CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 113: WILL WE OFFEND THE CROWN PRINCE?

The Shopkeeper Pan craned his neck, hoping for customers, almost standing at the door himself to draw them in.

His place was drearily quiet, while the Mountain Moon Residence diagonally opposite was bustling with a long queue.

Alas, comparison can be daunting, whether of people or of goods.

Initially, when he learned that a restaurant was opening opposite, he scoffed at it.

The Mountain Moon Residence had previously operated as a restaurant, which was ultimately squeezed out by his Zuixiang Building.

The Mountain Moon Residence was being managed by some fool from out of town, opening right opposite his Zuixiang Building as if courting disaster.

In its first few days of opening, the Mountain Moon Residence was packed with guests, but Shopkeeper Pan remained unimpressed.

It’s normal for everyone to try something new when it first opens, but after a few days, they will lose interest.

Half a month later, the business at the Mountain Moon Residence was thriving, causing Shopkeeper Pan to grow impatient.

He intended to see what signature dishes the Mountain Moon Residence had, so he and his chefs ordered a large table of food there.

Spicy hotpot, Buddha Jumping Over the Wall, drunk ribs, pan-seared three treasures, oil-fried double crispy...

Whatever was expensive, they ordered it.

They ordered a large table of dishes and, on the waiter’s recommendation, ordered beer.

While eating, Shopkeeper Pan asked the chefs from Fragrant Full House whether they could make this dish.

Could they make that dish?

Could they brew this beer?

The chefs tasted and nodded simultaneously, indicating that it’s simple and they could make it.

Shopkeeper Pan and his chefs indulged in a luxurious feast, believing that as long as the chefs could replicate these dishes, the money was well spent.

However, when they returned to Zuixiang Building, the dishes made by those chefs just couldn’t replicate the Mountain Moon Residence’s taste.

It lacked the freshness of the other place’s tastes.

The chefs remarked that during the previous tasting, they were too rushed to savor all the ingredients thoroughly, requesting another try.

Even though it pained Shopkeeper Pan financially, he took the head chefs to the Mountain Moon Building again.

This time, Shopkeeper Pan learned his lesson, instructing the chefs to chew slowly and taste carefully.

Later, he deliberately inquired who the chef at Mountain Moon Building was, hoping to poach him.

What a surprise—it was Old Ma, whom he had dismissed years ago!

When did Old Ma’s skill become so exceptional?

Shopkeeper Pan immediately offered double the salary to poach the chef.

He had to bring Old Ma over; Old Ma was now a money-making talent.

Previously, Old Ma was the head chef at Zuixiang Building, and had trained five to six apprentices.

Teach an apprentice, and starve the master.

After the apprentices were trained, Shopkeeper Guan dismissed Old Ma, claiming he was too old and his taste was failing.

Due to the rumor that he had lost his sense of taste, Old Ma couldn’t find work at other restaurants and resorted to setting up a wonton stall in the marketplace.

Indeed, Old Ma was the grumpy old man with the big ladle who wanted to clobber Yu Xiaolian when she first sold her pastries.

Old Ma already bore grudges against Pan Jingui from past events and knew Pan Jingui used people only when needed.

Old Ma had finally got a well-paid job and would never allow himself to fall into the same trap again.

Old Ma’s opportunity at the Mountain Moon Residence was recommended by Granny Ge and Yu Xiaolian!

Granny Ge said even the best apprentice couldn’t match the authenticity of the master.

The poaching of the chef was no longer possible, while Shopkeeper Pan’s chefs couldn’t replicate Old Ma’s flavors, leaving Shopkeeper Pan regretting deeply.

There was no choice but to focus on the secret recipes.

Unwilling to trust anyone else, Shopkeeper Pan had a distant relative’s son work in the Mountain Moon Residence kitchen to steal techniques.

Just that Old Ma was now extremely cautious of his previous experience, guarding the recipe secrets carefully.

One night, Guan Xiaosong furtively brought a package to the shopkeeper for reward.

"Monosodium glutamate?" The shopkeeper pinched some and tasted it.

"Are you saying Old Ma’s dishes are delicious because he uses MSG in every dish?"

The MSG dissolved in his mouth, tasting sour and astringent.

Shopkeeper Pan frowned; could this stuff make food taste better?

Pan Xiaosong proudly said, "For two months, Master Ma kept this tightly controlled until today I got a chance..."

Although Pan Xiaosong confidently assured that MSG was the secret, Shopkeeper Pan was skeptical and decided to reward him only after testing it the next day.

And he advised Pan Xiaosong to be careful not to reveal his identity, continuing to infiltrate Mountain Moon Residence.

With the secret in hand, Shopkeeper Guan immediately had a few dishes prepared for testing.

Tasting them, the dishes with MSG were indeed more delicious and flavorful than those without.

Shopkeeper Pan was overjoyed, especially since several old customers were scheduled to discuss business at his restaurant.

Shopkeeper Pan served them dishes with MSG, hoping that if these influential figures in Yangcheng enjoyed Fragrant Full House’s food, his restaurant would soon regain its former glory.

Shopkeeper Pan was full of anticipation, and sure enough, the table of food received unanimous praise.

The shopkeeper was deeply impressed; MSG was truly marvelous as just a small addition transformed the taste completely.

Even those who can’t cook well will have good-tasting dishes with MSG.

Not knowing where the owner of Mountain Moon Residence obtained such a wonder.

...

Capital

Jun Mobai held a letter, his beautiful eyes growing increasingly cold as he read its contents.

Upon finishing, he crumpled the letter, a playful smile appearing on his lips.

He summoned his personal guard Fu Qing, "Yangcheng Pan Family—spare none!"

Fu Qing expressed concern, "Won’t we offend the Crown Prince?"

Was the Princely Heir going to clash with the Crown Prince?

Jun Mobai’s expression turned cold; if not for the Pan Family, Jun Tingye would never have had the chance to harm him.

Jun Mobai was boldly fearless, "What’s there to fear?"

If Jun Tingye comes seeking trouble, his little uncle would cover for him.

Seeing Jun Mobai’s resolve, Fu Qing refrained from further persuasion, accepting his orders and leaving.

The Pan Family dared to unite with the Crown Prince and stab the Princely Heir behind his back, facing their inevitable downfall today.

Who could blame them when their Princely Heir was cold-hearted and vengeful?

...

If one talks about the recent uproar in Yangcheng, it would definitely be the unfair competition between Mountain Moon Residence and Zuixiang Building.

Since the instance when Pan Xiaosong stole MSG, resulting in several of Pan Jingui’s old customers suffering from food poisoning, Pan Jingui never paid Pan Xiaosong as promised.

Pan Xiaosong, out of frustration for not receiving his reward, publicly exposed the dirty deeds Pan Jingui enlisted him to do.

Pan Jingui never expected his distant nephew to not only fail in helping him but also aid the opposition in turning the tables.

After Pan Xiaosong’s expose, Zuixiang Building’s reputation plummeted, leaving it desolate.

This round went to Zheng Yuanfeng!

Facing closure, Pan Jingui had no choice but to seek alternatives.

He called his brother Pan Jinrong seeking advice on reclaiming their ground.

Pan Jinrong spoke boastingly, promising to shut down Mountain Moon Residence within ten days.

Pan Jingui was profoundly aware of his brother’s capabilities, especially since recently his brother somehow connected with the Crown Prince’s confidant.

With his brother’s support, Pan Jingui felt the Mountain Moon Residence was insignificant.

Pan Jingui warmly hosted Pan Jinrong with fine drinks and food, and the brothers conversed about their mother, the elder Madam Pan.

Madam Pan’s illness was mysterious, her death sudden.

Since her passing, Pan Jinrong had been investigating the true cause of her illness.

It was later discovered that the Moonlight Jade Pendant he gifted her was problematic.