After suppressing the joy in her heart, she pretended to be puzzled and said: "Mother, what you are talking about is..."
Concubine Yu glanced at her and said, "You have already guessed it, so why bother asking me again? What's wrong? I'm afraid I won't be happy?"
"I don't dare, my slave..." Before Wei Jingxuan could continue, she raised her hand and said, "Okay, I understand in my heart." After that, she motioned for Wei Jingxuan to come over and elaborate on the plan she had been thinking about for many days.
Rather than listen, he then said: "I will try my best to help you arrange it, but whether it can happen or not depends on God's will. In addition, this opportunity only comes once. If you can't seize it, don't blame me."
"I know that I will definitely seize the opportunity given by your Majesty." After saying that, she knelt down with gratitude on her face: "I really don't know how to repay your kindness to your Majesty."
"This is what I promised you. There is no need to say anything in return. However, I hope you remember who is the person you have to deal with the most. Never... never forget, you know?"
When she said this, there was deep fear in Concubine Yu's eyes. If she had a second choice, she would definitely not support Wei Jingxuan to rise to power. Unfortunately, she did not, so she could only take dangerous measures.
Wei Jingxuan said quickly: "Don't worry, Madam, I will never forget this. Don't worry, I will definitely work with you to deal with the Imperial Concubine."
"The Emperor has always been lukewarm towards you, so I cannot recommend you through normal channels. I hope everything goes well this time and there are no complications." With that said, Concubine Yu stood up and said, "Okay, let's go there.
Also, Xiao Quanzi, please bring me the fermented wine brewed by me."
After Xiao Quanzi got the wine, Dongmei and Wei Jingxuan helped her get on the carriage. It had just snowed a few days ago and there was still unmelted snow on the ground, so the palace people carried her very hard.
Slowly, until the sun's shadow was setting in the west and dusk gradually appeared, we arrived at the Yangxin Hall.
When Hongli learned about Concubine Yu's intention, he said with a smile: "It's just a small matter, why do you need to come here to express gratitude?"
Concubine Yu chuckled and said, "I am here. In addition to thanking the emperor for the reward, I also want to treat the emperor to a taste of the wine I brewed myself."
Hongli asked in surprise: "When did you learn how to make wine?"
"It happened last year. I had nothing to do, so I learned some things. I wonder if this wine can enter the emperor's mouth." Facing Concubine Yu's words, Hongli said loudly: "I brewed the wine made by Concubine Yu.
Definitely drink it!”
"Then I will thank the emperor first." Concubine Yu smiled and ordered Wei Jingxuan to get the wine cup, then opened the seal of the small wine jar, scooped the wine into the wine cup with her own hands, and then offered it to Hong with both hands.
Li, "Please taste it, Your Majesty."
"Okay." Hongli took it in his hand, closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the wine, then opened his eyes and said, "If I guessed correctly, it should be plum wine."
Concubine Yu said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you are so awesome. You guessed it before you even drank it. It was plum wine. Please try it quickly."
Following Concubine Yu's words, Hongli took a sip, savored the aftertaste, and nodded: "Yes, compared with the plum wine brewed in the palace, it is not as sweet and soft, but the fruity aroma is stronger." After that,
, he said curiously: "Is the method different?"
"The royal chef in the palace always waits for the plums to be almost ripe before making wine. At this time, the plums are naturally sweet, but the fruity aroma is less. But my concubine picked the plums when they were about seventy ripe.
, and then brewed with freshly beaten plum blossom honey, rock sugar and other substances, so that the original fruity aroma can be maintained." After that, she poured another cup for Hongli and said: "The emperor thinks it tastes good, drink more, look at this
By now, it’s almost time to have dinner. I wonder if I, my concubine, would be honored to have dinner with the emperor?"
Hongli laughed and said, "You are my concubine, so of course you can. Sixi will pass on the food."
Just as Si Xi was about to agree, Wei Jingxuan suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, this servant often cooks at home, and there are a few side dishes that I can still cook. Why don't you let me try to cook a few?"
Concubine Yu heard this and said, "Oh? What kind of food do you know how to cook?"
"When I return to your Majesty, I will make stir-fried duck gizzards, stuffed crab with pearl eggs, and splendid seabass." After saying that, she lowered her head and said, "These are some home-cooked dishes that make your Majesty laugh."
"How could it be?" After saying this, Concubine Yu said: "Your Majesty, since returning from Jiangnan, I have missed the dishes from Jiangnan very much. I have asked the imperial kitchen to cook them several times, but unfortunately I have never been able to make them.
Since Jingxuan can make it, let her try it."
Ever since Concubine Yu's green card was withdrawn, Hongli had always felt a little guilty towards her. Now when he heard what she said, he couldn't help but said: "In that case, let her give it a try."
." After that, he said to Wei Jingxuan, who was still standing there: "Why don't you hurry down and get ready."
Wei Jingxuan quickly bowed and said, "I obey your order."
After she left, Hongli drank a few more glasses at Concubine Yu's persuasion. Although the plum wine tasted good, it had a strong stamina. By the time Wei Jingxuan came in with the prepared dishes, Hongli was already drunk.
A bit drunk.
Wei Jingxuan took the seabass with her chopsticks and placed them on the golden plates in front of Hongli and Concubine Yu, and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, please try it and see if my craftsmanship is passable."
Concubine Yu took a sip, nodded and said: "It's not just passable, it's really good. It allows me to taste the unique delicacies of Jiangnan again. Your Majesty, you can try it too."
Hongli followed the instructions and tasted it. Although he did not appreciate it as much as Concubine Yu did, he nodded in approval of Wei Jingxuan's cooking skills and then asked: "How old were you when you entered the palace?"
Wei Jingxuan lowered her head and said, "If I go back to the emperor, I was thirteen years old at the time."
"Thirteen years old..." Hongli nodded and said, "Have you already learned how to cook dishes at such an age?"
"It makes the emperor laugh. My slave's family is poor. My mother has to spin cloth every day to support the family. My brothers and sisters are still young, so the slave is responsible for chores such as cooking and washing. However, there are advantages. Over time, this cooking skill will be improved.
I have grown a lot.”
Hongli Xuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Poor? The ingredients used in these dishes you cooked are not shabby. Ordinary people may not be able to afford them, right?"
Wei Jingxuan heard the suspicion in his words and said quickly: "Your Majesty, you don't know. These sea bass and crabs were caught by the servant's father in the river. As for the others, they are all raised at home, so there is no need to spend money. But this
It’s good to be able to eat the food once or twice a year. My brothers and sisters will be very happy every time. My father and mother often wait for the slaves to finish eating before they eat the leftovers.” When she said this, her eyes turned red.
, shed tears and said: "We haven't seen each other for eight years, and I don't know what happened to them."
Concubine Yu scolded lightly: "You girl, why are you crying when I make you so angry? Quickly wipe your tears and step aside."