The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“The next day, I heard from the assistant at Fushun Tower that after I left with my master that day, Manager Feng led a chef back to Fushun Tower. This chef, who was brought from the county town, has cooking skills far superior to my master’s. They said this chef, Qi Changfu, would be in charge of the kitchen at Fushun Tower from then on.”

“I did not dare tell that news to my master. Since he moved out of Fushun Tower, he never asked anything about it, or anything about me. He didn’t look upset, but rather seemed quite happy and would insist on cooking me meals throughout the day. Today, he wanted me to go out and buy some ingredients, said he wanted to make hot and sour soup and braised pork for lunch.”

“As my master reacted like that, I became more worried. However, I didn’t know what to say, and I feared that saying the wrong thing would upset him. So, I thought of visiting you and inviting you to talk to my master. If you could speak with him, he would certainly cheer up. As it happened, when I came here yesterday Qingsui told me you were not around, so I resolved to come again today…”

The whole affair was quite as she had suspected.

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips.

Feng Yongkang has not been at Fushun Tower for some days, which likely means he has been in the county town, looking for a cook who could replace Zhang Yongchang.

Once he found the right person, he immediately drove Zhang Yongchang out of Fushun Tower. He did this to make sure he wouldn’t be caught unprepared, and also to have the chance to step hard on Zhang Yongchang, telling him that Fushun Tower could do just fine without him.

Feng Yongkang is truly cunning and heartless.

But Zhang Yongchang, for his part, may be very stubborn, but also very loyal. Even if he is unhappy with what Feng Yongkang has done, even if he thinks what Feng Yongkang did was wrong, he still gave his heart and soul to Fushun Tower and cares about Feng Yongkang’s welfare.

It’s just a pity…

Sigh!

Zhuang Qingning sighed, “Tong Fei came to take the tofu for Fushun Tower today, all high and mighty, said many unkind words. I immediately told him that from now on I won’t supply anything to Fushun Tower.”

“But Tong Fei didn’t seem to care at all. He seems to just want to show off his authority, without any consideration of what would happen to Fushun Tower in the future. I suspect that the temperament of the new chef isn’t good. If his character isn’t good, the taste of his dishes wouldn’t be great either, therefore Fushun Tower is bound to decline.”

“Today, when Manager Chai of Ruyi Pavilion came to the shop, I suggested that he should stock up more goods and lower the prices to attract customers. I guess that before long, Manager Feng will regret his actions.”

“However, it will be his own business when he regrets it; what’s important now is Uncle Zhang, he…”

Zhuang Qingning paused for a moment, untied the apron she was wearing, “Let’s go see him together.”

“Alright.” As for the future of Fushun Tower or what will happen to Feng Yongkang, Lian Rong didn’t care at all. Seeing that Zhuang Qingning wanted to check on Zhang Yongchang, he immediately agreed, “Let’s go right now.”

If Zhang Yongchang wasn’t showing his temper or cold demeanor, Lian Rong was fearful that he was bottling up everything inside his heart. If this continues, there could be problems. Zhuang Qingning’s early visit could also help talk him through things.

Zhuang Qingning left instructions with Mrs. Cao and others, then she and Lian Rong set off together for Zhang Yongchang’s home.

When they left the tofu shop, Zhuang Qingning brought some fresh tofu and a few tofu skins. She bought a fresh carp in the street. As instructed by Zhang Yongchang, Lian Rong purchased all the ingredients needed to make hot and sour soup and braised pork.

Zhang Yongchang’s house is not far from the old Changji tofu factory, in a delicate small courtyard. Zhang Yongchang and Mrs. Wu used to live there. After Mrs. Wu passed away, Zhang moved to live in Fushun Tower and this courtyard was left vacant, no one has ever lived in it since then.

Although no one resided there, Zhang Yongchang would regularly come over for cleaning and maintenance. As a result, despite so many years passing by, the small courtyard remains tidy and clean. Even the pots of roses in the courtyard are doing very well, blooming brightly and looking beautiful.

At this moment, Zhang Yongchang was busy in the courtyard kneading and stretching dough, making hand-pulled noodles.

He mixed eggs and alkali water into the flour, allowing the dough to rest for a sufficient amount of time. On the chopping board, he kneaded the dough again, then pulled it into a long narrow shape, folded it, pulled again, folded again, and pulled once more…