Chapter 11 The Bribe

“Housekeeper, give Erya some pocket money every month. Erya, you need to concentrate on cooking. There is no need for you to do anything else. By the way, housekeeper, get Erya some Caiyun Silk, which was transported from the Silk Shop in the province this year, and make her a good set of clothes.” “Thank you, father!” After that, Su Huanli left in a hurry. Nanny Li was very excited. She had been unhappy when Second Miss told her to find these leaves. She didn’t know they would be rewarded. “Nanny Nanny, come and help me to clean the kitchen. I’m feeling weak.” “Okay, I’m coming. Second Miss, don’t hurt yourself.” Su Erya was laughing as if she was really very happy. But when you looked carefully, you would find that her eyes were calm and cold. Su Huanli returned to the study and wrote a letter at once. He gave it to the housekeeper. “Now you go to the County and make sure to give the letter to Li Wei.” The housekeeper was surprised, “Master, do you mean the one who had the Baiwei Building? We have no connections with him. This...” “If we can bribe Li Wei with Zongzi, we don’t need to worry about the recommendation,” Su Huanli snapped, angry at the housekeeper. The housekeeper nodded and said happily, “You’re so wise, Master. I’ll send it right now!” Su Huanli sighed. He didn’t expect that the problem that had haunted him for days would be solved by Erya. The next day, after reading the letter, Landlord Li looked at the housekeeper and asked doubtfully, “Is the zongzi... really be so delicious?” The old housekeeper laughed. He took out a Zongzi wrapped by the oil paper and said, “Seeing is believing. Our Master ordered me to take one for you to taste. But you need to heat it.” Landlord Li frowned when he saw the tawny thing on the housekeeper’s hand. But he still called the servant to heat it. “My Master has admired you for a long time. The Baiwei Building is the best restaurant in the County.” The housekeeper began to flatter Landlord Li. The landlord knew it was just holiday words, but he still couldn’t help being happy. After a while... “Oh, this smell...” Landlord Li sniffed and saw the servant put the hot Zongzi in front of him. “I have tasted a lot of delicious food before, but I’ve never smelled such fragrance.” Landlord Li picked one small Zongzi and examined it carefully. “There is fragrance with leaves and meat. How did you do that?” The housekeeper stood by and said, “Take your time and taste it first, Mr. Li” Then he cut the rope with scissors and removed the checker-shaped indocalamus leaves. Landlord Li opened his eyes wide at the smell, and he ate the zongzi with no hesitation. After this bite, Li’s eyes popped out, and he ate the zongzi just like a beggar who had not eaten for a few days. He did not forget to lick the juice on his hands. The servants around him couldn’t help but giggle. After swallowing the zongzi, Landlord Li sighed. The housekeeper’s thought that Li was not satisfied with zongzi, but then he heard Landlord Li’s lament: “You have really hurt me. I have eaten such delicious food. Now how can I eat ordinary meals?” When the housekeeper heard that, he was very happy. But he was calm and said, “Why do you say that, Landlord Li? My Master is ready to send you recipe of the zongzi. You can eat it every day, just give the order.” Landlord Li, who had opened a famous restaurant like Baiwei Building, was not a fool. He pondered for a moment. He stretched his eyebrows, coughed gently, and smiled, “No pain, no gain. You have given me a great gift and I happen to have something to help you. Go back and tell your master that he doesn’t have to worry about his son.” With great certainty in his heart, the housekeeper said with joy, “Thank you very much, Mr. Li! I will go back and send the recipe at once!” The housekeeper left in a hurry, and Li Wei smiled with eye's narrowed into slits. Although he was addicted to delicious food, he was a person who knew how far to go. His uncle had already talked with him about the recommendation. If the gifts sent by other families didn’t exceed those sent by the Su family last year, the opportunity would be given to the Su family. With this delicious food, that decision was now final. Thinking of the taste of the zongzi, Landlord Li couldn’t help licking his lips. He was too impatient to wait and hoped the Su family would send the recipe as soon as possible.