Jiang Yanyi was amused by the parrot.

She took the cage and thanked Feng Shuo again, asking, “What does the prince want to eat?”

Seeing that she seemed to like the parrot, Feng Shuo discreetly curved his lips and glanced at the menu mounted on the wall. “A lamb hot pot.”

Jiang Yanyi poured him some tea and hurried to the kitchen to prepare the hot pot.

The broth had been simmering since early morning, so all she needed to do was scoop it into the pot and add boiling water.

She placed red-hot silver charcoal at the bottom of the pot, ensuring that even when served at the table, the broth would continue to boil.

While she was busy, Chef Li asked what kind of hot pot it was.

Upon hearing “lamb hot pot,” he quickly sliced a pound of lamb for her, cutting it neither too thin nor too thick, just the perfect thickness for dipping.

When the pot was served at the table, the lamb and various side dishes were also arranged.

The various sauces Jiang Yanyi had prepared earlier came in handy at this moment, though unfortunately, the fermented tofu had not matured yet.

Running a mid-to-high-end hot pot restaurant, service was naturally attentive; it was unthinkable to let guests prepare their own dipping sauces.

Jiang Yanyi asked, “Does the prince prefer a stronger or lighter flavor for the sauce?”

The sauce for lamb hot pot emphasizes “spicy, hot, marinated, fermented, and fresh.”

In this ancient time, where spicy food wasn’t particularly popular, “spicy” generally referred to minced garlic, while “hot” referred to prickly ash.

Feng Shuo had eaten hot pot before, but at that time he had no sense of taste and couldn’t distinguish whether the food was good or not.

He replied, “Whatever is fine.”

Jiang Yanyi pondered over his words, interpreting it as not being picky.

She took a delicate pear-shaped small bowl and went to the counter where the condiments were displayed to prepare the sauce.

She first poured in the liquid condiments, then added the solid ones, stirring clockwise without touching the sides of the bowl, so that the sauce wouldn’t splatter.

After preparing the dipping sauce, Jiang Yanyi brought it back to Feng Shuo’s table. “Enjoy your meal.”

The water in the copper pot bubbled vigorously.

The broth was clear, and a faint white mist rose above, with goji berries and red dates floating on the surface, resembling fallen blossoms at that moment.

Nearby, a white-necked porcelain vase held several vividly colored hibiscus flowers.

Tables were separated by half-height bamboo screens, intricately woven with various floral and bird motifs.

Upon closer inspection, while the craftsmanship was a bit rough, opening such a restaurant in this remote area had a certain “elegance.”

Feng Shuo picked up a wooden chopstick and noticed that it too was engraved with a bamboo pattern and a seal script character for “Jiang.”

He surveyed the dishes on the table and found them mostly uniquely shaped.

The small bowl for the dipping sauce was pear-shaped, while the plates for the ingredients were leaf-shaped.

The outer rim of the bowls and the handles of the spoons also featured the seal script character for “Jiang,” evidently painted during the porcelain firing process.

Initially, Feng Shuo just intended to have a casual meal, but he now felt that this unassuming little restaurant had a certain charm.

Using extended wooden chopsticks, he picked up a piece of lamb and placed it in the pot.

After it was cooked, he dipped it into the sauce and, at that moment, was stunned for a long time.

The broth at the bottom of the pot was likely made from a hen, but there was no chicken flavor, only freshness.

The lamb had a slight gamey taste, but once coated in the sauce, it burst with flavors on his palate, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

He suddenly understood why the powerful and wealthy favored this antique soup.

At that moment, Jiang Yanyi brought out two plates, both filled with green herbs: one with cilantro and the other with crown daisy.

She smiled and said, “These are complimentary side dishes for the restaurant’s opening today.”

Dipping cilantro or crown daisy in lamb hot pot is a well-known pairing among connoisseurs, though some diners dislike cilantro while others enjoy it.

Jiang Yanyi decided to bring both plates to the table.

Feng Shuo glanced at the two plates of green vegetables, and his brows instinctively furrowed.

However, he didn’t say anything and hesitantly nodded.

Jiang Yanyi, as usual, couldn’t understand the thoughts of this big shot.

After serving him, she went to another table to serve food.

Although she had the candy hawthorn vendor help her promote the opening for several days, the actual turnout on opening day was still not very promising.

As mealtime approached, there were only five tables of customers in her restaurant.

Many children came asking for hawthorn candy, but since they could be lured here with just a skewer of hawthorn candy, their families were not wealthy and certainly couldn’t afford to eat hot pot in a restaurant.

Jiang Yanyi placed the three bunches of hawthorn candy she bought on the counter.

Seeing the children crowding around, she thought it was money spent on marketing anyway, so she handed each child a skewer of hawthorn candy.

The children then happily left.

Head Zhao was sitting behind the counter helping her keep track of the accounts.

Seeing this, he shook his head. “You’re running a business, and you’re giving away money before even making a profit.”

Jiang Yanyi smiled awkwardly. “I just want to build up our reputation first.”

Although many had come to see the spectacle, just as Jiang Yanyi had feared, lamb hot pot wasn’t cheap.

Those who could afford to eat lamb typically had their trusted old restaurants or capable cooks at home, so they wouldn’t easily spend money at her establishment.

Head Zhao ould tell just by looking at the restaurant’s decor how much money she had spent.

Fearing Jiang Yanyi might be upset, he said, “Opening a restaurant isn’t that easy. There’s always a process of ups and downs. Next time I have a day off, I’ll invite a few old friends from the military camp over.”

Their old friends in the army, even at the worst, managed a hundred or so people, so they would certainly have money for a hot pot.

Jiang Yanyi understood that Head Zhao was worried she wouldn’t be able to sustain the business and might not be able to recoup her investment.

She felt grateful and said, “Thank you, Uncle Zhao, for your kindness, but I can’t always trouble you and Master. Since I’ve decided to open this restaurant, I’ve already thought it through.”

She went to the backyard and asked two kitchen helpers to move the barbecue grill to the front of the restaurant and light the silver charcoal.

Head Zhao was puzzled. “What are you doing?”

He had lived for such a long time but had never seen a stove like this.

It looked like it was used for roasting things.

Jiang Yanyi was using a fan made of palm leaves to fan the flames, making the silver charcoal burn more vigorously.

As she fanned, she said, “It’s for making roasted meat.”

In ancient times, roasting meat was called “zhirou.”

Head Zhao shook his head secretly upon hearing this, thinking that this girl didn’t know the trade.

Running a restaurant means you have to know what to buy and how to make things; otherwise, you wouldn’t succeed.

In the end, she wouldn’t be able to do anything right and would ruin her reputation.

But today was the day of Jiang Yanyi’s shop opening, and she was full of energy, so he didn’t want to say anything unlucky.

The charcoal fire had already been lit. Jiang Yanyi quickly walked into the kitchen and found the bamboo skewers she had prepared days ago.

Chef Li had heard that she wanted to roast meat and, like Head Zhao, thought it was unfeasible.

But he couldn’t go against Jiang Yanyi.

Seeing her busying about, he couldn’t bear to let her do it all alone, so he helped her cut small pieces of lamb.

Qiu Kui stayed in the front of the shop to attend to customers needing tea or extra dishes.

Jiang Yanyi skillfully threaded several skewers of lamb, taking her homemade chili powder and cumin outside to start roasting the meat.

Although chili peppers hadn’t yet made it to the table in this era, cumin was already a well-known spice, though it was referred to as “ku ming” here.

Cumin was a perfect match for roasted meat; when sprinkled with a bit of chili powder, the aroma could waft down the street.

Roasting skewers of meat in the street provided a dual impact on both sight and taste, attracting quite a few passersby to stop.

When the meat was about 70% cooked, Jiang Yanyi sprinkled on cumin and chili powder, and the enticing aroma wafted into the air, enticing many appetites.

Soon someone approached Jiang Yanyi and asked, “How much for your roasted meat?”

Jiang Yanyi replied, “Today is the opening of my little shop. This roasted meat isn’t for sale; come inside for the hotpot, and I’ll give you five skewers of roasted meat for free.”

Regardless of the era, the words “free” could swiftly break down a customer’s psychological defenses.

Seeing that Jiang Yanyi’s roasted meat was plentiful and she was giving away five skewers, the man thought that even if the hotpot was mediocre, it would still be worth it.

He stepped inside the shop, saying, “I’ll have an antique soup, and bring me the roasted meat quickly.”

“Alright, please come in.”

Having attracted her first customer just as she began roasting, Jiang Yanyi felt happy, and her smile became radiant.

Inside the shop, the diners heard her mention free roasted meat, and having been lured by the aroma, they quickly called out, “Shopkeeper, our table’s roasted meat hasn’t been served yet!”

Jiang Yanyi responded, “It’s being roasted! I’ll bring it to you shortly!”

Fortunately, there were many kitchen hands today, so Jiang Yanyi quickly sent a few of them to the backyard to help thread more skewers of meat.

At another table, Feng Shuo also smelled the aroma of the roasted meat.

However, due to his status, he wouldn’t shout out like the other diners; he merely glanced outside.

One of the Firemen hands was carrying the freshly roasted meat when he unexpectedly caught Feng Shuo’s gaze.

Startled, he wobbled the tray in his hand and turned toward Feng Shuo’s table, saying, “G-Great General, please enjoy.”

The diners at the earlier table saw the roasted meat taken to another table and were about to complain.

But upon seeing that it was Feng Shuo, they quickly silenced themselves.

They didn’t have the guts to take meat from the mouth of the Prince of Liaonan.

Head Zhao sat behind the counter, seeing that Jiang Yanyi’s approach was indeed attracting customers.

But when he heard that silly girl say the roasted meat was free, he felt it was a loss.

Still, one more customer could help recoup some of the costs, so he welcomed them warmly.

After confirming what the diner wanted for the hotpot, he sent a temporary kitchen hand to the kitchen to relay the message to Chef Li, while Qiu Kui took the teapot to refill the tea.

The diners noticed that the tables were separated, creating a makeshift private room, and the bowls and dishes were uniquely designed.

They had initially come for the roasted meat, but these small details made them like the shop even more.

Because of Jiang Yanyi’s street roasting operation, combined with the cumin and chili powder as enhancements, more and more people began to inquire.

By noon, the shop was already packed.

With the inside bustling and the outside seeing the lively business, diners subconsciously felt that this shop must have good flavors.

The enticing smell of roasted meat, combined with the offer of free skewers with the hotpot, made them willing to wait in line.

Passing dignitaries couldn’t help but feel tempted to try it, but unwilling to wait, they left their servants and maids behind to wait while taking the hotpot back home to eat.

Jiang Yanyi didn’t have much chili powder, and she sprinkled very little on the skewers because ancient people probably weren’t used to eating overly spicy food.

However, several tables of diners who had eaten the free roasted meat wanted to order more, even if they had to pay for it.

Jiang Yanyi instantly felt there was definitely a market for spicy food in ancient times; now she just regretted having too little chili powder.

Fortunately, there were more than a dozen kitchen hands present today, so the shop could manage the busy orders without any delay.

Jiang Yanyi was roasting skewers outside while also having kitchen hands help her thread meat in the backyard.

In the back, not only was the lamb running low, but the bamboo skewers were also running out.

The bamboo skewers were easy to solve; with enough staff in the shop, she just needed two kitchen hands to go chop some bamboo and help her make more.

However, fresh lamb would need to be bought from the butcher.

Mrs. Chen from the clothing store thought this morning that Jiang Yanyi’s shop might not do well in the future.

Who knew it would become so popular in such a short time?

Although she felt envious, she ran a clothing store and didn’t feel bitter.

Seeing Jiang Yanyi too busy to move, she said, “Sister, if you trust me, I can send my husband to the butcher to get some more lamb for you.”

“Thank you so much, Sister Chen!” Jiang Yanyi hadn’t expected the business to be this thriving.

She called two kitchen hands to go with Mrs. Chen’s husband to buy meat so they could bring back more.

The kitchen hands rarely ventured into the city, especially along the Duhu Mansion Street, so they were unfamiliar with the shops here.

With Chen Daluang leading the way, Jiang Yanyi felt reassured.

She was so busy that she didn’t even notice when Feng Shuo left the shop.

It wasn’t until a warm cup of floral tea was handed to her that she looked up.

The hand offering the tea was long and slender, with roughened fingertips but beautifully defined knuckles, and the edges of the sleeves were embroidered with swirling cloud patterns.

When Jiang Yanyi looked up, she met Feng Shuo’s deep, phoenix-like eyes.

He said, “Drink some tea.”

Jiang Yanyi was taken aback, momentarily forgetting to take the cup.

It didn’t seem like something Feng Shuo would do—offering tea.

Fortunately, it was mealtime, and there weren’t many people on the street.

The shop was busy, so no one noticed what was happening outside.

To attract customers, she had been shouting while roasting meat for a long time, and her throat felt dry.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she took the tea cup from Feng Shuo and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

She gulped down the tea in one go, feeling revitalized afterward.

Feng Shuo frowned slightly, his voice low, “Are you the shopkeeper or a waiter?”

Jiang Yanyi knew he was referring to her selling skewers of roasted meat on the street.

Compared to the Jiafu Restaurant at the front, her shop indeed had no prestige.

However, her shop was small, and Chef Li and the others were only helping out today; she couldn’t let others do everything.

Embarrassed, she smiled at the empty tea cup, “It’s my first day opening the shop, so I’m a bit flustered.”

Feng Shuo watched the tiny beads of sweat on her nose and the smudge of soot from the charcoal on her face.

Out of a strange impulse, he reached out his hand.

Jiang Yanyi froze, momentarily forgetting to move away.

“Bang—”

The meat on the grill hadn’t been turned for too long and had burnt enough that the bamboo skewer caught fire.

Startled by the noise, Jiang Yanyi snapped back to reality and turned around, her face filled with pain: “My roasted meat!”

Feng Shuo’s hand retracted just inches from her cheek.

Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

“Your Highness, the pot for the Empress Dowager is ready to be taken back,” came the voice of Xing Yao, who had just exited the shop, followed by a guard carrying a steaming copper pot.

Jiang Yanyi seemed to have forgotten the earlier incident.

With the smile she wore while attracting customers, she said to them, “The roasted meat is ready; I’ll bring it to your residence shortly.”

Feng Shuo stared at her smiling face for two seconds before nodding, “Thank you.”

His tone was as cool as ever, but for some reason, it felt as though he suddenly grew displeased.

Jiang Yanyi pretended not to notice, lowering her head to continue turning the meat.

Once Feng Shuo had walked far enough away, she raised her hand to pat her slightly flushed cheeks.

It must have been from standing by the grill for too long; it was getting hot.

Chen Daluang soon returned with two kitchen hands carrying lamb.

When he saw Jiang Yanyi, he said, “The butcher’s shop has run out of lamb; these two sheep were just slaughtered.”

“Thank you for running this errand for me. You must come over for a meal with Sister Chen tonight,” Jiang Yanyi said.

Chen Daluang wasn’t good with words and waved his hands repeatedly, “It’s just neighbors helping each other; it’s nothing special.”

At that moment, He Xingniang, who owned a jewelry shop across the street, suddenly threw a basin of vegetable washing water onto the street and mockingly called out, “Shopkeeper Jiang, you’d better keep your shop clean. A rat came into my store yesterday!”

Since moving here, Jiang Yanyi hadn’t seen a single rat in her home.

He Xingniang was so loud in the street, her thoughts were all written on her face.

Jiang Yanyi couldn’t understand how her hotpot restaurant had offended her.

With so many customers in the shop, she had no time to argue with He Xingniang, so she replied, “That’s funny; I haven’t seen a single rat in my shop. The meat I’m using today was just bought this morning, and as for the flour and rice, every household has those. Sister He, please don’t wrongly accuse me just because I opened my shop today; that would be quite hurtful.”

He Xingniang was lightly rebuffed by her casual remarks, and her face darkened.

She snorted and scoffed, “This is the first time I’ve heard of a restaurant that doesn’t attract rats.”

Hearing their conversation, Mrs. Chen came out to back Jiang Yanyi up, “My shop is right next to Sister Jiang’s. If there were really rats, wouldn’t they run to my place first and not over to your place to gnaw on gold nuggets? Have the rats become smarter?”

Outnumbered by the two of them, He Xingniang pouted and, with her basin in hand, turned back to her own shop.

Only then did Mrs. Chen say to Jiang Yanyi, “Don’t mind her. Her husband has shares in Jiafu Restaurant. With their business booming, they’re getting a bigger cut. Now that your restaurant is doing so well, I bet she’s envious!”