ebookland Chapter 345 Everyone is here
Chapter 345 Everyone is here
The table was filled with steaming hot meals, all carefully prepared by Yu Yu and Xiao Yu Niang. The aroma was so fragrant that it made people salivate.
Fang Yiai was already extremely hungry, and he wolfed down his food as soon as he sat down, mumbling incoherently, "It's so delicious. I've been helping out here for the past few days, not only having fun, but also eating such delicious food. It's totally worth it."
The prince also smiled and nodded. "It's been really fun making fireworks with everyone these past few days. It's a real pleasure to be able to taste such delicious food today."
While eating, everyone shared the fun of making fireworks in the past few days, and laughter echoed throughout the lobby.
After dinner, it was already dark. Wei Shuyu looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late. We should go back."
Yuyu stood up to see them off and said, "Everyone, be careful on the road. We'll set off fireworks together again during the New Year!"
After everyone said their goodbyes, they left. Looking at their backs, Yuyu looked forward to the New Year's arrival, imagining the scene of those beautiful fireworks blooming in the night sky, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.
At dawn the next day, Yu Yu jumped out of bed and began to hurriedly direct the guys to prepare the ingredients.
The kitchen suddenly became lively. Chicken, duck, fish, beef and mutton were moved into the kitchen one by one. The juicy vegetables were neatly arranged. Fresh meatballs, dumplings and small and exquisite wontons were also ready.
While checking the hot pot ingredients, Yuyu loudly ordered: "Prepare both the non-spicy and spicy hot pot ingredients. Remember to use the shuangyang pot so that everyone can enjoy the meal!"
Ah Fu and Ah Cai were so busy that they brought out all kinds of drinks, beer and liquor and placed them neatly aside.
Yuyu skipped over to Xiaoyu's mother and said excitedly, "Mom, we have to prepare well today and treat everyone well!"
Xiao Yu Niang smiled gently, raised her hand to smooth over Yu Yu's hair, and said, "Yes, we're going to have a lively hot pot meal, and after that we'll settle the division of this year's business with everyone."
Yuyu's eyes sparkled with anticipation: "That's great! I can't wait to see everyone's happy faces while eating hot pot. It's bound to be so lively!"
After saying that, he ran to help set up the tables and chairs. His small figure kept shuttling back and forth in the store, happily preparing for this special gathering.
Yuyu was busy when she suddenly slapped her forehead and said to the secret guard beside her, "Hurry up and go to the palace. Tell him that I want the emperor to come to Zuixianlou to review this year's business. This is urgent, don't delay!"
The secret guards received the order and galloped towards the palace at full speed.
Li Shimin received Yu Yu's invitation early in the morning. Thinking about the ups and downs of his business this year, his heart was full of emotion. He also wanted to find an opportunity to get together with his ministers.
So he ordered the palace servants to prepare the carriage and decided to go to the ministers' residences in person to invite them.
The first stop is Changsun Wuji’s mansion.
As the morning sun began to shine, Li Shimin's carriage stopped in front of Changsun Wuji's mansion.
When the palace guards saw that it was the emperor himself, they were so frightened that they quickly knelt down to greet him.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said softly, "No need to make a fuss. I have something to discuss with you, sir."
Entering the mansion, Zhangsun Wuji was still asleep. The housekeeper hurried into the bedroom and gently woke him up: "My lord, my lord, the emperor has arrived!"
Zhangsun Wuji suddenly sat up from the bed, his eyes still bleary and his face filled with astonishment: "Your Majesty? So early in the morning..."
He quickly put on his clothes and hurried out to greet him. Seeing Li Shimin, Changsun Wuji hurriedly saluted and said, "Your Majesty, I didn't know you were coming. I'm sorry for not coming to greet you!"
Li Shimin smiled and helped him up: "Wuji, get up quickly. I'm looking for you today because I want to discuss something fun. Let's go to Zuixian Tower together."
Then, Li Shimin came to Fang Xuanling's mansion.
Fang Xuanling was also still asleep. When his family woke him up and told him that the emperor was waiting at the palace, he ran out in casual clothes without even changing into his official uniform. When he saw Li Shimin, he was about to kneel, but Li Shimin quickly stopped him: "Xuanling, no need to be so polite. Come with me to Zuixianlou. Yuyu invites us to review business and share a delicious meal."
In this way, Li Shimin went to invite ministers from one family after another.
When they arrived at Du Ruhui's mansion, Du Ruhui had just finished washing up. When he heard that the emperor had arrived, he hurried out to greet him.
Li Shimin explained his purpose and Du Ruhui readily agreed.
After gathering all the ministers who participated in the project, the group marched towards Zuixianlou in a mighty procession.
In the dim morning light, golden light fell on everyone, adding a sense of solemnity and anticipation to this trip.
The ministers rode on tall horses and followed Li Shimin's imperial sedan chair. The team stretched for a long distance.
At the beginning, everyone maintained the solemnity they had when attending court, but as the journey got farther, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
Changsun Wuji approached Fang Xuanling and lowered his voice, saying, "Xuanling, what other surprises do you think Yuyu has for inviting us this time, besides a share of the business?"
Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and thought for a moment before replying, "In my opinion, Yuyu is quite clever and might have prepared something new. The hot pot we had last time was an eye-opener."
Du Ruhui, who was listening, laughed and interjected, "Who cares? It's a blessing to have delicious food and wine, plus to be able to be with His Majesty."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Cheng Yaojin, who always spoke his mind, shouted in a loud voice, "I'm looking forward to trying Zuixianlou's signature dish again. The taste makes me drool just thinking about it."
This voice made the ministers around him laugh, and the atmosphere became more lively.
In the team, the younger ministers were more concerned about the share of business.
Chu Suiliang quietly discussed with Ma Zhou beside him: "Business seems to be good this year, and our share will surely be quite good, but I don't know exactly how much it will be."
Ma Zhou nodded slightly: "No matter how much it is, it is the result of our joint efforts. The Yuyu family runs the business successfully, and we also benefit from it."
Along the way, everyone chatted with each other, guessing the surprises in Zuixianlou and imagining the upcoming gathering.
People on both sides of the street stopped to look at the huge procession, whispering about where the emperor and his ministers were going.
Soon, the sign for Zuixianlou came into view. Everyone dismounted and straightened their clothes. Yuyu was already waiting at the door, greeting them with a smile: "Your Majesty, gentlemen, you are finally here!"
Li Shimin smiled and nodded: "Yuyu, don't hide anything from me and the ministers today. If you have any surprises, bring them out."
Yuyu came forward with a smile on her face: "Your Majesty, everyone, let's prepare a sumptuous hot pot feast together today. The ingredients are ready, let's get started together!"
Hearing this, everyone was stunned, and then their interest was aroused.