Chapter 83
At the duck banquet, the old man was fully immersed, savoring the rich yet non-greasy taste as the roasted duck melted in his mouth.
Xiao Yunzhou took the opportunity to savor the duck while eavesdropping.
With Xiao Chuchu nestled in his embrace, she mentally applauded him.
[Who would have thought that a commoner discovered the proper way to dip and eat roasted duck?]
[Aww, you're quite the gourmand, old chap!]
Xiao Yunzhou let out a soft chuckle and brought a slice of duck coated in white sugar to his mouth. As he chewed, the aromatic flavors burst forth.
After smoking and roasting, the exterior was crisp while the interior remained tender. The meat approached the texture of frost, melting in the mouth along with the white sugar.
Truly rich yet non-greasy, leaving only sweetness.
The very first bite mesmerized Xiao Yunzhou, who was accustomed to the Imperial Kitchen's fare.
Not to mention the ordinary commoners who seldom indulged in such extravagance on a typical day.
One bite after another, it didn't take long for the old men to devour every last morsel of the succulent roasted duck slices.
The Imperial Kitchen's cooks could hardly keep up with their ravenous pace!
"This stuffed duck is even more fragrant than the ones I buy at the East Market!"
"Juicy and tender!"
"With one bite of this duck, I could cook enough dishes for an entire day!"
As Xiao Yunzhou listened to the commoners' praises, his heart swelled with joy.
Yet his movements with the jade chopsticks, dipping the duck slices in white sugar, slowed considerably.
Although the first three bites astonished him, Xiao Yunzhou was no stranger to fine meats in the palace, and his desire for fatty foods was not as intense as the commoners'.
After three bites, the pleasure on his tongue began to wane.
Xiao Yunzhou sipped his tea to wash down the sweetness and grease lingering in his mouth.
He felt a tinge of greasiness.
"You all, please eat your fill."
"Servants, present my plate to Liu Runnian as a reward."
Xiao Yunzhou remembered Liu Runnian's contributions.
This stuffed duck was excellent in every way, except for one flaw – it was overly fattened.
As an admirer of the Dao seeking longevity, Xiao Yunzhou believed in moderating his intake.
But as he set down his chopsticks, he heard a soft exclamation from his embrace.
[By the way, where are the thin pancakes for wrapping the roasted duck meat?]
Xiao Chuchu blinked expectantly.
Xiao Yunzhou let out a soft gasp, nearly forgetting that the little princess had earlier inquired about the pancakes.
Although he had embraced a diet for longevity and lost interest in meat, he remained curious about the celestial realm's cuisine and glanced towards the Imperial Kitchen's cooks.
"Ahem..."
Looking around, Xiao Yunzhou noticed the cooks had not prepared any pancakes, and his gaze flickered.
His eyes then fell upon the graying Chancellor Fu Cha nearby.
Xiao Yunzhou raised his hand, "In my early years, Chancellor Fu Cha instructed me and taught me of his fondness for spring pancakes."
Chancellor Fu Cha had just swallowed a bite of the exquisite, sugar-coated roasted duck skin that melted in the mouth when he heard the emperor's words. He froze in confusion.
Spring pancakes? What?
Well, the emperor certainly knew how to open a random topic!
At the moment, he only craved this roasted duck!
Chancellor Fu Cha smiled awkwardly, then heard the emperor's next statement.
"Servants, prepare some pancakes for Chancellor Fu Cha."
"..."
Chancellor Fu Cha's chopsticks stiffened.
Was the emperor doing this intentionally?
Because he had criticized the emperor during the morning court session, the emperor was now denying him roasted duck and offering him pancakes instead?
He didn't want that; he only desired the marvelous roasted duck that melted in the mouth!
"Your Majesty, you still remember this old servant's youthful tastes. I am deeply grateful. But my teeth are not as strong as before..."
[Do you think Chancellor Fu Cha can chew the roasted duck pancakes?]
[The pancakes are very thin, soft and slightly chewy when eaten hot.]
Xiao Chuchu looked at Chancellor Fu Cha.
[I've seen the chancellor gnawing on pork knuckles at home.]
"..."
Xiao Yunzhou suppressed a laugh.
He then gestured to Chancellor Fu Cha with a slight nod and a smile, "I know the chancellor's teeth are not as strong as in his prime years. Rest assured. Imperial Chef, did you hear that? The pancakes for Chancellor Fu Cha must be rolled as thin as silk paper. Serve them piping hot."
Chancellor Fu Cha could no longer refuse and could only acknowledge with a twitching expression.
Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, several Imperial Chefs worked in tandem and brought out several bamboo steamers filled with paper-thin, snow-white hot pancakes.
Chancellor Fu Cha looked on reluctantly.
Others ate meat while he ate pancakes... how vexing.
"Chancellor, give it a try."
Chancellor Fu Cha sighed inwardly, unwillingly picking up a translucent, thin pancake from the steamer basket.
Like wrapping a spring pancake, he reluctantly added some scallions and cucumber strips that a eunuch had brought over...
Then he stole a glance at the emperor, who was still watching him intently, gritted his teeth, and slipped in two thin slices of duck meat.
Akin to typical spring pancakes, he rolled it up and dipped it in the sauce dish.
With some difficulty, he brought it to his mouth and took a bite.
The emperor still harbored resentment against him as his former tutor.
It was only natural for humans to have personal biases, and he was no exception, wanting to protect the Fu family.
But heavens knew that during the morning court session, his critique of Liu Runnian held no personal agenda!
For the emperor to punish him this way, denying him meat like the other ministers, truly wounded his heart.
The shoulders of the aged Chancellor Fu Cha slumped further.
Without enthusiasm, he brought the duck-filled pancake to his mouth and took a bite.
Even if the emperor held grudges against him and denied him meat, he would still offer critiques next time...
But as he thought this, it only lasted a fleeting moment – Chancellor Fu Cha straightened up!
His eyes widened!
The slightly chewy yet soft pancake, heated to the perfect temperature, gently enveloped the crisp, tender scallions and cucumber strips. The refreshing cucumber texture momentarily collided with the perfectly roasted, fatty and lean duck slices!
Coated in the sweet sauce, the flavors of savory, salty, fragrant, sweet, soft, crisp, and tender unfolded in waves, layering upon one another!
Chancellor Fu Cha's eyes lit up as he swiftly devoured the entire duck-filled pancake in just two ravenous bites.
Xiao Yunzhou had been observing him and was taken aback.
Was it truly that delicious?
A man who had always prided himself on maintaining a dignified, composed demeanor now resembled the nearby farmers in his frantic, eager manner of eating?
Chancellor Fu Cha had already begun rolling his second pancake, his gaze excitedly meeting the emperor's.
He had wronged the emperor!
"Your Majesty, thank you for remembering this old servant."
"This duck meat, wrapped in spring pancakes, is truly exquisite!"
Chancellor Fu Cha's heart filled with regret for having misjudged the emperor.
Xiao Yunzhou's temper was fiery, but his intentions were pure.
Though stern at times, Xiao Yunzhou was not a heartless, unscrupulous ruler!
Overwhelmed with emotion and remorse for wrongly accusing the emperor, Chancellor Fu Cha spoke as if guiding the prince he had once tutored.
"This pastry needs to have some shredded melon strands, with the right amount of duck meat - not too much and not too little - just enough to roll it up properly, and then dip it in the sauce to eat without any white sugar."
Xiao Yunzhou laughed, then raised his hand, "Alright, Chancellor Fu Cha, please make a pastry for your Emperor to try."
He didn't want to eat too much either.
But as soon as he said this, the Chancellor, who had just been treating him like a student, suddenly froze with an awkward expression.
"Your Majesty, you should have your own portion."
"This basket only has ten pastries in total for your humble servant."
Xiao Yunzhou: "???"
[Hahaha~ Chancellor Fu Cha, ten pastries are not enough for you? Didn't you just say your teeth aren't up for it?]
Xiao Chuchu was chuckling gleefully in Xiao Yunzhou's embrace.
[But it's really delicious~]
[Who would have thought that Chancellor Fu Cha discovered the proper way to eat roasted duck pastries, thanks to my Emperor father~]
Xiao Yunzhou listened and laughed, "Alright, since Chancellor Fu Cha enjoys it so much, let's steam a few more baskets."
"Give one pastry to each commoner who has come here today, so they can all have a taste!"
That day, not only did the commoners eat happily, but even the immortality-seeking vegetarian Xiao Yunzhou ate a full nine roasted duck pastries!
If Xiao Chuchu hadn't been hungry, he would have kept going.
"Oh my heavens, I've never eaten anything so good in my whole life!"
"This isn't duck meat, it's like eating gold and jade."
"Hey, I'm not eating anything else today, I want to keep this taste in my mouth~"
Not only the commoners, but even the scholars at the foot of the mountain received the roasted duck pastries and were ecstatic.
Although the meat was less than enough, it was still incredibly delicious.
In no time, several roasted duck poems emerged from the mouths of the students.
[Hmm?]
Xiao Chuchu nodded off drowsily, and her system gave her another notification.
[The roasted duck earned me over 1000 points~]
[Wow!]
Xiao Yunzhou was overjoyed, his daughter's divine power had increased!?
[Hehe, I can draw again!]
[Let me see...]
[Oh my, 'How to Audit a Company', 'Fundamentals of Accounting', 'Fundamentals of Finance' - these skill books are all about accounting and making money.]
"...!"