Ye Qingcheng tossed the scallion leaves in as well.
Then she boiled it again, covered it with a lid, and simmered it over the lowest heat.
After a while, she fished out the scallion leaves, added salt, not too much, as the sauce would thicken and become saltier later.
After another cup of tea's worth of time, the sauce had thickened considerably. Ye Qingcheng quickly instructed the head chef to stir-fry it to prevent it from sticking to the pot. Finally, it was served.
The rich red color coated the braised pork. Ye Qingcheng picked up a piece and ate one.
It burst with juice in her mouth, the sensation of the fatty meat melting directly on her tongue was truly delicious.
Ye Qingcheng was overcome with emotion. "Mmm! This is the taste of home. Ever since the apocalypse, people mutated or animals mutated. Mutated animals, especially pigs, were aggressive. It's been so long since I tasted this. It's too delicious."
"Mmm~!" Ye Qingcheng ate with evident enjoyment, causing everyone around her to swallow involuntarily.
Ye Qingcheng wasn't satisfied and picked up another piece. This time, however, she didn't swallow it whole. She took a small bite and pulled out a strand of sinew.
A collective "Wow!" rose from the crowd.
They all wanted to try it, but without the princess consort's order, no one dared to reach for chopsticks.
In the end, they could only watch as the princess consort carried the entire plate of braised pork away, under the guise of "letting the Prince have a taste."
Xiao Wangye was pondering how to prepare a birthday banquet for Ye Qingcheng.
Lin Xiao complained from the side, "The princess consort has been busy with the restaurant's business all month. She's probably forgotten her own birthday. Why not just let it pass?"
Xiao Wangye put down his memorial and said, "Nonsense. If she's forgotten, we remember. Since we remember, we should celebrate it for her. How can we just let it pass?"
Lin Xiao was rendered speechless.
"Your Highness, this subordinate was wrong."
Just then, a servant announced, "Your Highness, lunch is ready. You may dine."
Xiao Wangye nodded, and Lin Xiao, understanding, hurried to push the cart.
Upon arriving at the dining table, he didn't see Ye Qingcheng. "Where is the princess consort?"
A servant replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, the princess consort is in the kitchen developing new ingredients and said she would be here shortly."
Xiao Wangye's eyebrows rose. Developing ingredients? She was quite interested. She had probably truly forgotten her birthday.
He then shook his head helplessly.
Not long after, Ye Qingcheng arrived in a flurry.
"Xiao Wangye, come quickly, come and try the braised pork I made." In truth, she didn't dare say she made it herself, as she had barely lifted a finger. She had instructed the head chef, and she had only stood by and directed.
Xiao Wangye picked up a piece of the red meat on his plate with a blank expression and put it in his mouth.
Suddenly, Ye Qingcheng clearly saw his eyes light up. Then, realizing her impropriety, she quickly covered her mouth with her fist and coughed twice to conceal the upward curve of her lips.
Ye Qingcheng saw all of this but still asked pre-emptively, "Is it delicious?"
Xiao Wangye regained his composure and said expressionlessly, "It is delicious."
Ye Qingcheng grinned. If she hadn't been intently watching Xiao Wangye's expression, she would have been completely fooled by him.
"Oh really? Since it's delicious, then eat more."
With that, she sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and took a piece for herself.
After lunch, Ye Qingcheng went out to the restaurant again. The restaurant, with its unique architectural design and delicious food, was now flourishing.
It was packed with customers. Ye Qingcheng managed the accounts efficiently. She had earned a lot this month and was also generous. After all, to retain employees, their wages were also a crucial factor.
When several waiters received their wages, they were incredulous. "It's this much?" This was more than they earned moving goods at the dock!
The waiters' wages were ten liang of silver, which was quite good.
The chefs earned more than the waiters, fifteen liang of silver.
Everyone was disbelieving.
Ye Qingcheng cleared her throat and explained, "This month, business has been very good. You are all great contributors. If your monthly performance improves further, your wages will only increase. Please continue to strive for excellence!"
Everyone was energized and quickly responded, "Yes!"
Bi Xi, standing nearby, was also extremely envious. "Princess consort, does the restaurant still need staff? I want to join."
Ye Qingcheng looked at her. "You want to join?"
Bi Xi nodded. "Mmm-hmm, the wages here are better than mine, and I want to join."
Ye Qingcheng chuckled. "You want to join? What a dream!"
Bi Xi's face fell, knowing it was hopeless.
Of course, she was a lowly servant, her contract bought. But the waiters were free citizens. Compared to those with bought contracts, they were still ordinary people.
However, on second thought, if she were to leave the princess consort, she would feel reluctant. After all, staying by the princess consort's side was always beneficial.
Today, the restaurant introduced a new dish called "Braised Pork."
The shopkeeper heeded the princess consort's suggestion. "Princess consort, should this dish still be given away for free?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Ye Qingcheng shook her head. "How much do the ingredients for this dish cost? Giving it away, I'm not willing. Let's set the price the same as for Saliva Chicken."
The shopkeeper understood but was still a bit confused as to why they weren't following the previous practice.
Ye Qingcheng also noticed his doubt and explained, "We gave away Saliva Chicken before to build our reputation. Now that our reputation is established, we don't need to give it away anymore."
The shopkeeper understood and hurried off to handle the matter.
By the time Ye Qingcheng finished her work, it was already sunset. Returning to the manor, as she pushed open the door, she was greeted by a courtyard full of red lanterns.
Ye Qingcheng was stunned.
There was also a round table in the center of the courtyard. Ye Qingcheng tilted her head, not understanding what it meant.
Ye Qingcheng asked Bi Xi, "Are there guests today?"
Bi Xi lowered her head deeply and shook her head without speaking, making Ye Qingcheng even more confused.
As Ye Qingcheng walked towards the round table, suddenly, music began to play. Ye Qingcheng recognized the sound of a pipa. At this moment, a servant opened a large door, revealing Sheng Yiran playing the instrument.
Ye Qingcheng exclaimed, "Yiran?" Why was she at the Prince's manor?
Sheng Yiran's playing was melodious and beautiful, starting with a gentle, soft melody, like a storytelling chapter, and then suddenly, the tempo and intensity changed, becoming grand and powerful. Before Ye Qingcheng could react, someone leaped down from the eaves. Ye Qingcheng looked closely and saw it was Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao drew his sword and began to dance, following the rhythm of the music, which grew more intense. Ye Qingcheng raised her eyebrows, seeing another side of Lin Xiao she had never seen before.
Soon, the music ended, and the sword was sheathed. Ye Qingcheng stood up and applauded, "Good, good, Lin Xiao, well done!"
Yiran also put away her pipa, handed it to a maid, and walked to Ye Qingcheng's side. "Qingcheng, Happy Birthday."
Ye Qingcheng was taken aback. "What?" So today was her birthday?
At this moment, others who had been hiding in the shadows also appeared.