ed a bow to the crowd."Our family is going through a difficult time, and I truly appreciate everyone's kindness today. I will take him back home to handle things for now, and I promise to give you all...Li Zhensheng patted his younger brother's shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't make that strange face. We have four brothers in the family, over twenty people in total. Can everyone get along perfectly Someone has to play the role of the villain, right"
"Coincidentally, I haven't been home lately. If something were to happen, everyone would say that the Wang family corrupted me! Let's get the Wang family to take the blame!"
Li Lao Er knew his elder brother didn't want him to be upset, so he quickly put away the bitterness in his heart and replied, "Don't worry, Big Brother. I'll often go stay with Mr. Wen and listen to what's happening in court."
"That's right, don't worry about home. Just keep things going here." Li Zhensheng praised his younger brother and then picked up his niece. "Come on, let's go find grandma and see how your mother's banquet is coming along"
Then they went out.
In the front hall, with more and more guests arriving, the aroma wafting from the kitchen caught their attention. Someone couldn't help but ask, "What new dishes are being served today"
"No, it's Baihuaxiang's private dish, the second table is open today. Master Dong brought his family over to have a meal!"
"Mr. Dong, you reserved two tables" the guest was surprised and added, "This private dish must be good, otherwise, with Mr. Dong's discerning palate, he wouldn't bring his family here for a second time."
The young man grew increasingly pleased with himself, replying, “Of course! Our chef’s ancestors were imperial cooks, and they can tailor the menu to a customer’s liking.
"
For instance, today, Old Mrs. Dong is fond of dumplings. Our head chef has made them with cucumber and egg filling, and they are being cooked in the kitchen right now. The aroma is so enticing that I dare not linger nearby, for fear my saliva will flow like a river."
The diners all broke into smiles and started talking; the Dong family had arrived.
The steward led the elderly, children, and everyone else upstairs first, then greeted the others.
Someone asked, "Master Dong, you've come here for two meals in a row now. Is this private cuisine really that good"
"Of course," Dong Yuanwai nodded, smiling. "It's not just that the food is delicious, you don't know, this private room is called Hundred Flowers Fragrance, and inside are famous flowers."
"I'm not afraid of being laughed at, but I couldn't sleep all night last night because I was so eager to see what flowers would be on display today."
Before his words even hit the ground, his youngest son ran down, shouting, "Father, there's a potted golden plum tree on the upper floor! Mother told me to call you."
"Really" Master Dong hurriedly bowed to the crowd and then quickly ran upstairs. It's truly amazing how someone so plump could move with such agility.
The crowd downstairs heard this and felt itchy, but the Dong family was reunited. They didn't want to disturb them.
But the guests in the other boxes on the third floor, being so close, took the opportunity to greet acquaintances of Dong Yuanwai and then entered Baihuaxiang to see the golden plum blossom with their own eyes.
> Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
And today, this pot is placed in the center of the rotating table, standing alone and beautiful.
And in the corner and by the window there were four ordinary plum blossom trees, planted in small earthenware pots.
Although not as showy as Plum Blossom, it also carries a subtle fragrance that lifts the spirits upon smelling it.
Just then, the kitchen started bringing out the dishes.
The dumplings are crystal clear and pearly white, the roast duck is fragrantly delicious, the cherry pork is vibrantly red, the water boiled beef slices are spicy and savory, and the fish balls and mushroom soup are fresh and tender...
This made the guests who came to see the flowers very regretful, wondering how they hadn't snatched up this second private dish earlier.
Otherwise, one wouldn't be salivating, craving both flowers and vegetables.
The host invited them to stay for a meal, and of course they couldn't refuse such a kind offer. It wouldn't be polite to disrupt their family gathering.
So, they politely bid farewell and went out to hire a young boy. They then started making reservations for a private chef's meal.
In the kitchen, Tao Hongying had just finished the last dish, wiping the sweat from her forehead and tidying up before going to find her mother-in-law and daughter.
As a result, as soon as she stepped out the door, her niece came running to announce the good news, “Auntie Four, someone ordered three tables of private dishes again”
"Really" Tao Hongying smiled with delight, "This is wonderful."
Of course, all craftsmen hope to earn more money to support their families, but this recognition makes them even happier.
Mrs. Li and Jia Yin heard this from the private room and both came out.
Jiao Yin hugged her mother's leg and cried happily, "My mother is the best! My mother cooks the most delicious food!"
Tao Hongying hugged her chubby daughter and gave her a big kiss on the face.
Only she in the whole family knew best that today's success was at least half her daughter's doing.
Without the secret recipes and special ingredients that her girlfriends sneakily gave her, there wouldn't be so many delicious new dishes.
And those famous courtesans in the private rooms, the steward of Hou's household and Ye Shan ran around everywhere, buying back mostly unbloomed flower saplings, or some were just seeds.
But once it arrived at the Ye family's courtyard and was brought back out, it blossomed into this magnificent display that astounds everyone today.
There’s no denying the amazing abilities of girl friends…
"My little Fu Niu'er is amazing! Mama, I must be so lucky to have you as her mother." Tao Hongying sighed with emotion and kissed her daughter several times.
Jia Yin was shy, hiding in her mother's shoulders, hugging her mother's neck and twisting back and forth.
Everyone was laughing, Li Lao Tai patted her granddaughter's back and said reproachfully, "My little Fu Niu has grown up, she actually knows how to be shy!"
Li Laer stood beside his mother, blocking the cold wind. He suggested, "Mother, there's nothing much happening here. Why don't we go back first"
Li Zhensheng also quickly chimed in, “Yes, Mother, there are me and Jiaran here.”
Li Laotai didn't insist either, and smiled, "Alright, then let's go back first."
Soon, Ye Shan hurried to the back gate in a carriage. The whole family got on and returned to Suijin Beach.
At this time of year, the people of Suijintan have also begun to hibernate.
Apart from the elderly men responsible for patrolling, who gathered by the sheltered wall to bask in the sun and chat idly, there was no one else outside.
Upon entering the house, Old Mrs. Li called for He MaMa to take Jia Yin to wash her hands and change her clothes.
Taking advantage of the opening, she slipped into Lao Er's room and whispered to her son.
"Lao Er, these past two days I've been wanting to ask you something. You... are you thinking of remarrying That Gong girl..."
Before I could finish, Li Lao Er's face flushed red, and he waved his hand angrily.
"Mother, you're overthinking! I haven't thought about remarrying at all! And even if I did, I'd find someone my own age. How could I possibly marry that Gong girl She's only a few years younger than Jiaren!"
"Lao Li breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still puzzled and asked, "Since you have no feelings for Miss Gong, why do you treat her so well... We thought you had fallen for her!"
Li Lao Er's face was so hot it could fry an egg. He quickly replied, "Mother, Gong girl's father was also killed while studying abroad, and their family gradually fell into decline because of this."
"I thought of how our family suffered because of my eldest brother, so I felt sorry for all the siblings and took extra care of them. Besides, I always follow proper etiquette and have never been out of line!" him not to be so polite, to hurry back to the village. They said there would definitely be a feast at his house tonight, and things would be getting lively soon…As expected, two more tables were set...