"Ran Dong is really unethical. Does she know that this will harm people's health?"
“Master, she’s resorting to any means to beat you.”
Xiao Jiu shook its head and waved its hands incessantly. The vegetables in the basin became clean under its magic, and after rinsing them with water, they were fresh and crisp.
"She may not know that in this era, traditional Chinese medicine is as developed as food."
Xiao Jiu laughed, not in a very kind way.
Ran Dong also followed Xiao Li's example, offering half-price sales and half-giving away on the first day of the new product launch to attract customers.
Xiao Li helped Old Jiang into the restaurant.
"Ah Li, I heard this newly opened braised food place is pretty good. You should check it out, or you'll fall behind."
Xiao Li wasn't afraid at all. Her ingredients were the best, and her spices were the most complete. She really didn't believe that Ran Family Restaurant's food was better.
Old Jiang smiled and picked up a pig's trotter with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and as soon as it entered his mouth, his brows furrowed.
He put down his chopsticks, spat out the pig's trotter, and gave instructions to the servant behind him.
"Go and invite the magistrate here."
The servant responded and left.
Xiao Li poured Old Jiang a cup of tea and slowly recounted her connection with Ran Dong.
Don't let Old Jiang's current status as an ordinary old man fool you; he was once incredibly powerful, having served three emperors and being the most valued imperial physician by the current Empress Dowager.
Xiao Li valued this aspect, which is why she invited him to try it.
The magistrate arrived quickly. The county office was not far from here, and he didn't even take a sedan chair, running there breathlessly.
"Sir, is there something you need from me?"
Xiao Li got up and handed the magistrate a cup of tea, earning him a grateful look in return.
"It's nothing serious, it's just that something that shouldn't have been added was put into the braised food."
The magistrate was shocked. "What? This Ling Yun is really audacious. He actually dares to harm people."
He was furious when he thought about the large box of braised food that Ling Yun had specially delivered to his family that morning, which had now all ended up in his family's stomachs.
"Guards! Clear the area and seal it off!"
When Ran Dong saw the county magistrate arrive, he was delighted to greet him. With the county magistrate's patronage, the restaurant's business would surely flourish even more.
Who knew that as soon as she went up to the second floor, she heard the magistrate's words: How could this be?
"Sir, what's wrong? There's absolutely nothing wrong with my family's braised food. Don't believe the rumors spread by such a villain."
She looked at Xiaoli as she spoke, glaring at her angrily.
The magistrate was furious. "How dare you slander the old magistrate! Guards, take him away and imprison him!"
Ran Dong was terrified. She hid behind Ling Yun and dared not utter a sound.
"My lord, please forgive her this time. She didn't know it was Elder Jiang who came. Please forgive her, sir."
Ling Yun bowed deeply, and only then did Elder Jiang's expression soften somewhat.
He looked at Ran Dong. This girl was pretty, but there was a frivolous look in her eyes. She was obviously a pampered girl who had never experienced hardship.
No wonder she acted impulsively and without considering the consequences.
"Never mind, she didn't mean it, but young people should think twice before they act, because some consequences are not something you can bear."
Ran Dong then looked at the unassuming old man. So he was the big boss all along?
"Grandpa, I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about this lady."
Xiao Li raised her eyebrows. Was she picking on the weak?
"Ran Dong, you know what you added to the braising liquid yourself, don't try to give me any other excuses."
Ran Dong's heart skipped a beat. How could her secret have been discovered?
"I...I didn't..."
The county magistrate, however, did not believe her. "Someone, please invite Doctor Lu from Taihe Medical Hall and Doctor Zhong from Baozhitang."
Ran Dong was even more frightened; she didn't know what to do.
Ling Yun stared at her, already knowing what was going on. Every time she lied, she would stutter and her eyes would wander.
He tugged at Ran Dong's sleeve, signaling her to put away the spice packet in her mysterious space, but Ran Dong didn't understand, after all, she never knew that her secret would be exposed.
Whether or not it is accepted is no longer important, because the doctor can tell just by tasting the braised food.
Both doctors agreed with Dr. Jiang's statement. Although they were not as skilled as Dr. Jiang, they could still distinguish medicinal herbs.
"Seize it!"
Ran Dong plopped down on the ground. She couldn't imagine what she would do if she were arrested and thrown into jail.
She has no relatives here, and no one will come to rescue her.
Ling Yun looked at Xiao Li calmly. Did she do it?
Is this her revenge?
Unfortunately, Xiao Li didn't even glance at him.
The bailiffs escorted the two away, and the county magistrate followed them. Xiao Li helped Old Jiang and escorted him home.
"You little rascal, you knew all along, didn't you?"
Xiao Li nodded. "I've read about this in a book. This medicinal herb can be addictive and harmful to the body."
Old Jiang instructed, "It's good that you know. Those who work in the food industry must have a conscience and uphold their bottom line. I feel very reassured by your words. Now, let's go."
Xiao Li responded, and the two slowly walked under the shade of the trees.
Ran Dong and Ling Yun were sentenced to twenty years in prison. This dynasty revered gourmet food, so related crimes would be punished severely.
Twenty years later, they had entered middle age, having spent the best years of their lives in prison.
Ran Dong dared not use the space, because the space would come out from the same place she entered, and she was afraid that she would be sliced into pieces.
?
The emperor finally traveled south. After tasting the food at Yang's Restaurant, he personally inscribed "Yang's Treasures" to signify its deliciousness.
Xiao Li solemnly enshrined it as a family heirloom of the Yang family, and a replica of the plaque was also hung at the entrance.
Xiao Li diligently nurtured those children, not only teaching them cooking skills but also literacy and cultivating their interests and hobbies.
She continuously accepted young children from the charity and then trained them into highly skilled gourmets.
Fifty years later, Yang Family Restaurant had spread throughout the entire dynasty, with branches all over the Le Dynasty, and all the managers had graduated from Xiao Li's school.
Even if they are not surnamed Yang, they have inherited the Yang family recipe and carried it forward.
The Yang Family Restaurant is now under Gu Beichen's management. He looked at Xiao Li, who had closed her eyes, and a look of sadness flashed in his eyes.
"elder sister……"
Xiao Li drifted past him, heading to the next world.
?
Side Story
Ran Dong and Ling Yun did not outlive Xiao Li. When they emerged twenty years later, they had become incredibly old and looked like Xiao Li's elders.
As they watched the Yang Family Restaurant grow bigger and bigger, and more and more branches opened, they couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness in their hearts.
After they were released from prison, they couldn't find work and had to beg for a living. Not long after, Lingyun starved to death.
Ran Dong died of illness shortly after her release from prison, and 123 captured the kitchen space the instant she died.
This was a fragment of space. Xiao Li integrated it into her own space, and instantly a fully automatic luxury kitchen appeared in her space.
This kitchen contains all the world's most advanced kitchenware, including the best pots, pans, bowls, and utensils.
Xiao Li was very satisfied; this space alone made it worthwhile for her to come to this world.
(over)
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