Chapter 101: Roujiamo  

Tian Mi slipped out of the residence silently and fetched water to wash her face clean.

Today marked not only the reopening of the Copying Studio after its renovations but also the grand opening of Hong Yan Xiao. Originally, Tian Mi planned to check on the Copying Studio before heading to Hong Yan Xiao. However, she now decided against it. With Qiu Wu and Chun Yi in charge there, supported by well-trained attendants and maids—all of excellent character—there should be no issues.

In the front hall of the Copying Studio, twelve young scholars were already seated, earnestly copying books. Though their clothing was thin, it was clean and tidy, and their expressions were solemn and focused.

After observing for a while, Tian Mi instructed Qiu Yi and Feiyan to stay behind and take care of things. She had other tasks to attend to. Initially, she planned to take Lin Yuqing along to visit the Princess’s Manor and find her sister. However, Lin Yuqing said she wanted to go to Hong Yan Xiao later to learn makeup skills from the maids there.

Sigh! She uses the same tools, but the results are always… unique.

Tian Mi chuckled to herself. Clumsy hands are a universal phenomenon, it seems!

“Let one of the maids teach you. Doing it yourself is indeed a bit challenging,” Tian Mi suggested.

Lin Yuqing, lifting her stubborn little head, replied, “I want to try again on my own.”

After encouraging her for a while, Tian Mi left the manor. She sought out Nanny Xiao and asked her to arrange for someone to buy all the eggs, radishes, and wild fruits from the vendors in the northern market. Then, she headed to the general market to purchase as many pig and sheep offal as well as chicken feet as she could find.

In fact, Tian Mi’s supply of chili sauce was running low because Yi Pin Xian had been using it in large quantities.

Moreover, Bai Mucheng happened to have a hot spring villa she could borrow if needed.

Thinking about Bai Mucheng made Tian Mi feel conflicted.

Forget it, no need to overthink. Don’t waste energy on inner turmoil!

She called for Xia Mei and asked her to summon two Chun maids and two Qiu maids. They headed to the kitchen area, where Chen Miaomiao was busy leading a team in preparing medicines. The strong medicinal smell permeated the place.

Tian Mi took her team to the section for making soy sauce and taught them how to ferment dough. She had brought out a porcelain jar filled with yeast powder, dissolving it in warm water to prepare the dough for fermentation.

Making these buns wasn’t too complicated. The dough only needed to ferment for half an hour before being slow-cooked over a small fire in the stove.

With everyone working together, they managed to turn all of Tian Mi’s dough into over eighty buns.

Nanny Xiao arrived with a few attendants and guards, pushing a cart laden with goods purchased from the villagers—pig and sheep offal, as well as chicken feet.

To be honest, these were items the wealthy would never touch, dismissively referred to as scraps or “low-grade” ingredients.

They were incredibly cheap and typically bought by common folk to add a hint of meat flavor to their meals.

Nanny Xiao couldn’t understand why the Princess had bought these things.

Tian Mi directed Chun Er, Chun Si, Qiu San, and Qiu Wu to clean the offal and chicken feet, especially the intestines. The intestines were scrubbed thoroughly three times using ash to remove any impurities.

The chicken feet were set aside for later use.

From now on, she entrusted these four with this task.

Tian Mi prepared a portion of the intestines separately for braising, while the rest were stewed with other offal, a few traditional Chinese medicinal spices, and radishes. To ensure convenience when mixing into dishes, the spices were wrapped in cloth. She even added a few slices of hawthorn, finely slicing the pig liver and heart, which were added at the end to cook briefly until tender. The dish was finished with a splash of vinegar and a pinch of salt for seasoning.

What initially appeared to be unappetizing scraps gradually released an aroma so enticing it made everyone’s mouths water.

Unable to resist, Chen Miaomiao dashed in with sparkling eyes. “Cousin, what smells so good?”

Tian Mi scooped up some of the mixture, chopped it into smaller pieces, and stuffed it into the freshly baked buns. The sight of the group salivating made her laugh.

She prepared one for everyone, and they all tasted it together.

The result? A soft, rich, and aromatic filling bursting with flavor and complexity. The juice-soaked bun provided an incredibly satisfying texture. Could this really have been made from offal?

It was absolutely delicious!

Everyone’s eyes sparkled with delight.

Chen Miaomiao happily savored her portion, while the two Chun and Qiu maids were moved to tears. They had heard rumors about how approachable the Princess was, but they had never imagined it to be true.

Not only did she personally teach them how to work, but she also corrected their mistakes with patience instead of scolding them. And now, she had gone so far as to prepare this delicious dish herself and share it with everyone.

Though they were servants, they no longer felt as anxious.

No wonder the older servants always worked with such energy and optimism, showing no hint of despair about their futures.

Tian Mi was thoroughly satisfied with the flavor of the roujiamo!

She instructed them to finish making the batch of buns so they could send some to her grandmother, uncle, younger uncle, and Xu Yunfei. She also ordered portions to be sent to the various managers.

That evening, when Bai Mucheng arrived, he was greeted by a rich aroma that immediately dispelled the fatigue of his busy day.

As he entered Tian Mi’s courtyard, he overheard Nanny Xiao speaking with her.

Nanny Xiao usually didn’t interfere in the affairs of her masters. She was a person who understood boundaries. But today, she couldn’t hold back any longer, knowing full well that her mistress was reasonable and approachable.

“Princess, this work is so labor-intensive and yields so little profit. Why are you going through all this trouble?”

She stopped just short of bluntly saying it was beneath her station.

Tian Mi understood that her concern came from a good place.

Smiling, she replied, “Nanny, you’re right. I don’t need to concern myself with such trivial things or go to this much trouble. But there are many people out there who need opportunities like this to earn a living and support their families. In a few days, I’ll have Qiu San take these four to the back courtyard of the transcription house. They’ll specialize in making these, and later we’ll hire more people to sell them in the northern district. It’s a way for them to make a living. With a city as large as this, plus the docks and gates to other regions, I’ll think of more dishes to add to their repertoire. The business won’t fail.”

Nanny Xiao felt her nose tingle with emotion. So this was her mistress’s intention. And as for the transcription house—others might not know, but she did. The mistress didn’t actually need anyone to transcribe books. She had merely set it up to provide the underprivileged scholars a place to borrow books and earn some money.

Such a woman—no wonder she had risen from a commoner to become the Princess Consort of Prince Ding. Her vision and compassion were truly unmatched.

Nanny Xiao bowed respectfully and withdrew, only to encounter Bai Mucheng in the courtyard. His expression was one of pride and admiration.

No wonder Master Kongming had said she was someone who would benefit the country and its people.

The day before, Qi had reported to him that Tian Mi had visited the northern market. Ever since then, his mind had been a bit distracted.

At the dining table, dishes were already laid out, including the roujiamo and a stew of mixed flavors.

When Tian Mi saw Bai Mucheng enter, she casually handed him a plate of food and a roujiamo.

Bai Mucheng felt that Tian Mi seemed a bit off today. Still, he happily sat down and began eating. The roujiamo was indeed flavorful and layered in taste. After a few big bites, he couldn’t help but praise, “What kind of meat is this? The flavor and texture are excellent.”

Tian Mi smiled faintly and replied, “Just a simple dish.”

Then, with a calm tone, she asked, “Did you assign secret guards to me?”

Bai Mucheng froze. No wonder she seemed displeased—this was the reason. He had almost forgotten about it.

He nodded and answered, “Yes. The situation in the capital is complicated…”

Tian Mi interrupted him, her tone still calm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Feeling a bit guilty, Bai Mucheng replied, “I’ve been busy and forgot.”

Tian Mi said firmly, “Then withdraw them.”

Bai Mucheng tried to explain, “Mier, the situation in the capital is truly unstable. Incidents like today’s happen often. Having someone follow you ensures your safety.”

Tian Mi looked at him, her gaze unwavering. “I said, withdraw them. You can assign people to protect the children and the household’s peace. But as for me, it’s unnecessary. I can protect myself.”

Bai Mucheng continued eating silently. He didn’t want to withdraw the guards. Firstly, the capital’s political landscape was indeed treacherous and unsafe. Secondly, Tian Mi always gave him a sense of unpredictability.

She was unbound by worldly conventions, living as she pleased, as though she could leave at any moment.

If that day ever came, he wouldn’t even know where to begin searching for her.

He didn’t want to argue with her, but he also didn’t want to comply.

Tian Mi didn’t say much more. She had her ways of showing him that whether it was protecting her or keeping her under surveillance, it would all be pointless.