The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

Seeing her illogical and incoherent speech, Zhen Huan immediately interjected, "Why not invite all the masters of the Old Summer Palace to a banquet at Shangxia Tianguang in the name of the Empress? Sister Wen has made some new drinks that are very refreshing in the summer."

An Lingrong nodded secretly. If she only invited the Queen's team, then given Hua Fei's personality, she might think that they looked down on her, and who knows what kind of trouble would happen. It would be better to invite them all.

The hot summer always makes people feel dull, and even the queen couldn't help but feel bored. So, she smiled and nodded, indicating that she agreed to the proposal. She turned to look at Concubine Qi and Noble Lady Fucha and asked for their opinions: "Very good, what do you think?"

You have said it very well, what else can others say!

While the Queen was talking to someone else, An Lingrong looked at Shen Meiyu. Seeing that she was also looking at herself, she pointed at herself with her middle finger, then pointed at Shen Meiyu with her index finger. Then she put the two fingers together, made a fist, stretched out her thumb, and pointed at the Queen.

These gestures were chaotic and complicated, but Shen Meizhuang surprisingly understood them.

"Your Majesty, I have never put into practice the affairs of the six palaces since I started learning about them. How about I help Sister Wen organize this banquet, just as a practice?" Shen Meizhuang asked the queen with a lowered head.

The queen thought about it for a moment and agreed!

Back in the daylight, An Lingrong hugged Shen Meizhuang and said excitedly, "Sister, we're getting along better and better!"

Shen Meizhuang smiled and pinched her nose. "If you need help, I will help you. Why bother asking the Queen for permission?"

Zhen Huan understood An Lingrong's meaning, "Sister, you've been studying the affairs of the six palaces for several months. It's time to make some achievements for everyone in the harem to see!"

After saying this, he looked at An Lingrong, "Rong'er, am I right?"

"Sister, you're smart!" An Lingrong was very excited. "Sister Mei, don't worry, this banquet will definitely satisfy them."

The time was set for three days later.

An Lingrong first went to the Imperial Household Department and asked them to make an egg beater and several small-sized cake molds according to her dictation and the drawings drawn by Zhen Huan.

Huang Guiquan, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, has received instructions and must fully cooperate.

"What is this?" An Lingrong saw a small copper furnace covered with a cover with small holes.

Huang Guiquan quickly replied: "My dear, this is a barbecue stove."

An Lingrong had an idea in mind.

"By the way, can you get some ice jelly? It's the seeds of Physalis alkekengi." This is an important ingredient for making desserts.

“This one isn’t hard to find.”

After looking at the seasonings in stock at the Imperial Household Department, An Lingrong was very satisfied. Fortunately, it was the middle of the Qing Dynasty now, and most of the things used in later generations, such as cumin, peppercorns, chili peppers, and peppercorns, were now available.

"Grind all of these into powder. In addition, I also need purple angelica, amomum villosum, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, star anise, cumin, costus root, angelica dahurica, three-nai, galangal, and dried ginger. After frying them dry, grind them into powder." These are the raw materials for making Thirteen Spices, all of which are traditional Chinese medicines and can be found in the Imperial Hospital.

"Prepare as much fruit as possible, and use black tea."

"Yes!"

An Lingrong thought of someone and asked, "Has the young eunuch who was good at carving at Suiyuxuan come back?"

Huang Guiquan thought for a moment and said, "Here it comes!"

"Then ask him to find a few more palace maids who can carve patterns. I need them!"

Huang Guiquan naturally responded to everything.

"Can you make glass?"

Huang Guiquan quickly sent someone to take out a set of glass cups from the warehouse. An Lingrong took a look and found that although the glass cups of this era were not as pure and flawless as those of later generations, they were still about 80% similar. Coupled with the complex patterns, they looked even more exquisite.

"This is excellent. Prepare a few more sets." An Lingrong continued, "Go find bamboo sticks as thick as your little finger, trim the ends, and polish them smooth to make straws."

As she gave orders one by one, An Lingrong became more confident.

The night before the banquet, An Lingrong went to Concubine Jing's palace. After paying her respects, she took out a camellia sachet she had made. "I heard from Sister Mei that Your Majesty likes camellias. This is the camellia I collected in the spring and dried to make a sachet. I hope Your Majesty will not dislike it."

Jingpin picked up the sachet and sniffed it carefully, praising it, "The fragrance is so rich and refreshing!"

An Lingrong smiled slyly, "Since Your Majesty likes it, then it will be easy for me to say the rest!"

Seeing her bright smile, Jingpin also found it interesting: "Are you okay?"

An Lingrong quickly explained her purpose: "Your Majesty knows that I will host a banquet tomorrow at the Shangxia Tianguang Palace to entertain all the sisters in the palace."

Jingpin replied, "I have received a message from the Empress, and I will definitely attend the banquet on time tomorrow."

After eating the snacks made by An Lingrong, she looked forward to tomorrow's banquet even more.

"I have prepared some fresh things for tomorrow, but I need to personally supervise the servants to make them. I am afraid I will not be able to have time by then. I hope my sister can come early before dawn to help me entertain the other sisters. Lingrong will be very grateful." After saying this, she bowed.

After An Lingrong said this, Jingpin understood her meaning and was naturally willing to do so. "Since I have accepted your gift, I must serve you. I will go early tomorrow!"

"Thank you, sister." An Lingrong smiled sweetly.

Now, everything is ready and we just have to wait for the feast to begin.