The cook, Master Fu, looked at Yi Dan's appearance and asked curiously, "Didn't you send fruits?

Yi Dan said: "Lord Zhao is also a person I respect very much, just let me try, I can do it." ”

Master Fu carefully looked at Yi Dan's appearance again and said, "She looks quite beautiful, can you serve people with tea and water?"

Yi Dan rolled his eyes and said, "Of course I will, I used to serve people with tea and water every day." ”

Master Fu said: "Oh yes, then you can try it, but don't go wrong." ”

"Don't worry, Master Fu, isn't it just a meal, and it's not a difficult thing. Yi Dan said.

"This is the Prime Minister's Mansion, it's not like an ordinary rich family, there are more rules here, you just have to deliver food, if you shouldn't talk about it, don't talk too much. Na Fu explained.

"Well, I see. ”

"Okay, arrange your hair well, serve your meal, prepare an extra pair of chopsticks (ancient chopsticks, that is, today's chopsticks), and come with me. ”

At this time, the soup in the clay pot on the stove had overflowed, and Master Fu hurriedly stepped forward, lifted the lid of the pot and said, "Tell you not to burn the fire too much, this soup has been pounced, are you a stupid pig?"

That guy just bowed his head and apologized again and again.

Master Fu took out an empty bowl and began to scoop the red bean and lotus seed soup.

At this time, Ouyang Yucheng asked Yi Dan in a low voice: "Why did you agree to help him deliver food? Let's investigate the case." ”

Yi Dan replied in a low voice: "I know how to do it, maybe I can meet Prime Minister Zhao in this way." Leave me alone, I'll be improvised, don't worry. If you can't find anything, go back and wait for my news. ”

Youming asked, "Senior sister, are you okay alone?" I feel so dangerous. ”

"Don't worry, this is not a tiger's den, I'll deal with it. You go back and wait for my news, remember to bring back all the things in the inn" Master Fu put the food in the tray and handed it to Yi Dan and said: "Come with me" Yi Dan took the tray and said to Ouyang Yucheng and Yuan Youming: "Oh, I'll stay here to help first, you go back first, don't wait for me" Ouyang Yucheng also said smartly: "Okay, Prime Minister Zhao is a person that everyone admires in our Southern Han Dynasty, you have to be careful not to go wrong" Yi Dan: "Okay, you can rest assured"

Yi Dan took the food, followed the footsteps of the chef Fu, and came to the door of the middle courtyard. I saw a man with a haggard face, in his fifties. But the gray-haired old man, sitting at a desk, is reading the folds in his hand, and the table is surrounded by various books, this person is the prime minister of the Southern Han Dynasty, Zhao Guangyi.

I saw that the old man's face was yellow, his eyes were black, his face was sallow, and he looked tired, and he was seriously pre-approving the excerpts sent by various departments.

"Knock knock" Nafu stood at the door. Nodding his head, he said, "Xiangye, it's time for lunch." ”

Zhao Guangyi raised his head, squinted his eyes, and said after carefully looking at the Lord Fu at the door, "Oh." It's dinner time again? Why is it noon so soon?"

"Yes, Xiangye, you have a lot of opportunities, of course you feel that you don't have enough time, but it's time to eat. You still have to use it on time, and your body comes first. Master Fu said flatteringly.

"Hey, look. I've just returned home from the court, and I haven't approved a few folds yet, and I'm going to eat again. Zhao Guangyi said with emotion.

"Please eat on time first, and after finishing the meal, it's not too late to approve these files. Master Fu said.

Zhao Guangyi looked at Master Fu and said, "Hey, okay then, you bring the food first." ”

At this time, Master Fu turned his head and gave Yi Dan a look. Yi Dan brought the food into the room, stood beside Zhao Guangyi, moved the fold on the table a little to make a little space, and then carefully took the food out of the stone pot that was kept warm by charcoal fire and put it on the table.

At this time, a Uighur soldier next to him, holding a silver needle in his hand, stepped forward and tried it in a bowl, and then used another small bowl, sandwiched some of the dishes into each dish and tasted it, and said, "Lord Zhao, it's all right, please use it slowly." ”

Zhao Guangyi looked up at the Uighur soldier and said, "I'm really sorry for you. ”

"Adults don't have to be polite, we are here to protect adults, these are what we should do. The Uighur soldier said.

At this time, Yi Dan reacted, why did he prepare an extra pair of bowls just now, it turned out that it was to prevent someone from poisoning the food, so someone had to try it in advance.

Zhao Guangyi began to eat with vegetables, except for the fried salted fish, he sandwiched some other side dishes in a bowl, stirred them with a chopstick, and ate them in a big gulp. While he was eating, he kept reading the folds on the table.

Just like that, he ate and watched, and it was very fragrant, and it seemed that this meal was very suitable for his appetite, and he was fascinated by the excerpts, and after a while, the food in the bowl was also eaten. At this time, Yi Dan saw that the bibimbap in Zhao Guangyi's bowl was exhausted, so he quickly stretched out his hand, took the bowl in Zhao Guangyi's hand, and gave him some rice.

At this time, Master Fu stepped forward and said flatteringly: "How about Xiangye, is the food still appetizing?"

"Well, yes, the taste of the food in Shuzhong is exceptionally good, and Master Fu's craftsmanship is also very good. Zhao Guangyi praised.

Lord Fu pretended to be humble and said: "Where, where, the rice of Qiongya Island is good, so Xiangye can eat it well." ”

Zhao Guangyi said with a smile: "Lord Fu is modest, the rice on Qiongya Island is very good, but Lord Fu's craftsmanship is better." Master Fu's craftsmanship is really worthy of being the apprentice of the first chef in Shu. ”

"Thank you Xiangye for the compliment, if Xiangye likes it, then eat more. Nafu said.

Zhao Guangyi looked at Yi Dan serving food for himself, and hurriedly said: "Okay, half a bowl is enough, don't waste it, it's a pity to throw it away if you can't finish eating, there are still many homeless people outside who can't eat." ”

Yi Dan thought to himself, it is rare for such a rich and powerful person to be so frugal and peaceful. Yi Dan deliberately looked at the old man with gray temples in front of him from the side, he looked so kind and benevolent. Maybe a clean official with the people in his heart should be like this. Yi Dan was impressed by the Zhao Guangyi in front of him from the bottom of his heart.

Yi Dan listened to Zhao Guangyi's words and only served him half a bowl of rice.

"Come, Xiangye, I listened to you, only half a bowl was served. Yi Dan handed the rice to Zhao Guangyi.

Zhao Guangyi took the rice bowl, looked at Yi Dan and asked, "You're new here, right?" I haven't seen you before. ”

"If you go back to Xiangye, you are indeed new here. Yi Dan said.

"Hmm. What's your name?" Zhao Guangyi asked as he ate.

"Hui Xiangye, my name is Yi Dan, easy Yi, Dan with a heart. Yi Dan replied.

"Yi Dan, well, good name. Zhao Guangyi praised.

"Thank you, Xiangye, for the compliment," Yi Dan said.

"You girl, the elf is obedient, I think it's okay. Zhao Guangyi said.

After that, Zhao Guangyi sandwiched a few more baskets of food. Especially the lamb liver, which should be his favorite, was almost completely sandwiched. He still mixed the vegetables into the rice as before, stirred it a few times, and began to eat it in large gulps, chewing as he said, "Those maids before, I said that they only served half a bowl, and they always insisted on filling me with a full bowl. Every time I can't finish it, it's wasted. Isn't that a waste of food? But you know how many people in this world can't eat. Only you are the most obedient and did not let me waste. It's kind of accumulating virtue for me. Zhao Guangyi generally praised while eating.

Yi Dan listened to this. hurriedly said what he thought in his heart: "Xiangye, you have the people in your heart, which is the blessing of all the people of the Southern Han Kingdom, but you should also pay attention to rest." Don't overexert yourself and exhaust your body. ”

"Oh, I'm ashamed. The north has been in turmoil for many years, and the hungry people are everywhere. These displaced people have all poured into Lingnan, and if I don't try to help them, I'm afraid they won't have any other way to live. This is a responsibility on my shoulders, and I cannot afford to slack off. Zhao Guangyi said.

"Although the hungry people have come to Lingnan, I believe that many talents must have also come to Lingnan. If there is a great chaos today, the Southern Han Dynasty, which is in a corner of peace, can take on the responsibility of the world and appease the displaced people from all over the world, it is the credit of Xiangye to assist the emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty, persuade the peasants, and govern the country and the country. In the hearts of the people, you are the great hero of the Southern Han Dynasty. Yi Dan couldn't help but praise.

Zhao Guangyi chewed the food, looked at the fold, and after hearing Yi Dan's words, he laughed and said, "What kind of hero am I? Speaking of this, Zhao Guangyi changed his words and said solemnly: "Hey, in fact, the old man was originally from Luoyang, if there is a big chaos today, the heroes are divided, the Central Plains is even more war-torn, and the soldiers are constantly fighting, and the old man's wife and children are still in Luoyang. The blessings and misfortunes of my hometown are also very concerned to me. You said that the northern refugees came to vote, can I stand by and watch?"

Yi Dan said with a little surprise: "What a coincidence, the little woman is also from Songshan, Luozhou." ”

When Zhao Guangyi heard Yi Dan say this, he hurriedly looked up at her and asked, "Oh, is it? No wonder listening to you has the taste of hometown." The Central Plains is in turmoil, are your parents and relatives okay?"

When it comes to his parents and relatives, Yi Dan naturally thinks of his parents and clansmen who died tragically, so he said with true feelings: "Back to Xiangye's words, the little girl's parents died when she was a child, and she was adopted and raised by well-wishers. ”

Yi Dan thought to himself that he couldn't tell the truth about his life experience, otherwise it would affect him Qiao Zhuang to change his face to investigate the case, so he made up some white lies and said: "The Central Plains is in turmoil, the people are not able to make a living, and the little girl is forced to wander in a foreign land, lonely and helpless. Now he works as a handyman at a nearby fruit shop. ”

Zhao Guangyi comforted: "It seems that you are also a poor person, since you are also from Luoyang, if you don't dislike it, just stay in the house and be a maid, right?"

Yi Dan was worried that he had no chance to stay in the Prime Minister's Mansion to investigate the case, but he encountered such a good opportunity in front of him, and of course he was very happy and said: "That's good, thank you for taking in Xiangye! The little girl will be a cow and a horse in the future to repay Xiangye's great kindness." ”

Zhao Guangyi laughed and said: "You don't need to be a cow or a horse, as long as you do your part seriously." And in the future, add food, just like today. ”

"Yes, the little girl obeys. Yi Dan said with a smile.

"Well, that's fine, hearing you speak, just to solve my thoughts about my relatives back home. Hey, the beacon fire has been burning for three months, and the family letter is worth 10,000 dollars. Now I have a deep understanding of the original mood of the Du Gong Department. ”

Seeing Zhao Guangyi missing his relatives and hometown so much, Yi Dan couldn't help but evoke the feeling of missing his master and mother in the distant Lingxi Valley.

"Xiangye, you don't have to worry too much, if you really miss them, you can take them all over. Yi Dan suggested.

"Hey, the war has dispersed, and now I don't know where they are, how can they be so easy to pick up? Zhao Guangyi put down the bowl and said, "I'm full." Please help me take it. ”

"Okay, Xiangye. Yi Dan put away the dishes.

At this time, Lord Fu glanced at Yi Dan and asked Yi Dan to hand the red bean soup to Zhao Guangyi. At this point, the soup is no longer hot.

"Xiangye, please drink this bowl of red bean and lotus seed soup again, it's not hot anymore. Yi Dan handed over the soup can and spoon.

Zhao Guangyi took the red bean and lotus seed soup handed by Yi Dan, and even the spoon was useless, so he drank it in one go.

"Well, yes, you're very attentive and clever. However, you are not allowed to call me Xiangye in the future. Zhao Guangyi said to Yi Dan.

Yi Dan asked puzzledly, "Then what do I call you?"

"Hmm. If you are so happy, just like ordinary maids, call me master. This makes me feel a little more comfortable. Don't learn from that Fu Lin, he is the emperor's catering official who specializes in Shuzhong and invited for me, in addition to cooking good dishes, he also loves to pat on the back. Zhao Guangyi said half-jokingly.

At this time, Fu Lin on the side also smiled awkwardly: "Xiangye, I respect you from the bottom of my heart." ”

"Okay, you are a person sent by the emperor. I don't want to ask you for anything. As long as the dish is well done, it doesn't matter how you call it. With that, Zhao Guangyi turned his head to look at Yi Dan and continued: "But you can't call it that. ”

"Hmm. Yes, good sir. Yi Dan replied smartly.

Zhao Guangyi held the dossier in both hands, laughed and laughed. Laughing, he started coughing.

"Ahem, ahem. Ahem..."

"Master, what's wrong with you?" asked Yi Dan.

Zhao Guangyi coughed a few times and said, "Hey, it's okay, I've been coughing with chest tightness recently." It seems to be old, and this body is not as good as it was back then. ”

Fu Lin hurriedly said: "Xiangye, you are working hard for the country, pay more attention to rest, don't look at the file for so long." ”

"Where can you do it without looking? So many files every day. If I don't take a look at the initial approval first, wouldn't the emperor be tired? As a courtier, eat the king's fortune and share the king's worries. Zhao Guangyi said.

"What Xiang Ye said is, Xiang Ye, you have worked hard!" Fu Lin finished patting his ass, and in order to show his concern, he specially brought a bowl of loquat paste forward and said: "Xiang Ye, this is the loquat paste made by Xia Guan himself for you, cough and phlegm, you drink it quickly." ”

Zhao Guangyi coughed and smiled and said, "Master Fu, you are not only a good fart, but also very careful." With that, he took the bowl of loquat paste and drank it slowly.

Yi Dan took the empty bowl and said with concern: "Master, you should also pay more attention to rest, the dossier is available every day, and you can't finish reading it." ”

Zhao Guangyi smiled and said, "Well, it's okay, I'm measured." Oh, by the way, Lord Fu, when you go out, help me tell Steward Zhang, and ask him to call me the one named Zhang Shilun now. ”

Fu Lin said respectfully: "Okay, Xia Guan understands. ”

Zhao Guangyi nodded and said, "Okay, you all go back to get busy first, I'm going to discuss business." ”

After that, Yi Dan and Na Fu Lin retired.

Yi Dan packed up the dishes and left the room with Fu Lin. I met a man in his fifties in the hallway and walked towards him. This person is Zhang Tao, the housekeeper of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

"Steward Zhang, you're here. Fu Lin hurriedly stepped forward to say hello.

"Yo, it's Lord Fu, you can work hard, work hard for the master, you are the first hero of the Prime Minister's Mansion. The housekeeper said again and again.

"Steward Zhang is serious, he is under the order of the Emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty to take care of Xiangye's meal, which is an honor in the next. Fu Lin said.

"If you want to talk about the dishes in your Shu, it is very different, fragrant and delicious, and has an endless aftertaste. Our lord used to have a bad appetite and couldn't eat a small bowl of rice all day, but now Lord Fu is here, and he has cooked a good Shu dish. Now he has to eat two bowls of rice every meal, and this is your credit. Steward Zhang said.

"Where is it, this is not the credit of the next, it is the face of the master, and it is the honor of the next. Fu Lin said.

"Haha, haha Master Fu, don't be modest, your master is the first chef in Shuzhong. The so-called famous teacher produces a high apprentice, and your craftsmanship is also recognized by us as good. The butler said.

Fu Lin laughed, and Yi Dan on the side also lowered his head and smiled slightly.

At this time, the housekeeper looked at Yi Dan and asked, "May I ask who this is?"

"Oh, her name is Yi Dan, she is a fellow villager of Xiangye, and Xiangye just accepted her as a maid in the house. After that, Fu Lin turned his head to Yi Dan and said, "This is Steward Zhang in our house, he will be responsible for taking care of everything for you in the future, you have to listen to him, understand?"

Yi Dan nodded and said, "I understand, the little woman has seen Steward Zhang." ”

Steward Zhang looked at Yi Dan and said, "Yo, yes, what a handsome girl." Since you and the master are fellow villagers, then you will be responsible for the master's diet and daily life in the future. ”

"Thank you, Steward Zhang. Yi Dan said.

"You're welcome, just do things honestly in the future. In short, in this prime minister's house, you must be diligent, obedient, and don't talk too much, and you will benefit from it. Steward Zhang said.

"Well, I remember. Yi Dan said.

"Don't be you, my one, in the future, in front of the master, you will call yourself a slave. Steward Zhang said.

Yi Dan thought to himself, anyway, he is here to investigate the case, and he is not really a slave, as the saying goes: a big husband can bend and stretch. That little woman can't be inferior. Slave and maid are slaves, in short, it is important to investigate the case, so he responded with a smile: "Yes, slaves and maids obey orders." ”

"Okay, you can live in the leftmost room on the west side of the backyard in the future, and when it's empty, go clean up yourself, or you'll have to sleep on the street tonight." Steward Zhang said.

"Yes, yes. ”

At this time, Steward Zhang asked Fu Lin, "Oh yes, is the master still in the room now?"

"I was just about to tell Steward Zhang about you, Xiangye asked you to call the person named Zhang Shilun over now, it seems that there is something to discuss, he is still waiting in the house, you can go quickly." ”

Steward Zhang thought for a while and said, "Well, okay, I know, thank you Lord Fu for passing the word." With that, the two of them went their separate ways. (To be continued.) )