Now, let's talk about Lei Biao. As soon as he came, he occupied a spacious stove but wasn't in a hurry to start.
He watched Qi Jiao finish most of the steps before he started to act like he knew what he was doing.
Lei Biao looked solemn. His movements seemed well - trained. He was extremely pious even when picking up a single pea.
If someone didn't know the inside story, they would easily be deceived by his serious appearance.
Lei Biao's method was basically the same as Qi Jiao's, except that he used more and stronger spices for seasoning.
Before long, both of their eight - treasure ducks were ready.
At a glance from Mama Wan, a young maid quickly brought two sets of different bowls and plates to serve the ducks.
Qi Jiao's eight - treasure duck was served on a jade - green lotus - leaf - shaped plate.
Lei Biao's was on a white - jade sunflower - shaped one.
The two dishes were presented to the courtyard of the old lady. The first and second mistresses and a group of people also rushed over.
Miss Shu Qingnian, the second daughter, lifted the curtain and entered the room. She found the old lady's room quite bustling.
Besides them, even the wives of the third and fourth branches had come. There were a bunch of beautiful women sitting or standing around the old lady. The air was filled with the fragrance of clothes and hair, and there was continuous laughter.
Mama Wan directed the maids to bring up the two eight - treasure ducks.
The old lady said with a smile, "Quickly lift the lids. I'm going to taste what's so wonderful about these eight - treasure ducks."
All the female relatives responded with smiles, "Please taste them quickly, old lady."
A smart maid beside them picked up some of the sticky - rice eight - treasure duck with silver chopsticks and presented it to the old lady.
The old lady chewed slowly. She first tasted the one on the white - jade sunflower plate and a faint smile appeared on her face.
Then she tasted the one on the green - jade lotus - leaf plate. Her eyes lit up, and then she took one bite after another. She enjoyed it more and more and couldn't stop.
Everyone watching felt hungry, and even Mrs. Zhu couldn't help swallowing her saliva.
The old lady smiled and asked the maid to distribute the duck to everyone.
There were only the sound of cups, plates, and chopsticks. There were quite a few mistresses, maids, and servants in the room, but each person could only get one or two mouthfuls of the two ducks.
The small amount made it easier to taste the difference between the two ducks.
When the ducks were brought in, no one had said in advance whose they were. In this way, the evaluations would be the most authentic.
Mrs. Fu put the silver chopsticks on the small white - porcelain plate and said with a smile, "I think the second duck tastes better. The skin is crispy, the meat is tender, and the original flavor stands out."
She pointed at the first duck with a somewhat disappointed look on her face. "Although this one has a strong flavor, it tastes full of sauce and spices in the mouth, and there's a bitter aftertaste. The freshness of the duck meat can't be tasted."
The old lady nodded. "I think so too."
After tasting, Mrs. Zhu also thought the second duck was more delicious. But she was frustrated because she didn't know who made it, so she tightly grasped her handkerchief.
In the end, everyone pointed at the one on the green - jade lotus - leaf plate and said it was good.
The old lady asked Mama Wan, "Tell me. Is this the one that Xiao'er often talks about, made by Jiao Niang?"
Xiao'er, Shu Qingnian, was just swallowing a mouthful of sticky rice. Hearing this, she blushed and smiled shyly, looking expectantly at Mama Wan.
Mama Wan said with a smile, "It's really strange. No one said whose it was when it was brought in. How did you know, old lady?"
The old lady calmly twirled the emerald bead string on her hand. The shiny green beads made her fair skin look even more radiant.
She said with a smile, "Although I'm old, my mind is still sharp. I've long heard that Jiao Niang is an extraordinary cook. And generally, women are more careful than men. She only put a very small amount of yellow wine in the eight - treasure duck. It won't make you drunk when you eat it."
"As for the other one, it's far inferior." The smell of alcohol became stronger when heated and could be smelled from afar.
The old lady was a clean - loving person and never liked to eat food that would leave a strong smell on her body after one bite.
Mama Wan said, "Sure enough, nothing can be hidden from you. The second one was indeed made by Jiao Niang."
At this point, the result of the competition between the two was clear.
Even though Mrs. Zhu was usually sharp - tongued, she didn't dare to oppose the old lady's words at this time. Moreover, she herself thought Jiao Niang's dish was better. She just hated Lei Biao to the core. If she had known the result, even if Lei Biao had given her a hundred taels of silver, she wouldn't have recommended him.
But Mrs. Zhu was still dissatisfied. She couldn't help but say, "The eight - treasure duck is indeed well - made. But I wonder if she can cook other hard dishes and if she is qualified to be the head chef. We don't want any problems at a critical moment."
Cai Zhi rolled her eyes in her heart. Just with the duck, Jiao Niang had outshined Lei Biao. How could other dishes be difficult for her?
So she replied crisply, "If the second mistress has doubts, why not call Jiao Niang here and ask her in detail?"
The old lady also became interested. "Call her here. I'd like to take a look."
On the other side, as soon as the masters left the large kitchen, everyone showed their true colors.
Lei Biao no longer tried to hide his feelings. He openly sneered at Qi Jiao. "So what if I copied yours? How old are you? Your mediocre skills can't compare with my more than twenty years of experience."
Qi Laoliu and the others also became arrogant, sneering and waiting for someone from the old lady's side to rebuke Qi Jiao.
Qi Jiao just sneered and pulled Aunt Mei into the cubicle.
She felt nauseous just looking at these men.
It was still Mama Wan who came to invite Qi Jiao. Lei Biao and the others heard someone outside the cubicle say, "Miss Jiao Niang, the old lady requests your presence."
Then there were the sounds of footsteps going out and the rustling of clothes. After that, there was no more sound.
Qi Laoliu rushed out in a hurry. He grabbed a young maid who was walking at the back and anxiously asked, "What's going on? Why did the old lady call Jiao Niang?"
The young maid shook off Qi Laoliu's hand and said impatiently, "Of course it's to reward her for her merits. The old lady approved of Jiao Niang's dish."
Then she walked away without looking back.
The faces of Qi Laoliu and Lei Biao behind him changed.
If Jiao Niang was to be rewarded for her merits, what about Lei Biao?
Qi Jiao followed Mama Wan into the main room. The maid who lifted the curtain gave her a gentle smile and invited her in.
As soon as she entered the room, Qi Jiao felt the warm and charming atmosphere. There were so many beautiful women that she couldn't take it all in.
Qi Jiao walked around the carved screen. The old lady, who was reclining on the couch, sat up a little straighter.
Qi Jiao hadn't received any special etiquette training. She just instinctively lowered her eyes and bowed gracefully to the old lady in front of her. Her voice was clear. "May you be well, old lady."
Among all these people, only Shu Qingnian was the most familiar with Qi Jiao. She introduced Qi Jiao to the old lady. "Grandma, this is Sister Jiao Niang. She's amazing!"
Qi Jiao's behavior was elegant and proper, without any trace of vulgarity.
The old lady loved beautiful things. Seeing Qi Jiao, she felt refreshed and couldn't help showing her appreciation.
She waved Shu Qingnian over. "Xiao'er, I remember the floral lotion you gave me was made by her, right?"
Shu Qingnian came to her and nodded. "It was all made by Jiao Niang. She's not only dexterous but also very smart."
The old lady remembered the joy when she opened the gift box this morning. She smiled at Qi Jiao. "Thank you for your ingenious thought."
Then she stroked Shu Qingnian's hair and praised, "My Xiao'er is also a filial girl. I like the floral lotion very much. It's fragrant and refreshing."
Qi Jiao smiled. "It's nothing. It's Miss Second's filial piety to you that is truly praiseworthy."
Mrs. Fu was happy to see that the old lady finally valued her daughter, Xiao'er. There were smile lines at the corners of her eyes.
In the past, it was always the fourth daughter, born to Zhu Lian'er, who could accompany the old lady and please her. That girl was just good at talking and never showed any filial piety. But somehow she managed to please the old lady.
She glanced at Mrs. Zhu. Mrs. Zhu looked ugly but had to follow the old lady's words and praise Xiao'er. It was really satisfying.