Jiang Huaiyu couldn't resist teasing Jin Chong. "Weren't you the one who said it couldn't possibly taste good?"
Jin Chong raised a brow, his pride clearly bruised. "Oh? This young master admits to being wrong for the first time here. Shouldn't you feel honored?" He snorted, though his lack of confidence was obvious, especially considering he'd eaten the most at the table.
"Jin Young Master has clearly seen everything under the sun, yet here you are, losing your composure. How unsophisticated," Qin Ziqin added, his voice dripping with mockery.
Jin Chong countered with a smirk. "And you, Champion Marquis, seem no better off than I am."
"Alright, gentlemen," Jiang Huaiyu interrupted before their rivalry escalated. "The reason I invited you here today, aside from celebrating my son's zhuazhou ceremony, is to discuss an idea. Have any of you ever considered opening a restaurant?"
She had originally planned to discuss this with Qin Ziqin and leave the logistics to Qi Jue. Jin Chong's uninvited arrival had thrown a wrench into things. She wasn't desperate for funding, and involving Jin Chong wasn't part of her initial plan.
"A restaurant? How much money could that possibly make?" Jin Chong scoffed, though there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Are you interested or not?" Jiang Huaiyu's tone was casual, but her gaze was sharp.
Jin Chong glanced toward the now-empty jar of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, his narrowed eyes betraying his intrigue. "I'll hear you out."
Restaurants and inns weren't new to the Jin family, but success in the food business had always depended on the quality of the dishes, not just fancy decor. Even the most luxurious establishment couldn't outdo a humble street stall with truly exceptional food. Still, Jin Chong couldn't deny the allure of what he'd just eaten. Even one signature dish like that could turn a restaurant into a sensation overnight.
"I've got an ancient recipe book, long thought lost," Jiang Huaiyu began, with just the faintest hint of hesitation.
At her signal, Xiaocao brought over a weathered tome, its cover showing signs of age and use. Jin Chong's eyes widened slightly in surprise. In the world of antiques, even centuries-old books were rare treasures. For Jiang Huaiyu to casually produce something like this made her luck seem almost supernatural.
Perhaps, Jin Chong thought, she had stumbled upon some forgotten scholar's library, filled with priceless texts. First the spice formulas, now this? It was almost too much to believe. His movements were slow and deliberate as he took the book and flipped through its pages.
"Over a hundred unique dishes. Surely that's enough to support a restaurant chain," Jiang Huaiyu said calmly. "I don't plan to stop at the capital. I want locations in Yangzhou, Youzhou, and Yanzhou as well."
Jin Chong's fingers paused mid-turn. Even ten recipes would suffice for most establishments, but these were dishes he'd never heard of, let alone tasted.
Before he could respond, Qin Ziqin snatched the book from his hands. "Of course I'm in. But we'll need to discuss profit shares and investment details."
Jiang Huaiyu ignored the smirk Qin Ziqin shot Jin Chong's way and turned to Jin Chong instead. "What about you, Jin Young Master?"
She had thought this through carefully. The recent drama involving certain restaurants using her spices as a selling point had made her realize that retaliation was necessary. Jiang Huaiyu wasn't someone to be easily pushed around, and those who thought otherwise were about to learn the hard way.
"This ancient recipe book holds over a hundred dishes, flavors the people of Da Yun have never tasted or even heard of. And let's not forget Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," Jiang Huaiyu added with a sly smile. "One jar auctioned daily. What do you think?"
Jin Chong's sharp eyes gleamed. "I'll put up the funds and resources. Let's keep this between you and me—no need for third parties."
The suggestion of daily auctions momentarily threw them all off. Their initial assumption had been that the signature dish would be widely available. But the idea of exclusive access, with prices determined by demand, struck them as brilliant.
Qin Ziqin sneered. "Third parties? Jin Chong, when Jiang and I first started working together, you were still haggling over copper coins in some back alley."
Jin Chong's lips curled into a scornful smile. "And what do you bring to the table, Champion Marquis? This venture clearly doesn't need you."
Jiang Huaiyu sighed, cutting through the tension. "If Jin Young Master wishes to join, that's fine. We'll revise the profit shares accordingly. If not, consider this your reward for a decent meal."
Qin Ziqin's grin widened. His voice was honeyed with smugness as he teased, "Well, unlike certain people, I'm trustworthy. That's why Jiang works with me."
Jin Chong ground his teeth, his irritation barely concealed. He could have walked away, pulled out of the agreement, and stolen Jiang Huaiyu's ideas for himself. But he wasn't foolish enough to burn that bridge—not with the potential of this venture.
"Alright, tell me what he can actually do," Jin Chong said coldly, her slim and delicate face devoid of expression. She didn't even glance at the floral tea on the table, clearly too upset to care.
Jiang Huaiyu smiled gently. "Lord Qin has connections all over the land. Not only can he attract customers to the restaurant, but he can also keep thugs and troublemakers away. On top of that, he's willing to invest both money and effort."
Of course, that wasn't the whole story. She couldn't possibly reveal Qin Ziqin's full background. As far-fetched as it might sound, Jiang Huaiyu hadn't planned for Jin Chong to get involved anyway. If Jin chose to storm off in anger, she would merely bid her farewell politely.
But Jin Chong, despite her infamous temper, had an uncanny ability to rein in her emotions. She lifted her gaze slightly and said, "In that case, I trust Lord Qin will be taking care of future expenses, including the land purchase."
Qin Ziqin grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "It's just me, my mother, and a handful of servants. My estate's coffers are overflowing, so I need to find places to spend it. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do with all that silver."
"How enviable," Jin Chong remarked, casting him a deep, contemplative glance.
Meanwhile, Qi Jue, who was standing off to the side, seemed to be little more than a bystander. He had been brought along because Jiang Huaiyu intended for him to oversee the restaurant's operations once the arrangements were made. After all, a proper introduction to the business wouldn't hurt.
Once the details were settled, Jiang Huaiyu escorted the trio to the door. When Zhuzhu shut the door behind them, Jiang let out a soft sigh as she strolled back to the main house.
The so-called "century-old recipes" were nothing but a fabrication. She had painstakingly transcribed dishes from her memory and adapted them to the ingredients available in Dayun. To make her ruse believable, she had employed an ancient technique she'd learned: soaking pages in brewed leaf water, then drying them repeatedly. The process gave the book an aged, timeworn appearance while leaving the ink only slightly smudged.
She knew that introducing too many innovations from her past life would attract unwanted attention. It was better to claim they were lost legacies from a century ago. This way, no one could easily dispute her story. By crafting a plausible origin, she could put others at ease—people always felt more comfortable when they thought they understood your capabilities and resources.
"Life's too short not to leave something behind," Jiang mused aloud as she paused in the courtyard. Her gaze fell on the verdant tree standing tall, its branches full of lush green leaves. A soft chuckle escaped her lips, leaving her maid Zhuzhu bewildered by the cryptic comment.
Jiang Huaiyu rarely had such a bold and ambitious demeanor. Whether in her previous life in the modern world or after arriving here, she had always been like a still autumn pond—disturbed only by falling petals or a stray breeze.
At first, she had been content to adapt to her new surroundings, planting a small field and raising a few chickens. But when others kept targeting her, she had no choice but to strike back.
After that brief moment of self-reflection, she chuckled lightly and returned to the main house. Taking a packet of sweet buns from Xiaocao, she said, "You can share the remaining Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with everyone. Go ahead and enjoy."
"Yes, Madam," came the eager response. The servants, who had been eyeing the dish with longing, quickly dispersed.
"Off you go. I'm not a porcelain doll—you don't need to hover around me," Jiang waved them away with a faint smile.
Once they were gone, Jiang gently ruffled Tangbao's hair. "If it weren't for you, little one, I wouldn't have to be so cautious."
It wasn't that she didn't want to partner with Jin Chong; she simply found Qin Ziqin easier to manage given his personality and status. Choosing him had been a calculated compromise. Unexpectedly, Jin Chong's involvement had created the perfect balance. The two men could keep each other in check, ensuring that neither would act rashly. Jiang was confident they wouldn't sabotage her without greater incentives to gain.
Letting out a deep breath, she looked around at the elegantly crafted wooden furniture and the solid brick walls. Her gaze softened, filled with determination. Rooted here, she could finally live with a sense of freedom.
Her musings were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Leisurely, Jiang walked across the veranda and past the screen wall. By the time she reached the entrance, Xiaocao had already opened the door.
"Excuse me," a slightly hesitant female voice asked from outside, "that wonderful smell earlier—was it something you made?"
"Oh, that was our madam testing recipes," Xiaocao replied, her tone far more composed than it had been in the past. "Our restaurant will be opening soon. You'll be welcome to come and try the dishes—guaranteed to be just as delicious!"