First Concubine

Chapter 41 The Trap in the Deep Palace (5)

Since Concubine Yu became pregnant, the emperor authorized Guan Judian to open a small kitchen. What ingredients are needed every day can be obtained from the imperial dining room one day in advance. However, these dishes do not come from the small kitchen, but from the imperial dining room according to the instructions of the second-grade concubine. Meals delivered in the following portions: duck in five-spice sauce, tenderloin in salted water, diced chicken with multiflorum root, sweet-scented osmanthus fish strips, abalone with natural aroma, beef tenderloin with celery, braised straw mushrooms, pearl tofu, enoki mushrooms, cucumbers with honey sauce, and stir-fried cabbage , five-spice cooked mustard, a total of six meat and six vegetables, plus one each of corn licking soup and Longjing bamboo fungus. For a concubine who usually only eats three kinds of meat and one vegetable, and the amount of meat is not very large, this meal is simply a delicacy.

Shui Linglong saw that even though Shui Lingyue was sitting upright, there was a flash of desire in her eyes, while Shui Lingqing had a greedy look on her face without hiding it, and her saliva was flowing down the corners of her mouth.

The maids found it funny, but they didn't dare to laugh, so they just lowered their heads and endured it.

 Mother Tan and Xiao Dezi laid out chopsticks for Concubine Yu and Shui Linglong, and two pretty palace maids set the tableware for Shui Lingyue and Shui Lingqing.

Miss Xin handed over the wet handkerchief, and Concubine Yu cleaned her hands and said with a smile: "I'm not familiar with your tastes yet, so I went to the imperial dining room for the first meal. Later, you will tell Aunt Tan about your preferences. Aunt Tan." I’ll tell the kitchen to cook it tomorrow.”

Everyone also used the handkerchief handed over by the palace maid to clean their hands, stood up and said thank you, and before they started eating, they had already performed two rounds of salutes. The rules in the palace were astonishing.

When eating in the palace, the nuns usually give you what to eat. Even the princes and princesses are the same. The nuns who serve the meals are all professionally trained. They have a standard of what to eat and how much to eat. When grandma put down her chopsticks, she was telling the masters that it was time to clear the table, even if she didn't actually mean it. Even though Concubine Jade is pregnant, and even though the emperor has a small kitchen, it is a fantasy to really want to eat as he pleases. Concubine Jade wanted to eat crabs, but Grandma Tan said that crabs are cold in nature and are not suitable for pregnant women. Concubine Yu wanted to eat spicy chicken, but Grandma Tan said that chili peppers are not suitable for the fetus. Gradually, the function of the small kitchen was only to prepare meals at any time when hungry, but the content was decided by Aunt Tan. This was a rule and a way for the Queen of the Middle Palace to demonstrate her authority.

Of course, the daughters of the Shui family do not need to abide by such rules. They just take a look at what kind of food they want to eat, and the palace maid will immediately serve it to them, without any taboos. Just one moment, Concubine Yu stopped her chopsticks, and they could no longer eat.

In order to let her nieces eat more, Concubine Yu ate much slower than usual. She probably had a bad appetite and although she chewed slowly, she didn't actually eat much.

Shui Lingqing gradually became a little uncomfortable. If she hadn't been beaten by Jin Shanggong and had a long memory, she almost stood up and picked up the delicious dishes several times when she saw them.

Shui Lingyue quite enjoyed this noble and luxurious life. It was very novel and exciting. She even felt that her taste and life trajectory had instantly improved to a level different from ordinary people.

Shui Linglong ate in silence. In her previous life, she was dissatisfied with the rules in the palace and started to reform. The six bureaus jointly rebelled. In a rage, she killed three palace ministers and fifteen female officials, and used thunder to suppress those who stubbornly resisted. However, the negative impact that followed was that after she was thrown into the cold palace, the palace people who had been oppressed by her launched a series of revenge on her, so much so that Shui Lingxi easily bribed the palace. Man, set fire to Qing'er.

After the meal, a palace maid brought mint water for the masters to rinse their mouths. Concubine Yu took everyone to Yilanxuan to sit down. At this time, the lanterns were bright, the trees were shadowy, and it was slightly chilly outside. Xiao Dezi said with a smile: "I thought that the Fourth Miss and the Fifth Miss were still at a fun age, so I set up a swing in the front yard in the afternoon. Are the young lady and fifth lady interested in playing? "

Shui Lingqing’s eyes shone with excitement: “I like to play on the swing.”

Shui Lingyue pursed her lips. She was a blind girl. Concubine Yu simply wanted to separate the two of them. One was fourteen and the other thirteen. How could they still be at a fun age? Not to mention it’s freezing outside!

After entering the house, Concubine Yu first went to the ear room to have morning sickness. Then she came back and saw Shui Lingqing's overjoyed expression. Her face brightened a little, and then she looked at Shui Lingyue and said softly: "It's rare that Lingqing likes it. Lingyue likes it." ,And you?"

 Can she say she doesn’t like it? She is not a brainless girl like Shui Lingqing who doesn't understand words and emotions! Shui Lingyue raised an innocent smile: "I like it too, Eunuch De is so considerate."

Concubine Yu looked at Xiao Dezi with a smile: "I have pleased the ladies, I will mark you as a meritorious service. Come back and receive the reward from Miss Xin!"

Xiao Dezi seemed to be very flattered: "Thank you for the reward!"

"Let the maids and eunuchs follow you carefully. Don't throw the ladies, otherwise I won't be able to spare you!" After the reward, he did not forget to put a tight spell on his niece.

Xiao Dezi agreed solemnly and took Shui Lingyue and Shui Lingqing to play on the swings in the front yard. Shui Linglong accompanied Concubine Yu for a walk back and forth in the yard full of lilies of the valley, without letting the palace people follow: "Yes. The eldest lady can just accompany me, and you can go your own way."

Having said this, there were still four maids standing in the hall.

Concubine Yu was used to it, her beautiful eyes turned away from the entanglement, and she pulled Shui Linglong away.

Shui Linglong sighed secretly, no matter how favored she was, she could only get the concubine position. Aren't she still being constrained by the queen at every turn? Now she seemed to be able to understand why Shui Lingxi, who was so pampered and pampered, tried so hard to become the queen.

Concubine Yu touched her belly and sighed. Shui Linglong's eyes flashed slightly and said, "My queen didn't eat much just now, but the food is not appetizing?"

Concubine Yu's eyes showed a hint of approval inadvertently, and she picked a leaf from a peach tree, causing the branches and leaves to tremble, causing some of the flower bones to fall off. Concubine Yu bent down to pick it up, but Shui Linglong took her place and said, "I'll do it."

Shui Linglong picked up a flower bone flower and handed it to Concubine Yu. Concubine Yu frowned slightly and said, "It's not unpalatable. It's just that my mouth has become a bit picky after pregnancy, and what I want to eat is often not what I see."

Shui Linglong followed Concubine Yu’s words and asked, “What does the empress want to eat?”

Concubine Yu touched the flower bones and said thoughtfully: "Recently, I really want to eat the cumin beef and mutton made by my sister-in-law, but the ones made in the imperial dining room and the small kitchen don't have that kind of taste. I'll cook it myself. , and I can’t smell the fumes!”

Shui Linglong didn't want to be too pretentious when it came to talking about this. She smiled slightly and said: "If you really want to eat it, I will make one later. My craftsmanship is not as good as my mother's, but I have learned from it." Three or four points.”

Concubine Yu was stunned for a moment: "How can I be so embarrassed to let you go to the kitchen?" There was a clear light of longing in her eyes.

Shui Linglong saw this and felt that half of the goodwill she had built up for this aunt in the afternoon had disappeared in an instant, but she still smiled softly: "I will go and make it for you."

Concubine Yu suddenly took Shui Linglong's hand, lowered her eyes slightly, blinked, and said: "Let's take a walk for a while, I'm not hungry yet. Grandma Tan usually doesn't allow me to eat, saying that these things are irritating and harmful to the fetus. No. In fact, what's wrong with eating it once or twice? I don't want to pressure her because of her status. After all, she served the emperor in the early years. The emperor can assign her to me because he trusts her ability. Not a great favor to me."

Mama Tan has no bad intentions towards Concubine Jade, Shui Linglong can see this, but there is no doubt that the one she obeys is the emperor. There was something strange in Shui Linglong's heart. She always felt that Concubine Yu was deliberately getting closer to her, for example, she told her all the complicated things like Aunt Tan. If the relationship between Concubine Yu and Dong Jiaxue is so good that they cherish each other, why has she never heard a word from Dong Jiaxue about Concubine Yu?

 At night, the crescent moon hangs high and the night breeze is slightly cool.

The third princess threw herself into Guo Yan's arms with surprise on her face, her branches trembling with laughter: "Guo Yan, you finally came to see me!"

Guo Yan raised his hands high, neither hugging him nor hugging him, he just froze in mid-air. He didn't hate the third princess, nor did he like him, but the emperor inexplicably arranged for them to get married, so he He had a constant connection with her. The last time he was drunk, he woke up and found her lying in his arms, and his hand had somehow reached into her top...

 This is a very embarrassing thing! Fortunately, she was asleep at the time and didn't notice. But facing her again, he would inevitably feel guilty: "Third Princess, you...let me go first and talk properly."

The third princess hugged her even tighter: "If I let you go, are you still going to run away?"

Guo Yan took a deep breath: "I won't run." I really won't run today.

The third princess then smiled and let go, tilting her head and smiling: "Why did you think of coming to see me? Guo Yan, you have fallen in love with me, haven't you? Really?"

There are many reserved women in the world, but it is rare to be as frank and unrestrained as she is, although Guo Yan feels that she actually thinks too much. Guo Yan also thought that he would ask her for something later, so it would be okay to flatter her: "The princess is beautiful, generous, gentle and kind, and is loved by everyone."

 “Haha...” The third princess was happy.

Guo Yan changed the topic: "By the way, princess, I heard that the daughter of the Shui family came to the palace to visit the Jade Concubine. Who are they?"

“Shui Linglong, the fourth young lady of the Shui family, and the fifth young lady of the Shui family.” After answering, the third princess became wary, “Why do you ask this?”

Guo Yan said quickly: "I want to see Shui Linglong."

The third princess suddenly became furious: "Ah? Guo Yan! How can you see other women?"

With Shui Lingxi's persecution of Shui Linglong in his previous life, Guo Yan was well aware of how terrible a woman's jealousy is. He thought for a moment, his face darkened, he leaned close to the ear of the third princess and whispered: "That's it, last time It's my grandmother's sixtieth birthday, didn't she go to the banquet? "

"Yeah, what's the matter? Didn't you fall in love with her?"

"How can that be?" Guo Yan pretended to look sideways at the third princess. Admittedly, he looked sullen, "I am your fiancé but you don't believe me. My fragile little heart cannot withstand the blows and doubts." The third princess immediately lowered her composure. He straightened his posture and said with a smile, "Then tell me, why do you want to see her?"

Guo Yan vaguely recounted the information he had obtained from Guo Rong: "To be honest, Guo Rong has offended her and has always wanted to apologize to her. However, I have sent her several messages but she has not replied. No, as soon as I told Guo Rong that I would come to the palace to see you, she asked me to find an opportunity to convey her apology to Miss Shui. "

The third princess saw that his expression was open and did not look like he was lying, so she said with relief: "Okay, I'll help you."

Guo Yan touched her head, "Good boy, she's so coaxable!"

In the small kitchen of Guanju Palace, Shui Linglong asked Shang Shui Lingqing to help make cumin beef for Concubine Yu. Since it was done by herself, there was no reason to let the maids help. Shui Linglong asked Zhifan and Qiaoer to go to the room. After resting, Zhifan felt uneasy and just trimmed and cut the beef before leaving the small kitchen.

Shui Linglong marinated the beef with salt, cooking wine, ginger, and green onions for a quarter of an hour, then poured oil into the pot, and when it was five minutes hot, added the beef slices, fried until crispy and fragrant, and then removed it.

Shui Lingqing followed Shui Linglong’s instructions and brought a plate of dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns: “Sister, why are we doing this?”

Shui Linglong glanced at the plate, scooped up the excess oil and poured it into the bowl, leaving only a layer at the bottom of the pot: "Please the concubine Yu! Put the dried chili pepper and Sichuan peppercorns in."

"Huh?" Shui Lingqing poured the things into the pot as instructed, but she was so surprised that she couldn't open her mouth from ear to ear.

Shui Linglong kept her eyes open as she stir-fried the Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers in the pot: "You, you are really an afterthought. My sisters' marriages have almost been settled, and you are the only one left. Now you have a safe and secure agreement." You have to seize the opportunity given by Jade Concubine. Later, Jade Concubine will praise you a few words in front of your grandmother and father. Grandma and father will be happy after hearing this and will be more concerned about your marriage. "

Shui Lingqing smacked her mouth in confusion: "It's all decided? How could it be? It's just you and the second sister who have decided!"

 The aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chili peppers were all stir-fried, and Shui Linglong poured the beef in again: "Three sisters and fourth sisters are already talking about it, but they haven't announced it yet."

"Oh." The eldest sister walked frequently in Fushouyuan, so it was normal for her to know information that she didn't know. "But I'm still young, so I didn't discuss marriage so early!"

You don’t want to discuss the marriage so early. What if Shui Lingyue doesn’t want to get married and pushes you into Governor Jiang’s sedan chair? Aunt Zhou can completely break up with Qin Fangyi to prevent this marriage, so what else can't Aunt Zhou do? Recalling that the person who married Governor Jiang in her previous life was indeed Shui Lingqing, Shui Linglong felt that she could not take it lightly. In addition, Shui Lingyue had tried her best to please Concubine Yu from the moment she entered Guanyong Palace. There was no guarantee that she had not moved and asked Concubine Yu to change her. When it comes to deciding the year to choose a loved one, you can't be careless.

After the stir-frying was almost complete, Shui Linglong added the seasonings stir-fried with stock, five-spice powder, cumin, and sugar into the pot: "Cut the cooked carrots into the shape of small flowers, like this."

Shui Linglong turned around and quickly cut a petal-free shape with a knife. It was simple and beautiful, "Can this be done?"

Shui Lingqing nodded and learned how to make rouge from Shui Lingyu for a while. Her wrists were much more flexible than before. Shui Linglong went to stir-fry, and Shui Lingqing started cutting radishes.

Not long after, Xiao Dezi came over with a hunched waist, holding two pots of milk wine in his hands. He was stunned when he saw Shui Lingqing, then his eyes flashed and he said with a smile: "This slave is here to warm a pot of wine in the kitchen. , Fifth Miss is here too! Concubine Jade asked about Fifth Miss just now, she was afraid that Fifth Miss would not be able to sleep well since she was new here."

Shui Lingqing smiled shyly and did not answer.

Xiao Dezi poured the boiling water into the basin, put the wine jug in it to warm, and took off the lid of the wine jug. Suddenly, a rich aroma of milk and wine filled the room. Shui Linglong raised her eyebrows, feeling vaguely that something was strange, but she couldn't tell what was strange, so she just continued to stir-fry the beef in the pot.

Xiao Dezi said with a calm smile: "It smells so good! All the gluttons in the slave's stomach are aroused. I beg the eldest lady to cook more. Later, the queen will not be able to finish the meal, so maybe I can reward the slave for eating." Satisfy your craving!”

Shui Linglong smiled lightly: "I will make an extra plate and simmer it in the pot for Eunuch De. Eunuch De will remember to come and eat it later."

Xiao Dezi's smile froze, and soon his smile became brighter than before: "Miss, you really have a bodhisattva heart!"

After saying that, he looked at Shui Lingqing again, "I remember, the empress ordered the servant to get a new box of golden sore medicine for the fifth miss. Can the fifth miss be free to go with the slave to get it? The slave was lazy and finished delivering the things to the empress. I won’t come here anymore.”

 (End of this chapter)