Yao Chengcheng felt quite pleased—nothing brought more happiness than having the food she prepared recognized by others.
With today’s tasks completed, she returned to her room and immediately checked her System.
She now had over fifty silver coins! It seemed today’s milk tea sales had indeed been fruitful. Yao Chengcheng was delighted. As night fell, she decided to take a bath.
Browsing the sales interface, she found shower gel and soap. Yao Chengcheng chose the soap—every penny saved counted, especially since there was a significant price difference of several silver coins.
She also bought shampoo. After the System deducted the silver coins from her balance, she held a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo in her hands.
The servants in the main kitchen slept in shared quarters, and bathing took place in a bathhouse at the back.
Yao Chengcheng deliberately waited until everyone else had finished before going. She felt a bit awkward and was truly unaccustomed to performing such private activities in crowded spaces.
While purchasing the soap, Bobojii excitedly told her: 【Host, host, I have some incredible news!】
Yao Chengcheng: “Have you finally discovered that I’m a culinary genius and are going to promote me ten levels at once?”
Bobojii: 【…That’s impossible. What I discovered is that there’s a hidden customer right beside you! Their Satisfaction Points contribution is exceptionally high!】
Yao Chengcheng’s eyes lit up: “Who?”
【Prince Regent, Fu Yuanzheng.】
Yao Chengcheng: “…”
Well, that wasn’t surprising at all.
“How much did he contribute?”
【A full 100!】
The System’s voice was clearly excited. One hundred points—compared to the 1 or 2 points from random customers, this was a hundredfold increase. Yao Chengcheng quickly checked the System Panel. “So, that means we’re still over 800 points away from leveling up. That’s just eight more meals!”
【Theoretically, yes, but it also depends on the specific circumstances of each visit.】
As expected of the male lead, Yao Chengcheng thought to herself, silently deciding that she really needed to secure this powerful ally…
Thanks to the soap and shampoo, Yao Chengcheng enjoyed a refreshing bath and then began planning the next day’s menu.
Bobojii hadn’t received any orders yet, so she was free to experiment. She already had some guesses about Fu Yuanzheng’s tastes. He didn’t seem to resist the desserts and milk tea she made—his fondness for sweets was indeed real. Tomorrow, she could make brown sugar glutinous rice balls. The main kitchen had plenty of glutinous rice and brown sugar…
Mentioning brown sugar glutinous rice balls inevitably brought to mind Sichuan snacks…
“What do you think about me making Bobojii for the Prince?”
System: 【!!! Host, please don’t joke around QAQ】
Yao Chengcheng laughed: “Alright, alright, I’ll make some Sichuan dishes! The Prince will probably like them too!”
…
Early the next morning, Yao Chengcheng went to the main kitchen to select ingredients.
Sichuan cuisine was naturally on the menu, but for breakfast, she prepared chili oil wontons for Fu Yuanzheng.
They were somewhat similar to dumplings. Since Yao Chengcheng wasn’t sure how well he handled spicy food, she decided to test the waters first.
This time, no one was particularly surprised, including those at Qinzhuyuan. However, Yao Chengcheng heard the System announcement: 【Received 50 Satisfaction Points!】
She couldn’t help but smile happily—she already knew the answer.
He loved sweets and contributed high Satisfaction Points. Now, it seemed he also enjoyed spicy food. The Prince’s tastes were quite down-to-earth!
Yao Chengcheng began preparing the grand feast for lunch.
Both red and green Sichuan peppercorns were available, which was convenient. Today, there was also fresh bighead carp. The most suitable dish for this fish was chopped chili fish head—bright red chopped chilies covering the entire fish head. After marinating for a while, it could be steamed, allowing the aroma of the chopped chilies to fully release—truly stimulating!
The fish meat could be made into boiled fish slices. Stir-frying with fermented broad bean paste and hotpot base to bring out the fragrance, the resulting broth was so delicious it could make even shoe soles taste good. The tenderest parts of the fish were selected, sliced, and marinated. The Prince’s meals were always meticulously prepared. Seeing her prepare the fish, even the kitchen assistants stepped forward to remove the bones proactively, leaving Yao Chengcheng astonished.
The broth also included side dishes like bean sprouts, tofu skin, and layered tofu. Finally, a handful of Sichuan peppercorns, minced garlic, and chili segments were sprinkled on top, followed by the soul-stirring splash of hot oil—
That feeling—truly indescribable!
With green peppers available, it was only natural to make the representative Sichuan dish—stir-fried pork with green peppers. The slightly curled edges of the pork belly exuded an enticing roasted aroma, complemented by the green peppers. The rich meaty fragrance, mingled with the pungent spiciness of the peppers, first wafted into the nostrils. The spiciness was balanced by the oiliness, making it an absolute classic of Sichuan cuisine.
In the main kitchen, everyone had heard that Chef Yao was in charge of cooking today. Naturally, Chef Kong was the first to rush over. In her view, a cook who couldn’t handle the wok was no good cook! All those noodles and wontons she had made before were just trivial tricks!
She didn’t believe this newcomer could even handle flipping a wok!
But the reality, of course, was—
She was proven wrong once again.
Yao Chengcheng made plenty of dishes. Aside from the Prince’s portion, everyone in the main kitchen could taste the trial dishes today—
“Good heavens, I’ve never tasted such perfectly cooked stir-fried pork with green peppers! How is it so fragrant? Not greasy, not dry, not heavy!”
“This boiled fish… hiss… so spicy, but so aromatic…”
Even Gao Dazhuang couldn’t resist taking several bites, scratching his head in bewilderment.
How did she make this?
It’s so damn appetizing.
If I said I wanted more, wouldn’t that be embarrassing?
Yao Chengcheng smiled and said, “If you have any feedback, feel free to speak up. I’m open to suggestions.”
“…”
No! Really, none at all!
Gao Dazhuang felt particularly indignant. He had diligently practiced his culinary skills for over a decade, believing he had carved out a place for himself in the culinary world. But today, he finally understood what talent truly meant!
He had worked hard, begging for a living from the heavens, while some people had the heavens chasing after them to feed them!
Where was the justice in that!
Chef Kong also secretly tasted the dishes, her expression complicated as she remained silent.
Yao Chengcheng said, “Time is running out. I need to deliver the meal to the Prince!”
With that, she hurried off with Chunyan and Xialiu. The three of them walked quickly. Chunyan had been craving the dishes ever since she saw them. Their Prince was actually quite good-tempered and never mistreated the servants. As long as they served their master well, everyone could eat and rest freely at noon.
She could hardly wait now!
Yao Chengcheng felt the same way, but unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived at the entrance of Qinzhuyuan, Eunuch Fuman came forward to greet her—
“Chef Yao, please wait. The Prince is currently receiving a massage.”
Yao Chengcheng replied, “Oh, alright.”
The Prince’s condition indeed required daily massages, so she waited patiently outside. However, after a short while, she suddenly heard the sound of a teacup shattering from inside—
“Get out!”
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.
This was the first time Yao Chengcheng had witnessed such a scene, and she couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.
Fuman gave a bitter smile. “Chef Yao, you should leave first. It seems the Prince is in no mood to eat.”
Yao Chengcheng thought for a moment. “It’s fine, I’ll wait here. What’s wrong with the Prince…?”
Fuman sighed. “The imperial physician from the palace said the Prince’s leg cannot be cured. Even if we change to another one, the diagnosis will likely be the same.”
Yao Chengcheng widened her eyes and blurted out without thinking, “They’re talking nonsense!”