Actually, it's not that impossible. After all, just from what happened earlier, this woman clearly has many strange secrets. She herself is a rather capable and unusual woman, speaks straight to the point, with a normal tone, and is quite concise. She's very different from those annoying noble ladies who cry and cling to people, needing company all day.
More importantly, he still hasn't figured out if she's truly a genius or if she has some unique secret method. Before he gets the answer, it's better to keep her interested.
If she really likes him, then he might… It's just a pity she always wears a veil, so no one knows what she really looks like. Well, whatever, he's not really choosing a woman, just using this as a temporary political strategy.
While Arieck's gaze on Elara became more and more strange, with his face full of wild thoughts, Elara frowned looking at his weird and ever-changing expression. Her cold voice cut off Arieck's fantasy without mercy.
"If you still have extra sachets, please lend me one. Or if you don't need the sachet itself, just give me the spices inside. The recipe I provide needs those spices as seasoning."
"Heh."
A low laugh suddenly came from behind the quiet white screen.
Elara looked up strangely, not understanding why the silent person suddenly laughed.
Is it funny to use spices as seasoning?
Elara looked back at Arieck but saw his expression was even stranger than before.
His hand stroking his chin seemed to freeze. His whole face looked cracked and weird as he stared at her.
"You… you want my sachet, just to use as seasoning?"
Elara nodded, "Yes." Seeing Arieck's face becoming harder to describe, she asked, "Then what did you think I meant?"
Another laugh came from behind the white screen again. This time, before Elara could look, Arieck, with a stiff face, turned to the screen and grit his teeth as he said.
"Is it really that funny?" Who was he doing this for? And he was seriously thinking about using his looks to bargain earlier. Heh.
Arieck's tone was still calm, and his face kept the fox-like smile, but anyone could hear the anger and frustration hidden inside.
Elara felt strange and could not understand these ancient noblemen's thoughts. She thought there really was a generation gap separating her from them, so she stayed silent.
After Arieck fixed his expression and mind, he turned back to look at her.
"Miss Bai means you only want the spices, right?" Arieck's restored face showed the same faint fox-like smile.
"Yes."
"I understand. Don't worry, I will have someone send the spices to the kitchen soon. But before this, I never heard of using spices just as seasoning. Looks like you are going to surprise me."
"Surprise or not, you will know in half an hour when you taste it."
"I will be waiting then."
…
In her previous life, Elara tasted all kinds of top delicacies and rarely cooked herself. But the Xia family valued family unity, so during festivals, meals were not cooked by servants but by Elara or her parents.
So Elara's cooking skills were not as good as a professional chef, but enough to handle a whole table of festive dishes.
After getting a pile of spice packs, she went to the kitchen and checked the available ingredients. Combining this with the memory of the people's taste in this era, she quickly decided on two dishes.
"Braised Turbot Fish" and "White Cut Chicken."
Unfortunately, tofu and bean curd didn't exist in this era, or she would have made Mapo Tofu to fully use the spices.
Hmm… She promised herself to make a grinder someday. It's easy to make tofu and bean curd, and low-cost, perfect for common people.
For now, these two dishes would do. Luckily, her partner was Lian Yi Lou, a rich place attracting many officials and wealthy people. Otherwise, no ordinary person could afford these dishes no matter how well made.
…
Elara worked in the kitchen for almost an hour before finishing the two dishes. She had two male servants carry the dishes out.
The two servants carrying the dishes looked like their eyes were stuck on the plates, as if wanting to bite immediately. Even though they were servants at Lian Yi Lou, they had never seen such appetizing dishes with overflowing aroma.
This was truly color, aroma, and taste all in one, making them forget what they usually ate.
Elara tidied herself and walked back into the room with the two servants. The room had been rearranged with a delicate redwood dining table in the center. On the right sat Arieck with a smiling face, and on the left sat a young man in white.
Elara guessed this must be the young man behind the white screen earlier. As expected, Arieck was very handsome, and this white-clothed young man was also outstanding, but with a colder aura, like someone used to judging at a high position.
The servants put the two dishes on the table and then left.
Arieck, who had not taken Elara's recipe seriously, changed his expression without showing it when the smell from the kitchen floated in. He stared at the kitchen while chatting casually with Izekiel, fanning himself and waiting.
When the two dishes were finally placed on the table, Arieck knew his earlier judgment was wrong again.
He smiled, feeling today he had really met someone special, making two mistakes about the same woman!
Just the beautiful color and tempting aroma of these two dishes were treasures enough.
"Miss Bai really is amazing. These delicious dishes, with perfect color, smell, and taste, truly opened my eyes."
Elara saw that their attention was caught by these two dishes and felt a bit pleased. She stepped forward to introduce them.
"This dish is called 'Braised Treasure Fish,' and this one is 'White Cut Chicken.' The way to eat it is a bit special, you need to dip it in the sauce…"
Elara explained while showing them, cutting two pieces for each. She dipped the pieces in the sauce and placed them on their plates.
Arieck and Izekiel listened carefully as she talked about the dishes. One was very interested, the other also serious. After Elara served them, they did not hesitate and picked up some food to eat.
Arieck's fox-like eyes brightened with a smile. After chewing and swallowing, he looked at Elara with surprise and praise:
"Miss Bai truly is a remarkable woman! These dishes are like real delicacies from the gods!"
Arieck's praise was sincere. He even doubted that the rare foods he had eaten at the palace during New Year were as good as these.
He was not greedy, but these two delicious dishes were really hard to resist. Arieck said this as he copied Elara's way, cutting a piece of white cut chicken and dipping it in the sauce to eat.
"Indeed very good."
The quiet young man in white also praised it. After finishing the chicken, Arieck smiled at Elara and said:
"Izekiel rarely praises people. The last time I heard him praise someone was many years ago. Miss Bai is truly impressive!"
Elara heard their compliments and felt they were too much. But seeing their sincere eyes and thinking about the rough food people usually ate in this time, she understood.
Elara did not say more. She sat beside them and answered their questions about ingredients and cooking methods.
By the time the two young men finished, the dishes were empty. Even the sauce was almost all used up.
Having been taught noble manners since childhood, Arieck and Izekiel were surprised at their own boldness today. Both showed a rare awkwardness on their faces.
But seeing Elara calm beside them, Arieck cleared his throat and called a servant to clean the dishes. Then he formally began to talk business with Elara.
"We have tasted these two delicacies, truly extraordinary. But Miss Bai, how do you plan to sell these recipes?"
Arieck's attitude toward the recipes had changed. Before, he did not care much. Now, he was determined to get them.
Such tasty dishes had to be bought for Marigold City's new treasure. He knew nobles and rich families who claimed to have tried many rare foods would not refuse these. They would sell well anywhere, bringing great profit.
Also, he wanted to bring some home for his family, to offer a treasure and let them taste true deliciousness. That would also earn him praise and respect.
The more he thought, the wider his smile at Elara grew.
Elara said, "Young Master Arieck, I have a fresh way to sell these two dishes."
"Another new way?" Arieck was more interested. "Please tell me, Miss Bai."
"I can teach you the recipes and ingredients for free. But every time these dishes are sold, I want twenty percent of the profit."
Her words made the room quiet.
This was indeed a new way. Though she could not get a big sum from selling the recipes directly, this method would bring steady income.
Every time a dish was sold, she would get part of the profit. Over time, this small share would grow into a big amount.
Arieck had been in business circles since childhood, but this was the first time he heard of such a profit-sharing method. It showed long-term vision, not just short-term gain.
He had to update his opinion of this Miss Bai. She really had the mind of a businesswoman.
But if she was really this talented, why was her Bai family so unknown? He had never heard of them in the major countries.
One of the top three officials in the Great Chao was named Bai, but he was very strict with social ranks and hated merchants. Also, Great Chao was far from Plumera Kingdom and one of the strongest countries. This Bai woman, though clever, was in the smaller countries like Plumera, Azalea, and others, so it was unlikely she was connected to that Bai family.
Elara saw Arieck staring silently. She felt her offer was fair, but this profit-sharing method was new, and she did not know if they could accept it.
But no matter what, the business channel for Marigold City was hers.
She added, "I actually have a secret dish, but I lack some tools to make it now. If you agree to this deal, I promise to give you the recipe within three days. It will not be shared with others, and the profit share will also be twenty percent. How about that?"
Arieck finally reacted to her calm voice, smiling more deeply. He leaned slightly toward Elara behind the curtain and said:
"Of course it is okay. I was amazed by your ideas before. Now you bring another delicious dish. It is my honor. I should show some sincerity. Twenty percent is too little. How about this: for these two dishes and any others you provide later, Marigold City will share profits with you seventy-thirty. You only need to give the recipes and methods. We will handle the ingredients and customers. You can come collect your share at the end of each month."
Her generosity surprised Elara a little. But she knew Marigold City was run by business talents. She guessed they wanted to impress her and build a good relationship for the future.
Remembering how they eagerly asked about her solutions, she knew what they really wanted from her.
Her lips curved into a slight smile, and her clear voice grew sweeter:
"Okay, since you value it, I will not refuse. If you need my help later, I will gladly assist."
Arieck wanted to hear this! Hearing her words, he closed his fan with a snap, stood up, bowed to Elara, and smiled sincerely:
"Miss Bai is decisive and capable, truly a woman who rivals men! I look forward to working with you."
"Young Master is too polite. I also look forward to working with you."
Elara's first business and first earnings in this new world were successfully secured.
She felt very happy and in a great mood.