Princess Jianning picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip of tea.
Feng Xifan asked, "Princess, what exactly are we betting on?"
Princess Jianning put down her teacup and said with a smile, "Look how anxious Lord Feng is, he's obviously a gambler."
Feng Xifan frowned slightly.
Princess Jianning said, "I'll make a bet with Lord Feng: if Lord Li's 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' has dry chicken breast, I'll lose ten thousand taels of silver to Lord Feng!"
Feng Xifan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he laughed, "Princess, let's forget about this bet; you're sure to lose!"
Damn it, Feng Xifan seized the opportunity to use reverse psychology, fearing that Princess Jianning might change her mind and not make the bet.
Princess Jianning said, "I won't lose! Lord Li's 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' has tender chicken breast, and Lord Feng gave me 30,000 taels of silver! Do you dare to bet with me?"
Feng Xifan was taken aback.
If you win the bet, you earn 10,000 taels of silver; if you lose, you earn 30,000 taels of silver.
For Feng Xifan, the risk was too great.
Seeing Feng Xifan hesitate, Wei Xiaobao quickly raised his hand: "How can I be left out of a bet! Princess, may I participate?"
Princess Jianning said, "Alright, you can join!"
Wei Xiaobao said, "Lord Feng, I'll raise the stakes! If the chicken breast of 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' is too dry, I'll lose 50,000 taels of silver; if the chicken breast of 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' is too tender, you'll lose 50,000 taels of silver to me! How about it?"
Feng Xifan was overjoyed: "Eunuch Wei, is this really true?"
Wei Xiaobao said, "Let me correct you first, I prefer people to call me 'Lord Wei,' I don't like the title 'Eunuch Wei'!"
Feng Xifan laughed and asked, "Why doesn't Eunuch Wei like being called 'Eunuch Wei'?"
In front of everyone, Wei Xiaobao couldn't bring himself to say the taboo word "eunuch".
Duolong understood Wei Xiaobao's thoughts and said, "Lord Feng, just change your address. Why ask so many questions?"
Feng Xifan was actually aware of Wei Xiaobao's taboo, but he deliberately said, "Eunuch Wei is the chief steward of the Imperial Kitchen. Calling him 'Eunuch' is a respectful title!"
Wei Xiaobao frowned: "If Lord Feng is envious, how about I give you the position of Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen, Eunuch Feng?"
Feng Xifan was speechless.
Wei Xiaobao said, "If I lose, I'll give you 50,000 taels of silver. If I win, you give me 50,000 taels of silver. Whoever cheats, may their son be born without an anus!"
Feng Xifan nodded: "Okay! It's a deal!"
Duolong quickly said, "Wait, I like betting too!"
Feng Xifan laughed and said, "Does anyone else want to add to their bet?"
Duolong said, "I'll bet fifty thousand taels of silver, just like Lord Wei!"
Feng Xifan was even more delighted.
If he wins, he will receive 10,000 taels of silver from Princess Jianning, 50,000 taels of silver from Wei Xiaobao, and 50,000 taels of silver from Duolong.
A total of 110,000 taels!
"Good! A gentleman's word is as good as his bond!" Feng Xifan's tone was excited, unable to hide his inner joy.
Princess Jianning said, "Lord Li, could you make a dish of 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' for the third round of the competition?"
Li Huan readily agreed: "No problem, I'll make an authentic 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' for Lord Feng to try!"
Feng Xifan laughed and said, "I'll be watching!"
"Cough cough cough..." Wu Sangui coughed a few times, "Gentlemen, we are enjoying Master Zhou's 'Farewell My Concubine', how come we are discussing Lord Li's 'Yimeng Fried Chicken' and even making a bet?"
Princess Jianning said, "When we talked about how the chicken in 'Farewell My Concubine' was a bit dry, we started talking about Lord Li's 'Yimeng Fried Chicken.' Your Highness, are you going to make a bet with me?"
Wu Sangui's expression turned serious: "I never make bets!"
Wu Yingxiong hurriedly said, "Please, Father and all the judges, vote for Zhou Yaoqin's 'Farewell My Concubine'!"
"Wait!" Wei Xiaobao called out.
Wu Yingxiong asked, "Eunuch Wei, no, Lord Wei, what is it you need?"
Wei Xiaobao said, "Don't rush to vote, I haven't tasted the chicken in 'Farewell My Concubine' yet!"
As he spoke, Wei Xiaobao stood up, picked up a chicken foot from the plate, and began to eat it.
Duolong asked Princess Jianning, "Princess, have you finished tasting it?"
Princess Jianning said, "I have finished tasting it."
Duolong then asked, "Your Highness, Young Prince, Lord Feng, have you all finished tasting it?"
Wu Yingqi picked up his chopsticks and said, "Since Lord Wei continues to enjoy it, I might as well have a few more pieces of 'Farewell My Concubine'!"
Duolong picked up his chopsticks, smacked them in his mouth, then dipped them into the plate, rummaged around in it a few times, and picked up a piece of chicken.
"I'll continue tasting!"
After speaking, Duolong put the chicken in his mouth and chewed it quickly.
Having witnessed Duolong stirring his saliva-covered chopsticks in the food, Wu Yingqi had lost her appetite...
A few minutes later.
Wei Xiaobao and Duolong finished tasting.
Wu Yingxiong announced again: "Father and all judges, please vote for Zhou Yaoqin's 'Farewell My Concubine'!"
Wu Sangui was the first to raise his hand: "I love this 'Farewell My Concubine' dish, I'll vote for Master Zhou!"
Wu Yingqi said, "Master Zhou's 'Farewell My Concubine' has a novel combination of ingredients and a novel meaning in its name. Moreover, it tastes delicious. I also vote for Master Zhou!"
Seeing the prince and the young prince vote, how could Feng Xifan not vote?
He raised his hand and said, "This 'Farewell My Concubine' dish is absolutely delicious and leaves a lasting impression. I vote for Master Zhou!"
Currently, there are three votes.
All eyes turned to Princess Jianning, Wei Xiaobao, and Duolong.
Princess Jianning said, "I tried the chicken in 'Farewell My Concubine,' and while the taste was acceptable, the meat was too tough. I cannot cast my vote for Headmaster Zhou!"
After listening, Zhou Yaoqin smiled helplessly.
Wei Xiaobao said, "I just tasted the chicken carefully, and just as the princess said, the chicken was undercooked and not tender enough. What a pity!"
Wu Yingxiong asked, "Does Lord Wei mean we shouldn't vote for Sect Leader Zhou?"
Wei Xiaobao said, "I'm sorry I can't vote, Master Zhou, your cooking skills are superb. With a few improvements, this 'Farewell My Concubine' dish will be perfect."
Zhou Yaoqin clasped her hands in a gesture of respect.
Duolong said, "I agree with the princess and Lord Wei that the chicken in this 'Farewell My Concubine' dish is slightly undercooked. Therefore, it's difficult for me to vote for Master Zhou..."
*Bang!* Wu Sangui slammed his fist on the table!
He stood up abruptly, glaring at Wei Xiaobao and Duolong.
"Lord Wei, Lord Duo! Are you two referees, or just opportunists?"
Wei Xiaobao asked, "Your Highness, why do you say that?"
Wu Sangui snorted: "From the very first contestant in the first round, as long as the princess doesn't vote, Lord Wei and Lord Duo will voluntarily refrain from voting! But as soon as the princess votes, Lord Wei and Lord Duo follow suit! You two are clearly opportunists, swaying with the wind!"
Duolong hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you are mistaken! In the first round of the competition, Song Yuyuan from the Lotus School cooked a delicious 'sticky rice chicken,' but neither the princess nor Lord Wei voted for her. I, however, voted for her! Your Highness, you are too forgetful!"
Wu Sangui was taken aback...
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