Chapter Twelve: Grilled Meat Over Charcoal
Consort Yu stood to the side, taking in Jiang Huan's disheveled state, and felt extremely pleased.
She wanted Jiang Huan to remember that she was the true mistress of Jinhua Palace!
As long as Jiang Huan is in Jinhua Palace, she will be subject to her discipline!
Outside the door, Xiao Zhao had stopped yelling for a while.
After the old woman who had slapped him bent down to check, she went inside.
"Your Majesty, that lowly servant has fainted."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu glanced outside and saw the blood flowing on the ground, which filled her with disgust.
She waved her hand and ordered, "Throw it out."
Jiang Huan's eyes were bloodshot and her gaze was almost bursting.
She struggled fiercely, her palms being cut by the floor tiles, leaving streaks of blood on the ground.
But the weight pressing down on her was like two mountains, making it impossible for her to move an inch.
Jiang Huan had never felt so powerless, unable to do anything but watch Xiao Zhao suffer.
She suddenly realized that in this deep palace, human life was cheaper than grass.
In Consort Yu's eyes, she and Xiao Zhao were nothing more than ants that could be crushed at will.
The more disheveled Jiang Huan appeared, the happier Consort Yu became.
She looked down at Jiang Huan with an arrogant smile.
"Think carefully about what you should do."
After saying this, Consort Yu raised her hand and ordered her men to release Jiang Huan.
Upon gaining her freedom, Jiang Huan immediately ran out of the palace, not even bothering to untie the rope binding her face.
She ran very fast, and gusts of wind mixed with her tears blew across her face.
It was like a knife that sliced her into pieces.
Xiao Zhao was left lying motionless by the roadside.
Jiang Huan swayed and stumbled as she lunged forward.
Her eyes reddened, she held her breath, and carefully reached out to check Xiao Zhao's breath.
One second, two seconds...
Sensing the faint airflow, Jiang Huan gasped for breath.
Xiao Zhao is still alive! Still alive!
As long as people are safe and sound, there's always hope.
With no one to help, Jiang Huan could only carefully lift Xiao Zhao up herself and help her leave step by step.
After returning to the west side hall, Jiang Huan placed Xiao Zhao on the bed and found the hidden ointment.
For the three months since she came into this world, Xiao Zhao has been by her side the whole time.
When she was bullied by the women in the harem, Xiao Zhao always stood in front of her, protecting her without regard for anything else.
The same thing happened this time.
How could this girl be so silly?
Tears welled up in Jiang Huan's eyes as she carefully tended to Xiao Zhao's facial wounds.
Xiao Zhao's mouth was cracked, and her cheeks were swollen high, red and purple, mixed with blood streaks from the cracks, making her look extremely terrifying.
Jiang Huan carefully applied medicine to Xiao Zhao's wound with a wooden shard, the shocking sight of which made her shudder.
Perhaps she didn't control her strength and hurt her wound, Xiao Zhao suddenly frowned and flinched.
Jiang Huan felt her heart contracting, almost bleeding.
Consort Yu could dispose of Xiao Zhao at will with just a single sentence.
She was just a lowly concubine, without any power or influence, and was not favored by the emperor.
Jiang Huan had no intention of competing for the emperor's favor with the other concubines; she just wanted to be a lazy bum.
But the course of reality is never determined by her will.
Because of the incident of serving the Emperor in bed, Consort Yu already harbored a grudge against her. If she continued to lie low without fighting or competing, she would only end up killing the people around her.
The tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally fell.
Like a floodgate bursting, it becomes uncontrollable.
Jiang Huan raised her hand to wipe it, but no matter how she wiped, she couldn't stop it.
She wept for her own incompetence.
If she hadn't followed her mistress, Xiao Zhao might not have suffered this hardship.
In her dazed state, Xiao Zhao heard crying and struggled to open her eyes.
"My lady..." Xiao Zhao's voice was hoarse and slurred, filled with deep self-reproach, "This servant...have I...caused you trouble..."
When Xiao Zhao opened her mouth, blood seeped from the corner of her lips.
"Don't speak."
Jiang Huan hastily wiped her face with her sleeve, trying to make herself look like nothing was wrong.
"You should rest well and not think too much. I'm here for you."
Xiao Zhao had suffered greatly and was barely holding on. With Jiang Huan's comforting words, she fell into a deep sleep again.
Jiang Huan did not leave, but sat on the edge of the bed in deep thought.
She didn't want to stay in Jinhua Palace for even a day longer, but if she wanted to move out, she could only do so at the mercy of the Emperor.
Getting rid of Consort Yu also requires the Emperor's approval.
She is outnumbered and outmatched, so she can only endure for now and look for an opportunity.
She knew that Consort Yu's purpose was simply to have her prepare food to please the Emperor.
Since that's the case, then she will grant Consort Yu's request.
After figuring things out, Jiang Huan went to the main hall and was led by a palace maid to Consort Yu.
"This concubine greets Consort Yu." Jiang Huan respectfully curtsied.
Now that Xiao Zhao is injured and it's unknown when she will recover, she must keep Consort Yu calm.
We can't let Consort Yu cause them any more trouble.
Consort Yu did not speak. She held the teacup and sipped slowly until she finished the tea before she spoke.
"Get up."
Jiang Huan's legs ached, her clothes were soaked with sweat, and her hair was wet and stuck to her face.
But she didn't move.
"I have made a mistake, and I dare not rise."
Consort Yu's smile widened, and she deliberately asked, "Tell me, what did you do wrong?"
"Your Majesty's request for me to prepare food is an honor. Before..." Jiang Huan's voice choked with emotion, "I was ungrateful before. I volunteered to help Your Majesty prepare food. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."
"From now on, if Your Majesty or the Emperor needs anything, I will be at your beck and call."
Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the sweat on her forehead, splashing onto the ground.
Jiang Huan humbled herself greatly; she was there to play the victim. The more pathetic she appeared, the happier Consort Yu would be.
Sure enough, Consort Yu's smile became even brighter.
That last sentence really resonated with her.
The Emperor admires Jiang Huan's cooking skills, so it would be best if she could learn them.
If she can't learn it, then just keep Jiang Huan in Jinhua Palace as a cook; the effect will be the same.
She is the mistress of Jinhua Palace, and Jiang Huan is nothing more than a dog in her palace.
When a dog misbehaves, it should be disciplined.
That's it, they've learned their lesson.
"You're smart to know what's good for you."
Consort Yu was satisfied. As long as Jiang Huan was obedient, she could tolerate her.
After all, this was her weapon for winning favor.
"Since you have realized your mistake, I will give you another chance."
Jiang Huan remained silent and did not set off immediately.
Xiao Zhao wasn't lying when she said the West Hall was out of ingredients.
Jiang Huan did not believe that Consort Yu would be unaware of this.
Now that Consort Yu wants her to prepare food, she can no longer give Consort Yu an excuse to punish her.
Jiang Huan pursed her lips, feigning extreme embarrassment, and struggled to speak.
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty. I am of lowly status. The ingredients used in the West Side Palace are the leftovers from the cats and dogs in the palace. Your Majesty is of noble birth, and I dare not use these to cook for you."
In Jiang Huan's mind, those were all top-quality ingredients, but she could only make Consort Yu happy by saying that.
The more she puts herself with cats and dogs, the more it highlights Consort Yu's noble status.
"Ha ha ha ha."
Consort Yu was surprised by Jiang Huan's words and laughed so hard that the hair ornament on her head trembled. It took her a while to stop.
They come from humble backgrounds and can't be considered respectable.
She wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes, feeling refreshed.
"Just do it. If you need anything, I will have Cuiying prepare it for you."
Jiang Huan breathed a sigh of relief; she knew she had passed this hurdle.
If she wants Consort Yu to be indispensable to her help, then she must demonstrate her irreplaceable value.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Huan decided to make charcoal-grilled meat, and she asked Cuiying for the ingredients.
This dish was certainly not something I came up with on a whim.
Barbecue requires mastering the heat, and it's even best when grilled and eaten fresh, something Consort Yu can't learn in a short time.
Upon hearing what Jiang Huan wanted, Consort Yu's expression darkened slightly.
"This is the first time I've ever heard of cooking requiring charcoal fire and a wire mesh tray. Are you making fun of me, Zhuang Chang?"
"This concubine dares not." Jiang Huan quickly bowed and explained obediently, "Please be patient, Your Majesty. If I fail to prepare food to Your Majesty's satisfaction, I am willing to accept punishment."
Consort Yu glanced at Jiang Huan, knowing that she wouldn't dare to fool her.
Before long, Cuiying brought the ingredients and tools that Jiang Huan needed.
Jiang Huan busied herself in the kitchen. She sliced the meat, marinated it with a special sauce, washed and arranged the vegetables, and prepared several dipping sauces to accompany the meat.
This time, however, she didn't feel the same joy she had when cooking as before.
When food is used as a tool to win favor, it loses its original flavor.
She, this salted fish, is now like roasted meat on a fire.
He was thoroughly scorched by the jealousy of the harem from all sides.
With all preparations complete, Jiang Huan lit the charcoal fire, set up the grill, and began grilling the meat.
Her knife skills were excellent; the meat was sliced very thinly and placed on a wire rack. In just a few breaths, a piece of meat was grilled perfectly.
Jiang Huan placed the first slice of roasted meat into a bowl and presented it to Consort Yu.
"Your Majesty, please try it."
Consort Yu had been itching to eat when she smelled the aroma. Now, after taking the bowl, she took a bite. The juices of the meat slices exploded in her mouth, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, incredibly delicious.
Consort Yu's eyelashes trembled uncontrollably; she had never tasted anything so delicious!
The second piece of meat was already grilled, and Consort Yu ate it slowly, letting the oil seep into the lines of her lips.
Jiang Huan grilled another piece of meat, picked up some lettuce, wrapped the meat up, and handed it to Consort Yu.
"If you wrap it in tender vegetable leaves, it will taste even better. Your Majesty should try it."
"And these dipping sauces, each with a different flavor." Jiang Huan pointed to the porcelain bowls containing the dipping sauces and patiently introduced them, "There's garlic sauce, cumin chili powder, and..."
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