dognovel Chapter 172 Return safely
Chapter 172 Return safely
With a sizzling sound, an irresistible aroma wafted from the kitchen of the city lord's mansion, and the servants and maids who had gathered outside to watch the spectacle were already drooling.
"Young master, please come out quickly! If the princess finds out you're cooking, she'll skin me alive!" Li Mingxuan knelt outside the door, pleading desperately, but he was powerless to break open the kitchen door.
In ancient times, there was a saying that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen. The social status of chefs was very low. Even some highly renowned chefs were only referred to as "Master" after their surnames, and their given names were not known.
Even men from ordinary families wouldn't cook themselves, let alone men from noble families. So, Lin Ping's cooking this time not only embarrassed himself, but also the city lord's mansion.
If this matter were to spread, it would inevitably be ridiculed and become a topic of endless gossip for busybodies, with comments such as, "The Prince Consort is cooking. I heard that even the cooks are bullying him. I also heard that the City Lord's Mansion can't afford a cook, so they have to let the Prince Consort cook..."
Although the servants of the city lord's mansion are very tight-lipped and dare not reveal a single word, they will eventually have a different opinion of Lin Ping.
Early this morning, Lin Ping hurriedly dragged Li Mingxuan to go shopping. The other party thought Lin Ping had just decided to buy something on a whim, but little did he know that he was buying raw food.
Li Mingxuan didn't think much of it, assuming Lin Ping wanted to eat these foods, and then ordered the cook to prepare them. Little did he know that Lin Ping would rush into the kitchen and even close the door behind him.
"Young master, please come out quickly. Xiao Hui will never force you again." Xiao Hui wiped away her tears and cried incessantly. As Lin Ping's concubine, she had the responsibility to take care of his daily life. Now that he was cooking, it was clear that he was dissatisfied with the dishes she had prepared.
Moreover, Xiao Hui admired Lin Ping and didn't want him to be looked down upon by the servants.
Lin Ping was not appreciative and even increased the frequency of flipping the spoon.
"It smells so good! What delicious food is the Prince Consort making?" Under the rich aroma, the servants and maids were completely led by their taste buds, and even forgot that Lin Ping was cooking.
"What happened?" Jiang Yunying walked over angrily. Since she had just returned from the military camp, she was still wearing her military uniform, which startled the servants and maids.
Li Mingxuan was so frightened that his face turned pale. He stood in front of Jiang Yunying, blocking her from taking another step. Xiao Hui was also covered in cold sweat, trying to change the subject in front of Jiang Yunying.
"Brother-in-law, run! Eldest sister is back!" Jiang Yunyu knocked on the small window to remind Lin Ping.
"Mission accomplished!" Lin Ping rubbed his hands together and excitedly carried two plates of stir-fried dishes, ready to head out.
However, before he could open it, Jiang Yunying had already cleaved the wooden dowel in two with a single sword stroke, nearly splitting Lin Ping in two as well. Then, she glared angrily at him and said, "Husband, how could you cook for yourself?"
Lin Ping was also startled by the sword light, and almost dropped the two plates of stir-fried dishes. He then replied seriously, "What's wrong with cooking? Should cooks be inferior to others? People should be equal, it's just that everyone has a different role."
Jiang Yunying stood there blankly, all her anger long since dissipated. She even felt that Lin Ping was so tall and mighty, while she herself seemed rather narrow-minded.
"Are people equal to each other?" Jiang Yunying kept clicking her tongue, seemingly understanding the city lord's benevolent nature.
The servants and maids outside the door all looked at Lin Ping with gratitude, so how could they think that his cooking was a shameful thing?
In other words, Lin Ping never looked down on anyone, nor did he treat them as servants. It was their own narrow-mindedness that made them feel inferior and even looked down on professions they considered inferior to their own.
This is typical servile mentality: thinking of currying favor with superiors and suppressing inferiors. But we can't entirely blame them, after all, this is the phenomenon in the whole society, and masters like Lin Ping who treat everyone equally are probably extremely rare.
Li Mingxuan was so moved that he cried, his eyes filled with tears as he muttered to himself, "I don't believe you for a second. You didn't say that when you were bullying me..."
Just as Jiang Yunying was lost in thought, Lin Ping continued, "Besides, my wife is leading troops outside, which is very hard work. Is it wrong for her husband to cook a couple of dishes to reward her?"
These touching words reignited Jiang Yunying's emotions, and despite being surrounded by servants, she still took the initiative to kiss Lin Ping's forehead.
Then it was time for some public displays of affection. Lin Ping actually fed Jiang Yunying, and every time she chewed, she would ask, "Is it good?"
The servants and maids all got goosebumps, feeling that this dog food was too sweet, and they all asked for some salt to be added next time.
"Delicious..." Jiang Yunying said, her cheeks puffed out, her words unclear, showing no trace of the demeanor of a well-bred young lady.
Of course, describing Jiang Yunying as a lady from a prominent family is not quite accurate. What lady from a prominent family would spend her days wielding swords and spears?
"Husband, what is this? It tastes so good!"
Jiang Yunying finally managed to swallow the food in her mouth.
"Can't you speak properly? The way you act all coquettish is really scary." Lin Ping was shocked, naturally disapproving of Jiang Yunying's behavior.
“Husband…” Jiang Yunying’s smile vanished instantly, and she pressed her long sword against his throat, asking sharply, “What is this dish called?”
At this moment, Lin Ping felt much better. He vaguely felt that he had masochistic tendencies, and answered eagerly, "Braised potatoes and scrambled eggs with tomatoes."
Jiang Yunying felt a little dizzy listening to this. She recognized all the words, but reading them together seemed... somewhat profound.
Lin Ping then remembered that potatoes and tomatoes had just been introduced to Wu Kingdom. Potatoes were only called "malingshu" and were only used for steaming and boiling to fill one's stomach. They were not even on the tables of wealthy families.
Tomatoes are simply called "tomato" and are considered ornamental plants; no one dares to eat them.
Therefore, Jiang Yunying became the first person to dare to eat a tomato.
Lin Ping didn't spend a lot of time explaining the origins of these two dishes. Instead, he wanted to serve them on the Qingfenglou restaurant's tables. Moreover, he planned to introduce more modern dishes.
For example, chili peppers had just been introduced to Wu Kingdom from Xizhu Kingdom and had not yet become an important seasoning. Lin Ping could be the first to make some spicy dishes, and even make hot pot base.
In short, these fresh dishes are sure to become a hit throughout Jiangcheng Prefecture. They will not only satisfy Lin Ping's appetite but also make him a fortune. If this trend continues, Lin Fugui will eventually earn a million taels of silver.
Jiang Yunying nodded in satisfaction and replied sarcastically, "Maybe in another ten or eight years, my husband will really be able to earn a million taels of silver."
Jiang Yunying, after all, didn't understand business opportunities, nor did she know that Lin Ping would open some chain stores. Just looking at Qingfenglou alone, it would really take ten or eight years to earn a million taels.
Lin Ping was displeased and retorted, "We're still short 850,000 taels!"
"Alright, alright, my husband is right, we still need 850,000 taels..." Jiang Yunying said to Lin Ping as if coaxing a child, she really couldn't understand this strange husband.