Chapter 4 — Female Cultivator and Marquis of the Palace

I, on behalf of the Marquis, built a reputation for food, earning honor and glory. But no one saw. No one remembers either. Glory belongs to them. As for the chaos, trivial matters, and bad reputation, it's all on me. The lady saw that I was silent for a long time, only thinking that I was unwilling and jealous. Her voice carried some grace and comfort:

"A Lien, you work steadily and carefully. Taking good care of your daily meals is your duty."

“The banquet needs to be glorious, so it should be left to a more excellent person to take care of.”

"You can work in peace. I won't mistreat you."

Or give a sentence "don't mistreat". I lowered my eyes, hiding the last bit of emotion. Only half a month left. Half a month later, everything will completely stop. I bowed slightly, my voice calm, without any ripples:

“I understand.”

06

After deciding to leave, that night when I returned to my room, I started packing my things. In the Marquis Palace for ten years, the things that could be taken away were pitifully few. Only a few sets of clothes and scraps of silver I had accumulated. I no longer waste my time researching my masters' tastes, I just do my duty, not letting anyone find any mistakes. The maid of the three rooms came to ask me:

"A Lien, young master is tired of eating sweet soup. Do you have any other sweet, refreshing and clean dishes?"

We read out a series of common breakfast names, then say:

"If you like any dish, young master, I will make it."

"You know very well that I want to ask for improved dishes. How can the third lady allow the young master to eat those ordinary dishes?"

I shook my head:

“Then no.”

She sighed, wanted to say it again, and finally left without saying anything. While I was out shopping, I started asking about suitable stores in the city. I thought it over long ago. One day when I leave the palace, I will definitely open my own restaurant, so that A Lien's reputation will spread throughout the capital. But the capital has an inch of land and an inch of gold, and shops in good locations have sky-high prices. We considered it for a long time and still couldn't decide. I went back to the factory, intending to ask more about the price of the store on West Street. As soon as I reached the beginning of the alley, I was stopped by a blue-shirted maid. Her attitude was extremely respectful.

"Miss Ah Lien, my master has admired your cooking skills for a long time. I wonder if you can step away and talk?"

I was a bit surprised. I am just a small chef in the Marquis Palace, yet I am known by noble people outside the Palace. I followed the maid into a deserted tea shop. Behind the beaded curtain is a young lady, her whole body exuding nobility. Only then did I know that she was the eldest lady of the Prime Minister's family. I vaguely guessed her purpose, the fingers hidden under her sleeve tightened until they turned white.

“Last year at the banquet of the old Marquis's wife, I tasted the food you made.”

She gets straight to the point.

"Are you interested in coming to my place? Ten taels of silver every month."

Ten taels! The lady in the palace's monthly spending money is only five taels. But we don't lose our reason because of that. Not for any other reason, just because we don't want to continue selling ourselves to others to become buffalos and horses. Seeing me silent for a long time, she asked:

“Are you a little critical?”

I don't dare to directly refuse, just ask:

“You want to hire me to come to the palace as a chef?”

She laughed:

“People in the government What does what we eat and drink have to do with us?”

“I want to open the biggest and best restaurant in the capital. You come to be the chef."

My whole body shook. In that moment, the lady's eyes lit up like fire. She continued to say:

“I have investigated. Ten years ago, you entered the Marquis Palace and signed a contract to work, and now it's about to expire."

I shook my head:

"Sorry miss, I want to open the shop myself."

The lady was not angry, on the contrary, she showed a smile as expected.

“So what about cooperation?”

“I put in the money, you put in the effort. Everything in the kitchen is your sole responsibility, I absolutely do not interfere. My profit is six, your profit is four."

I admit, I am moved. I don't have enough money to rent a store, and I don't understand anything about management. Miss is truly a suitable collaborator. She continued to give conditions:

“After five years, as long as you train me someone who can take over the kitchen, if you want to leave, I absolutely will not stop you.”

I was stunned. The young lady and the people in the Marquis Palace are very different. The Marquis always uses kindness to bind me, forcing me to constantly contribute, like a bottomless abyss. And the young lady frankly put the exchange of benefits on the table. Neither side owes anything to the other.

“Okay, I agree.”

This time, I no longer hesitate.

07

Finally, I was able to endure it until the day before leaving the government. In the afternoon, the manager called me to the table, his tone was as natural as if the matter had been decided in advance.

“Your employment contract, signed for another ten years.”

After speaking, he already took out the new contract and pen, just waiting for me to point it out. I pushed the contract back and politely said:

“I won't sign this contract anymore. Tomorrow I will leave the palace.”

“What?”

The leisurely expression on his face immediately shattered.