Chapter 10: Preparing the Meal

Chapter 10: Preparing the Meal

With conflicting emotions, Rong Bi now had a room entirely her own in the main courtyard, a privilege befitting a principal maid of a princess. She even had a few junior maids and kitchen servants at her beck and call.

On her first day, she was tasked with handling a massive, lively, and exuberant blue carp that seemed to dance in mid-air.

Typically, such live ingredients would be prepped by the lower-ranking servants before reaching the head chef. However, some cooks disliked the way these servants handled fish, fearing they might not be cleaned properly or would lose their freshness over time. As a result, live fish were often kept alive in a vat of water until they expelled the mud from their bellies.

Upon entering the kitchen and seeing the carp swimming in clean water, Rong Bi immediately understood that this was a test devised by the kitchen servants.

If Rong Bi were to immediately order them to clean up, the servants would naturally do so efficiently while also sizing her up. From then on, she would only be an idle senior maid, leaving the dirty and laborious tasks to them - including the procurement of ingredients, a task that carried substantial profit. Rong Bi was well aware that an egg in the palace cost three taels of silver, while outside it could be bought for five large coins. This was the secret disparity, and the servants wouldn't hide it from her, just as in the palace, where young eunuchs and palace maids had to pay tribute to their supervising aunts and uncles each month.

If Rong Bi herself were to step forward to clean and prepare the fish, her skills would be put to the test. Any chef worth their salt knew how to gut a fish.

But as a young, ranked Palace Attendant who had come from the palace, if she were to start by handling the bloody, smelly, scaly, and whiskered fish, the servants would not praise her fish-cleaning skills.

Of course not. Her authority would inadvertently be diminished by these servants, making it difficult for her to give orders to them in the future.

Rong Bi, having spent many years at the bottom rung of the Imperial Kitchen, knew all too well its intrigues. The aunts in the Imperial Kitchen would only assign new arrivals with the most menial, troublesome, filthy, and odorous chores. If they complained? They'd be sent to tend the fire, turning them into charcoal-making girls who might spend a decade in the kitchen without ever seeing the faces of the noble ladies within the palace, only remembering the various sizes of black charcoal.

She came from the palace and held the rank of a senior concubine, even if it was the lowest rank. In the princess's residence, she was already an authority sent from above. This was the kitchen servants' way of showing their dominance.

Rong Bi smiled slightly and asked the servants, "Is this blue carp for the princess to eat tonight? Did she specify how she would like it prepared?"

One of the servants stepped forward with a smile. "She didn't mention it, but the princess has always enjoyed fish. Today, the main kitchen said they managed to acquire a massive blue carp especially for the princess. We were just discussing that, given its size, it could make an excellent fish soup." After speaking, she lowered her hands respectfully, yet revealed no useful information. This was the behavior of a seasoned veteran.

Fish soup indeed tested the chef's skills. A lack of freshness or a fishy taste were fatal flaws. However, Rong Bi clearly remembered Tang Xi mentioning that both the princess and the crown prince disliked soups with indiscernible ingredients.

Moreover, Rong Bi didn't think it was that simple. After some thought, she grasped the key point. She had overheard Mother Hua mention that today was an assessment day, and the princess was to evaluate the guards' skills. If she followed the servant's suggestion and made fish soup, and the princess decided to reward the guards, the soup wouldn't be considered a proper dish. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if there weren't any substantial dishes available? If that happened, she would lose face in front of the princess, and these servants would surely take advantage of her.

Thus, she nodded slightly, scanned the day's ingredients, and pondered before instructing, "Cut the fish in half, slice one part for sashimi, and mince the other for fish balls. Serve them with a chive soup. Cook the fish head and tail in a braised dish. For the main course, have lamb crystal dumplings, yellow songbird pickles, cherry-roasted duck, pepper and vinegar prawns, orange and leek spare ribs, and prepare pine nut, lotus seed, and jujube porridge without sugar. For desserts, serve osmanthus jelly, lotus seed paste pancakes, crystal white sugar cakes, and mung bean jelly. Also, prepare two buckets of green bean milkshake and osmanthus milkshake." She listed several dishes in one breath, leaving room for the main kitchen to add a few dishes like sliced chicken.

The servant was taken aback. She had suggested making fish soup, but Miss Rong clearly wasn't going to do so. Moreover, they hadn't mentioned how many people would dine tonight, yet Miss Rong had already planned an extensive menu, including both vegetarian and meat dishes, along with main courses, snacks, soups, and desserts, as if she knew the evening's arrangements in advance.

She felt uneasy. The princess, like other members of the royal family, rarely expressed her food preferences. It was only through their long service in the kitchen that they discovered the princess didn't touch soups. Smiling, she ventured, "So many dishes? Won't that be too much?"

Rong Bi replied, "The Imperial Kitchen serves the emperor alone, yet prepares 108 dishes daily. In this princess's residence, the princess is the most important. How can a few dishes suffice? If the princess wants something and we can't provide it, will Mother go explain to the princess?"

The servant laughed nervously, not daring to say more. She stood respectfully, listening intently to Rong Bi's commands.

Rong Bi offered a gentle smile and proceeded to delegate tasks: "First, we must scale and clean the fish. Then, ask one of the senior servants to fetch ice from the ice storage, making sure it's a clear, flawless block. The shepherd's purse seems washed and ready; let's start cooking the mutton. Have another senior servant tend to the fire, and call for me when the soup is simmering gently with three bubbles. Lastly, have someone retrieve the yellow-sparrow vinegar; we'll fry it anew..."

She had been working in the Imperial Kitchen for many years, and she knew every nook and cranny of its operations. With just a few well-chosen words, she arranged everything from the major tasks like preparing ingredients and cleaning fish to the minor ones like fetching ice and tending to the fires. Hearing her pinpoint the key issues with such familiarity, the other women realized that she was an experienced hand with real culinary skills. No longer daring to delay, they promptly took their assigned positions as instructed.

The sun was slowly setting in the west, and Rong Bi had spent the entire day bustling about in the kitchen with the matrons, her body now soaked in sweat and reeking of grease. Yet, by moving between each woman as they cooked, she had managed to glean considerable insight into the workings of the princess's household.

This significantly alleviated the nervousness she felt in this unfamiliar place.

Sure enough, Mei Xiang had dispatched a young maid to convey a message: "Sister Mei Xiang asks me to inform Sister Rong that Her Highness the Princess is currently assessing the martial skills of her guards. She plans to host them for a meal later. Sister Rong, please make arrangements for a dinner for six to seven people. Considering they are guards and have been quite active today, their appetite will be substantial. Sister Mei Xiang requests that you include more meat dishes and soups. If time is tight, you may send someone to the main kitchen to have them assist with the preparations."

Rong Bi smiled as she handed her a handful of roasted peanuts, saying, "Thank you, sister, for delivering the message. Please tell Elder Sister Mei Xiang that everything has been arranged. She may proceed with the meal at her convenience."

The young servant girl, overjoyed, took the peanuts and left. After a while, she returned to announce that dinner was ready. Once all the dishes were served, she delivered another message: "Princess says it's such a fine day today. The palace has just bestowed some crabs and chrysanthemum wine. She's asked the main kitchen to prepare a lamb for a barbecue in the courtyard with the guards. Miss Rong, who has just arrived, is invited to assist with roasting the meat."

Rong Bi replied, "Very well, I'll instruct my servants to prepare the marinated lamb and set up the grill. We shall proceed that way."

She retreated to her room and hastily wiped away the smoky kitchen grime and perspiration from her body. She then changed into a clean, coarse blue dress. Adorning herself with just two simple open silver bracelets, a common attire for kitchen workers. These bracelets served to secure their sleeves while roasting mutton, allowing them to work more efficiently.

Having ensured that I was neatly dressed and free from any unsightly stains or unpleasant odors that might offend the nobles, I returned to the small kitchen, assembled the necessary tools, and then led the women servants towards the Golden Layered Courtyard, where the martial arts display was taking place.

The Golden Pavilion was spacious and open, with tiered rockeries on one side, adorned with an abundance of chrysanthemums planted closely along the balustrades. The golden blooms spread like scattered gold, lush and vibrant, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. In the middle, a small martial arena echoed with cries and cheers. Two guards, with their upper robes unfastened and secured only at their waists, wore breeches and boots as they engaged in a wrestling match in the center.

Under the radiant sunset, the muscled outlines of the guards were distinct and glistening with sweat. One of them, facing the ornate corridor, had the youthful features of a teenager. His eyebrows were finely chiseled, his figure slender, and his skin taut with a smooth flow of lines. Most strikingly, his body was adorned with intricate tattoos that shimmered like emerald tapestries in the sunlight, drawing exceptional attention.

Princess Yi Yang was seated at the highest position, leaning back slightly with an air of nonchalance. She watched the guards engage in wrestling with a playful smile on her face. Dressed in an extremely sheer silk robe, her snow-white skin was faintly visible, adding a touch of allure. Beneath the robe, she wore an exquisite black dragon-hemmed skirt, and her long, raven-black hair was styled into a disheveled chignon, adorned with a radiant red gemstone flower. The flower was crafted from large, brilliant red rubies, and it seemed as if her entire black and white ensemble existed solely to accentuate this single, stunning bloom.

A circle of youthful attendants surrounded the arena, all of them physically fit and radiating vigor. They, much like the combatants in the center, wore only lower garments, exposing their toned chests. Some held their arms crossed, while others leaned on one hip, offering pointers, cheering, and laughing heartily.

Rong Bi, accompanied by several matrons, carried a brazier for roasting lamb, two willow baskets filled with silver frost charcoal, pre-cut mutton and lamb legs, along with a variety of seasonings, all moving silently through the corridor. They set up a grill stand on one side of the drill ground and began to roast the lamb.

Rong Bi rolled up her sleeves and began hanging the skewers of lamb that the matrons had prepared on the racks, all the while listening to the deafening cheers in the arena, intermingled with the hushed whispers of the women behind her:

"That one with tattoos all over, I suppose he must be Yu Twelve, the princess's favorite guard."

"Each one of them looks like a modern-day Pan An or Zou Du - so handsome! With everyone vying for attention, they must be trying to win the princess's favor. But who knows who will come out on top today?"

Rong Bi: ...

So these guards were the so-called favorites of Princess Yi Yang, then?

So this so-called martial arts competition is actually about vying for the princess's favor?

Before long, the young man adorned with floral tattoos unexpectedly emerged victorious, standing tall in the center of the arena. His lean waist was elegantly cinched by a sweatband adorned with shrimp-blue dots. Grinning from ear to ear, he looked towards the princess and exclaimed, "Your Highness! It is I who claims the prize today!"

Yuan Yiqing beamed with delight. "Twelfth Brother has indeed grown. Today's prize is a jade lion, which suits you well." She nonchalantly lifted the silk handkerchief from a nearby tray, revealing the exquisite, translucent green jade lion, as big as a fist. With her delicate fingers grasping the jade sculpture, she gazed at Yu Twelve, her smile enchanting.

Twelve-Lang stepped forward and knelt on one knee, lifting his head slightly. The sweat glistening on his back was like a shining badge of honor. "I do not seek the prize, Your Highness. A single taste of the dish before you would be the greatest reward."

Princess Yi Yang lowered her gaze at the fish broth in front of her, which she had only taken two sips from. The white jade spoon still bore the stains of her lip rouge. With a seductive smile that made her eyes seem to twinkle, she said, "Why bother? Take it for amusement. Since that's the case, I'll gift you this bowl of porridge." She gestured for her maid to carry it to Yu Twelve. True to his nature, Yu Twelve took the bowl and, without hesitation, drank its contents in one go.

Princess Yi Yang seemed unfazed, as if this was an everyday occurrence: "It's already late, and the palace has bestowed us with exceptionally plump crabs and a fine lamb. I've instructed my servants to roast them; let's all enjoy ourselves to the fullest."

The mutton on the willow wood rack sizzled with oil, filling the air with a delectable aroma. The guards swarmed around, drawn by the scent, and soon noticed the strikingly beautiful Rong Bi. They vied with one another to engage her in conversation: "Sister, you look unfamiliar. Are you new here?"

"Sister, you're so lovely, could you please pass me a skewer of that roasted meat?"

"I want the skewer that Sister is holding; it must be the most delicious one."

... Each of them spoke with smooth tongues, but their youthful, innocent gazes and carefree, genuine smiles conveyed no malice.

Some chattered candidly while roasting their meat, displaying a delightful charm:

"How irritating, Yu Twelve is deliberately trying to win the princess's favor again."

"Sigh, sigh, sigh, Yu Twelve has stolen the spotlight once more."

"How infuriating! Why didn't they test archery today? If they did, I'd surely be the champion!"

In hushed tones, someone else remarked, "That new sister grilling the meat is so beautiful. Her simple clothes can't hide her stunning appearance. Could she be the one referred to as 'beauty in plain attire'? If I were to achieve great feats, would it be possible to ask the princess for her hand in marriage?"

Rong Bi: ...

She glanced at the young lad who was fantasizing about marrying her. He was looking at her with twinkling eyes, obviously speaking intentionally for her to hear. With a large leg of lamb in his mouth and a layer of fuzz on his lips, he appeared no more than thirteen or fourteen years old!

Unable to feel anger, Rong Bi sprinkled a generous amount of pepper on his lamb leg, hoping to give him a spicy surprise.

But he only laughed brighter, cheerfully telling her, "Sis, my name is Tang Youyu, as in 'abundant' every year! Follow me, and you'll have full meals every day! Plus, sweets every day too!"

The others chuckled and jeered, "Ignore him, he's just an extra! His family had too many kids, so they sold him off, hahaha!"

Amidst the lively festivities, a voice announced from the entrance, "His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived."

Princess Yi Yang turned her head with a radiant smile. "Such a bustling scene today. Please, do come in."