Chunfu didn’t dare to shoo him away either. She gave Pei Qian an awkward smile and said, “Please have a seat here for a while, Young Master Pei. If you don’t mind, let Liansheng’s wife keep you company.”
Pei Qian glanced up at the woman beside him. Her hands, roughened by years of labor, nervously clutched the hem of her clothes. After hesitating for a long while, she finally spoke, “Young Master Pei, you must be thirsty, right? Let me fetch you some water. Don’t worry, Chunfu and her husband live very carefully—they’re diligent and clean.”
He turned his gaze toward the person cutting fruit in the kitchen and nodded with a faint smile. “Please bring some water for Runiang as well.” Runiang was dragging the servant, trying to inch closer to the trembling little dog, whimpering pitifully as if trying to appease it. His smile widened. It seemed he’d have to find a companion for Runiang. Here, far from the emperor’s reach, his parents’ influence couldn’t possibly extend this far to drag him back. At last, he could enjoy a few peaceful days.
His visit here was merely out of curiosity. He hadn’t expected this woman to truly refuse the gifts from the Pei family until he overheard the owner of another pastry shop in town lamenting enviously about the Jin family’s thriving business. The owner had tried to poach the skilled pastry chef with a high offer, but she had refused, unwilling to betray the Jin family despite the tempting sum. The man had sighed, burdened by the weight of supporting his entire family, lamenting how difficult business had become—so much so that even breathing felt like a struggle.
This rural woman before him had earned his admiration. It was rare to find someone whose heart hadn’t been clouded by greed. The two small rooms she lived in looked rather aged. Had she accepted the money, she could have lived more comfortably. Yet, she was stubborn. He had initially suspected her of playing the long game, but it seemed he had overthought it.
She was a gentle and delicate woman with a soft, pleasant voice. Despite her petite and seemingly frail frame, there was an undeniable stubbornness and strength about her. Somehow, she struck him as unexpectedly dazzling—like a wildflower blooming by the roadside, seemingly plain yet remarkably resilient, revealing its beauty amidst the storm. Accustomed to the affectations and spoiled manners of noble ladies, the impression she left on him at their first meeting resurfaced.
She was a very earnest person, though he couldn’t help but notice a hint of nervousness and shyness in her. Understandable, given that standing beside her was the master chef who brought substantial profits to the Pei family every year. Learning pastry-making from a rural housewife in the countryside must have felt beneath him. From slicing the fruit to stirring in the sugar, Pei Qian’s eyes never left her hands.
“The sugar must be added in moderation—not too much, or it’ll overpower the natural flavor of the fruit. Some fruits are naturally sweet and sour; sugar balances the excess tartness, creating a harmonious taste that’s far better than pure sweetness.” She spoke sparingly, knowing that compared to her, these people were the true experts. In their hands, these simple techniques would surely yield even more exquisite pastries. Negotiating with a major merchant like the Pei family was beyond her league—she was merely relying on a stroke of luck.
Thinking of the more intricate and beautiful pastries in Yicheng’s shops, she only taught them the few techniques she knew. The entire process took no more than an hour. Pei Qian rose from the small stool, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. “For such a brief demonstration, I feel like I’m the one at a loss here.”
Chunfu, now simply waiting to collect her payment at home, was in an unusually good mood. She chuckled lightly, “The agreement is already in my hands, and I’ve fulfilled my part. There’s no room for regrets. If Young Master Pei goes back on his word, word will spread, and your reputation might not survive the blow.”
Pei Qian clasped his hands behind his back. His pristine white robe, tailored from fine fabric, stood in stark contrast to the rustic surroundings. Born to stand above others, his handsome features, tall stature, and air of lazy indifference made him the epitome of a refined nobleman. He cast a cool glance at Chunfu before looking away. “Reputation and face are the last things I care about. What use are things you can’t eat or drink, yet people treasure them so much? You’ve got backbone, but why endure hardship when you could just take the money and live comfortably?”
At his words, Chunfu’s expression sobered, though her voice remained soft. “That depends on who’s offering. I can’t stomach it—taking too much at once would choke me. Besides, money should be earned steadily, so it’s spent with peace of mind, free from prying eyes. But with your conspicuous visit, my peaceful days are likely over.”
Pei Qian took a couple of steps closer and said quietly, “Living well is meant to invite envy and resentment. Those who grit their teeth at the sight of me still bow respectfully in the end. You strike me as sharp—don’t let others trample you underfoot. The countryside is peaceful, but even my Runiang is bored. I’ll take my leave now.”
Liansheng’s wife sat to the side, still occupied with her chores. She paid no mind to why Chunfu had called her over or why she was teaching these people money-making skills. Unlike the village gossips who couldn’t keep their eyes and tongues off others, she minded her own business—as long as no one provoked her, she wouldn’t make trouble for anyone.
When Pei Qian arrived in the village, Li Xiu’e was sitting at her doorstep chatting with Xiuhua. Such an extravagant carriage was a rare sight in the village, and everyone watched as it made its way to the far end of the settlement. She would’ve liked to follow, but Xiuhua kept her tethered with complaints about her own domestic troubles.
Before long, someone who’d gone to gawk came running back, shouting loudly, “What on earth does Jicheng do all day outside? This young master is unbelievably handsome, visiting his wife while he’s away—doesn’t he care about gossip?”
Someone immediately chimed in, “Coming in broad daylight is how you avoid suspicion—everyone can see. If it were late at night, that’d be a different story. By the way, when I went to town the other day, I saw Chunfu in the pastry shop next to the grain store, chatting lively with the young mistress—nothing like a mere helper. I asked around and guess what?”
“Stop dragging it out and just tell us!”
“The Jicheng couple have been hiding their cards close to their chests. Turns out, all the pastries in that shop are made by Chunfu—the proprietress just sells them. I even heard another shop owner offered her a fortune to switch sides, but she foolishly refused. Still, she must be raking in a tidy sum every month. Quietly making a fortune, that one.”
Xiuhua had been venting about how Tiezhu had hit her on his mother’s orders, but her ears perked up at this. She slapped her thigh and exclaimed, “Who’d have thought Chunfu had such skills? Your sister-in-law is something else. But if their family prospers, won’t you benefit too?”
Li Xiu’e was slow on the uptake. Blankly, she asked, “How?”
“Don’t be dense! Have you ever seen families in our village truly cut ties forever? How much is pride really worth? Just go over, smile, and say a few sweet words. If she can make pastries, get her to teach you—then you can sell them too! Why pass up easy money? If she’s selling in town, she can’t handle it alone. Help her out at first—take the loss for a day or two. After that, she won’t dare exploit you for free. You’re clever—if you can pick up her skills, you could even set up your own shop. Once you’re rich, your Zhang Tong will be a proper young master, waited on by maids, dressed in silks—what a sight! Just don’t forget me. Oh, and watch out—Chunfu’s close with Liansheng’s wife. Don’t let her snatch the opportunity.” Xiuhua patted Li Xiu’e’s shoulder, her scarred face twisting into an unsightly smirk.
How could Li Xiu’e not be tempted? Sending Zhang Tong to school had cost a fortune, and the family’s savings were dwindling, hoarded fearfully for emergencies. Jicheng barely earned anything in a year. If she could profit from Chunfu’s skills, what did pride matter? She was Chunfu’s sister-in-law, after all—why should outsiders reap the benefits?
Her eyes darted craftily. “I should go see for myself—better to be sure.”
Xiuhua stood, dusting off her pants. “I’ll come too. Never seen what rich folk look like in my life. Bet they’re decked in gold and silver, dripping with wealth?”
Li Xiu’e recalled the people she’d seen last time and nodded. “Exactly! They toss out a hundred taels without blinking. For us, that’d be a fortune, but that idiot Chunfu turned it down. Letting silver slip through her fingers—I stewed over it for ages. Let’s just watch from outside. If we run into that dog-toting young master, I’m afraid he’ll set it on me.”
Xiuhua scoffed. “Scared of a beast? Its master wouldn’t let it kill you—what kind of lawless world would that be?”
Li Xiu’e shook her head urgently. “Don’t say that! That young master looks refined, but he’s ruthless. If Chunfu hadn’t been there last time, that dog would’ve bitten me. It’s vicious—you’ll understand when you see its fangs…”
When the two reached the edge of Jicheng’s yard, Pei Qian was just leaving, his expression calm as he unhurriedly boarded his carriage. Xiuhua stared, entranced, then said sourly, “Xiu’e, you’re lucky. Your Jicheng’s handsome, and Chunfu’s even prettier. And now this one—just looking at him makes my eyes sting with envy.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage