Chapter 9, I am not someone to be trifled with

Manager Wang trembled and quickly bowed, "My lord, this is a misunderstanding. It was this old woman who came to sell her unique ancestral secret recipe!"

She suddenly rushed towards me, and I hurriedly dodged aside. Two constables emerged from the side and restrained her. I could only see her shouting frantically: "You did it on purpose! You must have done it on purpose! You deliberately changed the entire formula; you know that Manager Wang gave me money, and you are taking revenge on me! Wuwuwuwuwu." Her mouth was stuffed with a cloth that came from who knows where.

However, unexpectedly, those who came to eat Jigong chicken all went to Qianfengju

Then he suddenly came to a realization, abruptly turning his gaze towards Manager Wang of Qianfeng Residence, and exclaimed sternly: "Manager Wang, is what Mother Xiu said true? It turns out that you at Qianfeng Residence actually bribed Mother Xiu to steal the secret recipe of Wei Guan!"

I am too lazy to argue with them, in three days, after three days, let us speak with our conscience

Good! Take Manager Wang down and bring Mother Xiu up

"This was given to me by Manager Wang when I sold him the secret recipe. I only took it out these past few days because my son is getting married," Mother Xiu explained anxiously

All is complete

"Secret recipes, how can they be casually revealed?" Indeed

Mother Xiu, who returned to the court, had calmed down significantly. She stared at me for a long while before kneeling before Yue Ren

I... I don't know! Mother has already panicked to death

Having calmed down a bit, I turned to the esteemed Yue Ren on the high platform and said, "Governor, may I request that Madam Xiu be allowed to rest quietly before speaking again"

I pretended not to hear the resentment in her voice, "Could you tell me what your family's secret recipe is?" Mother Xiu now hates me for retaliating against her, and she would certainly prefer to team up with Manager Wang, using that strange-flavored sauce chicken as her own secret recipe.

Three days later, someone brought a lawsuit against Qianfeng Residence, claiming that the strange-flavored sauce chicken they sold was toxic, causing people to become disoriented and delirious.

"Mother Xiu, you wouldn't be so unfilial, would you? I just discovered yesterday that my new formula is indeed problematic, containing a mixture of toxins. Consuming it once can cause great suffering, and only by consuming it again can one alleviate the pain. I have looked into the strange sauce chicken from Qianfengju, and it is similar to my new formula. Since your mother has eaten it, the only options left are to consume it a second or third time until weakened to death, or to die directly from the pain. How could you not be aware of such a significant matter?"

Damn! A group of heartless individuals

"Have you never been poisoned?" I asked softly

Have you certainly eaten already

Because I did it on purpose. "How would I know... ah. By the way, a few days ago, I had a sudden inspiration to research a new recipe for Ji Gong chicken sauce, so I modified the original recipe. Although the taste was the same, it just felt wrong, so I didn't dare to use it. I wanted to study it further, so I left all the ingredients in the preparation room. Could it be..." At this moment, silence speaks louder than words.

The two constables took Mother Xiu away.

"How could that be? It's a family recipe; how could you not have tried it? Besides, didn't you tell Manager Wang that the strange-flavored sauce chicken is delicious?" I seized the loophole and pressed on.

Xiu's mother remained silent for a while and then said: "Several months ago, I gave the secret recipe to Manager Wang at Qianfeng Residence. At that time, I did not say much, only informed Manager Wang of the ingredients, took the money, and left."

I thought to myself, finally it is my turn to appear at www.hetushu.com. With a slight smile, I bowed to Yue Ren and gently said, "May I ask a few questions, if you please?"

Ah? I appear to be completely bewildered...

She uses imperative sentences to express affirmation

Miss Ming, I know I have wronged you, but why is it that the same flavor from Qianfeng Residence is poisonous, while yours is... Mother Xiu is nearly 60 years old; a lifetime of farming has made her strong and robust, and her rough face is marked with intersecting tear stains.

After he finished reading, he seemed to lose his soul. He knew that if he admitted it, the reputation of Qianfeng Residence would be ruined. If he did not admit it... there was no opportunity to deny it.

When? What location? What did you say? Yue Ren followed the script that he and I had devised, reciting it verbatim

The crowd gathered at the entrance of the yamen erupted in a loud commotion. The testimonies of the two individuals differ in all aspects except for the location. Whose account should one believe?

"Mom, I can't believe you..." I pretended to be surprised, my face full of sadness and disappointment

The review of Xiuxiu's mother caused a sensation in Hangzhou, as it turned out she was a chef at Zhiweiguan. It was revealed that there was a traitor within Zhiweiguan. So why did the Ji Gong chicken from Zhiweiguan cause no issues after being consumed?

"Indeed, indeed," Mr. Wang nodded eagerly

Mother Xiu let out a cold laugh: "I remember."

Fans of Ji Gong Ji! Welcome back to the embrace of Zhiwei Guan

Yue Ren feigned a look of indecision and then asked me, "So, what opinions does Master Ming have?"

Mother Xiu suddenly realized that she had fallen into a trap, her face immediately turned pale, and she could only say: "She has long since passed away"

I stood with my hands on my hips, chuckling coldly, as I looked at the information on www.hetushu.com, sending chills down the spine of Brother Tian Shou.

At this moment, I make a dazzling entrance

I stood at the kitchen door, looking indignant, stealing glances at Aunt Xiu who was chopping vegetables. I could see her flustered, her eyes darting around...

Only the conclusion is left

Witness: Mother Xiu

Cut it! A group of ignorant ancients, unable to distinguish between before and after. If it is true, as Qianfeng Residence claims, that they knew how to do it months ago, then why would it fall to me to promote it several months later?

Please. The script requirements must be met

Yue Ren was also startled, nodding involuntarily, "Agreed"

According to information provided by the intelligence department of Tian Shou's young child, it turns out that Qianfeng Residence is a prestigious establishment, where one can gain face. Aside from some ordinary citizens who cannot afford to go there, the wealthy, who originally coveted our Jigong Chicken, would certainly disdain to associate with commoners in my small corner shop, thus they have naturally shifted their focus elsewhere

"I have never eaten it before." She almost revealed that she had eaten it, but most likely suddenly remembered that there was a problem with that secret recipe and had to deny it

Three days later, Qianfeng Residence will launch a new dish "Strange Flavor Sauce Chicken"

Moreover, even if that recipe is a coincidence, Madam Xiu, you have been busy these past few days preparing for your son's wedding, haven't you? I heard it is quite a grand affair. However, you clearly mentioned when you came to my shop half a month ago that your family had no money to find a bride for your son, which is why he has been working here at such an old age. From what I see, the scale of that wedding must be at least 30 taels. My shop has only been open for half a month and I haven't even paid wages yet, so where would you get 30 taels? That is quite a significant amount.

I paused, looking at Xiu's mother's face, which was pale to the point of being bluish.

However, the price is three times mine

How is your mother’s health? Oh, Mother Xiu, you are indeed getting old. Your mother is also a person; if she ingests poison, won’t it take effect?

Of course

I was indeed frightened, truly, otherwise I wouldn't have known where to find a piece of cloth to stuff in her mouth

My mother has eaten it, as she said

"It is..." The shopkeeper Wang was sweating profusely, his eyes spinning like a fan. "It was two months ago when she came to Qianfeng Residence to find me, saying something... I forgot. I only remember that it was roughly about her ancestral secret recipe, which seemed to be quite good."

Manager Wang was brought up, and Yue Ren did not ask him any questions; he simply showed him the record of the conversation I had with Mother Xiu that was just noted down by the secretary.

The crowd outside spoke in unison: "Oh, I see."

I walked gracefully in front of Mother Xiu and said: "Mother Xiu, I respect you as an elder, and I have treated you well, haven't I?"

I sneered, "Hmph, then why did you say you had no money at first? If you already had 30 taels when you came, that would make you wealthier than me. Why bother taking on dirty and tiring work? As far as I know, your spouse is still working in the fields, right? With his income, it should be enough for a stable life, and with an additional 30 taels in savings, you should have no worries about basic needs. You could have had a daughter-in-law two months ago. Moreover, how can a recipe of unknown taste sell for 30 taels? That is the living expense for an ordinary family for two years. Who are you trying to deceive?"

Physical evidence: Strange-flavored sauce chicken

"Is this true?" Yue Ren squinted, looking very dangerous

Hmph, at this moment, the conscience is condemned. Since one dares to act, one must be prepared to face the consequences!

The price difference is so significant, and the taste is said to be the same. How could they possibly attract customers? Moreover, the name is also unappealing. I still find it strange with names like "Weird and Books Are Me"! What a bizarre sauce chicken...

The spotlight is coming over here, over here! Prepare the microphone and sound system!

Fortunately, only the Ji Gong chicken was leaked; the other signature dishes remain irresistible. The strange-flavored sauce chicken from Qianfengju sells exceptionally well, leading others to even suspect that I stole Qianfengju's secret recipe.

It is said that the taste is exactly the same as my Jigong chicken, but in terms of price, they are quite impressive, claiming to have created a rare delicacy using carefully raised chickens and a sauce that has been refined for a month

The proprietor of Qianfeng Residence, unable to defend himself, finally implicated Mama Xiu, claiming that she provided the ancestral secret recipe to Qianfeng Residence, only to discover that it contained poison

If you do not speak, then I will not press you. Let me ask another question: since it is a family secret recipe, you must be quite familiar with it, right?

"Criminal Niu Axiu, when and where did you give the secret recipe to Manager Wang, and what did you say at that time?" Yue Ren struck the gavel, his voice stern and imposing.

There is only one possibility: half a month ago, when you came to our store, you indeed had no money. Later, someone gave you 30 taels, which made you anxious to arrange your son's wedding. As for why the secret recipe is worth 30 taels, it can only be understood if both parties already knew what the taste was like when the recipe was sold. Since that peculiar-flavored sauce chicken did not poison either of you, it must be that someone else has eaten it, and they had no adverse effects and actually liked the dish. Judging by the taste of that peculiar-flavored sauce chicken, my Jigong chicken has indeed served as a test for you. What I said is correct, isn't it?

The shopkeeper Wang gave me 3......

I see, "Mother Xiu" had a look of sudden realization, but then she froze, her eyes fixed on me intensely, "Miss Ming, you did this on purpose, didn't you"