At the entrance of the alleyway, a group of armored imperial guards stood there with solemn expressions, blocking off the entrance of the alleyway. In front of the guards, Lian Fu, who was wearing a brocade robe and swinging his horsetail whisk, anxiously paced back and forth. Occasionally, he would stop and look at the store with a worried expression.
"His Majesty is too much. It's not like I will fight with him for food. Why won't he let me accompany him in?" Lian Fu unhappily sighed. He released his consciousness and vigilantly observed his surroundings. His Majesty leaving the palace was no small matter. Once the experts of the sect found out, it would attract a swarm of assassins.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out among the guards. The crowd parted and an elegant figure slowly walked out.
"His Highness, the third prince, is also here. What a coincidence." Lian Fu lightly smiled as he pinched his thumb and middle finger.
Ji Chengxue's expression was somewhat cold. He nodded his head and continued walking forward. His long robe fluttered and left behind a cool breeze.
Lian Fu helplessly looked at Ji Chengxue's back. It seemed like the third prince had met His Majesty in the store and they did not get along well.
As a member of the imperial family, he had to face the affairs of the imperial family. If His Majesty did not like the third prince, it would be useless no matter how diligent and outstanding one was.
"Everyone, stay alert. His Majesty is in the alleyway. If anything happens to His Majesty, you all know the consequences!" Lian Fu harrumphed as he warned the guards.
"Aiyo, isn't this Chief Steward Lian? Long time no see! "A flattering voice sounded out and interrupted Lian Fu, who was preparing to give a long lecture to the guards.
Lian Fu puzzledly glanced at the newcomer. The person before him was skinny with a protruding mouth and monkey cheeks. He was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe and a belt inlaid with green jade hung from his waist. His fingers were covered with sparkling rings and he looked like a rich man.
"You are?" Lian Fu puzzledly asked. He did not seem to know such a vulgar old man.
"Chief Steward Lian, have you forgotten about me? I am the owner of the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant. Didn't His Majesty come to eat the Roasted Flower Duck last time? I was the one who personally served that dish! "The newcomer did not seem to mind that Lian Fu did not remember him at all as he squinted his eyes and smiled.
"Oh oh oh! You're that thing called … Qian … Qian something? "Lian Fu narrowed his eyes and pointed at the man with his thumb and middle finger trembling.
"Eunuch, my name is Qian Bao," the man reminded him.
Lian Fu came to a sudden realization. He nodded and said, "That's right, it's Qian Bao … Aiyo, what is the owner of the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant doing here?"
"I was just passing by and came over to greet you when I saw you. It's been a long time since you've eaten at the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant. When will you do me the honor? Your presence brings light to our humble Immortal Phoenix Restaurant. "Qian Bao smiled brightly.
The dishes at the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant were indeed pretty good and could be considered as a first-class restaurant in the Light Wind Empire. However, ever since Lian Fu ate the dishes cooked by Bu Fang, he felt that even the dishes from the imperial kitchen were tasteless. Why would he go to the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant to eat?
Aside from Immortal Phoenix Restaurant's signature dish, Roasted Flower Duck, the other dishes were not up to par.
"Oh, I'll go there when I'm free." Lian Fu nodded absent-mindedly and answered perfunctorily.
"Ah, alright, then I'll respectfully await your arrival." The smile on Qian Bao's face never faded. No matter what Lian Fu's attitude was, he was still smiling brightly.
After a long while, Qian Bao cautiously asked, "That … Eunuch, is His Majesty in this alleyway?"
Lian Fu's pupils immediately constricted as he vigilantly looked at Qian Bao. He frowned and said in a sharp voice, "What are your intentions in asking this question?"
"I'm just looking forward to His Majesty's visit again. Didn't His Majesty call the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant's Roasted Flower Duck the 'Light Wind Empire's Number One Duck'? I'm just wondering when His Majesty will come to taste the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant's cooking again," Qian Bao hurriedly said while waving his hands.
"If His Majesty wants to eat it, he will naturally send someone to fetch it. What's the hurry? You may leave." Lian Fu gave Qian Bao a glance and lightly snorted.
Qian Bao nodded his head and left with a smile on his face. Then, he turned around and left. After taking a few steps, the smile on his face gradually faded and was quickly replaced by a gloomy expression.
"The black-hearted store in the alleyway … Even His Majesty has personally come here? I was wondering why all the esteemed customers had disappeared recently. It turns out that they were attracted by this small store, "Qian Bao muttered with a gloomy expression.
"How dare you steal my, Qian Bao's, business … I won't let you get away with it. It's just a small restaurant in a small alley. It must be relying on the reputation of a dish. Hmph … When that reputation is ruined, I want to see how you're going to steal my business!"
…
"Grandpa Emperor, this is Lees Fish, please enjoy." She placed the Lees Fish in front of the Emperor. The aroma of the wine spread in all directions, causing the Emperor to take a deep breath.
"Fragrant Lees Fish, so fragrant!" The Emperor praised and impatiently picked up the pink fish with his chopsticks. As soon as the fish entered his mouth, the taste of distillers grains and the fragrance of the fish exploded, enveloping his taste buds and intoxicating him.
"Grandpa Emperor, this is the Golden Shumai. Please enjoy."
Another dish was served and the interior of the store was completely enveloped by the aroma.
The Emperor could not stop eating and his mouth was constantly chewing. It had been a long time since he had tasted such intoxicating delicacies.
Wiping away the grease on his beard, the emperor's eyes stared at the top-grade dishes that were served one after another. His face was filled with joy. To a glutton, tasting delicious food was the happiest experience in his life.
"Xiaoyi, didn't you say that there is a wine in the store that is even better than the imperial palace's bejewelled nectar? Why don't I see it? "The Emperor curiously asked Xiaoyi as he picked up a piece of Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs and stuffed it into his mouth with a face full of enjoyment.
"There is. Grandpa Emperor, please wait." Ouyang Xiaoyi grinned and cheerfully ran to the kitchen window.
"Smelly boss, hurry up and bring out the Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine. Grandpa Emperor wants to taste it," Ouyang Xiaoyi said to Bu Fang.
After Bu Fang finished cooking the last dish, he wiped off the water on his hands and nodded. He asked Ouyang Xiaoyi to serve the last dish of Stir-Fried Vegetables while he took out the last jar of Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine from the cupboard.
Holding the Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine, Bu Fang walked out of the kitchen.
After placing the jar of wine in front of the Emperor, Bu Fang found a seat and sat down. He calmly asked the Emperor, "What do you think? Do you still want to ban the store?"
The Emperor curiously picked up the green vegetables that seemed as if they had never been cooked. When he heard Bu Fang's question, a hint of awkwardness flashed across his face. However, this awkwardness quickly disappeared.
After taking a bite of the vegetables, the warm vegetable juice immediately gushed out of his mouth and the fragrance of the vegetables lingered in his mouth.
"This is Stir-Fried Vegetables?!" The Emperor was extremely astonished after taking a bite.
"As you can see, this is just a stack of Stir-Fried Vegetables. It's just that a special cooking technique was used during the stir-frying process," Bu Fang calmly said.
As Bu Fang spoke, he removed the clay seal on the jar of wine and poured a cup of wine for the Emperor. He pointed his finger at the cup, indicating that the Emperor could taste it.
The Emperor's eyes immediately lit up. The fragrance of the Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine had already lured out the Liquor worm in his body. He was craving for it.
He picked up the blue and white porcelain cup and took a small sip. The spicy taste flowed into his tongue along his lips and suddenly blossomed, causing the Emperor's entire body to tremble and the wrinkles on his face to jump.
After drinking the wine in the cup in one gulp, the Emperor smacked his lips and lightly exhaled. His face was filled with intoxication.
"The rumors are indeed true. The Ice Heart Jade Urn Wine is indeed more delicious than my Bejewelled Nectar Wine … I have lived for so many years, yet I only managed to drink this kind of fine wine when I am halfway into the grave. Is this a punishment or a reward from the heavens?" The Emperor squinted his eyes and sighed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"With this kind of fine wine and this kind of delicacy, if I still shut down Owner Bu's shop, then I would really be an old fool." The Emperor lightly stroked his beard and indicated for Bu Fang to refill his wine. After drinking another cup, he laughed incessantly.
Bu Fang expressionlessly looked at the laughing Emperor as if everything was within his expectations.
Just as he was confident, there was no one's stomach that could not be conquered by his dishes!
The Emperor drank three cups of wine in a row. The alcohol was surging, but his eyes were even brighter.
The Emperor stared at Bu Fang and slammed the cup on the table with a bang. With a burning gaze, he said, "Owner Bu, follow me. Come to my imperial kitchen. Your monthly salary … is ten thousand crystals!"
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