Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel)

On the way back to the kitchen, Zheng Taijian, holding an umbrella, couldn’t help but sigh. He had never expected Cheng Gege, who seemed so quiet and unassuming, to have such a clear mind. But he also knew she was good at hiding her abilities. No wonder Yang Gege, who was always in the spotlight, and Side Concubine Li, who was self-righteous, had been outshined by her.

When he heard the little eunuch’s words today, he knew there was something more behind them. After a little thought, he understood the hidden meaning.

The day before, Yang Gege’s eunuch, Fu Gui, had been asking around about Cheng Gege, sending a lot of gold melon seeds to Hong Deng, that old guy. Heh, Cheng Gege wasn’t slow to respond; today, she had already sent a message.

He could have ignored Cheng Gege’s hint, but unfortunately, even if he stayed a few more years, no matter how much he served old Mama Ling, they wouldn’t keep him. When you grow old, you have to humble yourself.

The reason he came in person was to find a backer for his foolish apprentice.

Even Cheng Gege had figured it out, but the old men who had been working with him for so many years thought he couldn’t part with his low-ranking eunuch status, assuming he hadn’t made enough profit yet!

He didn’t bother to explain.

That’s why people are so different.

Zheng Taijian had been in the palace for forty-eight years, and he was confident that his judgment was sharp.

From the first day Cheng Gege and Yang Gege entered the palace, he had been listening carefully. There were so many eunuchs in the kitchen, and everyone thought Yang Gege would certainly be favored. They said she had a noble family background, good looks, and was generous to the servants, like a wealth-bringer with money flowing everywhere. On the other hand, they said Cheng Gege was from a humble background and didn’t know how to flatter Side Concubine Li.

They even started a betting pool, and everyone bet on Yang Gege’s rise, except for him, who bet fifty taels on Cheng Gege.

Ha, Zheng Taijian found it amusing—being a Gege and gaining reputation among the servants was useless. Would the Crown Prince listen to the servants?

Yang Gege was simply too naive. She thought she could act like a side concubine everywhere, trying to secure a good reputation ahead of time. She always believed that with her family background, she would be perfect for the position of side concubine, but she hadn’t figured out the stakes. As long as the Crown Prince didn’t like her, what did her family background matter?

What use is a good family background? Who has a family background better than the Crown Prince?

If the Crown Prince valued family background, he wouldn’t have ignored Side Concubine Li for so many years.

As for him, he had initially accepted Yang Gege’s silver, but he was also considerate of Cheng Gege. When others were unwilling to take on her tasks, he was happy to do so. No matter what Cheng Gege asked for, whether it was troublesome or not, he always found ways to make sure she was satisfied.

One day, while he was cooking, he heard that Yang Gege had raised a cat, and he nearly dropped the pot in shock. “Oh my, Yang Gege has really touched the tiger’s backside!”

Even though the Emperor had issued a decree forbidding anyone from mentioning how the cat died, who in the palace didn’t know? They just didn’t dare to speak of it! He couldn’t understand who had given Yang Gege such a terrible idea—what a bold move!

He couldn’t help but laugh out loud. From that betting pool, he could at least win one hundred taels!

After that, he didn’t dare to deal with Yang Gege anymore, but he sent Sanbao to visit Cheng Gege four or five times a day. Even when Cheng Gege wasn’t around, Sanbao would speak with her trusted maids and eunuchs to get familiar with them.

The other head eunuchs would laugh at him, calling him old and muddled, still supporting a Gege. So what was the result now?

Cheng Gege only ordered food from him, and the strange things she liked to eat, only he could make. Recently, even He Baozhong had come to speak with him. Cheng Gege was truly impressive, even the Crown Prince loved her food. Yesterday, Chunben Hall’s master said they would serve fried potatoes at lunch, and He Baozhong specifically asked for him to fry them, ensuring they tasted just like Cheng Gege’s. He had gone to Qingfeng at the crack of dawn with Sanbao to build relationships, puffing and panting as he carried a sack full of large, round potatoes back.

Now, the other head eunuchs were regretting so much they nearly broke their thighs, constantly calling him “Master Zheng” in every sentence, flattering him all the time.

Hmph, he had no time to deal with them.

As Zheng Taijian walked along, occasionally sneering and grinding his teeth, Sanbao looked up at him in confusion and asked, “Master, what’s wrong with you? Did you eat something bad?”

“You’re driving me crazy!” Zheng Taijian glared at him fiercely. “So stupid! If I ever leave, you remember this—just serve Cheng Gege with all your heart. When Cheng Gege rises to the top, you’ll soar with her. Got it?”

Sanbao was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and murmured an acknowledgment. After a while, he timidly reached out to hold Zheng Taijian’s wrinkled hand. “Master, don’t go. I don’t want to rise to the top. I can’t live without you.”

“Useless!” Zheng Taijian’s old eyes softened, and he turned his head away to scold, but he tightly grasped his apprentice’s small, thin hand.

The figures of the old and young gradually disappeared into the rain.

#

Back in the back room, Tianjin had returned, holding the cat.

Tianjin was quick and efficient. Knowing that Cheng Wanyun was concerned, he had the old eunuch in the cat and dog room treat the cat’s wounds, and hurriedly brought the cat back, happily reporting, “Gege, the cat was checked in the cat and dog room. They said the wound looked like it was from a dog bite, but fortunately, the bone wasn’t broken. They’ll come to change the medicine every three days. We just need to keep it well-fed and well-cared for, and in ten to fifteen days, it’ll be fine.”

Cheng Wanyun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, feeling that the rain wasn’t a wasted effort.

Looking closely at the cat in Tianjin’s arms, it lay quietly in his arms, not making a sound or moving around, but calmly staring at them with its bright green eyes. The cat had a large, round head, big ears, and an M-shaped tiger stripe on its forehead. Though it had been wandering for a few days and appeared very thin, its fur, once dried, revealed that it had long and dense fur. It had distinct yellow-brown tiger stripes on its back, and its neck and belly were white, soft and smooth to the touch.

“What kind of cat is this?” Cheng Wanyun cautiously reached out to pet the cat’s head. To her surprise, the cat slightly lifted its head and rubbed against her palm, purring loudly. But she was startled—this cat was too well-behaved!

The cat looked so big, but it was actually so affectionate and clingy? Or did it know that she was the one who saved it, which was why it was so close?

Tianjin smiled and handed the cat to her. “This cat seems to have an affinity with you, Gege. You can hold it and play with it.”

Cheng Wanyun took the cat, and though it wasn’t heavy, she froze for a moment, unsure how to move.

She had never kept a cat while living in the Cheng family because her stepmother didn’t like them, and with so many unruly children in the house, she didn’t have the confidence to take care of one. In her past life, she was too busy with work and often traveled for days or even half a month. She could only long for a pet, so she settled for keeping a few fish to stave off loneliness.

Thus, she thought the cat was incredibly beautiful but didn’t recognize what kind of cat it was.

“This cat has a history.” Tianjin clearly anticipated that Cheng Wanyun might ask, so he had inquired in the cat and dog room. “Its parents were brought up by the envoys from the Kingdom of E. There were two of them, one male and one female. Later, the cat and dog room arranged for breeding. This cat is from the second litter of those two royal cats. They’re called Siberian cats. I’ve seen its parents—they were huge!”

Tianjin exaggerated, spreading his arms wide. “So, although this one looks big, it’s actually only about three months old, still a little kitten. That’s why I also got some goat milk. They say cow’s milk gives cats diarrhea, but goat milk is better.”

Cheng Wanyun didn’t expect the cat to be so young—it looked as large as an ordinary adult cat.

Bitao crouched down and lifted the cat’s tail, laughing, “Gege, look, its tail looks like a feather duster, so fluffy and big. It’s really beautiful.”

Cheng Wanyun smiled, “From now on, feed it more and let it help you dust.”

Qingxing, however, looked a bit worried. “I heard that Yang Gege’s cat caused her to break out in rashes all over her body. Should we clean it up before keeping it? We don’t know if Yang Gege will come asking for it later…”

Cheng Wanyun, however, understood that Yang Gege might be allergic to the cat’s fur, not the cat’s fault. Also, the cat was injured, so it wasn’t suitable for a bath. She shook her head. “Even if it needs a wash, we should wait until its wounds are healed. For now, just get a cushion and let it sleep in the pearwood cabinet.”

The cat, clearly exhausted, curled up on the cushion and quickly fell asleep.

Just as Cheng Wanyun finished settling the cat and washed her hands, she heard the sound of people kneeling outside, calling, “Long live the Crown Prince!”

She hurriedly went out to greet him.

When the Crown Prince entered, he was wearing a cloak made of peacock feathers, stepping on high wooden clogs, with his sleeves also tied up. Cheng Wanyun almost couldn’t hold back her laughter when she crouched down to pay her respects—this prince was really going all out just for a hotpot meal.

Yinreng was already spreading his arms, allowing people to help him take off his clothes, not noticing Cheng Wanyun’s face that was nearly twisting from holding in her laughter. His mind was still preoccupied with the events outside—today was the day that Suoetu and Mingzhu’s group were heading to the Nibu Chu region.

The Imperial Astronomy Bureau had declared the day auspicious, but before they even left the capital, a sudden chill had drenched them all.

The rain had dampened everyone’s spirits, but Mingzhu chuckled lightly, saying, “Spring rain is as precious as oil; this is an omen of good fortune.” He led the group through the heavy rain to bend willows and offer sacrifices, while Suoetu led the military officers to slaughter three sacrificial animals and beat the drums to rally their spirits. This finally lifted everyone’s morale.

Yinreng had received permission from the Emperor to send his uncle to the city gates, and on the way out of the city, he specifically invited Mingzhu and Suoetu to join him in his carriage for a conversation. He also introduced Ling Shijin, who was by his side, to the two men.

Mingzhu, fanning himself, looked Ling Shijin up and down and complimented him, “The Crown Prince’s court is indeed full of talent. Look at this young man, with such distinguished bearing at such a young age.”

Suoetu, however, looked at him with clear disdain. He disliked people with the appearance of scholars.

Yinreng felt a bit awkward. Ling Shijin, about the same age as him, appeared frail and scholarly, but he wasn’t particularly knowledgeable in the arts. He was the type that didn’t excel in either literature or martial arts. However, for this trip to Nibu Chu, Yinreng needed to bring someone along. His uncle couldn’t be counted, and for matters of military and state affairs, he could only report directly to the Emperor. Mingzhu certainly didn’t need to be involved in the details. He needed Ling Shijin to convey the day’s events from the talks back to him so that he could discern whether the events from his dreams would come to pass, or if the outcome predicted in his dreams could be changed.

Ling Shijin lacked ability, but he was loyal and dependable.

Neither Suoetu nor Mingzhu knew about this strange situation and assumed that Yinreng was trying to support the Ling family, which had a strong relationship with the Hesheri clan. After a moment’s thought, Suoetu said, “Since he’s the Crown Prince’s man, let him stay with me as a scribe.”

Mingzhu only smiled without speaking, but he didn’t object.

And so, it was settled.

The flags fluttered, and the horses’ hooves shook the ground as the envoy’s party swept out of the city like thunder.

Yinreng stood on the city tower, watching them disappear into the distance.

He still hadn’t figured out why he had dreamed such a thing, and after that, it seemed like he never had any more dreams. But he truly hoped that their journey would be safe and smooth. Perhaps by involving Mingzhu in this change of plans, the outcome in his dreams could be altered.

What did it matter if Mingzhu took some of the credit? Party struggles and factional gains were nothing compared to the loss or gain of land!

Our great Qing Empire will never concede an inch of land to foreign states.

Yinreng was lost in thought until the fragrant aroma brought him back to his senses as he sat down.

The table was filled with various types of freshwater fish, seafood, and beef and lamb, but in the center was a clay pot resting on a small stove, bubbling with thick, milky-white porridge.

Yinreng had never seen such a pot before and couldn’t help but ask, “How do we eat this?”

Even the young eunuchs serving the meal couldn’t explain it.

As the first person to introduce a porridge-based hotpot in the Qing palace, Cheng Wanyun had to hold back her growing appetite and, standing up, served the Crown Prince a small bowl of pure white porridge without any ingredients in it yet. “Your Highness, this porridge-based hotpot is an authentic Cantonese dish. When it comes to hotpot, it’s all about comfort and convenience, but this one has its own rules. There is a special way to eat it, called the ‘Five Bowls of Porridge.’ Even when adding ingredients, there’s an art to it—everything must be done with care.”

She handed the first bowl of porridge to the Crown Prince. “The first bowl is simply to enjoy a clean, plain porridge, which helps with digestion and appetite.”

Yinreng, seeing how serious she looked, stirred the simple porridge gently with his spoon, smiling as he teased her, “If we were talking about things like music, chess, or painting, I would say you have little interest. But mention food, and your eyes light up.”

Cheng Wanyun blushed slightly at his teasing. “It’s just one of my few hobbies, nothing I can do about it.”

Yinreng nearly choked on his food from her candidness.

But as he took a bite, he realized that this pure white porridge had a surprising depth of flavor. He ended up finishing the entire bowl. “Is this porridge made with chicken stock? It’s remarkably refreshing.”

Cheng Wanyun smiled and explained, “You’re right. It’s made by simmering a fine young hen with ham to create the broth, skimming off the fat, and then adding crushed rice. It’s cooked slowly over a small fire for three to four hours until the rice dissolves and merges with the chicken stock.”

Yinreng became intrigued. “What about the second bowl?”

Cheng Wanyun instructed the young eunuch to bring over clams, fish slices, and river shrimp. “The second bowl is a fresh porridge. You dip the fish, shrimp, and shellfish into it, allowing their freshness to infuse the porridge. This makes the broth even clearer and more flavorful.”

By this point, the eunuchs knew exactly how to handle the hotpot. Cheng Wanyun quickly sat down and drank a bowl of plain porridge herself. Perhaps her impatience got the better of her, as she met the Crown Prince’s amused gaze after finishing her bowl.

“Food is the most important thing for the people; being able to eat is a blessing,” Cheng Wanyun said without the slightest bit of embarrassment. While waiting for the second bowl of porridge, she excitedly shared, “Your Highness, the other day you gave me a basket of nectar peaches. I couldn’t finish them all, so I dried them into peach preserves. I’ve paired them with oolong tea cakes, and they’ve melded into a new tea blend. When you return later, you can try it. The fruity aroma mixes with the tea fragrance, and it’s refreshing with a sweet aftertaste. It’s perfect for this time of year, between spring and summer.”

Yinreng, hearing her enthusiastic description, smiled. “In that case, we won’t wait. Let’s brew a pot as soon as the meal is over.”

At this point, the second bowl of porridge was ready. The shrimp and fish slices, wrapped in the porridge, were more tender than usual, and the natural sweetness of the seafood was fully brought out.

“Next, we can add the meat,” Cheng Wanyun said, seeing the Crown Prince enjoying the meal. She then instructed the eunuch in charge of the kitchen, “Now add beef, lamb, and pork. Remember, when cooking, the meat should be dipped quickly—fast in and fast out—so that each piece stays tender and smooth.”

With the seafood base already in the pot, the meat became even more flavorful.

After finishing the meat, they added mushrooms and vegetables at the end. The timing was crucial; the moment the vegetables were just cooked, they were scooped out. This way, the vegetables absorbed the rich flavors of the seafood and meat, but retained their crispness, balancing out the heaviness of the meat and giving a refreshing contrast.

“Once everything has been dipped, it’s time for the fourth bowl. How do we eat the last one?” Yinreng was satisfied after four bowls of porridge, but still wanted more. He Baozhong, quietly swallowing his saliva, was glad that he had specifically requested the kitchen to use smaller bowls, or else the crown prince would have surely overindulged and ruined his appetite for the next few days.

“Look at the porridge in the pot,” Cheng Wanyun said as she stood up, motioning to Yinreng.

The once white porridge had now turned slightly yellow, and the refreshing rice aroma had transformed into a rich fragrance. The flavors of the freshwater seafood, meat, and vegetables had all melded into the lightly bubbling porridge. This was the final bowl.

“The last bowl, the flavored porridge.”

Yinreng took a spoonful. The rich, fresh, and smooth flavors immediately filled his mouth, and indeed, it was perfectly balanced. The transition was seamless, and the final flavor was as satisfying as promised—one to savor slowly.

Eating this porridge-based hotpot was a long, leisurely process.

After finishing the hotpot, the rain had softened from its earlier torrential downpour, now falling in a gentle, drizzling pattern. Looking out the window, the soft rain could be heard trickling off the eaves, filling the air with a fine mist. The Forbidden City, usually so imposing in the heavy rain, now seemed more delicate and ethereal in its damp, foggy ambiance.

Though he had eaten his fill, Yinreng didn’t feel overly full; he felt comfortable and content.

Leaning back in his chair, Yinreng held a book in his hands, quietly memorizing the chapter his teacher had taught today, intending to finish memorizing the chapter for tomorrow as well.

The diplomatic envoy heading to Nibu Chu had already departed, and now his father, the Emperor, would have some free time to correct their assignments. Therefore, he had to work even harder to study.