Bo Qinghuan

Kapitel 11

Gu Zao smiled faintly. Before she could speak, Madam Jiang glared at the man and then looked at Gu Zao and said, "Your skills are indeed quite good. Since you don't want to work at my residence for a long time, I can't force you. However, the old lady's birthday is coming up soon. If we need help then, I'm afraid we'll still need you to come and help."

Gu knew that Madam Jiang had already given him face, and if he refused again, he might really anger her. Although he was somewhat unwilling, he could only smile and agree.

The old lady then smiled and looked at Gu Zao, saying, "Since you have won this prize today, it wouldn't be right to let you go back empty-handed. If you want any reward, just ask for it if my household has it."

Gu Zao originally intended to resign, but after thinking about it again, he smiled and said, "It is indeed asking for a favor, it's for my old mother."

The old lady smiled and said, "Just tell me."

Gu Zao then said, "My mother used to be a troublemaker in the countryside of Yangzhou, always making a ruckus and causing chaos among the neighbors. She had no choice but to leave her hometown and move to the capital. She's always been a restless person, and I'm afraid she'll cause more trouble if she stays in your household. Besides, my mother used to work hard in the fields, and her health is a bit weak. So I thought I'd bring her back to settle down in our home, firstly to reduce trouble, and secondly to let her enjoy her old age in peace. Since you've said so, I've become bolder and would like to ask you to allow me to take her home so that we can find a more suitable replacement for her."

After hearing this, the old lady sighed and said to Jiang, "It's kind of her to be so filial, but it's not good to let her mother work for nothing. You can ask the accountant to pay her wages, and then deduct an extra amount from my account."

Jiang laughed and said, "Look at what you're saying, Mother. It's just a little money. Do you think I can't afford it? Why would I need you to pay for it?" She turned around and gave an instruction to Huixin, who smiled and agreed before leaving.

Gu Zao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then bowed to the old lady and the madam again. After receiving permission, he turned to leave, but then heard a maid's voice from outside the curtain at the door: "Second Master and Young Master have come to pay their respects to the old lady."

Ask for food stalls

The maid's voice had barely faded when the curtain was lifted, and two people entered, one after the other. Gu Zao immediately spotted the one in the lead, dressed in a blue satin robe, who turned out to be the bearded man she had met twice before.

She was taken aback, but in a flash, she stepped aside, lowered her head, and hurried toward the door.

Yang Hao was stunned when he met Gu Zao for the first time. Before he could react, Gu Zao had already brushed past him.

The young master Yang Huan, who followed behind, was the same little tyrant from that day. He hadn't noticed the blue-clad figure beside him until Yang Hao stopped and blocked his way. He glanced over casually, and his eyes widened. He pointed at Gu Zao and exclaimed, "Hey, aren't you the one from that day..."

Gu Zao pretended not to hear, but seeing that the hand had already touched the curtain, and that Yang Huan had firmly grabbed her sleeve, she had no choice but to turn around, give him a slight bow, and say indifferently, "Young Master, I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else."

This scene had already caught everyone's attention, and Madam Jiang couldn't help but say, "Huan'er, what kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging like this? We rushed to send you to the Imperial Academy to study, but you haven't absorbed any knowledge; it's all just going down your throat."

The old lady beckoned to Yang Huan and said with a smile, "You really know her?"

When the old lady asked this question, Yang Huan hesitated. He glanced at his second uncle, whose face seemed to be covered with a thin layer of frost. Afraid of being blamed for bringing up his shameful past, he had no choice but to let go and laugh awkwardly, but his eyes were still fixed on Gu Zao's face.

Annoyed, Gu Zao didn't bother to look at him again when he let go of her hand. She lifted the curtain and left the warm pavilion. A chilly wind blew in her face, which made her feel a little relieved. She hurried back to the kitchen.

This bearded man and that little tyrant are actually from the Grand Commandant's mansion! Gu Zao pondered as he walked. Although Dongjing City was large, he never expected to end up in this place. Gu Zao didn't want Fang Shi to get involved in this in the first place, and now that he saw these two people, he didn't want to waste a single moment longer. He wished he could tear them apart immediately and send them home.

Gu Zao entered the kitchen but couldn't find her sixth sister-in-law. She guessed that she had gone somewhere to inquire after not getting any news for half a day. Only Fang Shi was still standing there blankly. When she saw Gu Zao come in, she went up and grabbed her, asking, "Second sister, did I make things difficult for you?"

Gu Zao pulled Fang Shi out, saying as they walked, "Mother, I've told you countless times to be patient in front of others, but you always ignore me. Now that this dish is cooked, how can I compare to her? I got a good scolding. I was going to slap you, but the old lady is kind and said you're old enough to save face. The slap can be spared, but you can't do it here. You have to get up and walk with me right now."

When Fang heard that the slap didn't need to be slapped, she felt a little relieved. But when she heard that her job had been ruined, she was reluctant but had no choice. She could only mutter to herself and walk a few steps. Suddenly, she remembered and said, "Second sister, I can walk, but the wages I earned still need to be calculated."

Gu Zao stopped and sighed, "Mother, it's already a great favor that you went home with a respectable attitude today. Why are you worrying about this little bit of wages? You'd better come with me quickly, lest the master goes back on his word and you have to shave your face in public."

Fang stopped herself in her tracks and said angrily, "Shaving is fine, but the wages are for the work I did so hard. Why should I just throw them away?"

Gu Zao was afraid that the little tyrant would come and cause trouble, so he thought of pulling Fang Shi away immediately. However, Fang Shi refused to leave, only talking about her wages. As the two were arguing, Gu Zao saw Hui Xin with a handkerchief wrapped in her hand walking over with a smile. Helpless, he had to let go of her hand and walked a few steps to Hui Xin. He lowered his voice and said, "Please don't mention my victory in front of my mother."

Huixin was taken aback. Although she was somewhat puzzled, she was also a shrewd person. She didn't ask any more questions, but simply stopped and handed the handkerchief in her hand to Fang Shi. She smiled and said, "Aunt Fang, this is the wages that our old lady and madam paid you. It's the full amount you deserve. I saw that the large bills were heavy, so I exchanged them for two taels of silver and a few loose coins for you."

Fang accepted the money in a daze, clutching it tightly as if in a dream. Gu Zao smiled and said, "Mother, this is the old lady's kindness. Now that you've received your wages, come with me quickly."

Fang weighed the heavy money in her hand, realizing what was happening. This time, she was genuinely afraid that the master would change his mind. Without waiting for a word, she hurriedly headed towards the northeastern side gate.

Gu Zao gave a wry smile, thanked Hui Xin, and then caught up with Fang Shi. The two left the Grand Commandant's mansion, and by the time they got home, it was already dark. Third Sister and Liu Zao had already gone to set up their stall. Gu Zao told Fang Shi to rest at home, and then she went to set up her stall as well. After selling out and packing up, they went home, tidied up, and went to bed. As soon as they heard it, they could hear the distant sound of the night patrol's gongs from the city of Dongjing.

Inside, a large communal bed had been erected using two planks. Third Sister and Liu Zao quickly fell asleep, but Gu Zao, lying on the outer side, couldn't sleep, listening to Fang Shi's snoring from the other room. She kept thinking about the look in the eyes of the man she'd met again at the Grand Commandant's mansion during the day, and then about the plan she'd been working on for some time. After tossing and turning for a long time, she grew restless. Finally, she put on her robe, sat up, lit the oil lamp, and reached under the bed to pull out the small jar hidden among the bricks. She counted the silver she'd received. In the end, it totaled nearly fifty taels, roughly fifty strings of cash. It wasn't much, but it should be enough to open a food stall at the night market.

Having made up his mind, he felt a little better. He carefully put the jar back, blew out the oil lamp with a puff, and then climbed onto his bunk to sleep.

Gu Zao remained awake for a long time. In the study of the south wing of the Grand Commandant's mansion, someone was still sitting at his desk with a candle, a book in his hand, but he hadn't read a single word all day, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, he casually put down the book and returned to his bedroom, where he saw a maid sitting at the table in the candlelight. It was Xiu Xin, the maid the old lady had sent to serve him after his return.

Xiu Xin was dressed extravagantly tonight, her collar slightly open, and a fragrant scent of perfume wafted from afar. Seeing Yang Hao standing at the door, she hurriedly greeted him with a smile. When she reached a step away, she stopped, lowered her head slightly, revealing a section of her fair neck behind her ear, and said timidly, "Second Master, I know you don't like people entering your study, so I didn't dare to disturb you. I specially made you an eight-treasure soup, and even the Old Madam said it was good. I just heated it up. Would it be alright if you served it to me?"

Yang Hao frowned slightly, but said calmly, "The soup can be left on the table. You can go and rest."

Xiu Xin gently bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, raised her eyes, and looked over with watery eyes. She said softly, "Second Master, the Old Madam asked me to come and serve you. If you are not satisfied, I'm afraid the Old Madam will scold you." As she spoke, her body seemed to go limp and she pressed herself against him.

Yang Hao stepped aside without looking back. When he reached the south window and opened the window pane, he noticed that the suffocating scent of face powder in the room had faded a bit.

Xiu Xin stood there blankly, tears welling up in her eyes. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind rushed in, and she couldn't help but shiver because she was dressed in thin clothes. Seeing that Yang Hao didn't even glance at her, she stomped her foot and then turned away dejectedly.

Yang Hao glanced at the colorful eight-treasure soup on the table and suddenly remembered the crab wine and the bowl of chrysanthemum soup he had eaten at the Shoudao Hall by Jinming Pond that day. He had originally thought it was made by Madam Shi and wanted to go back for a feast a few days later, but was told that it was actually made by the second sister of Gu Qingwu, a new student at the school.

Gu Erjie, the young woman he had escorted to the West Water City Gate that day while she was on horseback, and who was on the ground, and whom he had seen off all the way. Today, however, she had run into him again in his own home.

He murmured the name to himself, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.

Gu was already half asleep when he suddenly shivered, opened his eyes briefly, but couldn't resist the drowsiness and fell asleep again.

When Gu Zao woke up the next day, Fang Shi was already busy washing radishes. She went to the door of Shen Niangzi next door, called out a few times, and Shen Niangzi came out smiling to greet her. It turned out that Gu Zao wanted to ask her to inquire whether any of the stalls in the long row of sheds that made up the night food stalls around Zhouqiao were available for rent or transfer.

"Sister-in-law, you're in the tavern every day, so you must be very well-informed. If you ever hear that you're free to come out, please let me know," Gu Zao said with a smile.

Madam Shen asked with some surprise, "Second Sister, although those food stalls only open at night after dismantling their sheds during the day, the rent is still quite high. You can sell pickled goods anywhere, saving a lot on rent. Why bother setting up a shed? I don't understand."

Gu Zao smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you don't know, although the pickled goods are popular, the profit is still very small. I'm thinking of setting up a slightly larger one. I don't dare to dream of a storefront on the street, but I'm hoping that the rent for a makeshift shed would be a little lower. If I had one, I could sell the pickled goods and some noodles, and I think the income would be greater."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen nodded and sighed, "Your idea is quite good, but it's a bit too much work."

Gu Zao smiled and said, "I'm not afraid of hard work, but I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for me, sister-in-law."

Madam Shen readily agreed, and Gu Zao thanked her before returning home. Madam Fang, who had overheard the conversation, grabbed Gu Zao, demanding more details. Gu Zao reluctantly explained, "Mother, the area south of Zhouqiao is densely packed with taverns and restaurants, and the night market is bustling until late at night, much more lively than West Street. I'm thinking of renting a stall there to sell food and preserved goods; the income should be better than now. However, the rent must be very expensive. If I don't have enough, I'm afraid I'll need your help."

After pondering for a long time, Fang said through gritted teeth, "I am currently unemployed. Qingwu is going to school, and I don't know how much the expenses will be in the future. My third sister has no dowry. If you really think it's a good idea, I'm willing to contribute some money. I'm just afraid that the money will be wasted, and the whole family will have to tighten their belts in the future."

Gu Zao was quite surprised and touched when she heard her say such a thing. She smiled and said, "Mother, although my cooking skills may not be good enough for the noblemen in the Grand Commandant's mansion yesterday, most of the people in the Zhouqiao Night Market are ordinary people, so I think they can still eat it."

Fang said, "That's true. Back in the Dongshan Village area, everyone praised your skills. It's just that those wealthy people who couldn't be met were picky."

Gu Zao smiled but didn't say anything, then turned around and started pickling radishes again.

Five-spice Eight Treasures Noodles

The next day, Madam Shen received news. Coincidentally, there was a widow named Tian, originally from Yingtian Prefecture in Jingdong West Road, which bordered Tokyo. She had been renting a stall there for several years, selling rice and stewed meat at night. However, her son had passed the imperial examination this year, and many lower-class families from the village had brought their meager land to seek refuge with him. Her son, worried that his mother would lose face back home by continuing to sell rice and stew, told her to close the stall and return home to enjoy a comfortable life. Madam Tian naturally obeyed her son, but having already paid a year's rent to the stall owner, she hoped to collect the remaining rent, even though there were only two months left until the end of the year. She had been asking around, and Madam Shen, through her inquiries, made contact.

Gu Zao was pleased to hear this. Taking advantage of the fact that Madam Shen was free during the day, the two of them went to find Widow Tian. When they saw the place, they realized that it was the innermost spot of this long row of food stalls. It was a bit remote and the place was small. The rent was almost the same as the ones outside, but only slightly cheaper. It cost five guan a month, and sixty guan a year.

Widow Tian was eager to sell, knowing her location was poor and it was almost the end of the year, making it difficult to sublet the stall. She had been trying to find a customer for seven or eight days, and finally, a customer came to her door, so she was determined to close the deal. Seeing that Gu Zao was hesitant, she didn't insist on a price, only saying ten strings of cash, plus the tables, chairs, bowls, and dishes would all be included.

Gu Zao had already seen those things at Widow Tian's house. They were all old and worthless. Only the stove with two wheels underneath, which looked like a cart, was to his liking. He also noticed that Widow Tian had a small cart, which was a bit old but still usable. He immediately settled on the purchase, paid an extra 1,000 guan, and took the cart as well. He also asked her to inform the stall owner that they would complete the transaction the next day.

The next day, Gu Zao, accompanied by Fang Shi, went to the widow Tian's house, gave her eleven strings of cash, and loaded all the utensils and furniture onto the cart before returning home. After putting everything away, she took the list of items she had made the night before and, with her third sister, went to the market to buy them. These were nothing more than new dishes, pots, pans, dough utensils, a small coal stove, some ingredients, and various kinds of flour. She made her own purchases according to her needs, then went to various taverns and restaurants, carefully observing the prices and goods. Taking advantage of Qingwu's return from his holiday, she had him imitate the menus displayed in the taverns, writing down the names and prices of many dishes on a board. After two or three days of this busy work, she finally felt everything was ready, and then called the whole family to set up shop at the Zhouqiao night market the following evening.

The news that "Radish Beauty" was going to set up a noodle stall at the Zhouqiao Night Market had spread throughout the West Street Night Market in the past two days after being mentioned by Madam Shen. Even when she was selling pickled goods, people would come over to inquire. Gu Zao readily agreed, smiling and telling everyone to come and support her the next day if they had time, and that she would give them a free serving of pickled vegetables and half-price noodles. Everyone readily agreed, and for a while, the area in front of the old elm tree was bustling with activity. However, Fang Shi, who was hiding in the back, was somewhat displeased. When the crowd thinned out, she quietly pulled Gu Zao aside and said, "Second Sister, if so many people flock there, are you really going to do it? Wouldn't that result in a loss?"

Gu Zao laughed and said, "Mother, on the day we open for business, I'm afraid it will be deserted and no one will come. People are only willing to come because they are giving me face and are willing to support me. It's only one night. Even if we give it all away for free, we won't go broke. Besides, we're only charging half price for the noodles."

Upon hearing this, Fang shut her mouth and remained silent.

The next day, apart from Qingwu who had gone to school, Fang Shi, Third Sister, and Liu Zao were all full of energy, eagerly waiting for nightfall. They were all busy, with one of them kneading dough and preparing the broth for the noodles. Finally, around mid-Shenshi (3-5 PM), everything was already packed and placed on the cart. Fang Shi then pulled Gu Zao aside, asking with some concern, "Second Sister, these noodles on the wooden sign look so colorful and dazzling! Do you really know how to knead them all?"

Gu Zao smiled but didn't answer. She and her third sister, Liu Zao, pushed the trolley, while Fang Shi pushed the stove and some firewood. They went out together. When they arrived at the Zhouqiao Night Market, the various food stalls were already setting up their stoves. Seeing that Gu Zao's family had placed their food at the back, they knew that this was the family that had taken over the widow Tian's rice and water stall. The people of the capital were chivalrous and warm-hearted. Although they were strangers, they all came over to greet them. Seeing that there was no man in her family, some of them had set up their own stalls and came to help. In a flurry of activity, two or three tables and chairs were set up in the open space in front of the stall. The stove was lit, the cutting board was set up, and the several pots of soup that had been prepared in advance were heated on the newly added small coal stoves. The few bushels of water were bought from the cart that delivered water to these food stalls, costing only seven or eight coins per bushel.

Gu Zao looked around and saw that everything was finally taken care of. She had also tied up her hair and put on a skirt pocket, just waiting for the guests to arrive.

As darkness fell, the streets of the night market gradually became bustling with people. The stalls selling duck heads, tripe and lungs, quail and rabbit, pigeon and wild game, soup bones, sesame cakes and other kinds of food lit up with candles. Gu Zao's stall also lit up with several bright oil candles as thick as a child's arm, which made the area very bright.

The neighbors and some regulars from the West Street night market were indeed enthusiastic. Before long, several groups of people came over and gathered around the wooden signs that Gu Zao had hung on the horizontal bar in front of her stall. One of them asked with a smile, "Since the 'Radish Beauty' makes noodles, we naturally want to try a bowl. But our eldest brother can't read a lot, so he doesn't know what kind of noodles you have here."

Before Gu Zao could answer, another person who knew a few words began to loudly recite in turn: "Five-spice noodles, eight-treasure noodles, cold braised noodles, vegetarian noodles, water-pulled noodles, wide noodles, braised meat noodles, seaweed noodles, braised noodles..."

Before the person could finish reading, the one who had asked the question couldn't help but say, "Radish Beauty, this is the first time I've heard of such a fragrant and delicious dish. What's the trick to it?"

Gu Zao smiled and said to everyone, "These two are my signature noodles. Most noodles are made by adding oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and other seasonings to the broth, which makes the broth flavorful but the noodles tasteless. My five-spice noodles are made by mixing pepper powder and sesame powder into dry flour, and then adding soy sauce, vinegar and the fresh juice from boiled shrimp to the broth to mix with the dry noodles. The eight-treasure noodles are made by drying chicken, fish and pork, and then grinding them into a fine powder with bamboo shoots, sesame seeds, Sichuan peppercorns and sesame seeds. This powder is then mixed with fresh juice to make the eight treasures, and then made with soy sauce and vinegar to make the noodles. Both of these noodles are mixed very evenly, rolled very thinly, and cut very finely before being put into boiling water, so that the flavor is fully in the noodles. Then, depending on personal preference, you can pour on slow-cooked chicken broth, mutton broth, or a clear broth made with fresh shiitake mushrooms, mushrooms and mugwort, and serve with a few pieces of my homemade pickled vegetables, and then you can savor them slowly."

Before Gu Zao could finish speaking, the group of old neighbors who had been listening were already salivating. They quickly grabbed seats and ordered their preferred noodle soup. Gu Zao instructed Fang Shi to start a fire to boil water, and then went to the cutting board to roll out the already kneaded dough and cut it into thin strips. Seeing how quickly she worked, the crowd cheered as the noodles quickly piled up, each one a uniformly thick strip. When the noodles, drizzled with various broths, were served, and each person was given a dish of pickled radish, all that could be heard was the sound of everyone slurping down their noodles. In the end, they even drank all the broth.

Passersby saw the newly opened noodle stall with its tables packed full of people, all praising it highly. The aroma of the soup filled the air, and Liu Zao's calls for half-price noodles plus free pickled vegetables drew them in. Those without seats simply stood with their bowls, keeping Gu Zao and her sisters extremely busy. In just over an hour, they had used up all the prepared noodles, soup base, and pickled vegetables, yet many people were still waiting anxiously. Gu Zao quickly smiled apologetically and sent them away, knowing she hadn't prepared enough for today.

The group of regular customers who had come to support the business had already left after eating. Seeing that everything was sold out, Gu Zao's family packed up their stall early, put the utensils back on the cart, said goodbye to those nearby, and headed home early. Needless to say, Third Sister and Liu Zao were chattering excitedly the whole way home. Even Fang Shi was overjoyed, remarking that there were an unusually large number of people coming to eat noodles today, and hoping that it would be like this every night.

The next day, Gu Zao didn't prepare much more, just a little more than before. Once the family had set up their noodle stall again, this time they didn't need to shout; customers came in droves. Gu Zao was constantly busy, working until the wee hours of the morning, only packing up and heading home when the night market was about to close. In just over ten days, seven or eight out of ten regulars at the night market knew about this noodle stall. Not only were the noodles chewy, the broth delicious, and the pickled vegetables fragrant, but the head chef was also a beautiful woman known as the "Radish Beauty." Everyone said that as the weather grew colder, eating a bowl of mutton and eight-treasure noodles made by the Radish Beauty herself made every pore of their body feel comfortable.

That evening, Gu Zao was busy making noodles as usual when he suddenly felt something was off about his stall. Looking up, he saw that the customers at the tables eating noodles had all left their money on the table and left without even finishing their noodles. Looking further ahead, he was shocked to see that the person standing there wearing a shiny green robe and followed by two servants was none other than Yang Huan, the little tyrant from the Grand Commandant's mansion.

When Yang Huan saw that Gu Zao had looked up and spotted him, he strode in with a grin and sat down on the bench with a nonchalant air.

Liu Zao, who was squatting down washing and drying dishes, recognized the little tyrant at a glance. She was so frightened that her face turned pale and she turned her face inward, her back trembling.

Gu Zao frowned slightly, knowing that even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake, especially since her family consisted of just a few women. So she suppressed her anger, put on a slight smile, and stepped forward to ask, "What kind of noodles would you like, sir?"

Second Sister's Three Things She Won't Sell

Yang Huan grinned, glancing at Gu Zao. Seeing her pretty face flushed red in the firelight, making her look charming and adorable, he was instantly smitten. He said with a smile, "Give me a bowl of all your different kinds of noodles to try."

Gu Zao wasn't annoyed, but just smiled and said, "That's unfortunate. Although my shop is small, I have an unwritten rule called 'three things I won't sell'."

"It's just a noodle stall, why are there so many rules? What are the three things you won't sell?" Yang Huan crossed his legs and asked with a sidelong glance.

Gu Zao said unhurriedly, "I don't sell to the rich, I don't sell to the poor, and I don't sell to those who are already full."

Yang Huan's eyes widened in surprise. "This is the first time I've heard of this. What does it mean?"

Gu Zao glanced at him before saying, "You are used to fine food, but my food is just coarse fare. I'm afraid it might choke you, so I won't sell it to you. People are not inherently divided into gentlemen and villains, but there is a distinction between gentlemanly behavior and villainous behavior. Although I am a woman, I have always admired those who act like gentlemen. This noodle may be coarse, but I made it with care. I certainly don't want it to end up in the bellies of villains, so I won't sell it to villains. As for those who are already full, they are clearly here to digest their food, and I won't sell that to them either."

Yang Huan was stunned for a moment, and before he could speak, Gu Zao smiled and said, "I see that you are dressed elegantly and have an extraordinary appearance. Although you have the appearance of a nobleman, it does not meet the first requirement of my small noodle stall. However, I can tell that you have a heroic air about you. You must be a gentleman. You cannot be compared with those petty people who are deliberately causing trouble. If you are not full at the moment, I would like to make an exception and make you a bowl of my signature mutton soup eight-treasure noodles."

Yang Huan, nicknamed the "Little Tyrant of Kyoto," was known for his extravagant lifestyle. He loved to dress smartly, ride a horse, and lead his servants around, bullying men and women. Everyone at the Zhouqiao Night Market knew him. Seeing him swagger into Gu Zao's shop, they knew he was there to cause trouble. Though they dared not speak, they gathered around to watch, all feeling a little worried for her. But when Gu Zao calmly uttered those words, they secretly burst into laughter, though they outwardly suppressed their amusement, only glancing at the "Little Tyrant."

Ever since Yang Huan encountered Gu Zao again at the mansion that day, his heart had been itching like a cat scratching at it. He endured the ordeal of hearing the story of the two bowls of soup, finally managing to leave his grandmother's warm chamber and rush to the kitchen, only to find her already gone, leaving only his sixth sister-in-law bowing and scraping before him. From that day on, he was plagued by this feeling; Gu Zao's face flashed before his eyes day and night. He had already sent his lackeys to inquire about her, and today, upon learning that she had a stall at the Zhouqiao night market, he couldn't resist and had already wandered over.

Yang Huan was a habitual rogue. Although he was doted on by the old lady at home, his father, Yang Rui, the Grand Commandant, never gave him a kind look. Two months ago, at the Double Ninth Festival Chrysanthemum Gathering at the Xiangguo Temple, he was impeached by the Censor-in-Chief and his father, the Grand Commandant, for harassing a woman from the family of a sixth-rank Right Assistant Minister. The impeachment was eventually suppressed, but he was still severely punished by his father at home and sent to his uncle Yang Hao, who lived in the Yanghuai area, to avoid trouble. He only returned with Yang Hao because the old lady's birthday was approaching. So being scolded was commonplace for him, and this was the first time in his life that he had been publicly praised as a gentleman with a heroic air. Although Yang Huan understood Gu Zao's intentions to some extent, he glanced at the crowd that had gathered in front of the noodle stall, coughed lightly, put his legs down, nodded with a stern face, and said, "What you say makes sense. Then let's make a bowl and see."

Gu Zao turned her face away and told Fang Shi, who was already stunned, to start a fire. She then cooked Eight Treasures Noodles and poured mutton soup seasoning on it, piling it up in a bowl, and personally served it to Yang Huan.

Yang Huan came over not for noodles, as he was already full. But since Gu Zao had already flattered him, and seeing her smilingly bring the noodles to his table, he had no choice but to pick up his chopsticks and eat them bit by bit. In the end, he was so full that his throat was blocked before he could barely finish eating.

"If you find it palatable, would you like another bowl?" Gu Zao asked with a smile.

Yang Huan hurriedly stood up, waved his hand, pulled out a piece of silver, and threw it on the table with a thud. He glared at the people who were still watching the commotion. His two servants had already cleared a path for him. He lowered his head and hurriedly prepared to leave, but then he heard Gu Zao's voice behind him: "Sir, you've given too much money. If you come back another day, we won't charge you."