Chapter 432: Chen Zhao's Extra (11)
Xia Wanqing said calmly: "It's okay, just treat him as your son. If he doesn't do well, you should beat him and scold him."
After saying that, he leaned lazily against the wall, ready to watch with interest.
Chen Zhaozhi: “…”
Of course he knew that the old cook didn't dare to do anything to him, so he rolled up his sleeves and stood over to follow and learn.
He urgently told himself that those who wanted to rebel had to endure what ordinary people could not endure.
What’s wrong with making mooncakes? Do it for your mom!
There was no ready-made dough or filling in the kitchen, so everything had to be made from scratch, including kneading the dough and beating the egg yolks.
Chen Zhaozhi originally thought that since he had learned physiognomy, making mooncakes would be a piece of cake. However, he didn't expect that he couldn't even do the first step properly. The dough he kneaded was full of lumps, and it was not as delicate and clean as the old chef's.
He secretly injected some spiritual power into the noodle lump, trying to salvage something, but found that it was useless.
It turns out that spiritual power is not omnipotent.
The old cook didn't dare to offend this distinguished guest, so she quietly handed over her basin and signaled Chen Zhaozhi to exchange it with him.
Chen Zhaozhi was overjoyed and looked at the old cook as if she were his own mother.
Just as the two were about to hand over, Xia Wanqing heard a deliberate cough behind them.
"All of it, do it yourself," she repeated her initial request.
"This, doing it repeatedly will waste ingredients. We can't waste food." Chen Zhaozhi argued.
Xia Wanqing said calmly: "It's okay, our cook is capable and can turn waste into treasure, you can just redo it."
So strict.
Chen Zhaozhi had no choice but to start from scratch. Fortunately, the old cook was kind and taught him step by step throughout the whole process. She almost replaced the chef directly, and was able to make something similar.
This process also gave Shen Zhaozhi a sense of accomplishment.
It is such a troublesome and tedious task. He would definitely be very touched if someone else prepared it for him besides the cook who usually does it.
No wonder Wanqing said his mother would like this.
As he was filling the dough, a light bulb suddenly flashed in his mind. Wanqing said that his mother would like it, so would she... like it too?
…
After several attempts, when it was almost dawn, several mooncakes that looked no different from buns were freshly baked.
Seeing that the pancake did not break into pieces this time, the person who was most relieved in the audience was the old cook.
She took six mooncakes and put them in a gift box, then placed the decorations she had prepared on it, and the job was done.
Because the decorative carvings were very complicated, Xia Wanqing did not force Chen Zhaozhi to do it himself this time.
They sealed the gift box and tied it with a red ribbon.
"Miss...er, Master." The old cook reminded cautiously, "It's almost dawn, and the cook who will take over will be here soon..."
She didn't want to leave work, she was worried that more people would come in and catch them having a "secret meeting".
Xia Wanqing gave her some tips: "Then you can go down first, and ask the next cook to come back a quarter of an hour later."
"Yes, yes." The old cook stepped back happily.
Finally, the mission is completed.
She wouldn't tell anyone about this unless the eldest lady told her not to.
Xia Wanqing turned to Chen Zhaozhi again and said, "Alright, you can go now. I'll waive the material and teaching fees for you, no need to thank me."
"Wanqing." Chen Zhaozhi did not leave immediately, but took two steps closer to Xia Wanqing and said, "Thank you for helping me."
"Don't talk nonsense." Xia Wanqing always spoke casually. "I'm helping you because of your mother who is under house arrest. It has nothing to do with you."
Chen Zhaozhi took out a small plate from behind him, on which was placed a freshly made mooncake.
"I...made an extra one and told the cook I was worried it might go bad, but I actually made it for you," he said. "You said you'd love it if someone made it for you, so I made it."
"Well, I know this is just a casual thing, and you won't be very happy. But I will do it for you once more in the future, so just try it this time."
After saying that, he pushed the small plate forward again.
Xia Wanqing didn't answer, but looked at him seriously: "Later?"
"What do you mean by 'later'?"
Chen Zhaozhi suddenly realized that what he said was very ambiguous. Not only ambiguous, but also with a hint of promise.
Promise to stay together in the future.
But what basis does he have for making such a promise now?
He has nothing now and is about to rebel. Can he promise her that he will marry her right away?
Where does this leave her? Will she side with her father or with her husband?
Chen Zhaozhi didn't say anything, and Xia Wanqing's eyes gradually turned cold as she looked at him.
"Leave it there." She didn't force Chen Zhaozhi anymore, "Then get out."
"Yes!" Chen Zhaozhi did as he was told, then picked up the gift box, climbed out of the window, and rolled away quickly.
He left, but Xia Wanqing still leaned against the wall without moving.
She didn't know why she helped him today.
I had clearly planned to pin him to the ground and stomp him to death if I had the chance, but today I did a good thing for him.
Is it because you know his “difficulties”?
No, no, it had nothing to do with hardship. I just felt like he was back to his old self.
Xia Wanqing felt a little ridiculous. She picked up the small plate beside her and looked at the crystal clear printed mooncakes in front of her. Her heart beat faster.
Although it was just a coincidence, I still had some conscience in thinking of leaving one for her.
She picked up the mooncake with her slender fingers and put it to her mouth; it was still slightly warm.
She took a bite, frowned, and spat it out with a "Puh" sound!
It’s still raw!
Next time I see Chen Zhaozhi, I will pin him to the ground and stomp him to death!
…
The Mid-Autumn Festival was just two days away, so Chen Zhaozhi used his spiritual power to preserve the mooncakes so that they would be fresher by then.
He had already asked his master that after the banquet in the palace was over, his fox demon mother would emerge from the bottom of the lake to meet him briefly.
This opportunity only comes twice a year, Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year.
Chen Zhaozhi never understood why the emperor would pretend nothing happened and give him the opportunity to meet his mother.
After all, he didn't want to, and Chen Zhaozhi himself certainly didn't want to either.
Now the meaning gradually dawned on him. The purpose of his doing this was to comfort his fox demon mother.
Give her the opportunity to see her son and let her stay willingly.
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