Chapter 11 Eleven, gold powder

The chirping of the autumn cicadas has gradually weakened, and the sunlight that sifted through the courtyard at noon has become much warmer and less angry. My father took a new job by the canal. According to the people who came to see my father, it was the old man who had retired and returned to his hometown to take care of himself. He had a colleague who was an official in the same dynasty in the capital. Because Ding You returned to his hometown, he would take a boat Passing by Jiangdu, Master Yuan bought a cruise ship and parked it by the canal. He seemed to think that the interior and exterior of the cruise ship were too crude, so he quickly summoned a group of craftsmen to repair the inside and outside of the ship in a short period of time.

The remuneration offered was not bad, besides food and drink every day, three hundred Wen was also given, so my father happily agreed to go. Speaking of which, there are quite a few rich and wealthy families in Jiangdu, and they are often the topic of conversation between ordinary people and neighbors, so as for the old man who just came back here, I have heard it from several aunts nearby these days. A lot; it's nothing more than how many rooms his house has, how many family members, how many children, daily temperament and preferences, expenses, etc., but every time I hear about his family, I feel anxious Anxiety—the prostitute named Chunyang next to Master Yuan is actually a hungry ghost who can eat people, and he once disappeared in front of my eyes like a cloud of white mist... It's terrible!

But my mother has been very anxious recently, she always vomits acid water and can't eat anything. I have no choice but to go to the vegetable market and buy some green olives for her to swallow, or Tao Sanniang sometimes gives me some that she pickles herself. The plum brine, let me take it back and soak it in water for my mother. But Mother herself was more worried about Dad, who kept saying that although the weather is a bit cool in autumn, the boat is exposed to the sun all day, and the people working on the boat must be hot. The moisture that comes up makes it easy to get sick. Besides, the construction period is tight, the craftsmen stay on the boat day and night, and there is still wind and dew at night... Sigh, how can I live if I am sick?

Mother said these things, and I could only listen in silence, watching her sunken eye sockets from sewing, her complexion pale and unable to sleep every night. The only thing I could help her was to do my best to do housework. I remembered that I heard Tao Sanniang once say that lotus seeds can nourish the heart and nourish Qi, so I went to buy lotus seeds and longan specially today, and cooked some lotus seed and longan sweet soup to nourish my mother. Mother first asked me if I had eaten, and I replied that I had, so she lowered her head and only ate half a bowl, but then she thought of my father, and said that if my father could come back at this time, it would be great to eat some sweet lotus seed soup .

"Mom, if you don't take good care of yourself, Dad will have a hard time because he misses your health." I didn't know what to say, I could only urge her to finish a whole bowl of sweet soup, and then advised her to lie down and rest for a while , take a nap. Liuqing Street was very quiet. There seemed to be not many customers in Huanxiang Restaurant, but cooking smoke was still continuously wafting from the kitchen. I went straight to the side door of Huanxiang Pavilion and entered the backyard, where Tao Sanniang was making soup and making pastries. Tao Sanniang told me that it turned out that this was all done for Mr. Yuan. He went to the canal this morning to inspect the progress of the ship’s construction. The inn by the river, because it was nearby, the people from the house sent the first-class Gastrodia elata and live crucian carp, and asked Tao Sanniang to make a pot of stew, and also asked for some salty and sweet desserts, all delivered before dinner.

"Master Yuan is weak in yang, and he is getting old, so I'm afraid he may occasionally feel dizzy and numb in his hands and feet, as well as rheumatism and migraine." Tao Sanniang said to me. I was surprised: "How did San Niang know? Master Yuan told you all this?" "Of course he won't say it, but he would eat gastrodia elata whenever he suffers from old problems, and gastrodia elata is specially used to treat such diseases, so I knew it." Tao Sanniang said with a smile. "Yeah! Sanniang is amazing!" I was so impressed that I hurriedly begged her, "Sanniang teach me too."

"Well, when you are free." Tao Sanniang couldn't stop kneading the dough while talking, while He Er next to him added some sticky raw yams that had just been mashed into the dough in her hand , this is a yam bun with red bean stuffing; later I also tried to help her to make a pan-fried roll that needs to be served with spicy vinegar, that is, chop the chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and fungus, and then sprinkle it on the thin egg noodles On top, roll it into a strip, wrap both ends, then fry it until it is slightly browned, and just cut it into small rolls when it comes out of the pan.

Sometimes, I also told Tao Sanniang that my mother was worried about my father. Tao Sanniang thought for a while: "Why don't you go to the canal with me later, and you can send some lotus seeds to your father." Sweet soup, as long as you don't follow me into the inn and see Master Yuan." "That's great, then I'll go back and tell my mother." I ran home happily. Mother heard that she was with Tao Sanniang, so she didn't stop me, she asked me to wash a small clay pot with ears at home, put the rest of the sweet lotus seed soup, and hurried out. By the time we got to the canal, the sun was already westward and the water surface was still red.

The inn where Master Yuan lived was actually a relatively large one in the area called "Xiaoyao Inn". It is said that there is also a stage in the spacious atrium, which is specially for rich businessmen and nobles to come and go, sleep and rest. Seen from a distance, it is a tall golden chi red tile, glazed roof, like a palace.I have never been in before, and I dare not approach it at this time, so I made an agreement with Tao Sanniang that she would take Li Er to deliver things, and I would go to the boat by the river to find my father, and I would be under the largest willow tree by the river later. Just meet.

I walked along the river, and the boat was parked at the small pier not far from the inn. Many people who looked like overseers and craftsmen were walking around. I didn't dare to ask anyone. I just stood on the bank and looked at the boat. Fortunately, in less than a quarter of an hour, my father just came out of the cabin, still holding tools in his hand, and talking to someone, I quickly called him, my father was a little surprised when he saw me, and hurried ashore. I gave him the clay pot: "Father, this is the sweet lotus seed soup that my mother asked me to bring you. She misses your hard work and is afraid that you will get sick."

Dad took it over: "Well, the work will be finished in three days." "What a big ship!" I exclaimed, "What is Dad in charge of?" "The furniture inside the ship, the hatch is too narrow, it will be more difficult to make it outside and then move it in, we can only make it inside, it's all tables, chairs, and beds. Speaking of it, it's really hot. " Dad was talking, his voice was a little hoarse, as if he was very thirsty, and then he opened the lid of the earthen pot, picked up the pot and began to drink "gulp". I watched my father drink the sweet soup happily, and said in surprise: "Father is amazing! After drinking so much, you don't need to eat dinner, right?" Dad wiped his mouth with his sleeve, handed the jar back to my hand and said with a smile, "Tired of work! What's more, you sent it all the way. By the way, you came here by yourself?" "No, there is Tao Sanniang." I pointed to Xiaoyao Inn: "She is going to deliver snacks to Master Yuan." "Oh, shall we go back together? Be careful on the way." Dad was still a little worried, looking at the setting sun that reflected the canal red, "It's going to be dark." "Understood, there is Li Er, the three of us, the road is not very far." I carried the empty jar and prepared to leave: "Father, let's go back to work." "Yeah." Dad nodded and waved to me. Sanniang should have delivered the things to Master Yuan, but she hasn't come out yet, so I don't know how long she will stay there. To get to the willow tree, you have to pass the main entrance of the Xiaoyao Inn. There were so many people going in and out there, several carriages were also parked by the roadside, and some people who looked like maids or servants were laughing and joking while packing things in and out of the carts. The light of the setting sun shrouded this magnificent building, adding a layer of golden coat to its already dazzling red cornices, making people not only unable to see clearly, but also more fearful. But when I thought of that hungry ghost... I lowered my head and just wanted to walk over as soon as possible, but I never thought about it, but I was hiding more and more. Suddenly something fell from the sky and hit me with a "slap", I was startled. Looking back, what landed next to me was a ball that people play in Cuju. The ball flew out from the inn. I looked in the direction and saw a boy about my age running out. He was dressed in golden satin clothes, as if he was in harmony with the golden-red glazed building behind him. The house is one. He leaned over to pick up the ball, glanced at me, and then I saw his appearance clearly: his slender shoulders looked thinner, and the breeze blowing from the river brushed away his forehead hair, which was whiter and finer than ordinary girls His face was pale, but his eyes were a little blank, expressionless, and he didn't speak. He turned around and ran back to the inn with the ball in his arms. Rich boys are always so arrogant and willful, kicking a ball in other people's inns, regardless of whether it will damage their things or hit people... I was always afraid of meeting boys of the same age Although they are all neighbors and children in Zhuzhier Lane, the greatest pleasure of those boys is to scare girls, and they will not stop until they make others cry, so I always avoid them. While thinking about this, I still walked my own way, but I never thought about it, and suddenly another object hit me again, and I was a little bit on fire. When I looked back, it was still the ball, but the person who still had the ball , stupefied me— I saw that young man in flowing white clothes, named Chunyang but actually with a strange identity, standing on the steps in front of the inn, looking at me with a malicious smile, beside him was the indifferent young man in yellow. I felt my scalp harden, I knew I would not look back, and I would have walked away quickly... It seems that he threw the ball over on purpose. "Hey, little girl, why is it you again?" He raised his hand: "Bring us that ball back." I was scared in my heart, but his appearance made me even more angry. I couldn't help but gave him a hard look, and didn't dare to say anything, and continued to walk quickly. I didn't know that because I was walking quickly and didn't look carefully at the road ahead, I bumped into a person. I didn't see who it was, and I was pushed to the ground immediately, and a fierce female voice scolded: " Something without eyes!" I sat on the ground with my buttocks, and the clay pot fell to the ground together, and there was a crisp "pong", and there seemed to be small stones under my body, which made me hurt. In front of Qing was a tall young woman, wearing emerald green clothes, looking like a maid, with a bit of fierceness in her brows, she patted me and walked away after scolding me. I was stunned for a moment, my face was hot for a moment, and I quickly got up, but I looked down at the mouth of the clay pot in my hand, and a large piece was broken. I was dumbfounded, what should I do? "Huh! If you are obedient, pick up the ball for me obediently, and you won't fall like this." The boy's sneer and words came to his ears, and he walked over to pick up the ball. Are you happy to see my joke?What the hell is he trying to do!When I thought of this, I felt an indescribable pain in my heart. I really shouldn't be here today... My nose was a little sore, so I ignored him, got up with my clay pot, and continued to walk forward, ignoring the pain. "Oh, it's quite stubborn." Behind me, the boy said so, and then there was the sound of the ball bouncing on the ground. I couldn't help speeding up my pace, just wanting to get out of here quickly. "Peach Moon!" I froze for a moment, it was Tao Sanniang's voice, I turned around and saw her and Li Er coming out of the Xiaoyao Inn and going down the steps, so I stood still. The two teenagers who were playing ball in the middle of the road saw her, but there was no special change. They kicked the ball at each other and ran past her, still in high spirits. Tao Sanniang came over and saw my distressed appearance, she smiled helplessly: "Did you fall? Look at your dirt." She patted my clothes carefully: "Come on, let's go back before it's dark. " "En." Seeing Sanniang, my heart finally settled down a little. She took my hand and walked all the way, I looked at the broken clay pot in my hand, and then at her: "Sanniang, that boy in yellow is also..." I couldn't even say the word "ghost" .Because this is still incomprehensible to me, I can only ask San Niang: "They look the same as me!" "You said that boy, he is human just like you." Tao Sanniang looked down at me with a smile. "Is he the child of Lord Yuan?" I was puzzled. "No, at Master Yuan's age, his son should be the same age as your father." Tao Sanniang seemed to be laughing at my naivety. "Eh, so he is also a child molester? What are you doing around Master Yuan?" In fact, I still don't understand what child molestation means. Looking at their beautiful clothes, I know that they are definitely not ordinary little book boys or servants. "Oh, yes, but, how do I explain it to you?" Tao Sanniang looked a little troubled: "You will know later." But seeing that I was really in a fog, I seemed to understand My doubts: "Under the appearance of a person, there can be a person himself, but it can also be a ghost. How can it be easy to distinguish? But this child is a person..." "Then San Niang can tell the difference." I still feel very relieved about this. "Oh, it should be." Because Tao Sanniang and Li Er had gone out, only He Da and He Er were left in the shop, and it seemed that they were really busy.There were about four or five tables of guests, asking for tea, wine, and ordering dishes.The two of them are like gourds, they can only do things but can't talk to socialize, so some guests think that the food is slow for one, and they have no time to agree to the other, and they are about to mess up. I wanted to go home now, but Tao Sanniangfei pulled me and told me to wait, so I had no choice but to go into the shop with her. Sure enough, as soon as Tao Sanniang entered the room, someone shouted: "The proprietress is finally back." "Hey, Tao Sanniang, it's so rare that I passed by you again today to have a meal, why did you show up?" A man with a dusty appearance yelled at Tao Sanniang. "Oh, I can't help it. I've been delayed by something." Tao Sanniang hastily walked over to pour tea for him: "What do you want to eat today? Or the old rules? Stir-fried pork belly with eggplant, roasted tofu, or steamed fish?" "All up! I'm so hungry." The man patted his stomach and smiled generously. "Okay." Tao Sanniang nodded and wrote it down, and at the same time told Li Er: "Go to the back and tell He Er the name of the dish." While continuing to greet several tables of guests, I walked to the empty table next to the counter and sat down to wait for her. A table by the window sat alone with a customer. I noticed him because he was sitting there with his back straight, wearing a black light silk dress, in his forties, and when he took a sip of tea, he could see the wrists wrapped around his sleeve A string of beads the size of a quail egg, with a slightly different demeanor and expression from the other guests present. He seemed to be a rich man again, but the strange thing was that he didn't have a follower. "Guest officer, what would you like to eat?" Tao Sanniang walked up to him and asked. The man also smiled slightly at Tao Sanniang: "Hi, lady boss, I've heard her name for a long time." "Oh? This guest officer seems unfamiliar, but where has he heard of my small shop?" "Heh, I'm from Changsha. I've heard more than one friend mention that there is a Huanxiang restaurant in Jiangdu. Not only is the proprietress smart and beautiful, but the dishes are also delicious." "Hey, I'm really overwhelmed." Tao Sanniang waved her hand: "Then what would you like to eat? The store will try its best to do it for you." "Then please make a piece of bone meat? It's the bones and meat that grow together on the pig. It can be crushed and eaten together. The method is up to you. Then, there is a Ruyi Yuanzi, but it's not the kind of minced meat." The pork balls that are squeezed out again have to cut the meat into cubes, hollow out the inside and put the stuffing in." I suddenly felt that this man was very annoying. When he said the names of the two dishes, I felt that he was deliberately making things difficult for others. The names and methods of the dishes were vague and tricky. Tao Sanniang didn't care, and smiled: "Okay, please wait a moment." So I went to the kitchen in the backyard, and before I left, she motioned for me to go in with her. "Sanniang, do you know how to cook those two dishes? Who is that person?" I was a little bit aggrieved. "It's not difficult." Tao Sanniang took the clay pot from my hand and rinsed it with water: "I just remembered that there are salted duck eggs. I'll bring you some to eat." "Thank you Sanniang." Tao Sanniang always gave me delicious food, and I couldn't refuse her, so I felt even more embarrassed every time. "Sanniang, the dish that person ordered just now... seems very difficult." I was still thinking about what happened just now. Tao Sanniang picked duck eggs for me, shook her head and smiled, and called He Er: "Is there any pork bone with meat? Fry it in a plate, and just take it out with sauce." "It's that simple?" I asked in surprise. "Yes." Tao Sanniang laughed at me for fussing: "But Ruyi Yuanzi is a bit troublesome, it's getting dark, why don't you go home quickly?" "Oh." I had no choice but to nod: "I'll go back first." In fact, I really want to see her make that ruyiyuanzi, but it is really dark, and my mother is at home alone, so I have to go back quickly. In the house, my mother's oil lamp was on. My mother had prepared the meals but was waiting for me to come back. I took out the duck eggs that Tao Sanniang had given me, and we ate together while telling my mother how I went to see my father. I said Dad was so thirsty, and drank the sweet soup in one gulp.Mother just laughed and said that your father is such a bully.I also laughed and said, brother, don't be like father, he is too naughty and I can't control him. After eating, I went to the well to wash the dishes. The tortoise was lying in the corner. When it saw me, it slowly crawled over. It couldn't touch the ground, and the semicircular turtle shell swayed from side to side like a tumbler. I thought it was funny watching it, and it took a while to straighten it again. ... I don't know what my younger brother will be like, will he be like a father or a mother?Will you be naughty and not listen to me? In fact, I would rather watch Tao Sanniang cooking in Huanxiang Restaurant every day than play with the children in the neighborhood. The boys are all so mischievous and look great. To get together and say some really boring whispers... It's not interesting. "Taoyue! I've been out and running for a long time, and I don't want to take a bath soon..." My mother urged me in the room, and I quickly agreed to go.
The next afternoon, when I wandered to Huanxiang Pavilion, I saw Master Yuan! I think his body is much better because of the sunny weather. He is sitting leisurely in the best position by the fence at this moment, with a whole set of emerald green crystal clear tea cups and several colored refreshments in front of him. Holding a feather fan, sitting opposite him was the middle-aged man who claimed to be from Changsha last night. Chunyang was still dressed in white, cooking tea on the stove, and the boy in golden clothes who I saw yesterday playing ball was silently peeling chestnuts, and those accompanying servants were standing around or stand or sit. I didn't dare to go in through the front door, so I hurried around to the side door and entered the backyard. Tao Sanniang was peeling some fresh green oranges, and when she saw me coming, she gave me a peeled orange in her hand: "Are you afraid of sourness?" "What is San Niang doing?" I took the orange and asked. "Slice the green orange peel, blanch it, and mix it with cold vegetables at night." "Sanniang, Master Yuan is here again..." I said dully. "Yes." She didn't take it seriously: "I came to see something." "Look at what?" I was even more surprised. "That Changsha man has a lot of antiques." Tao Sanniang also put a piece of orange meat into her mouth, and then she narrowed her eyes with sourness: "The string of jade beads on his hand is said to be the coffin of the former Changsha king. I took it out." "Oh, they're selling antiques..." I know what antiques are. Jiangdu has been prosperous since ancient times, and I can see people walking around the streets all year round who specialize in collecting things from people's homes. There are also people selling such items on the street stalls or storefronts, "Does he have a lot of treasures?" "Maybe." Tao Sanniang didn't seem to be interested in this at all, and kept picking up the green orange peels in her hands. "Raw orange peel is bitter, can it be eaten as a dish?" "Well, after blanching, you have to soak it for an hour or two. Before cooking, you have to scald the water again and soak it in honey to ensure that the bitterness is removed. Then marinate the beef strips with honey, Huadiao, salt, and soy sauce, and stir-fry them. After it is cooked out of the pan, add shredded green orange peel soaked in honey, sprinkle with fried white sesame seeds, the taste will be good, and it can clear away qi and reduce phlegm." Tao Sanniang told me while shredding the orange peel. "Oh, I'll give my parents a try some other day." I said excitedly. "Taoyue'er is really filial." Tao Sanniang praised me. At this time, the servant in the room came over and passed on a message: "Miss Boss, our master is here to invite you." "Here we come." Tao Sanniang agreed, washed her hands and left. I was curious, so I leaned against the door to peek at the behavior of the people inside like last time. I just heard that Master Yuan said to Tao Sanniang: "I will have a light meal with you tonight, so don't waste as much trouble as last time. I will pick some of your special dishes and try them. This friend is from Changsha. People in Chu are fond of spicy food, so you should make two spicy dishes too." "Yes, my lord." Tao Sanniang smiled and nodded. But the Changsha native smiled and said: "The proprietress's cooking skills are amazing. I have already experienced it last night. Although the cooking methods are not authentic spicy dishes, I don't even care about the taste." "Oh? What kind of dish is it?" Master Yuan became interested. "Bone meat and Ruyi Yuanzi." "Then try it again tonight." Master Yuan ordered, then turned around and asked the silent boy in yellow: "Wu Yue, it's the first time I brought you here, what do you want to eat? Order a name for the dish. " The boy in yellow looked up at Tao Sanniang: "Carp." "Well," Master Yuan nodded slightly, picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip of tea, and suddenly remembered something: "Miss Boss has worked hard, sit down and have a cup of tea?...Chunyang, serve the tea." "Yes, sir." Master Yuan couldn't let Sanniang Tao talk about it, so he ordered Chunyang to pour tea, but Sanniang Tao didn't sit down, so Chunyang took another porcelain cup from the shop from the side, poured tea into Sanniang Tao's hand, Master Yuan raised his hand to invite: "Miss proprietress, please try it. This is the Liu'an melon slice soaked in Huishan spring water." Tao Sanniang drank it carefully, looked into the cup again, and said with a smile: "Sure enough, the soup is rich green in color, with a high aroma, without stems or buds, and it's the top grade before the rain." I didn't understand Tao Sanniang's words very well, but Master Yuan looked surprised: "I didn't expect that the lady boss is not only proficient in cooking, but also knows the taste of tea. It's really disrespectful!" Tao Sanniang smiled modestly and said nothing. "Master Yuan," the Changsha man coughed lightly, as if to bring the conversation back to the point: "The ordinary gold and silver vessels and glazed agate are all vulgar ones, of course you don't notice them, but I still have them in my hands." There is one thing, please take a look at it." When he said that, I noticed that there were some large and small objects on the table in front of him. From a distance, some of them were shiny with gold and copper, and some were colorful, but I couldn't see them clearly. what. Tao Sanniang then excused herself and came to the backyard, seeing me hiding there watching, she didn't stop me. "Oh? Mr. Zhao is too modest. Mr. Zhao has extraordinary knowledge. All the antiques in his hand are treasures. Please don't hesitate to enlighten me." When Master Yuan spoke, his tone was unhurried. "Okay, the things are in the inn room where I live. Because they are exquisite and delicate, I dare not take them with me casually. My lord will wait here for a while." After the Changsha man finished speaking, he got up and left. Master Yuan also reminded him to put away those treasures on the table, but he just smiled and said, even if Mr. Yuan is such a person, even if these things are placed here, there will never be any mistakes. It's good to play around for the time being. After he left, Chunyang sat on the table, picked up a colorful bowl and said, "Didn't I accidentally break a glass bowl like this a few days ago?" Master Yuan smiled: "This man has shaved jaws, eagle eyes, a slightly concave forehead, and a pig's mouth with fangs, but he wears a fairy-like appearance and can speak eloquently. He is definitely not a good person." "Then why are you still making friends with him?" "Heh, of course you don't understand, kid. I have been an official in the capital for many years. I haven't seen any kind of person before, so why should I be afraid of him? This person is already an expert in reselling antiques and toys. He must have rare goods in his hand. I just choose what I need, what can he do with me?" I didn't dare to peek any more. I could hardly understand what they were saying, but I just felt a chill down my spine. Turning around, she saw Tao Sanniang was busy cooking again, cutting a piece of pork on the chopping board. I watched from the side and saw that she cut the meat into small cubes of equal size: "Sanniang, what are you doing? Braised pork?" "Of course not. The braised pork has to be pork belly." After cutting the meat, Tao Sanniang turned to find a few small jars in the kitchen cabinet, scooped out pine nuts, salt and pepper, bean paste and other ingredients with a spoon, and dried them Dice, then chop a large handful of red peppers and mix together at the end. "This is Ruyi Yuanzi." Tao Sanniang said as she brought an extremely sharp pointed knife, which she seldom used, but she saw her pick up a piece of meat with the knife in one hand and skillfully Cut a very deep slit on the meat, and then the knife quickly dug out a little bit of the prepared hot sauce and stuffed it into the meat slit. I clearly saw that the knife only made a small slit, but as the tip of the knife entered it again Go out, you can fill in about a finger-sized chili sauce. I was envious when I saw it: "Sanniang is so amazing!" "Taoyue." Tao Sanniang suddenly stopped. I was taken aback, her tone was rarely so low and serious: "Huh?" Tao Sanniang also looked at me in a daze for a while, maybe it was because I was stunned that she finally realized that she was so strange, so she burst out laughing dumbfoundedly, and continued to lower her head to do what she was doing, but she didn't know anything. Did not say. I felt even more bizarre, and asked in surprise: "Sanniang... what's wrong?" Tao Sanniang shook her head helplessly, then sighed softly: "It's nothing, it's just that I suddenly felt a little uncomfortable just now, Taoyue..." She paused, as if thinking about it, and then asked again: "Are not you afraid?" "Afraid?" I was even more surprised. "Yes, you always come to my place... You see, there is no neighbor in the neighborhood who loves to come to me as much as you do." What's the matter, Sanniang?Why did you suddenly say such strange words?But I didn't know how to answer: "But, Sanniang has never harmed a good person..." When I said this, I didn't know how to continue. "Forget it, let's not talk about this." Tao Sanniang interrupted me, turned around and went into the kitchen to get something, and I stood there like an idiot.
Braised chicken, use a whole young hen, stuff 20 stalks of green onion, 2 fen fennel, 2 liang of sweet bean paste, 1 liang of rose flower sauce, 7 or 8 peppercorns, 2 slices of ginger, and then sew the belly on. Deep-fry in an oil pan until it turns slightly yellow, pour half a catty of wine, a cup and a half of soy sauce, and half a catty of water into a casserole and cook until cooked; for Ruyi Yuanzi, fry the lean pork cubes stuffed with seasonings in a warm oil pan and deep-fry until yellow. Put the remaining pine nut red pepper seasoning in the pot, bring to a boil with high oil, pour the meat pieces back into the pot to hang the gorgon, after the pot is placed on a plate, sprinkle a few green onions; Carp brains, boiled soft-shelled turtles in soup, crispy bone meat dipped in sauce... It was still bustling and full of dishes. This time I didn’t dare to pass the dishes, but stayed in the kitchen to help out. I saw the antique brought back by the Changsha people, but it was said to be from Yunnan. The "filament lamp" in the southern ancient country is made of agate, quartz and other precious stones, which are crushed into crumbs, boiled and rotten like powder, and can be solidified with the northern Tianhua vegetable juice, and then reeled into silk by a special process. The silk is woven like silk, painted with a pair of begonia flowers and yellow sparrows. Under the sun, the whole body of the lamp is crystal clear and bright, and the precious light is dazzling. At night, when candles are put in the lamp, the lamp body can even magnify the light. It is reflected several times, and it is red and radiant, so beautiful that it is not even afraid of wind and rain. It was already evening at this time, and the house was getting dark, Master Yuan immediately ordered someone to light a candle and put it in the lamp, for a while it really illuminated the ceiling of the house with brilliance, and I was even more amazed to see it. "Okay, okay! It really is a treasure. If you talk about crystal wind lanterns and ice silk silk lanterns, they are nothing compared to that. Mr. Zhao, please make a price." Master Yuan said bluntly. "This...Zhao wants to make friends with you, so why worry about money and money, you can take a closer look to see if there are any flaws or inaccuracies?" The Changsha man held the lamp in both hands very generously. In front of Mr. Yuan, he said to Chunyang who was beside him: "Although this little brother is immature, he has clear eyebrows, a broad forehead, and a broad forehead. His appearance, speech and behavior are different from ordinary people. He has such a calm demeanor. Thinking about it, he must Do you have an opinion?" I think these people speak very deep, and many of their words are not as casual as us ordinary people, and some of them I can't fully understand, I only know the general idea. At this time, He Da and Li Er were putting the dishes on the table one after another, and a few servants were also busy arranging the bowls and chopsticks, so I had to go home quickly, so I bid farewell to Sanniang Tao, and I went out through the side door. My mother was coming out of the yard to look at the melons and vines, and just as I entered the door, she said: "It's almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I have picked these melons and vegetables that should be picked. These green and yellow vines are still crawling everywhere. Yes, I have to clean up tomorrow." I promised: "Okay." I was about to go to the kitchen to cook, when someone knocked on the door suddenly. As soon as I opened it, it was a young man dressed as a servant, holding a food box in his hand. I recognized him at a glance as the servant of Master Yuan. Why did he suddenly come to my house? "Who is it?" Mother walked through the door, she naturally didn't know him, and looked up and down the person. The man said hello politely, pointed to the Huanxiang Pavilion and said: "Master Yuan of our family often comes to the Huanxiang Pavilion for dinner, and tonight is also here to entertain a guest, but the two young masters have always been used to being arrogant and pampered. Then I went back and said that I didn’t have any playmates, just now I saw the girl from the house passing by, so I said that I want to invite the girl to play football with the two young masters of our house..." Speaking of this, the man was a little embarrassed and said: "Our master I also said that this request is very abrupt and rude, but the two young masters couldn't help crying, so I asked the young one to bring some food and snacks, Madam please accept it." "This..." Mother really felt a little embarrassed, but I knew that there were two carriages with "Yuan" flags parked in front of the Huanxiang Pavilion, and everyone in the vicinity knew that it was the master of Yuanfu who came. Yes, and since Master Yuan left office and returned to his hometown for retirement, his conduct of morality and his style of wealth and honor have always been favored by the people of Jiangdu. Aren’t his father repairing a boat for him now, so I’m afraid my mother won’t be able to make up her mind, let alone refuse. , I didn't dare to interrupt, but my hands were really sweating: "It's the Yuan master of the Yuan mansion, the little lady dare not disobey, and it's a small thing for children to play together, it's just... my girl Since I was young, I only grew up in front of my eyes, a rough child has no knowledge, I am afraid that if I don't know the seriousness and offend the young master, it will be a big crime." "Ma'am, don't worry. The young master has a stubborn temper, but he will never bully others. If Madam refuses to agree, it will be difficult for me to do business when I go back. The master said that I will not be able to do small things, but I will have trouble in the future." Please be considerate, madam." The man said, still bowing down, but my mother had to agree, and refused a few times before accepting the food box, and then told me to wash my face, change into clean clothes, and then go out . Although I was very nervous, I did as I did, and the man led me back to the Huanxiang Pavilion. I don't know if it's because the carriages and servants in the Yuan Mansion seem too ostentatious, Huanxiang Hall has no other guests tonight, so Master Yuan simply asked someone to move the nearby tables away, so that it looks more spacious . I went to have a look, and sure enough, the boy in the yellow dress was holding a ball in his hand, sitting there silently, while Chunyang poured wine with the whole gang of Master Yuan and the Changsha man, seeing how much they had drunk Drunken. As soon as he saw me, Master Yuan smiled kindly and waved: "Come on, sit down first, haven't you eaten yet?" I was timid, and sat down as promised, but only by the edge of the stool. The stool seemed to be falling backwards with me, so I quickly supported the edge of the stool with both hands. "Oh, don't be afraid." Master Yuan smiled and comforted me, and motioned for the boy to serve me bowls and chopsticks. I didn't even dare to lift my head. Why isn't Tao Sanniang here at this time?What are you still busy doing in the kitchen?I kept muttering in my heart. "Come on, let's order food first." Master Yuan asked someone to put braised chicken and dim sum in front of me, and then asked someone to serve me rice. "Thank you..." I thanked in a low voice, picked up the chopsticks, but I heard Chunyang ask: "Is this sister also drinking?" I was surprised that the chopsticks almost fell off, and I quickly shook my head and waved my hands: "No, no, I don't know how to drink." Master Yuan raised his hand to stop him: "Chunyang, you still deliberately scare people." Chunyang replied with a smile: "My lord, I have met this sister before, so I don't need to be too unfamiliar when I meet again." "Oh, yes." Master Yuan raised the empty wine glass in his hand, and Chunyang filled it up for him again: "Mr. Zhao, how about I buy this silk lamp for one thousand taels of silver?" "This..." The Changsha man seemed to lower his head and think for a while. The young man standing beside him kept filling his glass with wine, and finally he nodded vigorously as if making up his mind: "Okay! One thousand taels is one thousand."两，大人快人快语，我也不磨磨蹭蹭。”然后举杯：“就当与大人交下这个朋友了！” 元老爷也举杯与他相碰：“好！” 他们刚干了一杯酒，就见桃三娘捧着个托盘从后面出来了：“二位都好酒量啊。” 我好似见到了救星：“三娘！” 桃三娘看见我，却似乎不以为怪异：“咦？桃月儿你来了正好，尝尝我这蟹黄汤包子如何？”说着，就把一碟洒了姜霜的醋和一个大蒸笼摆放到桌上。 “老板娘！你来了正好，你也忙了半天了。”那长沙人不知是生意做成了，还是喝酒喝的，特别高兴，起身亲手拉来一张椅子，按桃三娘坐下，又叫小厮赶紧拿来一个酒杯：“来、来、来！这是元大人府上窖藏的上好菊花酒。” 桃三娘只好陪笑着接过来，与那长沙人和元老爷干了一杯，见我一径看着她，便拿筷子给我夹来包子：“快！趁热吃。” 我点头，拿着筷子，这时听见那元老爷也在叫那黄裳男孩子：“吾月，先过来再吃点东西。” 那男孩子开始不动，春阳就拿起筷子夹了一个包子放到他面前的碗里，那男孩子虽还抱着球，但也顺从地把包子吃了。 那盏料丝灯一直亮着，照得欢香馆内流光溢彩，煞是好看，那长沙人这时不知是喝多了两杯还是怎地，忽然大声感慨起来，滔滔不绝说起了自己儿时故乡的事，听来是十六七岁时，便离乡背井出来，只觉得天下之大，看之不尽数之不完，因此多年来足迹也可算是走遍五湖四海，但人到了中年，静下来想想，也经历过多少困病生死了，到今日却仍漂泊不定，由不得不生感伤之类。我看着他一边说话，一边自己倒酒，又连喝了数杯，嗓音也越来越放粗。 我忍不住偷眼望去在座其他人的神情，元老爷面带微笑，时而轻微点头附和，而那春阳，那眼睛里在我看来却是带着点似笑非笑，那黄裳男孩子看着他，脸上没有任何涟漪。 他又来敬桃三娘喝酒的时候，桃三娘劝他：“客人你要喝醉了，再吃点菜吧。” 那人不依，好说歹说非得把桃三娘的酒杯满了，两人再干一杯。 春阳站起身对我说道：“你吃饱了吗？我们去玩球吧？”看我还愣在那里，他又指着黄裳男孩子说：“他叫秋吾月，比我小，但也比你年纪大。” 他说话的语调温和，目光与神情此刻清朗得就如泉水一般，我若不是那天晚上亲眼看见他那如鬼魅一样浮现在我家墙头半空，说那种吃人恐吓的话，那种让人打心里不寒而栗的诡异狰狞表情……不然实在不能相信，就是眼前这个少年。 元老爷拈须点头：“好，去吧，小心别摔跤。” 元老爷的话甚至都让我感到一丝寒意，他对待两个少年，就像自己最心爱的孩子一般，但明明他们是他的娈童啊…… 桃三娘被那个喝多了酒的长沙人牵住衣袖，总不能挣脱，春阳竟过来拉起我的手：“走吧。” 我眼睛一直瞅着三娘，脚不得已地跟着春阳走出店门口，接着店里发出的灯光，正好有一小块空地照亮。 我站在那里，畏惧地看着春阳，不敢动。 春阳从秋吾月的手里拿过球，果然脸上又换回那种带点慵懒的邪魅冷笑：“你放心，我只是想让你陪吾月玩球而已。” “只是玩球？”我看着他手里那个球，那个叫秋吾月的黄裳少年，桃三娘说过他和我一样是人，但他为什么看来却是冷冰冰的，几乎就没听他说过几句话，而且那春阳好像还很照顾他……这时好像看那秋吾月颈项上戴的金项圈有点歪了，他还伸手帮他正了正，并整整衣领，那秋吾月的脸上这才显露出一点感激的笑意。 “好了，你站在那个位置上，球踢过去你就接着再踢回来。”春阳这样吩咐我道。 其实我根本没玩儿过球，只见过那些男孩子踢石子儿，怎办？我看着他们分开两边站好，然后球放在秋吾月脚下，他抬脚，球滚向了春阳，春阳再一脚，踢向了我，球滚得飞快，我双脚好像钉在地上，竟无力抬起来，于是球直接撞在我身上。 “你怎么不接住？”春阳喊道：“快踢回来！” “真是呆子。” 是秋吾月口中说出来的，语气淡淡的，但从没有人那样说过我，何况我实在受不了他也那么一副连表达鄙夷都不屑的样子，一咬牙，脚下用力把球踢出去：“你才是呆子！” 他用抬起膝盖就把球挡下了，然后再一脚踢回来，我这一次终于接住，再用力踢回他那，在逍遥客栈的时候，我被这球踢中两次了……凭什么这么一副盛气凌人的样子？ 我又把球接住，奋力一脚，球朝秋吾月的面门飞过去，我却一时失了脚下重心，身子往后一仰，结结实实倒在了地上，那秋吾月好像也被我的样子吓了一怔，那球眼看就要直接打他脸上了，我顾不得身上疼，眼睛死死盯着那球。 “吾月！”就在那球与秋吾月的脸只差几分的时候，只听那春阳喊一句，那个球就忽然停在半空中不动了。 我一瞬间还没明白是怎么回事，那球就撞在一堵硬生生的东西上一样，连反弹都没有，就那么垂直泄气地轻轻落在了地上。 坏了……我脑子里下意识就想到，我肯定激怒那个饿鬼了，他生气了……会不会想要杀了我？ “呵，说你这小丫头，还真是犟。”春阳走过去捡起球，脸上挂着那抹邪魅冷笑，看着地上的我。 与此同时，从欢香馆里突然传来一声清脆的碎响，然后就听见有人慌张喊道：“赵先生晕倒了！快扶起来！” 秋吾月抿着嘴，并没有什么特殊表情，只是从春阳手里拿回球：“没意思，不玩了。” “怎么才刚开始就不玩了？”春阳好像也有一丝意外。 这时店里紧接着又是“咣当”一声，比刚才那一下还响。只听那长沙人说着醉话：“你、你再陪我干了这一杯，我是手下留情了，不然叫你肠子都吐出来！” “哼，聒噪的醉鬼”我听春阳嘀咕了一句，然后他的目光又回到我的身上，我心中一凛，赶紧爬起身，我不甘就这样对他们示弱，虽然心里怕，但我攥紧拳头：“你、你这坏蛋吃人鬼！你……” 春阳不耐烦的样子从我身边走过去：“吵死了，你给我闭嘴。” 他的手好像动了一下，我就感觉喉咙一下子像被扼住一样，嘴巴能动，喉咙里却一点声音都发不出来了，我伸手摸摸喉咙，却什么都摸不到，可是喉咙里好难受……这时店里好像很多人跑出来，但他们说了什么做了什么我都听不大清楚了，我连呼吸都有困难，我退了好几步靠到店门口的核桃树干上，重重呼吸着，就连元府的车马最后从我面前过去，我也茫然不知，直到……车马走远了，扼住我喉咙的无形束缚，才忽然舒散开来。 我跌坐在地上，好半天才回过神来，这时桃三娘才从店里走出来，发现坐在核桃树下的我：“桃月儿！” “三娘？”其实我还有点懵懂不知道发生了什么事，从地上爬起来，拍拍身上的土。 桃三娘上上下下看看我：“嗯，没事了。” “刚才……？” “那个姓赵的喝醉了，在里面闹，砸碎了几个杯子，元老爷不高兴就走了。喏，他现在还睡在地上呢，待会我让李二背他回客栈。” “噢……他怎么就敢喝醉了惹元老爷不高兴？”我不自觉地又伸手摸摸脖子，现在已经一点不适的感觉都没有了，但刚刚真的很难受，现在想起来犹心有余悸。 “他十分思恋故乡吧，据说多年未回去过，就越来越想念故乡的老婆，还有他从小爱吃的金丝粉。”桃三娘笑笑说道。
第二天一早，运河那边却传来了可怕的消息，为元府修葺游船的一位工匠，因为连夜赶工，在大约寅初时刻突然失足落水，直到天完全大亮以后，才捞上来，却已经死去多时了。 “呵，那只游船……”桃三娘说着这话的时候，语气照样是平常那样轻描淡写的：“这是'他'为'他'的兄弟姊妹们造来栖身送行的船，表面上是元老爷为招待朋友买的，但其实也是他在背后私心安排的，死了的人，算是先送的祭。” 我却不自禁喉咙好像又有什么东西堵住了一样，用力咽了一下口水：“三娘，你说的是什么意思？” 桃三娘叹了一口气，她今天一整天都在忙着，正在把淘洗好的大米磨浆：“这些话不应该告诉你的，而且你也不一定都能明白，”她顿了顿，手里倒是没停下：“其实我也不知道得很清楚，据说因为那饿鬼道的饿鬼，天生负着前世深重的罪责，而且与人一样，能生儿育女，但饿鬼一胎，少则生几十，多则生数百……鬼母自己耗尽了体力，即使爱子如命，但对那么些鬼婴也无力一一抚慰，而鬼婴们出生便饥渴焦灼，往往出现的状况就是，那些婴孩们在母亲面前，开始互相啃噬就近身边的兄弟姊妹的血肉，直到啃噬到最后一个为止。” 石磨的一圈淋漓地流出雪白的米浆，桃三娘一只手转磨，一只手规律地把大米舀进磨口，我只觉得全身冰凉。 “但其实饿鬼道众生，与人相比，还有更不同之处，就是他们的智慧与寿量都很高，尤其当中极少地，会降生出天生具有大'威德福报'的饿鬼，他们生下来就具备神通鬼力，甚至能成为阴阳界诸鬼之王，高高在上。”桃三娘又叹了一口气：“那春阳尚年幼，但他就是天生具有大'威德福报'的，他出生的时候，也有几百个兄弟姊妹，他目睹了自己兄弟姊妹间的撕咬啃食，还有母亲的哀嚎……后来，那场悲剧终于被他制止了，那几百个饿鬼的孩子，却也只剩下一百个都不到，恐怕他就是因为而发了狠心，独自一人到人间来，寻找足够的血食供应他的兄弟姊妹们，而那艘船，我想必定是要送给他的兄弟姊妹们容身的……饿鬼道之中，山川湖泊都是刀山剑海，平地之上也是颗粒不长的蛮荒砂砾，饿鬼们衣不覆体，也是可怜呢。” 我已经完全懵了，好像听不懂桃三娘的话一样，明明是大白天里站着，却全身都好像冻得木了似的：“你是说，那春阳的兄弟姊妹都死了大半？生为饿鬼，那么可怜……” “是啊。”桃三娘答了一句，手里的勺子在石磨上刮了几下，让那浓稠的米浆流得更快一些：“这都是他们前世的报应，投生饿鬼道的人，与打进地狱去没什么分别。” 我全身打了个冷颤，忍不住深吸一口气，这时何大从外面回来，是专门到宰牛屠户那去买回的一大块上等牛腩肉。 “三娘，这是要做什么？”我很少见欢香馆卖牛腩肉，看她今日大费周折在磨米浆，又买回牛腩肉，不知道她又在琢磨什么新菜。 “金丝粉啊。”桃三娘笑道：“是那长沙人念想多年的家乡小吃。” “噢……你也知道怎么做法？”我说完这句话，又觉得自己说了一句废话，这天下恐怕就没有桃三娘不会做的菜。 “对了，三娘，”我忽然又想起刚才的话题：“你说运河上那船里，还会死人吗？我爹、我爹还在那儿……”我想到这里，又一阵害怕。 “这个可是难说的。”桃三娘想了想：“我也不知道那家伙打的什么主意。” “啊？那我爹不是有危险了？我得去把爹叫回来！”我转身就要往外跑。 “你别去！”桃三娘一看我急了，连忙叫住我，“桃月儿！你去了也没用，难道你说出来，你爹就会相信？” 我站住了，是啊，爹和娘都不会信我的话的：“那怎么办啊？三娘！” “唉，你别担心，你爹不会有事的。”桃三娘笑笑摸摸我的头，拉我回屋里去坐：“我告诉你的话，你也千万不能告诉给别人，他不会犯到我的头上，但我也不能妨碍了他的事，你懂吗？” 我似懂非懂点点头。 金丝粉的做法讲究起来，也是挺烦冗的。 桃三娘是用今年新打下的上好稻米，以金山运来的泉水滤清和浸泡好，然后磨浆，蒸粉，蒸好后再压片和切条，我帮着做，只见那出来的细粉条十分柔软洁白、轻滑胶韧，浸在一缸清冽的泉水里载沉载浮，舒散好看。 另外两只大锅里，自下午就开始分别熬下了数斤猪大骨，和那上等的牛腩肉，时间也已经有两个时辰了，掀开盖看，猪骨汤正乳白地翻滚，牛腩肉则满锅红辣辣的，干红小辣椒配着金黄的牛脂油浮在汤面上一层，辛香扑鼻。 桃三娘拿来一个竹编的漏勺，抓一把米粉放进漏勺，然后整个漏勺浸入猪骨汤锅中间，就着滚烫的白浪中待米粉略滚几下，粉即可烫熟，然后倒入一个瓷碗内，再舀一勺猪骨汤，一勺带红汤的牛腩肉，待细看那牛肉，筋与肉层次分明，因为烹煮的火候，那一根根筋都呈半透明的金黄色，十分诱人的样子。 “来尝一碗试试味道如何？”桃三娘递给我。 “好香。”我接过碗筷，吃了一口：“好辣！怎么放这么多辣椒？”我辣得舌头都火烧似的。 “是啊，这金丝粉，是长沙当地的美食。”桃三娘笑道。 “哦！你是做给那个卖骨董的赵先生吃的。”我恍然大悟：“但是他今天会来店里吃饭吗？你去请他了？” “我当然知道他今晚会来吃饭啊。”桃三娘也不解释那么多，仍只是笑吟吟道。
那长沙人看来是酗酒成性的，晚间他一个人果真又来了欢香馆，腰杆挺得笔直地进门，但架子却不像第一天见时那么端正，而是拿出几吊钱往桌上“哗啦”一扔再坐下，先点了一壶梨花白，叫上两个小菜，就开始喝起来。 桃三娘端出了红旺旺的金丝粉，我看他立刻变了脸色，大惊失色道：“这气味闻着，就和小时候家里对着的那条巷子口卖粉那家飘出来的味道一样！” “真的？赵先生不是逗我开心吧？怎么可能会有一样的味道？”桃三娘谦虚笑道，“请趁热尝尝，赵先生那么多年没回过家乡，恐怕早就忘记是什么味了。” 那长沙人连连摆手：“不会忘，不会忘！” 他筷子夹起一块牛腩肉，仔细端详道：“嗯，煮够了火候的牛肉就是这种深红的色泽，筋肉有韧性咬起来却不费牙。”他一边吃着一边大加赞叹，时不时再干一杯酒。 桃三娘笑劝道：“您还是少喝一点吧，昨晚不是才喝多了？” 那人大摇起头：“喝酒的时候，才能是我最轻松开心的事，”他拍拍心口：“再有什么不高兴的事，也就忘了。” “您还能有什么不开心的事啊？昨儿不是才赚了一千两银子么！”桃三娘故意这样顺着他的话恭维他。 “一千两？一千两算什么？”那人没好气地白了桃三娘一眼：“我手上随便一件东西就可以卖个几千不在话下，那一千两银子算什么？” “噢，赵先生那当然是大买卖大生意了，哪像我这小店经营，没见识到。”桃三娘依然顺着他的话恭维他。 我看着他痛快地吃着那碗粉，觉得这人实在没什么意思，一开始见到时，倒是挺有点内敛谨慎的模样，怎么这两天是不是喝多了酒的缘故，说话口气让人总不太舒服。我还是早点回家陪娘好了。 想到这里，我便给桃三娘做个手势，告诉她我先走了，然后便跑回家去。 我做好了晚饭，娘推说不饿，吃喝了两口汤，我自己随便吃了点，就到院子里和乌龟玩儿。 晚上的空气很清爽凉快呢，我用一片草叶子去撩乌龟的脸：“不知道我爹现在怎样了，那船还要多久才能修好？”这些话我也只能对乌龟说。 乌龟眨眨眼看着我，乌溜溜的眼珠似乎能听懂我的话似的：“乌龟，你睡觉的时候，也会做梦吗？” 我把它拿起来托在掌上，四目相对，它竟也目不转睛地看着我的双眼，我忽然觉得好笑：“乌龟你也不说话，整天闷着自己想事儿？” 忽然这时院子外面传来一阵急促的脚步声，只听有人说：“不好了，船上又死人了！” 娘从屋里惊魂失措地跑出来：“桃月！你爹……” 我赶紧过去扶住她，娘却身子一歪，晕倒在地。 我吓坏了，大声喊道：“娘！你怎么了？你醒醒啊娘！” 隔壁的婶娘兴许是听到我喊，过来拍门：“桃月！你娘怎么啦？” 我这时没办法分开手去开门，只能答道：“我娘晕倒了。” “那你快来开门！” “可是、可是我得扶住她……”娘看着瘦，可我想托起她，还是很吃力。 “没事，你先让她坐下来！直接坐地上也行。”婶娘急了。 “好！”我慢慢把娘放下来，让她坐在地上，正好背靠门槛，然后过去开了门，婶娘正在数落刚才外面传话那人，他是住竹枝儿巷尾的，姓谭，与生药铺那位谭大夫是叔侄亲戚，年纪尚轻，有时好像也到生药铺去帮忙跑个腿什么的。 “跟个烫屁股猴儿似的，喊什么？整条巷子都听到你声音了！”婶娘一边说一边进来，扶着我娘道：“月儿她娘呀，感觉怎么样了？别动了胎气啊！” 我娘已经慢慢醒转过来，虚弱睁眼道：“没、没事，就是眼前忽然发黑，脚没站稳……” “来，进屋躺一下吧。”婶娘要搀她起来，她却摆手道：“不、不！快问问他，谁死了？” “哦、哦！”我答应了赶紧去问，那婶娘则又大声骂道：“臭小子快说啊！谁死了？” “不、不是桃月儿她爹……”那人吓坏了，斯斯艾艾地答道。 “听见没？不是你相公！”婶娘也放了心，扶着娘进屋去了，但我站在那里，还是感觉背脊阵阵发凉，又死人了，一天之内死了两个人？How could this be?是春阳干的么？ ……我转头望去欢香馆，夜幕里欢香馆门前的红灯笼亮着，映出里面人影幢幢。 我在井边打了水，煲开了送去给娘，婶娘正在陪着我娘说话，我又退了出来，乌龟在墙角下一动不动看着我，我总觉得心里一块重重的担忧，假如再有人死呢？假如下一个是我爹呢？不行…… 我想也没想，就冲出门去，可是刚跑到欢香馆门前时，却恰好桃三娘送那长沙人出来，一看见我正跑过去，就喊住我：“桃月？” 我一怔，看见三娘，我也本能就停下脚步。 那长沙人面红脖子粗的，也没把我当回事，只是跟桃三娘喋喋不休说：“你待会给元大人送点心……我现在就去找他，我爱吃的金丝粉啊，你得带来，我晚点还宵夜！别忘了！” 桃三娘陪笑道：“忘不了。” “你给我做的金丝粉很好，难得你有心，回头我再给你个红包封你几两银子，我说得出做得到，几两银子不算什么……”他拍拍腰间：“我还有好东西给元大