After hearing Lu Zhao say yes, Qiao Mianmian quickly followed up, “Lord Lu, do you have any food restrictions? Or preferences? I remember you can’t eat spicy food—anything else you avoid?”
Her expression was full of eagerness. When Lu Zhao said no, she continued, “Then I’ll cook freely. See you at my house tomorrow.”
Lu Zhao glanced at her. Seeing her eyes curved in a smile, he felt she was being a bit overly enthusiastic.
But he was busy heading to work and had to leave first.
Lin Shi, however, watched his departing figure with a smile and leaned toward Qiao Mancang. “Don’t you think Lord Lu would be a good match if he’s not married?”
“What are you thinking? Mianmian is still young,” Qiao Mancang frowned.
“Not that young. She’ll come of age next year. It’s fine to start looking early,” Lin Shi said, sensing from her daughter’s expression that she might also think well of Lu Zhao.
Of course, Qiao Mianmian was only trying to build a good relationship. As a commander in the City God Office, even the prefect had to show Lu Zhao some respect. If they got along well with him, who would dare bully their family?
She wanted to win people over with food, unaware that her mother had already started evaluating him.
As more customers arrived, the stall grew busy again.
The young master from the Luo family, who had eaten Qiao Mianmian’s cooking yesterday, sent Luo Da again to order food. This time, Luo Da said his young master liked trying new dishes and asked if there was anything different.
“There are some, but they were meant for our own family, so they’re not on the menu,” Qiao Mianmian replied.
She explained that they had a large bighead carp. “The fish head can be made into chopped chili fish head, or if you don’t want spicy, fish head tofu soup—it’s very fresh. There’s also a lamb leg, which can be braised or roasted. We also have dried bamboo shoots for braising meat. And anything from my father’s meat stall can be cooked. These aren’t on the menu—see if anything interests you.”
“Then I’ll take fish head tofu soup and a large portion of braised pork with dried bamboo shoots. I’ll bring some home for the children. No lamb—the smell is too strong for my young master,” Luo Da said.
“Alright, same time as yesterday. I’ll have my brother deliver it,” Qiao Mianmian noted the order and sent her brother home to soak the bamboo shoots.
The lamb leg had been given by the Hu family. Since the Qiao family started making braised dishes, Lin Shi occasionally sent some over. The Hu family felt embarrassed to accept so much without giving back, so they gifted the lamb leg.
Qiao Mianmian didn’t mind the taste of lamb. Since it wasn’t wanted, they would eat it themselves.
She marinated the lamb leg with cooking wine, scallions, ginger, and spices, planning to roast it later when business slowed.
Lin Shi watched with a pained expression. “It’s just for our own family—why not just boil it? You’re using so many spices and so much chili powder. These all-cost money!”
“In marinating lamb, you need more spices, or it won’t taste good,” Qiao Mianmian said with a grin, gently pushing her mother aside. “If it pains you, don’t watch—just wait to eat.”
Lin Shi couldn’t bear to scold her daughter and instead glared at Qiao Mancang. “Look at the daughter you’ve spoiled.”
Qiao Mancang didn’t dare respond.
Taking advantage of the lull, Qiao Mianmian began prepping ingredients. “Mother, since we eat breakfast earlier now and dinner is sometimes late, how about we switch to three meals a day?”
Lin Shi hesitated—adding another meal meant more expenses.
“If we stay hungry too long, our bodies won’t hold up. Health is most important. If we collapse from exhaustion, how will we earn money?” Qiao Mianmian reasoned.
She gave an example of a neighbor who starved himself to save money and died young.
Lin Shi was uneasy hearing that. “Let me think about it. If we’re hungry, we still have dried sweet potatoes.”
“But you only give one or two pieces each time—how is that enough?” Qiao Mianmian countered, mentioning her second brother’s heavy labor work.
She stopped pressing further, knowing habits took time to change.
By noon, she began preparing Luo family’s dishes.
She cut pork belly into chunks, caramelized sugar, and stir-fried the pork until coated in a rich color. Then she added hot water and bamboo shoots and let it simmer slowly in a clay pot.
When the pork became tender and melt-in-the-mouth, she tasted it. The bamboo shoots remained slightly chewy while absorbing the savory broth—a perfect balance of richness and freshness.
“Mother, let’s cook this for Lord Lu tomorrow—it’s really good,” she said.
Lin Shi swallowed. “It smells amazing. I’ve made this before—why isn’t mine as fragrant?”
Qiao Mancang teased, “How much meat do you use compared to her?”
Lin Shi huffed and sent him back to selling meat.
Qiao Mianmian then made fish head tofu soup—simple yet flavorful. Soon, the broth turned milky white, releasing a rich aroma.
Aunt Wu passed by and asked what she was cooking, impressed by the smell. She even invited Qiao Mianmian to cook for her son’s wedding.
Before Qiao Mianmian could respond, Lin Shi declined tactfully, suggesting her daughter lacked experience for such a big event.
After Aunt Wu left, Lin Shi muttered, “If she really let us handle it, I’d throw sand into the dishes!”
Qiao Mianmian laughed. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t accept. But if we get other opportunities, hosting a banquet could earn good money.”
Lin Shi agreed—wealthy families could pay several taels and even give extra rewards.
After delivering the dishes to the Luo family, fireworks were heard in the distance. Soon, Qiao Jiawang returned with news: someone had passed the provincial exam and become a xiucai.
“Has Xu Mingxuan returned yet?” Lin Shi wondered.
Qiao Mianmian didn’t care much—it didn’t affect her.
She lit charcoal and began roasting the lamb leg.
As it roasted, the skin crisped and crackled. She cut a piece and handed it to her brother.
“It’s delicious!” he said immediately.
The aroma spread far, attracting passersby who asked if it was for sale. Qiao Mianmian refused—it was for family.
Lin Shi whispered anxiously about losing money, but Qiao Mianmian insisted they shouldn’t deprive themselves.
At that moment, Lu Zhao and Qing Jiu passed by. Qing Jiu was nearly in tears from the smell, but they left without stopping.
Qiao Mianmian noticed them too late. “Why did they leave so fast? I wanted them to try some.”
The next day, Qing Jiu would regret missing it.
That evening, the family gathered for dinner—roasted lamb with rice and bone soup.
After eating, they passed by the Xu residence and saw firecrackers. Xu Mingxuan had passed the exam.
Xu’s wife invited the Qiao family to help host a celebratory banquet.
Lin Shi immediately agreed.
Qiao Mancang hesitated, reminding her of Aunt Wu, but Lin Shi brushed it off. “We can choose which jobs to take.”
Qiao Mianmian supported her.
They returned home as neighbors discussed Xu Mingxuan’s success—the first xiucai in their alley.
The next morning, the topic was still being talked about everywhere.
As Qiao Mianmian stepped outside, she saw Lu Zhao in casual clothes. He looked even more handsome than usual.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she reminded him, “Lord Lu, don’t forget to come for dinner today!”