Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 67: A House Full of Diners
Tan Huaike was startled, but he remained calm and said evasively, "In that case, you can ask my uncle to come with you and visit our shop more often."

Some friendship? What kind of friendship?
Judging from his clothing, accessories, and demeanor, it was obvious that he had an excellent family background and upbringing. He was most likely from a powerful family. This was his first time arriving at the border from the Central Plains, and he specifically asked her about Shentu Zhuo... Naturally, this reminded her of the old friend who signed the letter "Cong" in the letter that Shentu Zhuo had received from Shuoyan.

But if it was really that person, the county wouldn't be so calm, would it? Officials at all levels would have rushed to greet him with grand ceremony and ceremony befitting his status. Why would he have quietly come to her shop to try something new?
Did he have some special plan, deliberately concealing his identity? Or had she misjudged him, and was he just a distant relative of the Shentu family? Shentu Zhuo wasn't around at this critical moment. If he hadn't been trapped in Rude County, they wouldn't have met in the store today, and she wouldn't have had to speculate.

In short, in this situation, it was best for her to pretend she knew nothing, not to speculate on the other party's identity and intentions, and not to reveal too much information about Shen Tu Zhuo. If they wanted to discuss important matters, they should let these two "somewhat familiar" people meet and talk in person. She, a businesswoman who originally ran a shop, didn't want to get involved.

The restaurant was busy and Tan Huaike went to entertain other guests.

The nobleman asked his two followers, "What do you think of this restaurant?"

The man who had just finished grilling meat wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve and said, "It's really good, delicious! The dishes here are more varied than the one we ate at yesterday after entering the city, and the taste is even better. It's a new restaurant, and they've added so many fancy tricks. Even though the Hu dance is just average and can't compare to the Yuefu dancers in Andu, it's lively and makes my appetite soar!"

The nobleman snorted and laughed: "Eat, eat, eat, that's all you know how to do! Am I asking whose food is better?"

Compared to him, the other attendant was much calmer. Since taking his seat, he had been observing the restaurant's layout and decor, the people coming in and out, and even the controversial female owner. When asked about his impressions, he said, "It's the custom and style of the Mohe merchants. Very authentic."

The greedy follower interrupted: "You didn't listen carefully just now, didn't the boss say that they have authentic methods, and also modified methods that are suitable for us Daxuan people..."

"I'm not talking about their food," the calm attendant said. "This restaurant still looks like Daxuan from the outside, but the interior has been modified a lot. Every detail is in the Mohe style, including the window frames, tapestries, decorations, utensils, the incense in the private rooms, and the casually decorated corners. Everything is authentic. Such authenticity is not something that someone with Hu blood but has lived in Daxuan since childhood can appreciate."

"Go on." The young man nodded at the table.

"And this owner's business methods are very... well, unconventional. She doesn't follow or care about the etiquette of Daxuan, and acts entirely like a Western merchant. To put it bluntly, she's learned these unconventional ways from years of wandering and peddling. Merchants used to be looked down upon in Daxuan, and while things have improved somewhat, the long-standing suppression has kept our merchants from taking too many risks, which is why they don't resort to such unconventional tactics. I doubt she learned these from Master Tan."

"You are more alert and perceptive, unlike someone who only has a mouth." The nobleman commented.

"I'm not just a talker. For example, those two people over there are quite skilled and dressed like ordinary merchants, but they are definitely not. I don't know where they came from. I've been on guard against them for a while." The greedy follower pointed to the left front.

The location was behind the noble young master. He did not turn around to look, but just drank as if nothing had happened: "Then continue to be vigilant."

To prove himself, the greedy follower added, "And that young lady, she was just taken to the backyard by the boss. When she came back, her eyes were red and she wiped her tears several times. I guess she went to get some special food through the back door and ended up crying because of the spicy food."

As expected, he only knew how to eat. The calm follower rolled his eyes and didn't bother to pay attention to him.

The nobleman looked at the deep red wine in the cup, his eyes flickering. "This host, the new bride who married into the family after Shen Tuheng's death in battle... is quite interesting. There are many mysteries surrounding her. I'm afraid I'll have to ask my old friend about them."
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Tan Huaike handed Shan Yi a silk handkerchief and said to her comfortingly, "I didn't invite you to this meal today to make you sad."

Shan Yi wiped away her tears and said, "I'm not sad. I should be thanking you, Madam. He used to come to the Yuefu to see me all the time. I felt really bad when I saw him with his crippled legs and dejected demeanor. Now, Madam, you've healed his injured leg and given him a job that he's skilled at and that's respectable. Seeing him bounce back, I'm finally relieved."

She was the young lady who was seen by the greedy follower going to the backyard. Of course, she was not going there to cook for herself, nor was she crying because of the spicy food. Instead, Tan Huaike took her to see his own chef Zari from a distance.

Shanyi hesitated for a long time, but finally came today. The eldest lady said she was treating her to dinner as a thank you for helping her polish the music, but she knew it was just a pretext. The eldest lady wanted to free her from her shackles, to show her Zari's current situation with her own eyes, so that she could truly let go.

Shan Yi raised the wine cup and toasted to Tan Huaike.

Tan Huaike drank it readily and said with a smile, "I didn't expect that someone as pure and unworldly as you could drink quite well."

Shan Yi also laughed and said, "Madam, you underestimate me."

Not far away, Aisha swallowed a piece of samsa and nodded slightly. "Finally, there's a restaurant I can eat at. They use authentic lamb tail oil, and the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. The spices are also just right, so none of my dishes taste the same."

Badan also ate a lot, but he had to pay attention to other things while eating.

On the opening day, the restaurant was packed with diners, both from the Western Territory and Daxuan, and there was no telling if someone with ulterior motives might have sneaked in. His young master's status was sensitive, and while those assassins had long since vanished and would likely not attack the Mo He envoy in public, as a guard, he could not let his guard down.

For example, there was a worthless Daxuan man over there, tears streaming down his face from the spicy barbecue, yet he still glanced at him. He couldn't tell if he was coveting their delicacies or if he had some other ulterior motive. Judging from his physique, he seemed quite skilled. As for the man in fancy clothes beside him...

Aisha scooped a ladle of wine and said, "Badan, don't worry too much. Just enjoy your drink."

Badan was still worried: "Master, they..."

At this moment, Tan Huaike came over and asked, "How is it? Is it to your liking?"

Aisha pointed to the three flavors at the bottom of the menu and said pertinently, "The authentic original flavor still suits me. The ingredients themselves are still different from those in the Western Territory, but you can't force it."

Tan Huaike sighed, "You, a nobleman, have a very discerning tongue. You can taste even the slightest difference."

Aisha said, "The wine isn't top-notch, but it's mellower than what you get at other restaurants. Did you brew it yourself?"

Tan Huaike replied, "I've tried brewing quite a few jars myself, but the problem remains: the fruit itself is different from those in the Western Territory, so the taste of the brew is still different. I'm afraid we need to refine it further. What you're drinking now is our carefully selected one, purchased from the Yangma merchants."

"You have quite a lot of connections." Aisha seemed to remember something. "By the way, where's your uncle? Why didn't he come to support the restaurant's opening on such an important day?"

"He was delayed by something..."

"Oh Huai Ke, my baby daughter!" This greeting scared Tan Huai Ke. Suddenly, four people came in from the door, attracting the attention of the diners in the restaurant.
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　Next chapter: If you want to open a restaurant, why don’t you ask Aung?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)