I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Ye An'an hummed a little tune as she returned to Tinglan Water Pavilion.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Fuyun came to greet her. When she saw the large bamboo basket that Changting had unloaded from the carriage, she was completely stunned.

"Your Majesty! Why...why did you buy all these things?"

The bamboo basket contained the pile of pig offal that Ye An'an had bought on the street after "speaking out against injustice"—dark pig trotters, tangled pig intestines, and a few pieces of pig liver and lungs.

These things are rare delicacies for ordinary people, but in the palace, they are things that even the lowest-ranking servants despise.

Fu Yun's expression was one of utter disgust and bewilderment, as if she had seen something filthy.

"This is a treasure!" Ye An'an's eyes lit up. She patted the basket, as if showing off her spoils. "You don't understand, these things, when cooked properly, are even tastier than the finest delicacies!"

"Your Highness, this...this stuff smells very fishy, ​​how can we eat it?" Chenzhu also came over, looking at the things in the basket, her delicate brows furrowed tightly.

"So you guys are complete novices." Ye An'an rolled up her sleeves and enthusiastically gave orders, "Changting, help me carry these things to the small kitchen. Chenzhu, go boil several large pots of water, add plenty of salt and vinegar. Fuyun, go get all my jars of cooking wine!"

Although Changting also found it strange, he had a blind trust in Ye An'an's cooking skills, so he took the basket and went to the kitchen without saying a word.

Although the two maids were full of doubts, they still obediently went to prepare.

The small kitchen quickly became "lively".

Ye An'an personally took charge, teaching the two maids how to handle the wastewater.

"The hair on the pig's trotters needs to be singed off with fire and then scraped clean with a knife."

"The most troublesome part is the pig intestines. First, you have to scrub them repeatedly with salt and vinegar to wash away all the mucus inside. Then you have to turn them inside out and remove all the fat inside, otherwise they will be greasy."

"The pig liver should be sliced ​​and soaked in clean water, changing the water several times to remove all the blood."

As she spoke, she demonstrated, her movements swift and methodical, showing no signs of being a pampered young lady, but rather like an experienced chef.

Fuyun and Chenzhu initially felt disgusted and held their noses, not daring to get close. But seeing Ye An'an's serious expression, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and get started.

All afternoon, the small kitchen in Tinglan Waterside Pavilion was filled with a... indescribable smell.

After a busy day, all the ingredients were finally cleaned. The pig's trotters became plump and white, and the pig intestines were translucent and no longer had that fishy smell.

Ye An'an was so tired she could barely stand up straight, but looking at the fruits of her labor, she felt a great sense of satisfaction.

She planned to make a braised platter. Using the memories she brought from the modern world, along with the top-quality spices she had just bought that day, she would braise a pot of unparalleled deliciousness.

but……

She glanced at the sky and then touched her belly.

This braised dish is delicious, but it's time-consuming and laborious to make, so there's no time to make it for dinner. Besides, Xiao Jingshi helped her today, and she wanted to make something special to thank him.

This pot of dark, murky offal, though delicious, doesn't look quite right on his handsome, otherworldly face.

We need to think of something else.

The weather is gradually getting cooler, and the autumn wind is already quite chilly.

A sudden idea flashed in Ye An'an's mind.

When it's cold, what could be more blissful than eating hot pot?

Yes, let's make hot pot!

This isn't the heavily flavored spicy hot pot from last time, but a healthier hot pot that focuses more on the delicious broth.

She remembered that the steward had just delivered a plump old hen that day, saying it was a special gift from the Empress. It was like a pillow being delivered just when she was about to fall asleep.

"Fuyun, take out that chicken and chop it into pieces."

"Chenzhu, go to the storeroom and find some yams, red dates, and goji berries."

Ye An'an's fighting spirit was rekindled, and she began to give orders in an orderly manner.

She plans to make a yam and black chicken soup for hot pot.

Put an old hen, yam, red dates, goji berries, and a few slices of ginger into a clay pot, add enough water, and simmer over low heat.

This soup doesn't need too many complicated seasonings; what matters is the original flavor of the ingredients themselves.

Soon, the sound of bubbling came from the casserole, and a rich and sweet aroma of chicken soup gradually wafted out of the small kitchen, overpowering the previous smell of offal and spreading throughout the courtyard of Tinglan Water Pavilion.

Fuyun and Chenzhu's mouths watered at the smell.

"Your Majesty, just smelling this soup makes it smell so good!" Fuyun said, looking completely captivated.

"This is just the beginning," Ye An'an smiled smugly. "Once the soup is ready, we'll have hot pot with meat—that'll be incredibly delicious!"

While the broth was simmering, she began preparing the ingredients for the hot pot.

She asked Chenzhu to get the freshest beef and mutton from the food warehouse, and personally cut the meat into paper-thin slices, arranging them neatly on a plate.

She picked some fresh green vegetables from her own little garden and washed them clean.

She also made shrimp paste and pork meatballs by hand. The bouncy meatballs piled up in the bowl looked very tempting.

In addition, there were various mushrooms, tofu, winter melon slices... a whole table full of all sorts of things.

Looking at the sumptuous scene, Ye An'an clapped her hands with satisfaction.

perfect!

She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Xiao Jingshi's icy expression when he saw the table full of food.

She glanced at the sky and guessed that Xiao Jingshi and his two colleagues should have finished their business by now.

It's time to invite him, my "big dining buddy."

"Sweeping away the clouds."

"This servant is here."

"Go to Jingming Palace and tell His Highness the Crown Prince that I've prepared something delicious. If you're not in a hurry with official business, please have something to eat," Ye An'an instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Fuyun replied, a proud smile on her face, and walked away with light steps.

As Ye An'an watched her retreating figure, her spirits soared.