Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Xiao Yu, Tongtong, and Grandma Yu were all stunned.

Cong Ge'er, using his little arms and legs, sat up and pointed at the watermelon in front of him, telling Xiao Yu and the others, "Melon, spoiled, eat!"

"Stop eating, you're getting all dirty!" Yu Tongtong scolded angrily.

"Eat!" Cong'er reached out with his chubby little hands to grab more.

"Stop right there!" Yu Tongtong quickly ran up, snatched Cong'er up, and gave his soft little bottom two smacks, "Don’t you know it's dirty?!"

Cong'er burst into tears with a loud "Wah."

Yu Tongtong angrily said, "You ruined the watermelon, and now you dare to cry."

"Wuu wuu wuu."

"Pick it up to feed the chickens and ducks!" Yu Tongtong let go of Cong'er, grabbed a wooden basin from the yard, and put it in front of him, "Hurry up."

"Wuu wuu wuu," Cong'er sobbed as he picked up the watermelon and put it into the basin.

"Tongtong, that's enough, grandma will clean it up later," Old Lady Yu raised her voice.

"Let little brother clean it up!" Yu Tongtong insisted stubbornly.

In recent days, the siblings had been like this, quarreling and then getting along again, calling each other 'sister' and 'brother' affectionately. Old Lady Yu decided not to intervene, remembering how worried Chef Yu was the last time Xiao Yu and the others had an issue with Lord Jing Shan's son. After Xiao Yu's group left, the Pei family reassured them that Xiao Yu was fine.

But Chef Yu remained worried, constantly talking about it with her, making her anxious too. Eventually, when the families involved with Lord Jing Shan fell from power and Pei Yanli personally assured them that Xiao Yu and the others were fine, she and Chef Yu were relieved. Yet, she couldn't help but ask Xiao Yu himself, "How have you been recently?"

Just then, Chef Yu returned and, without delay, asked Xiao Yu the same question as Old Lady Yu.

Xiao Yu said with a smile, "Don't worry, we are all doing well."

Chef Yu asked again, "What about the situation with the son of Marquis Jing Shan? There are all sorts of rumors outside."

"In the end, it's because they committed too many misdeeds," Xiao Yu explained.

Old Lady Yu asked, "But they are officials, aren't they?" She thought Xiao Yu couldn't stand up against them.

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "As I've told you before, Danzi's father is also an official."

"A high-ranking official?" Old Lady Yu inquired.

"Very high-ranking," Xiao Yu reassured Chef Yu and his wife, "So as long as we don't do anything wrong, nobody can harm us."

"Danzi's father is really powerful," Chef Yu remarked.

Xiao Yu nodded, "Yes, very powerful."

Now, Danzi, Minghe, and the little one, each of them carries an air of distinction, moving with the grace of nobles, leading Chef Yu and his wife to imagine Danzi's father as someone like a prince or the Prime Minister, which was quite intimidating.

Knowing their own limitations and not aspiring to climb social ladders, they just wanted to earn enough money to raise Tongtong and Cong'er well, so they refrained from inquiring too much about Danzi's family.

Old Lady Yu even advised Xiao Yu, "Although you've taken care of Danzi for over a year and have been kind to him, such favors don't withstand constant imposition. It's better to rely on oneself."

Xiao Yu, knowing that Chef Yu and his wife meant well, agreed with a smile, "I know, and that's why I'm here today to prepare new dishes."

"What new dishes?" Chef Yu's interest was piqued.

"Crystal pork," Xiao Yu announced.

Chef Yu enthusiastically responded, "That's a great dish, especially suitable for summer."

Xiao Yu nodded in agreement, "Exactly."

"But this dish is quite time-consuming to make."

"It doesn't matter, as long as the customers like it."

Mentioning customers, Chef Yu became excited, "They are definitely going to love it."

Xiao Yu remembered when the restaurant first opened, Chef Yu was nervous and insecure, always worried that the people in the capital wouldn't like the dishes of Little River No. 2 Restaurant. Now, just a few days later, Chef Yu was brimming with confidence.

Chef Yu asked, "Did you know that our restaurant has become famous these past few days?"

Xiao Yu asked in return, "What do you mean?"

"After Marquis Jing Shan's downfall, Lou the Head Constable, oh no, he's been promoted now, he's Chief Constable Lou. He got promoted for stopping Marquis Jing Shan's son and others. Now he's the Chief Constable, and he’s been telling everyone how our restaurant stood up to the powerful, earning the admiration of people in the Southeast Quarter. He's even spreading the word in other places," explained Chef Yu.

Old Lady Yu added, "Now, many people praise Little River No. 2 Restaurant as not just any ordinary restaurant, but one that is upright, firm, and possesses a sense of justice."

"Yes, many people are coming because of our reputation!" said Chef Yu.

Old Lady Yu nodded in agreement.

"Don’t think they like our food and drinks just because of this. It’s not like that. We have a lot of repeat customers." Chef Yu felt extremely fulfilled, receiving praise for his cooking.

On his way here, Xiao Yu had planned a marketing campaign to capitalize on the incident with Marquis Jing Shan’s son to advertise his restaurant and the Southeast Quarter. He didn't expect Chief Constable Lou to have already done so.

"Indeed, you'll hear plenty of praise just by walking around the market," said Mrs. Yu.

"Perfect, I need to buy ingredients and can listen in while I'm there," Xiao Yu said.

"Are you buying pig's trotters?" Chef Yu asked, "To make crystal pork, you must use pig's trotters. I know a place in the market where the meat is both cheap and fresh."

Xiao Yu looked at the melon in Chef Yu's hand.

Chef Yu handed the melon to Mrs. Yu, saying, "These past few mornings, I've been visiting the nearby market to check prices, to make sure the purchasing boys don't overcharge you."

Touched by this, Xiao Yu replied, "Let's go have a look."

"Let's go."

Walking along, Chef Yu whispered, "Xiao Yu, listen carefully."

Xiao Yu listened intently.

"Did they really expel the families of Marquis Jing Shan, Earl Yuan Lin, and the Master of the Academy from the capital?"

"Yes, their vast lands have been confiscated."

"They say it's to be distributed among the local common folk."

"His Majesty is truly wise."

"And it's all thanks to the efforts of the 'Little River' restaurant at Southeast Block Number Two."

"Exactly, the manager and owner there, along with Marquis Jing Shan's heir, made a stand that caught the attention of the passing crown prince, leading to everything that followed."

"I heard it alarmed the Grand General!"

"Some say it was the crown prince's study companion who was alerted!"

"Well, whoever it was, the folks at that restaurant really showed their mettle."

"Absolutely! The food there is exceptionally delicious!"

"Mouth-watering chicken, braised fish, sweet-scented tofu pudding with fermented rice... Ah, there are just so many!"

"I'm already drooling."

"I'm going there for lunch."

“……”

Through Emperor Yongxi's maneuvers, the court officials believed that Xiao Yu and his companions had a conflict with the heir of Marquis Jing Shan at the 'Little River No. 2' restaurant, unaware that Xiao Yu was the owner. The common folk knew of Xiao Yu's ownership but were oblivious to his real identity. Thus, this mix of truth and fiction spread nicely, adding intrigue and appeal.

Xiao Yu, not planning to clarify, felt encouraged by the people's praise. He and Chef Yu confidently decided, "Let's go buy some pig's trotters."

After purchasing pig's trotters, they returned to Southeast Block, where 'Little River No. 2' had already opened.

Under Manager Sun's leadership, the staff were busy with their respective tasks.

Xiao Yu, free from worry, entered the kitchen to prepare the trotters: singeing, cleaning, deboning, slicing, and seasoning them with green onion, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and salt before marinating them in the cellar.

"Will it spoil if marinated for three days?" Chef Yu asked.

"I'll buy some ice later." Although Da Jing had ice-making and storage technology and Xiao Yu knew how to make ice, it wasn't necessary now.

He bought some ice for the cellar, and upon returning to the restaurant, he found it bustling with customers upstairs and downstairs.

Business was indeed booming.

He happily went to the kitchen to help.

It wasn't until evening that he returned to the palace.

After staying in the palace for three days, he returned to the restaurant, took out the marinated trotters, which were reddish in color and firm in texture.

"The marination is perfect," Chef Yu remarked.

"Indeed, it is." Xiao Yu cleaned the trotters, blanched them with ginger and green onions, and then washed them again.

"Only when thoroughly cleaned will the final product be crystal clear. The well-washed pig trotter meat is then placed in a clay pot, with added pigskin for gelatin, immersed in bone broth. Slices of ginger, green onion, star anise, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and bay leaves are put in a spice ball and dropped into the broth."

"Once it comes to a rolling boil, add salt and sugar."

"After simmering for an hour and a half, the pig trotters and skin become tender and aromatic."

"Even Chef Yu couldn't help but swallow his saliva."

"Xiao Yu then places the meat and skin into molds, adds the broth, presses it down with a wooden board and stones, and sets it in the cellar, saying to Chef Yu, 'It will be ready to eat tomorrow.'"

"Chef Yu nods in anticipation."

"The next day, Xiao Yu removes the mold to reveal a large, glistening aspic; its skin white and lustrous, the meat red and fragrant, exuding a subtle yet rich aroma."

"'It looks amazing,' Chef Yu and the other cooks can't help but admire."

"Xiao Yu skillfully slices the aspic into even pieces, arranges them on a plate, adds some shredded ginger, and serves it with a bowl of fragrant vinegar, creating a crystal-clear delicacy of pork jelly. He passes the chopsticks to Chef Yu and the others, 'Give it a try.'"

"Chef Yu and the others eagerly take a slice, combining it with ginger and dipping it in vinegar. The texture is smooth and delicate, with a subtle fragrance lingering in the mouth, offering a firm yet cool sensation, enhanced to perfection by the vinegar and ginger."

"Everyone can't help but close their eyes to savor the taste, only to regret not having more when they open their eyes and find only a bowl of vinegar left on the plate."

"Xiao Yu asks with a smile, 'How's the flavor?'"

"Chef Yu responds, 'More than just good, it's heavenly.' He has made this dish before, but it never had the finesse and layers of Xiao Yu's creation."

Xiao Yu said, "Then let's recommend it to our customers."

Chef Yu and the other cooks nodded in agreement.

As Chef Yu predicted, the dish was an instant hit with the patrons upon its introduction.

In just two days, all the crystal pork jelly was sold out.

Xiao Yu wanted to continue making it, but the process required four days.

Far from being put off by the wait, the customers felt that good things were worth waiting for, making the pork jelly even more popular.

Xiao Yu then bought more pig trotters and kept busy every day, teaching the other cooks in the process. Finally able to relax, and realizing he hadn't spent quality time with Pei Yanli recently, he sliced some pork jelly and headed to the Pei residence.

As soon as he entered, he heard a "plop" and then something fell into the water. Turning his head, he saw Pei Yiyang swimming.

"Second Young Master, Second Young Master," a group of people shouted from the shore.

Startled, Xiao Yu ran over and called out, "Yiyang!"

Pei Yiyang emerged from the water, dripping wet, holding several lotus pods in his hand: "Xiao Ziqing, don't worry, I can swim."

Xiao Yu glanced at him and asked, "Are you practicing swimming?"

"No, I'm picking lotus pods. Mother and brother have been in a bad mood lately. I'm picking these to help cool them down," Pei Yiyang said cheerfully, shaking the lotus pods in his hand.

Xiao Yu couldn't help but notice how much more mature Pei Yiyang had become since returning from Zhuyang County. He smiled and asked, "What's wrong with the Princess and Yanli?"

Pei Yiyang, climbing ashore, said, "My mother feels overheated and has lost her appetite. As for my brother, I'm not sure. Come, I'll take you to see them."

Xiao Yu declined, "You should change your clothes first."

Pei Yiyang looked down and agreed, "Alright, I'll go change."

Xiao Yu went alone to meet the Princess, chatting briefly before heading to Pei Yanli's study.

From a distance, he saw Pei Yanli frowning, sitting by the window, fiddling with medicinal herbs.

He slowly leaned on the windowsill and called softly, "The distinguished and handsome General Pei."

Pei Yanli looked up, his frown easing at the sight of Xiao Yu, "What brings you here?"

"Just checking in on what's troubling you," Xiao Yu asked with a smile.

Pointing to the herbs on the table, Pei Yanli said, "Antidote."

Puzzled, Xiao Yu asked, "Antidote for what?"

"For poison from the Nanyue Kingdom," Pei Yanli said gravely, adding, "Lu Ming and his men were attacked there."