Chapter 12 I want Lin Qingdai to leave unharmed...
After a lot of fuss, the medicinal cuisine was finally served.
Of course, it wasn't just medicinal cuisine. Song Yunyan and Lin Qingyu, two pampered young masters who never lifted a finger in the kitchen, insisted on showing off their skills in front of the unparalleled master, Elder Yuyong, and personally prepared two elaborate dishes.
One dish is braised chicken with pickled bamboo shoots, and the other is braised fish with pickled bamboo shoots.
Both dishes used pickled bamboo shoots, initially because ingredients were limited in the Tulou (Hakka roundhouse). After they were cooked, everyone tasted them and found them unexpectedly delicious.
"With such a lively atmosphere today, how can we do without some wine?"
"Old man, how about some of your best stuff from the bottom of the box?"
Ye Xiao shouted at Yu Yong, and when he got to the phrase "the best stuff in the bottom of the box," his eyes blinked exaggeratedly as if he had a seizure.
Ji and Jing's chopsticks immediately turned sideways.
If Ye Xiao had dodged even slightly slower, the chopsticks would have struck him on the head.
The amusing scenes made Lin Qingyu and the others burst into laughter.
Yu Yong looked at Ye Xiao, who was fleeing the dining table to avoid a beating, and laughed, "How did you know I had something I had hidden away?"
Ye Xiao was about to reply when Lin Qingdai beat him to it:
"That's how it's written in the stories: a peerless master with countless treasures, what's a few cups of fine wine?"
The implication was that in her mind, Yu Yong was an unparalleled genius.
Perhaps because she had spent a long time in the kitchen, the little girl's face was flushed, and she looked warm and gentle.
At this moment, her aloofness had nothing to do with her, yet she was still so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.
"Yes, yes, a peerless master must have some good stuff, right?"
With someone helping him, Ye Xiao shouted even more enthusiastically.
Yu Yong laughed, "Since we've come this far, we can't let Miss Lin's high praise go unrewarded if we don't bring something of value."
"On the third day of the year, go to the cellar to get the wine."
He agreed on the third day and then left.
Before leaving, he also called Ye Xiao and Song Yunyan along.
When they returned, each of the three carried two jars of wine.
As soon as the wine jar was placed on the table, Yu Yong glanced at the label on the jar and his face immediately turned black.
He looked at Nian San and said, "You little bastard, you're a traitor."
These six jars of wine have been stored for almost twenty years. The age doesn't really matter; they are brewed using the essence extracted from century-old red ginseng from Qishan and Huining sorghum.
Returning to Ningxia sorghum is fine, but this century-old red ginseng from Qishan is a rare find.
They are rarely seen on the market; you can't buy them even if you have the money.
Nian San smiled, knowing his master wasn't truly angry. He valued Young Master Ji and was naturally generous in offering him fine wine.
Ye Xiao said at this moment, "Don't be so stingy. When you come to Lingdong in the future, I will steal my father's good wine to entertain you. If you don't like my father's, I will steal the wine from Lord Yu of Lingdong."
His absurd words made everyone laugh.
Song Yunyan shook the wine jar in his hand: "This is the wine. I'll have someone send a few more jars of better wine to the old gentleman in a couple of days."
Yu Yong, the old man, looked at him with disdain, "So noisy and clamorous."
"Open a bar."
Okay.
As the wine jar was opened, the aroma of red ginseng and wine mingled together, spreading outwards from the jar.
Everyone raised their glasses, first to the seniors, second to the new friends, and third to Jiaojiao, who had worked so hard to prepare this delicious meal.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, the open space in front of the building gradually came alive.
Everyone at the table was relaxed. In that moment, there was no distinction between superiors and inferiors, and the complex current situation was temporarily put aside for them.
After we finished eating, it was already evening, and silver stars appeared in the distant sky.
Elder Yu Yong wanted Lin Qingyu and his group to stay overnight.
Lin Qingyu glanced at Song Yunyan and chuckled softly.
Yu-Ning asked him what he was laughing about.
He replied, "Some people have access restrictions."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone realized that even someone as old as Ah Song had a curfew.
Losing face, Song Yunyan yelled at Lin Qingyu again.
Lin Qingdai walked over and said, "I'll let you ride in the carriage and give you some novelties to see."
Song Yunyan hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Okay."
Ji Yujing watched these intimate scenes quietly, her right index finger twitching slightly as it hung at her side.
Lin Qingyu and the others embarked on their journey home with satisfaction. Once they left, only Ye Xiao remained in the earthen building, which immediately became quiet.
It's still in front of the Tulou, and it's still that same table.
All the bowls and plates were removed and replaced with hot tea.
Ji and Jing, along with the elderly Yu Yong, each occupied one side, relaxing and drinking tea.
"What are your plans next?"
The speaker was elderly Yu Yong, who was genuinely curious about this. At this point, asking such a question wouldn't be considered presumptuous.
Ji and Jing remained still for several breaths, their gazes fixed on the subtle ripples in the tea.
"Does the old gentleman know of the secret treasures of Xun Kingdom?"
After years of effort, the 100,000-strong Dongning Army has the fighting power to pacify the world. However, the various forces and the royal family are not to be trifled with, and eliminating them is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
He needs military funding, an enormous amount.
Once the secret treasure is found, the Ningdong Army will be able to leave Lingdong.
Yu-Naga: "I've heard of it. But the imperial family has been searching for it for over a century, yet they still haven't been able to gather all the secret treasure maps. Finding it is easier said than done."
Ji Yujing: "Is anything in life truly easy?"
In today's world, birth determines life and death, and the path for those from poor families to rise in society is completely blocked.
Yu Yong said, "Yes, but you should know that there are also people with exceptional conscience and talent in aristocratic families."
For example, Song Yunyan, and Lin Qingdai.
"The reason why aristocratic families can become aristocratic families is that they have their own abilities."
"If you can't find the treasure map, you might as well try the second path and hand over Lingdong to Miss Lin."
Ji Yujing: "What can she do?"
Yuhei repeated his words, "What can she do?"
After a moment, he gave his answer: "If she is willing, with the eldest daughter of the Lin family involved, the young talents of Xun Kingdom will be in a chaotic battle, and you, Ji Yujing, may not be able to stay at the center all the time."
Upon hearing this, Ji Yujing chuckled softly.
Yu-Ning asked him what he was laughing about.
Ji Yujing: "Then I will wait for the second daughter of the Lin family to enter Lingdong."
Back home, the night was as dark as ink, heavy and oppressive.
The day had been full of ups and downs, and her body was utterly exhausted. After a quick wash, Lin Qingdai prepared to rest. However, after lying in bed, she tossed and turned for a long time, unable to fall asleep.
Mingqian found it amusing. She moved a small stool and sat down in front of Lin Qingdai's bed, cupping her face in her hands and staring intently at the delicate girl.
At first, Lin Qingdai had her back to her, but after a while she turned over and their eyes met.
"..."
Lin Qingdai paused for a moment, then chuckled, "You're getting more and more unruly."
"Mingyue, what do you think should be done to punish this girl?"
Mingyue was sitting not far away, sorting through the gifts that had recently arrived from various parties. She looked over at the sound and said with a smile, "This servant will listen to Miss."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingdai actually pondered it carefully, "Then... we won't take her to the palace banquet at the Luhua Festival."
Before Mingyue could even react, Mingqian started shouting, "That won't do!"
"Miss is bullying me."
"Just now, I thought that the way Miss was turning over and over was both beautiful and cute, so I moved a stool over and sat down to take a closer look."
"Every extra glance is a bonus."
"Think of all the heroes and valiant men in the world who would love to see our young lady, but none of them have the chance."
The palace banquet at the Luhua Festival is unforgettable for anyone who has attended.
Fine food and exquisite wine form the foundation, and at night, the palace is illuminated by various lanterns as if it were daytime. The wildflowers bloom in the bright light, incomparably beautiful and exuding a rich fragrance.
Beautiful dancers twirl lightly around the flowers, while opera singers chant to the moon.
High-ranking and powerful ministers, elegant scholars who passed the imperial examinations, and noble imperial relatives... all dressed in fine clothes, raised their cups to drink, their eyes crinkling with smiles, exuding confidence and high spirits.
Of course, these were not what Mingqian cared about most.
At the Luhua Festival banquet, her favorite treat was the "Touhua Ci" (a type of glutinous rice dumpling) filled with Luhua paste and bean paste. Although many pastry shops in the market also make this, none can compare to the imperial chefs in the palace.
It's that time of year again, and the opportunity is so rare that she can't afford to miss it.
In that case, all that's left is to resort to "unreasonable arguments".
Lin Qingdai and Mingyue were amused by her.
"I think Mingqian could make a good living by telling stories in a teahouse."
"Who can argue with that?"
"Miss, may I go to the palace banquet during the Luhua Festival?"
"Can't."
"Miss."
As the thick haze firmly gripped the inner court, a man in black slipped out from a secluded spot, without anyone noticing.
After midnight, he stopped at the Duolefang, the most prosperous place in the capital. He went straight to the sixth floor, which was also the highest point of the Duolefang, and knocked six times, lightly and heavily. A clear male voice came from inside the room.
"Enter."
The man in black entered and then closed and bolted the door shut.
"Brother Jing."
Approaching the large, heavy black table, he bowed respectfully to the young man behind it, his mask and hat still on, his demeanor clearly showing his reverence.
The man behind the desk was Ji Yujing. He and Ye Xiao had even arrived at the foot of the imperial city before Lin Qingdai and her group.
"No need for formalities, please sit down."
The man in black found a seat and sat down, with Ye Xiao opposite him. When their eyes met, the dark-skinned but handsome young man grinned at him.
The man in black curled his lips into a smile, and at the same time removed his mask and hat: "Young Master Xiao, how have you been lately?"
Ye Xiao: "If I don't have to run around with someone, that would be great."
The man in black chuckled softly, but that was all. He dared not respond to Ye Xiao's words, nor did he know how to respond.
After laughing, he looked at Ji Yujing and asked, "I wonder what brings you here so urgently, Brother Jing?"
He entered the palace at fourteen and is now twenty-two. Eight years have passed, and he has long since established himself in the Directorate of Ceremonial. But Ji Yujing, who sent him and his sons to the palace, seems to have forgotten their promise from years ago; he has never taken the initiative to seek them out.
This is the first time.
This inevitably made him wonder: after years of preparation, will Lingdong finally take off?
The man in black was in turmoil.
Surrounded by the most powerful people in the empire, he saw things that ordinary people could not. He knew better than anyone how cruel imperial power politics could be, and that even if he was not the empress, the concubines would covet the white jade phoenix seal that was always polished to a spotless shine.
The country is not yet overthrown, but its core is already rotten to the core.
Although he had no family, he still wanted to protect Lingdong, his hometown.
Ji Yujing: "With the marriage between the Ji and Lin families imminent, I think Lin Qingdai will leave the capital unscathed."
Now that Ji Yujing has appeared in the capital, the men in black wouldn't be surprised if he knew any secrets.
"Brother Jing doesn't blame the Lin family?"
Let alone a powerful figure like Ji Yujing, even an ordinary man would probably not tolerate his fiancée liking another man.
It even reached the emperor, who used his power to suppress this absurd matter.
Ji Yujing didn't directly answer his question, but instead asked, "What do you think of Miss Lin the Second?"
The man in black hesitated for a moment before reporting, "The second young lady of the Lin family has an excellent reputation in the palace; even the lowest-ranking maids like her."
“Every time she entered the palace, she would secretly bring these maids sachets, lip rouge and flower tea that she had made herself.”
"At first, the maids dared not accept it, fearing punishment from their mistress. Perhaps Miss Lin saw their concerns, and during a palace banquet, she personally asked His Majesty for a favor."
"She said she wanted people to try out her products and get some feedback, but those in high positions are all shrewd people, and her true intentions are impossible to hide, yet she still manages to get what she wants."
"His Majesty indulges her, the Imperial Concubine protects her, and the Fourth Prince stands firmly on her side. Even the Second Prince, whose thoughts are deep and unpredictable, is willing to give way to her."
The man in black recalled carefully that he was some distance away from Ji Yujing and hadn't seen the slight twitch of the index finger on the man's hand, which was lazily resting on the table, when Ji Yujing mentioned the Second Prince.
He continued speaking, saying a lot, and finally concluded: "Except for her frail health, Miss Lin is perfect in every way. If she can marry into Lingdong, it will be a blessing for all the people of Lingdong."
Hearing the man in black say this, Ye Xiao felt a pang of jealousy rising in his heart again.
Why should he? He also wants a beautiful and kind-hearted wife.
Just as he was about to say something, Ji Yujing spoke first, "If that's the case, what can I blame the Lin family for?"
"I should be thanking them."
The man in black thought about it and agreed, then took the initiative to steer the conversation back on track: "Brother Jing, were you worried that the Second Prince might cause trouble before Miss Lin leaves the capital?"
Ji Yujing: "Yes."
“If she moves around in the palace, you must send someone to guard her.”
The man in black nodded in agreement.
That matter was considered closed. Immediately afterwards, the man in black took out a folded piece of paper from his body: "Brother Jing, this is the map of the inner court you requested."
"It appears instantly upon touching water."
Ye Xiao immediately got up, took the blueprints, and delivered them to Ji Yujing.
"What does Brother Jing want to do? Do you need our help?"
Ji Yujing: "No need. Just take good care of yourselves and Lin Qingdai."
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the man in black left the Duolefang.
Ye Xiao moved closer to Ji Yujing and watched as he dipped his finger in water and made a few dots on the paper. A miraculous thing happened: the lines appeared inch by inch, eventually forming a map.
Ye Xiao couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "The palace is truly full of wonders!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he asked again, "Brother, what do you need this thing for?"
Ji Yujing: "Let's borrow something from the royal family."
Ye Xiao: "..."
This borrowing was used with remarkable ingenuity.
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