The two siblings found an empty table in the tea shop and sat down. Yunxi went to the shopkeeper and asked for a pot of tea and two plates of snacks.
The shopkeepers in the tea shop are a middle-aged couple, with smiles on their faces. They are busy going in and out like a spinning top. Probably because of the strategic location and high traffic, the business of the tea shop is very good, so the shopkeepers have no thoughts.
To replace those old furnishings, the tea sets, bowls and dishes are also made of clay, which looks rough, but has a unique charm. It is very harmonious with this simple and simple episode.
Xia Houling has been pampered since he was a child, and his mother has taken good care of his food and clothing. Still, he has never seen such a tea set. He hesitantly picked up the tea cup, opened his eyes and took a closer look, confirming that the quality of the tea cup was just poor.
After there were no stains, he took a sip as if he was relieved. However, the taste was different from the tea he usually drank, and his expression immediately changed.
"This is Yigan tea." Xia Houshu explained, "It contains honeysuckle, cassia seeds, jujube, tartary buckwheat, dandelion, kudzu root, gardenia, mulberry leaves and other flowers and medicinal materials. It has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, stimulating menstruation and activating collaterals. This
Summer is hot and humid, so drinking Yigan tea is just right.”
Xia Houling nodded, took another bold sip, and then looked at the snacks on the table with burning eyes but did not dare to start.
There are two plates of pastries on the table, one is sophora flower cake and the other is peanut cake.
Xia Houshu looked at the series of changes in his cousin's expression, and immediately guessed that he had remembered Mrs. Guo's teachings and did not dare to eat out at will. She smiled nonchalantly, picked a piece of Sophora japonica cake and took a bite, and said in a persuasive way.
: "This is Sophora japonica cake. Although it is simple in style, you can smell the fragrance of Sophora japonica flowers in your mouth." He pointed to the leafy old Sophora japonica tree in front of the tea shop, "Look, that's it.
It’s the Sophora japonica tree. This Sophora japonica cake is made from its petals.”
Xia Houling followed her sister's guidance and looked over, and saw that the tall old locust tree in front of the tea shop was covered with pink and white flower strings. One after another, the flower strings were like curtains, decorating the old locust tree with a brand new look and exuding the fragrance.
With a tangy fragrance.
Xia Houling's biggest pleasure in her home is that after finishing her studies, she can go to her back garden. In the spring, there are magnolias, begonias, peach blossoms, and pear blossoms full of fragrance; in summer, there are peonies, peonies, and water lilies in full bloom; in autumn, there are chrysanthemums.
, the golden osmanthus is fragrant everywhere; the winter plum blossoms are cold and proud of the snow. Whenever he is in the garden, feeling the fragrance of flowers and plants freely, that is his most comfortable time.
However, Xia Houling, who was used to seeing exotic flowers and plants in the garden at home, suddenly saw such ordinary but bustling locust trees and flower strings, and felt extremely amazed. She thought that reading thousands of books would be better than traveling thousands of miles.
The ancients never deceived me.
With this understanding, he imitated his sister and enthusiastically grabbed a piece of Sophora japonica cake and put it into his mouth, savoring it carefully. His sense of smell and taste seemed to merge into one in an instant.
Xia Houshu watched him quietly after finishing a piece of sophora flower cake, and then asked: "How does it taste?"
"It tastes great!" Xia Houling nodded hurriedly, with a look of unfinished expression on his face, "It's a shame that I grew up in the capital, but I didn't know there was such a good place in the capital. Not only are there fun things, but there are also delicious ones.
Especially this locust flower cake, it looks ordinary, but it is much more delicious than the pastries made in the small kitchen in the house. This is probably the most delicious pastry I have ever eaten."
Xia Houshu couldn't help laughing and said solemnly: "No one here forces you to say nice things, and you don't have to be so exaggerated, just tell the truth."
Xia Houling immediately said: "Everything I said is the truth!"
Xia Houshu shook his head and said: "You are obviously used to eating delicacies from the mountains and seas and feel tired. Occasionally you took a bite of simple food and felt that it was unique in the world. That's why you felt like this. If you are really allowed to eat these every day, I'm afraid
You’re going to miss the craftsmanship in your own little kitchen.”
What Xia Houshu said is the truth. As a child, you can't just think that he has never seen the world and deceive him that it is true to live in simple life and not to give up the glory and wealth in the Duke's palace. Otherwise, he will have enough of poverty in the future.
Looking back, I was deceived by my sister, so why don't I still hate her?
"But this Sophora japonica cake is more delicious than the cakes made in the small kitchen." Xia Houling was still stubborn, "Why doesn't Third Sister admit it?"
Xia Houshu didn't expect Xia Houling to be serious, so she rubbed her forehead helplessly. Admittedly, she also knew why Xia Houling had this illusion. After all, everyone in the Yue Kingdom knew that Mrs. Guo attached great importance to Xia Houling's diet.
There are strict regulations on what you should eat, what you shouldn't eat, when you can eat it, and when you can't eat it. Not to mention the sophora flower cake in the tea shop outside, even a glass of water cannot be drunk casually. Nowadays,
Just a pot of tea and a plate of pastries can make him so happy, creating a unique illusion, and even competing with her. If it were replaced by the delicious wine and food of Luoyuefang, wouldn't it be even more amazing?
Thinking of this, Xia Houshu had an idea and changed the subject: "As for delicious food, I know a place where the dishes are truly delicious. They are better than those in the small kitchen in our house, but they
All the cooks have signed long-term contracts and cannot be poached easily, otherwise the second brother will plan to take two of them back home."
How could a cook who could be remembered by Xia Houyi be worse?
"Is it true?"
Seeing that he was so interested, Xia Houshu did not show off and asked him: "Have you ever heard of Luoyuefang?"
Xia Houling shook his head without surprise and said sadly: "Is it also a very famous place?"
Xia Houshu nodded: "At least he is very famous in the capital."
Xia Houling suddenly felt a little regretful. It turned out that there were so many things that he didn't know. Fortunately, he thought that he had read so many sages' books and understood many great principles so that he could stand on the world. If he hadn't come out to see it in person,
He didn't know how long he would continue to deceive himself in the illusion. No wonder even Yunxi dared to laugh at him like a girl who doesn't go out or step out.
However, compared with these regrets, Xia Houling was more enlightened and curious. For him, the world outside the Yue Kingdom was bizarre and colorful. He had never really stepped into it, so he urgently needed to understand it.
.He tugged on his sister’s hand and begged: “Then please tell me.”
Speaking of Luoyuefang, Xia Houshu had a lot to say. She introduced the specialty dishes of Luoyuefang and praised the considerate service there.
Xia Houling was stunned for a while after hearing this, his eyes were full of envy and yearning, like the stars in the night sky, bright and bright. He knew that his cousin often went out with his second cousin, but he didn't know that they
Their lives are so rich and colorful, and they know so much. It would be great if I could follow them out in the future.
"Can Third Sister take me there?" Xia Houling asked tentatively.
"Of course it's okay to take you there." Xia Houshu said with a smile. After saying that, she looked at the sky and said, "But not today. We have been out for a while today, so we have to go back early, otherwise your mother should be anxious.
"
When he heard that he couldn't go, Xia Houling felt disappointed for a moment, but after a while he smiled again and said, "Then we made an appointment. Third sister must take me there next time. No regrets or cheating are allowed."
"Look at your little thoughts, have I ever deceived you before?" Xiahou glanced at him and promised, "If you take care of this little thing, I will make sure you are convinced."
Xia Houling immediately smiled, revealing his white teeth.
Xia Houshu pushed the two plates of pastries in front of Xia Houling and said softly: "Try again."
Xia Houling nodded, grabbed another piece of sophora flower cake and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing it carefully, as if he was tasting a delicious dish.
Xia Houshu hurriedly picked up the teapot and filled Xia Houling's empty tea cup with tea. He said softly: "Eat slowly. The sophora flower cake is sweet and greasy. Drink some tea to relieve the greasy taste."
Xia Houling nodded, drank tea and continued to eat happily, and almost all the two plates of pastries went into his stomach.
After finishing the pastries and drinking a cup of tea, Yunxi suddenly pulled out three bunches of candied haws like a magic trick. She said with a smile: "I happened to see an old man selling candied haws, so I bought it thinking that the sixth son had never eaten it.
A few skewers, but I don’t know if it can compare with the taste of Dongda Street.”
As he said this, Yunxi sent a string to everyone.
Xia Houling looked at his string of candied haws, carefully scrutinizing it for a long time, his eyes full of joy, as if he had obtained a precious treasure.
Xia Houshu didn't think it was so fresh, so he took his own bunch of candied haws and bit into half of them, tasting them carefully. Then he nodded and said, "It's no worse than the ones on Dongda Street."
Yunxi was very happy and tasted half a pill.
The three of them tasted the candied haws happily, completely unaware of the two strange glances from the other side.
Opposite the tea shop, two men were drinking tea by the window on the second floor.
The man in purple clothes tied up his hair with a jade crown and looked calm. He stared closely at the girl in red who was quietly eating candied haws in the distance, and a smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.
This was the second time he saw her.
The first time was during the brawl at Huguo Temple. She showed her teeth and claws, reacted decisively and swiftly, showed no mercy, was very arrogant, and was a little bit restless. She didn't dare to ask their identities, but she dared to
He threatened her with kindness and even made him pledge his body to her.
But this time, she seemed like a well-educated lady, behaved in a graceful manner, and took a half-year-old child to please her in every possible way.
How many more sides does she have?
The man in purple thought. After a moment, he waved his hand and asked the person next to him: "Did you find out last time that she is really from the Xiahou family?"
The man in green clothes next to him looked at the smiling woman opposite him from afar. Hearing this, he turned his head and replied respectfully: "She is indeed Xia Houyuan's daughter. She was raised outside when she was young, so Mrs. Zhong didn't take care of her very much."
Entering the palace. That day at Huguo Temple, she and her mother lived in the courtyard next to Jiang's family. I heard that she even insulted the monk in charge of the palace because she didn't hide the fortune-telling from the monk."
The man in purple smiled slightly and said: "Sure enough, the tiger father has no dog daughter, he is a wonderful man."