"Of course. You can think of it, but the princess can't. If she gives birth to a daughter in the future, or even a son, how could she not leave something like this to her child?"
Wu sighed and nodded. "Yes, there's nothing we can do about it. It's just a pity. My mother once told me that gold, silver, and jewelry aren't rare. Only things like this that are unique and have a story behind them are precious."
Ms. Zhang looked outside the door, thought for a moment, and said, "It's actually not impossible."
"How do you say that?"
"Since the princess has asked you to taste it, it proves that there's a chance. I think the menu must be in the kitchen, but the princess has been very busy lately. Why don't you go there every day, just as if you care about her and help her with everything? First, you'll win her favor, and second, you'll get to see what ingredients are in the kitchen and how to cook them. If you can even glance at the menu, with your intelligence, you'll definitely remember it well. At the very least, maybe you'll be lucky enough to copy it directly."
Just one sentence made Wu's eyes light up. She stood up and walked, thinking about the feasibility of this matter.
Ms. Zhang smiled slightly. "You are so kind. The princess attaches great importance to this matter and is personally overseeing it, but there are so many things to do in the palace that she is unable to handle them all. If you help the princess take on this task, the princess will praise you."
That's right. Mrs. Wu's eyes sparkled as she held Ms. Zhang's hand. "Fortunately, I have you by my side. You always think of me so thoughtfully. Even if you don't make this menu for the young lady, and just go to the princess to help her a little, that's still good."
"That's right. I heard that the prince is very concerned about this matter and asks about it almost every day. When he sees you helping the princess so wholeheartedly, the prince will be happy. Come and stay in Yinyan Pavilion for a couple of nights. Maybe next year you will have a younger brother for the eldest lady." After saying this, he covered his mouth and laughed.
When Mrs. Wu heard this, she became even happier and called Jinzhi to see what the princess was doing at the moment. She wanted to go and pay her respects.
Ms. Zhang, wrapped up tightly, walked towards the east side courtyard. A gust of wind blew past, causing her to cough violently again. The little girl following behind her gently patted her back, "What's wrong with you, Ms.? You haven't seen any improvement even after changing the medicine."
Ms. Zhang waved her hand. "I actually feel that the medicine this time is more comfortable than last time. The doctor also said that it will take until spring when the flowers bloom. In this weather, it's good enough to maintain the current situation."
After saying that, he turned to the little girl and said, "Watch carefully. If Concubine Wu goes to Jing'an Garden or if she makes any moves, tell me as soon as possible."
The little girl nodded, "Don't worry."
Ms. Zhang nodded. According to Mrs. Wu's personality, if she really got the recipe, she would show it off to her first. Even if she didn't get it, as long as she went there every day, she would see what ingredients were included and how to cook it. She would have a pretty good idea of it, and then she could report to her in time.
Thinking about the task she had received, which required her to find out the menu that Princess Rui would present to the emperor within ten days at the latest, Ms. Zhang frowned tightly. She was not valued in the palace now, and some news was not as easy to find out as before.
She raised her head, looked at the sky full of snowflakes, and couldn't help coughing twice. She hoped that spring would come soon. When spring came, she would be fine.
But Ms. Zhang never dreamed that she would never wait for that spring with warm weather and blooming flowers.
――――――
"Princess, Concubine Wu requests to see you." Yuan Dong came in with a serious expression.
Meng Qi looked up at her, "Did Ms. Zhang convince her?"
Yuan Dong nodded, "That should be the case. It is said that not long after Ms. Zhang left Yinyan Pavilion, Concubine Wu came here."
Meng Qi snorted coldly. She really didn't let herself down. "Ask her in."
Listening to Wu's happy words, Meng Qi showed a relieved look, "Sister Wu must be caring about me. I've been so busy lately that I can't get any more time. There's the Emperor's birthday, the New Year is almost over, and there are other things going on in the palace. I'm really overwhelmed."
Wu's face lit up when she heard this. "The princess is so strong-willed. Just leave some small matters to us to do. We will do them beautifully."
"How can everyone be as understanding as Sister Wu? If they don't say anything, I can't force them to help me." Meng Qi smiled and called Yuan Dong, "Go and call Su Xin."
Wu sat up straight and showered him with compliments. "I only tasted a small bowl that day and it was so delicious I thought the princess would win first place this time."
Meng Qi nodded and said proudly, "Of course. This menu was obtained by my second sister after consulting ancient books. There is no other copy in the capital, not even the whole world. Since you have time, why don't you follow Su Xin and help me watch it? You don't need to do anything, just help taste the dishes and watch the fire."
Wu patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, Princess. This little thing will be handled perfectly. I will make sure you serve it to me, cooked to perfection and with the right flavor."
When Su Xin came into the room, Meng Qi gave her detailed instructions, saying that from now on, the dish to be served to the emperor in the small kitchen would be prepared by Concubine Wu, and she would not be there to watch. Su Xin was very surprised to hear this, and Wu was happy in her heart.
Seeing Wu hurriedly follow him to the small kitchen, Meng Qi took a sip of tea and asked, "Have you told Lixia?"
"Yes, I just told you. Don't worry, Princess. Lixia knows what to do." Yuandong replied.
"Well, don't be too obvious. First, let her see what the ingredients are and how long each one should be cooked. Then slowly let her look at the menu a few times."
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