Secrets of Yuqing Palace

Because Shi Liha had to get up early every day to study at the Imperial College.

Shi Mujin also had to get up early every day to exercise and study with the teacher.

So the two of them had breakfast in their own yard.

On weekdays, only Wanyu had to pay her respects to Fucha, so most of the time the mother and daughter had breakfast together.

Occasionally, Shi Wenzhuo would stay and have breakfast with his wife and daughter because he did not have to attend the morning court and did not need to go to work too early.

For today's breakfast, in addition to the usual bobo and millet porridge, there were also three bowls of pig's trotter noodle soup.

Fucha looked at Wanyu and asked, "Did you order the kitchen to make this?"

Wanyu smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

"Mother, please prepare some more noodles when I'm going out tomorrow."

"When we get to Xiangshan, we can eat some warm noodles with Sister Amur."

"But if you want to eat delicious noodles, you need a thick soup stock."

"So yesterday I asked the kitchen staff to make pig's trotter soup for me in advance, just to see if it would go bad after a night."

"I told the kitchen staff to prepare a few bowls of pig's trotter noodle soup for breakfast this morning if the pig's trotter soup isn't spoiled."

"Noodle soup should have been delivered to Third Brother and Mu Jin's yard as well."

Shi Wenzhuo asked with concern, "My dear, even if this pig's trotter soup doesn't go bad after being left overnight, it's not very convenient for you to carry it so far."

Fucha shook her head and smiled, "What's so difficult about this? You can pour the soup into the water bag after it cools down a bit, but you can't put the stewed pig's trotters in it."

Shi Wenzhuo nodded.

Wanyu said with a little pride: "Mother, this pig's trotter soup is not something I ordered casually."

"You know, this thick, mushy pig's trotter soup will slowly solidify as it cools down, just like lard."

"It's just not as strong as lard, but if you put it in a copper hanging, you don't have to worry about it spilling on the carriage."

Fucha asked, "Really?"

Wanyu nodded, "Of course it's true, I saw it last night."

Shi Wenzhuo praised: "That's a good note!"

"When our family goes out of town for a trip someday, we'll use this trick with our daughter."

He turned to look at Fucha, his face full of smiles.

"Our daughter is smart."

After breakfast, Shi Wenzhuo went to work with his wife and daughter watching him go.

Fucha continued to check the accounts, and Wanyu returned to her own Qiyun Courtyard and continued to learn the rules from Nanny Sun.

At noon, when Wanyu was taking a break, she received a message from the kitchen saying that the pancakes were ready and waiting for Wanyu to check.

Wanyu took Xia He to the kitchen again, and this time the pancakes looked much better than yesterday.

She was very happy that the food was neither broken nor mushy after the cook cooked it in boiling water.

"Pick up the noodles from the pot and put them into a bowl. Then add the broth, a little salt and chopped green onions."

Following Wanyu's instructions, the cook added a few spoonfuls of chicken soup from the casserole beside him into the bowl of noodles.

After adding salt and chopped green onions, he stepped aside, not daring to breathe, and waited nervously for Wanyu to taste it.

Xia He first stirred the soup noodles in the bowl, then picked up some noodles and put them into a small bowl.

Then he placed the small bowl in front of Wanyu.

Wanyu took the chopsticks handed to her by Xia He with both hands and carefully put the noodles into her mouth and chewed them.

Wanyu can only say that handmade ones are much more delicious than those made by machines!

Each noodle is fully soaked in the soup while still retaining the perfect elasticity.

It is not like the machine-made noodles of later generations that become soft and mushy easily, but retains the chewy texture of noodles.

Each noodle is light and smooth without being greasy, yet chewy.

In terms of taste, after the handmade noodles are cooked, they are thin but full.

Because there are no additives, every bite can feel the original aroma of the noodles and the delicate wheat aroma brought by hand-kneading.

They dance lightly on the tip of your tongue, as if performing a delicate dance on it.

It is smooth after being cooked, and has a hint of wheat aroma that is unique to handmade noodles and a subtle aroma after being fried.

But this aroma is not crispy, but a warm and mellow flavor after blending with the soup.

Wanyu put down her chopsticks, took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her mouth.

“It was done very well this time.”

Everyone in the kitchen had excitement in their eyes after receiving Wanyu's approval.

"Xia He, after returning to Qiyun Courtyard, have Xia Lu give each of the kitchen staff a monthly salary."

"Yes, Grid."

Everyone excitedly shouted their thanks for the reward.

"I thank you for the reward."

"I thank the Third Lady for the reward."

Wanyu smiled faintly and nodded, then gave some instructions before leaving.

"Tomorrow, Princess Ben will go to Xiangshan with Princess Amur. You must make more bread today."

"In the evening, I'll make another pot of thick pig's trotter soup, put it in the copper hanging, and drop it into the well at night."

"Before we leave tomorrow morning, someone will come to the kitchen to take away the flatbread and copper hanging."

The chef bowed and replied, "I will follow your orders."

"Also, prepare some marinated beef and mutton slices, as well as washed and sliced ​​vegetables tomorrow."

"Put the prepared ingredients into the food box, along with the seasonings needed for the stone barbecue, and take them away along with the bread and copper hook."

Everyone responded, "Yes."

Wanyu paused and asked suddenly.

"By the way, who made the slate barbecue yesterday?"

A sturdy middle-aged man walked out from behind the chef.

He was wearing a dark robe that had been washed to a pale color. The cuffs were a little worn from frequent washing and cutting, but otherwise it was clean and tidy.

"It's a slave."

Wanyu nodded in satisfaction and asked, "What's your name?"

"My servant is Zhang Zaosheng."

"Well, you will go out with me tomorrow and be responsible for my meals while I'm away."

"Yes, I will follow your orders."

"Okay, keep busy."

"Farewell, Princess."

Wanyu returned to her Qiyun Courtyard with satisfaction, and asked Nanny Zhang Jia to arrange someone.

Go to the kitchen to get the ingredients tomorrow morning, and bring the chef named Zhang Zaosheng with you.

After explaining everything, Nanny Sun continued to teach her rules and etiquette.

When they went to the main courtyard for dinner in the evening, Mu Jin told Wanyu that he had obtained the teacher's consent and could go to Xiangshan with them tomorrow.

Wanyu raised the corner of her mouth slightly and said lovingly, "Okay, then when you go back from dinner, ask the servants to pack your luggage for you."

Shi Wenzhuo said worriedly, "Yu'er, Father will arrange a team of guards for you in a while to protect your safety."

"When you leave the palace tomorrow, remember to bring the guards with you. Don't send them away casually."

"Well, don't worry, Ama."

"Mu Jin, remember to listen to your third sister tomorrow and don't run around and cause trouble for your sister."

Shi Mujin said with a grown-up look on his face, "Don't worry, father. I know what's going on and I won't cause any trouble for my sister."

"Fujin, prepare some extra money for Yu'er to take with her tomorrow."

“When you go out, it’s best to carry extra money with you in case of emergency.”

Fucha's lips curled up slightly as she said with a smile, "Do you think you're the only one who loves his child?"

"I've prepared it a long time ago. I'll give it to her after dinner."