C19 Testing It in Public

The next day, Tao Xiyuan brought a few guards with her to the market. Those who looked familiar recognized her. They stood in the corner and pointed at her, whispering to each other.

Tao Xiyuan didn't care. She found the most conspicuous place and set up a stall. After placing all the pots and pans neatly, she started cooking. No one understood her intention, so they stood not far away to watch a joke.

"What is this woman trying to do? Making poisonous crops into a dish. Isn't she afraid of eating people to death?" Someone frowned in disgust.

"Hiss, she looks so pretty, but she has such a vicious heart. She knows the crops are poisonous, but she doesn't know why she did it like this." The person beside her shook his head with pity.

"Isn't it obvious? Some people really do anything for money." Another person had eyes full of contempt.

"It looks like she doesn't have any good intentions. Let's chase her out together so that she won't harm the people in our town!"

The guards behind Tao Xiyuan stood up one after another. They had been practicing for years, so they were all tall and sturdy. Their eyes were sharp and fierce like an eagle. They immediately made the impulsive people retreat. Everyone was afraid and unconsciously took a few steps back.

The head guard finally understood the purpose of Tao Xiyuan bringing them here. He frowned and looked at Tao Xiyuan. She just happened to be bowing her head and pouring the vegetables on the chopping board into the pot. She was focused on cooking.

Although the pedestrians did not dare to go up, their mouths were extremely good. They stood not far away from Tao Xiyuan's stall and pointed at her. Their voices were noisy and their eyes were filled with ridicule. After a while, Tao Xiyuan's surroundings were surrounded by a large circle, but most of them were here to see a joke.

The head guard stood in front of Tao Xiyuan and her stall. The sounds of discussion were not loud, but they were all heard. Their words became more and more unpleasant, and his gaze became gloomier, as if there was a huge storm brewing.

He could not hold it in anymore and walked to Tao Xiyuan's side. He asked her in a deep voice, "Madam, they speak too dirty, do you need my help to deal with them?"

Tao Xiyuan rolled her eyes at him and ignored him. She lowered her head and stirred the food in the pot with a spoon. She scooped up a little and tasted it, then she narrowed her eyes in relief.

The head guard did not see that Tao Xiyuan did not want to talk to him, so he became even more anxious. Just as he was about to ask, Tao Xiyuan's leisurely voice sounded.

"Mi Ying, you're too impatient." Tao Xiyuan shook her head helplessly. "These people are all my customers. If you kick them out, who will I ask for money from?"

However, Mi Ying was puzzled. "They're just a bunch of motley crew. How can they become Madam's customers?"

Tao Xiyuan smiled and did not speak. She continued to lower her head and start cooking. She held the pot and turned her wrist, causing a red flame to rise. It was a spectacular scene. Through the light of the fire, one could vaguely see the fresh and tender vegetables rolling in the pot. The fragrance of the vegetables made the surrounding pedestrians begin to discuss.

"It smells so good! This fragrance is actually 30% better than the dishes in the Drunken Immortal Restaurant in Beijing! It can be seen that the culinary skills of the person who cooked it are superb!" A fair and clean scholar's eyes were filled with praise.

"Right, right, that color and the glossiness, it really makes people hungry! I think that the dish is not as bad as they say." The person beside him smiled slightly.

"This girl's cooking skills are indeed not bad. Just the flipping of the pot is not something a first grade chef can do." The people who knew what was going on said the key.

"Chi, ignorant people are ignorant. Don't you know that the more tempting something is, the more harmful it is? I think there is definitely something wrong with the dish she made!"

"That's right, that's right. I have never seen it before … Hey, hey, look!"

Someone exclaimed, and everyone's gaze landed on Tao Xiyuan. She took a few bowls and chopsticks, scooped up the soup in the pot, and gave it to the guards around her. The guards all ate happily.

The scene was suddenly silent. Everyone stared at them, but the few people still maintained their expressions.

No one knew who gasped, and the crowd immediately burst into a commotion.

"Are they crazy? They even dare to eat something poisonous?"

"Madman … How can they live after eating this?"

"I think they are eating quite fragrant. They don't seem like people who are willing to risk their lives like you guys say … Speaking of which, who has seen this poison before?"

The crowd was silent when they heard her words. They looked at each other in confusion.

At this moment, Tao Xiyuan's clear and melodious voice suddenly sounded.

"Everyone, please listen to me." Tao Xiyuan put down the bowl and chopsticks and swept her gaze across the surroundings. Then, she smiled and said, "I believe that many people have witnessed the process of me setting up a stall, cooking, and eating. I and my brothers have indeed eaten the dishes. If the food is really poisonous, then we would have died a long time ago. I believe that everyone's hearts are as clear as a mirror."

"This dish is indeed rare, because it was transplanted from a very distant place to be cultivated. However, some people use the excuse that they have never seen such a vegetable before to maliciously slander my vegetables, causing the villagers and elders to misunderstand me. It is intolerable. If the villagers and elders don't mind, you can come and taste my cooking. Today is the first day of the opening of the stall. Everyone can taste it for free. I swear with my life that these dishes are definitely not poisonous!"

The words were sonorous and fell into the hearts of everyone. After everyone looked at each other, a young man walked over and said to Tao Xiyuan with a gentle smile, "Actually, I have been standing there for a long time and have long been hungry. Since Miss has said so, then I won't be polite."

Tao Xiyuan hurriedly filled a bowl of soup for him and said with a smile, "It's my honor to have you, Young Master."

The man took a small sip of the soup and his eyes lit up. "Not bad! Miss Tao's cooking skills are worthy of being a chef!"

With someone taking the lead, the crowd also surrounded Tao Xiyuan and smiled at her. Tao Xiyuan happily served the dishes to them. When the guards saw so many people surrounding her, they quickly went up to help. Because there were so many people, the dishes were quickly finished. Tao Xiyuan kept stir-frying, and the small stall was filled with people.

When the sun was setting, everyone left with satisfaction. Tao Xiyuan, who was sitting on the chair beside the small stall, let out a long sigh of relief.

She was finally done with her work.

She looked around and the guards were also exhausted. Her heart was filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for your hard work. When we get home, I'll make your signature dishes. Everyone will have a good meal."

Hearing her words, the guards, who were originally exhausted, immediately became energetic. After all, there were limited people. They had only eaten a bowl, which was not enough to fill the gap between their teeth. They laughed and laughed.

"What is Madam saying? This is what we should do."

"That's right, that's right. But since Madam has said so, we will definitely show our faces! Thank you for your kindness, Madam!"

Everyone returned with laughter.