Chapter 9

**Listen to Fotiaoqiang?**

Before the guests could react to the unusual name of the dish, an enticing aroma began to waft through the hall, quickly stimulating everyone's nostrils and taste buds.

Gu Yuelun smiled gently and said, "This humble servant respectfully presents this exquisite dish to wish the old madam longevity and happiness!"

Madam Meng had already caught the scent, and her appetite was greatly stimulated. She was instantly drawn to the fragrant wine jar but reminded herself of her status and age, maintaining her composure. She asked softly, "Fotiaoqiang? Does it have any special origin?"

Gu Yuelun replied, "Legend has it that after a cook prepared this dish, the aroma spread so far that a high-ranking monk from a neighboring temple abandoned his meditation and jumped over the wall to follow the delicious smell, hence the name 'Fotiaoqiang'!"

"Is that so? I've never heard of it before," Chen Xuan felt that this was a far-fetched story aimed at him and was quite annoyed.

Gu Yuelun smiled sweetly, "My cousin Lin Zhao read about it in an ancient text, and I improved it to specially prepare it for the old madam's birthday!" Her words implied that Chen Xuan was ignorant.

Lin Zhao, again? Chen Xuan gritted his teeth in hatred.

It was him? Meng Ruoying was also surprised, but her feelings were entirely different from Chen Xuan's. Lin Zhao had given her many pleasant surprises recently. She just didn't expect him to know about cooking as well.

Meng Ruoying couldn't help but wonder how extensive his knowledge was and how many more surprises he had in store. The aroma lingering in the air made her fingers twitch with anticipation, and her heart fluttered slightly...

Gu Yuelun smiled, "Alright, please let the old madam taste it!" She then fully lifted the lid, and the aroma in the hall became even more intense, making everyone's mouths water.

Gu Yuelun was the first to serve a bowl, which Meng Ruoying took and brought to her grandmother's mouth!

Madam Meng took a bite, and the old lady closed her eyes, her face filled with a gentle smile, thoroughly enjoying it. After a long while, she opened her eyes and said leisurely, "Truly a delicacy, it's soothing from the mouth to the stomach. After eating this, I feel like I've already reached enlightenment..."

With these words, the guests became even more interested in the Fotiaoqiang, eagerly anticipating it!

"The old madam is truly humorous..." Chen Xuan forced a smile, but the praise made him very uncomfortable. The aroma kept assaulting his nostrils, and he had to swallow his saliva several times, unable to deny its allure.

Madam Meng instructed, "Serve the guests as well, let everyone taste it together!" On such a special occasion, the delicious dish should not be enjoyed alone.

Gu Yuelun followed the order, and the serving maids distributed the dish to the distinguished guests. The wine jar had limited capacity, and only a few guests in the hall were fortunate enough to taste it.

The guests received it with excitement, eagerly picked up their spoons, and once the delicious taste hit their tongues, they all praised it endlessly, the hall filled with exclamations of amazement!

"The best dish in the world, Fotiaoqiang truly lives up to its name!"

"Ah! It feels like standing on a cloud!" Someone closed their eyes in enjoyment, "So light and refreshing, it feels good in every pore!"

"The sage said, 'If I hear the truth in the morning, I can die in the evening!' Now, after tasting this dish in the morning, I would have no regrets even if I died immediately!"

"To be able to taste such a delicacy is truly a blessing in three lifetimes!"

The exaggerated reactions made Lin Zhao roll his eyes. What did the people of the Song Dynasty usually eat? Pig feed? Although Fotiaoqiang was indeed delicious, it wasn't that extreme, right?

After a moment's thought, he understood. Madam Meng's praise encouraged some people to exaggerate, trying to flatter the old lady and make her happy...

This was good; the advertising effect would be multiplied. He was sure that the rumors in Jiangning City the next day would be even more exaggerated, which was exactly what he wanted. Watching the guests in the hall enjoy the dish with such rapt attention and happiness, a faint smile appeared on Lin Zhao's lips.

Some guests noticed the chicken, duck, seafood, and vegetables in the soup, all common ingredients. How could they be combined to create such a delicious dish? The more observant ones began to pay attention to the wine jar on the table, perhaps that was the secret!

The guests outside the hall, naturally, had no chance to enjoy the delicacy and felt very disappointed! They could only look on enviously, imagining the irresistible temptation that even a Buddha couldn't resist, drooling uncontrollably...

Their gazes fell on Gu Yuelun, the young cook who had prepared the Fotiaoqiang. If they had the chance, they would pay any price to have her make it again...

Seeing this, Meng Ruogu believed his sister's words. Lin Zhao had indeed done a great job! However, he was puzzled about which ancient text contained such a record.

Madam Meng said cheerfully, "Call Lin Ge'er in, they should be rewarded!"

Lin Zhao was never one to shy away from the limelight. He strode into the hall and bowed, "Wishing the old madam a long life, I was in a hurry and didn't prepare any gifts, please forgive me!"

Madam Meng smiled, "You and Yuelun's Fotiaoqiang is the best birthday gift, there's nothing better. Sit down!"

With the old lady's words, Lin Zhao and Gu Yuelun, the two "servants," were elevated to the main hall, sitting among the distinguished guests.

Meng Ruogu had never looked down on Lin Zhao and immediately ordered two seats to be prepared!

Coincidentally, Lin Zhao and his cousin sat opposite Chen Xuan, who clearly saw his bitter expression. Lin Zhao didn't need to sympathize with such a person and mercilessly rubbed salt in his wound, his smile full of mockery.

Chen Xuan was furious. He had specially hired a famous chef from Bianjing at a high price! How could he be outdone by a young girl? He was one of the few guests fortunate enough to taste the Fotiaoqiang, and it was indeed incredibly delicious, surpassing any other dish he had ever tasted. He couldn't help but finish it in one go, savoring it endlessly.

In comparison, the dishes made by the famous chef from Bianjing were far inferior! He had planned to use this opportunity to embarrass Lin Zhao, and Li Shi would have used it to punish him, but it backfired, making him feel extremely frustrated!

His carefully planned two birthday gifts were completely overshadowed by one dish. The delicious dish was bad enough, but it had to be called Fotiaoqiang, which was clearly intentional. Lin Zhao was clearly trying to oppose him, embarrass him, and humiliate him!

Chen Xuan was burning with anger, his hatred for Lin Zhao reaching its peak! However, he still had one more trick up his sleeve, and this time, Lin Zhao was dead!

**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**

After a few rounds of drinks, someone suggested composing poetry to celebrate the old madam's birthday and as a keepsake. In ancient times, it was common for scholars to compose poetry during gatherings, often producing excellent works. Although the occasion today wasn't entirely suitable, it didn't seem out of place!

Although the Meng family was a merchant family, they always considered themselves a scholarly family, and the old madam naturally had no objections!

Thus, various poems and recitations echoed through the hall and courtyard...

Lin Zhao paid no attention, focusing on his meal and wine. The wine in the Song Dynasty was not the high-proof liquor of later times but low-proof rice wine or yellow wine, which had a smooth and gentle taste, quite unique. Lin Zhao found it novel and drank cup after cup, savoring it...

Until Chen Xuan stood up and said, "Since everyone is composing poetry to celebrate the old madam's birthday, I will also take a turn!"

What is this guy up to? Lin Zhao looked up, listening with interest!

Chen Xuan looked around and pointed to the door, "Look at these two peonies in full bloom. I will compose a poem to celebrate the old madam's birthday! Listen: 'The beauty of the peony awaits the skillful hand, not confined to the city of Luoyang. The spring emperor must have favored it, making even the fairy blush in the wind. We agreed to admire it together in the future, and the green canopy should not lament its brief bloom. Who will rank the peonies of the East, carefully examining the fragrant cluster in the morning?'"

Everyone heard clearly that this poem was not for the old madam's birthday but seemed to be a way to express his feelings through the peony. Those who were well-informed knew that Chen Xuan had been pursuing Miss Meng and was using this opportunity to convey his feelings and win her heart!

Some people, after hearing the explanation, realized why Chen Xuan had sent the jade Buddha and hired a famous chef—there was a deeper meaning!

Some enthusiasts began to analyze, saying that Chen Xuan was using the peony to praise Miss Meng's beauty, surpassing that of a fairy... "We agreed to admire it together in the future" was a clear indication to Miss Meng... A perfect match, indeed...

Lin Zhao knew even more clearly that the two peonies at the door were gifts from Chen Xuan to Meng Ruoying, brought in for the welcoming guests and decoration.

Now it seemed that the suggestion to compose poetry was likely arranged in advance by Chen Xuan, who had gone to great lengths!

"Very good, very good!" The local education official Zhu Xueli and the county magistrate Shao Wenquan praised... Lin Zhao deeply suspected that these two were high-level shills hired by Chen Xuan.

With the officials speaking, everyone naturally joined in the praise, and Chen Xuan seemed to regain some dignity, a smug smile appearing on his face. He feigned modesty and said, "Thank you for the praise. Brother Meng Ruogu is well-versed in literature, why don't you compose a poem?"

Meng Ruogu smiled and declined, "I'll pass on this. I'm not good at poetry, so I won't embarrass myself!"

Chen Xuan knew he was focused on literature and didn't insist, turning to say, "I've heard that Brother Meng Ruogu's book boy, Lin Xiao, has some insight into poetry. Is that true? Why don't you show us?"

Meng Ruogu didn't think much of Lin Zhao's poetry skills. He wanted to refuse but then thought it was better to let Lin Zhao decide for himself.

Chen Xuan was already smiling at Lin Zhao...

"Better to hide one's talent than to show it off. I'll pass!" Lin Zhao wasn't very interested.

"What? Modesty or fear?" Chen Xuan pressed.

Meng Ruoying's eyes narrowed, sensing the tension between the two.

Forcing me, huh? If you insist on embarrassing yourself, don't blame me! In a previous life, to pursue a Chinese literature major, I read a lot of Tang and Song poetry. In an emergency, I couldn't avoid "borrowing" a bit.

He stood up and said, "Alright! I have a short poem that seems fitting for the occasion. I'll compose a poem!" He turned to look at Meng Ruoying and recited slowly, "After swinging on the swing, she rises and lazily straightens her delicate hands. The dew is thick, the flowers are thin, and her light sweat soaks through her light clothing. Seeing guests come, her golden hairpin slips, and she walks away in embarrassment. Leaning against the door, she looks back, and smells the green plum."

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