Chapter 74 A Hidden Purpose?
"Master Ding, Young Master Ding, thank you both for honoring us with your presence at Sheng Garden."
Sheng An suppressed her speculation about the middle-aged man's identity, stepped forward, greeted the Ding family grandfather and grandson with a smile, and nodded slightly to the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man nodded in acknowledgment, but his expression was serious, making him seem unapproachable.
Master Ding was very polite to the middle-aged man, exchanged a few pleasantries with Sheng An, and then formally introduced the two of them:
“Madam Sheng, this is Master Song from Jinling. Master Song came to my residence as a guest yesterday. Hearing of Madam Sheng’s amazing cooking skills, he came with my grandson and me. We did not inform Madam Sheng in advance, please forgive my intrusion.”
The person did arrive yesterday, but the suggestion to come to Shengyuan was made this morning. Master Ding didn't have time to send someone to inform Sheng An before setting off.
"Mr. Ding, you are too kind. It is an honor for Shengyuan to have Mr. Song grace us with his presence."
Sheng An naturally wouldn't bother with such a trivial matter. When he looked at Master Song, who had a stern face, his attitude was neither impolite nor obsequious: "Master Song is Master Ding's honored guest, and therefore also an honored guest of Sheng Garden."
Seeing Sheng An's reaction, a hint of surprise flashed in Master Song's eyes, but his expression remained serious: "It's good that Madam Sheng doesn't mind."
Given his status, he wouldn't normally need to be so polite to Sheng An.
However, seeing that Master Ding treated Sheng An with great courtesy, he became more cautious in his attitude towards Sheng An.
The entrance wasn't a place to talk, so the group followed Sheng An inside and arrived at a private room overlooking the lake.
Not long after I sat down, a male waiter named Shuhua brought in tea to serve me.
Sheng An observed Shu Hua's every word and action, and seeing that his behavior was appropriate and without any flaws, he nodded in approval.
The effects of the five-day training are now evident.
Sheng An sat for a while, exchanged a few words with the Ding family grandfather and grandson, and then got up and went to the main kitchen.
Not long after, Ding Tianci arrived, guided by Shuqi.
Sheng An had cooked for Ding Tianci for two months, using his super cooking skills as a cheat code to help Ding Tianci's spleen and stomach function normally through dietary supplements.
During this period, Ding Tianci ate meals prepared by his own cook, which were far less effective than those made by Sheng An.
After two months, he only gained about ten pounds, and his energy wasn't particularly good, but at least he was one step closer to being a normal person.
She doesn't need anyone's help to walk.
Looking at the bustling scene in the large kitchen, Ding Tianci felt that he shouldn't have come, but he stood at the door without moving, with Jian Ying following closely behind him.
Sheng An found it amusing and pointed to a chair, inviting, "Young Master Ding, if you don't mind the commotion here, please come in and sit for a while."
Ding Tianci, of course, didn't mind and sat down in the chair with a smile.
Without wasting words, he told Sheng An about Master Song's identity: "The Song family of Jinling is a large family second only to the Jiang family and the Wei family of Jinling. Master Song is a direct descendant of the Song family and is in charge of managing the family business. He has business dealings with my family."
Seeing that Sheng An didn't show any surprise, Ding Tianci suddenly felt that he was the one who hadn't seen the world, and continued somewhat embarrassedly:
"Master Song heard from somewhere that my condition had improved, so he took a boat to Qingzhou City overnight to ask my father about it, and my grandfather mentioned you."
Sheng An asked, "Master Song, why are you in such a hurry? Is there someone in your family with the same illness as you?"
Ding Tianci shook his head: "I don't know. He didn't say it explicitly, and my grandfather didn't ask any further questions either."
Their relationship was merely a business acquaintance, not a close friendship, so Mr. Ding naturally couldn't pry into their private affairs.
Sheng An understood and thanked Ding Tianci: "Thank you for reminding me, Young Master Ding."
Ding Tianci waved his hand: "We were the ones who brought them here, so it's good that we didn't cause any trouble for Madam Sheng."
Sheng An laughed and said, "It's no trouble at all. I should thank you and Master Ding for possibly bringing Sheng Garden an extra customer."
Ding Tianci breathed a sigh of relief, and his smile became more genuine: "Before Shengyuan opened, I was too embarrassed to come and bother you, but now I don't have that concern anymore. I wish I could visit you every day."
This isn't flattery; he'd been itching to taste Sheng An's cooking for two months.
Although the food at home was not bad, it was still far inferior to the food Sheng An cooked. He could only reminisce about the meals he had eaten in the past.
"Welcome, Young Master Ding, to come often. If there's anything you'd like to eat, please send someone to let me know in advance."
Sheng An always showed extra patience towards high-quality customers like Ding Tianci, and wished there were more customers like him.
Shengyuan now has eight more mouths to feed.
Ding Tianci was sensible and didn't linger in the main kitchen. After saying what he needed to say, he left with Jian Ying.
In the private room, Song Wanjun took a sip of tea, frowned slightly, and then put it down.
The tea served to guests at Shengyuan was a gift from Master Ding to Sheng'an.
These teas are fine for ordinary people, but for someone like Song Wanjun, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, they are barely palatable.
Unable to figure out what Song Wanjun was up to, Master Ding couldn't help but ask, "Brother Song, we've known each other for so many years, can you give me a piece of your mind?"
Even if someone surnamed Song is just an insignificant figure in the Song family of Jinling, with a powerful backer like the Song family, he can still act with impunity in Qingzhou City.
If the man surnamed Song has ulterior motives towards Madam Sheng, wouldn't he be harming her?
Song Wanjun glanced at Master Ding, shook his head, and said in a deep voice, "It's not that I deliberately concealed it, but it's a matter of great importance. Please forgive me, Brother Ding."
Upon hearing this, Master Ding became increasingly uneasy and regretted his hasty words yesterday, which revealed the reason for his grandson's improvement to Song Wanjun.
Although Master Ding did not show it on his face, Song Wanjun's keen eyesight still detected Master Ding's unease.
He chuckled inwardly, not wanting to frighten an old man with half his neck buried in the ground, and said something reassuring:
"If Madam Sheng's cooking skills are truly as miraculous as Brother Ding described, then I, Song, owe Brother Ding a great favor."
Master Ding narrowed his eyes, carefully considering Song Wanjun's words.
It seems that the man surnamed Song was skeptical of Madam Sheng's abilities, which is why he personally went to Qingzhou City in the middle of the night to find out.
The fact that he is so cautious suggests that the person who needs Madam Sheng's help must be someone of extraordinary status.
He hadn't heard of any important figure in the Song family being unwell. Either the Song family was keeping it a secret, or this person had a past connection with the Song family and held a high position.
A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind, and Master Ding said in a deep voice:
“My grandson’s illness was caused by his aversion to food. It was thanks to Madam Sheng’s superb cooking skills that my grandson was able to eat, and his health began to improve. It’s not that Madam Sheng’s cooking can cure all diseases.”
The implication is that Mr. Song shouldn't have too high expectations for Madam Sheng's cooking skills, lest his hopes be dashed.
Song Wanjun's lips twitched a few times, but he still didn't say anything.
Old Master Ding suddenly felt bored and silently drank his tea.
It was still early, and the two of them couldn't sit still for long.
Master Ding suggested going for a walk, and Song Wanjun got up and left the private room, strolling around the garden under the guidance of Shuqi.
As I wandered around, I ended up near the large kitchen.
Today, a northwest wind is blowing, and the gentle breeze carries the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen, drifting across half of the Shengyuan Garden.
Upon smelling the unique fragrance, Song Wanjun's spirits lifted, and he instinctively looked in the direction from which the scent was coming.
Master Ding also smelled it, narrowed his eyes, stroked his beard, and laughed: "It's been a long time since I've tasted Madam Sheng's cooking. I'm in for a treat today."
This domineering aroma is different from the light flavor that Madam Sheng used to make; it's so fragrant it touches your very heart.
From now on, when I entertain guests, I must come to Shengyuan.
No, they should come even if we don't invite them. It's not like he and his grandson can't afford to eat.
Smelling the aroma that was different from ordinary food, Song Wanjun looked thoughtfully in the direction of the kitchen.
Could the ancient legends be true?
Is it possible for someone's culinary skills to be so exquisite that they can use food as medicine?
Even if ancient legends are unreliable, is Ding Tianci, a ready example, merely a coincidence?
Song Wanjun stared in thought, when out of the corner of his eye he inadvertently noticed a few more cats on the courtyard wall.
Several cats squatted on the wall, squinting their eyes and tilting their heads back, sniffing the fragrance.
His entranced state looked quite comical.
Even animals are attracted to it; it seems that Madam Sheng's cooking skills are truly extraordinary.
Regardless of whether Ding Tianci's improved health was a coincidence, he was determined to get to the bottom of things.
We must not let go of any possibility, no matter how small.
With four treasures assisting him, Sheng An worked very quickly, and in just an hour and a half, the last dish, the secret-recipe roasted chicken, was ready.
She made all the dishes that received the most praise on the day of the banquet again, making a total of twelve dishes: four cold dishes and eight hot dishes.
Soon, all twelve dishes were served on the dining table in the private room.
Every dish exudes an irresistible aroma.
What's most amazing is that the flavors of these dishes blend together, allowing you to clearly distinguish what ingredients they are made of.
The happiest person was undoubtedly Ding Tianci. Ever since he received Shengyuan's invitation, he had been counting down the days.
Therefore, he only drank half a bowl of porridge this morning, and he is already very hungry now.
At this moment, Sheng An, who had changed his clothes, walked in, smiled and invited the three to sit down, and picked up the wine glass in his hand: "I am honored to have three distinguished guests at Sheng Garden today. I toast to the three of you with this glass."
After saying that, she drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.
During this period, Sheng An would occasionally have a drink, and his alcohol tolerance had improved considerably; he was no longer someone who would be out of control after just one drink.
"Madam Sheng is so generous!"
Master Ding laughed heartily, raised his wine glass to Song Wanjun, and then drank it all in one gulp.
Song Wanjun naturally did not refuse and drank the wine in his glass.
Ding Tianci was in poor health, so he wasn't allowed to drink.
Not long after, Sheng An said a few polite words, instructed Shuhua and Shuyan to take good care of him, and then left the private room.
Ding Tianci had no eyes for the food. He savored it carefully under Jian Ying's service. After taking a bite of the stir-fried eel, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This is so delicious!"
The food that Madam Sheng had cooked for him before was already amazing, but today he discovered what true culinary perfection really is!
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