Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 537 - 535

Chapter 537: Chapter 535

After the boat docked, Shangguan Xuanyi walked to the edge and reached out to help Xiao’er onto the shore.

After Xiao’er got ashore, Shangguan Wanru, who was following behind Xiao’er, reflexively reached out her hand towards Shangguan Xuanyi.

Shangguan Xuanyi blatantly ignored the hand extended before him, turned around and asked Xiao’er, "Are you tired?"

"Shangguan Xuanyi, help me up!" Shangguan Wanru grumpily said. He truly was cold-hearted. After all, she was his cousin! And he couldn’t even bother to help her up! How could the Master of Rui’an County put up with him? So annoying! Like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung!

"Can’t you get up on your own?" retorted Shangguan Xuanyi, not even bothering to look back.

At this point, the Fifth Princess in the group spoke up, "Forget it, even if I were the one asking, he still wouldn’t help."

Hearing the two women’s exchange, Xiao’er turned around and reached out to help them: "Alright, stop squabbling and save your energy for eating. My fourth uncle runs a restaurant nearby, let’s head there."

Upon hearing this, Di Shaowei was quick to say, "Miss, after rowing for so many days and eating the food here, I’ve lost all taste for it. Can you cook us a few dishes?"

Shangguan Xuanhao agreed, "That’s right, you wouldn’t believe how hungry I’ve been every afternoon from rowing."

Xiao’er glanced at Shangguan Xuanyi, assuming he was also a picky eater who probably didn’t eat much. Being prepared for the situation, she nodded, "Alright!"

"That’s unnecessary. They can go eat on their own. Aren’t you tired from rowing all morning?" Shangguan Xuanyi declined.

"Exactly, don’t tire out my Rui’an County Master. You all go find food on your own. If the Rui’an County Master is going to cook, it should be for me! Right, Rui’an County Master?" interjected Shangguan Wanru.

To those listening, it seemed that cooking for her wouldn’t be tiring!

"Let’s do it together then. It’s just a few dishes and will be quick. It won’t be tiring." Xiao’er offered.

"Then let’s cook together, I am the best at cooking!" Shangguan Wanru said, linking arms with Xiao’er.

Shangguan Xuanyi nearly wished he could chop off those arms that were always clinging to his Xiao’er. What was up with that? With so many people around, he couldn’t step in and hold Xiao’er’s hand instead. He was incredibly jealous of anyone who could hold his Xiao’er.

"With your skills, you’re just going to burn down their kitchen!" snorted Shangguan Xuanhao.

"Don’t underestimate people like that!" Led by Xiao’er, the group gradually receded into the distance.

In recent years, cement embankments have been built on both sides of the Huai River.

There are many snack shops of different sizes along both banks to cater to the workers and merchants at the pier.

Mrs. Lu also purchased one of these shops with a backyard and opened a restaurant there. She hired staff to manage daily affairs and only inspected the accounts daily. The shop served breakfast in the morning, fast food at noon and evening, offering two vegetables and one meat for five coins. With many customers, they could earn a net profit of four to six silver taels per day.

Meanwhile, Shen Chengzu opened an ironworks shop in the Imperial Capital, which was doing quite well. The two of them lived harmoniously as a loving couple, devoid of any people or things causing trouble, leading a peaceful and content life.

When Xiao’er brought her group to the restaurant, Mrs. Lu was just about to head home. Seeing them arrive, she was surprised. Mrs. Lu offered a courtesy to everyone, including Shangguan Xuanyi, before asking, "Xiao’er, what brings you here?"

"Fourth Aunt, we’ve been dragon boat racing on the Huai River. I brought them over to mooch a meal off of you. Is it alright if we use the kitchen?"

"Of course. The restaurant is pretty packed right now, let’s go in from the back door," Mrs. Lu said with a smile.

Every year, the Imperial Court organizes dragon boat races. Mrs. Lu is well aware of this, as many sections of the Huai River hold such races.

This time of year is also when her restaurant business thrives.

Mrs. Lu led them to the largest private room on the second floor. Xiao’er took out the tea leaves she brought and gave them to Mrs. Lu to brew. Naturally, Mrs. Lu didn’t object. With the Sixth Prince and other wealthy and noble guests present, the tea the restaurant normally served simply wouldn’t suffice.

After the tea was served, Xiao’er and Mrs. Lu left the private room and headed to the kitchen in the backyard, reserved for Mrs. Lu’s use.

"Fourth Aunt, you don’t have to fuss over us. You should take the food home for Fourth Uncle," Xiao’er suggested. She had noticed earlier that Mrs. Lu was carrying a lunch box, likely prepared for Shen Chengzu and her daughters.

"It’s okay, I’ll cook with you and look after them," Mrs. Lu said, waving her hand dismissively. Her humble restaurant was suddenly graced with so many distinguished guests, leaving her quite flattered.

The head chef and waitstaff in the shop are so busy that their feet don’t touch the ground, and he couldn’t entrust them with this task anyhow.

"Really, there’s no need, don’t keep Uncle Four and the others waiting. Yang Liu and Yang Mei can help me."

"Yes, Auntie Four of the Rui’an County Master, you can leave, I will help the Rui’an County Master." Shangguan Wanru also came out at this time.

Cooking is an activity she is undertaking for the first time! She’s really excited to cook with the Rui’an County Master.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lu looked at Xiao’er, who nodded: "It’s fine, Auntie Four, you can go back!"

"Alright, do you guys need me to call a chef to help you?"

"No need." Xiao’er shook her head.

Mrs. Lu did not insist further and went back.

Zhao Yong had also brought a lot of ingredients from the mansion. These were ordered by Xiao’er before she left, all ingredients from her private stock. She had to eat well to replenish her strength!

All the ingredients were processed and cleaned before being brought over. Xiao’er and Shangguan Wanru were in the small kitchen in the backyard, "County Master Rui’an, what are you going to prepare?"

"What does the princess want to eat?"

"I want to eat something spicy! Super spicy!"

Xiao’er saw half a plate of fresh duck blood in the kitchen, likely left over from preparing duck meat for lunch, "How about we make duck blood spicy soup, Mapo tofu, dry-fried fish, sauce braised pork ribs, sauce-braised baby abalone, steamed scallops with garlic and cellophane noodles, steamed sea urchin egg, stir-fry bok choy, and yam soup with pork bones?"

"That sounds delicious, let’s do that!"

"We have two stoves, could Princess Wanru you start by cooking a pot of rice?"

"Alright, but how do you cook rice?"

Xiao’er:....

If she doesn’t even know how to cook rice, then what does she know how to do?

"I’ll cook the rice, Princess Wanru, is there a dish you can prepare?"

"I can’t cook any of the dishes you mentioned."

Xiao’er: Is she really here to help? Is she going to be a hindrance instead?

Xiao’er felt rather helpless, but still said: "Then Princess, can you help keep the fire going?"

"Okay!" She can do that, for keeping a fire going meant sticking firewood into the stove.

"Yang Liu, you wash and cook the rice!"

"Yes, miss."

At this point, Yang Mei had already cleaned two iron pots, "Princess, you can start the fire now."

"Start a fire? How?" Shangguan Wanru was taken aback. She hadn’t ever started a fire before.

Xiao’er: Is she sure she’s not here to cause trouble?

Yang Mei suppressed a laugh, "Princess, I’ll get the fire going. All you have to do is stick firewood into the stove when the time comes."

"Okay," Shangguan Wanru nodded.

"Princess, keep an eye on the fire in the stove. We don’t want the rice to get burnt. Yang Liu, you can start the fire on the other stove. I’m going to start cooking." Xiao’er gave Yang Liu a look, indicating that she should keep an eye on Princess Wanru. They couldn’t afford to be so busy that they ended up without any rice to eat!