(Thank you to Little Fairy for the cherry blossom red packet!)

Today, he was wearing a jet-green robe with a dark green belt inlaid with a square piece of jade. There wasn't even a sachet on the belt. It was a color that was so low-key that it could be ignored, but it made him stand out with his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

The inner robe that extended out from the round collar wrapped all the way to the throat at the neck, giving off an aura of abstinence for no reason.

These good friends of He Changqi were all good-looking, and they were all born in prestigious families. Needless to say, their temperament and attire were good, but when such noble young masters stood beside Xiao Bojian, they instantly lost their splendor and became his foil.

Thus, Madam Zou had a very deep impression of Xiao Bojian at the banquet today. She could tell who he was the moment she saw his back.

Although Xiao Bojian wasn't very famous among the noble young masters in the capital, he was very famous in the Directorate. Even Madam Zou had heard rumors about him once or twice.

Madam Zou's gaze was still on the arched door where Xiao Bojian's back had disappeared. Following that, her gaze moved along a small path towards Songtao Court.

The path that Xiao Bojian had taken led to Songtao Court!

Suddenly, Madam Zou's mind exploded. A moment later, she clenched her fists in excitement!

Heir Zheng and the others still wanted to stay at Count Jing 'an's estate for dinner after they sobered up. When he thought of the delicacies they had for lunch that they had never tasted before, Heir Zheng wanted to stay at Count Jing' an's estate for a long time.

Sob sob sob, He Sanlang was so lucky. Why didn't the heavens give him a virtuous and good wife who knew how to cook? No, when I get back, I must ask my grandmother to send someone to the Duke of Ying's estate to ask around.

He Changqi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. These bastards. Normally, he couldn't even invite them over after inviting them three or four times. Now, they wanted to stay for a meal. How could they be so shameless?

He Changqi was in a bit of a dilemma. If these dishes were really made by his wife, he could just treat them again. However, they were all made by his third sister-in-law. He didn't have the face to trouble her again.

"That's enough. Know your place. My sister-in-law isn't here just to make food for you!"

Little Wei Yuanhou muttered, "Big Brother He is stingy." However, these people were all noble young masters and understood that what He Chang Qi said was reasonable. Even though they were reluctant, they could only let it go.

Each of them sighed, suspecting that they wouldn't be able to eat anything when they returned.

He Changqi looked at them helplessly. Suddenly, he remembered what his grandmother had unintentionally mentioned when they were chatting. He called out to the people who were about to leave and said, "If you really want to eat Third Sister-in-law's food, you can wait until Guilin Restaurant opens.

Grandmother has already handed over the restaurant under her name, Guilin Restaurant, to Third Sister-in-law to manage. I reckon it won't be long before it reopens. "

"Really?

Jinyi Xiangjun is going to open a restaurant? "

The three of them were happy. Since Chu Lian was going to open a restaurant, there would definitely be special dishes. If that was the case, they wouldn't have to beg He Changqi, the blockhead, if they wanted to eat such exquisite dishes in the future.

"When Third Sister-in-law's restaurant opens, I will definitely inform you."

Only after receiving this news did they return to their homes in high spirits.

The next day, Chu Lian brought Wenqing and Wenlan to Guilin Restaurant again. After giving them some pointers on the restaurant's layout, she rushed back.

The restaurant's renovation was nearing its end. The chef had chosen her son from her dowry, Mao Zhangzhi. This person was mentioned in the original novel, he was a loyal servant. In the original novel, Chu Lian often sent him out to deliver letters to Xiao Bojian.

Mao Zhangzhi's parents were still alive and they both worked in Chu Lian's businesses. He was eighteen this year and his father was originally the third-in-command chef of the Duke of Ying. He had learned some cooking skills from his father since he was young and had some talent for cooking.

When Chu Lian cooked, she didn't shy away from the four head maids and two nannies. Xiyan was very attentive and had already learned quite a few dishes. Chu Lian sent her to teach Mao Zhangzhi the special dishes he was going to use when he returned to Linju. According to Xiyan, Mao Zhangzhi's cooking was already pretty good, and some of the dishes were even better than his master's.

Last night, the food at Songtao Court was prepared by Mao Zhangzhi. Chu Lian was very satisfied after tasting it.

The accountant was still Guilin Restaurant's old accountant, Mister Wang.

As for the shopkeeper, Housekeeper Qin, whom Matriarch He had assigned to her, would take care of it for now.

These days, this thirty-something-year-old Housekeeper Qin had been working diligently under her. It was rare that he wasn't inflexible and was smooth and slick when it came to business. He was Matriarch He's third son, the head housekeeper of one of her businesses. Originally, he had been raised as a head housekeeper. Because he doted on Chu Lian, he had specially assigned him to her.

Chu Lian and Matriarch had discussed it. The first day of the ninth month was an auspicious day. Guilin Restaurant, which had been silent for more than ten years, was set to reopen on that day.

Chu Lian had already prepared the gold-embellished invitation cards. All that was left was to choose who to invite.

Whether it was Matriarch He or the people in Chu Lian's courtyard, they all placed great importance on the reopening of Guilin Restaurant.

Guilin Restaurant had a special meaning to Matriarch He, and to the third branch, it was an important source of income.

He Sanlang had ventured into the north alone and didn't know when he would be able to return home. Third Madam was alone in the fu and her dowry was pitiful. She couldn't be the head of the fu. Although the courtyard's expenses were paid for by the public, if she didn't have any money on hand, she would inevitably be looked down upon.

In the past, when Chu Lian was a young lady in the Duke of Ying's household, it was fine. But now that Chu Lian was the mistress of the household, she couldn't not have a bit of consideration for herself.

Also, once Third Madam became rich, the servants would receive more rewards since Chu Lian wasn't a stingy person.

Thus, from Senior Granny Gui and Senior Granny Zhong to the servants sweeping the courtyard, they all hoped that Third Madam's Guilin Restaurant would be filled with guests.

In this way, Chu Lian became the most relaxed one. She spent her days eating, drinking, sleeping, and enjoying whatever she could. The reopening of Guilin Restaurant was as normal as the calligraphy she practiced every day.

As the time for the reopening approached, even Xiyan became nervous. However, she saw her mistress still lying on the rose chair, eating candied plums and leisurely flipping through the newly published story book.

When she saw her mistress like this, Xiyan didn't know whether to complain or relax.

She walked to Chu Lian's side and held a few pieces of cloth in her hands. "Third Madam, what color cloth should you use for the curtains in the private room?"

When she heard Xiyan's words, Chu Lian didn't even look at her. She was just about to get to the most exciting part. "Do as you see fit. You don't need to ask me about these small matters."

If she had to worry about the color of the curtains, wouldn't she be so busy in the future when she had more shops under her control? She wanted to reopen Guilin Restaurant because she wanted to earn money and enjoy life. She didn't want to add to her worries and keep herself busy.

Her ultimate goal was still to be a carefree rice worm who did whatever she wanted!

Xiyan was helpless, but she also knew that Third Madam always meant what she said. Hearing this, she silently chose the color she wanted.

However, she didn't leave. She continued, "Third Madam, should we train two more loyal chefs?"

Chu Lian shifted her gaze away from the book and looked up at Xiyan, who was standing beside her. "Why do you say that?"

When Xiyan saw that Third Young Mistress was paying attention to her, she immediately became excited. "Third Young Mistress, look at those big restaurants in Shengjing. They're always packed with people. There are a few specialties that people have to line up outside if they're late. How can a chef like Mao Da handle all of that? He'll be exhausted to death!"

When she heard Xiyan say this, Chu Lian laughed and put down the story book. She reached for the teacup on the side table and took a sip of the honey water.

"Xiyan, you're thinking too much. I only plan to entertain ten or so tables of customers every day."

Xiyan's eyes widened in shock. She said in disbelief, "Third Madam, didn't you say that you wanted Guilin Restaurant to become famous in Shengjing? Didn't you want to make Vermilion Bird Avenue's Reading Red Brothel popular?"

How could they compete with only ten or so tables of customers every day?

The money they collected every day wouldn't even be enough to maintain the restaurant's expenses.

Seeing her shocked expression, Chu Lian suddenly giggled. She was like a cute snow-white fox who had been scheming for a long time.

"What a silly girl. Let me give you an example. If there's only one set of armor that can protect the entire body, then it's a peerless treasure. All the martial artists in the world will fight over it, even to the point of risking their lives for it. If there's ten sets of such armor, then it'll be considered a rare treasure. If there's ten thousand sets at once, then it'll be enough for everyone in the five cities' military office to have one set. Then, this armor will be finished. It'll be the trash that I usually talk about."

Xiyan wasn't stupid. With Chu Lian's reminder, she was instantly enlightened.

Actually, this was a very simple principle. Everyone knew that the rarer something was, the greater its value. That was why Hetian Jade was so hard to find. The easier it was to obtain something, the less it would be treasured.

Third Young Madam's secret recipes were the same.

As long as it had a good reputation and was so rare, it would definitely attract the attention of the nobles in Shengjing.

At that time, even if a table of banquets was priced at a hundred taels of silver, there would still be people rushing to pay for it.

The difference between a hundred banquets and a hundred taels of silver for a single banquet was like the difference between heaven and earth.

Chu Lian's eyes lit up as she looked at Xiyan. "You've thought it through?"

Xiyan's face was also full of joy. She looked at her mistress with eyes full of adoration. Her eyes were like those of a loyal puppy.

Chu Lian smiled.

This was what she had thought about when she decided to reopen Guilin Restaurant. In the Great Wu Dynasty, who was the easiest to earn money from? Of course, it was the nobles. She was the daughter-in-law of Count Jing 'an's estate, and now she was the ruler of Jinyi Village. Her starting point was already high, and she didn't have to worry about the nobles when running her business. Moreover, she felt at ease earning money from these nobles. These rich and powerful families were all overflowing with wealth. If she didn't take advantage of them, who else would she take advantage of?

If she had to go against her conscience and earn the hard-earned money of the commoners, she couldn't bring herself to do it!

Another day passed. Chu Lian packed up early in the morning and went to Qingyi Hall. Today, she was going to follow Matriarch He to Duke Zheng's estate.

They had just finished preparing and were about to get into the carriage in the front courtyard when a steward came to report that someone from Duke Zheng's estate had arrived.

Matriarch He hurriedly sent someone to bring the person from Duke Zheng's estate in for a chat.

The person who arrived was the head steward of Duke Zheng's estate. The moment he arrived, he threw himself in front of Matriarch He.

"Matriarch, please save our old duke, Jinyi Village Ruler!"