Chapter 51

Old Master Wen snorted, thinking he didn’t care about the third son’s two taels of silver. He still had a few thousand taels left, but since the third son was unfilial and only wanted to split the family, he wouldn’t give him any of it.

“Bring paper and ink.”

The eldest son of the Wen family fetched the rice paper, inkstone, and brush.

Old Master Wen wrote the family division document.

The document detailed that the five-entry house and two shops were bought with the dowries of the wives of the first and second households and could not be divided. There was nothing else to divide, and the family had no extra money. However, if the third household wanted to continue living in the house, they could, but their living expenses and any other matters would be separate from the first and second households.

Old Master Wen was also angry. He had initially planned to give the third household a hundred taels of silver, but now he didn’t plan to give them anything.

They each pressed their fingerprints on the family division document. Wen Zixiao led his wife and daughter to kowtow to Old Master Wen and Old Madam Wen. Wen Zixiao’s two sons were not present, so they couldn’t kowtow. Old Master Wen assumed the two grandsons were playing outside, as they rarely came home after arriving in the border town and often stayed out all night. He didn’t realize they were helping Xu Qinyu at the Pei family.

Wen Zixiao led his wife and daughter to kowtow, saying, “After the family division, please take care of yourselves, Father and Mother.”

Old Master Wen snorted and said nothing.

Wen Zixiao stood up with his wife and daughter, then led his family back to the third household to pack their things. Naturally, Concubine Bai also got up.

Old Master Wen was stunned, “Why are you taking Concubine Bai?”

“Of course, I’m taking her with us,” Wen Zixiao replied, glancing at Old Master Wen.

“Nonsense!” Old Master Wen angrily slammed the table, “She is your mother, but she is also my concubine. Even if we split the family, you can only take your wife and children, not my concubine!”

Old Madam Wen was a bit anxious. Why keep Concubine Bai? Old Master Wen had pampered her when he was young. She tormented Concubine Gui because she was her maid. She had promoted her maid to concubine, but the maid’s daughter became the empress, overshadowing her. At social gatherings in the capital, she was often ridiculed for this. So she hated Concubine Gui and Wen Yan and wanted to keep Concubine Gui in the mansion to control her.

Although she didn’t like Concubine Bai, she disliked seeing her even more. Seeing her reminded her of the Old Master’s affection for Concubine Bai when he was young.

Old Madam Wen glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Yue, hoping she would speak up and let Concubine Bai leave with them.

Not wanting to offend her father-in-law, Madam Yue pretended not to see her mother-in-law’s look.

However, before Old Madam Wen could speak, Wen Zixiao said, “Father, please look at Concubine Bai. Since coming to the border town, she has become increasingly haggard. You should know what kind of life she has been living in the mansion. Do you want her to continue being treated like a servant?”

Old Master Wen angrily replied, “When did I ever say to treat her like a servant?”

Concubine Bai was now old and faded, and he no longer held any affection for her. However, he couldn’t understand why his son would take his concubine with him when splitting the family.

Old Madam Wen quickly interjected, “The third son is indeed filial. Concubine Bai has become increasingly haggard these days. We don’t want her to develop tuberculosis. Old Master, you should look at Concubine Gui. It’s been over two months since she was sent away, and there’s been no news. Clearly, she’s still alive and well. Why not let the third son take Concubine Bai to live elsewhere for a while? Maybe her health will improve.”

Concubine Bai, holding onto the table, slowly knelt on the ground. “Please, Old Master, allow me to go with Zixiao.”

Old Master Wen looked at the haggard and thin Concubine Bai, remembering that Concubine Gui had been like this before developing tuberculosis.

Old Master Wen, a bit frightened, waved his hand. “If you want to go with the third son, then go.”

He easily let her go.

Concubine Bai knew her situation was different from Concubine Gui’s. Concubine Gui needed a release letter to sever ties with the Wen family completely. She didn’t need that. The third household had nothing that the Wen family valued. Even if they did, it would depend on Zixiao’s consent.

Concubine Bai thanked Old Master Wen and followed Wen Zixiao to the third household to pack their things.

As Cheng Ge’er and Gong Ge’er returned with food, they learned about the family division. The two brothers were overjoyed and asked Wen Zixiao if they could also move to Osmanthus Alley.

Wen Zixiao smiled and said yes. He hadn’t earned enough money in the border town to buy a house in Osmanthus Alley, but renting one for two hundred wen a month wasn’t much. He planned to buy one once he earned enough money.

Madam Meng smiled as she watched her daughter and two sons, who were like little monkeys.

How wonderful, she thought. Although they were exiled, her husband was hardworking, and now they could live independently after the family division. The children were all with them, and the concubine could leave with them too. There was nothing more fulfilling than working hard together as a family. When she married her husband, he promised her that he would never take a concubine. He was also willing to stand up to his father and stepmother for the sake of his family. To her, such a man was truly responsible.

The third household ate the food brought back by the two brothers, mainly for the children. The food brought back from Yuniang’s place each day wasn’t much, and Madam Meng and Concubine Bai only tasted a little, leaving most of it for the three children.

After eating, the two brothers washed the food boxes, plates, and jars. Madam Meng and Concubine Bai packed their things. The third household didn’t have much to pack, just a few sets of clothes for each person and the money Wen Zixiao had given Madam Meng.

Wen Zixiao gave his stepmother two taels of silver each month, and the rest went to Madam Meng.

Madam Meng had saved about forty taels.

After packing, the family left the Wen household.

It wasn’t dark yet, and the brokerage was still open. Wen Zixiao took his family to the brokerage to help them rent a small courtyard in Osmanthus Alley.

The brokerage took the family to see houses in Osmanthus Alley, and they finally chose the one at the entrance, which cost two hundred wen a month. Although it didn’t have a well, there was a locust tree at the fork in the road ahead, with a well beneath it. It was usually covered with a thick wooden board, and the people in the surrounding alleys would lift the board to fetch water, which was quite convenient. The house layout was similar to the Pei family’s, with the largest room on the west side. The main hall was also divided into two small rooms, and the other side was the kitchen. The house was clean and tidy, and with some bedding, it was ready for sleeping.

The family settled down in Osmanthus Alley.

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Xu Qinyu was delighted to hear that even Concubine Bai had been released. She went to tell Madam Gui the news.

Madam Gui was indeed happy, her eyes turning a bit red. “She’s out too, that’s wonderful.”

Xu Qinyu smiled and said, “The two houses are close by, so you can visit Aunt Bai for a chat whenever you like.”

Madam Wen and Ning Jie’er were also happy to hear about the third household’s separation.

After breakfast, Wen Zixiao brought Madam Meng, Concubine Bai, and their daughter Tao Jie’er to visit the Pei family.

Naturally, Madam Gui and Concubine Bai teared up upon seeing each other.

Concubine Bai saw that her old friend was in good spirits. She had gained some weight, had a rosy complexion, fewer wrinkles, and even some darkening hair. She was dressed neatly, with Feng Ge’er and Yuan Jie’er snuggled beside her. She looked at least ten years younger and full of energy.

Concubine Bai was relieved, and the two old friends sat in the courtyard and chatted.

Wen Zixiao also told Xu Qinyu, “Thank you, Yuniang, for teaching Cheng Ge’er these days and even starting to teach him cooking. I wonder if you plan to take Cheng Ge’er as an apprentice. If you do, he will be yours to command, and you won’t need to pay him.”

Xu Qinyu felt that since she and Cheng Ge’er were of the same generation, it didn’t matter whether he formally became her apprentice. She would teach him everything she knew.

When Xu Qinyu explained this, Wen Zixiao and the third household understood. They had wondered why Yuniang was personally teaching Cheng Ge’er but hadn’t accepted him as an apprentice. Now they knew.

Cheng Ge’er was also relieved. He had been worried that his fourth sister-in-law didn’t want to take him as an apprentice because he lacked talent as a cook, which had made him a bit sad. Knowing the real reason, he couldn’t help but scratch his head and grin at Xu Qinyu.

Xu Qinyu realized that her third uncle’s family thought she didn’t want to take Cheng Ge’er as an apprentice. She found it amusing and decided that there was no better time than the present. “Let’s have Cheng Ge’er serve me tea today as a formal apprenticeship ceremony.”

She didn’t like overly complicated ceremonies, so serving tea would suffice.

Wen Zixiao shook his head, “That’s not enough. Serving tea is necessary, but bowing and a formal apprenticeship gift is also required.”

Madam Meng gently smiled and said, “The apprenticeship gift has been prepared for some time. If Yuniang is willing to take Cheng Ge’er as an apprentice, I’ll go fetch it.”

The apprenticeship gift consisted of six types of food items: celery, red beans, red dates, longan, lotus seeds, and dried lean meat strips, each with its own symbolic meaning.

The red beans, red dates, longan, and lotus seeds were dried goods that Madam Meng had prepared earlier. Now that Yuniang was willing to take Cheng Ge’er as an apprentice, she immediately went to buy celery.

Celery was in season and available at the market, though it was still quite tender.

After buying the celery, Madam Meng brought the six food items back to the Pei family.

Wen Shuncheng personally handed Xu Qinyu the six apprenticeship gifts, served her tea, and then solemnly knelt before her and kowtowed three times. The apprenticeship ceremony was thus completed.

Madam Meng had also prepared some silver, but Xu Qinyu refused to accept it, so they left it at that.

“Stand up,” Xu Qinyu said with a smile.

Wen Shuncheng stood up, grinning from ear to ear.

After the apprenticeship ceremony, Wen Zixiao and Madam Meng went back to arrange things, as there were still many items they needed to get for their new home. Concubine Bai naturally stayed behind to chat with Madam Gui, while Tao Jie’er wanted to stay and play with Ning Jie’er.

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Perhaps it was the apprenticeship ceremony that settled Cheng Ge’er’s mind.

In the afternoon, Xu Qinyu let him prepare a braised grass carp and a fish head tofu stew on his own.

Xu Qinyu still prepared the entire pot of fish to be sold. Even when she was in charge, she started with individual dishes before moving on to large pots, which were much more challenging to get right. Making large pots of food taste good was even harder.

Previously, Xu Qinyu occasionally let Cheng Ge’er prepare a fish dish on his own. The taste was passable, as Cheng Ge’er had some culinary talent and knew the proportions of the seasonings. As long as he controlled the heat well, the fish wouldn’t taste bad. However, reaching Xu Qinyu’s level was extremely difficult, almost impossible. She had an innate sense of how to bring out the best flavors in food.

This time, Cheng Ge’er’s braised grass carp and fish head tofu stew improved slightly compared to the previous days. The grass carp’s skin was crispy and tender, and the other seasonings were well-balanced.

Xu Qinyu praised him, and Cheng Ge’er scratched his head and smiled, “Master, now that you’ve accepted me, I feel more settled, and my cooking feels different.”

It indeed had an impact. Previously, he overthought things and worried that his fourth sister-in-law didn’t want to take him as an apprentice. Even with some talent, he made mistakes due to this anxiety.

Xu Qinyu realized this and apologized to Cheng Ge’er, “I didn’t think it through before. It’s my fault.”

Cheng Ge’er quickly said, “Master, don’t blame yourself. Now that you’ve accepted me as an apprentice, I feel more settled and will definitely learn more.”

As Cheng Ge’er said, his progress was evident day by day.

In the blink of an eye, five or six days passed.

Xu Qinyu visited the restaurant, and Madam Wen mentioned that the day after tomorrow, April 20th, was an auspicious day for opening.

Xu Qinyu planned to open her restaurant the day after tomorrow. Today, she went to check on the restaurant, and everything was in order. The wood varnish had dried, and the restaurant was clean and tidy, with the kitchen’s wooden cooking stations varnished and all other items neatly arranged.

The entire renovation and setup of the restaurant cost a hundred taels of silver, as she had also ordered some additional kitchen utensils from carpenters, blacksmiths, and porcelain kilns.

She had about a hundred taels of silver left, which she needed to buy rice, flour, grains, oil, seasonings, and spices.

With two days left before the opening, Xu Qinyu spent these days buying seasonings and various spices. She didn’t buy pepper, as it cost four taels of silver per tael, making it forty taels per pound, which was too expensive for her small restaurant.

In addition to various seasonings and spices, she ordered a lot of vegetable oil and sesame oil from the oil mill, but she could render lard herself. She also ordered various types of polished rice, millet, glutinous rice, and white flour, as well as various coarse grains and beans. These were all ordered from the rice shop and were to be delivered today.

The river delicacies, including various fish, river shrimp, snails, and river crabs, were delivered by Uncle He. People in the area didn’t usually eat river crabs, but Xu Qinyu found them to be a delicious river delicacy.

Uncle He’s sons and grandsons no longer needed to work outside and specialized in catching river delicacies from rivers and lakes. Uncle He’s son even planned to buy a small boat with the money they earned to catch river delicacies from the canal in the future.

Eggs and duck eggs were collected cheaply by Uncle He from the village. Pork was ordered from Butcher Tian, and for lamb, Butcher Tian had connections. Chickens and ducks were bought live and kept in the woodshed to be slaughtered as needed. Beef was hard to come by.

She hadn’t bought pork and lamb yet, planning to buy them on the opening day.

Today was spent buying these items, and tomorrow would be the final preparation day at the restaurant.

Buying these seasonings, spices, rice, flour, grains, and oil cost another eighty taels of silver. She bought a lot, enough for a month, as spices, sugar, and brown sugar were really expensive. The small restaurant’s backyard had not only a small woodshed but also a storage room specifically for storing these seasonings and ingredients.

Most people wouldn’t dare to buy so many seasonings, spices, rice, flour, grains, and oil at once, worrying about customer flow and future business. If business didn’t go well, these items would be wasted.

Xu Qinyu, however, wasn’t worried at all. She only had pork and lamb left to buy, and the rest were just some green vegetables, which were relatively cheap. There were no more major expenses.

She had about twenty taels of silver left.

It was mainly because she had a lot of money, with the support of her mother and uncle, who gave her one hundred and fifty taels of silver. This was enough for her to spend freely. Otherwise, even if she saved for another two months, she wouldn’t have been able to afford the renovations, varnishing, and making the cooking station for the restaurant. She wouldn’t have bought so many other things either, as there wouldn’t have been enough money.

Initially, she hired only two women as waitstaff, but later, with Madam Wu’s help, she randomly selected another one from the remaining list.

The preparations were almost complete.

Regarding Xu’s Food Mansion, they would serve both breakfast and dinner. People here ate two meals a day: breakfast around nine or ten in the morning and dinner around four or five in the afternoon. Even modern restaurants mainly served lunch and dinner, while breakfast shops specialized in breakfast.

Even though she was serving both breakfast and dinner, she could manage it alone, though it would be tiring. Making money was never easy at the beginning.

For breakfast, Xu Qinyu planned to serve it in the style of Cantonese dim sum, with small steamers of food. She wouldn’t serve tea for now, opting for hot drinks like hot soy milk and hot milk tea instead.

For breakfast snacks, she planned to prepare custard buns, milk buns, small meat buns, glutinous rice intestines, shrimp dumplings, shumai, and fish porridge.

These were relatively light dishes. For those who preferred stronger flavors, she added a dish of oil-splashed noodles. This was simple to make: after cooking the noodles, she would add seasonings and pour a spoonful of hot oil with chili over them. She also added a small spoonful of peanut butter to the oil-splashed noodles, making them even more fragrant. The peanut butter was something she had prepared earlier. The oil-splashed noodles had a rich and spicy flavor, with a particularly intense taste.

The other snacks were all steamed, so once prepared and steamed, they didn’t need much attention. When customers came for breakfast, she only needed to prepare the fish porridge and oil-splashed noodles, which she could manage.

Once she found assistant cooks, she could add more breakfast varieties.

For dinner, she would serve regular dishes. Of course, the taste would be anything but ordinary.

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In the evening, while selling fish, Xu Qinyu cheerfully told the neighbors, “Aunties and sisters-in-law, my ‘Xu’s Food Mansion’ will open the day after tomorrow. At that time, braised grass carp, fish balls, and fish head tofu stew will still be sold there. The location is at the far end of the West Street market.”

The neighbors already knew Xu Qinyu was opening a restaurant. Hearing that she planned to move the fish sales there, they were a bit worried and couldn’t help but ask, “Young Lady Xu, what about the prices of these foods…”

Originally, these foods were sold cheaply so that ordinary people could afford them daily. Now that she was opening a restaurant, she couldn’t continue selling them so cheaply. Otherwise, she couldn’t cover the restaurant’s rent, the waitstaff’s wages, the accountant’s salary, and so on. She wouldn’t make any profit and couldn’t sell at a loss.

Xu Qinyu smiled and said, “Don’t worry, the prices won’t increase. They will remain the same as now. My restaurant mainly sells breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, there will be custard buns, milk buns, small meat buns, glutinous rice intestines, shrimp dumplings, and so on. For dinner, there will be various dishes, and I can make almost any dish. So the prices for fish balls, braised fish, and fish head tofu stew will stay the same. However, as usual, you’ll need to bring your bowls to buy them at the restaurant entrance.”

After all, she had to run other businesses. If she kept selling such cheap food for dining in, she would lose other customers and ultimately lose money.

The neighbors understood when they heard that the prices would remain the same but that they could only buy the food to take home. However, they didn’t know that Young Lady Xu could cook all kinds of food. They thought she was just good at cooking fish and that her restaurant would continue selling fish.

Xu Qinyu also told everyone that she would teach her apprentice how to cook the fish dishes. In a few days, her apprentice would be making the fish dishes. She assured everyone that the taste would still be delicious.

Everyone accepted this, as long as the food tasted good. In their eyes, the food in ordinary restaurants tasted good enough. As long as the fish dishes tasted like those in ordinary restaurants, they would be satisfied.

Cheap and tasty food was enough to satisfy them. After all, Young Lady Xu’s cooking skills were extraordinary, and selling such cheap food to them sometimes made them feel uneasy. Now that she would teach her apprentice how to cook the fish dishes, they didn’t mind. If they had money in the future, they could go to her restaurant for breakfast and dinner.

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The next day, after selling the fish, Xu Qinyu and her family used a donkey cart to transport the large pots and stoves from the courtyard to the restaurant. After all, they wouldn’t be selling fish there anymore, so the pots and stoves would be useless.

The donkey cart was borrowed from the Xia’s family, as she only had twenty taels of silver. She planned to buy a donkey cart after earning more money. She also moved the wooden barrel of fermented tofu, pickled vegetables, spicy cabbage, fermented black beans, and bean paste she had made earlier to the restaurant.

Xu Qinyu asked Butcher Tian to deliver pork and lamb the next day. She would buy vegetables the next morning while the lard was already rendered.

The “Xu’s Food Mansion” sign was hung up and covered with red cloth, ready to be unveiled for the grand opening the next day.

In the evening, Xu Qinyu and the Pei family couldn’t sleep. Xu Qinyu felt emotional as she had finally taken her first official step since arriving in this new world.

The next day, before dawn, Xu Qinyu got up.

The rest of the Pei family also got up.

Today was the opening day of “Xu’s Food Mansion.” Everyone was a bit restless. Madam Wen, the restaurant manager, naturally had to go. Ning Jie’er, feeling attached to her fourth sister-in-law’s first day of business, wanted to help and decided not to make buns today.

Wen Shuncheng and Wen Shungong also got up early to find Xu Qinyu, and the whole family went to the restaurant.

The three hired waitstaff also got up and went to the restaurant.

Xu Qinyu set the work start time at the end of the Yin hour, which was five o’clock in the morning.

They had to be at the restaurant by five o’clock. The end time was not fixed, as dinner service varied, but they could usually finish by the end of the Xu hour, around eight o’clock in the evening.

Although the work hours were long, there were usually two hours of rest between breakfast and dinner.