The two beautiful women were very satisfied with Li Qi's dish. Although they only ate a small bowl as usual, they ate a lot of food.
After a while, Empress Zheng put down her chopsticks, took a sip of tea, turned to look at Li Qi, and saw that there was no trace of impatience on his face. She nodded secretly and said seriously: "Li Qi, your cooking skills are indeed good.
There is nothing to say. A simple vegetarian dish can make people have endless aftertaste. You deserve the title of Chef King." As she said that, she suddenly changed the subject and added: "But I thought if I could make it with the simplest way,
It is very rare to use the most delicious ingredients to cook the most delicious dishes. Just like this Luohan Quanzhai, if you blindly pursue preciousness and luxury, people will forget the original taste of the dishes. I wonder if you agree with what I say.
.”
It's finally here. If your mother didn't say anything, I would have fallen asleep. Li Qi pretended to be surprised and said: "I didn't expect that the queen's understanding of cooking is so profound, and Wei Chen thinks so too."
Empress Zheng smiled softly and said: "But I heard that the emperor intends to appoint you to be in charge of this celebration banquet, and also asked you to cook your family's Wuxiang dish."
Whatever the intention is, it has already been decided. Li Qi nodded helplessly and said: "The emperor has this intention."
Empress Zheng said: "I have heard a little bit about the Tao Wuxiang. I can't remember the details. I only remember how many cows, pigs, sheep, and a hundred and eighty abalone are needed."
Silky chicken, old duck, dozens of kilograms of scallops, sea cucumbers, etc. I wonder if I made a mistake?"
Li Qi nodded his head and said: "Not bad---about the same." But in his heart, he thought, you are really afraid of speaking. The little information you gave is not enough.
Empress Zheng sighed softly and said: "This is a great joy. It is understandable that the emperor wants to hold a grand celebration banquet. I shouldn't say more. But this dish of yours is worth thousands of dollars, maybe it is worth a thousand dollars."
Far more than that. Yes, for a royal banquet, this amount of money is nothing, but making this dish costs more than a thousand guan. If word of this spreads, what will the people of the world think, and what will the civil and military officials of the dynasty do?
Said. And as an economic envoy, you should also know that the national treasury is now empty, and your reforms have dwarfed the national treasury. It is really inappropriate to cook without a trace at this critical moment. Your Majesty and I should have done this for you.
People in the world should set an example and should not be extravagant and wasteful in order to celebrate success. In fact, this small amount of money is a small matter, but the impact is huge!"
In the past, Song Huizong wanted to get granite, and she had spoken out against it, but after all, this matter was not under the control of the harem, and she could not find a foothold. However, she was generally in charge of the banquet, and she and Song Huizong
They are two completely opposite people, especially when it comes to spending money. This is not to say that she is against Li Qi. She treats others and herself the same. A palace once made crown clothes for her. At that time, the treasury was not large, and the crown clothes
It was also extravagant, so she ordered the palace officials to change the old crown of the imperial concubine. This shows that she felt that she could be regarded as a good and careful wife, but it was a pity that Song Huizong was really hopeless.
It would be great if you were the emperor, but it's a pity that you are not. In fact, I don't want to do it. Maybe I will be impeached by the officials. It is really thankless, but there is nothing I can do. Your husband ordered me to do it. I dare not do it.
Do you agree? Li Qi nodded and said: "Wei Chen has benefited a lot from the queen's kind words. In fact, Wei Chen has also considered this. Therefore, Wei Chen thought of a way to get the best of both worlds."
Empress Zheng asked: "What method?"
Li Qi smiled slightly and said: "It is indeed inappropriate to use Qianguan to cook a dish, but if you use Qianguan to hold a celebration banquet, it shouldn't be an exaggeration."
Queen Zheng asked doubtfully: "What do you mean?"
Li Qi smiled and explained: "The queen may not understand the Wuxiang dish yet. I am not bragging. In fact, Wuxiang is a dish that is profound and profound. It combines all the preparation methods and tastes, and it can be extended to many things.
Dishes only require the essence of a part of these materials, so after Wuxiang is made, those materials can be made into other dishes after some special processing, and the taste is excellent, so strictly speaking,
Wuxiang is not a single dish, but a collective name for a series of dishes.”
"A series of dishes?" Concubine Wei said with an incredible smile: "Then your Wuxiang dish is really special and unheard of."
Li Qi smiled and said: "What the noble concubine said is true. In fact, this is also a major characteristic of Wuxiang."
Empress Zheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "If what you said is true, then I'll be relieved." After a pause, she added: "Since the Emperor wants to taste this Wuxiang so much, then you should do your best.
Do it, lest you disappoint the emperor's expectations."
In fact, she had no choice but to fall out with the emperor over a dish. This was definitely not what a queen should do. She called Li Qi today just to give Li Qi a beating so that he would be afraid and not always make flashy things to please Song.
Huizong, she always thought that it was Li Qi who recommended this dish to Song Huizong and induced Song Huizong to hold a banquet without a partner. Because Wang Fu and Cai Jing often did this kind of thing, and now there was another Li Qi, she was also annoyed.
Unexpectedly, Li Qi is still angry now. He has a thousand or ten thousand unwillingnesses in his heart. It is really a great injustice.
This is a second-guessing attack. It is reasonable for a leader to say anything. Li Qi saluted and said: "I will definitely live up to the emperor and the queen's expectations. But---." At this point, he stopped talking.
Empress Zheng frowned slightly and said, "But what? You have something to say, but it doesn't hurt to say it."
Li Qi said sarcastically: "But I have something to ask of you."
Empress Zheng smiled and said: "Thanks to the economy, even a small vegetarian dish will not be cooked in vain. Just tell me."
What are you talking about? This vegetarian dish is still small? Do you want my basin to put it in? You are talking nonsense with your eyes wide open. Li Qi nodded awkwardly and said: "Because cooking this Wuxiang dish requires a special tool.
Although this tool is also available among the people, it is only the best in the palace. Since it is a tribute, the ministers can only come to the queen to ask for it."
"Tribute?"
Empress Zheng and Concubine Wei couldn't help but look at each other.
...
After coming out of the harem, Li Qi breathed a long sigh of relief, and went to the imperial kitchen to get some ginseng back in an open and honest manner. Although he already understood why Zuo Boqing was so cautious, with such a careful calculation of the queen, he couldn't help but
He couldn't be too cautious, but in order to help Yu Yunwen's mother, he still had no choice but to kill him in front of Zuo Boqing.
After leaving the palace, Li Qi returned to the Qin Mansion, but as soon as he arrived in front of the Qin Mansion, he was stunned by the powerful visual impact. He saw four first-rate beauties sitting in the middle of the hall.
The alluring Li Shishi, the peerless graceful Mrs. Qin, the elegant beauty Li Qingzhao, and the beloved Feng Yinu.
It was a blessing to get one of them. If he could sleep with these four beauties, it is estimated that any man except the emperor would be willing to shorten his life by ten years.
As soon as Li Qi saw Feng Yinu, his heart was as bright as a mirror, and he pretended to be surprised and said: "Hey! Miss Shishi is here too, you are here to see Madam, I'm sorry to disturb your chat, so I'll excuse you first.
Already." He turned his back and left.
Master Li and Mrs. Qin looked at each other and shook their heads. This person is really cunning.
Mrs. Qin said: "Li Qi, Madam Li and Sister Feng are here to see you."
Li Qi turned around and said in shock: "You're looking for me? What's the matter?"
Master Li looked at Feng Yinu. Feng Yinu clenched his pink fists, took a deep breath, and said, "Have you forgotten what the emperor told you?"
Since that night, she had been waiting for Li Qi to come to her to practice dancing, but after waiting for two or three days, Li Qi didn't even show his face, as if he had forgotten about it. She thought Li Qi did it on purpose.
Just to take revenge on herself, she made herself lick her face and beg him. Originally, she had made up her mind that if Li Qi didn't go to her, she would never come to Li Qi. Later, it was Li Shishi who persuaded her so that she came here.
"I haven't forgotten, it's just that I have been preparing for Wuxiang for a few days." Li Qi said truthfully.
"But---it's about dance music."
Li Qi said relaxedly and contentedly: "It's simple, you can handle it. It's not the first time we have cooperated. You can practice with Miss Shishi, and I can practice with my wife when I have free time."
Mrs. Qin looked shocked and shouted: "Li Qi, don't talk nonsense. When did I agree to practice dancing with you?"
Sweat! I just said it casually, why are you so nervous? Am I really so scary? Li Qi chuckled: "Sāo type, sāo type, I made a mistake. I actually meant to say Qiniang."
Mrs. Qin rolled her eyes at him and said, "Why do you always speak so freely?"
Li Qi clicked his tongue twice and said: "Madam, you are dissing me. Isn't it just a dance practice? It's not a sneaky business. Even if I am telling the truth, it doesn't matter. You don't need to make such a fuss.
?"
Mrs. Qin hummed: "How do you behave in such a way that you are dancing and cuddling?"
Li Qi let out a cry, pointed at Mrs. Qin and said, "Madam, you are criticizing Sang and Huai." But he glanced at Feng Yinu.
Mrs. Qin was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that she had been tricked by Li Qi. She complained in her heart and hurriedly said to Feng Yinu: "Sister Feng, this is not what I mean. Don't be offended."
Feng Yinu naturally knew that Mrs. Qin was not talking about her, but the sad thing was that now she had to put down her reserve and come here to beg Li Qi to perform such a decent dance. She squeezed out a smile and said: "Sister, you are worrying too much about this person.
How could I believe it?"
Master Li also felt quite helpless towards Li Qi. He shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Okay, okay, Sister Feng, a woman who came to you to practice dancing in person, should you also be merciful and merciful?"
Li Qi curled his lips and muttered in a low voice: "There are teacups everywhere. I don't want to dance with my life. It's too dangerous."
Feng Yinu couldn't bear it any longer, stood up suddenly, and shouted angrily: "That's enough, if you hadn't been in the water that day--"
"Ahem, cough, cough." Li Qi interrupted Feng Yinu's words and said, "Isn't it just a dance? It's just a cup of tea. Why should you be so serious? Just dance casually." He thought to himself, wow.
.This woman is really becoming more and more fierce, and she dares to say such things. Also, Master Li doesn't seem to know, which makes it even more outrageous.
Feng Yinu didn't dare to say it. He was really a mute eating Coptis chinensis and couldn't express his pain. He snorted and sat down.
Li Shishi frowned and said: "Li Qi, this palace dance banquet is not comparable to the first-year banquet of Taishi Mansion. There can be no mistakes at all, and it must be ingenious and try to be as perfect as possible. Otherwise, I would not have arrived here."
I’m here to make suggestions for you, and I hope I can do my best.”
Li Qi let out a long sigh and said, "Of course I understand what Miss Shishi means. I know you are worried about Lady Feng."
Master Li was stunned for a moment and said in astonishment: "I---."
Li Qi didn't give her a chance to defend, and sighed: "Yes, I admit that Mrs. Feng standing with me is just like Gao Yanei standing with her. There is really a big difference, whether it is appearance, figure,
Even the dance steps are not comparable to mine, but this is innate. Even if Ms. Shishi’s dancing skills are unparalleled in the world, she can’t change it. Alas, actually I don’t want to steal the limelight, so I have been trying my best to shorten the time in the past few days.
The gap between the two of us, let alone being a good match, at least doesn't make Lady Feng too shabby. Isn't that right?"
How sad it would be if our innocent Yamen heard these words.
How come there are so many shameless people in the world?
Mrs. Qin and Li Qingzhao both looked at Li Qi in disbelief, seeming to be shocked by these words.
Feng Yinu was even more furious. In terms of singing and dancing, she had been praised all her life, but Li Qi repeatedly made irresponsible remarks, and two gleams of fire burst out in her beautiful eyes.
Li Qi said with a pure face: "Ms. Feng, why are you looking at me like this? Don't you agree with what I said?"
Master Li shook his head dumbfounded, fearing that the two of them would quarrel again, and hurriedly said: "Then have you thought of any good ideas?"
"Of course." Li Qi said seriously: "Although Lady Feng's dancing skills are average, I believe that my superb dancing skills should be able to make up for this. It doesn't matter if I am a little tired. As for appearance and temperament, then
I can only use other things to assist. After careful consideration, I finally thought of a good way, and that is high heels."
"High heel?"
All four girls were shocked.
Feng Yinu said angrily: "You are clearly doing this deliberately to mess with me."
Li Qingzhao couldn't stand looking at it anymore and said: "I've seen these high heels before. It's already difficult to walk in them. How can I wear them to dance? Don't be pretentious. This is no small matter."
ri.Why don’t they believe me every time I tell the truth? Li Qi said: "Sister Qingzhao, I am really not joking. I dare to swear on my personality that it is absolutely okay for a woman to dance in high heels.
Raise a level."
Mrs. Qin had already lost trust in Li Qi's personality and said, "Then why don't you dance wearing it?"
Li Qi said angrily: "I'm not a woman, so how can I wear it? If Madam doesn't believe it, or is worried that Lady Feng has been deceived, you can take the lead and put on high heels and dance with me once. I'll keep it for you to find the long-lost confidence and show your confidence."
The posture of a perfect woman.”
This person really dared to say anything. Mrs. Qin blushed suddenly and was extremely gorgeous. She spat lightly and kept silent, thinking to herself, how could I have met such a freak.
Master Li suddenly said: "I think Master Li can give this method a try. Put on high heels and dance the grease dance. It may really make people's eyes shine. I don't know."
Li Qi praised: "Miss Shishi is indeed a master in the dance world. She can understand her principles without even looking at her. She is much better than so-and-so. Li Qi admires her, admires her, uh... Sister Qingzhao, I'm not talking about you."
Li Qingzhao said straightforwardly: "In this aspect, I am indeed not as good as my master."
"Sister, what I said is really embarrassing." Li Shishi smiled modestly and said to Li Qi: "Now this is just talk. Whether it is really feasible or not, you have to try it to know."
"Of course, practice is always the most important."
Master Li asked again: "Then when do you plan to practice dancing with Sister Feng?"
Li Qi said seriously: "Miss Shishi, you also know that I have to be responsible for the entire Wuxiang Banquet now, and I'm afraid I won't be able to spare any time for the time being. Well, Madam Feng, you first learn how to dance in high heels, and then I'll be here
I've arranged it. I'll practice with you for a few more days. Your talent is mediocre, so you must work harder. Will the stupid bird fly first?"
Feng Yinu's face suddenly changed, and he smiled charmingly: "Thank you, Vice President, for reminding me. I think I know what to do."
This smile made Li Qi suddenly feel a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to his forehead, and he secretly wondered if something had gone wrong. (To be continued.)