Chapter 111: Chapter in: Emperor Yongan
Translator: 549690339
Darning Palace, the Diligence Hall.
At this moment, it is noon. The rain has just cleared and the windows of the hall are all open. A breeze sneaks through the windows into the hall, bringing the fresh scent of spring.
On the dark gold Dragon Throne sits a man in a yellow dragon robe. Despite his average appearance and age of over fifty, he exudes an air of dominance and nobility unique to a ruler. In one hand, he’s holding a memorial to the throne. In the other, a brush, which he uses to write instructions, his expression solemn.
A eunuch dressed in a deep blue robe quietly walks in, halting a meter away from the imperial table. He bows respectfully, “Your Majesty, it is time for lunch.”
“Let it be brought.” The man on the Dragon Throne is none other than Emperor Yang Hongbo, the present ruler of Daqi. His era name is Yong’an, so the people call him Emperor Yong’an.
The eunuch nods, retreats with light steps, and soon returns, followed by three yellow-robed eunuchs carrying food boxes.
The yellow-robed eunuchs gently place the food from the boxes on the dining table and then stand still to one side.
The eunuch dressed in blue, by the name of Fang Hai, places a copper bowl ready for Emperor Yong’an to wash his hands.
Emperor Yong’an casually rinses his calloused palm in the bowl a few times, then sits down at the table. His gaze scans over the table, and his solemn expression softens a bit.
Fang Hai picks up some chopsticks and pinches a delicately small steamed bun. He tears off a small piece and tastes it.
He is always with Emperor Yong’an, the eunuch who is entrusted with testing the emperor’s food for poison. The first bite of the emperor’s food has always been tasted by him.
Today is no exception. The small bun has a soft outer skin, and the filling of cold jelly noodles and ground meat inside is aromatic and tender. He smiles at Emperor Yong’an and says, “Your Majesty, the skills of the Imperial Kitchen staff have improved again.”
Emperor Yong’an takes the partially eaten small bun and takes a bite. After swallowing it, he slowly nods, “Have these been sent to the Emperor Emeritus?”
The Emperor Emeritus, now eighty-six years old, can only eat soft food like cold jelly noodles.
“Yes, they have. The staff of the Imperial Kitchen have recently devised many new dishes. This cold jelly noodle dish was right on time.” As Fang Hai speaks, he lifts another small bun and takes a bite, which brings an even bigger smile to his face. “Your Majesty, you should taste this.”
Emperor Yong’an glances at the small bun in Fang Hai’s hand and notices little white cubes in the bun filling, a sight he has never seen before. He takes the bun and tastes it.
The taste and texture of the bun is delightfully soft like the earlier one, but the taste is refreshingly different and incredibly delicious. Fie can’t help but ask, “Is this a new dish created by the Imperial Kitchen?”
“Yes, this is called tofu pudding and the recipe was just submitted by the Prime Minister to the court. It’s made from soybeans.” As Fang Hai responds to Emperor Yong’an’s question, he hands Emperor Yong’an a small jade glass, revealing the snowy tofu pudding inside once he removes the lid.
“This is Floral Dew, also made from soybeans. It can be eaten with sauces; which one would you like to taste, Your Majesty?” Fang Hai points at the small dishes of various sauces on the table.
Emperor Yong’an points at the sugar cane. Fang Hai adds a spoonful of sugar cane to the small glass. He takes a taste first and then hands it to Emperor Yong’an, “Your Majesty, it’s as good as cold jelly noodles.”
“Oh?” Emperor Yong’an tasted it and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Its delicate taste truly rivals cold jelly noodles.
Cold jelly noodles are made from sweet potatoes. The smooth delicacy of sweet potatoes is inherent, but it’s surprising that the soybeans used to make the Floral Dew could also yield such an enticingly delicate flavor..