Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Hesitation and Inquiry
Even after the bustle of Erlangzhong's flower-hunting trip, Zhen's Restaurant still had a good crowd; people were drawn to the delicious food. And because Baozhu often offered small discounts, these diners would frequently check out the restaurant to see if there were any new dishes.
Baozhu met Madam Kong in the restaurant that day. She came back and asked her second brother, and nothing happened. She thought the matter was over. Unexpectedly, Madam Kong came quietly to look for Madam Xu at night.
She came in alone, with the maids and carriages waiting outside. After she revealed her identity, she couldn't help crying.
"He only left a few words on the table. I searched all my aunts' houses but couldn't find him."
"The day she ran away was the day we had originally scheduled to meet. That girl is bold by nature. I'm afraid she secretly followed your Erlang Ren. I'm really worried that something might happen." Mrs. Kong cried her heart out.
Madam Xu was shocked by what Mrs. Kong said. Seeing that she had not slept well for several days and nights, she knew that this was definitely true. However, she did not expect that the young lady of the Kong family was so bold that she would dare to run away to take up the post for Erlang. Erlang was now building a dike in Xijing. Although it was not far from Bianjing, it was more than a day or two's walk away.
"Please send a letter to your Erlang, asking him to be on the lookout. Two sets of servants' clothes are missing from the house, and a horse is missing from the stables. That girl, who always dresses like a man, is traveling with only a maid. Madam, please inform your Erlang. If he sees that girl, please send a letter and I'll immediately send someone to capture her."
The head of the Kong family was an official of the fourth rank, and Mrs. Kong was also a lady from a prominent family. She knew that this matter was difficult for the Zhen family, but she was really anxious because it concerned her children.
"Don't worry, madam. I will send a letter to Erlang immediately. My Erlang is a man of good character. If he really meets your sister, he will definitely take good care of her."
Mrs. Kong still frowned and sighed, "This matter is really shameful and difficult to publicize. I'd appreciate your help in covering it up."
Even if no one said it, Madam Xu would not go out and tell others about it. Even her family didn't know about it. Baozhu came back to see a stranger and asked about it. Madam Xu didn't say anything in detail. She just secretly wrote a letter home and asked someone to take it to Erlang's office.
My eldest brother went to Suzhou. I used to discuss things with him, but now that he is not here, I have to go find my father.
Zhen's father is now helping out in the restaurant, and Baozhu gives him 20% of the profits. Although the chef has changed, some old customers can taste the difference in the dishes. However, Zhen's father has been cooking for many years, so even if he can taste the difference, he will only say that the dishes are better now than before.
In addition to working in the kitchen on weekdays, Zhen's father also compiles recipes from the north and south when he has free time. Most of them are home-cooked dishes. The ancestral craftsmanship is still passed down by word of mouth. Baozhu can also cook, but she prefers to run a business outside.
Baozhu knew that Zhen's father also wanted to go out and prepare banquets for people. If he didn't go for a long time, the old customers he had accumulated would no longer come to him. After a long time, it would be difficult to open up this channel if he wanted to do it again. If he didn't go when people came to him, no one would invite him when he wanted to do it again in the future.
Nowadays, Zhen's father doesn't accept all banquets. He usually accepts banquets for officials. If he goes out to cook for others, Baozhu will go to the kitchen to take charge. The dishes are all matched. Her cooking skills are pretty good, and diners can't easily taste much difference.
The restaurant's frontage is too small, with only six tables in total, two of which have only enough space for two people to sit. Many of the dishes are difficult to serve even if they taste good, and there is no place to put the dishes after they are served, which makes it look out of place.
Baozhu discussed with her father the idea of adding some seasonal new dishes. The restaurant's menu changes monthly, with underperforming items removed and replaced with new dishes. This way, customers can enjoy something new each month, and the business won't suffer from a lack of tradition.
Crabs are in season at this time of year. Ordinary people cannot afford the large crabs weighing three or four taels each, so they can only buy the smaller green river crabs.
"People in Bianjing often steam crabs to enjoy their original flavor. Large crabs are best steamed because they are fresh and sweet, but blue crabs are not as sweet and tender when steamed. It's better to try the way we usually cook them in Suzhou: cut them in half, batter them, deep-fry them, then cook them in soy sauce and oil, add rice cakes as a side dish, and use rice wine to thicken the broth. It tastes very delicious."
Baozhu thought again that lotus roots were the best to eat at this time of year. Freshly dug lotus roots were white in color and had a clear taste, with no mud in the holes. Cut them into slices, wrap the middle with meat stuffing and coat them with batter, fry them in a pan, and then put a few slices on a dish. It tasted good.
There is nothing bad about such oily food. In addition to the crab fried rice cake and lotus root cake, we also added crab sauce as a bonus dish. I have tried it myself first. The crab fried rice cake can be made spicy or non-spicy. The spicy and fragrant taste of the homemade one lingers in the streets for a long time.
Men, women, young and old, on the streets and alleys were sniffing and when they got close to the Zhen family, they immediately knew that a new dish was being cooked. After asking, they learned that the restaurant would be serving it soon. Everyone planned to order directly from the Zhen family to avoid queuing up at the restaurant later.
Baozhu was quickly asked to make and hang up the signs for these two dishes, and the dealer for blue crabs was also found. He would deliver the lively crabs before dawn every day. The Zhen family did not hold back the money for the dishes. They checked them every day. If there was no problem, they would settle the money on the same day and also decide on the quantity for the next day.
The Zhen family often uses dishes eaten by wealthy families, finds cheaper alternatives, and transforms them into snacks so that ordinary people can also taste what the dishes eaten by wealthy families are like. Although blue crabs are not as big as hairy crabs, they are made into fried crab rice cakes and are unforgettable to diners.
The crabs were always sold out, and many people in the alley would place orders. They would get up early and order a pot, then pick it up at Zhen's Restaurant in the afternoon. Because Baozhu and Rong wanted to eat some today, they had saved some fried crabs to cook in the evening.
During dinner, Madam Xu mentioned that the courtyard next door was almost empty, as Lord Pei had bought a two-story house. Once the courtyard was ready, it would no longer be rented out. The family had enough money, so the courtyard didn't need to be rented out anymore. Madam Xu planned to tear down the partition once Lord Pei moved out, so they wouldn't have to have a place to entertain guests or have tea.
Baozhu paused for a moment, "I haven't seen Master Pei these past few days, and I don't know when he bought the house."
"He's very busy with official duties, and he's afraid he'll miss out if he finds the right one. Last Mid-Autumn Festival, he gave me some money and asked me to keep an eye out for it. If he finds a suitable one, I can help him book it right away." Madam Xu sighed, "It's not obvious, but Master Pei actually has some money. He asked me to buy a house in the inner city right away..."
Baozhu couldn't hear what was said afterwards. Knowing that people were moving away, Baozhu felt a little uncomfortable. She didn't know the source of this strange feeling. Every day when she got home from work, she would pass by the door of Pei's house to take a look, but she never saw anyone.
The restaurant's two dishes sold well, and she quickly forgot her slight annoyance. The crab-fried rice cakes and lotus root dumplings were only around for a month or two, and once the weather cooled, even if she wanted to sell them, she couldn't find good ingredients. Diners often reminded her of their limited availability, and those who enjoyed them patronized them daily.
Some diners saw that there were no seats in the restaurant for the time being, and saw Baozhu's neighbors ordering and taking it home directly, so they simply followed suit and bought some food to take home and eat.
The more people took their food home, the more the other diners waiting at the door started to think this was a good idea. They would not only order the crab fried rice cakes, but also pick up their favorite dishes to take home along with the crab fried rice cakes. As for the pots and bowls in the store, they would just pay a deposit and wait for the clay pots and food boxes to be returned, and the deposit would be refunded to them as well.
The shop closed later than usual today. Zhen's father left first as he had to go back to cook, and asked Jiang Shi and Baozhu to go back with him. Jiang Shi was sweeping the floor. Mrs. Liu, who was helping in the shop, finished her work and asked her husband to take her back.
Baozhu was calculating the bill for the day behind the counter when she caught a glimpse of someone entering the door. Her father had already left, and Baozhu, without even looking up, wrote down the amount she had calculated on a piece of paper before explaining that the shop was closed for the day and that if she wanted to eat, she could come early tomorrow.
"You said before that you would treat me well if I came. But every time I come back, not only do I sit on the bench, I can't even have a hot meal." Lord Pei leaned against the door, looking tired.
Jiang Shi tactfully put down the stool and asked him to sit down first. After Baozhu sat down, he asked him what he wanted to eat.
"Today, Zhengjiawazi is performing a variety show. It's very lively there. Why don't you go and take a look?"
"It's getting late, I won't go to see you. My parents are waiting for me to go back for dinner. If you have anything to say, please tell me here."
Pei Yanqing sat upright, "I was just about to talk about that incident last time, your cousin..."
Baozhu realized what he was about to say, glared at him, and then said to Jiang Shi, "I'll make a bowl of noodle soup for Master Pei. The restaurant is out of vegetables, so go to the night market and buy some pickled goose feet."
Baozhu grabbed a handful of copper coins from the box and handed them to him. Jiang Shi was two years younger than her. Although he looked smart, he had a bit of a childish nature. So she instructed him, "Use the rest of the money to buy whatever you want to eat."
Jiang Shi took the money and went out, leaving only the two of them in the room.
"The emperor is now trying to rectify the bureaucracy and clean up the bureaucracy. He urgently summoned me to the palace to discuss matters on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I have been busy these days." Pei Yanqing paused before continuing, "What I said last time was not unclear. Although I have not been home for a while, I am always worried about your marriage and I am afraid that you will agree to marry someone else right away."
Baozhu had wanted to know the truth a long time ago, and now seeing him like this, what else could she not understand? She stared at him with her eyes, leaving him with nowhere to hide. Her voice was laced with a teasing that she herself hadn't noticed, and her tone was even more innocent. "Why are you afraid that I will agree to marry someone else?"
His face instantly turned red, and his sharp eyes dared not look at her anymore. He hesitated for a long time and could not say anything. Baozhu laughed and continued to ask,
"I heard from my mother that you are moving away?"
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