When the dumplings were cooked and served to Li Chenjiao, she tasted the ones she had made, then tasted the others, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
"The He family's skills are truly excellent; the filling is made with great care." Although the appearance is different, the taste is really not much different.
Hearing Li Chenjiao's words, Madam He said with trepidation that it was all her duty.
Li Chenjiao still smiled and propped her hands up: "Now that I've become a concubine, you all have made a great contribution by serving me. Qiu Hu, Qiu Ci, and Xiao Luzi have all served me since I entered the manor. Today is a day of great joy for me, so I'll follow the rules from last year's New Year's celebrations. Those who deserve a reward will receive a reward, and those who need new clothes will receive new clothes. Is there enough charcoal for the night?"
Li Chenjiao has always been fair in rewarding and punishing, and she knows very well how to manage her subordinates.
The two maids and the servant boy outside all bowed and thanked them.
Then came Dongsheng and Madam He, who arrived at the East Courtyard later.
Li Chenjiao quickly added, "During my time at the manor, Dongsheng took care of the East Courtyard. You also raised Shizi and Dongli very well; they look even plumper now. When you first came, I told you to be loyal, and you did an excellent job, Dongsheng. Your reward will be about 30% less than Xiaoluzi's. From now on, you should learn more from Xiaoluzi."
Dongsheng outside expressed his gratitude profusely and kowtowed deeply.
At this time last year, Dongsheng couldn't even get enough to eat, let alone survive or keep warm. It was Fulu from the front yard who took pity on him and sent him to Li Gege, who was still a princess at the time.
Dongsheng is not the kind of person who doesn't know how to be grateful, nor would he do the kind of thing that betrays his own people.
Knowing that He Shi was chosen by the Fujin for his master, Dong Sheng often wandered around the small kitchen with persimmons in his arms, keeping a close eye on He Shi's every move.
The last person whose reward hadn't been mentioned was Madam He, who had only been in the East Courtyard for a few days.
Li Chenjiao poked one of the dumplings in the bowl with her chopsticks, and took a long time to think, which made He Shi, who was sitting below her, even more uneasy.
Before leaving the main courtyard, Granny Qian naturally gave both He Shi and Madam Zhu some instructions. However, although Madam He was more skilled, she was not as bold.
The person He was to serve was a favored concubine who was pregnant, so He was naturally a little uneasy.
In addition, He Shi had not been treated with respect by Consort Li recently, and she knew that her status was awkward, so she did not dare to approach Consort Li and just carefully did her duty.
As for the instructions given by Granny Qian, Madam He still didn't dare to act on them at the moment.
"Since you've just come to serve me, the reward won't be too lavish, but—"
Li Chen smiled and, after saying the polite words, went straight to the point.
"You and Lady Zhu were both people arranged for me and Lady Wu by the Fujin back then. It's understandable that I haven't given you much importance these days, and I think you're well aware of that."
Li Chenjiao picked up the punctured dumpling and continued, "Your cooking skills are indeed quite good. But times have changed. Whether the Princess Consort is threatening or offering a generous reward, I will only say one thing: now that you are here with me, your life or death is entirely up to me."
"Ms. He, do you understand?"
Li Chenjiao rarely had such a serious expression.
She usually spoke casually with the maids, and was generally very easy to talk to, except when she needed to make decisions.
Aside from Qiu Hu, Qiu Ci and Xiao Lu Zi in the East Courtyard were also seeing Li Chen Jiao with such an expression for the first time.
The woman surnamed He, who was standing below, was already trembling like a leaf.
“This servant understands. Once I enter the East Courtyard, I will be a member of the East Courtyard and will naturally serve the Consort wholeheartedly.”
Li Chenjiao suddenly laughed, her shoulders trembling: "Mrs. He, I hope you truly understand. Whether you want to outwardly comply but inwardly defy her or harbor malicious intentions, you should carefully consider the consequences."
Li Chenjiao didn't give He Shi a chance to say anything more.
"I'm still a little hungry. Madam He, could you go to the small kitchen and cook another bowl of dumplings? Go ahead." Li Chenjiao said, leaving the matter at that.
It would indeed be a piece of cake for Li Chenjiao to deal with the He family right now.
Now that she has become a concubine, if He Shi does anything she shouldn't, Li Chenjiao won't hesitate to punish her.
After Madam He carefully withdrew, Li Chenjiao looked at the two maids with a puzzled expression: "Why are you standing so far away? Are you avoiding me? Go to the small kitchen and get another dish of vinegar. I always feel like I don't have enough vinegar to dip my food in."
Li Chenjiao pointed coquettishly to the dish of vinegar in front of her.
Hearing her mistress's familiar tone, Qiu Ci finally regained her usual smile: "Yes, this servant will go right away."
Since Li Chenjiao became pregnant, she has loved eating spicy or sour foods, while the two girls were initially both happy and worried.
One moment she was worried that her mistress was carrying a princess, and the next she was happy that Li Chenjiao might be carrying a prince.
As time went on, the two maids couldn't figure out at all whether their mistress was carrying a prince or a princess.
Later, Granny Qin from the Imperial Household Department came to the mansion to teach Li Chenjiao manners. After she and the two maids talked about something, the two maids finally stopped worrying about Li Chenjiao's pregnancy.
When the two maids heard their princess complain that the dipping sauce wasn't sour enough, they didn't react much.
However, as soon as Qiu Ci agreed and stepped out of the room, she saw a tall figure walking towards her from under the corridor.
Qiu Ci quickly bowed.
"Where does your master want you to go?" Fourth Master's voice sounded like he was in a good mood.
Qiu Ci then told the truth, saying that she didn't think there was anything wrong with her mistress's fondness for sour foods lately.
Fourth Master paused, his gaze finally landing on Qiu Ci: "Since your master wants it, hurry up and get it for her."
Qiu Ci must have been, even after walking a distance, she couldn't help but smile.
Li Chenjiao had just finished the last dumpling in her bowl, and her stomach was still not full. She was just waiting for the dumplings in the pot to be cooked.
Before the dumplings arrived, they heard the commotion from Fourth Master outside.
Li Chenjiao didn't stand up. She waited until Fourth Master's figure came into view before slowly standing up: "Fourth Master's arrival is quite timely. We can still eat hot dumplings now. If we wait any longer, we'll only have cold ones left for Fourth Master."
Fourth Master glanced down at Li Chenjiao: "You've gotten bolder."
Li Chenjiao took her seat before the Fourth Master could say "no need for formalities."
"Have you been craving sour foods lately?" Fourth Master stopped criticizing Li Chenjiao's rude remarks and asked directly.
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