Chapter 46: Warm, Fragrant, and Soft Steamed Buns

Ning Yaxin nodded slightly and then fell silent.

Xu Mo sensed that there were quite a few people in the village chief's house, so he said to Xu Tieshu, “Uncle, with the village chief and Miss Ning here, I doubt there’s much more for us to do. Why don’t we head back for now and come again later?”

Xu Tieshu considered this, and since it was getting dark and they hadn’t eaten yet, he nodded in agreement. After exchanging farewells with the village chief and Ning Yaxin, Xu Tieshu left with Xu Hui.

Xu Mo also cupped his hands to Ning Yaxin in parting, then led Chen Miaoyi and Qin Mutou away.

As soon as Xu Mo and his family departed, Ling’er couldn’t help but say, “Miss, I thought Xu Mo’s wife was sent away by him—why does she seem not to resent him at all?”

Ning Yaxin immediately frowned and shot Ling’er a look, signaling her to mind her tongue with so many people present.

Ling’er stuck out her tongue surreptitiously and held her silence.

More than half an hour later, the coachman and two servants’ wounds were finally dressed. Only then did Ning Yaxin feel at ease enough to take Ling’er to the accommodations the village chief had arranged.

By then, the food was ready, but because they’d been delayed, it had gone somewhat cold.

Ling’er wanted to heat the dishes, but Ning Yaxin stopped her. “Ling’er, don’t trouble our hosts. The weather isn’t cold, we can make do.”

With that, Ning Yaxin sat at the table, picked up a bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat.

Ling’er said nothing more, instead standing by to serve her lady.

Ning Yaxin said, “Sit down and eat with me, Ling’er. There’s no one else here to mind.”

Ling’er smiled and immediately joined her, revealing just how famished she was.

After a while, Ling’er suddenly spoke, “Miss, don’t you find it odd? Xu Mo’s wife doesn’t seem to resent him at all. If it were me, I’d loathe a man like that!”

In truth, Ning Yaxin had been pondering this in the village chief’s house. But even now, she couldn’t quite make sense of it.

The only explanation she could muster was that Xu Mo was a smooth talker, adept at deception, able to coax his wife into submission.

Ning Yaxin tasted another mouthful and said slowly, “Ling’er, why Xu Mo’s wife acts as she does is none of our concern. Mind what you say from now on.”

“Yes, Miss,” Ling’er replied, then focused solely on her meal.

The night passed quietly.

The next morning, not long after Ning Yaxin rose, a knock came at the door.

Ling’er hurried to open it.

“Madam Xu?” Ling’er was surprised to see Chen Miaoyi standing there.

With a gentle smile, Chen Miaoyi said, “Ling’er, is Miss Ning up? My husband just steamed some buns, and I brought some over for you to try.”

Only then did Ling’er notice the small bamboo basket in Chen Miaoyi’s hand, with a tightly wrapped bundle inside.

Ning Yaxin came over just then and said coolly, “Madam Xu, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

She glanced at Ling’er, who accepted the bundle of buns from the basket.

Chen Miaoyi had brought the buns partly because Xu Mo was helping Ning Yongqiang devise plans, and partly out of gratitude for Ning Yongqiang’s timely intervention when Xu Tong came to collect the debt.

She smiled and said, “Miss Ning, if that’s not enough, just let me know. We have plenty. Please don’t stand on ceremony.”

Ning Yaxin simply nodded.

Chen Miaoyi paused, then quickly added, “I won’t keep you, Miss Ning. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, she took her basket and left.

Ling’er closed the door and placed the steaming buns on the table. She was about to unwrap them when Ning Yaxin asked, “What are you doing?”

Ling’er looked up and, seeing the displeasure on her lady’s face, replied, “Miss, I was just going to give you one of the buns.”

Ning Yaxin’s voice turned cold. “If you want to eat, go ahead. I won’t touch anything made by such a scoundrel.”

Ling’er froze, her hands hovering over the bundle. But her stomach was already rumbling, and the fragrant aroma of the buns was hard to resist.

“Miss, may I at least look at them? Don’t worry, I won’t eat any!” Ling’er assured her.

Ning Yaxin acted as if she hadn’t heard, turning away to busy herself.

Ling’er hesitated for a moment, but finally unwrapped the bundle. Instantly, a cloud of steam arose, carrying the scent of fresh buns.

“Wow, these are so soft!” Ling’er exclaimed.

Ning Yaxin glanced over to see Ling’er gently squeezing a bun the size of a fist, her face full of wonder.

“Aren’t buns always soft?” Ning Yaxin asked as she approached.

Ling’er shook her head quickly. “No, Miss, these are much softer than the ones we usually see. Feel for yourself.”

She picked up another bun and offered it. Ning Yaxin hesitated, but finally accepted it.

As she squeezed it, she immediately felt the difference; this bun was indeed softer than any she’d tasted before, with a delightful texture.

Ling’er, full of curiosity, kept squeezing and examining the bun. “Miss, how do you suppose he steamed these? They’re so much softer than anyone else’s.”

Unable to resist, Ling’er took a bite.

Ning Yaxin frowned in disapproval. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t eat any?”

But Ling’er ignored her, chewing enthusiastically and nodding in delight.

“Miss, this is delicious! It’s fragrant and sweet, so soft and tender—nothing like what we’ve had before!” Ling’er became so excited she hopped in place.

In no time, she’d devoured the whole bun and was clearly still craving more.

Ning Yaxin thought Ling’er was exaggerating. Surely, it was just a bun—could it really be that good?

Sensing her skepticism, Ling’er urged, “Miss, truly, it’s delicious. Just try a bite and you’ll see!”

Ning Yaxin looked at the bun in her hand, hesitated a moment, and finally tore off a small piece to taste.

The moment it entered her mouth, she was greeted by a fragrant sweetness and remarkable softness—entirely unlike any bun she’d ever eaten.

“How can it be so fragrant and tender? Is this really a bun?” she wondered.

In the Kingdom of Liang, steamed buns were nothing special; inns, taverns, even roadside stalls served them everywhere. But Liang’s buns, lacking leavening agents, were always sour, dry, and somewhat hard—nothing like the ones Xu Mo made.

The secret was the alkali Xu Mo added when kneading the dough, derived from the clear upper layer of plant ash solution. Just a small amount yielded fragrant, sweet, and tender buns.

“Miss, may I have another?” Ling’er asked, eyeing the steaming buns and swallowing hard.

“Go ahead, since they were given in goodwill. We can’t just throw them away, can we?” Ning Yaxin relented, though she had indeed been tempted to toss them out before tasting them—now, however, she couldn’t bear the thought.

Overjoyed, Ling’er snatched another bun and ate with gusto, nodding all the while. “Miss, these are truly the best buns I’ve ever had!”

Ning Yaxin broke off a larger piece for herself, thinking: This Xu Mo, not only did he come up with the idea of stir-frying in an iron wok, but his steamed buns are also extraordinary—so soft and delicious...

As she ate, her mind wandered.

Suddenly, her expression shifted as she pondered aloud, “Could there be some hidden reason why he sent his wife away?”