Chapter 60: Chapter 60 He Wants to Earn the Money Back!
Translator: 549690339
The first floor of Jiwei Residence served as a dining area for the common people, while the second floor was home to private rooms.
Bamboo was used for the walls of these private rooms, decorated with hung up calligraphy masterpieces from the masters of Bailu Academy, as a feast for the eyes of the dining students.
The rooms were further adorned with the “Four Treasures of Study”, allowing enthusiastic students to express their creativity over a meal.
Furthermore, each room featured a flower stand, displaying silk-made plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum flowers, perfectly complementing the bamboo walls, a symbol of noble character.
Essentially, according to Shopkeeper He Zhanggui, this was all done to cultivate an elegant and refined atmosphere, while cunningly enticing the scholars out of their silver.
Due to the cold jelly noodles, queues formed outside the entrance of Jiwei Residence before noon. Townsfolk patiently waited with their own bowls or pots.
Others directly went inside, choosing between the first and second floors.
Those going to the second floor were primarily students of Bailu Academy.
Soon enough, all ten private rooms were filled with guests.
He Zhanggui, beaming, knocked on the door of one private room. Behind him was a waitress carrying a tray, on which were several delicate dishes filled with tofu pudding and sauce.
The portion of tofu pudding was modest, enough for only two mouthfuls.
“Young masters, our restaurant has introduced a new delicacy, named ‘White Jade Flower’. You may wish to give it a try.”
As he finished speaking, he signaled the waitress to serve the tofu pudding to the three students in the room.
One of them, who appeared naively honest with a square face and large ears, picked up a small dish and curiously inquired, “White Jade Flower?”
Shopkeeper He, still grinning, nodded, “Yes, Master Fan, please have a taste.”
As he said this, he pointed towards the cane sugar and soy sauce placed on the table.
This Master Fan was Fan Jia, the son of Fan De’an, an official in the royal court. Recognizing him, Shopkeeper He was respectful in his manner.
In addition, Fan Jia was known to be a gourmet, which was why He Zhanggui approached him first.
The other two students were the sons of wealthy merchants but received equal respect from Shopkeeper He.
Taking his advice, Fan Jia picked up a spoon and sprinkled some cane sugar onto the tofu pudding. His classmates followed suit, tasting the tofu pudding to their liking.
The pudding was tenderly smooth, delightfully sweet, and had already slipped down their throats before they could even chew, leaving a wonderful aftertaste of soybean and sweetness.
Smacking his lips, Fan Jia turned to Shopkeeper He, “Bring another round, actually, make it two.”
Having tasted the cold jelly noodles and tofu before, Fan Jia did not question further but ordered the required servings outright.
The remaining two students also echoed his request, ordering two more servings each. They all felt that the small dishes were simply too small; their taste buds barely got a chance to savor the flavor when it was already gone.
At this, Shopkeeper He promptly instructed the waitress behind him to prepare the food.
Shortly after, the tofu pudding arrived, elegantly presented in a palm-sized bowl that was visually appealing.
Indeed, following much thought, Shopkeeper He decided to sell two bowls in place of one, while maintaining the same price. For something this exclusive and delectable, it wouldn’t be fair to offer it too inexpensively.
Fan Jia and his mates were unaware of the underlying profit-making scheme. Nonetheless, they earnestly savored the tofu pudding with their little spoons.
After finishing a bowl, Fan Jia put down his spoon and turned to Shopkeeper He, “What is this ‘White Jade Flower’ made of? And why this name?”
“It’s made from soybeans, hence the name ‘White Jade Flower’ owing to the resemblance of white jade,” Shopkeeper He elucidated. “Due to its restricted availability, it’s only served at noon. If you miss the timing, you’ll have to wait until the next day..”