Chapter 52: Such Magic? (Second Update)

Chen Xiaofu was unaware that Xu Zizhou had once harbored a passionate secret affection for his grandmother.

He had assumed that Xu Zizhou’s early arrival in Lin’an, accompanied by his twelve disciples over a year ahead of schedule, was merely for a study tour.

The Lin’an Academy was home to his old friend, Master Jiang.

His grandfather, Chen Linyuan, had also met him in Jiqing during their youth.

Scholars such as these always had friends across the land. At his age, returning to the Great Zhou and reuniting with old comrades to reminisce was only natural.

Yet, his grandfather seemed to harbor a dislike for him.

That was understandable—scholars often looked down upon one another in the past, and even after so many years, his grandfather had not let go of that sentiment.

Chen Xiaofu had expected his grandfather would eventually welcome the venerable scholar Xu inside, but after waiting for a while, no such guests arrived.

Instead, Er Gouzi came rushing back, carrying two baskets.

One basket was filled with waxberries, the other held two large watermelons.

"Young Master, I’ll wash these waxberries and put the watermelons in the well to chill," he said eagerly.

"Yes, wash them, but no need to chill them. Bring them here once washed," Chen Xiaofu replied.

"By the way, did you see Grandpa or any other elder at the gate?"

"No, Young Master. Only Old Huang is at the door," Er Gouzi responded.

Chen Xiaofu pondered for a moment. "Go fetch Cuihong with two basins, one large and one small. Have Dazhu bring me the ground frost we’ve been collecting these past days."

"Got it!"

Er Gouzi left the pavilion, and An Xiaowei removed her veil, exhaling deeply.

"The summers in Jiangnan are much hotter than in the capital. Isn’t it better to put watermelons in the well to cool before eating them?"

Chen Xiaofu grinned.

"I’ll treat you to chilled watermelon and chilled waxberries later!"

An Xiaowei’s eyes widened instantly.

Ice was not unknown in summer, but it existed only within the palace!

In winter, the Ministry of Works sent craftsmen and palace eunuchs to harvest ice from Yanqi Lake in the imperial gardens outside the capital.

They would cut large, perfectly shaped blocks of ice, which laborers transported by mule carts to the palace for storage in ice cellars, only to be taken out in summer by order of Her Majesty the Empress.

Occasionally, the Empress would grant a piece or two of ice to a favored minister—a tremendous honor.

Among common folk, ice was utterly unattainable in such scorching summers.

Not long ago, when Chen Xiaofu mentioned making ice in such heat, it seemed a mere fantasy.

But now...

"An, are you really trying to make ice?"

Beside them, Liang Jingru spat out a cherry pit and shot Chen Xiaofu a skeptical glance.

"Making ice? Is that even possible?"

"If you claim to be the God of Literature incarnate, that’s one thing. But can you truly turn summer into winter?"

"Do you expect to see snowflakes fluttering down in an instant?"

"If so, you’d be a deity indeed!"

"I should kneel before you then!"

Chen Xiaofu laughed heartily.

"Illiteracy is truly frightening!"

---

"I may not be able to turn summer into winter, nor transform blazing sun into snowflakes, but I can indeed create ice!"

"Tch!"

Liang Jingru twisted her slender neck, her expression suddenly quite alluring.

"Then I’d like to see that closely... If you really can make ice, when you come to the capital, I’ll invite you to Lou Shang Lou for the finest banquet!"

Anlai had already turned away.

He glanced at Chen Xiaofu and suddenly said, "Lou Shang Lou’s dishes are quite good, especially the stir-fried phoenix tongue... Oh wait, I think they renamed it stir-fried sparrow tongue later. That dish is excellent."

Chen Xiaofu was surprised. "You’ve been to the capital?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"When I was seven. When Her Majesty the Empress moved the capital to Jicheng, my master took me there."

"...You remember that?"

"My memory’s decent."

"What did you do there?"

Anlai pondered briefly. "Moving the capital is a major event. On Shangfang Mountain, about a hundred miles outside Jicheng, there is an ancient Taoist temple called Shangfang Temple."

"The Empress invited its abbot to preside over a grand ritual to bless the Great Zhou and its people, the Luotian Dazhan Ceremony."

"Though Wuji Temple is small, it’s listed among the seventy-two Taoist temples."

"The Luotian Dazhan is grand and requires many Taoists. Invited by the abbot of Shangfang Temple, my master took me to the capital."

"After the ceremony, my master secretly took me to Lou Shang Lou, where we had three dishes costing 123 taels of silver."

"If you truly manage to make ice... sooner or later you’re bound to visit the capital. If I’m to protect you, I’ll accompany you. In that case, let this heroine take us to Lou Shang Lou for a proper feast!"

Liang Jingru felt no sense of being cheated; rather, she was secretly delighted.

"Naturally, no problem there. But... do you really believe he can make ice?"

Anlai did not hesitate. "I believe it."

"Why?"

"Instinct."

---

In a large basin was half-filled water.

In a smaller basin, also half-filled with water.

An Xiaowei put on her veil again, staring unblinkingly at the basins on the table.

Liang Jingru, forgetting to eat her cherries, watched with intense curiosity.

Though still skeptical, she secretly hoped for a miracle.

Just like this fellow who had fooled everyone for years but suddenly astonished them all.

Outside the pavilion, Er Gouzi and Dazhu craned their necks to watch.

Cuihong stood behind An Xiaowei, her face full of astonishment.

Anlai had stepped inside the pavilion, standing behind Chen Xiaofu.

Chen Xiaofu leisurely rolled up his sleeves and slowly poured the “ground frost” from a jar into the large basin.

---

As he poured, he stirred with a stick.

Soon, everyone’s eyes widened—

They were very close to the basin!

As the water gradually clouded, they distinctly felt a chill emanating from it!

Liang Jingru, still in disbelief, reached out her hand above the basin.

There was indeed a coolness—growing steadily stronger!

After a moment, a thin layer of ice slowly formed on the water’s surface right before their eyes!

Chen Xiaofu set down the jar.

Moments later, the ice thickened, and even the water in the smaller basin began to show signs of freezing.

Although not fully frozen, the small basin’s water had turned into icy cold water.

"Cuihong, have someone cut the watermelon flesh into cubes, then squeeze half through a cloth to extract the juice."

"Also, bring a pot, put in the waxberries, add a little white sugar, and deliver it quickly!"

Cuihong hesitated. "Young Master, what is white sugar?"

"......"

White sugar did not yet exist in this world.

"Use a little honey instead."

"Yes!"

"Also bring some cups!"

Cuihong hurried away and soon returned with two maids.

Chen Xiaofu poured the icy water into two pots.

He shook them gently, then took two cups and poured chilled water into each, placing them before An Xiaowei.

"This is chilled watermelon juice, and this is chilled waxberry juice."

"Try them."

An Xiaowei lifted the cup of watermelon juice, lifted her veil, and took a small sip. The sweet, cool drink slid down her throat, and her eyes immediately brightened. She drank a large gulp.

She looked at Chen Xiaofu, eyes gleaming with joy.

"So refreshing! So delicious!"

Liang Jingru swallowed hard. "I want some too!"

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the pavilion: "What are you all gathered around for?"

Chen Linyuan and Xu Zizhou entered directly.

Cuihong and the other servants bowed and withdrew.

The two sat down at the table, their gaze falling upon the basin.

Their aged eyes widened instantly.

"This is... ice?"