Chef Hua
Chapter 526: Episode 283 Invitation_2

Chapter 526: Episode 283 Invitation_2

Having finished speaking, she drained her teacup and stood up, sweeping away with a flourish of her sleeves.

Soon, after just three or five days, that Lady Yang led a group of women from the County to Fire Knife Village one morning.

Fuzhe County was only a small county, with not many noble households altogether. Generally, those who had frequent dealings with Lady Yang were the wives of other officials, who always treated her like a star surrounded by the moon. Five or six carriages stopped right at the entrance of the garden. As the ladies alighted from the carriages, they headed straight for the garden, forming a grand procession toward the fish pond.

Hua Xiaomai had been waiting in the garden since early morning and upon seeing them arrive, she immediately greeted them with a beaming smile.

"It’s only been a few months, but your little restaurant has completely transformed. If I hadn’t been here before, I would have seriously wondered if I had gone to the wrong place!" Lady Yang pleasantly exchanged pleasantries with her, took her hand and said, "And you, you’re to become a mother? I must sincerely congratulate you!"

As she spoke, she turned to the other women who had come with her and smiled, "Despite her young age, her culinary skills are truly exceptional. You are in for a treat today. From now on, we will have one more place to enjoy ourselves."

The women all chimed in agreement, endlessly saying, "If it weren’t for Lady Tao’s invitation, we wouldn’t have known such a serene and beautiful place existed," and also remarking, "Today we must have a good taste of this legendary culinary expertise."

Hua Xiaomai humbly deflected their compliments and said with a restrained smile, "To be honest, I have to thank Lady Tao for her words that inspired me last time; otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought to expand the restaurant. I don’t have much to offer in return but have prepared some drinks and dishes for you. They are just rustic country fare, so I hope you won’t look down on them."

"I have tasted your cooking before and always crave for it, how could I despise it?" Lady Yang smiled with her eyes curving, "Anyway, I’ve made up my mind to have a good meal here today, but since you are pregnant, you’ll inevitably have a hard day ahead."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hua Xiaomai helped settle all the ladies by the pond and assigned two waitresses, named Xiaofeng and Xiu Miao, to take care of them. She then brought over some snacks and a plate of freshly arrived lotus pods before hastily heading to the kitchen.

The lotus flowers in the Daoxiang Garden fishpond had just been transplanted from another place this year. Fortunately, there was a gardener skilled in tending to lotuses; even blooming was an accomplishment, not to mention yielding lotus seeds would be highly unlikely.

The weather in Fire Knife Village was warmer, and at this time the flowers had not yet withered while other counties already had new lotus roots on the market. The lotus roots and pods prepared in the kitchen today were specially transported from elsewhere. The lotus segments were not particularly plump, but their crisp and tender sweetness made up for it. The sound of them being sliced echoed crisply, and whether used to make sweet osmanthus glutinous rice-stuffed lotus roots or simply stir-fried with a couple of dried chilies, they were excellent choices.

Once Hua Xiaomai entered the kitchen, she quickly tied on her apron and set to work. As it was not yet the lunch rush, most of the staff were still idle, occasionally visiting the kitchen to see if there was anything they could help with.

Qing You and Ji Xiang, along with a few others, were tidying up the main hall, Zhou Yunyun was preparing to set up a street food stand by pushing the charcoal stove to the entrance, and Chun Xi and La Mei, having nothing to do for the moment, squeezed into the kitchen. Seeing Hua Xiaomai slicing lotus roots, Chun Xi jokingly and earnestly said, "Your mother-in-law doesn’t allow you to handle knives, how many times have you broken this rule already? It’s lucky she hasn’t caught you yet, or she would certainly give you a good scolding!"

"Ha, sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry about that," Hua Xiaomai turned and smiled at her, "I’ve already made it clear to my mother-in-law. When Daoxiang Garden reopens, if it really gets busy, how could we be so particular? My belly is very stable right now, and I’ve assured her that there won’t be any problems—she agreed. Don’t distract me here, or if I cut my hand, I’ll insist on recuperating at your house!"

Chun Xi laughed and stepped aside. La Mei, however, snatched a handful of fried broad beans from the stove, popped two into her mouth, and grumpily said, "I know we can’t afford to offend the magistrate’s wife, but she’s too fussy! She knows full well you’re pregnant and shouldn’t be overworked, yet she insists on only eating the dishes you make, isn’t that tormenting? Neither Master Wang nor Master Tan’s cooking has she even witnessed, so how can she know whether it’s good or not?"

Both Wang Zhanrui and Master Tan were free at the moment and came over to assist Hua Xiaomai. One was gutting fish, while the other shelled shrimp and minced it finely on the cutting board. Hearing La Mei’s words, Master Tan just chuckled softly, but Wang Zhanrui slammed his knife down with a "clang" and snorted through his nose.

Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but look back at La Mei.

La Mei meant well and was looking out for her, and Hua Xiaomai understood this, but such things should never be said so bluntly in front of the two chefs.

Whether acknowledged or not, there was always an element of comparison among chefs. Especially Wang Zhanrui, who had a particularly eccentric temperament. How could La Mei’s words sit well with him after hearing them?

"Who asked Lady Tao to visit us last time when I was still the only chef in the restaurant? If Master Tan and Master Wang had been in charge of the kitchen then, today I could have lazed around with peace of mind."

Smiling, she responded to La Mei and gestured outside, "Sister-in-law, could you check whether Yun’er has set up the takeaway stall properly? The large charcoal stove is quite heavy, and it might be difficult for her to handle on her own."

La Mei tossed the beans into a bowl and with a promise, went off. Meanwhile, Hua Xiaomai turned to address Master Wang and Master Tan, but before she could speak, Wang Zhanrui had already scoffed.

"You don’t need to persuade me; I know what you’re going to say. Hmph, I’m well aware of my own capabilities. There are plenty of people in this world who can’t recognize good quality, and today’s visitors in the garden don’t make a difference!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to give it a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)