Chapter 367 The Emperor's White Moonlight
When the grain convoy was on its way to the capital, the first batch of pakchoy from Qingzhou Prefecture was also transported away.
In order to ensure that everyone has access to food, each family receives the same amount of food, which is ten kilograms of rice per person.
Looking at the crystal clear rice in the bags, the people were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling. This was fine grain, which was usually only affordable for officials.
They never dreamed that one day they would be able to eat it, and not just for one meal.
The prince said that it would not just be this exchange, but that he would keep exchanging as long as there were side dishes at home.
I feel so happy when I think that there will be an endless supply of fine grains at home.
As soon as I got the food, I started the stove and couldn't wait to taste what the fine grain tasted like.
But they were not so extravagant that they did not want to make dry rice, so they just cooked some sticky rice porridge.
But this is already very satisfying. It is much better than the days when I had to cook vegetables with plain water.
When I took the first bite of the soft rice porridge, I laughed until tears came out of my eyes.
It still feels unreal that I can eat such good refined grains.
On the other hand, the vegetables exchanged from them were also delivered to shops in various places one after another.
The first to receive the vegetables were some shops in Qingzhou Prefecture, which started business the day after receiving them.
Soon after, those shops that were a little further away also received the vegetables, and hot pot restaurants also opened one after another.
I thought business would be slow for a few days. After all, this is a new thing and it will take some time to get accepted.
I never expected that most of the shops would become very popular on the first day of opening.
Originally, those diners were not very optimistic about hot pot, but when they saw the people eating with sweat on their foreheads and constantly asking for more meat and vegetables, they became a little more interested.
What's more, the aroma of the hot pot spread everywhere, attracting other diners to taste it one after another.
If you have money, you can order the whole pot, which includes meat slices, green vegetables, lotus root slices, dried mushrooms, dried wild vegetables, dried tofu, black fungus, and some commonly eaten dry goods.
A meal would cost at least twenty or thirty taels of silver.
If the conditions are a little worse, you can just order a small amount of meat slices, or add one or two dried vegetables, and you can have a good meal with only two taels of silver.
For a time, hot pot fever swept the entire Dayu Kingdom, and people rushed to hot pot restaurants in groups of three or five when it was time for dinner.
Han Muchen's originally sluggish restaurants suddenly became popular.
Especially those in Beijing, they are always packed with people during meal times.
In the end, there was really no place to sit, so the tables were moved to the door.
Word of mouth spread, and within a few days, the hot pot restaurant's sign became more and more popular.
Even the emperor in the deep palace heard about this. He used to think that Chen'er could lead troops in battle, then he thought he could farm, and now he finds that he can do business as well.
Seeing that it was almost time for lunch, he quickly put down the brush in his hand and walked quickly towards Concubine Jing's courtyard.
We have to go early. I guess she has already eaten by now. If we go too late, we won’t be able to get it.
As soon as I stepped into Concubine Jing's yard, I smelled the strong aroma of hot pot and hurriedly quickened my pace to go in.
"My dear, why don't you wait for me?"
Looking at Xiaohua whose forehead was covered in sweat from eating, the emperor frowned in dissatisfaction.
He had come here early, but he didn't expect Xiaohua to eat it anyway.
“…………” Concubine Jing rolled her eyes speechlessly.
I ignored him and continued to eat the meat slices in the hot pot. He stayed here every day and refused to leave, eating for free and being picky about this and that.
The emperor felt relieved all over after being stared at by Xiaohua, and he came closer with a grin on his face.
"Hey, my beloved! Chen'er said that eating too much of this will cause internal heat, so you should eat less!"
As he said that, he picked up the chopsticks and put the slices of meat in the hot pot onto his plate.
While eating, he secretly glanced at Xiaohua beside him. Her face was getting round, and if she ate any more she would become as fat as a ball.
Although I don’t know what the emperor is thinking, I can tell from his cunning eyes that he has not made up his mind.
Concubine Jing rolled her eyes speechlessly again. Just as she was about to put more meat slices into the hot pot, the nanny came in from outside.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Wan and the others are here again!"
As she spoke, she looked towards the outside. Ever since the prince's title was restored, the concubines have been coming here more frequently.
"Oh, let them in!"
Concubine Jing glanced towards the door and knew what they were thinking. It was because she wanted to see her son turn over again.
But it doesn't matter. In this place where people are eaten without leaving any bones, we are all trying to protect ourselves. I can't be close to them anyway.
As soon as Concubine Wan and the others came in, they saw that the Emperor and Concubine Jing were eating with sweat all over their foreheads.
Several people looked at each other and came forward to salute.
"Your Highness, I greet you, Sister Jingfei."
"Well, stand up."
The emperor didn't even raise his eyelids and continued to eat the meat slices in the hot pot, fearing that Xiaohua would snatch the meat away if he was distracted.
Seeing the emperor guarding his food so carefully, Concubine Jing resisted the urge to roll her eyes and put down her chopsticks.
"Sisters, please take a seat!"
She waved to Concubine Wan and the others, indicating that they should sit down.
Several people sat down and looked at the emperor who was too lazy to raise his eyelids. They felt nothing in their hearts. After all, this kind of situation happened too many times and they were used to it.
Everyone knows that Concubine Jing is the white moonlight in the emperor's heart. If the queen had not intervened, the one who would have entered the East Palace would have been the one in front of him.
Although she was named Concubine Jing, her treatment was no worse than that of the queen. Not to mention her food, clothing and other expenses, let's just look at the present.
I have never seen the emperor spend the night in any palace, not even the queen's, let alone have a meal with the emperor.
But Concubine Jing was the only exception. As soon as the emperor finished his work in the imperial study, he would run to her courtyard.
She ate with her and lived with her, as if she had no other concubines.
Although he was dissatisfied, he had to endure it. Thinking of the purpose of his visit, the smile on his face grew a little more.
"I didn't see my sister go out to the garden today, so we came to take a look."
As Concubine Wan spoke, she fanned herself. Although it was not yet midsummer, the temperature was getting higher and higher.
Concubine Jing glanced at the emperor who was eating happily beside her with a reproachful look on his face.
"Oh, I'm eating hot pot with His Majesty! I didn't go to the garden this morning."
While speaking, she pouted in dissatisfaction, and her face showed that if it weren't for you, I would have gone to the garden.
In fact, she just didn't want to go out because it was too hot outside.
“…………” The emperor paused with his chopsticks.
He glanced at the pretentious Xiaohua with a faint expression, resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and continued to eat hot pot with his head down.
What a lie! If I had come a step later, she would have eaten all the meat.
Concubine Jing acted as if she didn't notice the dissatisfaction in the emperor's eyes. Just as she was about to speak, the nanny ran in happily again.
"My queen, the prince has brought you food again!"
I will be staying at home these few days and update frequently. I wish you all a happy holiday!!!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
