Chapter 55

Wen Yunling had heard about Xu’s Food Mansion opening for about half a month but hadn’t planned to visit. She was used to eating at Donglai Restaurant, and even when she tried other restaurants, they were mostly on East Street. She rarely went to the West Street market, and since she heard Xu’s Food Mansion was just a small eatery, she didn’t plan to try it.

As a young lady, she sat in a screened-off area, but it was still part of the main dining hall, not a private room, so she could hear the conversations from the neighboring table.

The customers next to her were discussing.

“Have you tried breakfast or dinner at Xu’s Food Mansion?”

“Not yet. Why? I’ve heard about this new eatery, but I’m used to eating at Donglai Restaurant. I can’t eat at such small eateries. How good can the food be at a small eatery?”

This person sounded dismissive of Xu’s Food Mansion, clearly looking down on small eateries.

Indeed, most small eateries’ food was average and couldn’t compare to larger restaurants.

“Brother Zuo, you shouldn’t be so prejudiced. Trust me, you should try breakfast or dinner at Xu’s Food Mansion, especially the crab roe oil. It can be mixed with rice or noodles, and the taste is unforgettable. There’s also the grilled lamb ribs, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, not at all gamey. The fish with intestines is spicy and appetizing. Even the non-signature dishes are exceptional. Just talking about it makes my mouth water.”

Brother Zuo couldn’t help but ask, “If it’s so unforgettable, why didn’t you go there for breakfast today?”

The person rubbed his nose, “Do you think I didn’t want to? I’ve been too busy these past few days. Even if I went, breakfast would be sold out. Both breakfast and dinner at Xu’s Food Mansion require queuing. I’ve been so busy that I couldn’t make it in time. The last few days, I’ve gone at this time, and they’ve already closed. In the evenings, I’m usually busy until late, and by then, dinner is sold out. Once I’m less busy, I’ll definitely go to Xu’s Food Mansion for a few days.”

Brother Zuo hesitated, “Is the business at this small eatery really that good? Is the food that great?”

“Why would I lie to you?” the person continued, “Trust me once, go early for breakfast or dinner, or you’ll have to queue. I’ve also heard that the head chef at Xu’s Food Mansion is kind-hearted. They used to sell fish balls, fish heads, and braised fish cheaply to the neighbors. Now that they’ve opened a restaurant, they still sell those fish dishes at the same price for the neighbors who can’t afford meat.”

Brother Zuo snorted, “What’s so good about fish?”

The other person laughed, “I used to think the same way, but after buying some fish balls, I found them to be just as delicious as other dishes in the restaurant.”

Brother Zuo was half-convinced and decided to check it out for dinner.

Wen Yunling frowned upon hearing this but still held onto a glimmer of hope.

At first, she didn’t associate the name Xu’s Food Mansion with Pei’s fourth sister-in-law until the neighboring diners mentioned fish balls and fish heads. She then remembered that Xu Qinyu had sold these in Osmanthus Alley. She had asked Cheng Ge’er about it, and he had said it was just fish dishes, nothing special, and that the neighbors were poor, so they found it tasty. Now, it seemed Cheng Ge’er had deceived her!

Wen Yunling was so upset that she couldn’t finish her breakfast. She left some money and went to West Street to find Xu’s Food Mansion.

The restaurant was easy to find, but when she arrived, it was closed. After inquiring next door, she learned it was closed for the day.

It was her first time hearing of a restaurant taking a day off.

Wen Yunling then asked the owner of the neighboring cosmetics shop and found out that the manager of Xu’s Food Mansion was indeed a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen, likely Pei’s fourth sister-in-law. She returned home angrily.

Back home, she complained to Madam Yue, her eyes red with frustration. “Even if Cheng Ge’er is from the third branch, he’s still a Wen. He’s my brother. How could he help an outsider? He really broke my heart. When I asked him, he must have known how good Fourth Sister-in-law’s cooking was, yet he lied to me, saying it was just average. If I had known her cooking was so good, I would have talked to her about opening a restaurant long ago.”

Madam Yue tried to console her, “She’s just a young girl of fifteen or sixteen. Do you really believe her cooking is that good? That so-called Xu’s Food Mansion, I’ve heard of it too. It’s probably using some tricks. Otherwise, how could a young girl be better than the chefs at Donglai Restaurant? People say Xu’s Food Mansion is even better than Donglai Restaurant. Do you think that’s possible, Ling’er?”

Wen Yunling fell silent. After a while, she couldn’t help but say, “I’m afraid Concubine Gui’s departure was also part of their plan.”

Madam Yue was even more indifferent. “If Concubine Gui left, so be it. What use was she to the Wen family? Besides, two doctors diagnosed her with tuberculosis, so it must be true. Even if she recovers, it has nothing to do with us. Ling’er, don’t you want to open a restaurant? I’ve heard there’s a great chef in Raozhou City. We can go there and inquire.”

In her opinion, they should have settled in Raozhou City from the beginning. It would have been easier to do business there, but Father-in-law thought they didn’t have enough money and wanted to stay in the town.

Wen Yunling’s face lit up with joy and decided to visit Xu’s Food Mansion again the next day to try the food.

If it were really good, she would talk to the owner. If they couldn’t reach an agreement, she would go to Raozhou City to find a chef. She was determined to open a restaurant!

Madam Yue still found it amusing. She couldn’t believe a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl could be such a skilled chef.

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The next day, Wen Yunling went to Xu’s Food Mansion early.

Just as the customer at Donglai Restaurant had said, by the third quarter of the morning, people were already queuing up.

Soon, the restaurant’s door opened, and a woman in her thirties opened it. Wen Yunling didn’t recognize her.

As the restaurant opened, customers started to enter. Wen Yunling, arriving early, was among the first batch of customers, but she had to share a table with others. She frowned but said nothing. Upon entering, she saw her second aunt, Madam Wen, standing behind the counter.

This time, she was convinced that the chef at Xu’s Food Mansion was indeed Fourth Sister-in-law.

Madam Wen’s smile faded when she saw Wen Yunling, but she didn’t kick her out. Yuniang had told her before that since they had opened the restaurant, the Wen family would eventually find out. As long as the Wen family didn’t cause trouble and ate normally, they should be treated like regular customers.

So Madam Wen calmly asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Wen Yunling smiled sweetly, “Aunt, you can order for me. I trust you.”

Madam Wen nodded and ordered a custard bun and a bowl of fish porridge for Wen Yunling.

Yuniang’s fish porridge was delicious and warming, and many people ordered it for breakfast.

Now, Yuniang used seven or eight small stoves to cook fish porridge simultaneously, and eight servings were already ready.

Wen Yunling paid for her meal and found a seat. She had to share a table with a cleanly dressed woman. Wen Yunling glanced at her but said nothing. If this were Donglai Restaurant, no one would be willing to share a table. It truly was a small eatery, lacking in prestige.

Soon, the custard buns and fish porridge were served.

Wen Yunling absentmindedly picked up a custard bun and took a bite, only to be stunned.

So delicious!

Like the other customers, she couldn’t think of anything else and focused on eating. She quickly finished the two custard buns and started on the porridge. The porridge was thick and flavorful, with tender fish slices and no fishy smell.

Wen Yunling usually had a small appetite, but she finished the entire pot of fish porridge and felt quite full. She sat there in a daze for a while.

After a while, Wen Yunling approached Madam Wen, “Aunt, can I see Fourth Sister-in-law?”

Madam Wen replied calmly, “Yuniang is very busy and doesn’t have time to see you. Don’t disturb her. Finish your meal and leave quickly. I have other customers to attend to.”

Wen Yunling bit her lip but didn’t get angry and left.

When she returned to the Wen family, she was still in a daze and told Madam Yue, “Mother, Fourth Sister-in-law’s cooking is indeed delicious. Donglai Restaurant’s food can’t compare, and it’s even better than the food at Jixiang Restaurant in the capital.” It was the best food she had ever tasted.

Wen Yunling knew that Donglai Restaurant’s customer flow hadn’t been greatly affected because Xu’s Food Manison was a small eatery with limited capacity. However, there was still some loss of customers. The businesses most affected were Jin Yuan Inn and Ping An Eatery in the West Street market.

Madam Yue was surprised, “Is it really that good?”

Wen Yunling nodded.

No, she had to talk to Fourth Sister-in-law.

In the evening, Wen Yunling went to Xu’s Food Mansion for dinner again. She ordered crab roe rice and grilled lamb ribs, which tasted even better than breakfast.

After dinner, Wen Yunling knew she couldn’t see her fourth sister-in-law at the restaurant, so she went to the Pei family in Osmanthus Alley, planning to wait for Fourth Sister-in-law to come back and talk to her in detail. She genuinely wanted to open a restaurant and make a lot of money. She knew her grandparents wanted her to return to the capital, hoping she might become a concubine for the new emperor. She was willing to enter the palace and enjoy wealth and honor, but realistically, the Wen family had no chance of returning to the capital. So, she thought that if she couldn’t go back, staying in the border town and making a lot of money to become a wealthy landowner was also a good option.

That’s why she was eager to find a chef and open a restaurant.

Wen Yunling arrived at the Pei family in Osmanthus Alley and knocked on the door. Soon, someone came to open it, and it was Madam Gui.

Wen Yunling was startled but saw that Madam Gui looked very healthy, with a rosy complexion and less gray hair, not at all like someone with tuberculosis.

“Granny Gui…” Wen Yunling called out instinctively.

Madam Gui replied calmly, “Ling’er, what brings you here?”

“Granny Gui, is your tuberculosis cured?” Wen Yunling frowned, still feeling something was off about Madam Gui’s illness.

Madam Gui said, “Maybe living here with good food and drink cured me, or perhaps the two doctors misdiagnosed me. I’m perfectly healthy now.”

Wen Yunling felt a bit angry, but she had a favor to ask today, so she couldn’t show it. She said directly, “Granny Gui, I need to talk to Fourth Sister-in-law. Can I wait for her inside?”

Madam Gui didn’t refuse and let Wen Yunling in.

Yuniang had instructed this before. She said that if the Wen family came, they should be let in as long as their attitude was acceptable. If their attitude was bad, they should be driven away.

Wen Yunling entered the courtyard and found Ning Jie’er there.

Pei Jianing didn’t like Wen Yunling, but Fourth Sister-in-law had said that guests should be treated well, so she held back her dislike and even made tea for Wen Yunling.

Wen Yunling didn’t expect Ning Jie’er to be so polite and couldn’t help but say thank you.

Ning Jie’er didn’t pay any more attention to Wen Yunling and went back to her room.

Wen Yunling waited for about an hour before she saw Xu Qinyu return.

Xu Qinyu was alone, probably having finished dinner service and coming back first. Seeing the sweat on her forehead, it was clear that being the head chef was hard work.

Seeing Wen Yunling, Xu Qinyu wasn’t surprised. She already knew from Cheng Ge’er that Wen Yunling wanted to open a restaurant.

“What brings you here?” Xu Qinyu asked.

Wen Yunling got straight to the point, “I have something to discuss with you, Fourth Sister-in-law. Don’t you think your current eatery is a bit small? If you’re willing, I can open a restaurant even bigger than Donglai Restaurant, like Jixiang Restaurant in the capital. You can be the head chef. I know you’re very skilled, so I’ll give you ten percent of the restaurant’s profits instead of a salary. How about that?”

A restaurant as large as Jixiang Restaurant could generate hundreds or even thousands of taels of silver in monthly profits, which would be far more lucrative than a small eatery.

Wen Yunling knew that offering a typical salary of twenty or thirty taels of silver per month wouldn’t attract her fourth sister-in-law. Knowing her culinary skills, she made a genuine offer.

Xu Qinyu smiled, “You want to compete with Donglai Restaurant?”

Donglai Restaurant is currently the largest restaurant in Yuanbao Town. Even if she earned enough to open a restaurant, she would do so in Raozhou City, where there were many restaurants of similar size to Donglai Restaurant. But in Yuanbao Town, such a large restaurant was unique. Why had Donglai Restaurant remained the dominant restaurant in Yuanbao Town without any other restaurant challenging its position?

It was because Donglai Restaurant was the local powerhouse. As long as no one challenged it, Donglai Restaurant wouldn’t mind.

Even though Xu’s Food Mansion was doing well, Donglai Restaurant didn’t plan to take any action because, in their eyes, Xu’s Food Mansion was just a small eatery that caused only a slight decrease in their customer flow without significant impact.

Wen Yunling frowned, “What does opening a restaurant have to do with them? Everyone relies on their own skills.”

Xu Qinyu replied, “Sorry, I disagree. I think my small eatery is just fine, and I don’t plan to open a large restaurant for now.”

You can’t become successful overnight. Even her small eatery attracted jealousy, and she had to be cautious daily to prevent trouble. Fortunately, Officer Xu came for dinner a few days ago, which deterred troublemakers for now.

In modern times, even food shop owners often fought, and street food vendors frequently clashed. Good business always attracts jealousy, regardless of the industry.

Wen Yunling was furious, “Are you stupid? You’re turning down a large restaurant to run a small eatery?”

“No need.” Xu Qinyu shook her head, “Miss Wen, please leave. I won’t be the head chef at your restaurant. I just want to take care of my Xu’s Food Mansion.”

She dreamed of opening Xu’s Food Mansion branches all over the Great Sheng Dynasty.

Seeing that Xu Qinyu was unyielding, Wen Yunling was infuriated. She wanted to mock her but noticed the black panther crouching nearby, watching her intently, ready to pounce at any moment.

Wen Yunling was furious but had no choice but to leave in a huff. She left with a parting shot, “I’ve never seen such a fool!”

In Xu Qinyu’s eyes, Wen Yunling was not only arrogant and domineering but also quite foolish. Thinking she could compete with Donglai Restaurant, she was likely to lose miserably.

When Wen Yunling returned home and told Madam Yue about it, Madam Yue said, “She has no vision. If she doesn’t want to open a large restaurant, let her be. Ling’er, since you want to open a restaurant, we’ll go to Raozhou City and hire that renowned chef. You can open your own restaurant. I have some private savings, enough for you to use.”

Otherwise, with Father-in-law’s stingy nature, he would never agree to spend money on opening a restaurant for Ling’er. As for Madam Gui, they didn’t care and didn’t give it a second thought.

Wen Yunling had initially thought that if Madam Gui were still in the Wen family, she could use her to pressure Fourth Sister-in-law. Now that Madam Gui was no longer with the Wen family, she had no leverage.

All she needed was a chef. Since her mother said there was a renowned chef in Raozhou City, she planned to go there in a few days, hire the chef, and have him cook for her restaurant.

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By early June, the weather was gradually getting hotter, and the marinated snails at the restaurant started to become popular.

In addition to marinated snails, Xu Qinyu also introduced marinated prawns. She used large river prawns, the same ones used for shrimp dumplings, cooked them whole, and marinated them in a specially prepared sauce for half an hour before serving. The marinade for the prawns was different from that for the snails, giving each dish a unique flavor.

Xu Qinyu didn’t like making different ingredients taste the same. To her, snails had their own chewy texture, while prawns were tender and flavorful, so the marinades had to be different.

The marinated prawns became as popular as the marinated snails, with almost every table ordering them.

As the weather warmed up, fewer customers ordered grilled lamb ribs, even with the complimentary mung bean soup, as it was too hot to eat such a dish.

Seeing the weather getting hotter, Xu Qinyu, in addition to soy milk, milk tea, and mung bean soup, started making a pot of sour plum soup every day. She used black plums, hawthorn slices, licorice, dried tangerine peel, and rock sugar to make the soup. The resulting sour plum soup was red and cool, sweet and sour, with a rich flavor that was very appetizing.

Since the weather wasn’t extremely hot yet, she didn’t add ice to the soup. After cooking, she hung the pot in the well for an hour to cool it down, making it refreshingly cool to drink.

This sour plum soup is also sold for eight wen per bowl because the ingredients are genuine, and black plums are considered candied fruits, which are not cheap. Even at eight wen per bowl, many customers order it for dinner, and sometimes Xu Qinyu wants to save some for her restaurant staff, but there’s not enough.

Xu’s Food Mansion not only added marinated prawns and sour plum soup but also introduced a new breakfast item: meat sandwich, which Xu Qinyu used to sell at the dock. It includes fried eggs, braised pork intestines with radish, and spicy pickled cabbage. This breakfast item is handled by Cheng Ge’er and is still sold for eight wen each. Every morning, they are sold at the restaurant entrance, convenient for customers who don’t have time to sit and eat breakfast. Wrapped in oil paper, they can be taken away and paired with a bowl of soy milk; it’s a comfortable meal. The soy milk is also poured into water pouches for easy takeaway.

Currently, the drinks don’t need ice, but by July and August, the hottest months, ice will be necessary, and the drinks will be more expensive since edible ice isn’t cheap.

A few days later, the number of customers at the restaurant suddenly decreased.

Xu Qinyu didn’t know why. She knew Wen Yunling was busy with her restaurant plans.

Cheng Ge’er said the location had been chosen, and Wen Yunling had gone to Raozhou City to find a renowned chef for her restaurant. However, it was still under renovation and would take at least one or two months to open. It was a three-story restaurant, and the renovation was not easy, so it would take two more months to open.

So it couldn’t be Wen Yunling’s restaurant taking away her business.

Fortunately, Xu Qinyu soon found out what was going on.

One day, after breakfast, while she was taking a break, Madam Wen came to the kitchen, worried, and said, “Yuniang, I just heard from customers in the front hall that many people outside are saying we have a family member with tuberculosis who hasn’t been treated and continues to stay in our restaurant, risking spreading the disease. They must be talking about your Grandmother Gui. But how did outsiders know about this? Besides, your grandmother doesn’t really have tuberculosis. Do you think it’s because Ling’er saw your grandmother when she came to Osmanthus Alley that day? But she knows your grandmother doesn’t look like someone with tuberculosis, so why spread this rumor? Could it be to target our business?”

Xu Qinyu frowned, “It’s not Wen Yunling.”