After tasting the eel and loach, Wu Sangui praised them highly.
This time, Li Huan did not add "honest white sugar" to the dish.
He relied entirely on his culinary skills to cook "Eight Treasure Osmanthus Fish," conquering the taste buds of Wu Sangui and others with his extraordinary abilities!
At this moment, Princess Jianning had finished eating the "tuna balls" and river shrimp, and praised them repeatedly.
Duolong pointed at the loach with his chopsticks.
"Princess, try this loach! It's tender, fresh, and incredibly delicious!"
Princess Jianning shook her head: "I have never liked eating loach since I was a child, but I do like eating eel."
Li Huan asked, "What dishes has the imperial kitchen made with loach?"
Princess Jianning said, "There are braised loach, stewed loach, stir-fried loach, pan-fried loach, loach soup... I don't like any of them!"
Li Huan laughed and said, "If I make a dish called 'Loach Drilling into Tofu,' you'll definitely love it!"
Princess Jianning asked curiously, "Like a loach drilling into tofu? What does that mean?"
Li Huan said, "As the name suggests, it's like a loach burrowing into tofu."
Loach burrowing into tofu, also known as "Diao Chan Tofu," is a folk delicacy from the Qianlong era.
During the Kangxi era, the "loach drilling into tofu" dish had not yet been invented.
Wu Sangui said, "The idea of loach burrowing into tofu sounds very interesting. In the second round of the competition, Lord Li, please make this dish so that I can have a good look and a good meal."
Li Huan said, "No problem, my tricycle is loaded with several kilograms of fresh loach and some top-quality tofu."
A moment later.
The referees tasted Li Huan's "Eight Treasure Osmanthus Fish".
Wu Yingxiong said, "Please, Father and all the judges, vote for Lord Li's 'Eight Treasures Osmanthus Fish'!"
Wu Sangui said, "Lord Li's 'Eight Treasure Osmanthus Fish' is more exquisite, more creative, and more delicious than Master Yue's 'Eight Treasure Winter Melon Soup' from the Huashan Sect!"
"Lord Li's culinary skills are indeed well-deserved. I cast my vote for Lord Li!"
Wu Yingqi raised her hand: "Father is absolutely right. Lord Li's 'Eight Treasure Osmanthus Fish' is superior in skill and extremely delicious! I also vote for Lord Li!"
Feng Xifan said, "The mandarin fish, crucian carp, mandarin fish, eel, loach, and river shrimp in this dish each have their own unique flavor! The four kinds of fish balls are also very fresh and delicious! My vote is rightfully for Lord Li!"
Li Huan chuckled inwardly.
Wu Sangui, Wu Yingqi, and Feng Xifan had no reason not to vote.
First of all, the "Eight Treasure Osmanthus Fish" truly demonstrates an exceptionally high level of culinary skill.
Secondly, as the defending champion of this "Martial Arts Culinary Competition", Li Huan must have the support of Wu Sangui.
Of course, this kind of support only appeared in the first few rounds of the competition. When it came to the crucial moment, Wu Sangui would weigh the interests and resolutely support the martial arts masters he thought were worth bribing.
Following that, Princess Jianning, Wei Xiaobao, and Duolong also voted for Li Huan.
Wu Yingxiong announced: "Voting is over. Lord Wei has received six votes!"
A perfect score! A tie with Song Yuyuan!
Princess Jianning said, "Miss Song got six votes, and Lord Li also got six votes. Miss Song's challenge was unsuccessful."
Wu Sangui laughed and said, "Princess, Miss Song did succeed, but she and Lord Li were evenly matched!"
Princess Jianning asked, "Since there's no clear winner, what should we do? Should we have a tiebreaker?"
Wu Yingxiong said, "If the six contestants in each round are tied, a tiebreaker will be required. However, if the contestant with the most votes among the six contestants is tied against Lord Li, a tiebreaker will not be required!"
Princess Jianning said, "You mean, Miss Song has successfully advanced?"
Wu Yingxiong nodded: "Exactly!"
Princess Jianning responded with a disappointed look: "I thought there would be a tiebreaker, but she's already advanced. It was no surprise at all!"
Wu Yingxiong said, "The more participants there are in the final stage of the competition, the more suspenseful it becomes!"
Princess Jianning said, "What you're saying makes a lot of sense..."
Wu Yingxiong announced: "The first round of the competition has ended. Song Yuyuan of the Lotus School has qualified to advance and will participate in the final stage!"
A cheer erupted from the audience.
Women are just as capable as men!
"The Lotus brand made a splash today!"
"Miss Song has brought glory and honor to the Lotus Brand!"
...
Wu Yingxiong then announced: "Next, let's begin the first round of the prize draw for this 'Martial Arts Culinary Competition'!"
A lottery? Li Huan was taken aback.
Holy crap, Wu Sangui is quite the schemer! Who planned this event for him?
Is it the son, Wu Yingqi, or the strategist?
A guard brought over a box.
Wu Yingxiong said, "This box contains the names of the leaders of various martial arts sects. Whoever draws the name of a sect leader can go up on stage to taste the delicacies on the table and receive a reward of one thousand taels of silver!"
The crowd erupted in uproar.
Wu Yingxiong said, "There will be three draws in total, and the princess will draw the prizes herself!"
Everyone was looking forward to it.
On the octagonal table, there were dishes prepared by the six contestants and Li Huan.
There were leftovers from each dish, which the lucky winners of the raffle could enjoy.
Princess Jianning stood up and walked to the box.
She said with a smile, "If we remove the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, who doesn't eat meat, how would he taste it?"
Wu Yingxiong said, "Although the abbot of Shaolin Temple does not eat meat, he can receive a reward."
Li Huan said, "Fortunately, they rewarded us with silver. If they had rewarded us with beautiful women, the abbot of Shaolin would not have been able to enjoy it!"
Hahaha... Everyone burst into laughter.
Princess Jianning reached into the box, stirred it haphazardly, and casually pulled out a slip of paper, handing it to Wu Yingxiong.
"I hope it's neither a Shaolin monk nor a nun!"
Princess Jianning teased, making a playful face.
Wu Yingxiong took the slip of paper and handed it to Wu Sangui, asking him to announce the lottery results.
Wu Sangui unfolded the slip of paper and read aloud: "The leader of the Kongtong Sect, Zong Fengming!"
Instantly, laughter erupted from the Kongtong Sect's camp.
"Master was chosen! Master is so lucky!"
"Master, come up on stage quickly, enjoy the delicious food, and receive your reward!"
Amidst the congratulations of his disciples, Sect Leader Zong Fengming strode confidently onto the high platform.
This guy was about forty-five or forty-six years old, with a burly build and a full beard.
His eyes gleamed as he glanced at the row of beautiful women standing on the stage before approaching Wu Sangui.
"Zong pays his respects to Your Highness!"
Zong Fengming clasped his hands in a salute, but there was no respect in his eyes, and his tone was somewhat flippant.
Wu Sangui laughed and said, "Sect Leader Zong is in luck! Please enjoy the delicacies on the table and receive another thousand taels of silver."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Zong Fengming took his seat, picked up his chopsticks, and began to savor the "Eight Treasure Osmanthus Fish" cooked by Li Huan.
Li Huan thought to herself, "This guy is shrewd; he eats the hot dishes first."
"Delicious! Extremely fresh and flavorful!"
Zong Fengming praised it repeatedly, eating with great enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoying himself.
The audience watched with longing and envy.
Wu Sangui stroked his beard and suddenly asked, "Sect Leader Zong, are you willing to submit to me and serve me?"
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