Chapter 36 Embraced

The only tavern in Ping'an Town possessed an air of grandeur.
"Indeed, such spicy and numbing flavors can only be truly savored in an establishment like this, where the variety of tastes reveals itself."
"To share it with mere commoners would be to diminish its worth."
"Quite true, quite true."
The fiery aroma exploded in the air.
Several bursts of culinary smoke rose, steam billowing from the broth, carrying the tantalizing fragrance, so spicy that it left one exhilarated, so numbing that lips and teeth tingled, compelling people to exclaim, "Excellent!"
On the second floor, Master Zhao, the wealthy patron, held his tea and looked down upon the nearly full house below, sipping cheerfully.
In the past, the tavern never drew such crowds at this hour.
He always claimed that only his tavern could manage a hotpot so spicy and rich, only here could such a profitable business be made.
But as he glanced at the manager below, who was craning his neck to count heads, Master Zhao’s lips twitched.
He slapped himself lightly across the mouth.
Such a loose tongue—
Why waste words that day?
He turned to look behind; the servants and maids stood with lowered heads, pretending not to have heard anything.
Master Zhao bared his teeth, about to take another sip, when suddenly a loud shout came from outside.
"Dragon Beard Noodles!"
"It's Dragon Beard Noodles!"
The patrons in the tavern all looked up.
"What noodles? Dragon Beard?"
"Where?"
Someone called out, "The Lu Family."
"Let's go see."
"No rush~"
"You haven't seen it—it's as beautiful as flower petals falling from heaven."
The doors of the private rooms upstairs swung open, guests hurried downstairs.
In an instant, the lively scene below seemed like a fleeting dream.
Master Zhao stared at the ground floor, now barely a third full, his lips twitching.
Clang—
The tea cup fell and shattered.
********
Ping'an Town became lively once more, all because of a bowl of Dragon Beard Noodles.

"I still have a bowl here."
"Don't push."
Shouting and Lu Dashan's booming voice drifted indistinctly.
Master Fang, his beard still damp, gazed at the academy gates not far ahead, savoring the aftertaste of the bowl of Dragon Beard Noodles he had just enjoyed.
"The bone broth is rich, the beef marrow sweet, and the subtle numbing spice—especially the noodles themselves, tender and silky, with a refreshing clarity, truly living up to the legend of Dragon Beard. And the 'golden splendor,' though merely a fried egg, is so rich and round, reminiscent of a dragon's pearl, complementing the noodles perfectly. Even at the Deer Call Banquet in the palace, I've never tasted anything so exquisite."
Master Fang praised with delight, while Jingyuan, following behind, remained silent.
He, too, had eaten a bowl just now.
It tasted even better than the one he had before.
He knew it was because of the bone broth.
Bone broth—he had tried it yesterday.
Master Fang glanced at Jingyuan and asked, "Does she know you?"
Jingyuan shook his head.
Master Fang said no more and stepped into the academy.
After bowing to Master Fang, Jingyuan returned to Wenhua Hall.
...
The sun soon set in the west.
Jingyuan exited the academy; the familiar place was empty.
"Hey, where is everyone?"
"The stall opened for business; they're all too busy."
"How could that be~"
"The newly rich care only for their copper coins, not for the splendors of culture."
Behind him, Zhang Hongwen and Fang Juncai bantered.
Jingyuan seemed not to hear, walking away on his own.
"You two have gone too far," Jiang Bowen said, catching up, though Jingyuan was already too far to hear.
"I speak no lies," Zhang Hongwen insisted. "Haven't you heard of Dragon Beard Noodles, Jiang? Next rest day, I must try them."
"I've heard as well," Huang Wenzhao added. "We can have someone bring them to the tavern, so as not to lower our status."
Jiang Bowen frowned slightly. Zhang Hongwen smiled, and Fang Juncai said, "Let's follow Huang's suggestion."
**
"That's all for today. Come earlier tomorrow."
Li Qingtian spoke to the customers at the stall.
Lu Dashan and Su Tang tidied up.
Noticing the big black dog, who had been circling his legs, suddenly wagging its tail and running out, Lu Dashan realized he had forgotten about his own young master.
"Ah, Alang."
"Husband?"

Su Tang greeted him with a bright smile: "Husband, you've worked hard. Did Master say anything? Was there any flaw in the soup or noodles? I saw students from the academy come by today. You have many friends there; why not invite a few? Offer a little discount, and surely you won't lose face..."
"Good," Jingyuan interrupted.
Su Tang asked, "What is good?"
"Master said it was good," Jingyuan replied, entering the courtyard, with Lu Dashan quickly following.
The big black dog circled Jingyuan's feet.
Su Tang looked at Jingyuan, surrounded by Lu Dashan and the dog, bewildered. "Is that it? What about inviting friends, the membership scheme?"
Li Qingtian, rubbing his shoulder, glanced over. "Is it because the young mistress didn't go to greet him?"
"How could that be," Su Tang laughed, then suddenly remembered the night her young husband had held her hand to comfort her.
"Tomorrow can't be so late," Su Tang said.
Li Qingtian nodded, "Too late; we can't wait for the young master."
Su Tang grew serious, "It's fine. Making money is to spend it conveniently, not to be controlled by it."
Money is useful only as much as you need.
If you become obsessed, you become its slave.
She would never allow that!
Yet as night fell, Su Tang counted the piles of small silver pieces and copper coins, her heart pounding wildly.
After costs and charitable donations, she had netted nine taels.
Ha!
Hahaha!
So much money!
Su Tang could barely resist kissing the silver.
No, no, she couldn't kiss it; it needed to be disinfected first.
Nine taels of silver—enough to open another stall.
The original owner might not care, but she certainly did~
Su Tang picked up the best-looking piece of silver, admiring it from every angle.
She wanted to sleep hugging it—what now?
So, delighted and almost twisted with glee... cough cough.
At her bedside, Su Tang laughed silently, rocking back and forth, until her gaze fell upon her young husband at the window, supposedly practicing his calligraphy, watching her.
Su Tang immediately pressed her lips together, hid her laughter, tucked away the coins, placed the most pleasing silver piece on top, and closed the box.
She pretended nothing had happened.
Jingyuan's brow twitched.
"Are you done practicing, husband?" Su Tang stood with hands clasped, looking at Jingyuan; under the candlelight, her face was serene and elegant, as if born to a noble family.
Jingyuan turned away and continued writing.
Su Tang stood by, watching with exaggerated seriousness, then praised, "Your writing is getting better and better, husband. Keep it up~" She then strolled out.
Jingyuan: "..."