Chapter 9: Princess Changle with Food Strategy!
Xiao Ran had just come out of the kitchen with a dish when he spotted Li Lizhi at the bedroom door.
“What’s up! Anything wrong?” Xiao Ran asked with a smile.
Li Lizhi stared at the fish-flavoured shredded pork in Xiao Ran’s hand and nodded quietly.
“If you’re willing, sit down, eat, and talk!” Xiao Ran suggested.
Li Lizhi felt awkward, but the food smelled too good to resist.
“Well, I won’t be polite then!” Li Lizhi replied.
Xiao Ran appeared friendly, and Li Lizhi relaxed her guard, sitting at the table. He scooped some rice into a small bowl and pushed it before Li Lizhi. These items weren’t considered precious in the twentieth century, but they were definitely a delicacy beyond the reach of people in the Tang Dynasty era.
Li Lizhi, eyeing the tomato and egg stir-fry and shredded fish-flavoured pork, couldn’t help but salivate.
During the Tang Dynasty era, salt was bitter, and other condiments were scarce. Vinegar and soy sauce existed but were hard to describe in taste. Though the ingredients were common, many condiments were unavailable in the Tang Dynasty. This was intentional on Xiao Ran’s part—to make Li Lizhi appreciate these things before venturing into business in the Tang Dynasty.
“Give it a try. If you don’t like it, I can get something else,” Xiao Ran offered.
Li Lizhi was too captivated by the flavors to care about anything else. She picked up the chopsticks and tasted the tomato and egg.
“What…what is this? Sweet and sour, with eggs…wow, this is so delicious!” Li Lizhi felt like she had discovered a new world again.
Xiao Ran explained, “It’s called a tomato!”
Tomatoes had only entered Kyushu in the Ming Dynasty, so Princess Changle of the Tang Dynasty wouldn’t be familiar with them.
“Delicious!” Li Lizhi exclaimed with a satisfied expression.
Over a thousand years ago, even aristocrats or imperial relatives might not have had as good food as the ordinary people in the 20th century.
Let’s not talk about condiments like MSG. Salt is incomparable.
“Try this!” Xiao Ran pushed the fish-flavoured shredded pork towards Li Lizhi.
Li Lizhi took a glance, and the fish-flavoured shredded pork looked appetising. After taking a bite, Li Lizhi was pleasantly surprised.
“These dishes are incredibly flavorful.”
“This meat is too tasty.”
Li Lizhi began contemplating how to get Xiao Ran into the royal kitchen so she could enjoy delicious meals every day. After a few bites, Li Lizhi suddenly stopped.
Xiao Ran quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Is it not to your liking?”
“No, I want to buy these dishes! Name your price,” Li Lizhi replied.
“These dishes don’t cost much. If the princess likes them, she can eat here. It’s not enough for me to bother making more,” Xiao Ran said.
Li Lizhi didn’t want to take advantage of Xiao Ran and explained, “I want to take them to share with my mother, the empress. She hasn’t been eating well for days.”
Only then did Xiao Ran recall that Empress Zhangsun had passed away ten years ago. He realized why Li Lizhi had been upset earlier.
“If it’s for the empress, take them without payment. I’ll prepare more for her,” Xiao Ran offered.
Li Lizhi appreciated the gesture, “Thank you. I’ll make sure she enjoys them.”
Xiao Ran thought if he could help Empress Zhangsun, he might gain Princess Changle’s trust – a valuable shortcut.
“Go ahead, enjoy your meal. I’ll prepare more for the empress later,” Xiao Ran said.
Li Lizhi insisted, “Tell me the cost. I want to pay.”
Xiao Ran smiled, thinking, “Sometimes, the most expensive things are offered for free. Money isn’t necessary.”