Chapter 1013: Chapter 1013: Whatever You Want, You Get
Jiang Youzhi laughed, "What’s wrong with being a treacherous official? The treacherous officials in history were actually the most loyal to the emperor."
At this moment, Ruru’s voice suddenly sounded outside the door, and the couple quickly separated, one fixing their hair, the other adjusting their clothes.
Ruru entered along with the Duke.
Behind them followed palace maids carrying food boxes.
The dishes were set on the table, and both You Er and Qi Er returned.
The Duke ate a few bites and shook his head, "Although it’s not hot in the mountains, this weather makes hot soup unappetizing."
Yun Jiao saw the Duke had stopped using his chopsticks after eating little, thought for a moment, and said, "How about I make some marinated dishes tomorrow, cut them up and mix with chili oil and minced garlic? Perfect for this weather."
The Duke nodded, "I forgot about that until you mentioned it."
"Marinated dishes are good, eating something cool in the summer is comfortable."
Jiang Youzhi reminded Yun Jiao, "Where are you going to make the marinated dishes? The entire traveling palace only has a stove in the Imperial Kitchen."
Yun Jiao said, "Then I’ll go make them in the Imperial Kitchen."
Before Jiang Youzhi could speak, she continued, "I know the Imperial Kitchen isn’t easy to access."
"I’m not going to the place where meals for His Majesty are prepared; I know where they cook for the palace maids and eunuchs, it’s on the other side." She had passed by that area last time, glanced inside, and the palace maid with her informed her.
Early the next morning, Yun Jiao grabbed some marinating spices and headed toward the Imperial Kitchen with Yang Ying.
She found the steward eunuch, explained her purpose, and Yang Ying slipped him some Silver, leading them cheerfully to a large kitchen.
There are dozens of stoves here, and the meals that Yun Jiao and the others consume daily are prepared here before being brought over.
Yun Jiao asked the steward eunuch, "What dishes are available today, can I buy some?"
The steward eunuch smiled, "The vegetables were just delivered, Madam, come with me next door, take whatever you want, and forget buying!"
Yun Jiao followed the steward next door and was momentarily stunned upon entering.
Inside were several pigs cut in half and cleaned, a cow slaughtered, several sheep, and plenty of chickens, ducks, geese, and fish.
Vegetables were piled into a mountain.
Yun Jiao couldn’t help but exclaim, "My goodness, so many vegetables!"
The steward eunuch said, "This is just one day’s worth; with thousands in the traveling palace, they need to eat and drink daily, so it’s barely enough."
"Not to mention the emperor and all the lords, who have a set meal of three meat dishes, two vegetables, and a soup, while the standard for the concubines is even higher."
He laughed, "Whatever the National Lady wants, just say the word, and we’ll have them prepare it for you."
Yun Jiao walked around, pointed at the pigs, "Prepare four pig trotters first."
The steward eunuch nodded and called for a young eunuch, "Cut down four pig trotters."
A eunuch took a knife and went to cut the pig trotters.
Yun Jiao then said, "A few pig tails, two pig ears."
The young eunuch didn’t need instructions and went to cut pig tails.
The steward eunuch said, "Why do you want just these, Madam? Pig tails and such we usually dispose of, there isn’t much meat. Wouldn’t you want some mutton or beef?"
Yun Jiao laughed, "Forget the mutton, I’ll have a bit of beef."
She wasn’t modest, "I want one chicken, one duck, and if there’s any pig liver, some of that too."
She thought for a moment, "This much meat is certainly enough."
Then she saw some dried seaweed on the ground, "Soak some of this for me, just enough for a plate."
She patted her head, "Oh right, also need pork bones and chicken carcasses for soup."
The young eunuchs quickly gathered everything Yun Jiao requested.
