Tled by Serena Love

Unedited

Chapter 97: Glutinous Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wings (1)

After the group of people was full, they walked back happily.

The food troupe helped Jiang Shuyao carry her box and walked around her. You say something, and I say something, for fear that she would fall.

"Sister-in-law, be careful. There is a pit in the front."

"Hey, there is a tree branch, beware."

Xie Xun had no choice but to pull Jiang Shuyao's sleeves, and Jiang Shuyao looked back at him.

"Don't care about them." He said, "They just want to keep eating."

Jiang Shuyao couldn't laugh or cry, "It's okay, I know. I don't mind."

Xie Xun hummed inwardly. His wife's temperament likes to share delicious food, and happiness is really lovely but also annoying.

He held Jiang Shuyao's arm and looked at her feet, fearing that she might trip on the mountain road.

Jiang Shuyao felt that his hand supporting her arm was strong and sturdy, but she was worried and said, "Your injury hasn't healed yet. Just take care of yourself."

"I'm all right." Xie Xun thought it was nothing serious. Besides, he was careful.

"What if the wound splits and bleeds again?" Jiang Shuyao said, "That day—"

"That day was an accident!" Xie Xun hurriedly interrupted her, implying a sense of secret, causing the hungry monkeys leading the way to look back at him.

"Bo Yuan, why haven't you healed after so long? Your injury has always recovered very quickly." Someone asked with concern, "Could it be that you have been resting at home for too long and you have been pampered all day..."

Xie Xun's face turned dark, and they shut up immediately.

Their eyes fell on Jiang Shuyao, and there was a feeling of they could see it clearly but unable to say it. Just with Jiang Shuyao's temperament, how could it be difficult to spoil the wounded and provide everything good and delicious.

Xie Xun felt that this group of people was too horrible. He was afraid that they would make Jiang Shuyao feel that he was spoiled, so he shot two pheasants on the road to prove to her that his injuries were all right.

After the people arrived at the place where the Xie family lived, Xie Xun drove them away. Although they were reluctant to give up, they were also embarrassed to continue eating and drinking. They could only think about pleasing Jiang Shuyao next time.

After Xie Xun pulled the bow to shoot a couple of arrows, Jiang Shuyao worried that his wound would open. Even with Xie Xun's repeated assurances, she still drove him to the bed to rest for a while.

After Xie Xun left, Jiang Shuyao stared at the two pheasants he had caught. She finally felt hungry and asked a palace man for some chicken wings and glutinous rice.

She steamed the glutinous rice before she started marinating the chicken wings, ready to be fried when it is cool. After removing the bones with scissors, she marinated the chicken wings with seasoning. At this time, she mixed the steamed glutinous rice with green beans. After she finished frying the rice, the chicken wings are almost fully marinated, and she can proceed to the next step.

Just as she was about to stuff glutinous rice into the chicken wings, Xie Xun poked his head between the door frame.

"Didn't I ask you to go and rest for a while?" she asked, swiftly spooning glutinous rice into the chicken wings.

Xie Xun said, "I'm resting." In fact, he just changed his clothes, lay down, and turned left and right. He couldn't sleep, so he couldn't help but come out to find Jiang Shuyao.

Seeing that he didn't want to rest, Jiang Shuyao didn't persuade him and continued with what she was doing.

"What are you making?" Xie Xun also admired Jiang Shuyao very much, putting food first no matter where she was. He thought that they would leave the kitchen during this autumn hunting, and she would either went to the woods to play or stayed with him in the house, but she actually asked for ingredients from a palace man to continue to fiddle with food.

"Chicken wings stuffed with rice."

Xie Xun saw that she stuffed fried glutinous rice into the raw chicken wings and was puzzled, "How do you do this? Why are the chicken wings raw and the stuffed glutinous rice is actually cooked?"

"Just put it in the oven and bake it. The glutinous rice inside is already cooked. Don't worry about not the chicken not being roasted thoroughly. The chicken wings' soup and oil will melt into the glutinous rice..." As she said this, she was taken aback. No, how do you bake things without an oven?

She wanted to make something interesting to eat on a whim but forgot that this was not in Duke Xie's mansion, and there was no baking kiln.

Just as she hesitated how to deal with the stuffed chicken wing, a eunuch came to pass Concubine Lin's instructions. She asked Jiang Shuyao to come and see her.

Jiang Shuyao hesitated for a moment and directly brought the chicken wing stuffed with rice. She didn't have all her utensils here, but the palace people over in Imperial Concubine Lin's side could always find a substitute, even if it was baking in a small stove. It was only when she arrived that she knew that she was not going to the Concubine Lin's site but the Queen's.

When Jiang Shuyao arrived, the Queen and several young noble ladies were there, chatting happily. Jiang Shuyao, who was holding a pot of chicken wings, looked extraordinarily surprised.

Concubine Lin and the Queen had a discussion. After the discussion, they stayed here to chat. It happened that the Queen's niece came to see her. The other ladies also wanted to show their faces in front of royalties and have fun, so they all came to greet. A group of people gathered in the lobby. You suppress me, I suppress you, so lively. After all, the crown prince has reached marriageable age, and everyone wants to perform well in front of royalties.

The Queen is kind and gentle, and she likes the juniors the most. Looking at a group of beautiful girls like flowers, she is smiling all the time, not at all annoyed by them.

The Queen has a naturally noble, dignified, and generous temperament developed since childhood. Concubine Lin was different. She had been mixed amongst men before entering the palace. When she was very angry, she didn't hold her tongue or directly let her subordinates beat people. Now, seeing these young ladies stab each other with sentences, she just feels that it is a headache to see them so squeaky and crooked.

"The bead flowers on Miss Wan's head are so beautiful. Even though it is in early autumn, but you wear them as bright and moving as spring."

"Third Miss Li is praiseworthy. You don't wear hairpins or make-up. You can be described as a water lotus, naturally beautiful and decorated, which makes our gold or pearl hairpins too vulgar."

The Third Miss Li's heart tightened, and she quietly glanced at Concubine Lin. Who didn't know that Concubine Lin liked gold jewelry the most?

"You little girls, all of you are very humble. This palace will say that all of you look good, and each has its own beauty." The Queen said cheerfully.

[T/N: "This palace" is a literal translation for "Bengong," which is the way a Queen or Imperial Concubines or princesses refer to themselves when talking to other non-royalties people. As long as they owned their own palace, female royalties usually refer to themselves this way.]

Concubine Lin smiled and said nothing, but she was so annoyed. How did this conversation come to her? They were not even born when she stirred the wind and rain in the harem. The Queen's temperament makes everyone think that everyone is blind-loving sisters and believe that all the people living in the harem are women with good tempers who won't fight or steal, instead of beaten up by her.

She looked at her reflection in the golden spoon in her teacup. Besides, in regards to beauty, who is more beautiful than this old lady?

Seeing that their fighting spirit continued, and they were about to start chanting poems to show their talents, Concubine Lin couldn't bear it and asked someone to call Jiang Shuyao.

Forget about other things, just as Jiang Shuyao showed her face here, those who praised each other's appearance should blush in shame.

Concubine Lin thought that she saw the big box brought by Xie Guogong's mansion, and her thoughts of watching a good show became stronger. Her niece is just like her, and she can bring a large box full of clothes and jewelry. Who knows how she's dressed up today. She must wear more hairpins and sway to suppress their limelight, blooms like hibiscus and lotus—she is the only woman worthy of the color of peony.

Then she saw Jiang Shuyao is wearing simple, well-groomed clothes. Her hair was neatly tied, and she came over with a basin in her hand.

Concubine Lin was dumbfounded, so were the ladies who are playing the poetry game and even the Queen who had been smiling.

Jiang Shuyao quickly handed the basin to a court lady behind her and respectfully saluted the Queen and Concubine Lin.

Before the Queen had spoken, Concubine Lin put down her teacup and said in disbelief, "How did you come out in these clothes?"

Jiang Shuyao said in a puzzled way, "Answering to Niang Niang. I was packing up ingredients just now. Wearing these clothes is easy to move, and it's easy to change and wash if it gets dirty."

Concubine Lin gritted her teeth, "...How come you come out without tidying up?"

Jiang Shuyao looked at the ladies sitting next to them. They were gorgeous and dressed in light-colored clothes, which looked like they were out hunting in autumn.

She wondered if there was something wrong with her dressing up like this, but she always wears it like this at home. Xie Xun never said anything, and even he waited for her eagerly every day.

The Queen hurriedly rounded the stage and called her to come over, "Let this palace take a look. Look at this child. At first glance, she is virtuous and gentle."

Concubine Lin, who was so angry that her cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish, looked at Jiang Shuyao's beautiful and peachy face. She had to admire the Queen's ability to tell lies with eyes open.

Ever since Concubine Lin sucked snails in front of Jiang Shuyao, Jiang Shuyao has no fear for her and asked directly, "Niang Niang, do you call me something?"

Concubine Lin lazily said, "Nothing. I just want you to join in the fun. Let's have fun together."

Jiang Shuyao was about to continue to answer, but she felt that the Queen's gaze kept falling on her and did not move away.

It was because the Queen was too curious about Jiang Shuyao. In the beginning, Xiangyang Mansion wanted Jiang Shuyao to marry Xie Xun, so Concubine Lin cried over to beg her and insisted on asking her to talk about the marriage in person. She didn't want to, but Concubine Lin and her helped each other and repeatedly save each other from evil for so many years. Her son managed to grow up so big and became crown prince, she owed it a lot to Concubine Lin. That was the only time Concubine Lin asked her for something. How could she not respond?

Folk sayings often say that the twisted melon is not sweet. Even if this marriage is complete, Jiang Shuyao should not have a good time at Duke Xie's residence.

Unexpectedly, everything was not what she had imagined. After Jiang Shuyao got married, she seemed to be a different person. She often heard the crown prince talk about Jiang Shuyao and praised her.

When he returned from the embezzlement case a while ago, he had a meal in her palace. He insisted on eating steamed buns and dipping sauce and also ordered big steamed buns. The imperial dining room was confused.

She gave Jiang Shuyao a seat next to her, wanting to talk to her more and resolve the doubts in her heart.

Who knows that this makes those ladies next to them look jealous.

Miss Jiang had robbed Master Xie, and she came to grab their limelight again today. This was unbearable.

The Queen's niece was the first to speak, "Mrs. Xie, I don't know what you brought here. It looks bloody, a little scary."

Jiang Shuyao had just sat down, she remembered her business, and said to Concubine Lin, "By the way, Niang Niang, if you don't have anything to tell me, can I borrow your kitchen?"

Concubine Lin was so angry. How could a scheming concubine like her have such a silly niece?

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But when she thought about Jiang Shuyao's craftsmanship, she nodded and said, "Of course, but you don't need to go to my place. Just stay here and use the Empress' kitchen. What do you think, sister?" If you can't use beauty to suppress these little girls, use cooking skills to win the Queen's eyes is also good.

The Queen nodded naturally.

Jiang Shuyao answered the Queen's niece's question, "It's not blood. It's the marinade I made."

After speaking, she bowed to the Queen and Concubine Lin and withdrew. She went to the back to deal with her chicken wings.

The Queen smiled and said, "This child has a pure mind. This is the first time I have seen a little girl who is so eager to eat."

The atmosphere became lively again.

The Queen had to eat medicated food all day, so there was a small dining room where she lived. Because the emperor came to hunt in the paddock every year, everything available in the imperial kitchens was available here,

Jiang Shuyao had to put chicken wings stuffed with rice inside a small stove to bake without an oven. After the chicken wings began to drip oil, she brushed the chicken wings' skin with honey, set up two iron frames, and roasted them over an open flame.

The tongue of fire licked the chicken wings, and the honey on the outer layer gradually became brighter, and the oil spilled out, colliding with the hot fire temperature, making a sizzling noise. As more and more oil is produced, the chicken wings' skin gradually becomes bright brown, and the aroma of the grilled wings becomes more and more intense. With the dripping of the oil, the firewood splashes with transparent bright red light. The slightly burnt aroma and the fresh and sweet chicken scent spreads out of the dining room and gradually drifts away.

The maids and eunuchs in the dining room swallowed their saliva and looked inside the kitchen curiously. In the past, there was no such fragrant smell when they roasted meat. What method was used this time?

Jiang Shuyao cooked all the chicken wings stuffed with rice that she brought over and put it into the plate. When she came, she thought that half of the baked chicken wings would be given to the imperial concubine, and the other half would be taken back. But now they are having a good time. It would be too much if she didn't share.

As I was thinking, a eunuch came over, "Mrs. Xie, Concubine Lin sent this servant to ask you if you have finished. When it is done, come over quickly."

Jiang Shuyao left with him.

She hasn't arrived yet, but the fragrance has penetrated into the noses of those who were chatting together.

Their voices gradually stopped, attracted by the fragrance. It's a wonderful smell. The fresh meat is fragrant and sweet, with the aroma of charcoal and many indistinguishable spices. The aroma is rich, and you can't help being attracted by the smell after a few more sniffs.

While they were still thinking about what it was, Jiang Shuyao came in, followed by a eunuch carrying a plate.

Roasted chicken wings have a strong aroma, not to mention the chicken wings were quite big. It looked a bit rough, but when you look carefully, the chicken wings are still swelling with oil, and the corners are shrinking and glowing. The brownish-yellow color and the oily transparent luster on the surface make the brown-yellow honey-colored skin more delicious and attractive.

"This is... chicken wings?" The Queen was stunned. She has never eaten such a large whole chicken wing before. When she ate chicken, the kitchen would prepare a fine chicken fillet or minced chicken. How can the kitchen dare to put a large piece of chicken wings for her to chew?

"Exactly." Since the Queen was present, Concubine Lin could not enjoy it alone.

Jiang Shuyao motioned to the eunuch to bring the plate to the Queen.

"If the Queen doesn't dislike it, please try this chicken wings stuffed with glutinous rice."

The Queen is a dignified person and certainly not arrogant, but she is still worried when she looks at a whole chicken wing.

Concubine Lin inexplicably choked when she sees this, but she has sucked snails. She didn't care about eating other things. Isn't it just gnawing chicken wings? What a simple matter.

Jiang Shuyao noticed the Queen's mind and said, "This chicken wing has been deboned, and only the skin and flesh remain. The inside is stuffed with fried green peas and glutinous rice. You can eat it with chopsticks. The chicken inside is tender and juicy, and the glutinous rice in the innermost layer is full and soft and fragrant. A bite has both meat and rice. It is completely enjoyable."

Not to mention the Queen, even the surrounding ladies, who were suffocating, suddenly felt a little hungry when she said this.

Concubine Lin moved her chopsticks first. She indecently used the chopsticks to stab a chicken wing and took a bite at the chicken wing's tip. She was born beautiful. Even if she ate so indecently, she looked very pleasing to the eye.

When the Queen saw this, saliva suddenly appeared at the base of her tongue. She never likes oily meat, but at the moment, she was a little eager to move.

Concubine Lin took a small bite of chicken wings wrapped in rice. The skin of the chicken wings was brushed with honey and grilled thoroughly. The corners were a bit crispy. After she bit the skin, the fragrant meaty aroma immediately rushed out. The chicken wings' gravy and oily water are all roasted, but they are firmly entangled in the skin. At this moment, the juicy chicken is so soft and tender that it can be melted in the mouth without chewing.

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The glutinous rice is firm, plump, and springy in the teeth. Chicken juice and oil penetrate into the glutinous rice. It has the fresh taste of green peas, the sweet fragrance of glutinous rice, and the thick and pure meat flavor. It is only a small bite, but it makes people feel a kind of satisfaction and joy.

She put down the chicken wings wrapped rice, carefully savoring the aroma in her mouth, and let the tender meat and glutinous rice collide and fuse in her mouth. If no one was there, she would take the chicken wings wrapped rice with her hands.

"Queen, my lady, you taste it quickly." Concubine Lin suddenly felt exasperated. Her niece is not only beautiful, but her cooking skills are also top-notch. Who else can compare to her? Who!

The Queen was hesitating, but as soon as Concubine Lin tried to persuade her, she didn't speak anymore.

She was much more gentle than the concubine Lin, but she was still shocked by the delicacy. The crispy crust with honey juice is fresh and sweet, revealing a slight spiciness, it has a complex taste, but it blends well. But after biting it, the gravy inside can't wait to gush out. It is extremely sweet and inspires all the essence of the chicken. There is no fishy smell, only the original chicken flavor.

The skin is crispy, the chicken is tender, and the glutinous rice is chewy. It's just a small bite, but the taste is extremely rich.

She turned her head to look at Jiang Shuyao. The surprise in her eyes could not be concealed.

Last time she drank some grass jelly drink brought back by the crown prince. She only thought that little girl loves sweets, and she was a bit creative. She did not expect that she was not only clever and resourceful but also has practical skills.

When she was surprised, a eunuch's shout came from outside, "His Royal Highness is here—"

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