As for Ye Jinrong’s side, once she obtained the recipe for the fruit shaved ice, she could no longer sit still.
She immediately had someone bribe the eunuch responsible for delivering meals to the emperor, asking him to bring the shaved ice before His Majesty.
The eunuch in charge of food delivery looked at the novel creation. After testing it with a silver needle to confirm it was non-poisonous, he tasted it himself. It was indeed sweet, refreshing, and icy cold.
Just as it happened, ever since the beginning of summer, the emperor had been troubled by state affairs and irritated by the heat. His temper had become increasingly volatile. Every day he drank several bowls of chilled sour plum soup, yet still felt no relief from the heat, and his attendants had to serve him as if their lives depended on it.
Now that there was this fruit shaved ice, it should be able to ease his irritability. If so, he wouldn’t have to worry about losing his head at any moment.
So he accepted the money pouch handed to him and told the messenger to relay a message back to Ye Jinrong: prepare the fruit shaved ice, and it would be collected at dinner time.
Ye Jinrong was delighted when she received the news. Everything was going exactly as she planned. She immediately ordered preparations.
Because shaved ice melts easily and cannot be prepared in advance, they could only prepare the ingredients first. When the eunuch arrived to collect it, they would make it on the spot. She even prepared an extra bowl as backup.
Ye Jinrong had already instructed people to line the food box with a thick layer of cotton cloth and fill it with plenty of ice. Once the shaved ice was made, it was immediately placed inside, and the lid—also lined with cotton cloth—was closed tightly. This ensured it would not melt before reaching the emperor. These were all methods taught by Ye Jinyun.
The young eunuch carrying the food box hurried toward the palace, fully aware that he must ensure the emperor enjoyed the dish in perfect condition.
Without stopping, he arrived at Chengqian Palace and handed the food box to the eunuch in charge of food presentation, who then carried it into the side hall where the emperor was dining.
At this time, the emperor had already ordered his meal.
Chen Fuquan stood nearby serving him as he washed his hands. During this period, the emperor had been in a poor mood, and Chen Fuquan had been especially careful.
After washing his hands, Chen Fuquan helped him sit down at the dining table. The dishes had already been arranged.
Emperor Mo Qiyuan sat in his chair, looking at the full table of food with no appetite at all.
Even though palace attendants fanned him continuously and large blocks of ice had been placed in the hall, he still felt irritable and restless.
He casually pointed at a dish. A small eunuch immediately stepped forward with a silver needle to test it for poison. After confirming it was safe, another eunuch standing beside the emperor served the dish into his bowl.
Mo Qiyuan took a bite. It tasted like chewing wax. It wasn’t that the food was bad—it was simply that the weather was too hot for him to eat.
He threw down his chopsticks and said angrily,
“Is this all the Imperial Kitchen is capable of? They serve me the same things every day and can’t even make anything that relieves the heat or stimulates appetite. What are they even doing!”
All the palace servants immediately knelt. Chen Fuquan quickly spoke up:
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. These dishes have already been updated. This servant has been urging the Imperial Kitchen daily to change the menu and develop new dishes. Please take care of your health and eat a little. Later, I will have them send another bowl of sour plum soup.”
“Hmph.”
The emperor said nothing more, his face dark with displeasure as he sat silently. He did not pick up his chopsticks again. Chen Fuquan quickly instructed the attendants to resume fanning him more vigorously.
Just then, the eunuch delivering the food arrived at the entrance of the side hall. Hearing the emperor’s anger inside, he felt his heart jump and quickly stepped forward to whisper to Chen Fuquan.
Upon hearing it, Chen Fuquan’s eyes lit up.
“Your Majesty, the item you requested has arrived. Xiao Linzi has brought a cooling delicacy. Would you care to try it?”
Mo Qiyuan glanced at him, still irritated, but nodded slightly. He wanted to see what it was.
Xiao Linzi—the eunuch in charge of food delivery—quickly placed the food box on a nearby table and opened the lid.
A faint cold mist rose from inside.
He then took out a bowl of fruit shaved ice.
Mo Qiyuan raised an eyebrow. He had never seen such a strange thing before, and a trace of interest appeared in his eyes.
Chen Fuquan understood immediately and stepped forward to take the bowl. A refreshing scent of watermelon mixed with cool air drifted out, making him secretly pleased—the emperor finally had something to relieve the heat.
After testing it with a silver needle for poison, he quickly presented it to the emperor.
Because the ice had already begun to melt slightly, it was urgent.
Mo Qiyuan took a spoonful and ate it directly.
“Mmm… not bad.”
It was the most refreshing thing he had eaten in recent days. The watermelon-flavored ice mixed with sweet juice slid down his throat, bringing a cool sensation throughout his body.
He took another spoonful with lychee, finding that the fruit added richness to the texture, like being transported into a summer orchard.
One spoon after another, the bowl was quickly finished. He set down the spoon and let out a satisfied breath, even the air he exhaled seemed cool.
“Comfortable. Reward them.”
Xiao Linzi quickly knelt and thanked him joyfully.
The emperor then noticed the food box again and motioned for it to be brought over.
Chen Fuquan opened it. A fresh cold aroma drifted out again.
Inside was another bowl of shaved ice. Although it had been left for some time, it had barely melted. Once opened, however, it began melting more quickly.
After confirming it was safe, the emperor continued eating while observing the food box.
He noticed thick cotton padding at the bottom and crushed ice packed around it. There were gaps where the bowl had been placed, and even the lid was lined with cotton cloth.
He touched the outside of the box—it was slightly cold but dry. Inside, however, it was much colder. The cotton lining was only slightly damp from melting ice.
The emperor became interested in the person who had made this unusual delicacy. Not only could they create such a refreshing dish, but they also possessed such ingenuity.
He looked at Xiao Linzi and asked,
“What is this called, and who made it?”
Xiao Linzi quickly replied:
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this was delivered from Lady Ye of Yufu Palace. She heard that Your Majesty has had a poor appetite since the beginning of summer, so she spent time developing this cooling delicacy and asked this servant to present it to you, hoping to relieve your heat.”
Lady Ye of Yufu Palace… a newly selected consort?
It seemed there was such a person. The emperor had been busy these past months and had not visited the harem much, so he had almost forgotten these newly entered consorts.
After thinking for a moment, he called Chen Fuquan over and gave him a few instructions.
Chen Fuquan immediately understood and went to arrange things with a pleased expression.
It seemed the emperor had not summoned anyone for bedchamber attendance in quite some time. This Lady Ye truly was fortunate.