To Hold One’s Joy

  Chapter 231 hit a wall

  Because of the rain, the hunt was canceled, and Emperor Yong'an stayed in Concubine Xiao's bedroom to drink and enjoy singing and dancing.

  The sound of silk and bamboo bursts, and dancers in neon clothes dance lightly in the hall.

  Emperor Yong'an had a relaxed smile that was not seen in front of his courtiers, and said to Concubine Xiao Gui: "It's not as good as my concubine's dance."

   "The emperor's absurd praise." Concubine Xiao Gui held up the white jade jug and refilled the wine in Emperor Yong'an's cup.

  Emperor Yong'an took a sip, and stretched out his arms to wrap around Concubine Xiao's waist.

  A palace official came in and reported the news that Hongdou had come to deliver food.

  Concubine Xiao Gui didn't seem too surprised, and ordered: "Bring it in."

  Emperor Yong'an put down his wine glass, and asked casually, "Aifei has also dealt with Luo Chi's daughter?"

   Concubine Xiao Gui smiled and said: "That day the emperor invited his concubine to taste beggar's elbow, and the concubine was very good, so he asked Miss Luo's cook to make beggar's chicken."

  Emperor Yong'an suddenly realized.

  Concubine Xiao Gui likes to eat chicken, he knows it.

  But—since he made Beggar Chicken, why didn’t he taste it?

   "At first I wanted to send some to the emperor, but when the beggar chicken was delivered, after dinner, I thought it would be bad for the emperor to eat too much greasy food, so I had to give up." Concubine Xiao said with a little regret.

  Emperor Yong'an nodded slightly: "In the past few days, I have indeed eaten a lot of greasy things."

  Fresh prey should naturally be made into barbecued meat and stewed meat for the emperor to taste.

   Now thinking about all kinds of meat, I have no appetite at all.

   "Miss Luo will not send the beggar's chicken or beggar's elbow?" Emperor Yong'an asked casually while enjoying the singing and dancing.

   "The concubine doesn't know either." Thinking about the beggar's chicken that Luo Sheng offered to send yesterday, Concubine Xiao Gui thought it should be this dish.

   Do what you like, which is often the case.

  At this time, the palace man came in with a red lacquer food box, followed by Hongdou.

  The graceful dancers in the hall retreated quietly.

   "Submit it."

   Another palace official walked over to take the food box, and passed it layer by layer to Emperor Yong'an and Concubine Xiao Gui.

  The palace servants serving Emperor Yong'an opened the food box and brought out two dishes.

   What was taken out from the upper layer of the food box was a small white jade bowl. The bowl was as white as cream, with scattered raisins and pine nuts scattered on the surface.

  From the bottom of the food box came out two dark green plates, each of which just placed a bright red plump June persimmon.

  Emperor Yong'an was not surprised by the bowl of crispy cheese, it was a snack often eaten in the palace.

   What surprised him was June Persimmon.

   Take a closer look, the skins of the two June persimmons are wrinkled, as if they have been roasted.

  Concubine Xiao Gui also felt strange, and said with a smile, "Is this June persimmon?"

  The servant who brought Hongdou in was about to motion for her to answer, Hongdou said loudly: "Reporting to your mother, it is June Persimmon."

  The servant quietly twitched the corner of his mouth.

   This maid is quite courageous.

   Concubine Xiao Gui had some impressions of the maid beside Miss Luo, and asked with a smile, "What's the name of this dish?"

   "Reporting to my mother, this dish is called okra baked eggs." Because of the distance, the sound of red beans was louder.

  The servant standing aside couldn't help but wink.

  What's the matter with this little maid? Such a loud voice can be regarded as disturbing the holy driver.

   Hong Dou didn't even look at the waiter.

  The girl explained that the palace is not like the outside, and you can't cause trouble.

  Things are caused by people, so she won't talk to these people.

   Concubine Xiao slightly raised her chin.

   Immediately, a palace official went over and led Hongdou into the room.

   "Baked eggs with okra and June persimmon don't seem to have a relationship." Concubine Xiao said curiously.

  Red Bean's volume was slightly lower: "You can see it when you uncover the June persimmon."

  Given by Concubine Xiao Gui, a palace maid lifted the lid with persimmon stalks with a clean handkerchief, revealing the baked eggs and okra inside.

  A fragrance came to the nostrils, with the unique sweet and sour smell of June persimmon, which immediately aroused the gluttons in people's stomachs.

  Emperor Yong'an opened his mouth: "It looks good."

  After hearing this, two palace servants immediately came out to test the poison.

  Try it with a silver needle first, and then try it yourself.

  A June persimmon is not that big, and neither is a small bowl of sugar-steamed crispy cheese. But in order to ensure the emperor's safety, the test poison should not be eaten too little.

  Emperor Yong'an and Concubine Xiao Gui watched silently, suddenly feeling in a bad mood.

  I don't know how long I waited, the palace talent who tested the poison retreated to the side.

  Emperor Yong'an took a bite of baked okra eggs, and couldn't help nodding: "It's unusual to do this."

  It may be that I have eaten too much greasy food, but I feel that the taste of ordinary chicken is very good after mixing the sweet and sour June persimmon and the refreshing okra.

   There is only one chicken in a June persimmon, and a few thin slices of okra, which can be eaten in just three or five bites.

  Emperor Yong'an, who finished eating okra baked eggs, looked at Concubine Xiao eating steamed cheese with sugar.

   Concubine Xiao Gui tasted the delicacy of crispy cheese, and asked reluctantly: "Does the emperor want to have a taste?"

   During summer and autumn in the palace, she often ate crispy cheese, but she had never tasted so good.

  Miss Luo, that cook is really extraordinary.

   "Aifei, let's eat." Emperor Yong'an said lightly.

  Concubine Xiao Gui was happy to eat, and ordered the palace servants to reward red beans.

   "Go back and tell your girls that Bengong likes to eat very much, and she has a heart."

   "Slave and maid leave."

  Seeing that Hongdou was about to leave with her servants, Concubine Xiao Gui suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Miss Luo only brought food to this palace?"

  Red bean crispy replied: "I also sent a copy to Yuxuan attendant."

  Concubine Xiao Gui nodded slightly, and then let her go.

   "Servant Yuxuan also dealt with Miss Luo?"

   Concubine Xiao Gui said: "Yesterday, my concubine went to Miss Luo's for a stroll, and when I left the tent, I happened to meet Yu Xuan, so I took her with me."

   "I see. I heard that Luo Chi's daughter is a bit spoiled, but I didn't expect her to be a thoughtful person."

   Concubine Xiao Gui smiled, noncommittal.

  Emperor Yong'an recalled the taste of baked eggs with okra, and ordered Zhou Shan: "Let the dining room send some June persimmons."

   Zhou Shan led the order out of the main hall, sent the little **** to pass on the message, and returned with a strange expression after a while.

   Seeing that his hands were empty, Emperor Yong'an slightly raised his eyebrows: "Huh?"

  Zhou Shan hurriedly said: "Reporting to the emperor, the dining room said that all the June persimmons delivered early in the morning were taken away by King Kaiyang..."

  June persimmon is rarely used in vegetables, but as a kind of fruits and vegetables, fresh ones are sent to distribute everywhere every day, and the quantity is not much.

  After hearing Zhou Shan's reply, Emperor Yong'an stared at the deep green dish that had not yet been taken away and fell into deep thought.

  Why does King Kaiyang want so many June persimmons?

  Compared to Hongdou's success, Xiuyue hit a wall.

   "We selected the waiter to accept the things, please return."

  Xiuyue was a little surprised: "Yesterday, the waiter said that she wanted a woman to teach her how to cook—"

  The palace man had a cold face, and said impatiently: "The servant is not feeling well today, and it is inconvenient to see guests. When the servant has the energy to learn, he will send someone to invite you."

  Xiuyue wanted to say something more, but the palace man had already turned around and entered.

  Luo Sheng waited until Xiuyue came back.

   "Didn't you see Chaohua?"

  Thanks to Najia, Mou Mu, and Xue Se for the ten thousand coins rewarded over the years, and thanks to the book friends who voted and rewarded. The double monthly pass starts today.

  (end of this chapter)