The Ding family was one of Qing Zhou City’s most prominent noble clans, with businesses spanning multiple prefectures and counties. They primarily dealt in grains, textiles, tea, and also operated a century-old shipyard.
Half of the new ships launched annually in Qing Zhou City were built by the Ding family’s shipyard, a testament to its scale.
For ordinary people, gaining an audience with such a household was nearly impossible. Yet today, the family head himself had issued an invitation for Sheng An to visit.
The Ding residence was some distance from the marketplace. Sheng An rode in an exquisitely decorated carriage for about half an hour before stopping at the family’s side gate.
Upon alighting, she saw a long alleyway—the Ding mansion occupied an entire street.
Seeing Steward Yang, the gatekeeper immediately approached respectfully: “You’ve finally returned, sir! The master has sent someone to inquire three times already!”
As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Sheng An, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Was this the person the master wanted to see so early in the morning?
Aside from being prettier than most young women, she didn’t appear particularly remarkable.
But anyone worthy of the master’s personal audience must have extraordinary qualities. This young lady might be about to have great fortune!
“Enough, I’ll take her in now,” Steward Yang dismissed the gatekeeper with a few words, then slightly bowed to Sheng An with a gesture of invitation: “Boss Sheng, please.”
Sheng An nodded: “Thank you for leading the way.”
“Of course.” Steward Yang smiled courteously and walked ahead.
The Ding mansion was vast, with carved beams and painted rafters, soaring pavilions and crimson balconies. The courtyard featured artificial mountains and waterfalls, waterside pavilions and lakes, and murmuring streams—every detail exquisite, every element magnificent…
Even Sheng An, who had seen her share of grandeur, couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
The Ding family was outrageously wealthy!
Sheng An struggled to suppress her envy of the rich, though her expression remained perfectly composed.
Steward Yang glanced back inadvertently and, seeing her calm composure, silently admired her.
This young Niangzi Sheng, despite her youth, possessed remarkable poise. Given time, she might achieve great things.
Remembering the bowl of wonton his foolish son brought home yesterday—cold yet still delicious enough to whet the appetite—Steward Yang felt cravings stir and regretted not queuing for a bowl earlier.
But it didn’t matter. His silly son was currently filling in for Young Niangzi Sheng at the stall, helping sell wontons, and would surely save a portion for his old father.
The more Steward Yang thought about it, the more his mouth watered, and he gave Sheng An an enthusiastic, somewhat fawning smile.
Sheng An: “…”
What’s wrong with this man?
After walking a short while, Steward Yang stopped before a building: “Boss Sheng, please wait here momentarily. This humble one will go announce your arrival.”
Sheng An gave a slight nod as Steward Yang hurried inside, faintly hearing an elderly voice within.
Soon, Steward Yang emerged beaming and once again made an inviting gesture: “Boss Sheng, please follow me.”
In the lavishly decorated main hall, the white-haired Master Ding, over fifty years old, sat in the host’s seat.
Though he appeared calm, deep vertical wrinkles between his brows and his slightly clenched hands on the tea table betrayed inner anxiety.
The moment Sheng An stepped into the hall, she saw what looked like a living Maitreya Buddha.
The person seated in the main position had a plump and full figure, with a belly as round as a drum, seemingly on the verge of bursting through the thin clothing to reveal layers of pale, flabby flesh.
Master Ding had the form of Maitreya Buddha, yet his face lacked the smile symbolizing abundance and blessings. His gaze toward Sheng An carried a hint of scrutiny.
Within that scrutiny, there was also a trace of concealed anticipation.
Master Ding asked in a deep voice, “Are you the proprietress, Miss Sheng?”
“I merely scrape by on the streets to make a living. I dare not claim the title of proprietress before you, Master Ding. Please just call me by my name.”
Sheng An responded with natural grace, showing no sign of unease in the presence of such an important figure.
Seeing this, Master Ding couldn’t help but regard her more highly and instructed Steward Yang beside him, “You may leave now. Bring a pot of fine tea for Niangzi Sheng.”
“Yes, Master,” Steward Yang acknowledged with a bow before retreating.
The spacious parlor was now left with only Sheng An, Master Ding, and Master Ding’s trusted attendant.
Master Ding stroked his beard and asked in a low voice, “Niangzi Sheng’s skill in making Wonton is unparalleled. I wonder if you have any other specialties besides Wonton?”
Uncertain of Master Ding’s intentions, Sheng An replied cautiously, “I know a few home-style dishes. May I ask what you would like me to prepare?”
Master Ding nodded and, without further beating around the bush, directly stated the purpose of inviting her:
“My grandson suffers from Anorexia and has no appetite for food or drink all day. Yesterday, a servant bought a bowl of Wonton from you, and unexpectedly, it sparked my grandson’s appetite.”
Thinking of his grandson in the rear courtyard—so emaciated he was little more than skin and bones, unable to stand without two people supporting him on either side, forced to lie in bed day after day—Master Ding couldn’t hold back the redness in his eyes.
Seeing Master Ding’s expression, Sheng An guessed that Young Master Ding’s Anorexia must be severe enough to threaten his life. Otherwise, with the Ding family’s wealth and connections, they would have long sought out highly skilled physicians to cure him.
After a moment’s thought, Sheng An grew even more cautious. “Did Young Master Ding vomit after eating the Wonton yesterday?”
Otherwise, Master Ding would have simply asked her to continue making Wonton, rather than inquiring about her other culinary skills.
Master Ding was surprised that Sheng An had guessed so accurately. In his agitation, he nodded repeatedly:
“Yes, yes. He ate nearly half a bowl in one go, but then vomited everything moments later. When the kitchen made him a fresh batch of Wonton, he merely smelled it and started vomiting again.”
In the end, he even vomited until he fainted. For the entire day, he could consume nothing but plain water, unable to eat or drink anything else.
They had consulted physicians before. Ever since his grandson developed Anorexia two years ago, he had sought out renowned doctors from all over, even pulling strings to invite an Imperial Physician who had retired from the palace.
Yet, despite consuming no less than ten vats of medicinal decoctions, his grandson’s condition not only failed to improve but worsened, ultimately damaging his internal organs.
During this time, he had also heavily recruited famous chefs from various regions, hoping one could stimulate his grandson’s appetite. But all attempts failed, including those by Imperial Chefs who had served in the palace and their descendants.
After hearing Master Ding’s account, Sheng An began to form a plan in her mind.
Seeing Sheng An remain silent, Master Ding grew anxious. “Niangzi Sheng, if you can help my grandson eat, I will surely reward you handsomely. Even if you cannot succeed, I am willing to offer one hundred taels of Fine Silver!”
Sheng An’s eyes lit up.
Just yesterday, she had been daydreaming about a wealthy patron appearing out of nowhere, providing her with the capital to open a small restaurant.
And now, wasn’t this opportunity right before her?
Meeting Master Ding’s expectant gaze, Sheng An said decisively, “I’d like to meet the young master first.”
Upon hearing this, Master Ding hesitated slightly.
It wasn’t that he suspected the person before him had ulterior motives, but ever since his grandson became bedridden from serious illness, he had refused to see anyone, let alone a stranger.
After careful consideration, Master Ding still nodded in agreement: “I will personally take you there.”
At this point, he stood up and bowed solemnly to Sheng An with cupped hands: “Niangzi Sheng, I beg you to try your best. As long as my grandson is willing to eat, you will be the great benefactor of the entire Ding family!”
His grandson’s health had already deteriorated completely. The physician said that if his grandson continued refusing to eat, he wouldn’t have many days left.
Currently, the only thing that could stimulate his grandson’s appetite was the Wonton made by Niangzi Sheng. No matter what, they had to let Niangzi Sheng try.
Even if the hope for his grandson’s recovery was slim, he would never give up!