After being glared at by Xiao Jingzhao again, Xiang Yang finally spoke up: "Master, the Valley Master of Black Dragon Pool adopted more than twenty orphans twenty years ago, and their ages are similar to those of the missing Prince of Liang. How do we even begin to investigate?"
"Pass down the order to have them go back to Black Dragon Pool and write a report on how the Valley Master took in those people, and send it back."
Xiao Jingzhao believed that every trace leaves a mark, and since the area had been narrowed down, he would eventually find some clues.
As Xiang Yang left, Xiao Jingzhao pinched the bridge of his nose.
Seeing this, Eunuch Ma stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? This servant will go and summon Head Physician Lin."
Xiao Jingzhao looked up at the window. The snow outside had melted, and the leaves were shimmering in the sunlight.
He closed the memorial in his hand and said to Eunuch Ma, "I haven't paid my respects at Cining Palace for several days. Today, I will have my imperial meal at Cining Palace."
Inside the Cining Palace.
Laughter and cheerful voices filled the hall, when suddenly a palace maid announced, "His Majesty has arrived."
The laughter inside the hall abruptly stopped.
Xiao Jingzhao paused, and Eunuch Ma immediately understood.
He turned to the palace maid who had reported this and asked, "Has anyone come inside to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager?"
"Reporting to the Chief Steward, it is Lord Lin." The palace maid answered respectfully, secretly thinking to herself, "As expected of the Chief Steward, he already guessed that someone was inside before the person even entered."
As you step into the hall, a fragrant aroma wafts towards you.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Second brother, come and try it! Juxian Pavilion's honey-roasted goose is delicious."
Inside the hall, Lin Xiangzhi rose to pay his respects, while Chang Le was eating a goose leg, her lips glistening with oil.
The Empress Dowager beckoned to Xiao Jingzhao, "The Emperor is here. Come and try the roast goose that the Prime Minister specially bought to honor me."
Xiao Jingzhao bowed to the Empress Dowager and then looked up at Prime Minister Lin.
Lin Xiangzhi blinked. "Your Majesty's decree has prompted me to purchase roast goose from Juxian Pavilion. Your Majesty, please try it. The signature dish at Miss Jiang's restaurant lives up to its reputation."
He emphasized the words "Miss Jiang" a few more times.
Just as Xiao Jingzhao passed by him, Lin Xiangzhi lowered his voice and said, "The Imperial Kitchen doesn't allow people to bring food in."
Xiao Jingzhao: "..." I don't believe you for a second.
If he really did send it to the Imperial Kitchen, someone would surely relay the news to Eunuch Ma.
After bowing, Aunt Cai gestured to the palace maids to serve tea.
Chang Le pursed her lips and put down the goose leg in her hand. "I'll take this portion over to my older sister."
Then he waved to the palace maids, and Jing'er and another palace maid stepped forward, took away two large plates of sliced roast goose from the table, and left.
Chang Le picked up the half-eaten goose leg from the plate in front of her and ran away like a mouse seeing a cat.
Xiao Jingzhao: "Am I that scary? Why does Chang Le always avoid me?"
There were no outsiders in the room, and Xiao Jingzhao no longer referred to himself as "I, the Emperor." He lifted his robe and sat down opposite Prime Minister Lin.
After the emperor took his seat, Lin Xiangzhi sat down as well.
"Does Your Majesty know why the princess is afraid of you?"
Xiao Jingzhao glanced at the roast goose on the table and asked, "Why?"
The roast goose has a golden-brown, oily skin that looks like it's been coated with honey, and its aroma is sweet and incredibly tempting.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my crime first, then I will dare to speak the truth," said Prime Minister Lin, as always, taking advantage of the situation.
The Empress Dowager had watched Lin Xiangzhi grow up. Before Xiao Jingzhao could express his opinion, the Empress Dowager suppressed a smile and said, "There are no outsiders here, Xiangzhi, please speak freely."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I have always envied the Emperor for having such a kind and easy-going mother like you since I was a child." Lin Xiangzhi flattered her with a smile, making the Empress Dowager beam with joy.
"Xiangzhi is such a sweet talker. Your mother is truly blessed."
When they were in Yannan, Lin Xiangzhi's mother often visited the Prince's residence.
Lin Xiangzhi's mother often complained to her about how naughty and deserving of a beating her son was.
For example, there are countless cases of family books disappearing without a trace, or concubines in the mansion crying for no reason and demanding to be released from their positions.
Xiao Jingzhao glared at Lin Xiangzhi with annoyance, "Stop beating around the bush, just say what you want to say."
"Your Majesty, you always have a stern face and are strict with Princess Chang Le. After all, the princess is still a child. How can she not be afraid?"
Xiao Jingzhao: "She'll be of marriageable age in a few years, and she'll have to learn all the proper etiquette, otherwise who would dare to be her husband in the future?"
"Your Majesty is too kind. Princess Chang Le is innocent and lively, while Princess Yong He is quiet and gentle. They complement each other perfectly, so the Empress Dowager won't feel bored in the palace."
It must be said that Prime Minister Lin was very perceptive; his words struck a chord with the Empress Dowager.
Upon arriving in the capital, within the deep palace, the Empress Dowager found herself surrounded by more than twice the number of servants she had before, yet she still longed for the days in Yannan.
If it weren't for her quirky little daughter by her side, she would have been bored out of her mind.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "What the Prime Minister said is more pleasing to the ear. Chang Le is a bit mischievous, but she has not missed a single rule that the nanny taught her."
Xiao Jingzhao: "..."
As long as this guy is around, nothing I say is right.
"My son, please try the roast goose that the Prime Minister specially sent. Your mother has tasted it and found it to be very delicious."
Seeing that the Emperor was giving Lin Xiangzhi a sly glare, Aunt Cai quickly echoed the Empress Dowager's words, "Your Majesty, please try it. This old servant has already divided it into several portions, and your portion is a little smaller."
As Aunt Cai spoke, she lifted the copper lid on the table, and sure enough, there were several slices of roasted goose lying in the exquisite official kiln porcelain plate.
Aunt Cai wasn't lying; it really was a small amount, only three pieces in total.
Xiao Jingzhao looked at the perfectly intact roast goose in the center of the table.
Lin Xiangzhi picked up the whole roast goose and handed it to Aunt Cai with a fawning smile, "Please take this down and share it with everyone. You've worked hard taking care of the Empress."
Aunt Cai accepted the roast goose with a smile, gave a slight curtsy to Prime Minister Lin, and praised him, "Young Master Lin is as meticulous and thoughtful as ever. On behalf of the maids of Cining Palace, I thank you."
Xiao Jingzhao: "..." This guy only knows how to please the Empress Dowager and the people around her. No wonder the Empress Dowager finds him pleasing to the eye.
"How many roast geese did you buy to take to the palace?" Xiao Jingzhao asked casually, picking up his silver chopsticks.
"Two of them. The other one was given to Princess Chang Le and Princess Yong He."
As he spoke, Lin Xiangzhi picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth.
"The pastries in the palace are still the best. I've been busy with official duties these past few days. My uncle sent people to look for a house to buy, and I occasionally accompany them. Because of this delay, I haven't had time to go to Su Jin's place for a meal."
Lin Xiangzhi finished a piece of pastry in no time.
Xiao Jingzhao lowered his head and silently ate the roast goose, which was oily but not greasy and melted in his mouth.
No wonder people in the capital flock to such delicious roast goose.
...
The barbecue style spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, and everyone praised Yue Niang, the owner of Juxian Pavilion, as an extraordinary woman.
Those with a quick mind could tell from watching the barbecue that this method was not difficult.
More than just one or two people figured out the trick: ordinary charcoal is placed in an iron trough under an iron rack, and it's cooked simply by roasting it.
For a time, the blacksmith shop in the north of the city was crowded with people.
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