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

An Lingrong began frying the chicken. She had already selected the tenderest chicken thighs, cut them into pieces, marinated them, coated them in egg wash, and then dipped them in starch. She slowly fried them in oil, letting them cool once cooked through before frying them again. An Lingrong tasted a piece; it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, overflowing with the aroma of the meat. She placed a few pieces on each plate, topped them with the prepared tomato sauce, and served them.

French fries are relatively simple to make. Cut the potatoes into thick strips, put them in a pan and cook them until they are 80% cooked. Then take them out and coat them with starch and fry them until the surface is golden brown.

In the daylight, Yongzheng was eating happily.

"This barbecue has a unique flavor with the dipping sauce!" Yongzheng has always liked barbecued meat, and the slightly spicy dipping sauce really whets people's appetite.

The Queen was also quite satisfied: "Your Majesty is right, this drink is refreshing and relieves greasiness. I couldn't help but take a few more sips."

Shuhe was enjoying herself eating French fries with ketchup. Upon hearing this, she said, "Father Emperor, these French fries are delicious. Come and try them."

Yongzheng laughed heartily and took a bite of it politely, "Hmm, it's really delicious."

Seeing this, Shen Meizhuang smiled and said to Princess Shuhe, "Princess, if you like it, why don't you come here more often and ask Empress Wen to cook for you again."

Shuhe responded crisply, "Okay, but can mother come with us?"

After saying that, he looked at Yongzheng.

Although Yongzheng was not as concerned about this daughter as he was about the prince, he was very fond of her because of her eloquence and graceful manner. "Okay, but you have to listen to your mother."

"Okay, Shuhe will definitely listen to you."

Everyone laughed.

The concubine Hua, who was sitting at the bottom, was unconcerned. "I've heard my brother say that barbecue is just a favorite food of the vulgar soldiers. How can it be served in a refined place?"

Cao Qinmo beside her quickly tried to stop her with her eyes, but Concubine Hua had already spoken.

Yongzheng's expression changed instantly.

I don’t see you eating less vulgar food!

Just as Shen Meizhuang was about to retort, Zhen Huan spoke first, "Your Highness, Concubine Hua, you are wrong. Our ancestors loved barbecue even before they entered the Western Regions. After they came to rule the country, successive emperors also often ate it to show that they remembered their ancestors' kindness and how hard it was to gain the throne."

Seeing that the banquet that Rong'er had worked so hard to prepare was belittled, Zhen Huan was like a cat with its fur standing on end, and she refuted Hua Fei without any politeness.

"What Lady Wan said makes sense." Yongzheng picked up a piece of roasted fish, dipped it in spicy sauce and put it in his mouth. The deliciousness of the fish and the chili stimulated his taste buds.

Concubine Hua felt deflated, rolled her eyes and said no more.

Finally, there was the grand finale cake, which was praised by both the emperor and the empress.

An Lingrong has already asked each lady about her favorite flower.

The Queen loves peonies, Concubine Hua loves peonies, Concubine Qi loves broccoli, Concubine Jing loves camellias, Noble Lady Fucha loves cattails, Zhuangzi Shen loves chrysanthemums, Zhen Huan loves crabapples, Concubine Xin loves daffodils, and Noble Lady Cao loves datura.

As for Yongzheng, An Lingrong helped him choose plum blossoms. As for Princess Shuhe, since she was born in the year of the rabbit, she asked the palace servants to carve a little rabbit.

Since Concubine Duan was ill and could not attend the banquet, An Lingrong ordered someone to make lotus cakes and send them to Concubine Duan's residence.

The four-inch cake is decorated with flowers carved from fruits and sprinkled with some seasonal fruits. It looks good and tastes good.

An Lingrong personally led the palace maids into the palace, carrying the cakes. She left two for Jinxi to give to Su Peisheng. "Ms. Wen said that you have a big appetite as a man, so I made a big one especially for you!"

The words "You are a man" brought Su Peisheng to tears.

Each of the masters received two, one cake and one mango mille-feuille cake.

After the ceremony, An Lingrong distributed the gifts one by one. Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, Jingpin and Xin Changzai all stood up to receive them personally. Although Qi Fei and Fu Cha Gui did not stand up, they also expressed their gratitude. Only Hua Fei did not even look at them. Cao Guiren looked at Hua Fei's expression and just nodded lightly.

Yongzheng looked at everyone's cake and saw that it was different. After a closer look, he saw that it was based on personal preferences. He felt relieved and said, "Thank you for your hard work, please sit down!"

An Lingrong sat below Shen Meiyu, opposite her was Concubine Xin.

"Rong'er, are you tired?" Shen Meizhuang asked her in a low voice, and picked up the wine jug on the table and poured her a glass of wine.

"I'm not tired. Did you eat well, sister?"

"very good."

"Which one do you like? I'll make it for you."

Before the two of them could say a few more words,

Concubine Hua then said in a bad tone: "Mrs. Wen is so ingenious. The pastries she made are on par with the ones made by the cooks in my palace!"

This is naked humiliation!

An Lingrong stood up and replied calmly, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I am grateful for the Emperor and Empress' kindness and will serve them with all my strength. Besides, isn't it our duty to make the Emperor and Empress happy and content?"

What’s so great about that? Everyone is a concubine!

Hua Fei choked, but couldn't find any fault with the words.

The Queen's face was almost smiling like a flower.

Shuhe jumped to An Lingrong's side, brought her a cup of tea, and said sweetly, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam Wen!"

An Lingrong was flattered and quickly took a sip. "Thank you, Princess! With this tea, Madam Wen no longer has to work so hard!"

Yongzheng smiled and said, "It seems that Shuhe's tea is more useful than my reward! Since Shuhe has comforted Concubine Wen on my behalf, I will confer the title of Heshuo Princess on Shuhe!"

Xinchang was overjoyed and quickly stood up and took Shuhe's hand to thank her.

Although Shuhe didn't know what Princess Heshuo meant, seeing her mother's ecstatic look, she knew that it was a great favor from the emperor, so she walked to Yongzheng's table and poured him a glass of wine. "Thank you, emperor, for your kindness! I offer you a toast!"

The childish words and admiration were real, and Yongzheng was very happy.

"You have raised the princess very well. From this day forward, you will be promoted to a noble lady! As for Concubine Wen, I will have other rewards."

After drinking the last glass of mango sago, today's banquet is over!

Su Peisheng had already finished his cake. Seeing that the emperor was about to get up, he came into the hall and said, "Your Majesty, the people from the Imperial Household Department are outside."

Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "No need, I'll go to the Queen."

The queen was delighted when she heard this.

"Today's banquet was very well organized. Mei'er has made great progress in learning the affairs of the six palaces. The Queen can try to assign more tasks to her to reduce your workload."

The Queen nodded approvingly and said, "Yes."

This is the emperor giving Concubine Hua a look!

Cao Qinmo sighed silently in her heart. She had thought that the emperor would have some affection for Concubine Hua after seeing her, but she didn't expect that her feelings would be ruined by a few words from Concubine Hua. The situation was even worse than before she came!

Before leaving, the Emperor pulled An Lingrong up from her salute and said, "You've worked hard. Rest early today!"