The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 20

Upon hearing this, Wei Ziwan looked at Bai Zhi in surprise.

Her eyes flickered, and she obediently leaned closer. “Husband, hold on tight.”

Feeling the person behind her stiffen, Wei Ziwan secretly curved the corners of her lips. She relaxed her back and leaned softly against Bai Zhi.

This cold, heartless eunuch was surprisingly more tolerable today.

Bai Zhi closed her eyes for a moment, reminding herself inwardly: We’re both women, no need to be nervous, stay calm, stay calm.

With one hand firmly gripping the cart’s railing, she slowly raised her other arm and wrapped it around the person in her arms.

To outsiders, they looked like an intimate young couple—a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a picturesque scene.

When the ox cart stopped outside the city, Bai Zhi felt a sense of relief. She took a deep breath and quickly let go of Wei Ziwan’s waist.

She jumped off the cart first, then turned to help Wei Ziwan down.

For the first time, Wei Ziwan felt genuinely cared for by this eunuch, and a warmth spread through her heart.

Like the first ray of sunlight at dawn, quietly dispelling the darkness.

She gazed into Bai Zhi’s clear eyes and whispered, “Thank you, husband, for taking care of me along the way.”

Bai Zhi’s expression remained indifferent, but her chin lifted slightly. “When we’re out, it’s only natural for me to protect you.”

Wei Ziwan couldn’t help but smile. Why did she sound so proud?

“Husband, let’s focus on the task at hand.”

After asking around, the two decided to go to Lou Shang Lou.

Lou Shang Lou was not only the largest restaurant in Baiyue but also had an excellent reputation, with branches in almost every major city. Ninglin Prefecture was no exception.

When they arrived at Lou Shang Lou, they explained their intentions to a servant. The servant, seeing their refined demeanor, hesitated for a moment before being handed five coins.

His face immediately lit up. “Please wait, esteemed guests. I’ll go inform the manager.”

Bai Zhi watched as the five coins were handed over and silently averted her gaze. Now they were truly penniless again.

Fortunately, their attire and demeanor were convincing enough. After observing them from upstairs for a moment, Manager Xi signaled the servant to bring them up.

“My surname is Xi, and I’m the manager here. What business do you wish to discuss with Lou Shang Lou?” Manager Xi, a slightly plump man in his forties, smiled warmly, his attitude friendly.

Bai Zhi glanced at Wei Ziwan, who remained calm, and steadied herself. “I have a sweet soup recipe that I’d like to offer to your restaurant.”

Manager Xi paused, then chuckled. “You must be joking. We can’t accept something for nothing. If the recipe is beneficial to the restaurant, I’ll ensure you’re fairly compensated. But may I take a look at the recipe first?”

He hadn’t expected their so-called business to be offering a recipe for free. Offer? Impossible. These two must have some ulterior motive.

Bai Zhi nodded. “Rather than just looking at the recipe, why not let me make it for you to taste?”

She wasn’t foolish enough to hand over the recipe outright. Even with Lou Shang Lou’s excellent reputation, who could guarantee the manager wouldn’t have selfish intentions?

The quality of the dish would speak for itself. As for the recipe, it would only be handed over after the deal was settled.

Manager Xi narrowed his eyes slightly, his smile growing even warmer. “Then I’ll trouble you, young master.”

He stood up, gave instructions to the servant outside, and nodded at Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan. “If you need anything, just let him know.”

The two followed the servant to a small kitchen in the backyard.

They had brought a small packet of osmanthus honey wrapped in oilcloth. The kitchen was well-stocked with milk, silken tofu, and tea leaves, so all they needed to do was start cooking.

The servant tactfully waited outside the door, not following them in.

Bai Zhi carefully stirred the mixture with a long spoon, while Wei Ziwan skillfully lit the fire.

“I didn’t expect you to know how to start a fire.” Bai Zhi said, surprised. She had thought she’d have to do everything herself. Did princesses from Xidao Kingdom also learn how to cook?

Wei Ziwan gave her a strange look. “You’re easily impressed.”

Not everyone grew up in the cold palace like you. She wasn’t just a princess raised in a palace; she knew how to cook too. Who did Bai Zhi think she was underestimating?

Of course, she wouldn’t say that out loud.

“Do you think Manager Xi will agree?” Bai Zhi asked, feeling somewhat anxious.

Wei Ziwan raised an eyebrow slowly. “If he has any foresight, he won’t refuse.”

The fact that he had allowed them to use the kitchen suggested he wasn’t shortsighted. After all, a new recipe could bring significant profits.

Before long, Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan returned to the second floor, each carrying a bowl of warm Osmanthus Tofu Delight.

Manager Xi glanced at the two bowls of tea-brown sweet soup, hesitated for a moment, and then signaled the servant to taste it first.

The servant understood and stepped forward. Without using a spoon, he lifted the bowl and took a few large gulps. After swallowing, he wiped his mouth roughly. “It’s sweet, with a floral aroma. Delicious.”

Manager Xi’s mouth twitched. He picked up a spoon and took a careful sip.

His eyes lit up, and he took two more spoonfuls, this time scooping up bits of osmanthus honey and silken tofu.

The osmanthus was sweet but not cloying, the tofu had a delightful texture, and the tea and milk flavors were subtle yet fragrant. It was a sweet soup worthy of being added to the menu.

Manager Xi made up his mind. “How much do you want for the recipe?”

Bai Zhi looked at Wei Ziwan.

Wei Ziwan’s eyes flickered. “The recipe is free, but we are here to discuss business.”

Manager Xi smiled. “What business do you wish to discuss?”

He could tell that while Bai Zhi seemed to be the decision-maker, Wei Ziwan was the one truly in charge.

He couldn’t help but admire her. This woman was no ordinary person.

“We’ll give the recipe to your restaurant for free, but in return, Manager Xi must buy our soybeans at twice the market price—twenty dan.”

Manager Xi quickly calculated in his head. Twenty dan of soybeans was five hundred pounds. At the market price of ten taels of silver, twice that would be twenty taels.

Twenty taels for a sweet soup recipe was a bit expensive, even with the five hundred pounds of soybeans. The restaurant wouldn’t need that much soybeans for at least a year.

Seeing his silence, Wei Ziwan spoke unhurriedly. “The recipe is simple, and the taste is excellent. Of course, it won’t be long before others try to replicate it. While imitations may take away some of the profits, they can’t take away the reputation that comes with being the first to introduce a new dish. What if we call this sweet soup ‘Lou Shang Lou Osmanthus Tofu Delight’? What do you think, Manager Xi?”

Although they would only profit from the initial wave, if handled correctly—by sending the recipe to all Lou Shang Lou branches and launching it simultaneously—soon, the people of Baiyue would know that Lou Shang Lou had created a delicious and affordable sweet soup.

Even with imitators, people would instinctively think of Lou Shang Lou’s Osmanthus Tofu Delight.

Given Lou Shang Lou’s reputation and resources, this would be a profitable move. All it would cost was twenty taels for five hundred pounds of soybeans—a win-win situation.

Manager Xi was impressed. This clever woman had anticipated all his concerns.

He laughed heartily. “A fine ‘Lou Shang Lou Osmanthus Tofu Delight’ indeed! Why don’t you two stay for lunch? Let me treat you properly and make friends, how about that?”

The deal was done!

By the end of the meal, Manager Xi was patting Bai Zhi’s shoulder and calling her “brother.”

Finally, Manager Xi had someone bring out ten taels of silver as a deposit and drew up a contract, agreeing to send someone to Lingjue Manor in two days to collect the soybeans.

Only then did Bai Zhi hand over the recipe she had prepared earlier.

As they left the restaurant, Wei Ziwan smiled softly. “Husband, we agreed earlier that managing money is my responsibility.”

Bai Zhi’s heart sank, but her expression remained neutral. “Don’t worry, Ziwan. It doesn’t matter who holds the money. Whether it’s big or small matters, I should share the burden with you.”

Ten taels of silver! She had never held so much money in her life.

Wei Ziwan continued to smile. “A person should keep their word. If husband wishes to go back on our agreement, then from now on, you can handle all matters, big and small. I won’t say a word.”

Bai Zhi: “…”

This troublemaker was threatening her, wasn’t she? She was definitely threatening her, and mocking her for being untrustworthy and going back on her word.

But this was ten taels of silver! Was that a small matter?

She even suspected that this troublemaker had set a trap from the very beginning, back when they hired people to clear the weeds, and she had unwittingly walked right into it.

Bai Zhi studied Wei Ziwan’s expression uncertainly.

Wei Ziwan smiled sweetly, her eyes gentle and her expression open.

Bai Zhi’s breath hitched, and she said stiffly, “Fine, you hold onto it for now. From now on, you’ll handle all expenses.”

“Husband, don’t worry. I’ll keep it safe.” Wei Ziwan said, taking the silver with a gentle, radiant smile.