Upon hearing this, Wei Yingshu instinctively glanced back at her mother and maternal uncle.
Seeing their eyes red with excitement and lips trembling, she assumed they shared her joy, reveling in the imminent vengeance.
Without a trace of suspicion toward them, the smile faded from Wei Yingshu’s face as she coldly retorted, "I understand how you must feel right now, Miss Pei, but why resort to slander and petty behavior?"
A group of young men, led by the son of a high-ranking official, chimed in, their gazes filled with disdain as they looked at Pei Liang. "There’s no need for courtesy, Miss Wei. The Pei Family has always been rotten at its core. It’s no surprise that someone raised by such lowly people would refuse to accept defeat gracefully."
"Not only does she go back on her word, but she also distorts the truth and accuses others falsely."
"Exactly! Aunt Wei and Uncle Wei have lived simple, hardworking lives for years, all thanks to the Pei Family’s cruelty. How dare she slander them now? Miss Wei even pitied her for being too young to bear the blame for past grievances."
Wei Yingshu sneered, "It seems I was naive to think someone raised by Pei Zhengde could be any different."
Pei Liang ignored them, her mocking gaze fixed on Wei's Mother and Wei's Maternal Uncle.
"My grandfather, out of respect for his bond with his disciple, chose to bear the disgrace of breaking his word and expelling his successor. Now, that very act is twisted into a lie by petty minds. If his spirit watches from above, he must regret showing mercy back then."
The meaning of her words was lost on the crowd, but Wei's Mother and Wei's Maternal Uncle understood perfectly.
Their earlier excitement vanished, replaced by unease as they realized the danger. Before Pei Liang could continue, they threw themselves to the ground, wailing dramatically.
Wei's Mother, in particular, proved herself a masterful performer. Though she seemed an unassuming woman, her eyes reddened instantly, her face etched with endless sorrow and grievance. Her voice, however, carried loud and clear throughout the entire tavern, ensuring everyone heard her.
"That damned husband of mine was always slow-witted and dull, slaving away for the Pei Family like an ox. He was already older when he became Chef Pei’s apprentice, and the old master never hid his disdain. Back then, wasn’t he stuck with all the dirtiest, hardest tasks in the kitchen?"
"Calling him a disciple was just a formality—he was treated worse than a servant! And you, Pei Fugui, didn’t you mock and order him around like a slave every single day?"
Pei Fugui flushed red, stammering, "Nonsense! You—you’re lying through your teeth!"
But many in the crowd were long-time patrons of Tianxiang Lou or neighbors who remembered Wei Qigui and knew Pei Fugui’s character.
One of them jeered, "That much is true. Pei Fugui had no skill himself, so of course he resented Chef Pei’s real successors. Wei Qigui was the most talented and favored by Chef Pei, which made him the prime target for daily harassment."
With this corroboration, the onlookers leaned further toward Wei's Mother’s side.
Wei's Mother continued tearfully, "We outsiders, inheriting the old master’s legacy, knew we were blessed. But we treaded carefully every day, terrified of making even the slightest mistake."
"In those years when the old master’s health declined, Tianxiang Lou relied entirely on my husband. Many of you esteemed guests here must remember. He worked himself to exhaustion more than once—the kitchen staff can attest to that!"
After selecting his heir, Chef Pei had indeed stepped back, intending to test his successors. For the first few years after Pei Liang’s birth, Wei Qigui had been the head chef, with Chef Pei only occasionally stepping in.
So it wasn’t wrong to say Wei Qigui had carried Tianxiang Lou during that time.
The crowd grew even more convinced of Wei Qigui’s contributions.
Wei's Mother let out a bitter laugh. "But no matter how hard he worked, an outsider would always be an outsider."
"At first, the old master was strict, but life was bearable. But once his granddaughter showed talent, there was no place left for my family."
"The old master was still strong then—he could’ve trained another successor. Instead, he sent my fool of a husband to manage a new branch."
"And that fool, not realizing the old master’s true intentions, poured his heart into running it as if it were his own. Who turned that empty shop into a thriving business if not him? Pei Fugui, dare you deny it?"
Pei Fugui blustered, "So what? Wasn’t it the Pei Family’s money? Did we ever shortchange the Weis on wages?"
Before Wei's Mother could respond, someone else snapped, "That’s not the point. Plenty of people in the capital have money to open restaurants—how many became as successful as Tianxiang Lou’s branch?"
"With Wei Qigui’s skills back then, countless would’ve offered him partnerships or profits just to have him. Or he could’ve started his own place. The Pei Family may have done him a favor, but that doesn’t mean you can claim his hard work as your rightful due!"
Pei Liang watched coldly, realizing the truth: the three members of the Pei Family were hopeless. Pei's father and Pei's mother were not only incompetent but also outmatched in cunning.
As for the original Little Chef Pei—her predecessor—she had been a reserved, single-minded cook, too busy upholding Tianxiang Lou’s reputation to navigate such schemes.
In the original story, once Pei Fugui was exposed for bribing the judges, the Pei Family became a laughingstock. With ridicule raining from all sides, even if Little Chef Pei had known some truths, no one would’ve believed her.
Who would trust someone branded as dishonorable?
Now, as Pei Fugui floundered under the crowd’s scorn, the Wei Family and Wei Yingshu’s admirers reveled in his humiliation. None noticed Pei Liang quietly approaching Gu Xiu, one of the judges.
Gu Xiu was leisurely peeling an orange, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle.
When Pei Liang approached, he smirked. "Aren’t you going to help your father, Little Chef Pei?"
Pei Liang smiled. "Wei's Mother’s account isn’t entirely accurate, but what she said about my father isn’t wrong."
Gu Xiu raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Jealous of talent, petty in actions, obsessed with shortcuts, yet too clumsy with words to even save face," Pei Liang continued. "He single-handedly ruined our family’s legacy. The misery he’s tasting now is just the beginning—better he gets used to it early."
Gu Xiu’s interest deepened. As a regular at Tianxiang Lou, he’d never realized Little Chef Pei could be so sharp-tongued.
Seeing his amusement, Pei Liang cut to the chase. "I’m bothering you, Master Gu, because I have a favor to ask."
"Oh? Do tell," Gu Xiu replied, intrigued.
In the original story, Gu Xiu was a recurring character—not romantically involved with the heroine but appearing whenever she competed in culinary battles. No matter how far-flung the location, he’d coincidentally show up, his discerning palate and impartiality making him the story’s quintessential judge.
To maintain absolute fairness, aside from his reverence for food, he needed a background that feared no authority. Here, Gu Xiu was the most influential figure present, even surpassing the high official’s son in Wei Yingshu’s circle. To avoid complications, Pei Liang had chosen to seek his help directly.
Fortunately, Gu Xiu had ample free time. Aside from indulging in culinary delights, he also enjoyed a good spectacle. Seeing that Tianxiang Lou harbored a thrilling tale from the past, he was more than willing to lend a hand.
After a brief whispered exchange, Gu Xiu summoned his attendant and gave some instructions, which the attendant promptly carried out.
Meanwhile, Wei Yingshu, who had been keeping a close eye on Pei Liang, frowned and was about to speak when Pei Liang had already stepped away from Gu Xiu’s side and returned to her original spot.
As if sensing something, Pei Liang looked up and locked eyes with Wei Yingshu. With a casual smile, she seemed utterly indifferent to the Pei Family’s increasingly precarious situation.
Over on Wei's Mother’s side, after the surrounding crowd had taken turns humiliating Pei Fugui to the point where he wished he could vanish into thin air, she resumed her tearful lament.
"Originally, Tianxiang Lou belonged to your Pei Family. When the old master favored another successor, as juniors, we had no right to complain. Even if you had simply let us leave, my husband’s skills would have been enough to feed our family."
"But you Pei people showed no mercy! Fearing that my husband might start his own business and compete with Tianxiang Lou, you not only drove us out of the capital but also seized our family’s assets. You even forced that fool to swear never to earn a living through cooking again. Were you trying to push us to our deaths?"
Wei's Mother wept as if her heart were breaking, recalling the desperate and miserable state her family had been in back then.
The crowd erupted in murmurs. Some diners with good memories remembered how the branch restaurant had suddenly closed, and how Wei Qigui’s family had been expelled from the Pei master’s tutelage and banished from the capital.
At the time, a few had muttered about Chef Pei’s lack of decency, but such selfishness was, after all, human nature. Besides, a master who passed down skills that allowed a mere vegetable washer like Wei Qigui to rise as the head chef of the finest restaurant in the land—such a debt of gratitude should have left the Wei Family with little room to complain.
Who could have imagined the truth was so much darker? The Pei Family had exploited Wei Qigui when they needed him, then cast him aside when he was no longer useful, even forbidding him from using the skills they had taught him. What kind of gratitude was that? And to seize the wealth he had painstakingly earned—wasn’t that tantamount to sentencing his entire family to death?
The crowd glared at the three members of the Pei Family with fury. Wei Yingshu, reminded of her childhood hardships and her father’s early death from sorrow, shed delicate tears that stirred sympathy.
Her admirers could no longer sit still. Two hot-headed young men immediately stepped forward, grabbing Pei Fugui by the collar and raising their fists to strike.
Before the blows could land, a clear female voice rang out: "If you two are seeking justice for Chef Wei or pitying Miss Wei for her years of suffering, you’re targeting the wrong culprit."
Everyone turned to Pei Liang, who pointed at Wei's Mother, still wiping her tears, and Wei's Maternal Uncle, who wore a look of feigned sorrow.
"These two are the ones who truly deserve those punches."
Wei Yingshu glared in outrage. "Pei Liang, you’ve gone too far—"
"Don’t be hasty, Miss Wei," Pei Liang said with a smile. "Since everyone has heard Wei's Mother’s version of the truth, why not listen to mine?"
Her tone was so calm and confident, devoid of any shame, that Wei Yingshu and her companions deemed her shameless and heartless.
But the onlookers, always eager for more drama, quieted down, intrigued by the possibility of another side to the story.
Wei's Mother, however, was shrewder. She quickly signaled Wei's Maternal Uncle to stop the girl from speaking.
Yet before he could act, Gu Xiu, seated among the judges, interjected, "One-sided accounts can’t be fully trusted. Let Little Chef Pei speak."
As the highest-ranking figure present, his word silenced any objections.
Pei Liang continued, "Wei's Mother claims your family’s assets were seized, that my grandfather drove you out overnight, and even forced you to swear never to use the Pei Family’s culinary skills again. But what about the branch restaurant?"
"At the time, the branch was thriving, earning fortunes daily. If my grandfather wanted to seize Chef Wei’s achievements and leave you with nothing, why shut it down?"
Wei's Mother’s eyes darted. "With my husband gone, who could keep it running? Of course it collapsed."
Pei Liang laughed. "Nonsense. By then, Chef Wei was already a head chef capable of managing independently—did he need to handle every task personally?"
In large, established restaurants like Tianxiang Lou, a head chef’s role was less about cooking every dish and more about overseeing the kitchen—ensuring ingredient quality, coordinating preparations, and maintaining service flow. With such a bustling establishment, there were plenty who could step in.
"Besides Chef Wei, several of his fellow apprentices were also in the capital. While their skills might have been slightly inferior, the branch had no shortage of capable hands to keep it running."
Then Pei Liang’s tone shifted abruptly. "But Wei's Mother isn’t entirely wrong—the branch did close."
"A prosperous restaurant with ample funds, customers, and staff doesn’t shut down overnight without reason."
The crowd recalled how the branch had abruptly announced its closure back then, with even regular patrons receiving vague explanations when they inquired at the main restaurant.
Wei's Mother had glossed over this detail, but now that Little Chef Pei brought it to the forefront, curiosity surged.
Pei Liang didn’t keep them waiting. "The branch closed because of a death."
