Chapter 375 Eating Hot Pot
When Jiang Huan suggested the hot pot feast, the small kitchen fell silent for a moment.
Mingzhu was the first to react, clapping her hands excitedly and jumping up: "Hot pot? Great! I want lamb, pork, beef, lots and lots of meat!"
Having tasted hot pot before, she immediately gave it her full approval.
He Ling's eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly, already planning to put the fresh green vegetables and tender mushrooms she had grown into the pot. "Yes, yes, yes, it would be a waste not to use this spicy broth for cooking! Your Majesty's idea is brilliant!"
Huo Lin stood aside, watching Jiang Huan's animated expression, and the corners of his lips curved almost imperceptibly.
[After the last meal, my clothes smelled of it, and even the Minister of Revenue couldn't help but sniff them a couple of times when he came to the Imperial Study to report.]
[But I can't blame him; even I get more and more hungry when I'm reviewing memorials.]
[I've gone off-topic. I need to concentrate later; I can't afford to lose to them!]
Seeing that no one had any objections, Jiang Huan raised her head.
"Then it's settled! He Ling, prepare the vegetarian dishes; Mingzhu, go choose the meat dishes; Xiao Zhao, set up the venue, let's go!"
The Weiyang Palace was immediately filled with a lively atmosphere, and laughter echoed throughout the courtyard.
Soon, a large round table was set up in the side hall, with a specially made copper pot in the center, one side containing a spicy broth with bubbling red oil and boiling chili peppers, and the other side containing a clear broth made with chicken bones and mushrooms.
The surrounding area was quickly filled with a dazzling array of ingredients: paper-thin slices of beef and mutton, tender fish slices, all kinds of fresh vegetables and mushrooms... everything was available.
The condiment station is even more abundant, with Jiang Huan's special chili oil and chili powder.
Everyone sat down around the table, and the atmosphere was relaxed.
Jiang Huan picked up a slice of mutton first, skillfully dipped it in the boiling red broth a few times, dipped it in sesame oil and minced garlic, and put it in her mouth, squinting her eyes in satisfaction.
"Hmm! The heat is just right!"
He Ling was even faster, having already cooked a piece of tripe and was happily crunching it, hissing and inhaling from the spiciness but with a look of pure enjoyment on her face.
"That's satisfying! This is the taste I really love!"
Princess Mingzhu excitedly rushed to add the shrimp paste, exclaiming, "Mine, mine, I'm going to eat all of these shrimp paste!"
As a result, he was so flustered that he almost slipped the shrimp off the table, which drew a burst of laughter.
Huo Lin said he was going to snatch it, but he was actually quite calm.
Because the food in the bowl was all picked up by Jiang Huan.
Who can blame him when his wife spoils him!
So, with his hands free, he devoted himself to cooking the beef tripe that Jiang Huan loved, taking it out and letting it cool to a suitable temperature before putting it in her bowl.
Only Princess Ping'an seemed somewhat at a loss, looking at the scene before her where there was no rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping, and even some chaos.
Holding the chopsticks, she watched everyone else skillfully using them and didn't know where to begin.
This was completely different from her understanding of the dignified and restrained court banquets.
Jiang Huan noticed her hesitation, smiled, picked up a few tender green vegetables and tofu, put them in her bowl, and winked and smiled again.
"Princess, please try this. Make whatever you like. Being too polite here will leave you hungry!"
Princess Ping'an chuckled, and for some reason, a warm feeling welled up inside her.
She ate the vegetables as instructed, and their sweet and refreshing taste was indeed very good.
She looked at the half-pot of tempting, spicy red broth, hesitated for a moment, then, imitating the others, carefully picked up a slice of beef, gently dipped it a few times in the broth, quickly scooped it out, dipped it in sesame oil, and put it in her mouth.
The spicy and savory flavor spread instantly in her mouth, a passionate and unrestrained taste she had never experienced before.
Her eyes widened slightly, and she instinctively reached for her chopsticks again.
When she saw Mingzhu snatch away the tender beef slices she wanted, she subconsciously sped up her movements and successfully grabbed the next slice!
After realizing what she had done, Princess Ping'an blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up slightly.
It turns out that people can live so freely.
Huo Yuan sat upright beside him, his expression serious, as if he were attending a court assembly. However, his chopsticks moved with precision and speed, his target clear. He was almost always focused on the slices of meat and tripe rolling in the red soup, only occasionally picking up a piece of vegetables from the clear soup.
He ate with extreme focus, without uttering a word, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead and nose, his cheeks flushed, but his eating speed did not slow down at all.
Mingzhu leaned close to Jiang Huan's ear and whispered with a chuckle, "Your Majesty, look, the young master may not say it, but his actions tell a different story. He eats more than anyone else, and look at all the sweat he's getting!"
Jiang Huan followed her gaze and saw Huo Yuan engrossed in his work, looking like he was saying, "Don't mess with me, eating is the most important thing." She couldn't help but chuckle.
Pfft, Huo Yuan's foodie nature is on full display!
He's usually so serious, but he eats with such gusto.
After thinking for a moment, she smiled and raised her glass: "Come on, let's toast to our happy tomorrow!"
The hot pot meal was enjoyed with great enthusiasm and laughter.
Strict court etiquette seemed insignificant in this familiar and lively atmosphere, leaving only the pure joy of sharing delicious food and close friends.
The banquet came to an end.
Everyone ate to their heart's content, and seeing that Jiang Huan looked tired, they all tactfully got up to say goodbye.
Huo Lin accompanied Jiang Huan back to the inner palace and helped her rest on the soft couch.
He carefully helped her take off her shoes and socks, rubbing her slightly swollen ankles in a gentle tone.
"You must be tired after making a ruckus all night?"
Jiang Huan squinted comfortably, like a lazy cat: "I'm not tired, I'm happy. I'm happy because everyone is enjoying their meal."
Huo Lin smiled, took out a booklet and a small brocade box from his sleeve, and placed them beside her.
"What is this?" Jiang Huan asked curiously, picking up the booklet and flipping through it. Inside were the instant noodle workshop's detailed accounts and dividend amounts for the quarter, and the figures were quite considerable.
Inside the brocade box was a stack of brand-new silver notes.
"This is your share." Huo Lin said casually, as if he were just handing her a small gift. "It's your private stash of money. Keep it safe and buy whatever you want."
Jiang Huan's eyes lit up when she saw the black and white words and the real silver notes. She hugged them to her chest with great joy, like a little squirrel that had stocked up on food for the winter.
"I'm rich! I've made my first pot of gold!"
Huo Lin looked at her greedy, beaming face and smiled even more, his eyes filled with boundless indulgence.
[She's so happy over a few taels of silver. My entire empire belongs to her; why would she care about such a small amount?]
But as long as she's happy, that's all that matters. Her smile makes everything worthwhile.
"I had Wang Degui organize the land deeds and the core ledgers for the workshop. They're stored in the second hidden compartment on the east side of the study. The key is under your makeup box."
He then meticulously explained the selection of managers for several shops and their special contact information, even including the storage locations of tokens that could be used to mobilize secret guards in emergencies. He covered everything in great detail and with clear organization.
Jiang Huan was initially immersed in the joy of becoming a young rich woman, but as she listened, the smile on her face gradually faded, and a sense of unease inexplicably welled up in her heart.
She looked up at Huo Lin.
His tone remained gentle, and his eyes were full of love.
But this kind of advice seems more like setting up some rather ominous flag!
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