For the next few days, Tao Ti has been busy renovating the small kitchen of the East Palace. In addition to buying some kitchen utensils, she also asked someone to build a small bread kiln behind Yaoguang Hall.
This kind of bread kiln is very simple, and the craftsmen can understand it just by looking at the pictures drawn by Tao Ti, and it only took two days to build it.
Tao Ti immediately tried to bake some bread. The first two rounds of cooking were not done properly. The dough was either burnt or not soft enough. Fortunately, the third time it finally succeeded——
Before the kiln was opened, the sweet smell filled the entire Yaoguang Palace. Even the palace maids who cleaned the door could smell this peculiar fragrance. They all sniffed greedily with their eyes closed, "It smells so good!"
Tao Ti glanced at the incense that was about to burn out in the censer, and rubbed her hands excitedly, "It's almost time, you can take it out."
Linglong responded, and took a wet rag to remove the cover.
After a burst of steaming heat, a row of milk and honey bread was neatly squeezed together on the long plate, golden, round and fragrant.
Both Zishuang and Linglong couldn't help but swallow their saliva. At first, they thought that the princess was just making fun of her whims, but they didn't expect that this food called "bread" was really made successfully, and it was so delicious!
Tao Ti tasted one, and it was still a little hot. After opening it, the inside was fluffy and soft, and the mouth was filled with a faint milky fragrance, "Well, it's not bad."
This sweet taste is moderate, Pei Yan should be able to accept it. Thinking of this, she said to Linglong, "Pack up six and send them to Your Highness."
The bread she baked this time is not too big, one is only the size of a fist. According to her estimation of Pei Yan's appetite, it would be good if he could eat half of these six, but it would be too shabby to pack three, and it seems She is stingy, it is better to pretend to be six.
Linglong quickly packed a plate of buns, and went to Zixiao Hall.
Zi Shuang came to Tao Ti's side, first she held Tao Ti in her arms and praised her, and then asked tentatively, "Master, are you and His Highness the Crown Prince... planning to live a good life?"
Tao Ti frowned when she asked this question, "What else?"
Seeing that her attitude had become sharper, Zishuang smiled resentfully, "No, no, this servant is just asking casually. Master, if you can figure it out, that is naturally the best."
Tao Ti pursed her lips, feeling suspicious in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face.
She packed six small buns for herself, and when she saw that there were some left on the tray, she said to Zishuang, "Take the rest and distribute it to the palace people."
Zishuang was slightly surprised, "Master, how can slaves have the right to eat the food you cook yourself?"
"It's not a rare thing, it's just a little bread." Tao Ti didn't take it seriously, "Besides, it's only delicious if it's fresh. I can't finish it by myself, and the rest is a waste. It's better to eat it together to save money. Waste of food. By the way, remember to leave one for Linglong."
"...Yes." Zishuang said slowly.
When Tao Ti entered the house, Zishuang didn't dare to delay, and distributed the remaining bread to the several palace servants who were waiting in front of her.
However, she kept it selfish and didn't keep it for Linglong, but ate it herself.
She didn't believe that Linglong's little hoof would complain to the master for a snack.
—
In Zixiao Palace, Pei Yan was discussing matters with the officials of the East Palace.
Suddenly smelling a strong milky fragrance, he slightly raised his eyes to look at Fu Xirui.
Fu Xirui understood and hurried out of the house. After a while, he carried a food box and walked to Pei Yan's side, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the cakes are from the Crown Princess."
She sent it? Could it be some kind of bread that she has been tinkering with for the past two days.
Pei Yan raised his hand and slightly lifted the lid to take a look.
The appearance is not bad, I think it is done.
He just wanted Fu Xirui to take it away and taste it after the government affairs were discussed, but he heard Song Wenci laughing, "The dining room's craftsmanship is really getting better and better. It's sweet, the old man's gluttons have been hooked out."
Song Wenci is the crown prince and Taifu, and Pei Yan studied with him since he was three years old. As the old saying goes, one day is a teacher and a lifetime is a father. The teacher-student friendship between Song Wenci and Pei Yankuai for twenty years is extremely deep.
Now that Mr. Song was greedy, Pei Yan smiled slightly, "After discussing the government affairs for so long, I think you are all tired, why don't you eat some cakes and take a rest."
Song Wenci stroked his gray beard, "Very good, very good."
When Fu Xirui divided the snacks, he secretly sweated, fearing that there would not be enough.
Unexpectedly, there are not too many dim sums, one for each person is just right.
Fu Xirui breathed a sigh of relief, this princess is really amazing! It's such a coincidence to send a snack.
"I've never seen this pastry before." Song Wenci took a look at a small bun, opened his mouth and took a big bite. The next moment, he raised his brows and praised, "Mmm... soft and sweet, with a lingering fragrance in the mouth, not bad. good!"
The rest of the people's reactions were similar to Song Wenci's, and they were full of praise.
The bread was still warm, and Pei Yan tasted it gracefully, thinking of the news that the secret guards had come to investigate—
Tao Ti also cooked in the Yongweihou Mansion before, but not many times, and she made some ordinary cakes and soups.
As for the cooking skills, this is not known. After all, only Mrs. Zhang, Yong Weihou, and the old lady of the Hou Mansion have tasted her cooking skills, and these few people have never commented on her cooking skills.
Could it be that she has been hiding her good cooking skills...
In other words, is the princess Tao Ti who is currently in the East Palace really Tao Ti, the prostitute of the Marquis of Valor
Pei Yan narrowed his dark eyes slightly, thoughtfully.
Song Wenci finished the bread in two or three mouthfuls, still a little unfinished, and asked aloud, "Your Highness, what is the name of this pastry? I can let the cook at home try to make it when I go back."
Pei Yan came back to his senses, and said calmly, "This pastry is called bread... the princess concubine figured it out by herself."
Hearing this, the important ministers of the Eastern Palace were all shocked, and looked at the... remaining bread crumbs on the plate in disbelief.
Such a delicious pastry was made by the princess who committed suicide by taking poison on her wedding night? It's only been a few days, and that woman has become so virtuous? It's incredible.
"I didn't expect the Crown Princess to have such outstanding craftsmanship." Song Wenci was an old man in the officialdom after all. He quickly realized it and said with a smile on his face, "Your Highness will be lucky in the future."
He raised his head, and the rest of the courtiers followed suit.
Pei Yan smiled without saying a word. After drinking half a cup of tea, he continued to discuss business.
—
Tonight's dinner was brought to Yaoguang Hall by Director Sun himself.
Seeing his polite and cautious attitude, Tao Ti was a little embarrassed, and patiently explained to him, saying that she did not question his cooking skills, but simply wanted to eat some heavy-tasting food.
Mr. Sun was surprised and terrified when he saw the princess explaining to him in such an approachable manner, and hurriedly said, "Don't worry too much, the princess is here to bring the meal. I just want to see if the princess is satisfied with today's order. Spicy dishes, secondly…”
He paused with shame on his face, and seeing Tao Ti waiting for him to finish, he summoned up his courage and said, "The fried buns and Hu spicy soup that the princess made a few days ago, I also tried to make it. The decocted buns are not bad, and it was done in one go. It’s just that the hot and spicy soup, I can’t make it taste like that, but I don’t know what’s wrong... If the princess can clear up the confusion for the little one, the little one Thank you so much.”
After all, he solemnly bowed to Tao Ti.
"Mr. Sun, don't be so polite." Tao Ti hurriedly asked him to get up. Anyway, she didn't make any secret and exclusive dishes, and she didn't hide her secrets. She explained the steps and secrets of Hu spicy soup one by one.
In the end, she humbly smiled, "Cooking is very flexible. The same recipe, the ingredients and steps are clearly written, but different people cook it, and the taste is different. You don't have to do it like I do. Same, as long as the taste is good enough, then it will be done."
"Thank you, Princess, for your guidance." Seeing that the Crown Princess does not put on airs, does not hide her secrets, and loves cooking and food from the bottom of her heart, Manager Sun also has a little more sincere respect in her heart.
It was rumored by outsiders that the Crown Princess had a bad temper, but after these two contacts, it was not what the rumors said at all! It can be seen that the rumors cannot be believed.
Before leaving, Director Sun said warmly, "Crown Princess, the dining room is actually not far from Yaoguang Palace, and the dining room is also fully equipped. If you want to cook something on weekdays, you can come to have a meal." Fang Zuo, we big guys can also help you, prepare a dish, carve a flower, these things the maids around you are not as good as us."
Knowing his kindness, Tao Ti smiled slightly, "Okay, whenever I want to make a big dish, I will go to the dining room to ask you for help."
After dinner, Tao Ti took a walk in the courtyard for a while, then went back to the house to take a bath.
The night life of the ancients was extremely boring, so she could only read the scriptures to pass the time.
But tonight, she almost finished reading a volume of story books, but she still didn't see Pei Yan.
Tao Ti yawned lazily, but subconsciously looked towards the door.
Is he still busy with government affairs so late? Well, can his weak body take it...
Seeing that she was sleepy, Linglong added incense cakes to the green-glazed censer and advised, "Crown Princess, it's late at night, Your Highness shouldn't be here tonight, why don't you rest first?"
Tao Ti thought about it, yes, she has been married into the East Palace for several days, and the prince has also lived with her for several days, it is enough to come and play if she wants to, so there is no need to come here every night.
"Well, then I'll rest first." She stretched her waist, smelled the fragrance from the incense burner in her nose, and said casually, "The smell of this incense seems to be different from the previous one."
Linglong Tianxiang paused for a moment, lowered her eyes and said, "Back to the princess, I used Su Hexiang before, but today I use the incense from the pear tent. If the princess likes the previous one, I will change it back."
Tao Ti didn't know much about incense, so she just said, "No need, this one smells good too."
"Yes." Linglong waited for Tao Ti to sleep after adding the fragrance.
Suddenly there was no one lying around, and Tao Ti was still a little uncomfortable.
But not long after, a strong drowsiness surged up like a tide, she closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
Outside the curtain, Linglong lifted a corner, and softly called "Princess Concubine".
Seeing no one answered, she quickly walked towards the door.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess has fallen asleep."
"Well, back off." A gentle voice sounded.
The door was gently pushed open, and Pei Yan walked in slowly, his deep and calm eyes cast on the smoky purple curtain that was quietly hanging down.