Chapter Six: Showcasing Culinary Skills
"My dear mistress, what time is it, and you're still thinking about food!"
When Xiao Zhao heard that she was still thinking about that big iron pot, she became anxious and paced around in circles.
The women in the harem have been treating people differently based on their status for quite some time now; they'll make fun of her mistress whenever they're unhappy.
Now that you've finally been promoted, instead of striking while the iron is hot, you're here making a mess of things?
"If Consort Yu gains favor, she'll be strutting around like a peacock in your eye again."
Jiang Huan rested her chin on her hand and looked at her calmly.
"Are you done?"
Xiao Zhao paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Then hurry up and bring the iron pot over."
Xiao Zhao's vision went black. Why was her mistress so stubborn?
Jiang Huan looked up at the sky and sighed. What could she do now that she was under house arrest?
Should we resort to crying and making a scene to beg Huo Lin?
Before she could even wipe away her tears and snot, the white silk ribbon would be wrapped around her neck.
"Since we can't get out anyway, we might as well fill our stomachs first."
As she spoke, she picked up another piece of pastry from the plate, stuffed it into her mouth, and puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel stealing food.
Xiao Zhao still had a bitter face, looking at Jiang Huan with pleading eyes.
Jiang Huan had no choice but to resort to her last trump card.
"If I don't eat my fill and become thin and haggard, won't Consort Yu be grinning from ear to ear?"
"When the emperor saw that there was a haggard old woman by his side, he was displeased and banished me to the cold palace. Our lives were over."
Although she said that, Jiang Huan didn't really think that way.
She had no desire to gain the emperor's favor!
In my past life, I watched dramas and saw how many women in the imperial harem died because of vying for the emperor's favor. She was just someone who coasted through life.
Palace intrigue?
No, no, no, this isn't suitable for her!
She would be perfectly content if the emperor could completely forget about her and let her stay in this small palace, cooking for her in the small kitchen with Xiao Zhao every day!
Xiao Zhao's eyes flickered, and after being persuaded by Jiang Huan, she finally agreed to take Jiang Huan to see the iron pot she had been longing for.
Jiang Huan felt right at home as soon as she entered the small kitchen. She was quite satisfied with the iron pot that Xiao Zhao had bought.
"Xiao Zhao, go and fetch a fat goose. I'll make a stewed goose in an iron pot today."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhao quickly ran out and soon returned with a plump goose in her arms.
Jiang Huan took the goose, gently twisted off its neck, and deftly plucked its feathers, gutted it, and removed its internal organs. Her technique was as skilled as that of a cook who had been working for several years.
"Your Highness, if your cooking skills were outside the palace, you could definitely open a top-rated restaurant."
Xiao Zhao's eyes were sparkling; she couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only express her admiration from the sidelines.
Jiang Huan was very pleased, and her subordinates worked quickly.
She had taken good care of herself even before she transmigrated into the book.
No one should suffer, but one should not suffer for their stomach.
The iron wok was heated red-hot over the fire. Jiang Huan poured in a few spoonfuls of sesame oil, and the oil bubbles danced happily in the wok.
She poured the chopped goose pieces into the pot and stirred them with a spatula. The goose meat sizzled in the pot, and the aroma began to fill the kitchen.
Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Huan lifted the lid of the pot, and the steaming hot stewed goose in the iron pot emitted an enticing aroma. She ladled the stewed goose into a large bowl and sprinkled it with chopped cilantro.
"Dinner's ready!"
Since Jiang Huan transmigrated, she has often taken Xiao Zhao with her to eat and drink, and Xiao Zhao has long been used to the changes Jiang Huan has made during this period.
She brought over two bowls of white rice and sat down at the small low table in the kitchen to eat with Jiang Huan.
Xiao Zhao couldn't wait to pick up a piece of goose meat and take a bite.
"My lady, this goose meat is so tender!"
Jiang Huan also picked up a piece of goose meat and took a small bite.
The goose meat is tender and juicy, the potatoes and carrots are soft and flavorful, and the soup is rich and mellow.
It has to be the food from Northeast China that goes best with rice!
"This stew in an iron pot is really satisfying," Jiang Huan sighed contentedly.
Xiao Zhao ate her food with relish, her cheeks bulging. "Your Majesty, if the Emperor were to taste this stew you made in an iron pot, he would surely love it!"
Thinking of the emperor's thoughts these past few days, Jiang Huan silently took another big bite of goose meat.
I can't even get hot meals, and my stomach feels empty all the time.
Actually, being an emperor isn't all that great.
The master and servant sat at the low table, eating and chatting comfortably.
On the other side, Consort Yu finally got to speak with the Emperor because of a bowl of glutinous rice balls. She completely ignored Jiang Huan and was only thinking about how to gain more favor from him.
The next day, just as dawn broke, Consort Yu, having finished washing and dressing with the help of Cuiying, excitedly led her entourage to the kitchen without saying a word.
Upon seeing this, the palace servants in the kitchen all put down their work and knelt down to pay their respects.
"This servant greets Consort Yu."
Consort Yu raised her chin, not even glancing at them, clearly not wanting to talk to these people.
Cuiying stepped forward and waved to the palace servants in the kitchen, "Alright, you can all leave now."
Having received their master's orders, the palace servants dared not disobey and immediately left the kitchen.
Only Consort Yu and Consort Cuiying remained in the kitchen. Consort Yu had cooked in the kitchen before and knew roughly where the ingredients were stored.
She instructed Cuiying to bring over some glutinous rice flour, washed her hands, and prepared to start making glutinous rice balls.
Seeing this, Cuiying quickly said, "Your Highness, you are of such high status, why don't you let me do this little thing?"
“No,” Consort Yu shook her head firmly.
This is her future; she wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting it to someone else.
Thinking of the emperor's reaction when she delivered glutinous rice balls to him yesterday, Consort Yu's lips curled up, and she felt extremely smug.
"His Majesty likes the glutinous rice balls I make, so of course I have to make them myself. Only in this way can I show my sincerity."
“Your Majesty is absolutely right,” Cuiying flattered with a smile. “How could my skills compare to Your Majesty’s? I am the one who is foolish.”
Consort Yu was in a good mood and didn't argue with Cuiying about these things, focusing only on making glutinous rice balls.
She somewhat clumsily poured glutinous rice flour into a bowl, added an appropriate amount of warm water, and slowly kneaded it with her hands. Before long, small glutinous rice balls were formed.
Cuiying helped out from the side, and didn't forget to praise her.
"Your Majesty's skills are truly exquisite; even making glutinous rice balls is so delicate."
Consort Yu was in a good mood, and her movements became even more nimble. A quarter of an hour later, a bowl of glutinous rice balls was successfully cooked.
She carried the cooked glutinous rice balls back to her room and tidied herself up before following Cuiying toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Upon learning of Consort Yu's purpose, Wang Degui went inside and informed Huo Lin.
Huo Lin merely raised his eyelids slightly, his expression cold and indifferent.
He had just finished court and hadn't even eaten when Consort Yu arrived at the perfect time!
"Announce."
Consort Yu received the message outside the door, tidied her hair, took the glutinous rice balls from Cuiying's hands, and walked into the room with a charming sway of her hips.
"Your Majesty, I have cooked some sweet dumplings and changed the filling. I thought you had just finished court and hadn't eaten yet, so I brought them to you immediately."
Huo Lin nodded slightly and gestured with his chin toward Wang Degui.
After Wang Degui tested each needle with a silver needle, he presented it to Huo Lin.
"Your Majesty, please have some."
Huo Lin took the small bowl; the glutinous rice balls looked a bit bigger this time than last time.
He scooped up a glutinous rice ball and put it in his mouth.
The filling was too sweet, and the crust was a bit thick.
What's wrong with Jiang Huan? She's becoming more and more perfunctory every day.
Even though he didn't like them, Huo Lin still ate the few glutinous rice balls in his bowl because he was hungry after the morning court session.
"It's acceptable."
The comment, still a flat two-word response, only made Consort Yu even more certain.
The Emperor really likes to eat glutinous rice balls, and they were even made by her own hands. Otherwise, why hasn't the Emperor mentioned Jiang Huan?
"As long as His Majesty is pleased."
A hint of joy flashed in Consort Yu's eyes, and the smile on her lips deepened.
It turns out that winning the Emperor's favor is so simple. It seems she needs to work harder and cook more dishes for the Emperor.
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