Chapter 171 Get back here

"Jinxuan, this spicy cabbage and garlic eggplant are not something you can make just by saying it." Xia Zhuofeng said.

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "I made it a long time ago and was preparing to take it home today. If father likes it, I will make some more."

"Okay, these dishes are the best with rice." Xia Zhuofeng's appetite was boosted.

Ye Jiayao poured wine for him.

"Jinxuan, go and do your own thing. Don't worry about me." Xia Zhuofeng thought that he would have to deal with that rebellious son later, and it would not be good for Jinxuan to stay here, so he asked her to leave.

Seeing that Manager Qian was giving her a look, Ye Jiayao said, "Then please enjoy your meal, father. If you want any more dishes, just let me know."

Ye Jiayao left the room, and Steward Qian followed her out and said, "The old marquis knows that the eldest young master is hosting a dinner here."

"you said?"

"I didn't tell you. The old marquis asked me himself. He seemed to know that the eldest young master was coming today. He also said that the eldest young master's party was over and asked me to go and call him over."

Ye Jiayao thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Just serve the old marquis well. When the eldest young master leaves, send someone to inform me. If the old marquis asks about the credit, just tell him directly."

She said it was such a coincidence that the father and son came to dinner on the same day. It turned out that the old marquis came for Xia Chunli. After waiting for so many days without any movement, he finally decided to take action.

In Youlanxuan, Xia Chunli was full of food and drink. He burped and started to brag: "This restaurant is opened by my brother. You can put my bill on your meal next time you come."

One person said, "Master Xia is just generous and magnanimous. Don't worry, Master Xia will definitely win in this year's evaluation."

"Yes, yes, Lord Xia is very knowledgeable and talented. We are ashamed to be inferior to him."

"Master Xia, since Tianshangju is opened by your brother, can you please make an exception? My son will have a full moon banquet in a few days, and I would like to invite the chef of Tianshangju to host a private banquet."

Xia Chunli waved his hand and said, "It's just a matter of one word from me. Just tell me a specific time and I'll send someone over."

"Thank you, Master Xia. I will discuss this with my wife when I get back and then tell you."

After everyone had boasted to each other for a while, the party ended. When Xiao Lu went to pay the bill, Xia Chunli glared at him and said, "Don't you have eyes? Don't you know who I am? Ask your manager Zhao to come over."

Manager Zhao didn't come, but Manager Qian did.

Manager Qian smiled and said, "Young Master, the old marquis happens to be having dinner here, so please come over."

Upon hearing that his father was here, Xia Chunli changed his arrogant attitude and followed Manager Qian obediently.

"Um, old marquis, when did you come?" Xia Chunli was most afraid of his father.

"The old marquis passed by today, came in to take a look, and stayed for dinner." Manager Qian said.

Xia Chunli felt relieved. Since his father came to eat for free, no one would blame him, right?

Xiao Lu immediately ran to the kitchen and called Ye Jiayao.

"Second Young Madam, the banquet over there has ended."

Ye Jiayao said: "You go and listen, I won't go up."

I want to teach my son a lesson, so she'd better stay away.

When Xia Chunli entered the room, the old marquis was still drinking, slurping it with gusto.

"Father."

"Sit down." Xia Zhuofeng pointed to the seat opposite.

Xia Chunli sat down and said with a smile, "Father, why are you here today?"

Xia Zhuofeng glanced at him calmly: "Why, only you can come, but I can't?"

"No, no, what I mean is that if I had known that my father was coming, I would have asked him to eat together." Xia Chunli said cautiously.

"Oh? Are you treating me here?"

"Yes, please invite a few colleagues."

Xia Zhuofeng nodded, put down his chopsticks, and said, "Then you can treat me to a meal as well. Steward, please calculate the bill and settle it."

Manager Qian said, "I gave you a 30% discount, so the total is 36 taels."

Xia Chunli was depressed. It turned out that he was asked to pay the bill. This restaurant belonged to the second brother. Why should a family member pay?

But since his father had spoken, Xia Chunli dared not disobey and took out his purse to get the silver.

Manager Qian added, "Master, I'll give you a 30% discount on your table, too. The total is 306 taels."

Xia Chunli's face turned green. "Okay, you cunning steward, you're waiting here?" But he didn't have that much silver in his bag, only a few dozen taels in total.

Xia Zhuofeng had already seen his shrunken wallet and said calmly, "You didn't bring any money, did you?"

"Father, um, I didn't bring that much today." Xia Chunli said.

Xia Zhuofeng emphasized: "You treat us without money?"

Xia Chunli hesitated, "Son, I forgot, I thought it was still there! Father, this restaurant is owned by Chunyu, we are family, you said it's so rare for you to come here, they still have the nerve to charge you?"

Xia Zhuofeng really wanted to slap him, and snorted coldly: "You really don't consider yourself an outsider. Manager Qian, does the young master often come here to eat and drink?" Manager Qian hurriedly said: "Not often, probably only half a month!"

Xiao Lu, who was eavesdropping outside the door, almost laughed out loud, "Old Qian, you are so awesome."

The corner of Xia Zhuofeng's mouth twitched. Damn it, this is called not coming here often?

"Have you paid the bill?" Xia Zhuofeng said, suppressing his anger.

Manager Qian looked at the young master and replied calmly, "It's all put into the boss's account. Including today's payment, the total is 3,448 taels."

"Some of them are not mine." Xia Chunli quickly explained.

Manager Qian said, "Young Master, you took it upon yourself and said that it will be charged on you."

Xia Zhuofeng was furious. Damn it. It was not enough for him to eat for free, but he also had to pretend to be generous. When Youshi told him about this that day, he was furious. How could he take advantage of his brother like this? What kind of person is he? At the end, Youshi added that he was really like his third uncle. Oh my god, blood almost gushed out of his mouth.

It's not that he didn't know that his third brother had cheated him, but his mother had told him before she died that he should take good care of his third brother. This was his mother's request, so how could he not agree? He had already suffered this loss, and he would never let Chunyu be cheated again, nor would he allow Chunli to become such a greedy person that people would sneer at.

"Manager Qian, please write out the receipt and give it to me. If you can't pay the bill, I will do it. We don't have such greedy people in our Xia family who like to take advantage of their brothers." Xia Zhuofeng said angrily.

Xia Chunli secretly complained, what happened to his father? Isn't this pushing him to death? Where can he get more than three thousand taels of silver? He just got two more pieces of chrysanthemum stone the other day, and all the silver has been spent!

"Father." Ye Jiayao walked in.

"Father, let's forget it. We accept this debt." Ye Jiayao said.

Xia Chunli's eyes lit up, but his father's eyes were as sharp as knives and glared at him, scaring him so much that he lowered his head again.

"What's the point? We can't pamper him. Our Xia family can't afford to lose this person. Go and get the bills." Xia Zhuofeng said firmly.

Manager Qian immediately went to issue a bill and handed it to the old marquis.

Xia Zhuofeng glared at his disappointing son: "Go back and stop embarrassing yourself here."

Then he said to Ye Jiayao fiercely, "If he steps into Tianshangju again, chase him out with a broom. If I find out that you invite him to dinner again, I will tear down your restaurant."

Ye Jiayao said yes tremblingly.

She thought to herself, the old marquis was really smart. He played this play in a way that not only taught his son a lesson, but also helped her out of the predicament. He took care of everything. It turned out that the old marquis was a very experienced person.

Xia Chunli followed the old marquis dejectedly.

When Ye Jiayao returned home in the afternoon, she found out that the old marquis forced Xia Chunli to hand over the money and punished him to kneel in the ancestral hall. Qiao went to You to cry and complain, but was sent away by You with a few words. Aunt Wei went to the old marquis to plead for mercy, but was scolded instead.

At dinner, the old marquis spoke as soon as he sat down at the table: "Your eldest brother has done something wrong and must be punished. If any of you dare to plead for him, you must all go to the ancestral hall and kneel for three days and three nights."

So Xia Chunyu put away his thoughts and concentrated on eating. His father was a man of his word, and there was no room for luck.

Xia Chunfeng, on the other hand, looked as if it had nothing to do with him, eating with big mouthfuls. In fact, he was secretly happy that his father should have taught his elder brother a lesson long ago.

Mrs. Qiao ate with tears in her eyes, but she didn't dare to cry. It was heartbreaking to watch. I don't know if she felt sorry for the three thousand taels of silver or for her husband who was punished to kneel in the ancestral hall.

The meal ended in silence. The old marquis put down his chopsticks and said, "Chun Yu, Chun Feng, come with me to the study."

I guess the old marquis will have to give these two sons some ideological education.

Xia Youshi also went back to her room, and then Qiaoshi's tears began to fall.

"Sister-in-law, let me do it!" Ye Jiayao went to help.

Qiao swung his elbow and shook Ye Jiayao off.

He said in a muffled voice: "You don't need to pretend to be a good person."

Ye Jiayao laughed out of anger. Your husband eats and drinks for free in my restaurant, so it’s still my fault?

"I never pretend to be a good person. If I'm good, I'm good. If I'm bad, I'm bad." Ye Jiayao smiled faintly, turned around and left.

No need for help, do it yourself!

She finally understood. With her elder brother and sister-in-law's temper, as soon as Liuli came, they would definitely stand on Liuli's side. It didn't matter. If they had the ability, they would follow her to the fiefdom in the future.

Ye Jiayao went straight to Xia Youshi's room.

"Mother, I have prepared the dishes and utensils for the wedding banquet. Please review them."

Mother Sun took it and gave it to Xia Youshi.

Xia Youshi was very satisfied when she saw this. As expected, for a restaurant business, this menu was different from others. The dishes were rich and innovative, and all of them had auspicious names. The list was very detailed, from tea, snacks, utensils, supplies, and different items for male and female guests, and for ladies and young ladies.

"The Queen Mother has to review this list herself. I will go to the palace tomorrow. Madam Sun, please give orders that everyone in the mansion must obey the Second Young Madam's orders regarding the wedding banquet. Anyone who dares to disobey or shirk duties will be punished by the Second Young Madam." Xia Youshi wanted to let Ye Jiayao take this opportunity to gain some experience.

"Yes!" Mother Sun replied with a smile.

Xia Youshi continued, "Your elder brother's story has been revealed. I believe he won't dare to do it again. However, it's hard to be a good person, and it's even harder to be a bad person. A family living under the same roof will inevitably have bumps and bruises. Chunyu is the prince and will inherit the family business in the future. You are Chunyu's legal wife, so you should be more open-minded."

Ye Jiayao said modestly: "My daughter-in-law will follow my mother's teachings."

Ye Jiayao really listened to what Xia Youshi said. It was just as Chunyu said, Xia Youshi had no other problems except being a snobbish person.

(End of this chapter)