A Spicy Treat

***SEE AUTHOR NOTE AT END: HIATUS IN DECEMBER 2024!!!***

San carried a small back basket full of medicines and pulled Si along as they strolled around the market one last time while chatting freely. Xu Feng was still giddy off his haul of big and small fennel, cumin, pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon...so many spices, they were only short of chili peppers!

For most, a treat is a small, enjoyable food item that is usually sweet in flavor. It's often eaten for pleasure or as a reward, rather than as a regular part of a meal.

Treats come in various forms, such as candies, pastries, and natural sweets, and are commonly associated with celebrations or moments of indulgence. A treat can also be an expensive accessory or even a clothing item.

The soon-to-be young mistress of the Xuan family had a different idea– a hot take, if you will. Instead, he was excited for the fiery thrill of spicy dishes and intense flavors to redefine indulgence.

The little girls, Si and San, clearly didn't understand Xu Feng's wish for a zestful world of spices but he would make them understand in time. For now, though, he would keep them wondering.

"Young master, why did we get so much medicine?" Si speculated aloud.

"Are you going to sell them to the villagers?" San followed up, her curiosity overpowering her usual mature disguise.

"Maybe the young mistress will grow them in the garden?"

"He was talking about growing things in the wintertime."

"I don't understand how that could be possible. How can we grow food in the snow and ice?"

The two little girls were so excited by the prospect of gardening and all the fun things in their haul, they didn't even wait for Xu Feng's reply. They continued to stroll and speculate wildly with glee, acting like the curious children they are.

Erlang, on the other hand, remained still and silent, like an immovable mountain. But he was clearly interested in the girls' conversation. He would sneak peeks at Xu Feng occasionally when something interesting was said that made him curious about his young mistress.

To the three young servants of the Nanshan estate, the entire day had been a mind-blowing adventure, from the clothing shop fiasco, to shopping with no abandon, to eating meat dishes in a tea house, and then finally buying so many bitter medicines from the medicine hall.

As they strolled around the marketplace one final time, the three young ones clearly had more energy, even with the heavy loads they carried.

While excited by his amazing spice haul from the medicine hall, Xu Feng still eagerly surveyed the market. He was captivated by the various ancient buildings at the market.

In the morning, there were a few small animals being sold, like chicks and piglets. Xu Feng took these animals in but considered buying them later, when his money pit of a greenhouse was built. But learning the prices for animals wouldn't hurt.

The piglets were priced around 750 wen, which Xu Feng thought seemed fair. He chatted with a few sellers and promised to return in the next week to buy their remaining piglets if they didn't sell out before the first heavy snowfall.

Led by Erlang, who had been to the market with the two aunts of the Nanshan estate, they quickly purchased salt and a seasoning similar to chili, with a milder flavor.

"Young mistress, it's past noon, there won't be any chicks for sale at this time." Erlang broke the news to a disappointed Xu Feng.

While he couldn't talk with anyone selling chicks today, Xu Feng would have a chance after his wedding was held. With a final purchase of fragrant meat buns for their journey home, their group of four headed to the animal sheds under the mild winter sun.

After Erlang settled their purchases into the donkey cart, they settled down for their return journey home with a certain young mistress and his tender bottom.

Xu Feng let out a long sigh as they left Yilin town with three worries on his mind. The first one about his tender bottom, the second about people, and the third about future purchases.

The last two were the most pressing.

As the group of four tore into their meaty lunch, Xu Feng couldn't help but smile at the happy humming noises Si made as she ate something delicious. She had done it earlier, when they were having wontons too.

Even the young girl's little quirks couldn't keep his mind from wandering back to more serious thoughts as they traveled.

While what little he had seen of Yilin town had stirred his interest, the stares he received from men, women, and gers alike couldn't be ignored. The people of Donghua seemed to like beauty very much. Whether it was because of his face or the color of his hair, Xu Feng had received veiled and unveiled glances all day.

The next time he came out, Xu Feng planned to wear a mask or some kind of face covering. He felt like a celebrity in the worst way possible.

The fact that nothing bad happened today was a testament to the safety of Yilin town, but Xu Feng wouldn't test anyone's patience, especially his own. Their group wasn't exactly intimidating.

A few passersby had tried to make conversation with Si and San to learn about their young mistress. Surprisingly, the two had been very sharp when it came to things like this.

They were even very comfortable with the looks their young mistress attracted at every turn. Who cared? Their young mistress was a good luck charm, and everyone wanted to cut him a deal!

"Young mistress, you spend too much, too quick," Erlang added as he drove the Ox cart after polishing two large meat buns.

After saying this, Erlang's face went completely red, but he didn't shrink his neck in the slightest. He said what he had to say but wouldn't recoil.

Xu Feng looked at the giant baby with momentary shock, before a dimpled smile graced his face. This brought him back to his two biggest concerns, people and future purchases.

This modern man was considering buying servants, among other things.