Since we're destined that we can't develop a romantic relationship
we must face the reality
You've taught me not to submit to the traditional feudal ethical code
You've glorified open-mindedness and bold renovations
I'm adamant that being a woman is better
Getting married? Only a moron will get married
Remember, it's great if you can meet someone you're keen on
You must cherish such an opportunity
Don't back off easily no matter what happens
Love can help you solve every problem
Thanks to Great Great Granny and Yu Tsz the business of the Phoenix House prospered
Under a polygamous system a man could have many wives
But a woman could have one husband only
It was obvious that Yu Tsz and Great Great Granny were a perfect match
Yu Tsz didn't work as the 2nd chef in the Tao Tao Ju House
because he'd like to get more chances to see Great Great Granny
But Yu Tsz would feel bitter when he saw his beloved being embraced by another man
Yu Tsz and Great Great Granny loved each to her
but they were unable to stay together
I'd really wonder who the real intruder was
Both Sin and Yu Tsz are single They'll fall in love with each other easily
You'd like to be their matchmaker?
They're a perfect match
I know Yu Tsz since I was a kid Sin can't be the type of woman he likes
What Yu Tsz needs is a woman
Let's give them more chances to meet each other
With the passing of time, they'll come to have a tender feeling for each other
Don't waste your time being a busybody
You're their boss. You must care about them
Yu Tsz has sacrificed a lot for us
We should care about his future happiness
A man needs a woman to bring him under control
Just like us, if anything happens we can discuss it with each other
A bachelor needs an anchorage for his heart. I bet you know what I mean
He's right They're loyal and dedicated staff
A closer bond will ensure that they'll stay with us for a long time
Fung, you must try your best to make it happen
Let me help you
I'm OK
Your hand was wounded Bro Yu said you mustn't wet the wound
Thank you
What's your impression of Bro Yu?
He's a very nice man
Get along well with him You can learn a lot from him
Mistress...
You and Bro Yu grew up together?
Do you know his family members?
He's just got a father who'd worked as a chef in my parents' house
But he's retired and stayed in his hometown since the beginning of the year
Big Madam and her bro had alleged maliciously that
you and Bro Yu was having an affair
As you said, it was a malicious allegation
Don't bother asking it again
He and I are good friends since childhood
Don't bother yourself about our relationship
Don't get me wrong. well...
He's kind-hearted and honest
You can rely on him for the rest of your life
I know but I'd been a child bride before
I'm afraid others may say I'm aspiring after a man too good for me
If you like each other other things are rather trivial
But I can't read Bro Yu's mind Maybe he thinks that I'm a nuisance to him
He's told me you're a nice girl He said you're tough and hardworking
Really? Did he say that to you?
You're still experimenting on the right amount of heat?
Yes, though I know the way of making the skin crispy
is spraying the duck with barley syrup and drying it outdoors naturally
using the right amount of heat is also important
I'm experimenting with the date seed charcoal
Its fire is too slow though it's steady and long-lasting
Really?
I'll add some pine charcoal because its fire is very fierce
Tsz...
You've been working on ways of improving roast duck every day
I'm afraid you'll become fed up with it
What if you watch an opera and relax yourself a bit tonight?
Watching an opera?
I know Man Hiu-sing and Yuen Ha-kuk are your favorite actor and actress
Yuk-lun has bought 2 tickets
All of us have been working in full swing recently
Taking a break may bring about more new ideas
Keep the tickets and wait outside the open-air theatre tonight
Remember, dress up neatly
Bro Yu
Where're the others?
The others?
Forget it
Sorry for keeping you waiting
Mistress said I must dress up for the data
Don't worry. There's still plenty of time
It wasn't easy for me to find a stall selling fried chestnut
Mistress told you I like fried chestnut?
Yes, they're still hot. Try it
Thanks
Candied haws
You like candied haws?
Let me buy some for you Thanks
Thank you
Yu-fung...
Are you all right?
I'm OK
then why do you keep the mushroom stalks?
Oh, sorry
You're absent-minded today You broke things and burnt your hand
Is it about the Phoenix House?
I'm really OK. I've just been distracted by some trivial matters
I've complicated some simple matters
Why do you stay up at this time of night?
I've had a few sleeps already
The moon is hanging in the middle of the sky already
Yu Tsz and Sin haven't come back yet?
The later they come back the better
Right, they must enjoy watching the opera very much
Maybe they're so joyous that they won't come back tonight
It's good for them to take a break
I hope they'll like each other Yu-fung, do you agree with me?
Talk of the devil, here they are now
3rd Madam, Young Master, Mistress
You're back. Was the opera good?
It was very good I've never watched an opera before
I'm grateful to Bro Yu for explaining many things to me
It was mainly fighting and boxing One could understand it quite easily
Man Hiu-sing and Yuen Ha-kuk are brilliant
It was a real eye-opener this time Mistress, thank you for the ticket
Don't just thank her
I bet you two must've a sweet experience
You must be grateful to me for being the matchmaker
I look forward to attending their wedding banquet
Strike the iron while it is hot
What're you talking about? I'll go back to my room first
She's very shy
It's normal for a grown-up to get married?
I'll go back to the kitchen
He's shy too. I guess we must pick a lucky date as soon as possible
Sin likes candied haws. Buy her a couple of sticks and she'll be very happy
You think she really suits me?
What's your impression of her?
She's quite nice
Great! A man must start a family Trust me, Sin will be a good wife
But...
You'd like to tell me there isn't a flimsy trace of romance between you and her
You're really too impatient
Give yourself and her more time
You can get along well with each other
OK. As usual, I never say no to you
Mom, don't eat the shell of the shrimps
They'll suffocate you Don't eat them
We draw up a shopping list every morning
For the fresh produce we need almost everything
We've also got the dried produce in stock Why do we need to draw up a list every day?
Many things are seasonal
We also buy according to different weather and occasions
I got it now
Bro Yu, you're very smart
Our business this morning has surpassed that of yesterday already
It's marvelous if business is so good every day
What?
Of course. Our Chief Chef is the disciple of the world's best chef
Yu-fung is also our brilliant adviser
We've a mastermind and a talented chef
No wonder our business has become better and better
They're just pawns but I'm the general
Don't underestimate the importance of my leadership
Right, you've the full credit
The tea has become very weak
Let me brew you another pot
Let me do it
Thank you
Look, it seems they've a lotto share
They're not only chatting amicably
but also exchanging amorous glances with each other
A trace of romance appears at the comers of their mouths
Your description is full of exaggerations
No, I bet they'll get married soon
Sin, show Mistress our estimate
Young Master, Bro Yu would like you to check our estimate
Everybody, I'd like to make an announcement
An alder brother will play the role of a father during his absence
An elder sister-in-law will play the role of a mother during her absence
Today, Yu-fung and I would like to propose a marriage between Yu Tsz and Sin
Marvelous...
They're well-matched in social and economic status
Young Master Yuk-lun has done something right finally
Sin, what do you think?
I don't know
When a girl says she doesn't know it means she hasn't got any objection
Fung, what do you think?
Sin is a good girl. Chef Yu is the one she can rely on for the rest of her life
If they really like each other it's a good thing for them to get married
I appreciate your care and concern but the current situation is very unstable
It isn't the right time to consider my marriage
No matter what happens, life must move on
Getting married is a big event
Don't bother yourself about the current situation
Right, we can skip the ostentatious formalities
Correct, you just need a formal and decent wedding
Disaster! Disaster! Tongzhou has fallen to the enemies
The foreigners are going to invade the Capital
The army of the 8 nations will reach the Capital in a couple of days
The foreign invaders will be here soon
Are you sure?
What should we do now?
Have you heard it? Even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are running away
Why should we stay here? We'd better pack and leave
I won't leave, I won't leave...
Where can we go?
We may need a wagon. Big Madam can't walk
We must pack now. Hurry up!
Quiet, please. We can't leave
Why?
The majority in this house are woman The trip will be too demanding for them
Right, if the foreign invaders arrive in 2 days
We mayn't be able to go to a faraway place
Right, staying outside is dangerous It's safer if we stay in the Phoenix House
I really don't know what to do Yu-fung, I'll do whatever you say
The current situation is complete chaos
I've no idea how long it'll last We must gather as much food as possible
Chef Yu, go and buy some food with Sin
Buy as much as you can
OK, we'll bring a jute sack
Sis Cheung, 3rd Madam please look after Big Madam and 2nd Madam
Yuk-lun, Bro Leung, go and get some planks then nail them to all the doors and windows
Yuk-lun, what's up?
My legs are numb
How come? Let me help you
It was August 13, the night before the army of the 8 nations invaded the Capital
The streets were dead quiet
The war would lead to chaos and runaway inflation
Though Great Great Granny had bought enough food and necessaries
everyone in the house was in a state of panic and nobody could sleep well
The bandits of the Corps of Righteousness and Harmony had burned down many churches
They'd killed many foreigners too
The foreigners will bring with them a lot of firearms when they attack the city
I'm afraid there'll be a massacre of the inhabitants this time
Even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager have to run away
Is it an indication that fate has decreed the downfall of the Qing Dynasty?
Stop talking nonsense The Qing Dynasty won't collapse so easily
But people say the foreigners are fierce while the government army is terribly weak
All of us will be killed when the foreign invaders enter the city
The more you speak the more frightened I become
Let's pack and leave. Hurry up!
Right, let's pack now
Cool it. Don't panic! They've closed the gate of the city already
Even we want to leave, where we can go?
The targets of the foreign invaders are
the Emperor, the Empress Dowager as well as their land and money
It took us a lot of effort to turn the Phoenix House into a going concern
We can't run away and leave everything behind
Mistress is right
Big Madam's brother had almost devastated you last time
but you were able to get over it finally
We're in the same boat
If we're united, we can get over the hardship this time
Right, Bro Yu has a point
They're knocking at our door What should we do? What should we do?
I've said we must leave. It's too late
I'll go and check it out
Let me go with you
No, stay here
Be more careful
What can I help at this time of night?
We're pushing on our trip but Our Ladyship is hungry
She'd like to eat in a restaurant I wonder if you would do us a favor
Sorry, Our Ladyship doesn't like the food
Would you cook her some other dishes?
We've cooked her our best dishes already
She's wasteful and picky. Will she pay for all the food that we've cooked for her?
That old woman has been pulling a long face She's really picky. What shall we cook now?
If she's in a bad mood of course she'll have a poor appetite
Any suggestion?
When one is in a bad mood one should eat something light and sweet
I got it
Almond sweet soup and chrysanthemum cake aren't special
Are you sure it'll work?
I'm not sure. I just try
Our Ladyship would like to have another bowl of almond soup for the snacks
She'd also like to know whose idea it is
The almond sweet soup is sweet and light
Apart from the almond flavor there's a smooth and aromatic taste
It's egg white, Your Ladyship
Egg white?
Yes, it's egg white almond sweet soup
We use very simple ingredients but the cooking process is very important
Would you tell me about it?
Clean the almonds and put them in a mortar
Grind them quickly with a pestle until they've become liquid
Filter the liquid before boiling it over low heat
Add the egg white slowly before the soup comes to the boil
then add white granulated sugar into it
As the almond liquid hasn't come to the boil yet
the egg white will malt in it completely
The soup will be smooth, aromatic and light
It really took a lot of effort but this is a perfect sweet soup
Thank you, Your Ladyship
The chrysanthemum cake is light sweet and pleasing to the eye and mind
Eating it gave me a nice and cool sensation
Shredded chrysanthemum and Chinese wolfberry were elegantly arranged
They were hanging perfectly inside the cake
It really took a lot of effort to make this cake
Dedication guarantees good quality
How do you know what I like?
Actually I wasn't sure about what you like
Forgive me for being frank
When I saw you entering the Phoenix House
you looked very worried and unhappy
I guessed you must've been troubled by something
When one is in a bad mood of course one will have poor appetite
It didn't surprise me you weren't interested in eating fatty and rich food
That's why I tried to make some light and sweet snacks for you
I hoped the food could cheer you up
I'm really relaxed and happy now
It's great!
You're gentle and good-mannered You're educated and well-informed too
You don't look like an ordinary girl
You must be highborn or you've come from a rich family
Thank you. I'm just a commoner My parents had run a mining business before
My husband's family members and their grandparents are scholars
Unfortunately his family is in straitened circumstances now
You're a tough and honorable woman
Thank you. Though I'm a woman I must be tough when there's hardship
Right, many men are just scumbags
If woman hadn't been tough, the world would've probably collapsed a long time ago
Without doubt, woman have the ability to rule the world
Men and woman have different vocations
I'll have a clear conscience as long as I've tried my best
Right, I couldn't agree more
You used to lead a life of abundance but you're like a hairless phoenix now
I wonder whether you're resentful or not
Before I married, my mom often taught me that woman must learn to accept the reality
Woman must try to please others first
The pursuit of happiness is the last thing that women should dream of
People around me often try to please me but none of them is happy because of me
In that case, you must be able to make them happy if you want to
I've the ability to make others happy?
You're really a clever girl By the way, what's your name?
I'm Yu-fung. Ngai is my maiden name
Yu-fung is a good name I'll remember your name and what you said
May I know your name, Your Ladyship?
I must hurry. If fate allows I envision a lot of changes in future
Your Ladyship you really don't tell me your name?
"In a rainy autumn night
you go to the state of East Wu"
"I say farewell to you in the morning but the distant hills makes me feel lonely"
"If relatives and friends of Luo Yang ask about my situation“
"Tell them my heart, like a piece of pure ice, can be found in the jade pot“
The last line of this poem suits you well
You're clever and gentle chaste and pure like the ice in a jade pot
Great Great Granny didn't realize the old woman was the Empress Dowager
She also didn't realize what she said
had prompted the Empress to reform the government later
The next morning people started to spread the news that
the Emperor and the Empress Dowager had left for Xian during the night already
Before long, the army of the 8 nations had entered the Capital
The Forbidden City was occupied eventually
There's nobody in the street
I heard gunshots last night. Maybe the foreign enemies had entered the city
The commoners aren't rich
If they'd like to rob, they'll go to the Summer Palace or the Forbidden City
I'd like to take a look outside
Listen... Go...
The army of the 8 nations has occupied the Capital already
We believe the Emperor and the Empress Dowager
had disguised themselves as commoners and run away already
But we're also told that they're still hiding in the Capital
The story also goes that one of them had eaten here
The British forces must conduct a search here
That old lady is Empress Dowager?
Don't point your guns at us Shut up!
That old lady had eaten in our restaurant but she'd left already
I beg you not to hurt the elderly in this house
Go away!
Tsz...Tsz...Tsz...
How's he, doctor?
I've taken the bullet out He's lucky his bone wasn't hurt
He'll be all right?
It's hard to say. Tonight is very critical
He'll survive if he comes round and his fever goes down before dawn
Bro Yu...
Even he survives, the wound may've affected the tendon of his right arm
What does that mean?
If he's unlucky his right arm can't recover completely
He'll become a cripple?
Saving his life is more important than anything now
I'll go back and prepare some herbs
Then you'll brew him a decoction which helps lower his temperature
You must take good care of him tonight
Doctor, I'll go with you
Thank you, doctor
By the way, where's Yuk-lun?
He's too ashamed of staying here He used his wife as his bullet shield
He's still trembling in fear He's cleaning up the place outside
I'll go and take a look
Yu-fung, Sin...look after Chef Yu tonight
I'll go and look after my mom
It's still burning
Tsz, you must pull your socks up
Don't go away...Don't go away
Don't worry. I won't leave I'll stay and look after you here
Don't go away, Yu-fung Yu-fung, don't go away...
You take the decoction to feed Bro Yu
It's hot so feed him slowly
Handle the pot carefully Don't waste the decoction
otherwise it'll affect the efficacy of the medicine
I think you should take care of Bro Yu yourself
The doctor said tonight is critical
I guess Bro Yu would like you to take care of him
He'll hang in there if he knows you're staying with him
Besides, he was wounded because of you so you've the obligation to look after him
Tsz, you must pull your socks up
I know you can make it
You're tough since childhood
Do you remember I lost my way once? I thought I could never find the way home
You came and brought me home and you weren't afraid of darkness
You weren't frightened even there were many wild wolves
I know you can make it this time
You'll come round
You risked your neck for me Do you know I'm guilty and sad?
You won't let me feel guilty and sad for the rest of my life?
You've promised me you'll protect me You said we'll make new dishes together
You're still working on the crispy duck
Tsz...Have you heard what I said? Come round
You've promised me we'll turn the Phoenix House into a going concern
You always keep your word no matter how difficult the task is
Water... water... water
Tsz, you've come round
The fever has gone down
3rd Madam, Sin...Tsz has come round His fever has gone down...Yuk-lun...
Bro Yu, Chef Yu, you're OK? Yu Tsz
Don't move. You got a bullet wound
Yu-fung, are you all right?
I'm fine
You were in a coma We were very worried about you
You really had a close shave
Buddha had listened to our prayers
I think I dreamed last night
In my dream, I found the way of roasting crispy duck
Let me show you how to do it
Don't move. The doctor said you must lie on the bed for 8 to 10 days
Get more rest now
[10 days later]
How come?
What's up?
Why?
My right arm is numb
The doctor said it's normal for the time being
For the time being?
Don't lie to me. It isn't so simple Sin, you'd better tell me the truth
The doctor said the wound might've affected your tendon
If you're lucky the numbness will be temporary
otherwise it can be permanent
Yuk-lun
Stop talking nonsense!
I just stated the fact Shut up!
Don't worry. The doctor said you'll recover
if you get more rest and take more nourishment
Since I'm a cripple, I can't do anything even the restaurant opens again in future
I know your financial situation very well
If I stay here my medical expanses will be your burden
Don't be pessimistic. You'll recover You just can't move your arm temporarily
You can still instruct me and Sin to do the work
Right, don't go away
Please don't go away
Excuse me, I'm looking for Ngai Yu-fung
I'm here. You're...?
Madam Wong, Our Ladyship instructed me to pay you a visit
Our Ladyship enjoyed eating the almond soup and chrysanthemum cake very much
She asked me to deliver some gifts to you
It's a lot of money. We can reopen and expand the Phoenix House
Chef Yu, have you heard it?
The restaurant will expand so you must stay and help us
You needn't worry about the medical expenses now
Life is full of surprises
When you think you're at the end of the rope
indeed every cloud has a silver lining
It was really an unexpected fortune bestowed by Heaven
Actually credit should be given to
Great Great Granny's almond soup and chrysanthemum cake
Before long, the new Phoenix House was open
Welcome... Please follow me
The visit of the Empress Dowager and the smashing of the foreign soldiers
had turned the Phoenix House into a legend
Many celebrities flocked there to taste the almond soup and chrysanthemum cake
They'd also like to gather firsthand information of the legend
It was Great Great Granny's show time whenever there was such an inquiry
The Empress Dowager had disguised herself as a village woman?
No, she dressed up elegantly that night
Apart from eating, did she say anything?
Of course
But if I leak it out my head will be chopped off
She's in Xian. You needn't worry about it
What if she comes back later? The food of this restaurant is so good
You're right
The story goes that the Empress Dowager has several doubles
Isit possible that the woman that night was just a double?
If you insist, I won't argue with you
But I must remind you not to break any bowls or dishes
Some of them had been used by the Empress
I thought the foreign soldiers had smashed everything already?
Even a rotten boat has 3 catties of nails
The story goes that a foreign soldier fired atone of you
Were you frightened, Boss Wong?
What? It was just a trivial matter
But I shouted at that foreign soldier and that stopped him firing the 2nd shot
Why did he fire at one of you?
It was a trivial matter It's not worth mentioning it again
You're lucky today because you can try our signature dish
What's your signature dish?
You'll know it very soon
I'll hand over the work to Sin now
Yes, Chief Chef
Sin, lift it up a little bit otherwise
the skin will be too dry while the inside is still raw
Chuen, keep on turning the duck so that the duck will be roasted evenly
Yes, Chef
The skin must be crispy while the meat must be tender
The roast duck will be our signature dish
This dish is named "Phoenix Dancing in 9 Heavens“
The name sounds really mighty
"Phoenix Dancing in 9 Heavens" is our signature dish
We've created 9 dishes out of a roast duck
It sounds terrific Yeah
We've got the duck bone soup, roast duck heart, duck intestine with pickle
duck oil fried egg, rice wine duck tongue
garlic duck kidney, salt duck liver and stewed duck feet with mustard greens
Of course the main dish is roast duck
You can put slices of duck on the butterfly-shaped pancakes
Then add sectioned green onion, some sauce and cucumber and eat them together
It's yummy. The skin is crispy The meat is tender but not fatty
Right, there's a special flavor
when sweet flour sauce, cucumber and green onion are being eaten together
The pancake has absorbed the oil
The cucumber is light and crispy The green opinion has an aromatic flavor
I've never eaten a roast duck better than this
Apart from its variety its flavor is also very different
How come the sauce is light, aromatic and not fatty at all?
We've brushed our special sauce inside the duck's cavity
so the flavor of the sauce will seep through the meat
What're the ingredients of the sauce?
It's our secret recipe. We can't disclose it lest our rivals will copy it
If you like it, come more often
Right, “keep coming back“ is the tenet of the Phoenix House
Of course we'll keep coming back Yeah
It surprises me that the roast duck is a huge success
You invented "1 duck 9 dishes" so credit should be given to you
No, credit should be given to you You invented the secret sauce in your dream
Nobody can realize we've used apricots and plums in making the sauce
The bullet wound works out a blessing
It's a blessing in disguise
It's good you're here Tell me the recipe of the roast duck
It's a secret recipe. We can't tell others
It's OK if you don't tell the outsiders But I'm the boss. You should let me know
It's written there. Read it yourself
"Singing by a river on a winter day"
"The mountain flowers have started to blossom"
"Though it's snowing
apricots are plentiful“
"Though spring is yet
to come, plums are beautiful“
What's that? I don't understand it
This poem is hiding the secrets of the sauce
I don't understand it
It's the original secret recipe
Only the Chief Chef and the 2nd Chef are allowed to know it
You treat me as an outsider? I'm the boss. It's unfair and unreasonable
This is the rule of the trade
One can't leak out a secret recipe to an outsider
But a master can teach his disciple the secret recipe
Maybe you can beg me to be your master
I may tell you about it after you've completed your training
Pompous! Listen, I hope the secret recipe is the only secret between you and my wife
Don't let me find out there're other secrets
Thank you for your hard work in the last 2 months
Our business in the last 2 months was much better than before
Thank you for your hard work Your effort should be rewarded
Come on...
Thank you, Boss Thank you, Boss
No problem
Thank you, Boss Thank you Thanks
Sis Cheung
Bro Leung
We've a share of it?
You shouldn't deserve to get the bonus because you've no contribution at all
But Yu-fung said she'd let you get a share of it
Thank you, Yu-fung
Thank you. You're forgiving and generous
Yu-fung isn't a mean person
I hope that everyone in the family is happy
Actually can take care of my mom and Big Madam alone
Pui-leung, starting from tomorrow you must spend more time in the restaurant
It's great Bro Leung can come and help us
Chef Yu is still in the kitchen?
I'll take a look
Tsz, dinner is ready
Let's double our happiness today
Since everybody is here let's discuss the wedding of Sin and Yu Tsz
Great!
Sin, I've paid off the debt and got back the phoenix jade chopsticks
I'll return them to Chef Yu
He'll have money to buy you the wedding gifts
I'll take care of her dowry
Congratulations!
Thank you for your goodwill but I've thought through it already
I don't think I'm his good match
I hope you won't raise this issue again in future
Who said you aren't his good match?
I'll go and get him out He owes us an explanation
You needn't look for him
He's left already
Yu Tsz had left without saying goodbye
But could that help him and his obsession with Yu-fung?