Chapter 122 Spicy Dishes
With her mind in turmoil, Jiang Huan lost all interest in admiring the flowers and simply had Xiao Zhao push her back to Weiyang Palace.
She leaned against the soft couch, gazing at the bright sunlight outside the window, but her heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
This is so annoying! If Huo Lin really dares to hold a talent show, she'll... she'll...
Let Ayina call all those handsome strippers back and have them perform ten or eight shows.
So what if you go after your young girls, and I'll flirt with my fresh-faced guys!
Just as she was feeling troubled, the palace maid guarding the gate came in to report.
"Your Majesty, Consort Liu and Noble Lady Sun request an audience."
Jiang Huan frowned. Who are these two people?
She was practically isolated in the harem, and had no contact with anyone, so naturally she had no impression of these two people.
But it's not good to not see it, so let's just listen and see.
"Yes, please come in."
Soon, two pretty young women walked in, their faces adorned with perfectly appropriate smiles.
"This concubine greets Consort Zhuang." The two women bowed respectfully, their voices soft.
"No need for formalities, please sit down."
Jiang Huan raised her hand and narrowed her eyes slightly.
This doesn't look like a good thing.
Consort Liu spoke first, her voice tinged with shyness: "I heard that Your Majesty was not feeling well yesterday, so I came to visit you. Today, Your Majesty looks rosy and healthy, so you must be much better."
As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept across Jiang Huan's neck.
Consort Sun immediately chimed in, her tone filled with exaggerated envy.
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, you don't know, who in the entire harem doesn't envy you now? Last night, the Emperor was so considerate, even bringing the best masseuse. It's truly enviable."
She kept bringing up what happened last night in her conversation, trying to build rapport.
Listening to their superficial flattery, Jiang Huan only felt more irritated.
Beware of being overpraised!
They're actually visiting? They're clearly just there to join the fun.
"You two sisters are too kind to worry about this." Jiang Huan's voice was unreadable. "It's just a trivial matter; His Majesty is simply being considerate."
The smiles on Liu Meiren and Sun Guiren's faces froze for a moment, and they exchanged a glance.
Liu Meiren rolled her eyes and put on an even sweeter smile.
"Your Majesty, you are too modest. In fact, we have come today not only to visit Your Majesty, but also to ask you for a favor."
"Oh?" Jiang Huan raised an eyebrow and finally looked up at them.
Consort Sun eagerly said, "We've heard that Your Majesty's culinary skills are superb, even the Emperor has praised them highly. We're rather dull, having only learned the basics after studying in the Imperial Kitchen for some time. We wonder if Your Majesty could offer us some guidance?"
As she spoke, her eyes shone with an eager and expectant light.
Jiang Huan thought to herself, "These abacus beads are practically hitting my face!"
They even gave cooking advice, treating Weiyang Palace like a summer training course, huh?
They simply wanted to see the emperor, feeling that spending time here offered a better chance of success.
She put down her teacup and slowly began to speak, her voice soft but each word clear.
"My meager skills are just something I tinkered with in my spare time. You two sisters are exaggerating."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across their faces, as if she could see right through their carefully maintained expressions.
"Besides, the kitchen is full of fumes and oil. My two younger sisters have delicate skin, and I dare not do any work. If they accidentally cut their hands or get splashed with hot oil, I would be in big trouble. If the Emperor asks about it, I can't bear the consequences."
These words were spoken with extreme consideration, as if they were thinking of them in every way, but between the lines they were full of rejection and warning.
Although Consort Liu and Noble Lady Sun were not of high rank, every woman in the harem was shrewd and capable.
They instantly understood the implication in Jiang Huan's words and realized that their little scheme had been exposed.
The two were so embarrassed they wanted to disappear into the ground. They never expected that this seemingly gentle Consort Zhuang would speak with such hidden barbs and ruthlessness.
"Your Majesty is too kind," Consort Liu said, her voice trembling, her smile more painful than tears.
"It was our lack of consideration that led to our rudeness, Your Highness."
Consort Sun quickly echoed, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.
Jiang Huan was already in a bad mood and didn't want to look at them anymore.
She picked up her teacup, blew on it gently, and dismissed the guest.
"I'm a little tired. If you two sisters have nothing else to do, please go back."
"Yes, yes, I'll take my leave."
Consort Liu and Consort Sun felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They hurriedly got up to bow and practically fled, even stammering their farewells.
Watching the two disheveled figures disappear through the doorway, Jiang Huan slammed her teacup heavily onto the small table in frustration.
It's boring, really boring.
Is Huo Lin a cracked egg or a flawless one? With so many flies swarming around him, how can they possibly land on him?
Consort Jia's words were like a demonic whisper, fueling the nameless fire burning ever brighter in her chest.
It's unfair, it's unfair even if he's the emperor.
She felt uncomfortable holding her breath and needed to find a place to vent.
Jiang Huan glanced out the window; lunchtime was fast approaching, and a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
"Xiao Zhao," she called out.
“This servant is here.” Xiao Zhao immediately stepped forward.
"Go to the small kitchen." Jiang Huan turned her wheelchair around, her demeanor fierce.
"I want to personally prepare lunch for the Emperor!"
In the small kitchen, Jiang Huan rolled up her sleeves and gave instructions.
"Bring me the spiciest chili powder."
"And that jar of new pepper sauce, yes, the bright red one."
"Add plenty of Sichuan peppercorns, and a handful of Sichuan peppercorns too."
Xiao Zhao watched her mistress busy at the stove, the air thick with the pungent smell of spices, and couldn't help but cover her nose and cough.
She asked with some concern, "Your Majesty, isn't this...isn't it too spicy? Can His Majesty eat spicy food?"
Jiang Huan didn't turn her head, and her movements became even more efficient.
"His Majesty is in good health, so what is a little spice? This is just to whet the appetite and refresh the mind."
Hmph, let you hold a talent show, let you fill your harem, I'll make you so spicier than a fish, you heartless bastard.
Let's see if you dare to have any more crooked ideas.
After a flurry of activity, the dishes were ready.
She plated the stir-fried spicy chicken cubes, the bright red chilies almost covering the chicken, and then ladled a large spoonful of chili oil over the boiled pork slices, the broth as red as bubbling lava.
Finally, she even sprinkled a handful of chopped chili peppers into the stir-fried vegetables.
Looking at the dishes in front of her, which seemed to have just been brought out of hellfire, Jiang Huan clapped her hands in satisfaction, a relieved smile on her face.
"Put it in a food box," she instructed Xiao Zhao, "and we'll send it to the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiao Zhao swallowed hard as she looked at the dishes that exuded a terrifying aura.
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