Chef Kong reluctantly followed Auntie Mu outside. Yao Chengcheng quickly dressed, her heart seething with anger. She had never intended to make enemies with anyone, so she couldn’t understand why Chef Kong harbored such animosity toward her!
A moment later, Yao Chengcheng finished dressing and stepped outside, where Chef Kong was still glaring at her.
Yao Chengcheng ignored her completely, turning instead to Auntie Mu with a respectful bow. “Auntie.”
Auntie Mu said, “Explain yourself.”
Yao Chengcheng had already prepared her explanation inside. She had previously mentioned the ingredients to Auntie Mu, though she hadn’t officially recorded them. Auntie Mu had subtly signaled to her earlier, making her intentions clear—
She needed a plausible reason.
Yao Chengcheng replied, “Auntie, I did use some of the kitchen’s ingredients to test dishes for the Prince. I made sure each dish was perfected before sending it to him.”
Chef Kong scoffed, “You’re lying! We work in the same kitchen, and I’ve never seen you test any dishes!”
Yao Chengcheng met her gaze unflinchingly. “Are you with me every moment of the day? How can you be sure I didn’t test dishes privately? Chef Kong, I know why you’re slandering me today. My culinary skills weren’t born with me—they were honed through practice. Should I have invited you to join me while I practiced? What, are you my apprentice?”
“You—!”
Chef Kong’s face darkened, humiliated by Yao Chengcheng’s retort.
Auntie Mu glanced at Chef Kong. “How much of the missing ingredients did you discover?”
“How much…”
Chef Kong thought for a moment. “Not… not much, maybe around ten catties in total.”
Yao Chengcheng rolled her eyes inwardly. Was this meager amount enough to frame her? The Kong woman truly lacked patience!
Auntie Mu sighed. “You’re always so impulsive! Chef Yao actually informed me about the dish testing beforehand. Let’s not bring this up again.”
Chef Kong looked up sharply. “But Auntie, that’s against the rules!”
“Rules? This is the Prince’s estate. The Prince is the rule! If you could cook dishes that earn the Prince’s praise, you could set the rules too.”
Chef Kong froze, a shadow of frustration crossing her face.
“And what about this soap ball?! Chef Yao, where did you get it?”
She prided herself on being a respected figure in the estate, yet she had never used such fine goods!
Yao Chengcheng smiled. “Chef Kong, I brought this soap ball with me. Although I work as a chef in the estate, I am still the daughter of an official family. Using something you’ve never seen before… doesn’t seem so unusual, does it?”
Daughter of an official family?
Chef Kong’s eyes widened.
“What did you say…”
Auntie Mu interjected, “That’s right. She is the second daughter of the Yao family. It’s just a soap ball, Kong. Was it really necessary to make such a fuss?”
Chef Kong stammered, “I… I…”
Auntie Mu shook her head. “Enough. Considering you’re a veteran of the estate, I won’t reprimand you further. Just reflect on your actions. Chef Yao, come with me for a moment.”
Yao Chengcheng nodded and followed.
“Kong has a fiery temper and strong pride. She’s struggling to accept this, so don’t take it to heart.”
Yao Chengcheng smiled. “I understand, Auntie. I’m not too bothered by it.”
She dared to invite Auntie Mu with less than ten catties of ingredients and a single soap ball, which shows this person’s mind can’t be all that sharp.
Nothing to fear.
Auntie Mu: “It’s good that you understand.
Chef Yao, what I told you earlier was certainly not baseless. Those were indeed minor issues, but you should know what the real problem I care about is.”
Auntie Mu’s gaze still held a hint of authority. Yao Chengcheng nodded: “Don’t worry, I understand. I can also assure you that everything I said is entirely true.”
Auntie Mu nodded: “Alright, go and rest.”
Yao Chengcheng bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
After this whole misunderstanding, Yao Chengcheng was truly speechless.
Back in her room, she couldn’t help but ask Bobojii: “When can I reach level three? I want to farm my own land!”
[The host still needs 480 Satisfaction Points to level up. The System sold egg tarts this afternoon and accumulated another 20 Satisfaction Points.]
Yao Chengcheng calculated. Relying on casual customers definitely wouldn’t work; she still had to count on Fu Yuanzheng.
So she pondered tomorrow’s menu in her mind, carefully considered Chef Kong’s character, and then slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep…
Meanwhile, Auntie Mu was whispering something to Fuman in the Qinzhu Courtyard.
Fuman had a toothache: “Chef Kong is actually that foolish?”
“Exactly. But, Eunuch, do you think such a trivial matter should be reported to the Prince?”
Fuman was also unsure. Suddenly, a voice came from above—
“It should be told.”
Anying appeared out of nowhere.
“You rascal, you scared me to death!” Fuman jumped in fright and immediately swatted him with his horsetail whisk.
Anying didn’t mind at all, jumping down: “The Prince is paying special attention to that little chef. This matter should be reported.”
Fuman gritted his teeth: “I know. Stop appearing and disappearing like a ghost. How are things with the Yao family?”
“Upon hearing the news, they were overjoyed.”
“Not pretending?”
“Impossible. I watched for half a day.”
Auntie Mu was puzzled: “What matter with the Yao family?”
Fuman whispered a few words, and Auntie Mu’s eyes widened.
“Alright, I’ll go report this matter to the Prince. Both of you, withdraw.”
After speaking, Fuman turned and walked toward Fu Yuanzheng’s room. Anying nodded to Auntie Mu and vanished again in an instant.
Fu Yuanzheng sat at his desk, holding a book scroll. Only after Fuman finished speaking did he slightly move his eyes.
“How did she explain it?”
Fuman smiled: “Chef Yao said it was a tasting, and that soap ball was something she brought herself.”
“Brought herself…”
Fu Yuanzheng suddenly curled his lips, devoid of warmth.
After the selection, she was kept here without even bringing much clothing. Why would she bring a soap ball?
A trace of inquiry flashed again in Fu Yuanzheng’s eyes.
“Tomorrow morning, have her come see me.”
“Yes.”
Fuman turned to leave, but Fu Yuanzheng added: “Forget it. Let’s not startle the snake. Tomorrow morning, when she comes to deliver the meal, tell her about the Yao family’s matter.”
Things are only fun when they’re sudden.
Fuman smiled: “Yes, this servant understands.”
…
Yao Chengcheng had a good night’s sleep, and the bad mood from last night was completely swept away.
After quickly tidying herself up, she went to the main kitchen. Today’s ingredients had already been delivered.
“Lotus root?! How can there be lotus root now?”
Seeing the lotus root, Yao Chengcheng was truly surprised. This was a delicacy from late summer.
Chunyan explained with a smile, “The Prince’s Manor doesn’t follow seasonal restrictions for vegetables—we have greenhouse produce. These lotus roots come from a specially built pond tended by the manor’s vegetable farmers, who nurture them year-round and deliver them exclusively for the Prince to enjoy in spring.”
Yao Chengcheng clicked her tongue in amazement. Truly, a wealthy household.
The extravagance of ancient dynasties was beyond what an ordinary person like her could comprehend.
“Alright, then today I’ll make honey-glazed sticky rice lotus root for the Prince, along with a plate of candied fruit. We’ll prepare them in the afternoon. This morning, I’ll focus on making soup dumplings.”
Chunyan and the others were already accustomed to hearing about different dishes every day, so they didn’t ask further and simply helped her efficiently with the preparations.
The essence of soup dumplings lies in the aspic. Its benefits aren’t visible when wrapping the dumplings, but once steamed, the thin dough wraps around the savory broth, and even the slightest touch with chopsticks seems to release the flavorful soup.
Yao Chengcheng still went to deliver breakfast to Fu Yuanzheng, already calculating how many Satisfaction Points she could earn today.
“Chef Yao, you’ve finally arrived. Please come in quickly. The Prince has been waiting for you for a while.”
Yao Chengcheng was puzzled. As she entered the inner room, all the maids immediately knelt before her.
“Greetings, Madam. We pay our respects to Madam.”
Yao Chengcheng was so startled she nearly dropped the tray in her hands.
Who?
Who is Madam?
Surely it couldn’t be her?