3. Sleeping Snow Milk, Temple and Cattail White

The uninvited guest who came late at night obviously waited nearby and waited for the restaurant in the palace to close and the diners dispersed before coming to visit.

But there should be no malicious intentions, otherwise he would have been arrested and interrogated by Pei Niancheng's shadow guards long ago.

Thinking so, Pei Nianyu scrutinized the visitor—about forty or fifty years old. Although the clothes had been washed for many years, they were of good quality and clean.It's just that there is a bit of vicissitudes of sorrow between the eyebrows.

He first questioned what kind of down-and-out old scholar he was, but then he glanced at the right hand of this person, but there was no trace of holding a pen, and he couldn't help being a little puzzled.

For some reason, the man caught sight of Pei Nianyu among several people at a glance, and decided that this was the person in charge.After saluting slightly respectfully, he said:

"Dare to ask, is the owner of the restaurant in the palace here? This old man has a heartless request..."

Pei Nianyu's thoughts turned, but the two or three sentences made him even more inexplicable-although this person was respectful, the salute to him just now was not the courtesy to the prince, obviously he did not know his true identity.But knowing the name of this store, could it be...

He coughed lightly, and tentatively said in a joking tone:

"Since you know that this restaurant is called Wangfu restaurant, how do you know which prince I am not? How can you not kneel down?"

The middle-aged man also followed suit:

"Sir, you are really joking. There are not thirty or twenty shops named Wangfu on Hing Xuan Street. Is it possible that this old man will kneel down when he sees each other. Although this old man does have a request for the owner here, it is not the case."

Pei Nianyu suddenly realized that there are many people in Capital City who know that the real prince is behind this store, and it can be said that they know everything they need to know.

But the one in front of him is obviously not. Instead, he regards him as one of the many shops on this street that use the name of the palace to attract customers, otherwise he wouldn't come to the door so rashly.

"I'm talking nonsense, don't pay attention to it. I don't know what is the request of this guest coming late at night?"

"It's like this, this old man is the steward of a... family. I heard that there is a famous chef in charge of the restaurant in the palace. I wonder if the chef in charge can cook a dish called "Magnolia Cattail Soup"?"

When Xiang Pingen heard the words "I heard that there are famous chefs", he was a little proud at first, and wanted to stand up and claim it - after all, he has been in charge since the opening of the restaurant, and his master has never fired.

However, after hearing the name of the dish, he swallowed the words silently.

He has worked in the imperial dining room for a long time. What is the imperial dining room?Therefore, he thinks that he knows almost all the famous dishes in the world, no matter whether it is east, west, north or south.However, today the old manager stumped him by casually mentioning the name of a dish, he had never heard of it.

Pei Nianyu sighed: "Cattails, wild vegetables in the south of the Yangtze River. They are only cooked for a month at this time of the year. After these two months, they will be hard to find. This vegetable... I know how to do it."

The steward knew he was knowledgeable as soon as he heard it, and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, my master said the same. The old servant is from the north, and he has never seen it before."

"Then I wonder if I can invite this... this..."

The steward had a wink, and when he entered the door, seeing Pei Nianyu's stern demeanor, he thought he was the owner of the shop.But at this time, saw him admitting that he would do it. Could it be...?

Xiang Ping'en was clever and sensible, and quickly stepped forward to introduce:

"My humble servant is the chef in charge of the restaurant, and this is the family teacher."

The steward was immediately in awe, and regarded Pei Nianyu in his heart as some kind of reclusive expert who had retired from the imperial dining room.

"I don't know what the name of this master is?"

Pei Nianyu: "My surname is Lou."

Lou Yefeng, who was standing on the side and was almost hidden in the shadow of the pitch-black lights, glanced at his master, and quietly pursed his lips and smiled.

"My master has missed this dish for a long time, but it is a pity that he is unable to come because of illness. I wonder if everyone in the building can show their skills and make this magnolia and cattail soup. The old servant can take it home to satisfy my master's wish. The deposit... It's easy to say.”

Pei Nianyu shook his head:

"First, the dishes in Wangfu restaurants are not for take-out, only for dine-in. This is a small shop's rule, and it's not good to break it just because your master is alone."

"Second, this magnolia and cattail soup... can only be made fresh, and it may congeal when you bring it back, making it impossible to eat."

The steward was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about something, and finally asked:

"Then may I invite you...to come and cook this dish?"

As soon as the words fell, the whole room was suddenly silent.Xiang Ping'en, He Yanjun and the others turned their gazes to the steward——

What are you kidding, you want our prince to come and cook for your master himself?

The emperor of this dynasty doesn't even have this face!

Pei Nianyu couldn't help being dumbfounded, he didn't mind coming to cook for someone, such as his brother.The problem is that the person who came to the door rashly has no friendship or exchange, and he is not short of the money, so it is really impossible to invite him.

Otherwise, wouldn't everyone come to invite him to come to the door in the future, and it would be a mess.

Pei Nianyu shook his head with a faint smile, then turned to He Yanjun and said:

"Pingen, the old man came here late at night, and he might not see the way back. Find a buddy to take him home."

It was a direct delivery.

The steward saw that there was no hope today, although he felt regretful, he felt obedient and did not dare to force him, so he returned home after saluting.

…………

The manager's visit was like a small ripple, and quickly calmed down, and Pei Nianyu didn't take it to heart.I just concentrate on studying with my two apprentices every day how to expand production capacity and open a branch store. After all, the output of one store is really not enough to sell.

However, two days later, the manager came to the door again after closing time, still begging Pei Nianyu to make that magnolia and cattail soup, and said that the deposit could be any amount, which was very sincere.

Pei Nianyu sighed: "Please don't do this, it doesn't matter if people eat one less dish."

After the second rejection, he thought that the steward would never come again.Unexpectedly, three days later, the steward came to the door again.

Pei Nianyu is already getting a little annoyed. He keeps repeating the same thing again and again. The master of this family is endless, right?

However, when the steward saw Pei Nianyu this time, he trembled and was about to kneel down, which shocked Pei Nianyu.

"You... have something to say..."

"This master... the master is really seriously ill. Seeing that he is dying, he just wants to taste the taste of his hometown before he leaves. The master has lived in Capital City for many years. It is really..."

Pei Nianyu fell silent when he saw the old steward's genuine grief.

He is not a ruthless person, and he really has no way to refuse such a request.If what he said was true, it would be difficult for him to watch a homesick person die with regret.

If what he said was a false statement... then those who dare to deceive the prince will have no good fruit to eat, so there is no need for him to worry about it.

Pei Nianyu sighed: "Okay, I'll just go."

The steward was overjoyed: "I don't know what ingredients the master needs...?"

"No need, I'll bring it myself. Heh... you can't even find things like cattails in Capital City."

——Fortunately, he can exchange food value in his system mall, otherwise, if it is really shipped from the south, his master will probably die.

Just after noon, Pei Nianyu put aside the work at hand and said, "Go directly to your house, you lead the way."

"Then please."

He Qi and Lou Yefeng, who were hidden nearby, exchanged a secret sign language:

Lou Yefeng: Eight shadow guards, follow.

He Qi: I will go too.

Lou Yefeng: I will follow the master, you stay where you are, and beware of tricks to divert the tiger away from the mountain.

He Qi: Received, another Eight Shadow Guards will be sent to the back of the palace to prepare for it.

Lou Yefeng: Yes.

The two quickly made arrangements.

Lou Yefeng mainly considered that after all He Yanjun was in the store, it was just right for He Qi to stay and watch the store.What's more, after his internal strength has recovered to its full strength, with him following his master, he will not be afraid of any dragons and tigers.

Lou Yefeng concealed his figure, followed Pei Nianyu's route, shuttled among the eaves and street corners.

It's just that he walked with his master, looked in their direction, and suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

Isn't this going to—?

……………

At the same time, in the palace.

The court meeting was over, and Pei Niancheng was dealing with political affairs in the upper study, when suddenly a black shadow fell in front of the desk.

"Master, I need to report urgently."

He looked up and saw that it was Li Han.

"speak."

Li Han reached out and handed over the secret letter:

"It was just reported by the shadow guard from 'over there'."

Pei Niancheng read it all at a glance, and frowned:

"Is he dying?"

"It looks like it is. According to the doctor, I'm afraid I won't live for more than a month."

Not knowing where the anger came from, Pei Niancheng snorted coldly:

"Tsk, he's mad at himself to death, who's to blame for that. He's dead, and I'm having trouble dealing with it... Why can't he die later!"

Seeing the owner frowning and staring at the secret note, Li Han thought for a moment and couldn't help but say:

"Master, this subordinate thinks that if this matter is reported..."

Pei Niancheng raised his eyes and glanced at him, his eyes were as cold as a knife.

Li Han quickly knelt down: "This subordinate made a mistake."

"Don't bother him."

"yes."

"This matter,"

Pei Niancheng tapped on the secret letter on the table.

"Go and confirm the previous arrangement again, and if he really disappears in a few days, make sure everything is safe."

"Yes, this subordinate takes orders."

……………

Here, Pei Nianyu followed the steward as he weaved through the alleys of Capital City, and the surroundings gradually became quiet and dark.Finally, before reaching a small courtyard with bluestone gates, Lou Yefeng suddenly flew down and whispered beside Pei Nianyu:

"Lend the master's jade token for use."

——Of course he was talking about the piece that Pei Niancheng gave him with the engraved words "Like me in person".

"Ok?"

Pei Nianyu was a little puzzled, but quickly handed him the jade badge worn on his clothes.

Lou Yefeng took the jade token, and taking advantage of the slow pace of the two of them, he moved to the eaves beside the bluestone courtyard with his lightness kung fu.

As he expected, as soon as he landed, he was surrounded by several black-clothed shadow guards. Lou Yefeng avoided several gloomy sword shadows like a frightened bird, and then pointed out like the wind, and quickly tapped a fewThe acupuncture point of the shadow guard.

The faces of those shadow guards instantly darkened.

Lou Yefeng showed his master's jade card and said in a low voice:

"Your guard target is now temporarily taken over by Prince Yu's shadow guard. When we leave, you will be released."

While speaking, Pei Nianyu and the steward had arrived in front of Qingshimen.He looked around, the yard didn't look big, at most two entrances, it didn't look like a wealthy family.

But the surroundings are extremely quiet, and for some reason, there are no neighbors on the left and right, no trees on all sides, and no birds or birds.It seems that the owner here is a quiet person.

The steward led Pei Nianyu into the door, wondering why no one was on duty today, maybe it was luck, and led him into the kitchen.

After Lou Yefeng dismissed the shadow guard guarding here, he continued to return to Pei Nianyu's side. Pei Nianyu felt his inner breath by his side, and gradually became happier. He dismissed the manager and began to dig out materials from the mall——

Aquatic cattails, magnolia, cured ham, onion and pepper cooking wine.

A few of the most important things.

First start the stove with ham to hang the broth, then process the cattails and magnolia, slice them, and boil the mushroom slices together.Afterwards, fry the onion and ginger with oil in a hot pan, add sliced magnolia mushrooms, ham and milk soup, add cooking wine and stew.

Thicken the cornstarch and take it out of the pan.

Magnolia Cattail Soup.

The soup is as white as milk, the ham is fresh and rich, and the cattail magnolia is crisp and elegant.

It is mellow and clear, and the taste is simple and perfect. In Pei Nianyu's previous life, there were not many chefs who could cook a handful of wild vegetables to such an extent.

Pei Nianyu skillfully poured the soup into the bowl:

"Give it to your master."

"yes."

Then wash your hands and pack your clothes.

On the other side, the quiet room in the backyard.

The room was originally filled with the bitter fragrance of medicinal soup, but after the owner lifted the bowl cover, he couldn't resist the fresh fragrance overflowing.

A look of surprise suddenly appeared on the man's haggard and sickly face:

"It really made you find such an authentic...ahem...Magnolia Cattail Soup...you have a heart. They didn't...make it difficult for you."

The steward hid his sadness, and didn't mention all the painstaking efforts he had put in to avoid those shadow guards, and only looked at him earnestly:

"Since the master likes it, use more. You haven't had a good meal for a long time."

"People who are about to die, what else do they eat..."

The man's second half of the sentence came to an abrupt end after he took the first sip of the soup.

One bite, two bites, until the soup bowl bottomed out.

He put down the spoon and let out a long sigh:

"There are so many amazing people in Capital City, this kind of craftsmanship is even better than what my mother did back then - I have no regrets."

"Owner!"

The man held out a hand:

"Help me up, I'll go see this expert, if there is any connection between him and my mother's house..."

"Yes. Master be careful."

He dragged his long-sick body to the front yard slowly, when he saw a young master in a bamboo moon robe coming out of the kitchen in the side room, turned around and was about to go out.

"Mr. stay!"

Pei Nianyu had deep internal strength and good hearing, so even though the voice was extremely weak, he still heard it.

He subconsciously turned around——

When the patient saw his face, his complexion changed drastically, and he staggered a step:

"why you……!"

Lou Yefeng, who was hiding in the dark, flew down, stood beside his master with his sword in his hands, and looked at that person calmly, neither sad nor happy.

The man stared fixedly at Pei Nianyu, then at Lou Yefeng next to him in standard shadow guard attire, the expression on his face changed again and again, and finally knelt down with his head bowed, and made a full salute:

"The grass people kowtow to...His Royal Highness King Yu."

Pei Nianyu came back to his senses, and turned his toes to the side a little, not accepting his gift.

He looked at the middle-aged man who was so emaciated that he almost couldn't recognize him, he let out a long sigh, and helped him up:

"...Brother."