Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 241 The Generous and Wealthy County Magistrate

My son also specifically emphasized that these shortbreads are made with vegetable oil and can be eaten with confidence.

The crust of the red bean paste pastry is soft and thin. When you take a bite, you will find it is filled with sweet red bean paste.

If you look closely, you can see that the crust is layered and the red bean paste filling is sweet but not greasy.

The crust is soft on one side, and slightly yellow in the middle, but it is still crispy and not crumbly, and tastes very good.

Thinking of his son's admirable filial piety, Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Xiao Si is very thoughtful. Did you buy any today? The red bean paste biscuits yesterday were indeed delicious."

Qi Xi glanced at Lu Lang quickly and said hesitantly, "It was my incompetence. I was so busy looking for books that I arrived at the restaurant a little late. It was closed."

"Master loves it. I will go buy some tomorrow morning. The restaurant is not far away. I guarantee you will be able to have it for breakfast tomorrow."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Xiao Si's book is more important. We can eat the red bean paste biscuits anytime."

Then he asked, "What kind of book is this? Since you bought it, please bring it to me for a look."

Qi Xi was totally at a loss for words now, how would he know what book it was?

Lu Lang smiled and said, "Father, this is the calligraphy of the great calligrapher Yan Zheng, the "Collection of Three Provinces."

"My son has only heard that it is very well written, but has never seen it. I heard that a bookstore in the east of the city has received two copies, so I asked Qixi to go and try his luck."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Yan Zheng's calligraphy is upright, square, thick, vigorous and generous. Your grandfather said that his calligraphy is upright and has a good character. It is excellent."

After saying that, he took out a silver note from his sleeve pocket and put it on the table: "This is a silver note for one hundred taels. I think the price of the calligraphy is not low. Qixi, I see you are so happy, but if you buy it, how much is it?"

Qixi said immediately, "That's right, sir. You're right. There is another copy of the calligraphy, but the shop owner wants eighty taels of silver for it."

"I don't have that much money. After much persuasion, the owner finally agreed to let me stay for one day. I hurried back to tell the young master the news."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng frowned slightly and said, "I heard that Yan Zheng is a man of character. He never exchanges his calligraphy for money. When he is in the mood, he will write a piece for two or three good friends."

"I wonder how this big bookstore in the capital got the money. They raised the price so high just to make money."

After he finished speaking, he pulled out a silver note from his sleeve pocket and said, "I'll give you another hundred taels. If you come across such a good book or post in the future, don't miss it just because you don't have money."

Lu Lang hurriedly responded and took it with both hands.

Lu Zheng stood up and said, "Okay, I won't disturb you from studying. Don't sleep too late. I'm going back now."

Only after watching the county magistrate walk out of the room did Qi Xi dare to get up from the ground.

He wiped the sweat off his head with his sleeve and breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank goodness that the young master answered quickly, otherwise I would have been beaten today."

Lu Lang stood at the steps and watched his father walk away before he closed the door and came in.

He scolded Qixi, "What's so urgent? You didn't even see your father was here."

Qi Xi no longer had any fear on her face at this time, and took the food box with a smile as if offering a treasure: "Master, there are delicious foods."

"Yucheng and the others sent them over. They said they were thousand-layer meat patties and sauce-flavored patties. They're still hot."

"I said the young master was studying, so they gave me the lunch box and left without coming in."

"I thought the young master didn't eat much for dinner, so it's a good idea to eat it while it's hot. Who would have thought that the master would come over today to check on his homework? Usually at this time, the master is always in the Buddhist temple."

Qi Xi looked at Lu Lang eagerly, waiting for praise.

Lu Lang was not really angry at first.

When he heard that there was something delicious to eat, he immediately stopped pretending to be angry and said hurriedly, "Go get a basin of water, wash your hands and eat something. Thank you so much, Miss Shen. It's hard for her to think of me."

Qi Xi said in surprise: "No, it's not Miss Shen, it was made by Madam Li and sent to me."

Lu Lang was stunned for a moment, coughed uncomfortably, and waved his hand, saying, "It's all the same, they were all sent by the Shen's Restaurant. Go get some water."

The master and servant were eating the still hot, crispy and greasy Thousand Layer Meat Pie and the crispy and crumbly sauce-flavored pancake under the lamp.

While eating, Lu Lang said, "When you get up early tomorrow morning, go to Miss Shen's shop and buy some red bean paste biscuits and bring them back to your father."

"If there are other delicious vegetarian dishes, buy some as well. You must pay the full amount. You can't just eat for free without paying."

Qi Xi agreed and said with a smile: "Master, you made up a story today and the master gave you two hundred taels of silver notes."

"Now that you have the money, it will be your turn to host the poetry gathering in two days. Do you still need to go to Miss Shen's shop?"

Lu Lang nodded and said seriously, "Go, why not? I didn't go to Miss Shen's shop to hold a banquet just to save money. I went because the food she cooked was really delicious."

Qi Xi said "Oh" and asked, "Master, now that you have money, do you want to redeem the jade pendant first?"

"Although it's not an important item given by the old lady, but if you really ask me, I'll be punished if your things are missing."

As he spoke, Qi Xi put on a pitiful look and looked at Lu Lang eagerly.

Lu Lang burst out laughing and said disdainfully, "Who are you showing off to by acting so pitiful?"

"Don't even mention a jade pendant of ordinary quality like this. Even if you broke the Chengxin Inkstone that my grandfather gave me, you didn't get beaten with a stick."

Qixi said servilely, "Master, you are kind-hearted and kept it a secret for me."

"Besides, I didn't break it on purpose. I just saw the two puppies' heads were still movable, so I wanted to see what was going on. But I didn't expect it to be so fragile. I broke it off with just a little effort."

Lu Lang snorted, ignored him, and concentrated on eating the cake.

After finishing the meal, Lu Lang washed his hands leisurely, wiped them with a cloth, and handed the banknote on the table to Qi Xi: "Go and redeem the jade pendant after you buy the red bean paste biscuits tomorrow."

"What you said makes sense. Although it's not important, it's better to put it in the study. If father wants to ask about it one day, I won't be able to explain it to him."

"Also, go to Moqingzhai in the east of the city and buy a copy of Mr. Yan's "Three Provinces Collection".

Qixi was choking on the biscuit he was chewing.

He stretched his neck and patted his chest several times before he could breathe smoothly. He stammered, "Master, is there really such a copybook? How much is it?"

Lu Lang was full and in a good mood. He smiled faintly, "Lord Yan is a gentleman. Father is right. His calligraphy is not something that can be obtained with a lot of money."

"All his calligraphy works are limited editions, so the prices are driven up privately. If you want to get his calligraphy works, you have to be well-informed."