novelraw Chapter 326: Ghost Festival
Chapter 326: Ghost Festival
July 15th, on this day.When Shen Qinglan just opened the front gate, a gust of cold wind blew through, and the sky, along with the alley, was scattered with yellow paper everywhere.
This scene inevitably reminded her of the ghost scenes from movies she watched in her previous life, making her shiver involuntarily.
Shao Yi stood at the door and warned, "Today is the Ghost Festival, Miss Shen, remember to return home early when you go out."
In Yunye Country, there’s a folk superstition that suggests people should avoid going out during the Ghost Festival; otherwise, wandering ghost messengers might mistake them for dead spirits and take them away.
"Don’t worry, Uncle Shao, I’m just stepping out for a bit, then I’ll be back," Shen Qinglan said. "I’ve prepared some new dishes in the kitchen, I’ll have Aunt Yang bring them over for you to try later."
Shao Yi laughed, "Of course, I’ll definitely try whatever Miss Shen prepares!"
"Then I shall be off!"
Shen Qinglan lifted two baskets and left the Shen Mansion.
She had previously promised Xuan Ying and Lan Ruo that once she recovered, she would bake cakes for them. Today she finally had some free time, so she made a large cake.
Given the limited resources in ancient times, the cake was naturally not as visually appealing as modern ones, but the taste wasn’t lacking.
Upon arriving at the Song Mansion, Shen Qinglan stopped and knocked on the door. She asked the guard to deliver the cake to Lan Ruo and Lady Song, while she carried the other basket and left.
Since she’d been injured, Duan Yunfei and his group had moved to stay with Old Tang, and now only employees remained in the backyard of Shengxiang Restaurant.
As Shen Qinglan walked onto the street, the ash from burnt joss paper blew all over the place with the wind.
Except for the shops selling incense and joss paper, all other stores had closed their doors early, including her Tianming Pavilion.
It wasn’t that she feared ghosts, it was simply that every household was burning joss paper on the streets, and opening would mean guests drink ash instead of tea.
By the time Shen Qinglan arrived at Old Tang’s place, Duan Yunfei and Le Zhao were sitting in the yard playing chess.
"Miss Shen is here!"
Xuan Ying, who was initially squatting nearby polishing his sword, hurriedly set the sword aside and came over to greet her.
Hearing this, Duan Yunfei and Le Zhao both looked up in unison.
Shen Qinglan handed the basket to Xuan Ying and said, "The cake I promised to make for you, give it a taste and see if it’s good!"
"Why is there so much ash?"
Xuan Ying looked at the white cloth covered in ash and asked her with confusion.
"The wind is strong today," Shen Qinglan replied. "People are burning joss paper everywhere on the road; I got covered in ash on my way here."
"Ah, right!" Xuan Ying said, "Today is July 15th, I completely forgot!"
"What’s there to eat?" Le Zhao called out, "Bring some over for us to try too."
Xuan Ying pouted and opened the white cloth, finding the cake sliced into pieces, unexpectedly intrigued.
"This pastry is something I’ve never seen before," he handed the basket back to Shen Qinglan, "Miss Shen, you take it over; I’ll fetch some water for them to wash their hands."
"Sure!" Shen Qinglan nodded.
"What is it?"
Duan Yunfei leaned over to take a look, then laughed, "Is it sweet?"
"Yes, it’s a sweet cake," Shen Qinglan said, "I promised Xuan Ying I’d make it for him; today I had some spare time, so I went ahead and made it."
After hearing this, Duan Yunfei immediately laughed, "If it’s sweet, forget it!"
"For Xuan Ying?" Le Zhao glanced over and asked with a smile, "Can we try it too?"
Shen Qinglan laughed softly, "You’d have to ask Xuan Ying about that."
"Hey Ying, can we eat?"
Just as Le Zhao asked, they heard Xuan Ying yell, "Nobody touch anything yet!"
Xuan Ming stepped out from the hall and tapped him on the head angrily, "Talk properly; shouting and yelling, what kind of behavior is that!"