Page 3 of The Tea Witch’s Secret

"Zhou. It's a rice porridge, you might call it congee," I said, holding back the exact details of how I made it. I had long learned that was not what people were asking when they showed interest in my food.

Pepper hummed. "Is it sweet or savoury?" She pulled her dough into a large boule and put it on a tray before covering it.

"Mostly savoury. I make mine with dried mushrooms, dried seafood, and marinated eggs. It's best with some fresh chives or scallions, but I don't have those," I said, hoping that wasn't too much information. Then again, she asked, so maybe she was actually interested?

Pepper came to have a closer look while her dough was resting. "Ahhh, I see. It looks similar to something the Steepers make. Should I have prepared something like that for all of you? I'm making fresh bread and serving it with sausages, bacon, and all sorts."

"Oh no, it's fine," I said quickly. "Eva and Max absolutely love that sort of breakfast, and trying new food. I just like to start my day with a taste of home." We'd left my home region when I was too small to remember. But my uncle had made zhou for us every morning for years, and would never let any of our cooks do it, so it reminded me of home in that way.

"If you like, I can make it for you tomorrow so you don't have to get up earlier," she offered.

My chest got tight like it always did when I was feeling nervous. I could tell that her request came from a good place, and those were the hardest to say no to. People usually didn't like being denied the chance to help.

"No, thank you. I'm particular about how it's made, so I prefer doing it myself," I said, worrying that she would be insulted. People tended to be when they felt like I was doubting their skills, but the porridge had to be a specific texture, or it wasn't as tasty. When I made it myself, I used the same ratios so that it always came out exactly the same.

Pepper just smiled and took a step back. "That makes sense. I'm like that about my bread buns. I don't let anyone else touch them."

What a relief, someone who understood. It gave me hope that completing my breakfast ritual every day would remain nice and peaceful.

Chapter 3

Pepper

The best way to start the morning was with a cup of tea and fresh pastries. I wasn't done making the latter yet, but at least I could have my tea.

The kettle started to whistle, and I grabbed an oven cloth so that I could take it off the stove without burning myself. While I was almost guaranteed a burn at some point today, it was always better if I could avoid it being first thing. I earned a decent amount being in charge of the Purple Oak Town Hall kitchen, but it wasn't enough to keep me in a limitless supply of tea that I could use to heal myself, and even if the infirmary was available if I didn't have any myself, it would take a lot of time out of my day to go there, get healed and come back. Time I didn't have, particularly not with new guests staying and the Moon Tea Festival to get ready for.

Steam rose from the water as I poured it over the tea leaves I'd saved from yesterday's afternoon tea service. I couldn't serve it again to anyone important, but I could happily steep it again for myself.

I set the kettle back on the stove and checked on how my bread was doing, pleased to see that it was rising nicely and filling the air with a pleasant yeasty smell that was very familiar and comforting to me.

A knock startled me out of my thoughts. It wasn't loud, but I hadn't heard anyone coming and that took me off guard. I turned around to find Lian Ju Feng in the doorway, with the answer to why I hadn't heard her on her feet in the form of what looked like soft and comfortable slippers rather than the boots most people wore when they were in the Town Hall. Between that and her naturally light and elegant gait, it was no wonder I hadn't heard her.

I was the opposite. I was a stomper.

"Good morning to you," I said brightly, gesturing for her to come in. I should have paid more attention to the time, but the chimes of the bell tower didn't often make it to the kitchen, especially when the sounds of food preparing filled the air.

"Good morning," she replied, carrying in the same bag as yesterday. "Can I make my breakfast?"

"Of course," I said, patting the counter that she used yesterday. I had left it free for her because I had a suspicion that she would be here every day until they moved into their own house. I had no idea when it was going to be ready, but I didn't mind. It was nice to have company this early in the morning, especially from someone as beautiful as Lian with her long dark hair twisted into a bun and secured with a hairpin, though hers seemed to not have the same dangling ornaments that Eva Ju Feng seemed to prefer. Her voice was lovely to listen to as well, with a soft melodic accent, and even if she didn't speak a lot, what she did have to say was interesting.

She bowed politely and prepared her food just like she did the day before. It was clear that she was experienced at it from the ease with which she handled her cleaver and the flow of her movements, which seemed to include moving back her flowing sleeves with a simple flick that I definitely wouldn't be able to manage. Maybe it was the fabric. I had no idea what it was, but it looked lighter than the clothing I wore, and was much more intricately embroidered. But that made sense. She was the cousin of the weather witches, and now one of the most important people in the village. Of course she had beautiful clothing.

I cleared my throat and pulled my attention away from her. I shouldn't be watching her like this, especially when it was a little bit creepy for me to. Besides, I had my own tasks that I needed to tend to.

I emptied the bread from the proving box onto the work surface so that I could shape it into loaves. They'd need to rise again once that was done, and then bake, but they'd be ready perfectly in time for the half past six breakfast. And the proof time would give me a chance to get everything else ready. Eggs, mushrooms, and black pudding that came from one of the best pig wards in the village. And then I needed to prepare the lunches that everyone would take with them when they left for the day. It was a lot of work, but my instructions had been clear. We had to make the weather witches feel very welcome so they would stay with us for a long time.

While the weather had been fine this summer, it was always unreliable and having weather witches to stabilise the area would make a huge difference for getting through the upcoming winter. Nobody wanted the frosts to come too soon. And I was sure that it would do a lot for the crops that they were trying to cultivate with the help of dryads from Grower's Cove. I had no idea about any of the details of that, but the quality of my ingredients had improved since the trade deal with the other settlement had been approved.

I grabbed my knife to cut the log of black pudding to size, distracted by the frustrated sigh coming from behind me. I looked at Lian, instantly regretting it when I felt a sharp sting from the knife cutting through skin.

"Shit," I blurted out, looking back at my finger. Blood was pooling up from the cut on my index finger. It wasn't very deep, but I should take care of it right away and make sure to get a new knife and cook up this piece of black pudding just for myself.

"Are you all right?" Lian asked from by the stove, giving me a concerned look.

"Yes, just a small cut. Luckily, I was just about to have some tea, that should heal it right up," I replied, feeling a little embarrassed. That was such an amateur mistake and I couldn't believe I made it in front of her.

Lian stared at me for what felt like a very long moment, her dark eyes boring into me in a way that I wasn't used to. "You're a tea witch?"