Adorable Food Goddess - Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Mum Gui said, “It’s not really made with chicken soup . I heard Manager Hu say that Head Chef Li Yao used a few types of vegetables for this . I have no idea which vegetables he used as it is his secret recipe . ”

Everyone was amazed .

“Master Chef Lu also made this type of veggie chicken soup, but the taste was as strong as it,” Xia You supplied .

Yong An Madam, who had tasted the ice cream mooncake, smiled and said, “If I had known him earlier, I would’ve invited Head Chef Li Yao for my Old Ancestor’s birthday . These dishes were not only tasty but so thoughtful . ”

“That’s right . From the scented tea to the final dessert, they were all made by him . I initially thought that he was too young and that he could not take on this responsibility, but Little Jing was insistent about him . I’m glad I listened to my son . This chef . . . he really is amazing,” Yu De said happily .

Old Ancestress smiled . “If your family wants to have a party, we have to wait for Elder Sister to turn 80 years old . ”

“9 more years?” Yong An Madam looked disappointed .

“If you could afford it, you should hire Head Chef Li to become your home chef,” Yu De joked .

“Only if Helian Mansion doesn’t take him away,” Yong An Madam played along .

The minutes passed by and everyone was still talking about this little chef .

Ye Jinrong slowly relaxed . Perhaps Elder Princess Yu De has already forgotten the unhappy moment that happened before .

“Sister, this octopus soup is delicious and special . You should try it,” Ye Jinrong said to Zhu who was sat next to her .

Zhu, who was clearly poised to taste the soup, sat back when Jinrong spoke . “I don’t like octopus . ”

During the show, Zhu thought about what the servant said and arrived at a terrifying conclusion . If there’s any sliver of possibility that this woman was pretending as the Ye’s first lady, she definitely wouldn’t like to be associated with her .

Ye Jinrong knew that Zhu was trying to keep her distance from her, but she was having none of it . Zhu’s husband was the youngest scholar in the government and his grandfather was the left chancellor . They have connections everywhere . If she could build a good relationship with Zhu, Liujiang might be able to get close to the left chancellor .

“Then you should try this double taste duck roll! The duck was roasted extremely crispy…” Ye Jinrong tried again .

Zhu cut her off coldly, “Madam Wei, I will eat whatever I want to eat . You don’t need to trouble yourself, just mind your own food . ”

A few younger madams on the same table sneered at her .

“Madam Wei, are you really the first lady of Ye?” someone asked aggressively .

Ye Jinrong thought about what her auntie told her and said affirmatively, “Of course, I am . It was that servant who made a mistake . ”

“But she knew that you have a mole on your nape!” another one protested .

“My two sisters and I all have moles at the back of our neck . I look so much like Second Sister that she’d just mistaken me for her . ”

“It doesn’t matter how similar the two of you looked . She’s your servant, she wouldn’t make a mistake like this . ”

“To be honest, I don’t even remember that woman . For all I know, she might’ve just been someone who worked on the farm . Second Sister and Mother frequent the farm and they must’ve met her there . I really don’t remember her . If you don’t believe me, you can ask around in Yang Zhou,” Ye Jinrong lied with great conviction . She has calmed down enough to get into the pretense without missing a beat .

“Then why did she say that Second Lady Ye went missing the same time that First Lady Ye got married . Are you saying that’s just a coincidence?” Zhu questioned doubtfully .

Ye Jinrong schooled her features to look as if she was in despair . “I don’t really want to tell others about this but since I have no choice now . . . my sister didn’t go missing . She’s sick . Mother wanted her to rest well so she sent her to another home . As soon as she recovers, she’d be back in Yang Zhou . ”

Everyone eased up on their hostility and settled back on their chairs . Ye Jinrong gave a logical explanation that they couldn’t help but believe . Perhaps that servant really recognized the wrong person .

Ye Jinrong relaxed a bit and hid her sigh of relief .

The servant girls came in with copper boxes, the star of tonight’s banquet .

“It is not mid-autumn festival yet, but it is Old Ancestress’ 70th birthday . There is a special dessert for everyone called ice cream mooncake . Please, try it . I hope for everyone to have a happy and peaceful life,” Elder Princess Yu De brought up a toast .

The ice cubes were opened and a dish of crystal-clear, lovely and delicate mooncake was presented in front of everyone .

Yong An Madam’s eyes were bright as she exclaimed, “I have been waiting for this mooncake! I tried one the other day and it was beyond excellent!”

She actually sent people to find Li Yao in Heavenly Residence to buy a few more, but the chef didn’t want to sell it . She was forced to wait until this birthday celebration to taste it again .

“Is that true? Is it really that delicious?” Xia You asked even though she wasn’t at all worried that it would disappoint . Every dish that Li Yao had prepared for the feast was nothing short of heavenly .

“You will see when you try it,” Yong An Madam replied .

“Old Ancestress, Head Chef Li said that this was made especially for you . ”

Ye Jiayao had been mindful of the Old Ancestress’ age . Given that she was an elder, Ye Jiayao knew that cold food wouldn’t sit well with her and might even give her diarrhea . Instead, Ye Jiayao made a sweet peach filling according to the Old Ancestress’ favorite flavor .

“My, this looks very scrumptious,” Old Ancestress praised .

Mum Gui helped her cut it into small pieces .

The Old Ancestress had a bite . The skin was cool and soft and not sticky at all . The sweet peach filling was deliciously sweet with just the right amount of richness .

“I heard that the ice cream mooncake is low in sugar and fat and is good for the health . Old Ancestress, how do you like it?” Yu De asked .

Old Ancestress said with a pleased smile, “Is this the only one? This is not enough!”

Mum Gui laughed . “Old Ancestress, there are more . Head Chef Li is making a box for you . ”

“He is really clever . Yu De, I am very satisfied with this birthday feast . Good troupe and a better chef . Give him a big red pocket as thanks . ” Old Ancestress paused and said, “No, no . Ask him to come here . I will reward him personally . ”

Ye Jiayao was so exhausted but she could not bring herself to relax without hearing the guests’ final comment about the mooncake .

Manager Liu ran to her hurriedly . “Brother Li, Brother Li! Clean up fast, Old Ancestress wants to see you! She is rewarding you!”

Deng Haichuan and the others cheered loudly . They had already received three red pockets from outside and they’ve made a lot of money . However, the best reward was the praises they got for their hard work .

“Brother Yao, hurry! Get rid of your apron!” Deng Haichuan rushed .

Ye Jiayao cleared her head and tidied herself up before following Manager Liu out .

Helian Jing heard about what his grandmother was planning and he immediately bounded to Xia Chunyu and Helian Xuan . “Grandmother wants to reward Yaoyao personally!”

“Really?” Xia Chunyu actually felt a bit excited . Yaoyao exceeded everyone’s expectations today . She performed marvelously and he couldn’t wait to see how she’d flourish even more after this .

Helian Xuan patted Xia Chunyu’s shoulder and said, “You are really lucky . ”

Helian Jing looked at them in confusion, “Big brother, why is Brother Chunyu really lucky?”

Chunyu squinted at Helian Xuan . You big mouthed fool .

Helian Xuan cleared his throat, feeling a bit stupid . He said to Helian Jing, “Little Jing, you should go to Grandmother, too . Ask her for the best reward because you actually deserve it this time . ”

Helian Jing laughed . “That’s what I intend to do!”

“Go, go . Let me handle everything here,” Helian Xuan said .

Helian Jing walked to flower hall happily and ran into Yaoyao and Manager Liu . He called proudly, “Yaoyao, you’re amazing! You’ve conquered everyone’s stomach today!”

Helian Jing barely held himself back from giving Yaoyao a huge hug .

Ye Jiayao smiled . “It was all thanks to you, Young Royal Highness Jing, for giving me a chance . ”

Helian Jing returned the smile, and together, they walked to the flower hall .

“Old Ancestress, Head Chef Li Yao is here,” Manager Liu informed .

Everyone looked at the young man next to Helian Jing with obvious surprise . He’s such a pretty young boy! How could he be the chef? Weren’t chefs normally pot-bellied with sweaty faces?

Ye Jinrong looked surprised than most . The chef looked awfully familiar . She looked like her older sister . . . Jinxuan? No, that can’t be . Jinxuan might be a good cook, but not this good . No, it couldn’t be her older sister . Absolutely not .

Also, when Officer Xia came to the mansion, he said that Jinxuan was already dead .

No, it’s not Jinxuan .

She must’ve only been feeling guilty so she’s seeing her sister’s face .

“Grandmother, I hope you had a wonderful birthday . Your life will be long and your fortune will be boundless,” Helian Jing said his wishes as he kneeled in front of his grandmother .

Old Ancestress smiled fondly at him . “Alright, get up now . ”

Helian Jing has always been Old Ancestress’ favorite . If there weren’t that many guests, he wouldn’t have been so formal .

“Little Jing, your arrangement for this birthday celebration is successful . I am very happy,” Old Ancestress commended .

Helian Jing scratched his head abashedly . “Old Ancestress, those were all Li Yao’s idea . ”

Yu De softly said to Old Ancestress, “When Little Jing ran away to Shang Dong, it was Li Yao who brought him back to safety . ”

Old Ancestress glanced in surprise at Li Yao . This was the first time that she heard about this . He wasn’t just a great chef, he’s also Little Jing’s benefactor . That meant more reward .

“Little Brother Li, come . ” Old Ancestress said .

Ye Jiayao got up and walked up to where Old Ancestress was seated . She glanced around and almost did a double take when she saw an unexpected face in the crowd .