Seeing that Geng Youran had prepared a mutton hot pot, the Fourth Prince felt that Geng Youran cared about him and knew to inquire about his preferences.
The mutton on the table has been cut into bite-sized pieces, and the ingredients have been washed and chopped. The broth has been prepared in advance and kept warm.
As for the soul of the pot—the dipping sauce—Geng Youran prepared sesame paste and chili oil, among other things.
As soon as the Fourth Prince sat down, he saw that in addition to the dipping sauce that had already been prepared, there was another dish in front of him.
He looked at Geng Youran in surprise.
When Geng Youran saw the Fourth Prince looking at her in surprise, she was certain that he was satisfied with her preparations for the evening.
"I never expected that a Han Chinese woman like you would become a sheep named Xierzhan."
'Yang Xierzhan' is a dish with court characteristics. Its original Manchu meaning is mutton broth or tender mutton. Later, it usually refers to meatball soup made from boiled or fried mutton meatballs.
First, select fresh lamb and mince it into a fine paste. Marinate and season the lamb paste with white wine, salt, and sesame oil.
Grate the washed green radish into thin shreds, and chop the scallions.
The seasoning broth is made with Sichuan peppercorns, shredded ginger, and aged tangerine peel.
Half an hour later, roll the mixed mutton paste into evenly sized meatballs and set aside.
Heat oil in a wok, add Sichuan peppercorns and sauté until fragrant, then add shredded green radish and stir-fry until just cooked. Add enough boiling water to the stir-fried green radish, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
Place the rolled mutton meatballs one by one into the soup. Once all the meatballs float to the surface and change color, add an appropriate amount of salt to taste.
Once the mutton meatballs are fully cooked, turn off the heat and remove them from the pot. Pour the meatball soup into a bowl and garnish with chopped green onions.
Yes, this dish is actually a meatball soup.
The reason Geng Youran knew how to make this dish was because she overheard it by chance when she was in the palace.
This dish surprised the Fourth Prince. Although the dishes made by the chefs in the palace and his own residence were delicious, the taste was still closer to that of the Han people.
As a concubine, Geng Youran was required to serve food to the Fourth Prince.
So after the Fourth Prince sat down, she didn't sit down herself, but took the chopsticks that Xin Yi handed her and personally served the Fourth Prince the food.
"My lord, please try this soup. I've only ever heard of this dish before, but I've never made it. This is the first time I've ever made it."
Yinzhen accepted the meatball soup that Geng Youran handed him.
Indeed, it has a unique flavor.
"The pepper flavor is a bit too strong."
Yinzhen said this on purpose, because he didn't want his praise to give Geng Youran a chance to become arrogant and complacent.
Geng Youran silently made a mental note of what the Fourth Prince said.
Since it was her first time making it, she wasn't sure about the taste. She was already very satisfied with the feedback.
Just as Geng Youran was about to continue serving the dishes, she heard the Fourth Prince say:
"You cook something to eat too, and leave the rest to them."
After speaking, he glanced at Gao Wuyong, who had been standing to the side.
Gao Wuyong immediately stepped forward, took the chopsticks, and said:
"Yes, these things can be left to your servants."
The masters of both courtyards ate very happily, and it was only natural that they would then bathe and serve the emperor in bed.
According to custom, after serving the emperor, Geng Youran needed to formally meet the other people in the Fourth Prince's harem.
After serving the Fourth Prince his washing and dressing and watching him leave the courtyard, Geng Youran immediately took a bath, changed her clothes, and went to the Fujin's courtyard to pay her respects.
Unexpectedly, she arrived a little early, so she had to wait in the courtyard.
"Oh, who do we have here? It's Sister Geng!"
A clear female voice came from the doorway. Geng Youran turned around and saw that it was Yuan Shi, who had just entered the mansion a few days ago.
Although Yuan entered the manor later than Geng Youran, she was favored on her first day of marriage because of her good looks, and afterwards the Fourth Prince spent the night in her courtyard several times.
Last night, Madam Yuan thought the Fourth Prince would visit her again, so she made special preparations. Unexpectedly, she was seduced by Geng Youran.
The reason why Madam Yuan started picking a fight so early in the morning was because she had specifically calculated that if she had been favored by the emperor last night, she would definitely have gotten pregnant.
Therefore, she believed that Geng Youran was the one who interfered.
Geng Youran remained silent and simply turned around to continue admiring the flowers.
"Who's so irritable so early in the morning? I could smell their bad breath as soon as I stood at the door."
It turns out to be Consort Li.
Thanks to Geng Youran's mediation, the relationship between Ulanara and Li improved considerably. Seeing that Yuan had only been favored for a few days and yet dared to be so presumptuous, Consort Li asked her head maid to help Geng Youran out of the predicament.
Not daring to confront Li head-on, Yuan had no choice but to swallow her anger and retreat to the side.
Before long, all the people of some rank in Yinzhen's backyard arrived. Geng Youran also greeted the Fujin in front of everyone and offered her tea.
Ulanara and several of her concubines also received different rewards.
This time, Ulanara was exceptionally generous, giving her a pair of fine jade bracelets.
“This was given to me by my mother before I got married, and now I’m giving it to you.”
Geng Youran dared not accept such a valuable gift, and immediately knelt down and waved her hand.
"Madam, this servant dares not accept such a valuable gift. Please take it back."
Ulanara had her head maid help Geng Youran up, beckoned to her, and personally put the bracelets on Geng Youran's wrist.
Geng Youran really couldn't refuse this time.
Ulanara also had her own ulterior motives. First, she wanted to tell others Geng Youran's position directly. Second, she received a message from her informant this morning that Geng Youran had voluntarily drunk a contraceptive soup after being favored by the emperor.
All of these factors were enough to cause Ulanara to bleed so much.
Geng Youran also realized that she must be more careful with her words and actions in the future, otherwise she might suffer trouble one day.
After the greetings were completed, everyone except the Fujin (princess) returned to their own courtyards.
Among them, the behavior of several people was particularly noteworthy.
For example, when the angry Yuan family arrived at her own courtyard, she started smashing things.
For example, after Li returned to the courtyard, she learned that Geng Youran had taken the initiative to drink the contraceptive soup after being favored by the emperor. She then had someone make some soup in the small kitchen and send it to Geng Youran at noon.
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