117 Do You Want to See Susu? (1/2)
The people started rallying, shouting their indignation.
Little Chuan was embarrassed. ”I... I don't...”
”Don't worry. We'll handle this,” Ye Jiayao assured him.
Ah Xing brought the mooncakes out and Ye Jiayao said, ”Take this eunuch and escort him to the back door.”
Eunuch Little Chuan dutifully followed behind Ah Xing.
Manager Qian ran down from upstairs when he heard the racket that the people were making. ”What is going on? What's with all that noise?”
Ye Jiayao took huge steps outside and stood at the door. ”What are you shouting for?”
”You gave someone ten mooncakes when you said five is the limit!” someone shouted angrily.
”That's unfair!”
”He didn't even stand in the line!”
Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes and snapped back, ”He's from the palace! Do you want me to call him back so you can air your grievances with him?”
The angry crowd fell silent.
Even their masters would not dare challenge the people in the palace.
Manager Qian was shocked and asked Li Yao softly, ”Is he really from the palace?”
Ye Jiayao nodded. ”He's from the Prince's mansion.”
”That's wonderful!” Manager Qian exclaimed, elated.
After all the mooncakes were sold, Ye Jiayao asked Deng Haichuan to deliver the mooncakes to the Helian Mansion and Yong An Lord's mansion.
After a short while, Deng Haichuan ran back to the restaurant, looking alarmed. He panted, ”Brother Yao! Sh*t! I saw someone take an ice cream mooncake to Fragrant House. I was curious so I followed him and I saw that he handed it over to a pastry chef that works for Master Chef Niu.”
”They're trying to copy our work!” Cui Dongpeng said, angered.
Ye Jiayao calmed them down. ”That's only normal. It wouldn't surprise me if other restaurants are trying to copy that as well. Don't worry, let them try. They won't get very far.”
”They can study our mooncake as much as they want, but they won't figure it out. The materials we use are rare. What do they know about agar?” Zhong Xiang said.
Wang Mingde chimed in, ”They won't succeed. Don't forget that we have the recipe here…”
Everyone was silent, their thoughts turning to the same path. They acted normally around everyone these past two days, but they were still wary of the traitor.
The other helpers in the kitchen participated in the extraction of agar and butter and they knew what materials to use and what to do. However, the final and most important step, the production of ice cream, was only made by Ye Jiayao.
”Don't worry,” Ye Jiayao repeated. ”Even if they manage to successfully copy it, I'll just make new products again.”
Their distressed expressions finally relaxed.
Assistant Minister Mu's mansion was overshadowed with sadness and shame as the people's contempt for them grew.
Assistant Minister Mu was the most furious out of all of them. He worked long and hard for his position and he was actually hoping for a promotion this year. Now, everything has fallen apart.
”Send a letter to Ji Nan and tell them to deal with this themselves. I can't and won't help them anymore.”
Assistant Minister Mu didn't even go to work today. He said that he was sick just to have an excuse to hide in his house. He could not bear the people's scrutiny and scorn.
Lady Qie replied, ”They have sent letters to Ji Nan and Yang Zhou. The problem is on Jinrong and Liujiang was simply dragged into it. If worse comes to worst, he would need to divorce her.”
”All the mistakes are on you! You adore Liujiang too much and you comply with all his request. It was you who promised that you'll bring Jinrong to the Helian Mansion,” Assistant Minister Mu complained.
”I did not expect this to happen! They said everything had been dealt with and there would be no more problem. How was I supposed to know that this would blow back like this?” Lady Qie felt wronged.
”Look at what your lack of vigilance did. Our reputation is totally destroyed,” Assistant Minister Mu said in a raised voice. The more he thought about it, the madder he got.
”Why are you shouting at me? I didn't want this to happen either!” Lady Qie cried.
Assistant Minister Mu calmed down after seeing his wife's distraught state
Lady Qie said, ”If Liujiang is right, Lee must be hidden by the Helian Royal Mansion's people.”
Assistant Minister Mu snorted, appalled by how his wife was always so quick to defend her nephew. ”Woman, think! The Helian Royal Mansion had nothing to do with us. Liujiang only came to Jin Ling recently, how would the Royal Mansion even know him?”
”Master, I don't know if I should tell you something or not,” Lady Qie hedged.
”What is it?”
”This morning, Qinchu told me that he and Liujiang had offended the Heir-son Lord Xia Chunyu before. After that, Third Young Master Xia and Young Royal Highness Jing had been rude to them. Master, I think there's a problem there.”
Assistant Minister Mu scowled for a moment and before ordering a servant to call forth his son and Wei Liujiang.
After a short moment, Mu Qinchu and Wei Liujiang entered the room.
”Peace with Father and Mother.”
”Peace with Uncle and Aunt.”