As the weather grew hotter, business at Xi Ning’s shop flourished.
The cold skin noodles seasoned with zanthoxylum oil and various other novel snacks had captured the taste buds of the people in the northern part of the city. Moreover, since her prices were affordable, many came to Xi’s Shop for all three meals of the day.
In the morning, they would have a bowl of savory minced meat noodles to whet their appetite; at noon, a serving of cold skin noodles; and in the evening, a bowl of crossing-the-bridge rice noodles.
Though the dishes were different, each was equally delicious. With so many variations, one could eat for over half a month without repeating a single dish.
Xi Ning grew lazy in the heat. With Nanny Su helping out at the shop, only she and Ren Dong were left at home. Feeling inspired, Xi Ning decided to whip up something tasty.
She ground glutinous rice into flour, mixed it with a little starch, sugar, and a bowl of milk, stirring until well combined.
In the Zhou Dynasty, milk was a rare delicacy. This bowl had been bought by Ren Dong only after scouring the entire northern part of the city.
After mixing thoroughly, she added half a spoonful of oil to the bowl and continued stirring until no dry flour particles remained.
She then steamed the mixture over high heat for two ke (approximately half an hour). Once steamed, it turned into a soft and springy glutinous rice cake.
After letting it cool, she kneaded it into a smooth and fine dough, rolled it into a long strip, spread a layer of sweet and soft red bean paste in the middle, wrapped both sides around it, sealed the edges tightly, and cut it into evenly sized pieces. And just like that, the glutinous rice cold cake was ready.
Xi Ning took out a few pieces and had Ren Dong hang the rest above the well water to chill. Without a refrigerator, well water was the best cooling method available.
The glutinous rice was soft, chewy, and springy, while the red bean paste was smooth and sweet—a perfect dessert for beating the summer heat.
Xi Ning ate several pieces with sour plum juice before her craving was satisfied.
Ren Dong, however, was different. With her hearty appetite, she ate much more. Aside from the chilled ones, she finished all the rest.
As she swallowed the last bite, the soft, sweet flavor of the red bean paste lingered on her tongue.
“Miss, even if we don’t sell meals, just selling these pastries would make us a fortune.”
No one could match their young lady’s culinary skills. Once accustomed to her cooking, no one else’s food could compare.
Xi Ning smiled faintly. She did have thoughts of opening a pastry shop, but for now, she didn’t have enough money or manpower. Opening a shop would have to wait until later.
As the master and servant chatted idly, the courtyard gate suddenly knocked.
“Chang Lin, it’s you? Is Third Master here too?”
Ren Dong went to open the door and saw Chang Lin outside. She leaned out, looking around with hopeful eyes.
Third Master had been visiting so frequently lately—was he planning to bring their young lady into the mansion?
Chang Lin’s expression stiffened, and he smiled awkwardly.
“Third Master has been busy with official duties lately and doesn’t have time to visit the young lady. Once he’s free, he’ll come over.”
His words were half-truths. Pei Zhao was indeed busy, but whether he would visit Xi Ning after finishing his work was another matter.
However, his master had indeed grown more attentive toward Miss Xi. As a servant, Chang Lin felt he could guess a fraction of his master’s thoughts.
Besides, hadn’t his master sent him here to deliver food to Miss Xi?
“Miss, these are loquats and cherries sent from the estate. Third Master was thinking of you and specifically asked me to bring them over.”
“Oh?”
Hearing there was fruit to eat, Xi Ning’s eyes lit up. As for Pei Zhao missing her, she paid it no mind.
Their relationship was purely contractual. Rather than believing Pei Zhao missed her, it was more plausible to think he was repaying her for the previous meal.
Unbeknownst to her, Xi Ning had guessed correctly.Only the finest goods could be presented before Pei Zhao. In her previous life, Xi Ning had always loved loquats and cherries. The fruits in the basket were plump and full, bursting with juice and offering a refreshing sweetness. Xi Ning ate several in a row before finally stopping.
She wiped the juice from her fingertips with a handkerchief and smiled at Chang Lin.
“Please thank your master for me. I really like these fruits.”
In the two or three months since she had arrived here, this was the first time she had eaten fruit.
“If the young lady likes them, that’s all that matters. Third Master said that if you want to eat them, just say the word. There are plenty more at the estate.”
Of course, this was another lie. Loquat and cherry trees were difficult to cultivate, and even the Pei family estate only had two of each. The fruits harvested each year were divided among the various households, leaving little to spare.
But Third Master didn’t care for fruit, so this year’s share was all sent to Xi Ning.
However, Pei Zhao had instructed Chang Lin not to mention this, claiming it was to prevent Xi Ning from becoming spoiled by favoritism. Chang Lin thought to himself that whether Xi Ning would become spoiled was uncertain, but his master’s tsundere nature was undeniable.
“Alright. I’ve made some glutinous rice cold cakes. They’re quite appetizing in this hot weather. Third Master works hard with his official duties and should take care of his health.”
Having received a basket of fruit, Xi Ning added a few more pleasant words.
Chang Lin beamed with joy. “Ah, the pastries made by Miss Xi are sure to please Third Master!”
……
Duke’s Mansion.
Today was Pei Zhao’s day off. He usually disliked going out and preferred to stay home reading when not on duty. Chang Lin returned in the afternoon, the summer heat still lingering. The chirping of birds outside inexplicably irritated him.
“Third Master, Miss Xi sent you some pastries in return—something called glutinous rice cold cakes. She said they’re refreshing and appetizing, almost as if she made them especially for you.”
Chang Lin lied without batting an eye, having sweet-talked one side and now the other. He was wearing himself out for the sake of these two.
“Bring them here.”
Hearing that Xi Ning had specially made pastries for him, Pei Zhao’s furrowed brow relaxed.
He had always thought that woman had designs on him—first teasing his palm, then touching him there, and now making food for him. Wasn’t it all just to curry favor and enter the Duke’s Mansion?
Pei Zhao had never been particularly interested in women before, but now, having encountered Xi Ning, he found himself somewhat intrigued.
If she could remain this obedient and sensible, he wouldn’t mind taking her into the mansion.
The cold cakes were arranged on a celadon plate, plump and white, looking quite appetizing.
Pei Zhao had a sweet tooth, though he had never admitted it to anyone.
However, he was picky. Whether it was the chefs in the Duke’s Mansion or pastries sold outside, they were all too cloyingly sweet. He could barely take a bite before losing interest.
But Xi Ning’s were different. The red bean paste retained its natural sweetness, while the glutinous rice and milk balanced the flavor. Moreover, the cakes were cool and refreshing, soothing the irritation stirred by the birdsong.
Pei Zhao held a cold cake in one hand while flipping through the pages of a book with the other, squinting with contentment.
“Uncle, what delicious thing are you eating?”
The twins from the eldest branch slipped over.
The chubby one speaking was the older brother, who loved food more than anything and would ask anyone he saw eating.
Pei Qi clung to the doorframe, poking his head in, his eyes fixed intently on the cold cake in Pei Zhao’s hand, a few drops of drool glistening at the corner of his mouth.
Pei Zhao felt a pang of guilt, as if caught sneaking a treat. He set the cold cake down and cleared his throat lightly.
“What brings you two here? Have you finished your studies?”Although Pei Zhao wore a cold expression, Pei Qi was not at all afraid of his uncle. His chubby little body stepped over the threshold, and he did not forget to turn back and help his sister. The two little ones walked over to Pei Zhao, tiptoeing as they tried to climb onto him.
Their clumsy efforts made Pei Zhao’s brow twitch. He picked them up one by one and placed them on his knees.
Pei Qi’s eyes never left the chilled cake as he sucked on his finger and said,
“Qiqi and little sister missed Third Uncle.”