Chapter 38: A Joyous Move to a New Home

A few days later, the Princess’s residence became lively, and all the kitchenware Wu Yueling had requested was finally prepared.

“My lady, I’ve noticed that little eunuch has been acting rather strange lately,” Hua Chuer said as she helped Wu Yueling with her makeup, casually bringing up Yu Chao’en.

“If you’ve noticed something, just say it,” Wu Yueling replied, gently pressing her lips to the vermillion rouge cotton. This was her second time getting dressed up—after all, the Emperor himself would be present, so it was best to show proper respect.

“He not only delivers messages to Gao Lishi but also passes word to that Li Linfu,” Hua Chuer said, glancing at her lady in the mirror before exclaiming, “Perfect!”

Wu Yueling chuckled at that—perfect, indeed! She changed into a long cyan ruqun and, once she’d learned Yu Chao’en’s whereabouts, headed to the gates to welcome the officials arriving with congratulations.

With Hua Chuer at her side, Wu Yueling stood by the entrance. Throughout the morning, a dozen or so high-ranking officials arrived, including Crown Prince Li Heng, the vivacious Princess Guangning, and the quiet, introverted Princess Jingle.

By the Qujiang Pool, dozens of carriages and horses lined up in a grand display. Many visitors to the pool stopped to watch, marveling at the splendid scene at the Princess’s residence.

At that moment, Wu Yueling saw another high official in purple robes step down from a carriage. After these past few days, she had come to recognize that those in purple were typically of the third rank—a true minister. This man, with sharp, intelligent eyes like polished mirrors, a black beard flowing neatly in the breeze, and sword-like brows radiating righteous energy, was none other than Yan Zhenqing, the Censor-in-Chief.

“Princess! Congratulations on your new home!” he declared with boisterous energy, bowing deeply. Wu Yueling returned the courtesy and, as she studied his face, was quietly awed.

“Princess, I hear your residence lacks an inscription for its plaque. Today, I’ve brought brush and ink to personally write one for you!” Yan Zhenqing announced, instructing his attendants to bring forth a large brush and a square inkstone.

Wu Yueling had the plaque at the gates removed and placed before Yan Zhenqing.

Just then, a young man in blue dismounted nearby, first bowing to the Princess, then to Yan Zhenqing. He was this year’s successful examination candidate, barely twenty or so, delicate-featured and handsome, named Yuan Zai—a ninth-rank calligrapher.

When Yan Zhenqing finished writing, five broad, imposing characters—“Residence of the Princess Protector of the Nation”—emerged on the plaque, each one upright and vigorous, exuding an overwhelming sense of righteousness.

“Master Yan, you are truly a pillar of the state. I am utterly in awe of your grand and magnificent calligraphy!” Yuan Zai began to flatter him, but Yan Zhenqing immediately scowled, cutting him off. “You young rascal, you’ve hardly been an official for a few months and already you’re so practiced in flattery. Less time with those wine-soaked companions—one can smell the stench of meat and wine on your words. A man should hold himself to strict standards and speak with sincerity, not with sycophantic praise!”

Wu Yueling ordered the plaque to be hung above the main gate. Truly, the writing reflected the man: upright and unyielding, chastising the younger generation—such was the great calligrapher Yan Zhenqing.

Once Yan Zhenqing had finished his lecture and Yuan Zai had apologized, Wu Yueling invited both men inside, instructing servants to lead them to their seats in the garden.

Among the arrivals, Wu Yueling also spotted Chao Heng, whom she’d met once before. The white-robed, aloof scholar by his side was unfamiliar, but after a brief exchange she had them shown in as well.

Before long, the Emperor himself and Yang Yuhuan arrived. Wu Yueling joyfully welcomed them and escorted them to the chief seats in the garden.

The autumn sun shone brightly, and the garden was in full splendor. The officials took their places, and the Emperor instructed Li Guinian to lead the palace musicians in playing, while palace maids danced gracefully among the flowers. Wu Yueling brought out her frying pan, pressure cooker, cleaver, and chopping board.

The officials were perplexed, as was Li Longji. Gao Lishi, seeing a princess of the realm handling kitchen tools, cursed inwardly—what a country bumpkin! Was she trying to disgrace the royal family?

Li Linfu, sitting beside Li Shizhi, watched the Princess with her kitchenware, feigning confusion while secretly sneering. “How pitiful, not a trueborn princess—imagine, lowering herself to cook.”

Chao Heng looked lost, glancing at the questioning Li Bai and shaking his head. “I truly don’t know. I swear I haven’t made up any stories—Brother Taibai, you must believe your international friend.”

“Your Majesty, I wish to prepare a dish for my foster father and mother, to express my gratitude to you both!” Wu Yueling earnestly petitioned the Emperor, gazing at him and Yang Yuhuan.

Li Longji, with his arm around Yuhuan, hesitated, unable to decide.

At that moment, an official in green robes rose from his seat. With shifty brows and narrow eyes, his appearance was far from pleasant. “Your Majesty, I must speak. The Princess is of noble blood—how can she use such lowly utensils? It is beneath her station!”

At these words, the music and dancing ceased. The more astute among the officials immediately realized that Di Geng, the censor, was targeting the Princess. Li Linfu watched the scene unfold with secret delight—if the Princess lost face, so would the Emperor, and her prospects would dim; one less rival for favor suited him just fine.

Di Geng’s words left the two princesses and Crown Prince Li Heng, seated beside Li Longji, visibly uncomfortable—he had gone too far.

Wu Yueling turned to look at the shifty-eyed man—dressed in green from head to toe!

“Father, these two dishes can’t be made by just anyone. Only if I cook them myself can you and mother taste their true flavor!”

Her sincerity finally moved Yang Yuhuan, who pleaded on her behalf, forcing Di Geng to withdraw. All eyes turned to Wu Yueling as she chopped and prepared ingredients, the officials murmuring that she was, after all, of humble country birth—how could she possibly be worthy of her title?

Of course, these comments reached Li Longji’s ears, and he began to grow impatient, tapping his fingers on the table, unable to enjoy the delicacies before him, his gaze fixed on Wu Yueling’s work.

Wu Yueling placed fresh pork trotters, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, star anise, and other spices into the pressure cooker, then poured in half a pot of amber wine and half a pot of spring water.

Yu Chao’en, his face flushed, glanced at the frowning Gao Lishi and inwardly despaired—he was doomed. Not only was he cooking with the Princess in front of everyone, but he also had to crouch by the pressure cooker to tend the fire, blackening his face in the process—utter humiliation.

Wu Yueling, unruffled, hummed a tune as she prepared to stir-fry in her pan. Stir-fried dried radish with fresh fish (except carp!)—though she’d never cooked before coming here, she’d learned everything herself since arriving, and her survival skills had honed her cooking. Memories of her mother’s kitchen lingered, and she’d practiced several times already.

She set the pan over the fire, had her maid tend the flames, heated the pan, and melted lard. In went ginger, garlic, and Sichuan pepper, followed by diced dried radish, waiting for the aroma to rise before adding the fish. She knew from experience that this dish needed plenty of oil. Once done, she added soy sauce and clear wine.

The delicious scent soon filled the air, making the seated officials sniff and glance at Wu Yueling’s spatula and pan in astonishment—what kind of cooking was this? It smelled heavenly.

Li Longji twitched his nose—what a scent! He craned his neck to peer into the pan. Yang Yuhuan’s appetite stirred; it seemed to be fish.

Di Geng grew restless—what strange method was this, using such a small pan and a spatula? Unheard of!

Wu Yueling tipped the finished dish onto a plate strewn with celery leaves, garnishing the top with more for a splash of green.

She presented the dish to Li Longji, smiling as she invited him and Yang Yuhuan to taste it.

Li Longji eyed the unusual stir-fried fish with dried radish, picked up a piece of radish and fish with his chopsticks, and took a bite—his face lit up with pleasure.

Among the officials, a young man in blue robes licked his lips and audibly swallowed. The sound reached Li Longji’s ears, but he was too busy savoring the dish to care. He ate heartily, with Yang Yuhuan soon joining in, forgetting all about ladylike manners as she competed with him for the food.

Di Geng’s face turned an even deeper shade of green. He regretted everything—already clad in green as a sixth-rank official, now he was green through and through.

The officials watched in envy—the aroma was irresistible, and they wished they could scramble up to the Emperor and snatch some for themselves. Perhaps this Princess really did have some skill!

Wu Yueling quietly reminded her foster father to eat more slowly and warned Yang Yuhuan to beware of fish bones, offering to make another dish if they wished.

Li Longji paid no heed, only praising Wu Yueling’s culinary talents after he’d had his fill.

Suddenly, the pressure cooker let out a loud hiss, white steam pouring forth, startling Yu Chao’en so much that he tumbled back, the pain from his chest wound flaring.

The hissing pot drew everyone’s attention. Li Longji wiped the oil from his mouth and stared at the contraption—what on earth was that?

Gao Lishi shifted nervously—was this some sort of monster that made noise on its own?

The pressure cooker continued to whistle. Suddenly, an extraordinary aroma filled the air. The young official in blue couldn’t help drooling, and even Li Bai swallowed hard—this was a scent unlike any he’d known!

Wu Yueling approached, removed the valve cap, and a cloud of white steam burst forth, intensifying the fragrance. Aside from the hiss of escaping steam, only the sound of people swallowing remained.

Li Heng, seated among the princes, licked his lips and stared fixedly at the mysterious pot—it smelled so good, it was as if a peerless beauty stood naked before him, and he couldn’t take his eyes off it.

When the steam subsided, Wu Yueling opened the pot and found the leather ring was already quite worn—these cowhide seals clearly weren’t very durable.

She ladled the pork trotters onto a dish and presented them to Li Longji, who could hardly restrain himself. If not for the officials watching, he would have tossed aside all imperial dignity and grabbed them straight from the pot.

He tasted a piece—so tender! The rich broth suffused his mouth, invigorating him at once.

Yang Yuhuan tried some, too, covering her mouth in delight—this was the most delicious food she had ever tasted. Those sweet, cloying pastries were nothing compared to this silky, comforting flavor.

The officials below could only look on enviously, consoling themselves with cold dishes from their own tables.

Li Linfu, listening to the Emperor’s words, was overcome with jealousy, his only recourse to gnaw on chicken bones. Yet even he was utterly seduced by the aroma—how delicious!

“Yueling, this is so delicious! Your Majesty, let’s stay at the Princess’s residence for a few more days!” Yang Yuhuan exclaimed, unable to hide her delight.

Li Longji was happy to oblige—such wonderful food! “Well, since my beloved consort requests it, I shall stay at the Princess’s residence a few more days!”

“Yes, yes!” Li Linfu echoed, eyes red with envy. “The Princess is truly a divine chef!”

The more perceptive officials chimed in, singing the Princess’s praises—her culinary skills were unmatched!

At this, Di Geng nearly fainted. It was over—he should never have gone against the Princess. Now that he’d offended her, how would he survive in the future?

“Many thanks for Father’s favor!” Wu Yueling replied with delighted bows—she hadn’t even served her goat’s milk candies yet.