In the summer of the 21st century, getting a glass of iced water is not a difficult task.

Basically, you can buy icy cold drinks at any convenience store on the street.

However, in the ancient Great Song era, wanting to drink a bowl of iced sour plum soup in the summer was not so easy.

One wonders whether this old man's family has an ice cellar, or if they use sal ammoniac to make ice?

The heat-absorbing capability of sal ammoniac was discovered in the Late Tang period; when dissolved in water, it absorbs a large amount of heat, lowering the water temperature and even freezing it.

Since then, sal ammoniac ice-making gradually became a method for producing ice in ancient Huaxia.

Now, hundreds of years later, the technology of making ice from sal ammoniac has become extremely advanced and has been popularized among the common people.

However, sometimes sal ammoniac is not easy to find, so some ordinary households use glauberite—from Old Eight Restaurant—scraped off like that.

Of course.

This shop, at present, is neither too big nor too small.

Even if they use sal ammoniac to make ice, the source of the materials clearly wouldn't be so filthy.

Meanwhile.

Feeling the icy rim of the bowl, Xu Yun had a sudden and inexplicable stir in his mind.

It was as if something fleetingly flashed through his mind that he wanted to grasp but couldn't hold onto.

Before he could think deeply, his thoughts were interrupted by Yongzhu's loud voice beside him.

"Damn, this feels amazing!"

He saw Yongzhu and the others drink half a bowl of their sour plum soup, wiping the corner of their mouths happily and exhaling the summer heat.

Perhaps the chill reached their hearts, one of the servants couldn't help but sigh softly and complain:

"Ah, the weather is getting hotter and hotter these days."

Upon hearing this, Yongzhu lifted his eyelids and glanced at him, sneering:

"Now? It's not too bad now. In another ten days or so, you'll find it hard to sleep even at night! Just put up with it for two more months and it'll be better."

Perhaps the word "endure" struck a sensitive spot in everyone's heart, for the atmosphere at the scene visibly turned somber.

Another servant with a blue birthmark on his face was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"Brother Yongzhu, I heard the master is only preparing to take a few people back to Jingkou this time?"

Yongzhu nodded, took up the clay bowl, and sipped again:

"This time, the master will take a dozen people back to Jingkou, while the rest will stay in Bianjing with Young Master Si. Considering the master's age now... there might not be many more trips in the future."

The servant with the blue birthmark asked again:

"Then, Brother Yongzhu, are you planning to follow the master or...?"

Yongzhu's eyes slightly lowered, and he sighed:

"Compared to Young Master Si and the master... sigh, if it weren't for my parents being so aged, I would certainly follow the master back to Jingkou."

Having said that, he glanced at Xu Yun, unsure if the invitation had left a good impression, the man continued to speak:

"Wang Mazi, these days you should visit Old Chief Steward more often.

The master is a truly good person. Now that you have no one to rely on, if you can follow the master back to Jingkou, at least you'll have somewhere to go, and leaving this sorrowful place is a good thing.

In the future, renting a few acres of poor farmland, marrying a wife, and spending the rest of your life in peace."

Xu Yun: "..."

I understand the reasoning, but what on earth is this "sorrowful place"?

But, all things considered, Yongzhu's words revealed quite a bit of information:

It's clear.

Old Su is already preparing to return to Jingkou.

Historically, Old Su indeed returned to Jingkou during the summer, but the history books don't record the specific time, only mentioning 'this year summer' in three words.

Judging by Yongzhu's words.

If all goes well, Old Su may officially set off in one to two weeks.

This is undoubtedly very important information. As mentioned earlier, from any perspective, Old Su must stay in Bianjing.

If there's really no opportunity in the next few days, Xu Yun will have to consider stirring up some big news.

After the four briefly chatted a bit more, Xu Yun settled the bill, and they continued their journey.

The layout of Bianjing City is very similar to today's Junyi, with not much change:

The dark and thick Imperial Street shoots straight to the heart of the Vermilion Bird Gate. Once inside and turning right, it's South Gate Street and Daxiangguo Temple.

Yes, back then, Granny Liu once uprooted a willow tree here.

This area is also the most prosperous part of Bianjing, during the day it's still alright, but once the night falls, various painted boats will drift on the Bian River, welcoming distinguished guests.

After passing through this area, Xu Yun and the others walked a long distance again.

Finally arriving in front of a courtyard bearing the plaque of 'Li Mansion'.

This courtyard is newer compared to Old Su's courtyard, the red paint on the door looks freshly applied, and two stone lions stand guard on either side of the gate.

The Song Dynasty was a period of rapid development for stone lions; besides squatting lions and reclining lions, a special feature—tufts—also formed.

During this period.

The tufts on stone lions placed at imperial palaces numbered 13; first-grade officials had 12, second-grade had 11, decreasing accordingly, and seventh-grade officials had six tufts.

No one else could use tufts on lions in front of their homes; this method also distinguished officials' lions from those of the common people.

Li Gefei's current official rank is fifth grade, so the stone lions in front of his home bear eight tufts.

Following Yongzhu's lead, the four of them went to a side gate and knocked on the door knocker.

After a moment.

Clack——

A board on the upper half of the side door was moved aside, revealing a pair of eyes:

"Who is it?"

Yongzhu cleared his throat and signaled Xu Yun to take out a visiting card, saying:

"We are the horses of the Counselor to the Crown Prince, granted by Your Majesty under Duke Zhao's banner. Last month, our master agreed with Lord Chief Steward to borrow books today, so we are specially sent to present the document. Please inform your elder."

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