The pale-faced eunuch quickly brought the ingredients Yao Chengcheng had requested. She smiled ingratiatingly and said, “Thank you, Eunuch Bai.”
The other immediately bristled. “What did you call me?!”
“Oh, no, thank you, Eunuch.”
“I am Fuman! From now on, you must call me Eunuch Fu!”
“Alright, Eunuch Fu. Then… shall I begin…?”
Eunuch Fu took a step back. “Begin. I’ll be watching you.”
Yao Chengcheng prepared to make a traditional Chinese dessert—almond tofu.
This dessert wasn’t difficult to make, but the process required careful attention. The almonds were ground into a fine paste, meticulously sieved, then mixed evenly with fresh milk and sieved a second time, leaving only a pure, smooth milk-almond mixture.
Next, agar was added, and the mixture was heated over low heat while being stirred slowly.
Under the action of the agar, the milk-almond mixture would gradually solidify, taking on the appearance of pure white tofu—hence the name almond tofu.
After cooling and setting, it was cut into evenly sized cubes, drizzled with honey, and the dish was complete.
The finished almond tofu had a smooth, refreshing texture, and the distinctive aroma of almonds balanced the sweetness of the honey, making it sweet but not cloying.
Yao Chengcheng’s movements were fluid and practiced. Gradually, Eunuch Fu, standing beside her, found himself drawn into watching her.
This girl…
Could she actually be a cook?
Apart from the somewhat troublesome process of grinding the almonds, the solidification and heating were quick. Yao Chengcheng stood before the stove, completely absorbed, and before long, she presented a plate of almond tofu to Eunuch Fu. “Eunuch, it’s ready!”
Eunuch Fu was momentarily dazzled by the girl’s smiling face but quickly regained his composure.
“Is this all?”
“Yes.”
“You know the Prince’s residence employs imperial chefs! What kind of thing has a lowly country girl like you made? Could it be poisoned?!” Eunuch Fu was deliberately testing her because he had watched closely—not a single step seemed amiss. He was beginning to doubt himself.
“You jest. Although bitter almonds are toxic, these aren’t. Besides, would I dare poison the Prince? Do I have a death wish?”
Eunuch Fu sneered. “You’d better remember that. Follow me!”
Yao Chengcheng immediately followed.
A moment later, she saw Fu Yuanzheng again. This time, she had learned her lesson and knelt properly without saying a word.
Fu Yuanzheng sat by the window in his wheelchair, his back to her. The room was still dim, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
“Your Highness, this is almond tofu…” Eunuch Fu stepped forward, holding a pristine white plate.
“This servant will taste it for poison.”
“No need.” Fu Yuanzheng suddenly took the plate and casually scooped a spoonful into his mouth.
Fuman: “!!”
The guards: “!!”
“Your Highness! You mustn’t eat that! It’s poisoned!”
Everyone was stunned. Wasn’t this just an act? How could the Prince actually eat it!
Yao Chengcheng was utterly confused. “What are you talking about? How could it be poisoned?”
The people in the room stared at each other in disbelief. Fu Yuanzheng in the wheelchair slowly turned around, his expression strange.
“You… didn’t poison it?”
Yao Chengcheng: “? Why would I poison you?”
Now it was Fu Yuanzheng’s turn to be taken aback. “So, you really just wanted to make something for me to eat.”
“Yes. You have low blood sugar, and a sweet dessert will help you recover quickly. Your Highness, there’s honey on it. Is it sweet?”
Fu Yuanzheng’s expression grew even more peculiar.
He remained silent, staring at Yao Chengcheng for a long while.
Meanwhile, Fuman and the others finally came to their senses—
No poison! The Prince wasn’t poisoned!
Not only was there no poisoning! The prince didn’t even vomit!
Instantly, Fuman’s gaze toward Yao Chengcheng changed, as if he had seen a savior!
“Hah, interesting.”
Fu Yuanzheng closed his eyes and leaned back slightly.
“Then tell me, what is your purpose? Using such methods to enter the selection, I admit, you are clever. Unfortunately, I will not be selecting any consorts.”
Yao Chengcheng: “Um… Your Highness misunderstands. I no longer wish to be a candidate. I… want to seek employment in the prince’s residence, as a cook.”
“?”
“???”
Fu Yuanzheng was taken aback for a moment: “A cook?”
“Yes, on a temporary contract, just earning a bit of silver each month will do.”
“Aren’t you the daughter of an official? How could you be willing to become a servant?!” Eunuch Fu asked this question on behalf of his master.
Yao Chengcheng: “Your Highness may not know, my father is only a minor seventh-rank official, and I am a concubine-born daughter. If I return home, I will be forced to become someone’s concubine. I know I am not fortunate enough to serve Your Highness, so I might as well face reality and become a cook. Being a servant in the prince’s residence is still better than becoming someone else’s concubine.”
Fu Yuanzheng opened his eyes again. Clearly, this time there was a hint of interest in his gaze.
“I… have never heard such words before. Interesting.”
“So, can Your Highness agree?”
The hall fell silent once more.
After a moment of silence, Fu Yuanzheng’s cold voice rang out—
“I grant it.”
Yao Chengcheng was overjoyed: “Thank you, Your Highness!”
…
Eunuch Fu led Yao Chengcheng away.
The guard Anying stepped forward: “Your Highness, I still find it strange. Could she be acting?”
Fu Yuanzheng suddenly closed his eyes: “I am tired.”
Anying understood: “I will keep an eye on her at all times and report to Your Highness whenever necessary.”
On the first day of her transmigration, Yao Chengcheng successfully secured a job in the prince’s residence.
“Here, you will live here from now on. This is the main kitchen of the prince’s residence, and this is Auntie Mu.”
Eunuch Fu sent a young eunuch, Aji, to take Yao Chengcheng to the servants’ quarters. Yao Chengcheng, sweet-tongued and obedient, immediately bowed in greeting: “Greetings, Auntie Mu! My name is Yao Chengcheng!”
Auntie Mu sized her up with a glance, silently inquiring with Aji, who whispered a few words.
Auntie Mu understood: “Follow me.”
Aji: “You will stay here from now on. Remember to know your place.”
“I will remember, Eunuch Aji. Thank you.”
Aji also gave her a strange look before turning and leaving. Yao Chengcheng followed Auntie Mu to the most remote small side room.
“Since the prince favors you, you will live here. Later, I will send a maid to assist you.”
“I even have a maid?”
Auntie Mu found it odd: “Aren’t you a cook? Cooks are not low-ranking servants, of course you have one. Two, in fact.”
This was an unexpected delight. Yao Chengcheng immediately agreed.
After Auntie Mu left, she looked around. The servants’ quarters were naturally very simple, but it was still decent enough.
Next, she needed to carefully consider how to survive in this world.
Given that Fu Yuanzheng was the male lead of this world, he would surely recover and rise again. As long as she didn’t provoke his dislike, her fate shouldn’t be too miserable.
But Wen Yaoyao was the female lead of this world. She must leave before the female lead and the prince fall in love. Oh, and there was also the Bobo Chicken System. Sorry, but she would have to borrow it for a while.
This system could help her earn money, and the prince’s residence could also be a source of income. So, her only task from now on was—
Earn enough money to be a carefree wealthy woman in this world!