Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 181 Fun
"Go and see."

At Liu Erniang's command, the Liu family steward immediately responded and hurried over to check the situation.

As she got closer, she finally heard some noise—a crackling sound, like burning bamboo.

Accompanying the commotion were bursts of cheers.

The steward frowned. What kind of trouble was this Madam Xie up to now? She just wouldn't stop.

Ever since the steward was refused entry to the Yang family, he had been harboring a deep resentment, wishing that the second mistress would give the entire Yang family a good dressing down, at least to make them come to apologize in person.

But Madam Xie wasn't so easy to deal with. It took a long time to help the Xie family make the clay stove. If they hadn't used some tricks, they really wouldn't have been able to do anything to the Yang family.

Seeing that the Yang family was about to fall, the steward just wanted to wait and see the show, and she didn't want anything else to go wrong.

So when she heard that the Yang family was selling clay stoves at a stall and that so many people were crowding around them, she felt uneasy. If it was as Second Sister said, that the Yang family couldn't sustain themselves, that would be good. But as she got closer, what she heard didn't seem to be the case.

"I'll buy a clay stove."

"No need to look anymore, I'll buy it."

"Give me one."

There were also children's voices mixed in.

"Didn't we buy a clay stove at home?" someone scolded the child. "They're all the same."

The child continued to mutter softly, "It's different, it's different, this one can release salt."

"Go back and get some coarse salt. You'll know once you try it."

Some children were forcibly dragged away.

Some people bought clay stoves and walked out, their children beside them beaming with smiles.

The manager, observing and guessing, didn't notice two people pushing their way out. She was immediately pushed forward two steps and just then saw the clay stove seller throw something into a nearby clay stove, and then...

Sparks crackled and popped as they flew out.

The steward was startled and instinctively shrank back, but a thought popped into his mind: Madam Xie had really managed to produce something again.

……

Liu Erniang was getting a little impatient, but luckily there were many interesting stalls on both sides of the market.

Something was cooking in the big pot, and a fruity aroma wafted over.

"what is that?"

Liu Erniang finally couldn't help but ask the maid, who had just heard the hawking voice and immediately replied, "It's called Dongting Soup."

The name made Liu Erniang want to try it: "Go and buy some."

The hot Dongting soup was brought back and served in a small bowl from the carriage. The aroma of oranges immediately filled the air. It also contained ginger and licorice, which were just right to dispel the cold.

No wonder so many people come to buy it. After being outside in the cold for so long, drinking a bowl of it really makes you feel warm.

Liu Erniang drank comfortably but still said something contrary to her true feelings: "They're all worthless junk."

The servant replied, "It's only ten coins. What good could it be? It's just that the timing was right."

As soon as the soup was finished, the stewardess squeezed out of the crowd with the clay stove.

The stewardess said, "The Yang family came up with a novel way to sell clay stoves. Once the fire in the clay stove is burning brightly, they throw salt grains into it. That sound just now was made by them, like a magic trick."

Liu Erniang asked in surprise, "Throwing salt grains? What's different about the clay stoves they use?" The steward shook her head, "They're the same. People who bought clay stoves before just went to join in the fun and never actually bought another one. They're all the same stoves. If they can burn it, then the Xie family's clay stoves can burn it too."

Liu Erniang glanced at the Yang family's clay stove and sneered, "I thought it was a good idea."

Actually, the stewardess didn't say something: the Yang family's clay stove was a little different from the previous one. She had just touched it and found that there was an extra layer of clay inside. She didn't know what the clay was for, but she figured it was probably... no problem.

She wouldn't tell the second mistress about these things that she hadn't figured out, lest she displease her.

“Let’s go,” Liu Erniang continued, “It’s quite boring. Let’s burn some incense and then go back.”

The carriage continued on its way, and the market stretched all the way to the foot of the mountain.

As Liu Erniang got out of the carriage, she frowned: "I don't know what the abbot of Baode Temple was thinking, letting them set up stalls here and disturbing the tranquility of the Buddhist temple."

If it were her, she would definitely drive everyone away.

Liu Erniang thought for a moment and looked at the steward: "Talk to the abbot later. Jieyang Temple in the west city is very good. If the abbot can clean this place up, many high-ranking officials and nobles will surely come to send incense money."

The head maid replied, "This servant will try to give her some pointers, but... I've heard that the abbess of Baode Temple has a lot of dealings with Madam Xie, so I'm afraid she's been deceived by that woman."

"She's definitely not very bright," Liu Erniang said with disdain, looking at the dilapidated ancient temple. "Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to leave the temple in such a state."

She was just there to join in the fun. Since the main hall had burned down, she could only offer incense in the side hall, and no one knew which deity she was worshipping.

Liu Erniang was about to take a step forward when suddenly something darted past her. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a large rat.

Liu Erniang turned pale and stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

"How can there be such a thing?" Liu Erniang wished she could go home immediately; who knew what filth was hidden in that dilapidated temple.

After standing there for a long time, she finally lifted her skirt and went up to the mountain gate. After all, everyone said that this temple was very efficacious.
Those scholars who wrote tabloids often came to the temple. In a few days, her brother would host a banquet for them at his residence, and she could use the temple as an opportunity to speak. If she could get her hands on the tabloids, she could take them to the Xie family when she went to the capital after New Year's Day.

That Xie family is not the Xie family of Daming Prefecture, but a true aristocratic family. Xie Erniang is going to marry the Prince of Huai, and when the Prince of Huai inherits the throne, she will be the Empress.

Liu Erniang had no doubt that Xie Erniang could become empress. The Prince of Huai had gone to great lengths to find Xie Erniang from the Xie clan. After the marriage, how could he let another woman climb over her?

She is on good terms with Xie Erniang, and in the future... she might be able to meet him through the Xie family.

A smile appeared on Liu Erniang's lips, and she immediately quickened her pace.

In the corner, Yan Sui pursed his lips at Liu Erniang, still holding the rope used to tie up the rats. Food had arrived at the temple, and so had the rats. His master forbade killing them, and he was about to take them down the mountain to release them when he overheard the woman and servants cursing Xie Da Niangzi and his master.

So he untied the rope and threw the mouse over, but unfortunately... he didn't manage to trip her.

……

Liu Erniang returned home with her head down.

My trip to Baode Temple left me with a lot of resentment.

That abbot really doesn't know how to do things; he didn't prepare a meditation room for them, and she didn't even get a sip of water.

On the way down the mountain, I saw people still gathered around the Yang family's clay stove.

After changing her clothes, Liu Erniang hugged a hand warmer and stood on a foot warmer, and it took her a while to warm up.

Just then, the steward walked in with a smile: "Second Madam, we servants have tried it, and the Xie family's clay stove can also make salt. I'll bring it over for you to try."

As they were talking, a maid entered and said, "The banquet is ready, and Madam wants you to come over!"

Liu Erniang nodded: "Then let's show it to everyone at the banquet, that will be a good way to entertain them."

(End of this chapter)