Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 223 Noon, Ma Qingzong, and Hongxia
At noon, on the long embankment, a piece of green mane fluttered in the wind.

Liu Shangqiu lay prone on the horse's back, straddling the saddle and riding as fast as lightning.

He was chasing after the docks along the canal estuary where it met the sea.

This way of going is the least likely to lead you astray, even though it requires taking many detours.

Yuan Chengju has already taken control of all the suspicious persons involved in the case at the Municipal Shipping Office. The Imperial City Division will conduct further investigations on them based on evidence from other sources.

Seeing that the "Municipal Shipping" incident was resolved, Liu Shangqiu instructed Yuan Chengju to set up a separate cross-yard in the "Municipal Shipping" to house the people involved in the case. He wanted to go to the dock to see the progress of Kou Heiyi.

Yuan Chengju naturally had no doubt about this.

When Liu Shangqiu brought two imperial soldiers to the Zhejiang Ferry wharf, Kou Heiyi's side had already begun to finish off the task.

The imperial guards were escorting the captured people out, surrounded by countless boatmen, fishermen, merchants and common people who were watching the excitement.

Seeing that the plan was being carried out smoothly, Liu Shangqiu asked two imperial soldiers to go to the side to find out the situation of the net closing at the dock. The two imperial soldiers obeyed the order and left.

As soon as they left, Liu Shangqiu immediately rushed to the ferry inspection office, took a horse and a bundle that were deposited there from the inspector, with whom he had made arrangements in advance, and then left.

The jailer didn't know who he was, let alone what he was going to do.

It was just that the people from the Imperial City Bureau had greeted him in advance, so when this man came, all the words matched those of the person who was supposed to pick up the goods.

The imperial guards had just captured a group of people, among them was the ferry supervisor. Naturally, the supervisor did not dare to ask too many questions. Since the information matched, he readily handed over the deposited items.

Liu Shangqiu led the horse away from the dock, found a secluded place to change into casual clothes, then rode the horse and galloped along the long embankment of the river entering the sea.

When he finally left Zhejiang Ferry, stepped onto the river bank path, and rode his horse along with the current, he felt so happy.

For those who have been under strict discipline since childhood, the pleasure of spiritual release they feel when they indulge themselves occasionally is difficult for ordinary people to understand.

Liu Shangqiu had never been subject to any discipline since he was a child, but the omnipresent care and protection still suffocated him.

At this moment, he was like a Husky that had escaped from a cage, running away happily.

He caught up with and passed boats one after another, running happily towards the sea...

……

Jiaming Hall is where the emperor has his meals.

The Empress Dowager Wei, Emperor Zhao, Empress Wu, Lady Wanrong Liu, and Prince Enping Zhao Yu were all seated in the hall.

The palace maids and eunuchs who served the food brought out the new dishes that Lu Xi had fried, stir-fried, and deep-fried in the imperial kitchen.

Luxi’s new dishes are full of creativity, from the cooking methods to the choice of condiments.

More importantly, with Zhao Yu, a "traitor", she also knew in advance what the Empress Dowager, the Emperor and the Queen liked.

The novel dishes and the same favorite taste naturally made Emperor Zhao, the Queen Mother, the Empress and others nod their heads repeatedly and praise them endlessly after tasting them.

Zhao Qu was particularly proud and praised Lu Xi highly and worked very hard.

Zhao Qu's idea was simple. This was his brother's wife. As the eldest brother-in-law, if he had the opportunity to help promote her fame, he had to do his best.

Although Prince Pu'an Zhao Yuan was steady and well-spoken, Empress Dowager Wei, as an old lady, preferred children with lively personalities like Prince Enping.

Hearing what he said was interesting, Empress Dowager Wei smiled and said, "There are talented people among the people. The dishes made by Miss Song are not as exquisite as those made by the imperial chefs in the palace in terms of appearance, but in terms of taste, they are the most delicious I have ever eaten in my life."

Seeing that it was someone her son praised so highly, Queen Wu naturally would not ruin his performance.

Empress Wu smiled and said to Emperor Zhao: "If it was the imperial chef in the palace, eating the royal salary, there would be nothing to say.

Miss Song is from the common people. Now she has given up her business and entered the palace to satisfy the appetite of our Zhao family. The emperor should meet her and praise her. "

When Zhao Yu heard this, he hurriedly said, "What the queen said makes sense. Father should reward him. It would be even better if he could write a plaque for him."

When Emperor Zhao saw that his mother and the Queen were in a good mood, he laughed and ordered Miss Song to be summoned.

Although Luxi was confident in the dishes that had been proven in the market, this was, after all, a royal family that had tasted all the delicacies in the world.

She was so focused when cooking that she didn't feel anything, but now, waiting for the result, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Dan Niang saw that Lu Xi was in a bad mood, so she and Qing Tang stood on either side of her and chatted with her on purpose to ease her mood.

The three were chatting casually when a eunuch came over and announced that the emperor wanted to see Miss Song.

The Ministry of Rites had taught the etiquette of meeting the emperor, so Lu Xi had no time to think about it, so he took off his apron, and with the help of Dan Niang and Qing Tang, he tidied up his appearance, and followed the eunuch who delivered the message to the Jiaming Palace.

When he arrived at the palace, Luxi remembered the etiquette he had learned in the Ministry of Rites, and bowed and responded in a very proper manner.

Emperor Zhao already liked the dishes she cooked, and now seeing that the cook was just a 28-year-old girl, sweet and well-behaved, she was particularly sympathetic, so he became even more amiable.

Zhao Qu automatically put himself in the role of "big uncle" and did his best to help out, interject and play a supporting role, hoping to trick the official into giving him a piece of calligraphy.

When he went to the "Shuiyunjian" restaurant, he was inspired by the calligraphy and paintings of the Jinshi scholars hanging on the wall.

So he thought of helping Luxi get a piece of the emperor's calligraphy and hang it in the "Song Family Flavor Building".

In that case, who could challenge his sister-in-law's status as the "little god of food"?

However, his enthusiastic support attracted the attention of Queen Wu.

Zhao Yu was raised by Queen Wu since he was a child. Although he was an adopted son, she actually treated him like her own son.

If she didn't particularly favor Zhao Yu, how could she have carefully selected some people from the female guards in the palace and sent them to Zhao Yu as personal guards? At this time, seeing Zhao Yu spared no effort to flatter Miss Song, Empress Wu couldn't help but feel moved.

My son has never been so calculating for a woman before. First, he coaxed the Queen Mother and me to taste her delicacies, and then he did everything he could to bring about the current situation, allowing Miss Song to shine in front of the emperor and surpass the royal chef. Could it be that my son likes her?

Queen Wu looked at Luxi's sweet and lovely appearance and became more confident in her judgment.

After all, she already knew very well what kind of person her precious son was.

I sent him ten female guards, but they turned into ten female concubines. This...

Fortunately, I only gave him ten.

Yu'er must be in love with the young lady from the Song family, right?
This is the first time I see him being so attentive to a woman. He must be very fond of her.

However, this Miss Song is just a cook. If she enters his palace, her status will be difficult to improve. She will definitely be the lowest level among the concubines...

Queen Wu looked at Luxi again and also liked Luxi from the bottom of her heart.

There are many kinds of beauty, one of which is attractive to all men, women, old and young.
That's the sweet, cute, girl-next-door type like Luxi who isn't aggressive at all.

Empress Wu doted on her son and was very fond of Lu Xi, so she wanted to help them.

Emperor Zhao said to Lu Xi in a friendly manner, "Ms. Song's dishes are very much to the taste of the Empress Dowager, the Queen, and me.

Especially the fish soup you made, it suits my taste the most. I heard that all your dishes are researched by yourself?"

Lu Xi said: "It was developed by me, and I am still adjusting and improving it according to the tastes of diners.

If you are not satisfied with any dish, please let me know and I will try my best to make it better."

Emperor Zhao laughed loudly: "I heard from Qu'er that Miss Song is known as the 'Little God of Food' among the people. She is still so humble and has such a kind heart at such a young age. It is rare, rare.

If I have to say anything that I am dissatisfied with, I have no complaints. I am very happy with the food. Since Miss Song is still constantly improving the dishes, mother..."

Emperor Zhao turned to Empress Dowager Wei and said with a smile, "How about we let Miss Song enter the palace after the tide-making meeting next year, just like today, and let us taste this folk delicacy together."

Empress Dowager Wei smiled and said, "That would be great."

When Empress Wu saw the opportunity, she smiled and joked, "Since the emperor likes it, he should give Miss Song some rewards. We in the royal family cannot just talk and not do."

Emperor Zhao smiled slightly and said, "How can I be stingy? Well, in that case, I will give Miss Song some money..."

The rewards given by the emperors of the Song Dynasty generally consisted of granting land and houses, followed by coins, books, clothes, flowers, and agricultural and livestock products.

Land and houses were generally only given to royal relatives and important officials of the court, while books, clothes, and flowers were mostly given to civil officials.

Emperor Zhao thought that he could give Miss Song some money, silk, tea, etc., which would be both practical and decent.

Unexpectedly, Empress Wu did not wait for him to finish his words and continued: "Why don't you grant her the birth of a noble lady?"

Zhao Gou was stunned. A lady of noble birth?

The Queen has always behaved properly, but why is she like that today... Can the title of a lady of noble birth be bestowed so casually?
"Uh...this..."

Zhao Gou was a little embarrassed. The queen had already spoken, and if he objected, it would be an insult to the queen. But...how could the title of a noble lady be given so easily?

Zhao Gou suddenly had an idea and thought of a key point, so he smiled and said, "The Queen is so fond of Miss Song, how could I be the bad guy?"

“However, the title of Lady of the Imperial Court can only be bestowed upon the mother or wife of an official of the Imperial Court.

Miss Song has not been betrothed yet, and we don’t know whether her future husband will be an official or a commoner, so how can we make her a lady of high rank? It would be better to give her money…”

When Zhao Yu heard the Queen's proposal, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed. After all, she is my mother. This is exactly what I want.

When Zhao Yu heard the official's excuse, he became anxious and said without thinking:

"Father, what you said is wrong. Madam Tong from Prime Minister Qin's family is not a wife or a mother. Isn't she just a lady of honor?"

"Uh……"

Zhao Gou suddenly felt a little embarrassed. This unfortunate kid, why did he bring up such irrelevant things?

Zhao Yu said: "The famous chefs in the imperial kitchen all hold official positions! Miss Song is a good cook, and she will teach them how to cook Song family dishes.

The Queen Mother, the Lady, and Father all like to eat, so what's wrong with granting her the status of a lady of honor?"

Empress Wu smiled and said, "What Qu'er said makes sense. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

As Empress Wu spoke, she gave Empress Dowager Wei a slight glance.

When Empress Dowager Wei received the look from Empress Wu, she felt a little surprised.

Could it be that this Miss Song is a relative of the Queen?
In this case, I have to do this favor.

Empress Dowager Wei nodded and smiled, "Yes, Your Majesty, I think this is also possible."

The opinions of his son and daughter-in-law were fine, but now that his mother had also agreed, Zhao Gou could not object, so he smiled and said, "Since that is the case, I will grant Miss Song... the title of Ru Ren."

At that moment, a palace maid led Luxi to the side hall to change clothes so that he could receive the imperial decree and express his gratitude.

When Luxi came to the palace again, she was wearing a flower hairpin crown, a red dress with wide sleeves, a red flower embroidered silk collar, a red silk long skirt that trailed on the ground, a medicinal jade pendant, and a red shawl on her shoulders...

Her body is covered in red fragrance and she is more beautiful than apricot blossoms.

(End of this chapter)