Amber winter melon was an extremely time-consuming dish—spending four hours on it would be considered quick.

She remembered that the Princess Consort of Pingnan loved this dish most.

After the Princess had become engaged to the Heir of Pingnan, one day the Princess Consort of Pingnan came to visit the estate. The Princess Consort, proud of the Princess’s filial devotion, mentioned it to the Princess Consort of Pingnan.

The Princess Consort of Pingnan was greatly surprised, saying that before her marriage she had eaten amber winter melon once, but afterward could never find a chef who could make it and had always remembered it with longing.

The Princess Consort didn’t understand that amber winter melon was a labor-intensive and time-consuming dish, so she asked the Princess to make this dish for the Princess Consort of Pingnan to taste.

As a mother, one couldn’t help but show off one’s daughter’s excellence to others.

The Princess couldn’t bear to disappoint the Princess Consort, so she went to consult the chef who had taught her to make amber winter melon. That female chef then told the Princess a little trick that could greatly shorten the time needed to make this dish.

Only the flavor was slightly inferior.

“What is this shortcut method?” Xiu Yue looked at Luo Sheng and murmured.

Perhaps she was overthinking it—the amber winter melon Miss Luo was going to make might not be the amber winter melon she thought it was.

The estate had another chef who could make amber winter melon, prepared with sweet oranges and winter melon—in the hot summer it made an excellent refreshing dessert, though that female chef had disdained it as street food unfit for a proper table.

Luo Sheng smiled charmingly at Xiu Yue: “Just watch and you’ll know.”

Xiu Yue said no more, staring intently as the winter melon went from being carved with patterns to finally becoming translucent amber pieces arranged on a plate.

“Where did Miss Luo learn this from?” Xiu Yue asked urgently.

Luo Sheng glanced at Luosai Huzi squatting in the back kitchen washing dishes, and Zhuang Han chopping wood in the courtyard, and smiled: “The one who taught me this dish was a female chef. When I have time, I’ll tell you about it in detail.”

Xiu Yue came to her senses and nodded haphazardly: “Good, good…”

Luo Sheng called to Hong Dou, who was coming in to serve dishes: “Take this plate of amber winter melon to Miss Zhu’s table, and remember to say this…”

After hearing Luo Sheng’s instructions, Hong Dou carried the plate swiftly to the main hall, swallowing who knows how many times along the way to resist sneaking a taste.

At this moment, Second Miss Wang had already finished the last drop of her noodle soup and smiled sweetly at First Miss Wang: “Sister, the plain noodles are truly delicious.”

First Miss Wang quietly squeezed her purse and said through gritted teeth: “Waiter, bring another plate of braised beef.”

Sharing a table with others, how could they not smell the fragrance of the full table of delicacies?

Especially after eating the plain noodles, when even a bowl of seemingly ordinary noodles was so delicious, one could imagine how good the braised beef and such must be.

Hearing this, Second Miss Wang hurriedly waved her hands: “No need, I’m already full.”

A plate of braised beef cost twenty taels of silver—how could her sister have that much money?

Even if she did, she shouldn’t spend it on this.

First Miss Wang’s heart ached even more.

Youjian Tavern was indeed extraordinarily expensive, yet the taste was also extraordinarily good.

If Mother were still alive, bringing them to spend several dozen taels to try something new would be nothing.

But sadly, Mother had died early, and they made their living under their stepmother. Apart from seasonal clothing and jewelry, only their monthly allowance was theirs to control.

Bringing her younger sister here, the only things she truly dared try were the plain noodles and shredded cucumber.

Yet the unexpectedly good taste had disrupted her plan.

Forget it—they were already here. Could she really let her younger sister go home half-full?

No matter how expensive, they’d eat just this one meal.

“I want to try it.” First Miss Wang smiled at her younger sister and instructed Kou’er to bring the dish.

At this moment, Hong Dou walked over and placed the plate before the two of them.

Piled on the plate were translucent amber pieces—one couldn’t tell at all what ingredients they were made from, only that alluring color and unique sweet fragrance that made one’s heart uneasy.

This plate must cost so much!

Second Miss Wang nearly jumped up: “We, we didn’t order this dish.”

First Miss Wang also quietly clutched her purse tighter.

This dish looked delicious—it must not be cheap, perhaps even more expensive than braised beef.

The money in her purse was only enough to buy one more plate of braised beef.

If it went on the bill and the tavern sent the invoice to her stepmother, she couldn’t bear her stepmother’s smile that hid daggers.

Besides, eating meat was much more substantial…

Hong Dou smiled sweetly: “This is a complimentary dish.”

Complimentary?

As soon as these words were spoken, many gazes immediately turned their way.

Among them was Wei Han’s.

The last time others got a complimentary dish and he didn’t was when Director Lin brought his grandson to eat.

This time, why was there another complimentary dish?

Feeling Wei Han’s gaze fall on her, Zhu Hanshuang suddenly became both nervous and excited.

Was he looking at her?

Just now when the Princess went to greet him, he hadn’t shown much warmth toward her either…

For a moment, Zhu Hanshuang’s heart was filled with mixed feelings, even neglecting to wonder why the Miss Wangs who shared their table had a complimentary dish.

However, First Miss Wang remained clearheaded: “Excuse me, may I ask why only we have a complimentary dish?”

Even blood relatives would play favorites among their children, let alone strangers.

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

The ears of diners in the main hall couldn’t help but perk up.

Right, why did two young ladies have a complimentary dish?

Wasn’t the legend that only bringing Director Lin’s second grandson got half price?

It was said that Minister Zhao had even tried bringing his own grandson, but wasn’t given a single coin’s discount.

It seemed he’d been bankrupted by the grandson he brought along, and Minister Zhao hadn’t come for a while.

“This complimentary dish is compensation for the honored guest’s willingness to share a table.” Hong Dou explained.

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

It could work like this? They’d be happy to share tables too.

Hong Dou immediately followed up: “Of course, this is only this once, so it’s because you two young ladies are beautiful, kind-hearted, and lucky.”

First Miss Wang relaxed slightly: “Then we thank you.”

Ignoring the gazes cast their way, First Miss Wang raised her chopsticks and placed a piece of amber winter melon in Second Miss Wang’s bowl: “Try it, little sister.”

Seeing the translucent object in her bowl, Second Miss Wang didn’t dare use her chopsticks for a moment and asked: “May I ask what this is?”

“This dish is called amber winter melon—it’s our tavern’s signature dish.”

Second Miss Wang’s eyes widened in disbelief: “It’s actually made from winter melon?”

She couldn’t help but pick up a piece and put it in her mouth, revealing an expression of complete satisfaction.

“Sister, you eat some too.”

Seeing the two young ladies eating piece by piece, everyone else grew anxious.

Could you at least say whether it’s good or not? Why just keep eating!

Sob sob sob, it must be very delicious, but it’s a complimentary dish that can’t be bought even with money.

Young Princess Wei Wen, after the amber winter melon was brought out, hadn’t opened her mouth again. Only when just two or three translucent amber pieces remained on the plate did she say: “Bring us a plate of amber winter melon.”

Her mother had mentioned this dish many times, regretting that none of the chefs in the princely estate could make it, and also saying she had loved eating it when she was young.

She couldn’t remember what dishes she’d eaten in her childhood tasted like, but what mattered most was that her mother liked it.

“I’m sorry, our tavern’s complimentary dishes are not for sale.” Hong Dou refused simply and directly.

Miss had instructed long ago that the tavern’s rules couldn’t be broken.

Zhu Hanshuang’s expression darkened: “Not for sale? You’re running a business—how can you have such rules!”

Hong Dou pursed her lips: “The rules are set by our proprietress. Even Prince Kaiyang couldn’t buy it when he wanted to. Surely Miss Zhu doesn’t have more face than His Highness?”