"I think you speak very well. Stay and continue listening," Kangxi said.
Lanqin glanced at the Fourth Master, noticing a fleeting hint of embarrassment on his face before he pursed his lips. Lanqin knew she had offended him; as a modern person from three hundred years in the future, she certainly knew more than him. In their minds, the imperial examination system and its rigid, formulaic writing were still considered a relatively fair method for selecting talent.
"Your Majesty, I was merely speaking from the heart, and it was just something I said offhand. Please punish me!" Lanqin said immediately.
"Don't be too modest. I think you're a rare person. There aren't many who dare to tell that joke in front of me. Go and see if Hongli needs anything. Children get hungry very quickly," Kangxi said.
Lanqin quickly curtsied to express her gratitude and hurriedly withdrew from the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.
Hongli was being led around the Qianqing Palace by several palace maids, with Lanqi following behind to keep an eye on him. Lanqin moved towards Hongli's side. Because she was walking from the main hall, those people there couldn't see her.
Suddenly, Lanqin noticed a young eunuch sneaking around and watching Hongli and the others through a side gate. However, he didn't see Lanqin walking in their direction, so he didn't notice her either.
"Where are you from? What are you doing sneaking around here!" Lanqin shouted.
The young eunuch was so frightened by the sudden shout that he froze. He stood there, neck hunched and shoulders shrugged, not knowing what to do.
Lanqin walked up to him, looked at the young eunuch, and asked, "Who are you? How dare you spy on us here!"
The young eunuch glanced up at Lanqin, then immediately bowed his head and said, "This servant is from Yikun Palace. This servant was not spying, but only wanted to deliver a message to our Consort Yi. Seeing that there were people inside, this servant has been standing here waiting."
Seeing that this was the meaning, Lanqin didn't ask any more questions, after all, this was Kangxi's territory, so she sent the servant to ask Eunuch Liang.
Lanqin went over to Hongli and the others and joined them in admiring the flowers and playing.
When it was almost lunchtime, Emperor Kangxi specially ordered a meal and invited Lanqin and Hongli to dine together.
"Hooray, there's imperial food to eat!" Lanqin exclaimed. The palace maids exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing Lanqin's words.
When Lanqin led Hongli into the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, they saw that Kangxi's imperial dining table had already been set up in a side room next to the main hall.
My goodness, although Lanqin had seen Emperor Kangxi dine at the annual palace banquets or in Consort De's palace, she had never seen what Emperor Kangxi's daily meals looked like on her own territory.
There was a long, rectangular table, similar to the kind used in Western earls' homes for banquets. Two people sat at either end, and to eat, one had to raise their voice to speak clearly to the person opposite them.
Emperor Kangxi was already seated at the head of the rectangular table, with the Fourth Prince sitting to his left. Why was the Fourth Prince still here?! Why was he staying for the meal too?
Lanqin, carrying Hongli, consciously didn't walk towards the Fourth Prince, but instead walked to Kangxi's left.
"Come, let Hongli sit next to me. Your whole family is having lunch with me today. I specially ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a feast to welcome young Hongli." Kangxi spoke to Lanqin kindly, like an ordinary old man.
Lanqin placed Hongli next to Kangxi, making sure he sat in a completely full seat. Hongli was less than a year old, but he could eat rice porridge and small pieces of meat and vegetables. Lanqin sat down next to Hongli, and the Fourth Prince sat opposite them.
"Alright, let's go!" Kangxi said to Liang Jiugong.
Soon after, the eunuchs began serving the dishes. They brought up large platters covered with lids, and then one imperial dish after another was placed on the table.
As the eunuchs served the dishes, they muttered what each dish was, such as Nine-Ingredient Stew, Crystal Pork Knuckle Strips, Jade Slices, and so on. One delicious dish after another was presented to Lanqin. In the past, Lanqin had no appetite for the imperial dishes at palace banquets because they were always cold, but now they were all steaming hot.
Lanqin's appetite was immediately whetted. Looking at the delicious dishes, her mouth started watering. Even Hongli, standing to the side, waved his little hands and started babbling, as if he also wanted to taste these delicacies.
“Hongli is too young; he can only eat soft foods,” the Fourth Prince said, looking at his son.
"Liang Jiugong, have the eunuchs in charge of serving Hongli exclusively," Kangxi instructed.
Lanqin was delighted to hear this, as she could now eat to her heart's content without having to worry about the children.
Ah, our Comrade Lanqin, when it comes to food, she doesn't even care about Hongli anymore.
"Let's eat, everyone. It makes me feel better when I see you all enjoying your food." Although Kangxi was all smiles, he seemed to have no interest in the dishes at all.
Sigh, being an emperor must be so boring. Eating these lavish meals every day must get tiring.
Lanqin looked at Kangxi with sympathy and said, "Father, why don't you wait for me to cook you a few dishes?"
"..." Fourth Master glanced at Lanqin silently, thinking to himself: When did this woman learn to cook?
Lanqin naturally sensed the magnetic wave from the other side's gaze, completely ignoring the Fourth Prince, and said, "According to what country folk say, Father Emperor has eaten too much good food, and nothing tastes good anymore. He should go and eat some wild vegetables and coarse grains."
Fourth Master paused, almost choking! He quickly picked up the handkerchief beside him and wiped his mouth.
Lanqin gave the Fourth Prince a disgruntled look and continued, "Father, please don't be disgusted. Your daughter-in-law guarantees that you've never eaten any of these before."
Emperor Kangxi said with great interest, "Oh, then I am still looking forward to your cooking. Alright, tonight, I will have your dishes!"
"..." Fourth Master sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Lanqin was a little hesitant after seeing this: "Kangxi really does whatever he says. I should at least prepare myself. I should think about those delicious dishes I ate at farmhouses in the 21st century."
"Your Majesty, there's a saying, 'Haste makes waste.' I need to prepare carefully to make something delicious." Lanqin immediately regretted her actions. What if Emperor Kangxi didn't like what she made?
"Very well, then I will await your delicious meal. Now, please enjoy it." Kangxi finally showed some understanding.
Lanqin stopped thinking about it and decided to focus on eating first.
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