Chapter 128. Sujiayan
Mrs. Su's original intention was to open a small restaurant. However, You Jin felt that since she wanted to do it, might as well make it big: "It just happens that the shop I bought at the beginning of the year is now empty. We’ll open up before the end of the year.”
"Mother just wanted to give it a try. Why don't we change to a smaller shop? If we lose money, we can pay less money..." Mrs. Su's heart was a little uncertain. She knew where the shop her daughter mentioned was. Of course, she knew how big the shop was. Although she was good at cooking, she can't cook in the kitchen all the time, can she? How could she support such a large restaurant business by herself?
You Jin smiled and said, "Although Mother's cooking skills are great, it's impossible for Mother to submerge in smoke and cook every day no matter if it's a big restaurant or a small restaurant, right? I want to make Mother a living signboard of our Suyan!"
"Living signboard?" Mrs. Su looked at You Jin with some doubts and uttered in puzzlement, "But if I don't become a chef, who’s going to be the chef at the back? Besides, my original thought is to do something by myself and resulted in wanting to open a restaurant, no?"
You Jin showed a sly smile. She poured a cup of thorn rose honey tea for Mrs. Su and spoke, "Rare things are precious. Mother's cooking is good. It’s one of the best in Luohe Prefecture. If everyone can eat it, isn't that the same as the restaurant next door. What difference is it to being able to eat just because one has money?"
Seeing Mrs. Su take in her own words and was lost in thought, You Jin chased for the victory: "Mother, think about it. If there is a restaurant, there are only ten rare dishes a day and only the first ten customers can eat. Everyone who has eaten it will linger and miss it. Isn’t it easier to attract more customers coming?"
Although she knew that Daughter was hoodwinking her doubts away, Mrs. Su felt that Daughter's words made sense: "Then what do you want to do, You Jin?"
Seeing Mrs. Su take the bait, You Jin smiled with satisfaction. She said: "Mother might as well sort out the recipes that you still remember during this time, record them in a book, and then try to make them one by one. If the recipe needs to be improved, improve it. The rest, leave it to me to worry about.”
Mrs. Su knew that she didn't know how to do business. In fact, her initial thought was that she felt that she was too leisurely every day and wanted to find something to do for herself and for the family. But when it came to it, Mrs. Su realized that she was lost and didn't know where to start. Now seeing Daughter act this confident, she involuntarily nodded and agreed.
***
You Jin spent 800 liang silver to buy the two houses behind the two-storey shop facing the street. Both totalled up to the size of a mu. Then she hired craftsmen to connect all the properties for future use. Complying with You Jin's idea, Third Master Huang hired one accountant, one manager, four different cuisine chefs, eight assistant chefs. Including apprentices, waiters, attendants and maids, a total of fifty-four people.
Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Zhao came from rich and noble families, so they naturally have some experience in decorating and arranging the courtyards. They knew that Su Family was preparing to open a restaurant. Due to being grateful to Su Family, they took the initiative to ask You Jin to take on the restaurant decoration: "We will definitely arrange it for you!"
You Jin had no choice. So she roughly explained her idea to the two of them. Unexpectedly, the two elders became more excited after hearing it and wished they could go to see it right away. You Jin was startled by the two elder’s overly motivated response and hurriedly waved their hands to stop them: "No rush, Madams. Let's take our time, shall we?"
When Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Zhao saw her evasive reaction, they realized that they were too excited. They smiled apologetically and replied, "We want to help you with something to repay your kindness to our family. We aren’t doing something bad out of kindness, are we?"
Seeing the two elders being so polite and cautious, You Jin didn't know what to say. How could she blame them for being too active? At once, she waved her hand to deny: "Madam, putting it like that would make me feel ashamed. We live under the same roof now and can be regarded as one family. Since we are a family, what need is there for you to be so polite?"
At this response, the two of them were relieved. Mrs. Zhao continued: "You Jin, since you say we are a family, then don't be so polite in the future and call us Mdama. You might as well call us Auntie!"
"Yes, yes, Younger Sister-in-law is right." Mrs. Yu nodded again and again. If it wasn't for the catastrophe that happened to her family and the sudden death of her son, Mrs. Yu really wanted such a daughter-in-law at this moment. You Jin was knowledgeable and sensible. No worse than the misses in the capital. The most important thing was this child's rare sincerity. It was a pity that there was no fate in the end.
Hearing what the two of them said, You Jin responded with a smile: "As long as the two aunts don't mind for being coarse, I will have the cheek to latch onto this relationship with two aunties."
Seeing her being so reasonable and immediately changing the way of addressing them, the smiles at the corners of Xiao Family's sister-in-laws' eyes deepened.
***
Since You Jin discussed with Mrs. Su, it had been almost two months. This period was the most fulfilling and happiest time in Mrs. Su's life. Every morning, she started to huddle in the kitchen with the family’s female cook and study the recipes that she remembered as well as putting it through trial and error.
"There are a lot of dishes here that Grandfather forced me to memorize. At that time, my family could barely eat enough. How can we possibly find these precious ingredients and try them?" Mrs. Su made two dishes today. Both dishes were trial products: Longjing Bamboo Fungus and St George Mushroom Fulfill Soup.
Li Chun divided the dishes into several portions and brought them to Mrs. Song, You Jin, and Third Master Huang. Since Third Master Huang found out that this weak-looking widowed mother, Mrs. Su was actually the future generation of a former dynasty’s imperial kitchen’s chief supervisor, he understood why Sujiaxiang was able to gain a foothold in Luohe Prefecture in just a few years and now it had opened a second branch. She was the great-granddaughter of the chief supervisor of the imperial kitchen. The snack shops in Luohe Prefecture were all child play in this common people’s rural area. How can others compare with her? Therefore, when knowing that Mrs Su's started to try dishes, Third Master Huang volunteered to come to help taste the dishes.
Third Master Huang had a good tongue, while Mrs. Song had eaten countless delicacies from mountains and seas. Naturally, these two were You Jin’s top candidates on choosing to try dishes.
After rinsing his mouth with clean water, Third Master Huang picked up a spoon and took a spoonful of St George Mushroom Fulfill Soup and tasted it. He savored the wonderful taste of the fresh and tender mushrooms and winter bamboo shoots and the burst of ham and other ingredients in his mouth. He couldn’t help consuming another spoonful and tasted it carefully again. Then he put down the spoon with satisfaction and commented with a grin: "Madam's cooking is getting better and better. In my decades of experience, this Fulfill Soup is definitely the best soup that I have ever tasted."
Mrs. Song also tasted it and then gave a pertinent opinion: "St George Mushroom Fulfill Soup tastes is on the finer side. While Longjing Bamboo Fungus, the bamboo fungus had been soaked too long. The taste of bamboo fungus is slightly worse."
Mrs. Su seriously took note of the two food experts’ opinions and thanked them both sincerely.
Contented, Third Master Huang put down the spoon and said: "After such a short period of time, Madam's culinary skills have improved more and more. I am looking forward to our Sujiayan more and more."
Because You Jin had high requirements for the venue layout of Sujiayan. And because everything was frozen in winter, the construction progress slowed down. The opening time of Sujiayan was set on the fifteenth day of the first month, the Lantern Festival.
There were many people in Su Family now. This new year celebration was particularly lively. Especially on the night of the New Year's Eve. Two young guests stealthily came to Su’s house and brought the reunion atmosphere to another level.
"Why do the two of you have the guts to come to Luohe Prefecture?!" With joy and fear, Mrs. Yu hugged her son whom she had been separated from for more than half a year. Tears couldn't stop flowing down.
Being in her embrace, Xiao Lin Feng let out an awkward chuckle and explained: "Lin Wen and I didn't know that such a big incident happened at home in the capital. If I don't make a fuss about going back to the capital, Uncle Wen wouldn’t tell me the truth!"
Speaking of this, Xiao Lin Feng was still a little angry. His parents and Eldest Brother sent him away early because the family was almost getting wiped out!
"Okay, okay, today is New Year's Eve. It’s already a great blessing for our family to be reunited. You mother and son are finally reunited. You should be happy, right? Why are you still making a fuss?" Sitting at the top, Mrs. Song narrowed her eyes and dissuaded the fight: "It's a pity that your father, your uncle, and your eldest brother are all in northern Xinjiang and can't come back."
"Isn’t Eldest Brother..." Xiao Lin Feng naturally knew about his eldest brother through Xiao Wen. Seeing the happy expression on old Ancestor's face, he couldn't help being a little puzzled. Could it be that Uncle Wen's news was wrong?
Mrs. Yu hurriedly tugged at his sleeve. Xiao Lin Feng noticed his mother's expression wasn't right and stopped talking at once. He sat down below Mrs Song's side: "Old Ancestor, Lin Feng is in front of you and you’re having a good chat with me. In the past, you loved me the most!"
"Okay, okay, you are all good children. Old Ancestors dotes all!" Mrs. Song grinned and stretched out her hands to pull the two grandchildren to her left to right side. She couldn’t be any more satisfied: "When you get old, you want your children and grandchildren to be fine. As long as you are all well, old Ancestor will be overjoyed!"
In the compound house where Xiao Family lived, there were only two or three servants responsible for rough chores such as sweeping and cleaning. Now that the two grandsons quietly returned to Luohe Prefecture, they naturally had to hide them. All the servants were sent out. Even the only moon gate into their courtyard was guarded by Leader Guard Xiao, who had personally moved a stool to there. He prevented anyone from entering to disturb the peace and joy of Xiao Family.
Mrs. Su's original intention was to open a small restaurant. However, You Jin felt that since she wanted to do it, might as well make it big: "It just happens that the shop I bought at the beginning of the year is now empty. We’ll open up before the end of the year.”
"Mother just wanted to give it a try. Why don't we change to a smaller shop? If we lose money, we can pay less money..." Mrs. Su's heart was a little uncertain. She knew where the shop her daughter mentioned was. Of course, she knew how big the shop was. Although she was good at cooking, she can't cook in the kitchen all the time, can she? How could she support such a large restaurant business by herself?
You Jin smiled and said, "Although Mother's cooking skills are great, it's impossible for Mother to submerge in smoke and cook every day no matter if it's a big restaurant or a small restaurant, right? I want to make Mother a living signboard of our Suyan!"
"Living signboard?" Mrs. Su looked at You Jin with some doubts and uttered in puzzlement, "But if I don't become a chef, who’s going to be the chef at the back? Besides, my original thought is to do something by myself and resulted in wanting to open a restaurant, no?"
You Jin showed a sly smile. She poured a cup of thorn rose honey tea for Mrs. Su and spoke, "Rare things are precious. Mother's cooking is good. It’s one of the best in Luohe Prefecture. If everyone can eat it, isn't that the same as the restaurant next door. What difference is it to being able to eat just because one has money?"
Seeing Mrs. Su take in her own words and was lost in thought, You Jin chased for the victory: "Mother, think about it. If there is a restaurant, there are only ten rare dishes a day and only the first ten customers can eat. Everyone who has eaten it will linger and miss it. Isn’t it easier to attract more customers coming?"
Although she knew that Daughter was hoodwinking her doubts away, Mrs. Su felt that Daughter's words made sense: "Then what do you want to do, You Jin?"
Seeing Mrs. Su take the bait, You Jin smiled with satisfaction. She said: "Mother might as well sort out the recipes that you still remember during this time, record them in a book, and then try to make them one by one. If the recipe needs to be improved, improve it. The rest, leave it to me to worry about.”
Mrs. Su knew that she didn't know how to do business. In fact, her initial thought was that she felt that she was too leisurely every day and wanted to find something to do for herself and for the family. But when it came to it, Mrs. Su realized that she was lost and didn't know where to start. Now seeing Daughter act this confident, she involuntarily nodded and agreed.
***
You Jin spent 800 liang silver to buy the two houses behind the two-storey shop facing the street. Both totalled up to the size of a mu. Then she hired craftsmen to connect all the properties for future use. Complying with You Jin's idea, Third Master Huang hired one accountant, one manager, four different cuisine chefs, eight assistant chefs. Including apprentices, waiters, attendants and maids, a total of fifty-four people.
Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Zhao came from rich and noble families, so they naturally have some experience in decorating and arranging the courtyards. They knew that Su Family was preparing to open a restaurant. Due to being grateful to Su Family, they took the initiative to ask You Jin to take on the restaurant decoration: "We will definitely arrange it for you!"
You Jin had no choice. So she roughly explained her idea to the two of them. Unexpectedly, the two elders became more excited after hearing it and wished they could go to see it right away. You Jin was startled by the two elder’s overly motivated response and hurriedly waved their hands to stop them: "No rush, Madams. Let's take our time, shall we?"
When Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Zhao saw her evasive reaction, they realized that they were too excited. They smiled apologetically and replied, "We want to help you with something to repay your kindness to our family. We aren’t doing something bad out of kindness, are we?"
Seeing the two elders being so polite and cautious, You Jin didn't know what to say. How could she blame them for being too active? At once, she waved her hand to deny: "Madam, putting it like that would make me feel ashamed. We live under the same roof now and can be regarded as one family. Since we are a family, what need is there for you to be so polite?"
At this response, the two of them were relieved. Mrs. Zhao continued: "You Jin, since you say we are a family, then don't be so polite in the future and call us Mdama. You might as well call us Auntie!"
"Yes, yes, Younger Sister-in-law is right." Mrs. Yu nodded again and again. If it wasn't for the catastrophe that happened to her family and the sudden death of her son, Mrs. Yu really wanted such a daughter-in-law at this moment. You Jin was knowledgeable and sensible. No worse than the misses in the capital. The most important thing was this child's rare sincerity. It was a pity that there was no fate in the end.
Hearing what the two of them said, You Jin responded with a smile: "As long as the two aunts don't mind for being coarse, I will have the cheek to latch onto this relationship with two aunties."
Seeing her being so reasonable and immediately changing the way of addressing them, the smiles at the corners of Xiao Family's sister-in-laws' eyes deepened.
***
Since You Jin discussed with Mrs. Su, it had been almost two months. This period was the most fulfilling and happiest time in Mrs. Su's life. Every morning, she started to huddle in the kitchen with the family’s female cook and study the recipes that she remembered as well as putting it through trial and error.
"There are a lot of dishes here that Grandfather forced me to memorize. At that time, my family could barely eat enough. How can we possibly find these precious ingredients and try them?" Mrs. Su made two dishes today. Both dishes were trial products: Longjing Bamboo Fungus and St George Mushroom Fulfill Soup.
 |
| Longjin Bamboo Fungus |
Li Chun divided the dishes into several portions and brought them to Mrs. Song, You Jin, and Third Master Huang. Since Third Master Huang found out that this weak-looking widowed mother, Mrs. Su was actually the future generation of a former dynasty’s imperial kitchen’s chief supervisor, he understood why Sujiaxiang was able to gain a foothold in Luohe Prefecture in just a few years and now it had opened a second branch. She was the great-granddaughter of the chief supervisor of the imperial kitchen. The snack shops in Luohe Prefecture were all child play in this common people’s rural area. How can others compare with her? Therefore, when knowing that Mrs Su's started to try dishes, Third Master Huang volunteered to come to help taste the dishes.
Third Master Huang had a good tongue, while Mrs. Song had eaten countless delicacies from mountains and seas. Naturally, these two were You Jin’s top candidates on choosing to try dishes.
After rinsing his mouth with clean water, Third Master Huang picked up a spoon and took a spoonful of St George Mushroom Fulfill Soup and tasted it. He savored the wonderful taste of the fresh and tender mushrooms and winter bamboo shoots and the burst of ham and other ingredients in his mouth. He couldn’t help consuming another spoonful and tasted it carefully again. Then he put down the spoon with satisfaction and commented with a grin: "Madam's cooking is getting better and better. In my decades of experience, this Fulfill Soup is definitely the best soup that I have ever tasted."
 |
| Different kind of Fulfill Soup |
Mrs. Song also tasted it and then gave a pertinent opinion: "St George Mushroom Fulfill Soup tastes is on the finer side. While Longjing Bamboo Fungus, the bamboo fungus had been soaked too long. The taste of bamboo fungus is slightly worse."
Mrs. Su seriously took note of the two food experts’ opinions and thanked them both sincerely.
Contented, Third Master Huang put down the spoon and said: "After such a short period of time, Madam's culinary skills have improved more and more. I am looking forward to our Sujiayan more and more."
Because You Jin had high requirements for the venue layout of Sujiayan. And because everything was frozen in winter, the construction progress slowed down. The opening time of Sujiayan was set on the fifteenth day of the first month, the Lantern Festival.
There were many people in Su Family now. This new year celebration was particularly lively. Especially on the night of the New Year's Eve. Two young guests stealthily came to Su’s house and brought the reunion atmosphere to another level.
"Why do the two of you have the guts to come to Luohe Prefecture?!" With joy and fear, Mrs. Yu hugged her son whom she had been separated from for more than half a year. Tears couldn't stop flowing down.
Being in her embrace, Xiao Lin Feng let out an awkward chuckle and explained: "Lin Wen and I didn't know that such a big incident happened at home in the capital. If I don't make a fuss about going back to the capital, Uncle Wen wouldn’t tell me the truth!"
Speaking of this, Xiao Lin Feng was still a little angry. His parents and Eldest Brother sent him away early because the family was almost getting wiped out!
"Okay, okay, today is New Year's Eve. It’s already a great blessing for our family to be reunited. You mother and son are finally reunited. You should be happy, right? Why are you still making a fuss?" Sitting at the top, Mrs. Song narrowed her eyes and dissuaded the fight: "It's a pity that your father, your uncle, and your eldest brother are all in northern Xinjiang and can't come back."
"Isn’t Eldest Brother..." Xiao Lin Feng naturally knew about his eldest brother through Xiao Wen. Seeing the happy expression on old Ancestor's face, he couldn't help being a little puzzled. Could it be that Uncle Wen's news was wrong?
Mrs. Yu hurriedly tugged at his sleeve. Xiao Lin Feng noticed his mother's expression wasn't right and stopped talking at once. He sat down below Mrs Song's side: "Old Ancestor, Lin Feng is in front of you and you’re having a good chat with me. In the past, you loved me the most!"
"Okay, okay, you are all good children. Old Ancestors dotes all!" Mrs. Song grinned and stretched out her hands to pull the two grandchildren to her left to right side. She couldn’t be any more satisfied: "When you get old, you want your children and grandchildren to be fine. As long as you are all well, old Ancestor will be overjoyed!"
In the compound house where Xiao Family lived, there were only two or three servants responsible for rough chores such as sweeping and cleaning. Now that the two grandsons quietly returned to Luohe Prefecture, they naturally had to hide them. All the servants were sent out. Even the only moon gate into their courtyard was guarded by Leader Guard Xiao, who had personally moved a stool to there. He prevented anyone from entering to disturb the peace and joy of Xiao Family.
 |
| Moon entrance |
"Leader Guard, drink some soup to warm up your body. Drinking alcohol in this cold weather isn't good." The two wooden doors of the Moon Cave Gate opened at some unknown time. A young woman dressed in a water-red floral brocade dress with a squirrel jacket outside came out with a wooden tray and smiled softly at him.
Seeing her smiling face, Leader Guard Xiao felt his tipsiness somewhat worse. After a while, he came back to his senses: "Eldest Miss! No, no need, this subordinates isn't cold."
After saying that, he suddenly felt self-conscious and quietly stretched his legs and kicked the empty wine bottle on the ground.
Not far away, the glowing red lanterns and candles in the corridor enhanced the woman's smiling face. Xiao Lin Ru handed the soup to him. Her eyes were as calm as autumn waters. She steadily looked, as if he didn't drink, she won’t give up.
Leader Guard Xiao knew that she was soft on the outside and strong on the inside. If he doesn't drink it, she will definitely contend with him. It was such a cold day and she had always been the most afraid of the cold. If she caught it, wouldn't he have committed a great crime? Thinking of this, Leader Guard Xiao sighed deeply, took the still steaming soup and drank it in one gulp: "Thank you, Eldest Miss."
Xiao Lin Ru's goal was achieved and she stopped being stubborn with him. She spoke: "Thanks for your hard work, Leader Guard."
She turned around and went back with an empty bowl in her hand. Leader Guard Xiao watched Eldest Miss’s departing back. What he didn't see was the triumphant smile on the corner of her mouth.
Looks like eldest miss xiao is eyeing guard xiao lol.
ReplyDeleteand it's mutual. before guard xiao was very concerned about her especially 😀
Deletety
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter!
ReplyDelete