Chapter 471: Chapter 471. Good Food Is Not Afraid of Being Late
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“You’re finally here. Hurry and serve the tea,” Qin Feng said, his stomach audibly growling with hunger. As he eyed Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu, he gestured for them to proceed with the tea service and to hand over the red envelope so he could move to eat.
Obediently, Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu knelt and served tea to Qin Feng and Zhou Bo. In return, Qin Feng handed them a generous red envelope, while Zhou Bo gave them a talisman. Speaking in a mysterious tone, Zhou Bo told the young couple, “This talisman is worth its weight in gold and could save your lives!”
Xiao Zeyu chuckled. He knew Uncle Master didn’t have the financial means to back up the value of the talisman with cash. The only way to emphasize its worth was through embellishment.
Su Qing thanked Uncle Master and slipped the talisman into her sleeve pocket.
“You must take good care of it. I invested thirty years of expertise into crafting this,” Zhou Bo advised.
Noticing Su Qing casually placing the talisman in her sleeve, Zhou Bo grew anxious. “Please store it somewhere safe.”
Feeling the pressure, Su Qing glanced at Xiao Zeyu to handle the delicate situation.
Unfazed, Xiao Zeyu took the talisman reverently. He then reached for a pouch tied to his waist, carefully placed the talisman inside, and secured the pouch close to his body.
Su Qing noticed Zhou Bo’s lingering frown of dissatisfaction. The old man was truly difficult to please.
“Eat, eat, eat,” Qin Feng muttered, his stomach growling in anticipation. Once the tea ceremony was over, he planned to have dinner and head back to Mo City. He was concerned about leaving Xiao Ying there alone.
He had intentionally not brought Xiao Ying along for her safety and kept her in the dark about the marriage to ensure her peace of mind in Mo City.
Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing couldn’t return to Mo City for another three days, so they were to stay put for the time being.
“Qing’er, could you prepare something delicious for Grandpa?” Qin Feng asked, his eyes brightening at the thought.
“Of course, I’ll make something for you,” Su Qing replied. It was customary for the bride to serve her in-laws. She was expected to make breakfast for them on the first day after their wedding. Since Su Qing had no in-laws, she directed her culinary efforts toward her grandfather and Uncle Master instead.
“Little Qing, bring out the wine!” Qin Feng added, his mood visibly lifting.
Zhou Bo was fond of Su Qing’s cooking but had a particular affinity for the wine she brewed.
“Sure, I’ll head to the winery later and brew ten jars for you,” Su Qing agreed. She had been planning to visit the winery anyway, which her cousin had been managing. Her father had mentioned plans to expand the place, and she was curious to see how things were progressing.
“It’s a deal then!” Zhou Bo exclaimed, his demeanor transforming from that of a sage-like figure to one of sheer delight.
Qin Feng shot Zhou Bo a disapproving glare. “My granddaughter-in-law has just married into the family, and you’re already putting her to work brewing wine?”
“I can wait a few more days,” Zhou Bo replied, his easygoing nature shining through.
Seeing Qin Feng’s stern gaze, Zhou Bo stroked his beard and retorted with a smile, “Didn’t you just ask Su Qing to cook for you?”
“I—” Qin Feng was at a loss for words. He had indeed asked his new granddaughter-in-law to cook. But certainly, cooking wasn’t as labor-intensive as brewing wine.
Su Qing watched the two elderly men argue, amused by their childlike antics.
Xiao Zeyu felt a pang of concern for his wife. Hadn’t the two older men at home considered that Su Qing had just gotten married and was already tasked with various duties?
Wanting to pamper his wife, Xiao Zeyu mustered the courage to interject. “Grandpa, you’ve never tried my cooking. How about I roast some meat for you today? Let’s give Qing’er a chance to rest.”
“Eh?” Qin Feng cast a skeptical glance at his grandson. Could Xiao Zeyu even cook, and if so, could his roasted meat rival Su Qing’s culinary skills?
Having made his suggestion to his grandfather, Xiao Zeyu then turned to Zhou Bo. “Uncle Master, if it’s a drink you’re after, I can take you to the winery. You can pick whatever you like.”
“Eh?” Zhou Bo paused mid-beard stroke, blinking in disbelief. How could any wine compare to the brew Su Qing crafted?
He had been looking forward to those ten jars of Su Qing’s wine, and now, thanks to his insufferable martial nephew, the prospect had vanished. He would prefer a single jar from Su Qing over ten jars from anyone else.
Observing the two disheartened older men, Xiao Zeyu felt no remorse. If Su Qing were tired, he would be the one to suffer the consequences.
True to his word, after breakfast, he went to the sheep pen and selected the plumpest sheep to roast for his grandfather. He wasn’t a novice at cooking; he was skilled. His specialty was roast meat, though it didn’t rival Su Qing’s culinary talents. Employing a rustic roasting technique, he rubbed salt on the sheep’s skin and stuffed spices into its stomach before roasting it over an open fire. The procedure was straightforward: roast, dip in spices, and eat. The result was delightfully aromatic.
When Su Qing arrived to assist, the atmosphere lifted. Being a Level 10 Chef, she had a natural knack for making any dish mouth-watering, a talent she considered a skill buff. With Su Qing’s presence, Qin Feng’s hopes began to rise.
Xiao Zeyu sent someone to the winery to purchase ten jars of Jiannanchun and Drunken Overlord wines, hoping they would satisfy Uncle Master’s taste. Although the wines from Luan Hong were slightly inferior to Su Qing’s, the difference was marginal. Otherwise, how could they be imported to Tartan?
The winery significantly contributed to the Su family’s revenue, accounting for two-thirds of their income. It was their most profitable venture. Even after her marriage, Su Qing didn’t reclaim the business but left it in the capable hands of Xiao Chen. It was her way of showing gratitude for inheriting this life.
Though she had handed the winery to the Su family, Su Qing still had profitable ventures. Her rheumatism creams, tendons, and bone medicines remained hot sellers in Tartan and neighboring countries. These products were costly, ensuring a high profit margin.
She was also developing a longevity cream to improve the health of the frail and ailing. Such a medicine could command a high price. Wealthy individuals who feared mortality often splurged on modern health products, regardless of their efficacy. In contrast, Su Qing’s medicine genuinely worked, unlike some health supplements that could be detrimental.
Additionally, she continued to operate a winery in Mo City. If she didn’t export the wine to Tartan, she could sell it to the Central Plains. Even by solely producing Jiannanchun wine, she could maintain profitability.
Meanwhile, the population of Silkworm Babies that Xiao Qi was raising had exponentially grown. Initially numbering only a few dozen, their count had surged to over a thousand. Xiao Qi had also planted ten mulberry trees, providing ample sustenance for these ever-multiplying Silkworm Babies.
With the Silkworm Babies, they could produce exquisite silk, crafting fabrics like light muslin and smooth satin that were as delicate as cicada wings. High-ranking officials and nobles were eager to purchase these luxury items to flaunt their status.
Su Qing also had additional entrepreneurial plans; she was preparing to open a perfume garden and a workshop to produce cosmetics like rouge and water powder. Even focusing solely on lipstick could be a lucrative venture.
However, accumulating wealth was not her ultimate aim. Her dream was cultivating ten thousand acres of fertile land and watching golden wheat fields sway in the wind.
Three days later, Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing returned to the Su family estate, where they were greeted with warm hospitality as soon as they arrived. After a sumptuous meal at her parents’ home, Xiao Zeyu had a heart-to-heart conversation with his father-in-law, Su Hanxuan, who advised him to take good care of Qing’er.
After their visit, Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu returned to Mo City with Zhang Jinglin. They also had Ghostmother secured in a prison cart for transport. Neither of them feared that the Five Ghosts would try to rescue her; in fact, they would prefer not to have to search for her in Yun City..
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