Breakfast Feast

Zhao Hui went to the Dowager's Palace knowing that his grandmother would be there. He brought lunch enough for a big crowd as the royal twins would also be there but he didn't foresee the appearance of the girl he met during the Winter Banquet. The girl's eye returned back to their normal black colour that everyone had. What surprised him the most was that the royal twins were especially close to the girl to the point that they were even calling her Big Sister. Zhao Hui purposely didn't show any manners as he knew his grandmother would try to be a matchmaker. The girl, Fangsu, surprised him yet again as she didn't care much for the manner and continued to care for the royal twins like an older sibling.

Even dishing him some of the rice cake she personally made even though they barely knew each other. Fangsu was quite a bundle of surprises as she ate the sweet rice cake with the Char Siu which was surprisingly delicious despite the weird combination. The food was delicious, he wanted more of her cooking. Zhao Hui left early knowing that this person was of particular interest, "Have you found anything?" Staring at the air, Zhao Hui playing with a small box until Dai-Tai materialised in front of him.

Dai Tai glared at the insufferable man who was hazardously playing with the only item which would gain her a physical body, "The girl has the same ability to see the spirit realm and she also has a spirit attached to her," Dai Tai crosses her arms annoyed having to constantly watch a girl, "She hides her hair which is the colour of ashes and she has access to a mountain which I can't enter," The mentioning of these two facts made him pause his aggravating behaviour.

Instead of his usual aggravating happy go lucky persona, Zhao Hui nonchalantly turned to Dai Tai as he threw the small wooden box haphazardly. Dai Tai scrambled for the small wooden box, catching it before it hit the ground. The Restoration Spiritual Box was the only box able to hold the souls of spirits without it dissipate from existence. As quickly as she had arrived, Dai Tai ominously vanished from the dangerous man.

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The snow has been slowly melting away from the coming of spring. In the early morning, Fangsu was in the marketplace to buy prepping ingredient for the employees to make the products. In the marketplace wasn't as packed as fishermen came back with their bountiful harvest of seafood, restaurants were busy prepping for the long day and stall owners were still prepping their merchandise to display for the day. Fangsu saw Auntie Lou waving at her, "Fangsu! Come here!" Fangsu rushed over, happy to see Auntie Lou after being occupied for so long. Auntie Lou was busily displaying her harvest which was mostly winter vegetable; Shallots, Chives, Bok Choi, Chinese Cabbage, Snow Peas, cucumbers and many more. Fangsu pointed at the Chinese chives, red beans and potatoes. Auntie Lou has given extra despite Fangsu's protest. Walking around the marketplace to another stall, Fangsu bought a bag of black sesame, cheese, milk, yeast and eggs.

Fangsu saw the Da Fu and Bao Ming has already finished their errands and was waiting for Fangsu, only to see her carrying other items unrelated to work, "I want to cook breakfast for everyone." Fangsu blushes as she shyly hides behind her groceries. Bao Ming was excited knowing that Fangsu would cook something yummy while Da Fu would only smile at Fangsu's love for cooking.

While they were returning back from the marketplace, "What are you going to make for breakfast?" Bao Ming was happily hopping while they were returning back to Flowery Fragrance.

Fangsu looked at the massive quantity of ingredients she held, "Black Sesame Cakes with red bean filling and Potato dumplings with Chinese chives and cheese filling," Fangsu knew that everyone had different preferences in food and needed to accommodate for their preferences. Bao Ming ceased her jumping and began repeatedly stomping her feet like a child.

Da Fu laughed at Bao Ming childishness action, turning to Fangsu. "Whatever you make is bound to taste delicious," The trio entered the establishment where all the employees were either cleaning, setting up and prepping orders. Employees rushed over to the trio to grab the ingredient to start making products for orders.

Fangsu went into the kitchen to make breakfast with the ingredients she bought. Mixing the black sesame seeds, eggs, milk, sugar and yeast into a mixture which was then turned into a sesame paste. Fangsu slowly incorporated the sesame paste with flour and added oil. While kneading the crumbly mixture Fangsu turned it into a soft doughy texture. Letting the soft dough ferment until it rose to about twice its previous size. Fangsu took the dough to knead for about five minutes and she began rolling it into a long rope. Sprinkling some flour to prevent it from being sticky, Fangsu cut the long dough into smaller pieces and began flattening the dough balls. Fangsu had already prepared the cheese filling and red bean filling while waiting for the dough to rise earlier. Taking each flat dough Fangsu filled them with the red bean filling. After filling all the cakes, Fangsu allowed them to ferment again.

While waiting for the black sesame buns to ferment, Fangsu went to make the potato cakes with Chinese chives and cheese fillings. The hardened cheese was soaked into a bowl of water to be softened. Fangsu began chopping the chives and chucked them into a pan with minced garlic and oil. Fangsu cooked the chives until they were soft and then added the softened cheese into the pan to be slightly heated but not melted. The fillings were done and left aside. Fangsu took the potatoes, chopping them into smaller pieces and steamed them until they were soft. Into another bowl, Fangsu added the steamed potatoes, sugar and glutinous rice flour. Fangsu mixed those ingredients in order for them to incorporate together and she began rolling out small balls of the mixture. Flattening the mixture, Fangsu added the cheese and chive filling.

Fangsu checked on the black sesame bun again to see that they were ready to cook. Oiling up the pan, Fangsu placed the sesame buns on the heat to cook on each other and she poured water into the pan to steam. The black sesame buns were finished. Oiling the pan again, Fangsu cooked the potato cakes until they were golden brown. The alluring scent of the black sesame buns and potato dumplings filled the air, attracting the employees to the door of the kitchen who could only drool at the sight of the delicious-looking food being cooked in front of them. But the sheer amount of food that was cooked was astronomical, there was a literal mountain of the black sesame buns and potato dumplings. Fangsu plated a massive plate with both cakes and dumplings, "Everyone! Breakfast is ready!" Placing the plate in the break round. The employees rushed to grab the food to eat, the delicious breakfast helped motivate the employees to strive to achieve their best performance.

Fangsu played another dish where her grandpa, Da Fu, Bao Ming and When Cheng who funnily enough came expectedly at the same time Fangsu as cooking, "I have to say Fangsu your cooking is delicious! Your employees are literally fighting to the death to get a piece of your cooking!" Wen Cheng joked as he stared the massive commotion over the breakfast food. Seeing the high popularity of the food item among the employee, Wen Cheng wanted to popularise the delicious food item in his store, "Say, Fangsu would you be willing to share the recipe for this," Pointing to the food that he was eating as he continues to savour the delicious savoury flavour of the potato dumplings with the chives and cheese filling.

Fangsu was in the middle of packing four boxes filling with the black sesame buns and potato dumpling with chive and cheese filling, "Name your price," Fangsu yawned as she thought about selling her recipes to Wen Cheng who would probably benefit from them, "Wen Cheng doesn't forget, you own many other stores besides your tea shop so it shouldn't hurt that you give me a higher percentage," Wen Cheng obviously thought that Fangsu was still the timid young girl to only find out that she was slowly turning into a person suited for business. Da Fu took responsibility for negotiating the percentage of profits being split.

Fangsu wrote messages of two of the breakfast boxes; one for Gui Ying's family and one for Lady Rong's family. Fangsu asked a delivery boy to send these breakfast boxes to the respective recipient. Fangsu mounted Tian with the two extra boxes in hand, riding to the Imperial Palace. Fangsu entered the Palace without much obstruction from the guards who were used to Fangsu carrying various bags with her. Entering the caretaking unit, Fangsu gave one of the breakfast boxes for the caretakers to eat. Everyone was delighted with the unique food that was given by Fangsu, "Fangsu! Where did you get these?" Wu Song as happily eating the black sesame buns and potato dumplings.

Fangsu smiled knowing that the caretakers were enjoying the food, "I'm happy to see that you like my cooking!" Instantly responding to Wu Song question which stunned everyone that she has cooking skills. Everyone continued to eat the breakfast that Fangsu made, continuously praising her cooking. After breakfast quickly devoured by everyone, they returned back to work. Fangsu was in charge of the feeding the leopard who was now in a better condition, it's fur had grown its thick luscious black fur back. The leopard was now healthy as if the crazed situation hadn't occurred at all. As Fangsu entered the enclosure, the leopard happily greeting Fangsu by rubbing its body against Fangsu, purring. Seeing the leopard in good condition, Fangsu was glad to not having her head being decapitated by the Empress. After feeding the leopard, Fangsu left the enclosure to do some reporting and documentation. The head caretaker gave Fangsu an early leave to rest after the laborious process of healing the Leopard.

Taking the remaining breakfast box, Fangsu exhaustively trotted to the Empress Dowager's Palace where the Dowager, Lady Meng, the twins and Zhao Hui to be. The man, Zhao Hui, made her quite nervous knowing that he wasn't someone to trifle with his strong cultivation and powerful backing. Those were the two things that made her wary of him. "Big Sister!" The twins ran for Fangsu hugging her as their eyes sparkled once they smelled the delicious food.

Fangsu served the food to everyone, "I made them this morning," the slightly steamed indicates that it was still warm. The twins eagerly ate the buns and dumplings, immediately kicking their short legs back and forth as their tongues savoured the delicious flavour, "No need to eat so fast! The food isn't running from you." Fangsu laughed at the twins who were hoarding the food on their plates. The Dowager and Lady Meng appreciated the delicious home-cooked meal that Fangsu prepared. As Fangsu turned to Zhao Hui who was still eating the potato dumplings stared right back at her. Feeling confronted by that stare Fangsu looked away. That same unnerving stare was making Fangsu uncomfortable.

After clearing the table of the mess, Fangsu excused herself and left the Dowager's Palace. Zhao Hui was blatantly following Fangsu as she continued to walk through the massive corridors. But, Fangsu was the type of person to confront someone straight up so she decided to continue walking to see whether he would continue to follow her. He followed Fangsu was leading Tian, all the way into the busy streets, "Meng Gongzi, I have to ask," Fangsu was quite nervous confronting someone especially a person like him but it was unnerving that he was always a few steps behind her, "Why are you following me?" Fangsu stared at Zhao Hui who smiled at her.

Zhao Hui clicked his finger and a small dimension space was created containing Fangsu and Tian with Zhao Hui, "I'm surprised you could actually see me," As he walked towards her. Fangsu took a few steps back to maintain their distance. Tian also stood in front of Fangsu to protect her but was pulled by the reins to stay by Fangsu's side, "Only people who practice specific cultivation techniques, special constitution or have an inherited skill can see into the spirit realm." Zhao Hui stood in his spot seeing that Fangsu was trying to maintain their distance.

Fangsu felt a chill rush down her spine, knowing that if he knew of her ability to see in the spiritual realm. If he wanted to kill her, he would have done it. But, his true intention was still unknown to Fangsu. She had just recently obtained the family skills yet the timing of this confrontation was seemly too perfect, "Your spirit companion must be diligently reporting to you," The only reason he would know so much would be because of that spirit that had been following her lately.

Zhao Hui clapped his hands as if applauding her. But each clap makes Fangsu more uneasy with staying in the same dimensional space with him, "Lady Chen, I must say being about to deduct that is quite impressive," Zhao Hui manages to get behind Fangsu, delicately holding a lock of her hair in his hand. Carefully rubbing the dye off, Fangsu's natural colour began showing it ash grey brilliance, "It's a shame that you have to hide your beautiful hair." Kissing the lock of hair which caused Fangsu to blush profusely. Tian went to bit Zhao Hui which caused him to back off while Fangsu nervously tucked the lock of ash grey hair into the rest of her hair. Zhao smiled at Fangsu before snapping his fingers again, releasing both Fangsu and Tian from the dimensional space. Zhao Hui had vanished from sight and Fangsu took it as an opportunity to rush back to Blossoming Fragrance. Handing Tian to an employee, Fangsu ran into the study room. Shutting the door of the extension bedroom the quiet dark room helped calm her uncontrollable beating heart.