Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

“Being an emperor is just exhausting.” Emperor Chongzhao felt that he had a miserable life. He finally got the noodles, but he saw a thick layer of braised beef on top.

"This is so greasy, is this the meal that the chef prepared for me?"

I lose my appetite at first sight.

Qinghai glanced at him with a look of disdain and impatience, which made people recall the time when they ate according to the recipes of Yi Qiu Palace's small kitchen in Lizheng Palace.

"Call the chef who serves the food to come in." Qinghai simply repeated the procedure of that year. The first thing he did was to get the head of the chef bureau to explain clearly.

Cai Xiangchun entered the hall with his head lowered and in a reserved manner. He was called to the foot of the high platform and then knelt down to meet the emperor.

"Was it your idea or someone else's to put so much meat on this bowl of noodles?" Qinghai asked her in front of Emperor Chongzhao.

Cai Xiangchun was trembling with fear, but still managed to answer through the trembling: "In reply to Eunuch Qing, Zichen Palace sent a message to Biyu Palace to prepare the meal.

"Four people from Yinyu Hall tried new noodles today, but they used different toppings: beef, mochi noodles, and assorted diced chicken.

“The Muxu plain noodles are for Lady Zhai, the princess and her companion both have assorted chicken, and the beef noodles were specially ordered by the imperial concubine.

"I thought that Your Majesty would be busy for a long time in the afternoon, so I took the initiative to bring Your Majesty a bowl of noodles that is exactly the same as the one served to the Imperial Concubine."

Emperor Chong Zhao pointed at the bowl of noodles in front of him and asked her in surprise, "How can the imperial concubine eat so much? And you want so much meat?"

Cai Xiangchun nodded affirmatively: "Not only that, the imperial concubine also ordered four cold dishes."

Pointing to the plate in front of Emperor Chongzhao, he said, "They are all cold dishes, garnished only with chili oil and vinegar.

"When Yinyu Palace came to pass on the message, he also vividly said that if you pick a plate of your favorite vegetarian dish and mix it with the noodles, it will definitely taste better."

Emperor Chongzhao then looked at the four dishes: spinach, amaranth, cucumber, and loofah.

Well, looking at the tender green color, it seems to be getting better.

He hesitated for a moment, then pointed at the spinach and cucumber shreds and said, "Give it a try."

Qinghai stepped forward and put half of the vegetables from each plate into the noodle bowl. After thinking for a moment, he sifted all the salad dressing from the spinach plate into the noodle bowl, and then slowly mixed it all together.

The sour and spicy aroma mixed with the braised beef rushed straight into Emperor Chongzhao's nose from between the noodles he lifted up and stirred.

The emperor couldn't help but swallowed.

Qinghai tactfully stirred the noodles two or three more times and then pushed the bowl of noodles in front of the emperor.

Feeling hungry, Emperor Chongzhao grabbed the chopsticks and skipped the initial test. He directly picked up a large spoonful of noodles and started eating.

This meal is very satisfying.

The bowl of noodles was quickly finished, leaving only a little soup.

The full bowl of beef, and even the remaining two and a half plates of spinach and cucumber shreds, all went into the emperor's stomach without leaving a single bit.

Cai Xiangchun stood below and breathed a sigh of relief.

Just eat what you like.

"Well, this noodle is very good, chewy and smooth. The toppings are also well thought out. Your Imperial Concubine knows how to eat."

As usual, Emperor Chongzhao got up after dinner and strolled around the hall to eat.

Qinghai, who had already been drooling, asked him pitifully, "Your Majesty, do you want to go out for a walk?"

Emperor Chongzhao nodded, and then he saw Qinghai's crying face and smiled immediately:

"Guo Jian and the others have finished their meal. I am going to check on the guards at the palace gate and will be back soon.

"You guys should eat too. You don't have to follow me."

Qing Hai was overjoyed: "Yes! Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Dan waited for Emperor Chongzhao to leave the hall, then immediately grabbed Cai Xiangchun and asked in a low voice: "Do you have more noodles and toppings?"

Cai Xiangchun nodded hurriedly and replied in a low voice: "Yinyu Palace has also instructed that when noodles are served to His Majesty, four servings should be prepared.

“Here are three more bowls.”

Qing Hai was overjoyed: "That's great!"

He called Jianzhong and Jiancheng, and each of them had a portion. They ate with relish and filled their stomachs.

"It's still our Imperial Concubine who always does things perfectly!"

Jingshun stood at the palace door, glanced in the direction where Emperor Chongzhao left, then turned back to look at the three people squatting in the corner of the side hall eating noodles with big mouthfuls. He didn't even realize that his face was full of resentment.

Don’t you have a share?

How can we treat them differently like this?

Just because I used to be a spy, I am so unwelcome that I am not even allowed to have a bowl of noodles?

He was feeling depressed when Cai Xiangchun just passed by him without even glancing at him.

Invesco became even more depressed.

The next day came quickly.

Early in the morning, the Shangshi Bureau was ordered to send the banquet menus to all the palaces.

The other five monks also sent their Dragon Boat Festival gifts.

Wang Xifeng even asked Queen Mo to open the palace gates and allow concubines in each palace to send holiday gifts to their mother's homes.

When Emperor Chongzhao heard this, his face became serious again: "Why are there so many things?"

"This is as it should be. This is the first important festival after the grand ceremony, and each palace should report safety to their mother's family and resume socializing.

"This will be a common practice in the future." Qinghai explained in a low voice, "Not to mention the concubines in the palace, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also sent gifts to the residences of important officials and royal family members in your name."

Emperor Chongzhao stood up with a stern face and said, "I thought she would let the harem live in peace and quiet, but who knew she couldn't change her nature of liking excitement!

"No, I'm going to knock them down!"

He waved his hand and ordered Qing Hai, "Pass the message. I will go to the Queen for lunch, and to her for dinner!"

Then he walked out.

Qing Hai was stunned: "Then where is your Majesty going now?"

"Go and see Mei." Emperor Chongzhao said, striding towards the harem.

Qinghai's eyes widened.

This means, I have to stay in the harem for the entire Dragon Boat Festival?

Is that...

Without thinking, Qing Hai followed behind and trotted, catching up and whispered, "Should I ask the Shangqin Bureau to arrange it?"

Emperor Chongzhao was puzzled: "Where should it be laid out?"

"Where else? Of course it's Yinyu Palace." Qinghai blurted out this sentence, and then he saw that Emperor Chongzhao's face became gloomy. He subconsciously stopped and stepped back.

"Are you trying to commit suicide?" Emperor Chongzhao narrowed his eyes.

The news that he and Wang Xifeng had not yet consummated their marriage had just begun to spread slowly in the palace.

If he were to rush to stay overnight today under the pretext of celebrating the festival, it would only fuel the rumors again.

The young and old ghosts in the harem will happily begin to focus their attention on the erotic affairs between him and Wang!

Now is the time to be stable, quiet and low-key. He would never go to Wang at this time!

Even if he had this intention, he would definitely delay the time by half a year.

"Please remember for me that the second day of September is Wang's birthday.

"She likes crowds. She likes the color red. And the food has to be new and delicious.

"We'll talk about this when the time comes."