Zhao Xing didn't feel anxious for long, as the servant led Jiang Miao to the hall. Jiang Miao followed behind with a food box in his hand, looking very calm, as he thought the master had asked him to come over to inspect the results.
Master Zhu looked at Jiang Miao, his face becoming more and more ugly. This kid's clothes and shoes were all patched, and he was obviously from a poor family. How could such a person make birthday peaches edible? Which white-case chef in Liangjing was not very popular? How could he end up like this
Jiang Miao felt a little uncomfortable when he was staring at him, and he lowered his head to look at himself, thinking that there was dust on his body. But he looked left and right and couldn't find a stain. Just when he was wondering if there was something on his face, Master Zhu spoke.
"Zhao Xing, it seems that you don't want to do this anymore. In that case, pack up your bags and go back today!" Master Zhu retracted his gaze. He was too disdainful to make things difficult for a poor boy. He only vented his anger on Zhao Xing, who was full of big talk and audacity.
Zhao Xing was horrified, he didn't expect the master would be so merciless and let him go directly: "Master, please calm down, I will definitely find a suitable chef and will not delay tomorrow's birthday banquet. Please give me another chance!" He knelt on the ground and looked at Master Zhu with pleading eyes.
Master Zhu didn't look at him. He lowered his eyes, picked up the tea beside him and blew it slowly, and was indifferent to Zhao Xing's pleading.
Butler Zhu forced a fake smile and spoke up for his master at the right time: "Butler Zhao, you also know that our Zhu Mansion has always had strict rules and regulations. Those who are not good at their jobs are never retained. Why do you have to make things difficult for the master?"
Zhao Xing stared at Butler Zhu angrily. He knew that this person must be the one who was causing trouble. Maybe his previous statement of not hiring a chef was the result of him deceiving his subordinates and hiding the truth from his superiors!
Jiang Miao stood aside and had almost figured out what was going on. It was probably that Master Zhu was not satisfied with him as a white case worker and took his anger out on Zhao Xing, preparing to drive him away.
"It's getting late. Manager Zhao's family is outside the city, right? We should leave early, otherwise we won't be able to leave when the city gates are closed." Manager Zhu reminded him kindly, but his eyes were full of a smug smile. Master Zhu stood by and watched, pretending that he didn't hear anything that happened in front of him.
"Okay, let's go—"
"Wait, Master Zhu!"
Before Zhao Xing finished speaking, Jiang Miao hurriedly made his final effort. He came here to make money, but now he has spent time and money but has not earned a penny. He does not want to do a business that loses money. Success or failure depends on the result after hard work.
"The birthday banquet for your old master is tomorrow. How can you find a skilled pastry chef in such a short time? Since your family is in urgent need of one, why don't you take a look at the birthday peaches I made? Maybe they will suit your taste, so you don't have to spend time looking for one."
Master Zhu raised his eyes with a strange look, as if he had just seen his appearance clearly. For a poor boy from an ordinary farmer's family, his body was too straight and his attitude was too calm. This different appearance from others made him curious and he wanted to talk to him.
"You mean, the birthday peaches you make can satisfy me?"
"That's right. I think the birthday peaches I made are very different from those in your mansion. They should be the kind that you want, Master Zhu." Jiang Miao's experience has taught him that when facing rich people, he should be neither humble nor arrogant. They have seen too many people who are servile and servile. Treating them with a normal attitude may make people respect them more.
"Do you know, kid, that what I hate most is people who talk big?" Master Zhu's eyes turned dangerous.
"Then please open the lid, Master Zhu, and see if what I said is just bragging." Jiang Miao took a few steps forward and placed the food box in front of Master Zhu.
Mr. Zhu glanced at Jiang Miao, reached out to the food box, and casually opened the lid.
"Okay! Okay!"
A cry of sincere praise came from inside out, and the servants waiting outside looked at each other, wondering what made their master so happy.
"Master, congratulations!"
"Thank you very much, Mr. Wu, please take a seat inside. Please forgive me for the poor hospitality!"
Outside the gate of Zhu Mansion, Master Zhu was smiling and cupping his hands to welcome the guests. However, while he was greeting the guests, he was always keeping an eye on the carriages passing by the door, as if he was expecting someone to arrive.
As the sun rose higher, more and more guests came to the door with gifts. Thousands of cars passed by the road in front of the door, but the car he wanted to see was still not there. Master Zhu couldn't help but become anxious. He was still perfunctory with the guests, but his heart was no longer here. He wanted to throw away his face and go to the alley to guard it himself.
"Dad, we're almost there!" Zhu Ziang, the eldest son of the Zhu family, waved away the servant who came to report the news and whispered in his father's ear.
Instantly, the smile on Mr. Zhu's face became brighter and brighter, and his tone when entertaining guests became more sincere and cordial. The guests thought he was happy for the old man's birthday and didn't know his true thoughts.
"Here they come!" After seeing the carriage with special patterns, Butler Zhu, who had been guarding the alley entrance, ran over here to report the news.
Mr. Zhu's eyes lit up, he gave an exaggerated smile, quickly stepped down the stairs with his round body, and waited attentively by the roadside.
A seemingly plain carriage turned in from the alley, the wheels rolled forward, and stopped in front of the main gate. A bony hand lifted the curtain, stepped on the small stool set by the driver, and slowly got off the carriage. The man was wearing a luxurious silver-white dress with gold thread, which was shining brightly under the sunlight, making people dare not look directly at his face. The originally bright sunlight lost its luster when this person appeared, and the originally noisy doorway was silent for a while without any sound.
"Uncle, Pei Che was late because of something. Please forgive me."
The pleasant voice like the sound of forest and spring sounded in everyone's ears, and it also made everyone sober up immediately. As expected of Mr. Pei, who was well-known in Daliang, this situation would happen every time he appeared. However, why did he call Master Zhu his cousin? When did Zhu Zhengming, a mere businessman, get married to the Duke Zhongguo Mansion
Everyone's surprise turned into envy in Master Zhu's eyes. He straightened his body proudly and said loudly: "Nephew, why do you have to be so polite? You came just in time, not late at all. It's us who are so tired that you have to take time out of your busy schedule to come here, so we ask you to forgive us! Let's go in, your cousin has been waiting for a long time inside and has been talking about you all the time!"
Pei Che smiled and said "I'd be honored to refuse", then walked in surrounded by a group of people.
As soon as they left, people outside started talking about it.
"My goodness, that was the eldest son of the Duke Zhong's mansion, right? The Zhu family actually has such a distinguished relative, why haven't I heard them mention it before?"
One of them looked around and saw that no one was paying attention. He whispered, "Did you hear clearly how Master Pei called Master Zhu just now?"
"Cousin, huh? Could it be that Madam Zhu is actually the cousin of the late prince's wife? And also the daughter of the Feng family?"
"So this is the kind of relationship. This cousin is too far-fetched, isn't it? Who is Young Master Pei? Why did he condescend to come here? Is he really here to celebrate your birthday?" The person asking the question became more and more confused.
The man looked around again and spoke in a lower voice, "I heard it too, I don't know if it's accurate. I heard that the old Duke's wife had a panic attack before, and needed to use thousand-year-old ginseng as a guide to make tranquilizing pills. Thousand-year-old ginseng is hard to come by, and the Duke Zhong's Mansion couldn't find it, so they were in a hurry! Unexpectedly, Master Zhu handed in a visiting card and offered a ginseng, which cured the old lady's illness. Such a timely relief, can the Duke Zhong's Mansion not give face?"
"No wonder they are so highly regarded. It's just that the Zhu family is willing to give it away. Which family doesn't keep a thousand-year-old ginseng as a family heirloom?"
"Oh, you are short-sighted. If I can get the blessing of the Duke's Mansion, what does a thousand-year-old ginseng mean to me?"
“… …”
The conversation outside was very lively, and it was no less lively inside. When Pei Che entered the hall, he saw the old man of the Zhu family, who was dressed very festively, sitting at the head of the table, looking at everyone with a smile.
“I, Pei Che, the junior, wish you a long and healthy life. I would like to offer you this humble gift, please accept it.” Pei Che stepped forward and bowed as a junior, then took the box handed to him by the servant behind him and presented him with the gift prepared by the mansion.
The old man was still smiling, but Master Zhu's expression changed and he stepped forward quickly: "Dad, Master Pei is here to wish you a happy birthday!"
"Ah! Okay, okay!" The old man shuddered, turned his head slowly, and nodded blankly.
Pei Che's eyes changed slightly. He had just seen clearly that Zhu used his body to block the view and pinched the old man. Such a bad behavior, looking at the prosperous and lively scene in the room, was a bit chilling.
"My dear nephew, my father is old and his brain is not very useful. He has neglected you. Please don't take it personally!"
"It's okay. Even if the old man deliberately ignores you, as a younger generation, you shouldn't complain, let alone behave disrespectfully towards your elders. If a person does this, what's the difference between him and an animal? Uncle, don't you agree?"
When he said this, the corners of his lips slightly raised, as if he was just saying it casually. Master Zhu felt a little cold sweat when he heard it, wondering if he had any intention just now.
"Haha, yes, yes. I am the most filial piety person in normal times, and I hate those who disrespect elders the most. Mr. Pei, the auspicious time is about to come, please take a seat." Master Zhu smiled awkwardly and led him to the main table.
Pei Che did not refuse. Since ancient times, the way of entertaining guests is that the superiors are on top and the inferiors are on the bottom. Even if he did not like to sit there, his status would not allow him to sit down. However, guests have their own rules. Even if they are in the upper seat, they should not occupy the main seat, so as not to become the host and be criticized by others.
After most of the guests were seated, Master Zhu ordered the firecrackers to be lit. After a burst of "crackling" sounds, the dishes began to be served.
"Good fortune is like the long flowing water of the East Sea!"
"The longevity pine of Nanshan Mountain is immortal!"
"Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea to Celebrate Birthday Together!"
“The birthday stars and arhats gather together!”
"May you have abundant blessings and congratulations on your birthday!"
"Good luck and peace!"
“… …”
One by one, the delicious dishes carefully prepared by the famous chef Du in Liangjing were served with auspicious words. Most of the people who came here to celebrate the birthday were business people, and they were all very good at dealing with things. They toasted each other and the atmosphere was very good. Master Zhu and several young masters of Zhu came down to toast, and for a moment, there were only two people left at the main table.
Pei Che took a few bites, then put down his chopsticks in a bored manner, holding the wine glass and drinking by himself. His status and position were there, and ordinary people didn't dare to approach him. Sitting next to him was the birthday boy today, Old Master Zhu, who was still smiling and looking at everyone, even though no one was looking at him.
Is this considered finding peace in the midst of noise? Pei Che's eyes flashed with a hint of sarcasm, which then quickly dissipated as he raised his glass.
When the dishes were almost served, Master Zhu and his companions came back, and only the last birthday peach was left to be served.
"The Chinese toon tree is thousands of feet green, and the peaches are red for many years!"
Following a shout, a line of maids, each holding a small steamer, placed it in the middle of the table.
Mr. Zhu, who was a little tipsy, stood up and said to everyone, "Thank you all for giving me the honor of coming here to celebrate my father's 80th birthday. I'll toast to everyone again!"
After saying this, he raised his head and drank first. The guests also raised their glasses to drink together.
"In order to organize this birthday banquet for my father, I have been busy all over and exhausted. Just like when I was worried about finding someone to make these birthday peaches, I couldn't sleep for several nights. God helps those who work hard, and I finally found one. I dare say that it is difficult to find someone as filial and thoughtful as me in the whole Liangjing City, don't you think?" Maybe it was because of the alcohol, but Master Zhu became more and more excited as he spoke. He ignored the dissuasion of his sons beside him and boasted about his filial piety to the sky.
After he finished speaking, he lifted the small steamer on the table. Everyone looked over and saw a puff of white mist dissipate, and eight fresh peaches appeared in front of everyone. Because the steam in the steamer suddenly cooled, some small water droplets condensed on them, making the peaches look even more juicy. The tender green leaves below, the white peaches with a hint of pink, and the light red on the top made people want to take a bite.
"This is really made!" Someone at another table opened the steamer and exclaimed. No one laughed at him because it was so similar. I have to say that Master Zhu was really thoughtful to find such a person!
Even Pei Che was a little surprised. He had seen many longevity peaches, but he had never seen one that looked like this. And judging from its color, he was sure that this person must have a certain understanding of painting. Even when he was painting, he had never painted such a lifelike peach.
For a moment, he couldn't help but want to make friends.
(End of this chapter)