Chapter 404 Popularity
Inside Weiyang Palace, the afternoon sun shines through the latticed windows, casting warm shadows on the ground, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Jiang Huan leaned lazily against the couch covered with soft brocade, her pregnant belly already quite obvious.
Once these two mischievous kids are born, she'll definitely go to the system to exchange for another yoga book on ab workouts and weight loss!
Thinking this, she unconsciously stroked her abdomen with one hand, while holding a freshly delivered rice cracker from the small kitchen in the other, taking small bites.
Xiao Zhao stood in front of the couch, her face flushed with excitement, excitedly reporting on the recent success of the snow cakes both inside and outside the palace.
"Your Majesty, you have no idea how lively the workshop is these days. Every day before dawn, long queues form. The masters of each palace send their eunuchs to guard the area early in the morning, hoping to grab a few more boxes. If you go late, you won't even be able to pick up any crumbs!"
She paused, then continued vividly, "And that shop in the West Market, its threshold is practically worn down. These days in the capital, if a family can serve a plate of snow cakes when entertaining guests, it's a matter of great prestige."
As Jiang Huan listened, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, and a satisfied smile spread across her eyes.
Wow! Is it that popular?
Her casually made snow cake actually became a top trend in Beijing?
It seems that foodies throughout history and across the world are indeed all one family.
Just as Jiang Huan was about to wave her hand to let Xiao Zhao quietly accumulate good karma, she suddenly heard a shout from outside.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you are simply my Superman!"
Before she could finish speaking, He Ling rushed in like a gust of wind, holding a small oil paper package in her hands as if it were a precious treasure, her face filled with undisguised excitement.
She rushed to Jiang Huan's bedside, her eyes shining brightly. She eagerly opened the oil paper package, inside which were several golden, glistening snow cakes.
"Snow crackers, it's snow crackers! My god, the taste and texture are exactly the same as the ones sold in the supermarket, no, they're even better! I want to eat them so badly."
She sniffed dramatically, almost bursting into tears, "It's bringing back my homesickness, sob sob sob..."
Jiang Huan couldn't help but laugh at her silly antics: "Is it really that bad? Am I really as amazing as you make me out to be?"
"Absolutely!" He Ling nodded vigorously, opened the rice cracker she had brought, and took a bite.
"Your Majesty, you know that I've been here for so long, and every day it's either pastries or candied fruits, so sweet they're cloying, or some tasteless snacks. They can't compare to this at all. It's salty, fragrant, crispy, and delicious!"
Just as she was lost in her reverie, that familiar electronic voice rang out in her mind.
"Beep—Slow progress in earning points detected. Foodie attribute certification point +1. It is recommended that the host allocate more of their enthusiasm for tasting food to tasks."
He Ling paused for a moment in her blissful expression, then mentally retorted defiantly, her cheeks still bulging as she chewed on the biscuit.
[Mind your own business. You need to be well-fed and watered to have the energy to work hard.]
[Besides, I was just praising the Empress's cooking skills. You're a system without a sense of taste, you have no idea what true culinary delights are, don't even think about disturbing my enjoyment!]
Jiang Huan, who was watching He Ling and the system bickering, couldn't resist the urge to make things worse, so she handed her a glass of warm water.
"Alright, alright, you're so sweet-talking. If you like it, eat more. I've already asked the workshop to save some for you."
"Waaah, it's still the Empress who cares about me." He Ling immediately forgot about the system's warning, cheered, and picked up another snow cake.
The popularity of snow cakes far exceeded Jiang Huan's expectations.
Soon enough, a unique set of rules emerged within the harem.
These rare and delicious snacks quickly transcended their intrinsic value as food and became a tacitly understood form of currency among the concubines and palace maids.
Lower-ranking concubines would try every means to obtain a box of snow cakes and respectfully present it to higher-ranking concubines, hoping to receive some favor or promotion.
"Sister Li Pin is so thoughtful; these snow cakes are in very high demand these days."
The concubine accepted the gift with a smile, and her attitude towards Consort Li, who presented the treasure, became much warmer.
The head maids and nannies would use snow cakes to reward capable subordinates and maintain morale.
Or, when a favor is needed, it can be used to subtly smooth things over, sometimes more humane and respectable than money.
"Granny Wang, these are newly made snow cakes. Please try them. I heard there's a good opening at the Imperial Palace Bureau. I hope you can put in a good word for me when you have time..."
A small packet of rice crackers wrapped in a silk handkerchief was secretly slipped in, which often had a multiplier effect.
Even among the lower-ranking palace maids and eunuchs, minor squabbles would arise over the limited daily allowances distributed by the workshop.
Some people even got into arguments over this, which escalated to the time when it reached the head maid.
"I was the one who got to line first, but she insisted on cutting in line!"
"You're lying! I was here first! Give me back my pancake!"
These minor incidents, more or less, reached Jiang Huan's ears.
She listened and just smiled helplessly, instructing Xiao Zhao to tell the workshop to try to distribute the produce fairly.
But deep down, a sense of accomplishment also welled up inside me.
It seems that sticking to the snack route is the right thing to do. Today, snow cakes are popular, so tomorrow, should we also plan to make potato chips, shrimp crackers, and mini cakes?
Hmm... After giving birth to the little one in my belly and recovering, maybe I can really open a snack shop, specializing in developing all sorts of novel and delicious snacks, which can satisfy my appetite and earn some extra money on the side.
Jiang Huan was happily planning her future snack business when steady footsteps sounded outside the palace. Huo Lin had arrived.
"What are you talking about, you seem so happy?"
He walked to the edge of the bed, sat down beside Jiang Huan, his gaze gently falling on her abdomen. He reached out and gently placed his hand on it, feeling the occasional movements of the little one inside.
These two little ones are quite lively today.
[It's just that she's had a tough time, carrying them, not eating well and not sleeping soundly.]
[Once these two little darlings are out, I will definitely make it up to her properly, taking her to hot springs and beautiful scenery to recuperate.]
Jiang Huan looked up at him and smiled sweetly: "I was just talking to Xiao Zhao about the snow cakes, I didn't expect them to be so popular."
Upon hearing this, Huo Lin's lips curled up slightly, his eyes filled with indulgent laughter: "What you make is naturally extraordinary."
He casually picked up a piece of rice cracker from the plate on the tatami table, put it in his mouth, and the familiar crispy texture made his brows relax a little.
However, Jiang Huan keenly noticed that there seemed to be a trace of sorrow lingering between his brows.
She gently took his other hand and asked softly, "What's wrong? Is something bothering you again? You don't seem very happy."
Huo Lin was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing through his mind.
She really can see right through anything.
He grasped Jiang Huan's hand in return, pondered for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Yes, there is something. I just received news that the Northern Desert delegation escorting Princess Ayina's carriage is traveling much faster than expected and will arrive in the capital tomorrow."
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