Chapter 359: First Batch of Century Eggs Is Ready
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Thank you, Lord Marquis!” Yun Niang’s eyes flashed with understanding as she playfully bowed to Qin Xiaoyao.
Qin Xiaoyao personally went forward to help her up.
The more she looked at Yun Niang, the more she admired her.
When she thought of Liu Ling’s performance in managing the workshop, she felt a little regretful that she could not get Yun Niang to work under her as well.
However, it was fine for now. When her business expanded in the future, it was not impossible for her to poach Yun Niang.
Haha! One should have more self-confidence.
After that, Qin Xiaoyao and Xiangyang had a meal at Cloud Scent Court before leaving.
Another five days passed.
With the help of Liu Ling and Xiangyang, Qin Xiaoyao finally decided on the three shops to be her porridge shops. She rented all of them.
The next step was to renovate and recruit staff.
As she didn’t buy any of the shops, Qin Xiaoyao had ample funds on hand.
After discussing with Liu Ling and Xiangyang, Qin Xiaoyao decided to buy the workers for her shop.
Although the cost would be much higher, it could reduce staff turnover and ensure that the skills would not be leaked to outsiders.
Thus, Liu Ling stepped forward and went to the brokerage to select some workers.
After settling the workers down, they began to prepare for the renovation and the launch of the shop.
After another seven to eight days, the first batch of century eggs that Qin Xiaoyao made with the servants of the Marquis’s residence was finally ready.
As everyone waited in anticipation, the Marquis’s residence was the first to eat dishes that used century egg as ingredients, such as porridge with lean meat and century egg, cucumber and century egg soup, and cold century egg salad.
Xiangyang and Liu Ling, who were initially suspicious of the century egg, were full of praise for it after tasting it.
They were instantly filled with hope in what they were doing.
Therefore, they became even more motivated when they carried out their work after this.
When she saw that everyone was satisfied with the century egg, Qin Xiaoyao brought two servants from the kitchen with her to Cloud Scent Court that very afternoon.
That night, a new dish appeared on Cloud Scent Court’s menu.
Moreover, Cloud Scent Court had specially recommended the new dish to every customer who came to spend money.
The so-called new dish was naturally referring to the dishes related to century eggs. Of course, the most important dish was the century egg and lean meat porridge.
After the customers tasted it, they were full of praise.
This was particularly true for the porridge with century egg and lean meat. Some people even asked the kitchen to specially pack some up for them to bring back.
In the end, the century eggs Qin Xiaoyao sent were not enough.
The brothel madame came forward and apologized profusely many times before she could pacify the guests.
At this moment, in Yun Niang’s room.
“Gosh, my precious daughter! The porridge and dishes made from the century eggs sent by Lord Marquis are truly not bad!
“Tomorrow, go and tell Lord Marquis to send more. Mama will pay for them,” the brothel madame said.
When she saw that Yun Niang’s expression didn’t change, the brothel madame reached out and grabbed Yun Niang’s hand.
“Good daughter, help Mama invite Lord Marquis over. 1 will personally talk to her. How about it?”
She had not imagined that the century eggs sent by Lord Marquis would be so delicious. It simply kept the customers coming for more.
Although their Cloud Scent Court was a brothel, the wine and dishes were also a major feature. They were also a main source of income.
Based on the sales tonight, if Cloud Scent Court could continue to sell dishes and porridge related to century eggs, their business would definitely become even better.
In fact, if she could use this opportunity to further increase her establishment’s fame, her brothel might even be able to stand out from all the other brothels!
Yun Niang finally glanced at the brothel madame, but her expression was still indifferent.
She hadn’t forgotten what she suffered because of her younger brother’s matter. Although the brothel madame didn’t do anything to her on the surface, she secretly made things difficult for her.
There was also her relationship with the Marquis.
Although the brothel madame didn’t stop her, she would give her dirty looks every time they bumped into each other.
Tonight, the brothel madame had added the century egg dish to the menu on Lord Marquis’s account, but she had also added a prerequisite.
That was, Cloud Scent Court wouldn’t pay a single coin for the century eggs that Lord Marquis had sent over.
Moreover, the two servants from the Marquis’s residence were the ones helping to make the dishes related to the century eggs.
Fortunately, Lord Marquis had taken the initiative to bring this up. Otherwise, she could only pay for the servants herself.
“Gosh, my precious daughter! Mama was wrong about what happened before. Just take it that I’ve let you down.
“Just be magnanimous. Don’t be angry with Mama, okay?
“The century eggs that Lord Marquis sent over are indeed good stuff. Ask Lord Marquis out and Mama will talk to her personally. The price is negotiable!” The brothel madame patted Yun Niang’s hand and smiled ingratiatingly.
Yun Niang’s expression relaxed a little.
“Alright! Since Mama has always treated me well, tomorrow, I’ll help you invite Lord Marquis over,” she said.
“Great!” the brothel madame hurriedly answered. She beamed so happily that her two eyes turned into slits.
She held onto Yun Niang and talked for quite a while before leaving.
After the brothel madame left, the maidservant came to Yun Niang’s side.
“Hmph! Now she comes a-begging,” she said with some anger.
Yun Niang glanced at the maidservant and smiled.
“It’s fine. It’s not like you don’t know the madame’s personality.
“It’s good to take the opportunity to appease her this time. From now on, our days will be a little easier.”
The maidservant was still resentful.
“She’s just greedy for money! Why doesn’t she think about how much you and Young Master have earned for her all these years?”
Yun Niang smiled again.
“The money isn’t just for her. Regarding Ling’er’s matter, 1 caused her to offend Empress Jia’s brother. I’ve indeed let her down over this matter.
“Right now, Lord Marquis needs to open up a market for century eggs.
“If Madame is willing to buy the century eggs from Lord Marquis and sell them in Cloud Scent Court, this is a good thing for Lord Marquis.
“If this deal is successful, Madame will no longer be angry and Lord Marquis will also benefit. It’s good for everyone.”
The maidservant finally stopped talking. She nodded and agreed with Yun Niang’s words.
Only then did Yun Niang pick up her brush and write a letter. Immediately after that, she got the maidservant to arrange for someone to deliver the letter to the Marquis’s residence.
Not long after that, Qin Xiaoyao received Yun Niang’s letter.
After reading the contents of the letter, her face lit up with joy.
She went to look for Liu Ling immediately.
She asked him about the number of century eggs he had that were ready.
Liu Ling took out a logbook. After making some calculations, he reported the figure to Qin Xiaoyao.
Qin Xiaoyao knew what to do next upon receiving the information.
“When the business deal from Cloud Scent Court is secured and we receive the first sum of money, we can increase the production capacity of the workshop next.
“Century eggs take a long time to mature. It’s better to make more to stock up,” Qin Xiaoyao said.
“Yes, Ma’am!” Liu Ling answered with a smile.
After tasting the century egg, he was full of confidence. He was also prepared to talk to Qin Xiaoyao about this matter before she brought it up.
Qin Xiaoyao thought for a while and added, “If the workshop doesn’t have enough manpower, it’s fine to add a few more workers.”
“Alright! Tomorrow, I will go to the brokerage and ask the broker to keep a lookout for suitable staff,” Liu Ling quickly replied.
Qin Xiaoyao nodded.
She chatted with Liu Ling about the workshop matters for a while longer before leaving.
The next day, Qin Xiaoyao reported to the army camp in the morning.
At noon, she didn’t even have lunch in the army camp. Instead, she went to Cloud Scent Court.
She had just met Yun Niang when the brothel madame came.
She warmly greeted Qin Xiaoyao and even got her staff to prepare a table of sumptuous dishes.
Qin Xiaoyao had already read Yun Niang’s letter and knew what the brothel madame was planning, but she pretended not to know anything..