Chapter 1, Awakening (Part 1)

He casually responded with a sound, picked up the second basket of buns, entered the shop, and exchanged a glance with Cui Han. Cui Han let out a soft cheer, quickly stepped out of the crowd to help outside, while also enjoying the two buns that he deserved.

As soon as the door opened, people outside surged in. Old Feng personally invited Master Liu to a table. Zhang Xuanning quickly stepped forward, wiped the table and chairs again, and then brought up three baskets of buns, not making Master Liu wait even for a moment: "Master Liu, please enjoy."

Good morning, boss! Zhang Xuanning did not need to look to know that the boss and the boss's wife had come out. He hurriedly stepped forward and wiped a table, even though the table was already very clean. However, this would make the boss feel comfortable.

For an ordinary person, these discussions might seem akin to listening to a story being told, but Zhang Xuanning listened attentively. Having been here for half a month, he was aware that it was the Sui Dynasty. By carefully examining the words he heard in relation to historical research, he realized that it was now the ninth month of the ninth year of the Daye era. After all, his years of study while bedridden were not in vain, especially since he had a particular fondness for "The Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty," which led him to specifically read about the history of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

"Alright, what does Master Liu say? You come here, do I still need you to pay? You coming here is already bringing me honor, come in, please come in!" At this moment, Old Feng had a beaming smile, greeting warmly.

I have been reborn in this world for half a month now. The reborn self inhabits a body that is merely around fourteen years old. Surrounding me is a simple room, not large, containing just a few tables and chairs

"She is my little wife, rescued from the river. I didn't expect her to be quite capable at work!" Old Feng smiled broadly. "This Liu, however, is someone we cannot offend. The little profits we make in the shop rely entirely on his support. If it weren't for some family ties, how could we have such good fortune? Three baskets of buns for breakfast and three baskets of buns for supper, and that would suffice?"

Alas, the current emperor is on his second campaign against Goryeo, and the Minister of Personnel rebelled in June, forcing the emperor to retreat, resulting in a failure at the last moment! However, it is said that he died just last month, in August!

After a long time, he finally let out a sigh: "So it was just a dream!"

Hello, Sister Zhen!

Zhang Xuanning awakened from her memories, abandoning the pursuit of the remnants of this body's memories. She wanted to respond but did not know where to begin. At that moment, she also got up and put on her clothes

I also want a second steamer

After quickly consuming two buns, he went inside to help, intending to bring Cui Han out. He was also involved in this matter. Zhang Xuanning was well aware that if she were to monopolize the food, Cui Han would undoubtedly inform on her. This was not about anything else; it was simply a matter of course.

It is nearing noon, and although the baozi shop does not serve lunch, there are still some people sitting and drinking tea, or a few individuals having some baozi and a little wine, but these are all acquaintances from the neighborhood

There was another boy on the bed, who was awakened. He opened his eyes and saw that it was already dimly bright outside, so he quickly began to put on his clothes

This is Cui Han, also a fourteen-year-old apprentice hired by the boss

In the first half of the month, if it were not for Sister Zhen saving him, he would have been just a boy not yet fifteen years old, and she would have long since taken the opportunity to make a point. Although Zhang Xuanning worked very diligently, she simply could not stand him.

"You should eat too, as there is still work to be done later!" The boss said to Sister Zhen. Men always prefer young and beautiful women, and this concubine greatly satisfies him. Moreover, the first wife has not had a child for four years, and he hopes this concubine will bear him a son: "And you all, hurry up and finish your porridge, let's get to work!"

Boss, open the door, come on, bring three baskets of buns! Although the sun has just risen, familiar customers are already waiting.

Zhang Xuanning quickly grabbed a bun and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "Sister Zhen, you are truly a good person"

At the age of fourteen or fifteen, they are all growing, so their food requirements are substantial; thin porridge simply cannot satisfy them

Without needing to be told, he understood that this was a secret method that, at the cost of burning one's life, could grant powers beyond those of ordinary people. He fell into the water and saw his mother's final gaze, a realization of self-sacrifice for her child. In that moment, his hatred for the woman in white was such that not even the waters of the four seas could wash it away.

The buns here come in a steamer of eight, with each steamer costing fifteen wen, making three steamers a total of forty-five wen. However, if sold individually, each bun costs two wen. Those who enter the shop usually eat a whole steamer, while the ones sold outside are for individual sale. When Sister Zhen brought a steaming basket of vegetable and meat buns to the front of the shop, she saw the boss and his wife bustling about inside. In a very quick motion, she took two buns and handed them to Zhang Xuanning, who was helping out, whispering, "Here, eat this. I know you haven't had enough; the porridge you had was too thin."

Ah, you have taken a concubine and invited someone else, Old Feng, you are truly becoming more prosperous. Today you are hosting a banquet, indeed you are hosting a banquet!

I have a small appetite, so half a basket will be fine, haha. Lao Feng, are there still seats available inside?

Upon exiting the small room, they arrived at the outer parlor. Although the two had risen quite early, there were already people outside—a young woman who appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old by modern standards. Dressed in a coarse cloth dress, she possessed a certain beauty and was already engaged in work.

If I am not mistaken, this Lord Situ is Yang Xuangan, who comes from a distinguished family, with many of his father's former officials among the court ministers. Observing the chaos in the court and the widespread presence of rebel forces across the nation, Xuangan saw an opportunity. On June 3, he led his troops to seize the city and began his rebellion. However, he died at the Jiashu Garrison in early August.

Since ancient times, such places have been akin to inns, serving as the fastest venues for the dissemination of news across the world. A few individuals, easily identifiable as dockworkers or even akin to members of small gangs, began to boast there: "Do you know? Lord Situ has rebelled, but the court has quelled it."

As the door opened, the noise from outside came rushing in

Responding with a sound, she took the coarse cloth and busily wiped down all the tables and chairs. Then, she placed the buns that had been prepared the previous night one by one onto the steamer, lit the fire, and it began to burn.

He is indeed hungry, as this is very demanding work that requires him to toil until late at night, and he must rise to prepare before the sun comes up in the morning

Other guests are coming and going continuously, and now the matron only collects money, doing nothing else, while the other three are busy running around

Ah, dawn is approaching, get up quickly, otherwise the boss will scold you

After the boss and the boss's wife finished counting all the money, there was a brief moment to rest

Just as the firelight illuminated the surface, steam had already risen, and the aroma of the buns began to waft out, a voice came from inside, and then someone was heard saying with satisfaction: "Hmm, it's almost done? Very good, quite diligent, come, have some porridge first, once you finish, we will open the door"

Then, two bowls of rice porridge and a plate of pickled vegetables were served, which constituted the breakfast for the old couple, Mr. and Mrs. Feng. The boss nodded in satisfaction, but the boss's wife snorted.

"Xiao Zhang, Xiao Cui, it's good that you are here, quickly prepare to open the door!" Sister Zhen's maiden name is He, she is a commoner in the city, and the money owed is merely twenty taels of silver— the owner of this shop is Old Feng, and the reason he is willing to take her in is not only because she is very beautiful, but also because he needs a trustworthy assistant.

In the dream, amidst the glint of blades and the shadows of swords, the cold edge of a blade grazes the skin, sending chills through the body. Blood splatters as a middle-aged woman struggles to fend off her attackers. The pursuit continues along the river, where a gaze remains fixed and unwavering.

Zhang Xuanning suddenly sat up from the bed, his heart in turmoil, breathing heavily.

Sister Zhen responded and brought out a steamer of freshly steamed buns to serve her husband. There were eight buns in total: the boss and the eldest wife each received three, she kept one for herself, and the last one was split in half to be given to the two young servants

The buns are indeed delicious, and there are many customers. It was not until after the hour of Chen in the morning that the breakfast crowd gradually dispersed. The boss and the boss's wife were already contentedly counting today's earnings.

"Well, it's been a few days since we last met, and this fellow has been doing quite well!" Liu said casually

The aroma of steamed buns gradually permeated the room, softening the inevitable smell of smoke from the firewood.

Zhang Xuanning and Cui Han, of course, were not qualified to sit at the table and eat. The two of them each consumed half a steamed bun, then ravenously drank a bowl of thin porridge. Seeing that the boss's family had almost finished eating, one of them obediently went up to tidy up, while the other hurriedly opened the door to leave

Seeing him still in a daze, the young man couldn't help but say: "Get dressed already, you were rescued from the river by Sister Zhen, don't embarrass her. Although the boss is nice, the boss's wife loves to create trouble for her!"