate overnight just out of habit, seizing initiative, unwilling for uncontrollable matters to occur in his jurisdiction.

He could turn a blind eye to certain matters but couldn’t be completely ignorant. As the County Magistrate, being well-inford about the circumstances of the citizens is a fundantal requirent.

"A bold one, Wang, the philanthropist," Xiao Chong mused playfully to himself, suddenly asking, "Is the street in West City filthy and chaotic?"

"Yes, sir, there are many residual traces of dried mule and horse dung, with nurous withered branches and leaves from the street trees, and a weird sll with every passing." Shu Qi replied.

Xiao Chong laughed aloud, turned, and walked inside, saying, "After New Year, that path should be clean, as our philanthropist Wang is a man who loves doing charity, isn’t he?"

"Indeed, Sir, you are wise."

In Lin Family Manor of Wanghai Village, Lin Wanwan stayed up nearly the whole night with Lin ngbo and his family, only sleeping as dawn broke. They awoke just before noon, and the courtyard was already filled with the joyful laughter of children.

Having newly adopted eleven little children, who were yet to be taught proper manners, the house barely differed from a kindergarten. Fortunately, Lin Wanwan slept soundly, undisturbed by the children’s playful noises.

Opening the window to look downstairs, she saw Qingyu chase a little elephant into the courtyard, led a team of real attendants playing the ga of Queen and Little Soldiers, with the little elephant serving as the Queen’s mobile palace.

Without a horse handler, Qingyu once again doted on the adorable, clumsy little elephant.

Wearing new clothes and drinking Tusu Wine on New Year’s Day were customs of the Great Tang.

Lin Wanwan followed the local customs, freshening up, dressed in a pogranate skirt handmade by Yun Shang, put on a faux bun, inserted a Jade Step Shaker, applied light makeup, added a center flower print on her brow, sipping a cup of Tusu Wine brewed with dicinal herbs like rhubarb, Atractylodes, cinnamon branches, Sichuan pepper, and others as created by Hua Tuo, becoming an authentic stylish noble lady of the Great Tang!

Most children of the clan had a new sheepskin jacket, warm and soft, looking like a flock of little lambs.

Although Teacher Lin can be quite stern at tis, today being New Year’s Day, it should spare them from having their palms slapped with the ruler! For the sake of good food, they had to co for New Year’s greetings. But to share the risk, they smartly walked in a team.

Lin Wanwan had Hua Nong prepare many candies and pastries in the main hall, and the children noisily gave her New Year’s greetings, leaving with handfuls of candies and pastries, all smiling with contentnt.

This year, the New Year is truly joyful; there’s at to eat, candies and pastries, having Teacher Lin is really wonderful!

The entire noon, Lin Wanwan spent amidst the cheerful greetings. The clan’s bunch of children were now respectful and fearful toward her, a distance just right for Lin Wanwan.

If she were too amiable, she’d easily be subrged in the circle of pesky children. Kids of seven or eight are at their mischievous age, unchanged centuries later. Children are akin to little folks, near yet disrespectful, distant yet resentful. A teacher’s authority is a necessary deterrence.

Apart from children, the Manor Guests from Lin Wanwan’s farm also took the opportunity of New Year’s Day to bring their only good things from ho to kowtow and celebrate with her.

Lin Wanwan accepted the wild mushrooms and vegetables they gathered with a smile and rewarded them with rice and flour but insisted on rejecting the pork so of them pooled together.

The Manor Guests felt ashad but truly couldn’t offer better things; pork was the best gift they could afford, unable to savor at themselves.

But Tang Dynasty pork, Lin Wanwan firmly refused; not even wishing to play the role. Already in her domain, no need to live to please others, why engage in hypocritical socializing? Dislike ans dislike, upfront statent suffices.

Since even if she kept the pork, it would be discarded, it’s far better to let those Manor Guests take it back as added at dishes.

Since seeing pigpens in Lu Family Manor, Lin Family Manor, and Dafeng Village, she avoids Tang Dynasty pork even if paid to eat it, feeling psychologically scarred.

Simply put, Tang Dynasty’s pig feeding thod astounded beyond imagination—Tang people built pigpens beneath toilets for waste recycling, truly impressive.

This is also why slightly decent Tang people disliked pork and called pigs "nasty swine."

Compared to nasty swine raised by Tang peasants, Lin Wanwan preferred buying modern pigs grown with feed. Plus, she had no interest in engaging in breeding in the Tang Dynasty, so out of sight, out of mind; beef and lamb are conveniently purchased in modern tis.