The Marquis' Wife

De Xiang's shop opening

Adelia and Lu Xiang are already preparing for the opening of the first De Xiang cake shop in Fucheng. They got up early and escorted Lu Cheng and Lu Shan off to the academy before going to the shop.

Lu Niang, Lu Kai and the other six servants had already cleared up the shop very cleanly and were waiting for their master to come.

Lu Mei and Lu Yan and Lu Fang prepared tarts and pudding cakes under Adelia's instructions overnight to make a lot of tarts because Adelia invited some friends of her husband and sisters.

Adelia also told Lu Yan how to make pancakes with honey toppings and strawberries, although it looked simple but seemed appetizing with the sweetness of honey and the sweetness of strawberry sour.

Lu Kai and Lu Cai stretched a string of red satin cloth in the middle of which there was a flower in front of their two masters.

Adelia and Lu Xiang smiled at each other and cut the string of satin cloth together. The officers also applauded.

Lu Niang burned firecrackers foreshadowing an event then bowed low to Adelia and Lu Xiang. "Congratulations to the great master, mistress for the successful opening of the De Xiang cake shop!".

Other officers also congratulated.

People came to see the opening celebration. Adelia greeted them politely.

"Good morning everyone. Today I Adelia and Xiefu Lu Xiang opened the first cake shop in Fucheng, as a celebration we give 20% discount to the ladies and gentlemen who visit our store"

The people were stunned to hear that the owner of the cake shop was Xiefu Lu's wife. Scholars who come up with great ideas such as the manufacture of the almost completed embankment.

"You are a scholar of Xiefu! Then I'll try your cake".

"Yes. We will definitely get a blessing from Xiefu Lu". Many people admire scholars who are very authoritative and elegant, especially those who got the Xie degree and even can contribute to society.

People entered the cake shop which was immediately welcomed by the employees. Bright and elegant interior design makes them amazed. Glass cabinets are placed in various story books and poems and cake carvings colored with various colors that are very beautiful to make customers tasteful and want to order it immediately.

This was the first time he had seen a shop with unique decorations and spoiled the eyes. Moreover, employees wear bright clothes such as red hanfu that is neat and clean makes the mood of customers increase.

The employees brought a menu with pictures and prices and began to explain the menu to each customer patiently.

Customers see the picture on the menu that is so appetizing then immediately order a few pieces of tart or pudding cake and drink milk tea or cincau tea. Although cakes and drinks have a high price of about 3 to 5 silver coins per menu but it does not make customers feel expensive because of the beautiful decorations and satisfactory service from employees who always be patient and smile at their service.

"Store decoration is very unique and interesting. Who made this design?".

"Designs are made by our boss. Lady Xiefu".

"really? I didn't expect that Xiefu's wife was so smart that she could design such a unique decoration".

"What does it do for?" A customer showed the outboard cabinets on the top wall. This was the first time he had seen furniture in the top wall but it was very interesting because underneath there was a table with various drink ingredients stored in glass bottles, looks so beautiful in so many colors.

"That's your closet. We keep the glasses and plates there".

"What about the cake there? I want that piece of cake over there" Another customer pointed to a colorful cake carving that was stored in a glass cabinet.

"It's just a master carving. If you want to see the cake you want to order, please look at the large glass table" The employee replied patiently and kept smiling while showing the glass counter of the cake.

The customer was amazed to see the cake carving that was so appetizing.

Lu Mei and Lu Niang and Lu Kai were forced to join the staff in serving the customers who asked a lot before ordering a longer service so that they could not serve other customers.

The other big families also sent their children or grandchildren to congratulate Lu Xiang and introduce themselves for wanting to establish a relationship with Xiefu Lu who had already contributed greatly to Fucheng.

"Senior Xiefu, I've heard a lot of great things about you. I Jun Zhong of the Jun family congratulate the Xiefu mistress and senior Xiefu on the successful opening of the De Xiang store". A man along with his wife congratulated Lu's partner.

"Thank you for coming to the opening ceremony of De Xiang's store. Please enjoy the meal".

"What is Jun Shi your son?" Ask Adelia.

"Yes. How do you know Miss Xiefu?".

Jun Zhong's wife chuckled softly. "I'm sorry if Jun Shi troubles Lu Shan. I also heard a lot about Lu Shan, the boy wanted the bag that Lu Shan was wearing even to the point of whining. Uh! I forgot, just call Miao Linlin. May we be good friends".

Adelia's eyes widened. "Wow, we turned out to be brothers 100 years ago. I'm also surnamed Miao".

"Really!". The two talked and became familiar in a short time.

For the envoys from the big Lu Xiang family to deliver them directly to the second floor, a special place for VIP customers. Like the other customers, the Jun couple were also amazed by the decoration of the shop on the first floor.

"The decoration is very unique and interesting. It's the first time I've seen a cake shop decoration like this, can you introduce me to the designer of this store Adelia?". Linlin asked when she had entered the VIP room.

Adelia felt awkward by the compliment making her face blush. "I designed it myself Linlin, I saw a book that told me about western royal decorations so I was interested in trying it out"

"Western kingdoms have decorations like this?".

"Looks yes. I didn't really know it because I just saw it in a book and was inspired to make decorations like that".

Linlin nodded in understanding. He has also read books on Western culture that have been translated. The Murong Kingdom and the western Kingdom built an alliance so it was not strange if there were books explaining the culture about the two Kingdoms.

Before long, the couple came to visit De Xiang's shop. Adelia and Lu Xiang greeted them as they looked at the elegant clothes that the two were wearing.

"Xiefu Lu, nice to meet you. My name is Zhong Zihan the first son of Prefect Zhong. I congratulate you on opening the De Xiang store".

"Thank you. I'm also happy to meet you Brother Zihan, I didn't expect that brother Zihan would come to our little shop".

Zhong Zihan laughed happily at Lu Xiang's call to him, although the two had never met before but Lu Xiang and Prefect Zhong's relationship was close enough that he was glad that Lu Xiang was not awkward meeting him.

"This is my wife Adelia, she's the owner of the De Xiang cake shop".

Adelia lowered her body in an elegant gesture while smiling. "How are you, Brother Zihan".

"Hahaha, well, fine. This is my wife Qiao Xue".

A beautiful woman with a gentle personality grasped Adelia's hand very familiarly. "It's nice to meet you Adelia. I heard that the tart in Fucheng came from you".

"Sister-in-law. You're too much, I'm just trying something and selling it".

"Please enter Brother Zihan, brother-in-law" Lu Xiang invited the two to climb to the 2nd floor and introduced the menu on the table.

"Adelia created a new menu of keu pudding and pancakes. Brother Zihan and brother-in-law Qiao can try it".

The two looked at the picture of the menu and felt interested, both Zhong Zihan and Qiao Xue had already tasted the taste of the tart cakes sold by the siblings of their mother's family so he wanted to try a new flavor.

"alright. We'll order a cake of pudding and pancakes with honey and strawberry toppings. Just drink it for tea".

"What about you, sister-in-law?" Ask Adelia.

"I taste it with a sweet drink. Can you recommend a drink to me, Adelia?".

"certain. Do you want it hot or cold?".

"Cold better".

"Then what about milk tea, this drink mixes milk and tea. If sister-in-law likes coffee but the taste is not strong and bitter I recommend to sister-in-law cappucino cincau, this drink is a blend of milk coffee and caramel coupled with soft chirping".

Qiao Xue looked at the pictures of the two drinks and was more curious about the cappuccino and ordered them.

Adelia tells the waiter about Zhong's couple order and returns to the first floor to greet the other VIP customers.