The imperial dining room in the Forbidden City usually only provides meals to the emperor, queen, nobles, as well as some important cabinet ministers and six ministers.
Most of the palace maids, eunuchs, and lower-level officials can only cook or bring food from home, and some can only order food from some fixed restaurants outside the palace.
Therefore, many eunuchs and maids simply did not have enough to eat.
Amidst the shouting, a young eunuch walked out of the official hall, picked up a variety of food boxes, and then walked quickly back to the official hall.
There was silence in the official hall.
The clever little eunuch put the food box down, opened it, smelled it, and tasted it with the silver chopsticks he carried.
The little eunuch tried the poison, then put some portion of the meal in front of Feng Bao, and said softly: "Old ancestor...it's time to eat."
Feng Bao nodded and looked at the food boxes in front of him. He had long been tired of the food in those big restaurants and was too lazy to go to the imperial dining room.
Then Feng Bao's eyes couldn't help but fall on the poplar lunch box of Bianyifang, and his eyes lit up involuntarily.
He asked his men to order lunch from the cheap shop. It was originally a last-minute idea and wanted to try something new.
After all, after Zhang Juzheng's reforms, he, the Inner Court's Chief of Ceremonies, was not short of money...
Feng Bao put down the official document in his hand, raised his head, and looked at today's dishes. Today, the meals provided by the cheap shop have changed a few more.
The lunch box, which exuded the aroma of poplar wood, still contained a few home-cooked side dishes, as well as a portion of shredded potatoes that he had longed for.
But the side dish of the shredded potatoes was changed to green peppers. Feng Bao had seen and eaten green peppers before, but the shredded potatoes with green peppers were new.
Looking at this dish he had never seen before, Feng Bao's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but recall the crispy texture, and he casually pushed away the food boxes from several other large restaurants.
He picked up the poplar chopsticks without hesitation and tasted it with some anticipation. The food had been delayed for too long on the road and was already a bit cold.
But when the slightly spicy crunch began to stimulate his taste buds, Feng Bao nodded involuntarily, took a bite of green pepper and potato shreds, and another bite of white rice...
Stimulated by the slightly spicy taste.
Feng Bao started to eat happily, and soon he was sweating. While eating, he said with a smile: "Give this meal to all the bastards to try."
The young eunuch quickly complimented: "My ancestors are merciful."
The smart little eunuch understood in his heart that his ancestor seemed to be very satisfied with the food at Biianfang, so he had an extra thought in mind.
Tomorrow at noon, I will be the first to deliver a meal from Biianfang, which will also allow my ancestors to have a hot dish.
After a while.
The only sound left in the hall was the sound of Eunuch Feng chewing softly. Unknowingly, he ordered the bottom of a box of food. Feng Bao put down his poplar chopsticks and wiped his mouth with silk cloth.
Looking at the chopsticks, the lunch box, and the novel dishes, a smile of approval appeared on his face, waiting for the little eunuch next to him to take the lunch box away.
Feng Bao continued to review the mountain of memorials.
Afternoon.
Cheap square.
After the busy period, there were still a few diners lingering on, enjoying their free time in the afternoon and casually chatting about interesting things happening in the market or in the yamen.
Whose family gave birth to a big fat boy, which adult and his daughter-in-law took out the ashes...
Amid the whispers of the diners, Yun'er held a charcoal pen at the counter and recorded the running accounts according to the method taught to her by Shen Lie.
But Shen Lie didn't seem to feel tired. His upright figure seemed to have endless energy and he was busy in the kitchen.
Soon Shen Lie discussed with Aunt Li and others, and prepared dishes using potatoes as ingredients according to the taste of Ming people in this era.
In addition to several kinds of potato shreds, Biianfang's signature menu also includes several delicious dishes that Ming people have never seen before.
As each dish is prepared, everyone in the kitchen will be amazed.
A group of middle-aged women looked at Shen Lie with awe, watching him turn decay into magic and bring out signature dishes one after another.
Amidst the laughter, Shen Lie took off his apron and wiped his hands. Seeing that the elderly Aunt Li was already a little overwhelmed, he began to consider recruiting a few apprentices.
This era is different from later generations. Recruiting apprentices cannot be taken lightly.
In this era, master and apprentice are equal to father and son. It is best to be a clever orphan who can be cultivated into a true confidant. This matter still has to be left to Tian Hong.
Looking at the busy kitchen, Shen Lie began to think about the future, waiting for Tian Hong to find red peppers, sweet potatoes, or tomatoes...
He also has more unique private dishes that he can come up with.
When Shen Lie walked out of the kitchen and came to the lobby, he saw Zhang Jingxiu, still dressed in men's clothing, sitting by the window, lying listlessly on the table.
Shen Lie frowned slightly and looked at the plates of food in front of her.
The food was cold and not even a bite was touched.
Shen Lie couldn't help but feel a little curious. Looking at her bright and beautiful face, she seemed to have a hint of abnormal paleness and some pain.
Shen Lie was startled, walked over quickly, and asked softly: "Are you sick?"
Zhang Jingxiu raised his neck and forced a smile: "It doesn't matter."
But the more she said this, the more worried Shen Lie became, and he said anxiously: "How about I ask Yun'er to go find a doctor?"
Zhang Jingxiu, however, hesitated a little and said softly: "No need."
Shen Lie looked at her coy look, and his eyes couldn't help but fall on her delicate waist covered by traditional Chinese clothes, and her slightly protruding buttocks, and he felt even more strange in his heart...
What's wrong with her?
It looked like he had eaten something he couldn't digest.
Shen Lie touched his head strangely and murmured to himself: "What's going on?"
At this moment, a flash of inspiration flashed through my mind.
Shen Lie slapped his forehead fiercely, looking at the coy sitting posture on her slender jade legs that were tightly joined together under the Confucian uniform, an idea came to his mind.
Could it be that she is the aunt here?
Shen Lie hesitated, then took a few steps forward, leaned into her ear and whispered softly: "Is... something red is coming?"
But Miss Zhang's pretty face turned crimson, and under Shen Lie's burning eyes, her bright face drooped deeply, looking like an ostrich, ashamed and annoyed.
That shy look seemed to say, how can such a thing be said?
Such bright eyes and shy charm made Shen Lie's heart flutter, and he felt a little distressed at the same time.
Shen Lie thought for a moment and then hurriedly said: "Yun'er!"
Yun'er heard his call and walked quickly from the kitchen.
The little girl looked at the shy and embarrassed Zhang Jingxiu with her big watery eyes and asked curiously: "Master...is something wrong?"
Shen Lie could only whisper a few words in Yun'er's ear.
"Her affair has come. Take her to the kitchen to find Aunt Li..."
Yun'er first opened her eyes wide, then her pretty face turned red, she pursed her lips and let out a chuckle, and hurriedly walked over to help the shy Miss Zhang away.
Not long after.
Aunt Li's sincere instructions and the women's meaningful chuckles came from the backyard, which made Shen Lie start to think a lot.
Quickly shaking his head to erase this animal-like thought, Shen Lie put away the food on the table and went into the kitchen. He looked at the remaining ingredients in the kitchen and pondered.
The daughter's family has had a wedding, and her body is already weak due to blood loss.
Not eating again...
This won't work.
So Shen Lie had an idea and picked up a few potatoes. This time he didn't cut them into shreds or cubes, but cut them into slices.