The imperial palace in the early Tang Dynasty was called Daxing Palace, the south gate was Chengtian Gate, and the north gate was the famous Xuanwu Gate. On the front of Chengtianmen is the Taiji Hall, which is the place where the court and the ceremony are held, and behind it is the Liangyi Hall, which is the place where the emperor rests and receives ministers. On the left is the Yeting Palace, where the palace maids and eunuchs lived and where the royal criminals were held. On the right is the Prince's East Palace.

Behind is a side street (Yongxiang), behind is the harem, Yongxiang south is the emperor's living area, that is, "the emperor's bed", Yongxiang north is the queen's concubine's living area, that is, "Houbed".

Harem, Guangcui Palace.

The sky is clear and the sun is shining. However, Concubine Yin's mood was a little bleak.

In the past few days, there has been a lot of rumors in Chang'an City, saying that his son Li You has an illness and will be stupid when he gets better. She was worried, so she asked Li Shimin to let Li You enter the palace, and Li Shimin agreed to her request. At the moment, she was waiting for Li You's arrival.

"See the concubine." Li You said with a grin.

"Huh?" Concubine Yin was startled. Li You was stubborn in the past, and it was rare to see him like this, could it be that something was really wrong? She asked, "You'er, didn't you say you were sick two days ago, why didn't you send someone to say it, the concubine is going to see you?" ”

Li You said with a smile: "Mother, the child is not sick, but he occasionally feels cold at night, and he will be fine in the morning." How can such a small thing work your master? ”

Concubine Yin was still a little worried, she said: "How did I hear that you have done stupid things in the past few days, and it has been spread all over Chang'an, no, it has all spread to the palace?" ”

Li You said disdainfully: "Mother, you are so smart, how can your son be stupid?" Don't worry, the child has nothing to do. ”

"Oh, that's good. What's going on with all those things on the streets? Concubine Yin said.

"Mother, don't mention this, the child is here to honor you today." As he spoke, he shouted outside, "Come in." ”

Zhou Qian came in with a few eunuchs and a lot of food boxes in his hands. The restriction in the palace is that except for the emperor, other adult men are not allowed to enter without the emperor's permission, except for eunuchs, and only need to inform the palace province to enter the palace. Everyone came in and saluted the concubine together.

Concubine Yin asked, "You'er, ...... are you?"

Li You said, "Come on, bring it up." ”

Zhou Qian commanded the two eunuchs to open the food box and bring a few snacks. There are palace queen cakes, pine nut lily cakes, jujube paste shortbreads, honey honeycomb cakes, smooth sesame cakes, etc. Zhou Qian came over and introduced Concubine Yin.

Concubine Yin didn't know what Li You was going to do, she was in the palace, what kind of pastry hadn't been eaten? However, when she saw Li You's expectant eyes, she picked up the palace queen mother's cake and tasted it.

"Oh?" Her eyes lit up.

This palace queen mother cake is a favorite food of the Empress Dowager Bo, the mother of Emperor Wen of Han in the Han Dynasty, and it is also available in the palace of the Tang Dynasty. However, the taste of the one that Concubine Yin is eating now is not the same. The aroma is lighter, but it is softer and more delicious.

The raw materials of this dim sum have basically not changed, but the method of making the court dim sum of the Empress Dowager Cixi is adopted. The Empress Dowager Cixi loved this dim sum very much, and ordered people to develop it for nine years before it was finally finalized.

Other dim sums, because of the different fermentation methods, also have a much better taste than the current palace dim sum.

Concubine Yin Niangniang tasted a little bit of each dish and praised: "It's really delicious." ”

Li You smiled: "It's just a trivial matter. Take the lunch delivered by the palace today and feed it to the dogs, and you can taste the lunch brought by the children. ”

After speaking, he said to Qiao Yun, the personal maid of Concubine Yin: "You take them to the small kitchen." ”

There is a royal dining room in the palace, but there is also a small kitchen in the palace of all the mothers, and when the emperor comes, they also have to prepare it in person, so as to adjust the atmosphere and win the emperor's favor.

Qiaoyun took them with him.

Concubine Yin was very happy, Li Youke had never done this before, except for causing trouble for himself, he hadn't even said a warm word. She said with emotion: "You'er, my mother is so happy today, you have grown up and become sensible." ”

Li You said seriously: "Mother, the child has finally figured it out in the past few days. In the past, children would just cause trouble for you, which was really unfilial. From today onwards, children should cherish your love for children and be filial to you. ”

Concubine Yin was very moved and cried, thinking about her heart for Li You over the years, the more she cried, the more she cried.

At this time, Li You remembered the benefits of Concubine Yin to himself, and thought of his parents in the future who would never see each other again, and couldn't help crying.

When Concubine Yin saw that her son was so sincere, her heart was even more moved. So, the two of them cried vigorously.

Qiaoyun led Zhou Qian and the others to the kitchen, returned to the outside of Concubine Yin's bedroom, and was startled when she heard the crying inside. She hurriedly came in, and saw the two of them crying happily, and stepped forward and asked, "Niangniang, Your Highness, what's wrong with you?" ”

Concubine Yin wiped her tears and said with a smile: "It's okay, this palace is happy." You'er, he's sensible. ”

What kind of virtue Li You used to be, Qiaoyun knew. Hearing what Niangniang said, she was also happy. She looked at Li You, and she also felt that he was much more pleasing to the eye today. At the very least, the attitude of talking to myself is much better than before.

The food brought by Zhou Qian and them was all processed, just heat it up again in the kitchen here, and soon, these dishes were served.

There are not many dishes they brought, only braised pork, egg custard, roasted deer tendon from Prince Yong's mansion, and braised shark fin.

At this time, it was almost noon, and Concubine Yin cried again, and it took a lot of effort, and she was really hungry. As soon as these dishes were served, she immediately smelled an unusual aroma.

Concubine Yin was first interested in egg custard, and after tasting it, she said: "How is this egg custard made, it is so delicate and smooth?" ”

Li You briefly introduced the method.

Then, Concubine Yin tasted the roasted deer tendon and yellow braised shark fin in Prince Yong's mansion, and was full of praise.

When she saw the braised pork, she was a little worried and asked, "What kind of meat is this?" ”

Li You said: "It's pork." ”

Concubine Yin Niangniang frowned and said, "I don't like this pork a little. ”

Li You smiled and said: "Mother, you can taste it, if it is not delicious, the child will not make this dish in the future." ”

Concubine Yin saw that her son was so attentive, and reluctantly took a bite.

"Huh? …… Well. ”

Concubine Yin's eyes widened, just like those who ate braised pork for the first time.

"Delicious, delicious." Concubine Yin praised while eating.

The braised pork has thin skin and tender meat, red and bright color, mellow and thick juice, crispy and not broken, fragrant and glutinous but not greasy. I can't help but praise her.

Qiaoyun, who was standing aside and waiting, smelled the aroma of these dishes, and saw that Concubine Yin was eating so happily, and couldn't help but move her index fingers.

Concubine Yin said: "Come, Qiaoyun, you also come to taste You'er's craftsmanship." ”

Qiaoyun picked up the chopsticks and tasted them, and was immediately shocked by the deliciousness of these dishes. She said sincerely: "Your Highness, you are really a good craft, the slave has never eaten such a good dish." ”

Concubine Yin asked, "You'er, where did you learn these cooking skills?" ”

Li You smiled and said: "Mother, a few days ago, the child dreamed at night, and a fairy taught it to the child. ”

Concubine Yin said with a smile: "You will talk nonsense, where will there be a dream of immortals." ”

Li You said: "Mother, from today onwards, the child will send someone to deliver you dishes one day, and the child promises that not only the taste of each dish is exquisite, but the pattern will not be repeated for a year." ”

Concubine Yin Niangniang is already convinced of his taste in cooking, but she doesn't believe what he said about not repeating every day, where can there be so many dishes? She said: "There are some dishes that I like to eat, and the duplicate is also very good." ”

Concubine Yin thought for a while and said, "You'er, since you have such cooking skills, in a few days, make something more exquisite, I'll invite your father and let him taste it." ”

Li You was reluctant to do this, he didn't want to see Li Shimin pulling the donkey's face. However, if his mother wants to please Li Shimin, he is still willing to help. So, he agreed.