As instructed by Li Ying, only a half - person - high low wall was left in the kitchen. A sheer and lustrous ramie summer cloth was used as a screen, vaguely revealing the figures behind.
She also specially commissioned Carpenter Li to make bamboo "venetian blinds". As long as the pole was pulled down, one could peek through the gaps between the two thin bamboo slats and watch the fiery stir - frying in the kitchen. Although it was not as transparent as modern glass, it showed great sincerity, leaving no hiding place for snakes, insects, rats and ants.
Tianxiang Tower had three floors in total. Li Ying boldly replaced all the tables and chairs with new ones, and also set aside a special stage for A Man.
This girl was naturally kind - hearted and loved to sing and dance. Not long after leaving the toothshop, she happily changed out of her Kunlun slave outfit and dressed up as a Hu girl. Since she enjoyed being on stage, it was just right to make the Hu Xuan Dance the exclusive performance of Li's Restaurant.
When Tao Zhi was in charge of Tianxiang Tower, the elegant rooms were simply divided into "Heaven, Earth, and Ren - character Rooms". Li Ying thought it was extremely vulgar. So she asked Carpenter Li to make some brand - new nameplates engraved with ci - poem titles like "Yu Jia Ao" and "Nian Nu Jiao". The decoration was also simplified to be elegant and decent.
After such a high - profile renovation and with Li Ying spreading the news in advance that the first fifty guests would receive a "Moon Fruit" each, many people were longing for the sweet taste of the coconut juice. On the opening day, the whole town emptied out.
Remembering that the big boss had praised the pufferfish, besides the common seafood stir - fries, the most special dish in Li's Restaurant was the daily limited - supply seafood banquet.
"Madam boss, what's so special about your six - way cooked green crab that it costs six qian of silver?" a scholar exclaimed in surprise as he looked at the menu with a faint sandalwood scent.
For just ten wen, one could have a satisfying meal at Deji Hall. This six - way cooked green crab cost as much as his monthly allowance!
He was just a poor scholar. He originally wanted to take advantage of the "Moon Fruit", but now he looked embarrassed, not knowing whether to stay or leave.
Li Ying noticed his poverty, but there was not a trace of contempt or impatience on her face. She just smiled and said, "Sir, you may not know that our green crabs are served on your table just half an hour after they are caught. They are extremely fresh and sweet. Moreover, each crab weighs two jin. There are also other snacks in our set meal. For a gentle young gentleman like you, two people can share one serving!"
The scholar exchanged a look with his classmate behind him, and they both began to calculate silently.
Li Ying continued, "Today is our grand - opening promotion. For all guests who order the seafood feast, we will offer an extra serving of pufferfish fin wine, which you can't taste anywhere else. But pufferfish are rare and the quantity is limited. First come, first served. You two gentlemen can take your time to consider. Call me when you've made up your minds."
She didn't rush them and spoke softly. The two scholars felt as if they were bathed in the spring breeze. Summoning up their courage, they called her back and said, "Okay! Then give us one serving!"
Li Ying readily agreed. Soon, she served four side dishes, a pot of green tea, and a big, claw - waving green crab.
"Sir, this is the crab we'll be having today. These cold - dressed seaweed, cold - dressed scallop edges, stone flower jelly, and hot - marinated small squids are all complimentary side dishes. Please enjoy them."
The tea was fragrant. The four side dishes were dotted with white sesame seeds and bright chili rings, looking fresh and appetizing. The two scholars' originally anxious hearts instantly calmed down.
Two tender middle crab legs were shelled. The meat was as white as jade. When eaten raw, it melted in the mouth, fresh and sweet without a hint of fishy smell. It was very refreshing and appetizing.
The middle and back crab legs were coated with batter and deep - fried twice. Half of them were directly sprinkled with sea salt and vinegar to be eaten as "tempura".
The other half were served with pickled ginger shreds, salted plums, and vinegar rice, wrapped in a layer of crispy seaweed brushed with sesame oil. The top was decorated with finely shredded scallions and a small spoonful of yellow crab roe. The crab - leg sushi had a rich taste. The pleasure of feasting on the deep - fried crab - leg meat made people even more eager for the next dishes.
The crab body only needed to be cut into four pieces and salt - roasted to taste the ultimate freshness. Paired with the delicate small silver forks customized by Li Ying, every bit of crab meat could be perfectly picked out. It was very suitable for these refined scholars who disliked rudeness.
The crab shell was filled with rich crab paste. Slightly seasoned with salty sauce and mixed with a little bit of cream cheese and butter, it was baked until it was fragrant. When served, the whole restaurant was filled with an irresistible aroma. Scooping up a spoonful, the cream cheese pulled out fine threads. Taking a bite, one would feel as if falling into a charming paradise.
The final highlight was the crab - claw hot pot. Chicken, tofu, and various mushrooms were neatly arranged in the pot and simmered in a seafood broth. The combination of mountain delicacies and sea flavors was simply wonderful.
After the diners finished the food in the pot, a bowl of white rice was poured into the broth that had been simmered to perfection. It was then cooked over low heat into a warm savory porridge. A raw egg was cracked into it, and scallions and seaweed shreds were added. After drinking a bowl, one would feel extremely comfortable all over.
The two scholars ate to their hearts' content. After finishing the last sip of the fin wine, they looked at each other, both with satisfied looks in their eyes.
Li Ying then served two small green bamboo bowls with four tender coconut milk cubes trembling inside, sprinkled with a thin layer of coconut shreds as complimentary desserts.
Such a wonderful meal only cost six qian of silver?
Seeing this, many diners who had been hesitating couldn't hold back any longer. They called out one after another, "Madam boss, give me one serving too!"
Li Ying smiled apologetically and bowed to them one by one. But her tone was neither overbearing nor humble as she said, "I'm sorry. The green crabs are sold out today. We also have oyster and chicken hot pot, perch and scallop hot pot..."
Before she could finish her introduction, the impatient diners waved their hands carelessly as if afraid of being out - raced by others, "Any kind will do! Madam boss, just arrange it for us!"
Li Ying smiled and agreed, then went to prepare.
A Man had danced to her heart's content. After bowing, she retreated to the kitchen to assist Li Ying.
This girl was truly a "dance fanatic", really living up to the saying "one minute on stage requires ten years of hard work off - stage". She practiced dancing secretly every day and had countless bruises on her body.
Li Ying felt sorry for her and gave her a vacation, only instructing her to go to Deji Hall to pick up some medicine for Lu Xunguang.
Du Zhong was fully focused on the Nine - Dynasty Tribute Glue, so most of the trivial matters in the shop were left to Shi Hu to handle.
A Man had been there twice, so Shi Hu recognized this charming Hu girl. Seeing her from afar, he walked up with two packs of herbal medicine, smiling all over his face.
"I guessed you'd come, Miss A Man. Brother Lu's medicine has been prepared early! I heard that Madam Li's restaurant opened today and you danced the Hu Xuan Dance again, which made those literati compete to write poems in praise. Congratulations! It's a pity that I have to guard the shop and have no chance to see it..."
A Man took the medicine from him. Shi Hu blushed a little and then reminded her, "Miss A Man, the bruise - healing wine in town is out of stock. I specially saved these two bottles for you. I thought that since you practice dancing every day, your body must be sore. Applying some bruise - healing wine can relieve the pain a little."
A Man took the medicine and thanked him. Then she wondered, "What's wrong with your Deji Hall? The burn ointment is out of stock and now the bruise - healing wine is out of stock too. Can your shop still last long?"
She was just straightforward and asked casually, but Shi Hu blushed even more. He said helplessly, "Miss A Man, you may not know that the several music workshops in town have bought up all the bruise - healing wine from every shop in the past few days. They must be trying to imitate you and dance the Hu Xuan Dance to attract customers. Miss, go back quickly and inform Madam Li to make early arrangements!"
A Man was immediately worried. She quickly picked up the medicine bags and ran. After running a few steps, she seemed to remember something. She turned back and shouted at Shi Hu, "Thank you! You're so kind!"
Shi Hu watched her figure disappear into the distance. Then he touched his ear tips and smiled shyly.