Chapter 418: Private Dishes Debut!

rp words. The Emperor right there appointed him as a Censor, someone who specializes in reporting misconduct to the Emperor. No matter who did wrong, the teacher could write a petition and tell the Em..."Definitely!" Li Zhensheng was also happy and quickly replied, "This way of eating, I've never heard of it before. Just the novelty of it is worth sixty-six taels of silver!"

But he also added a few reminders, "However, just one roasted duck isn't enough. At least add one spicy dish and two new dishes, making up over half the menu. After all, it's the first table, so we want to make it as perfect as possible!"

"Don't worry, Big Brother. I have plenty of new dishes here. I'll get you the menu after I finalize it." Tao Hongying was very confident and readily agreed.

Li Lao'er also said, “Sister-in-law, if you need any help, just say it.”

"Good, thank you, elder brother." Tao Hongying smiled and thanked him.

Old Mrs. Li was pleased to see her children working together so harmoniously and efficiently.

After a satisfying meal, Jiayin felt a bit sleepy. She struggled to climb into her father's arms and drifted off.

Li Lao Si carefully held his chubby daughter, who was so beautiful, it was breathtaking. It was rare for his daughter to be this close and affectionate with him.

But seeing everyone finished their meal, the dinner table was cleared away, and they all went to sleep.

He became embarrassed...

Should I really take my daughter back to the bedroom After he finally came back, how can I just hold her instead of his wife

In the end, it was still Old Mrs. Li who took over her granddaughter and scolded her son, "Go back to sleep quickly!"

Li Lao Si grinned foolishly, pulled his blushing wife along, and ran away.

Jia Yin slept soundly, completely unaware that her father found her a nuisance...

With these fresh fruits and vegetables sent from "Zhengjiazhuang," Tao Hongying effortlessly listed the menu.

That fish tofu glass noodle soup, she had never made it before.

So, the night before going to the restaurant, she made a large bowl of it and received unanimous praise from her whole family.

Old Li Si wished he could lick the big bowl clean, trying to get every last drop of soup. Old Li's wife was so angry she whacked him on the head with her chopsticks, scolding him for being such a wastrel.

Jiayin remembered the table made by her Uncle San and, the next day, insisted on going to the restaurant with her grandmother.

Li Laotai also wanted to witness her daughter-in-law's glorious moment, so she entrusted the house to He Mama and Shuǐyún, bringing only Shuǐlíng and Dongméi into the city.

This time, the guests at the first table of private dishes were a renowned foodie from Xindu, surnamed Dong. Everyone in the area calls him "Master Dong".

He had only two great passions in his life: flowers and food.

The Dong family has enjoyed three generations of wealth and prosperity. Now, they have a name and silver, but no real power.

Thus, all his free time, Dong Waiyuan spent making himself happy.

He has eaten at every restaurant in Xindu.

The orchid reopened, and they had new spicy dishes. Of course he had to try them.

From that first bite, I fell in love with it. Now I practically eat it every three or four days.

Li Zhensheng also weighed it for a long time before choosing this Dong Yuanwai as the guest for the first table of private dishes.

Firstly, Master Dong enjoys fine food and wouldn't refuse.

Besides, he had some acquaintance with Master Dong. Even if the new dish was a failure, Master Dong, out of face for him, wouldn't say anything too harsh and affect the business of the restaurant.

As expected, upon hearing that Xiankeli was launching a brand new dish called Tianwu, which no one had ever tasted before, Dong Waiyuan immediately booked the chief's table without hesitation.

On this day, Dong Yuanwai invited five friends who were all food lovers and enjoyed each other's company, to Xianke Lai.

Li Zhensheng personally greeted them and led them to the private room at the innermost part of the third floor.

The officials, including Dong, didn't really care about the surroundings. After all, they were there to satisfy their hunger and thirst, so as long as it was passable, that was enough.

As a result, as soon as they entered the room, they were surprised.

It's October now, and it's about to snow.

Logically, at this time, all flowers should have withered and died except for the plum blossoms about to bloom.

But in this room, there were flower pots everywhere - in the corners, by the windows, and even on some rather peculiar double-decker tables.

"Slap me, and see if I'm dreaming That pot on the table... isn't it a Green Cloud" Dong Waishi tugged at a friend, speaking excitedly with stammered words.

To bad, friends, they didn't have time to pay him any mind. They had already rushed to the table in three or two steps.

"What a surprise! I last saw you ten years ago! To meet you here today is truly unexpected!"

"And that one, that one... the one in the corner, isn't that a handsome flag What a waste! How could you put it in the corner like that!"

"Hurry! Come here, come here!"

"Be careful, be careful! Don't knock the petals off"

Six middle-aged men, who were originally here for the food and drink.

I don't want my eyes to be assaulted first!

They tossed aside the fans in their hands, and the walnuts they were playing with rolled away somewhere.

Right now, my whole world is filled with these flowers.

At one moment, she'd find fault with the flowerpot, saying it didn't suit the vase and was a disgrace to such a fine piece. At another, she'd lament that an object of such refinement shouldn't be placed in a smoky tavern...

Li Zhensheng stood at the door, truly laughing and crying.

He had handpicked the best chrysanthemums yesterday, keeping them at home and bringing over only those that were slightly less impressive. Unexpectedly, even these managed to steal the show.

I really don't know where my little niece found so many beautiful flowers!

However, none of that matters now. Today's banquet was either meant to poison people, or Dongwai wouldn't have said a word against it.

Even if this sixty-six taels of silver is only considered the cost of admiring flowers, they would agree...

For a full half hour, Master Dong and his companions were engrossed in admiring the chrysanthemums. Only when they had finally finished did they sit down, eager to sip some tea to quench their thirst, that they realized the fruit platter before them held jadeite melons instead.

The crimson flesh of the watermelon, seeded and cut into bite-sized squares, was arranged on a white porcelain plate, accompanied by a small silver fork.

Take a bite, it's so cool and sweet! It really takes away all the worries and frustrations!

Someone immediately said to Dong, "Dong brother, not saying whether we can eat good things in a while. Just saying that these few pots of flowers and this plate of emerald cucumber today, we haven't come here for nothing!"

The Master Dong beamed with delight and chuckled, “I’ve known Mr. Wang… no, I mean Brother Li for years now! He's a man of his word. Just wait and see, the dishes today will definitely not disappoint!”

Before anyone could speak, Li Zhensheng led his young assistants in to serve the dishes.

There are nine dishes and one soup in total, with both cold and hot options, as well as meat and vegetarian choices.

Every time Li Zhensheng presented a photograph, he would introduce it with a few words.

The first two dishes are traditional specialties of Xian Kela, their flavors have been tested by all diners and are almost universally loved.

The third dish is seafood, also a specialty of Xianke Lai.

A guest beside him shifted slightly, making room for Li Zhensheng and placing the dishes on the table.

But Li Zhensheng smiled instead, then gently pushed the top layer of the table.

This was an ordinary large round table, and at first no one paid it any mind, even feeling that it didn't quite fit in with the paintings and famous flowers in the room.

But with Li Zhensheng's push, they finally understood the meaning of this round table.

The top layer of this table actually rotates!

Li Zhensheng didn't need to change positions at all, he simply placed the dish firmly on the table.

"Oh my, this table has a secret compartment!" exclaimed one guest in surprise.

"The elder Dong also nodded, "Indeed, I didn't notice it! Brother Li truly put his heart into this table of dishes!"

They all reached out to help turn the table, becoming even more satisfied with today's feast.

As the host, Dong Yuanwai felt even more honored to have such distinguished guests.

He was just about to say a few words to Li Zhensheng when, as he turned his head, he saw someone coming in from outside the door and nearly fell off his chair in fright!re was no space left on the floor."Father, how come there are so many boxes Have you struck it rich" Jia Yin joked as she poured tea for the Marquis.She didn't forget to ask the head steward to sit do...