"My dear mistress, what timing is this to still be thinking about food!"
Xiao Zhao nearly spun in circles with anxiety upon hearing her still obsessing over that large iron pot.
The harem crowd had been judging people by their status for quite some time now, always taking out their displeasure on her mistress whenever things didn't go their way.
Now that she'd finally been promoted, instead of striking while the iron was hot, she wanted to light a fire and cook???
"If Consort Yu gains favor, she'll be looking down on you again with that arrogant attitude."
Jiang Huan rested her chin in her hand, watching Xiao Zhao calmly.
"Finished?"
Xiao Zhao paused, then nodded.
"Then quickly bring the iron pot over."
Xiao Zhao felt her vision darken – why was her mistress so stubborn!
Jiang Huan sighed and looked up at the sky. Under house arrest, what else could she do?
Should she weep and make a scene, begging Huo Lin for mercy?
Before she could even wipe her tears, a white silk scarf might already be wrapping around her neck.
"Since I can't go out anyway, I might as well fill my stomach first."
As she spoke, she picked up another piece of pastry from the plate and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks puffing up like a squirrel hoarding food.
Xiao Zhao still wore a bitter expression, gazing pitifully at Jiang Huan.
Jiang Huan had to resort to her final tactic.
"If I don't eat well and become thin and haggard, wouldn't Consort Yu laugh until her mouth splits?"
"If the Emperor sees another sallow-faced woman beside him and gets displeased, sending me to the Cold Palace, our lives would be over!"
Though she said this, Jiang Huan didn't truly think this way.
She had no desire to gain the Emperor's favor!
In her previous life watching dramas, she'd seen how many women in the harem died fighting for favor – she was just here to get by.
Harem intrigue?
No no no, that wasn't for her!
It would be best if the Emperor completely forgot about her existence, letting her stay in this small palace where she could cook with Xiao Zhao in the small kitchen every day. That would be more than enough to satisfy her!
Xiao Zhao's eyes flickered, finally persuaded by Jiang Huan's words, and agreed to take her to see the long-awaited iron pot.
Entering the small kitchen, Jiang Huan was like a fish returned to water. She examined the iron pot Xiao Zhao had bought with great satisfaction.
"Xiao Zhao, go get a fat goose. Today I'll make iron pot braised goose."
Xiao Zhao swiftly ran out and soon returned carrying a plump, round goose.
Jiang Huan took the goose, gently twisted its neck, then deftly plucked its feathers, gutted it, and removed the organs – her movements were as skilled as if she'd been a cook for years.
"Mistress, with skills like these, you could definitely open a prestigious restaurant outside the palace."
Xiao Zhao's eyes sparkled with admiration, unable to help at all, she could only watch in awe from the side.
Jiang Huan enjoyed the praise, her hands moving swiftly.
Even before transmigrating into this book, she had always taken good care of herself.
She could endure anything but a poor appetite.
The iron pot glowed red over the fire as Jiang Huan poured in several spoonfuls of sesame oil, the oil droplets dancing merrily in the pot.
She added the chopped goose pieces to the pot, stirring with a spatula as the goose meat sizzled, its aroma beginning to fill the kitchen.
Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Huan lifted the lid. The steaming iron pot braised goose emitted an irresistible fragrance. She transferred the braised goose to a large bowl and sprinkled it with chopped cilantro.
"Time to eat!"
Since Jiang Huan had transmigrated, she'd frequently involved Xiao Zhao in her culinary adventures, and Xiao Zhao had long grown accustomed to her mistress's recent changes.
She brought over two bowls of white rice and sat with Jiang Huan at the small low table in the kitchen to eat.
Xiao Zhao couldn't wait to pick up a piece of goose meat and take a bite.
"Mistress, this goose is so tender!"
Jiang Huan also picked up a piece of goose meat and took a small bite.
The goose was tender and juicy, the potatoes and carrots soft and flavorful, the broth rich and robust.
Nothing beats our Northeastern cuisine for a satisfying meal!
"This iron pot stew really hits the spot," Jiang Huan sighed contentedly.
Xiao Zhao ate with relish, taking bites of food and rice alternately, her cheeks puffed out. "Your Highness, if the Emperor were to taste this iron pot stew you made, he would surely love it!"
Thinking of the Emperor's inner thoughts these past few days, Jiang Huan silently took another big bite of goose meat.
He couldn't even eat a warm meal, his stomach constantly empty.
Being Emperor wasn't all that great after all.
The mistress and servant sat at the low table, chatting while they ate, completely at ease.
Meanwhile, Consort Yu had finally managed to speak with the Emperor because of a bowl of tangyuan, paying no attention to Jiang Huan as she schemed about how to gain more favor.
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Consort Yu had already finished her toilette with Cui Ying's assistance and immediately headed excitedly to the kitchen with her entourage.
The kitchen servants, seeing this, quickly set down their tasks and knelt in salute.
"Your humble servants greet Consort Yu."
Consort Yu lifted her chin, not even glancing at them, clearly unwilling to speak with such people.
Cui Ying stepped forward and waved at the kitchen servants. "Alright, all of you may leave."
Following their superior's orders, the servants dared not disobey and immediately left the kitchen.
Only Consort Yu and Cui Ying remained. Having previously visited the kitchen to prepare food, Consort Yu roughly knew where the ingredients were stored.
She instructed Cui Ying to bring glutinous rice flour, washed her hands, and prepared to make tangyuan.
Seeing this, Cui Ying hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you're far too noble for such trivial tasks. Why not let this servant handle it?"
"No," Consort Yu firmly shook her head.
This was her future—she couldn't trust it to anyone else.
Recalling the Emperor's reaction when she presented the tangyuan yesterday, Consort Yu's lips curled into a smug smile, her heart swelling with pride.
"The Emperor enjoys the tangyuan I make. Of course I must prepare them myself—only then can I show my sincerity."
"Your Highness is absolutely right," Cui Ying flattered with a smile. "How could this servant's skills compare to yours? I was being foolish."
In good spirits, Consort Yu paid no mind to Cui Ying's words and focused on making the tangyuan.
She somewhat clumsily poured the glutinous rice flour into a bowl, added warm water, and slowly kneaded it with her hands. Soon, small tangyuan began to take shape.
Cui Ying assisted while praising, "Your Highness's skill is truly divine—even making tangyuan with such refinement."
Pleased, Consort Yu worked more briskly, and within a quarter of an hour, a bowl of tangyuan was successfully prepared.
Carrying the cooked tangyuan, she returned to her room to freshen up before heading with Cui Ying toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Wang Degui, learning of Consort Yu's purpose, entered to inform Huo Lin.
Huo Lin merely lifted his eyelids slightly, his expression cold and indifferent.
He had just returned from court and hadn't even eaten—Consort Yu's timing was perfect!
"Admit her."
Receiving the summons outside, Consort Yu adjusted her hair, took the tangyuan from Cui Ying, and swayed her hips coquettishly as she entered.
"Your Majesty, I've prepared tangyuan with a different filling. Knowing you've just returned from court without dining, I brought them immediately."
Huo Lin gave a faint nod and gestured toward Wang Degui with his chin.
Only after testing each item with a silver needle did Wang Degui present the bowl to Huo Lin.
"Your Majesty, please enjoy."
Huo Lin took the small bowl. The glutinous rice balls appeared slightly larger than last time.
He scooped one into his mouth.
The filling was too sweet, and the skin somewhat thick.
What was Jiang Huan thinking? Becoming more perfunctory by the day?
Though displeased, having endured hunger throughout the morning court session, Huo Lin still finished the few glutinous rice balls in the bowl.
"Passable."
The same two-word assessment without inflection, yet it further solidified Consort Yu's conviction.
The Emperor truly enjoyed glutinous rice balls, especially those she personally made—otherwise why hadn't he mentioned Jiang Huan?
"As long as Your Majesty is pleased."
A flicker of delight shone in Consort Yu's eyes as the curve of her lips deepened.
So winning the Emperor's favor could be this simple. It seemed she should strive harder and prepare more dishes for His Majesty.