AGN -Chapter 438 Shengsheng (Part 4)

Zhao Cheng’an and Xia Sheng slept quite comfortably in the woodshed for the night. While the two of them rested well, Chen Qiusheng and the old servant had a miserable night.

The old servant’s tiny room was just an ordinary side room next to the woodshed. It was small and very close by. As a loyal old servant, he tossed and turned the entire night, repeatedly getting up to press himself against the woodshed door and listen to the sounds inside.

He listened to see whether the two inside had fallen asleep, and whether that thief might rob the household clean overnight.

Compared to the old servant’s pure sense of duty, Chen Qiusheng’s thoughts were far more complicated. Qin Huai could tell that Chen Qiusheng was probably regretting bringing Zhao Cheng’an home. He too barely slept all night.

Early the next morning, the exhausted old servant and Chen Qiusheng opened the woodshed door. Seeing Zhao Cheng’an and Xia Sheng looking energetic and refreshed, the two exchanged helpless glances, both feeling foolish about the anxiety they had suffered the previous night.

Chen Qiusheng stared at Zhao Cheng’an.

“Clean yourself up. I’m taking you to Taifeng Tower.”

The old servant looked at Xia Sheng.

“Go draw a bucket of water. Young Master has a weak stomach and drinks millet porridge every morning.”

Xia Sheng hurried off to fetch water. Last night, when he entered the courtyard, he had already observed the place carefully. The yard was cluttered with many odds and ends, including buckets and a well.

Zhao Cheng’an, however, focused on something entirely different.

“Master Chen, thank you so much! If Xia Sheng hadn’t told me last night, I wouldn’t have known you’d recommended such a good job for me. So cooks are people who make food for others!”

Chen Qiusheng: …

Chen Qiusheng was completely helpless toward the fool before him. Without another word, he walked straight outside, signaling Zhao Cheng’an to follow. As he passed Xia Sheng, he said:

“Stay with Uncle Liu for now. He’ll tell you what you need to do in the future. If there’s anything you don’t know, learn from him.”

“M-Master…” Xia Sheng suddenly spoke. He hesitated, but still asked, “Can I go too?”

“What?” Chen Qiusheng frowned, then quickly realized what he meant. His gaze toward Xia Sheng immediately changed as he sized him up from head to toe.

“You’re the pageboy I bought. Your contract is in my hands, and it’s a lifetime indenture. Once the broker takes care of the paperwork at the government office this morning, you’ll officially be a servant of my household. No tavern or shop would hire someone like that.”

Realizing Chen Qiusheng was unhappy, Xia Sheng hurriedly explained: “Master, I’ll serve Young Master well, and I can do all the household chores too. I just want to follow along and see the world a little.”

Hearing this, Chen Qiusheng softened his tone.

“Fine then. Keep up.”

Xia Sheng quickly hurried after them.

Zhao Cheng’an asked Xia Sheng:

“You’ve already been bought by Master Chen and have work to do now, so why are you still trying to find another job?”

Xia Sheng said nothing.

Qin Huai followed behind them all the way to Taifeng Tower.

Taifeng Tower still looked exactly as it had in Chen Huihong’s memories: a two-story restaurant with an old plaque bearing the three characters “Taifeng Tower.” It clearly looked like an antique with many years of history.

It was still very early, only about two hours after dawn. Qin Huai estimated it was around seven in the morning. As far as he knew, Taifeng Tower did not serve breakfast, so there wasn’t a single customer inside yet. However, the doors were already open, and many workers were bustling about. Several handcarts and horse-drawn wagons loaded with fresh vegetables and clean spring water from outside the city stood at the entrance.

Chen Huihong had mentioned this to Qin Huai before. Most of Taifeng Tower’s guests were wealthy nobles, and these nobles considered well water filthy. Only spring water from a certain mountain outside the city was worthy of their precious bodies. Thus, all the water used by Taifeng Tower was specially fetched from outside the city every morning at considerable expense.

This had originally been one of Taifeng Tower’s selling points when it first established itself in Beiping. Manager Lu had repeatedly instructed Chen Huihong to memorize the script: when drinking soup, she must praise its flavor and remark that only superior spring water could produce such taste.

Chen Qiusheng led the two boys up the steps. Before they even entered, one of the workers carrying water warmly greeted him:

“Chef Chen, you’re here! Perfect timing too. Chef Jiang’s wife came by today. It’s their seventh son’s hundred-day celebration, and she brought lots of red eggs. If you go in now, you can still get one handed out personally by Madam Jiang and share in the good fortune.”

Hearing this, Chen Qiusheng lowered his head and counted the dates before smiling.

“It really is.”

As he spoke, a woman with a married hairstyle emerged from the kitchen carrying a basket. Despite it not even being autumn yet, she was already dressed in thick clothing. Her complexion was pale, and at a glance it was obvious her health had not been good recently.

Qin Wan walked out from the kitchen, accompanied by a half-grown child carrying a food box. The child looked about eight or nine years old, roughly Xia Sheng’s age.

Qin Huai’s attention was instantly drawn to Qin Wan. Staring at her, he realized her complexion was truly terrible. Her lips were almost completely colorless, obviously showing severe blood and energy deficiency.

“Give it to me. It’s just a wooden food box, it’s not like I can’t carry it. There’s a banquet order from a prince’s residence at noon today, so the kitchen will definitely be busy. If you take this all the way back and return, it’ll waste nearly half an hour. Don’t delay your work.”

Qin Wan spoke gently to the child beside her.

At first Qin Huai had assumed the child was Qin Wan’s son. Only after hearing her words did he realize the boy was probably a helper or apprentice at Taifeng Tower. In this era, there was no such thing as child labor laws. Children of eight or nine could already work, and since they were cheap labor, employers loved them.

“Chef Jiang told me to help carry things back for you. Your health isn’t good right now, you shouldn’t be carrying heavy things. You shouldn’t even be going outside. The doctor said you mustn’t be exposed to the wind.”

The apprentice stubbornly protested. He even hopped up and snatched the basket from Qin Wan’s hands, carrying one item in each hand.

“It’s not like I’m in postpartum confinement. What do you mean I can’t be exposed to the wind? Every morning I drink bird’s nest soup, and every evening chicken soup. I’m practically being raised like some wealthy madam now. What’s wrong with carrying a little weight? I personally boiled every one of today’s eggs myself.”

Qin Wan smiled as she spoke. Then she looked up and saw Chen Qiusheng, quickly stepping forward to greet him.

“Chef Chen, long time no see.”

“Today is my seventh son’s hundred-day celebration, so I boiled some red eggs to bring over. We should have hosted a banquet for the occasion, but my health hasn’t been good recently and expenses have been high. Bohe said we should keep things simple. When there’s time, you’re all welcome to come to our home for a simple meal instead—it’ll count as celebrating our seventh son’s banquet.”

“And when you come, there’s no need to bring gifts.”

“That won’t do,” Chen Qiusheng replied. “You and Chef Jiang have been blessed with a seventh son. Of course I’ll bring a gift. I’ll bring my boy along too—he loves playing with your sons. It’s just that his health is poor. Every time he goes out to play he gets sick, so I don’t dare let him out much.”

Qin Wan nodded.

“If his health is poor, then you really must take care of him properly. I heard from my Bohe that you planned to buy a pageboy to keep Ping’an company. I think that’s a good idea. Ping’an is still so young. Keeping him shut inside the house every day isn’t good for him. Children his age should spend more time around others.”

“I already bought one.” Chen Qiusheng pointed at Xia Sheng. “A farmer’s kid. Knows a few characters, pretty clever, and his character isn’t bad either. I brought him here today so he could broaden his horizons. Since things have been busy lately and Manager Lu plans to recruit another batch of apprentices and helpers, I figured I’d let him try too. If he really has talent for this sort of thing, teaching him a few dishes later on would also make it easier for him to look after Ping’an.”

“Then this child is…” Qin Wan looked toward Zhao Cheng’an.

Before Chen Qiusheng could answer, Zhao Cheng’an loudly introduced himself first:

“Greetings, Madam Jiang! I came to apply for work. I had nowhere to stay, and Master Chen here is such a kind person that he took me in for the night.”

“Madam Jiang, may I eat one of the red eggs?”

The apprentice beside Qin Wan fiercely glared at Zhao Cheng’an, probably annoyed that he was speaking so loudly and afraid he might startle her.

Qin Wan merely smiled good-naturedly.

“Of course. I specially brought extra today.”

“Chef Chen, my fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sons are still at home, and Huiqin can’t handle them all alone, so I’ll head back first.”

With that, Qin Wan left. The apprentice followed closely beside her carrying the basket and food box. Chen Qiusheng turned back and gave Zhao Cheng’an a helpless look, his face practically saying, Forget it, there’s no point arguing with a fool.

“I’ll go get red eggs for you. Stay here and don’t move.”

Chen Qiusheng went into the kitchen and returned with two red eggs, giving one to each boy.

Xia Sheng carefully tucked his red egg into his clothes for safekeeping, while Zhao Cheng’an happily began eating his immediately.

Chen Qiusheng had come to work, so he casually grabbed an older waiter and told him to keep an eye on Zhao Cheng’an before heading straight into the kitchen himself. Qin Huai curiously followed him inside.

Qin Huai had visited Taifeng Tower before through Chen Huihong’s memories, but he had rarely entered the kitchen due to distance limitations. Chen Huihong had been purely a diner and performer, and her activities had mainly been limited to the first-floor window seats and the second-floor private rooms—both areas furthest from the kitchen. Qin Huai simply could not get inside.

This time, however, within Zhao Cheng’an’s memories, Qin Huai’s range of movement was much larger. He could openly follow Chef Chen into the kitchen and observe properly.

Taifeng Tower’s kitchen was enormous.

Although it was a standard old-style kitchen from the previous century without any modern technology, its management was clearly excellent—strictly hierarchical and impeccably organized.

The vegetable washing area, cutting stations, and stoves were all separated by considerable distances. Qin Huai could even tell that vegetables, poultry, wild game, and river or seafood were processed in entirely different sections.

At the same time, this was also Qin Huai’s first time seeing Jiang Chengde—the man capable of casually producing S-rank locust flower buns.

As an outstanding chef, Jiang Chengde’s physique was exceptionally robust for this era. One could clearly see the muscles hidden beneath his clothing, and he looked like the type who could fight five men alone. However, Chef Jiang did not appear to be in a good mood. His face was stern, and around him stood three teenage boys who somewhat resembled him at a glance, obviously his sons.

“Weijin, how many times have I told you? When cutting vegetables, you can’t focus solely on speed. Your hands must be steady, and your mind calm. Weize has practiced for one year longer than you—what are you competing with him for?”

“Weiming, focus on your own cutting. Don’t let my words distract you.”

Seeing Chen Qiusheng arrive, Jiang Chengde revealed a smile meant for greeting a colleague.

“I heard you brought two people over to apply as apprentices, Old Chen. Relatives of yours?”

Chen Qiusheng rubbed his forehead. The words I was wrong, I never should’ve brought Zhao Cheng’an home last night were practically written all over his face.

“How has the story already turned into this after such a short time?” he said helplessly. “They’re just two kids. One is the pageboy I bought for my Ping’an, and the other is… a fool whose head isn’t quite right.”

“A fool?” Jiang Chengde froze for a moment, though he didn’t ask further. “Well then, let’s not waste time. Bring them in and let me see what kind of talent they have.”

“Manager Lu went out of the city and won’t be back until around noon. Yesterday, while you were off, Manager Lu said I could handle looking over any apprentice applicants myself. If their qualifications are suitable, we’ll keep them. We really are short-handed right now.”

“The second son of Prince Fu’s household is getting married next month. They booked us for the banquet.”

Chen Qiusheng instantly stiffened.

“Prince Fu’s household isn’t easy to deal with. I heard last month they dragged out two people from the manor and—”

Jiang Chengde gestured for him to stop talking. Chen Qiusheng immediately shut his mouth.

After sighing, Chen Qiusheng said:

“When I was still beyond the pass, I used to think that once I got older, I’d find a wealthy household and become their private cook. It would be much easier work. But now that I’ve come to the capital, I don’t dare think that way anymore. What’s the use of an easy job if it can cost you your life?”

Jiang Chengde laughed.

“There are still good households out there. Don’t worry about the future right now. I’ll keep an eye out for you and definitely find you a family that’s easy to work for, pays well, and is safe too.”

“I’ll take that blessing.”

While they chatted and joked, a kitchen helper led Xia Sheng and Zhao Cheng’an inside.

Jiang Chengde first asked whether either of them had ever done kitchen work before. Both shook their heads in unison.

Jiang Chengde wasn’t surprised at all. In this era, being a cook was an absolute technical skill. Ordinary recruitment could never attract people who already had a foundation.

Jiang Chengde had a helper bring over a pile of lower-quality baby bok choy leaves that had been sorted out. He told Xia Sheng and Zhao Cheng’an to cut them.

Their trial workstations were right beside Jiang Chengde’s three sons. Xia Sheng carefully weighed the cleaver in his hand for a while before cautiously beginning to cut.

Qin Huai: ???

Qin Huai was stunned.

To his shock, Xia Sheng’s knife grip was correct.

No one understood better than Qin Huai how important proper knife handling was. Back then, he had spent such a long time correcting his own bad habits, yet this completely inexperienced kid had gotten it right immediately.

Brother… is this guy cheating?

Is your family really just farmers?

Zhao Cheng’an picked up the knife a little later than Xia Sheng and also began cutting.

His knife grip was correct too, though Xia Sheng’s posture was more standard. Zhao Cheng’an still showed a few flaws.

As for the chopped vegetables…

Well, Taifeng Tower’s guests would never be eating them anyway. Taifeng Tower even used mountain spring water hauled in from outside the city, so vegetables with such poor appearance would never appear among ingredients served to customers.

“Very good.” Jiang Chengde nodded approvingly, especially toward Xia Sheng. Turning to Chen Qiusheng, he smiled.

“Old Chen, were you really out choosing a pageboy outside the city? You picked out a fine seedling. Better than my eldest and third sons.”

Chen Qiusheng: …

“They really haven’t learned before?” Jiang Chengde asked.

“No,” both boys answered together.

“Then how did you learn how to hold the knife and cut just now?” Jiang Chengde asked again.

Xia Sheng honestly pointed at Jiang Weize next to him.

“I copied the way he held the knife and cut.”

“I copied Xia Sheng!” Zhao Cheng’an loudly declared. “I cut however he cut!”

Jiang Chengde shot Chen Qiusheng another look.

“Good eye. You picked two at once.”

Chen Qiusheng: …

“They’re your recruits, so you’ll teach them. Teach them properly. Maybe your future disciple is among them. You haven’t taken any disciples yet, right? With Ping’an’s health, he definitely won’t become a cook. Your skills need someone to inherit them eventually. While you still have the energy to teach, hurry up and choose a few good seedlings.”

Chen Qiusheng: …

Chen Qiusheng sighed again. He truly had not expected things to develop like this.

Xia Sheng nervously looked at Chen Qiusheng, clearly not understanding why he was sighing. Had he done something wrong?

Zhao Cheng’an chose to ask directly.

“Master Chen, what do we do next? Carry water? Carry vegetables? I can carry things! I definitely won’t steal!”

Chen Qiusheng sighed once more.

“Xia Sheng.” Chen Qiusheng decided not to look at Zhao Cheng’an for the moment. He really had no way to deal with this fool who somehow possessed actual talent.

“Starting today, you don’t need to learn from Uncle Liu anymore. Come with me to Taifeng Tower every day, and after returning home at night, you’ll take care of Ping’an.”

“L-let’s do that for now.”

“And you…” Chen Qiusheng looked at Zhao Cheng’an. “Stay. From now on, you’ll work under me. Whatever I tell you to do, you do it. I’ll keep my promise too. From now on, the woodshed at my house is yours to stay in free of charge.”

“And stop calling me Master Chen. Call me Chef Chen.”

“Chef Chen.” Zhao Cheng’an nodded happily. “Can you give me a name?”

“I’m not your employer. Manager Lu is.” Chen Qiusheng smoothly shifted the problem elsewhere.

“Chef Chen, I have another question.”

“Now that I count as someone with work to do, you said there’s no wages for working here but meals are provided. Can I eat now? That egg earlier wasn’t enough to fill me.”

Chen Qiusheng: …

“You didn’t eat breakfast?” Jiang Weiming asked. “I still have two rice cakes here. Eat these to hold yourself over. My father made them this morning. Taifeng Tower only provides apprentices with two meals a day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning meal won’t be served for another two hours.”

Jiang Weiming pulled a small cloth bundle from his clothes and opened it. Inside were two rice cakes that had already gone cold.

Zhao Cheng’an happily accepted them and immediately stuffed them into his mouth, eating enthusiastically while speaking unclearly through the food:

“Wow, these rice cakes are even tastier than white flour buns! I thought white flour buns were already the best food in the world.”

“You’re such a good person! You’re even nicer than Xia Sheng!”

Xia Sheng: …

Jiang Weiming smiled somewhat shyly.

“My name is Jiang Weiming. What’s yours?”

“I don’t have a name. Names are very important, so I have to wait for my employer to give me one!”

Jiang Weiming: …?

Amid everyone’s ellipses and question marks, Qin Huai left the dreamscape.