Yao Family, outskirts of the capital.
Yao Baowang was already in his forties, yet his official rank remained a mere seventh-grade clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. At this age and still holding such a low rank, it seemed unlikely he would ever rise higher in his lifetime.
It was precisely for this reason that the Yao family did not live particularly well, and their household was rather quiet and unremarkable.
However, today, the Yao residence was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of drums and gongs—
Yao Baowang had just received news that his second daughter had been selected by the Prince’s mansion!
As soon as the news arrived, the entire Yao family was taken aback. Madam Wu, Yao Baowang’s wife, was so shocked she nearly lost her balance: “She was really chosen?!”
The messenger was none other than Aji, who was learning for the first time that such a low-ranking official family existed in the capital. He nodded expressionlessly: “Yes, she was chosen. The Prince specifically sent me to inform you.”
As he spoke, Aji carefully observed the reactions of the Yao family. If Yao Chengcheng was a spy, could it be that the Yao family was also colluding with the Crown Prince?
But judging by their ecstatic expressions…
It was hard to understand.
Yao Baowang and Madam Wu were overjoyed, but the eldest daughter of the Yao family, Yao Duoduo, stood frozen in place, her expression extremely complicated.
Chosen?
How was that possible!
“May I ask, sir, what title will my daughter hold…?” Yao Baowang asked nervously.
Aji: “…”
This question…
His godfather had only instructed him to report that the girl had been kept, but he hadn’t specified her title.
Should he say she was a kitchen maid?
But that would sound rather absurd if word got out.
The Prince currently suspected this girl of being a spy, and the Yao family might also be involved. They had sent Yao Chengcheng in as a candidate for selection, likely hoping she would become one of the Prince’s women, right?
Aji decided it was best to remain silent. Saying nothing was always the safest option.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Yao Baowang grinned. It seemed she really was a consort—the eunuch’s silence confirmed it!
“Thank you for your trouble, sir. Please take care on your way back.”
Yao Baowang slipped something into Aji’s hand, but Aji didn’t even glance at it.
Once the Prince’s people had left, Yao Duoduo rushed forward: “Mother! How did that girl get chosen?!”
Madam Wu was the principal wife and the legal mother. Yao Duoduo’s birth mother had long passed away, and she had been raised under Madam Wu’s care. Yao Chengcheng’s birth mother was still alive, but she was practically invisible in the Yao family’s inner quarters and likely hadn’t even heard the news yet.
Madam Wu glared at her: “What are you shouting about? What ‘girl’? From now on, you must address her as Madam! Isn’t it good that she was chosen? If she becomes a consort in the Prince’s mansion, your own marriage prospects will rise as well!”
Madam Wu was beside herself with joy and immediately turned to leave. She wanted to spread the news far and wide, telling everyone—
Yao Duoduo stamped her foot in frustration. That wretched girl! During the registration for the selection, it should have been her who went. It was only because Brother Ziche said the Prince’s selection was just a formality that she gave up the opportunity.
If only she had known…!
She was filled with regret!
Yao Chengcheng knew nothing about the events at the Yao family and was completely unaware of her supposed “consort” status.
She stayed in the Prince’s mansion that night and felt as though she had barely closed her eyes for two or three hours before being awakened by noise outside.
Rubbing her eyes, Yao Chengcheng realized it wasn’t even 5 a.m. yet. Did working in the Prince’s mansion really require waking up this early?
Auntie Mu came to fetch her with a complicated expression: “Since you’re responsible for the Prince’s meals, don’t you know you’re supposed to get up at 4 a.m. to start preparing? Do I really have to come and wake you?”
Four a.m.…
Yao Chengcheng’s face fell: “Auntie, does the Prince eat some kind of rare delicacy every day? Even Buddha Jumps Over the Wall doesn’t require starting this early.”
Auntie Mu frowned. “The Prince’s meals must be prepared with utmost care. The ingredients have already been delivered, so hurry along.”
Yao Chengcheng had no choice but to splash some cold water on her face and head to the main kitchen.
Only upon arriving did she realize that the small kitchen from yesterday was rarely used—this was the real deal. There were over a dozen assistants just for washing, cutting, and prepping ingredients, not to mention the fire-tending maids and assistant cooks.
The ingredients delivered by the Prince’s residence were indeed fresh. The seasonal fruits and vegetables still carried traces of soil and dew, while the pork and mutton retained a hint of blood.
Auntie Mu arrived as well, bringing two maids with her. “These are Chunyan and Xialiu. From now on, they will assist you. The Prince has ordered that all his meals be solely under your responsibility, so these two are only here to tend the fire.”
Yao Chengcheng: “…I’m solely responsible? I don’t have an assistant cook?”
“No.”
With a glance from Auntie Mu, a tall, burly man stepped forward. Seeing her, he seemed to spot a lifeline. “You must be Mistress Yao. I’m Gao Dazhuang, the Prince’s former cook. You’ll have your work cut out for you from now on.”
Eagerly, he handed her the spatula.
Yao Chengcheng understood—
This was no easy task. For him, it was a relief.
“Alright… Could you tell me about the Prince’s preferences?”
The book only mentioned his sweet tooth, but what else?
What flavors did he like?
Gao Dazhuang gave a strained smile. “Just cook whatever you like.”
Yao Chengcheng understood again—
He, too, was at a loss.
After a moment of silence, Yao Chengcheng said, “Alright, I understand. I’ll just do my best.”
Gao Dazhuang breathed a sigh of relief and scurried away.
Yao Chengcheng glanced at Chunyan and Xialiu. “You’ll be working with me from now on. Let’s get started.”
The two exchanged a look and softly acknowledged.
Since there were no specific preferences, Yao Chengcheng decided to improvise for breakfast—she would cook whatever she liked.
The main kitchen indeed started bustling from the hour of Yin, as the morning broth needed to be simmered early, extracting all the essence from pork and chicken bones into a rich, flavorful stock. Yao Chengcheng immediately decided to prepare a pot of fresh meat wontons, perfect for the slightly chilly spring morning.
She minced the lean pork filling with remarkable knife skills—the rhythmic thudding was almost the only sound, and the silver blade was a mere blur. After mincing the meat, she cracked an egg into it and stirred vigorously in one direction. While doing this, she spotted fresh shepherd’s purse in the vegetable basket.
Tender and juicy—perfect!
She plucked the sprouts, washed them, briefly blanched them, squeezed out the excess water, and minced them finely. The combination of shepherd’s purse and fresh meat was a classic representation of spring wild vegetables.
The dough had already been prepared earlier. With deft movements, she rolled out wonton wrappers as thin as cicada wings. Adding a bit of alkaline water while kneading made the dough smooth and chewy.
Only then did Chunyan and Xialiu realize what this new cook was preparing—just a simple bowl of wontons?
Would the Prince… even eat it?
The two were filled with doubt, but Yao Chengcheng remained oblivious. The wrapped wontons cooked quickly in boiling water, and in the meantime, the broth was ready.
The freshly cooked shepherd’s purse and fresh meat wontons, served in a celadon bowl, looked especially enticing—each translucent wrapper revealed the filling inside. The broth was garnished with dried shrimp and bright green scallions, while the unique freshness of shepherd’s purse blended with the rich aroma of the meat wafted through the air. Breathing in this pure, unadulterated fragrance, Yao Chengcheng’s stomach growled with hunger.
She had just finished when Eunuch Fu strode in. “Is breakfast ready yet? How dare you keep the Prince waiting!”
Yao Chengcheng hastily wiped her hands. “It’s ready, Eunuch! All ready!”
Eunuch Fu glanced over, paused briefly, then frowned. “You intend to serve the Prince this for breakfast?”
Yao Chengcheng was puzzled. “Eunuch, wonton soup is very comforting in the morning!”
Auntie Mu also approached and fell silent for a moment.