Chapter 411.1: Trouble Arising
“Does Wan Wan have any suggestions?” Li Hong Yuan nonchalantly asked.
Jing Wan lifted her head to look at him, somewhat puzzled, “What do you need me to suggest? The things made by the imperial kitchen certainly are all superb.”
“Just, this husband heard that Wan Wan is very good at eating antique soup, having lots of variety. What’s wrong, don’t you want to let this husband also have a try?” Li Hong Yuan said with a ‘saddened’ expression.
In her past life, as a member of the great foodie nation, hotpot, this kind of thing, naturally didn’t need to be mentioned. Although it was more concentrated in certain areas, in reality, it existed all over the country. The various ways of eating as well as variety naturally were many and varied. It really wasn’t what the current antique soup can compare with.
Eating hotpot in winter indeed was pretty good. Moreover, in ancient times, there weren’t this and that kind of problems. Occasionally eating was very satisfying. Although Jing Wan hasn’t eaten it before in Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor, she certainly will eventually. “Where did w.a.n.gye here this from?”
“Where does Wan Wan think it was heard from? I thought, some things, Wan Wan should’ve already known.” Li Hong Yuan’s expression was faint, seemingly even more hurt because of his wife’s ‘puzzlement’.
An extremely beautiful man’s forty-five degree bewitching look of grief, that destructive power was definitely formidable. However, for Jing Wan who has adapted rather well, she just wanted to smear her palm on his face. Judging from their time together after getting married, a certain someone had deliberately gone to learn about her preferences and various things prior to marrying. Under the present background, this kind of thing generally was the bride’s ‘job’, especially for women that married high. That’s why, after realizing the things Li Hong Yuan had done, at first, she was still a bit overwhelmed by the favor, but of course, because of his certain actions prior to marrying, Jing Wan wasn’t considered particularly shocked either. Just, right now, bluntly stating it like this, Jing Wan somewhat ‘fell into a rage out of embarra.s.sment’.
Eunuch Mu stood to the side with his head lowered, quietly waiting for w.a.n.gfei’s orders. At the same time, his eyes and ears opened in all directions, observing his own w.a.n.gye and w.a.n.gfei at all times, yet absolutely can’t be too obvious, affecting the two of them. In this way, if they have any orders, he can know first thing. One has to know, as a qualifying lackey, while letting one’s master feel one’s consideration, one also needs to be able to aptly seal one’s senses, not listening to what one shouldn’t listen to, not looking at what one shouldn’t see. This was definitely a skill that required long term training. En, Eunuch Mu right now had already mastered.
Jing Wan had merely moved her hand slightly, and Eunuch Mu immediately just went forward.
Since the living Enma wanted to eat antique soup, Jing Wan this while just borrowed the living Enma’s name and unhesitantly began ordering dishes, including all kinds of meat, vegetable, tofu, mushroom, eggs and so on. Originally, she could also add on seafood, but in the north, seafood was unable to be fresh. There was only dried fish. Additionally, the method for handling certain things all had requirements. For instances, things such as beef, ordinary commoners were unable to eat easily. Privately slaughtering the ox for plowing was even against the law. But, if the imperial family wanted to eat, it really wasn’t anything, and setting the dishes further didn’t need to be mentioned. According to Jing Wan’s meaning, she precisely wanted to have this antique soup that in the eyes of Qi Yuan people, wasn’t all that presentable, turned high-end and grand.
Jing Wan’s request was long, but Eunuch Mu had it all memorized in his head. That’s why, having a good memory was also an essential skill of an outstanding lackey.
Eunuch Mu was just about to leave when Gong mama stopped him. Just, the target of her words was Jing Wan, “w.a.n.gfei, just now, a few of those things mutually clash. Although it isn’t anything serious, it’s still best not to eat together.”
Jing Wan thought for a moment. Things in this aspect, Gong mama actually has been mentioning to her from time to time in the past few years, but it was obvious, she still hasn’t mastered, “How about mama go together with Mu An? Additionally, if there’s anything good, just let the imperial kitchen fix up along with. Anything that’s not good, just no need.”
“Yes.” Gong mama responded.
The things in the palace weren’t good? These words, Jing Wan was only able to say with this level of confidence after marrying into Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor.
Having gotten his job ‘stolen’, Eunuch Mu expressed he was a bit unhappy, but the other party was the most capable mama by w.a.n.gfei’s side. That’s why, he didn’t dare to show the slightest moodiness on the outside, just inwardly deciding, after going back, definitely need to spare some time to learn another skill. Not saying to learn medicine, but at least in terms of food, when handling a job for w.a.n.gfei, absolutely can’t let something like getting ‘mugged’ halfway by someone happen again.
Gong mama glanced at Eunuch Mu. Truthfully speaking, before she went to serve Jing Wan, while still by the living Enma’s side, she naturally also interacted with this Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor chief steward before, and it wasn’t considered few. Gong mama felt, this person sometimes had issues. In that head, aside from thinking about currying favor with his master, there was nothing else.
However, Mu An, this person, was absolutely loyal. The things that he should handle, he absolutely won’t handle carelessly. As such, Gong mama naturally was just too lazy to bother with him.
The general manager of the imperial kitchen, towards Eunuch Mu, was also quite familiar with. When Jin Qinw.a.n.g was still living in the palace, that was practically interacting daily, although these last few years, they for the most part haven’t seen each other. However, the shadow the past left in his heart truly was too strong, afraid all unable to erase in this lifetime. Of course, the true culprit was actually Li Hong Yuan. That’s why, as one can imagine, prior to leaving the palace, Li Hong Yuan was just a full on demon king, avoided even by ghosts.
This while, seeing Eunuch Mu, that general manager of the imperial kitchen’s heart just directly jumped, yet his face displayed a smile, his speech and conduct all very careful and cautious, “Greetings Eunuch Mu, what instructions does eunuch have?” His eyes glanced at the rather solemn and upright looking Gong mama to the side, “This little one’s eyes are dull, this one is?”
“A mama by our w.a.n.gfei’s side. Cut the talk, our w.a.n.gye wants to eat antique soup, quickly go prepare.”
This general manager had bitterness inside with nowhere to relate. Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s notoriousness at present had further ascended a level. Prior to Jin Qinw.a.n.g leaving the palace, the general manger of the imperial kitchen, on normal days, still appeared to have some authority, but in front of those n.o.ble personages, he wasn’t anything at all, and in front of Li Hong Yuan, he was just like a quail. And it wasn’t any better now. Never mind wanting antique soup, even if it’s wanting to eat a bear’s heart or a leopard’s guts, he would still have to think of a way to prepare immediately. That’s why, no matter how miserable, it was still best to move quickly and swiftly.
“No problem. When entering winter, we had already prepared quite a few pots. This little one will immediately call someone to fetch over. Just what kind of sides does Eunuch Mu need?”
“Let’s go to the storeroom, I want to have a look.” Gong mama aptly opened her mouth, and soon after, also requested the soup base.
“Yes, yes, yes, this way please.” While showing the way, he also called up ten some palace maids and eunuchs to follow along, so that it’ll be easier to take the things later.
The imperial kitchen’s storeroom naturally was quite abundant. It can be said to have everything one can think of, organized into categories, regardless whether it was dry goods or fresh ingredients, regardless whether it was meat or vegetables, and regardless whether it was half-finished goods or finished goods. However, in the end, it was winter, so fresh vegetables certainly won’t be much in quant.i.ty.
At this time, it just thoroughly became Gong mama’s home field, selecting as she walked along. How much was needed, and how to handle, she all briefly explained clearly, even personally examining the ingredients from time to time, either satisfied or unsatisfied.
Eunuch Mu just completely became a decoration, just like a little follower, ‘pitifully’ following by the side. However, he also wasn’t completely ‘taking troubles to heart’. One has to know, right now was the best opportunity to secretly learn.
The time for the evening banquet was sufficiently long, but Gong mama didn’t want to let w.a.n.gye and w.a.n.gfei wait too long. As such, her movements were also very quick. Because her eyes were sharp enough, there didn’t exist situations where she would select something bad. This one stroll through, for the most part, just took care of everything. And the things ordered in front, the simple and easy to handle ones were already prepared.
Gong mama carefully washed her hands, inspecting over once more. The ones that weren’t up to standard all got turned back to remake with new ingredients.
As such, regardless whether it was the general manager, or the stewards below, all didn’t dare to call the palace maids and eunuchs to go handle, all personally taking to the task themselves.
Once everything was ready, and Gong mama was completely satisfied, about half an hour had past. This was already considered very quick, but Gong mama still wasn’t pleased, to the extent that the people of the imperial kitchen all were somewhat stiff, fearing that they would offend her.
In reality, imperial chefs were the same as imperial physicians, all a high risk occupation.
However, Gong mama’s character, although a little strict, she still wasn’t someone that would deliberately nitpick to prove one’s sense of superiority. “Alright, send to Qian Chen Hall then.”