Сhaptеr 14: Сrоss-Вridgе Rice Noоdlеs
“Third Mаster?”
Pеi Zhао wаs аbоut to lеаvе with Сhang Lin when hе was suddenly cаllеd out.
Хi Ning hаd initiаllу thоught her еуеs were рlаying triсks on her—how сould Рei Zhao аpрeаr hеre? Yet аs she apрrоасhed, she rеаlizеd it trulу was him.
“What brings уou tо the north оf the citу? Is it officiаl business?”
Xi Ning didn’t havе thе vаnity tо think Рei Zhao hаd cоmе to seе her shoр’s oреning. Вesidеs, she hadn’t tоld him about ореning a shop, so official business wаs thе only reasоn shе could think of.
Реi Zhao maintained an aloof and dignified demeanor, giving a slight nod. “Mm.”
“Then I won’t delay your important matters, Third Master. Please go ahead.”
“…”
Her eagerness to shoo him away nearly made Pei Zhao laugh in exasperation. He was her master, after all—not only did she not try to curry favor, but she was even driving him away.
He had intended to leave, but now he decided against it.
“Is this your shop?”
He spoke in a low voice, his gaze falling inside the store.
Xi Ning glanced back. The shop was now filled with people, bustling with the lively chatter of ordinary folks from the north of the city—a world apart from the man standing before her.
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I enjoy experimenting with food. Since you gave me fifty taels of silver last time, I used it to open this shop.”
She had offered a bit of flattery, but Pei Zhao wasn’t pleased.
This woman had used the silver he gave her to open a shop, yet she didn’t even invite him in for a meal. It felt as though she was discarding him after using him.
“Mm, the cold skin noodles last time were quite good.”
They had lingered in his thoughts for days, and even now, the memory made his mouth water.
“Shall I make some more for you, Third Master?”
The words slipped out before Xi Ning could stop herself, and she immediately regretted them.
Pei Zhao had tasted all manner of delicacies—his praise was surely just casual remarks.
“If Third Master is busy—”
“Alright.”
“Ah?”
Pei Zhao agreed too quickly, leaving Xi Ning’s words stuck in her throat, neither spoken nor swallowed.
“Get in the carriage. I’ll take you back.”
Pei Zhao naturally wouldn’t queue up in the shop, and besides, he only liked what Xi Ning made.
Knowing she couldn’t refuse, Xi Ning followed Pei Zhao and stepped onto the carriage footrest.
The man’s hand steadied her arm. Her spring attire was thin, and the warmth of his palm seeped through the fabric to her skin, sending a shiver through her body.
“Third Master?”
Pei Zhao had actually taken the initiative to help her. Wasn’t this man supposed to be indifferent to women?
Wait—last time when she had thrown herself into his arms, she had already felt his warmth. He was far from indifferent to women.
Xi Ning’s thoughts were in disarray. Sitting inside the carriage, she pressed herself tightly against the wall, keeping as much distance from him as possible.
Seeing her avoid him like the plague, Pei Zhao felt as though a stone were lodged in his chest—stifling and infuriating.
Was he truly so repulsive to her, or was this woman deliberately using such tactics to attract him?
Darkness swirled in Pei Zhao’s eyes, as if threatening to engulf the woman before him.
Finally, the carriage stopped at the outer courtyard gate. Before it came to a complete halt, Xi Ning lifted her skirt and jumped down.
Pei Zhao watched from behind, his brow twitching in irritation. This woman really knew how to provoke him.
Back home, after drinking a bowl of chilled plum juice, Xi Ning’s pounding heart finally settled.
She took a deep breath, waiting until she had calmed down before attending to Pei Zhao.
“What would you like to eat, Third Master? Today, besides cold skin noodles, there’s shredded chicken noodles, wontons, Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles, and more. How about trying the Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles?”
Pei Zhao didn’t know what Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles meant. Watching the woman’s restored smile only made his chest feel heavier.
“Mm.”Whether angry or not, Pei Zhao always wore a cold expression, so Xi Ning didn’t notice his irritation at all. She simply returned to the kitchen to prepare.
Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles emphasized a light, fresh, and fragrant taste, with ingredients that were fresh and true to their original flavors. The chicken broth had been simmering in an earthenware pot all afternoon, and a thin layer of pale yellow oil had already formed on the surface. All that was needed was to add the rice noodles and cook them until done.
At this point, the prepared ingredients were arranged on plates and brought to the table.
It was still spring, so there weren’t many vegetables available. Xi Ning had prepared seasonal greens like spinach and carrots.
Though vegetables were scarce, there was an abundance of meat.
Slices of meat, cut as thin as cicada wings, cooked instantly in the boiling chicken broth. Coated in a layer of oil and then dipped in a seasoning mixed with zanthoxylum oil, the flavor was simply divine, surpassing even the finest delicacies.
In addition to the meat slices, there were also fish fillets and live shrimp. Both cooked quickly and absorbed flavors well. After being boiled in the chicken broth, they carried the freshness of river produce along with the savory richness of the broth. A single bite was enough to make one feel as if they could swallow their own tongue.
After listening to Xi Ning’s introduction on how to enjoy the dish, Pei Zhao finished the entire pot without a single distracting thought.
With the bright spring sunshine and such delicious food, why bother worrying about other matters? All he wanted was to enjoy such delicacies every day.
“Another pot.”
Pei Zhao’s long-unsatisfied stomach was finally able to indulge to its heart’s content.
Fortunately, Xi Ning had prepared plenty, and it took two additional servings of ingredients before Pei Zhao was full.
She glanced at the man’s tall, slender figure and lowered her eyes slightly. It was so unfair that he could eat so much and still maintain such a good physique.
After the meal, Xi Ning served him a cup of chilled sour plum juice, yet another novel treat for Pei Zhao.
The sweet and tangy fruit juice quenched his thirst and cut through the richness, while its coolness helped soothe the lingering warmth from the meal.
After finishing the drink, he subtly observed Xi Ning.
How many hidden talents did this woman possess that he was unaware of? He found himself growing curious.
It was worth noting that Third Master Pei had never been interested in women before. Xi Ning was the first person he wanted to understand.
His gaze lingered a little too long, and Xi Ning happened to look up and catch him staring.
Unaware of his thoughts, she curved her lips into a smile. Her radiant expression was as charming as peonies in May, causing Pei Zhao’s fingers to tremble slightly, nearly dropping the cup in his hand.
“It’s getting late. I still have duties to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Feigning composure, he stood up and led Chang Lin out the door.
Before Xi Ning could even finish her polite farewells, he was already gone.
“Hey, he didn’t pay this time!”
She had put so much effort into making the Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles, yet they weren’t even as valuable as the cold noodles?
Xi Ning frowned, feeling shortchanged.
Had Pei Zhao, after being overcharged a few times, finally come to his senses and decided not to pay for meals anymore?
That wouldn’t do. She’d have to make sure to collect payment next time.
Unconsciously, she spoke of “next time” so naturally, as if she already assumed Pei Zhao would return.
Unbeknownst to them, their relationship was quietly changing, with something new beginning to sprout.
By the time they left the outer courtyard, Pei Zhao’s ears were faintly warm.
Chang Lin, unaware of his master’s thoughts, was still preoccupied with the rice noodles from earlier.
So fresh, so delicious—truly unforgettable.
Licking his lips, he couldn’t help but remark, “Master, where do you think Miss Xi learned such skills? Does the Misty Rain Pavilion even teach things like this?”
Chang Lin’s question echoed Pei Zhao’s own doubts. He had tasted Jiangnan cuisine before, but never anything like what Xi Ning made. This woman was like a puzzle, with layer after layer waiting to be uncovered.Mystery lures one into its depths.
Pei Zhao lowered his gaze, and when he lifted it again, his eyes were filled with cold solemnity.
“This is her opportunity. There is no need to ask further in the future.”