The task of ordering food was left to Ahao, as Murong Yue felt a headache coming on when she saw so many words on the menu.
In other places, menus are hung on the wall.
At most, it would be one wall.
This one, however, was written in a small notebook wrapped in silk.
The notebook was thick and large, filled with dense writing.
Murong Yue had a headache.
After asking Murong Yue's opinion, Ahao ordered the dishes according to the usual amount.
Voices could be heard coming from the small private room next door.
Qi Yuan gave a look to the shadows, and immediately a member of the Imperial Guard flashed away.
Go see who lives next door.
Soon, the Imperial Guards returned and shook their heads at Qi Yuan.
There was no danger; they were just three women.
"Oh dear, I'm really upset because my mother-in-law is going to celebrate her 60th birthday."
Madam Wang looked annoyed.
Mrs. Zhang said this while cracking sunflower seeds.
"I understand you. After all, the old lady next door had a big birthday celebration a few days ago, with sixty tables."
"I heard that a banquet was set up at the entrance."
Another Mrs. Qian said, "Then you won't be having seventy tables this time?"
"We can't let ourselves be outdone."
Madam Zhang: "As you know, the government has issued a notice that families like ours cannot hold banquets with more than twenty tables."
"No more than ten people per table."
Murong Yue listened from next door.
It seems that the Huaizhou prefecture also felt that such pointless comparisons were not good, and even imposed relevant restrictions.
but.
The government stipulated that the number of tables could not exceed twenty.
How did they manage to set up sixty tables?
Sixty is greater than twenty.
Murong Yue understands this.
The next moment, the conversation next door resolved her doubts.
Madam Wang kept fanning herself.
"These sixty tables can be treated to three meals: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening."
"That should be enough to fill sixty tables."
“But even if I have just one more table, whether it’s in the morning, noon, or evening, it will exceed the limit.”
Mrs. Zhang: "Oh dear, calm down."
“Your Wang family is a prominent family in Huaicheng. You can’t let others outdo you.”
There's always a way.
Mrs. Qian: "I do have a way."
"What method? Quickly, let's hear it."
"What's the rush? I've heard that in some places, birthday banquets are held over two days."
Two days?
"Yes, the wedding banquet is held at both the groom's and bride's homes."
“Each family eats three meals a day, and then hosts another banquet for guests after the bride returns to her parents’ home.”
"Isn't that all?"
Mrs. Qian continued unhurriedly.
"You could change this birthday banquet to two days."
"On the first day, the groom's side is invited; on the second day, the bride's side is invited."
"Or invite relatives and friends one day, and friends the next."
"Anyway, there's always a way around the rules!"
"Oh dear, it has to be you again," Madam Wang said, getting up and preparing to leave with her maid.
"You've really helped me a lot. I'll go back and prepare now. Remember to come, both of you!"
Then came the sound of hurried footsteps as they left.
Murong Yue was counting on her fingers.
"Then wouldn't the people of Huaicheng do nothing but eat banquets every day?"
Ah-hao agreed, saying, "Just listening to it makes me feel exhausted."
At that moment, an extremely loud sound came from outside.
"Two servings of smoked water bamboo for the guests in the top-tier private room!"
"Three servings of salt-baked Huainan shrimp for the guests in the premium private room!"
"Fifteen servings of pumpkin and longan soup for the guests in the top-tier private room!"
Then a waiter pushed the door open and entered.
Six people followed behind him.
Two people carried a large tray, on which was placed a large, snow-white porcelain plate.
Such a big portion?
At a glance, the plate was twice the size of a regular plate.
This is terrifying!
They just wanted to have a meal!
However, such a large quantity is indeed worthwhile.
"Please enjoy your meal, distinguished guests. The other dishes will be served shortly."
Then the waiters withdrew.
But after seeing the dishes on the table, everyone frowned deeply.
The plate was so big, but the portion of food was pitifully small.
There wasn't a whole fish, but half a fish.
Only half a piece.
The shrimp were only a small pile about the size of a fist, maybe ten in total?
Ah Hao picked up the menu next to him. "The fish costs five qian of silver, and the shrimp costs eight qian of silver."
Everyone understands.
This price, not to mention Los Angeles.
Even in the capital, at a restaurant of this caliber, you could buy a whole, large fish.
Shrimp... never mind, shrimp is too expensive in Beijing.
If you convert that to braised meat, it's enough to buy a pound of meat.
Murong Yue's stomach was already growling with hunger.
This little bit of food isn't even enough to fill a tooth gap.
"This is too little, Mom, what's going on?" Li Daniu exclaimed from another table.
Grandma Li sighed.
"That's just how Huaicheng is."
"When your father and I came here back then, we visited the shop once."
"After eating two bowls of noodles, I dared not eat them again."
"It's expensive and the quantity is small."
"I thought things would be different after all these years, but I didn't expect the situation to be even more serious. Sigh."
In other parts of Huaizhou, the group also encountered expensive items in small quantities.
But none of them are this outrageous.
Ah Hao carefully observed Murong Yue's expression.
"Master, please eat first, don't go hungry."
Murong Yue nodded.
The imperial physician got up and came over to check the food. Ah Hao first tasted a small bite of each dish.
He then began peeling shrimp for Murong Yue.
A moment later, the loud sound of food being served rang out again from outside.
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