Imperial guard Li happily returned home with the freshly made dishes.

The crystal clear steamed white rice, the sour and spicy pickled fish, refreshing garlic green vegetables, a plate of braised beef, and a side of wood ear mushrooms (cold fungus) were all handmade by Miss Su.

Imperial guard Li could smell the delicious dishes while he walked back with them!

Each dish had a tempting smell, even though the dishes didn't look as sophisticated as what the chef in the marquis' house would make.

The woman who was working with Su Tang and her son were both stunned. Their eyes were big as saucers while praising the dishes Su Tang made.

Their dishes also seemed more delicious, so it made Imperial guard Li a little jealous!

When imperial guard Li brought the food back, he saw that the Marquis was about to go out.

Seeing that he had a food box in his hand, Qi Tian Yun faintly said, "I will go to the palace and won't be back till later if anything is happening."

Su Tang's food surely must have sold out a long time ago, since he went to buy breakfast so late.

He has no appetite for other meals.

Imperial guard Li said, "Marquis, Miss Su made this by herself! Don't you want to try it?!"

He smelled something very fragrant from the box when imperial guard Li tried to present it to him.

Qi Tian Yun felt hungry since his stomach had been empty for a long time.

Qi Tian Yun frowned and sat down when he heard imperial guard Li's words.

The four dishes and one soup in front of him both looked and smelled delicious.

One could say that there were three important criteria for judging a dish: the color, the taste, and the smell. This food box present already fulfilled two of the three things!

Qi Tian Yun was also certain that if Su Tang made the dishes, the taste would surely not be bad.

He has never liked to eat fish because the fishy smell was too strong, but if Su tang made it then he would give it a try.

Qi Tian Yun could tell that the fish must have been fresh when he tried a bite. The flesh was so tender that it felt like it just melted in his mouth.

The common fishy smell was covered up because it had been pickled. This only left behind the unique taste of fresh fish.

There were some peppers in it, but this was to enhance the flavor instead of making it spicy.

The flavors of sour and spicy neutralized each other to create a unique taste.

This kind of fish was perfect to eat.

Qi Tian Yun took a few bites and had a comfortable feeling spread throughout his stomach.

The garlic greens were also very delicious as well. The stir-fried greens blended very well with the taste of the garlic. They released the held moisture of the flavors when bitten.

Delicious dishes like this would make anyone's appetite increase.

The last dish, braised beef, caused the Marquis to think of Shi Ding's father, Shi Long Jun. That person would love this dish the most. That person would be amazed if he could have a bite of this.

The (cold fungus) wood ear mushrooms were used to relieve the greasiness in the other dishes. A bite of the mushrooms helped greatly with the other dishes.

Qi Tian Yun not only ate the dishes clean, but he also cleared off two bowls of rice before he realized it.

The old steward was in a daze as tears fell from his eyes.

The Marquis's deceased parents would be so happy if they knew about this!

Imperial guard Li did a good job! It was worth a compliment!

Qi Tian Yun never imagined the feeling of a full stomach would feel like this.

For many years, he has restrained himself, so he never knows the feeling of satisfaction from eating.

However, today's dishes made him unable to resist the temptation.

He would usually go straight back to his official duties after barely eating anything. After his meal today, there was a pleasant feeling in his body that made him feel less nervous.

Qi Tian Yun's expression became serious when he thought about this. He put down his chopsticks and slowly wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

His actions like this shocked the surrounding people.

Was there something wrong with the food? What was wrong with the marquis?

Qi Tian Yun looked at imperial guard Li and said: "Ask the owner from the little restaurant how much of the braised beef they have left. Then, buy it all and send it to Old General Shi's house."

He quarreled with Old General Shi about the matters of the military camp yesterday. The beef could be seen as a peace offering to sort out the awkwardness between them.

Imperial guard Li couldn't believe that his master would do this.

The marquis is sending food to other people?

Is he taking steps to resolve the awkwardness between him and the general?

General Shi himself was surprised when the braised beef was delivered to his house.

Pointing at the beef, Shi Ding's father said: "Marquis doesn't want to poison me, right?"

Shi Ding: "Father, you are thinking about it too much. Why would marquis use such an underhand tactic?"

"I think he sent it over because he thought this braised beef was delicious. Who doesn't know that you like braised beef, dad?"

General Shi trashed his initial reaction after hearing Shi Ding speak.

Although the marquis had a bad temper, they were both still loyal to the country. There was not enough reason for them to kill each other, even if there were some differences in their stances for official affairs.

How would anyone get any group official work done that way? It would just be better to work on their own.

General Shi cut off a piece of braised beef with his knife to give it a try.

General Shi's eyes almost fell out when the beef entered his mouth.

He has never eaten such braised beef.

It was delicious! It was delicious! It was so delicious that he had to say it twice.

Forget it. He was so old that he didn't have the same knowledge as the Marquis. Qi Tian Yun and his father were basically the same. General Shi would definitely know since he worked with both.

Su Tang had no idea about the side story of her braised beef.

Her little restaurant was empty again. She only had some rice and flour left while they used everything else up.

Fortunately, they lived near the central market. She had requested that the butcher shop and the grocery store deliver the goods later.

Uncle Song felt a little emotional when he brought the ingredients over with his son.

A few days ago, Su Tang had to use credit to buy things at his store.

However, the other merchants were envious to death about these credits. They missed out on such an enormous business opportunity!

Su Tang cleaned up the empty room, which used to be the place to store ingredients.

Fortunately, the father of the original body kept the restaurant very clean.

In the front was the lobby where the guests would sit. Walking from the lobby to the back was the kitchen. The room next to the kitchen and the yard are all places where ingredients are placed.

There were five pavilions opposite the kitchen. Their parents used to live in one room there and the two children lived in one room each.

Su Tang was going to clean up the main house to use it as a study room so that her younger brother could have a place to concentrate. He would no longer need to go to the small restaurant to help her.

If Aunt Zhou's son also wanted to use the room, then that was okay too. It would be good for the two children to study together.

Two of the remaining four pavilions would be for the Su siblings, and they would reorganize the last two in the future.

Su Tang had a sudden thought. She probably has to hire more workers in the future.

She might like to cook, but she didn't want to cook a vast amount every day.

Her goals for life were always simple: open a small restaurant, free from worries, spend time in the sun, and read books.

Su Tang stretched her tired body out as she was contemplating. She finally finished cleaning the small restaurant.

The restaurant won't be open tomorrow because she needed to go to the competition in the morning, so Aunt Zhou would be the only one there at the restaurant.

Aunt Zhou was surprised when she heard she would not have to work at the restaurant tomorrow, but she would still get paid.

Wasn't the owner too easy-going and kind?

Su Tang didn't know Aunt Zhou's thoughts and politely said: "Tomorrow we will not open our restaurant, but I want to ask a favor from you. I heard that the school that young brother Zhou attends is very good. Can you help me ask the teacher to see if they can accept seven-year-old children?"

Aunt Zhou hurriedly said: "Okay, I will ask tomorrow morning. Zhou Cong's school is closed today so I'll go ask tomorrow."

Su Tang thanked her and also gave her some ingredients.

She said previously that she would give them two meals a day, but because the restaurant won't be open tomorrow, she couldn't cook for them.

Aunt Zhou brought her son back home, but she still couldn't calm down. The owner didn't say much about it, but she took care of them in every way she could.

Although she has never done such a job like this before, she knew such a boss was hard to come by.

Aunt Zhou couldn't help but hold Zhou Cong to say: "Our boss is really good. I will have to continue to work hard in the future!"

Zhou Cong nodded fiercely. He will absolutely repay sister Su in the future even if it was for the food he received!

Zhou Cong was very grateful to see his mother no longer need to go do washing even though work at the little restaurant was hard. Besides, it was much better to do this job than work at her old workplace and get scolded by the client after it was finished.

Let's stop thinking about this for the time being.

Su Tang got up early for the second day. However, it is relatively late compared to when she was selling breakfast items.

Su Jin Hang was lying on the table while his sister was finishing work. He couldn't help but say, "Fortunately, sister put the closed sign outside in advance, otherwise many people would come to knock on the door."

They slept in the backyard, so if people came to knock on the door, they would hear them.

The customers that arrived at the restaurant were doomed to be disappointed today.

How could she do this! How can the restaurant be closed? They really wanted to eat breakfast here.

Even the new customers who just heard the rumors about Su Tang's food had to be disappointed today.

Aren't you opening a restaurant to make money? We came with money.

Many would wonder why they wouldn't go to the house next door to buy breakfast.

They were both steamed bun shops. However, who could take such a drop in quality at the store next door?

We refuse to go back to that!

This made the second aunt furious, but there was nothing she could do.

Su Tang and her little brother Su Jin Hang set off early in the morning.

Today was the second round of the God of Cooking Competition.

Su Jin Hang knew how impressive his sister's cooking skill was now. He had been eating so much that his cheeks were a little plump, and he didn't look as skinny as before.

Su Jin Hang said happily: "Sister, can we get the first place? "

Su Tang smiled and said: "I'll do my best."

The two of them locked the door and walked by their second aunt's house. They saw two people looking down at them with hatred as they were leaving.

Su Tang looked at her second uncle Su and second aunt Su and said: "If I come back and find something is missing at home, then it will be reported to the patrol guards."

She continued on her way with her younger brother, leaving behind her malicious relatives.

They can try it if they are not afraid of another punishment!

The neighbors and the government found out how black-hearted their relatives are. They will naturally help take care of things for these two siblings.

Su Tang was at ease when she went out.

The things that she brought with her to the competition today were: half a kilogram of fresh rice, vegetables from the market, her own boiled lard, some spring onions, ginger, and garlic.

These things were enough for her to try out with.

The central square market was full of people passing by even before the competition began.

This was a lively event in the capital, so many people would love to come to watch for fun.

Su Tang heard many people talking about her while she was walking in with her paperwork.

"This little girl is a little too young!"

"Can she do it? I think most of them are experienced, masters."

"I heard that there are some juniors from the Huang family here as well."

"There was also a chef from the Yingchun family here."

"Then this little girl probably won't make it past this round."

"Look! The governor is here, so the competition is about to start!"