Chapter 147 Propaganda

With Madam Liu joining the team, and Xu Chunming working on recipes, Song Yushu had some free time. He was just waiting for the banquet in half a month to further enhance Bichunlou's reputation.

"Why are you suddenly getting involved with them? Didn't you dislike interacting with people?" Prefect Liu was somewhat surprised to learn that his wife had been meeting with Song Yushu frequently lately.

"Can't we be a little bored? Let's find some fun for ourselves. Besides, I really can't stand the Xu family's character, so why not lend them a hand?"

"Aren't you afraid that Old Madam Xu will bother you again if she finds out?"

"So what? Why do I need her approval for what I decide?" Madam Liu thought of how Old Madam Xu always found various excuses to see her, and she was so impatient that she simply claimed to be sick and refused to see guests.

Half a month later, the news that Prefect Liu had invited chefs from Bichunlou to cook a birthday banquet for his matriarch at his residence spread like wildfire throughout the prefectural city.

People in the prefectural city began to speculate. Previously, Prefect Liu had not been won over by the Xu family, but now that the old lady of the prefectural house was celebrating her birthday, she did not invite people from the Xu family's restaurant to cook, but instead invited people from Bichun Restaurant. It was hard not to think about this.

Even so, they wouldn't let go of the rare opportunity to meet Prefect Liu, so they didn't care about the Xu family at all. As long as they received an invitation, not one of them would refuse to go.

The Xu family was no exception. Ever since they heard that Prefect Liu had invited the chefs from Bichunlou to take charge of cooking, the wrinkles between Master Xu's brows deepened even further.

"Father, are we still going to the birthday banquet?"

"Go, of course I'll go! I want to see who dares to laugh at the Xu family!"

On the day of the birthday banquet, Song Yushu also received an invitation. She arrived early and was immediately summoned by Madam Liu upon arrival at the mansion.

"The manor is too busy today, and I'm afraid I haven't been able to entertain you properly. If you need anything, just ask one of the servants in the manor to come find me."

Seeing how well she treated him, Song Yushu was naturally grateful. Seeing that she was too busy, he didn't bother her anymore.

Many people arrived at the mansion one after another. Song Yushu only knew Bai Jingyu. It was a pity that she was with the women; otherwise, the two of them could at least look after each other.

She didn't recognize any of the people sitting at the table with Song Yushu, so she could only wait for the meal to begin.

"I heard that the chefs for this birthday banquet are from Bichunlou. I'm curious why Prefect Liu didn't choose a chef from Xu Family Restaurant, since isn't Xu Family Restaurant the best restaurant in the prefecture?"

The woman in lotus-colored clothes to Song Yushu's left, perhaps feeling bored, couldn't help but start a conversation.

“I don’t see what’s so great about Bichunlou. My husband always goes to Xu’s Restaurant to discuss business. Can Bichunlou have the same grandeur as Xu’s Restaurant?” another woman chimed in.

"I have been to Bichunlou, and it's not as bad as you think. After all, I heard that the owner of that restaurant is a descendant of the imperial chefs. Anyway, I think the food is definitely better than that of the Xu family!"

"Madam Wang probably hasn't been to Xu Family Restaurant, has she? Well, it's not a place where just anyone can go, so naturally she wouldn't know what the food is like there."

Madam Wang was shocked to be met with such malice for simply speaking the truth. She retorted angrily, "You say the Xu family is good, but isn't it just because you're used to licking their boots? You're defending your master when someone speaks up fairly! If the Xu family's restaurant is really that good, why would Prefect Liu have chosen the chef from Bichun Restaurant as a second choice?"

"If you really want to protect the Xu family, then don't come to this birthday banquet!"

"You! Hmph, there's no point in saying more. I'd like to see what kind of trouble you can cause at today's birthday banquet!" The woman was almost rendered speechless by Madam Wang's words, so she could only try to salvage the situation by pulling the other ladies around her aside and deliberately ignoring Madam Wang.

After venting her anger, Madam Wang ignored her and turned to talk to Song Yushu.

"This lady looks unfamiliar. May I ask whose family she is?"

"My surname is Wei. I run my own restaurant. I am not from a wealthy family. I was fortunate enough to be invited by the prefect's wife, which is why I was able to come and attend the birthday banquet."

"Hmph! How dare someone from such a humble family sit at the same table as us? How was this seating arrangement arranged?" The woman, who had just been humiliated, was immediately displeased.

"If you don't want to sit here, then leave on your own. You actually picked the seat arranged by the Prefect's wife," Madam Wang replied on behalf of Song Yushu, immediately silencing the woman.

Song Yushu silently applauded Madam Wang in his heart, feeling that her straightforwardness in seeking revenge on the spot was truly the epitome of frankness. He then began to talk with Madam Wang.

"You wouldn't happen to be the Lady Wei whom Prefect Liu commended, would you? I heard my husband mention you before, I never thought I would have the honor of meeting you today," Madam Wang guessed her identity from her words and immediately understood, and became even more enthusiastic towards Song Yushu.

Although there were some minor frictions among the women, things were still relatively peaceful. However, the atmosphere among the men became somewhat tense after Xu Qingyan arrived.

Although Bai Jingyu was not seated at the same table as Xu Qingyan, he had gained some attention recently due to his low-priced paper, and many people came over to chat with him. Originally, it was fine for Bai Jingyu and Xu Qingyan to talk to each other separately, but unexpectedly, someone brought up some unpleasant things in front of him in order to curry favor with the Xu family, making both sides feel embarrassed.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before the food was served, and soon the guests were so engrossed in the dishes on the table that they forgot everything else.

Xu Chunming has really pulled out all the stops to make Bichunlou famous. He spent more than ten days just preparing the ingredients, and now he's working at full capacity with the Bichunlou team, who are busy in the Liu family's kitchen.

What's the name of this soup?

"This dish is called Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. It is made by simmering and stewing the soup three times and four times, combining the flavors of eight delicacies. It took a lot of effort from the chefs to create such a delicious and fragrant soup," Madam Liu said, as she helped the old woman ladle a bowl of soup.

The guests, who were already attracted by the rich aroma of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, immediately felt after hearing her introduction that this dish was not something that ordinary people could drink. They thought that Bichunlou must have gone to great lengths to make it to please Prefect Liu. They drank it with some caution, but they were soon conquered by its taste. Before all the dishes were served, each person finished their bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Fortunately, the dishes were served quickly, and the table was soon filled. Each dish was carefully prepared by Xu Chunming, and they were all delicious and visually appealing, providing the guests with an amazing taste experience.

This banquet was unusual in that it shifted everyone's attention to the food.