Chapter 128 His Rival Refuses an Imperial Marriage for Her

"Second Miss, we've arrived," a guard said respectfully outside the carriage.

Wei Qiyu, who was taking a nap leaning against the carriage, slowly opened his eyes. His eyelashes were long and delicate like butterfly wings, and when he opened them, he had a bit of the languor and moisture of someone just waking up.

With the help of her maid, she gracefully stepped out of the carriage. Her moon-white satin skirt cascaded to the ground, and the hem was embroidered with a few silver-threaded plum blossoms. As she moved lightly, the plum branches seemed to bloom quietly on her clothes.

As soon as Wei Qiyu stepped into the restaurant, many diners were drawn to him.

Although Lin'an Prefecture was wealthy, it was rare for ordinary people to see a woman of such grandeur.

The noble air one exudes is not built on gold and silver, but rather comes from the composure and elegance that emanates from within. It is the gentle and graceful character cultivated through years of immersion in fine clothes, delicacies, and the fragrance of books and ink.

Lin Yao was staring blankly at the paper and pen in front of the counter. Slips of paper filled with ingredients were spread out on the table. She was repeatedly thinking about the dishes for the selection competition.

Just after Laba Festival, the government's selection notice had been posted for two days, requiring candidates to prepare a New Year's dish.

She crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it away again. Just as she was about to go out for a walk to get some fresh air, she looked up and saw an extremely beautiful woman slowly walking upstairs.

The woman's unadorned face was more beautiful than spring flowers; her eyebrows were like distant mountains, exuding an ethereal and aloof air, while her almond-shaped eyes, like pools of autumn water, added a touch of gentleness.

She was slender yet not frail. When she raised her hand to tidy her hair, the silver bracelet on her wrist jingled softly. Her posture was as elegant as a meticulously painted portrait of a lady.

Beside the woman was a burly man, dressed in ordinary blue cloth shorts, yet his tall and imposing figure was undeniable. He had broad shoulders and a thick back, stood upright like a pine tree, and had sharp eyes. Although he did not wear a sword at his waist, it was clear at a glance that he was a bodyguard who had practiced martial arts for many years.

Lin Yao immediately put down her pen, strode forward, a perfectly timed smile on her face, and said in a cheerful voice, "This lady looks unfamiliar; it must be your first time visiting our Baiwei City. We have private rooms on the third floor, quiet and elegant, with a view overlooking the street. Why don't you move upstairs, madam?"

Wei Qiyu did not respond immediately, but carefully examined Lin Yao with his amber eyes.

The woman in front of me was wearing a neat moon-blue cloth dress. Although the clothes were not made of expensive material, they were clean and appropriate.

She has broad eyebrows and eyes, a high nose bridge, and natural light pink lips. When she smiles, her eyes brighten, exuding the boldness of a chivalrous woman, yet retaining the thoughtfulness and propriety of a shopkeeper.

This forthright and cheerful demeanor is completely different from the conventional and demure young women in the capital.

This is the woman who made Xu Zhiheng refuse the arranged marriage.

"Thank you for your trouble, innkeeper." Wei Qiyu finally spoke, his voice as clear as a spring hitting a stone, pleasant to the ear. "As you say, let's go to the private room on the third floor. I've heard that your restaurant is most famous for its mutton with sesame sauce and roast duck. Please bring one of each, along with two refreshing side dishes."

"Don't worry, my lady, I guarantee it will suit your taste!" Lin Yao readily agreed and called over the waiter, "A-Zhu, take this lady to the private room by the window on the third floor, and bring up a pot of freshly warmed osmanthus wine!"

The dishes were served quickly, and the door to the private room closed again.

Seeing that the door was closed, Chun Tao couldn't help but say, "Miss, why bother? It's just a marriage. If General Xu isn't suitable, then let the Duke find you another one."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping, the guard standing by the door, secretly shook his head.

Chun Tao has only been serving the young lady for a short time and still doesn't understand her thoughts.

He couldn't tell if the young lady was unhappy about the marriage, but looking at the way she gazed at the dishes on the table, he knew she was genuinely craving them.

As expected, Wei Qiyu did not respond to Chun Tao's words, but simply instructed, "Serve the dishes."

Chun Tao quickly picked up the serving chopsticks and first put a piece of mutton coated with sesame sauce on Wei Qiyu's plate.

Wei Qiyu picked up the silver chopsticks, her posture still elegant.

As soon as the mutton entered her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes lit up slightly. The rich sesame sauce coated the tender mutton and spread on her tongue, making it more to her liking than the exquisite dishes in the mansion.

She ate with great relish, her silver chopsticks moving swiftly and decisively, one bite after another. Despite eating extremely quickly, there was no sign of her wolfing down her food in a coarse manner.

Chun Tao was astonished. Back in the manor, the young lady always ate slowly and carefully, barely managing to eat a few bites in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. How could she be like this now?

She glanced up at Zhang Ping, as if seeking help, but saw him standing there with his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if he were already used to it.

Chun Tao secretly clicked her tongue in amazement. Could it be that the food along the way had not suited the young lady's taste, and only now had she finally found something to her liking? With this thought in mind, she quickly sped up the serving of dishes, afraid that she would make the young lady wait if she was too slow.

Wei Qiyu ate most of the mutton, then picked up a piece of roast duck. The skin was crispy and the inside was juicy. Paired with refreshing side dishes to cut through the richness, and then taking a sip of warm osmanthus wine, he felt completely comfortable.

She put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with the handkerchief Chun Tao handed her, and said softly, "Indeed, it lives up to its reputation."

After much deliberation, Lin Yao finally decided on the dishes she wanted to make.

On the day of the competition, just as dawn was breaking, the area outside the Lin'an Prefectural Government Office was already packed with people.

The government erected a tall wooden platform in front of the gate, with bright red silk cloth hanging on the side. The area below the platform was crowded with people who came to watch the spectacle, and the noise was deafening.

Lin Yao led Su Niang and Wang Xiaoyu toward the government office, and they could hear the commotion from the stage and the audience from afar.

The three entered the kitchen behind the government office, where there were already many cooks. Most of these cooks were head chefs from major restaurants in Lin'an Prefecture. When they saw Lin Yao enter with her two apprentices, they simply nodded and greeted her hastily.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and no one wanted to be distracted at this moment.

Su Niang whispered to Lin Yao, "Manager, there are fewer people than we expected."

Lin Yao nodded.

This was a great opportunity, but everyone knew that many top chefs would be participating. Many chefs from small restaurants, after weighing their own abilities, simply gave up the idea of ​​competing and instead brought their families to watch the excitement from the sidelines.

Just as everyone was busy preparing, two yamen runners dressed in black robes strode into the kitchen, holding a roll of yellow paper in their hands, and began to read out the competition rules.

"Today's judging panel will be led by the Prefect, along with three prefectural officials and two respected local gentry. The cooking time is limited to one hour. Once the time is up, regardless of whether the dish is finished, you must stop. Anyone who disobeys will be disqualified!"

As soon as the constable finished speaking, the competition officially began.

No sooner had the constable finished speaking than the clanging of pots and pans echoed from the kitchen.

Lin Yao also started making her own dishes.

On the stove was a fresh sheep's head prepared in advance. It was a freshly slaughtered ram's head that she had asked a butcher in the suburbs to reserve for her. The meat was tender and firm.

Su Niang quickly brought over some clean water, and Lin Yao rolled up her sleeves, took out a fine-bristled brush, and carefully scrubbed the sheep's head with warm water. The impurities in the crevices of the sheep's head were the most unpleasant to smell, and not a single one could be left.

After cleaning it, she put the whole sheep's head into a large iron pot and poured in enough water to cover the food.

"The fire needs to be steady. First, simmer it over a low flame until it starts to bubble," Lin Yao said to Wang Xiaoyu, who was standing guard by the stove.

As fine bubbles gradually rose to the surface of the water in the pot, Lin Yao quickly picked up a long-handled ladle, and with a slight turn of her wrist, carefully skimmed off the grayish-brown foam floating on the surface.

Then add scallion segments and ginger slices, and drizzle in two spoonfuls of wine to better neutralize the mutton's gamey smell.

While the sheep's head was stewing, Lin Yao turned to the pig's caul fat on the side.

She carefully selected this pig caul fat; it was snow-white, had a fine texture, and was free of any impurities.

Su Niang had already washed it with warm water and was hanging it on a bamboo frame to drain.

Lin Yao reached out and touched it to make sure it was dry. Then she laid it on a clean cutting board, gently trimmed the tendons from the edges with a knife, and stretched it out flat. The caul fat needed to be spread evenly so that the filling wouldn't leak out when rolling the meat.

The chef beside her was chopping a whole chicken into pieces, and the aroma of hot oil wafted over, attracting the attention of several chefs around her. Lin Yao's attention was also briefly drawn to him.

"Boss, the sheep's head is almost ready!" Wang Xiaoyu's voice drew Lin Yao's attention back.

She lifted the lid of the pot, and a rich aroma of meat instantly wafted out. The soup was clear, and the meat of the sheep's head had become tender.

Lin Yao used a slotted spoon to scoop out the sheep's head and put it into the prepared cold water to cool it down. Once the temperature was suitable, she picked up a small knife and carefully removed the meat.

Her knife skills were superb; the blade moved along the bone, and in no time she had removed all the lean meat from the sheep's cheeks, tongue, and other parts, leaving the bones clean.

Lin Yao placed the removed sheep's head meat on the cutting board and cut it into evenly sized thin strips.

She took out the salt shaker, sprinkled in a little salt, added half a spoonful of finely ground Sichuan peppercorn powder and a little star anise powder, and finally pinched a pinch of dried tangerine peel powder. This was her secret recipe; the fruity aroma of the tangerine peel could add more layers to the mutton.

Lin Yao quickly stirred the mixture with her chopsticks, and the aroma of the shredded meat coated with seasonings gradually spread. The cook who was stir-frying chicken on the stove next to her couldn't help but turn around and glance at it.

By this time, the pig caul fat had completely dried. Lin Yao laid it back on the cutting board, scooped up the mixed shredded sheep's head meat with a spoon, and spread it evenly on the caul fat, with a thickness of just one finger.

She gently lifted both ends of the caulking with both hands and slowly rolled it up like sushi, applying even pressure to ensure that each layer was tightly adhered.

After rolling it up, tie it gently with cotton thread every two inches, then cut it into small sections along the cotton thread with a knife. The round meat rolls are neatly arranged on the plate, resembling exquisite jade hairpins.

"The batter is ready!" Su Niang brought over a bowl of prepared batter. This batter was made by mixing flour, a little starch, and water, and an egg was also added and stirred well. The texture was delicate and smooth.

Lin Yao picked up a meat roll and gently rolled it in the batter to ensure it was evenly coated. To prevent it from falling apart during frying, she dipped the seal in extra batter.

Wang Xiaoyu had already heated the oil to the right temperature. Lin Yao placed the meat rolls coated in batter into the oil one by one. The hot oil sizzled and the surface of the meat rolls quickly shrank and changed color.

She would gently turn the meat rolls from time to time, and when the meat rolls were fried until the outer skin was golden and crispy and the aroma became more and more intense, she would immediately use a slotted spoon to scoop them out and drain off the excess oil.

"Time's up!" Just as the bailiff's shout rang out, Lin Yao placed the last fried sheep's head skewer on a plate lined with lotus leaves.

She breathed a sigh of relief, raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and looked at the golden and tempting roasted sheep head skewers on the plate. Each one was plump and firm, with a glossy outer skin and a faint fragrance of lotus leaves.

As Lin Yao carried the dishes to the door, she saw a woman in a moon-white brocade dress sitting on the side of the judges' table. It was Wei Qiyu, whom she had met by chance at Baiwei City that day.

The other person seemed to recognize her as well, their watery eyes sweeping over the ram's head skewer on the plate, their eyebrows twitching slightly.