Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 988 - 986_1

Chapter 988: Chapter 986_1

"Did you consummate your marriage with your wife last night, big brother?"

Thinking of the marks on Fu Ranhui’s neck, Zhao Youwei couldn’t help but blush. Regardless, he managed to maintain his composure and said, "We are husband and wife now!"

Zhao Youhe let out a sigh of relief. "It seems the hangover soup did not affect the aphrodisiac."

Aphrodisiac?!

"You..." Zhao Youwei, pointed at him, too angry to speak. He had been like a brute last night! He had thought it was the effects of alcohol making him go overboard!

So, he had been given an aphrodisiac! He was really pushing his luck!

Seeing his older brother’s face turning blue with anger, Zhao Youhe quickly said, "Big brother, I only did this for your own good. My sister-in-law is a good woman, I was just worried you had another woman in your heart and would..."

"Shut up," Zhao Youwei interrupted him hastily.

Zhao Youhe immediately closed his mouth.

Zhao Youwei glared at him. "This better not happen again! And stop making baseless assumptions. I am married now, I will become a good husband."

Zhao Youwei truly thought so. He was never a man who lacked a sense of responsibility. As for the woman in his heart, it was impossible in this lifetime. He could only pray for a chance to meet her earlier in the next life and be with her forever.

He felt a bit guilty towards Fu Ranhui, but he would fulfill his responsibilities as a husband. He would treat her well. Except for his heart, which he couldn’t control, he would not neglect his other duties. He would try his best to make her happy.

In fact, Zhao Youhe was right. The princess was a good woman, otherwise she wouldn’t get along so well with others.

Hearing his brother speak like this, Zhao Youhe was relieved.

The princess was a wonderful woman, and he knew his brother would eventually develop feelings for her.

After practicing martial arts for a while, Zhao Youwei returned to his courtyard and took Fu Ranhui to offer tea to the elders in the main courtyard.

...

About ten days after Fu Ranhui’s wedding, and before Jingrui’s, Xiao’er instructed Zhao Yong to prepare the carriage early in the morning. She was going to Four Seasons Restaurant with Mrs. Liu, Jingrui, Zhu Yan and others to finalize the menu for the wedding banquet.

Xiao’er planned to introduce several new dishes for Jingrui’s wedding day, all with excellent implications: lobster in sweet and sour sauce (symbolizing love), squid stir-fried with colorful peppers (symbolizing a blessed life), shark fin soup with hasma (symbolizing ambitious plans), mushrooms implying prosperity with prosperous flowers, seasonal vegetables filled bamboo shoots (symbolizing promotion), braised pork feet with oysters (symbolizing success is at hand), sweet and sour lotus root (symbolizing heart to heart), lotus seeds and lilies stir fried with cashew nuts and diced meat (symbolizing a harmonious union for a hundred years), stewed abalone with oyster sauce (symbolizing a ship full of gold and jade) ... and so on.

"These dishes range from expensive to cheap, which should satisfy the needs of different customers." Yun’er glanced at the prices of the new dishes Xiao’er had added and commented.

Xiao’er nodded, "That’s right, we aim to cater to consumers from different levels. They can also choose and match dishes according to their budget. Sister Yan, you can pick nineteen dishes."

These dishes were undoubtedly great. Being the restaurant’s own dishes, they could simply pick without considering the cost.

The biggest highlight of Jingrui’s wedding was the combination of traditional Chinese and Western ceremonies!

Xiao’er had initially planned to have such a wedding for herself. But due to her marriage into a royal family with many traditions and regulations, any misstep or omission was unacceptable, hence she had to give up the idea.

Now the restaurant’s business was mostly cooking at the client’s home, or delivering the prepared dishes there.

Xiao’er knew about the superstitions of the people in the past. No one had seen a wedding combining Chinese and Western elements, and no one dared to try, fearing it could offend the gods and result in an unhappy life.

Therefore, after discussing with Jingrui and getting the consent of Zhu Yan and her parents, they decided to have the wedding at the restaurant. They also agreed to attempt a wedding that would mainly follow Chinese traditions, but include some Western elements.

Zhu Yan’s family was in business with foreign traders, so she was quite receptive to Western culture.

Xiao’er thought Western weddings were romantic. She wanted to combine this romance with the traditional Chinese ceremony, which would surely attract many ladies’ interest. As long as someone paved the way and that the couple lived a happy life after their wedding with a combination of traditions, with many children, others would accept this new wedding style.

This wedding would earn quite a bit of money. Currently, the income from the Four Seasons Restaurant had stabilized without much upward trend. Xiao’er firmly believed in the saying, "if we do not advance, we will retreat." So, it was time to find ways to increase the income.

Moreover, decorating the wedding venue would require many fresh flowers, which would also boost flower sales. It was really killing two birds with one stone.

Generally speaking, almost every month of the year, someone would get married, especially at the end and the beginning of the year. Even without weddings, there were other celebrations, such as a baby’s first month, a senior’s birthday, someone passing the imperial exam, or moving to a new home. All these events could potentially be held at the restaurant.

"According to Xiao’er’s new-style wedding, if restaurants all over the country can host several wedding banquets every month, it will bring in a substantial income in a year," Mrs. Liu, looking at the prices on the list and doing some quick calculations, was taken aback.

Xiao’er nodded, then took out the design for the wedding venue decoration to show Zhu Yan, immediately impressing everyone.

"Wow, it’s so beautiful! I want my wedding to be decorated like this!" Xi’er leaned over to look, then exclaimed.

Zhu Yan was also attracted by this dreamy and romantic venue decoration – no girl could resist such a scene!

"How old are you?! You’re already thinking about getting married! Do you know how to spell the word ’shame’?" Mrs. Liu glared at Xi’er, this daughter of hers was as Xiao’er put it, a superficial girl who drooled over any beautiful thing!

But after looking at the design, even Mrs. Liu wished she could have another wedding with Shen Chengyao. When she married Shen Chengyao, they didn’t even have a flower bridge!

"Everyone will get married! Why should I feel shameful? Sister Yan is not feeling shameful either, isn’t she discussing her wedding with us? Sister Yan, do you think I’m right?"

Zhu Yan: "...."

How was she supposed to reply?

"Sister Yan is indeed at the age to get married, are you? People at different ages have different roles to play. It’s too early for you to think about getting married. Don’t keep it on your lips or people will think you have no sense of shame, understand?" Xiao’er saw Xi’er’s words making Zhu Yan slightly embarrassed, so she touched her little head and educated her.