Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Only Three Dishes Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Only Three Dishes Qing Ying said, “It was Lady Shen who told Her Majesty, the Empress.”

Shen Chuwei only had to think briefly before she realized that Lady Shen had done this on purpose, with a clear aim to have her suffer the same fate.

Qing Ying reminded, “Lady Shen, Her Majesty, the Empress is waiting.”

When summoned by Her Majesty, the Empress, how could Shen Chuwei dare to delay?

“Certainly.”

Following Qing Ying, Shen Chuwei arrived at Fengyi Palace.

This was her first time setting foot in Fengyi Palace; the residence of Her Majesty, the Empress, naturally surpassed the living quarters of ordinary concubines.

Shen Chuwei walked in cautiously and then saw the Empress, donned in a Phoenix Robe, sitting loftily on the throne; the color of the robe was the vermillion only the principal wife could wear.

“Wishing Her Majesty, the Empress peace and prosperity.”

The Empress; sipping her tea, glanced at Shen Chuwei with a hint of expectation, “I have heard your culinary skills are exceptional.

Today, I wish to witness your talent.

Do not disappoint me.”

Shen Chuwei bowed: “Your Concubine shall obey the order.”

Did she have the right to refuse cooking for Her Majesty, the Empress?

Of course not.

Shen Chuwei obediently followed Qing Ying to the small kitchen.

Compared to the kitchen at Xiyun Pavilion, the kitchen in Fengyi Palace could certainly be considered large; its ingredients were both abundant and fresh.

Qing Ying reminded, “Lady Shen, if you need anything, you may instruct the kitchen maids.”

Shen Chuwei nodded, accepting the apron handed to her and tying it around her waist.

She began ordering the kitchen maids to prepare ingredients, taking charge of frying and directing, but certainly not of washing and cutting.

An hour remained before the midday meal.

Shen Chuwei was not in a hurry; she grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, sitting off to the side and cracking them open.

A few months prior, a Lady Shen had come and achieved nothing, cutting herself instead.

Today, another Lady Shen had appeared, known only for eating seeds; it was unknown which hand she would cut, but they might as well prepare for the mess, to avoid a complete catastrophe.

The kitchen maids each guessed and speculated in their hearts, naturally, some were also waiting to see the joke unfold.

“Separate the eggplants, reserve half, and shred the other half.

Dice the meat.”

“Slice the blackfish, prepare some fresh ginger, garlic, and chili peppers.”

“Chop the ribs into pieces.”

Shen Chuwei continued to crack sunflower seeds as she directed their preparations.

The kitchen maids glanced at Shen Chuwei, exchanged looks, and helplessly shook their heads; she appeared nothing like someone about to cook.

After a while, the kitchen maids had washed and cut all the vegetables and marinated what needed marinating.

The head kitchen maid, past her fifties, looked at Shen Chuwei’s hands, delicate and smooth; these did not seem like the hands of someone skilled in cooking.

“Lady Shen, everything is ready; you may begin.”

“Just wait a bit longer.” Shen Chuwei grabbed more sunflower seeds and handed them to the kitchen maids.

“Eat some seeds to pass the time.”

The kitchen maids dared not eat seeds at a time like this.

“Lady Shen, it’s almost time for the midday meal.

If we delay Her Majesty, the Empress’s meal, we maidservatives cannot bear the responsibility,” they said.

Seeing that they would not eat, Shen Chuwei continued on her own, “It’s fine, just wait a while longer.”

The kitchen maids exchanged glances, then told Shen Chuwei: “Lady Shen, let us speak plainly.

If the Empress’s midday meal is delayed, please don’t blame us later.”

Shen Chuwei, seeing their frightened yet angry expressions, shook her head: “No, no, you needn’t worry.”

The kitchen maids had no further comments, but stood aside, growing more frightened with each passing minute.

The Empress was fastidious in taste, and her appetite was poor; they could devise meals with great care every day, only for Her Majesty, the Empress to hardly bother with a few bites.

It had already been half an hour; how could one prepare a whole table’s worth of lunch in such short notice?

Qing Ying glanced at the state of the small kitchen.

Shen Chuwei was still cracking sunflower seeds.

Sighing helplessly, she turned and left.

The Empress was waiting for her lunch while drinking tea, but upon hearing Qing Ying’s report, her expression soured, “Is she really in the small kitchen eating seeds?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, the cooks had prepared all the ingredients, asking her to start preparing the lunch.

She said there was no hurry, to wait a little longer,” Qing Ying explained.

The Empress sighed, disappointment in her voice, “Could it be like Lady Shen, who simply can’t cook and is stalling for time?”

Qing Ying ventured, “Your Majesty, should we wait a bit longer?”

Putting down her teacup, the Empress thought of Shen Chuwei’s alluring, seductive ways, just like Yu Wangba, and found herself unable to like her.

“What does the Crown Prince see in her?

There are so many women in the East Palace constantly running to Xiyun Pavilion; despite numerous nights of service, there has yet to be any happy news.”

After pondering for a while, Qing Ying speculated, “Maybe it’s Lady Shen’s health that’s not up to par?”

The words struck the Empress as possible; otherwise, why would there be no happy news?

She sighed privately, wondering why was it so hard to just want a grandchild?

When it was time for lunch, Eunuch Ren entered, “Empress, shall we serve lunch?”

Surprised, the Empress asked, “Is lunch ready?”

“To answer Your Majesty, it’s almost ready.

Lady Shen asked this servant to inquire if it’s time to serve the meal since food quickly cools in the winter,” Eunuch Ren said.

Without much hope, the Empress consented, “Then serve it.

This palace would like to see Lady Shen’s cooking skills.”

“As you wish.” Once Eunuch Ren had withdrawn, it didn’t take long for maids to come bearing basins, to rinse and wash the Empress’s hands and mouth.

Soon after, the maids carried in the dishes.

Direted by Qing Ying, the dishes were placed in front of the Empress, and as the covers were lifted, hot steam rose, clearly indicating they were fresh from the pot.

Qing Ying picked up the chopsticks to arrange the dishes.

The Empress, holding her chopsticks, eyed the dishes before her and, smelling the enticing aroma, slowly started to enjoy the food.

Her eyes lit up, “The taste is good.

Did Lady Shen really make this?”

The maid replied, “Yes, Your Majesty, Lady Shen personally made it.”

Upon hearing this, Qing Ying added a few more morsels into the Empress’s bowl with her chopsticks, then served her a bowl of rice.

Gazing upon the steaming rice, the Empress found it more fragrant than usual.

The Empress, who was raised in a Martial Family, maintained her dignified and graceful demeanor just for show.

Now, with delectable food before her, she naturally ate faster than her usual delicate and slow pace.

The maid then served the second and third dishes, which were still releasing steam upon being uncovered.

Qing Ying was busy arranging the dishes.

The Empress was busy eating.

After a while, seeing that the maid didn’t bring more dishes, Qing Ying curiously asked, “Is there more?”

With cautious care, the maid replied, “There are only three dishes.

Lady Shen said making too many would be wasteful if the Empress couldn’t finish them.”

Qing Ying was stunned for a moment.

The Empress’s meals usually consisted of at least two soups and six dishes, but now there were only three – it seemed rather meager.

Hearing this, the Empress’s eyes showed a hint of surprise; it was the first time someone mentioned waste.

She glanced down at the three dishes before her.

Having already had a bowl of rice, she figured having another two bowls would be enough to accompany the dishes.

“Where is Lady Shen?”

“To answer Your Majesty, Lady Shen is washing up.”