Chu Xun stepped forward and bought three stead buns, one for each person.
Only then did he notice that the woman's belly was bulging, seeming to be pregnant.
The foolish couple didn't know how to count. If soone asked for stead buns, they would give them.
So passersby giggled, took the stead buns and left, and the couple didn't care either.
Wang Huaian took the stead buns and specially put ten extra copper coins into the money pocket on the stall, saying, "Lord Tang had soone co to teach them how to make stead buns, saying to let them knead for half a shichen (one hour), and they knead for half a shichen. Not a quarter more, not a quarter less."
"They get up at the third watch every day to knead dough and light the fire, very diligent."
"Then they sit here for a whole day. If they can't see the sun, they pack up the stall, otherwise they won't leave even if they wet their pants."
"Even the bridal chamber was taught by others, causing who knows how many jokes."
Chu Xun took a bite of the stead bun. It was indeed kneaded well.
Moderately soft and fluffy, with a bit of chewiness.
Looking back, the couple started pinching stead buns and feeding each other again, giggling as if there was nothing else in the world.
Although the two were foolish, their clothes and hands were very clean.
Because the person who taught them how to make stead buns said that in this line of work, one's body and hands cannot be dirty.
"What are their nas?" Chu Xun asked.
Wang Huaian answered, "Liang Shouzhuo, Ah Xi."
"That woman wandered around the City God Temple since she was young. She was too foolish, and no one knew her surna or na. Seeing her giggling all day, they called her Ah Xi."
Chu Xun said "hmm", it was quite fitting.
The people coming and going looked down on this foolish couple.
But they didn't know that the things people all over the world were pursuing, the couple had already obtained.
Chu Xun specially took an extra look at the woman, accurately speaking, looking at her belly.
If there really was a new life gestating there, what would it be like in a few years.
Wang Huaian escorted them to the prepared quiet small courtyard. It wasn't large, but quiet enough.
"You two can rest here. Before the results are posted, Lord Tang has official duties. He will co after he finishes his work."
"No matter, official business is important," Chu Xun said.
After Wang Huaian cupped his hands, he took his leave and departed.
Huan'er stood in the courtyard, sizing up that thick old sophora tree.
When sophora flowers are yellow, candidates are busy.
Although this referred to the autumn provincial examination in August, in April, the sophora flowers had already blood once first.
Strings of white flowers hung on the branches, attracting so bees to stay.
Chu Xun walked over and smiled, saying, "Do you want to eat stead vegetables? Fresh sophora flowers are right in season."
The so-called stead vegetables were wrapping sophora flowers in flour, adding seasonings and steaming them until cooked, then mixing in minced garlic and sesa oil.
One bite down, refreshing and tasty, more comfortable than eating at.
No matter how intelligent Huan'er was, he was ultimately just a youth, his eyes lighting up, "I'll go up and pick them!"
Before Chu Xun could speak, he ran to hug the tree trunk and climbed up nimbly like a monkey.
"Uncle, catch!"
Chu Xun took off his outer jacket, stretched it open with both hands like an airtight large net, and caught the sophora flowers Huan'er picked.
If Lin Qiaoxi or Zhang Anxiu were here, they definitely wouldn't be willing, worrying that Huan'er would fall and miss the prefectural examination.
Chu Xun wasn't worried. Huan'er was agile and liked climbing trees since he was young, never having fallen.
Besides, relaxing a bit before the exam wasn't a bad thing.
After picking a large amount of sophora flowers, Chu Xun went to the woodshed to take a look.
Firewood, pots, bowls, ladles, basins, and even various seasonings were all available.
The only thing missing was garlic.
Fortunately, there was a small vegetable market nearby. After going out to buy so and returning, he began to make the stead vegetables.
He washed the sophora flowers clean and drained the water.
Spreading them out in a large basin, he sprinkled two handfuls of fine white flour, added a little salt and Sichuan pepper powder, and gently mixed them evenly by hand until every petal was coated evenly, before putting them into the stear.
Huan'er diligently lit the fire, added firewood, and pulled the bellows.
The bellows puffed and puffed, sending air. The dazzling firelight reflected the young man's handso face fiery red.
After steaming for the ti it takes an incense stick to burn, it was taken down steaming hot.
At this ti, the sophora flowers were no longer white, but had turned a warm jade color, fluffy and soft.
Chu Xun had already mashed a bowl of garlic paste, mixed it with sesa oil, and splashed it over the sophora flowers.
The refreshing fragrance that assailed the nostrils made people involuntarily swallow their saliva.
Just as the uncle and nephew wanted to taste it, a creaking sound ca from the courtyard gate.
Chu Xun poked his head out to look, only to see a man wearing a stone-blue dark-patterned ramie straight gown walking in.
Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, Chu Xun still recognized the other party's identity at a glance.
Tang Shijun.
He hurriedly pulled Huan'er out of the woodshed and stepped forward to bow, "Commoner Chu Xun pays respects to Prefect Tang."
Tang Shijun grabbed him and smiled, "Between you and , there is no need for such excessive courtesy."
However, Tang Shijun calmly accepted Huan'er's kneeling bow.
"I thought Your Excellency would avoid suspicion and only et after the results are posted," Chu Xun said.
Tang Shijun slightly raised his head, "My heart is clear, why the need to avoid suspicion?"
He didn't care what others said or thought. Having done nothing wrong, he wasn't afraid of ghosts knocking on the door.
After several years, although Tang Shijun acted more steadily, the arrogance in his heart had never diminished.
Slling the aroma coming from the woodshed, Tang Shijun asked, "What delicious food did you make?"
"Seeing the sophora flowers in the courtyard blooming vigorously, I picked so and made stead vegetables. Your Excellency ca at just the right ti," Chu Xun said.
Tang Shijun smiled, "You and I haven't seen each other for a few years, and we're only eating so stead vegetables? It makes seem stingy and a poor host."
After saying that, he told the attendant waiting outside the courtyard to go buy so wine and at.
Huan'er was busy moving the table and bringing stools, happily busy.
Tang Shijun didn't bother much, carefully sizing up Chu Xun, and said, "These past few years, you seem to have not changed much."
Chu Xun said, "Without worries about food and clothing, a broad mind makes a stout body, I've gained a few catties of flesh. But Your Excellency has changed quite a bit."
When he left Zhangnan County, Tang Shijun was just barely thirty years old.
Four or five years had passed, and being promoted to Prefect ant more things to worry about.
There were obviously a few more wrinkles on his forehead, and even a few white hairs could be seen at his temples.
Only his bearing had not diminished, adding a bit more imposing manner.
"Zheng Xiuwen sent a letter saying you helped the county a great deal, preserving a village and a town. You did this matter very well."
Tang Shijun glanced at the eaves ahead and said, "It's a pity I couldn't see your family's crows. I heard the biggest one is already taller than a child?"
"About this high." Chu Xun reached out and gestured towards his waist.
"Is the snake immortal in the Songliu River the white snake I saw before I left?"
"Yes, but there is also a green snake that Your Excellency hasn't seen."
"Oh, could it be a male and a female?"
"Your Excellency guessed really accurately."
Huan'er, who ca out of the house holding a stool, was already sweating profusely from the heat.
Looking up and seeing the two sitting there, chatting about the county's affairs.
You say a word, I say a word, where did they look like a commoner and a Prefect, more like close friends who hadn't seen each other for a long ti.
Huan'er couldn't help but think in his heart, "With so many farrs in the world, only Uncle could be so calm in front of the Lord Prefect, right?"
If it were other commoners talking to the Prefect, they would probably tremble three tis for every word they said.
Throughout the al, Tang Shijun seed to have simply co to chat about dostic affairs.
Without putting on any airs, only a slight official prestige inadvertently revealed in his gestures.
Until Chu Xun asked about the foolish couple Liang Shouzhuo, "Why did Your Excellency want to rescue them?"
Tang Shijun's answer was concise and comprehensive, "They are commoners of the Kingdom of Jing."
The Liang family was executed, and Liang Shouzhuo was no longer the son of a high official, no different from ordinary commoners.
What did the monstrous sins have to do with this foolish boy.
Tang Shijun never listened to others' evaluations when judging people, only believing what he saw with his own eyes.
He didn't just rescue this one couple. Since taking office, the people in distress who had received his favor numbered more than a hundred.
The commoners' evaluation of Tang Shijun was only two words, "Good official!"
Tang Shijun sighed, "But I don't know why, from official administration to people's livelihood, I have clearly done my utmost. Yet the people in distress in the world still flow endlessly."
He looked at Chu Xun and asked, "Do you know the solution?"
Chu Xun shook his head. Although he had the knowledge of two lifetis, he couldn't answer this question either.
After thinking for a mont, Chu Xun said, "The world is too big, and there are many with selfish motives. It cannot be solved by the power of one person. Your Excellency does your utmost and leaves the rest to fate, just seeking a clear conscience is enough."
"Do one's utmost and leave the rest to fate?" Tang Shijun repeated it a few tis.
His gaze was piercing, and his aura suddenly beca deep.
"Studying and becoming an official, consuming countless writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, how could it be just to do one's utmost and leave the rest to fate."
"What the heart desires, even if fate says it cannot be done, one must still do it!"
[End of Chapter]
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