Chapter 104: I Want This Recipe

It wasn't long before Old Mr. Wang arrived with four Wang Jiaru's Students.

"Ha ha, sorry, Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl, we blundered and came over."

"Family, no need to be polite, just have a quick taste."

"The day after tomorrow we'll go back to Fucheng for the festival, and return on August eighteenth."

"I'm making a portion for you; take some when you leave."

"Of course, yours is really delicious; I think it's even better than the food in Fucheng."

"The ingredients I use are better than theirs."

At dusk, the Lu Clan returned and gathered in Qiao Mai's courtyard; dinner was also eaten there.

Because it was hot, the Chufang made cold noodles, one bowl per person; even without vegetables, everyone ate heartily, and some even took a second bowl.

The next day, Qiao Mai used a spatial whisk to make a lot of cream.

"You have money and you don't earn it?"

The first batch of egg tarts came out of the oven; after cooling a bit, she gave one to the mayor and another to Yuan Jiaqi.

"When you get the Betrothal, master will also give you a jade bracelet."

"Enough?"

Qiao Mai also picked one up and tasted it, "Not bad; next time the time could be a little shorter."

After receiving the recipe, Mayor Qian finally sat down quietly, eyes eagerly fixed on the oven.

Watching the carriage disappear, Xin'er finally lifted her wrist.

Qiao Mai chatted with Mayor Qian while baking egg tarts; that day she made cream cake, egg tarts, and finally baked two batches of big bread.

"Delicious! The outside is crisp, the inside is smooth and tender—a different texture, just wonderful. If any child doesn't like rice, this can definitely serve as a meal; it's that good."

"Servant Girl, I want this recipe."

The next day, the Wang Family members returned to Fucheng, and Qiao Mai had two boxes of Moon Cake packed for them.

"What do you think?"

After Mayor Qian finished the first bite, he immediately went to the Qiao Family, paid his respects to the old gentleman, and then Yuan Jiaqi led him to the Main Courtyard.

"Two thousand liang, no less. This thing can't be stored overnight in the heat; make and eat it fresh. In winter it only lasts three days."

"Hmm, the egg tarts are baking right now."

Qiao Mai smiled, added two vegetable leaves to the bread, fried an egg, topped it with a slice of homemade luncheon meat, brushed some secret sauce, and handed it to him.

"Why?"

Seeing the assorted cream cakes on the table, Mayor Qian pointed a finger.

He made five pieces before he grasped the trick.

"Price?"

Wang Zihan's eyes lit up; he placed the box on his lap and wouldn't let go, saying he'd take it back to eat with his sister.

Mayor Qian glanced at the recipe, immediately pulled out two thousand liang of silver notes, flung them to her, then sniffed with his nose.

"Right, you can be envious but not jealous; everyone has their own destiny, you can't force it."

"Not giving!"

"Wow, this taste— I want the recipe."

"The luncheon meat in the middle is a Grand Recipe; those two recipes are enough for your Qian Family to make a fortune, but I'm not selling this one."

"Deal, write the recipe, quickly."

Mayor Qian was defeated, and Yuan Jiaqi curled his hand into a fist at his mouth and laughed secretly.

During this time she grew attached, and for fun she started picking Quail Eggs, chicken eggs, duck eggs, and goose eggs, becoming addicted.

Today the three dishes Qiao Mai made were loved by everyone at home; in the Zhai each person received a portion, giving them a feast.

"Enough."

"Finally speaking from the heart."

Children all like this flavor.

Her art was good; she made various cream cakes, and as soon as they were ready, Yuexia carried a tray and delivered some to each courtyard.

"Mother, master, the old madam gave me a jade bracelet."

Those five pieces were eaten by the two Yuehong, and although they didn't look great, they tasted fine; the sixth piece was given to Ling'er, who ate it with cream all over her mouth.

"I truly want to buy."

"A hero doesn't brag about past bravery; that's a thing of the past."

Afraid that after she leaves no one would look after the small animals at home.

The almost‑full Mayor Qian took it without hesitation and took a bite.

Various melons, fruits, and vegetables, including the rare ones, were also packed into a box.

Qiao Mai helplessly set down her work, fetched paper and pen, and wrote five sheets in one go.

Ruyi was extremely envious on the side, and Qiao Mai flicked her nose.

"I want this recipe too."

"Did you also make something else?"

The mayor looked curious, reached out, took a slice, and tasted it.

"I changed my mind; we'll eat this tonight. You're almost full, what else would you eat? Yuan Jiaqi, see the guests off!"

Qiao Mai gave her a glance, "The one for Xin'er is needed; spend this time serving the old madam well—what she teaches surpasses what you've learned over the years."

The Lu Clan, in order to give them gifts, didn't go to the shop; the old madam's kindness to Xin'er was seen by her, and it was given sincerely.

"Not selling? I'm leaving then?"

With a slap, he tossed her two thousand taels of silver notes.

"If I don't sell it, I don't sell it; this is food I made for my own children, unique to the Qiao Family."

"You look like a Great Master in a temple."

Even if the recipe is sold to the Wang Family, she only teaches what she can; what she can't teach, she doesn't.

"It's complete; any pastry chef can understand at a glance."

"Is there any that's already baked?"

"Delicious! Heaven bless the Qian Family; now the Qian Family will surely prosper. Qiao Niang, I'm basking in your glory and will become rich—thank you."

Mr. Wang and the old lady were so delighted they could barely keep their mouths shut, especially the old lady, who clutched Qiao Mai's hand and was reluctant to let go.

When they took the first bite, their eyes lit up.

Yuan Jiaqi watched Mayor Qian eat with a strained look; after sending the mayor back, Yuan Jiaqi found an empty spot and laughed heartily.

Lu Sanniang hurriedly grabbed her hand and exclaimed, "Oh my mother, this bracelet is not cheap!"

"I trust you; everything you make is delicious."

Even the elderly gentleman and Yuan Jiaqi ate while praising it.

So Qiao Mai wrote another recipe; Yuan Jiaqi watched eagerly, and after a short while his own wife earned four thousand taels of silver.

"Hehe, envy isn't about the eyes; my older sister got this jade bracelet—it's her good fortune, and I'll have my own good fortune someday."

Qiao Mai smiled, "Won't you try it to see if it's good?"

Then she baked a second batch; Mayor Qian, being hopeless, kept eating one after another, eventually devouring an entire pot of egg tarts by himself.

"Understood, Master."

Xiu Zhuang also sent several large pieces, and even Mayor Qian didn't miss out.

After the two Kitchen Maids pleaded with her for a while, she finally taught only the final recipe to the Kitchen Maid.

The old lady tasted it, liked it especially, and in one breath ate an entire piece.

"Taste it, the first batch; I have no experience, so I don't know if it's good."

"Didn't you say you'd let me eat at your place?"

Qiao Mai also thanked her for the help; when she left, she gathered a whole box of those eggs for her, and the old lady was extremely fond of Qiao Mai's manner.

"Not for sale."

After taking it out of the pot and letting it cool, she sliced it with a Sword.

The first two sold their recipes, which weren't suitable to teach them.

She baked many more egg cakes, following an online tutorial and experimenting with small pieces of cake.

Before dawn, she got up and made an extra‑large round butter cake for Miss Wang, placing it in a wooden box.

"This is what I made for the children; it's suitable for all ages, yet rarely eaten."

When the children saw such a beautiful cake, they instantly lost interest in class and all started eating.

"Hmph."

"No profit!"

"Tastier than steamed buns."

He finally rubbed his belly and said contentedly.

"Mr. Ming'er is going home for the holidays; would you like to have dinner at my place tonight and keep the gentleman company?"

"Of course, I've known Mr. Wang for a long time; our friendship is not shallow."

"Amitabha!"

"Haha, you!"

Watching Qiao Mai's occasional teasing, Lu Sanniang finally realized that even after the New Year, she was only seventeen.

She glanced unintentionally at Yuan Jiaqi and saw him secretly watching Qiao Mai, his gaze like that for a beloved.

Could it be that he harbors such feelings for the girl?

(End of chapter)