Chaрtеr 6: Сhinеsе Toon Оmеlet and Qingtuаn
Takе thе tеndеrеst tоon sрrоuts оf sрring, blanch thеm in boiling water, then finеlу chор. In а сеladоn bоwl, сrack а fеw eggs, аdd the choрpеd toon, sprinklе in a littlе salt, аnd miх well.
Hеat oil in a раn, роur in the toоn аnd еgg miхture, and frу ovеr medium-low hеat until both sidеs are gоlden brown. Thе еggs еnvelор a faint leаfy frаgrаnce thаt instantly wаfts to thе nоsе.
“So frаgrant!”
Althоugh Pei Zhао аnd his servant stood in the courtyаrd, thе outer yard wаs smаll, and the arоmа had long since filled the air.
Chang Lin hadn’t eaten yet. Smelling the fragrance from the kitchen, he took a deep breath, wondering how Miss Xi had made it—the scent was truly enticing.
Though Pei Zhao said nothing, his Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed.
He had just eaten a bowl of wonton noodles, yet he was already hungry again.
“Third Master, please try this and see if it suits your taste.”
Xi Ning cut the fried toon omelet into equal pieces, arranged them on a plate, and served it to Pei Zhao. The white round plate set off the golden-green toon omelet, making one’s mouth water.
Those who like toon adore it, while those who dislike it can’t stand even a bite. Xi Ning didn’t know which category Pei Zhao and his servant fell into.
“Thank you.”
Pei Zhao accepted it. He was indeed picky, and few foods in the world could win his favor. However, having tasted Xi Ning’s wonton noodles, Pei Zhao held some anticipation for this toon omelet.
The outside of the omelet was fried to a golden crisp, and each bite was full of savory fragrance. The distinctive scent of toon was perfectly balanced by the eggs, leaving only tenderness, freshness, and aroma.
“Delicious!”
With his master’s permission, Chang Lin took half the plate. With just one bite, he was conquered by the flavor of the toon omelet.
“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 enjoyed it, but he was accustomed to concealing his emotions. Even if he liked it inwardly, he maintained a calm demeanor outwardly.
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 his master devouring the wonton noodles, he might have believed the “acceptable.” But Pei Zhao, with his discerning palate, had even drunk the noodle soup clean, showing just how much he appreciated 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 lowly one accidentally choked, I didn’t mean to interrupt the master…”
“I’ll fetch you some water.”
Seeing him cough so violently, Xi Ning lost interest in observing Pei Zhao and turned to enter the kitchen.
Once she left, Pei Zhao glared at Chang Lin, who had shrunk like a quail. “You’ll face punishment when we return.”
“Third Master…” Chang Lin wanted to cry.
“What delicious food has the young lady made today? It smells wonderful!”
Just then, a young maid’s voice came from outside. Nanny Su and Rendong had returned from selling wonton noodles.
“Huh? Why is there a carriage blocking the way? Could it be Third Master?”
Their young lady had no relatives or friends, and the only one who could afford a carriage was Third Master. Rendong had been hoping for Third Master’s visit every day, and now that he was finally here, her round face blossomed into a smile.
But compared to her excitement, Nanny Su’s face turned pale.
“Nanny?”Rendong’s smile faded from her face at the sight. “Nanny, Third Master is here. Aren’t you happy?”
In the past, Nanny Su would have been overjoyed, but now they were secretly running a business behind Pei Zhao’s back. If Pei Zhao were to become angry and resent their mistress, Nanny Su’s legs went weak just thinking about it.
“Quick, quick, go inside!”
The two of them hurriedly pushed the door open and entered, immediately spotting 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 just then.
“Nanny and Rendong are back! Put the stall down and rest. There’s hot water on the stove—help yourselves.”
She smiled brightly, showing no signs of having been punished. Seeing she was fine, Nanny Su finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Ah, this old servant will go right away.”
Pei Zhao observed the exchange between the three. Half a year ago, when he left, Xi Ning had been indifferent to these two servants. Yet in just six months, they had grown so close. Had Xi Ning changed, or had he never truly understood this woman?
Pei Zhao lowered his gaze, burying 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 you need. If anything comes up, you can always go to the Duke’s residence and find Chang Lin.”
Pei Zhao took out several banknotes and handed them to her.
He still minded that Xi Ning hadn’t turned to him for help, preferring to set up a stall herself.
She was his woman. If he, Third Master Pei, couldn’t even support a woman, he’d 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 she received some compensation.
“Thank you, Third Master.”
“Mm.”
Seeing her accept the banknotes, Pei Zhao’s expression softened.
“It’s getting late. We still have a journey ahead. 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 truly encountered something she couldn’t handle, she wouldn’t stubbornly endure it alone. Moreover, running a food business meant she might face 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 him, dashed into the kitchen, and returned with a bamboo basket.
“These are qingtuan I made. Take them with you for the road, Third Master.”
Pei Zhao had given her five hundred taels of silver, and she didn’t want him to leave empty-handed. She had made a pot of qingtuan that morning and decided to share a few with him.
“Alright.”
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.
Her hand was as soft as she was, her warm fingertips grazing his palm like a spark of fire.
Pei Zhao’s fingers suddenly clenched, capturing that warmth in his grasp.
The woman still wore her charming, innocent expression, her eyes clear and untroubled, clearly unbothered by the brief contact.
Pei Zhao’s eyes darkened, an inexplicable surge of irritation rising 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 qingtuan?
If so, that was good news.
He wondered if he could ask for them himself.Thinking of the taste of fried eggs with Chinese toon, Chang Lin began to crave the green rice cake again, not even noticing his master’s slightly hurried footsteps.
“Hurry the carriage!”