Besides rabbit meat, Wan Anran then made roe deer meat. Unfortunately, roe deer meat is considered "heaty" and can easily cause internal heat when eaten during the transition from spring to summer. After only a couple of meals, everyone gave up and decided to try again next year.
Wan Anran drank peppermint tea for two days to calm her anger down. Unable to eat roe deer meat, and finding rabbit meat a bit too greasy, Wan Anran idly flipped through books and happened to come across a description of peach blossoms.
Isn't this the perfect time to pick peach blossoms? Besides, peach blossoms are the most abundant thing in Xiyuan.
After all, picking peach blossoms is a refined and elegant activity.
Peach blossoms are sweet and warm in nature, and according to the "Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces," they have the effect of slimming the waist. The "Records of Famous Physicians" also mentions that peach blossoms can aid digestion and regulate qi, making them undoubtedly excellent for beauty, skincare, and weight loss.
Peach blossom tea and peach blossom wine were also essential treasures for the imperial concubines. It wasn't just Wan Anran who had this idea; other concubines also began picking peach blossoms. Unlike them, Wan Anran was more focused on how to eat the peach blossoms.
Having made up her mind, she went out with her small bamboo basket in her hand.
As soon as Wan Anran entered the peach blossom grove, she spotted the eldest princess and the second princess in the distance. They, too, smiled and approached, having come to pick peach blossoms.
If we meet, of course we should be together.
Wan Anran glanced at the Second Princess, who had gained weight, and a slight smile appeared on her lips: "The Second Princess looks much rounder, and her complexion is much better too."
The second princess lowered her head shyly.
After Mother dealt with Granny Zeng, the other nannies lost their former arrogance and dared not discipline the Second Princess. The Second Princess, who had a hearty appetite, seemed to grow rapidly, gaining quite a bit of weight in a short time.
The three of them gathered a bunch of peach petals in the peach grove. Wan Anran listed them off as if they were her own treasures: "We can make peach blossom tea, peach blossom wine, peach blossom jam, peach blossom porridge, peach blossom milk jelly... and we can also make peach blossom pastries."
The eldest and second princesses were stunned.
Their eyes lit up. They had only heard of peach blossom tea and peach blossom wine, but nothing else. The second princess, who was extremely curious about food, immediately became excited. She was no longer shy or nervous as before, but instead circled around Consort Qi like a little rabbit, her eyes full of curiosity: "Mother Consort Qi, what are peach blossom pastries? What are peach blossom milk jelly? Are they delicious?"
"Of course it's delicious."
Wan Anran smiled and asked, "Would you like to make this with Consort Qi later?"
The eldest and second princesses cheered together.
Seeing that the two little ones were full of curiosity, Wan Anran also enthusiastically explained the specific production process.
Making milk jelly is very simple; you only need cornstarch, milk, white sugar, and peach petals. The snow-white, wobbly little milk jelly will have light pink petals showing through it, making it both beautiful and delicious.
As for peach blossom pastry, it looks similar, with a crispy crust and a soft and delicate red bean filling. One bite is an explosion of happiness.
Wan Anran described the taste of the peach blossom pastry in detail, making the Second Princess swallow hard: "I really want to try it."
"Of course you can."
"It really works!" Wan Anran, carrying a small basket, called the two princesses back to the courtyard. Just like how cake shops in later generations would offer parent-child craft activities, Wan Anran enthusiastically called the two princesses to come and try it out as well.
These things were much more interesting than learning needlework and making knots. But as interesting as they were, the eldest and second princesses gradually became at a loss when faced with these unfamiliar things on the table.
Haitao, standing to the side, expertly stir-fried red beans.
The cooked red beans, after being mashed and stir-fried, released a sweet aroma. Haitao smiled and asked, "Master, what do you think of this red bean paste?"
Wan Anran glanced at it.
She immediately gave a thumbs up: "Haitao, your skills are getting better and better!"
With the filling complete, the next step, of course, is to make the outer crust. The crust of the peach blossom pastry is made from flour, sugar, lard, and milk.
This matter was entrusted to the two princesses.
The sticky sensation when they reached in made the hairs on the heads of the eldest and second princesses stand on end. They gritted their teeth and kneaded the paste with all their might, gradually feeling it transform into a rather soft dough.
The eldest and second princesses breathed a sigh of relief.
Just when they thought they had succeeded, Wan Anran shook her head and stopped the two who were about to wash their hands: "This is just the beginning. We need to make the surface smooth as well."
"well?"
"Making desserts isn't that easy." Wan Anran smiled and pushed the two of them back to the table. She looked at the eldest and second princesses with a smile, then frowned and kneaded the dough again.
They kneaded the dough for almost the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, until the arms of the eldest and second princesses were sore, before it finally became soft and smooth, and could even be stretched out to a length of arm's length.
Wan Anran cut off a small piece.
Once she was sure the dough could be stretched into a large membrane, she nodded in satisfaction. She added a little red yeast rice powder to the dough and kneaded it until it turned into a slightly uneven light pink color. This completed the second step. After the dough had rested, it was time to wrap the filling.
"Finally, the most crucial moment." Wan Anran held her breath and first flattened the red bean paste ball with her palm, then cut out five petals with a knife, and then pinched the petals together with her fingertips.
Finally, sprinkle egg yolk and sesame seeds on the stamen, and a lifelike peach blossom will appear on the plate.
The eldest princess and the second princess both exclaimed "Wow!" in unison.
Wan Anran breathed a long sigh of relief. Luckily, she hadn't messed up at this step. If she had, it would have been truly... She raised her head and puffed out her chest: "How about that? Pretty impressive, right?"
The eldest and second princesses nodded vigorously.
Their eyes were sparkling, they were just short of saying, "Master, please teach us!"
Wan Anran became interested.
With great interest, she described other shapes, instructing the eldest and second princesses on how to make lotus flower pastries, chrysanthemum pastries, and then on how to make small crabs, kittens, and other shapes.
A table laden with various pastries, meticulously baked in the oven until fully cooked. Inhaling their sweet, fragrant aroma, one sips of peach blossom tea and then bites into a peach blossom pastry.
Hmm... these days are just too wonderful, aren't they?
The eldest and second princesses carried soft pastries, and little flowers sprouted behind them.
In her moment of triumph, Wan Anran prepared two large food boxes and handed them to the two princesses, instructing them to share them with the Empress and Consort Rong later.
Consort Rong was somewhat flattered.
Looking at the dazzling array of pastries and listening to her daughter's constant complaints, praises, and cheers, Consort Rong felt incredibly bitter.
The complaint is about fatigue.
The cheers and praises were all for Consort Qi.
Even her own second princess hasn't connected with her side yet! Consort Rong forced a smile, her face almost collapsing, and said, "My dear, how about Mother makes some snacks with you tomorrow? We... shall we make some steamed buns together?"
The second princess showed little interest.
She shook her head: "Your subject has already made arrangements with your eldest sister. Tomorrow we will go to Consort Qi's place together to learn how to make peach shortbread for Grandma Wukuma and Grandma Huang!"
Consort Rong: ...
The Second Princess's words were like a heavy hammer blow to her head, leaving Consort Rong frozen in place for a long time, unable to recover.
She had just come to her senses when the second blow came.
The seventh prince, Ankang, who was as round as a little ball, ran to the second princess's feet with a half-eaten chrysanthemum pastry in his hands: "Second sister, I want to go too!"
Consort Rong: ...
Thankfully, the second princess remained rational: "Ankang is too young. I'll bring you more delicious food tomorrow!"
"Okay!" An Kang smiled sweetly, "Sister made it so delicious! When An Kang grows up, he will go with his sister."
Consort Rong's heart was broken.
Leaving aside the devastating blow Consort Rong suffered, the Empress was also in a state of great distress. She had become accustomed to Consort Qi's feeding her, and even secretly checked her qipao.
Ahem, should we enlarge it a bit more?
The worries about losing weight gradually surfaced in her mind. Empress Niohuru was also very troubled. What should she reward Consort Qi with this time?
Sending fabric for clothes.
Consort Qi was not one to care much about dressing up, so it was rare to see her wearing new clothes.
The same principle applies to giving jewelry or decorative items as gifts.
When the Empress switched to snacks and desserts, Consort Qi got really excited. She would have three, four, five, or even six different kinds of snacks sent over in rotation, and she would probably have to ask about her preferences during her morning and evening greetings.
Sending snacks or food is not permitted.
Empress Niohuru sighed, rubbing her forehead, "Tell me, what should I reward you with?"
The palace maids and nannies were also in a difficult position.
Consort Qi has already risen to the rank of Consort, which is the highest rank after the Emperor, the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Noble Consort. She has everything she could possibly desire: stipends, jewels, beautiful objects, books, and paintings.
Lian Nan thought about it for a while, and finally asked hesitantly, "Your Highness, perhaps we could send Consort Qi some things from foreign countries?"
Many treasures were presented as tribute by Western countries.
However, most of these items were piled up in the warehouse. Apart from telescopes, Western clocks, and other items, most of the rest were unknown, rarely mentioned, and even less often given as rewards.
The Empress frowned slightly.
Granny Zhou felt uneasy: "If these things are sent out, won't people think... that Her Highness is just casually giving things away to Consort Qi?"
The Empress thought for a moment.
She pondered, "I think this is feasible. Consort Qi has always liked new things. I'll pick a few items later and have Lian Nan send them to Consort Qi to take a look. If she likes them, that would be perfect. If she doesn't like them, we can choose something else."
Of course, besides the exotic items sent by foreigners, the Empress also collected many fine things. For example, a complete set of incense and a newly delivered makeup palette from outside the palace were all sent to Consort Qi.
Aromatherapy, makeup palette?
Even though Lian Nan had been explaining for quite a while, Wan Anran showed little interest, and her gaze turned to one of the objects wrapped in gold foil.
Lian Nan quickly changed the subject, explaining with a smile, "This is food sent from the Portuguese. It tastes a bit bitter, but then has a strange fragrance. I've never seen anything like it in the Qing Dynasty."
It's an extremely rare thing.
It just wasn't tasty enough—and the Empress regretted it for quite some time.
Wan Anran reached out and gently opened the packaging.
The familiar yet unfamiliar lump made her pause slightly. Then, Wan Anran carefully scraped off a tiny bit with her fingertip and brought it to her mouth.
A familiar bitter taste welled up in my heart.
Wan Anran's eyes widened slightly as she looked at the treasure with surprise and excitement.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind treasure in the world.
Its name is: Chocolate.
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