It's like what I just said came true!

Helian Jue slammed his hand on the table in anger, but when he saw the slight upturn of her lips, his anger immediately dissipated.

He shook his head helplessly, took a vicious bite of the roast duck, and thought to himself: Pei Ziqing's lackey was so scared that he wet himself. Such tricks of using someone else to do his dirty work are indeed no match for real power.

But the real show has only just begun.

Zi Xi closed the ledger and looked up to see Helian Jue devouring the food like a whirlwind. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Is the food at Prince Jing's residence bad?

This pampered prince, who was as precious as gold and jade, was wolfing down his food as if he hadn't eaten for three days. How pitiful.

*

Having temporarily resolved the external threats, Zi Xi's sweeping internal reforms are in full swing.

The small, dark, and damp courtyard where she lived, which was originally filled with clutter, was completely cleared out.

The weeds were cleared away, the soil was turned over, and several square vegetable plots and flower beds were neatly built with blue bricks.

The plants inside weren't ordinary flowers and grasses, but rather all sorts of strange and unusual herbs that she had pretended to have acquired from traveling merchants at the port, such as basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, and coriander, which is cilantro.

They even planted a few small chili pepper cuttings.

These spices, which are common in later generations, were absolutely rare in the Yuli Dynasty at that time.

Every day, Zi Xi personally waters and tends to the garden, filling the courtyard with the aroma of soil and exotic herbs, making it vibrant with life.

These herbs quickly became the secret weapon of Bazhenlou.

While other restaurants were still using scallions, ginger, garlic, and dogwood for seasoning, Bazhenlou quietly added refreshing new dishes to its menu, such as roasted lamb chops, shrimp balls with pesto, and lemon-scented iced drinks.

Its unique exotic aroma instantly captivated diners' taste buds, becoming a wildly popular item in Beijing.

Some people tried to imitate it, but they always fell short because they simply couldn't find those peculiar grasses.

Even if they found it, they probably wouldn't easily believe that such a thing could be used to flavor seasonings.

The renovation of the main hall of Bazhenlou was even more revolutionary.

The greasy square tables and benches were removed and replaced with simple, light-colored wooden square tables and chairs with backrests, with comfortable aisles left between the tables.

The most striking thing was that a space in the very center of the lobby had been cleared out, raised half a foot, and a square platform had been built using smooth wooden planks.

On both sides of the platform, simple and elegant curtains were hung.

In front of the platform, several specially designed private seats were placed, offering the best view.

From then on, the Bazhenlou restaurant was always packed, with many people even standing at the door eagerly waiting.

When the waiter struck a small, clear gong, all eyes were drawn to the novel platform.

The curtain was drawn back, and a storyteller dressed in a clean long gown and looking energetic sat upright in front of the stage, striking the gavel with a sharp crack.

"Esteemed guests, today we won't talk about those old-fashioned tales of talented scholars and beautiful women, but rather about the vast deserts of the Western Regions..."

"Across the vast expanse of yellow sand, there dwells a legendary hero named Sha Lifei..."

The storyteller spoke fluently and eloquently, with varied intonation and rhythm.

It was a story told by Zi Xi, embellished by him, a fresh tale with a dramatic plot and never heard before.

The diners listened with rapt attention, so engrossed that they forgot to put the fragrant spicy crab into their mouths.

When the story reached its most exciting part, the audience erupted in applause.

During a break in the storytelling, the curtain rose again, and several clever young girls dressed in improved, more streamlined outfits performed a lively and innovative harvest dance on stage, accompanied by simple yet cheerful music.

Although it lacked the elaborate music and dance of the Jade Dynasty, it was full of vibrant vitality and joy, making the audience feel relaxed and happy.

Fine wine and delicious food are served in front of us, and a series of wonderful performances are on the side.

It's a triple treat for the eyes, ears, and taste buds!

The Bazhenlou restaurant became incredibly popular, with guests flocking in from morning till night.

With its novel dishes, clean environment, transparent operations, and unique in-meal entertainment, it has quickly become the most popular internet-famous spot in Beijing.