Madam Wan ordered a maid to lay out paper and told Guan Xiyue, “Write down the recipe now.”
Guan Xiyue, who had traveled from the 21st century, was stunned. How could these ancient people act so self-righteous?
She retorted, “May I ask, Madam Zhou, did you give all your dowry to Master Zhou?”
Madam Wan froze, and Master Zhou, fuming, blew on his beard and glared: “Nonsense! Am I the kind of man to take my wife’s dowry? Only a useless person would rely on his wife’s dowry.”
Guan Xiyue nodded in agreement: “Exactly. A dowry belongs to Madam Wan; she decides its use. Likewise, my braised pork recipe is my dowry. I decide what to do with it. It belongs to me, doesn’t it?”
Zhou Zhengye frowned and spoke: “What do you mean, ‘yours and mine’? Now that you’re in our Zhou family, you’re one of us. Your recipe naturally belongs to the Zhou family. Would you rather let others benefit than contribute to your own household?”
Guan Xiyue responded quickly: “How is it benefiting others? I sold the recipe for money—it’s my private property. Since you say I’m part of the Zhou family, then give me a small shop to manage. We can share profits fairly and all get rich together.”
The Zhou family was astonished. This concubine, still with mud on her feet, was audaciously asking for a shop!
Zhou Zhengye was even more disgusted: “What right do you have to demand a shop? You were bought as a concubine for my marriage rites. If you displease us, I could sell you off immediately.”
Guan Xiyue paused, forgetting for a moment that she was just a concubine. She was frustrated and enraged—she wanted to smash something at the sky!
But simply giving in quietly was not her style.
She boldly retorted: “Exactly, Young Master Zhou. Have you forgotten? Not long ago, you were bedridden, barely conscious. It was me, your lucky star, who revived you. And this is how you treat the person who saved your life?”
Zhou Zhengye, furious, tried to strike her, but Madam Wan held him back and whispered, “Son, this girl is clever. She revived you. If you hit her, who knows what might happen?”
Her words struck Master Zhou. Zhou Zhengye, being the only heir, could not be harmed. He reluctantly signaled his son to stop.
Zhou Zhengye, humiliated, still refused to submit. He flailed at Guan Xiyue: “I bet you like that pretty face He Ziming, sending him your recipe to curry favor. I won’t allow it! But He Ziming isn’t blind; how could he fall for you? You’re just a foolish pig to be tricked!”
Guan Xiyue, clenching her fists at the insult, smiled sweetly: “Truly, one cannot expect wisdom from a dog’s mouth. You three can stay angry; I won’t entertain you.”
She walked away, ignoring the three of them. Zhou Zhengye slammed his fist on the table: “That shameless woman! I’ll divorce her!”
Madam Wan hurried to soothe him: “You can’t divorce her; she’s our lucky star.”
The commotion upstairs was quickly reported to Madam Yu, who finally relaxed. Lucky star or not, this concubine would never gain favor. No waves would be stirred.
Madam Yu, eager to display her authority, sent a maid to summon Guan Xiyue, intending to lecture her on obedience and virtue, letting the concubine be punished for her insolence.
Two quarters later, the maid returned timidly: “Madam Yu, Concubine Guan says she’s tired and won’t come. She said it’s better for well water not to interfere with the river. If pushed, she might cause a mess. Nobody should expect anything good.”
“What! Such audacity!” Madam Yu flung her teacup to the ground, furious. She wanted to punish Guan Xiyue but feared harming the “lucky star” and being blamed by the couple.
Moreover, such bold methods in the inner residence were rare. As the principal wife, she valued propriety. Even punishing a concubine was usually limited to kneeling or fasting a few days. No need for chaos.
Madam Yu finally said, “Since Concubine Guan is tired, let her rest. Leave her in peace. Don’t disturb her.”
Even the kitchen was instructed not to deliver meals to Guan Xiyue.
Guan Xiyue, immersed in Zhou Zhengye’s threat of “selling her off,” felt powerless. Madam Yu’s punishment left her indifferent.
Xiao Yun grew anxious, feeling that following Guan Xiyue offered no chance for advancement.
Guan Xiyue realized Xiao Yun was unreliable—a simple mutually beneficial relationship was all that existed here. No need for emotional investment.
Since the kitchen didn’t deliver meals, Xiao Yun went but couldn’t collect any. She complained: “You’re a concubine. How can you argue with Master and Madam? You even offended the young master—you’ll never gain favor. It’s better to submit and apologize.”
The buzzing complaint gave Guan Xiyue a headache. She handed Xiao Yun twenty coins to buy some food, which improved the girl’s mood.
With money, they managed to get something to eat. Although Madam Yu had given instructions, servants were greedy—buns, steamed buns—why not grab some for free?
Chef Lao Wang turned a blind eye, leaving two meat buns for the household helpers to deliver as favors.
The next day, the Zhou household was in an even worse mood. Dongkang Restaurant had officially launched the new braised pork, priced at three qian silver per serving.
This was a promotional price; after three days, it would return to five qian per serving.
Many wealthy people in the county flocked to the restaurant. The braised pork sold out and received numerous pre-orders. In contrast, Fulun Restaurant appeared quiet.
If Dongkang maintained this business, imagine the profit!
Guan Xiyue, hearing from the maids and servants, felt a pang of regret. She had sold a goldmine for twenty taels! If only she had her own restaurant…
Master Zhou and Madam Wan sent for her again, this time with a gentle tone and inducements: “Xiyue, we’re one family. Our restaurant will earn more silver. How can we treat you unfairly? The recipe is yours; you can decide if we share it. But we ourselves don’t have it—how can that be right?”