After lunch, the courtyard became lively. Qingyan prepared some delicious afternoon tea snacks. Empress Dowager Tong and Consort Tong were talking in the main hall, while two younger female relatives were outside. Yin and Yin were summoned to the study by Kangxi.
"Little darling, what's for dinner?" Yin Genjue Luo Shi sat on a rattan chair with honey-glazed grapes prepared by Qing Yan.
Qingyan shook her head directly. She didn't know much about Empress Dowager Tong's eating habits; she figured she'd probably have to call Li Dequan out, or...
"Suzhu, go and call Aunt Shu out!" Qingyan suddenly remembered that Shu and Shuzhu came from the Tong family together, so they could be considered to know each other a little.
Su Zhu quickly left and walked in that direction. Yin Genjue Luo Shi was quite puzzled. Why did she ask Shu?
“Actually, the Tong family probably knows more about it,” Qingyan said.
Shu grew up in the Tong family and should know much more about them.
Soon, Shu, dressed in a light green palace maid's gown, respectfully bowed to Lady Yin Genjue Luo and Qing Yan.
"Fourth Princess Consort, did you summon me?" Su Zhu quietly called her over from the doorway.
Qingyan nodded and said, "Aunt Shu, we would like to ask about Empress Dowager Tong's tastes, since we have never had any experience with her."
Yin Genjue Luo, who was standing to the side, also nodded quickly.
This was the first time Kangxi had entertained Empress Dowager Tong, and he certainly couldn't afford any problems. There was so much joy in Kangxi's eyes as he looked at Empress Dowager Tong.
"Empress Dowager Tong's tastes are very similar to the Emperor's; she prefers light flavors." Consort Tong paid more attention to health, and Yin's tastes followed hers, while Kangxi preferred strong flavors.
As soon as she finished speaking, Shu took her leave. Qingyan looked at Yingenjueluo Shi and thought that since the food had met everyone's tastes, it was not bad this time.
Soon, Qingyan decided to cook according to the dishes in Yangzhou, making some dishes that are heavy on oil and spice, and also making some light dishes with Yangzhou flavor.
“Before breakfast, I specially had someone make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!” Qingyan said in a low voice.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is a signature dish of Qingyan, and each time various kinds of seafood are prepared. Although the servants are handling and watching the pot, she still finds it a bit too much trouble.
"Really?!" Yin Genjue Luo looked at Qingyan. Yin really liked this dish, but he couldn't make it at home because it was very time-consuming.
Qingyan nodded, considering it a gift to respectfully bid farewell to the Emperor Emeritus.
"Actually, I originally planned to make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall when I arrived in Shandong, but since that person didn't like it, I didn't cause any trouble." Qingyan stuck out her tongue.
At this moment, the aroma of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall wafted from the small kitchen. All three of them, including Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yinzhi, and Emperor Kangxi, turned their gazes toward Qingyan.
"Father, Qingyan was worried about the taboo of the Emperor, so she didn't make it. Originally, she wanted to make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall after arriving here." Yin's explanation made Kangxi feel much better. After all, no one expected that the Emperor Emeritus had so many rules.
Yin smiled and said, "You're in for a treat! It's said that the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall at Yuelai Inn is limited to a few dishes each month. Right now, you can only make a reservation for when the ingredients will be available three months from now."
In the capital, Yin had his servants make a reservation. The shopkeeper didn't dare to say anything and simply took a portion from the reservation list for Yin, instructing the servants to say that it was reserved three months ago.
“If you make a reservation at Yuelai Inn, you’ll definitely get it the next day. Qingyan specifically instructed the innkeeper that the brothers should definitely make room for one.” Yin said directly.
"Of course, I have already tried it, but it doesn't taste as good as what my sister-in-law made back then." When Yin sent it to the Qianqing Palace for Kangxi to taste, Yin happened to be there reporting something and tasted Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for the first time. However, the name made people feel a little amused and exasperated.
Emperor Kangxi was also glad that Xiao Guai had thought things through and hadn't made Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in front of the Emperor Emeritus; otherwise, everyone present would have been criticized.
"From now on, Xiao Guai, be more careful not to mention this dish in front of the Emperor." Kangxi issued a gag order. It wouldn't matter much if they tried using it properly, but being warned would be very infuriating.
Inside the palace, Consort Tong smelled the fragrance and immediately ordered Shu to summon Lady Yin Genjue Luo and Qing Yan.
"Little darling, did you make it for breakfast?" Buddha Jumps Over the Wall must be simmered for a long time. If Qingyan didn't make it in advance, it definitely wouldn't be cooked perfectly.
Qingyan nodded obediently and said, "Mother, I was a little scared. I only dared to do it after the Emperor Emeritus left. It's not against the rules, is it?"
When Empress Dowager Tong saw the uneasy look in her eyes, she laughed.
These past few days, the Emperor Emeritus has been too preoccupied, frightening the children.
"Yes, I'll try it too, little darling. Lanya said this dish tastes amazing, even the Yuelai Inn sells it?" Empress Dowager Tong asked with interest.
"I came across the recipe for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall by chance. I tried making it and found it to be delicious. My father and mother also tried it, so I put it directly into the Yuelai Inn. The ingredients for this dish are very precious, and ordinary families simply cannot afford to consume them, so I directly booked the dish for reservation," Qingyan explained to Empress Dowager Tong.
Qingyan's confident demeanor was very similar to Fei Yanggu's back then, and Empress Dowager Tong felt a bit more familiar with Qingyan.
"Alright, I'll wait for you to make the arrangements. If you have anything good to eat, don't forget to send me a portion. I don't have that many rules, so you don't need to worry so much!" Empress Dowager Tong smiled. Every time Qingyan spoke, he would glance at the Emperor first, clearly frightened.
Fortunately, Consort Tong was there to help, and soon, Lady Yin Genjue Luo was able to speak more familiarly with Qingyan and Empress Dowager Tong.
"Grandma, what do you like to eat? I can make more. Those afternoon tea snacks are also made in my little kitchen." Qingyan looked at the table and saw that the tea snacks were almost gone, so she quickly asked.
Their journey would be long, and if they didn't figure out the Empress Dowager's preferences before arriving at other places, things could get very complicated.
"Lanya and I have similar tastes, just don't make it too oily!" Empress Dowager Tong didn't mind. Kangxi's diet was slowly changing, and Empress Dowager Tong noticed this and was very happy.
Qingyan wrote down all of Empress Dowager Tong's favorite things, planning to change the afternoon tea flavor at the appropriate time.
Consort Tong was always satisfied with Qingyan's presentation, and therefore rarely offered any suggestions.
"Are all the wines ready?" Consort Tong changed the subject. Few of the wines sent as tribute from France ended up in their hands, so the concubines all hoped that some domestic wines could be sent as tribute.
"Yes, Mother, I would like a bottle of French wine to taste so that I can make my own." Qingyan's words struck a chord with Consort Tong.
"No problem, after we return to the capital, your mother will send the wine to your residence!" Consort Tong was naturally delighted.
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