Chapter 148: The Braised Delicacy Shop

As for the other shop, Wei Ruo planned to open a braised delicacies store.

Wei Ruo had observed that there were no good cooked food shops nearby, and the people of the prefecture city had a certain appreciation for fine cuisine. As long as the taste was good, even a slightly higher price could still attract many customers.

Xiumei asked Wei Ruo, “Miss, you’re not planning to have me be the head cook for the braised delicacies shop, are you?”

Then Xiumei muttered, “I wouldn’t mind being the lady boss, but if I’m the head cook, who will take care of you? I can’t leave your side. What if someone bullies you? I just can’t bear it!”

“I don’t want to let you be the head cook either. At first, I’ll need your help, but once we train capable assistants, we’ll only need to master the braising recipe ourselves. The assistants can handle the cooking,” Wei Ruo assured her.

The key to excellent braised delicacies was the marinade; a great marinade depended on a good sauce. Wei Ruo had not only a superb sauce but also quality seasonings and an excellent braising recipe.

“That’s good. I don’t mind being busy for a while, just please don’t leave me stuck in the shop all the time!” Xiumei said with relief.

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

“I wouldn’t want to let you go. If you want to leave, I wouldn’t allow it! Unless you get married someday, you’re not allowed to go anywhere else!” Wei Ruo replied.

“Who’s getting married? I’m not marrying anyone! I’ll stay with you forever!” Xiumei declared.

“Alright, alright. As long as you keep thinking that way, we’ll both remain lifelong bachelors,” Wei Ruo laughed.

Then Wei Ruo pulled Xiumei back to the carriage. “Let’s go and start preparing. We have a lot to do.”

The two returned to Tianqin Garden, and Wei Ruo immediately began organizing matters.

As before, Wei Ruo did not personally handle buying or preparing the shops for opening; she entrusted all those tasks to Xu Zhushan.

Afterward, Wei Ruo and Xiumei borrowed the kitchen from the cook in Tianqin Garden.

At first, the cook was hesitant to let Wei Ruo use the kitchen—not out of fear she’d misuse it, but because Wei Ruo was an honored guest of their madam, and they dared not be negligent.

If their madam found out that her guests were cooking themselves and the kitchen hadn’t fulfilled its duties, they would be in serious trouble.

It wasn’t until Wei Ruo explained they had business to handle, not just cooking for themselves, that the kitchen staff agreed.

The kitchen in Tianqin Garden was spacious, several times larger than the one in the Commandant’s Mansion, equipped with a far more complete array of utensils and seasonings.

This delighted Wei Ruo and Xiumei, sparing them the trouble of sourcing various spices externally.

Thus, the two dove into the kitchen, beginning their experiments with braised delicacies.

---

After two busy days, Wei Ruo and Xiumei finally concocted a marinade that satisfied them both.

“Miss, with this marinade, our braised dishes will definitely sell like hotcakes!” Xiumei said confidently.

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

Locals in this area seldom ate pig intestines or stomach but did enjoy pig heads and tails.

These cuts were relatively cheap, keeping costs low, yet once braised, their flavor rivaled that of other parts.

“Alright!” Xiumei said excitedly, carrying a earthenware basin filled with their prepared marinade into the kitchen.

Braising required ample time; a short duration wouldn’t suffice. They simmered the dishes overnight, planning to serve them the next morning after the flavors had thoroughly infused.

Wei Ruo first shared some of the finished braised pig ears with the cooks and maidservants in the kitchen, who had been curiously watching them for days, wondering what the mistress and her maid were up to.

“It smells wonderful! Miss Wei, what is this? How did you make it so delicious?” one cook exclaimed.

Having cooked all her life, the cook’s palate was immediately won over by the sliced pig ears.

“These are pig ears,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Pig ears? How can pig ears taste this good? They’re fragrant and crispy, with the richness of meat combined with a unique crunch. The flavor is complex and leaves an endless aftertaste,” the cook praised.

In the cook’s experience, pig ears were not considered a premium ingredient and usually turned out mediocre, but the ones she just tasted were more flavorful than typical meat.

“There are some pig tails here as well. Try those,” Wei Ruo added.

She then had everyone sample the pig tails, which received unanimous approval.

Next, Wei Ruo packaged some pig ears and tails in food containers and sent them with Xiumei to Lady Yuan at the Prefect’s Mansion.

About an hour later, Xiumei returned, her face radiant with excitement.

“Miss, Lady Yuan says our braised delicacies are extremely delicious. She wants to order more to serve her guests tomorrow.”

“Then prepare plenty. This is a great opportunity for promotion,” Wei Ruo said.

“Right away! I’m so excited,” Xiumei answered enthusiastically.

This time, Xiumei braised two additional items: pig trotters and pig tongue, personally delivering them to Lady Yuan the next morning.

That evening, Lady Yuan sent a maid to relay her compliments to Wei Ruo. She said the two ladies she entertained had greatly enjoyed the braised delicacies and inquired where to buy them. Lady Yuan immediately shared the news of the soon-to-open Xu’s Braised Delicacies shop in the city. The guests expressed their intention to purchase in large quantities once the shop opened.

---

Though the braised delicacies shop had yet to officially open, it already had customers. This was a promising sign.

---

While Wei Ruo busied herself purchasing land and hiring staff to open the shop, the He family arrived at the Commandant’s Mansion, having received a letter.

Present were Wei Ruo’s foster father He Ying, her foster mother Madam He, and her younger sister He Miao’er.

At first, the mansion staff did not intend to inform the Yun family, but upon learning that the visitors brought urgently needed medicinal herbs for Xingshan County, someone went to notify them.

The Yun family, though reluctant to have much contact with the He family, accepted their arrival out of courtesy, allowing them to stay in the mansion.

Subsequently, Wei Qingwan was summoned to meet the He family.

Meeting the three He family members, all wearing insincere smiles, Wei Qingwan felt completely uneasy.

She had been raised to believe that merchants were the lowest and most disreputable class, unworthy of association. Deep down, she wished to avoid any ties with them.

“Sister, I’m Miao’er, your little sister!” He Miao’er stepped forward enthusiastically, warmly calling Wei Qingwan “sister.”

Wei Qingwan took two steps back, trying to put distance between herself and Miao’er.

Yet Miao’er seemed oblivious to her resistance and coldness, her face always lit with a warm smile.

“Sister, I’ve longed to meet you ever since I learned you were my sister. Now, seeing you in person, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined!”