Chapter 81: When beef meets chestnuts
Chen Ning revealed a faint smile and said, “So it’s like this.”
Xiao Ru pulled on Chen Ning’s sleeve and begged, “Young miss, stop keeping it a secret. Quickly tell this servant, ok?”
She kept guessing and had decided that the problem was definitely with the water chestnut cakes, but they had all eaten the cakes as well and nothing happened to them.
Moreover, the young miss had not gone to the kitchen, so it was impossible for her to even do anything to the food itself.
“Alright, I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it to yourself and not tell Chun Tao and Xia He. They have only been with us for a while, so it’s hard to tell if they’re really loyal. You have to keep this secret for me, alright?” Chen Ning was worried about Xiao Ru’s big mouth, so she specially reminded her.
Xiao Ru nodded, “Young miss, please be at ease, this servant will definitely keep this secret. I will not say a single word.”
Chen Ning smiled and said, “Actually, it’s very simple. Yesterday I had Chun Tao and Xia He make water chestnut cakes mixed with a portion of chestnut powder and then sent them to the kitchen with them to let the kitchen staff have a taste. They would definitely feel that the water chestnut cakes with chestnut powder in it is very delicious and since Chen Bi Yun’s breakfast menu contained water chestnut cakes, they would definitely add it to the menu to try and please the concubine Chen Bi Yun.”
Xiao Ru scratched her head and asked in a confused tone, “But we also ate the water chestnut cakes mixed with chestnut powder and we didn’t……let out farts.”
Chen Ning poked Xiao Ru’s forehead. Then she smiled and said, “That is only one part of it, there is a second part. There was also beef stew on the menu because this beef could be used to nourish the spleen and stomach and invigorating one’s qi. It is something that is very nourishing, but beef is something that should not be eaten with chestnuts. If you drink beef stew while eating water chestnut cake, what do you think will happen?”
She smiled at Xiao Ru while her clear eyes revealed a cunning fox like glow.
Xiao Ru seemed to suddenly realized something as she clapped her hand and laughed as she said, “Ha, ha, I know, I know. If the two things mix, then one will be like his highness and the second miss. They will continue to……let out gas!”
The two of them looked at each other while laughing.
Xiao Ru was more and more convinced. She couldn’t help saying, “Young miss, where did you learn this strange method? Can you also teach it to this servant?”
“I can’t.” Chen Ning shook her head while revealing a serious expression.
Xiao Ru revealed a frustrated face, “Is it because this servant is too dumb to learn it?”
Chen Ning smiled and said, “It is because you’re too simple. Even if I taught you, you wouldn’t be able to do it. That’s right, did you finish the thing I wanted you to do?”
“It’s all done, the stuff you wanted is underneath the bed. Young miss, what use do you have for that thing?”
“This is a secret that cannot be revealed. When the time is right, you’ll know.”
Chen Ning gave a mysterious smile.
The march white flowers were blooming and the king’s palace was covered in flowers of all colours, all competing with one another. The sky to the west was red like fire and the flowers under this shade seemed even more beautiful.
Chen Ning was interested in the flowers, so she walked and talked with Xiao Ru. They walked around and unknowingly they came to an unknown place. Looking ahead, they just saw a patch of pink colours. It was actually a forest of peach blossom trees currently in full bloom.
“I never would have thought that the king’s palace would have a beautiful place like this. Once the peach blossoms fall, they will bear full and moist peaches. We can come back and eat some in the future.”
Chen Ning smiled as she spoke and she walked underneath the peach blossom trees. The wind blew, bringing a light floral scent that was very refreshing.