Feeding custard buns
The extreme natural climate gave rise to strange feelings. The fragrance emanating from Jiang Yan Hui and her body temperature higher than ordinary people brought back shameful memories. The close and intertwined breaths inevitably reminded A Chou of the anxiety of that night.
The pale, thin lips kissed him with unexpected softness, and the touch of his hands sent shivers down his spine. This novel yet terrifying experience made him dare not think about it, and he tossed it aside like a hot potato into the deepest recesses of his memory.
Little did they know that Ah Chou's naive reaction had already revealed all her thoughts on her face. Her big, watery eyes added to her pitiful look, as if she were being pinched and twisted, powerless to resist and only waiting for the judgment of the superior.
In Jiang Yan Hui's eyes, Ah Chou, who had frostbite, was a flawed product. In the past, men with such facial damage were not worthy of showing themselves in front of her, as they would offend the eyes of a noble person like her.
The reason he transferred the person to his room to serve him on a whim that morning was probably because he hadn't seen a fresh and lively beauty in a long time. After living a dull life in Lingzhou for so long, he couldn't help but want to keep an interesting little thing by his side.
Jiang Yanhui gently rubbed the red and swollen edge with her bent fingers, her lowered eyes giving the illusion of deep affection, and her pale lips parted slightly, conveying a bewitching concern.
“Lingzhou is cold, and even with the best ointment, it won’t get better until spring. And every year after that, it will recur if you’re not careful. Soldiers in the barracks suffer from severe frostbite that can ulcerate to the bone; losing a finger is considered mild.”
Jiang Yanhui leaned against the windowsill with one hand, casting a shadow that completely covered Ah Chou, giving him the leisurely air of a beast playing with its prey before taking a bite.
She nodded slightly, her high, straight nose close to Ah Chou's fair neck and shoulder, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Were you just tending to the tea leaves?"
Ah Chou jolted awake, unconsciously raising his chin, his slightly protruding Adam's apple bobbing up and down, his nostrils flaring as he tried to catch the scent of tea clinging to him.
She probably fell asleep all night thanks to the warmth of Jiang Yanhui's cloak, and even though the faint fragrance had faded, it left an indelible impression on Ah Chou's memory.
Now, the inescapable fragrance seeped into his nostrils, unexpectedly soothing his tense nerves, and Ah Chou's tense posture relaxed slightly.
He cautiously raised his eyes, and the moment their eyes met, he couldn't help but hold his breath, his heart pounding so hard it hurt his ribs.
Ah Chou was only eighteen years old, and in those short years he had wasted, he had encountered all sorts of people: fat-headed, lustful people; sharp-mouthed, claw-wielding, vicious and wicked people; hypocritical villains with a wolf's heart and a Buddha's mouth...
Perhaps because they were lowly slaves bought and sold, and their lives were even less than those of the pet cats and dogs kept by the powerful, no one would pretend in front of such beasts, thus revealing the evil in human nature.
In Ah Chou's mind, Jiang Yan Hui wasn't a bad person, but she wasn't exactly kind either. She was a beautiful woman who was unpredictable and hard to understand.
Even if Ah Chou tried his best to ignore it, he had to admit that Jiang Yan Hui had a face that no one could resist, as if it were a masterpiece sculpted by the gods with painstaking effort.
Its unique growing environment has shaped its distinctive character, like a beautiful flower blooming freely in the desert, with sharp and thorny thorns hidden beneath its beautiful and alluring appearance.
Ah Chou forced himself to look away before the fall, repeatedly warning himself as he teetered on the edge of danger.
Jiang Yanhui was extremely patient today, still waiting for his answer.
Before him was the woman's burning body heat and sweet fragrance, and behind him was the howling north wind swirling snow. In his distraction, Ah Chou even noticed the faint crackling sound of burning charcoal in the stove.
He restrained himself from making silly gestures and nodded slightly.
The arrival of the blizzard put everything on hold. Apart from the household servants attending to the king, the cleaning servants were ordered to stay in their quarters and not go out unless necessary. The vast royal palace instantly fell silent.
By dinnertime, the gray tiles looked as if they were covered with a thick, soft cotton blanket, and the world was a vast expanse of white.
Jiang Yanhui, with her long hair hanging down her back and a furry robe draped over her shoulders, sat on a soft couch flipping through books, while the candle beside her made a soft popping sound.
The warm interior made one drowsy on a snowy night, and the rich aroma of food in the air made one's stomach rumble.
However, Jiang Yan Hui was not one to be able to do two things at once when it came to reading. She didn't even glance at the exquisite dishes on the table, which made it difficult for Ah Chou, who was waiting to be served on an empty stomach, to just stare blankly and endure the wait.
Glug glug—
A sudden rumbling stomach broke the tranquility. Jiang Yanhui's gaze shifted from her book to Ah Chou's flushed face. She slowly placed a bookmark on Ah Chou's plate, tilted her head, and asked with a soft laugh, "Hungry?"
Glug—
Even if he wanted to deny it because he was concerned about his image, his honest nature wouldn't give him a chance to argue. His thin face flushed, and he slowly nodded.
Jiang Yan glanced at the dazzling array of food on the table, feeling listless and lacking appetite. She raised her chin and said, "Take whatever you like."
Ah Chou paused for a moment before understanding Jiang Yan Hui's meaning, and couldn't help but swallow a little.
Beautiful silks and satins were nothing more than expensive clothes for Ah Chou. Compared to them, they were far less practical than a warm cotton-padded coat, and were not enough to make him stir up any trouble.
But delicious and filling food was what Ah Chou had been longing for all his life as a slave. After arriving at the palace, he was able to earn a full meal through his labor, which was a good life that he had never dared to dream of before.
The pastries that Jiang Yan had casually given her the night before last were not very tasty because she was in a bad mood. But now, when she thinks back, she can still taste the sweetness in her mouth. No wonder Xiao Le chewed each bite thoroughly before swallowing.
Ah Chou couldn't help but look at the stacks of small, exquisite dishes, lingering a few seconds longer on a basket of plump, white buns, which the delivery boy introduced as lava custard buns.
He had heard Xiao Le mention that one year during the Spring Festival, the Lingzhou garrison suffered a great defeat against the You tribe, and the Prince's mansion served hot, steaming custard buns to the servants.
Xiao Le couldn't help but lick her lips and smack them as she recalled the taste, saying it was so wonderful that she wished she could swallow her tongue.
While carefully observing Jiang Yanhui's expression, lest the unpredictable woman suddenly change her mind, Ah Chou reached out towards the custard buns she had been longing for.
Every move was observed by Jiang Yan Hui, who suddenly felt amusement and tapped the table with her fingertip, hooking her finger.
Ah Chou, who was holding the bamboo cage with both hands, froze the smile that had just appeared on her lips. Her slightly furrowed brows were full of reluctance, but her body obediently walked to Jiang Yan Hui's side.
Jiang Yanhui picked up the plump white bun and put it to A Chou's mouth. Seemingly puzzled as to why the other didn't open his mouth, she awkwardly and forcefully rubbed his lips and commanded, "Open your mouth."
Ah Chou vaguely sensed her intention. Surprised, she dared not disobey Jiang Yan Hui's order and obediently opened her mouth to take a bite.
Even when the steamed buns were cold, their snow-white outer skin remained soft and fluffy, while the custard filling inside was still warm. The rich and sweet filling with a grainy texture filled the tip of the tongue, and Ah Chou immediately squinted her eyes like a greedy kitten.
Unbeknownst to them, a glint flashed in Jiang Yanhui's eyes. Her sharp, eagle-like gaze was fixed on Ah Chou's subtle changes in expression, as if she were getting some interesting and novel experience.
"Is it good?" Jiang Yan asked back.
Ah Chou stuck out her bright red tongue and licked away the filling stuck to her lower lip. Her moist, full lips glistened in the candlelight, and her bright eyes couldn't hide her happiness.
Jiang Yan glanced back, her eyes darkening, her canine teeth itching. She lowered her voice and said, "Since it's delicious, then eat more."
Jiang Yanhui fed Ah Chou a whole basket of steamed buns, one bite at a time. Then, she picked up a chestnut cake from the table and fed it to Ah Chou, who rubbed her bloated belly and shook her head in refusal.
The fun activity ended with Ah Chou having eaten his fill, and Jiang Yanhui, still wanting more, lowered her eyes.
Despite not saying anything or expressing any opinion, Ah Chou unexpectedly sensed her disappointment, and felt a pang in his heart, more aches than pains.
Before I could even think about why I felt this way, my body reacted first.
He slowly squatted down and gently took a bite of the chestnut cake in Jiang Yan's hand.
The attendants who lived in the palace for a long time were lonely and empty. Those of high rank could at least raise their children with them as a comfort, but those of low rank had to send their children to be raised elsewhere even if they had imperial offspring. Not to mention those attendants who did not even have children.
Day after day, people eagerly awaited the emperor's favor, making the days even more unbearable. That's why they had servants who would raise animals to pass the long years.
Jiang Yanhui never kept any pets, but Lijun, who was on good terms with her father, loved cats and kept five or six cats of different colors in the palace.
On one occasion, Jiang Yan returned after having lunch with her father and hadn't left when she ran into Lijun, who was there to while away the afternoon with her cat.
The long-haired white cat in his arms was thin and small, but its eyes were wide and round. It lay obediently in its owner's arms, eating the meat puree that its owner fed it.
At that time, Jiang Yanhui only felt it was novel, but could not understand the faint smile on Lijun's lips when she fed the raccoon.
Now, Jiang Yanhui's lowered eyes cast long shadows as she quietly watched A Chou squatting at her feet, devouring the chestnut cake piece by piece, a strange stirring in her heart.
A note from the author:
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Go ahead and spoil her—she'll only go crazier if you spoil her too much. (shakes head)
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