That's it? You guys still want to lose weight?
Kangxi and Wan Anran exchanged glances, tacitly putting the thought aside for the time being. Kangxi, with a stern face, began to comment on the dishes in a serious manner.
First, mashed potatoes with milk.
Emperor Kangxi was quite satisfied: "The mashed potatoes with milk have a smooth texture, and the taste is even better when paired with black pepper sauce. It's just a pity that it's more like a snack than a side dish. I think perhaps the eldest princess and the others would like it."
"If Your Majesty wishes to promote it, you could have someone in the capital try making it, attracting children to buy it as a snack. Or perhaps you could prepare this dish at the next palace banquet to attract the attention of the princes and princesses," Wan Anran enthusiastically suggested.
Emperor Kangxi nodded.
This is indeed a good idea. As the saying goes, if the upper class sets an example, the lower class will follow suit. If the royal family and court officials start eating potatoes, ordinary merchants and common people will naturally start to regard them as a common food as well.
After noting down this idea, he immediately commented on the homemade potato pancakes. The potato pancakes were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with refreshing diced vegetables and the aroma of sausage. They were simple and delicious, the only problem being that they didn't quite seem like a dish to eat with rice.
If we're talking about dishes that go well with rice, then braised potatoes and green beans are the best choice. Yesterday's braised beef brisket with potatoes was also good, but the stir-fried potato shreds were a bit too bland.
As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, Wan Anran thought of something else: "Stir-fried shredded potatoes might not be very appealing. How about adding some chili peppers and white vinegar to make it spicy and sour, or adding a shred of green pepper, or even adding freshly made pork cracklings or rice crust? I think that might be quite nice!"
Emperor Kangxi was quite full, but he couldn't help smacking his lips. He nodded calmly, "I'll try some tomorrow."
Wan Anran nodded casually.
After Kangxi left, Haitao and the others greeted him with beaming smiles, their faces radiant with joy. Haitao asked cheerfully, "Your Majesty, does His Majesty mean he will come again tomorrow?"
For example, Consort Yi of Yikun Palace often enjoyed the Emperor's favor for four or five consecutive days. Consorts An, Jing, Hui, Rong, and even the inconspicuous Consort Xi all had records of enjoying the Emperor's favor for three or four consecutive days. Apart from Consort Xuan, only Consort Qi's record was particularly low. Many people in the palace said that Consort Qi was just lucky.
Although good luck is also a skill, Hai Tao and the others occasionally wanted to show off and boast to the other palace servants. When the Emperor decided to come to Chuxiu Palace the next day, they almost burst out laughing.
Wan An then realized what was happening. After a moment's thought, her expression changed drastically, revealing visibly shock: "Eh!? Is the Emperor coming again tomorrow?"
The Emperor's arrival = The food-stealing party has arrived.
Thinking about the amount of food that Kangxi had consumed in the past two days, Wan Anran felt a chill run down her spine. She grabbed Haitao's wrist and earnestly instructed, "Haitao, hide the rest of the peach blossom wine well, and don't take it out again."
Hai Tao's joy was instantly shattered in two.
All the words she wanted to say swirled on her tongue, but she swallowed them back down. Finally, Hai Tao nodded expressionlessly: "Yes, this servant understands."
The concubines didn't think much of it for the next two days.
On the third consecutive day, the concubines paid some attention.
On the fourth consecutive day, the concubines in the palace began to stir and started discussing the matter.
After five consecutive days, the way the concubines looked at Consort Qi began to change. Empress Niohuru, unusually, frowned and deliberately kept Consort Qi behind to question her.
Wan Anran, on the other hand, was left speechless, both amused and exasperated.
She waved her hands repeatedly: "The Emperor has only come here to eat these past few days! Just to eat."
Aside from the first two days when the two of them were still feeling well and craving something nice... cough cough, for the next three days they really just focused on figuring out various ways to cook potatoes and tomatoes. The potatoes were quite good, and the tomatoes, in particular, immediately impressed Kangxi, and they've been eating them in different ways lately.
A person who eats rice has a soul that is dedicated to eating rice.
The best way to study a crop is to eat it (not really). Emperor Kangxi and Wan Anran put aside their past grievances and got together to eat all sorts of things.
As for why Emperor Kangxi died so late?
The main reason was that the two of them had eaten too much, so they had to walk around Chuxiu Palace again and again, and they really didn't stay overnight.
The Queen fell into deep thought.
She stared at Consort Qi, whose words were so frank and whose face was utterly candid. What could she do but laugh or cry? The Empress sighed, rubbing her forehead: "I understand, but...didn't you say you were fat before?"
A question mark appeared in the Empress's eyes: Is it really okay to eat this every day? Wan Anran's smile froze, and she subconsciously pinched the fat on her stomach—it seemed to have gotten a little bigger than before?
It must be... just my imagination, right?
Wan Anran's gaze drifted for a moment, and as she comforted herself, past memories resurfaced in her mind.
Oh, right.
Potatoes are a high-starch food, so I heard you shouldn't eat too many of them when you're trying to lose weight?
Wan Anran's expression was serious.
Then she decided that instead of potatoes, she would eat sweet potatoes today!
Nowadays, sweet potatoes are also called golden potatoes.
The spindle-shaped sweet potatoes, about the size of a fist, release a sweet aroma after being roasted in the fire. Peeling back the thin skin reveals a soft, sweet, golden-orange interior, and it tastes even better with a touch of mayonnaise.
Wan Anran ate half of it, then sprinkled the cheese on the remaining half and baked it for a while. The aroma of the cream and the sweet potato blended perfectly, creating a sweetness that could warm your heart. You could easily eat the whole thing in just a few bites.
As Kangxi approached the entrance to the Imperial Garden, he caught a whiff of this fragrance, which was different from usual and felt slightly unfamiliar. His eyes lit up: "Consort Qi is secretly preparing something delicious again."
Emperor Kangxi took a step toward Chuxiu Palace.
Suddenly, a sweet voice called out in her ear: "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Kangxi paused in his steps.
He looked back—and came running out of the Imperial Garden—it was Consort Dai Jia. While in the Western Garden, Consort Dai Jia had won Kangxi's favor with her excellent riding and archery skills; however, after returning to the palace, she had no opportunity to shine and had somewhat faded into obscurity.
But today is different.
Lady Dai Jia, unlike her dashing figure in the West Garden, wore a palace dress that transitioned from frosty white to peach pink, with lotus flowers embroidered on the hem. As she walked, the flowing skirt created a graceful and elegant silhouette, like lotus blossoms emerging with each step.
She curtsied gracefully, her charming posture immediately catching the eye. Emperor Kangxi instinctively helped Consort Dai Jia up, casually asking, "My dear consort, what are you doing here?"
Consort Dai lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and after stealing a glance at the Emperor, the blush spread all the way to the tips of her ears. Consort Dai was extremely shy: "This concubine is rather bored staying in the palace, so I came to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers. I never expected to run into Your Majesty by such a coincidence..."
What a coincidence! It's hardly a coincidence.
Liang Jiugong secretly pursed his lips: The Emperor has been going to Chuxiu Palace via this road and at this time these past two days. I'm afraid that Consort Dai Jia couldn't stand seeing Consort Qi being favored and couldn't help but jump out.
But maybe it's just in time.
According to the Emperor's habits, he wouldn't stay in the same palace for more than five consecutive days, not even his most favored concubine, Consort Yi. Perhaps Noble Lady Dai will succeed this time!
"It's obviously quite boring."
Kangxi nodded: "If you're bored, you can read more books."
Dai Jia Guiren's expression froze.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened, not understanding why the Emperor had given such a reply. Ever since returning from the West Garden, she had been completely forgotten by the Emperor, while Consort Qi, whom she hadn't taken seriously back then, had risen above her in status.
Dai Jia Guiren's eyes were slightly red.
She bit her lip, hesitant to speak, but as she looked up as if to say something more, she saw the Emperor turn and leave in a hurry.
Which is more important, a beautiful woman or delicious food?
Kangxi told you he wanted both, but the latter required a bit of luck. As for the former? Wasn't that something you could find whenever you wanted? Just finish your business and go look for it in a couple of days.
Only Consort Dai blushed.
Her eyes reddened slightly, and she stomped her foot in annoyance.
Upon hearing the news, Consort Yi frowned.
She snorted, "Daijia is utterly useless."
The palace maid laughed, "How could Consort Dai compare to Your Majesty's intelligence and wisdom? If you ask me, Your Majesty, the Emperor would surely..."
However, her next words were interrupted by the nanny beside her: "The most important thing for you now is to recover your health. You can compete for favor later after you give birth to a healthy child."
The palace maid obediently shut her mouth.
The old woman turned to Consort Yi and said, "Why does Your Highness need to send someone to steal Consort Qi's favor? Why not let Noble Lady Dai do it instead?"
"I am not feeling well."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. If you ask me, His Majesty's visit to Chuxiu Palace was just a passing fancy. He'll be fine soon." The old woman said confidently. "Besides, I actually hope that Consort Qi will fight for the Emperor's favor to the very end. The more arrogant she is, the more likely the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress will discover her true colors."
Is it realistic for imperial concubines not to vie for the emperor's favor?
The old nanny had always thought that Consort Qi was a scheming woman who was able to escape from the dead end of Chengqian Palace, gain favor and have a child under Consort Xuan's nose, and even steadily rise to the rank of Consort.
Just luck?
The old woman couldn't believe it was true.
Consort Yi's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes, yes, if this goes on for a while, the Empress Dowager might understand too."
It continued until the eighth day.
Not only could the concubines no longer hide their surprise, but rumors also spread throughout the palace.
These rumors reached the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. What? Consort Qi was a favored concubine? Consort Qi was the Emperor's beloved? In any case, the unspoken matters between the Emperor and Consort Qi circulated throughout the palace, and everyone wore knowing expressions.
The Empress Dowager detested the word "beloved" the most.
Upon hearing this, her expression darkened slightly, while the Empress Dowager was more direct. During the morning and evening greetings, she curiously asked Wan Anran, "Consort Qi, have you been thinking about something new and delicious lately?"
Wan Anran smiled and nodded: "Yes."
The Empress Dowager grew even more curious: "What is it that attracts the Emperor to visit you every day?"
"It's potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes."
"What are these?" The Empress Dowager looked bewildered as she looked at the three she had never heard of before.
"These are all newly delivered crops, they're delicious!" Wan Anran explained cheerfully, just about to explain how to cook them, when she was interrupted by the Empress Dowager's words.
"Is this all the Emperor came to Chuxiu Palace for?" the Empress Dowager asked abruptly. She unusually shed her usual kind and gentle demeanor, her sharp, hawk-like gaze fixed directly on Wan Anran.
Just for food?
The Empress Dowager was somewhat suspicious, and she carefully examined Consort Qi.
Consort Qi has always been a sensible person.
However, people's hearts are easily changed. While Empress Xuanpin was willing to believe, the Empress Dowager, who had experienced decades of ups and downs, would not be so easily convinced.
Wan Anran looked somewhat bewildered.
She nodded subconsciously, and then voiced all her grievances about having her food stolen these past few days: "Yes, yes? And His Majesty has a huge appetite, he eats much more than his concubines!"
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