Not long after Wan Anran and his companions finished their casual conversation, news reached the inner palace that Wan Liuhatu had spoken up for the Mingzhu Party officials in the previous dynasty.
Wan Anran spat out her tea.
She pounded her chest, coughed heavily several times, and her doe-like eyes widened like saucers: "Too, To Heqi!?"
Isn't that her own brother who just returned to the capital?
The Empress and Consort Xuan's expressions also changed. After Mingzhu was refuted, the court and the harem were in an uproar. Consort Hui kept a low profile and rarely appeared except to pay her respects.
No one expected that Wan Liuha, who had absolutely no connection with the Mingzhu Party, would suddenly appear and cause trouble, especially Wan Anran, who was innocently caught in the crossfire. It was as if she was wearing a mask of pain and felt terrible.
I was starting to lose focus while chatting.
Not only that, the next day when the concubines paid their respects, the way they looked at Consort Qi was also strange.
What is a stomach ache? This is what a stomach ache is.
Yinzhen, however, remained calm: "Mother, there's no need to worry. I'm sure Uncle has his own reasons." As long as he did as he was told, his father would not only not blame Tuoheqi, but would also have a very good impression of him.
Wan Anran didn't feel particularly good even after being comforted by her son.
Seeing his mother's worried expression, Yinzhen changed the subject: "I have come today to ask Mother for help with another matter."
Wan Anran immediately had no time to worry.
Her thoughts returned to Yinzhen: "What's wrong? What happened?"
“Actually—” Yinzhen scratched his cheek, “because Yinqi and Yinyou asked me to borrow their scooters, and I refused… Yinqi and Yinyou seem a little angry.”
That's not actually the case.
Yinqi and Yinyou followed him around every day, which annoyed Yinzhen, so he avoided them daily. This scene drew attention from the other princes, who treated it as a source of amusement.
Of course, Wan Anran was unaware of this.
Upon hearing this, she looked shocked. Without her knowledge, Yinzhen had actually argued with Yinqi and Yinyou!
Wan Anran immediately became very nervous.
Keep in mind that Yinzhen is only ten years old now. If he is rejected by his brothers at this stage of his mental development, it will have a very serious impact on his personality development. What if he becomes withdrawn and introverted in the future?
Wan Anran became anxious just thinking about it.
She instantly put the matter of Tuoheqi out of her mind and seriously considered Yinzhen's request: "Leave this matter to Mother!"
What kind of food do you want the children to like, and which is also easy to get into the Imperial Study? After racking her brains, Wan Anran immediately made a plan: start with an upgraded version of milk tea.
Last time I made soy milk pudding, how about making soy milk tea this time? Having decided what she wanted to make, Wan Anran immediately instructed the palace servants to prepare the ingredients.
First, mix glutinous rice flour and hot water until smooth, then roll it into small balls. After boiling them in water, string them together and coat them with soybean flour... Mmm! Delicious.
Oh no, now is not the time to sneak a bite.
Mix soy milk and cow's milk, top with a salty milk foam made from whipped cream, and sprinkle with a thick layer of soybean powder, and a cup of soy milk tea with a rich soy flavor is ready.
Huh? Where did the meatballs from the front go?
Wan Anran let out a burp, thinking that the soy milk tea tasted pretty good even without the meatballs on it.
Feeling a bit thirsty, Wan Anran gulped down a large cup of milk tea. The subtle sweetness, combined with the salty and fragrant milk foam, was not only delicious to Wan Anran, but even Yinzhen couldn't resist its allure and couldn't wait to drink a cup.
Of course, Yin Tao also had a share.
Wan Anran gave him a small cup to taste.
After the milk tea is finished, the next step is to make desserts.
It should be something the young princes haven't tried before, something they can share, with a rich aroma that will attract people, and of course, something that looks very appetizing and is easy to make.
Wan Anran thought for a moment and quickly came up with a magic weapon.
She not only had various ingredients brought out, but also specially prepared an ice basin. First, Wan Anran mixed the flour, salt, sugar, water, and butter evenly and kneaded them into a smooth dough.
After the dough has rested, roll it out into a neat long sheet. Place the butter, which has also been rolled out into a large sheet, inside, fold it over at the four corners, and roll it out into a long sheet again. Remember to put the dough on an ice bath to cool it down from time to time. Repeat this process three or four times until you can roll it into a cylinder. Cut it into small pieces for later use.
Is this what you call not complicated?
This is clearly very complicated, isn't it? The palace servants were overwhelmed and couldn't help but secretly complain.
After the rather complicated process, the following steps were much simpler. Ding Lan was instructed to mix the granulated sugar, milk, light cream, and condensed milk evenly. Meanwhile, Wan Anran kneaded the dough herself, flattening the center and slowly pushing it outwards until it became a bowl the size of her palm.
Finally, pour the stirred milk into it, put it in a brick oven, and when the surface is golden brown, the flaky pastry layers rise up, and the yard is filled with a sweet aroma, it can be taken out.
In later generations, it has a well-known name: egg tart.
The rich aroma filled the air, and everyone, from Wan Anran and Yinzhen to the palace servants, swallowed hard.
The palace maid carefully took out the golden-brown, fluffy egg tarts and gently placed them on the table.
Wan Anran used a knife to cut one of the egg tarts open to check if it was fully baked.
The moment the knife blade touched the egg tart, a crackling sound filled the air. The outer crust was layered and crispy, and even before taking a bite, you could tell it was incredibly crunchy. The custard filling inside was also perfectly set, without any bubbles or holes.
Wan Anran picked up half an egg tart, blew on it twice, and then eagerly put it in her mouth.
The egg tart filling was sweet and soft, while the outer crust was surprisingly crispy. One bite revealed an exquisite flavor that was irresistible. Wan Anran cupped her cheeks and devoured half of it in just two bites.
Seeing that his mother had started eating first, Yin Tao immediately became anxious.
He tugged at his mother's sleeve and cried, "Mother! Mother! It's still meatballs!"
Mingming usually imitates her brother and dislikes her nickname, but now, under the temptation of delicious food, Yintao has once again resorted to his magic weapon.
Wan Anran's eyebrows and eyes curved into a smile.
She smiled and bent down, placing the egg tart in her young son's palm, while beckoning to Yinzhen: "Come here."
Yinzhen approached with a grin.
He had felt a little guilty about using Yinqi and Yinyou as shields, but now, tasting the delicious egg tarts, he felt that he had let Yinqi and Yinyou take advantage of him.
The next day, Wan Anran had a palace servant deliver it.
Not only for Yinzhen, Yinqi, and Yinyou, but also for their tutors and companions, Wan Anran prepared portions for all the princes, not just for Yinzhen, Yinqi, and Yinyou, so as not to be biased.
Of course, unlike the princes who each received a cup of soy milk tea and four egg tarts, the tutors and their companions only received ordinary salty milk tea and one egg tart, which was made by the other palace staff of Chuxiu Palace.
When the food boxes were delivered to the Imperial Study, it was right after everyone had finished their morning lessons. Everyone was starving at that time, and when the fragrant aroma spread throughout the Imperial Study, not only were the princes unable to contain themselves, but even the elderly tutors and study companions were frequently swallowing their saliva.
The Third Prince, Yinzhuo, nodded in satisfaction at finally tasting the homemade food made by Consort Qi.
A hint of reminiscence flickered in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "Qi's mother's cooking skills are still as good as ever."
Then there's the Crown Prince.
He shouldn't have come to the Imperial Study since he was learning about court affairs from his father, the Khan. However, he was somewhat displeased because of Tuoheqi's speaking up for the Mingzhu Party officials, and consequently, he disliked the Fifth Prince, Yinzhen, and was thinking of finding fault with him in their studies and horsemanship.
It's easy to find fault with Yinzhen.
After all, he was the worst archer and horseman among his brothers, so it wouldn't be too difficult for him to cause trouble.
Therefore, the crown prince used this as an excuse to visit his brother.
He made a special trip to the Imperial Study early in the morning, but he never expected that before he could even make a move, the snacks that were being offered to him in an attempt to bribe him would be served.
Crown Prince: …………
He stared at the milk tea and egg tarts, lost in thought for a moment.
Reason told the Crown Prince that if he could simply sweep the food off the ground and make a few sarcastic remarks to provoke Yinzhen into arguing with him, he could then justifiably teach him a lesson.
But on the other side, another voice was speaking in my ear.
Look at this milk tea, so fragrant and delicious! Look at this egg tart, so crispy and tasty…
The surprised exclamations of his other brothers could still be heard in his ears.
The Eighth Prince exclaimed, "It's so delicious! It's as soft and tender as tofu inside, yet as sweet as honey!"
The Seventh Prince nodded: "It's delicious. No wonder it's Consort Qi's mother."
Even the eldest prince praised it, saying, "Aside from being a bit sweet, it tastes pretty good."
Crown Prince: …………
His outstretched hand trembled slightly, and after a moment, he picked up an egg tart and slowly put it in his mouth. The prince's eyes suddenly lit up; the sweet taste exploded on his lips and teeth, conquering his mouth, a sweet flavor that was irresistible!
As for finding fault...
Well, Qi's mother has always been innocent and kind-hearted, so I suppose Tuoheqi is just like her.
Thinking this through, the crown prince decided to relax.
He held the egg tart and ate one in a few bites, looking incredibly happy, completely oblivious to the fact that the delicious food was corrupting his soul.
The teacher and his companions looked at each other in bewilderment.
As those closest to the Crown Prince, they knew he was in a bad mood today, and they were also aware that he was somewhat displeased with the Fifth Prince. They were worried that something bad might happen.
Everyone was stunned when they saw this.
They exchanged a glance, and finally their eyes fell on the egg tart in their palms, and the same thought popped into their minds.
Is this stuff really that delicious?!
Seeing that the princes were enjoying their food so much, everyone else didn't hesitate any longer and took a big bite of the egg tart.
Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had gone to the Imperial Study, Emperor Kangxi was somewhat displeased.
Although Tuoheqi had no evidence, Kangxi, having recovered from the Mingzhu faction case, had already begun to doubt the innocence of Jin Fu and others, and the officials he dispatched were carefully selected to ensure that their innocence was proven.
That's one point.
Secondly, there was the conflict between Suo'etu and Mingzhu, which Kangxi was well aware of, but why did the Crown Prince get involved? Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had extended his dissatisfaction to the Fifth Prince Yinzhen, Kangxi could not hide his anger and decided to see what the Crown Prince would do.
Upon arriving, I didn't see the brothers arguing, but instead saw a room full of princes, teachers, and companions, all enjoying themselves immensely, eating unknown snacks while chatting excitedly about various delicacies.
Take another sniff.
Goodness, even the air is filled with a sweet fragrance.
Kangxi: …………?
What on earth is going on?!
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