Chapter 358 Yang Xing
"Image? Did I do anything to cause them to misunderstand me?" Chu Ci widened his eyes and looked at Fan Jingrui with an innocent face.
Fan Jingrui looked at Chu Ci, who was feigning confusion, and cleared his throat. "My dear, I've never seen you use this sheep oil soap before, nor have I heard you mention it. Why do you suddenly want to build this workshop now?"
Chu Ci snorted softly, raised his head proudly and said, "I have a lot of good ideas in mind, but this sheep oil soap is just right for Tingzhou. The county magistrate and his men are very excited today, so why not make the best use of it and there is a business opportunity?"
Fan Jingrui nodded thoughtfully, a smile on his face as he teased, "So my wife has already made plans. It seems that I will have to rely on you for my livelihood again."
Chu Ci glanced at him coquettishly, raised an eyebrow and said, "Then is this soft rice delicious?"
Fan Jingrui laughed heartily, reached out and gently scratched Chu Ci's nose, and said, "It smells good, of course it smells very good. It is a blessing for a husband to be able to eat the soft rice provided by his wife."
Chu Ci was naturally in a good mood after being praised by Fan Jingrui, and a bright smile spread across her face. "I just don't know if the county magistrate and his men are truly dedicated to the public good, or if they're just putting on an act for General Ye's sake."
"How about I go out for a walk tomorrow, take a look around, and get to know the people of Tingzhou?"
Fan Jingrui knew Chu Ci's personality very well, and he knew very well in his heart that things like the county magistrate and General Ye were just excuses. The real reason was that Chu Ci simply could not stay in the inner house.
Of course, he was never the type to let Chu Ci suppress her own nature for his own sake. "Okay, my lady, go ahead if you want."
"Be careful when you're out and about, and don't be reckless. Tingzhou isn't a familiar place, and people's hearts are unpredictable. If you run into trouble, be sure to tell your husband, and we'll work it out together."
Trouble, who knows, who is the trouble!
Chu Ci complained in his heart, but replied with a smile on his face: "Okay."
As he spoke, he picked up a piece of lamb ribs from the pot.
The tender lamb falls free from the bone with one bite, its texture brimming with rich broth, melting in your mouth. The bone marrow is delicate and smooth, melting like cream on your tongue, its fresh aroma instantly filling your mouth, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
Without saying anything, Chu Ci quickly picked up a piece for Fan Jingrui and motioned him to try it.
As soon as Fan Jingrui saw Chu Ci, he knew she was enjoying the meal. He didn't refuse and said with a smile, "Seeing how satisfied you look, I'm sure this lamb rib must be extremely delicious."
Chu Ci's eyes sparkled, and he mumbled, "Of course. Try it, and I guarantee you'll fall in love with it too."
Fan Jingrui put the lamb ribs into his mouth, chewed them carefully, and praised: "It is truly a delicacy. No wonder you are so greedy."
Chu Ci smiled proudly, "Yeah, I told you it wouldn't be wrong."
Afterwards, a portion of lamb ribs for five people was eaten up by Chu Ci and Fan Jingrui.
"I'm so full." After eating, Chu Ci touched his stomach contentedly, with a happy expression on his face.
Then she began to throw money around: "Madam Zhang, go to the kitchen and ask who made this lamb ribs. Give him five taels of silver."
"Yes." Nanny Zhang responded and walked quickly towards the kitchen.
But, when he came back a quarter of an hour later, there was a frail "little boy" following him?
No, after a closer look (after being scanned by 'Xing'er), she is actually a girl!
As soon as she came in, the little girl knelt on the ground with a plop. "Yang Xing, greetings to the master and the madam."
Chu Ci glanced at Aunt Zhang beside him with a puzzled look in his eyes, "Who is she?"
Nanny Zhang immediately bowed and explained, "Madam, this child's name is Yang Xing, and she's the cook who makes the lamb ribs over there. However, she's not really a proper cook. As long as she's the child, she doesn't ask for wages, so the county magistrate decided to keep her in the kitchen."
"Don't want wages?" In Chu Ci's mind, things that don't cost money are often the most valuable.
Chu Ci turned and looked at Yang Xing.
The girl lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, "I don't know how to cook, I can only make lamb. Thank you, sir and madam, for the reward. I am very humbled."
Her thin body trembled slightly with nervousness. After she finished speaking, she raised her hands high and carefully handed over the five taels of silver that Aunt Zhang had just given her.
He still dared not raise his eyes to look straight ahead, and his voice became more timid: "I do not accept gifts without merit. I really cannot accept this silver. I hope that my lord and madam will take it back."
Seeing this, Chu Ci looked at Aunt Zhang again and asked seriously, "Are there any other cooks in the kitchen?"
Aunt Zhang quickly shook her head and replied respectfully, "No."
Chu Ci nodded slightly, turned to Yang Xing and said, "Okay, Yang Xing. From now on, you will be the official head chef of the county government. Your monthly salary will be set at one tael of silver per month. It will be increased based on your cooking skills."
After Chu Ci finished speaking, he looked at Yang Xing gently and asked softly, "Are you willing?"
When Yang Xing heard Chu Ci's words, he was stunned: "Huh?"
Then her face showed an even greater look of panic, and her body trembled even more violently, "No, I, I, I am a girl. I..."
When Yang Xing said this, his voice was already filled with tears, his eyes were red, and tears were welling up in his eyes, as if he was about to cry out in the next second.
Chu Ci didn't know why Yang Xing reacted like that, so he quickly said, "Listen carefully, Yang Xing. This princess made you the head chef of the county government, not because of your status, but because the mutton you cook is truly, truly delicious."
"This princess has tasted so many delicious dishes, and your cooking skills always stand out. So you don't have to worry or be afraid. Just focus on making the dishes well. Do you understand?"
Seeing Chu Ci's kindness, Yang Xing hesitated for a moment, then timidly raised his head and asked with a hint of uncertainty, "Is it okay if I can't cook other dishes?"
Aunt Zhang was so clever that she immediately understood Chu Ci's meaning. "It just so happens that I'm still in need of an apprentice. Princess, why don't you let this child follow me?"
After Aunt Zhang appeared, Qiao Chi quickly added to the drama. "Hurry up and agree. Aunt Zhang is a court lady from the imperial palace. She's proficient in all kinds of cuisines."
"Madame Zhang's cooking skills are highly praised by the Empress."
"If you can learn even half of what Aunt Zhang has, you won't have to worry about your life. Even if you can't become rich, at least you'll have enough food and clothing."
Qiao Chi's output completely confused Yang Xing.
Her mind was full of Qiao Chi's words like "Empress" and "You won't have to worry about the rest of your life."
I just felt like there were countless lights flashing before my eyes, and the future was full of hope and beauty.
So, he was in a daze, witnessed by Chu Ci and others.
Yang Xing knelt on his knees and kowtowed three times to Aunt Zhang solemnly and reverently. His voice was clear and firm: "Master, please accept my disciple's greetings."
At this point, Yang Xing became Zhang Ying's disciple.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com