Xu Yuehua listened carefully, while also trying hard to recall what had happened before.
"Your Majesty, are there any others?" Xu Yuehuai continued to ask.
Consort De said, "Consort Min and the Crown Prince have a close relationship, and I suspect there may be something fishy going on between them."
Xu Yuehuai's eyes flashed with thought after hearing this, but she didn't say anything more.
"The Second Prince must be hungry too, so I'll go and cook some food for you." Xu Yuehuai said, then got up and went to the small kitchen.
She took a look around the small kitchen and found that there were only a few kinds of vegetables, but thankfully there was meat and sauerkraut.
"I've got it." Xu Yuehuai couldn't help but smile; she was always full of passion when it came to cooking.
She first scooped two bowls of flour from the flour bin, then added an egg, kneaded it into a stiff dough, covered it, and let it rise.
She's making a sauerkraut and shredded pork noodle soup, which is not only quick to make but also has a tangy and spicy flavor that whets the appetite.
She took a piece of pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, removed the skin, cut it into strips, and soaked it in water.
Prepare chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic, and cut dried chili peppers into sections.
Knead the dough again to make it smoother and more elastic, then cover it again to let it rise.
She then took two heads of pickled cabbage from the sauerkraut jar, rinsed them four or five times with clean water, and cut them into strips for later use.
Remove the shredded meat from the water, squeeze out the excess water, add an egg white and mix well, then add a little salt and other seasonings to marinate.
By this time, the dough had fully risen. She took it to the work surface, sprinkled a layer of flour on it, and began to roll out the noodles.
Once you roll it into a thin, large round sheet, you're almost there.
Xu Yuehuai folded it in half, then in half again, and then in half again. He then took a knife and cut it. After cutting, he shook it, and there was a bowl of noodles.
She started cooking the sauce and noodles, putting two pots on the stove at once, one for water and the other for oil.
Once the oil on the left is hot, add scallions, ginger, garlic, and dried chili peppers and sauté until fragrant. Once the aroma is released, add shredded pork and stir-fry until it changes color. Then add pickled cabbage and stir-fry over high heat until fragrant. Add a little hot water and then simmer over low heat.
Add the noodles to the boiling water on the right. Once it boils and bubbles, add a little cold water and stir. Repeat this process two or three times until the noodles are cooked. Remove the noodles and rinse them twice with cold water.
The braised meat was turned off, and noodles were placed in two crystal bowls as a base, topped with two spoonfuls of pickled cabbage and shredded pork. It was so delicious that it made one's mouth water.
Xu Yuehuai packed the tray and carried it back. As she passed by the palace maids, they couldn't help but stop and linger.
When Consort De and the Second Prince saw that Xu Yuehuai had finished cooking, they found that the taste was indeed exceptional, making one eager to try it after just one whiff.
"Your Highness, Second Prince, please try this. It's pickled cabbage and shredded pork noodles," Xu Yuehuai said, placing the bowls in front of them.
The two picked up their chopsticks and took a bite, and were instantly amazed; the taste was indeed exquisite.
"This pickled cabbage and shredded pork noodle soup is truly tangy, spicy, and refreshing, with an unforgettable aftertaste," Consort De couldn't help but comment.
The second prince, who was standing nearby, also said, "The noodles are chewy and springy, and the broth is sour and fragrant."
Xu Yuehuai was also very happy to hear this. The greatest joy for a cook is seeing others enjoy their food.
After watching them finish eating, Xu Yuehuai got up to leave, thinking she would go to Consort Jia's place to check on the situation.
"Your Highness, I'll be heading back now." Xu Yuehuai bid farewell to the Consort De and her son.
As she walked along the palace road, she couldn't help but recall the clues Consort De had mentioned, and before she knew it, she had arrived at Anfu Palace.
"Consort Jia, have you eaten today?" Xu Yuehuai called out enthusiastically as soon as she entered the main hall.
Consort Jia glanced at the Emperor and then replied, "It's in use."
At this moment, Xu Yuehuai also arrived at the inner hall and saw the emperor. She was about to pay her respects when the emperor stopped her.
"No need," the Emperor said, gesturing for someone to bring her a chair.
Xu Yuehuai looked at the table full of food that Consort Jia had prepared, but hardly anyone had touched it, which puzzled her greatly.
"Consort Jia, why aren't you eating? Don't you like it?" After Xu Yuehuai finished speaking, the Emperor also turned his gaze to Consort Jia.
Consort Jia suddenly felt annoyed: "I... I still think there's an odd smell in this food."
She looked somewhat unhappy after she finished speaking, and the emperor frowned slightly.
Now that Consort Jia is someone he cares about, how can she not eat? In order to dispel her concerns, the Emperor decided to try it himself.
"Since my beloved consort feels it's inappropriate, then let me take a look for her." After saying this, the Emperor picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
"Your Majesty." Consort Jia and Xu Yuehuai wanted to stop him. Even if they wanted to try the dishes, they couldn't let him taste them.
But the Emperor was too fast; he put the food directly into his mouth and started chewing. As he chewed carefully, he indeed found that the food had an unusual taste, which was not normal.
The emperor frowned, and Xu Yuehuai quickly got up to check.
"Your Majesty, someone has added medicine to the food here for Her Majesty." Xu Yuehuai said, gently picking out a bit to show them.
After reading it, the Emperor frowned and said, "Someone, summon the imperial physician."
He wanted to see who dared to be so bold, and slammed his hand on the table in a fit of rage.
Soon, Physician Zhang arrived at Anfu Palace. Upon careful examination, he discovered that the medicinal powder was a slow-acting poison.
"Your Majesty, this is a slow-acting medicine. If taken for a long time, it will cause people to lose their senses."
Physician Zhang's words caused everyone to suddenly turn pale, especially Consort Jia.
She had long suspected someone was trying to harm her, and now, sure enough, the food was poisoned—a drug designed to make one mentally impaired.
The emperor was furious. Although he had long known that there was treachery and intrigue in the harem, he still couldn't help but be enraged when he saw it with his own eyes.
Xu Yuehuai's eyes flashed upon hearing this. She didn't know if the person who prepared the food for Consort Jia was the same person who served the Second Prince, but there might be some collusion.
"You may leave now." The Emperor knew that these medicines might be related to the Imperial Medical Academy, so he had to be careful.
After the person left, the emperor immediately ordered, "Guards, investigate this matter thoroughly at once."
Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai quickly stepped forward and took the initiative to do the job.
“Your Majesty, why don’t you leave this matter to me?” Xu Yuehuai said, then suggested, “I think we can build a small kitchen in Anfu Palace, so I can take charge of Consort Jia’s meals and there won’t be any problems.”
The Emperor nodded in approval, and Consort Jia was relieved to see this.
...
At the same time, Qi Guze also came to Tianxianglou to drown his sorrows.
He simply couldn't understand why Xu Yuehuai refused to face this difficult situation with him and instead kept running away.
He downed one glass after another, and before long his expression became dazed.
Zhou Wan couldn't bear to see this scene and decided to tell Xu Yuehuai what had happened.
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