Chapter 24: No Tofu in Tanyuu Today

Early in the morning, Tanyu City was quiet, especially in the area of the Count’s residence, but there was no extra sound. Tanyu is not a large city, and even if you live in the center of the city, you can faintly hear the sound of chickens crowing in the outskirts of the city, but the barking of dogs is not a thing. If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear who’s emptying the toilet, who’s boiling water for breakfast, and in the distance, the vegetable market has already woken up with fresh vegetables and meat to attract the women who get up early to cook.

In the early morning of summer, the air was fresh, and Fan Xian and Si Si walked along the quiet streets of the city, arriving at the familiar side of the market. Sniffing the growing smell in the air, he shook his head contentedly and said, “This kind of place, I rarely come here in the last two years.”

Si Si glanced at him from the sidelines, thinking to herself that it was only natural that the hallowed Lord of Qinzhi would never have the opportunity to buy food again.

Fan Xian said softly, “Do you still remember when we were in Tanyuzhou in the past, we used to come to the food court to buy things?”

Si Si nodded, smiled, and said, “Young master has been strolling around the city with his sisters since he was a child, and carrying things for them, which scared a lot of people in the beginning, and I heard about it when I entered the mansion, and I also thought that you were a strange person.”

“Do you still think I’m weird now?” Fan Xian laughed and responded, walking into the vegetable market first, and when he passed a small two-story building, he subconsciously stopped and stared sideways for a couple of moments.

Si Si felt strange and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Fan Xian pointed at the building and said curiously, “Isn’t that the home of Old Ha, the vegetable delivery man? Didn’t you say that the building was burned down? Who’s living there now?”

When Si Si said this, she also remembered, and after inclining her head for a while, she apologized and said, “I haven’t heard them mention it either.”

Fan Xian looked at the newly erected two-story building and was a bit lost in thought; both Old Ha, the vegetable delivery man, and the assassin from the Eastern Mountain Road of the Supervisory Yuan died in this place, and afterward, Grandma had the building burned down with a fire to destroy the bodies, while the people of Tanyu State didn’t know the truth of this matter at all, thinking that it was just an ordinary fire.

His face calmed down, that was still when he came to this world twelve years ago, it was in this place that he killed for the first time.

The vegetable farm was noisy.

The fisherman from the sea was pushing a cart and comparing the price of the first fish of the day in silence with the fishmongers in the field, while the fresh silver minnows in the baskets on that cart kept bouncing and snapping, and every now and then a car pushed in and the vendors yelled loudly to get out of the way, and the leaves in the second row were dew-stained and fresh and inviting, and on the chicken-selling stalls in the partitioned compartments the chickens clucked and cried along with the stinking air that rose, and on the west corner a large On the west corner, a large white pig was letting out its last squeal under the butcher’s knife.

Many of the people of Tanyu have already begun to come to buy vegetables and food, and they must hurry to get the freshest dishes. The people of Tanyu State were simple and honest, and the Emperor of Qing State had been exceptionally gracious in stopping the levies year after year, so the people had a good life, and at least they could afford to eat meat every day.

Looking at this scene, Fan Xian couldn’t help but be a bit impressed, this Qing state is really quite good.

Without taking a few steps, he walked to one of the quietest corners of the food court, and looked at the figure on the tofu stall from afar, Fan Xian stopped, squinted at the familiar curve of the waist, looked at the young woman’s flushed face, looked at her slightly plump body, and smiled tenderly, thinking that he had been hugged by her, and how could he still look at her so much without getting tired of it?

Si Si looked at the woman and laughed happily, so she was ready to run over that way, but unexpectedly, Fan Xian pulled her hand. She glanced back in confusion.

Fan Xian smiled and said, “Why do we need to meet? It’s just a matter of looking from afar, and judging by Sister Dong’er’s demeanor, she should be living a good life, so let’s not bother.”

Si Si did not understand, since she had sneaked out, did she really not see, just so foolishly on the sidelines to look at two eyes from afar?

“The mansion has a monthly salary for her, that’s what I mean.” Fan Xian seemed to be consoling himself, “With this money, there should be no problem living.”

The young woman selling tofu was called Dong’er, and back then, she was the eldest maid of the Tanyu State Earl’s Mansion, and this woman started hugging Fan Xian when she was ten years old, and kept hugging him until he was ten years old, so naturally, her feelings for Fan Xian were extraordinary.

But when Fan Xian was ten years old, the girl was older, and Fan Xian knew that his future life would be very dangerous, so he found a reason to kick her out of the house, but he secretly helped her all the time.

He likes Dong’er, so he wants to arrange a normal and happy life for her.

However, a normal and happy life didn’t seem to come so easily, and after Fan Xian and Si Si had watched for a while, they suddenly realized that four or five big men had surrounded Dong’er’s tofu store, and were talking excitedly about something.

Fan Xian’s eyes narrowed, a coldness flashing across his clear face, just looking at the few big men who, although agitated, didn’t seem to be how aggressive or overly aggressive, so he didn’t storm out just yet.

He signaled Si Si to follow him closer to the tofu store, heard the conversation of those people, and also saw the wrinkles at the corners of Dong’er sister’s eyes.

“Miss Dong’er, it’s not that we’re forcing people, it’s just that this account has been dragging on for a year, it should always be paid back.” The big man in the lead frowned and said, “You go around and ask, the money we gave to your family is already the widest kind, there is no longer such a low interest rate.”

Dong’er rubbed her hands a little helplessly, her hands had been soaking in tofu water for years, and they were a little red and rough. She lowered her head and said in a difficult manner, “More days, more days, you also know that my family’s body is not good for a year, and spent a lot of money to support the disease.”

The big man looked at her twice and suddenly spoke, “I say Miss Dong’er, why are you so unreasonable?”

Dong’er looked up in confusion.

The big man heatedly smiled and said, “Not to mention the other things, this pipe market prime minister has been charging you the least amount of money, our family boss also did not ask you for heavy benefits …… the entire vegetable market people all respect you three times, what is this for? The reason for this is not because you were a person who came out of the Earl’s residence? Even though you were ostensibly kicked out of the house, who among us old people in Tanyu knows that? The Fan family’s young master cherished you the most, and as a child, he spent all day lolling around your tofu stall.”

He cleared his throat and said, “Aren’t we all giving face to the Fan young master, and no one dares to oppress you …… But ……” he suddenly said in annoyance, ” This silver is not much, you casually go to the earl’s mansion and say a few words to the old madam, could it be that her old man won’t help you?”

Dong’er pursed her lips tightly and refused to say another word.

The big man finally couldn’t help himself and yelled, “Even if you don’t dare to go and talk to the old lady, but now everyone knows about this big event in the Tanya Prefecture government, the young master of the Fan family has already returned to his hometown, and he’s now a dignified minister of the Imperial Household, if he casually takes care of you, your whole family is going to be soaring to great heights, so where do you still care about these silver taels?”

Dong’er suddenly raised her head, with a resolute face and said, “My things, you do not go to alarm the government, owe you money, I will naturally slowly pay you back …… these two years thanks to Hu big brother you look after, Dong’er is very grateful.”

But this is obviously not much effect, that big man although do not dare how to bully Dong’er, but after all, it is to rely on this to earn money, annoyed, said: “Since you say you and the mansion has nothing to do with the love, then we will not be polite, should take the silver you bring me over today!”

Hearing this, Fan Xian finally heard the cause of the matter and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Dong’er’s family’s that is only afraid of the body is not good, but …… they let the house to send money every month should be enough, look at Dong’er’s sister’s look, only afraid of these two years are not willing to move their own sent silver money, only willing to rely on their own this tofu store barely maintain.

There was no point in continuing to listen, and Fan Xian didn’t have the hobby of waiting for things to intensify before coming out as a grandpa, even though it was clear that he was the biggest grandpa in Tanyu City today.

He nodded to Si Si.

Si Si immediately understood and took a few brisk steps to the front of the tofu store, looked at the few big men and calmly asked, “How much is the difference?”

These several big man obviously by this suddenly appeared girl bluffed a jump, Si Si today go out although not deliberately dressed, but every day in the mansion life, the body of the clothes and decorations are not the flow of luxury, big man sharp eyes, of course, know that this girl is not extraordinary, lightly cough two, respectfully said: “That is, ten taels of silver.”

Speaking of the moment mouth, these big men’s eyes in the tofu store around floating.

As for Dong’er, she was already frozen when Si Si stood in front of her tofu store, and after a long time a helpless smile spread out on her red face.

The leader of the big man suddenly caught sight of the gentleman standing in the back of the side of the tofu store, a look at the gentleman’s very recognizable face, and then a and tofu store Dong’er’s origin as well as in front of this like a flower like a jade girl a link, he immediately guessed that the identity of the gentleman, and hurriedly trembled his voice to add a sentence: “Indeed is ten taels, this interest money . …I didn’t dare to collect it, but since the girl came out today, it’s naturally free of charge.”

Si Si looked back at Dong’er with a smile on her face and said, “Sister, is it this much?”

Dong’er was still in shock, and nodded her head in some panic.

Si Si glanced at Fan Xian over there, this girlie of course knew what Fan Xian had in mind, and smiled at the few big men and said, “I can also see that a few of you have quite a return to my sister, I’ll thank you on behalf of my son for this token of appreciation.” With those words, she took out a small silver ticket from her sleeve and handed it over, saying gently, “In the future, you guys will help take care of this store.”

The big man took the silver ticket and saw that it was a twenty taels denomination, he couldn’t help but think of returning it with a bitter face, but then he glanced at the young man’s face at the back of the tofu store who didn’t know whether he was happy or angry, so he didn’t dare to say anything more, and said with a trembling voice, “Dare not dare to, sure, sure.”

After saying this, he hurriedly pulled a few subordinates behind him who were still a bit confused to leave in a hurry, and when he passed by Fan Xian, he bowed deeply to the ground, not daring to let out a single fart.

Fan Xian shook his head and walked into the tofu store, complaining to Dong’er, who still didn’t believe his eyes, “You don’t need to use the money you’ve got, but what kind of Guili are you borrowing?”

Dong’er forced a smile and glanced at him, saying softly, “Young master, why are you here?”

Fan Xian said in annoyance, “It was this sentence a few years ago, and it’s still the same now, you’re my maid, can’t I come to see you?”

Si Si covered her mouth and laughed from the side, “I don’t know who stood over there just now and didn’t come over.” After saying this, she walked over to Dong’er and affectionately went to hold her hand.

Dong’er somewhat flusteredly wiped her hand carelessly twice on the cloth lapel in front of her and smiled gently.

Fan Xian fixed his eyes on Dong’er’s face, and looked more closely at the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. The years were not merciless, and did not leave too many deep traces on the young woman’s face, but with her daily household chores and small business, she always looked a bit fatigued, especially when she stood with Si Si, and compared to Si Si, the well-bred servant girl, she looked a bit more uncomfortable.

Fan Xian sighed, suddenly did not know what words to pick to speak, asked with a sullen face: “Where is the little girl?”

“At home with her father, her father …… body is not very good.” Dong’er glanced at Fan Xian’s expression and smiled gently and affectionately. She had held Fan Xian since she was a child and grew up, so of course she knew what was on his mind and could guess why he was in an unhappy mood, and said softly, “The money sent by the young master can’t dare to use it indiscriminately, and it can be used to maintain …… anyway.”

Not waiting for her to finish her sentence, Fan Xian waved his hand in annoyance and said, “Take me to your house to sit and talk.”

Dong’er glanced at her tofu store and was at a loss for words.

Fan Xian said angrily, “What do you care about such a broken shop? Back then, I got screwed up, what bland life, you want to follow me all the time, where will be subjected to so many dirty gas.”

See him angry, Dong’er dare not say anything more, SiSi up to hold her hand to the food market outside.

Fan Xian behind the two out of the tofu store, to the food market around the attention cast a cold stare back at the past, thought, and will be done two grams of tofu in the hands, which is pacing out.

After he left, the entire market was as noisy as a frying pan, at this time, naturally, all the vendors recognized who he was, and inevitably fell into a state of shock and excitement.

Lord Qinzai came to the vegetable market, this is what kind of wonderful gossip, especially when there was a big maiden, today’s tofu shi Shi Shi and other words that lead to speculation.

“See, I told you …… that young master Fan is a person who remembers old feelings, since he has returned to Tanyuzhou, he naturally wants to come to see Sister Dong’er.”

Someone tsked and sighed, “Lord Qinzhi, how big of an official does this have to be, to actually be so nostalgic for old times.”

When someone chewed his tongue, someone scolded back, “Don’t you see that Sister Sisi is also here? If you guys dare to talk nonsense again, I’m afraid that someone from the government will send you to the west to fight the huans!”

Regardless of how the discussion in the vegetable market festered, with the majesty of the Fan Mansion here and Fan Xian’s reputation here, some of the headless rumors naturally ended without a trace, except that Fan Xian’s sudden arrival and the tofu store’s sudden closure injected a trace of the most lively mood into the already bustling vegetable market in the early morning.

At this point, no one had thought that there would be no tofu to eat in the entire city of Tanyuzhou today.

Dong’er’s home is in a small courtyard in a remote part of Tanyu State, quietly hidden in the depths of the alleys, such a one-door courtyard in Tanyu State City, although rare, but also worth a lot of money, or Fan Xian that year, with the sale of the money of the inner court newspaper Pan Ling handwritten book in Dong’er’s wedding time to buy, when Fan Xian down hard, Dong’er didn’t dare to disobey the eleven year old young master’s intention, so he has been living to this day.

Fan Xian walked into the courtyard, looked around, and found that it was quite neat and clean. He nodded with satisfaction, put the two frames of tofu in his hands on top of the stone mill, put his hands behind his back, and went into the main hall.

Dong’er was busy pouring tea and taking snacks, but Fan Xian stopped and said with a smile, “It’s not like you don’t know my temperament, I don’t like to eat those.”

Dong’er smiled gently and said, “At that time of the year, everyone in the mansion said that young master was a freak, and that children didn’t like to eat snacks, but liked to gnaw on bones.”

“Yes, a freak.” Fan Xian sighed and said, “You’re the only ones who don’t think I’m weird.”

Si Si wiped her hands carelessly on the short couch twice, knowing that Fan Xian didn’t care about that either, so she went to ask him to sit down. Fan Xian shook his head, lifted the curtain in the left room of the main hall, and barged into the inner room without a second glance.

As soon as he entered the inner room, he saw a man of about thirty years old struggling to get up from his bed. This man’s features were straight and he was quite loyal, but his face was a bit pale, so it seemed that his health was not good.

Upon seeing Fan Xian heading to the inner room, Dong’er jumped up in a hurry and hurriedly followed him in, saying, “Young master, this is where the patients stay, what are you doing in here?”

The man on the bed was Dong’er’s male cousin, surnamed Mai, and he had long guessed the identity of the visitor.

Although he had been discussing with Dong’er whether or not Young Master Fan would come to the door to take a look since the day he knew that the Fan Family’s Young Master was going to return to Tanyuzhou, the difference in status and position between the two sides was too great after all, and as soon as they thought that this matter was too unlikely, the two of them put their heads down and didn’t do anything to prepare for it.

“Young Master Fan, don’t come in.” He said in fear, terrified.

Fan Xian, however, smiled and sat down directly beside him, one hand then on his pulse, signaling with his eyes for him to be quiet.

Dong’er stood in the doorway, guessing that the young master was treating his own husband, and couldn’t help but feel a hint of doubt. Back then in the mansion, I did see the young master holding a medical book and reading it, only this disease Tanyu city’s doctors all said that it was difficult to cure ……

And her husband is even more nervous no way, looking at Fan Xian’s fingers on his own pulse, thinking that this is nowadays the Lord of the Qinzhi, according to the word on the street, it is even more a bit of a dragon seed …… how can he give himself a medical treatment? He was excited, touched, his eyes were actually moist.

Indoor silence, Si Si did not enter the room, just behind the winter child carefully watched.

After a long time, Fan Xian loosened his fingers, opened his eyes, and said with a smile, “Coincidentally, it’s a problem on the lungs, so it’s good to cure.”

Dong’er’s two parents were overjoyed to hear this, but they were still a bit unconvinced. Si Si covered her mouth behind her and laughed, “You two can rest assured, our young granny also has a lung problem, the imperial doctors in the palace couldn’t cure it, but all of them were cured by the young master.”