Chapter 20

Minister Rong truly counted as a loving father when it came to Rong Lian.

Rong Lian lowered his gaze and answered.

Thinking of how his elder brother had left in such haste, without any money or possessions, he had felt unable to bear it. He had stuffed the monthly allowance he had saved into his brother's hand, only for his brother to burst into tears, deeply moved.

Now that he thought about it, his elder brother must have been utterly disheartened, desperate and helpless at the time.

On this trip to Linxi, he would surely treat his elder brother well, teach him the conduct of a gentleman, impart knowledge of governance and scholarship, and ensure he no longer spent his days in unruly idleness.

If a son was not properly taught, the fault lay with the father.

He did not dare say this to his father's face, but this was what he believed in his heart. His elder brother's waywardness had much to do with their father's neglect and their mother's indulgence.

As brothers, he and his elder brother ought to support one another and bring glory to their family.

Second Young Master Rong's thoughts were wholly unknown to Rong Xi, who was far away in Qingzhou.

Ever since Gao Bai had gifted him those books, Rong Xi had stopped leaving the residence and begun grinding soybeans at home.

After the soybeans had been soaked in water, they were crushed in a stone mill into a milky white liquid, which was then filtered and boiled in a pot.

Before long, the fragrance of beans filled the air, rich in scent but mild in flavor.

Foam rose to the surface. Rong Xi had Zishi skim it away, stirring with a spoon and occasionally adding clean water to lower the temperature.

Soon after, Rong Xi poured the prepared sour liquid into the pot. The soy milk gradually curdled into fluffy clumps, like rolling white clouds entwined with waves.

If he stopped at this point, it would be tofu pudding, delicious whether served with savory or sweet seasonings.

"Young Master, you're amazing!" Liu Zishi exclaimed repeatedly from the side.

He had never imagined that beans could be eaten this way.

With the help of the Liu Clan grandparents and grandson, Rong Xi quickly made tofu.

The soft, smooth, tender tofu was cut into small pieces and placed in a prepared bucket of water to soak.

"Young Master, how are we eating it?" The young Liu lad was already impatient.

Rong Xi smiled. "You'll know tomorrow."

The next day, Gourmet Pavilion closed for the day. Those with quick ears said Gourmet Pavilion was developing new dishes and would reopen tomorrow.

New dishes!

Everyone was delighted and eagerly anticipated what the new dishes might be.

Meanwhile, Hu, Duan, Lady Jiang, and the others had all gathered at Rong Residence to sample the fresh, tender, refreshing tofu.

Two dishes sat on the table.

One was an exceedingly simple homemade tofu. Its color was deep and its flavor rich; the savory sauce melded with the tender tofu. Its scent stirred one's appetite, and it melted upon entering the mouth. The tofu's delicate fragrance and the sauce's savory richness left an endless aftertaste.

The other was minced pork tofu soup. Pale in color and light in flavor, it was exceptionally refreshing and suitable for young children and the elderly.

Eating it with fine rice, the group wolfed down every last bit of food on the plates.

It was Duan Changjin's first time tasting Rong Xi's cooking, and he found it astonishing beyond belief. Compared to him, Lady Jiang was far inferior.

"I never knew soybean foods could taste this good." He swallowed the last mouthful of soup and praised it repeatedly.

After the Liu Clan grandparents and grandson cleared the table, the group strolled slowly around the courtyard to aid digestion.

"There are countless soybean foods. This is merely one grain among them."

Tofu pudding, tofu skin, dried tofu, and more were all everyday dishes in later generations.

Hu Yulin began entertaining another idea. After holding it in for a long while, he finally asked, "Would you be willing to let more common folk taste the delight of tofu, Eldest Brother?"

Rong Xi naturally was willing. He nodded and said, "I understand your meaning, Brother Xuan Shi. Fine food ought to be enjoyed by all under heaven."

Thus, Great Wei's first tofu workshop soon became renowned throughout the land.

"Eldest Brother, I have already obtained two of the items from traveling merchants based on the drawings you gave me earlier. I came in a hurry today and did not have time to bring them." Hu Yulin spoke with an apologetic expression.

Rong Xi answered with a smile, "Brother Xuan Shi, you are too kind. I happen to be going into the city tomorrow, and I will pay you a visit then."

After chatting for a while, they left together before sunset.

At the same time, an ox cart leisurely entered Mengshan County. It did not stop until it reached an inn in the city.

Two men and a young gentleman got down from the cart and entered the inn. At the sight of them, the inn servant froze for a moment before recovering and asking, "Will the three young masters be resting briefly or staying the night?"

The young gentleman at the head of the group was truly breathtakingly handsome, yet his bearing was extraordinary, solemn and imposing enough that no one dared speak carelessly before him.

"Three superior rooms. We are staying," the man answered quietly.

Even his voice sounded like celestial music.

Once the rooms had been prepared, the three gathered in one of them. The inn servant brought water to pour their tea, and after filling their cups, he said with a grin, "If you young masters need anything, just call for me."

One handsome young man asked, "Which restaurant in this city serves the finest food?"

He had asked the right person!

The inn servant set the teapot on the table and said animatedly, "Speaking of restaurants, Gourmet Pavilion is naturally the very best!"

Before the three could ask further, he continued, "Since you young masters have come from elsewhere, you may not have heard of Gourmet Pavilion's dishes. They are said to rival the flavors of the heavens!"

"Said to?" the young gentleman could not help asking. "You have not eaten there?"

"Oh, young master, you think too highly of me," the inn servant said with a pained grin. "I am poor. How could I afford such immortal delicacies?"

"What kinds of dishes do they serve?" the young gentleman asked curiously, though his eyes held a trace of disdain.

He had tasted imperial banquets. This was merely a remote little city; how could its cooking compare with the skill of the imperial chefs?

The two men, however, exchanged a glance.

They had already tasted truly immortal delicacies and had little interest in Gourmet Pavilion.

The inn servant replied, "I hear they stir-fry over roaring flames, and the aroma is extraordinarily rich. Whenever Lady Jiang takes up the wok, the streets and alleys fill with fragrance. Just smelling it makes one hungry."

"Stir-frying?" The handsome man suddenly cried out in surprise and looked at the man beside him. "Brother Sizhi, does that sound familiar?"

The man understood his meaning. "Then we shall go to Gourmet Pavilion."

Seeing the three rise, the inn servant hurriedly said, "Gourmet Pavilion is closed today, young masters. You should go tomorrow instead."

The young gentleman did not care, but seeing disappointment on both men's faces, he could not help asking, "Father, Uncle Chen, what is so special about Gourmet Pavilion?"

Chen Chuangu sighed inwardly. It was very special indeed!

The autumn air was crisp and clear, and the blue sky looked freshly washed.

Rong Xi personally prepared the soup, placed it in a food box, and carried the box to Gao Bai's home.