CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: RETURN TO THE CAPITAL

The medical book Xiao Fengxing was reading was written by a wandering doctor.

He had once visited Jin Country, discovered this herb, and wrote down the prescription.

The spies from Jin Country were captured, and their intentions were revealed.

Since Ganning is a crucial passage in the northwest, no matter where one goes, one must pass through Ganning.

Jin Country intended to spread infectious diseases from Ganning, hoping to infect the surrounding areas, eventually reaching the northwestern army.

Then, Jin Country could seize the opportunity to encroach on the borders of Great Xi.

But now, this plan has been disrupted by Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian.

The spy was also captured.

Xiao Chengyu wrote a letter and sent it urgently to the capital, delivering it to Emperor Jiawen.

Ganning City was thoroughly searched to ensure no foreign spies had infiltrated the city.

After this incident, Hu Pingcheng became even more cautious and prudent.

If it weren’t for Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian, not to mention his official hat, even his life would have been in jeopardy.

With the matter in Ganning resolved, Xiao Chengyu and his party prepared to set off back to the capital.

On the day of departure, Fu Shinian sat in Xiao Chengyu’s carriage.

As soon as they set off, the people along the streets knelt down, shouting, "Thank you, Marquis, thank you, Miss Fu!"

Some townsfolk bravely stepped forward, handing packages to Jing Lai, "These are specialties from Ganning, called youxiang. Please, if the Marquis doesn’t mind, you can eat them if you’re hungry on the road."

"And also niushebing," another townsfolk approached, "We don’t have much except for pastries in Ganning. These niushebing can last for days without spoiling."

Through the bundles, the fragrance of oil-fried pastries and niushebing could be smelled.

Inside were also the scents of fragrant bean flour and sesame powder.

During his time in Ganning, Jing Lai had become very familiar with these northwestern spices.

Even though he had just had breakfast, the aroma of the youxiang and niushebing made him hungry again.

"Marquis, Miss Fu, this is some potato starch we dried ourselves. When you get back, soak it and cook it. It’s very chewy. It’s dried thoroughly, so there should be no issue all the way to the capital."

"This... this is too much..." Jing Lai hesitated to accept.

Ganning is not wealthy, and the townspeople even less so.

Now, having gone through an epidemic, everything is in recovery.

"Marquis, Miss Fu, please accept them. These are not worth much; they’re things we eat regularly."

"Marquis..." Jing Lai asked for guidance.

"Marquis, these are the people’s heartfelt wishes, and it’s the best they can offer now," Fu Shinian said, "Let’s accept it."

Xiao Chengyu nodded slowly and personally stepped down from the carriage.

Fu Shinian also followed, and Xiao Chengyu quickly supported her.

Xiao Chengyu received these foods and said, "Thank you all."

"It’s us who should thank the Marquis and Miss Fu! Without you, none of us in this city would have survived."

A woman shyly said, "These are all coarse foods. I hope the Marquis and Miss Fu won’t mind."

In the city, the highest ranking official they had seen was the County Magistrate, Hu Pingcheng.

But after Xiao Chengyu and Fu Shinian arrived, they found that such handsome people still exist.

The man and the woman both looked like celestial beings.

Now that they were seen up close, even more so.

Even though they weren’t dressed particularly luxuriously, their entire demeanor was noble, and their looks were like those of deities.

Especially since their tempers were so good.

The townspeople talked nervously.

Hearing this, Fu Shinian took a package from Xiao Chengyu’s hands.

Cradling the package, it was still somewhat warm.

"It’s still warm," Fu Shinian said with a smile.

A woman blushed and said, "We got up to make them before dawn. Now it’s cold, but we thought to let the Marquis and Miss have something warm."

Fu Shinian immediately opened the bundle. Inside were layers of carefully stacked youxiang.

The round pastry, as big as a hand, was fried golden, with some fragrant bean flour sprinkled on top, emitting heat and fragrance.

Fu Shinian tore off a piece and put it in her mouth; the warm youxiang was steaming inside.

"Delicious," Fu Shinian quickly packed up the rest, tightened the package, "Can’t let the heat escape; I’ll share it with the Marquis later in the carriage."

Seeing Fu Shinian eat a piece immediately, the woman was so happy that her eyes turned red.

Fu Shinian then opened another bundle, inside were niushebing, as long as a forearm, golden, crispy layered fritters.

Fu Shinian tore off a piece and passed it to Xiao Chengyu, "Marquis, have a taste, it’s very fragrant."

Xiao Chengyu, holding the things given by the townspeople with both hands, couldn’t spare a hand, so he bent down and ate a piece from Fu Shinian’s hand.

Though he didn’t touch her fingertips, Fu Shinian blushed with embarrassment, quickly pretending to be busy and tearing off a piece to eat herself, "Delicious, so crispy."

"Does Miss like it?" the woman asked excitedly.

"I like it, it’s delicious," Fu Shinian rewrapped the package and asked Xiao Chengyu, "What does the Marquis think?"

"Delicious," Xiao Chengyu replied softly, especially since Fu Shinian fed him personally, it tasted even better, "Thank you all."

"It’s good that the Marquis and the miss like it."

The woman who brought the potato starch suddenly felt a little regretful, if only she had made some ready-to-eat foods, she could know if the Marquis and the miss liked them or not.

The potato starch couldn’t be eaten on the road.

When they returned to the capital, who knows if they would like it?

Fu Shinian, however, hugged the thick bundle of potato starch and said, "I only had it once in Ganning, and then got sick. I’ve been craving for potato starch ever since. I wanted to have it again after recovering, but didn’t get the chance. Your gift is so timely. I’ll shamelessly ask the Marquis for half and share it with my family."

"It was meant for both the Marquis and the miss," the woman said happily, not resisting urging Xiao Chengyu, "Marquis, you must give some to the miss."

Don’t keep it all for yourself.

"..." Xiao Chengyu smiled, "Alright."

Even if he were to give everything he owns to Fu Shinian, he wouldn’t hesitate for a second, much less feel reluctant about the potato starch.

"I wonder how this potato starch is made? Once it’s finished, I could have the cook try to make it," Fu Shinian said.

The woman hurriedly explained, "It’s actually not difficult, just takes some effort. You mash the potatoes into a paste, wash them in water, and the starch that settles at the bottom is what you use. Pour out the water on top, dry the starch, then mix with cold water into a paste, then add boiling water to form a dough. It’s then like making noodles."

"I see, I’ve noted it down," Fu Shinian nodded.

Many other townsfolk brought eggs and corn.

The corn was fine, but the eggs weren’t practical for the journey.

"Firstly, they might get smashed, and secondly, they might spoil, wasting the uncle’s kind intentions," Xiao Chengyu explained, "We appreciate all your good intentions. We’ll visit again if we have the chance."

With Xiao Chengyu’s words, the townsfolk escorted their convoy out of the city.