Miao Chu

Chapter 357 Account
Even after receiving this answer, Xiaolian still hesitated, then turned to look at Cheng Erniang and tentatively asked in a low voice, "Mother?"

When Cheng Erniang heard Song Miao's words out of the blue, it was as if she had been transported back to many years ago. She found it quite amusing and was unconsciously grinning. However, when her daughter called her, she quickly composed herself.

She coughed and said seriously, "If your sister says it's alright, then it's alright—make good use of it. Let's not waste such a good thing. Putting aside the distant future, in a few months, once you've mastered it, you can take the pulse and give acupuncture to everyone in the restaurant every now and then, so that they can relax their muscles and bones, have fewer illnesses and pains, and win people's hearts. That would be helping your sister a little!"

He immediately started chores for his daughter.

These words were naturally just a mother's way of encouraging and urging her daughter.

An apprentice who hasn't completed his apprenticeship yet, and is so young, would be someone an adult wouldn't dare to easily let try acupuncture or prescribe medicine, even if he really wanted to.

But Xiaolian believed it to be true and immediately became nervous. She dared not delay any longer and said, "Then...then I'll go practice some more!"

After saying that, she hurriedly walked into the house.

Song Miao quickly stepped forward, grabbed the girl, and coaxed her with a smile, "Your mother is just teasing you! Why are you in such a hurry? Don't you know what time it is? Go to sleep now, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow. Not only will you not be able to learn anything during the day, but if you don't get enough sleep, you won't grow tall. What if you have short legs and can't even wade through the water when you need to go with your master to see doctors?"

After sending the child back to the house to sleep, she turned to Cheng Erniang and said, "Erniang, you should also go to sleep soon, we'll be busy tomorrow!"

The next morning, the restaurant was bustling with activity again before dawn.

Everyone was busy setting up their stalls and delivering goods. After noon, when they finished dealing with the crowds, Song Miao saw that Zhang Si Niang had also brought back the newly purchased ingredients. She put her work aside for a while and made time to start stewing soup.

Yesterday, she told Madam He that she wanted to make pork tripe and cuttlefish soup for an old acquaintance. The so-called old acquaintance was none other than Shen Xingniang.

The day before yesterday, Granny Shen came and said that the clothes were almost finished and she planned to find a restaurant when she had some free time to deliver them over for everyone to try on. If there was anything that didn't fit, she would make alterations on the spot.

Song Miao asked around and learned that Shen Xingniang had been going to Doctor Lin's clinic regularly recently. She had now returned to eating regular meals and no longer feared soup as before. However, she still didn't have much of an appetite and ate only for the sake of eating.

She thought that since the person was coming, she could make a nourishing soup to help them clear away any bitterness.

Pork tripe and cuttlefish soup is indeed good for the stomach and spleen, and nourishes yin and kidneys. When I was a child, my aunt, who came from Dingzhou and was involved in weaving and embroidery, would get up frequently at night. Since it wasn't to the point of needing medicine, we specially stewed this soup for her to drink for a while.

Whether it was truly effective or Aunt Su's smooth talk that made it sound like it could turn rotten grass into beautiful flowers, the old aunt believed it wholeheartedly. As a result, after taking it, the effects were immediate.

But even disregarding the questionable efficacy of the ingredients, the taste of this soup alone is worth trying.

She had asked Butcher Shen to reserve some good pig stomachs for her, and the ones she bought from the restaurant this time were all very fat and thick.

The pig's stomach needs to be thoroughly cleaned by repeatedly scrubbing it with coarse hair and large leaves, then blanched in water, and the white membrane and yellow cocoon on top carefully scraped off. The cuttlefish is first roasted and then soaked until soft, then the black membrane is cleaned off, the hard bone is removed, and it is cut into strips.

To make this soup, you need to roast white peppercorns before putting the ingredients into the pot.

When making soup for Madam He and Shen Xingniang, Song Miao spared no expense and used plenty of pepper.

Roast whole peppercorns until fragrant, releasing their intense spiciness. Crush them with the back of a knife, add plenty of water, along with pork belly, cuttlefish, ginger slices, and ginseng. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat.

By the afternoon, while the soup was still simmering, Shen Xingniang and Granny Shen had already hired a carriage to deliver many clothes to their door.

Shen Xingniang's skills were truly excellent. The clothes were distributed to each person, and they were tried on by everyone in the restaurant. Every single one of them fit perfectly.

Well-tailored clothes make a person look exceptionally neat and tidy when they are worn.

Previously, the clothes worn by the maids in Song's shop varied in length and style. Some were homemade clothes of the same color and similar style, while others were coarse cloth garments bought from outside.

At this moment, everyone had changed into brand-new clothes, all of the same style, and with the "Songji" logo. They were truly in high spirits and full of energy.

The clothes made by Shen Xingniang were not only beautiful, but also comfortable to wear. When people moved around, they could raise their hands and bend their legs with ease, without worrying about pulling on their knees, crotches, elbows, or armpits.

After everyone had tried it, no one wanted to make any changes; everyone praised how well it was done.

One of the hired women couldn't help but exclaim, "This dress is so beautiful! I want to wear it back home and show it to my family!"

She looked at herself in the tall bronze mirror that Shen Xingniang and Granny Shen had brought her, turning around and looking at herself from behind, and exclaimed, "This outfit fits me so well and looks so much better than any of my other clothes—it makes me look so tall and straight!"

She was initially a little embarrassed, but to her surprise, many people around her echoed her words.

"It looks really good! It makes you look especially energetic!"

"I think I look taller and thinner now! Don't you think so?"

Even with the same fabric, different cuts, techniques, and combinations will result in completely different effects on the wearer.

Sometimes, the devil is in the details.

Although Song Ji had high standards and offered generous compensation, and the work was complicated and tedious, the atmosphere in the restaurant was excellent, and everyone got along well.

When the clothes were first made, all the maids were already looking forward to it. Now that they were finished and worn, they saw the workmanship and the fabric, and naturally knew that the price was not cheap, so they were all very happy.

Who doesn't like good things?
The employer provides ample funds and excellent supplies. When assigning tasks, the employer is not cold and indifferent but considers individual strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. With the employer going to such lengths and the employees being treated so well, and knowing that as long as they perform well, they will surely have better prospects in the future, it is self-evident how they will behave, unless they are of extremely poor character.

Seeing that everyone had tried it out and was almost done, Song Miao invited Shen Xingniang aside and took out the money notes she had prepared earlier.

Shen Xingniang, however, refused to accept the money. She said, "Even putting aside the matter of the life-saving grace, just for my own sake, I don't want to take your money!"

“Now that I am receiving treatment from Doctor Lin, my health has improved considerably. Since I need to see a doctor, and there may be gossip in the village, I think it would be better to stay in the capital than to go back. My aunt and I are already looking at shops and preparing to open a weaving and embroidery shop in a while.”

Shen Xingniang suggested, "Your restaurant is becoming more and more famous. I'll make you some clothes. If anyone asks, just mention my shop's name as payment for the clothes. We can talk about money again next time we change clothes for the new season!"

Song Miao shook her head and laughed, "Let's keep things separate. With your skills, why would I need to give my name?"

Shen Xingniang smiled bitterly and said, "To my wife, I'm not afraid to tell the truth—I used to have some fame. To be shameless, my weaving and embroidery skills are so good that you could count them on one hand or two. That's why I always loved to weave and embroider exquisite and impressive patterns. The more expensive they were, the more I felt that I was good at it. In fact, I was quite arrogant."

"Now that this has happened, some wealthy and powerful families feel that the work I produce is unlucky. Those who used to praise and flatter me are either keeping their distance or have their own agendas."

“Yesterday I met a manager from the same embroidery workshop. He came to my door and asked me to embroider something and secretly give it to him, pretending it was embroidered by another skilled weaver. He wanted to put it under someone else's name so he could sell it at a high price and then give me a share of the profits. Even so, he wanted nine-tenths of the money to go to me and one-tenth to me. He said that without him, no one would be willing to pay a high price for anything I made.”

Seeing Shen Xingniang speaking in a low voice, Song Miao did not interrupt or say anything, but simply took a teacup and slowly poured her a cup of tea.

A teacup was placed in front of Shen Xingniang. She reached out and took it, but did not drink it. She continued, "There are many people, some who offer superficial greetings but are clearly trying to learn the techniques, others who repeatedly ask me about my past... and still others..."

“Sometimes I think, having encountered such a calamity, with many years to come, suffering from illness, and everyone talking about me behind my back, how am I supposed to live? How am I supposed to survive?”

She paused, holding the teacup with both hands, but still didn't drink. She just raised her head slightly and looked at Song Miao.

This time, compared to when she came to the restaurant before, Shen Xingniang's eyes were much brighter.

"Fortunately, after taking Dr. Lin's medicine and hearing what she said, I know that my illness is not incurable. Once I'm cured, I can eat and drink normally again, and my daily routine will be the same as before. Right now, I've also made clothes for my wife, and I've heard many people praise me. I feel very happy inside..."

"Actually, it doesn't have to be the most beautiful and impressive embroidery. Even if you just make ordinary clothes that look good on people, are comfortable to wear, and can make you money, even if you don't have a particularly impressive reputation or can't sell them for a particularly high price, that's still great."

At this point, she smiled slightly. Although her cheeks were still a little sunken and her face looked a bit tired, she already had a bit of a vibrant and energetic spirit.

Looking at her and listening to her long speech, Song Miao realized that she was clearly a completely different person, but in a moment of realization, it was as if she saw that gentle face from many years ago.

That person would move the loom outside and slowly weave, occasionally glancing at herself as she caught fish, watched over insects, and caught ants. She would also specially weave fish with round heads and round bodies, as well as adorable cats and dogs... and would call her "Little Nannan".

A slight pang of sadness welled up in her heart, and she said softly, "It's so good that you think this way."

Shen Xingniang took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, saying, "Although you always make excuses, I know very well what's going on in my heart."

"If it weren't for my wife saving me, I would definitely be dead, and I wouldn't have met Doctor Lin. I might already be back in my hometown, and I can imagine how I'd be living now. I'm afraid living would be worse than dying... My wife saved my life twice, so can't I give her a few clothes?"

Song Miao was not swayed by her words. Instead, she said, "Since Xingniang plans to stay in the capital and open her own shop, the expenses will be huge in the future. You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. I'll wait until you've chosen your shop, opened it, and made a lot of money before you come and give me a few more beautiful clothes!"

He then laughed and said, "Don't you plan to have any contact with me in the future? Is that why you're rushing to deliver it now?"

Shen Xingniang quickly shook her head.

Song Miao pushed the cloth bag containing the money back and said, "If Xingniang really wants to thank me, then accept this money—we won't concern ourselves with gratitude, but if we're talking about friendship, I have another favor to ask of Xingniang."

“My family has a deep connection with that Yang Xiuniang. My mother repeatedly told me about her before she passed away, and I’ve known her name and story since I was a child. I’m very familiar with her. Although it sounds strange, it’s true that I regard her as an elder in my family. My wife said last time that she was helping to transport the things your master left behind in the countryside to the capital…”

"When the things arrive, if there are any that I've heard about since I was a child, I'd like to pick out one or two that aren't worth much. If Xingniang sees them and doesn't think there's anything wrong with them, could she give them to me? I'd like to burn them on Qingming Festival next year and send them to the ground to put an end to this matter."

Upon hearing this request, Shen Xingniang immediately scolded, "What are you saying, my lady! Let alone such a trivial matter, even if it were a major problem, as long as you ask, I would never refuse in the slightest!"

He added, "But there's nothing valuable inside, just ordinary old things. I'm really embarrassed to give you something like this..."

After exchanging a few more words, seeing that none of the other maids complained about the clothes not fitting properly, Shen Xingniang checked the time and said, "I still need to go see Doctor Lin for a follow-up appointment. You're busy here, so I won't delay any longer—I'll come back another day!"

Song Miao agreed, but then asked her to wait a moment. After a short while, she came out with two copper pots with handles.

“This is the pork tripe and cuttlefish soup I just made. I asked Dr. Lin, and she said it’s okay for you to eat.” She placed the copper pot on the table. “It’s not convenient to be out right now, so I packed two pots for you. One is for Dr. Lin, and you can take the other home—it will probably still be warm when you get home, so you can eat it right away.”

"Get well soon. If your embroidery shop opens nearby in the future, I can visit you often!"

Shen Xingniang's eyes were slightly red as she carried two copper pots into the waiting carriage.

After seeing Shen Xingniang off, Song Miao kept the matter to herself, trying not to have too high expectations so as not to be disappointed.

But she had only been back in her room for a short time when a hired maid came in to deliver a message.

“A young man came in, saying his name was Beizhi, and asked if the lady was free…”

Song Miao was slightly taken aback, then quickly turned around and went out through the second gate.

Sure enough, as soon as they arrived at the front hall, they saw a person standing respectfully by the gate—it was Beizhi.

She stepped forward, called out to the other person, and hurriedly asked, "It's been a long time since I've seen you, and I haven't seen Mr. He either—have you found some free time? Or is there something you need to tell me?"

Bei Zhi bowed and said, "It has been a long time since I have seen you, young master. I have come here today on the instructions of my eldest son. I wonder if Miss Song is free, as my eldest son wishes to pay her a visit."

(End of this chapter)