novelraw Chapter 107 The Demonic Cult Leader Cries His Head in the Toilet...
Chapter 107 The Demonic Cult Leader Cries His Head in the Toilet...
Chapter 107 The Demonic Cult Leader Cries His Head in the Toilet...
At the north gate of the capital, banners stood tall, flags fluttered, and drums and music resounded, clearly audible for miles around.
On the city tower, Liu Dinghuan sat on the dragon throne, flanked by three ranks of civil and military officials. Below the tower, the Imperial Guards, fully armored and armed with spears, stood majestically.
The purpose of setting up such a display was naturally to welcome Xu Qingya's triumphant return. This relief effort for the disaster victims was no less significant than a major victory in quelling border troubles.
The imperial court's authority was preserved, the people's sense of belonging to the court strengthened, and petty scheming was suppressed. Naturally, Liu Dinghuan's throne became more and more secure.
As the convoy approached, the dragon throne, which should have been perfectly stable, seemed to get so hot it burned his bottom. Liu Dinghuan stood up, arranged the imperial carriage, and personally went out to greet them.
Upon seeing the imperial carriage, Xu Qingya and Liu Qingci had no choice but to dismount and walk to the city gate. There, they pulled out a thick stack of memorials, as thick as bricks: "Your Majesty, we have not failed in our mission!"
Liu Dinghuan proclaimed loudly, "With a hero like Minister Xu assisting us, it is a blessing for all the people of the world. On behalf of the people of Bianliang, I toast Minister Xu—"
Before he finished speaking, a maid brought over a golden cup and goblet.
There were no luxurious items in the palace originally. These wine vessels came from the Liancheng Treasure. There were seven or eight boxes of luxurious gold and silver utensils inside. Xu Qingya found the treasure, and he was the first to enjoy the luxury!
Xu Qingya picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Liu Qingci quickly stepped forward, her eyes blinking like a camera shutter. Liu Dinghuan sighed and poured Liu Qingci another cup to commend her for her achievement.
Liu Dinghuan personally went out of the city to welcome him. Logically, what followed should have been a reward ceremony and a banquet, with the party going on until late at night. However, in reality, Xu Qingya was kicked out of the palace by Liu Dinghuan before he could even have a meal.
In Liu Dinghuan's words, "The people are suffering, and I am deeply worried day and night. Daily life is kept simple. If Minister Xu wishes to stay for a meal in the palace, that's fine too. I've had the imperial chefs prepare a few roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers). Make do with that."
What else can Xu Qingya say?
This was exactly what Xu Qingya had been longing for!
While staying in the palace to enjoy the victory banquet, Xu Qingya was inevitably bombarded with questions and probing from a group of old men, which enraged him and could very well lead to a fight on the spot.
Let Liu Dinghuan deal with these people!
Xu Qingya had more important things to do.
After leaving the palace, Xu Qingya returned to the Jing'an Marquis's residence as quickly as possible. Inside the residence, Yang Yan, Yin Susu, and Qin Nanqin prepared a meal to welcome Xu Qingya back.
This is a welcome banquet; the victory celebration banquet will be held in the evening.
It's only a celebration banquet if everyone attends.
The threshold of the Marquis of Jing'an's residence seemed to possess a magical power.
The moment Xu Qingya stepped across the threshold, weary from his journey of providing disaster relief, suppressing bandits, and tireless work, as well as the resilience hidden in his bones, were all quietly melted away by the warmth and wisps of smoke rising from the chimney.
The mansion was brightly lit, dispelling the gloom and cold of the continuous rain and the oppressive atmosphere of unpredictable storms. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of food—not the exquisite and refined dishes of the imperial kitchen, but the taste of home.
As Xu Qingya walked into the living room and around the screen wall, the scene before her warmed her heart. The octagonal table in the main hall was covered with bowls and plates, all made by her family.
Yang Yan carefully placed the steaming hot yam and chicken soup in the middle. The rising steam smudged the distant mountain eyebrows she had drawn that morning, making her look less sharp and more gentle than a fairy or a female knight-errant.
She looked up, her clear eyes filled with joy and tenderness: "Qingya, you're home!"
Yang Yan's voice is gentle and soothing, with the calming and comforting quality of a virtuous wife and loving mother, carrying a gentle power that can soothe all melancholy and restlessness.
"Go wash your hands, the food is just warm."
She strode forward and naturally helped Xu Qingya take off her outer robe. Her gaze swept over the dark circles under Xu Qingya's eyes and her face, which had become noticeably thinner. Her fingertips paused almost imperceptibly, and she hid her heartache in the back of Xu Qingya as she turned to hang up her clothes, turning it into a gentler urging.
"Qingya, are you starving? His Majesty the Emperor is really something, not even providing a proper meal."
Yin Susu picked up the fragrant stewed beef brisket from the red clay stove, and scoffed at the words, her arrogant and boastful demeanor as always: "Isn't that right! A dignified imperial envoy and a meritorious official in disaster relief, and all he gets upon his return is a few roujiamo (Chinese meat sandwiches)? Luckily, Sister Yang had the foresight to prepare them in advance. The emperor is really stingy."
She pushed the casserole dish in front of Xu Qingya with the arrogance of a demonic witch: "Here! Try it! I've been watching it simmer on the stove for most of the day. And this eggplant fritter, I made it myself. Even my father has never eaten it."
Qingya, look at you, your chin is so pointed! When you make shoe soles for the kids, you won't need an awl, just your chin will do. You always watch Lingsu eat meat and make her regain her strength, but I think you should get yours back too.
Let me tell you, Yang and I haven't had a moment's rest these past few days. We've been learning to cook with Chef Chen, and we made all of these dishes ourselves. Don't leave any leftovers!
I'm going to keep an eye on you and make sure you eat it all!
Qin Nanqin quietly set the table, a smile playing on her lips, enjoying this heartwarming scene.
Xu Qingya washed his hands and was pulled by Yang Yan to sit down in the main seat. Yin Susu had carefully filled his bowl with a rich and fragrant meat broth.
On the table were the fruits of Yang Yan and Yin Susu's hard work over the past month: in addition to braised beef brisket and yam chicken soup, there were also bright green stir-fried seasonal vegetables, golden and crispy fried lotus root slices, and a plate of carefully pickled cucumbers.
"Qingya, have a taste!"
Yang Yan nestled beside Xu Qingya, placing a piece of tender, flavorful stewed beef on his plate, a spoonful of chicken soup with golden oil flakes and soft, glutinous yam floating on top, and a few slices of crisp, refreshing lotus root, eggplant, and greens—
Xu Qingya buried his head in his food, feeling warm in his stomach and body, and even more so in his heart, as if he were soaking in a hot spring. He was so comfortable that he almost fell asleep. The sword fights of bandit suppression, the exhaustion of disaster relief efforts, and the undercurrents in the court all temporarily vanished in this small hall filled with the aroma of food and the warmth of his lover.
"Home is the best—it's so comfortable!"
Xu Qingya looked up from his rice bowl. It had been a mountain of rice. He wolfed down dozens of mouthfuls, finally managing to eat half of it before he could see a little bit of rice left.
Upon hearing this, Yang Yan softly hummed in agreement, her smile deepening. Her eyes were filled with unwavering trust and enduring affection, like waves encircling a reef, silently supporting the roots of a giant tree, forever and silently highlighting the clouds surrounding its towering peak.
The leader of the evil cult fainted in the toilet!
The Great Compassion Ode of Yin and Yang in the Interplay of Heaven and Earth! The ultimate skill personally passed down by the leader, have you forgotten it so quickly?
After a simple meal, everyone enjoyed a rare moment of peace. In the afternoon, Xu Qingya took a long, deep nap before going to the imperial kitchen to select ingredients.
I wanted to take the duck home to roast, but unfortunately we don't have a dedicated oven at home, so I had to use the one from the imperial kitchen!
Fortunately, the palace was only two streets away from the Jing'an Marquis's residence. After Xu Qingya finished making the roast duck, he quickly returned to the residence using his light-footed skills, so the taste would not be affected.
In the royal dining room.
The imperial chefs were eyeing Xu Qingya covetously.
Their culinary skills far surpass those of Xu Qingya; they are chefs for state banquets, while Xu Qingya runs a small, unassuming restaurant.
However, Xu Qingya is good-looking, and the way she serves dishes is pleasing to the eye. She also has a silver tongue and can talk a lot. Even a simple stir-fried cabbage can be described in a wonderful way.
If it were just that, it wouldn't be so bad. Imperial chefs weren't qualified to dine at the same table as the emperor, and they weren't expected to explain the cuisine to him. The problem was that Xu Qingya's act of making roast duck was a provocation against their culinary skills.
Making hot pot and barbecue doesn't require much skill; as long as the ingredients are fresh, you can basically guarantee the taste.
As for his knife skills in cutting meat and vegetables, the imperial chef admitted that he was inferior to Xu Qingya. Xu Qingya was a descendant of the "Martial Saint" and was born to wield a knife, able to whittle rotten wood into hair.
The problem is that a month ago, the emperor suddenly had a craving for roast duck and ordered Xu Qingya to make it.
Xu Qingya went to the imperial kitchen and said that the ingredients were too poor, the ducks were too thin and not suitable for roast duck. He refused the emperor outright and then presented the imperial kitchen chef with a feeding recipe to feed the ducks!
How the hell can I tolerate this?
This is our cooking skill!
Let's see just how capable Lord Xu really is!
Liu Qingci and Yin Susu watched with great interest, cheering on Xu Qingya. Hua Baifeng and Qin Nanqin prepared side dishes at home, while Yang Yan, Cheng Lingsu, and Beitang Xin'er waited quietly for their meal.
Cheng Lingsu wanted to help, but seeing the imperial chefs' menacing expressions, she could only reluctantly leave the kitchen and watch helplessly as the chefs cooked seven or eight dishes of side dishes.
Xu Qingya is never stage-frightened.
Surrounded by a group of imperial chefs, Xu Qingya selected a few large, fat ducks, coughed lightly, and slightly changed his accent. With just that one light cough, the "old gourmet" flavor rushed to his head.
"Gentlemen, please take a look. This duck is very particular! You can't just grab any duck and put it in the oven to roast. The shredded meat can fill the gaps between your teeth."
Xu Qingya tapped the duck's body with the back of his knife, feeling the elasticity of the duck meat, and explained with satisfaction: "It must be a carefully fed duck, the fattest and strongest, with the layer of fat between the skin and meat just the right thickness."
It's too thin; it will become dry and tough after baking.
It's too thick; it's too greasy to eat.
There's a proper way to judge a person's weight!
In terms of material selection, a large number were eliminated!
Xu Qingya deftly prepared the ducks, hung them on the oven, and pointed to the charcoal, saying, "Speaking of fire, there's a lot more to it. See this charcoal? I'm using top-quality fruitwood charcoal. Keep an eye on the Imperial Garden and collect some when the eunuchs are pruning the flowers and trees."
I took a stroll in the Imperial Garden and actually found some firewood suitable for roasting duck. This is jujube wood, which is pure and mild in nature. When it burns, the flame is steady, and it produces little smoke with a fruity fragrance. This fragrance is not just for show; it can seep into the duck meat along with the wisps of smoke.
Forced ducks are fatter than regular ducks, and when roasted, the fat renders out, making them easy to get greasy. I use fruitwood charcoal to roast the duck, which slightly reduces the greasiness and adds a subtle sweetness to the duck skin.
To what extent should it be baked?
Look at the small, evenly spaced bubbles on the duck skin. That means it's cooked perfectly; the fat under the skin has melted, separating the skin from the meat, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth crispness—that's what makes it so satisfying to eat!
With a large family, one duck was clearly not enough, so Xu Qingya roasted a full seven. The imperial kitchen's oven could only roast a maximum of seven ducks at a time.
Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, the first batch of roast ducks was taken out of the pot. Liu Qingci was about to come over and try some when Xu Qingya grabbed her arm. Xu Qingya put the roast ducks down, picked up a small knife, and prepared to perform his duck-slicing skills.
Many roast duck restaurants like to carve the duck in front of customers. Firstly, it proves to customers that we have not stolen any duck meat and that all the duck's ingredients are in front of them. Secondly, it is a kind of performance. The chef's skills are good, and the process of carving the duck is pleasing to the eye, making customers' appetites whetted.
"Slicing duck is a craft!"
Xu Qingya rolled up his sleeves, and with a flash of his knife, he precisely sliced off a piece of duck breast skin and meat. The skin and meat together had an amber sheen. His movements were fluid and graceful. The crispy duck skin fell off with a sound, followed closely by the duck meat.
Each piece is uniform in size, resembling a flower petal.
"When slicing duck, the key is to slice it with the skin on and cut into the meat with every cut." It is said that the most skilled chefs can slice a whole roasted duck into exactly 108 pieces, forming a celestial constellation, to wish diners a happy reunion.
The crust is crispy but not burnt, crunchy but not hard;
This meat is tender, juicy, and has distinct marbling;
It shouldn't be too thick, otherwise it's difficult to eat;
It also can't be too thin, otherwise it will lose its texture;
Cooking is all about color, aroma, and flavor. Beautifully sliced food makes for a more pleasant eating experience and ensures more even flavor distribution.
He arranged the sliced duck meat on a plate in concentric circles, like peony petals.
"It's sliced, we have to eat it while it's hot!"
The food's cold, the skin's mushy, the meat's tough—even a god couldn't save it. Qingci, Susu, come and try some, especially Qingci, I can see your mouth is watering!
Xu Qingya picked up a lotus leaf pancake, spread some sauce on it, added shredded scallions and cucumber, carefully wrapped it up, and before he could hand it over, Liu Qingci pounced over and swallowed the roast duck in one gulp.
Yin Susu looked at Liu Qingci with a face full of regret.
Liu Qingci chewed with gusto, his face full of pride, completely losing his princely demeanor.
Xu Qingya rolled another one for Yin Susu: "These ingredients seem simple, but there are many tricks to them. The sweet bean sauce is an old recipe from a few old shops. It is carefully simmered, thick but not mushy, sweet with a hint of salt, and has a rich and mellow sauce aroma."
Only this kind of sauce can bring out the richness of the duck without overpowering it. If you like it sweet, you can add some plum sauce for an even sweeter flavor.
The scallion shreds must be from Zhangqiu, with only the white part remaining. They should be crisp and tender, removing any fishy smell and enhancing the freshness. The spiciness should be just right; too much and it will be overpowering, too little and it will be lacking.
When making tortillas, it's important to leave a border and fold them up like you're folding a blanket. This helps to lock in the sauce and prevents it from spilling all over your hands and ruining your meal.
The edges of the pancake must be tightly sealed to prevent the sauce from leaking out. With one bite, the chewy pancake, the crispy duck skin, the tender duck meat, the savory sauce, the spicy scallions, and the refreshing cucumber strips all blend together in your mouth.
This is called "harmonizing the five flavors"!
The feast cannot be complete without any one ingredient!
"Susu, this is for you, have a taste!"
Yin Susu took it triumphantly and winked at Liu Qingci: I have an explanation, you don't!
Liu Qingci: I took the first bite!
Yin Susu: The first bite? Yang Yan ate the first bite a long time ago. Go and fight with Yang Yan for it!
Liu Qingci glared at Xu Qingya, who then rolled up two more rolls for Liu Qingci and continued to explain: "Eating roast duck is quite greasy. By this point, you should be feeling a bit greasy. What I just described was a refined way of eating. Now, let's switch to a more vigorous way of eating, and enjoy it more heartily."
First, prepare some minced garlic, add a few drops of soy sauce, and then serve the roast duck with the minced garlic. The spiciness of the minced garlic will dilute the greasiness of the roast duck.
Qingci, this is yours!
Susu, this is yours!
Pure words — Pure words — Pure words —
You two little gluttons, you've already finished a whole duck before the food even arrived! There are generally two ways to use the remaining duck carcass: one is to stew it in soup, and the other is to use it like a fried chicken carcass to make a salt and pepper duck carcass.
I won't embarrass myself by offering this part.
Several experienced chefs have decided to use three of these seven duck carcasses to make old duck soup, and the remaining four to make salt and pepper duck carcasses.
"Qingci, Susu, stop sulking! You two can't eat alone! Come help me serve the food!"
Each of the three carried two large plates and returned to the Jing'an Marquis's residence as quickly as possible. The imperial chefs, seeing the neatly cut duck carcass and a plate of roast duck that Xu Qingya had left for them, swarmed over to it.
"Lord Xu is truly capable!"
"There's always someone better. We have to admire Master Xu's skill in making roast duck!"
"Lord Xu's roast duck skills are so superb, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they're the best in the world! They're amazing!"
"Yes, yes, the best duck in the world!"
"Stop asking for a change! Quickly take these stir-fried dishes to Lord Xu, along with the old duck soup and duck carcass. We may not know how to make roast duck, but we can't make a mess of the soup. Everyone, perk up! Nobody can slack off!"
The imperial chefs were busy preparing the dishes.
Xu Qingya and his girlfriends enjoyed a celebratory banquet.
In the palace, Liu Dinghuan was reviewing memorials and examining Xu Qingya's "Disaster Relief Notes," while Mi Cangqiong stood beside him, vividly recounting the affairs of the imperial kitchen.
Looking at the empty room, Liu Dinghuan thought of the bustling Jing'an Marquis's residence and sighed deeply.
"Grandpa Rice!"
"This old servant is here!"
"Issuing Qingci in confinement for three days."
"what?"
"How dare a prince go to the imperial kitchen?"
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