Today's small courtyard in the alley was quieter than usual.
Xu Mo, Zhang Sheng's classmate from the national school, came by but did not stay for dinner.
Zheng Ruqian took the Gao brothers to Henan Prefecture, and it would be great if they could come back by the new year.
Counting it out, there were only three young ones left at home out of the six siblings. The older kids were all busy with their own things.
Fortunately Wang Xiaosong was here. His glib tongue vividly described what he had seen and done over the past half year, making everyone laugh merrily. The whole courtyard was filled with harmony and warmth.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Three very proper, well-mannered knocks, no more and no less.
Chang Yan's eyes flashed with vigilance, but Jiang Sheng happily threw down her chopsticks. "Could it be big brother coming back, or maybe second brother? There's a tiny chance it's third brother too."
She brought her index finger and thumb close together, showing a bean-sized gap.
It was obvious the little sister still missed third brother, but everyone understood there was no way Fang Heng could be back so soon.
"I'll get the door," Auntie Zhang said, breaking the somewhat melancholy atmosphere as she quickly got up and went to the courtyard gate.
Jiang San followed her at a not-too-near not-too-far distance.
Although Fengjing was safe and they hadn't offended any nobles, one could never be too careful.
Fortunately when the wooden door opened, a round, kindly smiling face appeared. "Excuse me, is this the Jiang Sheng's family... no wait, the Fried Chicken's family?"
Auntie Zhang was stunned for a moment before replying, "Yes, did you have business with little Jiang Sheng?"
The master chef awkwardly rubbed his hands. How could he explain this without seeming like he was here to take advantage?
Luckily the curious Jiang Sheng had followed along. Seeing him, her eyes lit up. "Master Chef, you really came!"
"Yes, yes, I'm here," the master chef said with relief. Pointing at Jiang Sheng, he explained, "The young miss invited me to try the braised chicken with dried beans. So I impolitely came by... really, my apologies."
He untied the pastries around his waist and nimbly handed them to Auntie Zhang. "Just a little something, don't stand on ceremony."
It was obvious he had mistaken her for the children's elder.
Auntie Zhang had just opened her mouth to explain she wasn't the children's elder but a hired worker who had signed a contract with them. But her gaze froze when she saw the logo on the pastries.
The square pastries were wrapped in yellowish oil paper, with diamond shaped red paper covering the creases, and finally hemp twine crisscrossing to make a handle.
This was the most common way for pastry shops to package their goods, but to help the people of Fengjing remember Jiuzhen Store, Zheng Ruqian had asked Xu Mo to write a flowing, casual "nine" character on the red paper.
To accomplish this, Xu Mo had no choice but to reduce his study time, and wrote the character "nine" until he almost couldn't recognize it himself.
Auntie Zhang bent down and sniffed the pastries. She confirmed they were osmanthus and chestnut cakes she had made herself.
Compared to the relatively expensive sticky rice and jujube cakes, the osmanthus and chestnut cakes used common ingredients so were more affordable, and were very popular with the people of Fengjing as gifts when visiting friends and family.
This guy really knew how to live frugally.
As a thrifty person herself, Auntie Zhang felt an affinity upon meeting another thrifty person. "You're too kind. The braised chicken with dried beans just finished cooking. Please, come try it."
She picked up the pastries and walked to the kitchen to grab a bowl and chopsticks.
Jiang Sheng followed behind, giggling. "Master Chef, your timing is perfect. I had only taken one bite of Auntie's freshly cooked braised chicken."
She held up a finger, looking sprite-like and adorable, ostensibly praising Auntie but actually explaining they had already started eating.
Turns out the little girl had plenty of wits about her.
The master chef smiled. He followed them into the hall and was immediately drawn in by the large basin of braised chicken with dried beans.
He took a deep whiff, nearly intoxicated by the aroma.
"Yes, yes, that's the smell, I've been to Jiangnan twice before, and that is exactly how the fried chicken smells there." The master chef sounded a little urgent.
Auntie Zhang had just brought over the bowl and chopsticks when he eagerly grabbed a pair of dried beans.
The dried beans had completely absorbed the broth and tasted even better than the meat. After slurping up some noodles and chewing on soft, tender pieces of chicken, this was truly a heavenly delicacy.
The master chef swallowed it down in one gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh.
It was obvious this man truly loved eating, and knew how to appreciate good food.
Auntie Zhang smiled lightly, and brought over a dish of the chestnut cakes the master chef had brought himself.
"Amazing, really amazing. These dried beans are too delicious," the master chef continued praising the braised chicken.
Jiang Sheng leaned on her hands. "The boss still isn't interested. Tomorrow I'm going to sell it to someone else. Some dried goods shops have asked me already."
Beside her, Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun's expressions were as if they had seen a ghost.
Damn, who had influenced their cute, soft, and adorable little sister to actually learn how to lie so shamelessly?
And lie with a straight face and steady eyes at that.
Luckily the master chef was an honest man, and was truly frightened by this. He hastily swallowed the meat in his mouth. "Little Jiang Sheng, don't be so hasty. I want these dried beans for You Ran House, all of them."
"But... the boss... he..." Jiang Sheng said pitifully.
The master chef waved his hand. "Don't worry. If he doesn't agree, I'll just quit."
The boss was the pillar of the restaurant, and the chef its soul. Neither could do without the other.
With one line, the master chef proved his status at You Ran House.
Only then did Jiang Sheng reveal a sly grin, and dutifully picked out dishes for the master chef. "Eat up, Master Chef, don't be shy."
When she picked up the chestnut cakes, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed loudly, "Auntie, we have leftover pastries today?"
Ever since business got better at Jiuzhen Store, the children of the courtyard never got to pick up leftover pastries anymore. It was rare they had some today, so she happily picked out a piece for the master chef and said proudly, "Master Chef, try this. My auntie made these pastries, aren't they delicious?"
For a moment the master chef's mind blanked.
Luckily those who worked in restaurants were no fools. He quickly realized, and looked at Auntie Zhang in shock, then Jiang Sheng. "Jiuzhen Store and you are..."
"That's my second brother's store. They specialize in all kinds of pastries." Jiang Sheng bared her teeth. "All the pastries inside are made by my auntie alone. The taste is amazing."
She gesticulated dramatically, her round little face full of pride.
The master chef had not expected to bring pastries from someone's store as a gift to their very doorstep. His face flushed red with embarrassment. Lacking eloquence, he could only duck his head and continue eating the chestnut cakes.
As he ate, his eyes brightened. These chestnut cakes melted in the mouth, with a light sweetness not greasy at all. There were crispy, aromatic walnuts in the center to chew on too. Even compared to You Ran House's pastries, these were just as good.
Delicious, truly delicious.
But most important right now were still the dried beans.
After the meal, the master chef solemnly said, "Little Jiang Sheng, could you give me some of the dried beans? Just a little is fine."
Without hesitation, Jiang Sheng swiftly brought out half a jin of dried beans wrapped in oil paper and handed them over.
The master chef tucked them into his clothes, glanced at Auntie Zhang, then reluctantly at the leftover chicken bones on the table. He gritted his teeth and left.
He didn't look like he was going back to You Ran House to cook, but rather marching onto the battlefield prepared to sacrifice himself.
Jiang Sheng was still completely confused.
Beside her, Chang Yan understood. "Looks like those dried beans will still be sold to You Ran House after all."
