Although Third Young Madam's gaze was a little strange, Wenlan didn't think much of it.

She paused for a moment, then reached out and opened the lid of the bamboo basket.

The feeling of a spring breeze blowing against one's face could only be described as sour and refreshing.

Wenlan immediately covered her nose with her empty hand and moved the small bamboo basket away from her. She complained to Chu Lian in a nasal voice, "Third Young Madam, what exactly is this?

Why is it so smelly?

Is it some food that has been left out for too long and spoiled? "

Chu Lian smiled and took the basket from Wenlan's hands, "It's not spoiled, this is how it smells."

"Ah?"

Wenlan didn't dare to lower her hand from her nose. She stared at Chu Lian in shock, unable to imagine how such a smelly thing could be used as food.

"Can this be eaten?

It's so black and smells so bad. "Just the smell alone was enough to drive people away, let alone eating it.

Chu Lian smiled mysteriously, "Don't be fooled by the smell, once you taste it, you'll get addicted."

Although Wenlan didn't say anything about the stinky tofu in the basket, the look in her eyes betrayed her.

Wenlan saw that Third Young Madam was seriously washing her hands and preparing the stinky tofu in the basket. She couldn't help but stop her, "Third Young Madam, why don't you not make this dish? The two of us are enough to make the remaining dishes."

If this sour and refreshing smell was served in front of High Duke Zheng, the old man would definitely faint from the smell …

Considering that the stinky tofu was indeed a little smelly, Chu Lian thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll make a little and eat it myself. I won't bring it to the tent."

Wenlan Wenqing hurriedly agreed.

When they left, they brought a small stove from the manor. The stove was filled with charcoal and a small specially made iron pot was placed on top of it.

Chu Lian poured the tea oil that she had prepared earlier into the iron pot and heated it up before starting to fry the stinky tofu.

The stinky tofu was cut into cubes the size of half a palm. She carefully picked them up with chopsticks and placed them into the oil pot.

The black layer of stinky tofu fell into the golden tea oil, and small bubbles appeared around it. After a while, the tofu began to fluff and swell. When the outer layer was fried to a golden brown, it could be scooped up.

Because she was only going to eat it for herself, Chu Lian only made a small plate with only four pieces.

Four pieces of black stinky tofu were placed squarely on an exquisite white porcelain plate. Finally, a slightly spicy and sweet chopped pepper sauce was spread on top of the fried stinky tofu.

Apart from the fact that the stinky tofu was a little smelly, it still looked good on the plate.

Black and red, with a hint of burnt fragrance.

Wenlan, who was standing at the side, stared at Chu Lian's familiar movements with her mouth wide open.

She had thought that Chu Lian was joking. She didn't expect that she would really use that stinky tofu to make a dish. Now that she looked at it, it actually looked quite good.

She didn't know why, but when she smelled this strange smell, she actually wanted to go up and have a taste …

Chu Lian didn't have time to care about what she was thinking. She picked up a pair of clean wooden chopsticks and impatiently picked up a piece. She put it by her lips and blew on it before sending it into her mouth.

The stinky tofu with a special fragrance entered her mouth. When she bit down, the faint tofu taste, the burnt and fragrant outer layer, the salty brine, the fragrance of tea oil, and the sweet and sour and slightly spicy chili sauce touched her taste buds, giving her a novel experience. Very soon, this taste would become addictive, making her impatient to take another bite.

Chu Lian's mouth moved quickly. Because of this familiar taste that she hadn't seen for a long time, her almond-shaped eyes narrowed in enjoyment.

Sometimes, whether a person liked to eat something or whether they thought it tasted good could be seen from the expression on their face.

Right now, Chu Lian's expression was one of enjoying delicious food.

Because there were too many delicious foods in the modern world, in the past, when Chu Lian didn't discipline Xiyan, Wenqing, and the other maidservants, no matter what dishes they cooked, they would look sloppy and ordinary.

When they ate those dishes, they all sighed that they couldn't be found on earth, but Chu Lian didn't have any special expression.

It made people feel as if she had grown up eating such exquisite dishes.

It was inevitable that the senior maidservants by Chu Lian's side felt a little defeated.

It was rare to see someone like today, eating food with a face full of enjoyment and nostalgia.

It had to be said that sometimes, a special snack could really awaken a person's special memories and make them happy.

Stinky tofu was such a special snack for Chu Lian.

Soon, a piece of stinky tofu entered her stomach, and Chu Lian sighed in satisfaction.

Wenlan looked at her mistress, but she couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

She felt that she must be possessed right now. She clearly didn't like the stinky smell of the black tofu at all, so why did she suddenly want to try it now?

"Third … Third Young Mistress, what's that smell?"

Chu Lian glanced at the small table at the side, and the corners of her lips curled up. "Won't you know after you try it?"

Wenlan looked at the stinky tofu, then at Chu Lian. Then, she closed her eyes, picked up a pair of chopsticks, picked up a piece, and stuffed it into her mouth.

It was wrapped in her mouth, and it wasn't as hard to accept as she had imagined. Then, she took a small bite. The tofu was mixed with chili sauce, and it was slightly sweet. There was a special taste lingering on her taste buds, washing away her taste buds.

At first, Wenlan only dared to take small bites, but her mouth moved faster and faster. When the piece entered her stomach, her hand holding the chopsticks couldn't help but want to pick up another piece.

Unfortunately, it was blocked by Chu Lian. "There are only two pieces left. The rest are all mine. Hurry up and cook something else."

Wenlan reluctantly looked at the remaining two pieces of stinky tofu on the plate, and smiled fawningly. "Third Young Mistress, this servant sees that there is still a basket of that thing. Why don't this servant fry some more after the guests' food is ready?"

Chu Lian knew that another girl had been captured by the stinky tofu, and she didn't stop her. "Cook first. Once it's done, you can do whatever you want with the rest of the time."

Wenlan finally cheered up.

Duke Zheng, who couldn't wait to eat, had been standing in front of the tent for a long time. The older he got, the more childlike he was.

When he saw that Chu Lian had already started eating, his beard curled up, and his eyes widened. Then, he swaggered over with his hands behind his back.

Chu Lian picked up the chopsticks, and before she could eat the second piece of stinky tofu, she was startled by the old duke's voice behind her.

"Jinyi, what are you secretly eating?

What delicious food did you make? You don't even know how to be filial to your elders! "

Duke Zheng's wrinkled face was very serious. People who didn't know better would think that he was really angry!

If she hadn't interacted with this old glutton for so long, Chu Lian wouldn't have been able to guess this old senior's thoughts.

Once Duke Zheng arrived, Chu Lian couldn't think of eating alone. She immediately handed a pair of clean chopsticks to Duke Zheng.

"Duke Zheng, you came at the right time. I was just about to ask Wenqing to send a portion over. You're here. Hurry up and try it."

Wenlan watched as High Duke Zheng picked up a piece of stinky tofu and put it into his mouth. He chewed it slowly, and then his eyes lit up. His mouth moved a lot faster. She was dumbfounded. Didn't the old High Duke have any doubts about such a stinky taste?

After eating a piece of stinky tofu, Duke Zheng asked eagerly, "What is this?

It tastes so strange, but it's delicious! "

"Stinky tofu," Chu Lian replied calmly.

Duke Zheng's eyes widened. "Stinky tofu?

Is it really stinky tofu? "

Chu Lian was also a little speechless. "You can smell it?"

Duke Zheng rolled his eyes. "Of course, there's nothing wrong with my nose."

"Then why did you eat it when it smells so bad?"

Chu Lian was really surprised. If it was someone who had never eaten stinky tofu before, they would definitely hide far away when they smelled it for the first time, let alone tasting it. It would be good if they didn't run away in fear.

As he spoke, the old duke had already finished the last piece of meat in his bowl.

He smacked his lips, obviously not satisfied.

He glanced at Chu Lian. "I saw you eat it. You're a picky eater, but you enjoyed it so much. Why would I hesitate?"

Not to mention this stinky tofu, even if it was durian or canned herring, Duke Zheng would not hesitate to eat it when he saw Chu Lian eat it …

After listening to Duke Zheng's explanation, Chu Lian was really embarrassed. She didn't know what to say.

"This stinky tofu? Make a few more servings and send them to me." Duke Zheng said this, turned around, and left in satisfaction.

There was no other way. Duke Zheng wanted to eat it, so Chu Lian could only ask Wenlan to make a few more servings.

When it was time for lunch, there were a few large bowls of vegetables on the wooden table in the tent.

Although they looked a little crude, the amount was enough, and the taste was the most authentic.

It was suitable for people like Commandant Guo, Zhang Mai, and Xiao Hongyu who had been in the army.

Chu Lian, Sima Hui, and Princess Duanjia sat at another table and ate behind the screen.

Unexpectedly, everyone liked the Stinky Tofu that he made a few extra servings.

It was indeed a delicacy that could be found on the streets and alleys in the future.

During lunch, Commandant Guo patted He Changdi's shoulder. "Zixiang, do you know what your face looks like now?"

He Sanlang coldly glanced at his old boss beside him and coldly snorted.

Before Commandant Guo could continue, Xiao Hongyu laughed and said impatiently, "Haha, I know, I know. Big Brother He's expression looks like this stinky tofu. Don't you guys think so? Hahaha …"

He Changdi was speechless.

Zhang Mai picked up a piece of beef with sour broth and glared at Xiao Hongyu. "Rascal, what kind of truth are you spouting?"

Xiao Hongyu rubbed his round head in a silly manner.

"Eat your food!" He Changdi warned.

He was freeloading off his wife's cooking in his tent, yet he still dared to spout so much nonsense and insult him. Did this hothead not want to live anymore?

While everyone was eating delicious food in the tent, a guard who was guarding outside the tent suddenly came to report.

He Changdi put down his chopsticks and asked with a grave expression, "What's the matter?"

The guard was He Changdi's personal guard in the Northern Army. The young man said respectfully, "Marquis, Chief Steward Wei is here."

Chief Steward Wei was Emperor Chengping's personal attendant, Wei Chenghai.

Why did he have to pick someone else's time to eat?

Everyone in the tent heard the conversation between He Changdi and the guard.

Everyone could only put down their chopsticks. Eunuch Wei was also invited in by the guard.

Eunuch Wei entered the tent with two young eunuchs behind him. One of them was even carrying a food box.

Eunuch Wei bowed to everyone first, then smiled and said, "Oh, what a coincidence that I came. The old duke and the princess are here too!

I wonder what delicious food Jinyi Xiangjun has made this time. "

Since he had asked Chu Lian, it was naturally Chu Lian who came forward to answer. "Eunuch Wei must be joking. I just had a servant girl make a few home-cooked dishes."

Eunuch Wei's smile became even more gentle. "Xiangjun must be joking. That smell, I have smelled it from the other side. It is truly special."

Hearing Eunuch Wei's words, Chu Lian almost choked on her saliva.

She pretended to casually glance outside the tent. As expected, Emperor Chengping's luxurious tent was not far away. Today, the east wind was blowing. They were cooking upwind and smelling the wind downwind.

If Eunuch Wei wasn't present, Chu Lian's regretful expression would have appeared on her face.

Seeing Eunuch Wei's strange attitude towards Chu Lian, He Changdi didn't wait for Chu Lian to speak and stepped forward to block his wife. He said first, "May I ask why Eunuch Wei is here?"

Wei Chenghai frowned slightly, dissatisfied that He Changdi had suddenly interrupted his and Chu Lian's conversation. However, he was a shrewd person in the palace and wouldn't show this little emotion.

His face was still smiling. "This is a rare opportunity. His Majesty also wants to taste Xiangjun's cooking, so this one thickened his face and came."

As he spoke, Eunuch Wei glanced at the young eunuch behind him. That young eunuch was very perceptive and immediately offered the food box in his hand. "His Majesty said that we cannot let Xiangjun cook for nothing. This is a reward for Xiangjun."

One could not refuse a gift from an elder, much less something that the boss of the Great Wu Dynasty, Emperor Chengping, had bestowed.

Chu Lian accepted it with both hands and gave her thanks. When she turned, she looked comfortingly at He Changdi.

Chu Lian's movements were very fast. Of course, she had to make the food for Emperor Chengping herself. Wenqing and Wenlan could only help from the side. Also, they had to be careful from start to finish when making food for the emperor.

Fortunately, it wasn't anything complicated. It was ready in three quarters of an hour. She personally handed it to Eunuch Wei for him to take to Emperor Chengping's tent.

By the time they were done, everyone in the tent had eaten and drunk their fill.

Because there was still hunting in the afternoon, everyone dispersed and returned to their own tents.

When only Chu Lian, He Changdi, and his wife were left in the tent, Chu Lian opened the food box that Eunuch Wei had sent.

When the box was opened, Chu Lian's small mouth gaped in shock. Inside the small, exquisite food box was swallow's nest.

It wasn't an ordinary swallow's nest, but a superb Snow Swallow. Moreover, it was the most complete form of the Dragon Tooth Cup.

This kind of swallow's nest was a tribute to the Great Wu Dynasty, and there was only a small portion of it. Every year, it was sent over from Xin Luo Country. Only a few women of the highest status in the palace could enjoy it.

Even in the modern era, this kind of ingredient was extremely precious and expensive.

But why would Emperor Chengping reward her with such a precious tonic for no reason … …

Chu Lian stared at the blood swallow in front of her and furrowed her brows. She then raised her head to look at He Changdi, who seemed to be thinking about something. "Husband, why would His Majesty send such a precious thing? What do you think his intentions are?"

He Changdi's deep, phoenix-like eyes glanced at Chu Lian. Many things that had happened today had thrown his mind into disarray.

He reached out to rub Chu Lian's small face, then shook his head. "I can't guess His Majesty's intentions right now either. Let's just wait and see."

Chu Lian put aside the things she couldn't figure out and instructed Wenqing to put away these superb blood swallow's.

"When we get back, send them over to Mother."

Although Countess Jing 'an's chronic illness had been cured, her body had suffered for so many years and had long been exhausted. She needed these superb tonics.

He Changdi's heart warmed. He exerted a bit of strength in his arms and lifted Chu Lian onto his lap.

"There's no need. Mother just sent over some tonics a few days ago," He Changdi said in a low voice as he lightly pecked her soft cheeks.

Chu Lian played with one of his large, well-defined hands.

"But there's no point in keeping these blood swallow's with me. My body's fine!

I don't want to eat something like this. "

Sometimes, when one's body was in good health, one didn't need to take supplements. This would instead make one's body more fragile, which wasn't good for one's health.

He Changdi didn't understand what Chu Lian meant for a moment. He didn't know what was wrong with his brain.

He bent down slightly and chuckled next to Chu Lian's ear. "What? Are you worried that you've eaten too much?

Don't worry, as long as your husband is here, you can extinguish the fire whenever you want. "

Chu Lian really admired He Changdi's way of thinking. Why did something so normal come out of his mouth?!

Inside Emperor Chengping's luxurious tent, Eunuch Wei placed the dishes he had brought back from Chu Lian's place in front of him.

Emperor Chengping's eyes lit up. He pointed at the dishes in front of him. "These were all made by Lian 'er?"

Now, in private, when there were no outsiders around, Emperor Chengping had already changed the way he addressed Chu Lian to her nickname. It was as if this would make him feel closer to his daughter.

Eunuch Wei was Emperor Chengping's trusted aide, so he naturally understood why Emperor Chengping was happy.

He smiled. "Yes, these dishes were all made by the village ruler herself. She even told this old servant that this dish is called stinky tofu and that it tastes a bit strange. If Your Majesty doesn't like it, we should remove it."

Emperor Chengping's nose twitched. The smell of stinky tofu was indeed very strange. Although it had been deep-fried and the stench was much lighter than before, the special stench was still stronger than the other dishes.

But it came from Chu Lian's hands. Emperor Chengping's expression left no doubt that even if the stinky tofu in front of him was poison, he wouldn't hesitate to take a bite.

"No need, We want to try every single one of them."

Since Emperor Chengping had said so, Eunuch Wei naturally wouldn't try to dissuade him.

Eunuch Wei called over a specialized eunuch to test the poison. Emperor Chengping couldn't wait to put a piece of stinky tofu into his mouth.

Just like the old Duke of Zheng, a piece of stinky black stinky tofu captured Emperor Chengping's taste buds.

Next, he tried the other dishes. Because Chu Lian had made them for Emperor Chengping alone, there wasn't much for each dish, just enough for one bowl. Even if he ate all of them, he wouldn't feel stuffed.

Just as Emperor Chengping was in a good mood, Imperial Consort Wei arrived with Princess Leyao.

Before they entered Emperor Chengping's tent, Emperor Chengping and Eunuch Wei heard Princess Leyao's voice.

The eleven-year-old Princess Leyao could still be considered a child. Her voice carried a child-like crispness, but it wasn't pleasant at all.

"What's that smell in Imperial Father's tent? Why is it so smelly?

What are you damned eunuchs doing? How dare you let Imperial Father stay in such a smelly tent! Do you all want to die?! "

At first, Princess Leyao's voice was crisp, but it became nasal. It was obvious that she'd pinched her nose.

Eunuch Wei looked at Emperor Chengping with trepidation, then immediately shrank back like a quail.

His master's expression instantly darkened. It was obviously the calm before the storm!

A moment later, Imperial Consort Wei's voice rang out. "What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear what the princess said?

Hurry up and bring some flower nectar over! "

The sound of footsteps could be heard as they walked away. Imperial Consort Wei must have listened to Imperial Consort Wei and gone to fetch the flower nectar.

At this moment, the tent's curtains were pulled open from the outside. Imperial Consort Wei led Princess Leyao into the tent.

The moment they entered the tent, the smell of stinky tofu became even stronger.

Princess Leyao was sensitive to the smell of stinky tofu, and she had always been pampered. She wore fragrant clothes and had flower nectar all over her body. She had never smelled such an unpleasant smell before. Her gaze immediately fell on Emperor Chengping's dining table. She saw the disgusting black thing on the white porcelain plate and was certain that the stench was coming from that thing.

Princess Leyao didn't need anyone to scare her. She couldn't help but vomit …

This situation was too sudden. Imperial Consort Wei couldn't even stop her even if she wanted to.

He could only look on helplessly as his daughter vomited on the spotless Persian carpet in the imperial tent.

Emperor Chengping had been eating just now, but after Princess Leyao's vomit, he couldn't eat any more delicacies.

Eunuch Wei was stunned.

He had to admit that the stinky tofu smelled bad, but he could still tolerate it. Princess Leyao didn't have to react in such an exaggerated manner … How was His Majesty supposed to eat like this?

His Majesty was just praising the stinky tofu …

Emperor Chengping slammed his jade chopsticks on the table and roared, "What's going on?!"

Imperial Consort Wei was shocked by Emperor Chengping's displeased expression. She hurriedly ordered the palace maids to clean up Princess Leyao's mess while answering Emperor Chengping's angry question.

"Your Majesty, please quell your anger. Yao 'er didn't do it on purpose. She is sensitive to smells and is a child. Her stomach is weak and she couldn't help but vomit when she smelled the stench in the tent."

"Take her away!" Two eunuchs immediately came forward to escort Princess Leyao out of the tent.

Imperial Consort Wei had no choice but to agree. She carefully walked to Emperor Chengping's side and fawned, "Your Majesty, it's Yao 'er's fault for offending you. Please forgive her on account that she is still a child."

As she spoke, Imperial Consort Wei glanced at Emperor Chengping's dining table and stared at the black and swarthy thing. She said with disdain, "Moreover, this dish is too smelly. How did the imperial chefs cook it? They should be punished!"

Emperor Chengping lost all interest and didn't want to listen to Imperial Consort Wei's explanation.

He waved his hand at her and said impatiently, "You can leave as well.

I am tired and want to rest. "

Imperial Consort Wei didn't expect Emperor Chengping to be so angry. At this moment, even though she was unwilling, she could only bow to Emperor Chengping and leave the tent.

When Imperial Consort Wei went out and asked around, she finally understood why Emperor Chengping was so unhappy.

(Ladies, if you have flowers, please give them to Ah Lan. The system will give them to you every day. It's free ~)