Chapter 5 — Hoa Ky in the middle of Hoe Hoa Alley

“Small bowls are not beautiful.” I almost used the apron to cover her head. She took out a piece of paper from her sleeve. "My family is holding a birthday party and need to prepare small wontons for six hundred people. Will you accept it?" Six hundred bowls. Equal to the store's revenue over a long period of time. I didn't immediately agree. “When is it needed?” “Five days later.” "The deposit is three parts. If the price of meat increases, it will be charged separately. Raw wontons, soup pots and charcoal must all be transported by car. If the shell is crushed on the road, it is not our responsibility." The corner of the mother's mouth moved slightly, as if she wanted to smile. The old lady placed a silver bar on the table. “You are not greedy.” "If you're greedy, you also have to have the courage to swallow it. Six hundred bowls is enough to make me choke." When she stood up, Tue Ninh reached out and grabbed the jade pendant at her waist. The mother's face immediately changed. “Let go!” The old lady bowed her head again, looked at Tue Ninh's face, and suddenly asked: "Has this child ever worn a long-life lock with a crane-cloud pattern before?" 12 I immediately hugged Tue Ninh. "Every family's children have never worn one." The old lady did not ask any more questions, just said that the birthday party was important and then turned and left. Co Y Nuong stared out the door again. “That old lady is not an ordinary person.” "I know. Normal people wouldn't say a small bowl isn't beautiful." “Her mother performed the ceremony according to palace regulations.” The dough in my hand fell onto the cutting board. When she was young, Co Y Nuong used to follow Lord Luc to attend the palace banquet, and she would not be mistaken. She told me to refuse the birthday party. "The Lu family case has not been reopened. The less you see noble people, the better." I can't bear to give up the three-part deposit, and I can't bear to give up this business path. "If people really wanted to investigate, they would have seen the sign. Now returning it is like being startled." We accept applications. In time for the celebration of life, the fire in the store almost never went out. Duong Am rolled the shells, Co Y Nuong mixed the filling, I looked after the soup pot, and Uncle Dang scolded while chopping firewood. Even Tue Ninh was busy, sitting in the basket in charge without causing any more trouble. On the day of the party, there was only one car to pick up the goods. Bamboo baskets, soup pots and charcoal filled the yard, a car basically couldn't carry it all. The driver said the other car broke down in the middle of the road, and told us to figure it out ourselves. I was so angry that I wanted to scold someone, but I didn't have time to scold him. Uncle Dang ran straight to the back door of the fabric store and pulled Mr. Tuong who was unloading the goods. After hearing this, Old Tuong continuously shook his head. "My car is used to transport fabric. If it gets stuck in soup, the owner will deduct the money." “Deduct how much?” “Two taels.” “I will compensate you a certain amount, in the future you will come and eat wontons for free.” “One year?” “Three months.” “Half a year.” "Four months. Any more and you'll destroy my store." He gritted his teeth and agreed. When we arrived at Bui Palace's side door, guests had already entered the party. The manager criticized the cart as being dirty and did not allow it to enter. I opened the lid of the soup pot, scooped out a bowl and gave it to him. "You eat first. The cold soup will be charged to me, if you miss the banquet, the bill will be charged to you." He glared at me but still got out of the way. We borrowed the kitchen at Bui Palace to cook on site. When the last tray was brought up with wontons, the front room was just in time to start the party. Back at the store, I was so tired that I lay down on the table and fell asleep. When she woke up, the old lady was sitting at the table, with four servants behind her. She pushed a Bui palace card in front of me. “Let's get acquainted again.” “My name is Bui.” 13 Old Lady Bui was the widow of the reigning Imperial Viceroy, and also the maternal aunt of the King of Qi. After listening, I just wanted to swallow back the words I had spoken against her a few days ago. She asked again: "Why don't you chase me away?" “No one is blocking the door today.” The mouth is faster than the head, there is no help. Mrs. Bui burst out laughing. She did not ask the identities of Co Y Nuong and Duong Am. She only said that the wontons at the party were very popular with the guests, and Bui Phu would come to pick up a batch some time later. Co Y Nuong stood up and bowed. “Dear old lady, the people don't dare to accept it.” "I buy food, not gold. Is there anything you wouldn't dare to accept?" She spoke neither fast nor slow, but every sentence blocked everyone else's way out. Before leaving, she called me

next to the car. “That child's name is Luc?” My palms were immediately sweaty. "Right." “You also dare to admit it.” “The person who asked must have investigated clearly.” Old lady Bui looked at me for a long time. "In the Luc family case, what was missing was not only a child but also a food transportation book. Some people said the book was burned by Mrs. Luc, and some said it was in the eternal life key of his third lady." That scroll was indeed related to the food case. I neither admit nor deny. “I only know how to wrap wontons.” "Very good." Mrs. Bui looked at Duong Am behind the counter. She recognized the eldest lady of the Luc family but did not expose her, only asked her if she had done well. Duong Am replied: "Before, I only knew how to look at the estate's total account. Now I don't dare miss a single penny." "Why?" "In the past, what was missed was just a number on paper. Now if you miss a penny, tomorrow there will be a handful less."