Chapter Thirty-Three: Test One's Abilities, Carp Leaps

pon seeing the carriage, they both stood up.Li Laosi jumped down from the cart, strode forward to pay respects, and said, "Mr. Wen, all the books, not a single one missing, have been brought back.""Th...When all the sauce cubes were done, it was almost dusk.

Tao Hongying tidied up the kitchen and stove early, preparing to cook.

Li Laotai spoke up, "Stay for dinner at my place today. I'll have Hongying cook something delicious for you all!"

The women had long heard their husbands say that Li's family's banquet was delicious. Now that Old Madam Li sincerely persuaded them to stay, they half-heartedly agreed.

There were still some bones left from the earlier meal, so Tao Hongying simmered a soup with carrots.

I took out a dozen or so dried fish that had been sun-dried, fried them in oil and added sauce to the soup. Then I stewed two blocks of tofu, and finally stir-fried some Chinese cabbage with wood ear mushrooms.

Zhao Yuru put thick flatbreads in the fish-flavored hot pot, and dinner was ready in a short while.

The women finally tasted Tao Hongying's cooking and couldn't help but say it was good.

"Hongying is really amazing, she even makes cabbage and tofu so delicious! I can't seem to make it taste the same way."

Zhang Er's sister-in-law was most familiar with the Li family, so she responded at this time.

"Don't you know The Hongying family has ancestors who were imperial chefs, her skills are hereditary!"

Upon hearing this, the woman's eyes lit up as if she had suddenly thought of something. She looked at Tao Hongying with much more eagerness.

She held her rice bowl and, with a forced smile, switched seats with the woman next to Tao Hongying, asking:

"Hongying, what kind of dishes can you cook"

Tao Hongying thought the woman wanted to learn, and didn't mind. She casually mentioned a few dishes she knew how to make.

"I'm pretty good at home-style dishes like crystal elbow, sweet and sour fish, and four happiness meatballs."

Upon hearing this, the woman's face brightened even more, and she eagerly pursued the question.

"Will you also be able to cook the dishes at that banquet Can you take on the job of catering a banquet"

Tao Hongying blinked her eyes, her thoughts racing quickly, and smiled.

"I can make a normal dinner party feast, but it definitely wouldn't be as exquisite as what a restaurant chef would make."

"Oh, that'll do!" The woman clapped her hands excitedly, as if she had found a treasure.

Tao Hongying was puzzled, and the other women who had heard their conversation were also curious and asked.

"Ah Ma, why are you asking this"

Wu Sanniang was the woman who was so happy, she quickly took Tao Hongying's hand and explained.

"Well, my cousin's son is getting married in three days. We had a chef hired to cook for the wedding feast, but he broke his arm last night when he fell and can't work anymore."

She secretly curled her lip and added.

My brother-in-law is a bachelor who cares most about appearances. He wouldn't allow the women in the village to help him cook, and was busy asking around if anyone could take over the chef's job for his wedding feast!

She said, smiling and giving Tao Hongying a playful tap.

"Your ancestors were imperial chefs, and they made delicious food. They were also efficient workers. I think you're a good fit for this."

"But..." Tao Hongying thought of so many chores at home, Zhao Yuru couldn't manage them alone. Jia Yin hadn't even reached a hundred days old, she was a little hesitant.

"Hong Ying, why don't you give it a try" Li Laotai spoke up at that moment.

"There's just me and Yuru at home, don't worry about it."

After some thought, Tao Hongying nodded.

"Alright, Auntie, I'll go with you tomorrow and give it a try"

"Ah, that's the best!" Wu Sanniang hastily replied.

Soon after everyone finished their meal, they dispersed and tidied up the kitchen. Tao Hongying returned to her room and told Li Laosi about it.

"I remember Auntie Wu's family lived in the neighboring village…"

Li Laosi wasn't too comfortable with his daughter-in-law going out alone, so he said:

"I have nothing to do tomorrow, I'll go with you then!"

Tao Hongying was naturally delighted, and she smiled at him, "Good."

Jia Yin was sneaking a feed, her big eyes watching her parents as they fed the dog. She was calculating in her heart.

I've been hanging around Li's place lately, it's getting pretty boring. Maybe tomorrow I can play hooky and go for a walk with Mom

The next morning, before Jia Yin could even try her usual coquettish charms, Li Laotai had already changed her into fresh, clean clothes and bundled her up warmly, handing her over to Tao Hongying.

Jia Yin was so happy that she danced with glee, nearly kicking off her blanket.

Wu Sanniang's aunt lived in the next village, a large village with over a hundred households. It was closer to the county town and much wealthier than Qingshui Village.

A few people walked for two quarters of an hour and arrived. Wu Sanniang's aunt was married into the Sun family, a small landowner.

Sānjìn's brick and tile courtyard is very neat and imposing.

Mrs. Kong and Wu's third daughter had a decent relationship. Upon hearing about Wu's third daughter's intentions,

Looking at Tao Hongying dressed neatly and clean, even the child in her arms was taken care of impeccably. Her heart softened a little.

"Hong Ying, it's not that I don't trust your cooking skills. But there will be some important guests at the dinner party the next day, and we can't afford to disappoint them. So, how about you make two dishes first I'll try them and see how they taste"

Tao Hongying naturally agreed, so Wu Sanniang stayed to chat with Mrs. Kong, and one of Mrs. Kong's personal maids led the three members of the Li family to the kitchen.

Li Lao Si carried the water bucket, helped with starting the fire and chopping vegetables, Tao Hong Ying then began preparing the dishes.

The Lee family bought several carp from somewhere, and they were constantly jumping in the bucket, splashing water everywhere.

Tao Hongying asked a question, then killed one, and simply soaked the wood ear, sliced the Chinese cabbage.

In less than half an hour, two dishes were ready.

One dish is a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate, also known as a saucy carp. The other dish is crisp and refreshing stir-fried Chinese cabbage with wood ear mushrooms.

One meat and one vegetarian, with color, aroma and taste complete.

Mrs. Kong cast a glance at the golden carp, as if it were about to leap over the Dragon Gate any moment.

She beamed with joy, a good omen and a promising sign.

Another bite, the skin is crispy, the fish meat is tender, and the soup is sweet and sour just right. It's truly a rare skill.

Just then, Old Master Kong smelled the aroma and came over from his study. The couple ate quite a bit in one breath and were both extremely satisfied.

Mrs. Kong immediately appointed Tao Hongying as the head chef and gave her two taels of silver for her wages.

Tao Hongying, suppressing a smile, said.

"Let's finalize the menu first so we can prepare the ingredients at home. I'll come over tomorrow afternoon to help with the cooking, and we'll need three or four more people to lend a hand."

Mrs. Kong hurriedly took out the original menu. The menu also had red-braised fish, so she immediately deleted it and added this dish, "Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate."

Needless to say, all esteemed guests are scholars. Such a well-chosen name for the dish is sure to please everyone.

After all the arrangements were made, it was almost noon. Everyone bid farewell and happily returned home.

Wu Sanniang helped her cousin solve her urgent problem and got a piece of fine cloth, enough to make a set of cheongsam.

She walked happily, her steps light and quick, saying she would make shoe uppers out of the remaining fabric for Tao Hongying as a thank you.

At the Li family's lunch table, everyone was surprised to hear about the two taels of wages.

Elder Li held Jiayin in her arms, beaming with joy. She kissed her again and again.

"Oh my, our Fu Niu is so lucky, always bringing good fortune to the family! Your mother is now a money-maker!"

Everyone was laughing. Jiahuan, being shy by nature, clutched his bowl, wanting to speak but unable to. He was flustered, his face flushed red with embarrassment.em anymore...The commotion has, for now, come to an end.The yamen dispatched a good number of officers to apprehend Liu Sizizi and Bao Guan, but unfortunately, both seemed to have vanished into thin a...