Serving the Dishes

Ding Baozhen said this casually, with a hint of mockery in his tone.

But Luo Qinzhu's heart tightened slightly.

Ding Baozhen was an important official in the court and also served as an imperial censor, so he had the power to supervise the catering industry, which was the foundation of the Great Xuan Kingdom.

If the taste of my dish doesn't satisfy him, it's just a matter of saying a word to get the head chef of Baiweilou to be replaced.

Even though she and Nan Xu had made many preparations together, she still couldn't help feeling a little uneasy at this point.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"Lord Ding, I dare not say that I have inherited much of my father's true skills," Luo Qinzhu said calmly, "but this bowl of spiritual spring water is the result of my painstaking efforts, and I am sure it will not disappoint you, Lord Ding."

Ding Baozhen looked at her for a moment, then finally nodded, a smile appearing on his face: "Good! As expected of Luo Qingfeng's daughter..."

"Then, let me try your 'A Bowl of Delicious Spring Water'!"

Luo Qinzhu nodded, bowed, and withdrew.

She walked quickly into the kitchen.

In front of the stove, Nan Xu was watching the heat of the clay pot.

"How is it?" Luo Qinzhu asked.

"The timing is perfect now," Nan Xu replied.

"Thank you for your hard work. Leave the rest to me," Luo Qinzhu said softly.

Nan Xu nodded and stepped aside.

Luo Qinzhu extinguished the stove fire, but instead of serving the soup directly, she scooped up a spoonful and took a small sip.

Instantly, her eyebrows relaxed.

This combination of ingredients is the optimal solution that she and Nanxu found after repeated attempts.

The final product naturally tastes perfectly harmonious and as one.

But soon, Luo Qinzhu's mood became tense again.

Can the optimal solution that she and Nanxu found in one day really be compared to her father's recipe?

What if the taste still doesn't satisfy the customers?

"...Sister Qinzhu."

Luo Qinzhu was stunned for a moment, then turned her head and found that Nan Xu was looking at her intently.

"No problem." Nan Xu's voice was calm. "I watched every step of your cooking process. The process was perfect, even better than many sixth-rank chefs I've ever seen."

"The ingredients we choose can be perfectly integrated into the dishes, and they are definitely no worse than the original recipes."

Seeing Nan Xu like this, Luo Qinzhu couldn't help but laugh, and the tension in her heart vanished.

"Really... it's your turn to encourage me now. I'm still not qualified enough as a chef."

……

Second floor, at the entrance to the private room.

Wang Yi carried a tray with a pot of freshly brewed tea and four delicate side dishes.

He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and put on that ingratiating smile again.

"Lord Ding, Lord Zhao, the dishes will be ready soon. These are homemade snacks and appetizers; please have a little something to tide you over."

While serving the dishes, he secretly observed Ding Baozhen's expression.

Ding Baozhen's expression remained unchanged, and he gave a nonchalant "hmm".

Seeing this, Wang Yi couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

He could tell that this Lord Ding had eaten too many fine things, and his palate had long been spoiled and discerning.

Trying to fool us with substandard Huangshan Maofeng tea or other ingredients? No way!

Although the Jiang family's attempt to seize Baiweilou failed last time, he also failed to become the head chef as he wished.

Fortunately, the Jiang family patriarch was insightful and believed that this was not his fault. Not only was he blameless, but he was also credited for reminding the Jiang family to be wary of Nan Xu in advance.

As long as he continues to help the Jiang family remove Luo Qinzhu from power, the position of head chef at Baiweilou will still be his!

When Luo Qinzhu messes up later, he will intentionally or unintentionally spread the news. With the Jiang family's encouragement, Luo Qinzhu will definitely not be able to withstand the pressure and will give up the position of head chef.

When that time comes, won't it be a sure thing for him to take over?

Wang Yi left the private room while fantasizing about a bright future.

He stood at the end of the corridor, his gaze fixed on the kitchen.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Luo Qinzhu came out carrying a tray, on which a purple clay pot was steaming.

Wang Yi felt a sudden pang of guilt for no apparent reason, and instinctively avoided looking at Luo Qinzhu, glancing to the side—

The next moment, he was almost scared out of his wits!

Nan Xu stood there quietly, staring at him indifferently, her eyes revealing no emotion.

Wang Yi quickly controlled his expression, inwardly cursing his bad luck.

What's this kid doing here?

As he walked downstairs, he consoled himself: Oh well, this kid won't be able to cause trouble for much longer anyway...

Once he takes over Baiweilou, the first thing he'll do is kick this kid out!

Imagining that scene, Wang Yi's mood improved again.

the other side.

Nan Xu withdrew his gaze, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

He had long suspected that the Jiang family was behind Qingxi Tea Shop's inability to produce suitable tea.

During the previous culinary battle, Qingxi Tea Shop had been pressured by the Jiang family to refuse to provide a loan to Luo Qinzhu. It is not surprising that they are now colluding with the Jiang family even further.

Now it seems that this is indeed the case.

As a mole bribed by the Jiang family, Wang Yi's subconscious reaction shows that this matter is absolutely inseparable from the Jiang family.

However, the most important thing now is to get through the current difficulties.

Nan Xu snapped out of his thoughts and watched Luo Qinzhu enter the private room.

……

Inside the room.

Luo Qinzhu placed the soup bowl on the table and lifted the lid.

In an instant, heat rose and white mist filled the air.

"A bowl of fresh spring water, please enjoy."

Prefect Zhao unconsciously sniffed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

Ding Baozhen sat up straight and looked into the pot.

Inside the purple clay pot, the soup was crystal clear, like a clear spring in the mountains, without any of the turbidity or oiliness that is common in ordinary meat soup.

A whole pigeon lies in the soup, its body intact, but the meat is already tender and mushy. Beneath the pigeon, you can vaguely see the ingredients that have sunk to the bottom of the bowl: snow-white and soft yam, bamboo shoots that are as smooth as jade, and a few tea leaves that have unfurled, adding a touch of green to the dish.

Ding Baozhen ladled out a whole bowl of soup and handed it to Prefect Zhao first.

"Prefect Zhao, please!"

Prefect Zhao accepted the soup bowl, somewhat flattered: "Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Ding!"

"What's the big deal?" Ding Baozhen shook his head nonchalantly. "When we're traveling, we're just customers, sharing food is perfectly normal."

As he spoke, he picked up the white porcelain soup spoon and filled his bowl with soup.

Stir gently a few times, and a fresh and elegant aroma wafts out, a fragrance quite different from the meaty aroma of ordinary stewed soup.

The aromas of yam, tea, and bamboo shoots blend together perfectly, suppressing the fishy smell of the pigeon meat and adding a refreshing mountain breeze to the rising steam.

Ding Baozhen raised an eyebrow slightly.

Then, he scooped up a spoonful of soup and put it in his mouth.