Chapter 170 The Freeloader Is Here Again

Ye Jiayao thought that Xia Youshi would take action soon, but she didn't expect that there would be no movement for several days.

Let’s not worry about this for now. The cooking competition is about to start and Ye Jiayao is busy making cakes.

She really didn't understand the oven and had never observed its principles and structure, so she could only use primitive methods to bake.

So, these days she and Jiang Yue spent every morning studying in the small courtyard where they used to live.

"Yue'er, make the fire burn brighter."

This is the thirteenth time. I keep summarizing my experience of failure and improving my methods, but I still feel uncertain.

Jiang Yue felt sorry for the cream, eggs and flour, wondering how much had been wasted. Was the cake that the Second Young Lady had said really that delicious? Jiang Yue kept adding firewood to the stove. God bless, this time it must be successful!
Ye Jiayao calculated the time and said decisively: "Open the pot."

Jiang Yue removed the firewood, took a thick cotton cloth, soaked it in water and wrung it half dry, then carefully opened the lid of the pot. A burst of cake fragrance came to her face along with the steaming hot air.

"It smells so good..." Jiang Yue was overjoyed. Was it a success?

Ye Jiayao was also very nervous. After the steam dissipated, she took out the enamel pot and turned it upside down on the chopping board.

This rotatable chopping board is Jiang Li's masterpiece. She has no doubt that if she can explain the manufacturing principle of the oven, Jiang Li can also make it for her.

Enamel has good heat preservation properties and is not easy to cool down, so the two of them waited slowly.

Feeling the enamel, it was no longer so hot. Ye Jiayao carefully opened the jar, and a soft, golden cake appeared before her eyes.

"Yue'er, it worked, it worked this time." Ye Jiayao almost jumped up in excitement. This was great, she succeeded with this stupid method.

Jiang Yue was even more excited than her. She had always been involved in the cake experiment, having experienced expectation and disappointment so many times. Finally, she succeeded in making it. She felt deeply that making delicious food was not an easy task.

Ye Jiayao took a long knife similar to a machete, and while rotating the chopping board, she cut the edges of the cake into the thickness and shape she wanted.

"Yue'er, try it."

Jiang Yue picked up a piece of the broken edge and put it into her mouth, savoring it carefully and nodding repeatedly: "It's loose, soft, fragrant and sweet. It's different from the cakes I've eaten before."

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "This is only a semi-finished product, just wait."

Ye Jiayao began to prepare the cream again. Using a small wooden spatula, she spread the cream evenly on the cake. Then she took a piece of tin foil, rolled it into a tube, cut an irregular slit in it, and began to squeeze patterns on it.

Jiang Yue stared at her gestures intently, finding it magical. Just by squeezing, all kinds of patterns appeared. She was full of admiration for the Second Young Madam. The Second Young Madam had such a rich imagination, there was nothing she couldn't think of, nothing she couldn't do.

Quarter of an hour later, Ye Jiayao looked at her work with satisfaction. Although she majored in cooking in her previous life, she also learned how to make cakes for a few days out of interest. As long as there was a cake base, the later modifications would not be a problem at all.

The two of them carefully packed the cake into a food box so that it could be put on display.

In the kitchen of Tianshangju, a group of people gathered around the cake, exclaiming in amazement.

"It's so beautiful, how was it made?" Zhong Xiang had never expected that the cake Ye Jiayao was talking about was such a delicious food.

"I'll teach you later. Come, everyone try it." Ye Jiayao cut the cake into small pieces.

Cui Dongpeng spontaneously brought a stack of plates.

"It's fragrant and smooth, sweet but not greasy, and melts in your mouth. Combined with the softness of the inner layer, it creates a whole new taste. I guarantee that this cake will cause a sensation when it's taken out," said Deng Haichuan.

Ye Jiayao thought to herself: This is just the most ordinary cake. You have never tasted mousse, cheese, chocolate, fruit, cake, etc., which are the real delicacies.

"Zhong Xiang, starting tomorrow, you will go with me to learn how to make cakes for half the morning. Others don't need to be envious. Wait until the cooking competition is over and let Zhong Xiang teach you." Ye Jiayao said.

Everyone cheered, saying that it was great to follow the Second Young Madam, as you could learn things that you would never be able to learn anywhere else in your lifetime.

"Second Young Madam, Second Young Madam." Ah Xing ran in.

"what's up?"

"That... the young master is here again."

Ye Jiayao's eyes darkened. He really came.

"Which room? How many people?"

"In Youlan Pavilion, there are more than a dozen people! They are already ordering food. It looks like the eldest young master is hosting again."

Damn it, let him eat. She wants him to pay the bill today, otherwise he can’t leave.

The joy of success was ruined by this bastard.

Not long after, Xiao Lu brought over the menu. When Ye Jiayao saw it, she became even more depressed. The wine had to be fifteen-year-old Huadiao, and all the dishes were high-end. The whole table would cost at least three or four hundred taels.

Deng Haichuan asked: "Second Young Madam, are we going to do it or not?"

Ye Jiayao said coldly: "Do it, of course."

Ye Jiayao handed the menu to Deng Haichuan and went to get an apron to put on.

Jiang Yue was shocked: "Second Young Madam, how can this be possible?"

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "Why not? I haven't done it for a long time, and my hands are itching. Today I will let you see the style of a great chef."

Everyone laughed. Li Yao became the second young lady, but her temper and personality remained the same. She was generous and straightforward. She was still their boss.

Seeing the Second Young Lady wielding a knife and spatula, cutting vegetables, putting them in the pan, stir-frying, and flipping the spoon, she did it all in one go, like flowing water, with great beauty, and she couldn't help but get itchy. She learned a lot of dishes from the Second Young Lady, but she usually only cooked at home and had no chance to show them off.

"Second Young Madam, can I try it?" Jiang Yue asked with all her courage. Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "Cui Dongpeng, prepare a simple table of food from the lobby for Jiang Yue to try, and you will be in charge of the review."

Cui Dongpeng gladly accepted the order and happily took Jiang Yue to his stove. He felt honored to serve the beautiful woman.

Everyone looked at Cui Dongpeng with envy. This boy is so lucky!
"Second Young Madam, Second Young Madam." Manager Zhao ran in in a panic.

Ye Jiayao was stirring the wok and asked calmly, "What's the matter?"

"That... the old marquis is here."

Ye Jiayao was so shocked that she almost dropped the food.

Zhong Xiang had just finished cooking a dish and came over to take over: "Second Young Madam, let me do it!"

Ye Jiayao handed him the spatula, took off her apron, and asked as she walked out, "How many people came with you, old marquis?"

"Just one person, saying he wants to see you."

"Is there any room left?"

"No, the place is full again today."

"Set up a table in my room and serve tea first. Oh, and I want bitter gourd," Ye Jiayao ordered.

"The guests have been invited to the second floor. Manager Qian is entertaining them." Manager Zhao said.

This was Xia Zhuofeng's first time at Tianshangju. The location was really good, next to the Qinhuai River, with a wide view, beautiful scenery, and yet still prosperous. The three-story restaurant was not the largest in scale, but its business was booming beyond imagination.

Ye Jinxuan is really capable! Chunyu bought a good restaurant!
Officials in Jinling City either bought land and shops, or started their own business. Huai Song’s policy was to encourage agriculture and commerce, so no one looked down on those who did business.

"Father." Ye Jiayao walked quickly into the room and bowed.

"Oh, Jinxuan, I'm passing by and came in to take a look." Xia Zhuofeng said with a smile.

"Father, it's rare for you to come here, so today I will prepare a table of delicious food for you. Father, what do you want to eat? Southern or northern dishes, as long as you can tell me, I will cook it for you." Ye Jiayao said attentively.

Xia Zhuofeng couldn't help but feel a little surprised. She showed off her sweet and sour pork skills that day, and he thought she had learned it specially to please him, but he didn't expect she would dare to brag about it.

"Really? You're also proficient in Kita?"

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "If father doesn't believe me, then he can test his daughter-in-law!"

Xia Zhuofeng thought for a moment and said, "Then let's have some sweet and sour pork and some braised pork ribs. I can't eat that much just by myself."

"Okay, father, wait a moment, I will do it right away." Ye Jiayao whispered to Manager Qian, "You just serve the old marquis here, don't neglect him."

Back in the kitchen, Ye Jiayao first prepared a dish of cold jellyfish, cold dried shredded pork, five-spice braised beef, and sweet and sour smoked fish, and had someone serve it. She ordered the best Bamboo Leaf Green wine, as the old marquis liked strong liquor.

Oh, by the way, the spicy cabbage and garlic eggplants she pickled in the yard should be ready.

"Jiang Yue Jiang Yue." Ye Jiayao called out to Jiang Yue loudly.

Jiang Yue was working very hard and even got praised by Cui Dongpeng for several dishes she cooked. When she heard the Second Young Lady calling her, she quickly put down her spoon and came over.

"Jiang Yue, let Lao Guan drive the carriage, and you go to the courtyard quickly and get the jar of spicy cabbage and the garlic eggplant in the ice jar. Hurry."

"Oh." Jiang Yue went quickly.

This place is not far from the courtyard. It takes at most twenty minutes to walk here, and less than five minutes by carriage.

Ye Jiayao prepared the cold dishes and started to make sweet and sour pork. There are two most critical steps in making sweet and sour pork. The first is to adjust the batter. If it is too thick, it will not be tasty, and if it is too thin, it will not be crispy enough. The second is frying. The oil temperature and heat must be controlled well. It must be fried thoroughly but not burnt, and the color should be golden.

As for the stew, vermicelli is indispensable. Ye Jiayao gave this job to Zhong Xiang, asking him to spread a piece of vermicelli, which should be flexible and elastic. Then put some spicy cabbage in it and stew it. The taste is so delicious.

While drinking, Xia Zhuofeng asked Manager Qian: "I heard that the young master is here."

Manager Qian said carefully, "Yes, we are in Youlan Pavilion, and we have invited a large table of guests."

Xia Zhuofeng said, "Wait until the banquet is over and ask him to come over to see me."

"Yes."

"The food is served, old marquis. This is the sweet and sour pork you ordered. It's just out of the pot and smells delicious!" Ah Xing presented the sweet and sour pork.

Xia Zhuofeng smiled and said, "You guys here are quite sweet."

Ah Xing smiled and said, "Old Marquis, the Second Young Madam said that being a waiter also has its own requirements. First, you need to be enthusiastic and thoughtful. Second, you need to be sharp-eyed and careful. Third, you need to be diligent. I am working hard on it."

Xia Zhuofeng laughed out loud. He had to say that this second daughter-in-law's way of dealing with people and her temperament and personality were very similar to his.

After a while, the braised pork ribs were ready.

After a while, Ye Jiayao came to serve the dishes herself: "Father, this is the stew you requested."

As soon as the lid was opened, Xia Zhuofeng smelled a familiar sour and spicy smell and asked in surprise, "You actually have spicy cabbage here?"

Ye Jiayao smiled: "More than that." She waved her hand and Jiang Yue presented a plate of garlic eggplant.

The old marquis was stunned. Ye Jinxuan could really make such authentic Northeastern dish for him.

(End of this chapter)