If we only look at it from the surface, Emperor Roufu is not wrong.
There is indeed a shoe under the cover. To be precise, it is a crystal shoe. To be more strict, it should be a shoe-shaped crystal cake.
But I saw that this "crystal shoe" was crystal clear, glowing with a faint purple light, with a high heel, a pointed toe, and a plum blossom-shaped pattern engraved on the bevel. It was very shallow, very hazy, and exuded a silky glow.
Charming brilliance.
Under the "crystal slipper" is a round base, which is tapered, with a pattern framed by cream on the edge, which is more layered. At first glance, it looks like a white skirt, with red cherries embellishment, which is beautiful
Extremely.
Even in later generations, no girl can resist the temptation of this glass slipper, let alone today.
Zhao Duofu couldn't help but look crazy.
Li Qi looked at Zhao Duofu's demented expression and couldn't help but feel smug that his efforts had not been wasted. In fact, this cake was what later generations would call a crystal cake, but Li Qi was so ingenious that he made it into a glass slipper.
You must know that the appearance of cakes is not because of the taste, but more about the meaning. Therefore, Li Qi feels that for a cake chef, he must give each of his cakes a meaning, so that it can be called a cake.
Otherwise, no matter how delicious it is, the true meaning of the cake will be lost.
After a while, Li Qi saw that Zhao Duofu had not yet woken up from the shock, so he shouted softly: "Emperor Roufu, Emperor Roufu?"
Zhao Duofu was slightly startled. He first covered his small mouth with his small hands, opened his big pure eyes roundly, and gave Li Qi a belated expression of surprise. It was so cute that it made Li Qi laugh out loud.
When he smiled, Zhao Duofu reacted immediately, quickly put down his little hand, pointed at the crystal cake, and said: "Is this---is this a birthday cake?"
Li Qi rolled his eyes and said, "Yes." But in his heart, he thought his answer was idiotic.
Zhao Duofu asked curiously: "Why does this birthday cake look like this? Why is it different from what I have seen before?"
Li Qi smiled and explained: "Didn't I say that I want to make you a unique cake? If it is the same as those cakes, how can it be called unique?"
Zhao Duofu thought for a while and said: "That's true." After a pause, she asked again: "But why do you want to make it look like a shoe and make it so beautiful?"
Li Qi simply ignored the latter sentence and said, "That's a good question. Actually, there is a story hidden behind this cake. Do you want to hear it?"
As a child, there is no resistance to the story. Zhao Duofu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.
The two sat down around the table. Li Qi cleared his throat and said: "A long time ago, there was a country called Greece in the west..."
The story that can be related to the glass slipper. Needless to say, it is naturally the "Cinderella" that will be talked about in later generations.
It can be seen that Li Qike also took great pains to incorporate fairy tale elements into the birthday cake, which can be said to be tailor-made for this thirteen-year-old girl.
This story is very short, but Li Qi tells it for a long time, because he always talks about some Western elements. Zhao Duofu always breaks the casserole and asks the question, even asking about Cinderella's height, which often makes Li Qi confused.
He was in such a hurry that if it were Xiao Liuzi, he would have been slapped twice.
After many twists and turns, Li Qi finally announced the finale with a perfect Cinderella counterattack. He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and said: "Okay, it's over."
However, at this time, Zhao Duofu's side became quiet.
No, she shouldn't have said at this time, "Listen well, tell me one more thing." Li Qi glanced at Zhao Duofu curiously and saw the little girl lying on the table, her face already blooming, and she seemed to be still intoxicated in the story.
No way, this little witch is so emotional that she even cried. My vocal cords are too contagious. Li Qi was stunned again and shouted: "Emperor Roufu, what's wrong with you?"
Zhao Duofu glanced at Li Qi and said, "Li Qi, do you think there are really fairies in this world?"
"Uh...theoretically, no."
Zhao Duofu seemed dissatisfied with Li Qi's answer and pouted without saying much, saying: "Cinderella is really lucky to meet a fairy."
Li Qi smiled and said: "Empress Roufu, you don't have to envy her. She is just fake, but you are the real Empress. Your future husband will definitely be a prince, general or minister. We don't even want her."
Zhao Duofu curled his lips and said, "I don't care about it anymore."
That's true, you don't need to be rare at all. In your eyes, other people's fairy tales may be ordinary. Li Qi smiled and said: "However, this story also tells us a truth, that is, no matter what we face,
In times of hardship, as long as you have infinite longing for a better future and maintain a kind and positive attitude, you will eventually have a happy life. Although the story talks about love, it can also be used to learn from family ties."
Zhao Duofu thought for a moment and said, "Do you want me to maintain a Cinderella mentality when facing my third brother leaving me?"
Li Qidao: "Smart! As long as you have a bright future in mind and maintain a positive attitude, sooner or later, you will be reunited with your third brother. You have to understand that even if we are thousands of miles apart, family ties will never stop.
"
"I knew you didn't have a good heart."
Am I being ill-intentioned? Li Qi was at a loss.
Zhao Duofu murmured to himself again: "But you are right. If the third brother knows that Huanhuan is disobedient and wants to take revenge on the evil person, he will definitely be angry with Huanhuan. The worst is that Huanhuan doesn't go to find that evil person."
That’s what evildoers do.”
It turned out that this was what she was thinking! Li Qi couldn't help but laugh, and couldn't help but reached out and touched Zhao Duofu's little head, with a trace of guilt in his loving eyes.
Zhao Duofu suddenly turned his head and looked at Li Qi in surprise.
Li Qi was stunned by her look and cursed himself, damn, this is Di Ji's head, how could he touch it? He quickly took his hand back and said: "Sorry, sorry."
Zhao Duofu didn't take it seriously, but said with a hint of joy: "Third brother used to love touching my head. But I didn't like it, and I was often angry with him because of it. But now---."
Li Qi didn't know what to say, so he just said: "Yes! I used to like to touch Meng's head like this." After saying this, he suddenly became stupid.
Zhao Duofu asked curiously: "Who is Ameng?"
"Who is Ah Meng?" Li Qiqian laughed a few times and said, "This is a great question - but I thought we should eat the birthday cake first." He picked up the knife and stood up.
, ready to cut the cake.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Duofu suddenly stood in front, opened his hands, and said nervously: "What do you want to do?"
Li Qi was startled. He put the knife away towards him, for fear of accidentally injuring Zhao Duofu, and said in shock: "I'll do the cake cutting. Children can't play with knives."
Zhao Duofu said: "Who--who said the cake is about to be cut."
"How can you eat it if you don't cut it?"
"I didn't say I wanted to eat it!"
Li Qi said in surprise: "You don't eat it? Why? Don't you like it?"
Zhao Duofu said: "Don't worry about me. Since you have given this birthday cake to me, it belongs to me."
Li Qidao: "I know. But---."
"This is mine."
"I didn't say it wasn't yours, but this cake will go bad if you don't eat it."
A flash of hesitation flashed in Zhao Duofu's eyes, and he insisted: "This is mine."
Damn it! Li Qi cursed secretly and said: "But---."
"mine."
Oops, I'm going crazy. Li Qi raised his hand and said quickly: "I'll say it again. I know this cake belongs to you, but if you don't eat it now, if you eat it again when it spoils, it will
Have loose bowels."
Zhao Duofu said impatiently: "Okay. I understand, you can go out first."
Do you dare to leave? If you have diarrhea, I will have to bear the blame alone! Li Qidao: "Then tell me first what you plan to do with this cake."
"I---I---I'll feed it to the fish, can't I?"
"Feed the fish?" Li Qi looked a little embarrassed and stepped back: "Well, this is what you said. If you don't eat tonight, you have to feed it to the fish. Don't eat it yourself.
."
"You are so nagging, please get out quickly."
"Then---then I'm leaving."
"Go quickly, go quickly."
In this way, Li Qi was driven out ruthlessly by Zhao Duofu, but before he left, he still ordered the maids to look at Zhao Duofu. If they didn't eat cake tonight, they must not eat it.
After giving instructions, Li Qi returned to the imperial dining room.
Zuo Boqing asked with a smile: "How is it? Does Princess Roufu like your birthday cake?"
Li Qi shrugged and said calmly, "Brother Zuo, I think your question is a bit redundant."
Zuo Boqing never imagined that Li Qi was kicked out, but he had no doubt about Li Qi's cooking skills. He nodded and said: "That's it, that's it. I was very impressed when I saw the birthday cake you made."
Surprised, I think Emperor Roufu must be very happy."
Li Qi waved his hand and said, "Brother Zuo, don't say any more, I will be proud."
Zuo Boqing saw the coquettish look on his face and really didn't want to say anything more. He said seriously: "The Chinese New Year is about to come in about two months. The emperor has given you full authority to decide on the New Year's Day banquet this year.
, should you also start preparing?"
Li Qi didn't say anything, just pointed his fingers.
Zuo Boqing asked in astonishment: "What does this mean?"
Li Qi hummed: "Brother Zuo, have you forgotten that the emperor has limited one person to five hundred coins."
Zuo Boqing said: "How could I forget this? That's why I am looking forward to it very much."
Looking forward to it? Are you looking forward to seeing my jokes? Li Qi said angrily: "Brother Zuo, you used to spend huge sums of money on banquets like this. I can't even remember how many kinds of dishes there are. Of course,
We have to start preparations one or two months in advance, but I only have a target of five hundred pennies per person. Even if we break it down, how many dishes can we make with these five hundred pennies? What should I prepare a month in advance? Firewood, rice, oil, and salt?"
Zuo Boqing was stunned for a moment and said, "What you said makes sense." Seeing Li Qi's resentful look, he chuckled a few times in his heart and said nothing more.
Li Qi sighed, shook his head and said, "Don't worry, I already have a plan."