Fu Congxi hooked her arm Jin Shanyao's and chattered on and on, "Boss, are you free tomorrow? Let's go ice skating!"
Jin Shanyao in confusion, "What is ice skating?"
"It's just gliding around on the ice."
Jin Shanyao understood; it turned out to be a game of sliding down an ice hole... What's so fun about that? She noticed the weather in the capital wasn't as cold as in Qingzhou Prefecture, and she was thinking of falling into an ice hole.
"I'm not going..."
How about I take you to see the snow-capped mountains?
Snow-capped mountains, the snow-capped mountains of Qingzhou Prefecture stretch endlessly... Jin Shanyao her head, "I'm not going."
"How about going to see a shadow puppet show? Want to see one? There are some new stories coming out recently."
The Jin Shanyao tugged at her hem, and she looked down at the two children, who were full of curiosity. "Alright... let's go see a shadow puppet show tomorrow."
"Wow!" Fu Congxi exclaimed excitedly from the side.
The group boarded an oxcart and swayed as they arrived at the Top Scholar Tower.
The next day, Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci put on their favorite clothes, carefully examined themselves in the bronze mirror, and only after confirming that their hair and the hem of their clothes were in good condition did they put on their mink cloaks.
Fu Congxi stood to the side with his arms crossed, unable to suppress a smile. The two children, wrapped in thick cloaks, looked round and chubby like two little balls of fluff, and were exceptionally adorable.
Meng Anci, with a serious expression, said solemnly, "Auntie, I'm dressed."
Meng Anzhi bent down to tie the sachet, then looked up with a smile that crinkled her eyes, "I've got everything ready too."
Fu Congxi clapped his hands and shouted, "Let's go... let's go see the shadow puppet show!"
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci were amused and giggled, chasing after Fu Congxi as they ran out of the Top Scholar Tower.
The streets of the capital were bustling with activity, the shouts of vendors rising and falling. It was the first time the three of them had come to a big city, and they were both excited and unfamiliar with it. Their eyes were practically not enough to take it all in, and they walked and stopped for half an hour before finally arriving at the teahouse.
The curtain was lifted, and a wave of hot air rushed out. Inside, the sounds of gongs and drums created a lively atmosphere.
Inside the hall, a dozen or so tables were arranged in a staggered manner. There was a stage against the wall, with a light-colored cloth hanging on it. Fu Congxi gave the waiter half a jiao (0.5 yuan) of silver.
"Find a spot with the best view."
"Alright... sir, please come inside," the waiter led the person to the front of the stage.
After everyone was seated, the invitations were handed over.
Jin Shanyao, Meng Anzhi, Meng Anci, three country bumpkins, curiously huddled together.
"The Young General in White Robes Suppresses the Rebellion," " The Lone Hero Restores the Realm," " The Divine Archer Shoots the Celestial Wolf," " The Great Hero Who Can Fight Battles," and " The Young General's Camp-Raiding Chronicles."
Is it all action scenes?
Fu Congxi pointed to the page, "This is good... it's True Person."
Jin Shanyao lightly, feigning composure, and said, "Hmm... let's listen to this one."
Fu Congxi returned the invitation to the waiter and instructed, "Bring some tea and snacks."
"Alright..." The waiter returned a moment later with tea and snacks, all smiles. "Miss Fu, everything's been arranged. Your song will be next."
He placed the teacups in front of them, bowed, and withdrew.
Fu Congxi, "Although this troupe performs shadow puppetry, their pastries are absolutely amazing! Many spectators come specifically for the food; you should all try some."
As she spoke, she divided the pastries into three plates. Jin Shanyao one up and took a bite. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she hurried to look at the two children, seeing that they liked it too.
With a wave of his hand, he said, "Waiter, bring four more servings of these pastries."
"Alright... please wait a moment, sir."
The waiter responded, and the new play began immediately. The two little ones ate pastries, their eyes glued to the screen.
The figure of the little general on the cloth seemed to grow larger and smaller, his wielding broadsword gleaming coldly, as if he were about to leap out of the cloth at any moment.
The two immediately held their breath, completely unaware that the pastries in their hands were being crushed. The plot was reaching its climax when the young general raised his sword and beheaded his opponent.
Meng Anci could no longer contain himself, clenching his fist and shouting, "Bravo!"
Behind the curtain, the shadow puppeteer busied himself with his instruments while reciting lines, "Look at General Shen, covered in blood, holding the head of an enemy general, standing on the high hill, shouting... Those who surrender will not be killed."
The shadow puppets swayed, and a shadow carrying a small head appeared in the shadow window, marking the end of the play.
The two little ones couldn't shake off the act for a long time, only snapping back to reality when the next gong rang out, and out of the corner of their eye, they saw that they were covered in pastry crumbs.
He hurriedly got up, shook off the crumbs, wiped the chair clean, and then sat down again to continue watching the play.
Seeing how much the little guy liked it, Jin Shanyao found the shopkeeper and bought the whole set of donkey skin puppets at a high price. Meng Anci held a wooden stick in his hand and manipulated the little general, walking down the street with a whooshing sound.
Fu Congxi supported him with her arm to prevent him from being hit by the carriage. "It's a bit cold today, how about we have hot pot?"
"Okay... I love lamb the most," Meng Anci said happily. Just then, someone carrying half a basket of roasted chestnuts passed by, Fu Congxi subconsciously reached out to pull Meng Anci.
With his hands empty, the little one turned and dodged, continuing to chat and laugh as he walked forward. Fu Congxi took it as a coincidence and led them into the restaurant.
Upon recognizing a familiar face, the waiter immediately bowed and greeted her, "Miss Fu, it's been quite a while since you've been here!"
Fu Congxi and smiled, "Do you miss me, or do you want a reward?"
"Miss, you're right. I've been missing you terribly... But to receive a reward from you is double the joy; I'd be laughing in my dreams."
Fu Congxi laughed out loud, waving his hand, "You smooth talker, go find a quiet private room."
"Alright!" the waiter replied loudly, and quickly led the group upstairs to a private room.
The private room was separated by a screen at the entrance. Inside, there was a round table and chairs that were polished to a shine. The windows facing the street reflected the sunlight.
Meng Anzhi had never seen this material before, so she took a closer look. Fu Congxi, "This is a skylight, made of thinned and pieced-together seashells. It has good windproof and light-transmitting properties."
"Shell??"
Jin Shanyao explained, "Seashells are creatures from the ocean. Auntie will take you to see the ocean sometime."
Meng Anzhi smiled and looked away, marveling at how many places she hadn't been to and how many things she hadn't seen.
The waiter asked at the opportune moment, "Miss Fu, what kind of hot pot would you like to eat today?"
Fu Congheng looked at Jin Shanyao and the other two, "They have clear broth hot pot, mutton hot pot, sour broth hot pot, seafood hot pot... and seafood too, would you like to try some?"
Jin Shanyao, "Do you have a sterilization pot?"
The waiter quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes! All the mushrooms here are supplied by the Anzhi Hall —matsutake, shiitake, morels, bamboo fungus... everything is fresh!"
He was speaking with great enthusiasm when he noticed Fu Congxi standing to the side, head bowed and lips pursed in a suppressed smile. He was taken aback, wondering if he had said something wrong.
Jin Shanyao chuckled, defusing the situation, "Then let's have a mushroom hot pot, a mutton hot pot, and a seafood hot pot," she said, then looked at Fu Congxi, "What kind of hot pot would you like?"
Hot pot is traditionally shared by several people, not one per person. Just as the Fu Congxi said, "I want the sour soup hot pot."
The waiter was completely dumbfounded. In all the time the food stall had been open, this was the first time he had ever encountered a situation where each person had their own pot.
Seeing him standing there in a daze, Jin Shanyao couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"No problem."
What side dishes do you usually use at home?
The waiter quickly rattled off a list of dishes.
With Jin Shanyao, "Bring some mushrooms of all kinds, and two plates of mutton, pork, and seafood—whatever you have, bring one serving."
"Alright..." The waiter realized that this girl didn't know how to order and just ordered randomly. Unfortunately, Miss Fu was following along with her nonsense. With two adults and two children, it was no wonder they couldn't eat this much.
The Fu Congxi said with a smile, "None of the dishes you three ordered are as appetizing as my sour soup. Whoever wants some, just put the meat in my pot."
Her tone was carefree, and her eyes sparkled; she was unlike any of the women Jin Shanyao had ever met.
Fu Congxi to see Jin Shanyao staring at him. "What's wrong?"
Jin Shanyao and said, "You're very special."
Fu Congxi froze. "They all say I'm wild, and they avoid me at parties and flower viewing parties, but I don't care... Who cares?" Although she said this, her eyes dimmed slightly.
Jin Shanyao comforted her, "In this world, some people like to admire flowers, and some people like to race horses. Let those who like to admire flowers admire flowers, and let those who like to race horses race horses."
She nodded in satisfaction after speaking, finally able to put her memorized words to use.
Fu Congxi laughed out loud, "Yes, being happy is the most important thing."