Chapter 144: Chapter 144: A Fat Sheep on a Silver Platter
The official day off wasn’t until tomorrow, but even before lunchtime, a large crowd had already gathered outside Ming’s Restaurant.
Ming Lingyi knew someone was outside spreading rumors and fanning the flames. However, when it came to such matters, she had always believed in dealing with whatever came her way. Business had to go on as usual.
In fact, she intended to make today’s business even better than usual.
Otherwise, it would be a disservice to the person behind the scenes who had gone to such great lengths, practically inviting half of Shangjing City to come watch the show.
Xie Ruijing had also come to Ming’s Restaurant.
He was among the first to arrive. He had heard of Ming’s Restaurant before, but he’d never paid it any mind.
Not until this direct confrontation between Wangxian Building and Ming’s Restaurant.
Or rather, he could have continued to disregard Ming’s Restaurant even during this clash.
It was just a small eatery opened in the market, hardly worthy of his attention. But who could he blame when his own subordinates were so unreliable? They had nearly ruined the reputation of Wangxian Building.
Now, to make the people of Shangjing City forget Wangxian Building’s embarrassing incident, they naturally needed another, even more shocking embarrassment to take its place.
Ming’s Restaurant had naturally become his first choice.
"Second Young Master, a lot of onlookers have already gathered outside. Our men are in position as well."
Just then, an inconspicuous man dressed like a servant approached Xie Ruijing and reported in a low voice.
"Have you spread the word at the gates of the members of the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion?" Xie Ruijing asked.
The man nodded. "This humble one specifically arranged for a few extra men to publicize this at the mansion gates of the young masters from the poetry society. I imagine they’ve all received the news. When I came in earlier, I already saw that young master from the Zhang Family waiting in the tea shop across the street. I expect everyone will be here soon."
Xie Ruijing nodded in satisfaction.
Wangxian Building catered to scholars and literary talents. He couldn’t just stand by and watch a tiny eatery steal the spotlight like this.
His move today was precisely to sever any possibility of scholars and students coming to Ming’s Restaurant. As for anyone else, he couldn’t be bothered to care.
The young master from the Zhang Family the servant mentioned was a rather famous talent in Shangjing City who had taken the imperial examinations but never entered official service.
The Zhang Family was well-off, and this Young Master Zhang was the youngest son, free from the heavy responsibilities of the family. He was the type who loved to travel and enjoy the scenery.
He had co-founded the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion society with the eldest young master of the Ming Family back in the day.
The two of them were once known as the "Twin Jades" of Shangjing City, the dream lovers of countless young ladies.
However, of Shangjing’s Twin Jades, one had left for Jiangnan five years ago following the death of his full-blooded sister. The other had also not been seen for a long time. With his soulmate gone from Shangjing, Young Master Zhang of the Zhang Family had also taken a boat south, supposedly to "exile himself," only returning to the Capital City within the last year.
Zhang Sifan didn’t appear often, but he was, after all, a founder of the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion society. Every time the poetry society held an event, an invitation was always sent to the Zhang Mansion. His presence carried a very different meaning.
Xie Ruijing was confident that since Zhang Sifan himself had appeared nearby, most of the members of the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion would likely show up as well. Then there would really be a good show to watch.
"Sir, what would you like to order?"
Just as Xie Ruijing was thinking about how "lively" Ming’s Restaurant would soon become, the present liveliness took the initiative to come to him.
Wu Zhao Yi was so busy today he was practically running off his feet. He felt that business at the restaurant today was several times better than when their boss had her grand reopening.
Moreover, there were no discounts at the restaurant today, which meant they would earn even more silver than they did on opening day! That alone was enough to make him put his all into it.
He, Wu Zha’er, and Wu Zhao Yu were all in agreement: this mission was simply an "Immortal Product" compared to all the missions they had ever undertaken before.
They got to eat well, drink well, and sleep well every day. All they had to do was play the part of a normal, ordinary person. There could be no easier or more comfortable mission.
So, even though he knew Xie Ruijing was very likely the one pushing the negative publicity from behind the scenes, Wu Zhao Yi still approached him enthusiastically to take his order.
After all, every single copper coin the man spent would end up in their restaurant’s account.
That was exactly why he had to push their restaurant’s dishes even more enthusiastically. Earning a rival’s silver was far more satisfying than earning it from an ordinary person.
Before this, Xie Ruijing truly had no intention of dining at Ming’s Restaurant.
After all, as the one with real power managing the Xie family’s miscellaneous affairs, he had tasted all sorts of rare delicacies. He truly looked down on a tiny little eatery hidden away in the market.
But now that Wu Zhao Yi had come right up to ask, Xie Ruijing would seem rather petty if he didn’t order something.
"Bring me your specialty," Xie Ruijing said casually.
He was just putting on an act and had no intention of eating.
Hearing this, a flicker of understanding crossed Wu Zhao Yi’s eyes. "Please wait a moment, sir."
Wu Zhao Yi quickly went to the back kitchen.
"The Xie family’s Second Master is here, right in our main hall," Wu Zhao Yi said.
After Ming Lingyi had returned from Wangxian Building, she hadn’t hidden the matter of Xie Ruijing from her staff. Therefore, as soon as they heard Wu Zhao Yi’s words, the people of Ming’s Restaurant understood the situation.
"Is this guy here to watch the show?" Wu Zha’er frowned and spoke, exchanging a look with Wu Zhao Yi. Both saw the same thought in each other’s eyes—
’He loves watching a show so much, we should stuff him in a burlap sack later! Is Our Lady’s business something people can just gawk at?’
Wu Zhao Yu, however, looked to Ming Lingyi to see what she planned to do.
Ming Lingyi was surprised for only a moment before asking, "What did he order?"
Wu Zhao Yi told her exactly what he said.
A sudden smile touched Ming Lingyi’s lips. "Xiao Chun, go bring me one of the leftover wooden planks."
The restaurant’s menus were written on wooden planks and hung on the walls. Xiao Chun quickly fetched a plank along with the ink and brush Ming Lingyi would use.
Ming Lingyi sat down and, with a flourish of her hand, wrote two large words.
"Immortal Brew?"
Shi Mingyue, who was closest, saw the two words Ming Lingyi had written and read them aloud.
"What’s this?" Xiao Chun asked curiously. She had no idea her young mistress had developed a new dish.
Ming Lingyi gestured for her to bring over a jug of burned saber they had bought, then poured it into one of the restaurant’s wine pots.
This was the same wine pot that had held the complimentary apricot blossom wine during the grand reopening.
"This is the Immortal Brew," Ming Lingyi said with a beaming smile. "Today’s special. There’s only one pot."
At these words, the people in the kitchen reacted differently.
Wu Zhao Yu was the first to understand and laughed out loud.
Shi Mingyue also realized what Ming Lingyi meant. The solemn look on her face faded, replaced by a clear hint of amusement in her eyes.
’Isn’t this just a fat sheep delivering itself to our door? Since he’s come knocking on his own, if we don’t fleece him now, when will we ever get the chance?’
"Miss, how much silver are we selling this pot of wine for?"
