klisemfg Chapter 2186 Research on Medicinal Cuisine
Chapter 2186 Research on Medicinal Cuisine
After seeing the abbot off, Yan Ruyu looked at the flowers and vegetables on the table and felt a sense of relief.
She instructed her maid to pack her things properly and asked someone to prepare hot water, wanting to take a good bath to wash away the dust of her journey.
After bathing, Yan Ruyu changed into an elegant moon-white dress, her long hair loosely tied up, adorned only with a jade hairpin.
She walked to the window and looked at the familiar room—the carved wooden bed, the gilded dressing mirror, and the several potted plants on the windowsill. Everything was just as she had left it, only now it had a touch more of the warmth of everyday life.
Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the floor, casting a warm glow that instantly refreshed her and dispelled most of her fatigue from the past few days.
Just as she was resting by the window with her eyes closed, a maid's voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, the First Madam has sent someone to deliver a message."
Yan Ruyu opened her eyes: "Let her in."
The maid entered the room, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, the First Madam said that a banquet will be held at the mansion tonight to welcome you and the Prince. Governor Cao and his wife will also be there."
"Understood." Yan Ruyu nodded, a slight thought stirring in her heart.
She instructed her maid to take the chickens, ducks, and vegetables that the abbot had sent to the kitchen.
At that moment, Huo Changhe's footsteps could be heard.
"Is everything arranged?" Yan Ruyu asked as she stepped forward.
"Yes, the secret guards have already gone to investigate Yishengtang's background and will also keep an eye on the movements at Baixing Teahouse."
Huo Changhe nodded and stepped aside to let his attendant place several dark brown ceramic jars on the table. "These are some medicinal diets that I had someone buy from Yishengtang. In addition to the Qi-tonifying and calming soup that my mother drinks, there are other ones that I could buy right now. I bought one jar of each. Take a look."
Yan Ruyu stepped forward and picked up each pottery jar to examine them closely.
The cotton paper sealing the mouth of the can was neat, and the three characters "益生堂" on it were written in the same, upright and clear handwriting.
She opened one of the jars, and a warm, medicinal aroma mixed with the fragrance of the ingredients wafted out. The medicinal food inside was evenly colored and had a delicate texture. The ingredients were clearly visible, just like the one the First Madam had drunk.
She opened the remaining jars one by one, smelled each one, gently picked up a bit of the medicinal food with her fingertips to examine it carefully, and then brought it to her nose to smell it.
After a while, she straightened up: "From appearance, smell to texture, I can't see anything unusual. The ingredients are solid, and the medicinal and food flavors blend naturally. It doesn't look like it has been mixed with anything else."
Even so, she still took out several small glass bottles from her spatial storage, scooped a little medicinal food from each ceramic jar into the bottles, and tightened the caps.
Just to be on the safe side, we should test these samples. Modern testing methods can always find some clues, which is more reliable than relying solely on the naked eye and sense of smell.
As dusk settled, several lanterns were lit in the courtyard, their warm yellow glow dispelling the twilight.
Yin Ding and the others brought over a barbecue grill and set it up in the center of the courtyard. They also brought over a plump sheep and quickly began to prepare it. The charcoal fire was burning brightly, crackling and popping, and soon the air was filled with the aroma of cooking.
Su Shengsheng ran over, drawn by the aroma. His eyes lit up as he looked at the sizzling lamb on the grill: "You can make this too?"
As he turned the mutton over, Yin Ding laughed and said, "Of course, I not only know how to cook it, but I also cook it deliciously!"
Miss Su, you'll know once you try it. Sprinkle on some seasoning, and it's delicious!
Su Shengsheng stood curiously to the side, watching as Yin Ding brushed oil, sprinkled salt and spices onto the mutton. He would reach out to touch it from time to time, but was afraid of getting burned. He looked very excited, running around in the courtyard, looking at the charcoal fire and the freshly skewered meat. He was overjoyed.
Just then, the steward's voice came from outside the door: "Prefect Cao and his wife have arrived!"
Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu quickly got up to greet them.
Governor Cao carried a heavy wine jar in his arms, followed by his wife, who wore a lotus-colored dress and had a gentle smile on her face. She looked much better.
"Your Highness, Your Highness! You're finally back!" Governor Cao strode forward as soon as he entered, his voice filled with genuine joy and relief.
With them gone these days, Governor Cao always felt empty inside, as if he had lost his backbone.
Madam Cao's sudden illness made him even more restless. Now that Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu have returned, he can finally put his mind at ease.
He raised the wine jar in his arms and laughed heartily: "Your Highness, tonight, shall we drink to our hearts' content, until we're both drunk!"
Huo Changhe laughed loudly: "Alright! Today I'll drink with you to our hearts' content, until we're both drunk!"
The First Madam also came out of the room, took Madam Cao's hand and greeted her warmly: "You look much better, that's wonderful."
Madam Cao smiled and nodded: "Thanks to Madam and the Prince and Princess, I am much better now. I am very happy to be able to attend the banquet today."
The group crowded around and entered the house to take their seats. The maids brought out dishes one after another, and the first batch of mutton had already been grilled on the barbecue grill in the courtyard. Silver ingots were brought in on a plate, and the aroma instantly filled the entire house.
It was Su Shengsheng's first time eating barbecue. He picked up a skewer of lamb and carefully took a bite. The tender meat juices burst on his tongue, carrying the rich aroma of spices. His eyes lit up immediately: "It's so delicious! This taste is absolutely amazing!"
As he spoke, he picked up another skewer and ate it with great relish.
The atmosphere at the banquet was lively. Governor Cao and Huo Changhe toasted each other, while Yin Ding and the others accompanied them, adding wine and serving dishes from time to time.
The First Madam and Madam Cao chatted about everyday things, their words filled with intimacy.
Yan Ruyu held a glass of fruit wine, took a small sip, and looked at Madam Cao. She asked gently, "Madam Cao, you look so well. You must be completely recovered and have no more discomfort, right?"
Madam Cao drank some fruit wine, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks, making her complexion even more radiant. She put down her wine glass, smiled, and nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fully recovered."
Even the dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations I used to suffer from are gone. Now I eat well, sleep soundly, and have plenty of energy.
She paused, as if recalling her recent discomfort, and frowned slightly, saying, "It's strange, but a while ago I suddenly felt weak all over, very dizzy, and all I wanted to do was sleep. But at night I would have heart palpitations and toss and turn, unable to sleep. It really worried me."
Yan Ruyu listened quietly; her symptoms were exactly the same as what the First Madam had described before.
She asked calmly, "Did Madam's health improve after taking the medicinal meals from Yishengtang?"
Madam Cao nodded: "Indeed, it's all thanks to you, Madam, for your recommendation. I never expected it to be so effective."
Yan Ruyu pondered to herself that she had seen all those medicinal diets. They were good for nourishing the body and replenishing qi, but when it came to treating illnesses, they were even more effective than medicinal soups.
That's just too absurd.