Oil-Splashed Hand-Pulled Noodles

You... figured out how to make them?

Look at the bags under your eyes. Were you practicing all night?

Haha. No. Only about half the night. Hey, Xingzhu still hasn't woken up yet.

Enough talking for now. Try the noodles!

You.... huh?

You gave up learning how to knead the dough and boiled some ready-made noodles instead?!

These are no ordinary ready-made noodles. Xingzhu and I looked through all the ready-made noodles on the market, and picked the ones we feel have a texture closest to your hand-made ones.

Of course, they don't have quite the same mouthfeel as hand-made noodles. So Xingzhu adjusted your soup base recipe to ensure they taste similar to the longevity noodles you make from scratch.

This is blasphemy! You're using ready-made noodles, and you tampered with my recipe? My word!

Don't jump to any conclusions yet. Please, have a taste!

Hmm...

Well...?

Hmm...

Say something!

Why did you two think this would work?

Xingzhu was starving after all my failed attempts! I figured at that point, I was better off just making noodles I knew how to make, so at least she'd have something to eat!

Then I started thinking: the most important element of longevity noodles isn't the taste. Instead, it's making sure the person who eats them feels the birthday blessing.

Some people just aren't skilled enough to make noodles like you do. However, I can still use ready-made noodles to bring birthday blessings to myself or my family. That's the real meaning of longevity noodles, anyway.

See how yellow and shiny these noodles are? They look more lively than yours, right?

Of course, yes, I am taking shortcuts with this dish...

You mentioned birthday blessings. Do you think people can taste that in your noodles?

I... think so?

Last night, after I finally made a proper bowl of noodles for the first time, I shared them with Xingzhu. We felt so happy when eating it. I even caught Xingzhu wiping away tears...

Swapping out the noodles, then adjusting the oil and salt ratios accordingly... Quite some innovation there. Xingzhu sure has a sharp palate.

But the ready-made noodles need to be rinsed with cold water after cooking. You rinsed them, but you didn't drain all the cold water out.

The cold water lowered the temperature of the soup, which also affected the texture of the noodles. If you really want to make good food, you need to be mindful of these little details.

Got it! I'll remember that!

Wait, then you mean...?

Enough. I'm only continuing to teach you because I can see you've put in the effort.

You still need to learn how to make your own noodles from scratch. You don't really expect to use ready-made noodles in the competition, do you?

Hehe. Great!

As your shifu, I'm glad that you've improved. But we still have to see whether the customers recognize your efforts.

Well... what do we do?

Later on, if anyone orders noodles, you'll make them.

If the customer doesn't like the noodles, then you'll need to keep practicing.

I'm on it!

Hello! Would you like to try our special longevity noodles?

It's not my birthday. Why would I want longevity noodles?

It's a new dish we're trying out. We'll give it to you for free!

No. I meant, if you try it, and like it, then maybe you should still pay for it. I mean, I have to settle up with the boss, you know.

That's... an interesting way to do business.

Sure. Give me that bowl of noodles, then.

(eager eyes)

Uhh... do you need something else from me?

No! No! I just want to see how you like the noodles.

Okay okay. I'll give them a try.

What do you think?

Mmmm... Good. Even excellent.

R-Really?

The soup has a rich umami taste, and the ingredients are top notch. If you had let the soup simmer for another day or so, it might have tasted even better.

But I was already so hungry. If I had tried to wait another day for that ultimate perfection, I would have starved...

He wants to create the perfect taste, but the customer cannot wait that long.

Even if I want to wait for him... there are some things that I just can't wait for any longer...

You're saying...

Don't worry about it. Just tell your boss what I said, yeah?

Hey! You... you didn't pay!

Just deduct the funds from my account.

Regardless of what you're looking for, after you leave here, do not tell anyone you got this file from the Academy. Do you understand?

Yes...

What's wrong? Do you have more questions?

Do you remember... that bloody case... back in 1062?

This isn't the sort of thing you casually bring up in a conversation.

I just happened to think of it.

Is the Grand Preceptor you previously mentioned, the one who supported the academic reforms which benefited countless poor students, the same Grand Preceptor who murdered the emperor and plotted treason forty years ago?

I have no way to answer your question. I will never speak about things that I do not know.

I have never met that Grand Preceptor in person, but I have read some of her writings on political and social issues. Her extensive knowledge, clearly reflected in her works, has been deeply enriching for me.

But people are complicated and cannot be easily categorized.

You're saying you're not completely convinced that the outcome of that case was correct?

Qingyan, you are never good at hiding what you are thinking.

I knew you would...

The Office's archives will not house muddled cases, no matter how many people they involve.

Solving those cases is my duty as deputy minister.

I shall not dissuade you from doing as you see fit. However, you must learn to protect yourself, no matter what happens.

*sigh* Before your parents retreated into seclusion in the mountains, they entrusted me with looking after you. If anything were to happen to you, I would never be able to look them in the eyes again.

I'm not a child. Why do I need people to take care of me?

Everyone feels that way when they are young. However, as a mother, watching Zuo Le grow up, day by day, I feel a weight growing on my heart.

What else should we parents worry about, other than our children's safety?

But if your parents learned that I prevented you from fulfilling your duties out of concern for your 'safety', then they really would blame me.

Duoxie... Sister...

*sigh* You call me your sister, but in my eyes, you have always been like a child of my son's generation.

Speaking of which, Yumen is near Baizao now. Have you seen General Zuo at all over the past few days?

Things are coming to a head. The Ministry of War is holding meetings day and night, and the general must remain on the front lines to oversee things personally.

Neither he nor I can abandon our posts.

......

There is truly no way to avoid this conflict?

This isn't something I have the authority to decide.

As an Advisor for the Ministry of War, my job is to do everything in my power to accurately calculate the outcome of the war. Allowing any personal biases to affect my work would be a grave disservice to the people of Yan.

You don't compromise in your duties, and neither do I.

I hope everything goes smoothly...

If the outcome is inevitable, it's best not to worry too much about it.

If you are alone for the Mid-Autumn Festival, come to my home for dinner.

...I will.

Wait... I just thought of something.

Didn't you just ask me who has authority to alter the Academy's records?

That did happen once, although it was under extremely unusual circumstances.

You mean...

No. I can't say that the records were ever altered. However, if a record has gone missing entirely, then it must have been transferred to another location—

Death row, at the Ministry of Justice.

......

Father is not here?

Lord Zuo...

Uncle Taihe!

Your... your injuries?

I was finally able to walk since two weeks ago, albeit with some difficulty. At least I'm no longer bedridden.

Uncle Taihe...

Kung fu is merely an external tool. I am, after all, still a monitor censor of the Department of Discipline and Supervision, and there will always be opportunities to realize my aspirations.

If you continue to dwell on this, Lord Zuo, then you're only underestimating my skills.

No...

Taihe, I know you are no ordinary man. A few injuries aren't enough to stop you!

......

It has been over six months since we last met. You look stronger than before. The General will be pleased.

By the way, Father is...

The General has been in constant meetings with the Sui Regulator and the Ministry of War. He's barely had ten minutes to rest.

The situation...

...Could change in an instant.

Is the court still ready to go to war at all costs?

Now, after the incident in Dahuang, the bestial Sui is no longer under the Sui Regulator's control.

There are some minor disagreements between the cabinet and the Six Ministries, but their overall opinion is clear—

Eliminate the threat once and for all.

But... the consequences of this war will be...

I heard that one month ago, other Candleholders discovered traces of the convict near Baizao.

Yes. I heard the same thing.

The imperial court is on high alert; they've already dispatched several units of Imperial Guards.

The Imperial Guards...

The convict's unpredictability is currently the gravest threat we face.

I have a theory, perhaps...

There is still another Proxy in Baizao...

This Proxy is the 'youngest', and the most unique.

According to the Sui Regulator's observations, in the hundreds of years since he left the tomb, he has never used any of his powers. The Sui Regulator does not know how to deal with him...

There's only one thing that's a little suspicious—one hundred years ago, after Wang escaped from prison, he came to Baizao and has remained here ever since.

Wang used to frequently interact with other Proxies, so I am afraid that during his current return to Baizao, the lone Proxy who stayed here would also be part of his plan.

What do you plan to do?

I don't know yet, so I'm going to go take a look...

...And see for myself.

Phew! Finished!

What do you think? I've memorized every step, from washing the vegetables to serving the noodles. I can do this all by myself now!

Of course, it's all thanks to Xingzhu for figuring out a genius solution—I just need to dip my hands in ice water for five minutes before kneading the dough, and it comes out fine.

It looks good, and I can taste the craftsmanship in the dish.

It'll do, even if it's far from perfect.

If anyone could cook as well as me after just a few classes, then all my years of study would be in vain.

Hey, I've been working hard for so long, and tomorrow is the big day. Can't you at least say something encouraging?

I just don't want you to get a big head... Alright, maybe you're right—a little pep talk might do you good; otherwise, you'd be too scared to cook the minute you meet Mo Bufu.

Remember: there's nothing to be afraid of. Mo Bufu is old. Show him the power of your youth!

Okay!

Everything's ready. Let's go win one at Ding Feng Lou tomorrow!