Xi Ning’s attitude was firm, and Nanny Su and the others, fearing she might truly send them away, hurriedly begged for mercy.
“Miss, this old servant knows she was wrong. I promise not to speak out of turn again. Please don’t send us away.”
“Yes, Miss. If I ever talk nonsense again, you can punish me by not letting me eat for a day… no, three days!”
Ren Dong loved food more than anything, so this punishment was even more severe to her than the eighteen tortures. The fact that she could suggest going without food for three days showed how truly frightened she was.
“Hmm, just this once. Both of you are my people, and I hope from now on you’ll only listen to me.”
She was not Pei Zhao’s subordinate and did not want her servants constantly thinking about how she should please him. What she wanted was to establish a foothold in this era with the two of them by her side.
Xi Ning’s expression remained stern, and Nanny Su and the others nodded repeatedly. “Miss, don’t worry. We’ll definitely remember this time!”
“Good, go eat.”
……
For dinner, Pei Zhao couldn’t bring himself to eat the Green Dumplings. Chang Lin thought his master disliked them because they had gone cold and was about to throw them away, so he waited eagerly nearby, hoping to snatch them up. To his surprise, Pei Zhao carefully handed them over to the cook.
“Heat them up tomorrow morning. I’ll take them to the Eastern Palace.”
He served at the Eastern Palace, where lunch was provided, but Pei Zhao still preferred to have breakfast at home.
It was the cook’s first time seeing Green Dumplings. The round, soft, and chewy pastries looked absolutely delicious.
She wanted to ask what they were made of, but seeing Pei Zhao’s cold expression, she held her tongue.
Forget it. Third Master had traveled far and wide and surely had seen many things. These pastries were probably made by some master chef, or else their Third Master wouldn’t treasure them so much.
Chang Lin, who had been hoping to taste them, was disappointed. In the past, Third Master would never have acted like this—someone who didn’t even care for delicacies from land and sea was now treating a few pastries like treasures.
Ah, it seemed that Miss Xi was truly remarkable.
They say that to win a man’s heart, you must first win his stomach. Now that their master’s stomach had been captured, was his heart far behind?
Perhaps this Miss Xi would one day become his mistress.
Chang Lin had heard about the agreement between Pei Zhao and Xi Ning, but he always felt things wouldn’t be that simple. Their master never let go of the things he liked easily.
And that Miss Xi was clearly a special presence.
The next day, as dawn broke, lights were already lit in the third household of the Duke’s residence.
After washing up and changing his clothes, Pei Zhao was handed the reheated Green Dumplings by Chang Lin.
Although the Green Dumplings had been reheated, their flavor remained fresh and delicious. On the still chilly spring morning, they brought a sweet and comforting warmth.
Pei Zhao picked up the bamboo basket, lifted the hem of his robe, and mounted his horse. The morning light gradually brightened, and many vendors on the streets of the capital had already begun setting up their stalls. The sounds of hawking filled the air—this was likely what they called the warmth of human life.
The clip-clop of hooves echoed on the bluestone bricks, and the bamboo basket at Pei Zhao’s side swayed gently. The Green Dumplings were still warm, their heat seeping through the basket and into his skin, lifting Pei Zhao’s spirits.
Many people had already arrived at the Eastern Palace. When Pei Zhao entered, a young man with delicate features and a lively demeanor waved at him.
“Third Brother! Over here!”
Pei Zhao frowned, showing a look of disdain as if he didn’t want to see him, which made the young man clutch his chest in mock heartbreak.
“Third Brother, I specially had my family’s cook prepare breakfast for you—meat pies, his specialty! And you still look down on me!”This young gentleman was exceptionally handsome, his furrowed brow enough to stir pity in anyone’s heart. However, Pei Zhao was cold and unfeeling; moreover, he was accustomed to this man’s antics and would never believe his words.
He pressed his fingertips against the young gentleman’s shoulder, pushing him away, then carefully placed the bamboo basket on the table.
“No need, I brought my own.”
“Huh? You actually brought breakfast too.” The young gentleman, Shen Ji, tilted his head to look over.
Though he was two years younger than Pei Zhao, his temperament was lively and unrestrained. While others feared Pei Zhao’s cold demeanor, Shen Ji persistently clung to him, eventually securing a place by Pei Zhao’s side through sheer audacity.
He had a sweet tooth and never went without snacks while on duty, always bringing breakfast and pastries from home. But this was the first time Pei Zhao had brought food.
Curious about what Pei Zhao had brought, Shen Ji stared intently at the bamboo basket.
Pei Zhao hadn’t eaten anything that morning and was already hungry with an empty stomach. He lifted the lid of the bamboo basket and took out the Green Dumplings inside.
On a white jade plate lay five plump, round Green Dumplings, looking utterly appetizing.
The Green Dumplings had been warmed in the morning and still retained a hint of warmth, making them perfect to eat now.
Shen Ji had never seen such a fresh delicacy before. The sweet aroma made his mouth water uncontrollably.
“Third Brother, what flavor is this? Let me try one—I’ll trade you my meat pie!”
As he spoke, he tried to shove his meat pie toward Pei Zhao, but Pei Zhao sidestepped, subtly shielding the plate in front of him.
“No need, keep it for yourself.”
“Then let me try one of these green dumplings.”
Shen Ji, like Pei Zhao, was the youngest in his family, but unlike Pei Zhao, he was an expert at throwing tantrums and pestering others. Most people couldn’t outlast his persistence, and even Pei Zhao found him a headache.
“Only one.”
“Fine, I want the biggest one!”
Seeing Pei Zhao finally relent, Shen Ji’s face instantly brightened. Afraid Pei Zhao might change his mind, he quickly snatched one from the plate and popped it into his mouth.
“Mmm! So sweet and chewy!”
He happened to get one with Bean Paste Filling. The dough, made from Artemisia Juice mixed with glutinous rice, enveloped the sweet, soft, and sticky bean paste. The freshly warmed bean paste was so tender and sweet it seemed about to melt, almost oozing juice in his mouth.
Shen Ji loved sweets the most, and this Bean Paste Filling Green Dumpling was not cloying at all, perfectly suited to his taste.
He finished it in two bites, the lingering sweetness on his tongue leaving him unsatisfied.
Shen Ji licked his lips, rubbing his hands together as he looked at Pei Zhao with a fawning expression.
“Third Brother, give me another one, please? Even half is fine—I didn’t really taste it properly just now.”
Pei Zhao’s face darkened as he protectively held the plate against his chest. No matter how much Shen Ji pestered him, he refused to relent.
“Stingy! I offered you my meat pie, and you have five but only gave me one!”
Shen Ji felt wronged. He and Pei Zhao were so close, yet Pei Zhao wouldn’t even share a pastry with him. His heart was breaking.
But Pei Zhao paid no attention to his antics, quietly savoring the delicious food.
The fresh meat was savory and flavorful, while the dried meat floss was salty and appetizing. Shen Ji couldn’t help but swallow his saliva, his words of accusation dying in his throat.
“Third Brother, then at least tell me where you bought this pastry. I’ll have my family servant go buy some, alright?”
“They weren’t bought.”
No one else could make such delicious food.
“Not bought? Then was it made by the Pei family’s chef?”
Pei Zhao didn’t reply, and Shen Ji felt he had guessed correctly.
Resting his chin on his hand, his fingers rubbing his jaw, a glint of cunning flashed in his round, clear eyes.When did the Pei family’s cook become so skilled? No, he had to find an opportunity to poach this person. Then he could enjoy such delicious pastries every day in the future.
Unaware that someone was planning to poach his cook, Pei Zhao swallowed the last bite. He also felt a pang of regret, wondering if he would ever have the chance to taste such exquisite food again.