110 Breathtaking (2/2)

”Mm… this split yellow pea is too delicious. Is this from Bai Wei Zhai or Ju Xiang Yuan? Wait, no. Even they can't get their pastries to be this delicious,” Xia Chunfeng also commented in pretense.

Xia Chunyu rolled his eyes. Those two didn't know what subtlety meant.

Some old people frowned at the scene that the young nobles made, but they too were pleasantly surprised when they took a piece to try. They almost automatically reached for seconds even before they finished.

Since someone got the ball rolling, others started to voice out their praises as well. They were wondering who made the pastries or where they were bought.

Xia Chunyu was happy that they were liking Ye Jiayao's cooking, but he found this a bit exaggerated. They might be delicious, but they were still just plates of dried fruits and pastries. How could they compare to the ones made by the royal kitchen?

He changed his mind as soon as he tried a piece of the split yellow pea, though. He has tried many delicate pastries, but this one was hands down exceptional. These were extremely soft and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness. Everything about it was just right that he could not help but exclaim in admiration.

It looked like all the pastries Yaoyao made him eat weren't in vain. All the research she made, collecting the positive points from different shops and shunning their negative ones, really paid off. Xia Chunyu was wrong. Just these four pastries were enough to compare with those made by the imperial kitchen. At this point, he honestly didn't know why he continues to doubt Yaoyao's skills.

”These pastries cannot be bought elsewhere. They are personally made by the head chef of Heavenly Residence,” Zhao Qixuan announced proudly.

”Is that true? Is the head chef of Heavenly Residence really so formidable?”

”You are too slow on the news. Who doesn't know about Heavenly Residence now? Have you heard of the chilled drinks?”

”Oh, that's him? It's no wonder that he can take on the birthday banquet in the Prince's mansion!”

”Leave some space in your stomachs, the good things are yet to be served. They are all so delicious, you would bite your tongue off,” Helian Jing said, smiling widely.

Helian Xuan shook his head. He would let his bragging pass because this time, Little Jing really has found the right person for the job.

Meanwhile, on the main table, everyone's eyes were glued to the red-crowned crane carving presented for the event.

”Mother-in-law, take a look at this red-crowned crane, it looks alive,” Yu De exclaimed in amazement.

”Oh, yes! Even the eyebrows are so distinct!”

”I wonder what this is carved with? This is so amazing.”

Mum Gui answered, ”This is carved out of white radish by Head Chef Li Yao. He said that this is specially presented to the Old Ancestress to wish you happiness as immense as the East Sea and live as long as the Zhong Nan mountains.”

Everyone's jaw dropped upon hearing that it was carved from some white radishes.

The Old Ancestress was a Buddhist so she was pleased with the carving. She said with a smile, ”That head chef is so considerate. Reward him.”

Yu De smiled. ”Did you hear that? Pass the news to Head Chef Li Yao.”

Ye Jiayao was frying vegetables in the kitchen when Manager Liu ran over to tell her what just happened. ”Brother Li, the Old Ancestresses has rewarded you! She loves your red-crowned crane.”

Ye Jiayao replied with delight, ”Is that true? That is great!”

She came up with the idea of a red-crowned crane when Little Jing had told her that the Old Ancestress was a Buddhist.

”What about the other foods?” Ye Jiayao asked. She has spent a lot of time and effort on the dried fruits and pastries.

Manager Liu replied, ”The response is enthusiastic. Everyone is trying to find out where the pastries were bought.”

Ye Jiayao and Zhong Xiang exchanged pleased looks. It's a success! All their efforts weren't useless!

One after another, the delicacies are served, stimulating everyone's taste buds.

Usually, in this kind of events, people only attend with the motive of getting more connections. In today's banquet, however, the most discussed topic was the food.

”The longevity noodle is served.”

A bowl of longevity noodles was presented.

The Old Ancestress has to take the first bite.

Yu De quickly extended her help. No matter how she scooped, she couldn't seem to get to the bottom of it. The noodles were too long and it took a great effort before she finally has the noodles in the bowl.

”This is a good sign, Old Ancestress! You'll live a ripe old age,” Xia You said.

The Old Ancestress chuckled merrily. ”Good, good. This is the first time I have eaten such long noodles at my age.”

”Here, try it.” Yu De scooped two spoonfuls of soup into the bowl.

The Old Ancestress took two mouthfuls. ”Not bad. The chicken soup is rich and the bamboo shreds are tasty.”

Mum Gui smiled. ”Old Ancestress, this is not made with chicken soup.”

”How is this not chicken soup? This is obviously the taste of a chicken soup. Try it,” the Old Ancestress insisted.

”It is the taste of chicken soup, very pure and fragrant, but not greasy,” Xia You commented after trying some.

Yu De laughed. ”Mum Gui, stop keeping us in suspense. What is this made of?”