Song Yi looked at his little disciple and said in a low tone, “You decided to run around outside to handle your things, but look at you now. It wasn’t easy to raise you up to have a little meat on your bones, but now you’ve become so thin again in just a few days.”
Although Song Yi always scolded Su Tang with “unworthy disciple” all day long, deep down he really loved Su Tang like his own daughter and appreciated her hard-working character. Thus, although he was unhappy that she had come back later than what she promised, he knew it was only because she had been out there working hard, so he could only love her all the more.
“I’m also sorry for all the meat on my bones that master carefully helped me raise. Don’t worry, after this, I will definitely rest hard and eat hard to make up for it. Hehehe, master, you’ve also really lost weight these few days as well. This disciple will definitely cook more delicious food for you later.”
As usual, Su Tang was excellent when it came to flattery and pretending.
Song Yi felt speechless when he saw his little disciple’s behavior. He had been teaching her for so long, how could he not understand this little girl’s character? Whenever she wanted to she could always pretend to be very good and well behaved, but who knew what was going on underneath. The little girl was a wily as a small fox.
“Do you, um, plan to go out again soon?” Song Yi suddenly recalled something and asked.
“No, I shouldn’t have to go out again for a long time.” Su Tang shook her head. In fact, Su Tang herself had no desire to run around outside. The carriages used in this ancient era were really too abominable. After all, Su Tang was a person who felt that even the high-speed rails or airplanes from the modern era weren’t very comfortable if she rode in them for too long, much less these ancient era carriages.
In her mind, nothing was more comfortable than lying around at home and resting. If she could make money by lying around at home, who would be willing to go out? Unfortunately, it was sometimes necessary to go out despite her own intentions.
However, this time Su Tang had managed to pick up Jiang Hong and his wife. Both of them were clever and meticulous people, so Su Tang was happy to keep them by her side for the time being. She planned to make Jiang Hong fully responsible for the workshop she was going to set up, which would make him a sort of de facto steward for her household.
By doing this, she could let Jiang Hong handle managing the sauces and she wouldn’t need to run around so much herself.
When Song Yi heard that Su Tang didn’t plan to go out anymore, he felt very happy and said, “Well, you haven’t practiced your calligraphy for a few days, so you can come in the afternoon and write some characters for me to see.”
“Can master not mention this topic? Your disciple’s heart is blocked.” As soon as Song Yi said this, Su Tang immediately felt depressed.
(tl note: I translated ‘心塞’ as ‘heart is blocked’, which isn’t perfectly accurate. 心塞 is a slang term that basically means psychologically blocked, or speechless, or just uncomfortable.)
Su Tang could be considered a genius thanks to her photographic memory. Because of this, she wouldn’t forget things after learning them just once. She was able to quickly absorb, recite, and understand the things she was taught. However, for things like calligraphy, painting, chess, or music, just a photographic memory wasn’t enough. For these skills, it was necessary to practice hard if she wanted to excel. Even until now her ability to write the characters for “Su Tang” was still so terrible that she didn’t dare to let other people see it. And if you wanted to ask about her ability to write other words she could only respond with tears.
Song Yi couldn’t help but laugh at his little disciple’s pathetic expression, “So you’re aware that your handwriting is completely unpresentable?”
“This disciple’s heart is broken. Master, how could you treat me like this? Disciple’s heart is like a dumpling, it turned cold and now it’s breaking apart…” Su Tang dramatically clutched her heart as she spoke.
Just then, Pengmo came back in carrying a tray with the cakes and the milk tea and happened to see Su Tang in the midst of playing around like this, with his master on the side fighting to keep his face impassive. Pengmo quickly lowered his head and tried to suppress the laughter in his heart before going over and saying, “Master, the cake brought over this time by the young miss is very beautiful. Please try a slice.”
Song Yi felt he had watched Su Tang’s little one man show for long enough, so he pointed at her and interjected, “You… you…!”
“Hehe, master, you should try this frozen cheesecake, it’s very delicious.” Despite being pointed at, Su Tang’s face was still all smiles.
Song Yi finally glanced at the translucent and multi-layered cake. It really was beautiful to look at. He gave an approving nod and seemed ready to eat. But before he took a bite, he suddenly looked up and said, as if in passing, “Don’t try to send me away with just one piece of cake. Hurry up and cook lunch for your master.”
“Ah, this disciple’s intentions were spotted. Alas, this disciple can only work hard. I’m going now master!” As she spoke, Su Tang made a weary expression and sighed. But then she cracked a wide smile and disappeared into the kitchen in a flash before Song Yi could react.
Song Yi stared at Su Tang’s back as she quickly escaped. On the side, Pengmo lowered his head and snickered.
When Song Yi saw Pengmo laughing, he sent him a stern glare and said angrily, “What are you still doing here? Hurry up and go help her. Also, make sure those clothes that were finished a few days ago are properly delivered to your young miss.”
。
tl begging corner:
