novelaction Chapter 418 Xia Yuan Chapter Entering the Palace to Cook
Chapter 418 Xia Yuan Chapter Entering the Palace to Cook
Everyone looked at Qi Ning'an unconsciously, and no one knew who took the lead, but they all nodded unconsciously. Qi Ning'an was too lazy to chat with them. Three days before the Lower Yuan Festival, there was news from the palace that many queens and princesses were curious about her cooking skills and wanted to taste it on the Lower Yuan Festival.
The emperor was still very good to Qi Ning'an, and was afraid that the little girl might be confused, so he thought of asking Eunuch Wei to go there first and ask Qi Ning'an if she was willing.
Qi Ning'an didn't have any extra thoughts. She just went. Even if it was a den of tigers and wolves, she was not that scared.
Besides, the emperor was willing to ask her first, which was already a great honor for her and the Anyong Marquisate. If she refused again, it would not only make her look incompetent, but also make her look pretentious.
Qi Ning'an didn't hesitate too much, and Eunuch Wei was also smiling, saying that the daughter of Marquis An Yong was very good at observing people's words and expressions, and she didn't hesitate about anything, was generous and very likable.
Although the emperor did not say that Princess Zhaoping must agree, if she disagrees, Eunuch Wei will inevitably be criticized when he returns.
Qi Ning'an only made a few requests.
First of all, Qi Ning'an had worked in the palace and knew that the tastes in the palace were not as relaxed as those in the market, and many tastes would make these pampered young masters and young ladies uncomfortable.
So even if he went to the palace, he still had to inform Qi Ning'an in advance about the ingredients and the tastes of the queens, princesses, and princes.
Then, many ladies must be curious about cooking, but cooking produces a lot of smoke. If they perform it casually in the palace, it will probably cause a smoky mess. Therefore, even if they go to the palace, they need an independent kitchen, and then everyone can bring the food to the hall to eat.
Finally, Qi Ning'an needed to bring some people in as she couldn't handle it alone.
Eunuch Wei originally thought that this was a difficult matter, but since these things could be accomplished almost immediately, there was no reason for him to be unwilling. He nodded happily and said, "It's good that the county lady is willing. I will give her the list tomorrow. If the county lady needs anything, just pass it on to the palace. I guarantee that her requirements will be met."
In the following days, everyone was busy preparing the list of ingredients. Qi Ning'an adjusted the recipes in the palace. Although the recipes sent could also be made, Qi Ning'an knew that the nobles in the palace came to her because she could also make some different flavors.
If everyone eats the same thing, then there is no point in letting her enter the palace.
In addition to adding some flavor-enhancing seasonings and aniseed, some recipes were changed and some other ingredients were added to achieve the purpose of enhancing the flavor.
In fact, to be honest, the nobles in the palace have eaten everything. The best food, clothing and daily necessities in the entire country are given to them. Qi Ning'an just added some uncommon ingredients or ingredients that ordinary people dare not put into the dishes.
There were quite a few recipes sent from the palace. Eunuch Wei instructed that a few special dishes from restaurants be added. The nobles in the palace all wanted to try them, so they wanted some of the sweet, spicy, and oily dishes. Whoever liked them could eat them then.
Qi Ning'an nodded, which was considered as his agreement.
. . . . . .
Today is the day to go to the palace. In the morning, I stayed in the restaurant to take care of food, table arrangements, garden party and other matters. It was not until noon that the palace carriage arrived.
Qi Ning'an boarded the carriage with Lixia, Dahan and Guyu.
The carriage swayed slowly as it drove towards the palace. Along the way, Qi Ning'an felt somewhat nervous.
Although it was not her first time entering the palace, nor was it her first time cooking in the palace.
But it was obvious that those who came tonight were almost all the nobles in the palace. In addition, there might be some princesses and county ladies, so if you were not careful, you might end up with an unpredictable outcome.
In short, no matter which one it is, it is what Qi Ning'an doesn't want to see.
The moment he received the imperial edict, Marquis An Yong told him to be careful. The nobles in the palace seemed to be very kind. But once they touched something, they would be doomed. It didn't matter if they didn't do it well, but they must not make mistakes.
Qi Ning'an's mood was involuntarily lifted because of An Yonghou's words.
Protect yourself wisely.
What a difficult thing it is to be in this palace.
After arriving at the palace, everyone got off the carriage.
Walking along the palace wall, I didn’t know how far I had walked or how far I had to go.
Lixia and the others couldn't help but have sweaty palms. The things needed for cooking had already been delivered to the kitchen early, so they just kept walking forward.
Before coming, Qi Ning'an also taught a few people some basic etiquette in case of emergency.
In fact, a few people only needed to work in the kitchen, and there were not so many requirements, but everyone still learned the basics carefully.
Eunuch Wei had been waiting for a long time in Suihuan Palace where the banquet was to be held tonight.
Seeing Qi Ning'an and his men approaching slowly, he finally smiled as he had been waiting for a long time and came forward to greet them, "Please come this way, County Lady. The kitchen has prepared everything according to your instructions."
Qi Ning'an followed Eunuch Wei to the kitchen, which was obviously newly built. The fully equipped ingredients and brand new kitchen utensils inside were all new. Apart from anything else, the speed could only be called the speed of the royal family.
"Thank you, Eunuch Wei, for your hard work during this period."
"Whatever the county lady said, it's what I should do."
Eunuch Wei spoke politely with a deep sincerity, and even his polite words didn't sound like polite words.
Qi Ning'an smiled, confirmed the start time of the dinner, and quickly directed the few people he brought to start getting busy.
Soon, the kitchen became bustling with activity. At the beginning, everyone dared not speak for fear that any word would violate taboos.
But the process of preparing the ingredients was really too boring, and gradually, everyone started chatting unconsciously.
"My dear, this imperial city is so majestic." Dahan sighed. Even when the young lady took her to some other banquets later, she did not have this feeling.
At first glance, this imperial city is like a huge mountain, pressing down on people and making them feel powerless.
Qi Ningan smiled and said, "The Imperial City is majestic."
This is the palace after all, so Qi Ning'an didn't say anything outrageous.
Several people chatted about one thing or another.
As it got darker, the nobles slowly moved into the hall.
. . . . . .
In the Imperial Garden.
A young lady with luxurious clothes and a rosy face walked along with a menacing look, complaining all the time as she walked.
"A wild girl who grew up in a village has now become a phoenix on the branch of Zhao Feishan. That's incredible. People who don't know her would think she has some great talent? She can only cook a few dishes, but she ran to the palace and said she would cook for so many of us. What do we usually eat? I have drunk all kinds of nectar and dew, and I have eaten all kinds of delicacies from land and sea. Is it necessary for her to come here and show off?"