King Jing's kitchen, bigger than Lin Xiao Xiao's imagination, the stove is shiny, complete utensils, all kinds of ingredients are divided into categories, neatly placed, through a rigorous atmosphere belonging to the army.
The wind chaser who led her in was brief and concise: "Steward Wang, this is the new cook Lin Xiao Xiao, responsible for ... the king's meals. The king ordered that she be allowed to use the kitchenette first."
The named Steward Wang was a chubby middle-aged man with a habitual smile on his face, but his eyes were filled with sizing up and a hint of undetectable contempt. A girl of unknown origin, coming up to enter the small kitchen? Or was it at the behest of the king himself? This caused him, the kitchen hand, to have some drums in his heart.
"Oh, Miss Lin right? Welcome." Steward Wang smiled without smiling, "This side of the small kitchen please, what ingredients you need, just tell me."
How could Lin Xiao Xiao not see the unspoken rules of this workplace? She revealed a bright smile that was not offensive, "Good day Steward Wang, please take care of me in the future! It's not a big problem, I'll just do it casually."
Her mantra of "not a big problem" made Steward Wang and the surrounding chefs and fire girls stare blankly.
In the small kitchen, Lin Xiao Xiao looked at the limited number of ingredients and had a plan in mind. The king just ate egg fried rice, this lunchtime meal has to be a different pattern, both refreshing and appetizing, but not too complicated, so as not to appear that she deliberately show off.
** Let's make a [Cold Noodles with Shredded Chicken] and a bowl of [West Lake Beef Soup]! **
Just say it and do it. She rolled up her sleeves, and moved nimbly to mix, wake, and stretch the noodles. The dough seemed to come to life in her hands, pulling and stretching it, turning it into noodles of uniform thickness and strength. When the noodles are cooked, they are quickly removed from the pot, drained, and tossed with a little oil to prevent them from sticking.
Next, cook the chicken breast and tear it into thin shreds; shred the cucumber, shred the egg skin, and mix a soul sauce: soy sauce, vinegar, a little bit of sugar, and extravagantly drizzle a few drops of sesame oil found in the king's kitchen, and finally sprinkle finely chopped garlic and scallions.
On the other hand, the beef is finely chopped and added to the pot along with the diced tofu and mushrooms, thickened into a light and flavorful soup, and finally sprinkled with chopped cilantro.
When the colorful and refreshingly fragrant cold noodles with shredded chicken and the warm West Lake Beef Soup were brought to Xiao Jingheng, he was in his study dealing with official business.
Smelling the refreshing aroma that was different from the greasy meat and fish of the past, he raised his eyes.
Chasing Wind was ready to test the poison as usual, but Xiao Jingheng raised his hand to stop him. He picked up his chopsticks and tossed the colorful cold noodles in the bowl before picking up a chopstick.
The noodles were strong and smooth, the shredded chicken was fresh and tender, and the shredded cucumber was crisp, mixed with the sour and appetizing sauce, which was particularly ironic to the stomach and intestines when eaten on a hot afternoon. Then drink a mouthful of warm beef soup, fresh and moist, just right to neutralize the cold noodles slightly cold.
He still did not eat quickly, but his focused expression and the gradually decreasing amount of food already said it all.
Finally, he put down his chopsticks, and the bowl of noodles and soup had reached the bottom.
He didn't say anything, only tapping the tabletop with his fingers.
Lin Xiao Xiao, who had been secretly observing from the side, had her heart jumping out of her throat. This prince, why is he not acting according to common sense again? Is it good or not, you should give a word!
Just at this time, a small eunuch bowed in to report, "Your Highness, Princess Yongning came and said ... that she smelled the aroma and wanted to ask Your Highness if there is a new cook here."
Xiao Jingheng's brow peaks moved slightly, glancing at Lin Xiao Xiao who was obviously relieved and even a little bit smug, and faintly said, "Let her come in."
As soon as the words fell, a little girl wearing a goose yellow palace dress, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with soulful brows and eyes flew in like a butterfly, and it was none other than the current Emperor's most favored Princess Yongning, Xiao Jingheng's younger sister from the same mother.
"Imperial brother! What delicious food are you eating today? I could smell the aroma from outside, tickling my cravings!" Princess Yongning was not polite at all, coming to the front of the bookcase, looking at the two empty dishes, her small mouth deflated, "Ah? Finished? You didn't leave any for me?"
Xiao Jingheng's face was expressionless, "If you want to eat, let the imperial kitchen do it."
"What the imperial kitchen makes is all the same flavor, which has this fragrance!" Princess Yongning stomped her feet, her eyes finally landed on Lin Xiao Xiao, who was standing on the side, trying to reduce her presence, her eyes lit up, "Is it you who made this? What's your name? Are you the new cook?"
Lin Xiao Xiao hurriedly saluted, "Back to the princess, folk daughter Lin Xiao Xiao, is indeed a new ... cook."
"Lin Xiao Xiao? What a nice name!" Princess Yongning was a self acquaintance, stepping forward and pulling her hand, "What did you just make? It smells appetizing! Can you make it again tonight? No, no, no, can you make me one now? I didn't even finish my lunch!"
Lin Xiao Xiao was somewhat caught off guard by the princess's enthusiasm and subconsciously looked at Xiao Jingheng.
Xiao Jingheng looked at his own sister's unproductive appearance, and then looked at Lin Xiao Xiao's inquiring eyes, and inexplicably a trace of very faint satisfaction swept through his heart. Still quite understanding, knowing who was the master.
"Since the princess wants to eat, you can go and make it." He waved his hand, considered giving permission.
"Yes! Folk daughter will go now!" Lin Xiao Xiao was like being pardoned and hurriedly bowed and retreated. Getting rid of a difficult prince that comes with a lively princess, this opening ... doesn't seem too bad?
Princess Yongning looked at her back as she left and excitedly tugged on Xiao Jingheng's sleeve: "Imperial brother Imperial brother, I like this cook! Let me have her!"
Xiao Jingheng drew back his sleeve, his tone cold: "No."
"Why?" Princess Yongning was dissatisfied.
"She owes this king money." Xiao Jingheng gave a reason that could not be refuted, and after a pause, he added, as if he was speaking to the princess and as if he was speaking to himself, "One hundred taels."
**Lin Xiao Xiao was in the small kitchen, while quickly preparing the cold noodles and soup, she was thinking in her heart: she had taken care of the king's stomach, and now she had accidentally gained the princess as a "fan", so it seems that the first step of her career as a cook in the king's residence was quite stable. **I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.
**This is not a big problem, keep up the good work! **