The special milk fan drink starts with clarified papaya puree, leaving a sweet - and - sour aftertaste that's as fresh as the first encounter between a young man and woman. When the bayberry wine is poured in, the intoxicating aroma takes over. The gentle warmth and slight intoxication are just like the amorous entanglement of a loving couple under the moon.
Finally, the coffee is slowly added. After the initial bitterness, there comes a rich, sweet aftertaste, much like the love between men and women in the world.
In a lifelong relationship, disputes and arguments are inevitable, leaving one feeling bitter. But in old age, when looking back on the journey together, despite the hardships, there will be a sweet ending and a deep - seated affection.
Lu Xunguang took some bright red rose buds and carefully ground them into powder, dyeing the thick milk foam a charming pink. The roasted milk fans were also sprinkled with a layer of rose sugar, filling the air with a fragrant floral scent.
Li Ying took a small sip and was clearly very satisfied with the taste of this special drink.
After a moment of thought, she smiled and said, "How about naming this special drink 'Love Vowed for Three Lifetimes', Lu? What do you think?"
The name was extremely auspicious, so Lu Xunguang naturally had no objections.
Li Ying drained the coffee in one gulp and then said with a smile, "I've given you the papayas and helped you name the drink. Lu, do you have any gifts for me as thanks?"
Lu Xunguang smiled slightly. Immediately, he took her hand and led her onto his horse, Treading on Clouds. Then they galloped out of the town towards the back mountain.
A greenhouse came into view. They pushed open the door, and a wave of warm air rushed towards them. In this slightly cool late autumn, Li Ying was quite surprised.
"I wanted to give you a surprise," Lu Xunguang said.
The greenhouse was lush and green, completely different from the desolate autumn scenery outside. Here and there, one could see some bright red rose buds.
"By lighting charcoal fires in this greenhouse, it will be as warm as spring even in the depth of winter. When we return from the capital, all the roses will be in full bloom. I'm sure you'll love it," Lu Xunguang said.
Li Ying initially thought that the crushed roses he used were medicinal materials from Deji Hall. She never expected that this man had secretly built a greenhouse by himself. She was deeply touched.
"Master Lu, aren't you afraid that the employees of the bank will secretly scold you for abusing your power?" Li Ying asked.
Lu Xunguang said calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, A Ying, you'll surely be able to make many new and delicious foods with these roses. Who would dare to criticize a new way to make money?"
His confidence made Li Ying burst out laughing.
He paused for a moment, then leaned over and whispered in her ear softly, "You throw a papaya to me, and I return a beautiful jade. It's not just a return, but a token of eternal love."
"A Ying, the beautiful jade is yours, half an acre of the flower field is yours, and I am yours too. Are you satisfied with this way of thanking you?"
His breath tickled her neck. A blush crept up Li Ying's face, and she said coquettishly, "You're so improper! How do you know I like these flowers?"
Lu Xunguang said frankly, "When you were making the roasted ham pastries, you said that if some rose jam was added to the ham filling, the taste would be even sweeter and more fragrant."
She never thought that this man would take her casual words to heart. She was even more deeply touched.
She picked all the early - blooming dark red roses and left the greenhouse with Lu Xunguang. She put a few in a vase, removed the stamens and stems of the rest, and then carefully chopped them up. She mixed them with brown sugar and yellow rice wine for pickling.
The rose petals were plump, and the sugar juice was dyed bright red. Compared with ordinary preserved fruits, it had a stronger floral fragrance.
The brewed dark red rose jam, drizzled on the special coffee as the final touch, was like a stroke of genius. Rolled in the soft milk fans, it had a more intense floral aroma than brown sugar and honey.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Ying made a batch of rose flower cakes with the pickled rose jam as the filling. She excitedly brought them to Yan Lianzhi for tasting.
Roses are often criticized for being showy but lacking substance, for relying on their beauty rather than their elegance like plum blossoms and orchids. Scholars and the noble often dislike them.
Su Buchi was secretly worried that Li Ying's flower cakes might not be well - received.
However, Yan Lianzhi was always open - minded. He ate until his beard was covered with pastry crumbs and praised them highly. Seeing his undisguised admiration, Li Ying felt relieved.
Sure enough, the idea of eating flowers was very novel. Paired with a pot of green tea, it left a fragrant aftertaste in one's mouth, like chewing on the beauty of spring and autumn. It was truly elegant.
The scholars and beauties no longer cared about criticizing roses as vulgar. Instead, they competed to follow suit, and it became a trend for a while.
Su Buchi was convinced and sincerely praised, "Miss Li is so ingenious. I was being pedantic."
Li Ying didn't mind. She just stood hand in hand with Lu Xunguang and they exchanged a smile.
Seeing their loving looks, Su Buchi was stunned for a moment but then immediately understood.
Before, he thought he was just a step too late. If he had met Li Ying before Lu Xunguang, maybe he would be the one to win her heart.
But now, seeing how well - matched they were, the slight regret of "bad luck" in Su Buchi's heart suddenly disappeared.
Miss Li was such a vibrant and brilliant person, living freely and boldly, just like the bright red roses.
He was so dull and boring, while A Xun, though seemingly cold on the surface, actually had a fire burning in his eyes and heart.
Indeed, they were a better match.
Su Buchi's mind was suddenly clear, and there was no more uneasiness or regret.
A few days later, the imperial appointment order was rushed to the fishing village. In the palace examination, Su Buchi showed great literary talent and answered the questions fluently. The emperor was very pleased and personally appointed him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
The villagers were even more amazed and discussed that they must hold a grand feast for him.
Su Buchi never liked grandeur and didn't want everyone to go to so much trouble for him. So he bid farewell to Yan Lianzhi, packed lightly, and left the fishing village secretly at night to take up his post in the capital.
Li Ying understood his unspoken feelings and could only secretly wish him success in his official career.
After all the affairs in the fishing village were settled, the old master had recovered a lot after drinking the nine - dynasty tribute glue for a few days. Li Ying didn't delay any longer. She packed some valuables with Granny Sun and was about to set off.
If they were quick, after dealing with the matters in the capital and punishing the hypocritical imperial inspector and his wife, maybe they could still return to the fishing village for the New Year's Eve.
Watching Granny Sun chatteringly pack all of Mianmian's little clothes into the luggage, Li Ying felt as if she had passed through a different world.
On Mianmian's gum, there were already faint white tooth marks the size of rice grains. Counting the days, she had been in the fishing village for almost half a year.
The journey to the capital was long and full of uncertainties. Li Ying had already regarded the fishing village as her hometown. Even though she was usually open - minded, she couldn't help feeling a bit attached.
She composed herself. Then she thought that after today's departure, she might not be able to clean the bamboo mountain left by Mrs. Lu for several months. Lu Xunguang must also be reluctant. So she packed a basket of various kinds of pastries she had baked herself, took some incense and candles, and came to find him to go to pay respects together.