Chapter 142: Feeling Empty, Lonely, and Cold on the Night Before the Spring Festival (1/2)
Chapter 142: Feeling Empty, Lonely, and Cold on the Night Before the Spring Festival
Translator: OnGoingWhyEditor: Vermillion
”Do you really think a mere reward will be able to persuade me to participate?” Bu Fang stood there with his back straightened as he seriously looked at Ouyang Zongheng.
Ouyang Zongheng was surprised for a moment. He thought, ”As expected of the chef acknowledged by His Majesty, his strength of character is incomparable to ordinary chefs. Looks like the difficulty of inviting Owner Bu is very high.”
”Owner Bu, are you really not going to reconsider? This is an opportunity to let everyone know about your culinary skills!” Ouyang Zongheng asked with reluctance.
Bu Fang looked at him and blinked for a moment. He let out a deep breath and then asked, ”First, tell me what's the reward for first place?”
”Hmm? What?” Ouyang Zongheng broke into a grin as he looked at Bu Fang. ”You're already given in? What happened to your steadfastness? What happened to your moral integrity and indifference to materialistic goods?”
”Cough, cough… Owner Bu, it's like this. The reward of the Hundred Family Banquest this time is personally chosen by His Majesty from the imperial palace's treasury and the reward will only be announced after the first place is selected. Therefore, I don't know the answer to your question either… However, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed by the reward!” Ouyang Zongheng said with confidence while patting his chest.
Bu Fang lowered his eyes and pretended to think for a moment. Thereafter, he looked up at Ouyang Zongheng and said, ”Alright, I agree to participate.”
When Ouyang Zongheng heard that Bu Fang actually agreed to participate in the Hundred Family Banquet, his face immediately brightened up like a blossoming chrysanthemum.
”Oh my, if Owner Bu is participating, you'll definitely win first place! Tsk, tsk, tsk. Your dishes are the best I've ever tasted, they're much better than the food cooked by the chefs from the imperial kitchen! Just one word, excellent!” Ouyang Zongheng gave Bu Fang a thumbs up as a string of praises left his lips.
If someone else saw this scene, they would never think that this salesman-like middle-aged man was actually a well-known general of the empire.
Ouyang Zongheng let out a deep breath and felt extremely relieved. Since Owner Bu had agreed, the mission given by the emperor was completed.
Even though the process was so painful that he could not breathe, the end result greatly satisfied him. Even so, the stash money that he had accumulated for the past few months was all used up by his daughter...
Bu Fang sent the member of the Ouyang family off with his eyes and then went back into the kitchen.
Bu Fang was someone afraid of trouble but he was a serious person as well. He had always treated culinary with a serious attitude. Since he had chosen to participate, then he would perform his very best.
Therefore, he would ensure that all preparations were made so that he could obtain first place in the upcoming Hundred Family Banquet.
...
As the Spring Festival approached, the streets of the imperial city became very lively and busy. Everyone was spring cleaning, putting up spring couplets, cooking delicious food, and preparing to welcome the coming new year.
The vendors along Long Street had all packed up their stalls earlier than usual and eagerly headed home with joyous expressions to welcome the coming new year with their families.
Dense amount of smoke drifted up into sky and was blown away by the wind.
As the night descended, the two moons hovered high above in the sky like two silver plates. The moonlight, that was usually eerie, seemed to have turned warm as it illuminated the streets.
On the streets, many children were running about in thickly padded clothings with rosy cheeks and breathing out clouds of white breath while holding lanterns in their hands. As they ran about, their laughter broke the silence of the night and created a festive mood.
Large red lanterns were hung at the doorways of large households while the housekeepers and maidservants busily prepared the necessities for celebrating the new year.
Within their kitchens, large fires blazed away as sounds of stir-frying resounded incessantly and the fragrance of dishes swirled about and lingered in the air for a long time.