Xiaoxiao did not think that the Empress would only come up with such a small trick with such great fanfare. However, she could only take it one step at a time to predict the future. It was impossible for her to see the smart disciple cum hard working laborer who she had finally found get implicated because of this.
Xiaoxiao glanced at the expensive ingredients in the kitchen again and narrowed her eyes with a smile.
Not long after, he said to Furong, "There’s no need for her to know."
His lips curved slightly. "Not yet."
Furong couldn’t help but look at the two of them again. She had a bold thought, but she didn’t dare to say it.
Like Rong Yan, Gongsun Zhongjing did not like food that smelled strongly, so the dipping sauce was Xiaoxiao’s special seafood vinegar. Gongsun Zhongjing narrowed his eyes in satisfaction after taking the first bite.
Xiaoxiao took the things curiously and thanked him sincerely. Then, she put away the small cloth bag without hesitation and continued to cook.
Xiaoxiao scooped a large bowl of broth. "Do you want noodles or steamed dumplings?"
Furong turned her gaze back to the doctor who had nothing else to say other than telling her what to take note of during care.
As for how complicated the silver needles’ production was and how rare the materials were, he did not mention a word.
Xiaoxiao pulled Furong over. "It’s not me, it’s her. I just cleaned her wound and used some conventional medicine. Doctor Gongsun, please take a closer look at her."
"Tell me when you’re finished with them. I’ll change the needles for you."
Before she started cooking, Xiaoxiao got someone to take her token to the Imperial Hospital to invite the imperial physician. The palace servants did not make things difficult for her and obediently did as they were told. Just as Xiaoxiao nimbly prepared the ingredients she needed later, the "Imperial Physician" that the palace servants went to invite also came.
"Do you have anything else later? If not, sit here for a while. They’ll be out of the steamer in about an incense stick of time."
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The ingredients that the Empress used to hold the banquet were naturally top-notch. However, to be safe, the food that Xiaoxiao prepared for Gongsun Zhongjing was secretly taken out of her space. Be it freshness or nutrition, it was definitely not inferior to anything in the Empress’ kitchen.
Just as she was thinking this, she heard Xiaoxiao mutter, "I wonder if I can get someone to send this to Little Big Brother Ah Yan. He should be leaving court soon."
Of course not. She asked the space to make them when Furong left. It was fast and convenient to process the ingredients in batches.
"Doctor Gongsun, why is it you?"
But looking at the carefully bandaged wound on her wrist, Furong pursed her lips and swallowed her words.
This was the first time Furong despised her master. Wasn’t she too slow?
"Ordinary silver needles can only detect poison, and there aren’t many poisons that can be detected. This set can almost detect everything that’s not good for the body." Correct content is on freewebnovel.com
Not to mention banquet dishes, even if it was home-cooked dishes, her master did not care to teach her, okay?
She was halfway through raising her hands when Xiaoxiao glared at her. "Try moving?"
Xiaoxiao did not even turn around. The sound of the chopping board and kitchen knife colliding kept coming. "How does it taste?"
Gongsun Zhongjing swallowed the prawn dumpling in his mouth. "Delicious as ever."
Furong obediently stretched out her hand and let Gongsun Zhongjing examine her. She answered all his questions, but her gaze couldn’t help but shift between him and Xiaoxiao.
Furong did not believe that those people were so kind, but the truth was right in front of her. She had no choice but to believe it. She could only mutter and prepare to roll up her sleeves.
Furong’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Gongsun Zhongjing again, but the latter was calm. "He would come to pick you up."
She was skimming the broth. As she skillfully removed the foam and excess oil, she asked without turning around, "Have you eaten, Doctor Gongsun?"
As a princess now, she had to interact with all kinds of people often. She had to be even more careful in everything. After thinking about it and trying several times, he finally made a set of self-defense silver needles.
Xiaoxiao smiled. "Doctor Gongsun’s preferences are really as usual."
Gongsun Zhongjing’s smile widened. "Do you have prawn dumplings?"
Gongsun Zhongjing, who was more mature and looked much steadier than before, carried the medicine box. "I happened to come to discuss the next batch of patent medicine. I heard that you were going to invite an imperial physician, so I came over."
Xiaoxiao nodded. "That’s right. I’ll warm it up for him."
Furong listened attentively as it concerned her future, but her attention kept drifting in Xiaoxiao’s direction.
Coincidentally, it was an acquaintance.
Xiaoxiao, who was distracted, covered the pot. "What?"
His tone was calm, but his gaze quickly swept across Xiaoxiao’s face, neck, wrists, and palms. "Where are you injured?"
Gongsun Zhongjing stopped in his tracks. From his expression, he seemed to be thinking.
Gongsun Zhongjing did not look at anything else at all. He just sat at the kitchen door and closed his eyes to rest under the sun until Xiaoxiao said, "It’s done."
Gongsun Zhongjing affirmed Xiaoxiao’s treatment of her injuries. There was no need to apply any medicine. He told Furong some simple things to take note of, such as not touching water or working hard. She could not even hold chopsticks with this hand for the time being. Otherwise, not to mention cooking, even her daily life would be affected in the future.
She was not stupid. If she finished the entire kitchen alone, would she still want her hands at night?
"By the way, my good disciple, have I not taught you how to cook at banquets?"
Furong couldn’t stand it anymore, so when Gongsun Zhongjing stood up and bade farewell, she took the initiative to send him off. When they were about to reach the entrance of the courtyard, she finally couldn’t help but say, "Genius Doctor Gongsun, do you... like my master?"
Who would give such a considerate gift to an unrelated person? Moreover, he carried it with him! Was it so that he could give it to his master at any time?
After eating the prawn dumplings, Gongsun Zhongjing took out a small cloth bag from his medicine box. Then, he waited for Xiaoxiao to finish her work and turn around before saying naturally, "I made a small thing for you."
A mosquito’s leg was still meat. It would be a waste not to take so many points.
Xiaoxiao shook her head happily. "Of course."
Xiaoxiao lied without thinking. "Maybe the palace maids did it before they left."
Furong’s eyes widened. Was Master getting along so naturally with genius doctor Gongsun?
Gongsun Zhongjing unfolded the cloth bag and pointed at a few silver needles inside. "These are the medicinal needles used to test for toxins."
Furong was conflicted. "But Master, there are so many dishes... The Empress... They’re clearly making things difficult for you."
Furong sighed when she went back. However, before she could finish sighing, she realized in shock—
The crystal prawn dumplings were placed on a porcelain-white plate. Beside them was a small plate of freshly mixed dip.
Furong’s eyebrows twitched. Of course. She had just handed in a few snacks and left behind a few recipes when her mysterious little master disappeared. It took her a long time to find out that she had actually gone to the border.
"Master, have you dealt with so many ingredients?"
Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrows. "Do you think I’m afraid?"
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