The "live sauce" in the pot was still bubbling up and down. Li Ying calmly poured a ladle of sweet - and - sour sauce over the fish while it was still hot. When the hot fish met the "live sauce", it immediately let out a "crackling" sound.
The fish was covered with a crystal - clear sauce that looked like colored glaze. The sour and appetizing aroma of vinegar immediately rushed strongly into Lord Xu's nose.
This kind of intense aroma was called "a sharp and pungent smell".
The thick soups stewed from mountain delicacies and seafood might have a mellow taste, but if one tasted too much of them, it would inevitably make people feel greasy and lose their appetite.
However, upon smelling this alluring sweet - and - sour aroma, Lord Xu's eyes lit up, and his appetite unconsciously increased a bit.
The shiny sauce evenly coated every fish scale. When the sunlight shone on it, it sparkled, just like the scene described in the saying "the sun shines on the sinking scales, making them look like dots of gold".
Li Ying put down the spatula and bowed respectfully to Lord Xu.
"The net - leaping carp is cut with eighteen slashes, with its head held high, back arched and tail raised. Just as a carp leaps over the Dragon Gate and turns into a dragon, I, a common girl, present this net - leaping carp today to congratulate your honor on your promotion to the vice - minister of the Supreme Court. It's just a trifling skill. I hope your honor won't mind."
Although Lord Xu's expression remained unchanged, his white jade chopsticks had unconsciously reached out. He had thought that for such a big carp, it would be difficult to eat without using a dagger and it would be quite messy. However, he didn't expect that the fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. He could easily pick it into small pieces with just chopsticks.
The fish scales were extremely crispy and fragrant, with a sweet - and - sour taste in every bite. There was not the slightest bit of greasiness. Instead, it made people can't help but keep eating and couldn't stop.
When he had tasted the "Thousand Silk Wrapped Silver Needles" before, he had only taken a few sips. Seeing his satisfied look now, the shopkeeper of the Xianlou Restaurant immediately felt a pang of uneasiness in his heart.
By this time, it was really clear which was better and which was worse.
Li Ying bowed to the shopkeeper.
"Shopkeeper, I'm flattered."
Lord Xu had no more concerns. After chatting with the shopkeeper of the Xianlou Restaurant for a few more words, he didn't hesitate to go out with Li Ying. He even immediately decided that this net - leaping carp must be on the menu for his promotion banquet.
Li Ying agreed with a beaming smile. Lord Xu's face showed a bit of relief, but then he frowned.
"Your honor, do you still have some concerns? If it's related to the banquet, why don't you tell me a bit? Others' advice may be helpful. Although I'm not very talented, I might be able to relieve your worries."
Her modest and polite appearance pleased Lord Xu very much. After just a moment of hesitation, he slowly began to speak.
"Most of the guests at the promotion banquet are my colleagues in the court, except for my teaching mentor."
"After three rounds of drinking and five courses of dishes, when the guests are about to leave, I should always prepare some decent souvenirs to make the etiquette complete."
Li Ying nodded, and she vaguely guessed his concern in her heart.
Previously, she had heard Su Buchi say that the souvenirs for civil officials' banquets were mostly famous teas, while those for military generals were fine wines.
But Lord Xu came from a poor family and didn't have a rich family background. How could he afford any famous and precious tea?
She gave a charming smile and volunteered, "Lord Xu, if you trust me, how about leaving this matter to me to plan? It's not that I'm being over - confident. Even the great Confucian scholar of this era, Lord Yan Lianzhi, praised the seaside tea I made."
Hearing her mention Yan Lianzhi, although Lord Xu still had some doubts in his heart, he really had no other way out. He gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, "Okay! I'll follow your suggestion! But if this matter turns out badly, I'll hold you accountable!"
Li Ying readily agreed and smiled calmly.
She had been thinking about how to find an opportunity to smoothly introduce the Lu family's seaside tea into the vast market of the capital without being noticed. Now, Lord Xu's promotion banquet just solved her urgent problem.
After being in the capital for several days, she had found out clearly that most of the tea - business in the capital was specialized in supplying the noble families. There were all kinds of extremely precious and expensive teas.
However, for poor scholars and ordinary official families like Lord Xu, there were few choices when it came to drinking tea. If they encountered tea merchants who asked for sky - high prices, it would be even more embarrassing.
In her opinion, the tea market in the capital really needed to be rectified!
Li Ying was resting her chin in her hand, secretly thinking about countermeasures when Lu Xunguang came to look for her.
Her eyes lit up. She stood up to greet him and gently asked, "My dear Lu, what's the current situation of the Lu family's tea house in the capital?"
Lu Xunguang was stunned. He seemed not to have expected her to ask this question. He frowned slightly.
Seeing his expression, Li Ying guessed that the Lu's Tea House had probably been struggling to survive for many years.
"Dear Lu, I've just got a great opportunity. If handled properly, it's very likely to turn the tea house's losses into profits and make the seaside tea well - known in the capital! Could you take me to the tea house to have a look?"
Since she had asked, Lu Xunguang naturally had no objection. He nodded without hesitation.
The Lu's Tea House was deserted. Although the counter was spotless and well - organized, its desolate appearance still made Li Ying frown.
"A Ying, I once thought about turning this tea house into a milk - tea shop like the one in the fishing village?"
As soon as Lu Xunguang finished speaking, Li Ying shook her head without hesitation.
Milk tea was just a snack that girls liked. The female relatives in the capital had many rules, and most of the young ladies rarely went out. So a milk - tea shop would hardly achieve great success.
"Dear Lu, do you know any famous tea - making masters in the capital?"
Lu Xunguang pondered for a moment and then slowly shook his head.
"In the past, the Lu's Tea House was really prosperous for a while. But since my mother passed away, there has been a shortage of talents. And with Lian Ji's open and secret suppression, it's already very difficult for the tea house to maintain the current situation."
Li Ying had already had some mental preparations. Hearing his words, she wasn't surprised.
She then asked, "What about Lord Yan?"
Apart from loving good wine, this old gentleman was also extremely fond of tea.
He lived in seclusion, but he always had a continuous supply of fresh tea. He must have his own unknown tea merchants and tea - making masters.
Hearing her question, Lu Xunguang didn't hide anything. He generously took out a thin piece of letter paper from his bosom.
"To be honest, A Ying, I also thought of this. I've already written a letter to inquire."
Li Ying took the paper. It was in Yan Lianzhi's handwriting. There were just a few words, saying that there was indeed a highly - respected tea - making master in the capital. However, that person had a strange temper and it might be difficult to invite him out.
She raised her eyebrows - a strange temper?
Yan Lianzhi was a very difficult person to get along with. If he described someone as "strange", it was no wonder that Lu Xunguang had been back in the capital for several days but still had no way to deal with it.