Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 143 Steamed Eggs
After a long while, Aunt Yun Zhao calmed down, sighed, and said, "Xiao Mu, go back and tell your master that I don't blame him. Humans are so insignificant in the face of nature; this is beyond his control. The reason I didn't see him is that I can't face myself. I can't get over this hurdle in my heart. You all go back; I want to be alone for a while. I have things to do. Oh, and take the other bells back too; I have no use for them. Please apologize to everyone for the trouble I've caused."

The group offered a few more words of comfort, then took off the bells and gave them to their respective owners.

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On the way back, Wanyin dodged the edges of the bluestone slabs, skipping and hopping across them. Suddenly, she stopped, sighed, and asked, "Do you think Aunt Yunzhao has remembered everything? How could she remember Lord Meng's face? The matter is clearly resolved, so why can't I be happy?"

Yan Mingzhang looked at Wan Yin, who had a worried expression, and smiled, "She must have remembered something. As for how much she remembered, only she knows."

Xiao Mu continued, "I think Brother Yan is right. It's good that she can remember some of it. She just called me Xiao Mu, that's what she called me when I was little. As for whether she'll remember tomorrow, nobody knows. But sometimes forgetting might be happier..."

Wanyin sighed, "Aunt Yunzhao has forgotten many things, she's almost forgotten who she is, but she hasn't forgotten to love him... They say true love will eventually be together, but how come Lord Meng and Aunt Yunzhao are like this... Sigh... Is she alright on her own? Should we go and watch over her? Why am I so worried?"

Xiao Muqian smiled and said, "Alright, Senior Sister, please stop sighing. You look like you've aged ten years. If you're really worried, let's go see him together first thing tomorrow morning."

Everyone relaxed a bit, chatting and laughing as they walked back.

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After finding the other people's copper bells, the group wasn't in a hurry to go back, so they returned some that were along the way.

Yan Mingzhang handed a small, exquisite copper bell to a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old and said softly, "Girl, keep this copper bell safe. When your parents come back, please let them know."

The copper bell, still warm from Yan Mingzhang's body, was gently placed in the girl's palm. The girl glanced at Yan Mingzhang's handsome face, then lowered her head shyly, her cheeks burning.

The group hadn't gone far when the young girl caught up. Her eyes sparkled, and she glanced shyly at Yan Mingzhang, smiling sweetly. She tucked a vibrant red camellia into his arms, stole another look at him, and as she turned to leave, she slipped. Yan Mingzhang, seeing this, steadied her and said with concern, "Be careful, young lady!"

The girl's face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her eyes were full of affection. She stared at Yan Mingzhang's face for a long time, and only ran away when Yan Mingzhang let go of her hand.

Yan Mingzhang was a little confused as to why a man like himself would receive flowers, but he didn't pay much attention to it, taking it as a girl expressing her gratitude.

Rong Wanyin saw all of this, a sour feeling rising in her mouth. She snorted softly, rolled her eyes at Yan Mingzhang, and walked away on her own.

Yan Mingzhang was a little confused and asked Xiao Mu, "Did she just roll her eyes at me? I didn't see wrong, did I? Why?"

Xiao Mu smiled meaningfully and pointed to the camellia in Yan Mingzhang's hand: "Perhaps it's related to this camellia? Once a tea tree is planted, it cannot be transplanted, and it produces many fruits. Therefore, tea has become a symbol of unwavering commitment and many children, so it is always present in marriage betrothal arrangements... this camellia..."

Before Xiao Mu could finish speaking, Yan Mingzhang hurriedly stuffed the camellia into Xiao Mu's hand as if it were a hot potato, and then chased after him like the wind.

Changfeng watched his master's departing figure and asked in confusion, "Wait a minute, aren't camellias and tea trees the same kind of tree?"

Mo Yun stroked his chin, hesitated for a moment, and said, "It shouldn't be? Never mind, it doesn't matter, as long as it works..."

Xiao Mu asked in confusion, "The effect?" Mo Yun explained, "Didn't you see? Miss Rong got jealous."

Xiao Mu nodded in agreement: "That makes sense... My senior sister is hard to appease when she's angry!"

The three of them stood with their arms crossed, watching Yan Mingzhang's departing figure, their eyes filled with sympathy.

Mo Yun exclaimed excitedly, "Let's go back quickly, there's going to be some excitement... Ah, no, it's going to rain."

The three exchanged a knowing smile and quickened their pace.

The sky is clear, the moon is bright, and the stars are few...

Seeing Yan Mingzhang following her, Rong Wanyin used her light-footed skill to dash home in a flash. Liar! Just yesterday he was talking about a token of love, and now he's taken someone else's flowers! What a big liar!
Yan Mingzhang was about to catch up with Rong Wanyin, but she managed to get away. He was panting heavily as he chased after her, but fortunately, Rong Wanyin had only gone home and hadn't gone anywhere else. He would be able to see her again later.

As the saying goes, a scholar is useless in a hundred ways. He usually has pretty good physical strength, but today, even though the distance was short, it felt like he could never walk to the end. Yan Mingzhang felt like his legs were about to give way. He should have learned martial arts when he was young! He regretted it so much!
When Yan Mingzhang entered the courtyard, Rong Wanyin was in the kitchen helping her master chop meat. When she saw Yan Mingzhang, she chopped even more vigorously.

Seeing Rong Wanyin clenching the meat with gritted teeth, the old man Wuji said with heartache, "Rong girl, what did this cutting board do to you?"

Miss Rong ignored her and continued chopping.

"Hey, hey, hey, you don't need to chop this meat. My chopping board is made of top-quality ginkgo wood!" The master was worried about his chopping board. He looked up and saw Yan Mingzhang who had just come in. Seeing the two of them react, he understood and smiled slightly. He said to Yan Mingzhang, "Kid, you chop the meat! Rong girl, crack a few eggs and steam some egg custard for dinner. You've been drinking these past few days and your stomach isn't feeling well."

Rong Wanyin rolled her eyes at Yan Mingzhang, put down the knife, and went to get a bowl to crack eggs. Yan Mingzhang obediently picked up the knife and started chopping.

After giving his instructions, the master didn't leave. Instead, he leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching the excitement with a look of delight.

Rong Wanyin looked displeased, but didn't say anything. She just cracked six or seven eggs into a large bowl.

The master said with concern, "Why did you put in so many eggs? Three are enough!"

Rong Wanyin didn't say a word and just randomly stirred the food with her chopsticks.

The master was almost exasperated and commanded, "The eggs have to be stirred in one direction, otherwise they won't hold their shape..."

Rong Wanyin stirred the egg even more vigorously: "I don't believe in that nonsense. What's wrong with stirring one egg? I'll stir it from all directions, from all corners of the world, so what!"

The master looked bewildered and couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, alright, then you can eat this steamed egg yourself later!"

Rong Wanyin said irritably, "Fine, I'll eat! Can't I finish this little bit of steamed egg? Master, you can leave now, I can make it!"