Chapter 697 - The Princess Consort's Status
However, in consideration of the other's identity as an imperial envoy, the two officials reluctantly came forward to salute. Official You, after all, was a veteran old official. He gathered up his doubts with a smile and said, "The great imperial envoy has worked hard, coming all this way. I've prepared some drinks and refreshments in the Lion's House to welcome and help you clean away the dust of the journey."
"The kindness of these two officials is something that would be disrespectful for me to decline!" Lion's House? Since the highest officials of Jinling chose it to receive the imperial envoy, it should be good right? She didn't know if she would have the chance to enjoy the authentic food of Jinling at that place. Xiaocao revealed a faint smile, that was unhurried and calm. It gave people a sense of unfathomability. In actuality, she was very happy in her heart.
Official You saw that the other party, although young, was graceful and generous and the contempt in his heart lessened. When she got off the boat, Imperial Prince Xu stepped forward and stretched out his arms to support her. Official You couldn't help but think of the rumors about Imperial Prince Xu and Princess Consort Xu that had circulated through the capital the last time he went to report his work.
Rumors said that Imperial Prince Xu, who was still Royal Prince Yang at the time, had been chasing after a female official. The female official at the time merely had a peasant family's background. Because she improved the seeds, allowing them to give high crop-yields, the emperor had assigned her to take charge of the Imperial Breeding Base. Afterwards, because of her great achievements, she was granted the fourth rank title of Clerk of the Capital for Grain. Was the imperial envoy sent by the emperor the Clerk of the Capital for Grain?
Looking at the way Imperial Prince Xu took care of the imperial envoy, he thought of the news that had just come from the capital--in the middle of the third month this year, Imperial Prince Xu married the Clerk of the Capital for Grain. Thus, didn't that mean that the great imperial envoy was Imperial Prince Xu's new wife?
Official Fan suddenly realized something. It seemed as if only Princess Consort Xu would be able to let Imperial Prince Xu be her bodyguard? However, what was the situation with Chief Steward Su? Two great gods were sent out to escort her, which clearly showed the great importance the emperor attached to the Clerk of the Capital for Grain!
The two highest officials of Jinling finally understood what was going on. They looked at each other and their contempt disappeared. Official You even became excited. If the Clerk of the Capital for Grain was as miraculous as the rumors said, did that mean the rice breeding base of Jinling would be able to be established and develop into something like the Imperial Breeding Base? That would be a marvelous achievement. When he returned to the capital to report on his work two years later, he would definitely have the opportunity to be promoted!
In Jinling's most famous restaurant, Lion's House, Xiaocao gleefully sampled sauced pork ribs, Jinling braised duck, sweet-scented lotus root, and Jinling's soup dumplings.
The Jinling braised duck was dark-skinned with tender meat. It was rich but not greasy, fragrant, and delicious. The dish was fragrant, spicy, crispy, and tender. The meat was chewy, tender, and tempting. It made people salivate and could never be forgotten once eaten. Due to its functions of clearing away excess heat, detoxification, nourishment, aid in blood clotting, and reducing diarrhea, Xiaocao decided to add it to the menu of her Medicinal Cuisine House.
Regarding the method of cooking and the recipe, Xiaocao gave this problem to her man. She believed that a simple braised duck recipe couldn't defeat his imperial highness. However, she never thought that the boss behind the Lion's House was Governor Fan of Zhili. Imperial Prince Xu expressed to him his interest in the dishes of the Lion's House. Before he even spoke, Official Fan gave him the Lion's House to thank him for his kindness and the promotion he received in recent years. In the end, the governor just wanted to hug the prince's thigh.
