Because the hunt had been canceled due to the rain, Emperor Yong’an was ensconced in Noble Consort Xiao’s sleeping quarters drinking wine and watching song and dance.

The sound of strings and bamboo instruments rose in waves as dancers clad in rainbow garments danced gracefully in the hall.

The corners of Emperor Yong’an’s mouth held a relaxed smile he never showed before his ministers. He said to Noble Consort Xiao, “Not as good as my beloved consort’s dancing.”

“Your Majesty flatters me too much.” Noble Consort Xiao picked up a white jade wine pot and refilled the beautiful wine in Emperor Yong’an’s cup.

Emperor Yong’an took a light sip and reached out to embrace Noble Consort Xiao’s waist.

A palace servant entered and reported the news that Hong Dou had come to deliver food.

Noble Consort Xiao didn’t seem too surprised and instructed, “Bring her in.”

Emperor Yong’an set down his wine cup and casually asked, “My beloved consort has also had dealings with Luo Chi’s daughter?”

Noble Consort Xiao smiled. “That day when Your Majesty invited me to taste the beggar’s pork elbow together, I found it extremely good, so I requested Miss Luo’s cook to make beggar’s chicken.”

Emperor Yong’an understood.

Noble Consort Xiao liked eating chicken—he knew this.

However—since beggar’s chicken had been made, how had he not tasted it?

“I had originally wanted to send some to Your Majesty, but when the beggar’s chicken arrived, it was past mealtime. Thinking that Your Majesty eating too many oily things wouldn’t be good, I had to give up.” Noble Consort Xiao said with slight regret.

Emperor Yong’an nodded slightly. “These past few days I’ve indeed eaten quite a lot of oily things.”

Fresh game naturally had to be made into roasted meat and stewed meat for the Emperor to taste. After going back and forth, he’d had his fill.

Now thinking about various meat dishes, he had lost his appetite entirely.

“What Miss Luo sent surely isn’t more beggar’s chicken or beggar’s pork elbow, is it?” While appreciating the song and dance, Emperor Yong’an asked casually.

“I don’t know either.” Thinking of the beggar’s chicken Luo Sheng’s side had proactively sent yesterday, Noble Consort Xiao figured it should still be this dish.

Catering to someone’s preferences was often just like this.

At this moment, a palace servant carrying a vermilion lacquered food box entered, with Hong Dou following behind.

The dancer performing in the hall quietly withdrew.

“Present it.”

Other palace servants walked over to receive the food box, passing it layer by layer until it reached Emperor Yong’an and Noble Consort Xiao.

The palace servant personally attending Emperor Yong’an opened the food box and brought out two dishes.

Taken from the upper layer of the food box was a small white jade bowl. Its contents were white as congealed fat, with the surface sprinkled with scattered raisins and pine nuts.

Brought out from the bottom layer of the food box were two jade-green deep dishes, each holding exactly one plump, bright red June persimmon.

Emperor Yong’an didn’t find that bowl of cheese particularly unusual—this was a small dish commonly eaten in the palace.

What he found unusual were the June persimmons.

Looking carefully, the skin of both June persimmons was wrinkled, as if they’d been roasted.

Noble Consort Xiao also found it unusual and asked with a smile, “Are these June persimmons?”

The palace servant who had led Hong Dou in was just about to signal for her to respond when Hong Dou had already said loudly, “Reporting to Your Ladyship, they are indeed June persimmons.”

The palace servant quietly twitched the corner of his mouth.

This maid had quite the audacity.

Noble Consort Xiao had some impression of the maid beside Miss Luo. At these words, she asked with a smile, “What is this dish called?”

“Reporting to Your Ladyship, this dish is called baked okra eggs.” Because she was standing far away, Hong Dou’s voice was even louder.

The palace servant standing to the side couldn’t help but cast her a look.

What was wrong with this little maid? Such a loud voice could be considered disturbing His Majesty.

Hong Dou didn’t even glance at the palace servant.

Miss had instructed her that the temporary palace was different from outside—she mustn’t cause trouble.

Trouble was caused by people interacting with others. She wouldn’t pay any attention to these people.

Noble Consort Xiao slightly raised her chin.

Immediately a palace servant went over and led Hong Dou to walk in closer.

“Baked okra eggs don’t seem to have any connection with June persimmons.” Noble Consort Xiao said with some curiosity.

Hong Dou’s volume decreased slightly. “You’ll see once you remove the lid from the June persimmon.”

At Noble Consort Xiao’s signal, a palace maid used a clean handkerchief to cushion her hand as she lifted off the top with the persimmon stem attached, revealing the baked eggs and okra inside.

A fresh fragrance rushed toward them, carrying the light sweet-and-sour flavor unique to June persimmons, immediately stirring up the appetite.

Emperor Yong’an spoke up. “It looks quite good.”

Hearing these words, two palace servants immediately came forward to test for poison.

First testing with silver needles, then testing with their bodies.

One June persimmon wasn’t very large, and one small bowl of steamed sweet cheese wasn’t much either. But to ensure the emperor’s safety, the poison testers couldn’t eat too little.

Emperor Yong’an and Noble Consort Xiao watched silently, suddenly feeling their mood wasn’t very good.

After waiting for who knows how long, the poison-testing palace servants finally withdrew to the side.

Emperor Jingming tasted a bite of the baked okra eggs and couldn’t help but nod. “Such a preparation method is indeed unusual.”

Perhaps having eaten too many oily things, he actually felt that ordinary eggs mixed with the sweet-and-sour flavor of June persimmons and the refreshing quality of okra had an excellent taste.

Inside one June persimmon was placed just one egg and a few thinly sliced pieces of okra—it was finished in just three to five bites.

Having finished the baked okra eggs, Emperor Yong’an watched Noble Consort Xiao eat the steamed sweet cheese.

Noble Consort Xiao savored the deliciousness of the cheese and asked reluctantly, “Would Your Majesty like to taste some?”

In the palace during summer and autumn, she often ate cheese, but she’d never eaten any with such good flavor.

Miss Luo’s cook was indeed exceptional.

“My beloved consort, you eat it.” Emperor Yong’an said indifferently.

Noble Consort Xiao ate happily and instructed palace servants to reward Hong Dou.

“Go back and tell your miss that this palace enjoyed it very much. She is thoughtful.”

“This servant takes her leave.”

Seeing Hong Dou about to leave with the palace servant, Noble Consort Xiao suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, did Miss Luo only send food here to this palace?”

Hong Dou replied crisply, “She also sent a portion to Consort Yu.”

Noble Consort Xiao nodded slightly before letting her leave.

“Consort Yu has also had dealings with Miss Luo?”

Noble Consort Xiao said, “Yesterday I went to stroll around Miss Luo’s quarters. When leaving the tent, I happened to encounter Consort Yu, so I brought her along.”

“I see. I had heard that Luo Chi’s daughter was somewhat spoiled, but unexpectedly she’s a thoughtful person.”

Noble Consort Xiao smiled without commenting either way.

Emperor Yong’an savored the taste of the baked okra eggs and instructed Zhou Shan, “Have the imperial kitchen send over some June persimmons.”

Zhou Shan received the command and left the great hall. He sent a young eunuch to pass on the message, and before long returned with a strange expression.

Seeing him return empty-handed, Emperor Yong’an slightly raised his eyebrows. “Mm?”

Zhou Shan quickly said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen said that the June persimmons delivered early this morning were all taken away by Prince Kaiyang…”

June persimmons were rarely used in cooking, but as one type of fruit and vegetable, fresh ones were delivered daily to be distributed to various places. The quantity wasn’t large.

Hearing Zhou Shan’s response, Emperor Yong’an stared at the jade-green deep dish that hadn’t yet been removed and fell into contemplation.

What did Prince Kaiyang want so many June persimmons for?

Compared to Hong Dou’s smooth experience, Xiu Yue ran into a wall.

“Our consort has received the items. Please return.”

Xiu Yue was somewhat surprised. “Yesterday the consort said she wanted this commoner woman to come teach her how to cook—”

The palace servant’s face was cold, saying impatiently, “Today the consort is unwell and it’s inconvenient to receive guests. When the consort has the energy to learn, she will naturally send someone to invite you.”

Xiu Yue wanted to say something more, but the palace servant had already turned and gone inside.

Luo Sheng waited for Xiu Yue to return first.

“You didn’t see Zhaohua?”