Chapter 97 Duan Qingshan is also from Lingnan?
Song Yao had a headache when he mentioned this matter.
"That's right."
She sighed: "I don't know why the county magistrate suddenly said that he wanted to attend. Now, I'm afraid there are more people who are working hard to get ahead."
The two of them sat down at the stone table in the courtyard. Duan Qingshan silently brought rice, porridge and side dishes, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and turned to the front of the kitchen to chop firewood without saying a word.
Jiang Anning:......
Every time she looked at Duan Qingshan, she would think of that day at the gate of the city, when the man had a fierce look, and the [barrage] madly reminded her of the progress of his darkening.
In fact, some people are honest, taciturn, and incapable of accepting others at this time.
Song Yao followed her gaze and looked over, covering his mouth and laughing twice: "How is it? Qingshan is a man with lively eyes. He doesn't need you to say anything, he can just talk about it by himself."
"My cooking skills are also good. I only learned from Master Shang for two days. Now I can fry melon seeds very well and fragrant. I can also make sugar-fried chestnuts!"
Song Yao was extremely satisfied with people. Out of three sentences, at least two and a half of them were praising people.
"Ask him to show you his skills tomorrow."
Seeing Jiang Anning pick up two more pickles in front of her with her chopsticks, she hurriedly said: "This pickle is also made by Qingshan. When I eat it, it's actually more delicious than Sanshengju's!"
"I heard that it is a craft inherited from his maternal family."
Jiang Anning:......
Suddenly I didn't want to eat it.
She put down her chopsticks, put a spoon in her hand, and gently stirred the white porridge until it was soft and glutinous and full of rice flavor.
Looking at the plain white porridge, it actually tastes delicious.
Jiang Anning blinked in surprise and couldn't help but take a few more bites.
"Isn't this porridge good to eat?"
Song Yao once again expressed his admiration for Duan Qingshan: "Qingshan got up early in the morning to cook it. He said it was made using porridge-based hot pot. It looks like a bowl of plain white porridge, but it is full of flavor when you eat it."
Jiang Anning:......
Suddenly I no longer have much appetite.
She raised her head and glanced at Duan Qingshan, who was concentrating on chopping firewood as if he couldn't hear her talking to Song Yao.
Who is this man?
There are quite a lot of flower activities...
Song Yao was still talking happily about how good Duan Qingshan was: "...I wanted to invite you out to eat two days ago, but you were so focused on your embroidery work that I didn't dare to disturb you."
"When you come back today, you have to try Qingshan's craftsmanship."
Jiang Anning:......
I don’t want to, for fear of being poisonous.
She ate half a bowl of porridge with a tasteless taste, and she really couldn't eat any more.
Song Yao thought that her expressionless expression was because she did not want to waste time, and he persuaded her earnestly: "I know that you are motivated and want to come up with better embroidery, but it cannot be done in three or five days."< br>
"You should also pay attention to the balance between work and rest."
"There will be a lantern festival soon. It's very lively. Let's go shopping then?"
Jiang Anning moved the corners of her mouth, hesitated for a moment, smiled, and responded: "I listen to Sister Song."
"That's right!"
Song Yao was very happy that people could listen and persuade him: "No matter what the outcome is today, we will all have hot pot with porridge in the evening."
She shouted at Duan Qingshan: "Qingshan, prepare more vegetables and more meat in the evening. Choose fresh ones. Let's eat hot pot with porridge."
Jiang Anning raised her eyebrows slightly and calmly took another chopstick of pickles.
Very refreshing indeed.
Song Yao was like an adult who came to the family and couldn't wait for his children to show their talents: "And boil some of the sugar water you made, and call An Ning back to try your craft."
Duan Qingshan raised his hand and touched the slight sweat on his forehead, and said in a calm voice: "I understand."
Jiang Anning:......
This man can actually make sugar water.
She couldn't help but ask about Song Yao: "Sister Song, tell me the truth, are you attracted to someone who is good at work, or are you bribed with his cooking skills?"
Why are five of the three compliments related to eating?
Song Yao coughed uncomfortably as if something had been revealed to him: "It's okay, am I such a greedy person?"
"This young man from Qingshan is really quick at work, he is also very stable, and his age is just right."
She raised her eyebrows at the person, indicating something.
Jiang Anning blinked, not understanding the hint.
Finished eating.
Before Song Yao's branch could say anything, Duan Qingshan put down the ax in his hand for chopping firewood and came over with water of the right temperature to ask someone to clean his hands.
Song Yao couldn't help but praise Jiang Anning again and praised him a lot.
Jiang Anning:......
Now she had to wonder if this man had received special training somewhere.
Otherwise, how could I be so good at serving people?
The servants in a big family can probably do nothing more than this, right?
Jiang Anning stretched out her hand and splashed some water on the back of her hand, and the fragrant smell of rose dew spread instantly.
This water actually contains rose water and several other spices...
"Do you know how to make perfume?"
Jiang Anning couldn't help but ask more questions.
Duan Qingshan lowered his eyebrows and replied politely: "I have learned some lessons from my mother before, so I understand a little bit."
Jiang Anning's eyes paused briefly between the man's gentle brows and eyes.
It doesn't look like he's telling lies.
Just...
She couldn't help but be curious about what kind of strange woman Duan Qingshan's mother was.
"Did you learn your cooking skills from your mother?"
"Yes."
“It’s not like our food taste here.”
"My mother used to be in charge of the kitchen in a big family in Lingnan, so the taste of cooking is mostly in line with the habits of Lingnan people."
Duan Qingshan: "Lingnan has a lot of miasma and is relatively hot and humid, so the eating habits are inevitably different from those here."
Jiang Anning raised her eyebrows slightly.
Lingnan...
What a coincidence!
We are almost half fellow villagers.
“Very good.”
She raised her hand slightly and shook it a few times over the basin.
Duan Qingshan put down the wooden basin he was holding in both hands and handed someone a clean cloth.
Jiang Anning wanted to ask: Could it be that your mother also taught you these skills of serving others?
When the words came to my lips, I felt that they were a little too presumptuous, so I swallowed them back.
"Thank you." She whispered, wiped her hands, and handed the towel back to him.
Unexpectedly, Duan Qingshan took the half-wet cloth and put it on his shoulders casually, and took out a delicate and compact ceramic jar.
Jiang Anning:? ? ?
Her head was full of confusion, and she was stunned on the spot, not knowing what the person meant.
Duan Qingshan saw that the person looked confused and explained aloud: "When you do embroidery work on weekdays, you must pay attention to your hands. This is sesame oil. After washing your hands, apply a thin layer on it to keep your hands moisturized. Keep dry to avoid hurting your hands.”
Jiang Anning:......
She hesitantly dug out a little bit and slowly spread it on her hands.
It has a light rose scent, and after applying it evenly, it is indeed more moisturizing than ordinary balsams.
"Do you still understand this?"
"My mother taught me."
Jiang Anning:......
Your mother is so awesome!
She became more and more curious about Duan Qingshan's mother.
Thinking that this man had blocked the road and robbed her in order to treat his mother, she couldn't help but hesitate and asked: "Your mother..."
Suddenly she remembered that Song Yao had just told her that Duan Qingshan's parents had died, and his family property had been taken away by relatives, so he had to work part-time to support himself.
"It's been buried alive and well."
Duan Qingshan's mouth moved silently a few times: I want to thank you for the money you gave me.
Jiang Anning was silent.
Song Yao watched the 'friendly interaction' between the two, raising his aunt's smile on his lips, not envious at all that Duan Qingshan was more interested in Jiang Anning than her.
She said that her vision was definitely the best.
"Okay, it's getting late. If you two want to talk, it's not too late to talk slowly when you get back!"
Song Yao endured the pain and said, "beat the mandarin ducks with a stick": "It's time for us to leave for Yuewen Embroidery Workshop. Don't look back. The county magistrate has already arrived. It's too shameful for us to be late!"< br>
Jiang Anning didn't notice the other person's unintentional meaning. She only felt that Sister Song's smile was a little weird, as if there was some hidden meaning.
I'm worried that I'll be late and delay today's affairs.
She didn't care to think about it, and said "Hmm". After rinsing her mouth, she chewed a few more tea leaves, straightened her clothes slightly, and went out with others to Yue Wen Embroidery Workshop.
Not long after the two arrived, the magistrate's sedan also arrived.
Everyone couldn't help but rush to greet him again.
Amidst the polite greetings of "I've met the county magistrate" and "Hello, sir," Jiang Anning inadvertently caught a glimpse of the head catcher he had seen at Old Liu Tou's place that day.
She frowned slightly, feeling that this man's features looked particularly familiar.
"There is no need to be polite. Today is also the day when I am in high spirits. I heard that our famous embroiderers in Jiang'an County planned to get together here to compare their skills, so I shamelessly came over to join in the fun."
The county magistrate's words were very polite and easy-going.
Sheng Yuewen hurriedly jumped out and flattered him: "Your Majesty, you have condescended to come to our Yuewen Embroidery Workshop. I am really flattered."
"The more we heard about the embroidery workshop, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it, the more we heard about it!"
He had a flattering look on his face: "Your Majesty, you are here in a lowly place. You are not too vulgar. You enjoy yourself with the people. You should be admired by all people. Please come and take a seat and allow me to serve tea to you personally."
< br>
The county magistrate glanced at Sheng Yuewen and ignored him.
He looked around at the faces of everyone who came to greet him, and then asked: "Is Mrs. An already here?"
Sheng Yuewen's face froze: "It hasn't come yet."
He thought to himself that Mrs. An might not come.
If he hadn't received the news that the county magistrate would come in person, he would have wanted to pack up his gold and silver and run away long ago.
The county magistrate said "Oh": "Then wait a little longer, don't be in a hurry."
His eyes fell on Jiang Anning's face again, took a closer look, and said strangely: "Jiang Anning, are you here?"
Jiang Anning was suddenly called out, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
She twitched the corners of her mouth slightly and saluted calmly: "I have met the county magistrate."
Seeing that there were many people around with inquiring eyes, Jiang Anning hesitated for a moment and took the initiative to speak: "The previous dispute with Zhao Hai's family was able to be settled fairly and justly, all because of your wise decision. I haven't formally thanked you yet." Your Excellency, please do justice to me.”
She thanked him solemnly.
"Thank you for your kindness, peace and tranquility can only be wiped out by the common people, and you can only benefit from the mountains and seas."
The county magistrate hurriedly said "It doesn't have to be like this" and "Please get up quickly", but he felt a little guilty.
He was simply hindered by the power of Jianghou Mansion.
Jiang Anning didn't know the inside story, but she was really grateful to people.
"I hope you can show me your respect. After today's discussion, let me treat you to a banquet and express my gratitude."
The county magistrate was about to refuse when he heard Jiang Anning say again: "A new guy came to Chaohuang Xiufang a few days ago. He is good at making porridge-based hot pot. I heard it is the way to eat it in Lingnan."
"After the pounded fragrant rice is cooked, it is sweet and soft, thick and snow-white, plus braised chicken, eel slices, pork meatballs... It is not a rare thing, adults just want to taste it fresh."
When the county magistrate heard the words of rejection on his lips, he swallowed them back with dissatisfaction.
He is a good eater.
Since arriving in Jiang'an County, I have struggled with the lack of delicious food, so I have tried it myself and studied several hard dishes...
It's just that no matter how delicious the food is, such as crystal elbow Dongpo pork, there are only so many that come and go, and you will always get tired of it.
Most of the eating places in this city, whether it was a big restaurant or a fly tavern, had been eaten by him countless times.
I'm also a little tired of it.
What kind of porridge-based hot pot is this? It sounds really fresh.
The county magistrate couldn't help but swallow twice.
Although his movements were subtle, he was still caught by Jiang Anning, who was always paying attention to people's reactions.
[Barrage] I won’t bully her!
The county magistrate is a delicious person.
You're right to tempt him with delicious food!
"That's the case..." The county magistrate was about to respond sincerely when Sheng Yuewen said anxiously: "Sir! Ever since I knew that the master would come in person to enjoy the people, I had already made arrangements early to stay at Shengxiang Residence. Book the table in advance, the auspicious number is ninety-nine and eighty-one dishes.”
"When things are over here later, we will move to Shengxiang Residence to enjoy flowers and eat wine. Wouldn't it be nice?"
With Sheng Yuewen interfering, the county magistrate hesitated: "This..."
In his heart, he still wanted to try the new thing of porridge-based hot pot.
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, they were curious to explore and watch. Sheng Yue heard the flattery, and Jiang Anning was too calm.
The county magistrate was a little annoyed.
He clasped his hands, smiled warmly, like a loving old man, pretending to be dumbfounded, and changed the topic: "That..."
The county magistrate's eyes fell on the cold-faced catcher: "Xiao Zhou, take a look on the way here. Is Mrs. An's bicycle frame almost here?"
The named head catcher ‘Zhou Geng’ stood up. He responded with an expressionless expression.
When the others left holding the oxtail knife on their waists, the county magistrate folded his hands and openly pretended to be deaf and dumb to Sheng Yue's suggestion just now.
Sheng Yuewen was inevitably embarrassed.
He smiled apologetically, trying to make up for it and said, "Sir..."
The county magistrate glanced over with cold eyes, slightly seeming to say: You kid, don't you even have a look? I can’t see the master. I have to wait for Mrs. An to come?
Sheng Yuewen felt the disgust, his face turned pale, he laughed awkwardly, shut up obediently, and stood quietly aside to wait for others.
After touching a stick of incense, Mrs. An's sedan slowly appeared.