Saturday, 4 November 2023

WLAEF 108





Chapter 108

Gentleman Liang squinted at Madam Yang. What? She wanted to meddle in another’s business?

Madam Yang looked down on him. How dare a son of Jingzhao Governor be so arrogant? Was there no one in the capital?

In fact, Jingzhao Governor wasn't small. He was equivalent to the mayor of the capital city. He was an important figure in the sixth princes' party. Gentleman Liang certainly had the capital to be arrogant, but it was a pity that he encountered Madam Yang today.

Without needing Madam Yang to waste her words, the servant next to her directly took out a token with the words ‘General Zhenguo’ on it.

Yang Hong, the great General Zhenguo, the god of war in the Xia Dynasty. He was stationed at the border all year round with 200,000 soldiers in his hand. It was because of him that Xirong and Beidi dared to violate the border again despite making small moves all these years.

It was bitter and cold at the border. Yang Hong stayed there for more than ten years, spending less time with his family. Emperor Qinglong gave Madam Yang special treatment and this developed Madam Yang's current aggressive personality.

Though the crown prince and SIxth Prince fought fiercely, they rarely set their eyes on Yang Hong. First, Yang Hong was far away at the border. Far water couldn't quench the nearby thirst of the situation in the capital. Second, they counted on Yang Hong to help them guard the border.

What they wanted was the thousands of miles of land and mountains of the Xia Dynasty and not be the emperor of subjugation.

Therefore, when Gentleman Liang saw the token, he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Madam, Madam Yang." He stammered. Immediately, his legs gave way. He was about to kneel down and kowtow to Madam Yang.

"Scram!" Madam Yang said.

Gentleman Liang didn't even get to argue a word. He led the people away.

At this time, Yun Du had already told Jiang Yun Zhu what happened earlier. Jiang Yun Zhu immediately came forward.

"Thank you, Madam Yang." She solemnly bowed to Madam Yang. If it weren't for Madam Yang, this matter could still be resolved. Still, Madam Yang did it out of kindness. She was deeply grateful.

"You don't need to be so polite. I couldn't stand him bullying others." Madam Yang replied.

"I still have to thank Madam Yang. Madam Yang, please come inside." Knowing that she was here for a meal, Jiang Yun Zhu invited her to sit in the suite inside.

Madam Yang hesitated. She didn’t help her to eat her food.

"Mother!" The little girl next to her tugged at her sleeve. She wanted something delicious.

Disgruntled, Madam Yang gave her a pointed stare. Following Jiang Yun Zhu, she led the children into the suite.

When Madam Yang trio sat down, Yun Du brought Jiang Yun Zhu's newly mixed drink ‘Flowing’. Jiang Yun Zhu held up the wine glass, served first as a respect, and then said, "Thank you Madam Yang. Today's meal is my treat, to repay Madam for your saving grace.

Madam, if you want to come to my restaurant for a meal, come anytime. "

Madam Yang heard her words. There was nothing wrong with the first half. The latter half was of great benefit. It made her wonder if she knew her identity and wanted to curry favor with her.

But Jiang Yun Zhu was neither humble nor overbearing when she spoke. After saying this, she quickly withdrew, no intention of currying favor with her.

This made Madam Yang confused.

After they finished their meal, Jiang Yun Zhu didn’t appear again. Madam Yang was finally convinced that Jiang Yun Zhu only wanted to repay her.

This girl remembered favors and was righteous. Moreover, knowing her identity, she was neither flattering nor complacent. Her evaluation of Jiang Yun Zhu was even higher.

Perhaps, only such a person could make such delicious food, Madam Yang sighed.

On the third day after this incident happened, Jingzhao Governor was punished for numerous crimes. He was dismissed from his post as governor and transferred to another place to be a magistrate. His son received eighty planks for bullying others by arbitrarily mobilizing the servants of the Jingzhao Manor. He was dripping with blood from the beating.

Jingzhao Governor was in charge of the internal and external affairs of the capital. This position was very special and crucial. Now the person was getting changed. Some people were happy. Some people were depressed. And some were puzzled. What was going on?

Some people said that it seemed to be related to Madam Yang. The son of Jingzhao Governor offended Madam Yang.

When Sixth Prince and his party heard about it, they were naturally furious. They wanted to beat Gentleman Liang to death. Out of all the people to offend, he had to offend Madam Yang!

When the Crown Prince party heard about it, they were very overjoyed.

In fact, Madam Yang found it inexplicable. She looked down on Gentleman Liang's actions as well as Jingzhao Governor, who was responsible for indulging his son. Though she didn't have a good impression of him, she didn't do it.

Who was it? Yang Sheng? That kid never took her matters to heart. It can’t be him.

Then Madam Yang couldn't think of who it was. She wanted to explain, saying that she didn't do this. But there was a saying, ‘the more one rubs, the more black it gets’.

In the end, she didn't bother to explain. Let's leave it at that.

Though she couldn't figure it out, someone noticed something strange. Princess Danyang. Jingzhao Governor was demoted to an outside magistrate. This wasn't a trivial matter. She paid attention to it. Then she heard about a restaurant, Shiguang Private Restaurant, where Gentleman Liang offended Madam Yang.

Ever since Shen Feng Ming personally brought back the sausages and later sent someone to deliver the snacks, she noticed that the snack jar was written by a woman. So she paid special attention to food-related things.

Shiguang private restaurant sounded very strange. And it had something to do with Madam Yang. This stuck in Princess Danyang's mind.

After inquiring around, the owner of this restaurant seemed to be a pretty girl? Moreover, this restaurant was newly opened shortly after Shen Feng Ming returned to the capital...

She immediately got someone to find an invitation card that Jin Jiao Yue had sent before. This invitation had been raised to the price of five thousand liang silver. Still in demand and priceless. Of course, Princess Danyang wasn't troubled by this. Soon she got the invitation.

The design of this invitation card was very elegant. The hollow lotus flower on it was ingenious. It looked like it was handwritten by a woman.

Opening the invitation card, there was a menu inside, including "Fish wrapped in mutton, Mrs. Song's Fish Soup, Boiled Ginkgo, Taibai Duck, Yue Chicken in a Clear Soup, Luoyang Yancai..." When she saw Taibai Duck, her eyes paused.

Half an hour later, Princess Danyang got into the carriage and went straight to the Shiguang Private Restaurant.

Once she arrived in front of the restaurant, someone lifted the curtain. She got out of the carriage and examined the restaurant.

In late June, the white lotus in front of the restaurant was floating in a pool of clear water. It was set off by green leaves, looking graceful and elegant. Exactly like this restaurant. Although it was a restaurant, it was completely different from ordinary restaurants. Extremely elegant.

Princess Danyang took a slight liking to this restaurant. If the food in this restaurant was truly delicious, she would like to come to such a restaurant to eat.

After Gentleman Liang's incident, everyone felt that Shiguang Restaurant had some connections with Madam Yang. No one dared to make trouble anymore. The front of the restaurant was very quiet.

Jin Jiao Yue had been kept watch at the front. She saw Princess Danyang as soon as she got off the carriage and felt a sense of anxiety.

Commissioner-in-chief Shen's mother was here... she was here to?

She hesitated whether to inform Commissioner-in-chief Shen. At this time, Princess Danyang had already stepped into the restaurant. She had to go over to greet her first.

"This Guest, welcome." Jin Jiao Yue said with a smile. The expression on her face was flawless.

Attendant Chang next to Princess Danyang took out the invitation card, "Our Master wants to have a meal."

Jin Jiao Yue accepted the invitation, looked at it, and took Princess Danyang to a suite upstairs.

"This is our menu for today. Here are the drinks." Jin Jiao Yue handed the menu to Princess Danyang.

Princess Danyang took it in hand. Today's menu was ‘Fish wrapped in Mutton, Yue Chicken in a Clear Soup, Southern Fried Eel…’ and so on.

Jin Jiao Yue was afraid that Princess Danyang wouldn't know the rules of the restaurant. She explained to her that the dishes in the restaurant were decided by the owner on the same day and there were only ten dishes.

"I’ll have all of them." Princess Danyang put down the menu and stated. Ten dishes were too few.

"Okay." Jin Jiao Yue poured the tea for her and retreated out.

Those who came to Shiguang Restaurant weren't short of money. Usually, they would order all ten dishes. Jiang Yun Zhu didn't pay much heed when she received the order and immediately started cooking.

Jin Jiao Yue stood there and did not leave.

Jiang Yun Zhu noticed.

"What’s wrong?" she asked.

"The customer upstairs is Princess Danyang." Jin Jiao Yue lowered her voice.

Jiang Yun Zhu paused a bit. Princess Danyang, the younger sister of the current emperor and Shen Feng Ming's mother.

It was only for a moment. Soon, she responded, "En."

Then she continued to cook.

Jin Jiao Yue was a little confused. This was her reaction? That was Princess Danyang! Commissioner-in-chief Shen's mother! She observed Jiang Yun Zhu carefully and found that Jiang Yun Zhu had devoted herself to cooking. She suddenly smiled.

Sure enough, her boss was different. She had been a secret agent for so many years in vain and wasn't as calm as her.

Jin Jiao Yue felt much more relaxed. She turned around and went out to greet the customers.

Soon, Princess Danyang's dishes were served.

Fish wrapped in mutton. As the name suggests, it was made by putting fish into large pieces of mutton and stewed together. Legend had it that this dish was related to Ancestor Peng. Stewing fish and mutton together was very extraordinarily fresh and delicious. It was the origin of the word ‘fresh’.

There were many cooks who knew how to cook this dish and they claimed to make it the most authentic.

Princess Danyang had eaten this dish several times, but she didn't find it as fresh and delicious as the legend said. She guessed that Ancestor Peng might have exaggerated the taste of this dish.

Today's Fish wrapped in Mutton... She found the smell quite delicious, but she wondered how it would taste...

She first clipped up a piece of mutton. The mutton was made from the belly of the sheep. The mutton there was fat and lean. After being stewed, it was crispy, fragrant and soft.

As soon as the mutton entered her mouth, Princess Danyang was stunned. Was this mutton?

Chewing again, this was indeed mutton. But how could it be so delicious? The soft and smooth texture, and the fresh flavor that surpassed the taste of mutton.

She quickly clipped up a piece of fish meat under the mutton. It had an umami taste unique to fish meat, but more flavor than fish meat.

Princess Danyang ate three or four pieces of mutton and fish in a row. Finally, she realized why Ancestor Peng called this dish ‘fresh’. He wasn’t exaggerating. It was the future generation that couldn’t attain this flavor.

The next dish, Yue Chicken in a Clear Soup. It had been lost for hundreds of years. Some people say that the essence of this dish lies in Yue Chicken. It was a kind of chicken specially bred by the royal family of Yue. After the Yue Kingdom was destroyed, this dish disappeared.

Princess Danyang clipped a piece of chicken in the clear soup.

‘Food Clinic Record’ recorded that the Yue Chicken in Clear Soup’s bones were crisp and the soup was pure and fresh. Later people couldn't make the bones crispy and assumed it was because of the chicken.

But when Princess Danyang ate this dish, it was indeed as recorded in ‘Food Clinic Record’. The chicken was white and the bone broth was fresh.

Then came Southern Fried Eel, Boxed Tofu...

Attendant Chang watched Princess Danyang, who usually seldom eats in order to maintain her figure, ate one dish after another. She was quite surprised.

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2 comments:

  1. Princess Danyang is getting hooked! Thank you for the chapter!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This DIL I approve.

    ReplyDelete