The saintess is pregnant, what does that have to do with me, a spoiled brat?

"What...what kind of divine delicacy is this?!"

An elderly chef with gray hair was so excited that he trembled all over and could barely hold his chopsticks.

"I've been cooking for over forty years, and I've never tasted anything so delicious! This is simply a delicacy!"

The others also came to their senses, their eyes gleaming with greed, wishing they could lick the plates clean.

"Master, what exactly is this yellow powder?" The steward swallowed hard, looking cautiously at Xu Nuo.

Xu Nuo waved his folding fan and casually uttered two words: "Chicken essence."

Chicken bouillon?

The group looked at each other, completely bewildered.

I've never heard of this name before. Could it be a secret seasoning made by the imperial chef in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?

It definitely is!

Who but a top-tier noble family like the Duke's Mansion could produce such a treasure that can turn the rotten into the miraculous?

Xu Nuo ignored their wild speculations and pointed to the bowl of semi-finished product:

"From now on, add a small spoonful of this to your signature dishes before they're done cooking. I'll write down the recipe later, so you can make a lot to keep on hand."

The kitchen fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

The fat cook stared wide-eyed and stammered, "..."

"Master...you mean you're going to give us this formula?"

Xu Nuo glanced at him sideways:

"Nonsense. If I don't give you the recipe, am I supposed to personally come to the kitchen every day to grind mushrooms for you?"

boom!

The cooks were completely dumbfounded, their minds went blank.

This is a top-quality secret recipe that can be passed down as a family heirloom!

It would be extremely rare and valuable outside, and only truly important people would be worthy of enjoying it.

But now, this supposedly arrogant and domineering playboy has just casually bestowed it upon them?

This is simply an incredible blessing!

"Thank you so much, employer!"

"I will never forget the great kindness and virtue of my employer!"

Led by the manager, a group of cooks knelt down on the ground, tears welling in their eyes, and kowtowed repeatedly to Xu Nuo.

"Bang bang bang!"

The cooks kowtowed so loudly that their foreheads turned red.

Xu Nuo sat in the armchair, startled by the spectacle.

Damn, is it really that exaggerated?

It's just some partially purified chicken bouillon, why are you acting like you've met your ancestor?

Xu Nuo's lips twitched, and she raised her folding fan: "Alright, alright, get up, stop wailing here."

The manager wiped away his tears and got up, holding the bowl of yellowish powder in both hands, his hands trembling like a leaf.

This is a family heirloom!

"Don't worry, boss! I'll risk my life to make sure not a single word of this secret recipe is leaked!" the manager said confidently, his eyes bloodshot.

Xu Nuo rolled her eyes: "Whatever. Make plenty more according to the recipe, and add it to all the dishes from now on. Also, change the menu and double the prices."

"Double?!" The manager was taken aback.

"What? You think it's not enough?"

"No, no, no! The boss is wise!" The manager now blindly worships the promise. Let alone doubling the price, just for this heavenly taste, even if the price were ten times higher, those high-ranking officials would still scramble to eat it.

Fatty Wang, standing to the side, was completely stunned.

He swallowed hard, moved closer to Xu Nuo, and stared at him with shining eyes, as if he were looking at a living god of wealth.

"Brother Xu..." Fatty Wang's voice was trembling, "Just how much good stuff do you have left?"

Is this still the same playboy from Beijing who only knows how to eat, drink, gamble, and whore?

First they created a milk tea business that made a fortune, and now they've come up with some kind of miraculous condiment. How did they even come up with that?

Xu Nuo glanced at him and slapped the fat man on the forehead with her folding fan.

"This is nothing." Xu Nuo stood up, straightened her clothes, and said casually, "You'll be surprised later."

Fatty Wang covered his forehead and chuckled foolishly.

If you follow Brother Xu, you're guaranteed to make a living!

"Alright, I'm leaving things here to you." Xu Nuo looked at the steward, "The Chen family definitely won't let this go easily, and they'll probably cut off your food supply."

The manager's expression changed: "Then what should we do? The Chen family has immense power in the inner city; those vegetable farmers and butchers dare not offend them."

Xu Nuo sneered, "Let him cut off his supply, you buy yours. The capital is so big, does the Chen family think they can control everything? Go to the outer city, go to the farmers outside the city, offer a higher price, with money you won't have trouble buying vegetables."

The manager suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly.

"And one more thing," Xu Nuo said, his gaze sweeping across the lobby, "close Zuixianlou for three days."

"Closed down?" Fatty Wang exclaimed anxiously. "Brother Xu, this is our cash cow! How much money will we lose if it's closed for even a day!"

"You don't know anything." Xu Nuo was too lazy to explain. "Just do as I say. Reopen in three days. By then, I'll let everyone in the capital know what the real number one restaurant in the world is."

After saying that, Xu Nuo waved his folding fan and strode towards the door.

Fatty Wang quickly followed, taking small, quick steps.

"Brother Xu, where are we going now?"

Xu Nuo looked up at the sky.

"Return to the residence."

After a long day of running around, it's time to go back and see Grandpa.

The two had just stepped out of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

They ran headlong into a group of heavily armored city defense soldiers, who were rushing towards them menacingly.

The leading general was mounted on horseback, holding a long spear in his hand, his gaze cold and sharp.

Wang Pangzi was startled and quickly shrank behind Xu Nuo.

"Brother Xu, aren't these... aren't these the city defense battalion's men? What are they doing in the inner city?"

Xu Nuo squinted as she watched the group of soldiers stop in front of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

The leading general dismounted, strode up to Xu Nuo, and looked him up and down.

"You're Xu Nuo?"

Xu Nuo snapped his folding fan shut, a half-smile playing on his lips: "What, you want something from this young master?"

The general snorted coldly and suddenly waved his hand.

"Take it down!"

"Clang!"

More than a dozen gleaming steel knives were drawn instantly, surrounding Xu Nuo and Fatty Wang.

Fatty Wang's legs went weak with fear, and he stammered, "What...what are you doing! This is the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"

The general's face was expressionless, his eyes cold.

"That's him. Someone has filed a complaint alleging that he committed murder and robbery in the street. Take him away!"