(Happy New Year's Day ~)

As she talked with Nanny Lan, they arrived at the arched door leading to the backyard.

Mother Servant Lan called for a carriage and helped Chu Lian get on it. Two strong old maids carried her to the backyard.

Princess Wei had already received the news and was waiting for her.

Chu Lian wasn't brought to Princess Wei's yard. Instead, she was brought to a pavilion by the pond.

Princess Wei was sitting in the pavilion and painting.

The warm sunlight shone on the pond and the breeze blew. The water sparkled like thousands of silver snakes dancing in the water.

The pavilion was half covered with felt, leaving only one side for people to enter and exit. This way, the sun could shine in without being affected by the wind. You could also see the lotus pond outside. Not only were there withered old lotuses in the pond, but there were also a few green spots sticking out of the water. The small lotus leaves stuck out of the water and stood straight.

Seeing the peaceful and lively spring scenery, Chu Lian's mood improved.

She couldn't help but walk faster towards the pavilion. Princess Wei seemed to have seen her coming. From afar, she saw her put down her brush and sit at the stone table to taste the tea.

When Chu Lian was led into the pavilion by Nanny Lan, Princess Wei smiled, "Jinyi, come sit beside me."

The corners of Chu Lian's mouth curled up, revealing two shallow dimples on her cheeks.

Every time she was beside Princess Wei, she felt very relaxed.

She first bowed to Princess of Wei and then sat down beside her.

Princess Wei pulled Chu Lian to talk. Chu Lian immediately saw the half-finished ink painting on the easel.

"Princess, you draw so well!"

Princess Wei was a famous talented woman in Shengjing when she was young. She was proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Although she didn't draw as much later, her painting skills didn't decline.

"Not really. I just had some free time today, so I drew for fun." Princess Wei smiled.

"That's still much better than mine." Chu Lian praised sincerely.

She only knew how to sketch, gouache, and simple strokes because she was a modern designer. She didn't know anything about traditional painting.

"Child, why are you so sweet? Duanjia showed me the decorations you drew. They look like they're really embedded in the paper."

Chu Lian blushed. That was to let the craftsmen in the shop see the details of the decorations clearly, so they had purposely painted it with paint …

"Why did you think of me today? You're not usually this enthusiastic." Princess Wei glared at her.

The smile on Chu Lian's face disappeared. "Princess Consort, I need your help with something this time."

"Oh?"

Princess Wei raised her eyebrows and looked at Chu Lian sitting beside her. Chu Lian was looking at her with her big clear eyes like a pure deer. Princess Wei couldn't help but pinch Chu Lian's soft and red cheeks.

"I knew it. You wouldn't think of me if there was nothing going on."

Chu Lian blushed and told Princess Wei everything that had happened.

On the other side of the Lotus Pond, two middle-aged men were taking a leisurely stroll near the artificial mountains.

The middle-aged man wearing a purple robe with a qilin embroidered on it had an outstanding aura. He was tall and had a faint smile on his face as he pointed out the scenery of the inner courtyard of the palace to the middle-aged man beside him.

The middle-aged man with the green robe had a deep gaze and a biting cold aura. With his hands behind his back, he strolled along the cobblestone path and laughed from time to time. "Ninth brother, it's been a long time since I've been to the Wei Palace.

“

Brother is busy with the affairs of the country every day. Unlike me, I spend my days leisurely. I've already renovated this garden twice. "

His Majesty and Wei Wang were blood-related brothers. The emperor had doted on Wei Wang since he was young. Later, when the nine dragons fought for the throne, Wei Wang helped his brother and their relationship improved.

The person the emperor trusted the most in the entire imperial court was undoubtedly Wei Wang.

Emperor Chengping was wearing an ordinary silk robe. Ignoring his aura, he looked like a leisurely rich man at first glance.

It was rare for him to be free from the palace. Emperor Chengping didn't want to think about those annoying political affairs anymore. His gaze fell on the huge Lotus Pond and then looked into the distance.

He laughed. "Sister-in-law is really in a good mood. You're painting by the pavilion at this time. Is that Duanjia?

That brat hasn't been to the palace for a long time. Her imperial grandmother has talked about her several times, saying that she misses her. "

Wei Wang looked towards the octagonal pavilion in the distance and happened to see his wife's happy smile.

Chu Lian's back was facing them. From their angle, if they didn't know that Princess Duanjia wasn't at the Wei Palace, Wei Wang would've recognized the wrong person.

"Brother, you're wrong this time. That isn't Duanjia. That brat is still playing in Mount Lan Xiang and doesn't want to come back."

The emperor was a little surprised. "Oh?

Then who is it? When did you have a girl in your palace?

Could it be for Ah Tai? "

Wei Wang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Brother, don't make wild guesses. That child is married a long time ago. She's the wife of Marquis of Anyuan, the sixth daughter of the Chu Family."

In an instant, a pair of familiar eyes flashed in Emperor Chengping's mind. He frowned slightly. "Jinyi?"

The smile on Wei Wang's face disappeared. He nodded. "It's that child.

Brother knows about Princess Fei's worries. In addition, Jinyi saved Duanjia, so Princess Fei has some special feelings for that child. "

"It's fine. As long as Sister-in-law feels good, it's fine. Jinyi isn't a child without a sense of propriety."

Hearing his imperial brother say this, Wei Wang's expression became better. He was really worried that his imperial brother would blame them for this matter.

Wei Wang chuckled. "It's a coincidence. This child is really Duanjia's lucky star. She also looks similar to Duanjia. The two children are about the same size, so it's no wonder that Princess Fei would think that way."

As Wei Wang spoke, he didn't notice that the emperor was in a daze. His gaze passed through the lotus pond and landed on that delicate figure. Then it passed through that figure as if he was looking at someone else.

"Brother, it's a coincidence today. Since Jinyi is here, I'll have her make a few dishes for you to try. That girl has good cooking skills. I don't know how she trained to do it.

If I had to say, it's better than the chefs in your palace. "

Emperor Chengping finally retracted his gaze. His lips curved. "Then I'll stay in the fu today to try Jinyi's cooking."

Emperor Chengping had seen Chu Lian once before the New Year. Then, he had been busy with politics and had almost forgotten that dusty memory.

But now that he thought about it again, it was still so clear.

Chu Lian had come to ask for Princess Wei's help. Somehow, she had become the kitchen maid …

At this time, Chu Lian still didn't know that this meal was for the current Emperor. She thought it was for Wei Wang and his wife.

She asked Wei Wang and Princess Wei about their taboos and then brought Lan mama, Wenqing, and Wenlan to the small kitchen of the fu.

The small kitchen of the fu had all the ingredients one needed.

Chu Lian had some chili seasoning with her so she wasn't afraid of running out.

It was early spring and it wasn't suitable to eat spicy dishes. Plus, it was the time when wild vegetables were plump and juicy.

A few steps away from the small kitchen was the small garden of the fu. Chu Lian walked around and saw many delicious and juicy wild vegetables.

She called a servant girl to bring the wild vegetables to the small kitchen according to her request.

Chu Lian chose fresh artemisia selengensis and chrysanthemum brains. Then, she had Wenqing process the river prawns and fish. She had Wenlan make the meat stuffing.

Since she wanted to make light dishes and there were so many spring ingredients, Jin 'ling dishes were obviously the best.

Jin 'ling dishes were mild, fragrant, and tender. The dishes were exquisite and elegant. They were the most suitable dishes for early spring.

The dishes Chu Lian chose didn't take too long to prepare.

Five dishes were ready in less than an hour.

She chose different porcelain plates for each dish and decorated them with fresh flowers. The green was bright and the red was bright. Just looking at it made one's appetite increase.

Because Princess of Wei had informed her in advance that Prince of Wei would prepare another table, Chu Lian made two servings of each dish.

Chu Lian had someone carry one set to eat with Princess Wei while Wenqing brought the other set to the front yard.

In the front yard's reception hall, Wei Wang and Emperor Chengping were already seated and drinking tea.

A guard outside announced that the food had arrived.

Emperor Chengping waved his hand, "Serve the food."

Granny Lan led Wenqing and the maidservants who were carrying food boxes into the reception hall.

Wenqing knew that Wei Wang was in the front yard. She had seen Wei Wang when she followed Chu Lian here. She thought that there was only Wei Wang in the front yard and at most, the eldest royal prince. She didn't expect there to be an unfamiliar middle-aged man.

She raised her head and glanced at him. She was shocked by the middle-aged man's aura and immediately lowered her head obediently.

A middle-aged man who could sit on the same level as Wei Wang and was so intimate with him must be someone special.

After understanding this, Wenqing became even more well-behaved.

Lan mama ordered the servant girls to place the dishes on the table one by one. Then, she smiled and said, "Master, please enjoy. These were all personally made by the ruler!"

Five porcelain plates of different shapes and colors were placed on the table. Princess Wei had specially ordered her servant girls to find these plates. Each of them was priceless.

However, the dishes on the porcelain plates were even more beautiful and alluring.

It could even be said that these porcelain plates had become the background of the dishes.

Emperor Chengping's eyes lit up. He pointed at the dishes in front of him that looked even better than handicrafts and asked, "Tell me, what are these?"

Although it was a pity that the roast duck wasn't on the table, Wei Wang couldn't wait to eat the delicious food in front of him.

Wenqing followed Chu Lian's instructions and stepped forward to introduce the dishes one by one.

"In reply to the two masters, this Chu Lian stir-fry is called Jin 'ling grass. It's made from the most tender part of the wormwood stalk and stir-fried. It has a natural fragrance.

Next to it is Phoenix-Tail Prawns. We chose the freshest river prawns, removed their heads and shells, covered them with egg white and other ingredients, and fried them in duck fat … "

Wenqing introduced the five dishes in a row. Every time she introduced a dish, Emperor Chengping and Prince Wei would taste it along with her.

When he tasted the first Jin 'ling grass, Emperor Chengping's eyes lit up.

Fresh wormwood was tender and fragrant. With just the simplest amount of oil and salt and the right amount of heat, it would be the most natural delicacy.

Then, she would decorate the plate with a few red roses. The visual impact of the red and green would make people even more hungry.

The meat of the Phoenix-Tail Prawns was pure white and the tail shell was bright red. It was shaped like a phoenix's tail. The side was lined with green beans, creating a beautiful color. The prawns were tender and not greasy. They were crispy and tasty. When cooked with duck fat, they also had a special fragrance.

These two dishes had already captured Emperor Chengping's heart, not to mention the red plum fish maw, crispy eel, and chrysanthemum brain soup.