In the evening, the palace nourishes the heart

Yangxin palace is the palace where the emperor lives and carries out daily activities, the whole palace is an I-shaped hall, the front hall is three rooms wide, the yellow glazed tile rests on the top of the mountain, the bright room, the west indirect roll shed hugging the building, the front eaves eaves pillar position, each room adds two square pillars. The main hall is equipped with a throne, the imperial case, there is a bookshelf behind the throne, the apse is the emperor's bedroom, there are five rooms in total, the east and west rooms are the bedrooms, each has a bed, the emperor can live at will.

As a place dedicated to serving the emperor's diet, the imperial dining room of the Yangxin Palace is naturally not large, and there are hundreds of people who serve the emperor's food.

There are: 1 general manager, 1 deputy general manager, 2 chiefs, 2 deputy chiefs, 27 cooks, 2 foremen, 20 deputy foremen, 20 undertakers, 44 undertakers, 2 directors, 6 leaders, 57 Sanqi cooks, 10 recruited cooks, and 30 husbands.

There are also many "food and drink eunuchs", whose names and amounts are also very considerable; there are 100 eunuchs in charge of the seven products, and 10 eunuchs who carry water and send envoys, who specialize in serving meals, various official delicacies and offerings in various places, feasts, attendants, and sitting watches.

In addition, it also recruited additional kitchen servants, "many people, such as a certain palace, a certain minister, or a restaurant, once appreciated by the emperor and queen, they will recruit their cooks into the palace."

For example, there was once such a thing, a seller of meat buns, because of the emperor's appreciation for the meat buns he made, was recruited into the palace to make this product for him.

This kind of cooking can be as little as a few years, more than ten years, or decades, and in fact, some people only make one or two layers a year, and some even never make a single dish.

In addition to the many cooks and eunuchs, there were also some imperial doctors who studied food and drink for the emperor, and they did everything possible to search for food recipes in order to cater to the emperor's taste.

And Chef Zhao Fei is the person in charge of the imperial dining room of this Yangxin Palace, and he is also the second person in charge, the first person in charge is the head of the imperial dining room, Chen Gonggong is not only the head of the imperial dining room, but also the head of housekeeping.

At this time, everyone in the imperial dining room was preparing for the emperor's meal tonight, but Zhao Fei, who was usually the head chef, was not in charge, but was thinking about something in a side room of the imperial dining room looking at the two spirit beasts in the two cages on the table.

Behind him were several people wearing white specialty chef costumes, the clothes on these people were somewhat similar to those on Zhao Fei's body, but whether it was fabric, workmanship or style, they could not be compared with the one on Zhao Fei's body.

"The cloth spirit beast is mixed with bellflower to make the barbecue...... There are no toxins in the liver of the white beast that can be used to stir-fry ......" Zhao Fei circled around the two spirit beasts in the cage on the table, walked around behind his back with his hands, and muttered softly.

The size of the cloth spirit beast is not huge, like an oval ball twenty centimeters high and ten centimeters wide, there is no hair on the surface of the flesh, only smooth earthy yellow skin, the lower body is covered with sharp barbs, the back of the head has a curved horn almost the same height as the body, there are two shell-like ears on both sides of the head, no limbs, only two tentacles like whiskers underneath.

It is a spirit animal with the head of a rooster, the body of a sheep, the tail of a fox, and limbs like the hooves of a horse.

Zhao Fei looked at these two spirit beasts, touched his chin, after he came back from the arena, he ordered people to find these two spirit beasts, now it is only a few hours later, these two spirit beasts appeared in front of him, it can be seen that the people below are very efficient, you must know that these two spirit beasts are only available in the Qi Fantasy Forest, and the distance between the Qi Fantasy Forest and Kyoto is not close at all.

"Deputy Chief Zhao, the time for the emperor's meal is coming, do you see if it's ......" At this time, a eunuch came in at the door, and said to Zhao Fei with some embarrassment, although the words were not finished, but the meaning was clear.

"You let Chen prepare the emperor's meal tonight, and I want to experiment with new dishes. Zhao Fei waved his hand impatiently, his eyes were always fixed on the two spirit beasts on the table, and he kept rehearsing in his mind what to do.

"Yes. When the eunuch heard this, helplessness flashed in his eyes, and he answered without saying anything more, and turned around and left by default.

When the eunuch left, Zhao Fei stared at the two beasts, took two steps forward and began to open the lid of one of the cages, and grabbed the cloth spirit beast in the cage.

The spirit beast was caught, and the two tentacles shook off like a beard, and after a struggle, it was easily suppressed by Zhao Fei.

Zhao Fei picked up the catch, removed all the barbs on the cloth spirit beast's body, removed the curved corners on the head, and scraped off the internal organs in the body, and disposed of this cloth spirit beast very easily.

After dealing with these, he began to bake according to Qin Xiu's method and combine his own opinions with a hint of nervousness, if it was really successful, then this could be a big breakthrough in the culinary world!

And that night, when the emperor tasted a bite of the delicacies when he was eating, he couldn't help frowning slightly, put down the chopsticks in his hand and asked Chen Gonggong, who was serving beside him: "Isn't this meal made by Chef Zhao tonight?"

"No, Dezi said that Chef Zhao was busy experimenting with new dishes, and tonight's meal was made by Chef Chen. Gonggong Chen said a little helplessly, Chef Zhao is good at everything, that is, as long as it involves food, it is like a completely changed person, especially when developing new dishes, it is even more "six relatives do not recognize", even the emperor is ranked behind him in the cuisine.

"Your Majesty, these meals are not in harmony with the taste, do you need to summon Chef Zhao to prepare a table?" asked Gonggong Chen.

"No, it's not bad to change the taste once in a while!" the emperor said, his eyes looking at one of the bowls of soup, "Don't bother Chef Zhao at this time, I'm also looking forward to the new dish." ”

Gonggong Chen noticed the emperor's eyes, and immediately comprehended that the eunuch under Wu served a bowl of soup and took it on the table in front of the emperor in person.

The emperor frowned, picked up the spoon with satisfaction, took a sip of the soup, blew it twice, and took a sip.

At this time, a eunuch appeared at the door, bowed to the emperor and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Concubine Tong asks to see you." ”

The emperor didn't say anything, and Gonggong Chen, who was on the side, straightened up and asked, "Does the noble concubine have anything to ask to see?"

"Niangniang, I heard that Chef Zhao was researching new dishes tonight, and he didn't cook for dinner, so I personally made dinner and wanted the emperor to try it. The eunuch replied with his head bowed.

"Your Majesty, do you see?" asked Gonggong Chen, who looked sideways at the emperor after hearing this.

The emperor continued to scoop a spoonful of soup, blew it twice, took a sip, then put down the spoon in his hand, wiped his lips with a handkerchief, and said, "Let her in." ”

"Yes. When the eunuch heard this, he bent down and withdrew from the door.

After a while, Concubine Tong, who was wearing a peach-colored palace dress, walked in with lotus steps, her already beautiful face was covered with exquisite makeup, a touch of gold between her eyebrows, and she was wearing a delicate and gorgeous golden hairpin headdress, which made the whole person extravagant, and her smile was moving.

"The concubine has seen the emperor, long live the emperor. Concubine Tong smiled and bowed slightly to the emperor.

"Concubine Ai is polite, come, come to me. The Emperor said with a smile.

Concubine Tong immediately got up and came to the emperor's side, and after the two laughed, the emperor said: "I heard that Concubine Ai made dinner for me personally, Concubine Ai has a heart." ”

Concubine Tong said with a smile: "Your Majesty, the concubine body listened to Deputy Chief Manager Zhao to develop new dishes during the competition, so she dared to cook dinner for the emperor. ”

With a wave of her hand, she asked the palace maid below to bring her dishes to the table.

"Haha, I can't live up to Concubine Ai's intentions, Concubine Ai's hand is injured?" The emperor put his arm around Concubine Tong's waist and said, although he smiled, his eyes were very calm, and he couldn't see joy or anger, and when he saw the scars on his fingers when she waved his hand, he grabbed her hand.

"It's all to blame for the clumsiness, the cutting of the material is not hearty, and the emperor will have to taste the hard work of these concubines. Concubine Tong didn't complain, nor did she dwell too much on her wounds, but said with a coquettish meaning,

"Then I'm going to have to taste it. The Emperor said.

When the two were talking, the palace maid and eunuch at the bottom had already brought the three dishes she brought to the table, and the three dishes were not very good-looking, but they were not to the point of being miserable, but they were immediately compared with the other dishes on the table.

Concubine Tong couldn't help blushing a little and said, "Why don't you forget it, wait for the next time the concubine is a little better to look like the emperor and show her ugliness......"

I wanted to let people remove the three dishes I made, but the emperor stopped me and said: "What's the panic, it turned out to be the concubine's intention, I have to taste it no matter what." ”

Then he motioned to Gonggong Chen on the side to serve the dishes.

After checking that there was nothing wrong with these dishes, Gonggong Chen began to serve the emperor with dishes.

At this time, Concubine Tong was not stopping, and looked at the emperor with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

The emperor ate the shredded potatoes on the plate into his mouth and chewed them carefully, his face remained silent, so that people could not see through the true thoughts in his heart.

"Your Majesty, how is it?" asked Concubine Tong with a hint of nervousness on her face.

"Does Concubine Ai want to listen to the truth?" said the Emperor with a smile.

"Your Majesty, it must be unpalatable. A hint of disappointment flashed in Concubine Tong's eyes, "Forget it, the emperor still doesn't want to eat it, let people withdraw." ”

"What's the hurry, the taste of the material alone is indeed not very delicious, but there is a piece of the concubine's heart for me, and I only think it is better than the delicacies of the mountains and seas!" His Majesty the Emperor stopped her movement and said.

"Really?" Concubine Tong suddenly smiled, and for a while it seemed like a hundred flowers blooming.

"It's not fake?" said the emperor.

The emperor tasted the dishes on the remaining two plates one after another, and the two laughed a few words, and Concubine Tong said casually: "What does the emperor think of the daytime recruitment competition?"

"This is only the first time, I don't dare to make up my mind early, is there a good candidate for the concubine?" the emperor squinted and smiled.

Concubine Tong rolled her eyes and said, "What does the emperor think of the contestant who ranked first in the written test?"

"Aifei, is this the first place you have seen?" the emperor asked.

"This ......," Concubine Tong said embarrassedly, "The concubine was originally optimistic about him, but when he returned to the palace in the afternoon, the concubine's father mentioned a few words to the concubine, and the concubine felt that it was better to report to the emperor." ”

"Oh, concubine, please, I'm listening. The emperor said, recalling that when he returned to the palace, Sun Shangshu did have a few words with her alone.

"Concubine...... Concubine Body, this person is the owner of a well-known black shop in Kyoto. Concubine Tong said with a hint of hesitation on her face, "Because the concubine's younger brother has suffered a loss, the concubine's father sent someone to investigate, but found that whether it was the rub or the boss of the rubbing, there was no trace of the deeds before he appeared in Kyoto, as if he appeared in Kyoto out of thin air." ”

Concubine Tong looked at the emperor who listened carefully and couldn't see any emotion, and continued: "The concubine's father was worried that this person had bad intentions, but because there was no conclusive evidence, he let the concubine tell him. ”

The emperor lowered his eyes, making it impossible to see the look in his eyes, and said, "Concubine Ai told Sun Shangshu that I know, and I will pay attention." ”

Finish. Without waiting for her to do anything, the emperor said: "Concubine Ai hasn't eaten yet, come and eat with me, and after finishing the meal, it's better to rest early." ”

He also smiled ambiguously at Concubine Tong, who was originally thinking of something, and swallowed back the words that she was going to say, and said coquettishly: "The emperor really hates it~"

Palace of the Three Princes

"Smack-" The cups on the table were swept down on the Lin, the third prince Mu Huage looked at the broken cups on the ground with a gloomy face, and the palace maids and eunuchs standing in the palace trembled, and lowered their heads in silence, only a middle-aged man showed helplessness on his face.

"Damn!" Mu Huage scolded angrily, and Qin Xiu, who saw it on the competition stage, only felt angry.

"Your Highness is angry. The middle-aged man saw that Mu Huage seemed to be getting more and more irritable, and immediately said.

Mu Huage glanced at him, there was nothing, he couldn't hold back his irritable mood, threw off his clothes and sat on the chair, and said coldly: "Li joins the army, do you have anything to think?"

The middle-aged man, that is, Li Guangli, joined the army, was the staff of the three princes, and he was also worn in the military, and his strength was in the late third order.

When Li Guang heard Mu Huage's question, he didn't answer immediately, but waved his hand to signal the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall to go down, and those palace maids and eunuchs glanced at Mu Huage and pushed out the door one after another after getting tacit approval.

After only Mu Huage and him were left in the hall, he said, "Your Highness, our people have not received the news that the black shop owner will come to participate in the competition. ”