Chapter 147: The Roast Duck Shop Opens
With Zui Xian Tower’s help in promotion, news of the roast duck shop beside it—Yunwu Roast Duck—had already spread across every street and alley of Yunwu Town. Even people from neighboring towns had heard that a roast duck restaurant was about to open in Yunwu.
As for what exactly roast duck was, those who were lucky enough to snatch a tasting spot at Zui Xian Tower claimed it was a divine delicacy, a duck dish that was pure heaven. Just a single bite was enough to be an unforgettable experience.
Wen Yao and the rest of the Wen family mingled with the crowd, listening to the people around them chattering about it. Hearing those ridiculously exaggerated descriptions, Wen Yao’s mouth twitched. That was definitely Sister Qiu’s people stirring up hype.
Now, it was Wen Yao who was getting nervous. What if the roast duck didn’t live up to expectations?
“Dad, I’m suddenly a little panicked,” Wen Yao muttered to Wen Xiuyi, leaning in to whisper.
Wen Xiuyi was too busy enjoying the spectacle to notice. For today’s grand opening of Yunwu Roast Duck, there were performers at the entrance. Originally, Qiu Rongrong had invited them to watch from upstairs at Zui Xian Tower, but Old Madam Luo didn’t want to keep freeloading. And besides, squeezing in with the crowd downstairs gave a more festive atmosphere.
With cheers all around, Wen Yao’s low whisper almost got drowned out.
“What are you panicking for?” Wen Xiuyi craned his neck, watching intently, even shouting along and clapping enthusiastically.
Wen Yao looked at the crowd and said, “I just feel like Sister Qiu hyped the roast duck up too much. What if everyone’s disappointed?”
Hearing that, Wen Xiuyi stopped clapping and cheering, turning instead to look at his daughter. From childhood to now, he had never seen this kind of hesitant, uncertain expression on her face. This wasn’t like his daughter at all.
“Yao Yao, you have to trust your own cooking. Trust me, this roast duck of yours is no different from that XXX roast duck we had in the past. You know your dad’s palate—it’s been spoiled rotten by you. I can tell from one bite if something’s good or not. Don’t worry, this roast duck will absolutely become one of Yunwu Town’s iconic dishes. Who knows, in a few hundred or even a thousand years, it might not be XX Roast Duck everyone’s chasing after, but Yunwu Roast Duck instead,” Wen Xiuyi said confidently.
Wen Yao quickly spat a few times and muttered, “Now that’s blasphemy. Thank goodness we’re just inside a book—otherwise we’d be cursed to death.” (Haha, Beijing Roast Duck forever!)
Seeing a smile return to his daughter’s face, Wen Xiuyi finally relaxed.
“Look, your Sister Qiu’s coming out,” he said, pointing toward the shopfront. Sure enough, Qiu Rongrong emerged, dressed in fine, elegant clothing—clean and crisp yet radiant. She wore a confident smile as she addressed the eager crowd.
The performance ended, and the scene quickly quieted down.
Standing on the steps, Qiu Rongrong raised her voice and said, “Today marks the grand opening of Yunwu Roast Duck. Thanks to everyone for your support, today all roast ducks will be sold at 20% off. You can dine in or take out. I won’t say more—I know everyone’s been waiting long enough. I hereby announce, Yunwu Roast Duck is officially open!”
As her voice fell, a string of firecrackers exploded in celebration. The crowd, already itching for roast duck, surged toward the entrance. But before they could flood in, several strongmen from the shop blocked their way.
Qiu Rongrong retreated inside. At the door now stood another manager she had brought from the Qiu family, who smiled and said, “We’re open today and expecting a big crowd. Please form an orderly line. One at a time, please.”
With those burly men present, no one dared cause trouble. Soon, a long line formed outside the shop.
Before the Wen family had a chance to exit the crowd, Qiao Yan squeezed her way over.
“Miss Wen Yao, Madam invites you all inside,” she said, wiping sweat from her brow.
Wen Yao took a look—everyone from the Wen family was present. She led them to Zui Xian Tower instead of heading into the roast duck shop.
The back courtyards of the two establishments had been connected. Rather than joining the crowd, they headed straight to the private room on the third floor of Zui Xian Tower.
“I told you to come up and wait, but you insisted on staying downstairs. How did that feel, getting jostled around like that?” Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu had arrived early but remained upstairs the whole time.
Old Madam Luo smoothed her new clothes and sighed, “Didn’t expect the crowd to be this big. Good thing you stayed put. Where’s Da Tou and the others?” She looked around and didn’t see San Xiwang.
San Xiwang had been picked up from the academy by Manager Qiu, along with Dean Wu, who was also in this room now, having chosen not to go downstairs either.
“They went to the back kitchen with Xie Anyi to watch the roast duck being made,” Manager Qiu replied.
Qiao Yan helped everyone get seated and began having food and drinks served. A while later, Qiu Rongrong finally entered.
“Apologies, everyone. I’m late. There are guests in the other private rooms I had to greet first,” she said, bowing and then greeting the elders one by one.
“I saw the County Magistrate earlier?” Manager Qiu asked.
Qiu Rongrong nodded. “Yes, he’s just a few rooms over. Yi’er’s father is entertaining him.” At the thought of Xie Yushan’s stunned, frustrated face—trying to hide his anger as he hosted the Magistrate—Qiu Rongrong felt nothing but satisfaction.
Soon, a waiter entered and whispered something to her. Qiu Rongrong’s brow twitched slightly.
“Sister Qiu, what’s wrong?” Wen Yao asked.
Qiu Rongrong glanced at Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu, then replied, “The County Magistrate would like to come pay his respects to Doctor Jin and Mr. Qiu.”
Manager Qiu had already guessed the Magistrate might be here when he asked earlier. He calmly set down the cup he’d been about to clink with Dean Wu and said, “No problem. Please invite them in.”
The Wen family was stunned.
The County Magistrate?
He’s coming here? They were about to meet the County Magistrate?
Old Madam Luo was the first to recover. “Maybe we should step out for a bit.” They were just a bunch of country folk—not really appropriate to be here.
“No need,” Manager Qiu replied with just two words before saying to Qiu Rongrong, “Rongrong, please invite the Magistrate.”
He might not like Xie Yushan, but he still observed the proper courtesies.
Qiu Rongrong gave a respectful bow and left. Not long after, she returned with the County Magistrate—Xie Yushan shamelessly following along.
As soon as he entered, the Magistrate went straight to Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu.
“Imperial Physician Jin, Mr. Qiu, what a surprise to see you both here. It’s an honor,” the Magistrate said with a respectful bow.
The Wen family gaped, struggling to maintain composure as they watched the high and mighty County Magistrate humble himself before Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu.
Manager Qiu had already put on his professional smile and returned the gesture. “You’re too kind, Your Excellency. Doctor Jin and I are but commoners now—your courtesy is too much.”
