Chapter 44 A cornered dog will jump over the wall
After Mr. Qian and his companions sat down, they didn't rush to order. Instead, they observed with great interest how the diners at the next table were eating. They saw everyone sitting around the stove, their chopsticks flying as they dipped ingredients into the boiling red or milky white broth, their faces all showing expressions of satisfaction and enjoyment.
"This way of eating is quite novel," said Manager Zhou, stroking his goat beard.
"The aroma is spicy and stimulating, yet rich and lingering, as if it has been infused with a lot of spices," Mr. Liu analyzed, squinting his eyes.
The waiter stepped forward and expertly introduced the broth and ingredients. Mr. Qian listened without comment, only saying, "One serving each of spicy broth and clear broth. One serving each of mutton, beef, and your specialty tripe and beef aorta. And a vegetable platter, please."
"Alright! Gentlemen, please wait a moment!" The waiter quickly went to place the order.
Soon, two specially made brass pots were brought out, the charcoal fire blazing, the red oil bubbling, the clear broth milky white, and the aroma growing increasingly rich. Next, plates of thinly sliced, beautifully textured meat, along with cleaned tripe, beef aorta, and other cuts, were placed on the table. The exquisite presentation and fresh appearance drew slight nods of approval from even the most seasoned gourmets.
"This mutton must be from the hind leg of a lamb, with a perfect balance of fat and lean meat, and the cutting is superb," Mr. Qian commented, picking up a slice of mutton, examining it against the light.
The pot boiled, and the meat was added. The group followed the example of others, placing the slices of meat into the boiling broth, still harboring a degree of pickiness and scrutiny in their hearts.
However, the moment the slices of mutton, coated in piping hot broth, are dipped in the special sauce and placed in the mouth—
Mr. Qian suddenly stopped chewing and his eyes widened abruptly!
The exquisite tenderness, the explosion of spicy flavor in his mouth, perfectly complemented by the rich broth, and the final enhancement brought by the garlic and sesame oil in the dipping sauce... an unprecedentedly exhilarating taste experience washed over his taste buds like a tidal wave!
He didn't have time to speak, quickly picked up a piece of tripe, dipped it in the red broth a few times, and put it in his mouth. The crisp and chewy texture, soaked in the delicious broth, almost made him bite his tongue!
Manager Zhou, standing beside him, had no regard for his image. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he was hissing as he kept eating, his chopsticks never stopping as he kept putting meat into the red soup.
Mr. Liu, on the other hand, had a particular fondness for clear broth. He dipped a piece of green vegetable in the broth, savoring its pure, sweet flavor, and exclaimed in amazement, "This broth must have been simmered for a long time with old hen and pork bones, right? It's so delicious!"
For a moment, these gourmets, who had come with a "mission," were completely immersed in enjoying the food and forgot their original purpose. Chopsticks and chopsticks clattered on the table as they devoured the food, and the occasional exchange was all praise for the ingredients, the cooking time, and the broth.
"Wonderful! This red soup is spicy but not dry, numbing but not overpowering; the ratio of spices is simply superb!"
"These tripe and beef aorta are rarely cooked to such a perfect degree in ordinary restaurants; they are incredibly crisp and tender!"
"Paired with this chilled plum juice, it's both refreshing and helps cut through the spiciness and greasiness—so thoughtful!"
Master Qian ate with a ruddy complexion, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He put down his chopsticks, letting out a long sigh of relief, his breath carrying the satisfied aroma of the spicy food. He looked at the people at the table, the scrutiny and subtle contempt in his eyes gone, replaced by genuine admiration.
"Gentlemen," Master Qian said, taking a big gulp of his plum juice, "I have always prided myself on having tasted all the delicacies of Qingzhou, but only today do I realize what 'the ultimate taste in the world' truly means! Before... we were just like frogs in a well, looking at the sky from the bottom of a well."
Shopkeeper Zhou wiped his brow and nodded repeatedly: "Excellent, excellent! The beauty of this hot pot lies in its inclusiveness and freedom. The ingredients can be plentiful or simple, the flavors can be strong or mild, and everyone can gather around the pot, enjoying themselves to the fullest. It is truly a great pleasure in winter! It is a hundred times better than those banquets that look good but taste bad!"
Mr. Liu sighed, "What's even more remarkable is its unique flavor, which is extremely addictive. I think it's no wonder that 'Qingyun Hot Pot Restaurant' is a hit!"
Their undisguised praise, delivered in a loud voice, reached the ears of the surrounding diners and elicited waves of agreement.
"Even Mr. Qian says so! This hot pot must be really delicious!"
"I knew it! This taste is amazing!"
Pei Xuan and Xiao Wu exchanged a smile in the corner, letting out a sigh of relief. Chen Qing, behind the counter, also wore a faint smile. She knew that the approval of these individuals was more powerful than any advertisement.
After a satisfying meal, Mr. Qian and his companions got up to pay the bill. Reaching the counter, Mr. Qian looked at Chen Qing with admiration and a hint of barely perceptible apology in his eyes. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Mr. Chen, I am truly impressed today! This hot pot lives up to its name! I will definitely come to bother you often in the future."
Chen Qing calmly returned the greeting: "It is an honor for Qingyun Pavilion that Master Qian and all the seniors like it. You are welcome to come again."
After seeing off these satisfied gourmands, Chen Qing knew that he had successfully passed this hurdle from the culinary world. Chen Jiao's plan to use someone else to do her dirty work had completely failed; instead, it had inadvertently provided excellent publicity for Qingyun Hot Pot Restaurant.
The news quickly reached the Chen residence.
As Chen Jiao listened to her trusted maid's trembling report on how Master Qian and the others raved about the hotpot and how thoroughly they enjoyed their meal, the color drained from Chen Jiao's face, eventually turning into a horrifying deathly paleness and twisted rage.
The business of Qingyun Hot Pot Restaurant was like a fire in winter, burning ever brighter. Chen Qing's unique broth recipe, carefully selected ingredients, and novel and comfortable dining style completely won over the diners of Qingzhou City. Not only ordinary people would save up for several days to try it, but even many wealthy families frequented the restaurant, trying to recreate the taste at home, but they could never quite get it right, and had to return to Qingyun Restaurant to satisfy their cravings.
That day, Chen Qing returned to Hehuan Courtyard from the shop. When the carriage reached a back street not far from the courtyard, the wheels were blocked by snow and the carriage stopped. She lifted the curtain to check the situation and saw several ragged children huddled together under the eaves of a house at the street corner. Their little faces were blue from the cold, and they were staring longingly at a chimney that was emitting steam in the distance, which was obviously the kitchen of a wealthy family.
A cold wind swirled snowflakes into the carriage, and Chen Qing shivered. The joy he felt from the successful business deal was instantly overshadowed by the scene before him.
"Uncle Wang," she lowered the carriage curtain, her voice somewhat low, "how much grain do we still have in our warehouse?"
Wang Zhong paused for a moment, then replied, "Miss, because we've opened the shop, we've stocked up on a lot of rice and flour. In addition, with the new grain you bought from the estate a few days ago, we have about a hundred bushels left in the storeroom. That's enough for us to eat for a long time."
Chen Qing was silent for a moment, then said, "After we get back, we should take stock of the grain. We should take out fifty shi of rice and some silver to buy some thick coarse cloth and cotton."
Wang Zhong seemed to understand something: "Miss, you mean..."
“The snow disaster is merciless, we can’t just think about our own food and clothing.” Chen Qing looked at the white world outside the window. “Let’s set up a shed next to the shop and start distributing porridge at noon and 5 pm every day from tomorrow. Let’s also ask a few women to make some simple winter clothes with the cloth and cotton and distribute them to families who are really struggling to make ends meet.”
Zhu Yan, who was listening nearby, had slightly reddened her eyes: "Miss, you are kind-hearted."
Chen Qing shook his head: "It's just what I can do, to put my mind at ease."
The news of Chen Qing spread the next day.
A long queue stretched out in the snow, the steaming porridge stall a warm splash of color in the cold winter. Chen Qing did not show up; everything was handled by Wang Zhong, Pei Xuan, and others, and the porridge was thick and substantial, without any skimping.
However, the good deed did not earn unanimous praise.
"Hmph, hypocrite! She's just made a fortune through dirty tricks and is now using this to gain fame and reputation!" Chen Jiao, sitting in the warm pavilion, listened to the news her maid had gathered, her jealousy almost grinding her teeth to powder. "She certainly knows how to win people over! Who knows how much sand was mixed into that porridge!"
Madam Zhang added sinisterly, "That's right! Using our Chen family's money to pretend to be good people! Jiao'er, we absolutely cannot let her be so smug!"
As a result, rumors began to circulate in some teahouses and taverns.
"Have you heard? The porridge Miss Chen provides is made with the worst moldy rice. She won't be responsible if anyone gets sick from it!"
"Isn't it all to gain a good reputation so that her hot pot restaurant can do even better business?"
"I knew it! Where would a woman get such a kind heart..."
These rumors naturally reached Chen Qing's ears. Pei Xuan was so angry that he wanted to find out who spread the rumors, but Chen Qing stopped him.
“The innocent are innocent.” She said calmly as she continued to examine the ledgers. “We keep records of how much rice and firewood our soup kitchen uses each day. The people have discerning eyes. As for those idle gossips, they are nothing more than a few flies buzzing around. Paying attention to them would only elevate them.”
She instructed Wang Zhong to continue distributing porridge as usual, and even to add an extra bucket of broth made from meat and bones each day for the frail elderly and children. Concrete actions speak louder than any explanation. Gradually, the voices of doubt subsided, replaced by genuine gratitude from many impoverished people.
Meanwhile, Chen Jiao's patience had reached its limit. The Zhao family kept delaying the marriage proposal, and Zhao Liyou continued to linger in Qingzhou, refusing to visit the Chen family.
She has been reborn, not to live off this tarnished reputation and crumbling family! She must seize Zhao Liyou and marry into the Zhao family as soon as possible!
A crazy plan began to take shape in her mind.
She learned that Zhao Liyou had recently been frequenting the most famous brothel in the city, where he would drink, make merry, and enjoy singing and dancing with a group of cronies.
"Mother, prepare a set of inconspicuous men's clothing for me, and give me some silver," Chen Jiao said to Zhang Shi, her eyes gleaming with a desperate light.
Zhang was startled: "Jiao'er! What do you want to do? How dare you go to a place like that!"
"I can't just sit here and wait to die!" Chen Jiao grabbed Zhang's hand with astonishing strength. "Zhao Liyou is right there! This is my only chance! As long as he touches me, in front of everyone, the Zhao family will have to marry me for the sake of their reputation!"
Looking at her daughter's almost frantic eyes, Zhang knew that trying to dissuade her was useless and might even drag her down with her. She could only grit her teeth and agree, but her heart was filled with an ominous premonition.
That night, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was brightly lit, filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, and the sounds of singing and dancing. Zhao Liyou was drinking and chatting with several friends in a private room, accompanied by several beautiful courtesans.
A young man dressed in a slightly oversized brocade robe and wearing a veiled hat was led to the empty room next to Zhao Liyouya's under the madam's suspicious gaze. The young man was slender, but his movements were unnaturally stiff. He was Chen Jiao, a woman disguised as a man. She had paid the madam quite a bit of money to sneak in.
Through the gap in the screen, she stared intently at the room next door. Zhao Liyou was clearly quite drunk, his face flushed, and his behavior increasingly frivolous, as he embraced and flirted with a female musician.
Chen Jiao's heart pounded, and her palms were sweaty. She calculated the timing, and when Zhao Liyou got up, seemingly to change her clothes, she immediately followed her out.
In the dimly lit corner of the corridor, she seized her opportunity, pretended to slip, and cried out "Ouch!" as she fell towards Zhao Liyou, who was walking by.
Zhao Liyou, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, instinctively reached out to steady himself, only to find his hand soft and warm. He also caught a whiff of a slightly sweet fragrance, unlike that of courtesans. Looking down, he saw a young man wearing a veiled hat in his arms, but the feel of his body…
Taking advantage of the moment, Chen Jiao grabbed his sleeve tightly, lowering her voice but with a deliberately feigned softness: "Young Master... help me..."
The voice sounded somewhat familiar to Zhao Liyou. He was intoxicated and curious. In addition, the feeling in his arms was different from that of a man. So he half-heartedly pulled Chen Jiao into an empty guest room next door.
"Who are you?" A man's hoarse, lustful voice rang in her ears. Chen Jiao suppressed her disgust and said in a soft, seductive voice, "Young Master Zhao, I have long admired you and wish to gain your favor."
Zhao Liyou lifted Chen Jiao's conical hat, and when she saw Chen Jiao's beautiful face, a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes: "It's you..."
The following day, news quietly spread throughout Qingzhou City—Zhao Liyou, the eldest son of the Zhao family, and Chen Jiao, the third daughter of the Chen family, were getting married soon, and the wedding would be held in a few days.
It turned out that the events at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion that night were cleverly reversed by Chen Jiao's tearful account after Zhao Liyou sobered up. She didn't mention her own scheming at all, only saying that she was lovesick and, upon hearing that Zhao Liyou was lingering at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, felt uneasy. So, the talented woman disguised herself as a man and went there, only wanting to catch a glimpse of him from afar, but unexpectedly, he discovered her... She cried her heart out, perfectly portraying her deep affection.
Zhao Liyou was so infatuated that he decided to marry Chen Jiao, even though she couldn't provide a decent dowry.
Inside the study of the Zhao family's villa, the charcoal fire burned brightly, yet it could not dispel the chill that permeated the two brothers.
Zhao Lige sat at the lower end of the table, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of the rosewood chair. His tone was calm and even: "Elder brother, Mother's meaning is very clear. Miss Chen's actions are inappropriate, but for the sake of both families' reputation, the marriage can proceed. However, it needs to be done quickly and simply, and we should leave Qingzhou as soon as possible."
Zhao Liyou leaned back in the main seat, toying with a jade pendant in her hand, her face showing a languid hangover and a hint of smugness: "Simple? How can that be! Jiao'er is so devoted to me, how can I wrong her? Besides, it's just a wedding, how much money can it cost? Does our Zhao family care about that?"
Zhao Lige paused slightly as he tapped the armrest, then looked up at his elder brother, his gaze sharpening slightly: "Brother, have you forgotten the purpose of our trip to Qingzhou?"
"The marriage alliance was intended to leverage the Chen family's wealth to alleviate Cangcheng's predicament. Now that the Chen family's dowry is hopeless, marrying Miss Chen is merely a way to clean up the mess and avoid an even bigger scandal. The most urgent task is to complete the marriage as soon as possible, and then return to Cangcheng to discuss subsequent countermeasures. With important family responsibilities ahead, how can we afford to waste unnecessary money and energy on empty formalities?"
"A family responsibility? Ha!" Zhao Liyou sat up abruptly like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, slamming the jade pendant heavily on the table. The smugness on her face was instantly replaced by anger. "Zhao Lige! Don't try to intimidate me with the family name! Just because Father sent you along doesn't mean you can boss me around!"
He stood up, pointing down at Zhao Lige with the condescending tone of a legitimate son towards his illegitimate brother: "You're just an illegitimate son! Remember your place! My marriage is none of your business! I can marry however I want! I can give her face if I want! I can spend the Zhao family's money however I want! Is it any of your business?"
The words "illegitimate son" were like two poisoned ice spikes, piercing Zhao Lige's heart. His fingers, which were tapping the armrest, tightened instantly, his knuckles turning white, but his face remained expressionless. Only his deep eyes seemed to darken further, as if there were undercurrents surging within them, which he forcibly suppressed.
He slowly stood up, his posture as upright as a pine tree, showing no sign of shrinking from Zhao Liyou's insults. He no longer looked at Zhao Liyou, his gaze turning to the swirling snowflakes outside the window. His voice was deep and clear, carrying a cold quality:
“Since you have made up your mind, elder brother, I have nothing more to say. I just want to remind you that the situation in Cangcheng is in a mess, and the elders of the clan have limited patience. If you delay the opportunity because of your momentary impulse, elder brother, and cause the clan to fall into an even greater predicament, then I'm afraid it won't be something that can be dismissed with a simple ‘I, a illegitimate son, spoke out’.”
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