Having learned that Li Fugui was about to marry a shrewish woman, Chu Lian found himself unable to sleep at all, experiencing insomnia for the first time.
The next day, he woke up in a daze, not feeling well at all, by the time he got up, Li Fugui had already prepared breakfast.
He quickly washed up and had his breakfast; the three little ones from the Yang Family had already arrived.
It turned out that every morning, Li Fugui would teach the three little ones to read and write, prepare food for the female workers at noon, dig ponds in the lowlands in the afternoon, and copy books in the evening, keeping his schedule very full.
So how had he practiced his culinary skills? Just by preparing three meals a day? Could he really have such a talent in this area?
Chu Lian observed him for two days, noting that his daily routine was just , the most infuriating part being that every night, he had to stare at that portrait for a good while, making it impossible for Chu Lian to fall asleep.
Finally, on the third day, he decided to return, "Brother Li, please tell Yang Ming that I’ll come back in a few days."
The Yang Family village and Shibao Town were not far apart, just an hour’s walk, so Chu Lian didn’t bother calling for a carriage and walked back himself.
As soon as he arrived at the Chu Mansion, he eagerly summoned his personal attendant, "Acheng, have you taken care of the matchmakers from the other counties?"
"Young master, rest assured, everything has been arranged."
Acheng didn’t understand why the young master insisted on opposing Miss Wang from the Wang Family, but he still carried out the instructions.
"Go check out the relationship between Li Fugui, the former Young Master of the Dongfeng Restaurant, and Wang Xiangxiang. The sooner, the better."
"Yes, young master," Acheng acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Chu Lian was just feeling uneasy; what exactly was the relationship between those two? He had to find out.
After Acheng left, Chu Lian sat in his room, saw the portrait of the shrewish woman on the table, and his lips unconsciously curved into a pleasing arc. He didn’t know where his mother had gotten the portrait from gossip, as it hardly resembled the real person. He hadn’t seen her for days and wondered what she was doing now?
Every time he thought about her saying he wasn’t as good as Li Fugui, it made him feel uncomfortable. Wasn’t Li Fugui just good at cooking a few dishes that won her over?
He refused to believe that he couldn’t do it. Thinking this, he then got up and went to the family’s kitchen.
In the kitchen, the kitchen maids and helpers were busy. Seeing their own young master enter the kitchen, they were scared half to death and hurriedly bowed, "Young master."
Chu Lian waved his hand, "Carry on with your work."
Upon receiving the order from their young master, everyone went back to their tasks.
The Chu Family was large and affluent, with several kitchen maids employed. Chu Lian approached one of the kitchen maids and asked, "Who made the ’Golden Glory Dish’ during the Flower Appreciation Society?"
Upon hearing this, the kitchen maid became even more terrified. Why was the young master suddenly asking this? Could it be that a young lady fell ill that day?
Zhao, the kitchen maid, was trembling so much that she fell to the ground and replied with a shaky voice, "Yo-young master, it was this servant who made it."
Seeing the kitchen maid’s reaction, Chu Lian hurried to clarify, "Get up, I didn’t mean to penalize you."
Zhao, the kitchen maid, gingerly stood up, "Thank you, young master."
Chu Lian continued, "Zhao, I want to learn how to make that dish. Could you teach me in the next few days?"
Upon hearing Chu Lian’s words, the kitchen fell silent; everyone stopped what they were doing. Had they heard right? Did their young master want to learn how to cook?
After a moment, Zhao, the kitchen maid, quickly nodded in agreement, "Okay, young master, when shall we start?"