Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Poaching
"The tea is good." he said.
Lianhua immediately beamed like a flower, with a soft voice, "What would the Heir like to eat today?"
Pei Ji’an ordered some signature dishes.
Lianhua turned her head to instruct Yinhua to pass the word, but did not leave herself.
She specially urged, "Follow the recipe I researched earlier, every step must be done, go now."
It’s evident that this girl named Lianhua is quite fond of the Princely Heir, thus she is familiar with his tastes and habits.
This is nothing unusual. A man with status, looks, and position is popular not only in ancient times but also in the modern era.
She thought of her boss—barely in his twenties, yet already a general manager of a conglomerate, very popular among girls. Countless women try to climb into his bed.
But perhaps exactly due to their high standing and broad vision, such people have seen all sorts and have a keen eye for judgment, unlikely to be easily beguiled by others.
The Princely Heir before her is much the same.
Once the food arrived, under the Princely Heir’s suggestion, Qu Fulan sat opposite him while Lianhua stood beside him serving the dishes.
"These Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Drunken Ribs, and Lychee Pork are the newest creations, specially made to his taste. The Heir should try them." Lianhua said, using communal chopsticks to pick a few morsels and place them on the saucer.
Qu Fulan had just tasted those dishes, the flavor wasn’t impressive, and moreover, they are not to the Heir’s liking.
In theory, someone seasoned in the military wouldn’t be overly picky about food ingredients, but that’s not exactly the case.
When conditions were poor, Pei Ji’an indeed wasn’t picky, but upon returning to the Capital City, his tastes were actually more discerning than hers.
Qu Fulan had realized previously that her tastes were quite similar to the Heir’s. What she dislikes, he typically doesn’t eat either; what he doesn’t eat, she’s tried and found just mediocre.
So what Miss Lianhua claimed as cooked according to the Heir’s taste is somewhat worth questioning.
Qu Fulan suddenly recalled the accounting books she had seen, one establishment seemed to be called Zhaoying Building.
Additionally, thinking of Manager Yu’s situation and the appearance of several male staff in the store, their situation seemed similar to Manager Yu’s, with more or less some issues.
Those somewhat physically able work running errands and serving guests outside, while ones with conditions akin to Manager Yu’s, missing arms or legs, are in the back kitchen. In short, as long as they aren’t entirely incapacitated, there’s always a role for them.
Qu Fulan instantly contemplated a possibility—this place should be used to nurture people, those who once merited in battle but had to leave the military due to injuries, finding no other way out.
The existence of Zhaoying Building focuses on providing these individuals a place to settle, the success of its business not within the Heir’s plan, so the taste of the food isn’t overly demanding, anything serviceable is fine.
After all, one can’t expect those who have been to battle to also possess remarkable business acumen and culinary skills, to operate a tavern lucratively—that’s unrealistic.
And the people inside the tavern mostly come from impoverished families, having something to eat is good enough, never mind being particular about the taste.
Those who haven’t tasted well, how would they know how to make something good?
If the taste isn’t appealing, naturally the business won’t thrive.
The losses should be covered by profits from other shops by the Princely Heir.
But as these individuals marry and have children, with descendants, the deficit grows bigger. Continuing in losses isn’t viable. If there’s a chance for the shop’s business to improve, the Heir wouldn’t miss it.
So, is this visit by the Heir unintended, or does he have a purpose?
Qu Fulan dared not assert, thus wouldn’t be blindly jubilant, fearing in the end it would result in empty delight.
Meanwhile, on Lianhua’s side, while meticulously attending to the Young Master, she discreetly observed Qu Fulan from the corner of her eye, trying to gauge any reaction from her face.
By rights, she should be the Heir’s maidservant, serving him as expected, yet now her place was usurped, and there wasn’t the slightest annoyance on her face, indicating she had a calm demeanor.
Indeed, without some tactics, how could she remain by the Heir’s side? Just unsure what dubious means she used to stay near him.
Such a person, probably wouldn’t be kept by the Heir for long, maybe one day Heir would dismiss her.
Lianhua’s thoughts turned rapidly but attending to the Heir’s meal wasn’t neglected.
"Does the Heir like these dishes?" Lianhua asked.
Qu Fulan clearly saw him only take a bite and then refrain from further eating, yet he feigned, "Not bad."
Really giving face, more accurately, respecting these veteran soldiers’ descendants.
Lianhua too lacked much insight, not noticing anything significant.
Lianhua still smiled radiantly, "I developed these dishes with the Heir’s taste repeatedly studied meticulously. Since the Heir likes my culinary skills, how about I cook for him daily?"
With that, Lianhua looked at the Heir eagerly, hoping he’d say, "Alright, then you shall come to my residence to serve me closely."
Only this way could she cook every day.
But the Heir’s principles stand, only one personal maid is allowed.
If she were to be chosen, then Qu Fulan would have to be replaced.
Qu Fulan naturally detected the underlying scheme, and glanced at her opponent.
Have seen poaching before, but never this blatant, it’s too dismissive of her.
Though Lianhua was meticulous in serving, her cooking skills were quite ordinary.
The Heir wouldn’t necessarily want someone like her around.
"No need, the Pei Family is not short of cooks." Pei Ji’an naturally refused.
This wasn’t the answer Lianhua wanted; unconsciously her lips pursed a little, showing some disappointment.
On the way back, the Heir discussed the situation of Zhaoying Building with Qu Fulan, basically aligning with Qu Fulan’s speculation. It’s designed to support relatives of those who merited but found themselves destitute.
"You claim you excel in business; how would you run Zhaoying Building if given charge?" he asked.
This question was significant.
In theory, a tavern wanting profit should carefully select its shopkeeper and staff, especially the cooks, who are most particular.
Not merely anyone with some skills could just step in, this refers to Lianhua notably. If the Heir instructed her to manage the tavern, she’d first remove Lianhua from the kitchen, better keep her away.
Alas, even others within the tavern have pedestrian culinary skills; if only one had any skill, the tavern’s business wouldn’t dwindle this much.
In other words, Zhaoying Building aims at profit needs a complete overhaul.
Yet, the Heir previously emphasized it’s specially designed for nurturing people, how could those be replaced?
Moreover, the Heir dismissed her plan without a glance yet spoke such words, evidently valuing the people within Zhaoying Building more.
If she responded recklessly, let alone business guidance, even her current status might be jeopardized.
After all, there’s another person eagerly waiting as a backup.