"Grandma, I know how to use this chili pepper now!" exclaimed Cui Ling with an excited expression.

  The old lady was actually worried before.

  It's not that she's stingy with money, nor is it that Yuan Daren bought a whole boat of chili peppers for just a few coins. Even if he had really spent a lot of money on them, she wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

  The mansion of General Yuan's family was always extravagant in food, clothing and expenses, and didn't lack this little bit of money.

  She's just older now, even with a mountain of gold and silver in the treasury, she doesn't want to waste things carelessly.

  A whole boat!

  The light is used by the little daughter-in-law at home to cook dishes, and it's feared that even after several lifetimes, they won't be able to finish eating.

  But this pepper is a rare thing in Shengjing, and its flavor is so spicy that it's hard to find people who can eat it.

  Even if she wanted to give away what was left, no one would want it.

  At this moment, Cui Ying said there was a way, and Lao Taijun came with enthusiasm.

  She hastily asked, "What good idea does Xiao Wu's wife have? Tell me and let me hear?"

  Cui Ying didn't hesitate and first told Old Lady about her plan to open a spicy dish restaurant with Er Sao.

  She counted on her fingers and said, "I've inquired with Master Tang, the silver needed to open a wine shop in Shengjing City is exactly what I can afford."

  After hesitating for a moment, she whispered to the old lady's ear, "When I got married, apart from the private house given by my grandfather, my father also secretly stuffed a lot of silver in my dowry, saying it was for me to use at my side. There's so much!"

  She said, mysteriously holding up a certain number of fingers.

  The old lady thought this child had no conscience at all, although she was delighted, but also somewhat disapproved.

  Ordinary daughters-in-law who enter the family often hide their private money very carefully, afraid that others will find out.

  But she was fine, in front of so many wives and daughters in the house, she just showed off her own bottom.

  Although the maidservants in Tai'an Courtyard were all carefully selected by her, no one dared to leak out even a single word of what was said in this house.

  But Xiao Wu's daughter-in-law has a simple and honest nature, which is an advantage in front of her own family members. Once she goes out, it becomes too dangerous.

  The old lady helplessly waved away her hand that was gesturing numbers, "You have this kind of heart for your second aunt, grandmother is very happy."

  She paused slightly, "You want to open a restaurant specializing in spicy dishes, I won't stop you. It just so happens that our family has a large storefront at the corner of East Street's busy district, which was just returned to us the other day, and we can leave it for you to use. However..."

  Chui Rong blinked her eyes and stared at Old Lady.

  The old lady hesitated for a moment and said, "But this matter of opening a wine shop can't just be about you and your second aunt investing together."

  She smiled and said, "Little Wu's wife. You have four sisters-in-law! It's good that you're taking care of your second sister-in-law. But what if the others are left out? Aren't you afraid they'll be heartbroken?"

  Yining Junzhu is fine, Lian Shi is also okay, even Su Zihua, they are all wealthy.

  But sometimes, some things aren't just about money.

  Cui Ling nodded, "Still, grandmother thought it through, if there really was such a plan, naturally, the three aunts and four aunts couldn't be left out."

  "She said with a smile, 'In that case, won't we be able to get rid of half a boatload of hot peppers?'"

  The old lady smiled and asked, "What about the other half of the boat?"

  Chui Ling hastily said, "Isn't Empress Jiang collecting high-quality cotton-padded jackets and fur coats for the soldiers stationed in the northwest border?"

  She cracked her fingers, her expression very serious. "I was thinking that spicy dishes have the effect of warming the body and promoting blood circulation. Northwest is cold, if the soldiers can drink a bowl of hot and sour soup, they will immediately warm up."

  The old lady thought of that day when Xiao Lin and Du Niangniang were drooling over the spicy braised pork knuckles, but as soon as they took a bite, their faces turned bright red from the spiciness.

  Du Niangniang immediately retreated in dismay, but Xiao Ying was shouting loudly and couldn't stop.

  When they finished eating, Bai's small face was not only red and swollen, but also streaming with tears.

  It's said to be so spicy that it makes you sweat all over your body.

  The old lady thought about it and felt that this idea was quite good.

  Choi Yeong saw the old lady's face reveal a satisfied smile, and continued to say, "The long-distance journey from overseas, it should be dried chili peppers. This thing is convenient to carry, and can also be crushed into chili paste."

  "Come on, Grandma," she said with a wave of her hand. "When you're marching and fighting, sometimes it's not so particular. With chili sauce, even if you just eat it with dry flatbread, it still tastes good."

  The old lady thought it made sense and nodded with a smile, "This idea is not bad, I'll call your brother in later to discuss it further."

  She paused for a moment, "However, since we have to send the peppers to the northwest, let's focus on the soldiers' side first. What do you think, Little Five?"

  Things have their own pace and rhythm.

  The matter of opening a wine shop was put on hold compared to the difficulty of northwest soldiers keeping warm.

  Moreover, opening a spicy dish restaurant sounds simple, but it's actually not easy at all.

  Even if the house is ready, renovation will take time.

  Selecting a chef and creating a menu is not something that can be done overnight.

  Chui Ying naturally distinguished between what was important and what wasn't, and busily smiled as she said, "There's no rush with the wine shop business, we can take our time."

  Anyway, now I know that a certain foreign country outside the South China Sea produces this kind of chili pepper at a very cheap price. Just ask someone who runs a cargo ship to buy some, and it won't take long before another whole boatload can be brought back.

  This is a long-term thing and it's really not urgent at the moment.

  At dinner time, Cui Ying was in the kitchen watching Liu Shifu and Tang Shifu busy.

  Although Xiao Yin was once scalded by the spiciness, he became more and more fascinated with this strong flavor dish, and also joined in to add to the excitement.

  The kitchen was filled with the new batch of chili peppers brought by Yuan Daren, and Liu Shifu's knife began to move swiftly and decisively.

  Before long, a fragrant and pungent smell wafted out of the house.

  A small, chubby figure appeared at the kitchen door with a slight cough.

  "Brother Yu, stop right there! It's very spicy in here and it'll irritate your eyes. Go outside, Auntie Wu will be out soon."

  Who would have thought that Yuan Yu was shrinking his nose and rubbing his eyes, yet still stepped in with big strides.

  He coolly said, "A real man can't even take this small amount of spiciness, what great things can he accomplish in the future?"

  Cui Ling was speechless, but she knew that although Yu Ge'er looked young, he had big plans.

  Since she insisted on coming in to join the fun, it's impossible to drive her away.

  He was reluctantly pulled to the position by the window, where the air was relatively fresher.

  "Didn't we say we were going to make pepper salt pork feet? Why are you putting chili peppers in it?"

  Cui Ling smiled and said, "I asked Liu to make two versions, one with chili peppers for those who like spicy food, and another with a salty flavor without chili peppers for those who can't eat spicy food. This way, everyone's needs are met."

  She is now very attached to the people of the Yuan family.

  When it comes to her own family, she can't bear to neglect one for the sake of another.

  So I'll just make two portions, no matter what flavor, and cover all bases.

  Xiao Ge'er listened and felt warm in his heart.

  Before long, two pots of braised pig's feet were done. The aroma in the house was so enticing that it made people's mouths water at the smell of it.

  Xiao Yingzi was delighted. She kept exclaiming, "Wow, it smells so good! I'm drooling!"

  In the big kitchen, there is a kind of warmth that permeates everywhere, making people feel more and more delighted.

  On the second day, early in the morning, because they had to congratulate Empress Jiang on her birthday, the entire household of General Quanguo got up very early.

  The old lady and Mrs. Liang both had imperial orders on their bodies, and they all wore court dresses according to their ranks.

  Yining Princess is a golden branch and jade leaf, wearing the princess's dress color.

  Lian and Su Zi Hua, as well as Cui Ling, the three of them were not of noble birth. They all wore deep-colored, dignified clothing, and the pearl hairpins and ornaments on their heads were also chosen for their elegant yet unassuming grandeur.

  When they went out, Old Lady and Cui Ying sat in one car.

  Cui Ling was still a bit nervous, "Grandma, this is my first time entering the palace. I don't even know what it's like inside..."

  Although I discussed it with Su Zi yesterday and even Grandma agreed on her plan of pretending to be silly and cute.

  The grandmother even prepared all possible questions that Empress Dowager Cixi might ask and rehearsed them with her.

  But she was still nervous.

  The old lady patted Cui Ying's arm lightly, "Silly child, grandma knows you've always been clever, just adapt to the situation when the time comes, no need to be afraid."

  She smiled, "Although Empress Jiang is the mother of a nation and has great power, she also pays more attention to her own behavior because of this. Even considering that the sons of the Yuan family are still fighting for the country in the northwest, she won't make things difficult for you."

  Empress Jiang was a very formidable woman.

  At that time, she was just the daughter of a fifth-grade official in the Ministry of Works, but her intelligence and strategy had suppressed those noblewomen under her feet.

  She is good at attacking people's hearts and knows how to win people over.

  If it weren't for having such a virtuous wife, Your Majesty wouldn't have been able to ascend to the throne so smoothly.

  It was precisely because of this that Empress Jiang cherished her feathers even more.

  If she hadn't been extremely disgusted with her, how could she have easily made things difficult for the new daughter-in-law of Gongchen Liangjia?

  It's necessary to have a lenient heart towards others, but being overly tense is also not good.

  Cui Ying felt a bit more at ease with Old Lady's comfort.

  She thought for a moment and asked again, "Grandma, can we see Yue'er today?"

  Ever since she entered the mansion of General Town, she often heard people linking her with Yuan Yue'er.

  They say they look alike in some ways.

  They say their personalities are generally similar.

  The people below didn't mention it, but the old lady has already brought it up several times.

  Whether it's out of closeness to Yuan Jia's niece or curiosity about what kind of person Yuan Yue'er is.

  Choi Yeon really wants to meet her.

  But Yuan Yue'er was reading with Princess Changling.

  Even on her uncle Yuan Wulang's big wedding day, she was not allowed back into the palace.

  Dignified, like a royal hostage.

  Choi Yeong wanted to get to know and befriend this girl who was rumored to look just like her, but she didn't have the chance.

  Today is the birthday of Empress Jiang.

  Princess Changning, as a daughter, will certainly offer birthday greetings and pay her respects to Empress Jiang?

  So does that mean she can see Yue'er now?

  The old lady was also looking forward to it, but she didn't dare nod in confirmation.

  Ever since Xiao Wu's wedding, Yue'er hasn't been able to return home once. Who knows what excuse she'll come up with this time?

  If it weren't for Yuan Dalang taking a break during his shift change, he would have had the chance to see his own daughter.

  The old lady really suspected whether something had happened to her most beloved granddaughter.

  She thought so, and couldn't help but let out a deep sigh, "Let's just wait and see!"