Ch 97: Guide to Feeding a Villainous Husband

Yu Jiuque ultimately couldn’t resist Qin Xia’s proposal—in any respect.

He finally inscribed the plaque, though he ruined countless drafts before he reluctantly picked one that he was satisfied with and sent it to the shop to be crafted. However, he insisted on signing it with a pseudonym.

Since there were still areas inside the restaurant where the paint needed to dry, and the plaque would take some time to be finished, Qin Xia had a bit of time to prepare. Moreover, the auspicious date calculated by the fortune teller had not yet arrived.

If Qin Xia wanted to make a splash and secure a foothold in Shengjing’s competitive dining scene, a grand opening was essential. A simple string of firecrackers wouldn’t be enough to make a sound in the bustling capital.

After much thought, Qin Xia decided to organize something unique for the opening performance.

The first idea was noodle artistry.

This was an unexpected bonus.

When they were at the broker’s office to hire staff, the broker introduced a pair of brothers from Sanjin Prefecture, who were masters of making noodles. They had previously worked for a wealthy merchant who loved noodles. However, when the merchant’s business collapsed, he returned to his hometown in disgrace, and all the dispensable servants were let go.

This merchant, like many wealthy people, had peculiar habits—he never ate a simple meal. He required beautiful concubines to serve him, with music playing, and, of course, a noodle artistry performance.

Qin Xia witnessed the brothers perform their noodle-pulling skills at the broker’s office. A small lump of dough became long, unbroken noodles in their hands, flying in all directions without touching their clothes or the ground.

At the end of the demonstration, Qin Xia couldn’t help but applaud.

He learned that the two brothers had many more tricks up their sleeves.

For instance, they could stand on a rolling barrel while balancing a dough ball on their heads and slice knife-cut noodles with both hands. They could also pass a fine strand of noodle through a copper coin’s hole, the noodle as thin as a hair.

As for simpler tasks like steaming buns or making dumplings, those were considered basic skills for them.

This was a valuable find—too valuable to pass up.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xia immediately hired the brothers for one year at a rate of five taels per month.

At the end of the year, Qin Xia could either hire someone new, or if the brothers were dissatisfied with the restaurant, they could leave on their own.

The brothers’ surname was Huang. The elder was Huang Xing, and the younger, Huang Guang.

They were quite satisfied with Qin Xia as their boss. He seemed young and approachable, not like those haughty employers who were difficult to please.

With the Huang brothers on board, noodle artistry was no longer a problem. They could perform their skills effortlessly, without needing to rehearse.

In contrast, Qin Xia’s second planned performance was a bit more complicated—he wanted to create a cotton candy machine in the Dayong dynasty.

Not the kind that’s sold in bags, but the kind where street vendors spin it fresh onto a bamboo stick.

Qin Xia understood the basic principles, but he wasn’t sure if the local craftsmen would be able to replicate the machine successfully.

The blacksmith Qin Xia found furrowed his brow after hearing the description and looking at the drawings Qin Xia had brought.

He couldn’t quite grasp what “cotton candy” was, but he understood what Qin Xia wanted.

It seemed to involve making a large pot with a small bowl in the middle, with fine holes drilled at the bottom of the bowl, into which syrup would be poured.

Beneath this would be a rotating device. When the pot and bowl spun fast enough, the syrup would be flung out as sugar strands, which would then wrap around a bamboo stick.

“I can make it, but there’s no guarantee it’ll work,” the blacksmith said, scratching his chin, careful not to give a firm promise.

Qin Xia knew that without modern electricity, rotation would have to be powered by a hand-crank or foot-pedal mechanism.

“Your job is to make it; whether it works or not is your concern. No need to worry about that,” Qin Xia replied, paying a deposit based on the specified dimensions.

He didn’t expect the machine to perfectly recreate modern cotton candy, but as long as it was “unique,” it would be enough to achieve the effect he wanted.

With cotton candy in the works, the sweets from his family’s candy shop couldn’t be left out either.

By late April, four letters of reply, along with sweets and fruit wine transported from Pingyuan Prefecture, arrived in the capital with the Xiao family’s trading caravan.

“Merchant Xiao, long time no see.”

“Boss Qin! I trust you’ve been well?”

From several steps away, they greeted each other warmly, with the feeling of old friends meeting in a distant land.

Since the Yu residence wasn’t convenient, Qin Xia hosted Xiao Shou at the not-yet-opened Heguang Pavilion.

Merchant Xiao looked around the impressive shop and nodded in approval.

“At least now when I come to the capital, I’ll have a place to go!”

The thought that others might struggle to taste Qin Xia’s culinary skills, while he could enjoy several meals here each year, had him grinning from ear to ear.

“Little Boss Yu isn’t around?”

People in Qinan County still didn’t know Yu Jiuque’s real name, and by habit, they continued calling him either the young boss of Qin Ji or Jiu Ge’er.

“Ah Jiu is managing other businesses and isn’t often here during the day.”

Xiao Shou had no reason to doubt him. Everyone said Jiu Ge’er came from a prestigious background, so it made sense that he had more than one business in the capital.

As an experienced businessman, Xiao Shou knew what to inquire about and what to leave alone.

Xiao Shou had arrived in the afternoon, and Qin Xia introduced him to the three new staff members he had hired before inviting him to stay for dinner.

Merchant Xiao, with his knack for remembering faces, suddenly recognized Gao Yang.

“Wait a minute, weren’t you a cook at Chang Yue Lou?”

He remembered hosting a banquet at Chang Yue Lou in the past, where he had eaten a dish of braised pine mushrooms that was so delicious he had called for the chef to reward him.

That’s when he had met Gao Yang.

“I did indeed work at Chang Yue Lou in the past.”

Xiao Shou looked at Qin Xia in surprise.

“You traveled all the way to the capital and even managed to poach a chef from Chang Yue Lou?”

Before Qin Ji existed, food enthusiasts like Xiao Shou often frequented Chang Yue Lou, and in his memory, Gao Yang was one of the standout chefs there.

Qin Xia laughed and said, “I’m not that capable.”

Gao Yang then shared his story with Xiao Shou, who, after hearing it, remarked, “Chang Yue Lou has been unreasonable. No wonder their business has been in decline, only a few people still go there because of the elegant décor in the private rooms, using it mainly for hosting banquets. When I order food now, I only ever get their signature Chang family jar braised pork.”

He continued, mentioning that in an effort to recover their tarnished reputation after some legal troubles, the current jar braised pork was now personally cooked by Old Master Chang himself, who had come out of retirement.

“Each time you eat it could be the last,” Xiao Shou sighed.

When dinnertime arrived, Qin Xia personally cooked the meal.

It was just a small dinner for the two of them, with Gao Yang accompanying. They didn’t need too many dishes.

The highlight of the meal was lamb.

Lamb is a good choice for the summer, as it helps dispel heat and dryness while nourishing the spleen and kidneys. Coincidentally, lamb was also Merchant Xiao’s favorite.

Being further north in the capital, the local sheep were a different breed than those in Qinan County, and Qin Xia found them tastier.

There were two lamb dishes: the first was stir-fried lamb with scallions.

This dish requires precise control of the heat, and Qin Xia had purchased a tender lamb loin, slicing it into thin pieces.

In stir-fried lamb with scallions, the scallions are as much of a star as the lamb, with the scallion quantity exceeding the lamb to bring out the full flavor.

Before cooking, the lamb must be marinated for 15 minutes with soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and a bit of wine to remove the gaminess.

Once the oil was hot, the lamb was stir-fried until just cooked through, its moisture drained, then set aside.

The scallions were then stir-fried separately until fragrant, at which point the lamb was returned to the pan with some soy sauce and a dash of vinegar.

The key to stir-frying is using plenty of oil and ingredients, ensuring the heat is strong and consistent. The dish should be served just before the lamb becomes overcooked to capture its peak flavor.

The second dish was hand-pulled lamb ribs.

This dish couldn’t be made with the lamb from Qinan County; it required a breed known as big-tailed sheep.

The ribs were first blanched to remove impurities, then placed in boiling water with just ginger and Sichuan pepper. No salt was added, as it would affect the texture of the ribs.

The ribs were cooked for a little over 30 minutes, until a chopstick could easily pierce the meat.

Once the lamb was done, the sauces for dipping became crucial.

Qin Xia prepared several sauces.

One was chili salt, another cumin salt, and the third was oil-poured chili mixed with white sesame seeds and scallions, balanced with vinegar and soy sauce.

To eat, one would grab the lamb by hand and pair it with a bite of onion. Xiao Shou said it made him feel like he was back in his days traveling the Northwest as a merchant.

“If Boss Qin ever has the chance, you should visit that area. Riding horses across the grasslands really fills you with a sense of grandeur. Even if you don’t ride, you can always rent a camel.”

In his previous life, Qin Xia had been a travel enthusiast, and Xiao Shou’s words sparked a longing within him.

“When the restaurant is settled, I’ll take a trip and relax.”

Xiao Shou raised his cup and clinked it with Qin Xia’s, suggesting with a smile, “You’d better go before you have kids, or else Boss Jiu won’t be willing to let you go!”

He figured that with the deep affection between Qin Xia and Yu Jiuque, the former probably wouldn’t want to travel alone.

Hearing this, Qin Xia sobered up a bit.

As the boss himself, it was already difficult to take an extended vacation, let alone Yu Jiuque. Forget about traveling to enjoy the mountains and rivers before having children—they barely even had time to make a child!

Yu Jiuque had been so busy lately that he didn’t come home until late at night, eating dinner in the palace and falling straight asleep as soon as he returned.

Xiao Shou, however, remained oblivious to Qin Xia’s concerns.

He continued to heartily eat meat and vegetables and even made a reservation for their next meal.

“I’ll be staying in Shengjing for a while, so I’ll be coming to mooch more meals.”

Qin Xia generously assured him that, no matter the in-between meals, he would certainly treat him to grilled meats before he left, as a farewell feast.

“Beef, lamb, and pork can all be grilled, and so can vegetables like mushrooms, green peppers, cabbage, and leeks. Each has its own delicious flavor.”

Hearing this, Xiao Shou got excited, wishing that day would come sooner.

After seeing Xiao Shou off, it was already late.

Qin Xia went to the back courtyard and saw that the staff had already organized the goods delivered by the Xiao family caravan, including a hundred vats of fruit wine and ten crates of candies.

The fruit wine was meant to be sold in the restaurant.

The production capacity of the winery was already falling behind demand. Xiao Shou had mentioned that he had wanted to take some wine for resale during his journey, but he would have to wait three months for the next batch.

He had already placed a deposit, with plans to discuss it after the autumn harvest.

The candies were a different matter. The candy factory had expanded after the New Year, doubling its workforce.

The previous sugar shipments to the southern regions had proven to be lucrative for the Qinan County merchants, who now only regretted that they couldn’t get more stock.

This time, Xiao Shou had also brought some candy from Qin’s confectionery, but since Shengjing was Qin Xia’s own territory, they wouldn’t sell it here.

“These candies will be individually packed and given as gifts to customers on the opening day. I’ll need your help to pack them in the coming days.”

Everyone assured him it wasn’t hard work. For those used to doing heavy labor, packing candies was nothing.

After giving these instructions, the wine and candies were stored in the restaurant’s warehouse.

Bidding farewell to Gao Yang and the Huang brothers, who were staying at the restaurant, Qin Xia left with Qiu Chuan.

At the back gate, the servant Ah Sheng was already waiting by the sedan chair.

He had timed his arrival from the residence and, before Qin Xia got into the chair, asked, “Has your lord returned?”

Ah Sheng bowed slightly.

“Yes, sir, the lord returned half an hour ago, but he’s feeling unwell. A doctor has already been summoned to the residence.”

Qin Xia’s expression changed. Without waiting for help, he rushed forward and lifted the sedan curtain himself.

“Return home immediately.”

It was no surprise that Yu Jiuque, with his hectic schedule and irregular meals, had triggered a bout of stomach pain.

By the time Qin Xia returned home, the physician had already finished the diagnosis and concluded that it was nothing serious.

“It’s just a troublesome stomach ailment. If not properly tended to, it could leave lasting issues, which is never good.”

After prescribing some medicine, the physician left, and the household staff went to fetch the herbs.

When Qin Xia entered the bedroom, Yu Jiuque was already nestled in bed, his eyes half-closed.

His abdomen was slightly raised, and when Qin Xia touched it, it felt warm—he had a hot water bottle tucked under the blankets.

“Husband, you’re back,” Yu Jiuque said, opening his eyes at the sound of Qin Xia’s voice.

“I heard from Ah Sheng that you weren’t feeling well and had called for a doctor. I rushed back from Xuanwu Street as fast as I could.”

Qin Xia grabbed his husband’s hand, finding his palm damp with sweat.

“The medicine will be ready soon. Once you take it, you’ll feel better.”

Yu Jiuque looked a bit frustrated.

It seemed like he was always either taking medicine or on the verge of needing it.

“You know how it is,” Qin Xia said, pressing on an acupoint in Yu Jiuque’s hand—a technique he had just learned from the physician. To make sure he didn’t forget, Qin Xia had pressed hard enough on his own hand to leave a mark, then compared it to Yu Jiuque’s hand to ensure he was pressing the right spot.

“Now that you’re unwell, can you take a day off tomorrow?”

Yu Jiuque pulled the blankets up around him. “I’m afraid not.”

Qin Xia took a deep breath, his tone unusually sharp with a trace of annoyance. “Is everyone else in the Directorate of Ceremonial completely useless?”

Despite his grumbling, the work still had to be done.

After all, Yu Jiuque’s “boss” was the most important person in the realm, and no one dared to cross him.

When the medicine was brought in, it was a thick, dark concoction.

Yu Jiuque grimaced as he drank it down and quickly grabbed a piece of candy, popping it into his mouth without waiting for it to dissolve—he chewed it up right away.

As the sweetness spread, the tension on his brow eased.

Whether it was the bitterness of the medicine, the sweetness of the candy, or Qin Xia’s acupressure that did the trick, his stomach pain was now much less intense.

The hot water bottle had made him sweat, and with the stomach pain subsiding, he started to feel hungry.

“Can I get something to eat?” Yu Jiuque rested his hand on his stomach cautiously.

“Yes, you can,” Qin Xia replied.

Yu Jiuque set aside the book he had been using to pass the time and said, “I specifically asked the doctor. He said this is a condition that comes and goes quickly. If you get hungry again after feeling better and eat the wrong things, it’s bound to flare up again.”

That meant no greasy, overly sweet, spicy, or raw foods.

“I’ll make you some fried egg and radish soup.”

This soup, like honey cake, was one of the “sick meals” Qin Xia had often as a child.

Other dishes included steamed eggs with orange to stop coughing and snow pear with rock sugar to moisten the lungs.

That night, the kitchen in the household once again filled with the gentle smoke of cooking.

Three eggs were fried in a pan, then chopped into pieces with a spatula. Water was added and brought to a boil.

As the soup turned milky white and the aroma of eggs filled the air, shredded radish and tofu that had been stir-fried were added. Once cooked, only a pinch of salt was used for seasoning.

The soup was quick to make, and in no time, it was served to Yu Jiuque.

The radish was sweet and fresh, the tofu tender and smooth, and the fried eggs rich with flavor. A sip of the hot broth added a comforting warmth.

Yu Jiuque finished a large bowl and broke out into another layer of sweat. His stomach no longer felt like a cold stone, and the last traces of discomfort faded away.

…

Before the grilled meat banquet arrived, the cotton candy machine was completed.

It was a heavy, large device, and its function wasn’t immediately obvious at first glance.

“Anyway, I followed your design as closely as I could, and I’ve built it. But whether it’ll actually work, I really can’t say,” the blacksmith said, showing Qin Xia the hand crank and the foot pedal, as well as how fast the machine could spin.

“Don’t worry about using the crank or pedal too hard. As long as you don’t try to spin both at once, it won’t break even after thousands of rotations. If it does break after just a few tries, you know where to find me.”

As the pedal was pushed, the machine began to rotate, making a rumbling sound.

The speed was, of course, slower than an electric machine. Qin Xia wasn’t sure if this setup could successfully make cotton candy. After settling the payment, he had the machine brought back to the restaurant’s courtyard and cleaned it thoroughly.

He asked Gao Yang to prepare some syrup, as he intended to test the machine himself.

The hand crank and foot pedal could be used interchangeably, and this task was assigned to Huang Xing, who claimed to be the strongest.

A moment later, Qin Xia poured the syrup into the center, held up a bamboo stick, and signaled for Huang Xing to start.

With great enthusiasm, Huang Xing set the large machine spinning, and sure enough, threads of sugar began to fling outward.

Qin Xia quickly moved the bamboo stick to catch the sugar threads, spinning them around the stick as they formed.

The first attempt was a bit clumsy, with a fair amount of sugar sticking to his hands.

After working for a while, Qin Xia signaled to Huang Xing to stop.

He raised the bamboo stick in his hand, revealing a ball of sugar threads about the size of a grown man’s fist.

“So this is cotton candy!” Qiu Chuan, who had been watching the entire process with his mouth open, finally understood why it was called “cotton candy” even before the final product appeared.

Looking at the ring of sugar stuck to the edge of the iron pot, it indeed resembled pulled cotton fibers.

“If the machine spun faster, we could make even larger cotton candy, but this size is good for now.”

Since Qiu Chuan was the youngest, Qin Xia handed the cotton candy to him.

“Xiao Chuan, you try it first.”

“Thank you, boss!” Qiu Chuan happily accepted it and cautiously licked it with the tip of his tongue.

The fluffy sugar instantly melted as soon as it touched his tongue.

He then took a big bite, and with one mouthful, half of the cotton candy was gone.

Apart from being novel and sweet, there wasn’t much more he could say about it.

“Boss, can I give it a try?” Gao Yang, who had been eagerly waiting, asked excitedly. Qin Xia stepped aside to let him take over.

This time, Huang Guang took over the task of cranking the machine.

Standing beside Huang Xing, Qin Xia asked, “Isn’t cranking this tiring?”

The restaurant’s grand opening would require three days of festivities, from morning till night. Even if they alternated between two people, this task wouldn’t be easy.

Huang Xing replied, “It’s actually fine. When my arms get tired, I switch to using my legs. It’s kind of fun.”

As the group practiced, they became more skilled at making cotton candy.

By the time everyone present had gotten a chance to try one, the cotton candy they produced was noticeably larger than the first one Qin Xia made.

“This treat isn’t about how good it tastes, but how fun it is. Once we set this up on the street, it’ll definitely attract a crowd.”

“Boss, do you think if we added beet juice to the syrup, we could make pink cotton candy?” Gao Yang asked eagerly.

Qin Xia was pleased to see his staff thinking creatively and sharing ideas.

“I think it’s possible. Feel free to try it. Once the restaurant business picks up, there will be plenty of bonuses for everyone.”

Everyone responded enthusiastically and immediately began brainstorming ideas together.

Several days passed, and the grand opening of Heguang Pavilion was imminent.

Meanwhile, Xiao Shou and his trading caravan were preparing to leave the capital.

He had originally planned to stay until the official opening to congratulate Qin Xia, but the caravan had to keep moving, and goods waited for no one. The consolation was that he could still enjoy a meal of grilled meat skewers before departing.

On that same day, he finally had the rare chance to meet Yu Jiuque again.

Lord Yu had returned to his regular attire, looking just as he did back in Qinan County.

Tonight, there were no tables or chairs—just a grill in the backyard with stools arranged around it.

Xiao Shou brought two of his close attendants, while Qin Xia invited some of the restaurant staff to join the meal.

Since there were quite a few people, Qin Xia prepared a variety of skewers.

For the meat, there was beef, lamb, pork belly, tendon, tenderloin, chicken skin, wings, hearts, and gizzards.

There were even more options for vegetables: potatoes, eggplant, leeks, green peppers, mushrooms, tofu—all piled up in a dazzling display.

He also prepared some staple foods, including grilled mantou and flatbread, along with slices of rice cake threaded onto bamboo skewers, which could be brushed with fruit jam once grilled.

The grill had been custom-made, burning charcoal inside.

The skewers lined up on top, with the oil from the meat occasionally dripping down, creating a sizzling sound.

Xiao Shou’s appetite was whetted just by watching, and he joined Qin Xia in grilling.

“This grill is excellent. Back in Qinan County, why didn’t you bring out something like this before?”

Qin Xia thought about it but couldn’t recall. He had to admit the truth.

“I didn’t think of it at the time.”

He knew how to make so many different dishes that grilled skewers hadn’t even made it onto the list.

Xiao Shou, not yet having taken a bite, was already salivating, and between cravings, he still remembered his friend Xing Yiming back in Qinan County.

“If I go back and tell Old Xing about all the food I’ve had here, he’ll probably abandon everything and come to Shengjing to find you!”

Qin Xia laughed, “Please tell Shopkeeper Xing for me that if he comes, I’ll be sure to take good care of him.”

Yu Jiuque sat quietly to the side, completely unfazed by the smoke and flames. He helped Qin Xia by fanning the grill with a large fan.

Soon, the first batch of skewers was ready—about twenty in total. Qin Xia sprinkled them with five-spice powder and cumin, then placed them in a large bowl for everyone to help themselves.

Qin Xia grabbed a skewer of meat tendons, devouring it in just a few bites. The familiar taste brought back memories, making him feel as if he were back in the days of street stalls, eating skewers and drinking beer.

It suddenly dawned on him what was missing.

“Xiao Chuan, go fetch a jar of wine!”

The wine was grape wine, casually poured into bowls. Though it had a sweet aftertaste, it surprisingly paired well with the meat.

Xiao Shou remarked, “Those Hu people also love drinking grape wine and mare’s milk wine. They eat a bite of meat, drink a sip of wine—so really, drinking this wine is the most fitting. If we were to switch to baijiu or huangjiu, it just wouldn’t feel right.”

Yu Jiuque wasn’t drinking today, and even the skewers he ate were ones Qin Xia had deliberately chosen to be less greasy for him.

As for the taste of the meat, it was undoubtedly excellent, but the vegetables were a different story.

At first, everyone thought that grilled meat was the real deal, and they hadn’t heard of grilling vegetables over charcoal. But once they started eating, there were no more objections.

Xiao Shou, with his strong taste preferences, loved the grilled leeks and garlic.

Yu Jiuque, who preferred sweet flavors, enjoyed the grilled cabbage and rice cakes.

Qin Xia’s personal favorite was the crispy grilled potatoes and the eggplant brushed with sauce.

The others weren’t too picky—being able to enjoy this meal was a privilege, so there was no room for likes or dislikes. Everything tasted good, and they ate it all.

The grill sent up clouds of smoke, filling the entire courtyard with a distinct aroma—strong but not unpleasant.

By the latter half of the meal, everyone started grilling their own skewers and then returned to their seats to eat the meat and vegetables.

The restaurant staff had also bonded with Xiao Shou’s attendants, moving their stools to sit together and listen to stories of life on the trade routes.

Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, a sedan chair passed by.

Inside sat a young nobleman, wearing a jade crown and dressed in luxurious clothing, though the stench of alcohol clung to him, ruining his otherwise refined appearance.

He was accompanied by several attendants, and the procession was quite impressive.

Though already drunk and feeling nauseous, ready to vomit, a tantalizing smell of grilled meat suddenly wafted through the air, rousing his empty stomach that had just been emptied from drinking.

“Is there a restaurant nearby?”

He slurred, speaking through the curtain to his servant.

“Go find out where that delicious smell is coming from and buy some for me!”