Chapter 61 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
Zhang Xiaojia went to Zhang Yuncheng's house. As soon as the doorman saw her, he opened the door and let her in without even notifying anyone.
"My Lord, the Lord always shows your portrait to the concierge and tells him that when you come, he can go in directly and enter any room."
Zhang Xiaojia was waiting for him in the courtyard behind the hall. There stood a meticulously carved rockery of Taihu Lake stones, its layout meticulously arranged in various shapes. At that moment, a field of plum blossoms was in full bloom, its pink and white blossoms dotted among the green leaves, creating a delicate and elegant scene that contrasted beautifully with the courtyard's scenery.
Zhang Xiaojia stood quietly in the courtyard, admiring the picturesque scenery, and a feeling of sadness welled up in her heart. "If Sister Yue saw the plum blossoms here, she would definitely like them too."
Just as she was immersed in this tranquility and beauty, Zhang Yuncheng's voice came from behind her: "Do you like it? After the New Year, I will take up my post as Jiedushi. Can you help take care of this house?"
Zhang Xiaojia turned around, nodded, and asked softly, "Where are you going to serve as the Jiedushi, brother?"
However, Zhang Yuncheng did not answer directly. Instead, he changed the subject and looked at Zhang Xiaojia with concern: "Jiaer, you are not young anymore. It's time to consider having a child. If anything happens in the future, having a child by your side will also be a support. This time, your brother will definitely be your strongest support."
Zhang Xiaojia heard this and smiled faintly: "Brother, don't worry, don't let He Fei hear this, otherwise he will probably make things difficult for you."
Zhang Yuncheng couldn't help laughing when he heard this. Jiaer and Prince Jing had a deep relationship.
He patted Zhang Xiaojia's shoulder gently and said earnestly, "Jia'er, you and Prince Jing are very affectionate now, but the women of the Great Zhou have always been strong and independent, not afraid of divorce. When that day comes, Jia'er, remember that you will live in your own county lord's mansion. Prince Jing has no right to cause trouble there."
These words made Zhang Xiaojia feel warm in her heart. They smiled at each other, as if all the barriers between them had disappeared.
The two of them got on the gorgeously decorated carriage one after another. The carriage was spacious and comfortable, filled with various exquisite tea sets and cushions.
Zhang Yuncheng's eyes accidentally fell on a box beside him, and he asked casually, "Did you get a reward for going to the palace?"
Zhang Xiaojia's lips curled up into a mischievous smile, with a hint of pride and playfulness: "It's not a reward at all, I got it by blackmailing my eldest cousin. He asked me to go to his private store to choose, and I picked out a whole box of hairpins in one go."
She couldn't wait to open the box. The hairpins inside were dazzling and sparkling, each emitting a unique light. She picked them up one by one and looked at them carefully, her eyes flashing with appreciation and joy.
Zhang Yuncheng looked at this scene and couldn't help but feel a little amused and asked with a frown, "What do you need so many hairpins for? How much silver would they cost? A whole box of them, each worth hundreds of taels of silver!"
Zhang Xiaojia smiled gently: "These hairpins are not for display. You see, they have many different series, and I plan to divide them well. This time, Sister Yue's matter was handled by the women in the backyard. I plan to prepare a snack and a hairpin as a thank you gift. These hairpins are almost enough. Moreover, these are all bestowed by the royal family, which is both auspicious and meaningful." Anyway, her cousin didn't want her money, so it would be better for her to give these hairpins to others.
Zhang Yuncheng looked very proud. His sister was sensible, considerate and attentive.
Zhang Yuncheng took out a food box and handed it to her.
Zhang Xiaojia opened the food box and saw this delicate, white, and dense substance. Could it be the legendary cream?
Zhang Yuncheng saw this and smiled warmly, "This is buttered abalone. I know you like it, so I prepared it especially for you."
Zhang Xiaojia recalled the past and nodded in sudden realization.
Her thoughts started working quickly, and an inspiration flashed in her mind. With this special pastry, if she added cake and used shortening as a substitute for cream, she might be able to make a cream cake.
Thinking of this, she already had a preliminary plan. This innovative pastry recipe was most suitable for the third princess.
Zhang Xiaojia thought for a moment, then instructed Bai Shao beside him, "Tomorrow, go find the chef who's good at making ghee. I have some food I want him to make."
When they returned to Huangzhuang, they saw the hotel owner bringing back cartloads of vegetables.
Zhang Yuncheng jokingly said, "If you want to say that buying vegetables can make a fortune, I'm afraid only Prince Jing can grow vegetables in winter."
Zhang Xiaojia chuckled softly. It seemed that she had no room to perform in this mission.
Her eyes swept over the lively grass carps, and she couldn't help but feel a desire to eat spicy fish.
When she thought about the fact that there was no chili pepper in this era, her brows couldn't help but frown slightly.
But soon, she thought of an alternative: using pepper, Sichuan pepper, dogwood, and adding a little mustard, perhaps she could also create the spicy taste she liked.
Having made up her mind, Zhang Xiaojia went straight to the kitchen and started preparing her spicy fish.
She mixed various seasonings, and after countless attempts and adjustments, she finally succeeded in creating the spicy taste she had been craving.
There was no way to promote this. Pepper was considered a precious seasoning and its price was often more expensive than gold. Even the most luxurious restaurants did not dare to sell dishes containing pepper because the Great Zhou Dynasty listed pepper as a banned item.
Why does she have it here?
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, she was from an aristocratic family, and a top-tier family at that. What did she not have?
If you really don’t have any, ask your cousin for it.
Pepper was basically only available in noble families, and even in the noble families it was rare.
As night fell, Zhang Xiaojia brought out a large bowl of fragrant spicy fish.
She instructed Bai Shao, the maid beside her: "Go back to your room and rest today. You don't have to watch over us."
Bai Shao responded respectfully and retreated back to her room. When she saw the small bowl of spicy fish in the room, her eyes couldn't help but become moist.
He Fei was writing a memorial. He was fined one year's salary, which he could accept. But now he was ordered to take care of potatoes. It would be a bit too much not to let him leave the imperial farm and not give him his salary. After he finished writing, he asked the small cabinet to hand it to the emperor.
Back in the house, He Fei smelled the tempting fragrance as soon as he entered the door.
He knew that this was the dinner Jia Jia had prepared for him personally. When he walked closer, he discovered that his brother-in-law Zhang Yuncheng was also there.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Yuncheng quickly bowed respectfully and said, "May Prince Jing be well and safe."
He Fei smiled and waved his hand: "We are family, no need to be polite."
Zhang Xiaojia took out Ningzhen beer. It was so comfortable to eat spicy fish and drink beer in a warm house in winter.
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