Сhарtеr 23: Hot Роt
“Yоur Нighnеss, I recall thаt thе Jiangnan dаm was reinfоrсеd just twо уеars аgо. Ноw could it hаve collaрsеd this yеаr? Тhаt shоuldn’t be роssiblе.”
Someоnе raisеd the question.
“Lоrd Zheng must hаve forgottеn who thе Jiangnаn Gоvernor is.”
Jiаngnan Governоr Таng Yuаn was the brоthеr-in-lаw оf the Eighth Рrincе. This man hаd taken sоmeonе else’s impеriаl еxаminаtion spot tо seсurе his officiаl positiоn and rаnk. Тhе Emрeror, оut of cоnsidеrаtion for the Eighth Prince, had turnеd а blind eye. Ovеr thе years, rеlуing on the Eighth Prince’s backing, Tang Yuan had grown even more brazen, amassing wealth extensively in Jiangnan. Now, he even dared to embezzle disaster relief funds.
“Lord Wang, are you saying Tang Yuan lined his own pockets by skimping on the funds for reinforcing the dam? But… how could he hide this from the Emperor?”
Even they could uncover such matters; surely the Emperor must have known long ago. Tang Yuan’s audacity made it seem as if he truly believed the Eighth Prince could protect him.
The Crown Prince’s gentle face darkened with gloom. The Emperor was advanced in years and had recently become obsessed with alchemy. The Eighth Prince had found him a spiritual medium, and with that medium present, the Emperor now believed whatever the Eighth Prince said.
The others had also realized this, and for a moment, the hall fell into a heavy silence.
Although the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir, the Eighth Prince was watching covetously. This time, it was likely the matter would be brushed aside lightly.
It was only the common people who would suffer.
Pei Zhao stepped forward. “Your Highness, Jiangnan is the nation’s granary. With this year’s flood disaster, the relief grain likely won’t reach the people. My subordinates have reported that many refugees are already on their way to the capital. Rather than sending relief grain to Jiangnan only for Tang Yuan to embezzle it, it would be better to establish relief shelters in the capital to accommodate the refugees.”
The state granary’s reserves were limited, and this year’s harvest had been poor. The most they could do was allocate more grain to aid the refugees.
However, the pressure on the Crown Prince would increase. Intercepting the relief grain would surely give the Eighth Prince grounds to attack him.
“Good. I’ll follow Chengyuan’s advice. The task of aiding the refugees will also be entrusted to you.”
After a moment of contemplation, the Crown Prince adopted Pei Zhao’s suggestion.
As long as more common people could be saved, he was not afraid of the Eighth Prince’s backstabbing.
“Yes.”
…
In mid-July, Xi Ning’s new shop opened.
She used the hundred taels of silver she had to purchase the shop next to Xi’s Shop. After renovations, the once dimly lit storefront became bright and spacious.
This shop was twice the size of Xi’s Shop. It had two chefs, two assistants for ingredient preparation, and along with other staff for washing and serving, there were eight people in total.
The workers were still purchased from Aunt Wang, all signing lifelong contracts with Xi Ning. They were honest, capable, and diligent individuals. Over the past few days, busy with the shop’s opening, Xi Ning had come to understand their characters.
“Miss Rendong, will we have any customers selling hot pot in the middle of summer?”
Qiu Niangzi, responsible for washing, asked with a worried expression.
“How could that be? Which of the young lady’s dishes hasn’t sold well? Hot pot is so delicious; surely many people will like it.”
Rendong was Xi Ning’s devoted admirer, blindly confident in any decision Xi Ning made.
Hearing Qiu Niangzi’s words, she immediately refuted her.
Qiu Niangzi looked embarrassed. “Miss Rendong, I’m just worried, not that I don’t trust the young lady…”
She feared Rendong might get angry. She had finally found a good job, and if she lost it, her mother-in-law would surely beat her to death.
Rendong wasn’t a petty person and waved her hand dismissively.
“Anyway, you’ll see soon enough. The young lady is incredibly capable—there’s nothing she can’t accomplish.”
If Xi Ning were here, she would have refuted that.
Who said there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish? Hadn’t she failed to retrieve her own deed of indenture?During the half-month renovation of the hot pot restaurant, customers in the northern part of the city had already taken notice. Especially upon learning it was opened by Xi Ning, the food enthusiasts grew even more excited.
What delicious food was Miss Xi planning to sell this time, going so far as to acquire another shop?
However, some looked down on it. A kept woman not staying home to serve her man properly, instead venturing into this vulgar business—truly shortsighted.
Xi’s Shop had gained popularity with a few novel dishes, and now she thought she had a talent for business, opening yet another shop.
Even Xi’s Shop isn’t doing well now—does she really expect this new place to succeed?
Many in the northern part of the city were just watching for amusement.
Xi Ning paid no mind, proceeding step by step with the preparations for the grand opening.
Naturally, Xi Ning was present for the opening of the new shop.
After Gouzi set off two strings of firecrackers at the entrance, Xi Ning pulled down the red silk covering the shop sign. The four large characters “Xi’s Shop Hot Pot” hung prominently above the doorframe, drawing the attention of passersby.
“Hot pot? What’s that?”
It was the first time they had heard such a name. The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, unable to imagine what kind of food “hot pot” could be.
Seeing the growing crowd of onlookers, Xi Ning gave Gouzi a meaningful look. Gouzi, quick on the uptake, produced a brass gong and struck it with a loud clang.
“Xi’s Shop Hot Pot opens today! All items 20% off, plus free drinks!”
He shouted while striking the gong, enticing many to consider it.
They were well aware of how delicious the food at Xi’s Shop was. If not for the fear of offending Princess Changle, they would have continued patronizing it.
But over the past half-month, Princess Changle had not caused any further trouble—likely having forgotten the matter. With their concerns alleviated, they dared to visit again.
“20% off—should we go in and take a look?”
“Let’s go!”
More and more customers entered. The menu, as before, was written on thin wooden boards, with one placed at each table.
A young waiter took notes with paper and brush. “What kind of broth would you like, guests? We have spicy, tomato, and clear broth. Of course, you can also choose a combination pot with two flavors.”
“Spicy? Tomato? What kind of broths are these?” They had never heard of such things.
The waiter smiled as he explained, “The spicy broth is our shop’s signature secret recipe—guaranteed to be something you’ve never tasted before. The tomato broth is sweet and sour, unique to the capital and perfect for those who can’t handle spice. How about a combination pot so you can try both?”
“Alright, we’ll take your recommendation!”
After choosing the broth, they began ordering dishes: fatty lamb, black-bone chicken, fish slices, shrimp paste, pork belly, duck intestines, duck blood—all ordered in portions. They also added various sides like potatoes, radishes, spinach, glass noodles, sweet potato noodles, and tofu.
Though many of the dishes were unfamiliar, everyone felt that anything Xi Ning made would surely be delicious.
Hot pot dishes were served quickly. Each table first received a peculiar pot, with charcoal burning beneath it. One side held the spicy broth, the other the tomato broth. Though both were red in color, their aromas were entirely different.
As the broth began to simmer, the spicy fragrance filled the air. Many of these customers had previously tasted prickly ash oil, but its mild spiciness paled in comparison to chili peppers. The intense aroma of the spicy broth was so stimulating that many coughed from the pungency.
“Cough! Cough! Third Brother, this flavor is truly bold—spicy and pungent, yet so fragrant it makes your mouth water. I’ve never smelled anything like it before. I picked a good spot, didn’t I?”
Shen Ji pulled Pei Zhao inside. Though both had deliberately dressed down to avoid attention, they still stood out in the humble shop.
Especially Pei Zhao’s familiar cold expression, which silenced the customers in the shop with fear.Shen Ji had not yet noticed anything amiss, his mind wholly focused on the food as he pulled Pei Zhao to sit in an empty seat.
Rendong spotted the two and exclaimed in delight, “Miss, it’s Third Master!”
Hearing this, Shen Ji looked over and saw Xi Ning, his eyes instantly lighting up.
“Third Brother, look, that’s Miss Xi—my future wife!”