Chapter Seventy-Five: Dining Together
Ayina stood there, stunned, blinking in disbelief.
Although she knew that Jiang Huan had gained favor through food, she assumed that Jiang Huan had a skilled cook under her command.
I never expected her to do it herself!
Jiang Huan hadn't expected the princess to come, and was busy preparing food.
When she woke up this morning, the Emperor was already gone; she didn't know when he had left.
She was drunk last night, and her memory is a bit hazy. I hope she didn't do anything shameful.
Just then, Jiang Huan noticed someone approaching. When she looked up, she saw that it was Ayina.
"Why has the princess come?"
Jiang Huan's face was covered in flour, and her hair was casually tied into a simple ponytail, with a few stray strands hanging down in front of her forehead, making her look somewhat messy.
Her clothes were simple in style, with the sleeves rolled up high, revealing a section of her fair arm.
This appearance doesn't seem like that of a concubine in the deep palace.
"you……"
Ayina subconsciously took a half step forward, pulling out a corner of the handkerchief from her sleeve, but then abruptly stopped.
"How can a concubine behave so improperly?"
Jiang Huan didn't take it seriously and casually wiped her face with a handkerchief.
Why bother with elaborate cooking? As long as it tastes good.
Looking at the princess from the northern desert, she suddenly remembered the grassland scenery she had seen in a documentary in her previous life.
Now that she's in Daliang, this princess must be finding it very difficult to adapt.
When she first transmigrated here, it took her a long time to adjust.
However, the princess's arrival was quite timely; she was preparing food from the northern desert and needed someone to taste it.
It's just unknown whether the princess would be willing.
She tentatively asked, "I made some roasted lamb chops in the style of the northern desert. Princess, why don't you taste them for me and see how they are?"
Ayina was taken aback, not expecting Jiang Huan to make such an invitation.
She wanted to refuse, but the aroma of the roasted lamb chops was so tempting that she couldn't help but swallow.
Moreover, since leaving the northern desert and entering the territory of Daliang, she has not eaten her hometown food for a long time.
No matter how delicious the food in Daliang is, she wouldn't be used to eating it every day.
only……
Jiang Huan was a concubine in the harem of the Great Liang Dynasty.
"You...you think your dishes from the northern deserts are good?" Ayina asked suspiciously.
Jiang Huan smiled mysteriously: "Why don't you try and see?"
As she spoke, she turned back to the stove and skillfully flipped the lamb chops on the grill.
Ayina involuntarily took a few steps closer and saw Jiang Huan skillfully sprinkling various spices on the lamb chops, which sizzled on the charcoal fire, splattering oil and emitting a fragrant aroma.
"This..." Ayina's eyes widened, "You actually know how to use our northern desert roasting method?"
Jiang Huan winked smugly: "Princess, look, how's the heat control?"
The roasting method in northern Mongolia is basically the same as the Mongolian method.
Back when she was learning to roast a whole lamb on the grassland, the old herdsman praised her for her talent.
She could master the art of making charcoal fires with a ratio of three parts light to seven parts dim, and the mutton had to be turned and brushed with oil at the same time.
Ayina had to admit that Jiang Huan's technique was indeed professional, but she still refused to admit defeat verbally.
"Hmph, it looks alright, doesn't it?"
Jiang Huan chuckled; the princess's hypocritical manner was exactly like Huo Lin's.
However, she's the best at dealing with all kinds of stubborn people.
"Princess, why don't you stay for lunch? I've prepared a lot of dishes."
Ayina wanted to refuse, but the alluring aroma made her nod almost unconsciously.
Soon, a variety of delicious and visually appealing dishes were served.
Besides roasted lamb chops, there are also pastries and milk tea with Mobei characteristics, as well as several exquisite Liang dishes.
Ayina demurely picked up a piece of lamb chop, but as soon as it entered her mouth, her eyes widened involuntarily.
This tastes even more authentic than what she had in her hometown!
"How is it?" Jiang Huan's eyes held a hint of understanding and mischief.
Ayina forced herself to remain calm: "It's...okay."
As she spoke, her hand involuntarily picked up another piece.
Jiang Huan was overjoyed upon seeing this.
The princess was stubborn, but her actions spoke volumes.
A sly glint flashed in her eyes, and she deliberately sighed.
"Sigh, it seems it's still not good enough. I'll have to improve it next time."
“No need!” Ayina blurted out, then realized her mistake and quickly tried to salvage the situation, “I mean… this level is already quite good.”
Seeing her desperate attempt to cover up her lies, which only made things worse, Jiang Huan suppressed a laugh and served Ayina another bowl of milk tea.
"Princess, try this. I added a little special spice."
Ayina took the bowl, took a small sip, and her eyes lit up immediately.
This milk tea was rich and sweet, with a subtle floral fragrance, making it more delicious than any milk tea she had ever tasted.
Ayina put down her teacup, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the rim of the bowl twice.
She suddenly untied the silver bell adorned with red agate from her waist and pushed it in front of Jiang Huan.
"Here, take this." She turned her face away, her voice muffled. "We people of the northern desert never eat or drink for free."
Jiang Huan looked at the exquisite silver bells on the table in surprise. Each agate bead was polished to a smooth and translucent finish, gleaming like wine in the candlelight.
Wow, that's incredibly generous!
Just as she was about to decline, Ayina suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"You can't refuse!" Ayina's ears turned red, but she forced a fierce tone. "This bell can ward off evil and disaster in the northern deserts. You people from the Central Plains are weak, so it's perfect for you..."
He suddenly lost his nerve at the end and started muttering softly.
"Just keep it."
This princess's "fierceness" is so unconvincing!
Jiang Huan stole a glance and saw that her ears were so red they were almost as red as the agate beads on the silver bells.
They're just trying to be kind by giving you something, but they're acting like it's a gift from a princess, demanding your gratitude.
Looking into the other person's sparkling emerald eyes, Jiang Huan suddenly smiled and solemnly tied the bell to her waist sash.
The silver bells rang out crisply, blending surprisingly harmoniously with the crackling of the firewood in the stove.
"Then I thank you, Princess." She scooped a spoonful of honey and poured it over the freshly baked milk cake. "As a return gift, would you like to try this, Princess?"
In the time that followed, Ayina completely forgot the purpose of her trip.
While enjoying her meal, she found herself chatting with Jiang Huan.
From the customs and traditions of the northern deserts to the interesting stories of the Liang court, the two found themselves getting along very well.
Jiang Huan also put aside her initial probing and teasing, and genuinely felt that this princess was frank and lovely, but was just bound by her status and awkward personality.
Before we knew it, most of the dishes on the table had been eaten.
Ayina touched her round belly and realized with a start that she had eaten too much.
"I...I should go back now." Ayina stood up with some reluctance.
Jiang Huan noticed that Ayina was still enjoying herself and said, "Won't you sit a little longer? I still have some snacks to serve."
Ayina was slightly taken aback, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes; she had already eaten a lot today.
Jiang Huan seemed to sense her hesitation and understood. Knowing that the princess was sensitive about saving face, she considerately offered her a way out.
"If the princess has something to attend to, she should go back first. I will prepare some refreshments and send them over another day."
Upon hearing this, Ayina's eyes lit up, she nodded, and then got up to take her leave.
When leaving Weiyang Palace, Ayina's feelings were extremely complicated.
She had originally thought Jiang Huan would be a scheming and treacherous concubine, but she never expected her to be so straightforward.
Upon returning to his palace, the envoy from the northern desert immediately came to greet him.
"Princess, did you see the Emperor of Liang today?"
Ayina was taken aback, only then remembering the purpose of her trip.
She opened her mouth, but didn't know how to answer. She couldn't very well say that she'd been so tempted by the delicious food that she'd completely forgotten about the important matter, could she?
“Well…” Ayina awkwardly looked away, “Today… isn’t the right time.”
The envoy looked at Ayina's flushed cheeks with suspicion, and at the faint aroma of food wafting from her.
"Princess, what's wrong...?"
Ayina coughed awkwardly and took a step back.
"It's nothing, tomorrow... I will definitely see the Emperor tomorrow!"
After saying that, she strode into the inner room, leaving the messenger standing there blankly.
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