Apart from zongzi, Qi Jiao splurged a bit and sent Ye Pa to buy two big buckets of ice.
Ice was extremely rare. Generally, only the royal family and noble lords had the right to harvest ice, and there were ice cellars specifically for storing it.
Most of the ice in the civilian market came from these families and was sold. The transportation losses along the way made the already precious ice even more expensive.
Qi Jiao had two reasons for buying the ice. One was to reward her customers, and the other was that she was really craving it.
The Dragon Boat Festival was always hot and stuffy, and Lingle County was located in the south, where the weather was scorching.
While busy, Qi Jiao yearned for a bowl of cold refreshment.
She was going to make yangmei ice slush!
The fruit vendor on the street knew that Jiao Niang Restaurant was in need of goods, so he got up before dawn to pick yangmei and delivered them to the shop early. The yangmei in the basket were bright red and still had dewdrops on them.
Qi Jiao was very satisfied. She paid him thirty copper coins and asked Shuangshuang to wrap two zongzi for him.
The young vendor didn't expect the boss to be so young, like a fairy in a painting. For a moment, his face flushed red. He shyly lowered his head and thanked Qi Jiao again and again.
Then he saw a very handsome and neat young woman, with a temperament quite different from others.
He was almost spellbound.
His behavior made Hua Shuangshuang burst out laughing. The young vendor's face turned even redder, as red and rosy as the yangmei in his basket.
The young vendor was extremely embarrassed. He took the zongzi from Shuangshuang and even forgot to say thank you. He turned around and ran out of the door.
He had walked a long way before the wrapped zongzi in his hand felt real. Regret welled up in his heart.
He had really lost his composure! Alas!
He hoped that the young woman wouldn't dislike him because of this...
Shuangshuang wouldn't think too much about such a silly boy.
She was busy helping Qi Jiao.
The yangmei ice slush had to be made fresh.
Qi Jiao simply directed Ge Fan to move the tea - making table to the door.
She put all kinds of condiments into porcelain - white sea bowls and placed them on the table. Next to it, she set up a sign for yangmei ice slush. Soon, it attracted customers.
Yangmei ice slush was just a cold snack.
Qi Jiao's movements were relaxed and swift, looking just like the boss lady of a dessert stall.
She took a small bowl, put crushed ice at the bottom, then poured in the sweet - and - sour yangmei juice. She added sticky yangmei glutinous rice balls, brown sugar, and rose jam in batches. She put a yangmei on top and finally decorated it with two pieces of slapped mint - the mint was freshly picked from the backyard.
Just watching Jiao Niang make it, without even tasting it, the diners around couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
There was ice! And sticky glutinous rice balls! Sweet - and - sour yangmei juice!
Before long, the condiments on the table visibly decreased.
Suddenly, the sound of wheels was heard. A boxwood carriage stopped in front of Jiao Niang Restaurant.
The attendant respectfully helped the person in the carriage get off.
The man was wearing a jade - colored brocade robe, with distinct features and a dignified posture.
Qi Jiao looked up and saw that it was County Magistrate Hui.
Hua Sanniang greeted him with a smile, "It's Magistrate Hui. You've been so busy with important matters that it's been a while since you last came to our shop."
Hui Zhenyu smiled and said, "I've really been entangled in trivial matters. I do wish I could often leave the county yamen to taste delicious food."
Since he took office three months ago, he had basically taken control of the local county yamen staff, and he had also got the hang of various government affairs.
Don't think that a small county was simple. The relationship network was intricate, and there were different factions.
If it weren't for his background in the Yongjia Marquis Mansion in the capital, he might not have been able to suppress these people.
It really took him some effort to clear the obstacles on his official career path.
On this festival day, he heard from his attendant A Yuan that the streets outside were very lively.
On a whim, he went out for a stroll.
When his carriage reached Shiliu Alley, he happened to see Jiao Niang Restaurant selling a new drink.
Qi Jiao greeted Hui Zhenyu with a smile, "Why didn't you bring your wife with you today, Magistrate?"
Actually, Hui Zhenyu and his wife were regular customers of Jiao Niang Restaurant.
Qi Jiao and the others found that the new county magistrate was gentle and reserved, without any official airs. Gradually, they got to know each other better and felt more at ease when talking.
Hui Zhenyu watched Qi Jiao make yangmei ice slush with interest and said, "It's very hot. My wife is not feeling well, so she didn't come out with me."
Qi Jiao understood. The new county magistrate and his wife were both from the north, so they were not used to the southern climate.
Ye Pa was a very smart person. Hearing this, he quickly handed over two clean bamboo tubes, "Jiao Niang, quickly fill two servings of yangmei ice slush for Magistrate Hui." They could take them back for Mrs. Fang.
Mrs. Fang was kind - hearted and generous. Every time she came to the shop, her tips for them were very generous.
Qi Jiao naturally understood. She invited Hui Zhenyu and his attendant A Yuan into the house to sit.
It was cooler inside.
Before long, two bowls of bright red yangmei ice slush were served in front of Hui Zhenyu and A Yuan.
A Yuan had been craving it for a long time. Seeing his master start to eat, he immediately picked up a small spoon and ate it all up.
"It's so refreshing! Having such a bowl in summer gets rid of all the heat."
Hui Zhenyu also ate heartily and laughed, "Go and pay the bill!"
A Yuan grinned and ran to the cash register to pay.
Qi Jiao had already told Hua Sanniang that the yangmei ice slush was a free gift for Magistrate Hui and the others.
There was also a dozen salty and sweet zongzi and two bamboo tubes of yangmei juice.
The yangmei juice had rose jam in it. It was sweet - and - sour, fragrant and appetizing. There was no ice in it. It was specially for Mrs. Fang.
A Yuan's hands were full. He went back to Hui Zhenyu and said, "Master, Mrs. Hua said that this meal was invited by Jiao Niang. And these things are all for you and your wife."
Hui Zhenyu glanced at him. A Yuan immediately said, "I was eager to pay, but they wouldn't accept it. They said it was to reward old customers on this festival day and asked you not to be polite."
Hui Zhenyu lifted his lips. Seeing Qi Jiao busy, he had to suppress his plan for the time being and prepare to talk about it another day. "In that case, let's go back to see my wife first."
*
After a busy half - day, Qi Jiao closed the shop. She felt quite sore in her back and waist.
Only Ge Fan in the shop had to go home to celebrate the festival with his mother.
The others all went back to Yinwan.
Qi Jiao had already said that she would take Hua Sanniang, Mrs. Lin and the others back with her.
It would be lively with more people.
After finishing the cleaning, the group set off back in a grand manner.
When they returned to Baiyun Village, the refreshing sea breeze blew towards them. It was just around evening.
Tang Guiniang, A Li and A Jin hadn't seen Jiao Niang for some time and missed her.
As soon as Qi Jiao entered the door, A Li and A Jin surrounded her and chattered away.
Huanghuang, who had grown a lot, even jumped on her enthusiastically.
The cute Huahua circled around Qi Jiao, meowing non - stop.
Qi Jiao's heart melted. She hugged the dog, kissed the cat, and also talked to the two children.
Seeing this, Tang Guiniang scolded with a smile, "Don't even let Jiao Niang go into the house to rest. You two just know how to pester your sister - in - law to talk."
There were many people on the way back. Qi Jiao, Hua Sanniang and her daughter, and Mrs. Lin took one carriage.
Huier, Sanyue and the others took another carriage.
The two Ye brothers drove the carriages.
Qi Jiao got off the carriage first and went into the house to report.
Later, Ye Pa and the others unloaded the things at the courtyard gate.
Only then did Tang Guiniang notice the three new faces.
Hua Sanniang and her daughter were already familiar to the Pei family.
Qi Jiao had been too busy these days to tell her family about Mrs. Lin, Sanyue and the others.
So she introduced them one by one, but only briefly mentioned the origins of Yindie and Sanyue, only praising them for being smart and well - behaved.
Mrs. Lin knew that these were the mother - in - law, younger brother and younger sister of the boss. She greeted Tang Guiniang and the others with a smile.
Yindie also imitated Mrs. Lin and bowed to say hello. She did it quite decently.
Only Sanyue was a little scared when she heard the dog barking.
She hid outside the door, showing a small head with a double - bun. Her big eyes were bright and clear.
When she heard Qi Jiao call her, Sanyue quickly shrank back.
After a moment, she felt it was inappropriate and then lifted her skirt and came out.
Qi Jiao had heard from Yindie that Sanyue was afraid of dogs, so she told Huanghuang to go into the house to play with Dandan and Lianlian.
Only then was Sanyue not afraid. She walked out generously and stood in front of Tang Guiniang. "Greetings, madam. I'm the maid of the mistress. You can just call me Sanyue."
She was small in stature, but had a cute and innocent charm.
Pei Li, who was standing beside her, had never seen such a lively little girl before. His heart skipped a beat.