Madam Wan ordered a maid to spread out paper and then instructed Guan Xiyue,
“Write down the recipe immediately.”
Guan Xiyue, who had come from the twenty-first century, was stunned.
How could these ancient people feel so entitled?
She fired back,
“May I ask, Madam Zhou, did you give all of your dowry to Master Zhou?”
Madam Wan froze.
Master Zhou immediately blew up, his beard quivering with anger.
“Nonsense! Do I look like the kind of man who covets his wife’s dowry? What sort of useless man lives off his wife’s property?”
Guan Xiyue nodded in agreement.
“Exactly. Madam Zhou’s dowry belongs to her, and naturally she decides what to do with it. Likewise, my braised pork recipe is part of my dowry. It’s mine to dispose of as I see fit. It belongs to me, doesn’t it?”
Zhou Zhengye frowned.
“What do you mean yours and mine? Since you’ve entered the Zhou family, you’re a member of the Zhou family. Naturally, your recipe belongs to the Zhou family as well. Would you rather benefit outsiders than contribute even a little to your own family?”
Guan Xiyue reacted immediately.
“How am I benefiting outsiders? I sold the recipe for money. That’s my private property. Since you say I’m one of the Zhou family, then give me a shop to manage. We can discuss profit-sharing and get rich together.”
The three members of the Zhou family stared at her in disbelief.
This concubine, who still seemed to have mud on her shoes, was unbelievably greedy!
All they wanted was a recipe, yet she had the audacity to ask for a shop.
Zhou Zhengye found her even more detestable.
“What qualifications do you have to demand a shop? You’re merely a concubine bought to bring good fortune to me. If you displease us, I’ll simply have you sold.”
Guan Xiyue froze.
In her excitement, she had forgotten she was still a concubine.
A concubine who could be sold.
The realization left her feeling suffocated, aggrieved, and furious.
She wanted nothing more than to pick up a rock and throw it at the heavens.
Of course, admitting defeat meekly was not her style.
She immediately shot back,
“That’s right, Young Master Zhou. Have you forgotten that not long ago you were lying unconscious in bed? It was because I was your lucky star that your life was saved. Is this how you treat your savior?”
Zhou Zhengye flew into a rage and tried to rush forward, but Madam Wan quickly pulled him back.
In a low voice, she whispered,
“Son, this girl is slippery. It really was after she entered the household that your condition improved. If you hit her, who knows what consequences there might be?”
Her words struck a chord with Master Zhou as well.
Zhou Zhengye was the family’s only son.
Nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
He signaled for his son to let the matter drop.
Forced to swallow the insult, Zhou Zhengye remained unconvinced.
Unable to vent his frustration properly, he lashed out at Guan Xiyue instead.
“I think you’ve got your eye on that pretty boy He Ziming, haven’t you? That’s why you rushed to give him your recipe. Unfortunately for you, I don’t like it, and I’ll make sure the two of you never get together. Then again, He Ziming isn’t blind. How could he possibly fancy someone like you? Only a fool as stupid as a pig would get tricked.”
Guan Xiyue wanted nothing more than to roll up her sleeves and slap him twice.
He looked like a refined scholar on the outside, but underneath he was truly insufferable.
The angrier she became, the brighter her smile grew.
“Really, a dog’s mouth can never produce ivory. You three can stay here and keep being angry. I won’t be accompanying you.”
With that, she turned and walked away without a second glance, completely ignoring the colorful expressions on their faces.
As soon as she left, Zhou Zhengye slammed his fist onto the table.
“That wretched woman! I’m going to divorce her!”
Madam Wan hurriedly comforted him.
“You can’t. She’s a lucky star.”
The commotion in the main hall quickly reached Yu Shi through the servants.
Only then did Yu Shi relax.
Lucky star or not, this concubine would never win favor.
She was incapable of causing any real trouble.
Wanting to display the authority of the lawful wife, Yu Shi ordered a maid to summon Guan Xiyue.
She intended to teach her a lesson about feminine virtue and proper conduct.
As a virtuous wife, she also planned to help her husband vent his anger by punishing the disobedient concubine.
To her surprise, two quarters of an hour later, the maid returned nervously.
In a timid voice, she reported,
“First Madam, Concubine Guan says she’s tired and won’t be coming. She also said it’s best if everyone minds their own business. If she’s pushed too far, she’ll make sure everyone suffers together.”
“What?! Such audacity!”
Yu Shi smashed her teacup onto the floor.
She wanted to march over and beat Guan Xiyue herself.
But if she actually injured the family’s “lucky star,” her in-laws would undoubtedly blame her.
Besides, such direct methods were uncommon in the inner household.
A proper wife was expected to be virtuous and dignified.
Even when punishing a concubine, one usually ordered her to kneel or denied her food for a few days.
There were many ways to discipline someone without creating an ugly spectacle.
Yu Shi immediately issued her orders.
“Since Concubine Guan is tired, let her rest well and conserve her energy. Keep things quiet. No one is to disturb her.”
The message quickly reached the main kitchen.
No meals were to be sent to Concubine Guan.
Meanwhile, Guan Xiyue was still dwelling on Zhou Zhengye’s threat that she could simply be sold off.
The feeling of powerlessness weighed heavily on her.
Compared to that, Yu Shi’s punishment hardly mattered.
Xiaoyun, however, was anxious.
More than ever, she felt there was no future in following Concubine Guan.
Guan Xiyue could see it too.
Xiaoyun was not someone she could truly rely on.
Their relationship was purely transactional.
As long as they remained together, they would continue using each other.
There was no need for emotional attachment.
When the kitchen stopped sending meals, Xiaoyun went to ask for food but returned empty-handed.
Soon she began complaining nonstop.
“You are a concubine. How could you argue with the master and madam?”
“You’ve offended even the young master. You’ll never gain favor now.”
“First Madam is only punishing you. Why not just admit your mistake and apologize?”
The endless nagging made Guan Xiyue’s head ache.
Finally, she handed Xiaoyun twenty copper coins and told her to find something to eat.
Only then did the girl’s expression improve.
Money truly opened doors.
Despite Yu Shi’s orders, some food eventually found its way to them.
After all, the servants below cared more about copper coins than loyalty.
Steamed buns, coarse cornbread—whatever belonged to the communal kitchen could be quietly passed along in exchange for payment.
Old Wang the chef turned a blind eye.
He even set aside two meat buns and allowed one of the kitchen women to earn some goodwill by delivering them.
The next day, the atmosphere within the Zhou household worsened.
Dongkang Restaurant had officially launched its new signature dish: braised pork.
The price was anything but cheap.
Three qian of silver per serving.
That was merely the introductory promotional price.
According to rumors, after three days it would increase to five qian per serving.
There were plenty of wealthy people in the county.
On the very first day, the restaurant was packed.
Every serving of braised pork sold out, and numerous advance orders were placed.
In contrast, Fulin Restaurant suddenly seemed much quieter.
If Dongkang Restaurant continued this business long-term, how much money would they earn?
The moment Guan Xiyue learned the news from gossiping maids and servants, her heart ached.
She had sold too cheaply.
Far too cheaply.
She had let a golden money-making opportunity go for only twenty taels.
If only she owned a restaurant of her own.
Then again, forget a restaurant.
She was still trapped inside this tiny courtyard and couldn’t even leave.
Not long afterward, Master Zhou and Madam Wan summoned her once more.
This time, however, their attitudes were much warmer.
They attempted persuasion rather than intimidation.
“Xiyue,” Master Zhou said pleasantly, “we’re all family. You see how much money our family’s restaurant could make now. Do you really think we’d treat you unfairly?”
“That recipe belongs to you, so naturally it’s your decision whom to share it with. Since you’ve already given it to others, so be it. But surely it’s unreasonable for outsiders to have it while our own family doesn’t?”