The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 55 The Locust Flowers Are in Full Bloom

Chu Xun stepped forward and bought three steamed buns, one for each of them.

Only then did they notice that the woman's belly was swollen, suggesting that she was pregnant.

The mentally challenged couple couldn't count, but they would give steamed buns to anyone who asked.

Some passersby laughed and took the steamed buns and left, and the couple didn't care.

Wang Huai'an took the steamed bun, and then deliberately put ten extra coins into the money bag on the stall, saying, "Lord Tang sent someone to teach them how to make steamed buns, saying to knead for half an hour, and they kneaded for half an hour. Not a moment more, not a moment less."

"She gets up at the third watch of the night to knead dough and tend the fire; she's very diligent."

"Then I'll sit here all day long, and I'll pack up when I can't see the sun, otherwise I won't leave even if I wet my pants."

"Even the wedding night was taught to me by others, which led to countless laughs."

Chu Xun took a bite of the steamed bun; it was indeed kneaded quite well.

It's soft yet firm, with a good balance of textures.

Looking back, the couple were feeding each other steamed buns, laughing and joking, as if nothing else in the world mattered.

Although the two were mentally challenged, their clothes and hands were very clean.

The person who taught them how to make steamed buns said that in this line of work, one's body and hands must not be dirty.

"What are their names?" Chu Xun asked.

Wang Huai'an replied, "Liang Shouzhuo, Axi."

"That woman had been wandering around the City God Temple since she was a child. She was so mentally challenged that no one knew her name. Because she was always smiling, they called her Ah-Xi."

Chu Xun hummed in agreement; it was indeed appropriate.

People coming and going looked down on this foolish couple.

Little did they know that the couple had already achieved what everyone in the world was pursuing.

Chu Xun gave the woman a special look, or more precisely, he looked at her stomach.

If there truly is a new life being conceived there, what will it be like in a few years?

Wang Huai'an escorted the person to a quiet courtyard that had been prepared for them. It wasn't large, but it was secluded enough.

"Please rest here, both of you. Lord Tang has official business to attend to before the results are announced, but he will come back once he is done."

"It's alright, official business is more important," Chu Xun said.

After bowing, Wang Huai'an took his leave.

Huan'er stood in the courtyard, looking at the big old locust tree.

The locust flowers are yellow, and the candidates are busy preparing for the imperial examinations.

Although it is said that the imperial examination will be held in August, the locust flowers had already bloomed once in April.

Clusters of white flowers hung from the branches, attracting some bees to linger.

Chu Xun walked over and said with a smile, "Would you like some steamed dishes? Fresh locust flowers are in season right now."

Steamed dishes are made by coating locust flowers in flour, adding seasonings, steaming them, and then mixing in minced garlic and sesame oil.

One bite, and it's refreshing and delicious, even more satisfying than eating meat.

No matter how clever Huan'er was, he was still just a boy. His eyes lit up: "I'll go pick it!"

Before Chu Xun could speak, he ran over, grabbed the tree trunk, and climbed up as nimbly as a monkey.

"Uncle, catch!"

Chu Xun took off his outer garment, stretched out his arms like an impenetrable net, and caught the locust flowers that Huan'er had picked.

If Lin Qiaoxi or Zhang Anxiu were here, they definitely wouldn't want to, worried that Huan'er would fall and miss the prefectural examination.

Chu Xun wasn't worried. Huan'er was agile and had loved climbing trees since she was little, and had never fallen.

Besides, taking a break before the exam isn't a bad thing.

After picking a large number of locust flowers, Chu Xun went to check on the woodshed.

Firewood, pots and pans, and even all kinds of seasonings are readily available.

The only thing missing is garlic.

Fortunately, there was a small market nearby, so after buying the vegetables, I started making steamed dishes.

Wash the locust flowers and drain them.

Spread the mixture out in a large bowl, sprinkle two handfuls of fine white flour, add a little salt and Sichuan peppercorn powder, and gently mix with your hands until each petal is evenly coated before placing it in a steamer.

Huan'er diligently started the fire, added firewood, and operated the bellows.

The bellows whirred and sent out wind, and the dazzling firelight made the young man's handsome face glow red.

After steaming for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it was served piping hot.

At this time, the locust flowers are no longer white, but have turned into a warm jade color, fluffy and soft.

Chu Xun had already mashed a bowl of garlic paste, mixed it with sesame oil, and poured it over the locust flowers.

The delightful fragrance is so enticing that it makes one's mouth water.

Just as the father and son were about to try it, the courtyard gate creaked open.

Chu Xun peeked in and saw a man dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with a dark floral pattern walk in.

Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, Chu Xun recognized the other person at a glance.

Tang Shijun.

He quickly pulled Huan'er out of the woodshed and stepped forward to bow: "This humble subject, Chu Xun, greets Prefect Tang."

Tang Shijun helped him up and said with a smile, "There's no need for such formalities between us."

Tang Shijun accepted Huan'er's kneeling and worship without hesitation.

"I thought you would avoid suspicion and only meet me after the results are announced," Chu Xun said.

Tang Shijun raised his head slightly: "My conscience is clear, why should I avoid suspicion?"

He doesn't care what others say or think; if he hasn't done anything wrong, he's not afraid of ghosts knocking on his door.

Several years later, although Tang Shijun has become more composed in his actions, his pride has never diminished.

Smelling the delicious aroma wafting from the woodshed, Tang Shijun asked, "What delicious food have you made?"

"Seeing that the locust flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, I picked some and made steamed dishes. Your arrival is just in time," Chu Xun said.

Tang Shijun laughed and said, "We haven't seen each other for years, and you're only serving steamed dishes? That makes me seem stingy and inadequate in my hospitality."

After saying this, he instructed his attendants, who were waiting outside the courtyard, to go and buy some wine and meat.

Huan'er was busy moving tables and chairs, having a great time.

Tang Shijun didn't dwell on it, carefully examining Chu Xun, and said, "You don't seem to have changed much in the past few years."

Chu Xun said, "I have no worries about food and clothing, and I'm quite plump and have gained a few pounds. But you, sir, have changed quite a bit."

When Tang Shijun left Zhangnan County, he was just thirty years old.

Four or five years later, he was promoted to prefect, and he had even more things to worry about.

There were noticeably more wrinkles on his forehead, and even a few gray hairs at his temples.

Only by maintaining his composure can he gain even more imposing presence.

"Zheng Xiuwen wrote to say that you did a great job for the county, saving a village and a town. You did a very good job."

Tang Shijun glanced at the eaves of the house ahead and said, "It's a pity I didn't see your crows. I heard the biggest ones are taller than a child?"

"It should be about this tall." Chu Xun gestured to his waist.

"Is the snake spirit in the Songliu River the white snake I saw before I left?"

"Yes, but there's also a green snake that you haven't seen before, sir."

"Hmm, could it be a male and a female?"

"You guessed right, sir."

Huan'er, carrying a stool, came out of the house, already sweating profusely from the heat.

Looking up, I saw the two of them sitting there, chatting about things in the county.

Their conversation, one after the other, didn't sound like that of ordinary people and a prefect, but rather like that of long-lost close friends.

Huan'er couldn't help but think to herself, "Of all the farmers in the world, only my uncle could remain so calm in front of the prefect, right?"

If it were any other commoner speaking to the prefect, they would probably tremble three times over with every word they uttered.

During the meal, it seemed that Tang Shijun had only come to chat about everyday things.

He had no airs whatsoever, only a slight hint of official authority inadvertently revealed in his gestures.

It wasn't until Chu Xun asked Liang Shouzhou and his wife, the foolish couple, "Why did you want to help them, sir?"

Tang Shijun's answer was concise: "They are the people of Jing Kingdom."

The entire Liang family was executed, and Liang Shouzhou was no longer the son of a high-ranking official, but just an ordinary citizen.

What does such a heinous crime have to do with this foolish boy?

Tang Shijun never listens to others' opinions when judging people; he only believes what he sees with his own eyes.

He saved more than just this one couple; since taking office, he has helped more than a hundred people in distress.

The common people's evaluation of Tang Shijun can be summed up in just two words: "A good official!"

Tang Shijun sighed, "But I don't know why, from governance to people's livelihood, we have clearly done our best. Yet, the number of people suffering in the world continues to rise."

He looked at Chu Xun and asked, "Do you know the answer?"

Chu Xun shook his head; despite his knowledge from two lifetimes, he could not answer this question.

After thinking for a moment, Chu Xun said, "The world is too vast, and there are many who are selfish. It is not something that one person can solve. My lord, do your best and leave the rest to fate. Just be true to yourself."

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate?" Tang Shijun repeated several times.

His gaze was sharp, and his aura suddenly became deep and profound.

"Studying and becoming an official consume countless pens, ink, paper, and inkstones. Is it all just to do one's best and leave the rest to fate?"

"Where the heart leads, even if fate cannot change it, one should still strive for it!"