Because the Queen Mother was unwell, the Empress decided to hold the gathering in the courtyard of Shoukang Palace. She had the seating arranged in advance and had the small kitchen expanded to three times its original size.
"Empress, is it appropriate to leave so many things outside?"
"Mother, this is what I call... fairness! What if one of my sisters gets lazy and asks one of our maids who's good at cooking to do it for them? And if she happens to receive a reward from you, wouldn't that mean I'm just reaping the benefits?"
Aunt Zijin looked at the courtyard that was about to be packed and asked: "Are there so many ladies preparing to cook on the spot?"
"I explained this matter long ago. How could they not do their best?" As she spoke, the Queen noticed someone approaching. "Mother, please wait in your room. I will call you when it's time for dinner."
The Queen Mother also found it interesting. Even after returning to her inner room, she couldn't help but sit at the window and look out.
Seeing this, Yin Zhu couldn't help but tease, "Her Majesty, are you missing Concubine Yi's cakes? I remember that when she was still in Shoukang Palace, you always loved eating her cooking. You were afraid she'd get proud, so you even hid away to eat them!"
"It's such an old story, and you're the only one who still remembers it!"
Compared to the relaxed atmosphere inside the palace, the concubines who arrived first outside were extremely nervous. They silently recited the recipe in their minds while studying the unfamiliar stove.
The dishes prepared by Wei Shuyi do not require complicated frying and stir-frying processes, as long as the steaming and boiling temperature is controlled well.
"Sister Guiren, do you want to grab a seat?" Zhang agreed, aiming towards the house. "It's just that we came early, so we can cook in the small kitchen, away from the wind. If we stay outside and accidentally start a fire, it would be disastrous!"
"Then you come in with me."
Xin Xuanshi naturally followed her, standing to her left and starting to cook the fried fish nuggets she had been learning for many days. Zhang Da Ying was responsible for helping them and handing them the things they needed.
It was this action that drew Concubine Xu's teasing. "Ms. Zhang is truly studious. I gave up this opportunity to please the Empress Dowager because I naturally dislike the smell of cooking fumes. And why did you? Seeing how diligent and quick-witted you are, you should also present a dish to the Empress Dowager. Why... are you acting like a servant here?"
"You! Since Miss Xu doesn't like to hang out here, why don't you just go back to the courtyard and sit down? Why are you coming here to hurt others for no reason?"
Wei Shuyi glanced at him in confusion: How unusual! Given Zhang's temper, if someone provoked him in person, he would definitely win the upper hand in words!
But now he controlled his anger and tactfully persuaded people to leave, which was really unlike his style.
Therefore, she paid special attention to every food she handled, fearing that the quality was poor or that it was mixed with foreign substances that should not be there.
"Wen Yu, give that to me. Is it not crushed?"
"No, I've kept it carefully in my pocket, it's fine!"
To save time, the oranges used to hold the ingredients are prepared in advance. The tops have been peeled, and then fresh juice and prepared seasonal vegetables are added to form the bottom, then placed in the steamer and waited.
Zhang agreed and looked around cautiously, "Sister, the Queen just said that everything must be made on site. If you ask Aunt Wen Yu to bring it quietly, will it be possible..."
"That's why we have to take it out quietly!" Wei Shuyi gestured towards her intentionally, "Only a few of us know about this. You won't tell anyone, will you?"
"No! I will never do that!"
In fact, even if the Empress Dowager heard about the report, she would not take any action. Compared with punishing Wei Shuyi, it is likely that the person who reported the incident behind her back would be severely punished.
Today, she is not here to compete for ranking.
Therefore, the pursuit of absolute fairness must also be postponed to the next position.
Imperial Concubine Jin had also chosen a spacious area in the house. Upon seeing them, she actually took the initiative to lecture Zhang Da Ying: "The wound on your face healed really quickly. I'm afraid you've forgotten the rules I taught you."
"I dare not! I will remember the teachings of the Imperial Concubine in my heart!"
Qian Dai also sneered: "Look at the way he salutes, it has indeed improved a lot."
Concubine Jin did not stop them. Instead, she ordered people to put the ingredients in place and then rolled up her sleeves to prepare cooking.
This beauty has a unique charm even when cooking. With her every move, you'd think she was painting impromptu, not busy with the daily necessities of life.
"Sister Noble, we just need to wait. How about we go out and sit and wait?"
"Well, Wenyu, please help watch the steamer. Call me when it's almost time."
Wei Shuyi did not refuse Zhang's request. She wanted to see what tricks this woman was going to play!
As she was leaving the house, the Queen approached with her skirt lifted.
"Oh, I should have known not to visit the little princess! We didn't have enough time to begin with, and now it's over! Can I still cook it?"
She was heartbroken: someone other than her biological mother held Zhaohua in her arms, cherishing her and wanting to spend every opportunity with the lovely little princess. And she, in order to preserve her daughter's glory and protect her, had no choice but to sacrifice the time they spent together and struggle to get out of the vortex of conspiracy.
"Sister Yi, what's wrong with you?" Consort Xin saw her standing still and looked at the Queen's back. "Are you missing the Princess too? How about we stop by and see her after the Queen Mother has lunch today?"
"Yes, my dear sister, I know your craftsmanship very well. If you receive praise from the Queen Mother, who knows, she might be so happy that she will return the princess to you!"
This Zhang family...
Talking is still so unpleasant!
Wei Shuyi sighed and found a seat in a corner to sit down.
"My lady, why isn't Aunt Jinhan serving the Empress today?" Jing'an leaned over to pour her tea and suddenly mentioned this matter. "I've been in the palace for so long, but this is the first time I've seen the Empress bring other people with her as attendants."
"I heard that she was injured in the small kitchen of Fengluan Palace and took several splashes of hot oil on behalf of the Empress. That's why she didn't show up. I guess she's still recuperating."
Jingning was naturally well-informed, but Wei Shuyi just thought he had heard something interesting and didn't pay much attention to it.
Until the dish was steamed, Zhang Da Ying stayed quietly by the side without any unnecessary movements.
She felt something was amiss and went to the small kitchen to get the crab stuffed oranges out. "Did anyone tamper with the food?"
Wen Yu shook her head: "I will guard here, no one dares to come and touch our things. The Queen is in a good mood today. She talked to the Imperial Concubine for a long time before leaving with a feeling of unsatisfied."
"Doesn't the Empress... need to cook?"
"I'm listening here. It seems that she has a hand injury and is unable to move. Plus, time is running out, so she decided to give up."
Just then, Aunt Zijin came in to get the food. She immediately took a fancy to the tray in her hand and said, "Wow! What's this? A bowl made of orange peel?"
"This is a dish from Zhang Ying's hometown. I found it interesting, so I learned it specially and made it for the Empress Dowager."
"Then give it to the slave quickly!"
So, the first dish the Queen Mother tasted was the crab stuffed with orange made by Wei Shuyi.
Wei Shuyi watched with his own eyes as the woman at the main seat picked up the chopsticks, picked up the top layer of "crab meat" and put it into her mouth.
Then, their eyes met for a moment—
"Queen Mother! What's wrong with you?!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
