Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

As soon as Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao entered Zuixianlou, Xiaoyu came to greet them and said with a smile, "You're back just in time. I was just thinking of sending someone to call you. Come quickly, we've prepared a table of delicious food and are waiting for you."

The two walked into the house and saw the table filled with steaming dishes.

There is fat and tender roast duck with crispy skin and fragrant meat, shining with an attractive luster; salt-baked chicken is golden in color, tender and smooth in meat, and fragrant.

There is also steamed fish, the tender fish meat is sprinkled with chopped green onions and shredded red peppers, like a colorful painting.

Various seasonal vegetables are fried until they are fresh, tender and green, and emit a fresh fragrance in the exquisite porcelain.

Xiaoyu said to Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, "You two should go and call the secret guard Wu Liao. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival today, let's all get together and have a good meal."

The two men nodded, turned around and went out. Not long after, they came back with the secret guard Wu Liao.

Everyone sat around the table. Xiaoyu raised her glass, her eyes sparkling. "Everyone, it's rare to have this kind of free time. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, let's get together and have a toast!"

After that, drink it all in one gulp.

Yuyu pouted, holding a small wine glass tightly in her hand, and said in a baby voice, "Mom, cheers, I want to celebrate with everyone too."

Xiaoyu looked at Yuyu's cute yet stubborn look and couldn't help but laugh and scolded her, "Why are you drinking? You're still young, you can't drink this wine. But, mommy prepared a sweet drink for you, and you can drink that too."

As he spoke, he took out an exquisite small porcelain pot from the side and poured Yu Yu a glass of tempting fruit juice drink.

Yuyu smelled the drink, her eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Wow, it smells so good! I'll drink this and toast with everyone."

Li Hao laughed heartily and rubbed Yuyu's head with his hand, jokingly saying, "Yuyu, you clever little thing, you're enjoying the drink. When you grow up, let's drink some more."

After hearing this, everyone started laughing, and then raised their wine glasses or drink glasses and clinked them again.

Xiaoyu put down her wine glass and looked at Cheng Chumo and Qin Huai. "Chumo, Huaidao, tomorrow is the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Let's go out and see the lantern festival together. It's so lively, with all kinds of lanterns. It must be very fun."

After hearing this, Yuyu nodded vigorously, her little face flushed with excitement, and she said loudly: "The Lantern Festival is great, there are so many beautiful lanterns and delicious food."

Li Hao smiled at Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, then said, "Come to our house tomorrow and find us, and then we'll go together. There will definitely be a lot of people there, so don't get separated. This lantern festival only comes once a year, so we must have a good time."

Cheng Chumo grinned, his eyes full of anticipation: "Great, this lantern festival can't be missed. I heard that there are more styles of lanterns this year, it will definitely be very lively. We must be there on time tomorrow."

Qin Huaidao also nodded in agreement: "That's right, it will be fun for us to visit the lantern festival together. The Mid-Autumn Festival should be lively and exciting. With us by your side, your safety is guaranteed, and you will definitely have a great time."

Everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, and the sound of laughter and joy still echoed in Zuixian Tower.

Yuyu's family called Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaidao and another secret guard to their side.

Xiaoyu said with a gentle smile on her face and sincerity in her eyes, "You three, we all know that you are here on the orders of the Emperor. But as time goes by, we have seen it with our own eyes and have kept it in mind."

"On weekdays, you never shirk any of the tasks, big or small, in the tavern, and always help out wholeheartedly. From loading and unloading wine to greeting diners, wherever you are needed, you are there."

"Moreover, you are always vigilant, protecting the safety of our family. We can never repay this kindness."

"In our hearts, you are no longer outsiders. You have become an indispensable part of our Zuixianlou."

Li Hao nodded slightly, and continued in a sincere and firm tone, "Yes, we all see your efforts. We have discussed it with our family and decided that starting from this month, we will give each of you 50 taels of silver every month."

"This silver isn't much, but it's our token of appreciation, and you deserve it. What you've done for us is far more valuable than this silver."

"This is a thank you for your hard work and a reward for your protection."

After saying that, Li Hao took out three bags of silver that he had prepared long ago from behind his back and handed them to the three people one by one.

Yu Yu couldn't contain her excitement any longer, her little face flushed and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

As she jumped up and down, she couldn't wait to say loudly, "And there's more, we have prepared many Mid-Autumn Festival gifts for you."

As he spoke, Yu Yu's small figure shuttled among the pile of gifts.

She first picked up three exquisite mooncake boxes with great effort and placed them in front of the three people. The delicate patterns on the mooncake boxes sparkled under the light, as if telling of this friendship.

Then, Yu Yu brought three big and round grapefruits one after another. The grapefruit skin was smooth and bright, exuding a festive atmosphere.

Then, Yuyu came over unsteadily, pulling a roast duck and a salt-baked chicken. He put them on the ground and kept muttering, "This roast duck smells delicious, and the salt-baked chicken is also delicious. You must try them."

After saying that, he ran to get six bottles of beer and carefully placed two bottles at each person's feet. The beer bottles glowed faintly under the light.

Before he could catch his breath, Yu Yu rushed to the kitchen and brought out several large bags.

She opened the bag, which was filled with red apples and purple grapes.

Yuyu divided the apples and grapes into three portions, placed them in small baskets, and handed them to them, saying with a smile, "These fruits are so sweet, you can take some too. We've carefully prepared them for you. We hope you have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"

Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaidao and the secret guard looked at everything in front of them, their eyes full of emotion.

Cheng Chumo scratched his head and said a little embarrassedly: "This... This is too embarrassing for us. We just did what we should do."

Qin Huaidao also nodded quickly: "Yes, it is our duty, but you treat us so well."

The secret guard also clasped his fists and said, "We will definitely remember this kindness."

Yu Yu's family smiled and said, "Don't say that. We are just like a family. Let's not say such polite words." At this moment, Zuixianlou was filled with warmth and joy, and the atmosphere of Mid-Autumn Festival became more and more intense.

The secret guard Wu Liao clasped his fists and knelt on one knee: "Thank you, Wu Liao will continue to protect the tavern!" He stood up to accept the gift.