Fourth Master carefully picked at the tofu, eating each bite. Lanqin knew he preferred soft, chewy foods and didn't particularly like anything with a chewy texture. This was probably completely different from the impression he gave others.
"Master, what do you think is so delicious about this dish?" Lanqin asked with a smile, having almost finished picking out all the tofu from the plate.
"It's delicious, unlike the taste of food in the manor or the palace," said the Fourth Prince.
And here comes the second main dish: pickled bamboo shoot duck, a huge bowl of it, emitting an enticing aroma.
"The dishes here are prepared in their original flavor, using simple cooking methods and ingredients. In addition, the chef's skills are indeed superb, so the dishes naturally taste different from what you usually eat. But for Yu Lanqin, this taste is not unfamiliar," Lanqin said.
At this moment, the one serving the dishes was not the same servant boy from before, but a cute little girl, who looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old.
In response to Lanqin's praise, she proactively asked, "How is this dish?"
Seeing that the girl had taken the initiative to ask, Lanqin picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of bamboo shoot, and put it in her mouth. The bamboo shoot slices were cut to a moderate thickness, just like the cabbage dish from before, retaining the fragrance of the raw material while incorporating the rich, meaty flavor of the duck. There was also pickled cabbage inside, which was sour with a slight sweet and spicy taste. It was really quite delicious.
"These two dishes use very few ingredients, and the soup seems to be made with plain water, not the kind of broth made from bones. There aren't any other random ingredients either, preserving the original flavor of the ingredients. This taste is naturally refreshing for those stomachs that are used to being served by a master chef every day. I must say, your chef's skills are indeed quite good," Lan Qin said.
The young girl looked at Lanqin with wide eyes, and smiled, "Thank you for your praise, Madam. Consider this dish a gift from me, Madam, and I won't accept your money today."
This time, it was Lanqin and Fourth Master's turn to be surprised. They looked at the girl in front of them, who was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and never expected that she would be the head chef of this Lichenju.
"What, does Madam and Master think a head chef must be a fat, old man with a loud voice? Can't I be a head chef?" the young girl said, clearly dissatisfied. She had clearly made all the dishes herself, but it was as if no one believed her.
Lanqin immediately smiled as if she had just realized something, "It would be really difficult for a girl like you to run this restaurant as you please, without letting customers order, and only cooking according to your own preferences."
The young girl rarely encountered someone who knew her dishes so well, so she was naturally willing to talk more, saying, "I never usually see guests, but I heard from the servant that Madam's guests are different from others, so I brought the dishes over myself. Now that I see them, Madam's views are indeed different from ordinary people."
Fourth Master watched them answer one by one, not wanting to interrupt, and just ate the bamboo shoots and duck meat, finding them increasingly delicious.
Lanqin asked curiously, "Why did you open your restaurant in such a secluded place? It's too quiet. Most people wouldn't easily find this place."
The young girl smiled and said, "Madam, you see, those who can dine here are generally those who can afford it. Besides, I operate on a reservation system. If you want to eat here, you have to make a reservation in advance. So there's no need to go to those bustling downtown areas. Furthermore, the flavors here are prepared for those who are tired of rich broths and heavy ingredients. These people are not ordinary folks, so they also like to be different. My reservation system gives them a sense of uniqueness."
After hearing these words, Lanqin couldn't help but admire this girl who was about the same age as herself. Her thoughts were similar to those of 21st-century clubs and private residences.
“Unique and catering to preferences. The young lady certainly has a keen understanding of business.” Fourth Master put down his chopsticks and said.
"Sir, you flatter me. I run a restaurant, but I just wanted to do something different," the young girl said with a smile.
“Then I have another question. Why is your restaurant called ‘Lichenju’? It feels like a name that a hermit would give to his hermitage in the mountains. Why would a restaurant be called that?” Lanqin asked.
The young girl seemed to have anticipated Lanqin's question, and still smiled, "Many people have asked this question, Madam. It really comes down to this—catering to their tastes. Those who dine here are not ordinary people. A meal here costs a lot of money, enough for an average family's monthly expenses. I named the restaurant this way because I like it myself, and also to give our diners a sense of being away from the hustle and bustle of the world, which perfectly matches the rustic flavors I offer, doesn't it?"
Lanqin nodded, marveling at the girl's ability to so accurately read people's minds.
"This is a small item I wear close to my body. Consider it a small gift for you, Miss?" Lanqin took off a jade beaded necklace from her wrist. It was one of the many gifts the Fourth Prince had bestowed upon her when she first entered the manor and began to receive his favor. It was clearly a fine piece, a large jade bead, emerald green in color, perfectly round and lustrous.
Seeing Lanqin's generosity, the young woman glanced at the string of beads in Lanqin's hand, took it, and put it on her wrist, saying generously, "Since Madam doesn't mind, please come often. No need for reservations, just come and eat whenever you want."
Lanqin chuckled and said, "Wouldn't that break your rules here?"
The young woman had long held a liking for Lanqin. Looking at her attire and the cold, handsome man sitting next to her, she knew she had met a true benefactor.
"It's my good fortune to have hit it off with you so quickly, Madam," she said. Although the people here were not ordinary, there were very few who truly caught her eye.
"Okay, I'll come whenever I have the chance. I'll treat this place like my own home." Lanqin was in an incredibly good mood. She hadn't expected to make a friend while having a meal out; it was quite unexpected.
When they left, the girl saw them to the door. After Lanqin got into the carriage, she couldn't help but open the window and wave to her.
"You're so generous in giving away the things I gave you?" Fourth Master didn't find anything wrong with the little princess getting along so well with a chef from a restaurant, but he was slightly displeased that Lanqin was giving away the things he had given her so casually.
"Alright, I just have a crush on this girl, and I don't have anything with me. Don't be stingy, Master. I'll make it up to you when we get back." Lanqin tugged at the Fourth Master's arm and started to act coquettishly again.
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