After living in this mansion for several years, she discovered that she was just a concubine, and it was already difficult enough to live a normal life, let alone investigate clues.

After that, she had to give up the idea and focus all her attention on researching dessert recipes.

Seeing the woman in front of him lost in thought, Yinzhen was somewhat displeased.

He put down his chopsticks and carried Geng Youran into the inner room.

Geng Youran exclaimed in surprise in a low voice:

"My lord! I haven't washed and dressed yet!"

A deep, muffled voice replied:

"It's the same if you wash it later!"

When Geng Youran woke up again, it was already broad daylight in the morning.

The heat around her had dissipated. After rubbing her lower back briefly, Geng Youran called Xinyi in.

"Hurry up and help me wash up, or I'll be late for my greetings again."

Xinyi covered her mouth and laughed.

"Princess, there's no need to worry. The Prince has already said that you are exempt from paying your respects today."

Upon hearing this, Geng Youran slumped back onto the couch.

As a result, she was completely awake and couldn't fall back asleep.

"Never mind, just help me wash up. I'll give you a list later, go to the steward and get some things, just say it's what the Prince approved."

Geng Youran decided to start making 'Poria cocos cakes' and 'ox tongue pastries' after finishing breakfast.

Actually, 'ox tongue pastry' is somewhat similar to modern peanut brittle, both being pastries with nuts as fillings, but the dough is slightly different.

Upon arriving at the small kitchen, Geng Youran instructed Xinyi to put the flour into a pot and stir-fry it over low heat until it turned slightly yellow. While it was cooling, she mixed the filling ingredients, including roasted sesame seeds, peanut powder, sugar, salt, and Sichuan peppercorn powder.

Then add an appropriate amount of lard and knead into a dough for later use.

Next, make the water-oil dough: mix flour, powdered sugar, lard, and warm water and knead into a smooth dough.

Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for half an hour.

Next, make the oil-based pastry: mix flour and lard evenly and knead into a dough.

Divide the proofed water-oil dough and oil-shortening dough into equal portions. Take one portion of water-oil dough, flatten it, and wrap it around one portion of oil-shortening dough. Seal the dough with the seam facing down, like making a bun. Roll the wrapped dough into a long strip, roll it up from top to bottom, and let it rest for a while.

Rotate the rolled dough 90 degrees, roll it out into a long strip again, and roll it up again. Repeating this step will make the pastry layers richer.

Flatten the rolled dough and roll it out into a round or oval sheet.

Wrap the filling inside, seal the opening downwards, gently flatten it, and roll it into an oval shape.

Brush the surface of the ox-tongue pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for decoration.

Bake the ox-tongue pastry in the oven until golden brown.

"Little Anzi!"

Geng Youran summoned Xiao Anzi and asked him to wait outside the palace gates for Yinzhen to finish court so that he could hand the palace over to Gao Wuyong.

When Li Dequan, who was by Kangxi's side, received the pastries and presented them to the emperor, Kangxi guessed who had made them.

"Li Dequan, tell Lao Si to have that girl come to the palace when he has time."

"Yes, sir."