Chapter 1014: Chapter 1014: Bar Snacks
Yun Jiao first tossed the bone-in pork and chicken skeleton into the pot to make soup, then began handling various ingredients.
By nearly noon, Yun Jiao had finished processing all the ingredients. Seeing the soup was almost ready, she finally put the ingredients into the pot to cook.
After having lunch back home, Yun Jiao returned to the main kitchen in the afternoon.
She could smell the scent of the stew from afar.
As she entered, a few young eunuchs laughed and said, "Madam, what good stuff are you cooking? The aroma here is making us drool all over the floor."
Yun Jiao smiled, "Once it’s ready, I’ll let you all taste it."
She first took out what was cooked, then added some more ingredients.
While waiting, she sliced the cooked beef and pork liver.
Once the beef was sliced, it was enough to fill two large plates.
Yun Jiao asked Yang Ying to carry a plate and let the hard-working young eunuchs and cooks have a taste.
The steward eunuch happened to be there, tasted a couple of slices, and his eyes lit up, "This stewed beef is delicious."
Yun Jiao pointed to the plate, "This is reserved for the eunuchs to eat."
Once all the stewed dishes were completed, Yun Jiao and Yang Ying, accompanied by palace maids, carried the food boxes back to the courtyard.
The Duke hadn’t returned yet, and when everyone was gathered, the food was laid out on the table.
Yun Jiao rarely makes stewed dishes, as many spices in them are too warming, causing children to overheat.
Qi Er and You Er had only tasted it once or twice.
Upon returning home and seeing the glossy stewed pork trotters on the table, a whole stewed chicken, slices of beef, pork liver, pig ears, and some unknown round pieces, You Er stared at the round things for a while, "Mom, are these pig tails?"
Yang Ying smiled, "You Er is really smart, you’ve guessed right."
You Er stared at them, "These... can be eaten?"
Yun Jiao picked one up and stuffed it into his mouth, "You will know whether it’s edible after you taste it."
You Er’s expression was a bit odd after finishing it, nodded, "It’s okay."
When the Duke returned, he couldn’t help but rub his hands, "Oh, these are dishes to go with wine."
Yun Jiao laughed, "I’ve already prepared wine for you!"
Jiang Youzhi poured four cups of wine, even Yun Jiao and Yang Ying got a half cup each.
In Sicui Palace, the Emperor was also dining.
By rule, the Emperor’s meal should have forty-eight dishes.
On the night of the thirty-first, it reached one hundred and eight dishes.
However, since the Emperor’s ascension, apart from one night of the thirty-first, he has never had a full designated meal.
The late Emperor was fond of delicacies, only eating the duck’s tongue, only the core of the cabbage, wasting unknown amounts daily.
The Emperor was determined to reclaim Dingjing, living extremely frugally, with each meal having twelve dishes.
However, he hadn’t been eating much for several meals recently.
Yesterday, he saw Commander Zhu bite his tongue, then witnessed Aunt Xue stab her throat, and upon returning to the palace, he vomited.
Eunuch An was ready to call the Imperial Physician, but the Emperor waved his hand, "No need, it’s not an illness, not uncomfortable, just a little nauseated to vomit."
Last night, the Emperor barely ate a few bites.
This noon, the Emperor looked at the memorial, learning the South was drought-stricken, affecting this year’s harvest, the people’s hardships, leaving him in a bad mood, and he ate very little.
By evening, the Emperor continued to have no appetite, barely eating a few bites before putting down his chopsticks.
Steward Eunuch Xu was a bit worried, seeing the Emperor hadn’t eaten much for three consecutive meals, and if this persisted, it could lead to serious issues!
