Tang Dynasty: Slacking off in the Imperial Kitchen, exposed by Si Zi

Chapter 138 Biological Weapons! Don't come any closer!

The little girl stretched out her chubby little hand and grabbed one.

The garlic cloves had a smooth surface and felt slightly cool to the touch.

She opened her toothless little mouth, and Ah Ming took a bite.

"Snap!"

A crisp cracking sound rang out clearly in the quiet courtyard.

Li Shimin's eyelids twitched.

So crispy?

The little ox chewed twice, its little brows furrowing as it was stimulated by the sour taste.

Immediately afterwards, his brows relaxed, and his big eyes lit up instantly.

"Ugh—!"

The little girl was chewing loudly, making smacking noises as she chewed, and calling out indistinctly as she did so.

"Not spicy at all! It's sour, crunchy, and a little sweet!"

She swallowed the small piece, then eagerly stuffed the remaining half into her mouth, even sticking out her little tongue to lick the vinegar off her fingers.

"Great! Honey, this green fruit is so good!"

Seeing his daughter's blissful expression, Li Shimin's defenses wavered for a moment.

Is it really that delicious?

It's just a piece of garlic, isn't it?

Su Mu then pushed a steaming bowl of Laba porridge in front of Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, this porridge is too sweet, and while purple rice is nourishing, it can be a bit heavy. If you were to have a bite of crisp and refreshing Laba garlic at this time, it would be a taste that even the gods wouldn't trade for."

Li Shimin looked at the bowl of porridge.

A thick layer of rice oil floats on the purplish-red surface of the porridge, the lotus seeds are white and tender, and the red dates are plump.

He was indeed hungry.

He picked up the bowl and slurped down a big mouthful.

Piping hot, sweet, and soft!

The delicate fragrance of purple rice melts in your mouth, and that comforting sense of satisfaction instantly fills your stomach.

It tastes really good, but after a few sips, your mouth does feel a bit sticky, and the sweetness builds up at the back of your tongue, making it slightly cloying.

Just then, the clicking sound came again.

Little Sizi had already finished the second one and was reaching for the third.

Li Shimin looked at the bright green garlic cloves, then at the dark brown vinegar sauce in the dish.

That tangy aroma wafted straight into his nostrils, making his cheeks ache.

"Just...try one?"

Li Shimin found a way to save face in his heart.

Anyway, that old bastard Wei Zheng hasn't arrived yet, so I can just rinse my mouth a few more times after I finish eating.

He stretched out his chopsticks and quickly picked up the smallest one.

The garlic cloves slipped slightly on the tips of the chopsticks, revealing a glistening sheen.

Li Shimin held his breath, closed his eyes, and put it into his mouth.

Teeth closed.

Click!

The garlic cloves cracked and split between my teeth.

It didn't have the pungent spiciness I expected, nor the nauseating smell of garlic.

First came a refreshing, tangy sensation that instantly washed away the sweetness in my mouth.

Then, the original mild spiciness of the garlic cloves slowly emerges, but the spiciness has been tamed by the vinegar, becoming mild and stimulating, just the right amount to whet the appetite.

crisp!

It's so crispy!

The texture doesn't taste like garlic at all; it tastes more like freshly picked crisp fruit!

"Um?!"

Li Shimin suddenly opened his eyes and chewed faster.

After swallowing a clove of garlic, my mouth felt clean and refreshed, and the sweetness from before vanished completely. Instead, I felt a surge of appetite, and the porridge looked even more delicious.

"nice one!"

Li Shimin stopped pretending this time.

He held the bowl of porridge in his left hand, while his chopsticks danced in his right.

Take a sip of the soft, sweet Laba porridge and enjoy a clove of sour, crisp, and refreshing Laba garlic.

One is soft, the other is crisp.

One sweet and one sour.

One hot, one cold!

These three extreme contrasts pull back and forth in the mouth, creating a perfect match!

"Another plate, please!"

Li Shimin slammed the empty plate on the table, a fine layer of sweat appearing on his forehead, indicating he had thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

Su Mu didn't hesitate and directly placed the small jar on the table.

The father and daughter each occupied one side, and the clicking sounds rose and fell like music.

Little Sizi's mouth was covered in oil, his little face was stained with purplish-red porridge, and he was still clutching half a clove of garlic in his hand.

"Dad, you like the Seven Green Fruit Duck too?"

Amidst his busy schedule, Li Shimin nodded, his mouth stuffed full, and mumbled, "Hmm—this is wonderful—Su Mu, pack two jars for me later, I want to take it back to the Lizheng Hall."

Just then, that familiar figure appeared at the courtyard gate.

Wei Zheng held a tablet in his hand, his face serious, and walked hurriedly.

As soon as he reached the door, he heard the sounds of people slurping porridge and chewing coming from inside.

"His Majesty!"

Wei Zheng's voice was powerful and carried the unique authority of an official who offered advice and criticism.

"I heard Your Majesty was here, so I came here specifically—"

Li Shimin was enjoying his meal when the shout startled him, and he almost choked on his porridge.

He put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and looked annoyed at being disturbed.

"Xuancheng, what are you doing here on this festive day instead of staying home and having porridge?"

Wei Zheng walked into the courtyard with a stern face, ready to launch into a long discourse on the great principles that a monarch should not indulge in the desires of food and drink.

"Your Majesty, today is Laba Festival, Your Majesty should—"

Li Shimin was in a good mood and didn't bother listening to his rambling. He stood up and greeted him with a smile.

"Alright, alright, I know what you're going to say. Since you're here, don't come on an empty stomach."

As he spoke, Li Shimin moved closer to Wei Zheng, intending to pat the old minister on the shoulder and show his approachability.

However, at the very moment he opened his mouth to speak...

"Ha Yi" 6

A rich, mixed gas, fermented with aged vinegar and brewing in the stomach, burst forth without reservation!

The flavor was a delightful blend of sourness and spiciness, with the spiciness carrying the bold character of aged garlic.

Wei Zheng was too close.

He took a deep breath, caught off guard, and prepared to continue his remonstrance.

As he inhaled that breath, Wei Zheng's already stern, dark face visibly changed color!

First it was red, then green, and finally it settled on a dark purple-brown.

His eyes widened suddenly, a strange gurgling sound came from his throat, and he felt as if he had been hit in the face by an invisible hammer. His body swayed three times and he almost passed out!

"Your Majesty—you—you are—"

Wei Zheng covered his nose, staggered back two steps, and tears welled up in his eyes from the fumes.

What kind of weapon of mass destruction did they consume?!

Li Shimin was taken aback, but then he realized what was happening.

Oh no, I forgot about that!

He coughed awkwardly, instinctively trying to explain, but instead exhaled another spit of foul air.

Wei Zheng took another step back, looking utterly dejected.

At this moment, Xiao Sizi also came over.

She held the dish of green garlic in her hands and looked at Wei Zheng with an innocent expression.

"Uncle Wei, do you also want some Seven Green Fruits?"

The little girl's words were just as powerful as her father's.

After all, children speak without thinking, and that was a direct jab at Wei Zheng's face.

Wei Zheng felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and his head was buzzing!

This father and daughter from the Tang Dynasty are plotting to use poison gas to assassinate a high-ranking official!

"Chen——Chen————"

Wei Zheng had never been so speechless in his life.

He had a bellyful of advice to offer, but the strong smell of garlic from the garlic made him unable to utter a single word.

Su Mu watched from the sidelines, laughing heartily, his shoulders shrug.

Seeing that Wei Zheng was about to faint, Su Mu quickly ladled out a full bowl of Laba porridge and went over to him.

"Lord Wei, although the smell of garlic is strong, it can kill germs and prevent disease. Here, have a bowl of porridge to calm your nerves."

After saying that, without waiting for Wei Zheng's agreement, he directly shoved the spoon into Wei Zheng's hand.

The aroma of the porridge was so rich that it finally diluted the smell of garlic in the air.

Wei Zheng looked at the bowl of tempting, purplish-red porridge in his hand, and then at the father and daughter who were eating with garlic in their mouths.

He sighed, resignedly scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

As long as you plug your mouth, you won't have to smell that odor.

Ok?

This porridge—

so sweet.

Wei Zheng's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed slowly with this bite of soft, glutinous rice.

Oh well, it's a holiday, so let's just smoke a little.