Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 75: Lessons Learned
Tan Huaike hadn't recovered from her cold, but after taking her medicine regularly and resting at home for two days, her condition had subsided. She had always been in good health, and this time she didn't even have a fever, just a stuffy nose and a slight cough.

After a while of running the restaurant, the staff had become experienced, and there were procedures in place for everything, no matter how big or small. Tan Huaike no longer had to be so nervous and do everything himself. He just came in for a while every day to check if the dishes needed to be adjusted and if the diners had any comments. The restaurant was bustling with people, and they didn't hesitate to burn charcoal, making it always warm and cozy. If she felt tired, she had a small office in the backyard where she could rest. Pei'er had decorated it a little, and Tan Huaike felt more comfortable there than in the side courtyard.

At that time, the kitchen sent a message that the ingredients for a certain dish were in short supply. Tan Huaike asked the front desk to remove the dish list temporarily to prevent customers from ordering it and not being able to eat it. Just after he finished dealing with this matter, he turned around and saw his aunt coming in with an unfamiliar young lady.

In fact, the moment he saw the young lady, Tan Huaike guessed her identity. However, except for Shen Tu Zhuo who sneaked in over the wall in the past two days, no one in the mansion had mentioned this distinguished guest from Andu to her, so she had to pretend not to know.

After leading the two to their seats, Tan Huaike asked Shentu Ji: "Who is this..."

Shentu Ji felt a sense of superiority and said tartly, "My sister-in-law is busy with business outside all day, so she probably doesn't know. This is Xu Guanbai, the daughter of the current Shaofu, and the imperial court's appointed female historian. She's currently staying at our mansion... Oh, I forgot. Your side courtyard is far away from us. You can't catch up with what's going on in the mansion, and you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Ignoring her sarcasm, Tan Huaike warmly greeted the new guest: "I caught a cold a few days ago. I'm so sorry I didn't meet you even though we were only separated by a gate. Ahem, since Lady White has come all this way, would you like to try some of our Western cuisine? This meal is my apology and a welcome to you."

With just a few words, she resolved the embarrassment caused by Shentu Ji and even generously did her a favor. This smart and free-spirited female boss made Xu Guanbai want to explore her background even more.

Before coming to Zhangye County, she had made considerable preparations. She had indeed heard that a merchant's daughter had performed the Qinglu ceremony with Shentu Heng's tablet, but she hadn't paid much attention to it at the time. Now, seeing her in person, she realized that she had greatly underestimated this rumored widow—she was by no means a pitiful, helpless widow, at the mercy of others.

Shentu Ji had expressed his dissatisfaction with this sister-in-law many times before, but his remarks were all about trivial household matters, devoid of any useful information. It only made people feel that this lady was aiming for a higher position, but was unwilling to be a widow with only a memorial tablet, nor did she want to get along well with her husband's family. Only after seeing her very strange appearance and hearing a rough account of her life story from Shentu Ji did Xu Guanbai realize how many things he had overlooked.

For her, the appearance of Tan Huaike may be a coincidence, or it may be a turning point.

Xu Guanbai accepted her offer and, looking at the menu, said, "You're too polite, madam. I see that the dishes at Yanzhi Restaurant are divided into three flavors. I'm afraid I can't get used to the authentic original flavors. Could you please give me some new and fresh Western dishes?"

"Of course, what would you like to eat, Mrs. Bai? Or maybe I can recommend a few of our specialties?"

"This is my first time at the border, so I don't know much about delicious food. Madam Da and Madam Ji, just help me order." Xu Guanbai said casually, "The spice master from the western border gave me some to try. As long as it's not too spicy, it's all edible. But I can't drink much, so I won't waste the good fruit wine. I'll just make a pot of tea."

"Okay, I'll make arrangements for you right away."

Since he was going to make amends and entertain, Tan Huaike took it seriously. After receiving Shentu Ji's menu, he added a few more suitable dishes, personally drafted the taste requirements, and sent it to Uncle Zhali.

Xu Guanbai watched her busying herself from afar, and asked Shentu Ji about her.

Shentu Ji didn't know why she was so interested in Tan Huaike all of a sudden, and just thought she was just looking for a topic to chat about family matters. Unfortunately, she knew very little about Tan Huaike, and all she could tell her was what she saw on the surface.
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Tan Anfeng invited Aisha to play a few rounds of games in the gambling house. Today he was lucky and even won a small amount. He then showed off his generosity and offered to treat Aisha to a meal.

Aisha agreed: "Then let's go to Yanzhisi to eat."

Tan Anfeng suddenly paused: "Ah... Yanzhisi? Do you want to change to another one?" "Why?" Aisha asked, "Brother Tan, do you think your sister's shop is not to your taste?"

"That's not the case..." Tan Anfeng looked around and said something else. "By the way, you also went to support the opening of Yanzhisi, right? I saw you that day and wanted to ask you to come with me, but my father-in-law had something to ask my sister that day, so it was inconvenient to have outsiders present. I had to give up. I hope Brother Aisha doesn't mind."

"What's the big deal? I've long since gotten tired of eating at the several Western Territory restaurants in the county. I went to the newly opened restaurant that day to try it out, but only then did I realize the owner was actually your sister." Aisha lied with her eyes open. "The dishes are delicious, the flavors are diverse, and the prices are affordable. So, you Tan family members really know how to run a business. Who knows how much business you've taken from the Hu people since you opened this restaurant?"

"Yeah, that's right." Tan Anfeng agreed absentmindedly.

"Then let's go to her house for dinner." Noticing that his expression was different, Aisha deliberately insisted.

"I know you like Yanzhisi, but if you eat too much, it's time to change your taste. How about we go to Hu Ji today? I heard that they have a lot of new dishes." Sure enough, Tan Anfeng refused again.

Aisha stopped, looked at him and said, "Brother Tan, tell me the truth, what happened to Yan Zhisi?"

Tan Anfeng said: "No, really not."

"No problem, why are you hiding it?"

"Oh, it's not that we can't go eat. If you want to eat, we can go in a few days." Tan Anfeng had to make it clear, "It's just that today is not very convenient..."

Aisha feigned anxiety, "Brother Tan, you're keeping me in suspense by being so hesitant. If you still consider me your best friend, tell me what happened."

Under his questioning, Tan Anfeng finally relented. "Hey, Brother Aisha, you don't know. Although Yanzhisi was opened by my sister and uses the shop that my family gave her as a dowry, it can't be considered our Tan family's property. After Huai and Huai Ke got married, they are no longer on the same page with us... Anyway, my grandfather has been complaining about her recently, saying that she has become too independent and doesn't know her place. She only wants to take advantage of her parents and is unwilling to do anything for them. She must be taught a lesson."

Aisha frowned: "Master Tan is going to cause trouble for Yan Zhisi?"

Tan Anfeng explained: "We are all family, we will definitely not do anything extreme, it's just a small fight."

"You don't want to go today, are you trying to avoid suspicion? Are you afraid of being exposed by her on the spot?"

"Well, by using other merchants to cover up this matter, people won't notice it's connected to the Tan family. It's a reminder to my sister that harmony brings wealth, and sometimes you should listen to advice and help out a little with the family business."

"You, the Tan family, want to avoid suspicion, but I don't." Aisha was amused by the shamelessness of the Tan family. "I will definitely join in the fun."
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　Next chapter: I want to see who dares to touch Yan Zhisi.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)