Chapter 41 Cutting Leeks
Tuoba Hong was chewing the crispy and chewy tripe covered in red oil. His eyes suddenly widened, and his soul was tightly grasped by an invisible hand and then suddenly released!
The extreme freshness, the overwhelming spiciness, mixed with the rich aroma of butter, was like a lava flower exploding on his taste buds! His taste system, which had been eating raw meat and drinking blood for years, had never experienced such a violent and wonderful impact!
“Ahhhh!!!”
A howl that was totally inhuman and full of primitive satisfaction burst out from his throat, echoing throughout the Linde Hall, scaring several envoys who were about to secretly taste the fried skewers nearby so much that they almost threw the skewers in their hands away.
"God! This is a delicacy sent by the gods!"
Tuoba Hong was so excited that his face flushed and his beard trembled. He slammed the table, making the cups and plates clink, and shouted at his followers in his stiff Yan language:
"What are you standing there for! Eat! Give it all to me! Anyone who doesn't eat is a coward!"
He himself was like a hungry wolf that had spotted its prey, and with shining eyes he pounced once again on the boiling red soup, with a clear target - the beef roll!
[Ding! Xirong leader Tuoba Hong's "True Fragrance Law" takes effect! Face slapping value +50! Hatred value cleared and converted to fanaticism value!]
The system set off virtual fireworks in Dongfang Yuning's mind.
[Host, your 'biochemical weapon' has successfully incited a tribal leader to rebel!]
Dongfang Yuning smiled like a stealing cat in his mind:
[Look, look! I told you! No one can escape Hotpot's sanction! Next target, Curly from Spice Elementary School! System, shoot him!]
Tuoba Hong's earth-shaking shout and his eating manner like a hungry tiger were like a lit fuse, instantly igniting the atmosphere in the hall that had been suppressed for a long time.
Prince Abdul of the Spice Kingdom’s inner thoughts:
[Barbarian! Vulgar! That howl is a double assault on the ears! That red stuff... looks like magma... Will it really burn through my intestines if I eat it?]
However, his eyes were uncontrollably glued to Dongfang Yuning's chopsticks. She was gracefully picking up a bowl of snail noodles. The vermicelli noodles were translucent white, smothered in a bright red broth, and adorned with golden, crispy fried bean curd sheets and a few dark brown... sour bamboo shoots?
The smell of that murderous nose seemed... to become less pungent as she ate with satisfaction?
Even... that rich, unique "stink" with a fermented aroma, faintly reveals a sour fragrance that is enchanting?
Gulp… Another sound of swallowing saliva, louder than before.
"No! I am the most noble prince of the Spice Kingdom! I am well versed in every wonderful aroma in the world! How could I be seduced by this... this... demonic smell!"
He struggled fiercely inside, trying to suppress his surging appetite with his royal pride and faith in spices.
But his eyes betrayed him. He stared at the trembling fried egg in Dongfang Yuning's bowl, watching it soak up the broth and reveal a tempting golden color when bitten...
Spice Princess Elena's inner OS:
[Rude! Disrespectful! How can the elegance and nobility of the Snow Country be trampled upon like this! Those greasy fried skewers... just the sight of them is blasphemous! And that bowl of murky red soup... it's just... it's...]
Her eyes involuntarily darted towards the eldest princess, Nangong Yue. She saw the princess, renowned for her elegance and wisdom, gracefully poking a golden fried... mushroom? - with a silver skewer.
Then, in front of Elena's almost shattered eyes, Nangong Yue actually dipped the greasy thing into the milky white milk tea in the crystal cup beside her?!
Nangong Yue noticed her gaze, gave her a gentle smile, then put the string of fried mushrooms dipped in milk tea into her mouth and took a light bite.
The sound of the crispy shell cracking was subtle but clear. She showed an expression of extreme enjoyment on her face and even narrowed her eyes slightly.
Elena's icy blue eyes trembled. "Dip...dip in milk tea?! What kind of unorthodox way of eating is this?! How could the noble Princess...?"
But... she looked... like she was actually enjoying it? Could the sweetness of the milk tea really counteract the greasiness of the fried food?
A very faint trace of curiosity, like the melting snow in early spring, quietly seeped into her icy pride.
Envoys/princes and princesses from other countries: ······
Tianyuan Messenger: Looking at the boiling hot pot, I wiped my sweat silently.
[This... this isn't torture, is it? But the Xirong barbarian seems to be enjoying the food so much... How about... trying that bowl of hot and sour noodles that doesn't look that red?]
Luo Yisha pinched her nose, her face pale. That stinky one...absolutely not! But that milk tea one...the color is so pretty...and it smells so sweet...I can secretly try it...Isn't it okay to be discovered?
The prince of the grassland tribe: Staring at Tuoba Hong devouring his food, his mouth watering. Meat! Lots of meat! Fried! Boiled! No matter if it stinks or smells good, it's meat! A warrior should eat meat with big mouthfuls! He's going all out!
Finally, under the triple stimulation of Tuoba Hong sweeping away the hot pot like a whirlwind, Nangong Yue elegantly demonstrating fried skewers with milk tea, and Dongfang Yuning's highly convincing eating broadcast, the psychological defenses began to collapse on a large scale.
A Fuying messenger who was closest to the hot and sour noodles looked at the bowl of bright red, trembling noodles sprinkled with crushed peanuts and coriander. He couldn't resist the temptation and quickly picked up the spoon to scoop a small sip of the soup. He closed his eyes and put it into his mouth with a fearless attitude.
"Hiss—ha!"
A strong sour and spicy feeling instantly rushed straight to the top of his head! He suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face flushed instantly, the veins on his forehead bulged, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
Just when everyone thought he was going to flip the table and curse, he seemed to be cast under a spell. Then, he quickly scooped up a large spoonful of noodles and stuffed them into his mouth, sucking in air frantically (too spicy!) while roaring incoherently:
"God...it tastes divine! It hurts...and feels so good! Come again!"
This sound completely ignited the fuse!
Prince Abdul's last bit of pride was completely shattered when Dongfang Yuning picked up a piece of golden fried egg soaked in soup.
He stood up suddenly, moving as fast as if he was trying to grab some rare treasure, and rushed to the snail noodle counter in a few steps. Ignoring the still domineering "soul" aura, he imitated Dongfang Yuning, picked up a chopstick of noodles, closed his eyes and stuffed it into his mouth.
Instant! Explosion!
The indescribable complex flavors exploded in his mouth! The smooth and chewy texture of rice noodles, the spicy and overbearing aroma of chili oil, the unique, soul-piercing "fresh and pungent" flavor of sour bamboo shoots, the crispness of sour beans, the crisp fragrance of peanuts, the tender and crunchy shredded wood ear mushrooms...
All the flavors, led by the spiciness, were distinctly layered yet perfectly blended, forming a torrent that broke down all the taste perception barriers he had built based on spices!
“Ugh!!!”
Abdul let out a choked groan, his eyes widened bigger than copper bells, filled with extreme shock and... ecstasy!
He no longer cared about the prince's demeanor or the smell of the "murder nose". The chopsticks danced quickly, and the slurping sound was ten times louder than Dongfang Yuning's just now!
As he ate, he muttered in amazement, "Devil! This is definitely the devil's temptation! But this temptation... is wonderful! The spices! I've tasted a level of spice I've never tasted before! These sour bamboo shoots... this fermentation process... is simply a miracle!"
On the other side, Elena, tempted by Nangong Yue's encouraging gaze (and the delicious fried mushrooms), finally stretched out her slender hands, which were as well-maintained as if carved from ice and snow, and picked up a string of golden and crispy fried vegetables with an almost tragic determination (she really didn't dare to touch the meat).
She imitated Nangong Yue and, extremely carefully and with great disdain, used the tip of the skewer to dip a little bit of milky white pearl milk tea.
Close your eyes and put it into your cherry mouth.
The expected greasy and disgusting taste did not appear. The entrance was slightly cool, with a rich milk and tea aroma and a sweet taste. The pearls were chewy and bouncy.
That hint of sweetness, like the warm sun melting the frost on the tip of her tongue. She hesitantly took a small bite of the fried vegetable skewers (shiitake mushrooms coated in a thin layer of batter).
“Crack!”
Crisp and tender! The mushrooms inside are soft and juicy, with a unique mushroom fragrance. The slight greasiness is surprisingly neutralized by the sweetness of the milk tea, leaving only a mouthful of crispy, fresh sweetness!
The icy blue eyes instantly lit up, like sunlight reflected off a glacier! The icy expression that had remained unchanged for thousands of years cracked, revealing a radiance called "stunning."
She didn't even bother with etiquette, quickly dipping her tea in milk tea again and taking a big bite. Then, under everyone's jaw-dropping gaze, this princess of the Yuezhi Kingdom, known for her aloofness, actually let out an extremely soft, yet incredibly clear sigh of satisfaction:
"Um…"
Ding ding ding ding!
The system was flashing frantically in Dongfang Yuning's mind.
[Spice Kingdom Prince Abdul is so delicious! Face Slapping Points +100! Unlock the achievement 'Spice Master's Fall'! Yuezhi Princess Elena is so delicious! Face Slapping Points +100! Unlock the achievement 'Taste Revolution of Gaoling Flower'!
The Fuying Kingdom envoy is amazing! Slap value +30! Dirong envoy...Prince of the grassland...Slap value is growing exponentially! Hatred value is completely cleared! Lucky Star Halo power is MAX! Host, you are going to heaven!
Dongfang Yuning looked at the large-scale "really delicious" scene in front of her. The envoys from various countries had changed from pinching their noses and covering their mouths and glaring at each other to now working hard, slurping loudly, praising the food endlessly, and even almost getting into a fight to grab the last piece of tripe. She smiled with her eyebrows curved, and smugly turned a circle in her mind:
[Tong, did you see that? What is the power of delicious food? What is the charm of a lucky star? This princess's operation is perfect! Get ready, it's harvest time!]
Inside the hall, the atmosphere had completely changed. The tension and disdain of earlier moments had long since been replaced by a rich aroma and a constant stream of slurps and exclamations of admiration.
The envoys, princes and princesses from various countries completely disregarded their image at this moment. Some were sweating profusely from the spiciness, breathing in air with their chopsticks but still moving their hands. Prince Abdul, eating snail noodles and drinking milk tea at the same time, looked like a human steam engine.
Some squinted their eyes because of the sour taste, but their faces were full of enjoyment. For example, the envoy from Fuying Country finished a bowl of hot and sour noodles. Others were immersed in the wonderful combination of fried skewers and milk tea and couldn't extricate themselves.
Princess Elena, the bamboo sticks in front of her have piled up into a small mountain.
The ministers of Yan State all had wonderful expressions on their faces at this moment.
The old Prime Minister Fu Yuan's hand, which was twisting his beard, had already froze.
He looked across at the Minister of Rites, renowned for his erudition and elegance, who was now stealthily covering his face with his sleeves as he quickly sipped his hot and sour noodles. The spiciness made his face red, but he couldn't bear to spit it out, and even surreptitiously took another chopstickful...
Fu Yuan's mouth twitched, and his heart was in turmoil:
[How disgraceful! How disgraceful! But…but that smell…after smelling it for a long time…it seems…truly tempting? No, no! I must hold on…gulp…(swallowing sound)]
The younger officials were less hesitant. A few of the bravest ones gathered together and whispered:
"Hiss... Look at the Snow Country Princess, that fried mushroom dipped in milk tea seems really delicious?"
"More than that! Look at the prince of the Spice Kingdom, he's slurping his snail noodles without even looking up! Didn't he just criticize biological weapons earlier?"
"Princess Fuxing... is truly divine! Using this... um... unique food, she can actually turn hostility into friendship? No, she can turn contempt into enthusiasm!"
"Talent! This Princess Fuxing is definitely a talent! She doesn't play by the rules, and the results are outstanding!"
Emperor Nangong Yu sat high on the dragon throne, looking at the magical scene below which turned from a diplomatic crisis into a "large-scale delicious food broadcast" in seconds, with an unfathomable smile on his lips.
He slowly and methodically picked up a piece of marinated beef that had been cooked in a clear soup pot and dipped it in sesame paste. His posture was calm and elegant, as if what he saw was not a chaotic gathering of envoys from various countries, but an ordinary family dinner in his own back garden.
Well, the beef is indeed tender, and the pot made by Yu Ning is really interesting.
The eldest princess Nangong Yue gracefully put down the last bamboo stick, picked up the silk handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her lips, with a graceful demeanor.
She looked at Dongfang Yuning with eyes full of admiration. The timing was just right.
At this moment, an invisible chill accurately located the area again.
Prince Abdul of the Spice Kingdom was sweating profusely from eating so spicy food that he felt like his soul was leaving his body. He urgently needed to replenish water.
He glanced around and locked onto the cup of milk tea with double pearls in Dongfang Yuning's hand. It looked particularly tempting.
The spiciness got to his head, and his rationality temporarily went offline. He subconsciously stretched out his hand over there, mumbling:
"Princess... lend me this..."
His hand was still a foot away from the cup of milk tea.
"Um?"
A very light nasal sound, but with the sound of ice chips, was heard.
Nangong Ye didn't even raise his eyelids, still concentrating on using a small silver knife to carefully remove the meat from a string of fried chicken wings for Dongfang Yuning and put it into the small plate in front of her.
But the biting coldness emanating from his body was like a real ice wall, instantly freezing Abdul's outstretched hand in mid-air.
Abdul only felt a cold murderous aura spreading from his fingertips to his heart in an instant, making him shiver, and the sweat from the spicy food instantly turned into cold sweat.
He suddenly looked up and met Nangong Ye's deep, cold eyes. His eyes were calm, but clearly conveyed a message: Dare you touch my fiancée's things? You don't want your claws anymore?
Abdul's hand suddenly retracted as if it had been burned by a branding iron. His back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, and even the spicy taste in his mouth was slightly dispelled.
He withdrew his hand awkwardly, quickly grabbed the half-cold cup of milk tea in front of him and gulped it down, not daring to glance over there again.
This Prince Yong of Yan State is indeed a living devil just as the rumors say!
Nangong Ye then retracted his freezing gaze and pushed the chopped chicken wings in front of Dongfang Yuning. His voice instantly changed to a gentle tone like the warm spring sun, with a hint of subtle coaxing:
"Ning'er, try this. The skin is crispy and the meat inside is still tender."
The look in his eyes was so gentle that it could drip water, and he looked at her intently, as if she was the only one left in the world. His expression changed so quickly that it was a unique skill.
Dongfang Yuning smiled sweetly at him, enjoying his service with a clear conscience. She picked up a piece of chicken wing and put it into her mouth. It was crispy and fragrant. She cleared her throat and ordered the system in her mind:
[Tongzi, BGM ready! Lighting technicians in place! Commercial time!]
She stood up gracefully and walked to the center of the hall. Everyone's eyes, whether they were working hard or were frightened by Nangong Ye, were instantly focused on her.
"Dear guests,"
Dongfang Yuning's voice is clear and pleasant, with a strange appeal.
"In the presence of delicious food, it is truly a blessing to be able to turn hostility into friendship. Seeing that you are enjoying your meal to your heart's content, this princess is also very pleased."
She paused, then revealed a smile that was unique to Lucky Star, pure yet slightly cunning.
"I'm sure everyone is wondering: Where does this lingering flavor come from? After leaving the Yan Kingdom's palace, will he never be able to taste it again when he returns home?"
This question struck a chord with all the envoys who were enjoying their meal! Prince Abdul immediately looked up, forgetting to wipe the red oil from his lips:
"Princess! This divine thing... no, this delicacy! How is it made? Those sour bamboo shoots... that soup base... that wonderful combination of spices!"
His eyes gleamed with the spice master's feverish thirst for knowledge about unknown recipes.
Princess Elena also modestly put down the bamboo stick (although her eyes were still glued to it), her ice-blue eyes questioning:
"The cooking temperature of this fry, the sauce, and... the taste of the milk tea are truly unique. I wonder..."
“Good question!”
This is what Dongfang Yuning was waiting for! She snapped her fingers, as if turning on a magic switch.
The emperor's third uncle, the imperial merchant Dongfang Linyuan, who had been waiting by his side, immediately stood up with a smile on his face.
This man, who controls most of the economic lifelines of Yan State and has the appearance of a shrewd businessman, is now smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, and an exquisite carved wooden box appears in his hand as if by magic.
"Dear guests, please don't worry!"
Dongfang Linyuan's voice was loud and clear, with the enthusiasm and motivation unique to businessmen.
"How can such a heavenly delicacy be kept exclusively for the imperial court? The benevolent Emperor of Yan and the compassionate Princess Fuxing have long anticipated your questions! They have specially commissioned me to bring you the good news!"
He opened the wooden box with a "pop", and inside were various small bags neatly stacked and beautifully packaged!
The red squares are hot pot base, printed with "Nine-grid Grid·Domineering Butter Fragrance";
The dark brown oil paper package is the snail noodle soup package, with a cute snail pattern painted on it and small words "Soul Sour Bamboo Shoots, those who understand will understand" next to it;
There are also hot and sour noodle seasoning packets, secret fried skewers seasoning powder, and cans of powder with the words "Pearl Milk Tea·Sweet Attack" written on them!
"look!"
Dongfang Linyuan picked up a bag of hot pot base, as if showing a rare treasure.
"This is the secret 'Fuxing' brand hot pot base! It's made with premium butter and dozens of spices, simmered through a 749-step process! Just one block, dissolve it in water, and you've got this fragrant, red hot pot! Whether you're from Dironggu in the north or Fuying Island, this pot is all you need for warmth and deliciousness!"
He focused his sales pitch in Princess Elena's direction, "Your Highness, in the bitter cold of winter, a pot of hot, spicy red soup will keep the cold away and warm your body. Isn't that a delight?"
He picked up the snail noodle soup packet and the hot and sour noodle packet:
"This is the 'Fuxing' brand' secret soup base! Exclusive recipe, authentic flavor! Paired with our special dry rice noodles, which we also sell!
Just a simple cooking process will restore the irresistible 'taste of the soul' of today!
Prince Abdul, you are well versed in spices. If you take this secret back and study it carefully, you will surely reach new heights!"
He hit the Spice Prince's sore spot precisely.
Next is the fried skewers:
"Fuxing brand all-purpose fried skewers topping! No matter what you're frying, whether it's flying in the sky, running on the ground, swimming in the water, or growing in the ground, just sprinkle a little bit of this on it and the aroma will spread ten miles away, making the kids next door cry with envy!
Your Highness, the secret to the fried mushrooms and vegetables you just ate lies here!
Paired with our Fuxing brand secret milk tea powder..."
He picked up the milk tea powder can,
"Pour in boiling water and simmer the pearls (pearl powder is also sold separately!), and you have this divine drink that helps digestion and sweetens the heart! Fried skewers with milk tea, and you'll be as happy as a god! Heroes!"
He looked at Tuoba Hong and the grassland prince,
"Eat meat with big mouthfuls and drink milk tea with hearty mouthfuls, and you'll be a true hero!"
Dongfang Linyuan spoke eloquently and accurately identified the advantages and applicable scenarios of each product. Coupled with his status as an imperial merchant and his highly infectious sales pitch, he instantly stunned the envoys from various countries.
How can this be a palace banquet?
It's clearly a large-scale multinational food live broadcast!
“Not only that!”
Princess Nangong Yue stood up gracefully at the right moment, her voice gentle but persuasive.
"To facilitate our distinguished guests, and to share the 'blessings' and delicious food of Yan Nation with more people, Your Majesty has discussed with Princess Fuxing and is launching the Fuxing Cuisine franchise!"
Nangong Yue took over the conversation and unfolded a beautiful scroll:
"Anyone who joins Fuxing Gourmet will receive access to the full set of secret recipes (of course, a simplified and stable version that has been treated as core secrets), technical guidance, and the official golden signboard of our Yan Nation!
By simply paying a certain franchise fee and subsequent profit sharing, you can open your own 'Fuxing Hot Pot Restaurant', 'Fuxing Snail Noodle Restaurant', or 'Fuxing Fried Skewers and Milk Tea Shop' in the most prosperous area of your country's capital! A unique business, with huge profits!
“Think about it!”
Dongfang Linyuan immediately took over, his voice full of temptation,
"When the people of your country can gather around a steaming hot pot on a cold winter's day, slurp a bowl of spicy and sour noodles on the streets, and enjoy fried skewers and milk tea... what a magnificent sight!
How much wealth and praise will this bring? My dear guests, what you are enjoying today is not only delicious food, but also a river of business opportunities flowing with gold!"
Nangong Ye walked to Dongfang Yuning's side without knowing when, still with that icy face that kept strangers away. His powerful aura silently suppressed the whole audience, ensuring that the leek harvesting plan went smoothly and no one dared to make trouble.
But he lowered his head slightly, and in the range where only Dongfang Yuning could hear, he used his low, magnetic voice to gently bite her ear, and his warm breath brushed across her earlobe:
"Madam... your business advice is so good that it makes me excited. If you make money... will you give me half?"
The look in his eyes was not about discussing the division of money, but clearly he was planning how to lure the person back to his nest along with the money.
Dongfang Yuning's ears turned red, and she screamed in her mind:
[Ahhh! System! This vixen! He's breaking the rules! He's using a beauty trick!]
System 118:
[The host's heart rate has been abnormally elevated. It is recommended to remain calm. However... Host, are you sure he just wants money?]
The atmosphere below was completely boiling!
Prince Abdul was the first to jump up, his eyes shining as he saw the future culinary empire of the Spice Kingdom:
"Join us! You must join us! Princess! Prince Yong! The Spice Kingdom wants the rights to these snail noodles and hot and sour noodles! The franchise fee is negotiable!"
Although Princess Elena still maintained her outward reserve, her speech speed increased significantly:
"The Snow Country is very interested in the recipes for the fried skewers topping and milk tea powder, as well as... the license for the hot pot base. Your Highness, regarding the franchise details..."
Tuoba Hong slammed the table and yelled:
"Hot pot! We in Xirong are going to open the largest hot pot restaurant! Plenty of meat! Prince Yong, this business is going to be a blast!"
The envoys from other countries also gathered around and talked at once:
"We want snail noodles!"
"Give us the authorization for hot and sour noodles, Tianyuan!"
"Milk tea! Pearl milk tea must be authorized to our Fuying Country!"
"We want the fried skewers topping too!"
The hall instantly turned into a vegetable market, no, it was a transnational food investment conference!
The emperor and ministers of Yan State, including Emperor Nangong Yu, all watched this lively scene with joy, silently eating the melons brought by the "Fuxing Brand" delicacies, keeping their achievements and fame to themselves.
The old Prime Minister Fu Yuan looked at the envoys from various countries who were almost about to fight and surrounded the Third Prince and the Princess. Then he looked at the small sample bag of fried skewers sauce that had been stuffed into his hand. He silently pinched a little and put it in his mouth to taste. His old eyes suddenly lit up. Then, he very naturally and secretly put the bag of sauce into his wide sleeve...
Dongfang Yuning stood in the center of the clamor, watching the magical realism drama she had directed, from the biochemical crisis to the global franchise. She felt the man beside her, his strong presence and undisguised scheming, and laughed wildly with her hands on her hips in her mind:
[Tongzi! Did you see that? What does it mean to be a lucky star? What does it mean to turn stone into gold? This princess has whetted the appetites and wallets of the entire continent with just a bowl of snail noodles! This wave of leeks has been harvested beautifully!]
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