叭哒漫画

Chapter 148: Braised Snacks Shop 1

As for the other shop, Wei Ruo planned to open a delicatessen focusing on braised dishes.

Wei Ruo had observed that there were no good delicatessens nearby, and the people of the Government City had a certain interest in gourmet food. As long as the food tasted good, even if the prices were a bit high, it would sell well.

Xiumei asked Wei Ruo, “Miss, for the delicatessen, are you planning to have me run it?”

Then Xiumei murmured, “Miss, I wouldn’t mind being the boss, but if 1 have to run the shop, who is going to take care of you? I can’t just leave you, Miss. What will happen if someone tries to take advantage of you when I’m not around? I wouldn’t be able to bear it!”

“I can’t bear to let you run the shop, but in the beginning, I do need your help Once we’ve trained a good staff, we just need to master the recipe for the braised dishes, and then we can leave the work to the staff.”

The key to a good braised dish lies in the braising sauce. Wei Ruo had good sauce, good seasoning, and good recipes for braised dishes.

“That’s good then, being temporarily busy is fine, as long as you do not leave me alone in the shop!”

Compared to being the boss, Xiumei preferred to stay by Wei Ruo’s side and take care of her.

“I can’t bear to let you go either! Unless you get married in the future, I won’t allow you to go anywhere else!” Wei Ruo said.

“Who’s getting married? I’m not getting married! I will spend my entire life accompanying you, Miss!”

“Alright, alright, as long as you think that way, then well both remain unmarried for life.” Wei Ruo said with a laugh.

Then Wei Ruo took Xiumei back to the carriage, “Let’s go, we are going to be busy.”

The two returned to Tianqin Garden, and then Wei Ruo began making arrangements.

Just like before, all the matters regarding buying the shop, preparing the shop for its opening, were handled by Xu Zhushan, as Wei Ruo did not personally intervene in them.

Later, Wei Ruo and Xiumei borrowed the kitchen from the Tianqin Garden’s chef.

The chef of Tianqin Garden was initially reluctant to let Wei Ruo use their kitchen, not because they were worried she’d ruin it, but because they were afraid of neglecting their duties towards their mistress’ distinguished guest. If their mistress found out that her guests were preparing their own food, the kitchen staff would not be able to bear the responsibility if they were blamed for this.

Only after Wei Ruo explained that they needed the kitchen for business purposes, and not for their own meals, did the kitchen staff agree. The kitchen in Tianqin Garden was pretty large, several times larger than the one in the Military Prefecture. It was better equipped with various kitchen utensils and seasonings.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei were thrilled, as this saved them the trouble of purchasing various spices from outside.

So the two of them immersed themselves in the kitchen, beginning their study of braised dishes.

After two busy days, Wei Ruo and Xiumei finally created a braising sauce that satisfied them both.

“Miss, with this sauce, our braised dishes will definitely sell well!” Xiumei confidently said.

“Let’s start by braising some pig’s ears and tails.” said Wei Ruo.

The locals in this area didn’t consume much pork intestines or stomach, but they did eat pig’s head, tail, and ears.

These parts were relatively cheap, cost-effective, and once braised properly, their taste did not fall behind other parts.

“Alright!” Xiumei excitedly carried the clay pot filled with the prepared braising sauce into the kitchen.

The key to making good braised dishes was to ensure that they simmered for a sufficient amount of time. If it was too short, it wouldn’t work, so they decided to let it simmer overnight and serve it the next morning, ensuring the flavors were fully absorbed.

The braised dishes prepared by Wei Ruo were first offered to the chef and maids of the kitchen, who had been observing them curiously for several days, wondering what they were up to.

“It smells so good! Miss Wei, what is this? How did you prepare such a delicious dish?”

The taste buds of the chef, who had been cooking for her entire life, were immediately captured by these braised pig’s ears.

“These are pig’s ears.” Wei Ruo responded.

“Pig’s ears? How can they be this delicious? They are aromatic and crispy full of meaty flavour yet none of the chewiness, the taste is rich and it keeps you wanting more.” the chef commented.

In the chef’s view, pig’s ears were not any high-grade ingredients, and the dishes made from them were always mediocre. However, what she just tasted, was even more delicious than regular meat dishes.

“Here are some pig’s tails too, have a taste.”

Wei Ruo let everyone try the pig’s tails as well, which also received unanimous praise.

Afterwards, Wei Ruo packed some pig’s ears and pig’s tails into food containers and had Xiumei deliver them to Madam Yuan at the prefecture’s office.

An hour later, Xiumei returned with an excited look on her face, “Miss, Madam Yuan praised our braised dishes as extremely delicious. She would like to request more to entertain her guests tomorrow.”

“In that case, prepare more. This is a good opportunity for promotion.” Wei Ruo replied.

“Alright, I’ll start preparing right away!” Xiumei was full of enthusiasm and excitement.

This time, Xiumei added two more dishes to the menu, pig’s trotters and pig’s tongue. She personally delivered them to Madam Yuan at the prefecture’s office early the next morning.

That night, Madam Yuan sent a maid over with a message for Wei Ruo, saying that the two ladies she had invited for the banquet were very fond of their braised dishes. They even inquired about where they could purchase them. Madam Yuan immediately informed them about Xu’s impending Braised Dish Shop opening in the city, and they expressed their interest in buying more once the shop opened.

The delicatessen hadn’t officially opened yet, but it already had customers.

This was a good sign.

###

While Wei Ruo was busy purchasing land, hiring staff and opening a shop, the He Family, who had received her letter, came to visit the Military Prefecture.

Those who came were Wei Ruo’s adoptive father He Zhang, her adoptive mother Madam He, and her younger sister He Miaomiao.

Initially, the servants at the Military Prefecture did not intend to inform Madam Yun. However, upon hearing that the He family had brought two cartloads of medicinal herbs that were urgently needed in Xingshan County, the servants informed Madam Yun.

Upon learning this, Madam Yun invited the He Family inside.

Although Madam Yun did not wish to interact excessively with this family, they had brought two carts full of medicinal herbs. Out of courtesy, Madam Yun arranged for their stay in the house.

Afterwards, Wei Qingwan was summoned to meet with the He family. Upon seeing the sycophantic smiles of the three members of the He family, Wei Qjngwan was extremely uncomfortable.

She had been taught from a young age that business people were the most despicable and unrefined class of society. Deep down, she did not want to associate herself with such people.

“Sister, I’m Miaomiao, your little sister!” He Miaomiao greeted Wei Qingwan proactively with a burning enthusiasm.

Wei Qingwan took a couple of steps back trying to maintain a distance between her and He Miaomiao.

However, He Miaomiao seemed oblivious to her repulsion and aloofness, and wore a warm and congenial smile, saying:

“Sister, I have wanted to see you since I found out that you are my elder sister. Now, I finally get to meet you in person.. You are even more beautiful than I imagined!”