This kind of pot is used to render lard.

In Murong Yue's eyes, this small pot most resembled the pot that the old man used back then.

"Your Majesty, just tell me what you want to do, and I will do it."

Steward Zhu was genuinely worried that Murong Yue might bump into something here.

"Alright."

Murong Yue walked ahead with her chin raised, following the smell directly to the worktable, and directed Steward Zhu to put things into the pot.

"this."

She pointed to the star anise.

"Alright, Your Majesty...is this enough?"

Manager Zhu scooped out a few star anise with a spoon and put them into the pot.

Adding star anise, it seems His Majesty is going to make a stew.

Murong Yue nodded, then pointed to the fennel next to her, "Two spoonfuls of this."

She has learned how to give dosages.

Awesome!

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Next, cinnamon, bay leaves, cardamom, nutmeg, chili peppers, brown sugar, and so on—anything Murong Yue thought could be found in traditional Chinese medicine—was added.

She was only satisfied when the pot was almost half full.

"What kind of food does Your Majesty wish to prepare?"

Chief Steward Zhu thought to himself, whatever His Majesty wants to do, he will be the one to taste it as a test subject, so what's the rush?

This was made under His Majesty's command, so it must be extraordinary.

"Add water and cook."

ah?

Oh, oh, oh.

After realizing what was happening, Steward Zhu immediately added water and started a fire, using precious pine charcoal, which produces dishes with a particularly strong wok hei (wok aroma).

Then, eager to try, they wanted to take His Majesty to select ingredients.

He thought he was the best executioner in the world—bah! The imperial chef with the best knife skills.

When you're preparing the ingredients later, you must show off your skills in front of His Majesty.

But Murong Yue showed no intention of choosing any ingredients.

He just stood there waiting.

Steward Zhu didn't dare to urge them, and no one else dared to either; they all stayed with them.

Glug glug—

After the water boiled, a mixed aroma of spices filled the air.