The next day, after Qingming helped Wanru get up and wash, she first prepared breakfast, and then went to Geng Youran's courtyard to invite people.
"Please wait a moment, Miss Qingming. Our princess went to bed late yesterday and just got up."
Actually, it was the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, who stayed overnight in Geng Youran's courtyard last night.
Yinzhen was always an early riser; his years of self-discipline would never allow him to sleep in. But Geng Youran was the exact opposite.
At this moment, Geng Youran rubbed her waist, gritting her teeth and cursing the man's damned yet astonishing energy.
In the middle of the night, Geng Youran couldn't take it anymore and fainted. The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, didn't sleep a wink all night.
After several second-class maids helped her get up and wash, she heard Xiao Anzi announce through the door that Princess Niohuru had sent someone to invite her over for tea.
Geng Gege asked in surprise:
"So early?"
Xinyi looked at her princess with disdain.
"Princess, people have probably already finished their breakfast by now. I don't think everyone is as fond of sleeping in as you are."
Geng Youran didn't retort when Xinyi mocked her for being lazy, thinking that she couldn't go to drink tea on an empty stomach.
Suddenly, she remembered that when Prince Beile came yesterday afternoon, he brought her some green dates.
The main reason is that Geng Youran is just too greedy, and she keeps asking Xinyi to go to the manager to ask if there are any fresh ingredients.
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, also doted on her and would often bring some things with him when he came over.
Yinzhen could still satisfy his appetite.
"Where did you put the green dates that the Fourth Prince brought yesterday afternoon?"
"It's in our small kitchen."
Yes, Geng Youran now has her own small kitchen where she can cook and brew medicine.
Ever since the incident involving Song Gege, Yinzhen has given Geng Youran a small kitchen.
Of course, this behavior was somewhat inappropriate, so Geng Youran suggested exchanging it for her own dessert recipe.
Although most of the things she makes now are also available on the market, they are unique in appearance and taste because they incorporate modern improvements.
Yinzhen would also select some of the better-tasting items to put in his shop.
"It's not good to go empty-handed, so I might as well make those green dates into green date cakes and bring them over."
Xinyi muttered to herself:
"I think it's Princess who wants to eat it."
Recently, Xinyi has noticed that her daughter is becoming increasingly indulgent, with nothing on her mind except eating. Ironically, the prince seems to enjoy it.
In short, none of these are normal.
The first step is to make the filling.
Geng Youran tasted them; the green dates were a bit sour.
Cut the pitted jujubes into small pieces, put them in a pot, and add an appropriate amount of water.
After the red dates are soft, use a spoon or food processor to mash them into a paste, removing as much excess water as possible. Add a little white sugar while mashing them into a paste.
Because there was no distinction between high-gluten flour and low-gluten flour at that time, when Geng Youran made pastries or similar pasta dishes, she could only choose flour that was specially sold in the market for making pastries.
Mix the flour and sugar evenly, and then let it ferment naturally.
After the appropriate time has elapsed, add the date paste and milk, and stir into a batter.
Pour the batter into a steamer and steam over high heat for about 30-40 minutes, or until fully cooked.
Remove the baked or steamed jujube cake from the oven, let it cool, and then cut it into pieces.
Geng Youran was busy making desserts, while Xinyi was preparing food boxes on the side.
As for Xiao Anzi, he continued to tend the fire.
With everything ready, Geng Youran felt she had forgotten something.
At this moment, Xiao Anzi raised his head and said:
"Princess, Miss Qingming is still drinking tea in our room."
"ah!"
Geng Youran slapped her forehead; how could she have forgotten about this?
Qingming was furious.
She was, after all, a senior maidservant by the princess's side. Although her princess had entered the household late, she should not be treated so poorly.
Just as she got up to leave, Geng Youran returned with Xinyi carrying a food box.
"I'm so sorry, I thought it wouldn't be right to go to see your princess empty-handed. Yesterday, the Prince sent over some green dates, and I made them into green date cakes, which took up a little time."
To an unrelated person, these words might be interpreted as an explanation, but to Qingming, Geng Gege was simply showing off her favor with the emperor.
But she was just a maid, and she couldn't let her mistress lose face.
"Your Highness, what are you saying? I was in a hurry and arrived early, disturbing your rest. Please don't blame me."
Geng Youran waved his hand.
"I'm glad you don't mind. Xinyi, go and bring some of the West Lake Longjing tea that the Princess Consort gave you last year. It would be perfect with this jujube cake."
"yes."
Afterwards, the group arrived at Wanru's courtyard.
"Sister, you've come."
Geng Youran quickly helped Wanru, who was about to bow, to her feet.
"I'm late. I should be the one apologizing to you."
The two men smiled at each other, and neither said anything more about the matter.
Once inside, Geng Youran asked Xinyi to put the food box up, and said:
"This is a jujube cake I just made. Paired with West Lake Longjing tea, it's incredibly refreshing and perfect for this season."
Niohuru Wanru picked up a piece and tasted it; her eyes burned with desire.
"Sister's skills are indeed superb. Before I got married, I had eaten jujube cake a few times. Although it tasted sweet, I got tired of it after eating a few pieces."
Geng Youran smiled.
"Nothing is as good as what you say, sister. I just don't know why you would think of inviting me over for tea when you've only recently entered the household."
"The younger sister was also curious as to why her older sister would give her a Guanyin statue that was covered in musk."
Upon hearing this, Geng Youran quickly stood up:
"What?! Musk?!"
That Guanyin statue that grants children was given to me by Princess Yuan when I celebrated my birthday.
Could it be that my miscarriage back then had nothing to do with that bowl of medicine?
Niohuru Wanru was somewhat surprised by Geng Youran's strong reaction, thinking to herself:
"Does she really not know about this?"
After returning to her courtyard that day, Niohuru Wanru also liked the Guanyin statue that grants children very much. Qingming was also surprised that this Geng Gege was so generous on their first meeting.
However, the wet nurse beside her noticed something unusual: the Guanyin statue, which symbolizes the granting of children, faintly smelled of musk.
If she hadn't discovered it, and it had actually been set up on an altar, the other incense sticks would probably have masked the scent of the musk, and it would have unknowingly entered her body.
That's why Niu Hulu Wanru asked Geng Youran to come and find out the truth.
If it really was Geng Youran who designed it, even if she doesn't admit it, I will tell the Prince and punish Geng Youran.
It now seems that Geng Youran may genuinely be unaware of the inside story.
"Xinyi, what's going on?"
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