Chapter 57 Peony Lettuce
"Since Your Majesty has praised it so highly, I, the concubine, would like to join in the fun."
The Queen at the side spoke up at this time, looking at Pu Qiongzhi, "Do you have any special recipes prepared for me?"
As she spoke, Pu Qiongzhi clapped her hands toward the outside again, "To answer the Queen, of course there is!"
The queen looked at the flower-shaped dish on the plate, and then at the sauce on the side.
"I just don't know what's so special about this dish of yours?"
"In reply to your Majesty, I have heard that you dislike killing and advocate frugality. You are truly a model mother of the nation! I admire your character and specially prepared this peony lettuce dish for you."
“This dish is made with fresh lettuce and doesn’t require any cooking. You can simply dip the seasonal vegetables in the sauce and eat it.”
When the queen heard this, her eyes lit up and she took out her chopsticks to pick up a piece and tasted it carefully.
"It's often said that what the ruler likes, the subordinates will follow even more. I advocate simplicity, hoping that the superiors will follow suit, and thus prevent the extravagance of the high officials. The foundation of our ancestors was not easy to build, and Your Majesty worked tirelessly day and night. How can I sit back and enjoy all this?"
"Empress, I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful! You are my first wife, and I have let you suffer all these years." The emperor was moved by her words and held her hand.
After hearing what the Queen said, everyone was impressed by her virtue and kindness.
Pu Qiongzhi knelt aside, looked up at the queen, and received the smile from her.
Over the years, the emperor has been doting on Concubine Pei, and there are countless concubines in the harem. Now he is just trying to get people to say that the emperor and empress are deeply in love.
Pu Qiongzhi sent this dish to give the Queen an opportunity to gain fame and win the Emperor's heart!
The peony is elegant and graceful, with a beautiful and fragrant appearance. The queen is the master of the harem and the mother of the country! This is the true meaning of this dish!
Just by looking at her from afar at the Empress Dowager's banquet, Pu Qiongzhi knew that she was not someone who would be willing to be inferior to others!
This kind of tacit cooperation is just heroes respecting heroes.
"Good! What a beautiful building! What a gentle and pleasant woman!" said the emperor.
Pu Qiongzhi was stunned, then looked at the queen, seeming a little at a loss.
The Queen said meaningfully, "Your Majesty is not joking. Since His Majesty calls you a pleasant lady, why don't you thank him?"
"I thank Your Majesty and Your Majesty!" Pu Qiongzhi hurriedly expressed her gratitude.
This day completely made Ruilou famous!
What does it taste like to be praised by the Emperor and Empress and to be the Empress Dowager’s favorite food?
Who wouldn’t want to try the delicacies that are loved by the masters in the palace!
Of course, those two special recipes have also become signature dishes.
Pu Qiongzhi specifically announced that customers who ordered the special menu would enjoy half-price discount in the future.
Not only that, as long as a special menu is prescribed, subsequent customers only need to pay a thousand taels of silver for each order.
Of course, when it comes to special recipes, what matters most is the meaning and sentiment behind them. Although they cannot be measured in gold or silver, the huge difference in cost and price of the dishes is really excessive.
Pu Qiongzhi said she would carefully consider how to use the profits from this dish, and use it for things that benefit the country and the people. Every time someone ordered it, she would place a pot of chrysanthemums on the shelf outside and write their name on it to express their noble character.
Once people have money, they begin to pursue status, and when they have both, only fame remains.
Pu Qiongzhi gave these people a chance to become famous.
Opposite Yuelai Inn.
Fang Miaozhu looked at the endless stream of guests coming to Yuelai Inn, all of whom were prominent dignitaries, and felt extremely resentful.
Those pots of chrysanthemums were simply slapping her in the face!
"Why put chrysanthemums here for no reason? It's so unlucky!" She spat and closed the window angrily.
The waiter beside her didn't understand what was going on, but he didn't dare to offend her.
The boss has become a completely different person these past two days. He complains about the customers being picky and thinks they're not doing their job with enough dedication...
"What's wrong with Juhua?" Gongsun Huaili appeared behind her at some point and asked.
Chrysanthemum is his favorite flower. In autumn, all other flowers have fallen, but only chrysanthemums stand proudly. How can that be unlucky?
Fang Miaozhu was startled by him, then whispered, "Aren't chrysanthemums... usually used for worship?"
"Is this the custom in your hometown? There is no such usage in Daliang." Gongsun Huaili's face looked a little ugly, but he didn't blame him.
Fang Miaozhu didn't understand any of this either. She grabbed the Ninth Prince's sleeve and said, "Your Highness, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have rashly gone to see the wife of the Duke of Gongning. I was wrong to be so reckless. But now, our business is being squeezed out! What should we do?"
"It's good that you know you're wrong!" Gongsun Huaili poked her forehead, his tone filled with inexplicable doting, "Miaozhu, you have incredible talent! Business is just like that, you don't have to worry!"
"However, if I don't have money, I'm afraid I'll have a hard time in the future... If that doesn't work out, I have to find a way to get in touch with the young master of the Pu family. Otherwise, how could I approach a married woman?"
As soon as he said this, Fang Miaozhuo forgave him instantly.
She knew that a man like the Ninth Prince would never indulge in love affairs!
But, isn't Pu Qiongzhi still the young master of the Pu family? This won't do!
"Your Highness, don't be anxious! I... I have a way to make money! Give me a day to think about it!" Fang Miaozhuo was a little anxious and grabbed Gongsun Huaili's arm.
Gongsun Huaili was finally satisfied when he saw that she had taken the bait. He said, "Okay, I believe you, Miaozhu. You take your time to think about it. I have some things to do, so I won't bother you for now. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I don't want you to work too hard."
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"Your Highness..." Fang Miaozhu lowered her head shyly, her heart beating faster and her face flushed.
After leaving Yuelai Inn, Gongsun Huaili got into the carriage and wiped the cuffs of his sleeves that had been grabbed by Fang Miaozhu with a handkerchief with some disgust.
This woman was still somewhat useful, so he had to keep her stable for the time being. Otherwise, ever since she said chrysanthemums were unlucky, he didn't want to talk to her anymore.
Thinking of this, Gongsun Huaili glanced at Ruilou opposite, and was curious about who the young master behind the Pu family was, and how he could calculate people's hearts!
At this time, Nangong Hua was sitting in the private room of Ruilou, tasting some of the best-selling dishes here.
Especially the Soup Diu and Peony Lettuce, which were the dishes that princes and nobles competed to order.
After a while, he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and asked Qingxu, the servant beside him, "How about you try it?"
"..." Qing Xu tasted them one by one, and finally smacked his lips, "The dishes here have four characteristics."
"It's delicate, small in quantity, and tastes bad... you're just being stubborn." He said honestly.
As she was speaking, Pu Qiongzhi came in from outside, "Why didn't you tell me your husband was here?"
"Since you were busy, I didn't make things more complicated." Nangong Hua explained.
Pu Qiongzhi looked at the dishes on the table and felt like teasing him, "My dear husband, what do you think of the food here?"
"Delicious." Nangong Hua praised hurriedly, and even felt it was not enough, so he added, "Elegant, artistic conception."
Qing Xu on the side glanced at his master, then shook his head and turned his back without looking at them.
Pu Qiongzhi couldn't help laughing. She didn't expect that her husband would tell lies to scare people.
"I'll ask the kitchen to prepare a few of my husband's signature dishes! There are a few that are quite good, and I think he'll like them too."
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