Chapter 75: Caught with Her Paws Full of Silver

When the two returned to the bedroom, Wei Lan couldn’t wait to hug Lu Zijin tightly.

 

Seeing how clingy Wei Lan was, Lu Zijin smiled and shook her head.

“I’ll have them prepare hot water.

We’ll bathe and then rest early.”

 

Wei Lan wrapped her arms around Lu Zijin’s lower back and refused to let go.

She looked up at Lu Zijin.

“Wife, how about we bathe together?

It saves time and water.”

 

Lu Zijin smiled and leaned in to bite Wei Lan’s lip.

“In your dreams.

You go bathe in the guest room.”

“Alright then.”

Hearing that her wife wouldn’t agree, Wei Lan immediately deflated and lay limply in Lu Zijin’s arms.

 

Soon, the maidservants had prepared the bathwater.

Wei Lan reluctantly went to the guest room to bathe, while Lu Zijin bathed in the bedroom.

 

By the time Wei Lan finished bathing and returned to the bedroom, Lu Zijin was already leaning sideways on the bed, waiting for her.

 

Wei Lan couldn’t wait to get into bed and buried herself in Lu Zijin’s arms.

“Wife, I missed you so much.”

 

Looking at her little Qiankun acting spoiled, Lu Zijin’s fingertips lightly pinched Wei Lan’s gland opening, rubbing it from time to time.

“What do you want to do again?”

 

Wei Lan leaned in and kissed Lu Zijin’s lips.

“I want to play with the little phoenix.

Wife, you’re not angry anymore, are you?

We haven’t done it in days.”

 

The corners of Lu Zijin’s mouth lifted slightly, and her fingertip lightly tapped Wei Lan’s nose.

 

Wei Lan buried her face in Lu Zijin’s chest and acted spoiled.

“Please, wife?”

 

Looking at her little Qiankun acting spoiled, Lu Zijin smiled and relented.

Who could resist her adorable little Qiankun?

 

Seeing that Lu Zijin had agreed, Wei Lan couldn’t wait to kiss her.

She was still a bit unaccustomed to being on top while kissing, since before she had always been pinned down and kissed by her wife.

 

Wei Lan kissed her as she undid the sashes of Lu Zijin’s middle garment.

Soon, she saw the little phoenix she loved…

 

Early the next morning, when Wei Lan woke up, Lu Zijin was already gone.

She touched the spot beside her on the bed; it was cold.

Her wife had probably been gone for a while.

 

Wei Lan sighed.

Her wife was a workaholic, getting up early every day to work.

She herself was much more laid-back, sometimes sleeping until the sun was high in the sky if she was tired.

 

Wei Lan hugged the blanket and rolled around comfortably a few times.

After resting in bed a little longer, she finally got up.

As soon as she was up, the several head chefs from the Lu family tavern had already arrived at Fuqu Pavilion’s courtyard.

 

Wei Lan quickly washed up, ate some breakfast, and began training the chefs.

 

She first had someone bring out the copper pot and explained how to use it.
“The chimney on top of this copper pot is for ventilation.

There’s an opening at the bottom for adding charcoal.

This means each table has a pot on it.

Using the heat from the charcoal, this pot can cook food.

Of course, it’s best to put a wooden board underneath, otherwise it might burn the table.”

 

Wei Lan thought for a moment and continued, “Let’s go.

Next are the ingredients and the base.

Don’t worry about the base for now; I’ll have the base made here and you can just use it directly.

I mainly want to show you the ingredients and teach you how to eat it.”

 

Wei Lan was afraid that someone with ill intent might sell the base recipe to others, so she planned to have the cooks in her own kitchen make the base, giving them a little extra pay.

“Look, slice the fresh lamb and beef into thin slices.

Cut the vegetables a bit.

Cut the tofu into chunks.

When the pot boils, you can cook and eat.”

 

As she spoke, Wei Lan had someone add charcoal to the copper pot.

Soon, the broth inside began to boil.

 

Wei Lan put a plate of meat into the pot and said, “Once the pot is boiling, you can add these ingredients.

A quick dip, and the meat will be cooked.

You guys try it.

Dip it in this sesame paste.”

 

The several head chefs had initially thought Wei Lan was an amateur instructing professionals.

But they all knew this master was very favored, so they naturally didn’t dare show it.

 

They took their bowls and chopsticks, skeptically picked up some meat, and tried it.

Just one bite, and the expressions on their faces changed.

“This… this is delicious!”

“Yes, the broth has a great flavor.

Dipped in this sesame paste, it’s even more fragrant.”

“Master, can vegetables be added directly too?”

“Yes.

Anything you want to eat can be added.”

Wei Lan smiled and nodded.

 

The chefs added some vegetables, tasted them, and unanimously agreed that hot pot could be a hit.

 

One of the chefs thought for a moment and said, “Master, the rest isn’t hard to prepare, but we don’t know how to make the broth.

And we don’t have these copper pots in our shop either.”

“Don’t worry.

I’ve already had fifty new copper pots made.

They’ll be sent directly to the shop later.

As for the broth, it’s these chunks of fat.”

 

Wei Lan pointed to the chunks of solidified fat in a small bucket and continued, “This is very important.

I’ll have it made here and sent to your shop, to prevent others from finding out the ingredients used.”

“Yes.”

The chefs couldn’t help but feel it was a bit of a pity, but what Wei Lan worried about could very well happen.

 

Soon, the Lu family tavern began its preparations.

In the morning, Wei Lan had the cooks in her kitchen make the base.

After the base had solidified, Wei Lan sent servant boys in the afternoon to deliver the hot pot base to the tavern, along with the copper pots.

 

The Lu family tavern also put up a signboard for the new dish, specifically emphasizing that it was personally recommended by Wei Lan, author of ‘Rebirth: The Abandoned Wife of the Marquis’s Household’.

Not long after the wooden board was placed outside, it attracted quite a few looks.

 

Soon, people came to ask about the dish.

The manager gave a standard reply: the new dish would be available starting in the afternoon.

 

So, by the afternoon, some wealthy customers did order hot pot.

As soon as the copper pot was brought out, it drew the attention of many people in the first-floor hall.

Charcoal was added to the pot, and the waiter patiently explained how to eat it.

 

The young master at the head of the table, hearing how complicated it was, grew a bit impatient.

“This is so much trouble.

I wouldn’t have ordered this if I’d known.”

“Young master, you’ll see how delicious it is once you try it.”

The waiter quickly apologized.

 

Meanwhile, many people in the hall were eyeing this table.

The shape of the copper pot was so strange; it was hard not to notice.

 

When the young men saw that the pot was boiling, they decided to try adding the meat.

Soon, the meat was cooked.

“So, we dip this in the sesame paste?” the male Qiankun asked uncertainly.

 

The waiter quickly replied, “Yes, that’s right.”

 

The male Qiankun, still skeptical, dipped a piece of lamb in the sesame paste and put it in his mouth.

Just one bite, and his expression changed.

“Mm, delicious!”

 

His companions were all watching him, and seeing his expression, they quickly asked, “No way, really?

Are you kidding us?”

“It’s really delicious.

You guys hurry up and try it.”

With that, the man picked up another large piece of meat and ate it ravenously.

 

And so, everyone at his table began to eat.

Once they started, they couldn’t stop.

All the meat and vegetables in the pot were devoured.

“Mm, delicious.

It’s really delicious.

I’ve never eaten anything like this before.”

“No kidding.

The tofu cooked in this broth is absolutely amazing.”

“The vegetables are good too.

The bean sprouts and cabbage are also delicious.”

 

Hearing their endless praise, other tables couldn’t sit still any longer and started asking the waiters to bring out the dish.

 

Wei Lan had priced the hot pot at five taels of silver per set meal.

The set meal included two plates of beef, two plates of lamb, one plate of tofu, five plates of side dishes, and one plate of hand-pulled noodles.

Additional meat or vegetables would be extra.

 

This price was really not cheap.

Five taels of silver was equivalent to about five thousand yuan in modern currency.

But the dish was novel.

Wei Lan thought quite a few people would still be willing to pay.

She also had the wooden board state that only fifty sets were available per meal, creating scarcity marketing.

 

Because of the rave reviews from the first table, soon, many wealthy people were ordering hot pot.

In no time, ten sets had been sold.

Some others wanted to eat, but as soon as they heard the price, they immediately backed down.

 

Time quickly came to evening.

Panyang City had no curfew, so the streets became more lively as night fell, lit up with lanterns.

Wei Lan’s copper pots had already sold twenty-three sets.

And everyone who ordered hot pot loved it.

 

Lu Shihuai and her group of friends were out shopping.

The young girls had read Wei Lan’s storybooks and found everyone else’s boring, so they liked to go out together.

Every time they went out, they would stop by the Lu family bookstore to ask when Wei Lan would have a new storybook.

 

They had just come out of the bookstore.

The manager said they still hadn’t received any notice from Wei Lan.

The girls listlessly left the bookstore, planning to find a place to grab a bite and chat.

 

Passing by the Lu family tavern, one of Lu Shihuai’s friends grabbed her arm.

“Look at what’s written on that board over there!”

 

Lu Shihuai followed her friend’s gaze and saw that the Lu family tavern’s wooden board advertised a new dish, recommended by Wei Lan.

The girls immediately perked up.

“Let’s eat here tonight.”

“Yeah!

A dish recommended by Wei Lan must be pretty good.”

 

Lu Shihuai also nodded.

“Okay.

Then let’s try this hot pot.”

 

The five young girls went in together, followed by quite a few guards and maidservants.

A waiter quickly came over.

“What would you young ladies like to eat?”

“Do you have any private rooms on the second floor facing the street?”

Lu Shihuai asked.

 

The waiter gave an apologetic smile.

“I’m really sorry, but all the private rooms are full.

Would you mind sitting in the second-floor hall?

There are fewer people there, and there are street-facing seats.”

“Alright, fine.”

 

The girls followed the waiter upstairs.

Along the way, Lu Shihuai saw five or six tables with copper pots on them, and everyone was eating with great relish.

 

She had been out shopping with her friends all evening and was hungry by now.

Seeing how much others were enjoying their food, she grew impatient.

 

Soon, the copper pot was brought out.

“Young ladies, your hot pot is here.”

The waiter brought the copper pot in, added the red-hot charcoal to the designated compartment, and then the other waiters brought the dishes.

“How did your chefs come up with such a strange way of eating?” one of Lu Shihuai’s friends asked.

“You should know, miss, this is a new dish our master invented.

She taught the chefs how to make it.”

The waiter smiled.

 

Hearing this, the young girls perked up.

“You mean this is a new dish Wei Lan came up with?”

Lu Shihuai quickly asked.

“Yes.”

The waiter smiled as he served the dishes.

“Then it must be delicious.”

“Right.

Sister Wei Lan has such good taste.

The dish she invented must be delicious.”

“I think so too.”

 

The young girls were all die-hard fans of Wei Lan.

Hearing that this was Wei Lan’s creation, even if it were terrible, they would praise it to the skies.

 

Soon, the broth in the copper pot began to boil.

Since it was their first time, the waiter had to stay and explain how to eat it.

“Young ladies, the pot is boiling.

You can add the meat now.”

The waiter reminded them.

 

The girls skeptically added a plate of meat.

Lu Shihuai, seeing that it was about ready, said, “It should be cooked now.

We can eat.”

 

With that, she picked up a piece with her chopsticks.

If Wei Lan said something was delicious, then it must be delicious.

Thinking this, Lu Shihuai dipped it in some sesame paste and ate it in one bite.

Her mouth filled with fragrance, her eyes wide.

“How is it?

Delicious?”

“Yeah, yeah!

Is it good?”

 

Lu Shihuai nodded excitedly.

“Delicious!

You guys hurry up and try it.”

 

And so, the young girls all tried it.

There wasn’t a single one who didn’t love it.

 

Seeing that the girls knew how to eat, the waiter withdrew.

 

They started adding various dishes to the pot.

Then they discovered that cooking vegetables in the pot was also especially delicious.

“As expected of Wei Lan.

It’s really delicious.”

“Yeah, Sister Wei Lan is so amazing.

There’s nothing she can’t do.”

“Exactly, exactly.

Wuwuwu, I’m coming back tomorrow to eat this.”

“Oh, the wooden board said only fifty sets per meal.

If we want to eat it next time, we’ll probably have to come early, otherwise it’ll be sold out.”

Lu Shihuai reminded them.

 

Through word-of-mouth promotion, the fifty sets on the first night were easily sold out.

 

The manager found it quite surprising.

After all, hot pot wasn’t cheap.

But there were still people willing to pay for it.

He immediately felt that Wei Lan had some real ability.

The last time someone came to cause trouble, Wei Lan had resolved it.

Now, she had invented such a delicious dish.

No wonder the young lady doted on the master.

 

Lu Shihuai and the others ate a lot of meat and vegetables, then added noodles.

The noodles were especially delicious.

The carbohydrates absorbed the spicy, fragrant broth, and dipped in sesame paste, there was no way it could be bad.

 

In the end, the young girls were very full.

They walked around the streets for a while before returning to their respective residences.

 

Everyone who ate hot pot that night went home and eagerly recommended it to their friends.

As a result, people were already making reservations for hot pot early the next morning.

In the end, the manager, afraid of confusion, simply gave out number tags to customers who made reservations.

After all, there were only fifty sets per meal.

 

Some people came at noon, but the manager told them all the reservations were filled.

So they could only make reservations for the afternoon.

In short, hot pot’s popularity far exceeded expectations, becoming a fashionable item among the young people of Panyang City.

 

Especially among the wealthy young masters and ladies; if someone said they hadn’t eaten hot pot, they would be looked down upon by their friends.

 

Due to the increased workload, Wei Lan had the steward hire two more cooks specifically to make the hot pot base.

Of course, the people hired were those who signed an indenture contract with the Lu residence.

Such people were easier to control and wouldn’t leak the secret recipe for the base.

 

These days, Lu Shihuai found the food at home unappetizing.

She was still craving hot pot and planned to go eat it again with her friends.

 

Lu Feng was rarely at home for dinner.

Lu Jingxian was also back because the academy was on break.

 

At lunch, Lu Feng remembered the hot pot and said, “I don’t know if you’ve heard of hot pot.

It’s a new dish at the Lu family tavern.

I heard that if you want to eat it now, you have to go to the tavern and queue up first thing in the morning.”

“I’ve heard of it.

I’ve even eaten it.

As expected of a dish Wei Lan came up with, it’s especially delicious.”

Lu Shihuai’s eyes lit up as she talked about it.

“Is it really that good?”

Lu Jingxian asked curiously.

Several of her classmates had also said it was delicious.

“Really.

Sis, trust me.

Sister Wei Lan is so amazing.

She can write storybooks, and the food she comes up with is also this delicious.

There’s nothing she can’t do.”

Lu Shihuai was all smiles when talking about Wei Lan.

 

Lu Feng cleared his throat lightly.

“You’re getting carried away.

Wei Lan is already married.

No matter how good she is, she has nothing to do with you.”

 

Hearing this, Lu Shihuai immediately wilted.

Why didn’t she have Lu Zijin’s good fortune, to have a Qiankun like Wei Lan as a wife?

“Just because someone’s married doesn’t mean they can’t get divorced.

You never know.”

Lu Shihuai murmured softly.

“What did you say?

You really need to focus.

It’s time to start considering marriage prospects for you.”

Lu Feng sighed.

“I don’t want to get married.”

Lu Shihuai muttered, ate a few bites, and then ran off.

 

On the other side, Wei Lan naturally heard that the hot pot she had invented was selling very well in the city.

She was very happy, lying on the soft couch, fantasizing about asking her wife for a reward tonight.

 

She had invented hot pot, which had boosted the tavern’s sales along with its other dishes.

Her wife must know about it by now.

 

In the afternoon, Xiao Nanyan sent someone over.

She was hosting a banquet that evening and wanted to order hot pot.

But when she sent someone to the tavern, it was already sold out.

So she sent someone to Wei Lan to pull some strings.

 

Wei Lan smiled and sent a servant boy with a few extra portions of the base to solve Xiao Nanyan’s problem.

 

Lu Zijin didn’t have much to do these days.

In the afternoon, she went to Wei Lan’s place.

When she entered the bedroom, she saw her little Qiankun lying on the soft couch, basking in the sun, fast asleep.

 

Lu Zijin’s eyes curved.

Wei Lan was quite leisurely.

She walked over a few steps and reached out to lightly tap Wei Lan’s nose.

 

Wei Lan hummed and turned over.

Lu Zijin smiled and shook her head, reaching out to pinch the little dog’s ear.

 

Sure enough, Wei Lan was soon pinched awake.

 

She looked at Lu Zijin with sleepy eyes.

“Wife?

Why are you here?”

“Mm.

I came to see what my little dog is up to.”

Lu Zijin reached out and touched Wei Lan’s cheek.

 

Wei Lan propped herself up and reached out to pull Lu Zijin into her arms, hugging her tightly.

“Wife, aren’t you busy today?”

“Mm.

The grain acquisition is mostly finished.

To be safe, I bought a little extra.

This year’s grain purchase is twice as much as last year’s.”

Lu Zijin explained as she pinched and played with Wei Lan’s earlobe.

“You’re so amazing, wife.”

Wei Lan sweet-talked.

 

Lu Zijin bent down slightly and kissed Wei Lan’s lips.

“The little dog has such a sweet mouth.”

 

Hearing this, Wei Lan hugged Lu Zijin tighter and nuzzled against her.

“I like you the most, wife.”

“You like me?

Then how about moving to Jingchen Courtyard to live with me?

Hmm?”

Lu Zijin’s fingertip lightly tapped Wei Lan’s nose, as if teasing a little dog.

 

Wei Lan’s eyes lit up.

“Can I?”

 

Lu Zijin smiled and said softly, “Naturally.”

 

Before, she had found the Qiankun she married too noisy, and she also thought she wouldn’t fall in love with Wei Lan, so she had stuck Wei Lan in such a remote courtyard.

Now, it was different.

Her little dog was obedient and adorable.

If she didn’t see Wei Lan for a day, Lu Zijin missed her terribly.

 

Since they had consummated their marriage, she might as well have Wei Lan come live with her.

As for Fuqu Pavilion, Wei Qing could live there.

“Then I want to move!”

Wei Lan said excitedly.

After a moment’s thought, she continued, “But what about my workshop?

And my sister?”

“There are plenty of unused rooms in my courtyard.

We can just move everything from your workshop over.

As for Fuqu Pavilion, can’t Wei Qing just live there?”

Lu Zijin said.

 

Wei Lan nodded.

That was true.

The workshop could be moved.

Wei Qing didn’t like crowds; every time she saw Lu Zijin, she seemed uncomfortable.

Having her own courtyard might make her more at ease.

“Alright.

I’ll go talk to Wei Qing.

I want to move in today.”

Wei Lan wrapped her arms around Lu Zijin’s waist, kissed her lips again, and then felt satisfied.

 

Seeing the eager Wei Lan in front of her, Lu Zijin was amused.

“Does this count as inviting a wolf into the house?

I’ve invited a horny little dog.”

“No, I’m very obedient.”

Wei Lan hugged Lu Zijin and acted spoiled.

She loved acting spoiled with her wife; whenever she did, her wife would give in.

“Alright.

Then let’s have them move your things now.”

Lu Zijin kissed Wei Lan’s lips, bit them gently, and then let her go.

 

She opened the door and arranged for servant boys to bring carts to move the things.

 

Wei Lan had lived here for quite a while, so she had a lot of things.

But moving them by carriage would be quick.

 

The maidservants packed her things.

When they found several brocade boxes in the wardrobe and from the dressing table, they brought them to Wei Lan.

“Master, should these brocade boxes be taken too?”

 

Wei Lan’s eyelid twitched, and she quickly said, “Yes, pack them with the clothes.”

 

That was her private savings!

Of course, they had to be taken!

 

Lu Zijin, however, was curious and looked over.

“Wait.

Let me see what’s inside.”

 

Then she smiled at Wei Lan.

“You don’t mind, do you, master?”

 

Wei Lan gave Lu Zijin an awkward smile and made an excuse.

“Well, wife, there’s nothing in there.

Let’s not look.

Just have them pack it.”

 

Hearing this, Lu Zijin grew more curious.

“Oh?

Does the master have something to hide from me?”

 

Wei Lan quickly shook her head.

“No, no.”

“Then I’ll take a look.”

Lu Zijin said, picking up a brocade box at random.

She opened it and saw the silver notes inside.

 

Lu Zijin picked up the notes and raised an eyebrow at Wei Lan.

“What’s this?”

“This is my pocket money.”

Wei Lan gave Lu Zijin a sweet smile, afraid of getting in trouble.

“Is that so?

So every time the master hands over silver notes, she keeps some for herself.”

Lu Zijin said, taking out the other boxes and looking through them.

But it wasn’t too bad; in total, it came to less than ten thousand taels.

 

Wei Lan rubbed her hands together, thinking of an excuse.

“Well, I need to have some silver on me when I go out to buy things.

And sometimes when I want to surprise you, it wouldn’t be good to ask you for silver.

So I kept just a little bit.”

“A little bit?”

Lu Zijin held the few thousand taels in the brocade box, looking at Wei Lan with a knowing smile.

 

Wei Lan wanted to cry.

Who could have known her wife would suddenly ask her to move?

It had caught her completely off guard.

She had been caught again!

 

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