On the other hand, Geng Youran thought about it and decided that it would be better to make the pastries that she was best at.
The first step is to make peach shortbread.
Peach shortbread already had its prototype in the Tang Dynasty. Over time, its preparation method was continuously improved, making it even more delicious. During the Ming Dynasty, peach shortbread even became a court dessert.
Moreover, peach shortbread can be stored for a long time, so Wanru can enjoy it for several more days after taking it home.
First, mix the lard with the sugar and egg liquid together and stir thoroughly with chopsticks until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Sift the flour through a sieve to remove lumps.
Slowly add the sifted flour to the sugar and oil mixture while stirring until a smooth dough is formed.
Cover the kneaded dough with a damp cloth and let it rest and rise for a while.
Take a small piece of dough, roll it into a small ball, and then gently flatten it to form a peach shortbread shape.
Place the shaped peach shortbread cookies in the oven and bake for a period of time until the surface is golden brown and crispy.
Next, we'll make almond cookies.
Unlike the almond cookies we eat today, the almond cookies made in ancient times were made with mung bean flour, and in some places, they were filled with special candied pork.
The mung bean powder was ground by Xinyi in advance, and only needed to be sifted a few times.
The sugar-cured pork in the filling was also marinated by Geng Youran a day in advance.
Select some pork with a good balance of fat and lean meat, remove the tendons and membranes, cook it thoroughly, slice it thinly, and then marinate it in sugar overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
Mix mung bean powder, powdered sugar, and an appropriate amount of water until a smooth, sticky consistency is achieved.
The marinated pork slices are embedded in the powder to form a sandwich.
Using a wooden cookie cutter, fill the mold with the powder, press it down, and smooth the surface.
Gently tap the bottom of the mold to release the almond cookies onto the baking sheet.
Place the shaped almond cookies in a charcoal oven and bake at a suitable temperature for half an hour, until the surface is golden brown and crispy.
While the two kinds of pastries were cooling down naturally, Geng Youran asked Xinyi to take out the small bottle of wine.
They each picked out a few pastries and placed them on a plate, while Xinyi wrapped up the rest so Wanru could take them back later.
"Little sister, have you been waiting long?"
"Sister, it's done so quickly?"
Geng Youran sat down, massaged his shoulders, and said:
"The materials were all prepared in advance, so it didn't take much effort. I've already had Xinyi pack the rest, so you can take them back later."
"Is my sister feeling unwell?"
Geng Youran quickly put her hand down.
"It's nothing. I was helping Fourth Master make new products a while ago, and my back is a little sore. You wouldn't believe it, my little kitchen is practically turning into the Prince's pastry workshop now."
Wanru covered her mouth and chuckled a few times.
"Sister, the Prince values you highly."
"Come on, try it! How does it taste?"
Wanru picked up a piece of peach shortbread; it was crispy and sweet, and she liked it very much. Then she ate a piece of almond cake, which had a delicate and sweet taste.
After taking another sip of wine, his eyes lit up.
Surprisingly, Western liquor tastes sweet with a slight sourness. After swallowing, it leaves a slightly spicy sensation in the throat, but without the spiciness of baijiu (Chinese white liquor).
Just as the two were eating and chatting, Xiao Anzi rushed in.
"Your Highnesses, please stop eating and change your clothes immediately. Something terrible has happened in the palace."
Geng Youran and Wanru quickly stood up:
"Don't rush, explain things clearly."
Xiao Anzi took a few breaths.
"The palace maid Sumala has passed away!"
"What!"
Geng Youran sighed inwardly, lamenting that such an outstanding woman had passed away from illness.
This day was the seventh day of the ninth month of the forty-fourth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
Geng Youran still remembers watching a TV series in modern times. The character Su Mala Gu was brave and wise, and possessed a temperament that was different from other women.
She lived through the reigns of five emperors: Tianming, Tiancong, Chongde, Shunzhi, and Kangxi. Kangxi held her in high esteem. He decreed that her funeral be conducted according to the rites for a concubine, and that her coffin be placed alongside that of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, demonstrating her high status.
When such an important person passes away, they naturally have to pay their respects according to custom.
After that, because he needed to inspect river works and check the quality of projects in various places, the Fourth Prince Yinzhen was often away from his residence, and most of the affairs in the backyard were managed by Ulanara.
Consort Li, however, kept her attention focused on Hongyun's studies.
She was never satisfied, so she hoped her son could work hard to climb the social ladder.
"Mother, your son has come to see you!"
Because Yinzhen always valued his children's education, Hongyun began his formal education at the age of four.
Because the teacher had asked for leave, Hongyun arrived at Consort Li's courtyard early.
"Hongyun? What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn't you be in class?"
Hongyun greeted Li Shi respectfully, then went to the main room, drank a large cup of tea, and only then spoke:
"The teacher had something to do this afternoon and couldn't come, so I came to see you instead."
Upon hearing this, Li was furious:
"Nonsense! Even if you don't have classes at this time, you should be in your study reviewing your lessons! How can you be running around like this?"
"...mother?"
Little Hongyun didn't understand. He had come because he missed his mother, so why was his mother scolding him?
Consort Li, now seemingly possessed, summoned a young eunuch and ordered him to take her son back to the study.
Hongyun didn't struggle and went out the door on his own.
Seeing her son return, Consort Li sighed. She missed her son too, but now was not the time. She had to get Hongyun in the Prince's heart before anyone else had a child.
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