Chapter 58

In Madam Sun’s palm was a package wrapped in medicinal paper, already crumpled from her grip.

Seeing this, Gong Ge’er snatched it from her hand. It felt thin and powdery. He asked, “What’s this?”

“Give it back to me,” Madam Sun, terrified, struggled like a madwoman.

Gong Ge’er handed the package to Xu Qinyu.

Xu Qinyu opened it to find a brown powder. She sniffed it and recognized the smell of croton seeds.

Croton seeds are a medicinal herb that can warm the intestines and relieve constipation, but they are mildly toxic and can cause diarrhea if not used for medical purposes. It was clear what Madam Sun intended to do with them.

“Croton seeds,” Xu Qinyu said. “What were you planning to do with these? Were you going to put them in Xu’s Food Mansion’s food tomorrow to ruin our reputation?”

Madam Sun, in tears, pleaded, “Owner, please listen. I didn’t mean to poison anyone. The manager of Ping An Eatery gave them to me. She said if I didn’t help her this time, she would tell you about the things I did before. She forced this on me and told me to put it in the sour plum soup and milk tea tomorrow. But I didn’t agree. I wouldn’t poison anyone. I’m not that bad. She scared me…”

Madam Sun was almost incoherent. She was terrified and full of fear. She didn’t want to harm Xu’s Food Mansion and knew that the Owner was a good person, but she was just scared.

It all started when she made a mistake. One day, she was buying needles and thread at a small stall when a woman started chatting with her and asked if she worked at Xu’s Food Mansion.

Working at Xu’s Food Mansion was a point of pride.

She proudly said she worked there and chatted with the woman. She mentioned how good the Owner was, hiring women like her as waitresses, paying eight hundred wen a month, and providing meals. Although the Owner’s apprentice made the meals, they were made with fine ingredients, including eggs in the morning and meat in the evening. She also mentioned the year-end bonus.

Everyone around was envious, saying she was lucky and should work hard. They praised the Owner for being kind-hearted, running the restaurant and still caring for the neighbors, selling delicious and cheap fish. Most of them had queued up to buy Xu’s Food Mansion’s braised fish, fish balls, and fish heads. They all said the food was as delicious as the restaurant’s dishes, and the Owner didn’t skimp on quality just because it was cheap.

Madam Sun naturally smiled, “Of course, I’ll work hard. Our Owner even said we would get a raise every year.”

“Oh, you’re so lucky. If they hadn’t only hired people from Osmanthus Alley, I would have tried too.”

“Exactly. Xu’s Food Mansion’s business is good. Does the Owner still need people?”

Madam Sun didn’t know, so she just shook her head. After buying the needles and thread, she planned to go home. On the way back, the woman who had initially chatted with her walked with her, saying it was on her way. They talked about Xu’s Food Mansion the whole way, with the woman expressing envy and saying Madam Sun was lucky. She kept asking about Xu’s Food Mansion, and Madam Sun didn’t think much of it, chatting with her all the way. Eventually, she let slip what Madam Wen had said to Wen Yunling that day.

Wen Yunling had asked Madam Wen about Madam Gui’s tuberculosis and how she was recovering.

Madam Sun knew she shouldn’t gossip, but she let it slip, thinking the manager had said it wasn’t tuberculosis and that Madam Gui had recovered. She felt reassured.

Unexpectedly, the woman exclaimed, “Oh my, they have a tuberculosis patient? How can they still run a restaurant? What if it spreads to the customers?”

Madam Sun immediately retorted, “Our manager said it wasn’t tuberculosis, and she’s already recovered.”

The woman clicked her tongue and left after saying goodbye. A few days later, rumors spread in the market, saying Xu’s Food Mansion had a tuberculosis patient.

Madam Sun was shocked and realized it must have been her gossip that the woman overheard and spread. Feeling guilty, she didn’t know whether to confess to the Owner and manager. But if she did, they might think she was a gossip and fire her from the restaurant. So she kept quiet, pretending not to know.

Fortunately, the Owner later invited her family to Xu’s Food Mansion for dinner, dispelling the rumors, and she felt relieved.

However, not long after, the woman who had chatted with her blocked her way and revealed she was the manager of Ping An Eatery. She thanked Madam Sun for the information, saying it helped her learn about Xu’s Food Mansion’s misconduct, running a restaurant with a tuberculosis patient. She claimed she was just chatting, not expecting the news to spread.

Madam Sun didn’t believe her this time and was furious, realizing the woman had tricked her. She scolded the woman.

The woman didn’t care and just thanked her, then offered her money to help find out how Xu’s Food Mansion’s food was made.

Madam Sun was furious and refused outright.

The manager of Ping An Eatery threatened her, saying, “If you don’t want to help, I’ll tell your manager about the gossip you shared with me. Besides, I’m not asking you to steal recipes, just to tell me what you see your Owner doing.”

Madam Sun was terrified and panicked. Seeing the manager’s expression change, she hurriedly blocked her path, “What are you doing? You can’t go.”

The woman smiled and said, “I’m not making things difficult for you or asking you to steal recipes. Why are you so scared? Just tell me the general method of making those dishes.”

Madam Sun, scared, stammered out the general methods she had seen Xu Qinyu use for a few breakfast dishes. She thought that without giving specific recipes, the woman wouldn’t learn much.

The woman thanked her and gave her five taels of silver, telling her to come back in a month and giving her address.

Finally, she threatened Madam Sun, saying that if she didn’t come back in a month, she would tell the owner of Xu’s Food Mansion about the gossip and recipes. The woman left quickly.

Madam Sun didn’t want the five taels of silver and was distraught, but she took it home.

When Ping An Eatery started making custard buns, glutinous rice with pork intestines, and fish porridge, she felt even more regretful and guilty.

By this point, Madam Sun was in tears. She looked at Xu Qinyu, trembling, and said, “Owner, I really didn’t plan to poison anyone. I came today to return the five taels of silver. I never intended to harm you or Xu’s Food Mansion.”

Madam Sun trembled and took out a money pouch, opening it to reveal five taels of silver. She had indeed come to return the money. But when she went inside, the woman threatened her again, saying it was too late to back out, and offered her fifty taels of silver if she helped. Madam Sun refused.

Finally, the woman showed her true colors, saying Madam Sun had no choice but to comply, as she was already involved. She forced the laxative into her hand and pushed her out.

“Owner, I know I was wrong. I won’t poison anyone.” Madam Sun cried, her face covered in tears.

Cheng Ge’er, after hearing everything, couldn’t help but say, “Madam Sun, are you foolish? You should have told Master the truth the first time instead of hiding it. Now it’s blown up, and you can’t contain it.”

Xu Qinyu was at a loss for words. Madam Sun was tall and strong, yet her personality was so timid. It was clear that Ping An Eatery had set a trap for her, gradually forcing her to comply. The first rumor and the second recipe incident weren’t significant. Madam Sun hadn’t given specific recipes, but Ping An Eatery had deliberately manipulated her into doing these things. It was also Madam Sun’s own confusion.

Gong Ge’er scratched his head and finally asked Xu Qinyu, “Fourth Sister-in-law, what should we do now?”

Should they confront Ping An Eatery directly?

Xu Qinyu thought for a moment and told Madam Sun, “The only way now is to report this to the authorities. You will be a witness to expose Ping An Eatery’s malicious actions. But if you report it, Madam Sun, you will also face punishment. Are you willing? After this, I won’t employ you anymore, but I will give you some severance pay.”

She couldn’t fully trust Madam Sun’s words. According to Madam Sun, she was innocent and was forced by the woman.

Xu Qinyu didn’t have Madam Sun’s perspective and couldn’t tell if she was telling the truth or mixing lies with truth. Moreover, whether it was the initial rumor or the recipe leak, Madam Sun had committed serious offenses. Such a person, she definitely wouldn’t employ again.

Madam Sun hesitated, “Helping the owner report to the authorities is the right thing to do, but after reporting, won’t I be gossiped about? And if the Owner won’t let me work anymore, where will I find another job?”

Xu Qinyu calmly said, “Madam Sun, even if you don’t want to report it, I will. This is a serious matter. Ping An Eatery’s malicious competition tactics are illegal. If we don’t report it, they will continue to harm others. And even if we don’t report it, I won’t let this go and won’t employ you anymore. The matter will still spread. It’s better for you to admit your mistake and perhaps gain a good reputation.”

Madam Sun pondered for a long time and finally agreed.

It was already dark, but they could report to the authorities at any time.

Xu Qinyu went to the county office and beat the drum.

Soon, the gates of the county office opened, and the county magistrate, accompanied by yamen officers, ascended to the hall.

Xu Qinyu didn’t know the county magistrate personally, only that his surname was Yang. She knew her friend Yang Zhizhi was the daughter of the county magistrate but had always treated her normally.

Although Magistrate Yang ate the food his wife and daughter brought home from Xu’s Food Mansion daily, he didn’t know Xu Qinyu either.

The group knelt and stated their intention to report a case, explaining the entire situation.

Hearing the name Xu’s Food Mansion and the young lady before him claiming to be the Owner, Magistrate Yang couldn’t help but take a closer look at her. He often heard his daughter mention Young Lady Xu and was indeed surprised by how young she was, finding it hard to believe that such a young lady possessed such extraordinary culinary skills.

After hearing the whole story, Magistrate Yang immediately ordered the yamen officers to arrest the manager and Owner of Ping An Eatery.

When the yamen officers arrived, the manager of Ping An Eatery, Mrs. Li, was smugly telling her husband that Xu’s Food Mansion would soon face great misfortune.

Ping An Eatery was a husband-and-wife business, with Mrs. Li’s husband as the chef. He was a man of few words, focused solely on cooking.

Hearing this, her husband couldn’t help but ask, “What have you done this time? Dear, we should just run our business honestly and cook good food. Let’s not do anything underhanded. Let’s stop making those custard buns and glutinous rice with pork intestines. After all, we copied Xu’s Food Mansion, and I’m not very skilled at making pastries.”

Mrs. Li snorted and said, “What can I do? I’m just trying to help our eatery. Xu’s Food Mansion has taken so much of our business. They deserve misfortune. Even if these breakfast items are our own creations, why can Xu’s Food Mansion make them, but we can’t?”

She hadn’t told her husband about her actions, knowing he was simple-minded and wouldn’t approve.

Mrs. Li was illiterate and ignorant of the law. She thought adding a laxative was no big deal, as everyone has had an upset stomach at some point.

As they were about to rest, there was a loud knock on the door. Startled, Mrs. Li didn’t think much of it, assuming someone was looking for them. She cursed inwardly, wondering who was knocking so loudly and damaging her door. When she opened the courtyard door, she was immediately restrained by someone grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back.

Mrs. Li screamed, “What are you doing? Husband, husband, there are robbers!”

The yamen officer scolded, “Quiet down. Who’s a robber? Look at our uniforms. You’ve committed a crime, and we’re taking you to the county office.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mrs. Li was still confused. “What crime could I have committed? I’m just an ordinary woman, not a murderer or arsonist.”

Her husband, Zhang Quan, came out upon hearing the commotion and was also stunned to see the yamen officers.

The officers took both of them to the county office.

Seeing Madam Sun, Mrs. Li finally understood what was happening. She never expected Madam Sun to report her, as she had always been so timid and afraid to tell Xu’s Food Mansion’s Owner.

Mrs. Li cursed at Madam Sun.

“Silence!” the county magistrate banged the gavel.

Madam Sun identified Mrs. Li and presented the five taels of silver and the laxative.

At first, Mrs. Li refused to admit anything, denying she knew Madam Sun or that she had bribed her to poison Xu’s Food Mansion’s customers.

The county magistrate said, “You were just cursing at Madam Sun, and now you deny knowing her? Lying in court? You claim you didn’t buy the laxative? I can send someone to the town’s pharmacies to verify if you bought it. If you don’t confess, your punishment will be more severe once we find out the truth!”

Mrs. Li, being in court for the first time, was scared and eventually confessed.

As Madam Sun had said, she admitted that she initially didn’t plan to have Madam Sun poison Xu’s Food Mansion’s customers. The first two times, she only spread rumors and asked about the custard bun recipe. Later, she called Madam Sun to her house a month later, intending to ask more about Xu’s Food Mansion’s recipes without using the laxative. But as summer arrived, Ping An Eatery’s business worsened, with few customers. Meanwhile, Xu’s Food Mansion continued to thrive, even introducing new dishes. Mrs. Li grew increasingly resentful and decided to sabotage Xu’s Food Mansion. She bought the laxative and forced Madam Sun to use it on Xu’s Food Mansion’s customers.

Mrs. Li also admitted that Madam Sun came today to return the five taels of silver she had given her. But she promised her fifty taels of silver if she succeeded, half-pushing her out the door with the laxative.

Madam Sun began to plead, saying she was forced. If she didn’t take the laxative, Mrs. Li would report her to Xu’s Food Mansion’s Owner.

The two started accusing each other.

Regardless, both were guilty.

Madam Sun confessed, became a witness, and presented evidence. She received ten lashes, while Mrs. Li received twenty. This was because the laxative hadn’t been used yet. If it had been, the punishment would have been more severe.

Even in competition, no one would think of poisoning a rival’s customers.

The lashes were administered to the buttocks, not the back. Back lashes were for more severe crimes and could be fatal. But even ten or twenty lashes to the buttocks were hard to endure. Ten lashes usually didn’t draw blood, but twenty did.

Both women screamed in pain. Zhang Quan, who was innocent, wasn’t punished. He kept his head down and, after Mrs. Li was lashed, apologized to Xu Qinyu and carried his wife away. Only Madam Sun and Xu Qinyu’s group remained at the county office.

In the end, Xu Qinyu called a carriage to take Madam Sun home, hired a doctor, paid for the consultation and medicine, and left two taels of silver before leaving.

Madam Sun’s family was furious when they learned what she had done. When they found out she could no longer work at Xu’s Food Mansion, they wanted to ask Xu Qinyu to forgive her. However, seeing that Xu’s Food Mansion’s Owner was still willing to pay for the medical expenses, they felt too ashamed to ask her to keep employing Madam Sun.

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Reporting the case took until late at night. Seeing how dark it was, Cheng Ge’er and Gong Ge’er escorted Xu Qinyu back to the Pei family.

On the way, Xu Qinyu thanked Cheng Ge’er.

Cheng Ge’er quickly said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, it wasn’t me who discovered it. It was Gong Ge’er. I asked him to help me keep watch.”

Gong Ge’er grinned, “Fourth Sister-in-law, it wasn’t really me either. I’ve been taking leftover food from the restaurant, saying it was for my friends, but they were actually helping me keep watch. My friends are a few little beggars, all younger than me and quite pitiful. They’re all disabled, and no one wants them, not even to sell as servants. Fourth Sister-in-law, can I keep giving them the leftover food from the restaurant?”

“Of course,” Xu Qinyu nodded. “We should thank your friends. After dinner tomorrow, you can invite them to the restaurant, and I’ll make some food to thank them.”

They were all pitiful children. Xu Qinyu was also an abandoned orphan but was sent to a welfare home, where she occasionally went hungry when older kids took her food. However, she was generally well-fed and clothed, unlike the abandoned children here, who often became beggars due to physical disabilities. If they weren’t disabled, someone would take them in and sell them as servants to wealthy or official families.

“Fourth Sister-in-law wants to thank them?” Gong Ge’er was overjoyed.

Xu Qinyu smiled and said, “Even though they are children, they helped us, so we should thank them.”

Gong Ge’er laughed even more happily, “Alright, I’ll go find them tomorrow.”

The two escorted Xu Qinyu back to the Pei family and then returned home.

When Xu Qinyu entered the courtyard, she found Madam Wen still awake, waiting for her in the kitchen with a lit oil lamp.

Seeing Yuniang return, Madam Wen finally felt relieved and asked how things went.

Xu Qinyu briefly explained what had happened.

Madam Wen was surprised to learn it was Madam Sun. She had thought all three waitresses were good, at least on the surface.

Madam Wen sighed but didn’t say much more. She just thought about how there would only be two waitresses tomorrow and asked Yuniang if she wanted to hire someone new.

Xu Qinyu planned to hire another person. Two people would be too exhausting, while three would be manageable.

Madam Wen said, “Alright, I’ll cover for now. Take your time finding the right person.” She didn’t have too many tasks besides accounting.

After chatting for a while, the two went to their rooms to rest.

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The next morning, Xu’s Food Mansion opened as usual.

While preparing breakfast, Madam Chen and Madam Yuan noticed Madam Sun was absent and wondered if she had taken leave.

Xu Qinyu explained what had happened with Madam Sun, and both were shocked. Madam Chen couldn’t help but mutter, “How could she do such a thing? She should have confessed to the Owner when the rumor first spread.”

Madam Chen believed the Owner was kind enough to forgive her if she had confessed.

“Alright, let’s get to work. Thank you both for your hard work these past few days. I’ll pay you an extra twenty wen per day.”

Madam Chen waved her hand, “No need, the owner treats us well enough.”

Xu Qinyu still paid them the extra twenty wen per day.

An hour later, Xu’s Food Mansion’s scent filled the air.

Early morning customers noticed that Ping An Eatery on West Street was closed.

Ping An Eatery didn’t have many customers, so no one paid much attention, thinking it was closed for some reason.

As summer arrived, the sky wasn’t completely dark after breakfast and dinner, with a bit of twilight still lingering. After serving dinner to the customers, Xu Qinyu prepared several dishes. She made steamed pork with soda, squirrel fish, braised pork ribs, three-flavor soup, and braised eggplant, and she also saved some rice from dinner.

Soon, Gong Ge’er brought in a few dirty children. The children were timid, standing behind Gong Ge’er and not daring to speak.

Xu Qinyu smiled and thanked them. The children were too shy to speak, but finally, the one-eyed child stammered a “thank you.”

In reality, Xu Qinyu was only a few years older than these children. But when talking to them, she couldn’t help but see herself as an adult and them as children.

Gong Ge’er accompanied the children for dinner, and they ate ravenously, quickly finishing all the food. After dinner, the children even took the empty dishes to the kitchen and washed them.

The one-eyed child hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt in front of Xu Qinyu.

T/N: The author keeps making typos with the waitresses’ names, so I correct them myself.