Chef Hua
Chapter 590: Episode 315 Full of Vigor

Chapter 590: Episode 315 Full of Vigor

From this day on, Old Lady Meng and Hua Xiaomai were suddenly busy.

As a mother-in-law, she poured her energy into various preparations every day, made thorough arrangements with Madame Liu Wen, and also called upon Feng Damei and Chun Xi’s mother-in-law to help out at the event. Yet, even with all the preparation, her heart was still not at ease. She went so far as to pull Meng Yuhuai aside for a consultation, asking if they could invite Doctor Xing from the Baosheng Medical Hall to the village for a few days, just in case of any emergencies.

Once the idea took hold, she brought it up every day until Meng Yuhuai repeatedly assured her that, no matter how late, he would definitely ride out and fetch Doctor Xing. Only then did she rest, but she was still busy from morning to night, seeming even more anxious than Hua Xiaomai herself.

As for Hua Xiaomai, perhaps influenced by this mood, she too began to feel a bit nervous. She locked herself in the kitchen with a single-minded focus on inventing two sweet treats that would give strength, ready for any unforeseen needs.

A layered date cake made with red dates and fatty pork, repeatedly basted with oil and sprinkled with diced fat, then steamed with red date pieces and honey-sweet osmanthus, with plenty of sugar added - one bite was nearly sweet enough to break a tooth; 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Sunflower seeds, finely chopped and mixed with flour, then deep-fried in oil, were not particularly sweet, but were so rich and fragrant that they were difficult to eat without one’s mouth feeling glued shut, and afterwards, they inevitably felt somewhat cloying. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

At this point, she couldn’t care less about gaining too much weight, spending every day tinkering with these items in the kitchen. Old Lady Meng, too, was constantly running around, and even though they temporarily stopped taking care of business at the Daoxiang Garden, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair seemed to be busier than before.

The days passed in their slight, headless confusion.

On the second day of the second month, the Spring Wine Banquet of Lianshun Escort Agency was held as scheduled in the Daoxiang Garden.

For the Escort Agency, the Spring Wine Banquet was the most important banquet of the year, attended by the regular business clients, merchants, as well as friends in good standing with Ke Zhenwu, it had quite the reputation in the city. Naturally, the purpose was to lay a good foundation for the year’s business, but this year’s event had a different edge—they had made a point of inviting Magistrate Tao as well.

Ke Zhenwu had long deliberated in his mind that on this day, he would formally hand over Lianshun Escort Agency to Meng Yuhuai in front of everyone.

Indeed, everyone in the city knew that Meng Yuhuai had been managing the affairs of the Escort Agency, but a formal declaration was still missing. Choosing this day was perfect.

The wooden house in the garden was cleaned up and made crisp and fresh, with food and drinks fully prepared. Despite the onset of spring, the weather was still quite cold, so two brazier pots were placed at a distance inside the room, providing warmth to anyone stepping in from the cold, biting wind outside.

Noon marked the commencement of the feast. Once everyone had arrived and paid their respects to Magistrate Tao, they took their seats and chatted for a while. Then Ke Zhenwu stood up, holding a wine cup, and started to speak with a smile.

"I’m sure everyone is aware that Yuhuai is looking after everything in Lianshun Escort Agency from top to bottom. Despite his young age, he is very reliable and trustworthy. Thanks to him, the business of the Escort Agency has been smooth these past two years."

His gaze slowly swept over the faces of the crowd and finally settled on Magistrate Tao at the head of the table. He sighed, "I used to think that with the physique I trained in the military, I could work in this line for twenty, thirty years without issue. Little did I know that when a person reaches a certain age, one cannot defy age. I’m not ashamed to admit to you all that a few days ago, I was practicing some stick techniques in the yard and just after a short while, I was so tired I was panting heavily and nearly threw out my back. I never thought the day would come when I would be like this. If there wasn’t a reliable person to take over the Escort Agency, I would have no choice but to struggle on, come hell or high water. But now that we have you reliable and capable, Yuhuai, I can retire in peace."

While speaking, he took Meng Yuhuai’s hand and said with a laugh, "We’re all old acquaintances here, so I’ll spare you the formalities. From now on, Yuhuai will take the reins of Lianshun Escort Agency. I ask you to look after him, especially for my sake. He is capable and has a good nature, though sometimes he’s too sincere and not much of a talker. Please be tolerant, hmm?"

The banquet erupted into laughter at his words, and then Magistrate Tao tapped the table with his finger and spoke in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "Sincerity is a virtue, far more trustworthy than those who are crafty and deceitful."