Once the mahjong tiles are played, who can compete?
The next morning, as soon as the rooster crowed, Sun Miaoqing got off the mahjong table, washed up a little, and went to bed to catch up on sleep with dark circles under her eyes.
The same was true for the roses and lilies of the valley; only Liuli was full of energy, as if she had been injected with chicken blood.
"Sisters, please rest first. I'll take the milk candy to the Emperor and Empress Dowager right away. The imperial kitchen staff will bring the food over in a little while. If you're still too sleepy, just wait for me to come back before you get it."
After saying that, Liuli held her head high, picked up her things, and walked towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, they naturally did not see the chubby orange, Liuli. Su Peisheng was busy serving Liuli breakfast and did not have time to come out.
Xiazi stood guard outside. After Liuli explained her purpose, she handed over the items.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Xia. I still need to deliver it to Shou Kang Palace, so I won't delay you any longer."
"Miss Liuli, you are too kind. His Majesty has taken a liking to Your Highness. He will be very pleased to see something made by Consort Cheng herself."
The two exchanged another round of workplace compliments, and only after Liuli left did Xiazi carry the food box inside.
Big Fat Orange had just finished breakfast and was leisurely sipping his tea. He was the most hardworking emperor, but even he got his breaks.
On his birthday and during the Lunar New Year, he would not handle official business unless there was something extremely important to discuss.
"Your Majesty, this servant greets you. Consort Cheng's maid, Liuli, has brought some milk candy, saying it was made by Consort Cheng herself. Please have a taste."
Big Fat Orange took a sip of Huangshan Maofeng tea and said casually, "Bring it here so I can take a look."
"yes."
Xiazi stepped forward with the food box, opened it, and took out a nanmu wood box. The box was divided into five compartments, each filled with white candies the size of pearls.
A eunuch specializing in testing for poison stepped forward with a silver needle and poked the sugar. The silver needle did not change color.
Then, I took out one candy from each compartment with a spoon, broke it into several pieces, and tested it again.
Finally, after tasting each item and confirming that there were no problems, he presented them to the big, fat orange.
Big Fat Orange picked up a snow-white milk candy with some red dried fruit inside, which looked like hawthorn.
"Consort Cheng can cook? I thought she only knew how to eat."
After popping one into his mouth, Big Fat Orange realized it was the first time he'd ever tasted anything like this. The rich milky aroma, combined with the sweetness of maltose and the tartness of hawthorn, made it all feel fresh and new.
Big Fat Orange loved sweets, and he wasn't the only one; most people at that time had a sweet tooth. It's just that sugar was too expensive, and only wealthy families could afford it.
After tasting several, the chubby orange fell into deep thought. After a long while, it asked, "You just said this was made by Consort Cheng herself? It's called milk candy, right?"
Xia Zi replied, "Your Majesty, that's what Liu Li, who delivered the items, said."
Big Fat Orange pointed to the milk candies in the box and said to Su Peisheng and the others, "You should all try them too, try every flavor."
Su Peisheng said with a smile, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."
Su Peisheng and Xiaxiazi both tried a few, and judging from their expressions, they clearly liked the taste of the milk candy.
The chubby orange asked, "How does it taste?"
Su Peisheng said, "The most exquisite taste in the world, Consort Cheng's cooking skills are truly extraordinary."
Big Fat Orange said, "With her noisy nature, she's been staying in her palace, not venturing out for a month. If she weren't feeling unwell, she probably would have already lost her temper and started making a scene."
"I have nothing to do right now. In that case, let's go to Chuxiu Palace and see what she's up to this time."
Su Peisheng nodded with a smile, "No matter how much trouble Consort Cheng causes, she still hopes to gain the Emperor's favor."
"This servant thinks Your Majesty is also enjoying himself."
Big Fatty's orange face darkened. What kind of look was Su Peisheng giving him? The devil was having a good time!
He was clearly furious!
When Su Peisheng saw that the fat orange cat's face darkened, he immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing and his flattery had backfired.
She suppressed her smile, bent down even lower, and handed him a cup of tea.
"Your Majesty has eaten sweets for a while now, please have some tea to cleanse your palate."
Big Orange glanced at Su Peisheng with disdain, then reluctantly accepted the teacup. Too much food was cloying; a cup of Mao Feng tea was just right.
*
When the chubby orange arrived at Chuxiu Palace, Liuli was directing several palace maids to make milk candy.
With several stoves and earthenware pots running at the same time, a vat of milk was soon half empty, resembling a candy workshop.
With her sharp eyes, Liuli knelt down to pay her respects before Su Peisheng could remind her.
"This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The other palace maids and eunuchs also put down their tools and knelt down to pay their respects.
The chubby orange cat asked, "Why are you alone? Where is your queen? What is she doing?"
Liuli replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress is not fully recovered and is still resting. She has not yet gotten up."
The chubby orange said, "She was feeling unwell yesterday, but she still had the energy to do these things. I thought she was already better."
Liuli said, "Your Majesty, Her Highness was busy until late last night making these things for Your Majesty, and she may be tired because of it."
The chubby orange cat glanced at the kneeling Liuli and said with a half-smile, "So you're saying it's my fault?"
Liuli lowered her head in fear, "This servant dares not, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Big Fat Orange laughed and said, "You certainly know how to talk, just like the people around Consort Cheng, so cunning."
Liuli trembled inwardly. Was the Emperor praising her or scolding her?
"Alright, get up, everyone. Keep going, don't waste food."
"This servant thanks Your Majesty."
Big Fat Orange turned and walked towards the sleeping quarters. The whole Chuxiu Palace was filled with a strong milky fragrance, which made her feel much better.
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