Perhaps sensing Wang Yan's gaze, the seemingly respectable restaurant manager took another sip of tea.

Then, gently place the lid on the teacup, and the cup is placed on the table with a thud.

However, the results were somewhat unsatisfactory.

When President Hu smashed a cup, nobody cared at all.

Why would the manager of Yulouchun Restaurant pay any attention to this old scoundrel? He's just the head of a small market restaurant. His backer is none other than Consort Hui!

Wang Pangzi's family is also very carefree. What's so great about smashing a cup? Who are you trying to scare?

Looking around and seeing that no one seemed surprised, Director Hu coughed awkwardly.

"I think we need to have a good, calm discussion about this, right?"

In my opinion, what Brother Wang said is right. Since he found the seasoning and bought it back, it belongs to him.

While it's wrong to try to monopolize something, since we've come here to discuss it, we should be more polite.

How about this? We've found out that you pay five taels of silver a year for the spicy powder you buy.

"Our guild will cover the five taels. You all send all the chili powder to the market, and I'll also take some out to distribute to the various merchants, so everyone can see this new condiment."

After saying that, he glanced again at Fatty Wang, whose face was ashen.

"Also, the five-year contract you signed is now void. It's no longer valid."

If Brother Wang feels he's been cheated, I'll personally compensate you with these 25 taels.

Wang Yan calmed down at this point and quietly leaned against the wall, thinking of a solution.

Fatty Wang, however, couldn't control himself. How could someone be so shameless? How could there be such a shameless person?

"Get out of here right now! I discovered this stuff, I tested it myself, and you just tried to steal it after a few words?"

Isn't what you're doing a bit too shameless? I'm telling you right now, if you dare to forcibly take it, I'll risk half my life to beat the petition drum.

A bunch of heartless, rotten bastards! Get out of here right now!

The lackeys they brought along were quite unhappy; why were they even swearing?

"Hey, you fatso, we're only here to give you face. We're helping you get rid of the chili powder you can't sell, but look how much you have piled up! Those two buckets over there on the first floor are full, aren't they?"

How can you swear like that? Don't you have any basic manners as a human being?

Fatty Wang was really angry at these ridiculous and absurd statements that distorted the truth, and was about to start cursing again.

Aunt Wang stopped him, telling him not to act rashly and not to offend anyone with his words at this moment.

Wang Pangzi fell silent, but suddenly another voice swore before them, "You bastard, you shameless scoundrel, you truly deserve to die!"

Who is it? Everyone peered up the stairs, thinking, "Judging by his attire, he must be a storyteller."

That's the guy Wang Xing encountered, and one of the lackeys who came with him today is the same trash who got into trouble with the storyteller the other day and was severely scolded.

Enemies meeting are bound to be furious, and this lackey immediately started jumping up and down again.

"Hey, you old codger, our master is discussing matters, what business is it of yours?"

The storyteller looked up and, who had only intended to curse, chuckled upon seeing him.

"So that's how it is. I was wondering what kind of scum could utter such shameless and unreasonable remarks?"

Seeing this young man, haha, I understand now! But I have one question: "Does your father know about your arrogance?"

The lackey panicked when he was scolded like that and glared at by his master.

"You, you, you, stop talking nonsense. We're here to do something good."

"Taking other people's things for free is considered doing a good deed! In that case, may I strip all your clothes off?"

Then I'd sell them all to pawnshops, and give them the money to me. I'd consider myself to have done a good deed! Anyway, people like you are shameless!

"You old man, why aren't you going to be a storyteller? What are you saying here?"

"I may have said something wrong. Are you trying to get chili peppers from others while shamelessly hurling insults at them?"

Back in the day, when I was telling stories, you followed me everywhere I went, never missing a single performance, listening with great interest.

But whenever he gets the chance, he'll say a few harsh words to annoy people. Have I said anything wrong?

Even President Hu couldn't stand it anymore; what was all this nonsense?

"Sir, this matter concerns our restaurant and has nothing to do with you. Could you please do us a favor and not say anything more?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Fatty Wang kicked him downstairs.

"Get out! Don't make me say it a second time!"

The manager of Yuchunlou Restaurant hadn't expected Fatty Wang to be so reckless, actually resorting to violence. He was frightened and hastily left a message...

"You're the kind of person who won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences! Just you wait!"

The two leaders were terrified. Bank Manager Hu jumped up and ran away. The manager of Yuchunlou followed closely behind.

Even the group of lackeys and thugs who followed him quickly left.

The man who had argued with the storyteller passed by, and the storyteller gave him another piece of advice.

"Since you can't stand the content of my lectures and feel that my lectures don't meet your expectations."

"Then I'll say it one more time: get out of here! If I see you at my storyteller's stall again, I'll smash your head in."

The lackey didn't dare to reply, mainly because he was afraid of arguing with the old storyteller, not because he was afraid of the old man himself.

What I'm afraid of is arguing with him and losing face for my master. My master isn't exactly known for his good temper, and I might end up getting beaten to death by him!

Why? Your master has run away, and you're standing here arguing with people. Aren't you just plain crazy? Even though he was an idiot to begin with.

After they all left, Wang Yan and the others greeted the storyteller and realized that he was not just a storyteller on the overpass, but a legitimate partner of Bai Fan Lou.

I came here to discuss cooperation with them and to purchase some chili peppers from them.

However, unlike the previous two, they weren't shameless; they really only bought a few items.

How much do you want?

"Three sacks, I guess."

This amount wasn't small, but Wang Yan gave it to the person because of their status.

Surprisingly, Bai Fanlou really didn't have any bad intentions. He paid the money readily and efficiently, showing that he genuinely came to buy. Two hundred taels of silver in three large bags.

After seeing off the storyteller who came to buy chili peppers, Wang Yan's family went to find Lu Qi without delay.

“Alright, I’ll contact the Marquis’s residence for you right away. But Fatty, there’s something I have to tell you upfront: you’ll probably have to give up half of these chili peppers.”

Fatty Wang waved his hand, "What's the big deal? The point is, we're not willing to hand this over to those scoundrels who try to steal it! What a bunch of scoundrels!"

Seeing that he understood, Lu Qi felt relieved and quickly went to find Steward Rong.

Manager Rong really didn't dare to make any rash moves when it came to adding things to the restaurant.

We didn't know anything about this stuff, so we called over the manager of our restaurant. The manager took one look and exclaimed, "What else is there to say? It's definitely good!"

He had heard about the boiled pork slices and other dishes recently.

However, to be on the safe side, I still tried using the chili powder that Wang Yan and the others brought to make a dish.

Mapo tofu isn't exactly a secret recipe; you can make it just by looking at it once. Even if you don't add the other seasonings perfectly, it will still taste delicious.

After confirming that everything was correct, he nodded to Steward Rong.

Manager Rong was relieved to see this and said to Fatty Wang and Lu Qi, "It's alright, you wait here a little longer. I just need to report to Madam, and it will definitely be done."

Lady Hou would certainly be willing to acquire such a condiment that could increase the restaurant's profits.

With the Marquis's mansion as their backing, Wang Yan and the others would be absolutely safe.

When Lady Hou heard Steward Rong's report, she was willing, and it just so happened that Granny Sun came to bring her dessert.

Speaking of which, this dessert was Wang Yan's idea. Didn't they eat rose-flavored fried cakes at a restaurant last time?

Wang Yan thought of fried milk. Since her family usually cooks banquets outside, if they wanted something similar, she would just make rose-flavored fried cakes.

Moreover, the method of making this dish is somewhat similar to that of rose-flavored fried cakes. It is also simple to make, requiring only milk, eggs, white sugar, and starch.

Add milk and starch to a pot and stir-fry. During the stir-frying process, add some white sugar.

After frying until it forms a ball, pour it into a container, let it cool, and then cut it into strips.

Then add egg white, oil, and a suitable amount of water to the cornstarch and stir well.

Dip the food in milk, then fry it twice. The outer layer is smooth, yet it has a crispy texture. The inside is rich and delicious milk.

This dish is actually a modern version of Shunde fried milk that Wang Yan learned, but it doesn't involve coating it with breadcrumbs like other fried milk dishes.

However, it is still crispy when you eat it, and if you control the heat well, the fried milk can maintain its crispy texture even after several hours.

This fried milk is fresh; if it is presented to the Lady of the Marquis, it will surely be a great reward.

That noon, while learning how to make peach kernel duck in the main kitchen, Wang Yan taught the recipe to Zhixue, who came to fetch the food.

Zhixue returned and gave the gift to Fuling, and as expected, she received a reward. Perhaps the madam was in a good mood that day, as she bestowed upon her two gold-plated silver bracelets. The profit from these bracelets hadn't yet been given to Wang Yan.

So, Aunt Sun also heard Manager Rong's report and said a few words in support.

Her mentioning it only reminded the lady of spicy strips.

"The spicy strips you sent me before, were they made with the chili powder they mentioned?"

"yes."

Lady Hou took it to heart. The spicy strips she made were already delicious, but she hadn't expected them to be used in cooking and so popular.

So, "How many taels of silver did this family pay for the chili fields they acquired over five years?"

Forget it, no need to ask. Just give them a thousand taels and send me the recipes for a few dishes.

"We'll accept this recipe and these ingredients from our Marquis's residence. These servants were originally from our household; how dare outsiders bully them?"

Manager Rong was dumbfounded. How could he be so unlucky? Don't be fooled by the high-sounding words of the Lady Hou. How is she any different from the manager of Yuchunlou who came to forcibly seize the recipe?

Oh, there are some differences; they gave me several hundred more taels of silver.

Fatty Wang was dumbfounded; he was truly caught between a rock and a hard place!

Helpless, he could only go home dejectedly.

Wang Yan was also somewhat frustrated, realizing once again the cruelty of class oppression.

Just when they were at their wits' end, they suddenly heard news that Consort Yang in the palace had died suddenly.

Now, neither the manager of Yuchunlou nor the lady of the Marquis's mansion dared to cause them any trouble.

Wang Yan was also extremely curious. What exactly happened?

What happened? Someone came to your aid!