In the past, whenever a Buddhist festival came, the saints would have the arrangements made extremely grandly.
But after the Chinese New Year, there are basically no festivals to celebrate.
Originally, preparations for the festival on the sixth day of the second lunar month should have been made a month in advance, but nothing happened until a Taoist curse occurred in early February. The saint then started to make preparations, but since the time had come, nothing could be prepared and the festival was hastily celebrated.
The two most senior wizards in the inner palace both felt embarrassed.
You have to know that ever since the saints hated fake monks, people in the court and the common people have not been so respectful to them.
Now that there has been a Taoist curse case, the festival is still celebrated in a sloppy manner, which naturally makes people unhappy.
There are still a few days left in March, but after giving it some thought, the great master decided to focus on Buddha's Birthday.
That is the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, also commonly known as the Buddha's Bathing Day.
This day is also one of the most solemn festivals. It must be celebrated in a grand manner to let the world know that the glory of Buddhism is as usual.
Although it is only the tenth day of February, we still need to prepare.
Wouldn't it be more grand if we prepared for two months?
Starting with the Buddha Bathing Ceremony and then the Buddha statue washing ceremony with incense, we should also take this opportunity to have the ten major Zen temples open their doors to provide porridge, boiled medicine and sweet water.
It can also restore the reputation from last time.
You can also take the opportunity to pray for the saint.
When the saint heard the great master say that they were going to do this good deed, he readily agreed.
I also feel that I have treated the great wizards unfairly before by allowing this time to be planned on a grand scale and to start the action two months in advance.
This made the people from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites frown slightly.
The Buddha's Birthday on April 8th is held two months in advance?
Even the imperial examination that is currently underway is only advanced by two months.
Can this be compared with the imperial examination?
But the saint had already spoken, so he could only agree with a pinch of his nose.
But while the inner palace was preparing for the Buddha's Birthday, they were also preparing for the imperial examinations, which were approaching and would be held from March 9th to March 17th.
The Ministry of Rites has no time to deal with these matters.
The Ministry of Rites said this, but they also wanted to run the imperial examinations very well so that they could surpass Buddhism.
The Censorate and the Imperial Academy, who are always fond of finding fault, are silently assisting, and their intention to confront each other is obvious, but they are proud of themselves and will not make it public.
Su Wan secretly watched the situation. Right now, the Taoist sect was the worst off, as they were also burdened with the Taoist curse case. The Confucian sect was still okay, as they had the upcoming imperial examination to support their dignity.
But Shi Shi had the support of a saint, so on this Buddha's birthday ten major Zen temples were opened, and people sent medicine and incense to pray for blessings, which looked extremely lively.
It is no exaggeration to say that these three companies are fighting openly and secretly.
But no matter how hard we fight, why bother involving them?
They didn't do anything.
Su Wan was fine. She had experienced a lot and her expression was relatively calm. However, Li Rongrong was completely panicked.
For her, it was bad news one after another.
Originally, Su Wan's coming made her feel a little uncomfortable. After she digested her emotions, she was told by the third-rank official and her aunt that she could not continue to cook because she cooked mandarin fish too extravagantly. So let it go.
Now she is asked to go to the inner palace to eat vegetarian food?
Why is she so unlucky today?
Although the official order has not come down yet, the news is to tell them that since the saint favors the mages so much, this matter must have been done, so that they can be mentally prepared in advance.
The Ministry of Rites also frowned.
The Shangshisi is already under the Ministry of Rites, so they don’t even have to go through this?
But after all, it’s not a big deal for just two people to make a vegetarian meal, so it wouldn’t be nice to refuse in this situation.
Someone from the Ministry of Rites headquarters told An Suwan and the others that they were only there to cook and would not be transferred over.
Although it is simple to say, it is also a relief.
The Ministry of Rites headquarters said that at least the person would not be transferred to the inner palace.
Even so, Li Rongrong still felt scared.
That group of magicians have been arrogant and domineering for a long time. It is said that everyone in the vegetarian kitchen of the inner palace is afraid of them, and so are the palace servants who serve them.
Others may not know, but the palace maids have heard some of it.
But what can we do about it? They are the mages in the palace and trusted by the saints.
It is now the tenth day of February, and I have to stay in the inner palace until the eighth day of April, which is nearly two months.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this wasn't about asking them to taste the dishes, it was clearly about asking them to be cooks for two months.
If it's done well, it's fine, but if it's done poorly, or if it's done too well?
Li Rongrong subconsciously looked at Su Wan and saw that she was also looking at her.
Su Wan still said, "I'll go by myself. You don't know how to cook vegetarian food. It was because of me that you did it last time."
It wasn't that Su Wan wanted to take on the responsibility. She had to go anyway, so one person going was better than two. It would also make Deputy Nan Cheng remember the favor and help her out in the future.
Su Wan added: "Besides, we are not going there right away. It will take some time. After all, it is still a long time before Buddha's Birthday."
Who knows what troubles may arise in the meantime.
Xie Pei went to investigate the case of the Taoist curse, and Su Wan didn't believe that he would do his job so honestly.
With Su Wan's comfort, Li Rongrong didn't say anything.
The next few days were just as Su Wan said. They were just giving us psychological preparations in advance, not asking for anyone directly. Even in the name of Buddha's Birthday, they couldn't do it that far in advance.
Su Wan's calmness reassured everyone, and the chief of the Imperial Food Department also said that it was nothing to worry about and at most just a few meals needed to be cooked.
The vegetarian meals needed for Buddha's Birthday are basically supplied to the vegetarian party, so Su Wan and Li Rongrong will not be the only ones to prepare them. After that, they only need to provide a few dishes, after all, it is such a big banquet.
The reason they called them over this time was because the mages were greedy and wanted to eat delicious food, so they did this.
After Su Wan and her superior said so, the Shangshi Division finally calmed down. The Ministry of Rites headquarters was also surprised at the Shangshi Division's calmness, and the Shangshu even praised Su Wan a few words.
It's really amazing that he can remain calm in the face of danger at such a young age.
This matter naturally seemed like a trivial matter to them, but it must have been a huge matter in the eyes of the little girl.
With such courage, if she were a man, she should have taken the imperial examination and perhaps even become a colleague in the Ministry of Rites.
The matter was temporarily settled. The only one who was uneasy was Li Rongrong. Although everyone told her that she didn't have to go, when she looked at Su Wan beside her who was not afraid even though she knew she had to go to the inner palace, she felt that she was a bit cowardly.
In fact, Su Wan just wanted to finish the work in the South Kitchen as soon as possible. If the inner palace called for help and she was left with some work to do, it would be very awkward.
But just go to the inner palace.
Can the boss just ignore her?
To put it bluntly, even if she was not sure she could get out of the inner palace, her superiors would still rescue her.
After training for so long, it’s just for the inner palace?
This is impossible.
So she felt confident.
On February 18th, an official order came from the inner palace, transferring Su Wan to the inner palace to assist in preparing vegetarian meals and to return after Buddha's Birthday.
It's been almost a month and a half since I left.
Many people were worried about Su Wan, but she was ready.
Unexpectedly, when Su Wan was about to leave, Li Rongrong, who had also packed a simple luggage, insisted on going with her.
Logically, her name was no longer on the order, but she still wanted to go. Even though her aunt, Deputy Nan Cheng, looked disapproving, Li Rongrong still made up her mind: "Su Wan is young, how can I let her go alone? After all, I am older, so I can come with you if anything happens."
In fact, Su Wan was not the only one going. The commander had arranged for two palace maids in their teens to accompany her. However, the status of these palace maids was not as good as Li Rongrong's.
After all, she is the daughter of the Li family, the imperial chef in the capital, and the niece of Deputy Prime Minister Nan.
If she goes, she can really protect him.
Apparently, she packed her things without telling Deputy Nan Cheng at all.
Su Wan said: "It doesn't matter, I have these two sisters by my side, and it's the inner palace, we are talking like a dragon pond and a tiger's lair."
In fact, many palace people are eager to stay in the inner palace. There are many nobles and opportunities in the inner palace. Maybe they can even work for the most noble people, which will bring honor to the whole family.
But this is only true for ordinary palace servants.
Towards Li Rongrong and Su Wan, it was actually like a dragon's den and a tiger's school. She said this just to liven up the atmosphere.
Li Rongrong said firmly: "I was afraid last time for disaster relief, so I didn't go. Now I regret it every time I think about it. Now I can't let you go alone this time."
Upon hearing this, Deputy Prime Minister Nan felt a sudden tightness in his heart.
She didn't know that her niece actually had such thoughts. She seemed to be more mature than she thought and didn't need so much protection from others.
The superior had told her before that she shouldn't be so strict and wouldn't worry about everything for her. Now it seems that the superior already knew about Rongrong's changes?
Li Rongrong insisted again and again, so naturally she was added to the palace.
Su Wan didn't have any idea. According to her analysis, the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Rites would definitely not let them stay in the inner palace and stay with the Buddhists.
Taking all this into consideration, these little people like them will be fine. Just don't scare yourself.
Deputy Prime Minister Nan Cheng didn't know what to say in the end and could only watch them leave.
Su Wan and Li Rongrong followed the eunuch in front of them and entered the inner palace again.
This is Su Wan's second time entering the inner palace.
The first time it was because of Concubine Jiang, and now it’s because of Buddhism. Su Wan’s eyes moved slightly. Actually, this matter doesn’t seem so bad?
Entering the inner palace, Su Wan smiled and said to Li Rongrong, "We must cook well this time to satisfy the mages."
This made Li Rongrong slightly stunned. Based on her understanding of Su Wan, wasn't this just slacking off? Just like last time, she even learned this word from Su Wan.
However, the eunuch leading the way smiled and said, "Not bad, you are sensible. You must cook well, so that the mages can be satisfied. If the mages are satisfied, the saints will be satisfied."
Su Wan also laughed, but her smile was completely different from the eunuch's.
Li Rongrong didn't understand, but she also knew that she couldn't speak casually, so she just said, "Okay, let's work hard on cooking."
But Li Rongrong still knew nothing about vegetarian food. However, she felt that the cooking methods of some dishes seemed to be applicable. However, she did not try it after returning home, and just improved her cooking skills.
The eunuch was just speaking casually. They were just a few cooks who were not very old. The imperial chefs in the small vegetarian kitchen couldn't satisfy the mages, so how could they do the same?
They entered the inner palace from the Donghua Gate, and just like when Concubine Jiang summoned them through the Xihua Gate, they were searched to make sure they had nothing else with them. They were searched when entering and leaving the inner palace.
When they go in, they are afraid of people carrying weapons or poisons; when they go out, they are afraid of people smuggling objects or stealing things to sell.
Don’t think that no one in the palace would steal things, otherwise how would Wei Jun’s things be lost.
Speaking of Wei Jun, his Malatang snack shop business is now stable. We will have to wait until the end of the month to see how much profit he has made, but I heard that both mothers are very satisfied.
And it gradually became famous, and many people would travel far to have a try.
There are people who imitate them, but they cannot become popular for the time being. It’s just like making cold noodles. If you want to eat the best, you have to go to Gan Xing and others.
Foodies in Kyoto are also very brand-conscious.
Who would eat pirated goods when they can eat the authentic ones? Do pirates have conscience?
Enter from Donghua Gate and stop at Tianbei Hall in front of the East Six Palaces. This is a residence specially renovated for the magicians. It was originally supposed to be where the princes lived, but now the princes are all with the queen, and the Third Prince was thrown into the outer palace to live.
There is a saint here who is in charge of repairing the palace and temples. He practices here on weekdays. It is said that the saint comes here more frequently than to the harem.
However, this place is adjacent to the East Six Palaces and next to it is the Qianqing Palace, and is actually only separated from the harem by a wall.
It was like the saint entered the Tianbei Hall before he even took two steps to the harem. Even if there was an incident with the fake monk, he didn't ask these people to move, which shows his trust in them.
These words were just rumors spread by people in the outer palace, and Su Wan and Li Rongrong did not know the details.
They entered through the side door of Tianbei Hall and went directly to the side corridor in the backyard, and then followed it to the small vegetarian kitchen.
As soon as they arrived at the door of this small vegetarian kitchen, everyone was shocked by the luxury here.
The small vegetarian kitchen was renovated too luxuriously, there was even some gold foil and decorative carvings on the railings.
This is just the kitchen.
Is this place more magnificent than Concubine Jiang’s residence?
If Su Wan hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed it.
I finally understand why those monks are so arrogant and domineering. They have strong backers behind them, so they are naturally not afraid of anything.
Seeing their expressions, the eunuch explained, "This was given by the Saint himself. Only mages are worthy of such a luxurious palace."
Regardless of whether it suits or not, it’s useless if the decoration is too good.
Does the fact that a temple is well built mean that the monks there are kind-hearted?
Not really.
Su Wan just smiled, Li Rongrong didn't say anything, and the palace maids from the Imperial Food Department who followed behind did the same.
Seeing that the four people from the Imperial Food Department did not react strongly, the eunuch could only curl his lips and said that this was where they would work in the future. However, the imperial chefs in the vegetarian kitchen were all men, and the monks were also all men. The four of them could not stay in the Tianbei Hall. After finishing their work, they would come out of the Tianbei Hall and live in the unused Renshou Palace next door.
Wow, they work so hard to come here to cook, and have to walk for at least half an hour to go to work every day. They are really something.
While they were talking outside, someone came out from the small vegetarian kitchen. He looked helpless when he saw Su Wan and the others.
In fact, after using the mushroom oil given by Su Wan, the mages were quiet for a while, but they got tired of it after eating it for a while, so they found an excuse to call Su Wan and the others in.
It seemed like it was being prepared for Buddha's Birthday, but in fact it was cooking for the ten of them.
It's hard work for them too.
When the eunuch saw them chatting, he just left. They were just kitchen staff, what else could happen?
Su Wan was brought in by the staff from the vegetarian kitchen. It was called a small kitchen, but in order to provide food for the 108 monks in Tianbei Hall, the place was not small, and they were already preparing lunch.
Su Wan and the others can wait until tomorrow to do it. They don’t have to cook anything in the evening, so they can just watch now.
Maybe because the people in the small vegetarian kitchen have been bullied for a long time, everyone is very friendly and there is none of the intrigue that occurs in ordinary kitchens.
Su Wan thought about it. Among the kitchens she had experienced, the west kitchen and the north kitchen seemed to be good. This small vegetarian kitchen was also OK. Only the south kitchen had some problems, but it didn't really have a big impact.
In fact, in most kitchens with a large number of people, there are usually some conflicts and even factions.
It was a stroke of luck that she didn't encounter a very bad kitchen.
There are two chefs here, one cooks the dishes and the other prepares the staple foods. The others have their own division of labor. There are eighteen people in total, plus the four people including Su Wan, a total of twenty-two.
However, Su Wan thought about the number of monks in Tianbei Hall, and then thought about the number of imperial chefs here.
One is one hundred and eight, and the other is eighteen.
No way?
Before Su Wan thought too much about it, the two chefs had already introduced this place to them, and also made room for a large stove and three small stoves for them, which was definitely enough.
The rest didn't say much, but looked at him with pity and said, "During the last winter festival, they didn't cause any trouble. It was also because the winter festival was of great importance and it was presided over by their master, so they wouldn't make trouble if there were occasional problems."
"But this is their place, and the situation is different."
At this point, they were hesitant to speak, and finally said: "Anyway, just cook well, don't think too much about the rest."
How can you not think about this!
It's not implied, it's stated.
Su Wan, Li Rongrong, and the palace maids behind them all looked at each other in bewilderment. What on earth had these monks done to make them so scared?
In fact, those who can become imperial chefs are somewhat arrogant. After all, this skill must be honed through thousands of years of practice, and one must surpass many people before being able to stand here.
If cooking requires some talent, then the royal chefs here are all extremely talented and are the best in the industry.
Being at the top of the industry, one must be proud of himself, but now in this small vegetarian kitchen, he seems particularly cramped.
It's not that these monks are arguing, they just don't believe it.
Li Rongrong was a little nervous for a moment, and she only heard Su Wan say, "After cleaning up the kitchen, we also need to clean up the residence of Ciqing Palace. Let's hurry up, finish it earlier, and help earlier."
We are all experienced in the kitchen, so no one can be said to be causing trouble by helping out here.
However, Su Wan looked at the ingredients they used and found that they were all of the best quality, such as the fresh and tender mushrooms, which Li Rongrong had also used a few days ago and when she cooked mandarin fish. But they only used one or two, which was already considered extravagant.
There are hundreds of them available here.
You have to know that this is February, and it was ancient times.
Even a saint can't be that extravagant.
The chef who prepared the dishes was named Cai. He said, "This is for the great masters to eat, so it must be prepared with great care and without the slightest mistake."
No wonder the monks below are so picky, it turns out that the superiors follow the inferiors.
Su Wan nodded, and Chef Cai continued embarrassedly: "Actually, this is to make your mushroom and taro dish. The Grand Master also likes it very much."
Su Wan and Li Rongrong vaguely remembered this incident, and the vegetarian kitchen came over to ask them if they could make it. Neither of them cared about vegetarian food, so they naturally let them do it.
But I didn't expect that I would still be eating this dish now.
But think about it, there were not many ingredients in ancient times, even fewer in winter, and the range of vegetarian dishes was further reduced.
So it is not surprising that the monks in the inner palace eat this dish of steamed taro with mushrooms.
Su Wan smiled: "If it's made, it's edible. If it can help you, then it's delicious."
It definitely helped. If the food was not good that day, the mages would be in a better mood and would be less critical of the kitchen if the taro was served.
This is also one of the reasons why the kitchen is so harmonious when Su Wan and the others come over.
They all kept this favor in their hearts.
Su Wan also breathed a sigh of relief when she saw this.
As long as we are united internally, that is a good thing.
Looking at Li Rongrong again, she also seemed to be deep in thought. When she was away from Deputy Nan Cheng, she was quite capable of thinking on her own.
After taking a quick look at the kitchen, Su Wan and the others went to the Ciqing Palace next door on the right, which took them fifteen minutes to walk, or half an hour.
The main palace road is winding, so it takes a long time to walk.
This is the nearest palace. If there is a nearest one, it would be the Qianqing Palace on the left. That is where the saint lives. The queen can live there if she has a good relationship with him, but it has nothing to do with me at all.
The imperial chefs also said that Su Wan and the others could take their time to clean up and come back tomorrow morning. Since the kitchen would not be cooking at night and the monks would not eat, they could not eat either.
So just wait until tomorrow at yin hour.
What?
It takes an hour to get to and from get off work.
Can’t eat at night?
Good guys, you believe in Buddhism, but we don’t!
And what time is Yinshi? It’s three o’clock in the morning, right?
Su Wan took a deep breath and said, "Okay, but they won't be able to jump around for long. She believes it very much."
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