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Once the braised dishes were ready, Wei Ruo set aside some to share with the cooks and maids in the kitchen. They had been watching curiously for days, wondering what the mistress and servant were up to.
“This smells amazing! Miss Wei, what is this? How did you make it taste so good?”
The cook, who had spent her life preparing food, was instantly won over by the sliced pig ears.
“These are pig ears,” Wei Ruo answered.
“Pig ears? How can pig ears taste this good? They’re fragrant and crispy, with the richness of meat but a crunchiness that meat doesn’t have. The flavors are complex and leave a lingering taste,” the cook praised.
In the cook’s experience, pig ears were not considered high-quality ingredients and often tasted underwhelming. But what she just tasted was even better than the meat she usually ate.
“There are also some pig tails here—try them too.”
Wei Ruo had everyone taste the pig tails, which also received unanimous praise.
Afterward, Wei Ruo packed some of the pig ears and tails in a food container and asked Xiumei to deliver them to Madam Yuan at the Prefectural Magistrate’s Residence.
An hour later, Xiumei returned, her face brimming with excitement. “Miss, Madam Yuan said our braised dishes are absolutely delicious! She wants to ask for more to serve her guests tomorrow.”
"Then prepare more—this is a good opportunity for promotion," Wei Ruo said.
"Got it, I'll get started right away!" Xiumei responded enthusiastically, her face full of excitement.
This time, Xiumei braised two more items: pig trotters and pig tongues. Early the next morning, she personally delivered them to Madam Yuan at the Prefectural Magistrate’s Residence.
That evening, Madam Yuan sent a maid to deliver a message to Wei Ruo. She said that the two ladies she hosted for dinner today greatly enjoyed the braised dishes and even asked where they could buy them. Madam Yuan immediately shared the news that a Xu’s Braised Food Shop would soon open in the city. The ladies expressed that they would definitely visit and buy more once it opened.
The braised food shop hadn’t officially opened yet, and it already had customers—this was a good sign.
While Wei Ruo was busy buying land, hiring people, and preparing to open the shop, the He family, who had received her letter, arrived at the Colonel's Mansion.
The visitors were Wei Ruo’s adoptive father, He Zhang; her adoptive mother, Madam He; and her younger sister, He Miao’er.
Initially, the people at the Colonel's Mansion didn’t intend to notify Yun Shi of their arrival. However, when they learned that the visitors had brought urgently needed medicinal supplies for Xingshan County, the staff decided to inform Yun Shi.
Upon hearing this, Yun Shi had the He family invited inside.
Although Yun Shi did not wish to have too much interaction with this family, they had brought two cartloads of medicinal supplies. Out of courtesy, Yun Shi allowed them to stay at the mansion.
Later, Wei Qingwan was also called over to meet the He family.
When Wei Qingwan saw the overly friendly smiles of the three He family members, she felt completely uncomfortable.
From a young age, she had been taught that merchants were of the lowest social status, completely unworthy of respect. Deep down, she wanted nothing to do with such people.
"Elder sister, I'm Miao’er, your younger sister!" He Miao’er enthusiastically approached and warmly called Wei Qingwan “elder sister.”
Wei Qingwan stepped back two paces, trying to distance herself from He Miao’er.
However, He Miao’er seemed oblivious to her resistance and aloofness, keeping a warm and cheerful smile on her face:
"Elder sister, I’ve finally met you! Ever since I learned that you are my elder sister, I’ve always wanted to meet you. Now that I’ve finally seen you in person, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined!"
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Oh, this family is about to put these idiots through hell. Let me get my snacks!
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