Take the most tender chive buds of spring, blanch them in boiling water, then chop them finely. In a celadon bowl, crack a few eggs, add the chopped chives, sprinkle in a little salt, and mix well.
Heat oil in a pan, pour in the chive and egg mixture, and fry over medium-low heat until both sides are golden brown. The eggs wrap around the faint fragrance of the leaves, instantly wafting into the nostrils.
“So fragrant!”
Although Pei Zhao and the others were standing in the courtyard, the outer courtyard was not large, and the aroma had long since spread everywhere.
Chang Lin hadn’t eaten yet. When he caught the scent from the kitchen, he took a deep breath. He had no idea how Miss Xi had made it, but the smell was truly enticing.
Pei Zhao didn’t speak, but his Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed.
Even though he had just eaten a bowl of wonton noodles, he was already hungry again.
“Third Master, please try this and see if it suits your taste.”
Xi Ning cut the fried chive pancake into equal-sized pieces, arranged them on a plate, and served it to Pei Zhao. The white round plate set off the golden and green chive pancake, making it irresistible.
Chives are something people either love or hate—those who like them adore them, while those who don’t can’t stand a single bite. Xi Ning didn’t know which category Pei Zhao and his servant fell into.
“Thank you.”
Pei Zhao accepted the plate. He was indeed picky, and few foods in the world could win his favor. However, after tasting Xi Ning’s wonton noodles, Pei Zhao had some expectations for this chive pancake.
The outside of the pancake was fried to a golden crispiness, and each bite was filled with savory fragrance. The distinctive aroma of the chives was perfectly balanced by the eggs, leaving only tenderness, freshness, and flavor.
“Delicious!”
With his master’s permission, Chang Lin took half the plate. After just one bite, he was completely won over by the taste of the chive pancake.
“Miss Xi, I never expected your cooking to be this good! Even the chefs of the Pei family can’t compare to you!”
His mouth stuffed full, he gave Xi Ning a thumbs-up.
Xi Ning smiled at him, then turned her gaze to Pei Zhao, wondering if he liked it.
Pei Zhao naturally did, but he was accustomed to concealing his emotions. Even if he loved it inside, he maintained a calm expression on the surface.
Seeing Xi Ning look at him, Pei Zhao swallowed the food in his mouth, then parted his thin lips and uttered two words.
“Acceptable.”
“Pfft! Cough, cough!”
If Chang Lin hadn’t seen how his master devoured the wonton noodles, he might have believed him when he said “acceptable.” But Pei Zhao was so picky that he had even finished the soup, which showed just how much he enjoyed Xi Ning’s cooking.
Now, in front of her, he was putting on airs.
Chang Lin coughed uncontrollably, drawing the attention of both Pei Zhao and Xi Ning. Pei Zhao’s gaze, in particular, carried a pressure that nearly suffocated Chang Lin.
“Cough, cough! This humble servant accidentally choked, I didn’t mean to interrupt the master’s words…”
“I’ll get you some water.”
Seeing him cough so violently, Xi Ning no longer had the mind to focus on Pei Zhao and turned to enter the kitchen.
Once she was gone, Pei Zhao glared at Chang Lin, who was shrinking like a quail. “You’ll face punishment when we return.”
“Third Master…” Chang Lin nearly cried.
“What delicious food has the young lady made today? It smells so good!”
Just then, the voice of a young maid came from outside. Nanny Su and Ren Dong had returned from selling wonton noodles.
“Huh? Why is there a carriage blocking the way? Could it be that Third Master has come?”
Their young lady had no relatives or friends, and the only one who could afford a carriage was Third Master. Ren Dong had been hoping for Third Master’s visit every day, and now that he was finally here, her round face lit up with joy.
But compared to her excitement, Nanny Su’s face turned pale.
“Nanny?”Ren Dong’s smile faded at the sight. “Nanny, Third Master is here. Aren’t you happy?”
In the past, Nanny Su would have been delighted, but now they were secretly running a business behind Pei Zhao’s back. If Pei Zhao were to become angry and reject their mistress, Nanny Su felt her legs go weak just thinking about it.
“Hurry, hurry inside!”
The two of them pushed the door open in a fluster and immediately spotted the man in the courtyard. Who else could it be but Pei Zhao?
“Third Master!”
Only Pei Zhao and his servant were in the courtyard, with no sign of Xi Ning. Nanny Su’s heart burned with anxiety, fearing that her mistress had angered him and been punished.
Nanny Su didn’t dare ask, only fretting helplessly. Fortunately, Xi Ning emerged from the kitchen at that moment.
“Nanny and Ren Dong are back! Quickly put down the stall and rest. There’s hot water on the stove—help yourselves.”
Her smiling face showed no signs of punishment, and Nanny Su, relieved to see she was fine, let out a sigh.
“Ah, this old servant will do so right away.”
Pei Zhao observed the interaction between the three. Half a year ago, when he had left, Xi Ning had been indifferent to these two servants. Yet in just six months, they were getting along so harmoniously. Had Xi Ning changed, or had he never truly understood this woman?
Pei Zhao lowered his gaze, concealing his doubts beneath his eyes.
As long as this woman remained obedient and fulfilled her duties, her true nature mattered little to him.
“Here are five hundred taels of silver. Take it and use it as needed. If anything comes up in the future, you can always go to the Duke’s residence to find Chang Lin.”
Pei Zhao took out several banknotes and handed them to her.
He still minded that Xi Ning hadn’t sought his help, preferring to set up a stall herself.
She was his woman. If Pei Zhao, the Third Master of the Pei family, couldn’t even support a woman, he would become the laughingstock of the capital.
This time, Xi Ning didn’t refuse. She and Pei Zhao now had a mutually beneficial relationship—she helped him with his affairs, and it was only right for her to receive some compensation.
“Thank you, Third Master.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing her accept the banknotes, Pei Zhao’s expression softened.
“It’s getting late. We still have a journey ahead of us. If anything happens, send word to the Duke’s residence.”
He reminded her once more, and Xi Ning nodded with a smile. “I understand. Don’t worry, Third Master.”
If she ever encountered something she couldn’t handle on her own, she certainly wouldn’t stubbornly endure it. Moreover, running a food business meant there might be troublemakers someday, and the Duke’s residence was indeed a reliable backer.
Pei Zhao nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave with Chang Lin.
Suddenly remembering something, Xi Ning called out to stop them, dashed into the kitchen, and returned with a bamboo basket.
“These are Green Dumplings I made. Take them with you for the journey, Third Master.”
Pei Zhao had given her five hundred taels of silver, and she didn’t feel right letting him leave empty-handed. Coincidentally, she had made a pot of Green Dumplings that morning and could share a few with him to try.
“Very well.”
His slender fingers reached out to take the basket. It wasn’t large, and as he extended his hand, Xi Ning’s fingertips brushed against his palm.
The woman’s hand was as soft as she was, her warm fingertips grazing his palm like a spark of fire.
Pei Zhao’s fingers abruptly clenched, capturing that fleeting warmth in his grasp.
The woman still wore her charming, innocent expression, her eyes clear and untroubled, clearly unbothered by the brief contact.
A shadow flickered in Pei Zhao’s eyes, and an inexplicable surge of irritation rose within him. Without even a word of farewell, he turned and strode out to the carriage.
Chang Lin was baffled. Just moments ago, his master had seemed pleased—why had he suddenly become angry?
Could it be that he didn’t like the Green Dumplings?
If so, that would be a good thing.
I wonder if I could ask for them instead.Thinking of the taste of scrambled eggs with Chinese toon, Chang Lin began craving those Green Dumplings again, not even noticing his master’s slightly hurried footsteps.
“Hurry the carriage!”