Chapter 403 Snow Cake
The following morning, after discussing several important government affairs at court,
Huo Lin rubbed his temples and glanced at the assembled officials below, who stood with their heads bowed in solemn silence.
Especially those few people who had jointly submitted a letter, openly or covertly criticizing Jiang Huan.
These old geezers, instead of thinking about sharing the emperor's burdens, spend their days idly watching his harem.
Didn't he keep saying that he was bewitched by Jiang Huan's strange skills and tricks?
Just then, the batch of snow cakes she made was finished, and the mass production arrangements for the workshop were also in place.
Before promoting it, we should naturally maximize its usefulness.
Hmph, let them see the power of these "ingenious tricks"!
Thinking of this, Huo Lin turned his head and whispered something to Wang Degui beside him.
Wang Degui understood, bowed and withdrew, and soon returned to the main hall carrying a tray.
On the tray, a dozen or so small, round, golden-yellow cakes, emitting an enticing aroma, were neatly arranged. These were the snow cakes that Jiang Huan had successfully developed.
In an instant, a sweet fragrance, completely out of place with the solemn and dignified atmosphere of the court, quickly spread.
The ministers: ? ? ?
Everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to it, and their throats bobbed almost imperceptibly.
Huo Lin remained unfazed, picked up a snow cake from the tray, and calmly took a bite under the watchful eyes of the entire court.
Crack—
The crisp sound was exceptionally clear in the hall, even echoing.
Huo Lin chewed slowly, a look of enjoyment on his face. He even picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if he were savoring some rare delicacy.
Look at these old guys down there, their eyes are practically popping out of their sockets, they're practically drooling over his hall.
Hmph, let them sign that petition to impeach me before? They'll be green with envy!
Huo Lin slowly picked up the second piece and continued to enjoy it, his movements elegant, clearly showing off.
The ministers below looked at each other, dumbfounded.
Early in the morning, many people skipped breakfast because they were too lazy to sleep in, thinking they'd eat it when they got back from court.
Unexpectedly, the emperor started eating right in front of them.
The crisp, crackling sound was amplified infinitely in the silent and solemn Golden Palace, like a bewitching melody, tantalizing everyone's taste buds.
The rich aroma of rice, mixed with the fragrance of roasted sesame and peanuts, permeates the nostrils, whetting the appetite.
This is bullying honest people!
Several elderly ministers, who were prone to hunger, even had their stomachs rumble slightly, causing their faces to turn bright red with embarrassment, wishing they could disappear into the ground.
A censor standing in the front row swallowed hard, his eyes almost glued to the golden, glistening pancake in the emperor's hand.
Another official who had seconded the motion to impeach Jiang Huan was now filled with remorse.
While secretly inhaling the alluring aroma, he groaned inwardly.
If I had known the Imperial Noble Consort had such skill, I wouldn't have said anything in the first place.
Now that's great, let alone tasting it, just smelling it makes my heart itch unbearably.
Huo Lin took in their expressions, sneered inwardly, and ate with even greater relish.
He ate three pieces before wiping his hands with a silk handkerchief, seemingly noticing the group of eager ministers below.
"Hmm?" Huo Lin raised an eyebrow, looking at several officials who were obviously swallowing hard, and said casually, "Why are you all looking at me? If you have something to say, speak up; otherwise, the court is adjourned. What, do you gentlemen not have anyone to cook for you at your residences?"
The ministers: ...
The Emperor did this on purpose.
The court assembly continued amidst the fragrant aromas and the silent resentment of the officials, but Huo Lin's mood visibly brightened considerably.
After this incident, Xuebing's reputation soared, instantly causing a sensation in the imperial harem and even the entire capital.
Huo Lin then ordered that the method of making snow cakes be handed over to the workshop for standardized mass production.
The original intention of this move was to make it convenient for Jiang Huan to take what she needed at any time, and also to give herself a snack when she was busy. However, she never expected that it would cause such a big stir.
These crispy, sweet, portable, and non-perishable snacks were so appealing that the workshop's daily production was limited, making them a rare commodity that all the palaces were scrambling to buy.
"Sister, have you tried the snow cakes made in the workshop under the guidance of the Imperial Noble Consort? They are truly crispy and delicious."
"Oh, sister, please don't even mention it. I sent eunuchs to guard the workshop several times, but they didn't even manage to snatch anything, let alone smell it."
"I was lucky enough to get two boxes today. I'll send some to my sister to try them out."
Soon, this trend spread to the palace maids and eunuchs.
Being able to snatch something for one's master, or even receive a piece or two as a reward from the master, is considered a great honor.
For a time, almost everyone in the palace was talking about these hard-to-get "snow cakes".
This has led to a situation where, during holidays and festivals, people don't accept gifts, but instead accept large gift packs of snow cakes.
In just half a month, the name of Xuebing (snow cake) quietly became popular throughout the capital.
And this wind naturally reached Consort Li as well.
She leaned against the soft couch by the window, listening to the palace maids whispering about how scarce the cakes were outside the palace, her fingers unconsciously tightening the handkerchief in her hand.
"Enough!" she interrupted the palace maid impatiently, her chest heaving slightly.
It's Jiang Huan again.
The name, along with the desserts she makes, has been omnipresent these past few days, like a curse.
She had long been accustomed to arming herself with disgust and hostility, but now, that armor seemed to have been corroded by the damned aroma of pastries.
This subtle, uncontrollable affection terrified Consort Li.
The palace maid's warning was still ringing in her ears; her and Jiang Huan's positions were already set, with no possibility of reversal.
But the more you suppress it, the more vivid your appetite becomes.
“They’re just some crude things…” she murmured, her voice lacking confidence, more like she was trying to convince herself.
She waved her hand, wanting the palace maid to leave, but the alluring aroma of the snow cake lingered in her mind for days.
After struggling for a long time, pride ultimately failed to overcome the desire for food and the burning curiosity.
She bit her lip and ordered the palace maid, "Go...find a way to get some. I want to see just how delicious it is that can bewitch everyone!"
The palace maid paused for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Your Highness, do you mean... snow cakes?"
Consort Li glared at her, embarrassed and angry: "Otherwise what? Is there some other rare item in this palace that I should ask for?"
"Yes, this servant will take care of it right away." The palace maid dared not say more and quickly withdrew.
Given Consort Li's status and methods, obtaining snow cakes would naturally not be difficult.
Soon, a plate of golden and crispy snow cakes was placed in front of Consort Li.
The alluring color and the wafting aroma of rice caused Consort Li's throat to involuntarily bob.
She stared at the plate of cakes, hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't resist and picked up a piece with her fingertips and took a small bite.
The crispy texture bursts in your mouth instantly, and the aroma of rice mixed with the fragrance of roasting quickly takes over your taste buds.
Consort Li's eyes lit up instantly, and she couldn't help but take another big bite.
Before I knew it, I had finished the whole snow cake.
It was indeed delicious.
But this realization made her feel even worse.
Why Jiang Huan of all people? Why was it she who changed the Emperor's cold and hard heart?
The more she thought about it, the more intense the resentment in Consort Li's heart became.
If Jiang Huan had fallen out of favor, none of this would have happened. She could still have remained the Consort Li, enjoying the flattery of everyone.
They can enjoy the food without having to be enemies with Jiang Huan.
But Jiang Huan ruined everything!
Yes, it's not that she wanted to go against Jiang Huan, it's that Jiang Huan bewitched her and refused to unite as sisters!
Consort Li stared at the remaining snow cakes on the plate, her mind in turmoil.
Reason told her she should throw these things away immediately, but her taste buds and the aroused appetite honestly craved another piece.
Ultimately, physical desire triumphed over reason.
She reached out again, picked up a large rice cracker, and bit down hard with a hint of resentment, as if biting the woman who had taken everything from her.
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