Chapter 25: Lamb Leg

Chapter 25: Lamb Leg

The ladies-in-waiting around the princess did not feel reassured by her confidence.

After several anxious days, they finally arrived at the wedding day. That night, none of the ladies dared to sleep. Instead, they attended to the princess's grooming and arranged all wedding matters. Only in the late hours of the night did they dare to doze off, half-asleep in an antechamber outside the princess's room.

Rong Bi only dozed with her eyes slightly closed. When she woke up again, she found herself in a different place, in an eerily quiet spot. Outside the window, rain trickled gently, while the room was utterly tranquil and cold.

This extreme stillness was a relief for Rong Bi, who had just endured a long journey and been immersed in the chaotic and celebratory atmosphere. Although she knew she had switched back into the prince's body, she couldn't help wondering if the prince, confined in the Hanguang Palace, also experienced this tranquility, or if he too was affected by the lively festivities?

Of course, those events were hardly a cause for joy for either of them.

Rong Bi lazily rose and sat in front of the mirror. She indeed saw the prince's reflection, but his sharp gaze, like a knife, was gone. In its place were her own humble, submissive, and silent eyes, typical of someone at the bottom of the hierarchy.

As the lowest of ants, even her eyes had to exude calmness and obedience, concealing any personal emotions.

She pondered what it would be like to have the prince's piercing gaze on her face. That sharpness, resembling a thirst for blood, his unwavering spirit, made him akin to a blade kept within a sheath.

This was the Precious Chest Palace, where she recalled the secret they knew: The emperor had demoted the crown prince to live here, intending to seal this sharp sword in a box.

She combed her hair but didn't tie it up with a headdress. The crown prince was still too young for the traditional coming-of-age ceremony. Normally, he maintained a formal and regal demeanor, but now, under house arrest, she wanted him to feel at ease. So, she simply used a hairband and a hairpin to secure her bangs and let her hair flow freely. She changed into a comfortable and warm robe before stepping out. Sure enough, breakfast was already prepared. Yan Xin was there with a junior eunuch, carefully picking noodles from the pot and sprinkling them with ground peanuts, sesame, and scallions.

The tender bean sprouts simmered in chicken broth were delicious, and fish noodles were also served, made with fish meat. She could tell that the eunuchs in the East Palace had put effort into it. After finishing her meal, she offered some advice: "Adding an egg while mixing the fish paste will enhance the texture. Also, incorporating ginger juice will reduce the fishy smell."

Yan Xin promptly agreed and watched as the junior eunuch cleared the table. After assisting the crown prince with mouth rinsing, he cautiously asked, "Are we heading to the study to continue reading?"

Rong Bi stood up. "I'll take a stroll first to digest the food before going to the study."

This body had a delicate digestive system; it would be uncomfortable to sit in the study right after eating. Moreover, with long-term confinement, one tended to gain weight, which could lead to health issues... This was something Eunuch Tang Xi had once told her.

"Working in the kitchen, we have no shortage of food, so we must restrain ourselves even more. We should cherish our blessings and avoid gaining weight. Once fat accumulates, our minds become dull, our bodies less agile, and illnesses are more likely to occur. Look at those pigs in the pen. Do you understand? As servants, if we don't keep a clear head, we might not realize when our time is up."

Rong Bi recalled Tang Xi's words. Although they seemed like casual conversation, she had taken them to heart when she had just entered the palace.

Exiting the room, she strolled around the courtyard. It was early winter, and the surroundings were bleak. The courtyard lacked attention, appearing desolate. Rong Bi walked around and then stood in the back courtyard, pointing at a plot near the bamboo grove. "Excavate that area, dig it deeper, and create a vegetable patch. It will be too cold to dig soon, so we should start now. Add some green manure, and by next spring, we can plant vegetables. Fetch some seeds and also buy some well-established chive roots to plant."

Yan Xin's face froze. "With the prince's current funds, there's no need to grow vegetables, is there?"

Rong Bi's expression turned serious. "I wish to experience the joys of rural life and the hardships of governing the kingdom firsthand."

Yan Xin quickly lowered his gaze and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

Rong Bi was enthusiastic. While in the palace, she often thought about her family's vegetable garden. Her family was diligent, and their garden was the best in the village! She even had a small plot of land where her parents taught her from a young age how to sow seeds, fertilize, till the soil, and water the plants, then enjoy the vegetables they grew themselves.

Now, with such a vast garden lying fallow, it would be a pity not to cultivate it! Why not plant some vegetables?

Of course, she considered that the Crown Prince might not be pleased when he returned. Thus, she added, "Recently, I've been reading some medical texts and have gained some insights. We can also grow common medicinal herbs, such as honeysuckle, dandelion, malva, and Semen Coicis. They're visually pleasing and can be used for medicinal purposes."

Yan Xin's eyes lit up, believing he had grasped the Crown Princess's intentions. He promptly responded, "Excellent! I'll do my best to find the most practical medicinal herbs. I know of Radix Isatidis, which is also very useful and easy to cultivate!"

Rong Bi couldn't help but laugh, but she waved him off anyway. Then, she headed to the kitchen, where she saw the little eunuchs preparing half a pig for smoking. Intrigued, she asked, "What are you doing?"

The little eunuch quickly bowed and reported, "Your Highness, we thought of making some smoked meat to store for the winter."

Rong Bi promptly gave detailed instructions. "Smoked meat requires a specific method. I found a recipe in a book. We need to find cypress, cypress, Chinese toon, and peanut shells, as well as walnut shells. We should build a smoking room beside them and hang the marinated meat, sausages, and fish inside. Then, carefully smoke them to infuse the flavor."

The little eunuch eagerly agreed. Rong Bi watched as the eunuchs mixed the filling and instructed them on how to do it properly. Afterward, she strolled back to the study at a leisurely pace. Upon entering, she shivered slightly due to the cold. Yan Xin scolded the eunuchs, "Why haven't you lit the charcoal yet?"

The young eunuch hurriedly fanned the hot coals, while Yan Xin personally laid out a warm cushion on the chair.

Rong Bi walked a few steps in the study, casually flipping through a blue-bound book on the shelf without taking it down. Instead, he picked up another book and began reading, appearing carefree. As he did so, he instructed, "From now on, light the stove in here every day. It'll be more comfortable for reading."

Yan Xin was slightly taken aback and quickly smiled, "Didn't you mention saving before... During the day, we only use hand warmers at most. It's too early to light the stove..."

Rong Bi replied nonchalantly, "Now that we're in the courtyard, there's no need for entertaining guests, and there's nowhere to spend the monthly allowance. The Palace Dressing Bureau will naturally prepare seasonal clothes for us. There won't be any shortage of charcoal, so light the stove in this study during the day." The prince's health needed to be nurtured during this opportunity; what was the point of being frugal? He was deceiving innocent people. She knew that, let alone the Emperor, even those female Taoist nuns in the temple spent a lot of charcoal each winter, not to mention other princes and princesses.

The prince's reputation for being frugal and wise had hindered his well-being. Now that things had come to this, what was the use of clinging to that reputation? Practical benefits were what mattered! His health had never been properly cared for; he was delicate and sensitive, uncomfortable when full or hungry, cold or hot. Didn't he deserve proper nurturing? After all, she was the one enduring these hardships in his body.

Under Rong Bi's instructions, the study was transformed with a thick layer of wool felt sourced from the storehouse, providing a cozy padding throughout the room. A heated bed was lit, layered with cotton and warm quilts, instantly making it as comfortable and warm as spring. Seated at the bedside table, wrapped in a fox fur robe, Rong Bi leisurely finished reading a travelogue she had always wanted to complete.

Next, she asked for paper and brushes to practice calligraphy, calmly composing ten large characters before stopping. She then performed a set of Five Animals Play on the bed, her body gently warming up in the process. Rising from the bed, she concealed her hands within the broad, soft sleeves of her cotton robe and gazed out the window at the withered trees. The wind howled, signaling the arrival of colder days.

Winter had come, and it was time for mutton.

An entire leg of lamb was prepared, first soaked in cold water along with radishes, celery, garlic, and ginger slices. The water was brought to a boil to remove impurities, and the scum was skimmed off. The lamb was then re-cooked with white cardamom, white pepper, and white atractylodes in plain water.

Meanwhile, a dipping sauce was prepared by mixing minced green onions, garlic, granulated sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and soy sauce into a delectable sauce. Once the lamb was cooked, it was sliced thinly and served with the sauce.

With a dip of the sauce, a taste revealed an exquisite flavor.

Closing her eyes, she thought to herself that even if she were to awaken and return to her previous life today, this lamb dish would have been worth it.

====

At the Heavenly Vision Pavilion.

Despite still being early winter, charcoal braziers had already been lit throughout, filling the room with a warm, fragrant aroma.

"Would you like a lamb leg?"

Yuan Zixu lifted his gaze to the eunuch standing below. The eunuch whispered, "Yes, the Crown Prince instructed how to prepare the sausage and smoked meat today. He also ordered a meticulous preparation of boiled lamb legs in plain water. It was quite detailed, specifying how to cook it, for how long, which spices to use, and how to arrange it after slicing. Additionally, he read a 'Travelogue of the Southern Province' and practiced calligraphy with ten large sheets. Furthermore, he instructed that the land beneath the bamboo grove south of the Palace of Precious Seals be cultivated in due time, saying he wished to experience the joys of farming and the hardships of state affairs. He also mentioned planting common medicinal herbs and dietary ingredients."

This eunuch wore the simplest, gray-blue attire, looking rather ordinary, but when reporting, he was meticulous and efficient, recounting every detail of the Crown Prince's actions: "Moreover, the Crown Prince has also instructed that the study be heated during the day, stating that since he doesn't venture out, his monthly allowance is sufficient, so there's no need to economize on this."

Yuan Zixu chuckled. "Hmm, he's grown more sensible, knowing to bring his portion and meals to the Palace of Precious Seals...and even wanting to grow vegetables. Well, let's see how long he can maintain this attitude—order that no one is allowed to deduct any part of his monthly allowance, food, or clothing at the Palace of Precious Seals."

A day or two, a month or two, he could eat lamb legs, tend to a garden, read books. But what about a year, two years, ten years, eight years? Yuan Zixu's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of detachment surfacing in his smile.

Could his son, with his sharpness and ambition, truly endure such confinement? Could he continue to disguise himself, maintaining an unwavering composure through all honors and insults?

The blue-robed eunuch stood silently with his hands lowered. Yuan Ruo Xu dismissed him and, after brushing his sleeves, suddenly instructed, "Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare a sliced lamb leg for today. The dipping sauce must be meticulously prepared; see to it that it's done well."

Suddenly, he had a craving for mutton as well.