Consort Zhuang doesn't want palace intrigue; she just wants to raise her child and live a caref

Chapter 327 Dried Meat (2)

Su Nuannuan stood in front of the chopping board in the yard, her gaze fixed on the sliced ​​pork in the basin, pondering how to marinate it to make it even more delicious. She turned to Zhixiang, who was standing beside her, and instructed, "Go and fetch the white wine."

Upon hearing Su Nuannuan's instructions, Zhixiang cheerfully replied, "Okay!" Then she turned and quickly walked towards the small kitchen, returning shortly with a jar of white wine.

This jar of liquor is no ordinary liquor; it has been purified and is no longer the yellow rice wine of the past. This purification method was learned from the batch of "treasure" books that Su Nuannuan had the Duke of Zhenguo send to the late emperor.

In her previous life, Su Nuannuan had never brewed grain liquor, though she had brewed fruit liquor and medicinal liquor.

However, later, Su Nuannuan's third brother went to the library again, copied down some useful content, and specially sent it to Su Nuannuan.

Su Nuannuan looked at the wine jar that Zhixiang had brought back. The jar was much bigger than she had imagined. She couldn't help but sigh and asked helplessly, "Don't you have any smaller ones?"

Upon hearing Su Nuannuan's question, Zhixiang quickly replied, "Your Majesty, there is only this one jar of liquor in the small kitchen." As she spoke, she carefully placed the jar of liquor on the ground, afraid of accidentally breaking it.

Su Nuannuan looked at the wine jar on the ground and said, "Then get another bowl. You don't need this much liquor to marinate the meat."

Upon hearing this, Zhixiang immediately turned around to fetch a bowl. A moment later, she returned carrying a large bowl and placed it in front of Su Nuannuan. Then, Zhixiang skillfully opened the lid of the wine jar. With a "bang," a rich aroma of wine gushed out like a clear spring, instantly filling the entire courtyard.

Su Nuannuan took a deep breath, the rich aroma of the wine filling her nostrils and making her feel intoxicated. She couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly fine wine."

Just as Zhixiang was about to pour the wine into the bowl, Su Nuannuan looked at the pork in the basin, secretly estimating the amount of meat in her mind, and then said unhurriedly, "Half a bowl is fine."

Upon hearing this, Zhixiang swiftly and skillfully poured the wine into a bowl, filling it exactly halfway. Then, she deftly sealed the wine jar shut.

Seeing this, Jinse quickly stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, would you like some scallions, ginger, and garlic?"

Su Nuannuan shook her head and pointed to the half-bowl of white wine, explaining, "With this white wine, we don't need scallions, ginger, or garlic."

Jinse nodded and continued to ask, "Then, what about salt and five-spice powder?"

Su Nuannuan raised her head, glanced at Zhixiang, and asked, "Zhixiang, do you still have any five-spice powder?"

Zhi Xiang looked troubled and replied, "Your Majesty, we're out of five-spice powder."

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan became anxious and quickly instructed, "Then make it! If there are no spices, have Xiao Yuanzi go and buy some."

Before the words were finished, a voice was heard: "Your Majesty, I have bought what you requested." Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Li Desheng walking in carrying several paper packages.

Seeing this, Su Nuannuan looked surprised and asked curiously, "When did you buy it?"

"Your Majesty, it was Miss Zhixiang who said that the small kitchen was out of five-spice powder. So I inquired about the spices needed to make five-spice powder, and then, while you were taking a nap, I hurriedly went out of the mansion to the pharmacy and spice shop to buy some," Li Desheng replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan showed an appreciative expression and praised with a smile, "Yes, Eunuch Li is indeed very thoughtful in his work."

Li Desheng quickly bowed and said humbly, "This is all my duty. It is my honor to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens."

At this moment, Zhixiang, who was standing nearby, hurriedly stepped forward, took the paper packet from Li Desheng's hand, and said, "Your Majesty, this servant will go and make the five-spice powder now."

Su Nuannuan nodded slightly and instructed, "Go! You already know how to make five-spice powder, so I don't need to teach you again."

Just as Su Nuannuan was busy with her work, Cang Lan Jingcheng was summoned to the palace by the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, why have you summoned me to the palace so urgently? I am currently busy preparing to go to the border!" Canglan Jingcheng's voice came from afar; he had not yet stepped into the Imperial Study, but his voice had already arrived.

The Emperor, seated on his dragon throne, looked up at the sound and saw Lord Qu standing in the center of the Imperial Study. He couldn't help but find it amusing, and shook his head, saying, "This Prince Yong is still so impolite."

"It's all because Your Majesty spoils him. Of all the officials, only Prince Yong dares to make such a racket." Qu Jing smiled and bowed slightly, his words full of flattery.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face showed a hint of helplessness, and he sighed, "Alas! There's nothing I can do. His mother is my teacher and also my Consort Zhuang. Naturally, I have to dote on her more."

Just then, a voice called out from outside the door, "Your Majesty." Before the voice had even faded, Canglan Jingcheng strode in. He first addressed the Emperor, then his gaze shifted to Qu Jing, who was standing in the center of the Imperial Study. A mocking smile crept onto his lips as he teased, "Oh, Lord Qu is here too!"

Upon seeing this, Qu Jing quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject greets Prince Yong."

However, Canglan Jingcheng seemed quite impatient with these formalities. He casually waved his hand and said, "Alright, you scholars are just too polite."

Seeing this, the Emperor smiled and teased, "Little Fifth, if Consort Zhuang hears you say that, you're probably going to get another beating."

Canglan Jingcheng didn't take it seriously. He casually found a place to sit down and said, "Brother, don't scare me. Mother is busy making dried meat. She doesn't have time to pay attention to me."

Then, not forgetting to greet Qu Jing, he said, "Lord Qu, come and sit down. Standing is tiring."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Qu Jing did not respond immediately, but instead silently glanced at the Emperor. The Emperor seemed to notice Qu Jing's gaze, smiled slightly, and then gently waved his hand, gesturing for Qu Jing to find a seat as well.

Seeing this, Qu Jing was grateful for the emperor's tolerance and understanding. He silently thanked the emperor, then turned and walked to the side, slowly sitting down in an empty seat.

Once Qu Jing was seated, the three of them focused their attention on discussing matters of state.

Meanwhile, on Su Nuannuan's side, Zhixiang had already prepared the necessary five-spice powder according to her mistress's request. Su Nuannuan nodded in satisfaction, then began to methodically direct the others to carry out the next step.

Under her careful guidance, the meat strips were marinated meticulously.

After a flurry of activity, the meat strips were finally marinated. Su Nuannuan wiped the sweat from her brow, looking at the finished product with satisfaction, and then said to Zhixiang and the others, "Alright, now put these meat strips in a cool, shady place and let them marinate overnight. Take them out tomorrow morning and hang them to dry. Once they're dry, you can steam them."