Jiang Huan hadn't been making excuses when she said the food she was preparing for Huo Lin would take several hours.
After chatting briefly with Xiao Zhao, Jiang Huan began her preparations.
She first carefully selected ingredients from those bestowed by Huo Lin, planning to make several new dishes.
She immersed snow-white tofu blocks in ice water, then with the blade lightly pressed against her fingertips, she sliced the tofu into hair-thin strands that slowly unfurled in the clear water like a white chrysanthemum blooming underwater.
Xiao Zhao gasped in admiration while holding a celadon bowl: "Wow! Your knife skills are amazing, Mistress!"
Jiang Huan smiled proudly – this was just the beginning.
Give her a radish and she could carve a dragon!
After cutting the tofu, Jiang Huan blanched it briefly in boiling water, then transferred it to cold water to cool, maintaining the tender smoothness of the tofu strands.
Then she began preparing the broth.
While the small kitchen was bustling with activity, the imperial court was equally lively.
The hall was filled with noise as ministers spoke over each other, their voices rising and falling like surging tides.
Old Chancellor Li Wenbo stepped forward first, his white hair framing his urgent tone.
"Your Majesty, with the country prosperous and people at peace, now is the perfect time to produce heirs. We implore Your Majesty to soon bless us with a royal heir to comfort the hearts of all citizens."
"Indeed, Your Majesty, the matter of royal succession concerns the foundation of our nation. We hope Your Majesty will make plans soon."
Other ministers chimed in agreement, filling the court with urging voices.
Huo Lin sat on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping across the court like cold lightning.
He had long grown tired of these ministers' words.
If they're so fond of procreation, why don't they go make babies themselves!
As emperor, he already worked hard handling state affairs every day, and now they constantly bothered him about the lack of offspring in the harem.
As if lacking children was a capital offense.
Normally at this time, if there was no important business, court would have already been dismissed.
But whenever the topic of royal heirs came up, these ministers would talk endlessly, determined to pursue the matter.
Huo Lin slightly furrowed his brows.
No wonder the Imperial Kitchen's meals were getting worse day by day.
These ministers must be eating his food when they had nothing better to do.
Otherwise, why would they always meddle in his personal affairs!
If not for considering them pillars of the court, Huo Lin would have stormed out long ago instead of listening to their nagging.
Since they were forcing him to give an answer, then…
Huo Lin suddenly gave a cold laugh, his tone unusually calm.
"Since you're all so concerned about the matter of royal heirs, I shall grant your request."
Let it be Changzai Zhuang.
Coincidentally, he had been summoning Changzai Zhuang frequently lately – using her to deflect these matters was perfectly reasonable.
The court instantly fell silent, ministers looking at each other in disbelief.
Huo Lin slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping across the crowd as he declared solemnly: "Jiang Huan has consistently pleased me since entering the palace. I hereby promote Changzai Zhuang to Guiren."
"Does anyone object?"
The ministers stood stunned for a long moment before recovering and hurriedly kneeling in salute, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
Who he favored or promoted didn't matter – any woman could bear the imperial heir.
Seeing the heir matter finally settled, Huo Lin immediately dismissed court.
Soon, news of Jiang Huan's promotion spread throughout the harem.
In the West Side Hall of Jin Hua Palace, Jiang Huan saw off the eunuch who had delivered the decree, her smile growing brighter.
She was now a Guiren.
From now on, it would be much harder for Yu Changzai to cause trouble for her.
Phase one – mission accomplished!
Jiang Huan beamed with delight and dove back into the kitchen to continue cooking.
In the blink of an eye, it was nearly noon.
An enticing aroma filled Jiang Huan’s small kitchen as she arranged an array of delicious snacks and side dishes onto plates, carefully placing them into a food container.
Once everything was ready, Jiang Huan set off for the imperial study with Xiao Zhao.
Before they even reached their destination, they spotted a group of people standing at the entrance to the study.
As they drew closer, Jiang Huan recognized the figure—it was Imperial Concubine Jia and her maidservant.
Jiang Huan’s face darkened.
Truly, enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road.
Of all times, why did she have to show up now?
Jiang Huan cursed inwardly but kept her expression neutral.“Your Highness,” she said with a slight curtsy, her tone calm.
Imperial Concubine Jia, who had been idly toying with the bracelet on her wrist, her nails painted with delicate henna, raised an eyebrow at the address.“It’s only been a morning, yet here we are meeting again, and you’ve already been promoted to Guiren. It seems you’ve quite won the Emperor’s favor, dear sister.”
“Your Highness jests. I merely fulfill my duties,” Jiang Huan replied, neither submissive nor overbearing, her eyes darting around as she spoke.
This Imperial Concubine Jia was as clingy as a plaster—quite the handful.
“Duties?” Imperial Concubine Jia’s gaze turned cold as it swept over the food container.
She recalled that during the morning greetings, Jiang Huan had mentioned that the food inside the container took several hours to prepare.“Is this the food you made, dear sister? I wonder what delicacies lie within?” she said, suddenly stepping forward and reaching to lift the lid.
The move was so abrupt that Jiang Huan’s heart leaped in alarm, and she hurriedly raised a hand to block it.
Why would she open the lid for no reason? Clearly, she was up to no good and meant to cause trouble!
She couldn’t let her open the container!
But just as Jiang Huan’s hand was about to reach the container, Imperial Concubine Jia suddenly withdrew hers and instead leaned into Jiang Huan.
Jiang Huan’s focus was entirely on the container, and she hadn’t anticipated this move from Imperial Concubine Jia.
Her eyes widened in shock, but it was too late to evade.
The next moment, Imperial Concubine Jia collided heavily with her, throwing her off balance.
“My lady, be careful!” Xiao Zhao cried out in alarm, swiftly reaching out to steady Jiang Huan, barely managing to grab her arm.
But the food container in Jiang Huan’s hand had already slipped free, crashing heavily to the ground. The dishes inside spilled everywhere, sauces splattering, leaving a complete mess.
Jiang Huan stared at the chaotic scene, her ears ringing.
Her delicacies, her time, her trump card to win favor—all ruined!
Imperial Concubine Jia!!
Furious, Jiang Huan glared at Imperial Concubine Jia.
Truly, the art of staging accidents was a universal constant, transcending time and place.
“Oh dear, my apologies. It was entirely my carelessness that caused me to bump into you, dear sister. I hope you won’t hold it against me,” Imperial Concubine Jia said, her words dripping with feigned regret, though her face showed no trace of remorse. Instead, a hint of smug delight lingered in her expression.
Jiang Huan truly wanted to grab Imperial Concubine Jia by the hair and force her to kneel on the ground, apologizing to her hard work.
But when had anyone ever seen a Guiren strike an Imperial Concubine?
Besides, it was her own failure to hold the container steady that had caused it to fall.
Endure a moment, and the storm will pass; take a step back, and the skies will clear.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Jiang Huan forced out through gritted teeth.
“Good,” Imperial Concubine Jia replied with a triumphant smile. “I assume you’re here to see the Emperor, dear sister. In that case, I won’t keep you any longer.”
With that, Imperial Concubine Jia turned and left with her maidservant, leaving Jiang Huan and Xiao Zhao to face the mess on the ground.
Xiao Zhao was frantic. "My lady, what should we do?"
All these snacks had been personally ordered by the Emperor, and preparing them had taken considerable effort.
If the Emperor had to wait too long for the food they were supposed to deliver…
Jiang Huan shuddered. They would be utterly doomed.