Chapter 106: A Mysterious Man
After the scholar left, the case became even more suspicious.
Yan Lan had committed suicide, but why did she do so?
If Song Yu did not kill anyone, why did he leave?
Liu Sanniang said, “Sir, I met a suspicious person recently.”
After coming across the scholar twice, Liu Sanniang suspected him. He was near perfect in terms of both looks or temperatements. Liu Sanniang even had a good feeling for him, but that good feeling was very strange.
Wei Shilai immediately said, “Who is it?”
Liu Sanniang thought for a moment. “He said that his name is Wen Qinghua and he goes to Lin’an Academy.”
“There’s one more thing.” Liu Sanniang remembered the other courtesans who came to see her and felt that the men they talked about were all suspicious. They seemed to have something in common.
She could somewhat see Zi Yan lying in a pool of blood, but she could not see the murderer.
Liu Sanniang told Wei Shilai her suspicion.
Wei Shilai frowned. “I’ll send someone to the brothel to keep an eye on that woman called Zi Yan.”
Liu Sanniang nodded. She didn’t understand what would happen to Zi Yan to make her lie in a pool of blood.
Liu Sanniang felt that the power she could control was still not strong enough. She did not know when she would be able to truly unleash her power.
When Liu Sanniang returned home, Madam Wei was in the kitchen, chopping chili.
Liu Sanniang sniffed and walked up. Madam Wei looked at her and smiled. “The restaurant gave me a big fish head today. I brought it back to make a steamed fish head with diced hot red peppers.”
“It’s good that you’re at home. Come over and learn. Watch how I debone the fish.”
Madam Wei chopped the chili into pieces and opened the steamer to take a look.
Liu Sanniang walked over and Madam Wei wrapped a handkerchief around the plate and took it out. She washed her hands and said, “You have to debone the fish while it’s hot. If you’re afraid that it’s hot, wet it with cold water. Watch carefully.”
Liu Sanniang nodded and watched attentively. She liked to cook. Madam Wei studied cooking, and when Madam Wei taught her, she loved to learn.
Madam Wei tapped her hand in the cold water and gently pressed her fingers on the fish head to remove the bones inside.
It was very hot when it was just out of the streamer. Madam Wei soaked her hand in cold water once every few seconds to keep it cool. When the fish bones were removed, the fish was lying on the plate, intact. It was fragrant and soft, making people drool involuntarily.
Madam Wei put the fish back into the steamer and added the chili. “You can take it out in two minutes and splash it with hot oil. Try making it next time.”
Liu Sanniang nodded. Since she was young, she had learned a lot of ways to make fish.
“The tofu you make is delicious. I brought back some fish balls. Make a fishball tofu. Mom will go and cook eggplant.”
Liu Sanniang smiled and replied. “Okay.”
Madam Wei went to cook two eggplants, and Liu Sanniang headed to making fishball tofu.
At night, it was the most pleasant time of the day. When the farmers finished work and came home, nothing relaxed them more than a table of delicious food.
It was dark when Mr. Liu returned.
When he smelt the fragrance in the courtyard, he knew he was in for a good treat today. He was in a good mood and his stomach was rumbling. He immediately went to wash his hands.
Liu Dalang and Liu Erlang returned not long after. Liu Erlang shouted. “I’ll wash up first.”
Liu Dalang did not say anything. Since they were young, no matter how busy Madam Wei was, she would always try to cook a few dishes.
Liu Erlang was impatient. After washing his hands, he ran to the kitchen. “Sanniang, is the tofu you made cooked already? I wanna try some.”
Madam Wei hit him with a pair of tongs. “Get out.”
Liu Sanniang picked up a piece of tofu with her chopsticks and fed it to Liu Erlang. Liu Erlang’s tongue was so badly burnt that he could not speak and ran out.
Although Madam Wei was scolding him, there was a smile in her eyes. “How outrageous!”
Liu Sanniang felt warmth in her heart. Liu Erlang had been naughty like this since he was young. Madam Wei would threaten to hit him, but she never actually did it.
When the food was ready, Mr. Liu came to help carry it to the table. Liu Sanniang set up the table while Madam Wei went to get the rice and cornbread.
After sitting down to eat, Madam Wei said to Liu Dalang, “Dalang, next month, go to Tang An’s house to see if there’s anything you can do to help. It’s time to harvest.”
Liu Dalang nodded. “Yes, I’ll help her in August.”
Liu Dalang had this idea all along. Before he could bring it up, Madam Wei mentioned it first. Liu Dalang did not say anything, but he was very happy. His mother was very thoughtful.
Liu Erlang seemed to be enlightened now. He looked at Liu Dalang with envy.
He suddenly wanted to get married too.
His brother and sister had both found their other half. It would be his turn soon.
After dinner, Liu Erlang went to wash the dishes.
Madam Wei pulled Liu Sanniang back into the house.
After sitting down, Madam Wei said, “Chu Yan will propose on the 15th of August. You can get engaged first and get married in a few years.”
After they were engaged, Chu Yan could protect Liu Sanniang openly.
Liu Sanniang nodded. “Yes, I’ll listen to you.”
Madam Wei smiled in satisfaction. “Have a good rest.”
After the engagement date was set, Madam Wei was relieved. Chu Yan’s biological mother had already passed away and his stepmother was not easy to get along with. It was better for her daughter to marry him when she was a bit older.
After Madam Wei left, Liu Sanniang lit a candle and started embroidering. After midnight, she felt sleepy and went to bed.
Liu Sanniang had a dream again.
She looked at the downtown area around her and knew that she was in a dream. “Sanniang, let’s go to guess lantern riddles, okay?”
A man was speaking beside her. He called her name affectionately.
Liu Sanniang looked at the man in confusion and took a step back. She did not understand why a man she had only met twice would enter her dream.
In the dream, Wen Qinghua had changed into a green robe. His long black hair was tied up with a ribbon. He was handsome and had a warm smile.
Seeing that Liu Sanniang didn’t answer, Wen Qinghua repeated. “Sanniang, let’s go and guess the riddle, okay?”
This was a dream. Liu Sanniang thought for a moment and nodded. “Sure.”
Wen Qinghua reached out his hand to Liu Sanniang. His hand was slender and chiseled. It was even better-looking than in reality. He said, “Come.”