Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 317: Braised Fish Porridge, Not Available

Li Shimin smiled and patted Princess Jiujiang's hand, saying, "Sister, you should take a good rest. When I leave the court, we can have dinner together and listen to your stories about the latest happenings outside the palace."

After saying this, he straightened his robes and walked towards the court with a group of attendants, taking steady steps.

Princess Jiujiang and Zhishisili stood there, watching Li Shimin's retreating figure. Princess Jiujiang sighed softly, "My royal brother worries about the many affairs of the Tang Dynasty every day. I just hope he can take care of his own health more."

Zhishisili echoed, "The princess is right. Your Majesty cares deeply about the world and is wholeheartedly committed to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. This is truly admirable. While we are in this palace, we will do our best to make Your Majesty feel more at ease and relaxed."

Princess Jiujiang nodded slightly and said, "Well, let's go back to our quarters and rest. When the emperor comes back from court, we can't let him see us looking so tired. We have to stay with him in high spirits."

Having said that, he walked towards his palace with Zhishisili, thinking as he walked how to make his royal brother spend this rare time together happily.

Yuyu tugged at Xiaoyu's clothes, her eyes sparkling as she said with anticipation, "Mom, when we were stewing the cured duck porridge yesterday, you said you'd make cured fish porridge today. I've been thinking about it all night, and now I'm craving it so much."

Xiaoyu smiled and gently tapped Yuyu's nose, saying, "You little greedy cat, I haven't forgotten. But, to make this cured fish taste good, you need to put in some effort. You have to pair it with some fresh vegetables and cook it well. Only then will the cured fish porridge taste fresh and rich."

Li Hao, who was listening at the side, also became interested and came over to say, "Mom, what dishes are you planning to serve with it? I'm curious what this cured fish porridge will taste like. I have a feeling it will be very delicious."

As Xiaoyu walked towards the kitchen, she said, "I've been thinking about adding some tender cabbage stalks, some fresh and fragrant mushrooms, and those refreshing bamboo shoots, and cooking them together with the cured fish into the porridge. Let those flavors blend and penetrate each other. Wow, that taste, just thinking about it makes me drool."

Yuyu listened, and it seemed as if she could already taste the cured fish porridge in her mouth. She kept swallowing her saliva and urged, "Mom, then hurry up, I can't wait to try it."

Xiaoyu smiled and replied, "Okay, okay, I'll make it for you right away. You guys, just wait and enjoy this delicious cured fish porridge."

As he spoke, he went into the kitchen and started to get busy. Soon, the sounds of preparing ingredients could be heard from the kitchen. Yu Yu and Li Hao stood outside the kitchen, happily waiting for the cured fish porridge to be served.

Yu Yu was skipping to the front and saw several regular customers had arrived and were walking into the store. When she looked up again, hey, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao were there too.

Yuyu immediately put on a bright smile and greeted them warmly, "Brother Cheng, Brother Qin, you've come really early today. Please come in. My mother is preparing to make cured fish porridge today. It tastes so delicious. You're in for a treat."

Cheng Chumo laughed heartily, strode in, and jokingly said, "Oh, now that you mention it, I must try it. Your mother's cooking skills are unmatched. Every time she comes here, she can taste something different and delicious."

Qin Huaidao also agreed with a smile: "That's right, I've been thinking about the food here all the way here. That cured fish porridge sounds tempting. Please don't keep us waiting too long."

Li Hao also hurried over and said with a smile, "My dear brothers, please sit down and have a rest for a while and drink some tea. My mother is already busy in the kitchen and will be ready soon."

Everyone found a place to sit down, drinking tea and chatting excitedly. The whole Zuixianlou was filled with a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Yuyu spread her hands and said apologetically, "Dear guests, the cured duck porridge and cured fish porridge are not on sale today, so I'm afraid you won't be able to eat them. I'm really sorry. But, Brother Cheng and Brother Qin, you are so familiar with our family and help me every day. My mother said that I can serve you two bowls just to try them."

Cheng Chumo was immediately amused when he heard this. He said with a smile, "Haha, Yuyu, you are really nice. Then we won't be polite. We are waiting to taste what this cured fish porridge tastes like. Just hearing about it makes me hungry."

Qin Huaidao also smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right, thank you, Yuyu. Every time I come here, I can always feel your hospitality. This treatment is really unique. We are looking forward to this delicious dish coming out of the pot."

The other diners, though a little disappointed, joked, "It seems this familiar person is different. We can only watch and wait for the next chance to try the cured duck and cured fish porridge."

Yuyu smiled and replied, "Don't be disappointed, my dear guests. We have many other delicious foods here. You can try them later. I guarantee you will be satisfied."

After saying that, Yu Yu jumped and ran to the kitchen to check the progress, muttering that he couldn't let Brother Cheng and Brother Qin wait too long. The store was still bustling with activity, and everyone was chatting while waiting for the cured fish porridge to come out of the pot.

Xiaoyu was busy in the kitchen fiddling with the ingredients for salted fish porridge. When she heard Yuyu's voice, she poked her head out and asked, "Are Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao here?"

Yuyu nodded repeatedly and replied, "I'm here, Mom. Just now, those diners said they wanted to try the cured fish porridge. I told them that it's not available today, and they were so disappointed. But Brother Cheng and Brother Qin are familiar with us, so I said I could serve them two bowls to try."

Xiaoyu listened, smiled and said, "We didn't make much of this cured fish porridge originally, but originally wanted our family to have a taste of it. Now that Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao are here, it wouldn't hurt to let them have a taste. They are old acquaintances who come here often and they usually help us a lot."

Yuyu said with a smile: "Yes, mother, I thought so too. Brother Cheng and the others must have been looking forward to this cured fish porridge for a long time. I guess they are already craving it."

Xiaoyu turned around and got busy again, saying as she worked, "Then go tell them to wait a little longer. The porridge will be ready soon. We can't keep them waiting anxiously."

Yuyu responded and skipped back to the front, shouting to Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, "Brother Cheng, Brother Qin, my mother told you to wait a little longer. The cured fish porridge will be ready soon, and you can have a taste of it right away."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao smiled and agreed after hearing this, their faces full of anticipation. The other diners watched from the side. Although they couldn't eat, they found the lively atmosphere quite interesting.