Zhao Zhen understood. Seeing her impatient look, he went along with her wishes and said, "Serve the meal." The two of them sat down at the table together. Zhang Maoze and Bai Xing brought hot water and towels for washing their hands, and then offered a mint and cardamom water for rinsing their mouths. The Emperor enjoyed Zhang Maoze's service with fluid grace.
Xue Dongyu, however, was quite uncomfortable. In the past, she would just pick up her chopsticks and eat. At most, she would wash her hands before a meal. She had never learned this whole routine, so her movements were clumsy and awkward.
Bai Xing felt a headache coming on as she watched her mistress. Ordinarily, this was Xue Dongyu's own territory, and no one would stop her from eating however she pleased. But now that Guanjia was here, all the imperial attendants were watching. It wouldn't do for word to spread that Cairen Xue was an ill-mannered, coarse person.
After the ordeal was finally over, Xue Dongyu faced another problem: should she stand up and serve Guanjia food? It seemed like that was what they did in television dramas. She turned to look at Bai Xing, trying to use their tacit understanding to convey her current confusion.
Bai Xing returned an even more innocent look to her mistress. Why aren't you eating? What are you looking at me for?
Xue Dongyu deflated. Just then, a pair of hands suddenly reached out and placed a piece of fish into her bowl. The fish meat was snow-white and had been carefully deboned, looking utterly tempting. "Weren't you just saying you were hungry? Why aren't you eating?"
Xue Dongyu honestly confessed what she had been thinking. "Hahahaha!" Zhao Zhen found that this young lady could always make him laugh. He thought it to himself, and then said it aloud, "From whom did you hear such a rule? I can just take whatever I want to eat myself. Why add the extra trouble of having someone serve me? Besides, even if I needed someone to serve me, you are an imperial consort, not a serving girl. Why would I ask you to serve the food?"
Xue Dongyu mumbled softly, "Isn't it to prevent poisoning that someone serves the food, and it's best to only eat three bites of any one dish, so assassins can't guess which dish the Emperor will eat?" Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she realized she had been foolish again.
Hearing this, the Emperor's expression turned serious. "Since the Qin dynasty, through the Han, Wei, Jin, Sui, and Tang, not a single dynasty in the Central Plains has ever had such a rule. I imagine only a dynasty that seized the throne illegitimately, with an unenlightened ruler, and not seen as orthodox by the common people would do such a thing. The person who told you this was simply talking nonsense."
Seeing Xue Dongyu's apparently regretful expression, the Emperor softened his tone again. "Besides, if I can't even eat what I like with abandon, then what's the point of being the Emperor?"
Oh, I see. Xue Dongyu figured she had watched too many Qing dynasty dramas and assumed all ancient emperors were like that. Thinking about it carefully, the Qing dynasty was indeed different. An outside ethnic group had taken advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains, encountered a bizarre rebel king like Li Zicheng, and luckily seized the country. They had even committed such appalling acts as the Yangzhou Massacre. No wonder the Qing emperors were so afraid of dying.
To hide her embarrassment, Xue Dongyu picked up the piece of fish and put it in her mouth. The fish was unbelievably fresh and tender. The seemingly firm flesh actually melted on her tongue, its abundant juices carrying the fresh flavor of the river, leaving a lingering fragrance in her mouth.
"What kind of fish is this? It's so delicious," Xue Dongyu said involuntarily.
"You've forgotten the shad you ordered yourself? But this fish was indeed prepared exceptionally well today. It deserves a reward." As he spoke, the Emperor took another bite of the fish and nodded.
Xue Dongyu said with a smile, "I've never had shad before. If Guanjia hadn't come today, I'm afraid I wouldn't have had the good fortune to eat it. How would I recognize it?" As she spoke, she continued to help herself to more fish.
Good food must not be forsaken. This was a limited-edition delicacy; who knew when she would get to eat it again.
Hearing her words, the Emperor turned and instructed Zhang Maoze, "How many of the tribute shad from this summer are left? Leave two for the Eldest Princess, and keep the rest for Cairen Xue."
The unsophisticated Xue Dongyu was stunned by his magnanimity. No wonder they say a man is most charming when he's spending money on a woman. Right now, Zhao Zhen was practically glowing with a golden light in her eyes.
Catching the worshipful look in Xue Dongyu's eyes, the Emperor felt a strange sense of pride.
Zhang Maoze returned a moment later and reported, "The weather has been hot this year, making the shad even rarer than usual. Many died on the way. In the end, only forty-seven good ones were left in this batch. Guanjia rewarded Grand Councilor Lü from the outer court with three, the Empress's palace used five, two were set aside for the Princess, and including today's, there are thirty-six shad left in the Imperial Kitchen. I have given the order to reserve them all for Cairen Xue."
The Emperor gave an indifferent nod and continued his meal. Xue Dongyu had no choice but to calm down as well, determined not to look like a country bumpkin. Hehe, with so many shad to eat, I'll have them steamed and braised, every style!
After the meal, the Emperor remembered he still had court affairs to attend to. This was a critical time for him to consolidate power and pave the way for reforms. No matter how reluctant he was, he had to leave.
He gave Xue Dongyu a few words of advice, then turned to instruct the palace servants, "Serve your mistress well. There must be no neglect." In his view, Xue Dongyu was far too lenient with her subordinates. Fearing that a bold servant might bully their mistress, he had to speak up himself.
"Yes," all the palace servants in the hall knelt and answered in unison. Xue Dongyu stood up awkwardly at the sight.
"I will come see you again tomorrow," he said, then turned and left. Zhang Maoze and a long retinue of people split into two lines and followed him.
After seeing the Emperor off, Xue Dongyu quickly told the still-kneeling servants to rise. Bai Xing, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary, said to her, "Guanjia is so good to you, Mistress. I heard that in previous years, only those of Jieyu rank or higher were fortunate enough to be given a single shad. Now they all belong to you. Even Consort Zhang doesn't have such an honor."
Seeing the pure joy on Bai Xing's face and the proud expressions on everyone else's, Xue Dongyu swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. If she asked, the others would probably find it strange.
In the Imperial Kitchen, Chang Shan saw Zhang Maoze off, clicking his tongue in amazement. Goodness, this Cairen Xue is really something. In the span of a single meal, this entire batch of shad now belongs to her. The next batch won't arrive for another month. It's a given that Cairen Xue will be the sole focus of the rear palace's attention for some time. The Master's eye is truly sharp. I still have much to learn.
Eunuch Ma was also waiting at the side, his heart pounding with excitement as he accepted the reward from Zhang Maoze. After cooking for so many years, this was the first time he had ever received a reward from Guanjia.
At this thought, Eunuch Ma's face crinkled into a smile like a chrysanthemum as he said to Chang Shan, "Manager Chang, I must thank you for recommending me to cook this dish. Only then did I receive this reward." As he spoke, he made a gesture to give half of the silver in his hand to Chang Shan.
Chang Shan slapped him lightly on the head in exasperation. "Just take what was given to you. As long as you remember to serve Cairen Xue's meals well, you'll have repaid me." Damn it, he thought, if I weren't best at meat dishes, it wouldn't have been Eunuch Ma's turn to shine.
Eunuch Ma chuckled. "Of course. Cairen Xue is my noble benefactor." And she was indeed a benefactor. With this reward, his status in the Imperial Kitchen would be different. If he served her well, perhaps there would be more rewards in the future.