Chapter 53: Human affairs are unpredictable, how can one exchange for jade-like beauty and silk-like elegance? (1)

  It is said that Ma Erlang was invited by Shen Shangshu as a guest to tell that strange story again!

  Only I know that Ma Ershao is not a lucky person, but has a mouth that can talk nonsense.

  I was sweeping and sprinkling water at the Longshen Temple when I remembered this matter, and asked Longjing: "Dragon God, why did you make Ma Erlang famous again? Shen Shangshu also told Empress Dowager about his affairs! Won't it alarm the snake in the grass and let those Blue Moon masters from the demon realm know?"

  Longjing shook his head and smiled: "If the matter of the human-headed fish is confirmed by Lan Yue and others, then the messenger of the underworld will not be able to act as a spy again, how can he convey intelligence to Ben Shen? If this rumor is spread out, Lan Yue and others will know that it's just Ma Erlang talking nonsense, what can the messenger of the underworld do to become immortal? When the messenger of the underworld finds some excuses to shirk off the responsibility, saying that last time he didn't have a chance to come out on time, this matter is simply Ma Erlang's fantasy or being confused by a wild fox spirit, it will be over."

  "Dragon God's vision is really admirable, such a clever strategy, I've only seen Zhuge Liang come up with something like this on the opera stage." I exclaimed sincerely.

  "Hmph, there are still many things about Ben Shen that make people admire. Longjing smiled and asked: "The flavor of Huahua Sparrow is indeed good, did Ma Ershao's golden hairpin satisfy you?"

  I nodded hastily: "Mei Cai was so frightened that she didn't even have the strength to speak, and yet she received such a heavy gift - a nine-headed peacock hairpin made of kumihimo silk and gold, with red rubies for eyes, exquisitely crafted, simply...".

  "Does your mother like it?" Longjing propped up his chin: "I should be so happy that I couldn't sleep, right?"

  "Hehehe......" I rubbed my head and smiled: "Mother saw that Ma Ershao gave such a heavy gift to drive out evil spirits for plum blossoms, so let's have more plum blossoms to drive out evil spirits, and rely on the Dragon God!"

  "Hmph! Hmph!" Longjing laughed and said: "Alright, alright, I'm not one to be swayed by flattery either!"

  Summer Begins: The whole courtyard is filled with the fragrance of blooming roses

  Recently, the warm and refreshing congee with small dishes has been well-received by guests. Perhaps as the weather gets hotter, people are getting tired of rich flavors, and the light congee paired with appetizing small dishes has become a new favorite.

  Porridge is the best thing to make, but it must be simmered with a rich aroma, which requires more effort. Use a purple sand pot with cold water, bring to a boil, then add in some high-quality rice that has been soaked overnight. Cook over low heat, slowly stirring in one direction, and the porridge will come out fragrant and thick. If it's not cooked long enough, the water and rice will separate, making it too bland. When made this way, the rice grains open up, and when you drink it down, it's smooth and slippery, with a rich aftertaste.

  Eating plain congee is great, with the fragrance of rice being rich and strong. But if you pair it with some side dishes, it's even better. My family's secret recipe for pickled radish and pickled cucumber are the best accompaniments to clear congee.

  Radish and cucumber are taken with thick white radish and tender yellow cucumber with thorns on the top, washed and peeled, coated with a layer of good sweet sauce, put into a jar, after entering the flavor, the radish and cucumber become sauced color, eating crispy and tender, sweet and salty, sauced fragrance is rich, cut into thin slices, dotted with fragrant oil, sprinkled with some green onion leaves, separated by several bright red chili peppers, very refreshing, just that transparent color, placed on a small plate, can't help but try a slice.

  But in recent days, it's gradually warming up for Lixia, and the pickled vegetables that are usually sold the most at this time of year in the shop, haven't been selling well this year. It turns out that the fruit shop across from my house has moved away, and a tall and thin young man has opened a new pickled vegetable shop there instead.

  Their family's pickled dishes are diverse, with crispy and refreshing sauce, uniquely flavored pickled mustard greens, sweet and savory sugar garlic, crunchy and spicy radish slices, all sorts of varieties, dazzling to the eye.

  That young man claimed to be surnamed Hu, a native of Hexi, who had been learning the traditional craftsmanship from his family since he was a child. His family had passed away, and now he was doing this business independently, also a hardworking person. Brother Hu didn't talk much, but he was very gentle, with a straight back, and his shop was spotless, bright and clean, not a speck of dust could be found. The young ladies and daughters-in-law from the Purple Jade Street loved to carry baskets and stroll around during their leisure time, selecting some goods in this clean and tidy sauce shop, so there were always happy voices and laughter coming from across the street.

  The girl stood at the entrance of the shop, gazing out at their family business. She wiped her hands on her apron and habitually adjusted the shiny gold hairpin that Ma Ershao had given her. Clicking her tongue, she said: "Mei Er, how come that young man's business is so much better than ours?"

  "Who knows! Maybe that young man has good connections and can do business. Anyway, our family doesn't rely solely on sauce dishes to make a living, selling more pastries is the right thing to do."

  The girl thought for a moment, then said: "At this time of year, the pickled vegetable business on Zi Yu Street isn't just ours alone, but it's never been so bleak. I don't believe they can do anything special." She furrowed her brow and said to me: "Mei Cai, here's some money, take it and go to the shop across the street to buy a package of pickled plums."

  "I hastily said, 'Mother, you've forgotten that we have our own pickled mustard greens at home. Father just made them a few days ago and put them in that black ceramic jar. They're probably ready to eat by now. Mother wants some, so Mei Cai will go get some.'"

  "You're just like your father, a stubborn and obstinate fool," the mother said with a loud smack of her tongue. "You haven't seen the opera performances where they sing about knowing oneself and others, winning every battle. I must personally taste it to see what kind of flavor their family has."

  "Why bother with so much trouble? Just make a little less sauce and a few more snacks, that's all. Neighbors on the street, fighting over this small business, it's not worth it." Dad advised.

  "Cut the nonsense! I'm not like you, only knowing how to eat and sleep." Mother glared at Father, who immediately shut up, lowered his head and continued kneading dough, still managing to shake his head at me.

  I see the look on Mother's face, it's definitely not to be trifled with. I quickly take the money from her hand and go to the pickle shop to line up and buy pickles.

  The sauce shop was as crowded as ever, packed with big girls and little daughters-in-law, chattering and laughing, playing jokes on that Hu brother.

  Although Brother Hu is a small businessman, he is quite handsome, with a fair complexion, bright eyes, and two dimples when he smiles. Just then, an older sister-in-law said: "Hu Saner, someone like you must be looking for a very special kind of woman?"

  Hu San'er also didn't stand on ceremony and laughed freely: "I'm just a pickle buyer, what can I ask for? It's already good that they don't mind suffering with me."

  "Hey, Third Hu, if you're willing to listen, I can try to arrange a marriage for you. I'll make sure to find a diligent and capable little wife for you."