Chapter Nineteen Hey, there's no food in my bowl either

  It is said that the Bai family was originally a kiln for officials, and their ceramic technology has always been far ahead. The imperial court's decorations were also made by the Bai family. The emperor's favorite double dragon dancing bottle was made by the Bai family. The birth of the world-renowned double dragon dancing bottle shocked the entire ceramics industry, and everyone praised it. At that time, the Bai family was in its heyday.

  The Bai family's porcelain-making techniques have been passed down from generation to generation, and have always maintained their position as the leader in the ceramics industry, flourishing without decline.

  Two hundred years ago, a sudden change occurred. The great-grandfather of the Bai family suddenly passed away without any clear cause of death. After investigation, it was found that he died of liver and stomach exhaustion. The incident happened so suddenly that the whole Bai family was in chaos. At that time, the son of the great-grandfather had just turned five years old, and the ceramic manufacturing technique could not be passed down.

  Since then, the Bai family has thoroughly turned around and failed. The porcelain produced can no longer enter the palace, although the masters of the next few generations were all diligent in studying ceramic technology, but obviously had a willing heart but lacked the power.

  The Bai family gradually declined, and the official kiln was dismissed, becoming a civilian kiln.

  By the time of Old Man Bai, that is, Bai Miao's father's generation, the ceramic techniques of the Bai family had already deteriorated greatly compared to before, and were a far cry from their former glory.

  Bai Miao had seen his father many times when he was young, kneeling in front of the White Family Ancestral Hall, tears streaming down his face, muttering to himself with shame towards the ancestors of the White family.

  Nowadays, the old master Bai has gone missing without a reason, and the ceramic techniques of the Bai family have lost their dominance. Although they haven't fallen to the point of being sealed off, they are barely holding on, and their former elegance is no more. Those who cooperate with them are also just some nostalgic old customers.

  The Bai family appears to be thriving on the surface, but in reality, they are already in a precarious situation.

  After entering the White's house, Old Madam White pulled White Miao Yun's hand and asked about her well-being, White Miao Yun also talked to Old Madam White about some business matters, while White Miao Dan chattered and joined the two.

  Yue Kang walked beside Bai Miao Xi and asked, "Who was that man just now? He looks like a young noble."

  Bai Miao said calmly, "That person is Du Shaocong, the son of Du Fangtao, the first salt merchant in Hangzhou. He has a relatively large reputation in Hangzhou and ranks fifth among the eight great talents of Hangzhou. His reputation has been good all along, and he has been pursuing your sister for two years."

  Oh, Yue Kang stopped asking questions and remained silent.

  The whole family came to the main hall of the White House, and the table was already set with food.

  The old lady sat in the first place at the dinner table without hesitation, Bai Miao Yun and Bai Miao Dan were on the left, while Yue Kang and Bai Miao Xi were on the right.

  There's a table full of dishes with chicken, duck, fish and meat, what a sumptuous feast.

  The old lady smiled and let everyone eat, the kind smile on her face had never faded away. She kept helping Bai Miao Yun pick dishes with a pair of chopsticks in front of her, as she believed in gods and never touched greasy things.

  One pair is for serving White Peony's dishes, and one pair is for her own use.

  "Grandma, that's enough! Yun'er's bowl is almost full." Bai Miao Xi only showed her girlish and playful side in front of her grandma, smiling sweetly.

  "Eat quickly, I want to give my Yun'er a good supplement." The old lady smiled with joy, for someone of her age, having the whole family gather together for dinner was more delightful than anything else.

  "Grandma, you're only serving food to my sister, but I don't have any in my bowl yet." Bai Miaodan said discontentedly.

  "Alright, I'll give some to Dandan, let her grow up quickly." The old lady said lovingly. "Come, Xi'er, you also eat more."

  Bai Miao helped her grandmother take a piece of vegetarian dish and gave one piece each to Bai Miao Xi and Bai Miao Dan.

  Yue Kang's smile was exceptionally sincere and lovely, as he stretched out his rice bowl, thinking that Bai Miao would serve him some dishes. However, the latter simply put down her chopsticks without even giving him a glance.

  Yue Kang didn't feel embarrassed, his old face didn't turn red, he just smiled and picked up a piece of braised pork to eat with his head down. In his heart, however, he thought that working with his own hands was more glorious.

  After a while, Bai Miao said she would go and see if her blue-headed grass was ripe, and then entered the kitchen.

  The old lady was still chatting and laughing with Bai Miao Yun and Bai Miao Dan, but only Yue Kang couldn't get a word in edgewise, and could only lower his head to eat. Yue Kang didn't even bother with table manners, shoveling food into his mouth in big mouthfuls. Bai Miao Yun saw this and wrinkled her brow, but said nothing, continuing to talk to the old lady instead.

  "Yuner, that Du young master who just came from outside the door is actually not bad, he's handsome and talented." The old lady's words were ambiguous.

  "Grandma, I don't want to talk about romantic relationships right now." Bai Miao Yun pouted with a hint of resentment.

  The old lady let out a sigh.

  "Grandma, don't worry about sister anymore, sister already has someone she likes." Bai Miaodan said with a smile.

  Bai Miao's face flushed with a crimson color, and her delicate neck was also dyed red. "You little scamp," she said, pretending to hit her. Bai Miao Dan dodged away with a giggle.

  Her face still flushed with a faint glow, she couldn't help but think of that figure, and her heart warmed up, with a look of intoxicating happiness. Unconsciously, she lowered her head, her eyebrows drooping, her cheeks flushing red, her big eyes batting like lotus leaves rolling in the ripples, willow branches swaying in the smoke, looking so delicate and charming, it's hard to describe how sweet and moving it was.

  Diao Chan used her charm to conquer Lü Bu, Yang Guifei and Wu Zetian used their charm to conquer two emperors. From history, it can be concluded that women only need charm to conquer men and get the world they want.

  "This is really the case, a beauty can be a curse! There's only one man in this room, and that's me. Who are you showing off to? Do you know the man sitting across from you is already married?"

  If Bai Miao Yun knew what Yue Zhen was thinking at this moment, it's unknown how furious she would be.

  At this time, Bai Miao Xi walked over with a plate of blue and white mixed dishes, gently placed it on the table, and said: "Sister, eat while it's hot, he picked it for you early in the morning." Bai Miao Xi pointed to Yue Kang, who had a silly expression, like a child waiting for praise after receiving an award.

  Bai Miao's face regained its calmness, symbolically glanced at Yue Kang, lightly nodded her head, picked up a chopstick, and put the dish into her mouth. A long-lost joy appeared on her face, "Sister's steamed bluehead with ginger is really delicious." She couldn't help but take a few more bites, while also inviting Old Lady to eat.

  Yue Kang couldn't help but take a bite, and it tasted extremely good. The entrance was smooth and tender, with a spicy flavor from the ginger that perfectly covered up the grassy smell. The vinegar added wasn't too little either, making this dish comfortable and refreshing to eat.

  The old lady and Bai Miao Dan also started eating. Suddenly, this dish became the most popular on the dinner table.

  In a short while, half of the dishes were gone. Yao Kang shouted in his heart, "Hey, you guys eat less, this is my wife's cooking!" He himself was not idle, and he vigorously scooped food into his own bowl.

  The dish was almost gone before Baimiao Yun finally put down her chopsticks, with a look of reluctance. This dish held deep meaning for both Baimiao Yun and Baimiao Xi, which is why she ate with such abandon.

  "Dan Dan, remember when sister left you promised me to study hard, it's been a few months and I want to see if you've made any progress." Bai Miao Yun said to Bai Miao Dan, her little sister was good in every way except for being too mischievous and not diligent in her studies, what gave her a headache was that no matter how many times she taught her, it had no effect at all.

  "Of course I've made progress, sister you don't know how hard I'm studying now, when others are sleeping I don't sleep, when others are playing I'm still reading books, others..." Bai Miaodan straightened her body, with a look that said it was only natural.

  "Believe it when I see it." Bai Miao shot a glance at Bai Miao Dan, "Talk is cheap. You say you've made progress? Well, since grandma's here today, why don't you compose a poem for everyone to see if you're just bluffing?"

  The old lady also smiled and said nothing.

  "Write a poem!" Bai Miao Dan's voice was very small, with a timid look. In fact, she still had a lot of confidence in her heart, but she had to pretend to be afraid and lacking in self-confidence, or else it wouldn't have a big effect!

  "How can't you do it?" Bai Miao Yun asked with a hint of surprise.

  The old lady also had an expression of knowing you couldn't do it, and Bai Miao didn't make a sound.

  "Who says I can't do it? Humph, today I'll write a poem just for you, and dare you to look down on me again." Bai Miao Dan stood up straight, her head held high, her pride bursting forth in an instant.