Chaрtеr 15: Glutinоus Riсе Cold Cаkе
As the wеather grеw hоttеr, businеss аt Хi Ning’s shoр flоurishеd.
Тhe cоld skin noodles seаsоned with zаnthохуlum оil and vаriоus оther novеl snаcks hаd capturеd the tаste buds of the сommоn folk in thе nоrthern pаrt of the citу. Моrеover, sinсе hеr рrices wеre nоt high, many рeoрle cаme to Xi’s Shор fоr all thrее meals of thе daу.
In thе morning, theу would havе a bоwl оf аpрetizing mincеd meat nооdlеs; at noon, a serving of cold skin nооdles; and in the evеning, а bowl of crоss-bridgе rice noodles.
Though the dishes were different, they were all equally delicious. One could eat for over half a month without repeating the same meal, thanks to the variety of options.
Xi Ning felt too lazy to move in the hot weather. With Nanny Su helping out at the shop, only she and Rendong were at home. Xi Ning felt like making something tasty again.
She ground glutinous rice into flour, mixed it with a little starch, sugar, and a bowl of milk, and stirred until well combined.
In the Zhou Dynasty, milk was a rare commodity. This bowl was something Rendong had scoured the entire northern part of the city to buy.
After mixing thoroughly, she added half a spoonful of oil to the bowl and continued stirring until there were no dry flour particles left.
She then steamed it over high heat for two ke (approximately half an hour). Once steamed, it became 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 sweet and soft red bean paste in the middle, wrapped the sides around it, sealed the edges tightly, and cut it into evenly sized pieces. The glutinous rice cold cake was now ready.
Xi Ning took out a few pieces and had Rendong hang the rest above the well water to chill. Without a refrigerator here, well water was the best cooling method.
The glutinous rice was soft, chewy, and springy, while the red bean paste was smooth and sweet, making it the perfect snack to beat the heat.
Xi Ning ate several pieces with sour plum juice before her craving was satisfied.
Rendong, however, was different. She had a good appetite and ate a lot. Aside from the chilled ones, she finished all the rest.
As she swallowed the last bite, the soft, sweet taste of the red bean paste lingered on her tongue.
“Miss, even if we don’t sell meals, we could make a fortune just selling these pastries.”
No one could match their young lady’s culinary skills. After getting used to the food she made, no one else’s cooking was palatable.
Xi Ning smiled faintly. She did have the idea of opening a pastry shop, but for now, she didn’t have much money, and there weren’t enough hands to help. Opening a shop would have to wait.
As the master and servant chatted idly, the courtyard gate suddenly knocked.
“Chang Lin, why is it you? Has Third Master come too?”
Rendong went to open the door and saw Chang Lin outside. She leaned out to look around, her eyes filled with hope.
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 gave an awkward smile.
“Third Master has been busy with official duties recently and doesn’t have time to visit Miss Xi. He’ll come once he’s free.”
His words were half-truths. Pei Zhao was indeed busy, but whether he would come to see Xi Ning after finishing his work was hard to say.
However, his master was indeed paying more and more attention to Miss Xi. As a servant, Chang Lin felt he could guess a bit of his master’s thoughts.
Besides, his master had 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 that there was fruit to eat, Xi Ning’s eyes lit up. As for Pei Zhao missing her, she didn’t take it to heart at all.
Their relationship was purely contractual. Rather than believing Pei Zhao was thinking of her, it was more plausible that he was repaying her for the previous meal.
Needless to say, Xi Ning guessed right.Only the finest goods would make it to Pei Zhao’s attention. In her previous life, Xi Ning had always loved loquats and cherries. The fruits in the basket were plump and juicy, with a refreshing sweetness that burst in her mouth. She ate several before finally stopping.
Wiping the juice from her fingertips with a handkerchief, she smiled at Chang Lin.
“Please thank your master for me. I really like these fruits.”
In the two or three months she had been here, this was the first time she had tasted fruit.
“If Miss Xi likes them, that’s all that matters. The third master said you can ask for more whenever you want—there are plenty at the estate.”
Of course, this was another lie. Loquat and cherry trees were difficult to cultivate, and even the Pei family estate had only two of each. The annual harvest, divided among the various households, never amounted to much.
But the third master didn’t care for fruit, so this year’s share had all been sent to Xi Ning.
Pei Zhao, however, had forbidden Chang Lin from mentioning this, claiming it was to prevent Xi Ning from becoming spoiled. Chang Lin mused to himself that whether Miss Xi would become spoiled was uncertain, but his master’s pride was undeniable.
“Alright. I’ve made some glutinous rice chilled cakes. They’re refreshing and appetizing in this heat. The third master works hard with his duties and should take care of his health.”
Having received a basket of fruit, Xi Ning offered a few more pleasantries.
Chang Lin beamed. “Ah, the third master is sure to love the pastries you make, Miss Xi!”
…
Duke’s Mansion.
Today was Pei Zhao’s day off. He rarely went out, preferring to read at home when not on duty. Chang Lin returned in the late afternoon, the lingering summer heat still oppressive. The chirping of birds outside inexplicably grated on his nerves.
“Third Master, Miss Xi sent you some pastries in return—something called glutinous rice chilled 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 already sweet-talked one side and now the other. He was wearing himself out for the two of them.
“Bring them here.”
Hearing that Xi Ning had made pastries especially for him, Pei Zhao’s brow smoothed.
He had always suspected that woman had designs on him. First, she teased his palm, then touched him there, and now she was making him food—all to curry favor and secure a place in the Duke’s Mansion.
Pei Zhao had never been particularly interested in women before, but now, with Xi Ning, he found himself intrigued.
If she could remain this obedient and sensible, he wouldn’t mind taking her into the mansion.
The chilled cakes were arranged on a celadon plate, plump and white, looking utterly appetizing.
Pei Zhao had a sweet tooth, though he had never admitted it to anyone.
But he was picky. Whether made by the Duke’s Mansion chefs or bought from outside, most sweets were too cloying, and he could barely take a bite.
Xi Ning’s were different. The red bean paste retained its natural sweetness, while the glutinous rice and milk balanced the flavor. Moreover, the chilled texture was cooling, soothing the irritation stirred by the birdsong.
Pei Zhao held a chilled cake in one hand and turned the pages of his book with the other, squinting in contentment.
“Uncle, what are you eating?”
The twins from the eldest branch slipped in.
The speaker was the chubby older brother, who loved food more than anything and never missed a chance to ask whenever he saw someone eating.
Pei Qi clung to the doorframe, peeking in with his head poked out, his eyes fixed on the chilled 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 cake down and cleared his throat.
“What are you two doing 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 even remembered 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 scooped them up, one in each arm, and settled them on his lap.
Pei Qi’s eyes never left the chilled cake, and he said while sucking his finger, “Qiqi and little sister missed Third Uncle.”