Each person chose a book and sat quietly aside, reading for most of the day without moving.
The old man guarding the archive room had been keeping an eye on the three people for a long time. His expression became increasingly gentle, and he even brewed a pot of hot tea for them without leaving any trace.
At noon, Shen Congrong's stomach growled, and the three of them woke up as if from a dream.
Shen Congrong blushed and said embarrassedly: “I’m hungry, and I don’t know what time it is now. You wait, I’ll go out and see if there is anything to eat.”
"I'll go with you." Xiong Feng put down the book and caught up with Shen Congrong.
The two of them walked out of the gate of the Bo Academy for a while when they were stopped by a young eunuch.
“The servant has met Master Shen!”
Shen Congrong stopped in surprise, "Do you know me?"
The young eunuch smiled flatteringly, "Master Chen is the grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an. Who in the palace doesn't know that? You have been in the Academy for most of the day, you must be hungry! I happen to have a portion of golden silk cake given by the emperor, specially reserved for you. Ordinary people are not qualified to eat this golden silk cake, please try it."
The young eunuch opened the food box, took out a plate of exquisite snacks, and presented it to Shen Congrong respectfully, without even looking at Xiong Feng from beginning to end.
Shen Congrong was stunned for a moment, and was about to shake his head when a maid suddenly rushed out from behind him and took away the plate of golden silk cake without saying a word.
Zhao Furong, surrounded by her maids, approached with an arrogant look, until she was level with Shen Congrong, she glanced to the side and sneered with disdain, "Grandson of the Marquis of Yong'an? Humph! You are just a farmer's son who came from a mud-legged family! The emperor praised you a few words and you forgot your last name! You don't know what you mean! Do you deserve to eat this golden silk cake?"
The young eunuch knelt on the ground and trembled all over.
Zhao Furong glared at him angrily, "You little slave! How dare you steal the emperor's snacks? Damn it! Someone, teach me a lesson about this lowly slave!"
Shen Congrong couldn't bear to watch this, and was about to plead for the young eunuch, but Xiong Feng on the side hurriedly held him back to stop him from doing anything rash.
Shen Congrong's face turned pale and blue, and his eyes were red with anger.
Zhao Furong, however, smiled more and more complacently, and ate a piece of golden silk cake in front of Shen Congrong as if showing off. Seeing that Shen Congrong was almost crying with anger, she left with satisfaction.
When Shen Congrong saw Zhao Furong and her group leaving, he hurried forward to check on the young eunuch's injuries.
Unexpectedly, the young eunuch looked as if he had seen a ghost. He was trembling all over and crawling away.
Xiong Feng frowned and said immediately: "You go back to the book storage room first, I'll go take a look and ask how to solve the food problem."
After being disturbed by Zhao Furong, Shen Congrong no longer had the heart to go out, so he followed Xiong Feng's advice and went back.
Xiong Feng was gone for more than half an hour. Just when Shen Congrong was getting anxious and almost unable to sit still, he finally came back, but with empty hands.
Su Yongzhang couldn't help but feel disappointed, "Brother Xiong Feng, is there nothing to eat?"
Xiong Feng shook his head regretfully, "I spent one or two taels of silver to barely get some information. Officials working in the palace have to bring their own food, and the imperial kitchen is only responsible for cooking for the emperor and the ladies in the harem.
The food prepared in the imperial kitchen cannot be eaten casually. If you are caught stealing food from the imperial kitchen, you will be punished with dozens of beatings at the very least, or even lose your head at the worst.
There is also a kitchen dedicated to cooking for eunuchs and maids.
But the food they eat is not very good, and if we want to eat with them, we have to pay, so they all eat a full meal before entering the palace, and bring some snacks to fill their stomachs.
We have no experience this time, so we have to bring our own food starting tomorrow."
Shen Congrong thought of the golden silk cake sent by the little eunuch, and his face turned pale, “In this case, doesn’t the eunuch who sent me the golden silk cake today want to harm me?”
Xiong Feng looked solemn, "I thought of this, too. Congrong, it seems that the identity of the grandson of Yong'an Marquis cannot be your umbrella of protection. It is more likely to be a death warrant!"
Fortunately, that mysterious woman suddenly rushed out today, otherwise they would be finished.
By the evening, it was almost time for the three of them to leave their jobs.
When Manager Qi saw them coming over to hang up the sign, he just rolled his eyes and said nothing.
The three of them didn't say anything. They just bowed and greeted each other before leaving.
When they returned to Yong'an Marquis Mansion, Liu Laosan was already waiting in the main courtyard. When he saw the three of them coming back, his eyes were full of smiles, "How was it? Was Bo Academy fun?"
The three of them looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
As a result, the three people's stomachs growled at the same time.
Liu Laosan frowned immediately and quickly asked the housekeeper to serve the dishes. Seeing that the three children looked like starving ghosts and drank two or three bowls of rice in one breath, he could no longer laugh.
"How long has it been since you last had dinner?"
Shen Congrong looked up innocently and replied honestly: “I haven’t eaten today.”
Liu Laosan was angry, "Bo Academy doesn't give you food?"
Xiong Feng hurriedly replied: "I have inquired about it. The palace does not provide us with food. We have to bring it ourselves."
"Bullshit! The palace just doesn't provide delicacies from land and sea, but ordinary food is still available. Don't you know that?"
Seeing the three children at a loss, Liu Laosan became more upset and decided to go to the palace with them tomorrow and give those self-righteous old guys in the Bo Academy a warning!
The next morning.
Liu Laosan followed the three of them into the carriage.
On the way, Shen Congrong hesitated again and again, but still asked: “Grandpa, is that golden silk cake special?”
Liu Laosan looked down at his grandson and patted his head. "What's wrong? Are you greedy? If you want to eat, I can ask the emperor for a portion. It's so simple!"
Shen Congrong hurriedly shook his head, “Grandson doesn’t want to eat it, grandson just wants to know if the golden silk cake is only for the emperor to eat.”
Liu Laosan was delighted, "Who told you? The emperor likes to eat golden silk cake. This dish is complicated and very particular, so it has become one of the royal dishes. In addition to the emperor, the empress dowager and the queen in the palace can eat it.
Because it is an imperial dish, no one except the imperial kitchen can make it, and even if they can make it, they cannot make it. Therefore, it is an honor to be rewarded by the emperor.
Besides, the emperor likes to reward his ministers with delicacies. I have only eaten them a few times, and they are just so-so. They are not as delicious as the ones your mother cooks!"
When Su Tai was mentioned, Shen Congrong's nose was sore, and he continued to ask, "What would happen if other people ate golden silk cakes openly in the palace?"
Liu Laosan was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly: "This matter can be big or small. If the other party is of noble status, it is not a big deal. But if it is a palace maid or eunuch cheating, then it is a serious problem."
Shen Congrong realized that it seemed that the woman yesterday must be of noble status and fearless, otherwise she would not have eaten the golden silk cake so arrogantly in front of him.
The carriage slowly stopped at the palace gate.
At this moment, another carriage sped past them and stopped in front of them.
A woman in brocade clothes staggered down from the carriage, knelt outside the palace gate and broke down crying, "Qingkang wants to see the emperor!"
Liu Laosan frowned, "Princess Qingkang!" (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
