Chapter 67: Managing Affairs

It was almost noon. Zhang Jing Yun, sitting in a private room on the second floor, sipped tea while watching Meinang handle the affairs of the Xian Ke Lai restaurant. When she had almost finished, he decided to take his leave and head back to Yun Mountain Manor.

Meinang said, “I’ve already asked Cui Xi to take the menu to the kitchen and teach them how to prepare a hot pot meal for us. We’ll eat lunch, taste their cooking, and then each of us will go our separate ways. I also need to visit my family to see my mother and brother in law before returning to the mansion.”

Zhang Jing Yun thought for a moment and replied, “Next time, I’ll come with Ling Xu Zi to try your new dishes. I just saw you managing the restaurant so efficiently, with everything in order, following all the rules and customs. It’s rare to see someone handling things with such skill. I don’t need to worry about anything anymore.”

Meinang smiled humbly. “I really don’t know much. It’s all thanks to my brother, Cen. Didn’t you see how he almost emptied his mind of everything related to Xian Ke Lai and handed it all over to me? Since I took it on, I’m trying my best to follow his instructions. I haven’t read all his notes yet, but even from the few I’ve glanced at, I’ve absorbed a lot. Brother Cen told me that after ten years of hard work, Xian Ke Lai is now at its peak, and he’s reluctant to hand it over to anyone else. When Mr. Zhang recommended me, he finally agreed. Although my name on the contract is Feng, I don’t want to let him down. In the future, when I appear at Xian Ke Lai, I’ll go by this face. Whether I dress as a man or return to my female identity, I will always use the name Cen Mei. The restaurant will still carry the Cen surname.”

Zhang Jing Yun said, “You really do have some connection to Xian Ke Lai. I met Brother Cen by chance when I saved his son’s life. We’ve known each other for many years, but we haven’t been particularly close. Yet, he trusts me… and trusts that you’re part of the Cen family, so he sold the restaurant to you. When I asked some people in the know this morning, they told me that if Xian Ke Lai had been handed over to someone else, it would have cost at least seventy to eighty thousand taels of silver.”

Meinang said seriously, “Brother Cen gave Xian Ke Lai to me because of your recommendation. Even if the restaurant belongs to both of us, I’ll manage it. At the end of the year, we’ll split the profits equally.”

Zhang Jing Yun shook his head. “If I had that intention, I would have agreed yesterday. I only helped with the introduction. You’ve acquired Xian Ke Lai, and now you’ll have to invest time and effort into managing it. You’re the wife of a marquis and live in the marquis’ mansion. How could you go out frequently?”

Meinang smiled. “It’s all about making the effort. There will always be a way.”

She added, “I’m lucky to have met Mr. Zhang and Ling Xu Zi. If you’re not willing to become my partner, I have no way to repay you for your great help.”

“You’re very clever, and the opportunities you’ve seized are your own doing. I just gave you a little assistance. Don’t take it to heart,” Zhang Jing Yun said, walking over to the window, lifting the bamboo curtain for a moment to glance at the street below, and then letting it fall again. “I must go now. Be careful. If Jun Ying finds out, don’t worry too much. Every married woman has dowry property. You owning Xian Ke Lai isn’t that surprising. If you and your husband live harmoniously, it will benefit him. I’ve done nothing harmful to him. If he truly marries another woman and treats you poorly, you and your son will have Xian Ke Lai to fall back on.”

Meinang furrowed her brow, looking at him uneasily. “I was too hasty. I didn’t think things through. I even had you sign the contract as a reference. You’re friends with the marquis, so if he finds out, won’t it cause you trouble?”

Zhang Jing Yun smiled slightly. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing. We’ve been friends for many years, and I don’t want any discord between us over this matter.”

Meinang sighed. “I’m sorry for causing you difficulty.”

Zhang Jing Yun looked at her and said, “There’s no need to overthink it. Just focus on doing what you want to do. I’m leaving now. Ling Xu Zi is leaving the manor in the afternoon, and he’ll be back in a few days.”

He gave a slight bow and opened the door, stepping out of the private room. Meinang followed him to the stairs and watched as he descended. His tall, elegant figure soon disappeared from view.

Zhang Jing Yun knew Meinang was following him, but he didn’t turn around. He walked out of the Xian Ke Lai’s front door just as a carriage appeared around the corner, stopping steadily in front of him. He looked back at the restaurant’s grand entrance, sighed lightly, and adjusted his robe before getting into the carriage and leaving.

When he first met Meinang, apart from her unparalleled beauty, her intelligence, kindness, and resilience left a deep impression on him. At the time, he had also noticed that Xu Jun Ying seemed somewhat cold towards his wife, his tone a little harsh. Meinang was gentle and graceful but unwilling to back down. In hindsight, her persistence had been right. The third wife’s love for her beloved Xi Jiang Snow Orchid would prevent her from ever having children. The legitimate wife, unless she had a decree, could be abandoned, with no complaints allowed.

Meinang was courageous in maintaining the dignity of the legitimate wife, even for her sister in law. How could she tolerate this herself?

Zhang Jing Yun developed an affection for her and couldn’t help but care about her, helping her with what she wanted to do, even keeping her secrets from his good friend Xu Jun Ying. But was this right?

He had no ill intentions and kept clear boundaries between himself and Meinang. She was his friend’s wife, a woman with a husband and child, not someone he was romantically interested in. He was close to her and helped her for his own reasons Meinang was continuing a dream of his. He had often wondered, if his mother had left the Jing Guo Duke’s mansion with him, would she have had a different fate? At least, she might not have ended her life so young due to depression.

Meanwhile, in the private room on the second floor, Meinang was flipping through the notes when Cui Xi and Cui Si entered, carrying several books. They walked up to her, and Cui Xi spoke.

“Lord… Lord…”

Cui Si giggled, and Meinang glanced at them. “From now on, call me ‘Master’ when I’m dressed as a man. There’s no need to call me ‘Lord.’ ‘Lord’ is at home recovering. I think it’s better for me to dress as a woman. Just call me ‘Miss,’ Cen Mei, Miss Cen.”

Cui Xi and Cui Si were confused. “But your name is Qin Meinang. Shouldn’t we call you ‘Miss Qin’?”

Meinang explained, “The former owner of Xian Ke Lai was named Cen. After years of operation, he didn’t want the restaurant’s name to change, so I’m taking over as a relative of the Cen family. It’s not a problem.” She paused for a moment. “I just asked you two to familiarize yourselves with the restaurant and get to know everyone. If I’m not around, you’ll be in charge. Is lunch ready? Mr. Zhang isn’t eating with us. Let’s eat quickly, and then I’ll go to Qin Mansion.”

Cui Xi said, “The dishes are ready. Should we serve them outside, or bring them to the private room?”

Meinang thought for a moment. “Let’s serve them on the first floor. Cui Si, collect the books and lock them in the box. We’ll head downstairs and ask Manager Lu to meet me.”

Manager Lu, a steady man in his mid-20s, had come to Beijing at the age of fifteen during a famine. He started by doing odd jobs in the restaurant and was noticed by Cen Guo Quan for his honesty and intelligence. Cen Guo Quan had trained him for five years, and a year ago, Lu was promoted to the position of manager.

Meinang asked Manager Lu to join them for lunch, but he politely declined, only nibbling at his food as he listened attentively to Meinang’s instructions.

Meinang said, “This is the hot pot we’ll be introducing at Xian Ke Lai. It has various soup bases and ingredients. Today’s version is a fish and lamb broth hot pot. Please try it and let me know your thoughts.”

Cui Xi stood up to serve Manager Lu a bowl of soup. After tasting it, Manager Lu nodded and said, “The taste is indeed delicious. Usually, fresh broths lose their warmth quickly, and customers only get to enjoy the first bowl hot. But with this hot pot, you can cook the ingredients as you go, keeping everything fresh and hot. I think this method will be very popular once it’s introduced.”

Meinang smiled and added, “We can still improve the broth with different herbs to make it richer.”

After a brief exchange, Meinang decided to keep the first hot pot menu and start testing in the restaurant with a small group of people.

She was both excited and nervous. If the new menu became successful, Xian Ke Lai would become even more famous, and her efforts would be recognized. She could also feel her confidence growing, stepping further into a world she had always wanted to be part of.