A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 260: Chapter 259 Beggar’s Chicken 1

”Even if the Emperor visited her, would she still be able to serve in the bedchamber!”

Her looks weren’t great to begin with, and she didn’t take care of herself either. She wore the Phoenix Crown every day without ever changing the style. The Emperor must have tired of it long ago.

Ying Yue saw how rarely Noble Concubine Shih was in such high spirits, so she chimed in with a few pleasing words.

Noble Concubine Shih just laughed and waved her hand.

”Enough, enough!”

”There’s nothing for me to worry about anymore!”

Those most favored didn’t have her status. The one with the highest status didn’t have her favor.

Noble Concubine Shih thought, her circumstances weren’t bad at all.

With that thought, she went to sleep contentedly.

「The next day.」

Some petitions arrived from the capital.

After having breakfast, Zhao Junyao didn’t go anywhere else but stayed in the study reviewing the petitions.

After Xia Ruqing got up, she hadn’t even finished breakfast when Honored Lady Lan arrived.

”My respects to Xia Jieyu!”

Xia Ruqing hurriedly asked her to rise.

”We live close by; there’s no need for such formality!”

Honored Lady Lan bowed her head, somewhat embarrassed.

”I shouldn’t be disturbing Xia Jieyu!”

”It’s just that I’m not very familiar with these people, and it’s truly dull being alone!”

Honored Lady Cheng and Noble Lady Song were sewing together, chatting and laughing. When she joined, they stopped talking. That’s why she didn’t visit them much after going twice.

Alone, it was genuinely boring! While strolling around, she found herself here.

Xia Ruqing smiled.

”I also find it dull. If you’re really bored, let’s keep each other company and lift our spirits!”

Honored Lady Lan’s face lit up with surprise.

”Really, Xia Jieyu, you don’t mind me intruding?”

Xia Ruqing shook her head.

”Of course not!”

You don’t slap a smiling face. In the Harem, some things can’t be taken to extremes.

Honored Lady Lan’s eyes twinkled with joy. Xia Ruqing slightly curved her lips but said no more.

After a simple breakfast, Zi Yue timely brought over a bowl of medicine.

Honored Lady Lan frowned.

”Xia Jieyu, is your leg still not better?”

Xia Ruqing nodded.

”The Imperial Physician said I need to take it for some more time!”

Honored Lady Lan looked concerned.

”Then I heard you went fishing yesterday? That’s so dangerous!”

Xia Ruqing’s forehead creased.

”What’s dangerous about fishing!”

Not wishing to continue this topic, Xia Ruqing, leaning on her cane, went to the courtyard.

Honored Lady Lan wanted to help her but was stopped by Zi Yue.

”Honored Lady, it’s better if this servant does it. Our master finds it difficult to walk and often steps on people’s feet! We wouldn’t want your new shoes to get dirty!”

Honored Lady Lan’s face fell. She looked at her semi-new shoes on her feet.

This was clearly a sign she didn’t quite trust her. Yet, on second thought, it was understandable. In the palace, who could truly trust anyone without reservation? Xia Jieyu was already treating her very well, wasn’t she?

Xia Ruqing turned around and saw her looking somewhat hurt, so she called out with a smile, ”Come over here, why the daze?”

Honored Lady Lan snapped back to reality, her heart feeling a hint of surprise.

”Ah, coming, coming!”

Xia Ruqing’s foot no longer hurt, and she could walk with a cane. She just didn’t dare to exert too much force.

She moved slowly to the courtyard. The sun was nice, so Xia Ruqing sat down to bask in it.

Suddenly, she remembered something and ordered, ”Xiao Xizi, dig a hole over there on the empty patch of ground, then go and bring back some clay!”

”Huh?” Xiao Xizi looked utterly astonished. What ingenious idea has Master come up with now? Why dig a pit?

Zi Yue glared at him. ”What ’huh’? Get going already!”

”Yes, yes, yes!” Xiao Xizi hurried off.

Xia Ruqing was very proud of herself.

Honored Lady Lan was astonished. ”Jieyu, you’re digging a pit...”

Xia Ruqing’s face was full of self-satisfaction.

”I’m going to make Beggar’s Chicken!”

At those words, everyone was stunned. Beggar’s Chicken? What’s Beggar’s Chicken?

”During the last southern tour, the Emperor hunted four wild chickens. I wanted to make it then but never got the chance, so I didn’t! This time, I finally have the chance, and I must give it a try!”

So saying, she gave Zi Yue another instruction. ”Go to the Imperial Kitchen, have them slaughter a wild chicken, and use the best marinade to marinate the chicken!”

The flesh of the wild chicken is robust. The subcutaneous fat is also thick, creating crispy skin and tender meat with a good chew when roasted. Eating a savory piece of it, perhaps with some grape wine... Ah!

Xia Ruqing hadn’t even taken a bite, yet her mouth was already watering profusely.

”Right! Zi Yue, ask if the Imperial Kitchen has any dried lotus leaves from previous years. If they do, have them soak them in water. I’ll need them later!”

”Okay!” Zi Yue went off to do so.

Xiao Xizi was left behind, digging the pit.

Honored Lady Lan sat there, not saying anything, but her eyes lingered with anticipation.

The Little Palace Maid behind her couldn’t help but speak up. ”Everyone in the palace says Xia Jieyu, you love good food. Today is the first time this servant has seen it with her own eyes! Just a few words from you and already this servant feels like drooling!”

Xia Ruqing looked up and saw a Little Palace Maid she didn’t recognize, feeling somewhat surprised.

”Who is this...?”

Honored Lady Lan smiled. ”She was originally one of my servants for menial tasks, but since she served well, I moved her closer to me!”

Xia Ruqing nodded thoughtfully. ”A servant for menial tasks, huh! No wonder she looked unfamiliar! She’s quite an articulate Little Palace Maid!”

Honored Lady Lan smiled.

The Little Palace Maid knelt down. ”Thank you for the compliment, Xia Jieyu!”

Xia Ruqing nodded her head. ”Get up! Since you’ve caught your master’s eye, it shows you’re capable. You must serve with even more dedication now!”

”Yes! My master has shown this servant profound kindness; I will definitely not disappoint her!”

Xia Ruqing smiled and said no more.

「Half a shi chen later.」

The chicken was marinated. The lotus leaves were soaked, and the clay had been dug up.

Xia Ruqing personally squatted down and wrapped the marinated chicken in lotus leaves layer by layer, tightly sealed. Finally, she coated it with clay of just the right consistency. On the outside, she sprinkled a layer of dry clay to maintain the shape.

”Done!”

An oval-shaped, almost egg-shaped Beggar’s Chicken, ready for baking, was prepared.

Xia Ruqing stood up, rubbing her slightly sore lower back.

”Xiao Xizi, bury it, cover the top with wet leaves, and then start the fire!”

”Yes, Master!”

Xiao Xizi worked nimbly, and Zi Su also helped by fetching some firewood. Soon, the fire was lit. The whole process took no more than half an hour.

Honored Lady Lan was amazed. Xia Jieyu is so capable; no wonder the Emperor likes her so much. Not to mention the flavor, just the process itself was a delight. It seems Xia Jieyu is never bored. Her life is always so full of zest!

”Xia Jieyu, where do all these ideas of yours come from?” Honored Lady Lan asked in amazement.

Xia Ruqing smiled. ”It’s just a common snack from my hometown! Besides, since I’m idle anyway, making it to eat and have fun, isn’t that interesting?”

Honored Lady Lan laughed. ”That’s really true!”

The February weather was still somewhat cold. However, the fire was of a moderate size, and they sat close enough to feel its warmth, keeping the chill at bay.