in2ebook Chapter 109 How dare Steward Wang!
Chapter 109 How dare Steward Wang!
Not long after, Li Quan returned from purchasing all the ingredients needed for dinner from Steward Wang.
When the Empress Dowager came to the palace to recuperate, the Emperor naturally prepared food for her. However, the food had not yet been delivered. For the time being, Su Nuannuan could only purchase food from Steward Wang at the palace or go to nearby villages.
Meanwhile, Su Nuannuan sat at the table, meticulously writing down each step of making garlic-flavored fish fillets. Every detail, from the knife technique for slicing the fish to the amount of seasoning, and the cooking temperature and time, was described in detail and clearly. After finishing, she carefully folded the note and handed it to Li Quan, instructing him to deliver it to Zhixiang, who was busy in the small kitchen, as soon as possible.
Fortunately, this world also has common and delicious seasonings like scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. Otherwise, Su Nuannuan, who loves food and is quite skilled in cooking, would really not know how to showcase her talents.
However, the only slight drawback was that the cooking oil here was always animal fat. After eating it for a while, she couldn't help but miss the fragrant vegetable oils like peanut oil, soybean oil, and rapeseed oil that she was familiar with from her previous life.
"It seems I need to figure out a good way to extract oil from plants!" Su Nuannuan thought to herself, shaking her head slightly.
Looking back on her past life, she was a restless soul, her footprints covering almost the entire country. Initially, her travels were simply to appreciate the beautiful scenery and historical sites, and to fully enjoy the pleasures of travel. However, as her journeys deepened, she unexpectedly discovered many intangible cultural heritage techniques hidden among the people, as well as those master craftsmen whose skills were truly top-notch. From then on, she developed a deep interest in these traditional crafts.
Although Su Nuannuan did not truly become an expert in any field, after all, she did not stay in any place for very long, the longest time being only a year.
However, this did not hinder her from understanding the underlying principles in any way, and she had a rather in-depth understanding of the blueprints and technologies in certain related fields.
As for why Su Nuannuan was able to draw those exquisite blueprints, the reason is actually very simple—it's entirely due to her unique collecting hobby. Unlike ordinary people, she has no interest in other items, but is only passionate about collecting blueprints related to intangible cultural heritage techniques.
It was noon, time for lunch. Su Nuannuan ate a few bites of food casually before turning back to her bed, intending to take a short nap. After all, it was incredibly boring; her two adorable little ones were still fast asleep, leaving her with nothing to play with or entertain herself.
For a long time, I've either been engrossed in reading various books or constantly embroidering. But reading for long periods inevitably becomes tedious, and frequent embroidery can easily damage my eyes. Occasionally, I feel like trying my hand at calligraphy or painting, but I just can't muster any interest. After much thought, it seems that the best course of action is to simply get some sleep.
In this way, there is no need to worry about whether the emperor will suddenly arrive, nor is there a need to be constantly vigilant to serve the emperor at all times. This is indeed a good situation.
While Su Nuannuan was taking a peaceful nap, the scene at the Empress Dowager's place was quite different.
Unlike Su Nuannuan, the Empress Dowager was not resting and recuperating. Instead, she was chatting idly with Song Mama beside her. Song Mama softly advised, "Empress Dowager, why don't you rest for a while? The journey alone, just riding in the carriage, has been quite tiring."
"I'm not tired at all, and I'm not sleepy at all right now. So stop running around and come sit down and rest for a while." The Empress Dowager smiled and beckoned to Song Mama to sit down.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but these chores are not yet properly arranged. I would like to tidy them up first," said Granny Song, bowing slightly and replying respectfully.
"Let those young maids handle this little matter," the Empress Dowager said gently, then urged Song Mama to sit down again.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Seeing that the Empress Dowager had summoned her twice in a row, Song Mama knew that if she did not obey, she would be ungrateful. So she quickly responded and then slowly walked to the chair and carefully sat down.
"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, you have been by my side for more than twenty years." The Empress Dowager gazed at the old nanny Song in front of her and couldn't help but feel emotional.
"Being able to serve the Empress Dowager is a blessing I have accumulated over several lifetimes. If it weren't for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's intervention back then, I'm afraid my life would have been lost long ago." Granny Song looked grateful, and her eyes even became a little moist as she recalled the past.
"Alright, alright, why bring up the past?" The Empress Dowager waved her hand, seemingly unwilling to recall that past experience.
Originally, there should have been a nanny surnamed Zhang by the Empress Dowager's side. Unfortunately, in order to protect the Empress Dowager who was then the Empress, this nanny Zhang tragically died in the Punishment Department.
Later, after the Empress was safe and sound, he did everything he could to avenge her.
From then on, only Granny Song remained loyal and devoted to serving the Empress Dowager.
Just then, as if she had suddenly remembered something important, Song Mama spoke up and reported: "Your Majesty, this servant accidentally discovered that the steward of this palace has taken it upon himself to raise fish in the lotus pond."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager nodded dismissively and said, "Raising fish in lotus ponds is not unusual. Aren't there many koi in the lotus ponds in our palace? But look at those koi, they're all so round and plump from eating. I'm afraid they can hardly swim anymore!"
However, Granny Song quickly shook her head and explained, "That's not the case, Your Majesty. The fish that Steward Wang raises in the lotus pond are not ornamental koi, but fish like blackfish that can be eaten."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned, straightened her posture, and pressed on, "Oh? This Chief Eunuch Wang actually has such audacity? What exactly does he intend to do?"
"This servant is not quite sure about that," said Granny Song, gently shaking her head.
She couldn't give a definitive answer as to whether this Chief Steward Wang was bold or not. After all, what she knew was nothing more than what she'd overheard from the idle chatter of the people in the palace.
In their spare time, people would occasionally discuss the various deeds of Steward Wang, but the truth and falsehoods were so mixed that it was difficult to distinguish between them. Therefore, even Granny Song herself couldn't give a definite answer as to whether Steward Wang was bold or not.