When Guan Xiyue went again to deliver food to Ling Jingren, she found the room empty.
She couldn’t help but marvel: martial artists in this era recover incredibly fast. Such a large wound, yet his healing was remarkable.
What she didn’t know was that Ling Jingren had been found by the royal guards and was carried over the wall in the middle of the night while everyone else was asleep.
Guan Xiyue, still pondering ways to earn money, had no immediate solution.
Then the head chef, Lao Wang, came to find her because Master Zhou wanted that mouthwatering braised pork again.
Guan Xiyue didn’t want to keep it a secret—she only asked if he had any star anise left.
She learned that the star anise came from Cangwu Country, brought by a traveling merchant, and as far as he knew, it wasn’t yet popular in Dàníng. Only after tasting Guan Xiyue’s braised pork did people realize its potential.
Guan Xiyue sighed. Even a clever cook is limited without the right ingredients. Still, she suggested that adding a little rock sugar during braising could improve the flavor slightly.
Lao Wang thanked her repeatedly and decided to treat her better in the future.
He also reminded her that, since this spice hadn’t yet hit the market, there was opportunity in it.
Excited, Guan Xiyue “connected” to the elf: “How much star anise can I buy with my four qian of silver?”
The elf quickly replied: “Half a jin.”
Quite expensive. Guan Xiyue winced but, thinking “fortune favors the bold,” bought the half jin and stored it in the space.
She then took Xiao Yun and sneaked out the back door again, heading to the most luxurious restaurant in town, Dongkang Restaurant.
Xiao Yun was confused; they had no money and didn’t know what Guan Xiyue planned.
Guan Xiyue noticed Xiao Yun might get in the way and gave her twenty copper coins, telling her to go enjoy herself.
Xiao Yun was delighted, feeling a genuine warmth: “Auntie, what will you do here? If anything happens, I’m just a little maid—I can’t help!”
Guan Xiyue waved her hand: “It’s fine. I have a relative working here; I’ll get some information. Come back in an hour.”
Relieved, Xiao Yun happily ran off.
The waiter sized up Guan Xiyue politely: “Please, take a seat. How many?”
Guan Xiyue felt a small sense of satisfaction. As long as no one looked down on her, she could bear her appearance, even though she was chubby and not particularly attractive.
But when she mentioned selling a recipe mysteriously, the waiter bristled: “Our restaurant is the best in Quqing County—flavor and environment unmatched. Why would we need someone selling a recipe?”
Guan Xiyue knew it was true; recipes weren’t easy to sell, and every restaurant had its signature dishes.
Seeing the manager approach, she bypassed the waiter and said: “Master Manager, look at the restaurant across the street—Fulin Tower. You’ve competed with them for a long time. I have a dish that could make you surpass them.”
The manager wasn’t easily fooled: “Young lady, you’re confident. But our head chef was specially brought from the capital—he wouldn’t dare make such claims.”
Guan Xiyue smiled confidently: “Why not borrow your kitchen for a trial? Facts speak louder than words. I’ll cook the dish, and you decide whether to use the recipe. You lose nothing.”
The manager found this acceptable. It was the afternoon; the kitchen was free, so she could try.
Guan Xiyue cleared the kitchen, leaving only two helpers. Even just observing the technique wouldn’t help; most importantly, there was the star anise.
Within two quarters of an hour, Guan Xiyue skillfully prepared the braised pork. The aroma wafted through the kitchen, and everyone gathered around the glistening dish, amazed. They had never seen it made like this.
The manager and head chef tasted it. The meat was tender, flavorful, fatty but not greasy. They unconsciously ate several pieces, exchanged glances, and nodded subtly.
Guan Xiyue was invited to a private room to discuss terms with the manager. She knew the deal was done; now it was about price.
The manager offered ten taels of silver for the recipe.
Guan Xiyue didn’t hesitate and started to leave. The manager called her back: “Young lady, business requires discussion. Don’t just leave!”
Guan Xiyue smiled: “Master, let’s be frank. Can this braised pork become your signature dish? If not, Fulin Tower might be more interested.”
The manager realized he had underestimated this seemingly simple girl.
He raised the offer: “Twenty taels, no more. Ordinary families might earn two taels from it. Although it’s delicious, how many bowls would we need to sell to make twenty taels?”
Guan Xiyue agreed; twenty taels was already a large sum. She also showed him the half jin of star anise: “Do you recognize this?”
The manager shook his head, unaware this spice was the key to the pork’s flavor.
Guan Xiyue apologized slightly: “This is star anise, or da hui xiang. I bought it from a traveling merchant; it’s rare. From Cangwu Country, not yet popular in Dàníng. I have only this much. If you can find more, making money won’t be a problem.”
Hearing only half a jin was available, the manager hesitated. What if it ran out?
But the silver was in front of him; missing this chance, the pork might appear at Fulin Tower tomorrow. This rare spice was a fortune opportunity. He bought it, spending two taels of silver. Guan Xiyue’s four qian investment had quintupled—instant profit!
The manager honored the agreement, signing a contract: this recipe was exclusive to Dongkang Restaurant, not to be resold commercially.
Guan Xiyue stipulated it could not be sold within Quqing City, but personal use was exempt.
The manager admired her handwriting; this girl not only knew cooking secrets but also wrote beautifully. Perhaps a fallen daughter of a noble family.
Just as the deal concluded, a lake-blue figure appeared. He wore a lake-blue robe with lantern sleeves, a plain patterned belt at the waist, tall and slender, brows and eyes clear and handsome.
The manager bowed: “Young master, welcome. Any orders?”
The young man said directly: “I’m meeting friends tonight; please prepare a table.”
As he turned, he saw Guan Xiyue in her pomegranate-red dress. His calm face instantly cracked: “You, disciple of Pigsy, why are you here?”