Goldfield
Chapter 182: Hospitality

Lady Fang looked towards her nephew's line of sight. Sure enough, Prince Jing's second son, Zhu Junxi, was talking to someone who seemed to be a manager. Right now, there were some people who looked like merchants coming out of the restaurant with disappointed expressions.

“Forget it, Godmother will treat you to a meal at Fulin Restaurant to try their signature dishes! In your godfather's letter, he mentioned that there are several long-standing restaurants in Tanggu City and each has its own signature dish. You can invite us to dine at Zhenxiu Restaurant the next day. ” They have just met, but Miss Fang feels she has the same spirit as this little girl. Therefore, he gave way for her to get out of this awkward situation.

Yu Xiaocao smiled sincerely at his godmother, held her hand, and stepped into the main entrance of Zhenxiu Restaurant.

“This guest, I'm sorry! All our tables for today were ordered three days ago. We really can't get an empty table for you, let alone a private room.. ”The head manager cares a lot about people. He was absolutely certain that the dignified and noble young man in front of him had an outstanding family background. Integrity is very important in business. He couldn't cancel someone else's reservation, which they had earned with great difficulty, for him just because he was someone of high status. Wouldn't that ruin their own reputation? Therefore, he could only sincerely apologize.

Zhu Junxi had a slightly unpleasant expression on her face. Generally, large restaurants have several private rooms reserved for their owners' friends. Although he did not know the owner of Zhenxiu Restaurant, there might be exceptions to all of them. He was willing to pay double the price to borrow a private room reserved for one-time use, but this manager would not agree no matter what …

He took a deep breath and was about to say something when he was interrupted by a clear voice behind him, “Uncle Manager, is Third Young Master here today?”

The head manager smilingly apologized to Zhu Junxi and then looked at Xiaocao, who was behind him. He smiled until his eyes narrowed, “Miss Xiaocao, our boss went to send the century vermicelli and eggs to the capital. He just left this morning! Are you looking for our boss? ”

“It's okay! My godmother came from far away, so I wanted to borrow Third Young Master's private room to entertain her. ” Yu Xiaocao frankly stated his intention.

The head manager quickly said, “What do you mean by borrowing? Our boss has said that Miss Xiaocao can use her private room whenever you want! ”

“Thank you very much, Uncle Manager!” Yu Xiaocao showed a sweet smile, and then climbed the stairs beside the main hall to the second floor with familiarity!

Zhu Junxi finally could not help but give a facial expression and angrily said, “Manager, everything should be done on the basis of ‘who fast he can’! I've just talked to you in a good way for a long time and also willing to pay double the price for using a private room, he said, but you won't agree whatever happens. However, you directly agreed to let someone use it now? ”

After all, he was the second son of Imperial Prince Jing. The dignified and imposing manner in his anger caused the head manager's heart to stagnate for a moment. Apart from the protective anger, the head manager explained, “That private room is our boss's exclusive room, so except for entertaining friends and relatives, it will not be lent to outsiders. Miss Xiaocao has a very special relationship with our boss. He could be considered as the partial owner of Zhenxiu Restaurant, so. ”.

“Second Young Master, we don't have many people. If you don't mind, let's eat together! ” Xia Furong did not expect that poor fellow could actually get a table, let alone that private room. Seeing Second Young Master Zhu encountering obstacles with the head manager, he felt this was a rare opportunity, and therefore he made an invitation.

Zhu Junxi had just realized that Lady Fang was not far behind him. He vaguely glanced at Xia Furong, and his impression of him became even worse. Ignoring the habit that men and women have to eat at different tables after the age of seven, Xia Furong is not a person who gets a private room and he is also not a person who pays to eat. To make an invitation without asking the host first, he was too rude!

She ignored Xia Furong; instead, she greeted Lady Fang and said gracefully, “Lady Fang, nice to see you again!”

Lady Fang was very unhappy with her nephew's almost fawning words. She suppressed the anger in her heart and said to Second Young Master Zhu, Your mother is not in good health. After a long time sitting inside the carriage, it helps you find a place to rest! What's wrong? Has there been a change of plans with the wife of the county magistrate? ”

“No, my mom said it was almost noon now, so we shouldn't bother the county magistrate's family. We decided to have lunch here before visiting Yamen county. But.. ”A unpleasant expression appeared on Zhu Junxi's face again as she thought of the fatigue on her mother's face.

Miss Fang looked at her goddaughter and asked for her opinion, “Xiaocao, Lady Zhu and Young Master Zhu took good care of me on the way here. He wants to take a short break here, so what are you .. ”

Xiaocao would certainly not refuse his godmother's request. With a bright smile, she said cheerfully, “Because she is a godmother friend, it is fitting that I treat her very kindly. I'll go with you to invite Madame Zhu over for a meal together. ”

Zhu Junxi did not look down on Xiaocao because of his usual clothes. Instead, he bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you very much, Miss!”

Princess Empress Jing had long since grown tired of sitting inside the carriage. From time to time, he lifted the curtains of the carriage and looked towards Zhenxiu Restaurant. When he saw his son back, he asked in a soft voice, “How are you? Still can't book a private room? ”

They were going on an undercover trip this time, so Second Young Master Zhu had just called his royal mother ‘Mother’ in front of an outsider. He explained gently, “Mother, Zhenxiu Restaurant in Tanggu City, like the one in the capital, should be ordered seven to eight days in advance. Fortunately, Lady Fang's goddaughter had some face in Zhenxiu Restaurant and was able to obtain a private room. Miss Fang wants to invite you to a meal together! ”

With the help of Meixiang and Lanxiang, Empress Jing got off the carriage and smiled gracefully at Madam Fang. She looked at the skinny little girl beside Madam Fang and said softly, “Miss Fang, is this your goddaughter? She is a smart and handsome young girl! ”

“Thank you very much, Madam, for your praise! It's not comfortable talking here. Let's continue talking in the private room on the second floor! ” There is a little respect in Madam Fang's attitude.

Xiaocao sensitized it. Her godmother, who was the wife of a third rank general, also had to be courteous towards her. It seemed like the status of this noble mistress was very impressive. He showed a natural sense of nobility and elegance. Could he be related to the imperial family? What's with all these nobles? Why did they all come to such a poor and remote place like Tanggu City?

Since they were all women, Zhu Junxi knew etiquette and did not follow them into a private room. Instead, he took the palace guards, disguised as servants, to dinner at the famous old restaurant nearby. Xia Furong wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to Second Young Master Zhu, but his plan failed again.

With the extra guest of honor, Xiaocao would definitely not let her godmother lose face in front of that esteemed guest. When ordering, he almost ordered all the most famous dishes in Zhenxiu Restaurant! There were some dishes that even someone of Princess Empress Jing's status had never heard of.

Empress Jing smiled at Madam Fang and said, “This child of yours is truly too sincere! He ordered so much food, but we won't be able to spend it all ah! ”

Yu Xiaocao stood up and personally poured a cup of herbal tea for his princess consort and godmother. He had added a few drops of mystic stone water into the tea, which would help relieve fatigue. Hearing his words, he smiled and said, “You and my godmother came from afar, so of course, I will treat you to a meal to welcome your arrival!”

The little girl was not tall in stature and was still very young, but her cleverness was evident in all aspects, which was a quality that the empress admired. She said with a smile, “Does this presume I benefit from my association with your godmother?”

“Of course not! My godmother said that you have taken good care of her all the way from the capital! I'd like to thank you with this food and drink table! ” Yu Xiaocao's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and his speech was polite and thoughtful. This caused Lady Fang and Empress Jing to have a better impression of him.

Princess Empress Jing even started joking with him, “Oh! So this is a meal to welcome and thank me at the same time. You want to get rid of me with just one meal? No, it's not gonna work. There should be at least two meals! ”

“Don't mention two meals, as long as you are willing to come, Zhenxiu Restaurant will welcome your arrival at any time! Here, try ‘egg century with this tofu’. This is a new dish at Zhenxiu Restaurant. ” Yu Xiaocao used a communal spoon to spoon a spoonful of dishes into the bowls of Empress Jing and Lady Fang.

Princess Jing smiled and said, “Alright, you sit down and eat! Just let the waiters serve us — Mhm! Know this has a taste in the smooth mouth .. What is this? Century egg? This combination has a rather unique taste. Sure enough, this is Zhenxiu Restaurant. They can make interesting and new dishes with simple ingredients like tofu! ”

After eating two bites of eggs this century with tofu, Empress Jing looked again at her favorite duck osmanthus. Meixiang who was behind him immediately took out a piece of duck meat and stuffed it into his bowl.

“I have a weak spleen and stomach. For a rather greasy dish like a roasted duck, I could only eat one piece. But these osmanthus ducks are fatty but not greasy, and also fragrant and tasty. I could eat a few pieces. ” Princess Empress Jing has a smooth table manners, but she eats voraciously.

Yu Xiaocao introduced ‘sup of duck blood with bihun’ for both of them. They were very interested in the vermicelli in it and unknowingly spent a bowl full of dishes.

The vermicelli produced in the Zhou Family factory did not have the thickness that varied as those made by Yu Xiaocao, a non-professional. After rigorous training, the workers become professionals in making vermicelli. Vermicelli has a uniform thickness, and is bright and translucent. When eaten, it feels soft, smooth, refreshing, and very chewy.

Century vermicelli and eggs have just been produced. It could not be seen anywhere else except in Zhenxiu Restaurant, let alone eating it. One of the most important reasons that Princess Empress Jing had eaten was because she could eat something new!

Everyone really enjoyed themselves during this meal. After the county magistrate's wife received the message, she personally came to pick up Princess Empress Jing with her entourage.

Today the watermelon in the watermelon shop is sold out. Xiaocao's maternal grandmother and mother's oldest aunt, who also ate ‘ take-home’ meals Xiaocao ordered from Zhenxiu Restaurant, were cleaning the shelves in the store!

Since Madam Fang did not want to stay in the city, Yu Xiaocao sat on her godmother's carriage and introduced the scenery along the way while giving directions to the coachman.

Mother's Aunt Eldest came to help in the store, so she would stay in the store from now on. Seeing that her help was not needed and because she was worried about her husband and the chickens and ducks in her house, Xiaocao's grandmother immediately returned to her village from the city.