Chapter 93

Chapter 93

◎Two Bowls of Sweet and Savory Tofu Pudding◎

Never did she expect Sun Shouzheng to act so swiftly; Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. But considering Xie Heng's identity, she would have done the same, working through the night.

It was indeed overkill for Xie Heng to handle these matters here in Yangzhou, but since he came to Jiangnan, he must have his reasons. Luo Wanqing didn't dare ask more.

She bowed her head in acknowledgment. Xie Heng put down the book he had been reading, tidied up, and rose to leave.

Luo Wanqing followed him out of the main courtyard, hesitating as she called out, "Young Master."

"Hmm?"

His response was unexpectedly gentle, surprising Luo Wanqing. She chalked it up to Xie Heng's improved mood since arriving in Jiangnan, dismissing the oddity. She asked, "May I question Zhou Chun and Sun Cui separately?"

"Official business or personal?"

Xie Heng's question gave Luo Wanqing an inkling of the answer. He glanced at her and simply said, "Don't rush."

"But..."

"Your intentions will be exposed if you do," Xie Heng said calmly. "It's best not to reveal your identity before your father's case is overturned. You have many enemies; don't give them a chance to strike."

"Overturned?" Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but ask, "Will Young Master help clear my father's name?"

"If it's a wrongful conviction."

Xie Heng didn't give a definitive answer, but to Luo Wanqing, it was as good as one.

She watched as the young man brushed aside the willow branches in his path. The morning light in Jiangnan seemed to carry moisture, softening the cold and handsome features of the youth before her, enveloping him in a gentle glow.

Luo Wanqing felt reassured and expressed her gratitude sincerely, "Thank you, Young Master."

There was much she wanted to thank him for.

But Xie Heng didn't respond, only giving her a brief glance before leading the way forward.

They stepped out of the courtyard gate without seeing a carriage. Luo Wanqing was puzzled. "Young Master?"

"A walk."

Xie Heng's words made Luo Wanqing realize that this was intentional on his part. Even someone like Xie Heng might want to enjoy the scenery when visiting a new place.

Luo Wanqing suddenly saw a more human side to the man beside her. Since the county office wasn't far, she decided to accompany Xie Heng on his stroll.

However, given Xie Heng's status, people who wanted him dead were likely as numerous as carp crossing a river. Luo Wanqing couldn't help but say, "Should we bring along bodyguards like the Vermilion Bird Envoy?"

"No need."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing understood that today's safety rested entirely on her shoulders. She immediately offered, "Then I'll prepare a mask for Young Master."

"No need."

Xie Heng glanced back at her. "Do I look like someone who can't show his face?"

This question caught Luo Wanqing off guard, and she hastily explained, "I'm just concerned about Young Master's safety."

"It's fine."

After hearing Luo Wanqing's concern, Xie Heng continued walking ahead. "Nothing will happen today."

If something did happen, they'd both be doomed.

Luo Wanqing thought to herself but couldn't defy Xie Heng's decision. She followed him down the road.

Neither of them wore masks, and once they hit the main street, everyone around them started staring and whispering. Luo Wanqing could hear their gossip and felt somewhat embarrassed.

In the past, Luo Wanqing had quite a reputation in Yangzhou, known for her beauty and medical skills. After the incident with the Luo family, most people knew what had happened. Now, seeing a woman who looked so much like Luo Wanqing walking with a youth as strikingly handsome as Xie Heng, it was inevitable that they would talk.

Luo Wanqing pretended not to notice and listened to the whispers around her.

"She looks like Doctor Luo..."

"But Doctor Luo is gone..."

"Could she still be alive?"

"No way. If Doctor Luo were alive, wouldn't Young Master Xiaojiang be with her?"

"True. With his temper, there's no way he'd let Doctor Luo be with another man."

The passersby spoke with conviction, making Luo Wanqing feel even more awkward. While others didn't know the truth, Xie Heng was fully aware of her identity.

Luo Wanqing struggled to speak. "Young Master..."

Xie Heng turned to look at her. Luo Wanqing wanted to explain but found herself at a loss for words. After some thought, she decided to divert Xie Heng's attention. "Have you ever toured Yangzhou, Young Master?"

"No."

Xie Heng seemed unaffected by the surrounding chatter, though his demeanor had visibly cooled.

Luo Wanqing sighed in relief. "Shall I tell you about Yangzhou, then?"

"Yes."

Hearing his simple "Yes," Luo Wanqing quickly began enthusiastically describing Yangzhou to Xie Heng.

But since they were walking down the main street, there wasn't much scenery to speak of. Thus, Luo Wanqing could only introduce him to the shops along the way.

"This incense shop is excellent. I used to frequent it for purchases..."

"That osmanthus cake stall isn't bad either. It's sweet but not cloying, though the queue can be quite long..."

"And at that alley entrance," Luo Wanqing pointed to a tofu pudding stand in front of an alley. "you must try their tofu pudding, Young Master. Unlike the sweet tofu pudding from Yangzhou or the salty version from East Capital, this place offers both sweet and salty options, and their seasoning is superb..."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the county office's entrance. Xie Heng looked at the tofu pudding she had recommended and said calmly, "Go in. I'll make them too nervous."

Luo Wanqing acknowledged his words and turned to enter.

After she left, Xie Heng closed his eyes and suppressed his emotions. After a long while, he turned around and walked to the tofu pudding stand she had mentioned, saying indifferently, "Boss, two bowls of sweet and salty tofu pudding."

She had been looking at this tofu pudding the entire time, and her gaze hadn't lingered on any other stalls for as long. This place must be one she liked very much.

Since she liked it, he would give it a try.

Xie Heng ordered the tofu pudding and sat down at the stall.

The boss served the tofu pudding and said with a smile, "Sir, judging by your accent, you're from out of town, right? How did you know about my sweet and salty tofu pudding?"

As he spoke, he placed the tofu pudding in front of Xie Heng. The dish combined the cooking methods of the north and south, and it looked a little strange. Xie Heng tried a mouthful and found it to have a unique taste.

Southern cuisine was usually a bit too sweet for him, but the sweetness of this tofu pudding seemed to enhance its flavor.

The tofu pudding suited his taste, and his tone softened slightly. "A friend introduced me."

"A friend? Is she a young lady from Yangzhou?"

The boss was rather enthusiastic, and Xie Heng replied, "Mm."

"Then she must like you, right?"

Hearing this, he suddenly felt a bit flustered and tense, and he asked, "Why do you say that?"

"I can tell from your accent that you're from the north. For this young lady to find my place and recommend my sweet and salty tofu pudding to you, she must really care about you."

The boss was serving tofu pudding to others, and most of them preferred the sweet version. As he worked, he continued, "This sweet and salty tofu pudding is unique to Yangzhou. Back then, there was a female doctor who liked sweet tofu pudding. But the young master who came to Yangzhou with her preferred the salty version. She would always come to me and teach me how to make the salty tofu pudding from East Capital."

As Xie Heng listened, he suddenly sensed something and paused. The boss continued, "But where could I get the ingredients she mentioned from East Capital? I pieced together what I could and experimented over and over until I created this sweet and salty tofu pudding. You wouldn't believe it, but that young master loved it after trying it once. Since then, I've made it occasionally, but our locals still prefer the local flavors. Those who enjoy this dish are mostly people who moved south from the north."

"That female doctor..."

Xie Heng held the spoon, unable to swallow for a moment. He opened his mouth to ask but couldn't bring himself to speak.

However, before he could ask, the boss sighed and replied, "Her surname is Luo. She's a well-known beauty in Yangzhou, known as the Jade Bodhisattva. She was beautiful and had a kind heart. Unfortunately, she suffered due to her father's salt trafficking and is no longer with us."

Xie Heng held the spoon motionlessly. The boss shook his head. "Young Master Jiang is also gone now. What a pity for such a pair of beauties."

As they spoke, Luo Wanqing emerged from the county office holding documents.

Seeing Xie Heng sitting at the tofu pudding stand from a distance, she was surprised and hurried over to bow. "Young Master."

"Miss..." The boss heard Luo Wanqing's voice and smiled as he raised his head to greet her. However, upon seeing Luo Wanqing, he froze.

Luo Wanqing turned around and calmly told Xie Heng, "I've retrieved the documents."

"Have a bowl of tofu pudding first."

Xie Heng calmly asked her to sit down. The boss stared at them, unable to blink.

Luo Wanqing pretended not to notice the boss's gaze and sat down when Xie Heng called her.

She hadn't eaten before leaving and was already hungry when they arrived at the county office. Taking advantage of Xie Heng's interest in eating tofu pudding, she quickly devoured a bowl.

Having gotten used to fighting for food in prison and not having a peaceful life since, she no longer ate slowly as she used to.

Her actions slowly brought the boss back to his senses. Just then, a youth approached the stall and called out, "Boss, one bowl of sweet and salty tofu pudding, please."

The boss snapped out of his daze, surprised that so many people wanted this unusual flavor today. However, he didn't dare say anything and quickly lowered his head to serve the tofu pudding.

Luo Wanqing quickly finished her bowl and looked up at Xie Heng, only to realize that he had only taken a few bites.

She couldn't help feeling curious and cautiously asked, "Young Master, does it not suit your taste?"

"Mm." Xie Heng got up and said, "It's a bit bitter."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback. Unable to resist her curiosity, she scooped a small spoonful from an untouched part of Xie Heng's bowl and tasted it. She didn't find any difference.

She frowned but remembered that everyone had different preferences and didn't bother to question it further. She quickly followed Xie Heng as he left.

The prison was some distance from the county office, and Xie Heng didn't plan to walk. He had already arranged for a carriage prepared by Zhu Que to wait at the county office.

He led Luo Wanqing into the carriage. Once inside, he seemed to have a headache and raised his hand to support his forehead as he sat higher up. Closing his eyes, he said, "To the prison."

The carriage sped away. As they left, in another carriage nearby, a youth presented the freshly served tofu pudding and respectfully said, "Your Highness, here is the tofu pudding you requested."

Li Guiyu took the tofu pudding and after taking two bites, couldn't help but look up at the table and chairs nearby.

The people had already left.

"What kind of tofu pudding did Xie Heng eat just now?"

He suddenly asked a question that puzzled the young attendant. The youth was taken aback and then recalled, "It seemed to be sweet and salty tofu pudding as well."

Upon hearing this, Li Guiyu closed his eyes. After a moment, he finally said, "Give the boss fifty taels of gold and tell him not to sell sweet and salty tofu pudding anymore. If he continues to sell it," Li Guiyu lowered his head and put the tofu pudding in his mouth, "kill him."

"Side Show"

Boss: A bowl of sweet and savory tofu pudding has left three people bitter—she developed it for her ex and had his current boyfriend try it, which got me threatened. What am I to her? I feel so miserable.

Xie Heng: The tofu pudding she had me taste was developed for Jiang Shaoyan. What does that make me? I feel so miserable.

Li Guiyu: She developed the tofu pudding for me, yet now she's having Xie Heng try it. What does that make me? I feel so miserable.

Luo Wanqing: What’s wrong with all of you? It’s great that the boss is treating me to my favorite tofu pudding during work hours! I just finished a bowl and I’m ready for another—I’m so happy!