Chapter 86：

The summer is sultry and people have no appetite. In addition, the county owner of Qinghe seems to be a little clear-hearted in terms of food. Tao Ti pondered and finally prepared four dishes and one soup:

Kung Pao chicken, squirrel mandarin fish, sweet and sour pork loin, vinegar cabbage, plus a light and delicious fish ball vermicelli soup.

After the palace man processed the ingredients, Tao Ti washed his hands and started cooking.

The first thing she made was sweet and sour tenderloin, choosing fresh tenderloin, marinating for a while, and then covering the marinated tenderloin in batter and deep-frying it in a frying pan. The success of a sweet and sour pork loin, first, the frying process, the heat must be mastered, so that the frying will not be too raw or too old. The moderate tenderness is all based on experience.

The second is the quality of tomato sauce. Although Dayuanchao has tomatoes, the taste is too sour, so when making the sauce, Tao Ti increased the proportion of sugar. This is the case. When you stir fry the tenderloin, you have to add some sugar and vinegar in addition to the tomato sauce, so that you can make a bright red and thick sauce.

When the sweet and sour tenderloin was poured out of the pot steaming, Tao Ti was sprinkled with a layer of emerald green onion and fried white sesame seeds, and the dishes instantly became more attractive.

Qinghe was not very hungry at first, but now seeing the red dishes, he couldn't help but pursed his lips. It looked so delicious.

Upon seeing this, Tao Ti picked up a piece of chopsticks and brought it to Qinghe's mouth, "Come on, taste it."

Qing He was startled, his face blushed.

When she grows up, she hasn't been fed yet.

She opened her mouth shyly and bit off the sweet and sour pork tenderloin. But she never thought that as soon as the food was eaten, she was instantly amazed by the sweet and sour taste.

The tenderloin is extraordinarily smooth and tender, and the sauce on the outside is just right sour and sweet, not greasy at all. I even want to serve a bowl of rice with it.

Realizing her own thoughts, Qinghe was surprised and curious. This was the first time she was eager to eat rice.

Tao Ti didn't know the thoughts in Qinghe's little head. After feeding Qinghe, she also tasted a bite herself, and went to the next dish—Kongbao Chicken with satisfaction.

This Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Sichuan cuisine. Although it looks like a bunch of red peppers, it is not spicy in fact.

Take the fresh and tender chicken thighs, cut them into small cubes, and stir-fry them with the peanuts in the frying pan. After a while, the rich and delicious flavor drifted out of the kitchen and drifted outside the hall.

The "meow" call of Yuanbao sounded from the kitchen door. Every time the little guy smelled the scent, he would stare at a pair of beautiful mandarin ducks and scream at the door. Even if it is greedy, it is very good, and never runs into the kitchen to make trouble.

"Little greedy cat." Tao Ti glanced up and smiled and told Linglong to feed Yuanbao some dried fish.

After making Kung Pao Chicken, Tao Ti kept dealing with the plump mandarin fish—

Squirrel mandarin fish is the most test of knife skills. If you want to fry the fish beautifully, cut the chrysanthemum knife diagonally, the angle is very important.

Qing He watched from the side, couldn't help holding his breath, looked at Tao Ti's skillful and neat technique, then looked down at his hand.

My hands seem to be a decoration...

When a whole fish is wrapped in dry powder and put into the oil pan, the scent of fish and oil is quickly aroused with the sound of "stabbing". After a while, a fried fish was golden and crispy, and it was completely placed on a long white porcelain plate.

Tao Ti starts another pot here, mixes it into a fragrant gorgon sauce, adds hot oil, and evenly sprinkles on the fish. At the same time, sprinkles the fried shrimp, green peas, and diced bamboo shoots on the fish as garnish.

"Cousin, this dish is really beautiful." Qinghe praised sincerely, and his eyes were full of admiration when he looked at Tao Ti.

"Not only is it beautiful, but it's also delicious." Tao Ti said, starting two more pots, and cooking fish ball vermicelli soup and vinegar cabbage at the same time.

Qinghe volunteered to serve the food, how could Linglong let the glass doll-like county owner do something, and said busy, "The county owner, come on."

Qinghe bit his lips lightly, standing aside with his eyelashes down, like a child who couldn't do anything.

Upon seeing this, Tao Ti whispered, "Qinghe, can you help set the tableware, okay?"

Qinghe and Linglong were both startled, but their thoughts were different.

Tao Ti didn't say much, and only showed a warm smile at Qinghe. Qinghe's black eyes flashed, and he also smiled, "Hmm!"

She took the bowls and chopsticks out there without any embarrassment, and approached Tao Ti exquisitely, "The princess, Princess Jingyang can see the county lord like eyeballs, if we let her know that we let the county The Lord does things, she blames you, the princess in her heart."

Tao Ti said, "Don't worry, let's not talk about this. How does the eldest princess know? Besides, Qinghe is slower to heat up. If you don't let her do anything, she will be polite and stretched, and she will eat everything later. Not fragrant. Having a certain sense of participation will make the food more delicious."

Linglong seemed to understand but did not understand, but the princess had said so, and she couldn't say more.

Let’s say that the food is on the table, the sweet and sour pork tenderloin is bright red, the kung pao chicken is fragrant, the squirrel mandarin fish has a unique shape, the vinegar cabbage is sour and fragrant, and the fish ball vermicelli soup is delicious and refreshing.

Tao Ti picked up the chopsticks, smiled and said to Qinghe, "Let’s eat!"

Qinghe responded, and gracefully stretched out to the Gongbao chicken, sandwiched a small chicken, and chewed slowly.

Tao Ti also reached for the Gongbao Chicken, but he spooned a large spoonful of rice into the rice, picked up the rice bowl and ate it.

Qinghe was surprised, "..."

After Tao Ti finished eating the food in his mouth, he said to Qinghe, "Kong Pao Chicken is great with rice. You can also try it, one by one is not good enough."

Qinghe bit his lip and hesitated for a moment. After all, it could not match Tao Ti's encouraging eyes. He also scooped a large spoonful into the bowl and ate a big bite with the rice.

The rice and the savory flavor of the vegetable juice are fully mixed. The chicken is tender and smooth. The peanuts are crisp and delicious. The salty taste is the main one, followed by the light sour and sweet. A bite.

"How about it, yummy?" Tao Ti squinted and smiled like a little fox, with a little pride in his cooking.

"Yeah, it's delicious." Qinghe opened his shining eyes and admired him very much. "Cousin, your craftsmanship is better than the royal cook in the palace, you are really amazing."

The innocent girl's sincere compliments made Tao Ti's heart bubbling with beauty, still maintaining humility on her face, and whispered softly, "Try this squirrel mandarin fish again."

Qinghe stretched out his chopsticks, and the surface of the mandarin fish was crispy fried. The chopsticks only pierced the shell with a little harder, and picked up the white and tender fish inside. The taste is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, mixed with sweet and sour sauce, and the fine product has a sweet and fruity aroma.

"I thought it would be like sweet and sour fish at first, but now I have tasted it and found that the two are still very different. The sweet and sour taste is not heavy, it tastes crispy, fresh and tender but not sweet." Qinghe commented , I clamped two more chopsticks.

Tao Ti was also happy to see that she stretched out her chopsticks more often. After all, the best compliment for the cook is to eat all the dishes.

The two ate while chatting, and their relationship increased unconsciously.

During the small talk, Tao Ti also learned about the cause of Qinghe's poor health.

"The year I was born, Rong Di attacked in a big way, and my father led the soldiers to the front. Rong Di's soldiers were cunning and surrounded Pingyang City with a part of their forces. At that time, most of the soldiers in the city went to the front, and the rest were all Some veteran soldiers. In order to defend Pingyang City, my mother put on armor and went up to the tower to command the defense..."

"Then what?" Tao Ti asked nervously.

Qinghe slowly said, "Pingyang City is well-grounded, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Rong Dibing was unable to attack the city forcibly, so he besieged the city and consumed Pingyang City. My mother struggled with them, unable to eat or sleep well. During the period, I also saw red. If it were not for the experienced doctors in the palace, I might not be able to keep the baby. I worked hard for seven days and nights. At the dawn of the eighth day, my father came back with reinforcements..."

Tao Tiina made up for the scene at the time, and couldn't help but slap his tongue, "The princess is really not easy!"

Qing He nodded and said, "Yes, I always think my mother is an amazing woman. But she has always felt guilty for me and felt it was her fault that made me drag the sick body when I was born."

Having said this, Qinghe smiled softly, "She gave me this life, and treats me like a jewel like a treasure. I am too grateful, so why can't I blame her."

After a meal, several dishes were almost consumed. Tao Ti ate three bowls of rice, and even Qinghe ate two bowls of rice.

The two of them made their stomachs bulging, and Tao Ti took Qinghe back to lie down on the couch and continued to chat with her about the customs of Longxi.

Qinghe has never talked so much like today, as if she had to finish talking about a year in one day, she herself felt incredible.

When the sky darkened, the two of them took another cup of snow lotus seed, white fungus and almond soup. The soup was slowly boiled for an hour, sweetening the lungs and nourishing the face.

When parting, Qinghe was still a little reluctant.

It wasn't until Tao Ti asked her to come to play again tomorrow that Qinghe stretched his brows and left happily.

Linglong looked at the back of the county lord of Qinghe, then looked at the princess who was madly holding ingots, and an inexplicable warmth surged in her heart—

The prince's cooking skills conquered the county owner's stomach, and with her innate gentle power, captured the county owner's sincerity.

Just like she used her actions to make everyone in the East Palace love her, respect her, and support her step by step.

Linglong's eyes are gentle, and it is really fortunate for the East Palace to have such a princess.

Tao Ti, who was playing the cat, seemed to have a reaction. As soon as he raised his head, he met Linglong's gentle gaze.

Tao Ti, "???"

What's the matter with this motherly gaze?

—

Yuming Hall.

The princess Jingyang leaned lazily on the beauty couch.

Seeing Qinghe coming back briskly, Princess Jingyang raised her eyebrows, "It seems that you had a good time playing in the East Palace today?"

Qinghe walked over and sat down, and nodded with a chuckle, "Well, my cousin is very nice."

Princess Jingyang squinted her eyes with great interest, "Oh? Tell me what a good way."

Qinghe talked about the food, drinks and fun at Yaoguang Hall today.

Princess Jingyang looked surprised, "You actually used two bowls of rice today?"

Qinghe nodded, his cheeks glowing red, "The craftsmanship of my cousin is so good."

The court lady who was waiting next to Qinghe happily added, "Back to your Royal Highness Princess, the county host used more than two bowls of rice today, as well as a bowl of fish ball vermicelli soup, and a cup of snow lotus seed, white fungus and almond soup. This meal is worth three meals a weekday."

After hearing this, Princess Jingyang got up from the couch, patted Qinghe's hand, and said with satisfaction, "Okay, it's a good thing to be able to eat. If you still go to her tomorrow, bring some more gifts. Since you want to make friends , You have to show some sincerity."

Qing He nodded and rested like a bird on the shoulders of the princess, with a faint smile between her delicate eyebrows, "I always thought that the palace was a gorgeous but cold cage. You can also live your life in a delicious way."

When the mother and daughter were intimate for a while, Qinghe asked what the eldest princess had been talking about in Ganlu Palace.

Compared with the wonderful experience of her daughter's day, Princess Jingyang felt that she was wasting her time with Queen Zhou's mother and daughter all afternoon.

"Huh, their mother and daughter are so good at abacus, they count you and your brother! What is her nephew's virtue, I didn't know how to return to Chang'an after looking at it? Just the dude who provokes the cat and the dog, give you shoes Not worthy!"

Princess Jingyang cursed, "And that Lingbi, I saw your brother last time, and he was picky about your brother in every way, now I come to please him again? Humph, if my daughter-in-law marries in, why would the Jin Kingdom government Not to be disturbed!"

When she scolded here, she also murmured directly in her heart. Zhou Mingfan was smart and scheming. How could the sons and daughters raised by him fail to compete with each other? My own emperor brother is not stupid, it makes no sense that two clever lives are stupid? Really wonder!

Qinghe didn’t know her mother’s defamation, so she only calmed her down, and said, “Mother, the daughter doesn’t want to marry, and the daughter wants to serve her father and mother all the time. My brother also said that if I don’t marry, he will take care of it. My whole life."

The eldest princess groaned, "Nonsense, how can a little lady not marry someone."

She hugged her daughter's thin shoulders distressedly, and coaxed softly, "My Qinghe looks like a fairy, with good conduct and temperament, and my mother will definitely find a wishful man for you."

This mother and daughter are warm and affectionate, but the mother and daughter in Ganlu Palace are full of melancholy.

Pei Lingbi put the tea cup on the table unhappily and frowned, "You all hinted so clearly, the queen, can't my aunt see it? Or she doesn't look down on me at all? I'm her niece. , What a good kiss and kiss!"

Empress Zhou could naturally see Jing Yang's perfunctory behavior, and she was annoyed in her heart. She sneered, "Your aunt has always been arrogant and short-term. In her eyes, her son and daughter are the best in the world, and no one deserves it. "

Pei Lingbi curled his lips, "Qinghe is like that, who would marry? Marry a sick seedling who can't be born and go back to be a bodhisattva? I want to say that she can marry into the door of her uncle's house, it's pretty good."

Queen Zhou said, "In any case, Longxi must be brought to our side, Qinghe marrying, or Xie Yunshi marrying, at least it must be one piece."

Pei Lingbi's eyes flashed, and an idea suddenly came up in his heart, and he whispered in Queen Zhou's ear.

Empress Zhou's face turned red and white when she heard her, she wrinkled her brows and stared at Pei Lingbi, wanting to curse "This kind of trick, your princess can also speak", but she thought it was her own daughter in front of her. , Forbearance, still suppressed the words.

Only said, "If this matter is revealed, your face will be gone, I want it!"

Pei Lingbi shrank her neck angrily, "I won't just mention it."

Suddenly, she narrowed her black eyes and revealed a faint smile, "Queen, if I use this method to take risks here, why not use it on Qinghe?"

Empress Zhou's eyebrows moved slightly.

Seeing that she didn't refute, Pei Lingbi hurriedly said, "If it's done, Liang Qinghe dare not say anything, and her aunt can only pinch her nose to admit the marriage. If it doesn't happen, Qinghe's reputation will be ruined and she will not marry Huibiao. Brother, you can only shave off and send your family to the aunt. Instead of rushing to kiss your aunt with your uncle, you might as well make a secret plan..."

She whispered and tempted, "After that, the aunt is begging you to be the queen mother. In the future, Cousin Hui will take care of the concubine and wait for the room. It is not arranged by the Zhou family."

Empress Zhou tightened her slender jade fingers dyed with Red Koudan, curling her eyebrows and thinking.

Thinking about the possibility of accomplishing this matter, at the same time, I was surprised at the insidious thoughts of my daughter—

After thinking about it, she thinks that her daughter is also very good.

Whether it is in this deceitful royal family, or in the back house where people eat people without spitting out bones, more scheming means can better settle down.