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

Early the next morning, the Ministry of Internal Affairs delivered the necessary items to the backyard of Shangxia Tianguang as instructed, and began to build the oven.

Su Ye woke An Lingrong from her bed, helped her dress, and after a simple breakfast, she went to the backyard to begin preparations. Looking at the tools and glasses she had ordered a few days ago, she saw that the Imperial Household Department had already produced them. Each one was exquisite, in no way inferior to modern crafts.

The chief steward of the Imperial Household Department brought the seeds of the false nightshade to An Lingrong. An Lingrong picked it up and took a look. Yes, it was this thing.

First put the lime into the basin of water, stir it a few times, and set it aside to wait for it to settle.

She picked up a piece of gauze and wrapped the washed Physalis seeds. She filled half a basin with water, put the gauze in, and began to rub it. After about half an incense stick of time, the water became thick. An Lingrong stopped, filtered the liquid with gauze, took the precipitated lime water, added it in little by little, stirring while adding, and it solidified in a short while.

"Put it in the ice tub and freeze it for a while."

Su Ye and several eunuchs from the imperial kitchen looked at An Lingrong's actions with surprise.

An Lingrong looked at their curious faces and asked, "Su Ye, do you understand?"

"I see!"

"Okay, take a few palace servants and continue working on it."

After a while, Shen Meizhuang came with Caiyue and Caixing!

"Rong'er, you've worked so hard today!" Although the sun was not at its hottest, beads of sweat had already appeared on An Lingrong's forehead.

An Lingrong was directing the eunuchs to slice taro, sweet potatoes, and purple sweet potatoes and put them into the pot to steam. Hearing this, she said, "Don't worry, sister. Today I will show you my skills."

Boil brown sugar into a thick syrup, then pour it into tapioca flour and knead it into a smooth and hard dough. Then roll the dough into long strips, break it into small pieces, and roll them into round balls. Put them in a pot and cook them. You will get chewy pearls with a chewy texture.

Steam the taro until a chopstick can easily penetrate it. Peel the skin and mash the taro with a spoon. Pour the tapioca starch into a bowl and gradually add the cooled sugar water. Stir with chopsticks until the mixture forms a dough. Combine the starch and taro paste and knead until the dough is soft and firm, neither sticky nor hard. Transfer the taro ball dough to a chopping board, roll it into long strips, and cut it into small pieces with a knife. Add some cornstarch to prevent sticking. Boil in water until it floats.

Purple sweet potato taro balls and sweet potato taro balls are made in the same way.

After finishing each one, he would give instructions and ask others to follow suit.

Shen Meizhuang watched the white, purple, and yellow balls emerge from her hands, her admiration overflowing with words, "Rong'er, you have such a skillful hand!"

An Lingrong is like a monkey that has won a battle, with her tail almost raised up. Humph, do you think all these years of my using Tik Tok were in vain?

After preparing the ingredients, An Lingrong picked up a watermelon, scooped out the flesh with a spoon and put it into a silver pot to crush it. The spout of the silver pot had a layer of filtering added, and what poured out was light red watermelon juice. The watermelon juice was put into an ice basin and slightly frozen. An Lingrong picked up a cup and handed it to Shen Meiyu.

"Sister, quench your thirst first."

Shen Meizhuang took a sip. The slightly cool juice relieved a lot of the heat. "This is much more convenient than eating watermelon directly."

Before the two of them had finished their glass of watermelon juice, Xiao Yunzi came to report: "My two young ladies, my young lady has sent a servant to deliver a message that the emperor will be attending dinner tonight. Please make preparations early."

An Lingrong was speechless. Why did the emperor love to join in the fun so much?

"Sister, go to the main hall and keep an eye on it. I'll be here."

Today, Shen Meizhuang is in charge of the banquet process, coordinating the eunuchs and palace maids to test for poisons, serve dishes and other miscellaneous matters, striving to deliver the food to the emperor and empress within the time when the food tastes the best.

The banquet was held on the second floor. The front and back windows were open, and the breeze blew through the hall. It was quite interesting to dine while enjoying the view of the back lake.

Since the emperor is coming, the standard of the banquet must be improved. Shen Meizhuang returned to the second floor of the upper and lower Tianguang to rearrange it. At this time, Jingpin had also arrived.

The Imperial Household Department had received the news and removed the partition between the two rooms on the second floor, instantly making the entire room spacious. The previously prepared tables and chairs were removed and replaced with tables and chairs, each with its own desk.

Soon, Consort Xin arrived with Princess Shuhe. "Looks like I'm the first one here!" Princess Shuhe was only three years old, at the age of being lively and playful. "This naughty monkey can't stay in the palace. When she heard there were delicious foods here, she couldn't wait to come over. She's giving me a headache."

As today's specially invited lobby manager, Jingpin was in charge of entertaining the guests. Naturally, she couldn't let the guests' words go unnoticed. She smiled and joked, "Your troubles are a blessing that others can't even ask for!"

Seeing Princess Shuhe politely paying her respects, Shen Meizhuang was very pleased. "Xiao Shi, go to the backyard and see if there is any food ready. Bring some over for the princess!" After giving the order, she hugged Princess Shuhe and said gently, "Princess, can Empress Shen take you to enjoy the scenery?"

Princess Shuhe's voice was childish and clear, "Okay, thank you, Empress Shen!"

On the other side, Jingpin and Xinchang were chatting while drinking tea. "The princess is innocent and well-behaved. It can be seen that my sister can teach children!"

Xin Changzai sighed, "It's a pity that I am of low status and not favored by the emperor, and as a result, she is also not valued."

The two people's situations in the palace are exactly the same. They lost the emperor's favor early on, so they don't cause trouble, don't make trouble, don't form cliques, live a stable life in the palace, and can also gain some respect from the emperor.

Jingpin was moved and said, "Sister, that's not right. The Emperor has always loved children, and Shuhe is the Emperor's eldest daughter. How could he not value her? Although your position is only that of a concubine, now that you have a child, the long nights in the palace will be much easier to pass!"

Concubine Xin looked in the direction of Princess Shuhe with a gentle gaze, "Yes, fortunately she is a princess, otherwise she would not be raised by my knees. I only hope that she can grow up safely and marry a man of good character in the future!"

Before he had finished his cup of tea, Concubine Qi and Noble Lady Fucha arrived together.

Concubine Qi was arrogant and disdained to speak to the lower-ranking concubines. Noble Lady Fucha was of noble birth and arrogant. Even Concubine Jing, who was very good at getting along with everyone, couldn't help but feel a little awkward. Seeing the three of them staring at each other, he suggested, "Why don't you three play cards?"

The three of them were surprisingly unanimous in their agreement, and the servants immediately set up the tables and chairs.