Xiao Youzhi? Why is he here? Doesn't he usually stay at Chunfeng Tower? There doesn't seem to be a Chunfeng Tower in Hongnong County. But I can't worry about that now. I quickly led Shen Yun and followed the manager into the backyard.
Although it was just a grain shop, the layout of the courtyard was exquisite and elegant. Following the winding path and passing through several carved doorways, you soon arrived at the back gate. The shopkeeper stopped and raised his hand to make a "please" gesture.
Stepping into the backyard, they immediately saw Xiao Youzhi standing there, his back to them, his posture upright like a pine tree, his face obscured, and they couldn't tell what he was busy with.
Meng Zhao stepped forward with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, it's been a long time. When my new shop opened, you gave me a lion dance troupe for three days, which really made my little shop shine. I haven't thanked you in person yet, so I'll express my gratitude to you today."
Having finished speaking but receiving no response, Meng Zhao was puzzled. She shifted her feet and peeked out to see what he was doing. She saw him staring intently at a pot of peonies on the shelf, looking somewhat helpless.
Meng Zhao's eyes darted around, and she stepped forward again. "Young Master Xiao is usually very busy with business. I didn't expect that you would enjoy tending to flowers and plants in your private life. How elegant!"
Xiao Youzhi seemed to only notice Meng Zhao at this moment. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he spoke his first words: "No need for thanks. It's been so long. If you had waited any longer, I probably would have forgotten about it."
Meng Zhao's smile froze. She admitted that she should have thanked him in person for the gift, but she disliked having to be subservient to Xiao Youzhi every time she saw him. So she just asked Chen Xiaowu to pass on her thanks. To ease the awkwardness, Meng Zhao quickly changed the subject:
“Young Master Xiao, your peony is truly remarkable, growing so lush and verdant.”
"What's the use of lush foliage if there isn't even a single flower bud?" His tone was tinged with helplessness.
Meng Zhao leaned closer to examine the peony more closely. It was already April, and peonies should have been in bloom by then, so there shouldn't have been no buds. He asked, "Young Master Xiao, what variety is this peony?"
"White Snow Tower".
"Perhaps this Snow Tower was transplanted a little late, and it's its first year, so it hasn't sprouted any flower buds yet. However, judging from its lush foliage, the gardener must have taken good care of it. It will surely produce even bigger and more vibrant flowers next year," Meng Zhao said confidently, tilting his head slightly.
Xiao Youzhi turned around and looked at Meng Zhao seriously, as if with a hint of inquiry, "You also know about flowers?"
Meng Zhao smiled and nodded, "I know a little bit. There used to be a gardener living near my house. I watched him tend to the flowers and plants and learned a little bit from him."
"Only the peony is truly a national beauty; when it blooms, it stirs the capital." Xiao Youzhi recited a poem for no apparent reason, then looked at Meng Zhao with a hint of curiosity on his face, "Did you write this?"
"Of course not. I saw this poem in a book. The poet who wrote it was named Liu Yuxi. I don't have that kind of talent." Meng Zhao's eyes widened. Wasn't this a rumor? So she explained while waving her hands, then became somewhat curious again.
"How did Young Master Xiao know these two lines?"
Xiao Youzhi didn't speak, but instead raised his hand to beckon her into the house, his gesture somewhat casual.
Meng Zhao followed with Shen Yun. After arriving at the room, Xiao Youzhi left first. When he returned, he changed his clothes. He was usually only seen wearing white clothes, but today he was wearing a black brocade robe, which made him look even more imposing.
Seeing that she was standing still, Xiao Youzhi raised an eyebrow slightly, "Why are you standing? Sit down."
Meng Zhao nodded and sat down at the table. Xiao Youzhi then pointed to the two pastries on the table and said, "This layered cake was made by the servants below. It's made with fresh osmanthus juice. Try it and see what you think."
Meng Zhao did as instructed, picked up a piece of layered cake, and took a bite. Each layer had a different texture. The cake was soft and fluffy, with a rich aroma of rice. Upon closer inspection, there was only a light sweetness, with the main flavor being the natural fragrance of the ingredients. The taste was indeed very good. Meng Zhao ate with her eyes slightly narrowed and nodded repeatedly.
Perhaps the pastry was too delicious, Meng Zhao subconsciously picked up another piece and naturally handed it to Shen Yun next to her, wanting her to try it too. Only after handing it over did she notice that Xiao Youzhi was looking at her, and then she realized, "Would Young Master Xiao like some?"
Xiao Youzhi's smile widened, and he gently shook his head. "You guys eat."
After Meng Zhao finished eating the pastries, Xiao Youzhi finally spoke, saying, "I've come to see you today because I need your help with something."
"What is it that requires Young Master Xiao to come in person?" Upon hearing that they were talking about serious matters, Meng Zhao also put away his previous relaxed and carefree attitude.
"In three days, I will be hosting a banquet at Chunfeng Restaurant in Huian to entertain a distinguished guest. I would like to ask you to cook a dish. Would that be convenient for you?"
She had originally planned to go home, but if there were other things to do, a few days would be fine, so she tentatively asked, "Do you have any money?"
Xiao Youzhi, who was always composed and self-possessed, was speechless at her bluntness. "So how many do you want?"
"Haha, I was just kidding. Young Master Xiao has helped me so much. I only need to cook a dish. How could I accept money? I just don't know who Young Master Xiao is inviting? Why would you call them honored guests?"
Xiao Youzhi narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly. "Why are you asking about this?"
Meng Zhao looked at him with a knowing expression and said eloquently, "Putting aside everything else, there's a lot to learn about naming a business. If you're inviting a merchant, I'll prepare some dishes with auspicious meanings like 'flowers blooming and wealth arriving' and 'good fortune arriving,' to bring good luck and smooth sailing. If you're inviting an official, then naturally we need to be more particular. I'll prepare some dishes with auspicious meanings like 'rising step by step and a bright future,' to symbolize a successful career and to show your respect for your distinguished guest."
"In short, there are different dishes for entertaining scholars and different dishes for family reunion dinners. We need to find out the details before we can tell you what to do."
As Meng Zhao spoke, she slightly raised her chin, her face full of confidence as she spoke of her area of expertise.
She is now a manager, and Xiao Youzhi was worried that asking her to cook would displease her, but he didn't expect her to be so carefree and unconcerned.
Seeing that she was talking happily and gesturing with her hands from time to time, she had lost her previous restraint. Xiao Youzhi also relaxed a lot and said with a hint of helplessness and amusement, "There are no many requirements. Just make a couple of dishes that you want to make. The chefs in the building will take care of the rest."
"Didn't you just say you were a distinguished guest?"
"They're hardly distinguished guests. It's just that the imperial court sent officials to provide disaster relief after the snow disaster before the New Year. They arrived in Yuyang County in a couple of days, so we just had a simple meal together," Xiao Youzhi replied casually, as if this was just a trivial matter to him and he didn't take it too seriously.
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