The shopkeeper's voice abruptly stopped.
His mouth opened and closed, just like the catfish he'd just caught, but he didn't utter a single word for a long time. After a while, he finally came to his senses, his face contorted with various colors: "This, this, this is strange."
The waiter shook his head repeatedly, muttering, "Anyway, this is the first time we've ever heard of this. You really can't judge a book by its cover."
Wan Anran sneezed.
Her eyes were slightly red, and she blinked several times to make the redness fade. Wan Anran rubbed the tip of her nose and slightly raised her chin: "Does Your Majesty think what I said makes sense?"
Emperor Kangxi sighed and rubbed his forehead.
They were enjoying a peaceful time together outside the palace, not talking about romance or poetry, but about how to deal with the people's excrement. He nodded: "What you said makes a lot of sense—but now is not the time to talk about these things, is it? How about we try the dishes at this restaurant? I ordered them to serve all their signature dishes."
That's what they talk about all the time in the restaurant.
Just thinking about their conversation made Kangxi both laugh and cry, and he quickly tried to attract Consort Qi's attention with the delicious food on the table.
Wan Anran's face was all wrinkled.
She wanted to say more, but the enticing aroma made her lose herself in the moment. Wan Anran subconsciously wondered if she should listen to the Emperor and eat first?
Letting delicious food go from hot to cold is such a disservice to the food, isn't it? Thinking of this, Wan Anran temporarily put aside the things that were not suitable to talk about at mealtime and focused her gaze on the table.
The next second, she looked surprised.
The table was already laden with several dishes, each one vibrant in color and enticing with aromas, making one's mouth water. But what truly caught Wan Anran's eye was, of course, a braised pork intestine casserole.
How did this end up in the store?
Pig offal is rarely eaten, even among common people, and it's even less likely to be served in a refined setting. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been kept secret in the imperial harem for fear of being discovered by others.
Thinking back to those times when we secretly gathered together to eat... it was actually quite fun, wasn't it? Wan Anran's thoughts were a jumbled mess, and she looked at Kangxi with a question in her eyes.
Her eyes were bright and sparkling.
Kangxi made no attempt to conceal anything and readily replied, "This restaurant belongs to Prince Gong. I had someone give them this recipe, and it is now a signature dish of this restaurant."
He then winked and said, "This recipe is quite popular among officials and gentry, so Prince Gong specially presented it to me for me to taste. If Consort Qi likes it, she may take some and try it herself."
Simply put, it means they've gone astray.
No wonder the Emperor ordered this dish in the Qianqing Palace today. Wan Anran was both amused and touched. She pursed her lips and smiled softly, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."
She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.
It was rich but not greasy, with a fresh, fragrant, and tender texture almost identical to what she had eaten in the palace—delicious! After enjoying the braised pork intestines, Wan Anran turned her attention to other dishes: the sour and spicy shredded potatoes that she could never get tired of; the cumin-flavored baby potatoes with a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior; the bouncy, stretchy, and juicy cheese-filled potato pancakes; and the orange-scented chicken wings stewed with potatoes, featuring tender meat and soft, chewy potatoes…
Huh? Wan Anran looked around the room in confusion and was surprised to find that potatoes were in every dish.
What? Did she eat potatoes cooked ten times today?
What surprised Wan Anran even more was what happened next. Just as the emperor and empress had finished eating and were about to wash their hands with tea, a commotion arose outside the restaurant.
Kangxi glanced over the railing.
He waved to Consort Qi: "Come and see, it's finally starting."
What has started?
Wan Anran curiously peeked over and immediately exclaimed in surprise. A long queue stretched from one end of the street to the other, with people even jogging to join the line.
What are they selling here?
Why are so many people crowding around? Wan Anran's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she quickly turned her curious gaze to Emperor Kangxi: "Your Majesty! What is the reason for this?"
"Rongruo, you tell us."
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The guard stepped forward and said with a smile, “Consort Qi, these are the common people queuing up to buy potatoes.”
“…Huh?” Wan Anran was stunned, not even having time to look at Nalan Rongruo.
"Originally, potatoes—also known as yams—were grown in the Northwest, and apart from steaming and boiling, there were no other ways to eat them. Few people spread them, and even fewer people grew them." Kangxi said with a gentle smile, "However, those dishes you devised in the palace have come in quite useful this time."
Especially in the capital city.
After major restaurants and teahouses launched a series of dishes such as cumin potatoes, hot and sour shredded potatoes, spicy shredded potatoes, crispy roasted potatoes, minced meat potatoes, and potato and chicken pancakes, potatoes suddenly became a new favorite in restaurants. They not only entered the homes of the wealthy and noble, but also became popular among the common people because they were cheap, delicious, and filling.
This year, the number of people ordering potatoes has increased significantly. Many people either grow and sell them to merchants or turn them into street food to make money.
Most importantly, there's no need to worry about overproduction, since potatoes can be eaten directly as a staple food. As for those who grow rice, there's no need to worry either, since no other crop can replace rice as a staple food.
Wan Anran listened blankly to Kangxi's ramblings.
Just half an hour ago, she thought her arrival had left no trace, but now it seems that's not the case? Wan Anran rested her elbows on the table, cupped her cheeks in her hands, and listened to Kangxi's words. Her eyes were moist, her cheeks were rosy, and she couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips, revealing a joyful smile.
A smile is contagious.
Looking at Consort Qi's smiling face and the joyful laughter of the people, Kangxi's resentment and displeasure gradually subsided, and he smiled as well.
Emperor Kangxi smiled as well.
The people came and went, and seeing the joy and happiness on the faces of everyone who took the potatoes, the emperor and empress were even happier.
I drank a cup of tea and ate some food.
When Kangxi mentioned returning to the palace, Wan Anran was still a little melancholy. She reluctantly boarded the carriage, but Kangxi smiled slightly and said, "After we get back to the capital and it's cleaner, I'll take you out for a walk again."
Wan Anran nodded emphatically: "Yes!"
She happily boarded the carriage, unaware that Kangxi's gaze was fixed on a distance away, and he paused for a moment before boarding the carriage.
The matter of sneaking out of the palace with the emperor was a secret, and no one knew about it except for the palace servants who accompanied them that day.
When Wan Anran changed her clothes and washed up, it was already dusk when she stepped out of the Qianqing Palace. As she walked along the clean and tidy corridor, the image of the dirty streets of the capital flashed through her mind, and the corners of her lips, which had been turned up, unconsciously tightened.
Wan Anran stared blankly into space.
She was once a little proud, for example, the Empress Dowager once told her that cashmere products had increased the income of many Mongolian tribes, and even the number of slaves who froze to death was much lower than in previous years.
For example, she was somewhat happy when she saw the potato shop, but she also felt a little uneasy.
It seems that this is all I can do...?
Wan Anran paused slightly, her expression unusually strange. She often mocked herself for being in the inner palace, unable and without the courage to interfere in court affairs, but wasn't there still Yinzhen?
Wan Anran's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Yes, yes! How could she not have thought of that? She couldn't get out, but Yinzhen could...
Thinking of this, Wan Anran's spirits lifted considerably, and she unconsciously quickened her pace as she returned to Chuxiu Palace.
At the same time, she also noticed the unusual gazes around her. Wan Anran frowned imperceptibly, pretending not to notice anything.
Consort Qi's brows were furrowed, her lips drooped, and her eyes betrayed her deep worry and anxious steps...
What does all this tell us?
This means that Consort Qi was also reprimanded!
The palace servants scattered, spreading the big news to each palace. The Empress frowned, carefully examining the booklet from page to page.
"Is something on your mind, Master?" Granny Zhou asked quietly as she noticed her master's absent-minded expression.
The Empress closed the memorial.
She sighed softly, "Consort Qi was innocently implicated this time, and I originally wanted to make amends to her properly. However..."
The Empress's brow was furrowed.
Ever since Consort Qi became Consort Qi, it has become increasingly difficult to bestow rewards upon her. The Empress wants to appease her, but she doesn't know how to prepare.
Granny Zhou had other ideas.
She smiled respectfully and said, "This servant thinks that Master is overthinking it."
"What do you mean by that?"
“Consort Qi is indeed materially well-off, so why don’t you start with her feelings?” Granny Zhou confidently suggested with a smile, “For example, talk to Consort Qi more often and tell her about her early education. After all, the Fourth Prince is already over two years old, so you can also tell her some funny stories about when you started the First Princess’s education.”
The Empress's eyes lit up.
She pondered it carefully for a moment, and immediately had a new idea. The Empress had someone bring paper and pen, and she bent down to write something seriously. For a moment, only the rustling sound of writing could be heard in Kunning Palace.
As for the other palaces, there was a great deal of jubilation.
Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi, who had also been reprimanded, breathed a long sigh of relief, and the gloom in their eyes was completely gone.
It wasn't that they were gloating.
However… Qi Pin’s smooth sailing all this time has always left a bitter taste. Now that they’ve discovered that the other person is just like them, Hui Pin, Rong Pin, and Yi Pin are unusually happy and delighted.
They're basically like close sisters, sharing joys and sorrows.
Of course, the palace servants of Chuxiu Palace didn't think that way.
Seeing her master's serious expression upon his return, completely unlike his usual cheerful demeanor, Hai Tao's eyes reddened, and she turned away to secretly wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
As expected! As expected!
How could the mistress bear such humiliation? She must have been holding back her heartache and tears the whole way. The problem is that Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi were reprimanded in their own palaces, but only their mistress was summoned to the Qianqing Palace for a scolding. The mistress must have been the laughingstock of countless people on her way back.
To put it bluntly...
Hai Tao cursed the Emperor in her heart. The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became. She hurriedly escorted her mistress inside, choking back tears as she called out, "Mistress, let's go inside and talk..."
"Ah... um." Wan Anran looked bewildered. Wasn't she trying to figure out how to teach Yinzhen? Why were Haitao and the others so sad? Wan Anran frowned, and as soon as she entered the hall, she asked, "What happened in the palace?"
Palace servants: ...?
Hai Tao's expression was strange, and she subconsciously replied, "Nothing happened in the palace..."
"Then why do you all look so gloomy?"
"...Master, we servants are just worried about you!" Hai Tao was both annoyed and amused.
She quickly became dejected again, sighing, "We know... Your Highness was reprimanded by the Emperor, right? Your Highness doesn't need to hide it from us anymore, it's okay to cry!"
Wan Anran: ...
She stared blankly at the palace servants who were nodding frantically and chattering in agreement with Hai Tao, her mind filled with endless questions. Wan Anran sighed, rubbing her forehead: "Who said that?"
"ah?"
"Who said I was reprimanded by the Emperor?" Wan Anran poked Hai Tao's forehead: "You're just making things up. I wasn't reprimanded by the Emperor."
"...Really not?"
"Really, really not." Wan Anran sighed helplessly.
Hai Tao's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her cheeks were flushed. Hai Tao raised her hand and slapped herself hard, but Wan Anran stopped her before she could slap herself again: "Why are you hitting yourself?"
"It's all nonsense from this servant."
"I'm so happy that you care about me!" Wan Anran tenderly rubbed Hai Tao's cheek. "You don't care, but I do."
Hai Tao stopped crying and started laughing.
The worry on the palace servants' faces vanished instantly, though they seemed to want to avoid being noticed. They looked at each other, and finally, one by one, they covered their smiles.
We must keep this secret!
For the next few days, the palace servants outside always had furrowed brows and looked worried. Then, seeing the group of palace servants unable to hide their schadenfreude, laughing and chuckling, they turned around and laughed until their stomachs hurt, even huddling together to figure out how to fool the other palace servants.
Rumors of Consort Qi's fall from favor quickly spread throughout the palace, even alarming the Empress Dowager, who repeatedly summoned Consort Qi to offer her comfort.
Wan Anran was both amused and exasperated.
Her repeated explanations were to no avail. Especially after news spread that the Empress Dowager had comforted Consort Qi, the palace servants became even more convinced that Consort Qi had fallen out of favor.
Wan Anran's troughs are mostly empty.
But since she was a good mistress, Wan Anran turned a blind eye to the mischievous behavior of the palace servants.
Tsk—anyway, they didn't say they got scolded.
Ultimately, isn't this just something the palace servants themselves speculated, doubted, and figured out?
It's not our fault, is it?
In the end, Wan Anran was not only not in a hurry, but also very interested, wanting to see when this show would end.
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