Read Novel Full Chapter 463: Health Preserving Dishes ( 3 )
Chapter 463: Health Preserving Dishes ( 3 )
The tofu was placed at the center of the bowl, resembling a blooming flower. In the center of the tofu was a Chinese wolfberry. The red color contrasts with the silky white tofu, creating a beautiful sight.
The quail eggs were placed on the side together with sliced mushrooms, bok choy, shredded chicken, and shredded bamboo shoots.
The broth was made from chicken stock that had been simmered for more than 5 hours. With a thin layer of oil on top, the fragrance of the broth mixed with a hint of sesame oil filled the air.
When Madam Han saw the exquisite dish, she couldn’t help but be amazed. Although the portion was small, only a few spoonfuls, the presentation could be compared to that of the best restaurants in the Capital.
The second dish was roasted duck. This time, the roasted duck was not placed on the table but on a small side table beside them.
A servant wearing an apron, a hat, and a veil covering his nose and mouth entered holding a set of knives.
Standing beside the small table, he sliced the duck skillfully. Each slice was of equal thickness. He arranged the duck meat on a plate in the shape of a flower.
After the plate of sliced duck meat was served, he scraped the remaining meat from the bones and placed it on another plate.
The maidservant washed her hands with soap and dried them with a clean towel. She stood beside the table and held a pair of chopsticks in each hand.
She placed a wrapper on a small plate and brushed sauce onto it. Then, using the chopsticks, she added shredded duck meat and several shredded vegetables before wrapping them.
Her movements were smooth and elegant. When she finished wrapping the duck meat, she placed it on a large plate. She repeated the process until all the duck meat had been used before serving both plates on the main table.
There was a small bowl of sauce to accompany the roasted duck rolls.
The third dish was stir-fried vegetables with oyster sauce. The dish had a clean and light flavor. The fourth dish was Dongpo Braised Pork. The final dish was bird’s nest soup.
Accompanying the dishes was a small bowl of steamed rice and a jar of apricot wine. The jar contained only 10 cups.
After all the dishes were served, the maidservant and the servant curtsied and left the private room.
Looking at the beautifully plated dishes, the nanny couldn’t help but say, “Madam, these dishes are so beautiful.”
Madam Han nodded and smiled. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
Han Mingzhu picked up her spoon and tasted the tofu dish first.
At first, she thought the dish would taste bland. Unexpectedly, it was delicious. It was savory and had just the right amount of saltiness. Despite the layer of oil, it was not greasy at all.
She finished the dish in just a few minutes. Then, she tasted the roasted duck. This time, she exclaimed in surprise.
“Mother, this dish is so delicious!”
Madam Han didn’t blame her daughter for losing her composure. After all, she herself was almost unable to remain composed after tasting the dishes.
Usually, both mother and daughter only ate half a bowl of rice and several bites of the dishes to maintain their figures, rewarding the rest to the servants. But this time, they ate everything, leaving not even a drop of soup behind.
The nanny and maidservants were stunned by how much their mistress and young miss could eat. Although they also wanted to taste the dishes, they didn’t dare say a word.
Feeling satisfied, Madam Han gestured for the nanny to ask for the bill.
The nanny left the room and returned with the maidservant not long after.
The maidservant curtsied before placing the bill on the table.
“Esteemed guests, Wensi Tofu is 150 taels per bowl, Roasted Duck is 300 taels per portion, and Dongpo Braised Pork is 125 taels per portion.
“Stir-Fried Vegetables with Oyster Sauce is 80 taels per portion, Bird’s Nest Soup is 50 taels per bowl, and the apricot wine is 280 taels per jar.”
After a moment of pause, she added, “The total bill is 1,185 taels of silver.”
The moment they heard this, Han Mingzhu became furious. She slammed the table and said, “1,185 taels of silver for just a table of dishes?! Why don’t you rob people instead?!”
Being shouted at, the maidservant remained calm and explained, “Miss, the dishes you ordered are made using ingredients watered with medicinal broth every day. All of them are health-preserving dishes.”
“Consuming them can improve health and prolong life. Every day, we only serve a total of 10 tables of health-preserving dishes. Your order was the last table.”
“Normally, you need to book at least half a month in advance. However, today one of the customers couldn’t come and canceled the reservation. That is why you were able to get a table.”
When Madam Han heard this, she was skeptical. However, not long afterward, she felt warmth spreading from her stomach throughout her body. She also felt less tired, and her mind was clearer than usual.
Feeling the changes in her body, she was no longer able to claim that the restaurant was scamming her.
Before her daughter could offend the owner of the restaurant, she quickly stopped her and turned to the nanny.
“Nanny, pay the bill.”
The old servant thought that her mistress wanted to avoid trouble and took out several banknotes while complaining.
The maidservant counted the banknotes and smiled. “Madam, the amount is correct. Thank you for your patronage. Please visit us again next time.”
After saying this, the maidservant stepped aside. Madam Han stood up and pulled her daughter along as they left the private room.
Only after they were inside the carriage did she let her daughter’s wrist go.
Frowning at her mother, Han Mingzhu asked unhappily, “Mother, why did you stop me? We should report them to the authorities!”