Chapter 332: Gift

Translator: Henyee Translations

Madam Fang did not like green onions. Miss Fang liked to eat sweet food.

Madam Zheng liked mutton, and Miss Zheng was a little picky.

The eating habits of the guests were very important to a chef.

After reading the requirements, Ji Zhao finally made the final version of the menu.

When it was close to noon, three carriages stopped outside the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Ji Zhao immediately walked forward and greeted them with a smile.

With Nanny Wu’s help, First Madam Qin bent over and got out of the carriage.

“Spring Breeze Pavilion?” First Madam Qin glanced at Ji Zhao, who was smiling brightly. She could not help but ask, “Ah Tao, why did you choose this name?”

“Madam, the reason why 1 named it Spring Breeze Pavilion is because 1 hope that all the guests who come to the restaurant to eat will feel comfortable like a spring breeze,” Ji Zhao explained with a smile.

“I see!” First Madam Qin smiled and nodded at Nanny Wu.

Nanny Wu immediately handed the black brocade box to Ji Zhao.

“And this is?”

“When you opened for business previously, 1 didn’t have time to prepare a congratulatory gift. 1 happened to be free today, so I wanted to make up for it.” First Madam Qin smiled and explained, “Girl, don’t just stand there. Open it and take a look,”

Ji Zhao opened it and saw that the heavy brocade box actually contained an ornament that looked like a jade cabbage.

The bright jade cabbage was carved vividly.

Cabbage meant wealth. It had a very good meaning.

Ji Zhao smiled brightly and accepted the gift. “Thankyou, Madam.”

“Girl, don’t stand on ceremony.”

Seeing this scene from afar, Madam Fang finally understood why First Madam Qin insisted on coming to this unknown restaurant to eat. It turned out that she knew the owner of the restaurant.

“Madams, please come in.” Ji Zhao was sincerely grateful to First Madam Qjn. The reason why she gave her such an expensive congratulatory gift at this time was clearly to support her!

Ji Zhao welcomed the Madams to the Summer Lotus room on the second floor.

The group led by First Madam Qjn walked in.

“The fragrance in this house seems to be hibiscus flowers?” First Madam Qin smelled the elegant fragrance in the air and couldn’t help but ask, “It’s already early autumn. How can you still have hibiscus flowers?”

“Madam, you’re really amazing.” Ji Zhao smiled and praised. “The theme of this private room is Summer Lotus, As for the hibiscus incense that fills the air, it came from the incense burner on the table over there.”

“I see!” First Madam Qin smiled in realization. “How thoughtful.”

Madam Qin loved the fragrance of hibiscus flowers, so she was very satisfied with Ji Zhao’s arrangements,

“Please wait a moment, Madams,” Ji Zhao said with a hearty smile. “The banquet will begin in 15 minutes.”

After Ji Zhao left, Eldest Miss Fang, who was obediently following behind Madam Fang, tugged at her mother’s sleeve unhappily. “Mother, why didn’t you set the banquet at Tianxiang Restaurant? This Spring Breeze Pavilion is unknown. Aunt Zheng definitely won’t like it…”

Madam Fang hurriedly gave her daughter a look, then deliberately scolded with a straight face, “You children don’t know anythng!”

“Mother…” Fang Shuyuan stomped her feet in grievance. She had heard that the owner of Spring Breeze Pavilion had some conflict with her good friend, Lu Hongshan!

Now that her family had rushed over to give face to this Spring Breeze Pavilion, if word got out, Hongshan would definitely be unhappy…

“In the blink of an eye, Shuyuan has grown into a slender young girl.” After First Madam Qin sat down, she smiled gently at Madam Fang. “1 remember visiting you when Shuyuan was bom.”

“Yes,” Madam Fang replied hurriedly, her heart filled with emotions. “It was winter at that time. If not for your timely help, I’m afraid 1 wouldn’t have survived that winter…”

Seventeen years ago, the straightforward Master Fang had just entered the bureaucracy and offended many people. If not for the Qin family’s help, the Fang family would have long…

Recalling what happened back then, Madam Fang felt even more guilty. “Ever since the Old Madam passed away from illness, I was worried that I would disturb you if I rashly went to visit. I haven’t seen you much all these years. Now… If it weren’t for Shuyuan’s marriage, I really wouldn’t have the face to see you.”

Madam Qin did not expect Madam Fang to be so straightforward.

She had interacted with Madam Fang before, but Fang Yuan tended to evaluate others based on their power. Ever since Old Madam Qin passed away from illness and Qin Sheng went missing, Fang Yuan had slowly distanced herself from the Qin family and became closer to the Lu family.

After all, General Judge Lu from Yunchuan Prefecture was Elder Sun s disciple.

As the saying goes, Water flows to the bottom while people seek higher ground. It was not surprising that the Fang family would do such a thing.

This time, the reason why Madam Fang was willing to beg First Madam Qin was because First Madam Qin and Madam Zheng had been close for many years. If First Madam Qin was willing to put in a good word for Fang Shuyuan, the marriage between the Fang family and the Zheng family would increase by at least 30%.

“You’re being too serious.” Hearing her sincere apology, First Madam Qin smiled gently and said, “All these years, I’ve been living in seclusion. Even if you had time to go to the Qin family, I’m afraid you’ll have gone for nothing.”

First Madam Qin’s gaze landed on Fang Shuyuan’s face again. She smiled and nodded. “Speaking of which, this is the first time we’ve met.”

Nanny Wu, who was standing behind her, understood the look in her master’s eyes and immediately handed the prepared brocade box to Fang Shuyuan.

“And this is?”

“A greeting gift.” Madam Qin smiled gently. “Open it and see if you like it.”

Fang Shuyuan couldn’t wait to open the brocade box. When she saw the emerald jade pendant, a hint of disappointment flashed across her eyes. “Auntie, this jade pendant can’t be made from the leftovers of the jade cabbage just now, right? Isn’t your greeting gift a little too cheap? You’re so good to the lady boss of this tavern. Why are you so stingy to your junior?”

“Shuyuan!” Madam Fang did not expect her daughter to be so straightforward. She actually criticized First Madam Qin. “Who allowed you to speak like this?”

Madam Qin did not expect this young lady from the Fang family to be so rash. She could not help but feel a little disappointed, and even the smile on her face faded.

“Mother, I’m telling the truth.” Fang Shuyuan frowned in grievance. “Sister Hongshan already said that the lady boss of Spring Breeze Pavilion is not a good person at all. But you insisted on listening to Aunt’s arrangements. Besides, Big Brother Zheng and I are in love with each other. We don’t need anyone to be our matchmaker…”

Madam Fang was so angry that she could not speak. She looked at First Madam Qin anxiously and kept apologizing. “Shuyuan hasn’t seen much of the world. Please don’t lower yourself to her level.”

“Big Brother Zheng?” Not only did First Madam Qin raise her eyebrows, but she also asked softly, “Isn’t the son-in-law that Madam Fang values the second young master of the Zheng family?”