90 Homemade Chicken Essence (1/2)

Ye Jiayao had thought that it was Zhao Qixuan that was treating for dinner today so she wasn't expecting to see Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang.

”Li Yao, I was just about to look for you. I have the ice tickets you mentioned yesterday,” Mu Qinchu said eagerly as if he was really familiar with the chef.

Ye Jiayao's lips twitched. ”So fast?”

Mu Qinchu nudged Wei Liujiang who immediately took out a set of ice ticket and handed it to Ye Jiayao.

Ye Jiayao looked over the ice tickets calmly as she counted them. ”Why are there only 500g?”

Mu Qinchu explained, ”It wasn't easy to get 1kg at once. I'll bring you another 500g in a couple of days.”

”No need!” Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng said simultaneously.

Xia Chunfeng, finding himself in an awkward position, signaled for Helian Jing to speak first.

Helian Jing immediately said, ”Li Yao, tell me how much you need and I'll get it for you no matter the amount.”

Was Mu Qinchu's help really needed for this? Helian Jing wanted to be the one to help Big Yaoyao.

Xia Chunfeng couldn't help but wheedle, ”It's just 1kg of ice, how hard can it be to get it done?”

Mu Qinchu held in his words of resentment. That's easy for you to say because you all are careless. I had to suffer a scolding just to get this 500g of ice!

Ye Jiayao smiled. She had no doubt that Little Jing can get the ice easily, but this was blackmailed from Mu Qinchu. She was not going to let this arrogant guy off the hook so easily. She said to Mu Qinchu, ”In the next days then. I know that you wouldn't want to delay because this ice is to be used for Helian Mansion Old Princess' birthday celebration.”

Mu Qinchu's eyes widened. If that was really the purpose of the ice, then he must obtain the remaining 500g as soon as possible.

”The weather has been hot lately so the ice supply had been short. Don't worry, though, I'll do my best and I won't cause a delay to the Old Princess' birthday celebration,” Mu Qinchu promptly promised.

Zhao Qixuan shooed the child on the seat next to him and subsequently offered it to Ye Jiayao. ”Li Yao, sit and drink with us.”

Those who didn't really know Li Yao were stunned. The seating arrangements had always been exquisite, very distinct. The Young Royal Highness Jing was seated in the main seat, while Xia Chunfeng and Zhao Qixuan sat on the seats on either side of him. No one had any objections to this seating arrangement because their statuses were distinguished. Why on earth would Zhao Qixuan allow this chef to sit by his side? Wasn't that a bit weird?

Out of all of them, it was Wei Liujiang who was the most shocked. This Li Yao must be the best chef ever! He had such good relationships with a group of Royal Highness and Heir-Son Lords. If Liujiang hadn't seen this with his own eyes, he would have thought that it was impossible.

”Move away.” Helian Jing pushed Zhao Qixuan. ”Li Yao, come sit here.”

Zhao Qixuan happily gave up his seat. ”Yes, yes! Li Yao, come and sit.”

What was happening? Everyone was confused.

Mindful of the flabbergasted expression on the people's faces, Ye Jiayao walked over to Helian Jing, yet she didn't sit. Instead, she picked up a flagon and poured herself and everyone else a glass of wine. She picked up the glass and said, ”Everyone, thank you for coming! I hope you all drink and eat happily. Cheers!”

Helian Jing added, ”Come, come, let's drink up.”

Everyone dutifully drank.

Ye Jiayao topped up the glasses again and said, ”Young Royal Highness Jing, this is to thank you for your trust in letting me organize the Old Princess' birthday celebration. I can't thank you enough. Cheers!”

Helian Jing frowned and said, ”Nonsense. You're not an outsider.”

Nevertheless, Ye Jiayao drained her glass and looked over at Little Jing, smiling.

Helian Jing had no choice but to drink up as well.

On her third glass, Ye Jiayao wanted to toast to Zhao Qixuan. ”Brother Xhao, I have something to ask of you.”

”You don't have to ask, just say it if there's something bothering you,” Zhao Qixuan immediately replied.

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, ”Then I'll assume you already agreed. I'll tell you about it later.”

After she had downed three glasses of wine, Ye Jiayao announced, ”I have some errands to run in the kitchen, excuse me. I'll join you all in another day.”

”Are you really that busy? Aren't there other chefs in the kitchen?” Helian Jing asked disappointedly.

”But I'm the main chef.” Ye Jiayao turned to the others. ”Alright, you guys continue drinking. I'm going to leave now.”

Once she exited the door, the welcoming smile on Ye Jiayao's face turned into a sneer. Oh, Wei Liujiang, Wei Liujiang. You'll get what's coming to you.

After the feast, Helian Jing and Xia Chunfeng went with Zhao Qixuan to find Li Yao. They wanted to hear what Yaoyao wanted to ask Zhao Qixuan for.

”What do you need, Li Yao?” Zhao Qixuan asked.

”I heard that you have business in the south. I want to ask if you can get me some coconut fruits from there,” Ye Jiayao answered.

”Coconut fruit? That thing isn't tasty,” Zhao Qixuan protested.

”I have use of it.”

”Okay, sure. How many do you want?”

”These things are not spoiled easily, so if it's convenient, the more the merrier. Can you obtain a few hundred?”

Zhao Qixuan waved her concerns away. ”That's not an inconvenience. You can have as much as you want. You're in luck because there will be a ship going to the south tomorrow. I'll just instruct them to get your fruits.”

Ye Jiayao exclaimed happily, ”Thank you.”

”Yaoyao, if you have a problem, just come and find us. There's no need to seek help from Mu Qinchu,” Helian Jing told her.

Ye Jiayao chuckled a bit. ”I was just ripping him off. I wanted to cause him trouble.”