During the Han Dynasty, cities set up markets, such as the capital Chang'an, which had two east-west markets, four gates, and market officials. The daily transaction volume was extremely large. Other major cities in the commanderies and states, such as Linzi, the capital of Qi, and Handan, the capital of Zhao, also had large markets. Xuanping was only a medium-sized county in the great Han, so it held a market every half month within the city walls, with merchants gathering to provide daily necessities for the people of the county to buy and sell.

  The horse carriage stopped in front of the city gate of Xuanping, and several people got off. Among them was a young girl wearing a deep green brocade dress with intricate patterns, and a string of white jade beads around her waist. The surrounding crowd fell silent, secretly guessing which noble family this elegant beauty belonged to.

  "Take whatever you like." Zhang Yan turned back and said with a smile, "Today, sister will pay the bill."

  Zhang Zhi let out a cheer and hugged her left arm, flattering her by saying, "Sister is the best."

  The surroundings were bustling with people, Zhang Yan walked into the market, and suddenly felt the smoke and fire in front of her, couldn't help but take a deep breath, warm and lively. She liked both Yang Chunbai Xue and Xiaolongbao, without either one, it wouldn't be said that she couldn't eat, but with both together, it was perfect for sentimental people.

  Xuanping's market is naturally not as bustling as the East City of Chang'an, with a variety of goods. At first glance, most of the things are rough and unattractive. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhi has already flown out of his cage like a small bee, rushing around in various shops, hugging a pile of things in his arms.

  "Aren't you going to pick some things?" Zhang Yan asked Zhang Shou who was following behind her.

  "No." Zhang Shou shook his head and said, "Actually, the mansion has everything, I don't lack anything. Brother Aji is just excited to buy things because he heard that Sister will help him with the accounts, but after a while, he'll probably worry about buying a bunch of useless things."

  Zhang Yan burst out laughing.

  She bought a catty of freshly roasted chestnuts. The shop owner wrapped them in dried banana leaves and handed them to her.

  After paying the money, he handed a package to Zhang Shou and walked away while picking out one, which was too hot to handle. He peeled off the shell with both hands tossing it back and forth.

  Furrowed her brow slightly.

  "Older sister," Zhang Shou asked, "not to your taste?"

  "Hmm," she said, "not sweet enough."

  "My dear daughter doesn't know," the family member said with a bitter smile, "if you want to make roasted chestnuts fragrant and sweet, you need to add maltose. Maltose is expensive, and there are many wealthy families in Chang'an who can afford it. Only they can buy it. In Xuanping's small town, if the roasted chestnut vendors add maltose, no one will be willing to buy them. You see, in Chang'an, a catty of maltose-roasted chestnuts costs over 100 coins, but in Xuanping, they only sell for 30 coins?"

  "Hmm," Zhang Yan furrowed her brow, annoyed, "But I'm used to eating sweet chestnuts."

  "This," the family hesitated.

  As they spoke, Zhang Zhihao returned. He held a small yellow birch bow in his hand and asked with joy, "I picked this up from the archery shop ahead, sister. What do you think of it?"

  Boys always like brave and good fighting things, Zhang Yan smiled with a pursed lip, "You like it, that's good."

  Hu Gong equipped twelve Hu arrows, all of which had their arrowheads ground flat. Zhang Zhi drew his bow and nocked an arrow, then shot at a nearby cypress tree.

  A girl in yellow walked under the tree, suddenly heard a boy's exclamation not far away, "Oh no." She turned back abruptly. Then she saw a small arrow flying towards her face, and in a hurry, she raised her arm to block it. With a "thud", the tipless yellow birch arrow was stuck on her wrist through her wide sleeve, and fell to the ground with its force spent.

  For a moment everyone was stunned and stood there in silence.

  Zhang Yan first reacted and stared at her brother fiercely. She scolded, "If you're so reckless again, just stay home in the future. Don't go out anymore."

  Zhang Zhi shrank his neck, knowing he was in the wrong and didn't dare argue.

  Although that's the case, since her younger brother caused trouble, as his older sister she still has to take responsibility and apologize.

  Zhang Yan bowed to the girl in yellow and said, "My younger brother is mischievous, please forgive him." Her face was slightly embarrassed.

  The girl in yellow clothes stroked her sore wrist and bent down, saying, "Let him also shoot an arrow at me, and I won't hold it against him."

  Zhang Yan burst out laughing, took the yellow birch bow and arrow with both hands, and handed them over. She then pulled Zhang Zhi's hand to the front, pointing at him and saying, "Sister loves shooting, so shoot! If he yells in pain, he is not my brother."

  I've seen shameless people before, but never as shameless as this. The yellow-clothed girl held her bow and arrow with a stunned expression, unable to help but laugh too. She scolded, "I don't want him, he's so thick-skinned, such a small bow and arrow, where would it even hurt him?"

  "Sister, you're so bold, dare I ask who your respected father is?" Zhang Yan blinked and said, "My father is the Marquis of Xuanping."

  "It was actually Zhang's daughter from the Xuanping Marquis' residence," said the yellow-clad girl with a smile, "The Xuanping Marquis returned to his fiefdom two months ago. My father paid him a visit, but I didn't accompany him to pay respects to my sister. My surname is Sun, and my single-character given name is Wu. My father is the magistrate of Xuanping County."

  "As it happens, I just heard when I passed by that your sister wanted to try sugar gourds," she smiled and her face lit up like a spring breeze, "The chef in my house is best at making this, sister can come to my house to try some another day."

  A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, with a smile on her face that reveals a faint dimple, looks very sweet and warm.

  Sun Wu is the first friend Zhang Yan made after returning to Xuanping.

  In the past in Chang'an, Zhang Yan also had some friends of the same sex. Like Lü Yi, Chen Hu, and Cao's sister Ah Rui.

  People who are about the same age as me are still children, and those who are a bit older than me also treat me like a child, so we can't get along. They all come from noble families, and in Chang'an City, who isn't cunning and clever? When they meet, they exchange a few words and smile, but they're afraid of being misunderstood by the other person. Even thinking about it afterwards makes me feel tired.

  Only when they returned to the distant and peaceful Xuanping did they feel that every smile and frown was pure. Sun Ruo, who had inherited her family's learning, had read some books and was clever and perceptive, able to appreciate the subtleties of life. In Xuanping County, she was considered a top-notch young lady from a good family. The two of them would chat about trivial matters in the inner chambers, sharing a common language.

  Half a month later, Zhang Yan visited Sun's mansion.

  Xuanping County has less than 10,000 households, then the county's top official is called Zhang, with a salary of 500 stones. Although it can maintain a living for family members, it is far inferior to the comfort and luxury of being a hereditary marquis, with a residence inside the county government office, which has two courtyards.

  Sun Wu greeted Zhang Yan in front of the Angle Gate.

  The red skirt dyed with madder root fluttered in the summer breeze, gently swaying. Zhang Yan sighed and felt that time was passing too slowly, when would she also have such charm.

  "I'm so tired from playing the piano." Sun Wu smiled and stretched out her slender fingers, waving them in front of her eyes. "A Yan arrived just in time. I finally have a chance to catch my breath."

  As she walked up the corridor, Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I'd like to go pay my respects to your family's elders first."

  "It's unnecessary then." Sun Wu said with a smile.

  "It won't work." Zhang Yan shook her head firmly, "The ritual cannot be abolished."

  "Well," Sun Wu slightly curled his lips, "my mother should be in the main house now, I'll take you there."

  Mrs. Sun was a gentle woman dressed in dark, deep-colored clothes, with a bun as dull as her dress. Her face was slightly round, and when she smiled, dimples appeared, just like those of her pretty daughter.

  "It's not worthy of me." She was smiling at this time, steadily supporting Zhang Yan's hands that were making a bow and salute. After taking a look, she praised, "Indeed a clever and lovely child, the Marquis of Xuanping is very fortunate."

  She turned her face and instructed Sun Wu, "Take good care of Zhang's wife."

  "Yes, Mother." Sun Ruo replied softly.

  Sun Xun's boudoir was exquisite and compact. The furnishings were not expensive, but the owner had arranged them with great elegance. On the wall hung a lacquered zither.

  Sun Xun followed Zhang Yan's gaze to the guqin, sat down on the bamboo couch beside the desk and smiled. "Ah Yan, your family has a deep foundation in learning, you must have learned how to play the guqin?"

  Zhang Yan touched her nose, looking embarrassed, "In the past when I was in Chang'an, I learned some basics, but only knew some basic fingerings. After returning to Xuanping, my father had planned to invite a qin master for me, but these days the mansion has been busy, and he hasn't had time yet."

  "You can rest easy now. I can tell you something," Sun Wu smiled to himself, "My father used to love the zither and got acquainted with many zither players in the county. The best one was named Zhu Zhaodai. Now I'm studying under him."

  "Oh." Zhang Yan was taken aback for a moment.

  "A Yan wants to learn the piano." Sun Wu said, "I have an idea. My family only has one daughter too. Learning piano can be very monotonous. Why don't you come over and practice together? Two people can also make progress together."

  "Alright." Zhang Yan smiled, "I still need to go back and report to Father."

  There was a gentle knock at the door, and Mrs. Sun came in with a wicker tray, smiling and saying, "I heard that Zhang's wife loves to eat sugar-coated chestnuts, and it just so happens that we've just made some at home, I'll bring them over for Zhang's wife to try."

  Zhang Yan was overjoyed and nodded her head, saying "Thank you, Aunt." Xie You stepped forward to receive it and placed it on the table. The chestnut was dry and slightly warm, Zhang Yan peeled one and tasted it, exclaiming, "This flavor?"

  "How is it?" Sun Wu asked with a smile.

  "Not maltose."

  "Hmm." Sun Wu nodded, "It's rock sugar."

  At this time, the sugar cane is more expensive than maltose, but the taste is better than maltose. The chestnut in the mouth is hot and sweet, which makes people feel a different flavor.

  She also picked up a peeled chestnut, "Chestnuts are famous for their production in Yanji. The chestnuts from Yanji are more plump and sweet than ordinary ones. If they are freshly picked in September or October, just dry them in the sun for a few days on a sunny day, they will be sweet and delicious by themselves, without adding any sugar. In fact, the original flavor is the best."

  " Chestnuts are not good to eat too much." She put it in her mouth, her eyes slightly closed, and smiled, "When winter comes, there is a kind of fruit called 'zi ji guo' in Xuanping, the locals call it 'di li zi', its skin is black and thin, you can squeeze out water with just one pinch, it tastes sweet and fresh, as delicious as chestnuts, but more juicy, not as dry as chestnuts. Ah Yan will definitely like it when the time comes."

  "Hmm," Zhang Yan peeled a lot of chestnuts and smiled, "I'll definitely try some later."

  Returning to the Hou Mansion, at dinner time, Zhang Yan reported to Zhang Jue about the matter of learning to play the qin.

  Zhang Ao furrowed his brow and said, "With our family's status, we can invite a music teacher to come to the manor. Why must Yan'er go to someone else's home?"

  Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Although it's like that, I'm bored learning the guqin by myself. It's better to do it with someone else, then there will be some excitement." Zhang Ao nodded in agreement.

  On the third day, Zhang Yan hugged her zither and was sent by a family servant driving a carriage to Master Zhu's residence.

  In the music room, Master Zhu had already accepted Xuanping Hou's zither and said lightly, "You play a piece first and listen."

  Zhang Yan played a tune called "Spring Day".

  The way of the qin, more than half of it relies on practice. It's been too long since I last played, and the unfamiliarity in my fingerings can't be hidden from others. One piece comes out stumbling and stuttering, Zhang Yan's face turns slightly red, not daring to look at Master's lips pursed into a straight line.

  "Your skills are too poor." Master Zhu pointed out mercilessly, "Just by looking at your finger placement, it's clear that you're not mature enough, and many of them are wrong. A person who plays the piano without even mastering finger placement is like building a house without laying a foundation - on the day the house is built, it will collapse soon."

  Zhang Yan got up and said with a bow, "Please instruct me one by one, Master."

  Master Zhu taught her fingerings and finally said, "You just practice these fingerings first. When you master them, I will truly teach you to play the guqin."

  Zhang Yan's face turned pale with anger, from the moment she arrived in this era, no one had ever scolded her so severely, and involuntarily, it stirred up her temper, putting everything aside for the time being, focusing on playing the pipa.

  In the sixth month of summer, it was the hottest day of the year. On this day, Sun Wu went to the residence of Xuanping Hou as a guest and gathered at the Shui Pavilion.

  "That's right," she said, looking at Zhang Yan's posture while playing the guqin, "A Yan is making rapid progress, and in a little while, Master Zhu will be satisfied."

  "Uh-huh." She replied with a nod, instructing the servant to add tea leaves and millet.

  She ladled out two bowls of tea with a copper spoon and brought them over.

  "The flavor is too bland." Sun Wu said with a frown after taking a sip.

  "It's not that I don't like osmanthus, it's just that I asked her to put less millet in," Zhang Yan said. "I prefer the original taste of tea, and only when it's light can you bring out its flavor."

  "Is it?" Sun Wu took another sip, the tea was scalding hot, and the air still lingered with the unbearable heat of summer. Sweat gradually seeped out on both of their faces. Sun Wu glanced at Zhang Yan, took a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on her forehead, and suddenly exclaimed in admiration, "Ah Yan, your powder looks really good, even after sweating it doesn't smudge. It's still so refreshing and clean."

  Zhang Yan was taken aback, took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and smiled, "Originally, I could have given some to you. However, the cosmetics I'm using now are all sent by my maternal grandmother from Chang'an according to the season. I don't have any extras on hand."

  Before Huaiping, she handed over the recipes of various lip balms to Shaofu. Emperor Gao had passed away, and Empress Lü became the most noble and powerful woman in the Great Han. Her previous reasons were no longer applicable. Moreover, she never intended to keep those recipes for a lifetime.

  The cosmetics made by the eunuchs are even more exquisite, and they can serve them, which also saves some effort.

  Sun Xiang smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager really loves Ah Yan."

  She took the feather fan from the servant girl's hand and fanned it vigorously for a while. A small goose down flew out, making her cough uncontrollably. She pouted and complained, "I have a special physical condition, I can't touch things with feathers on them. It's even more unbearable when it's hot outside and I don't use the feather fan. On such a sweltering day, my hands are covered in sweat, but the more I fan myself, the hotter I feel. This is really not helpful."

  Zhang Yan heard this and thought for a moment with her head tilted, then smiled mysteriously, "I have an idea."

  Note: Jaggery is sucrose.

  The method of making sugar-fried chestnuts is to put sand in an iron pot, add maltose and heat it over the fire. Then, add the chestnuts and stir-fry until they are hot. After cooking, the chestnut shells turn reddish-brown. Once shelled, the fruit is loose, soft, fragrant, and sweet, making it a precious snack.

  China is the hometown of chestnuts, and the best quality is Yanjin. According to historical records: Yan Qin thousand tree chestnut, its people with thousands of households Hou etc. It can be seen that the output is rich.

  According to "Ji Zhen's Diary", Su Qin said that the people of Yan, although they did not farm, had enough chestnuts and hazelnuts. During the Tang Dynasty, Fan Yang was a tribute to the land. Now, in the markets of Yanjing, especially in autumn, they are stir-fried with miscellaneous stones and exploded. The chestnuts are slightly smaller than those in southern China, but their taste is quite sweet, and they are called "Yan chestnuts". From this, it can be seen that the chestnuts produced in Yan and Ji during the Warring States period were already famous.

  Also, everyone can guess what is the thing described in the text as "凫茈果".

  These two things are what I love to eat most!

  Looking for pink tickets. OO?