Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Old Master Yan has recently become obsessed with painting. Once he starts painting, he is tireless and can be described as forgetting to eat and sleep.

He didn't know how much time had passed before he put down his pen, looking at his masterpiece with a satisfied expression.

"Great, great!" he exclaimed.

But as soon as I finished speaking, I felt my mouth and throat go dry.

I'm so thirsty!

He hasn't had a drop of water since he started painting this picture today.

Looking up, I saw a white porcelain bowl next to me, filled with a light amber-colored soup.

Old Master Yan picked up the white porcelain cup with one hand and took a big gulp.

He intended to use the soup to quench his thirst, but the moment it entered his mouth, he froze.

A calm, umami flavor spreads rapidly in the mouth; without the stimulation of heat, the richness of the soup becomes even more pronounced.

The mushrooms have a refreshing aroma with a hint of coolness, and the water shield is smooth, moist, and incredibly refreshing.

The fish ribs are springy, making you want to chew them a few more times, while the rich, fatty flavor of the crab roe is more subtle, almost imperceptible.

The four flavors blend together so well that it's impossible to tell which bite is mushroom and which is crab roe, leaving you with a wonderfully unique experience.

Old Master Yan couldn't help but close his eyes slightly. He seemed to be able to see the distant mountains, hear the sound of water, smell the fragrance of grass on the river, and feel the breeze on the lake.

Everything was chilly.

"...This soup is so delicious..." He took a deep breath and unconsciously uttered a word of praise.

I couldn't resist taking another sip. This time, I didn't drink it like water, but savored it carefully.

After a long pause, he smacked his lips and muttered to himself, "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"

"Such a wonderful taste exists in this world!!"

……

After leaving Old Master Yan's courtyard, Yan Xian kept regretting the bowl of Four Delicacies Soup:

I was only thinking of letting the old man drink it while it was hot, but I never expected that the old man was painting.

What a pity, what a pity, the old master certainly wouldn't drink soup that's gone cold.

What a pity about that bowl of Four Beauties Soup!

Just as I was feeling frustrated, there was a noise at the door.

"Steward Yan, I have something to report to you." The voice was extremely obsequious.

Yan Xian looked up and saw that the newcomer was slightly overweight, bowed low, and had a flattering expression on his face.

He vaguely remembered that it was Zhao Wu, the purchasing agent for the manor.

"What is it?" Yan Xian adopted a businesslike attitude.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wu quickly stepped forward and replied, "Someone looks down on our Yan family and even spouted nonsense, saying that our Yan family is a small and insignificant household. I just wanted to buy some food, but I didn't expect to be rebuffed and even insulted. Steward Yan, you can't let her get away with this. She has to learn her lesson!"

"Is that so?" Yan Xian's expression turned cold.

In Ping'an County, everyone would treat the Yan family with great respect. It was unexpected that someone would try to bully the servants of the Yan family.

They are simply ignorant of their own limitations.

Zhao Wu quickly started making up a story: "Yes, you have no idea how awful her insults were. I just wanted to buy some Four Beauties Soup, but that young lady was so ungrateful..."

"Wait, wait..." Yan Xian's expression changed, and he interrupted Zhao Wu, "What did you say, Four Beauties Soup??"

"Yes, it's the Four Beauties Soup, sold by a woman surnamed Shen."

"I thought the soup was quite good and wanted to buy a batch, but I didn't expect that Madam Shen would not only refuse to sell to me, but also spout nonsense, saying that our Yan family was a small and insignificant family and not worthy of buying her Four Beauties Soup, and that our old master was nothing but a nobody and must have embezzled a lot of money..."

"Shut up!" Yan Xian shouted at Zhao Wu.

He was so angry that his face turned red.

If the bad reputation of corruption were to spread, it would at least arouse suspicion, and at worst, it would affect the careers of the Yan family's descendants.

You should know that the current Minister of Revenue is the old master Yan's own son, and he is in charge of the country's finances.

Even the slightest disturbance would likely arouse the Emperor's suspicion.

Zhao Wu was startled and didn't dare to continue making things up. He just whispered, "Anyway, that Madam Shen has said a lot of bad things about our Yan family. You can't let her off easily, otherwise, it will sound terrible if word gets out."

Zhao Wu's idea was simple: he wanted to use Yan Xian to force Shen Qing to submit and vent his anger.

Yan Xian, however, frowned, his mind filled with doubt.

Although he only met Lady Shen twice, he could sense that she was not an unreasonable person.

Furthermore, someone who can make such exquisite delicacies as the Four Beauties Soup must be skillful, intelligent, and kind-hearted.

But why would someone like that insult the old man for no reason?

Moreover, he once suggested that Madam Shen come to the Yan residence to make the Four Delicacies Soup, but Madam Shen politely declined without uttering any insults.

What Zhao Wu said...

"Butler! The old master has given orders..."

Suddenly, a servant ran over to deliver a message, but paused halfway through when he saw that there were other people present.

Yan Xian waved his hand at Zhao Wu: "I will handle the matter you mentioned. You may leave."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wu was overjoyed and even more excited.

Their steps as they left were filled with a touch of joy.

After Zhao Wu had walked away, Yan Xian asked the servant, "What are your orders, sir?"

"The old man said the soup you served him was wonderful, and he wanted another bowl!"

Another bowl?

Yan Xian sighed helplessly, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

At this hour, needless to say, the Four Delicacies Soup must have already sold out.

Where is he going to get another bowl?

Fortunately, the bowl of Four Beauties Soup wasn't wasted.

"Understood, I'll go there myself."

Yan Xian had no choice but to personally explain to Old Master Yan.

As for what Zhao Wu just mentioned, he could only investigate it secretly for now.

There's nothing we can do; now it's the old master who wants to drink the Four Delicacies Soup.

......

Meanwhile, Old Master Yan was happily waiting inside the house.

I drank one cup, and then I wanted another.

Most importantly, he hadn't even tasted the Four Delicacies Soup yet, as it was all gone; he used most of it to quench his thirst.

The thought that he would soon be able to drink that wonderful soup filled Old Master Yan with anticipation, and his mouth watered.

He can't get into painting or calligraphy; all he wants now is another bowl of Four Beauties Soup!

"Grandpa—"

After waiting for a while, Yan Xian's voice finally rang out from the doorway.

Grandpa Yan, disregarding everything else, hurried out, his old legs swaying, looking around excitedly, and eagerly asked, "Butler, has my soup arrived?"