The Soldier King Becomes a Useless Little Girl-Chapter 862 - 860: A Skillful Recommendation
"Grand Empress Dowager, didn’t my mother just enjoy some honey? She had sugar lotus root this morning. She even specially brought some for you to taste."
Little Xinzhuo seized the opportunity to speak.
Smiling, Shi Pin presented a small food box.
Inside the food box were a few small plates, each with neatly sliced sugar lotus root.
The Empress Dowager had lived a long life and had seen all kinds of delicacies and amusements.
But she had not quite seen such sugar lotus root before.
"Empress Dowager, you praised my good complexion lately. There isn’t any secret, really; I’ve just been eating this specially-made sugar lotus root. The honey nourishes, the glutinous rice detoxifies, and the lotus root itself is nurturing. I’ve indulged and eaten quite a lot, even gained some weight, so the Emperor teased me about it."
Shi Pin laughed, covering her mouth.
Compared to Empress Feng, who had been overwhelmed sorting out the birthday banquet and likely stressing with more gray hair sprouting, Shi Pin’s days were undeniably better.
Little Xinzhuo was excelling at Qingtian Academy, and Shi Pin visited the Empress Dowager daily for chats, occasionally gifting the other concubines some small trinkets and snacks made by Xin Lin, making life in the Imperial Palace increasingly pleasant.
Emperor Longteng appreciated Shi Pin’s gentle grace. Coupled with Empress Dowager’s frequent praises, Emperor Longteng grew more fond of Shi Pin, favoring her more than when she first entered the palace.
As they say, a joyous spirit thrives—after indulging in sugar lotus root several times, Shi Pin’s complexion bloomed like that of a blossoming young maiden.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager picked up a piece of sugar lotus root and took a bite.
The sweet and sticky texture, combined with the fragrant glutinous rice, immediately earned her praise.
"Which Imperial Chef created this dessert? It tastes splendid indeed. It’s far better than the desserts served at the birthday banquet these days."
The Empress Dowager repeatedly commended.
The birthday banquet in the Imperial Palace was quite grand these days, with a plethora of dishes showcased.
The Empress Dowager, who preferred light flavors, however ended up with a lack of appetite after a few days.
"This wasn’t made by the Imperial Chef but by a Spiritual Delicacy Master from the common people—the same little chef who made the vegetarian buns. Previously, I was worried you’d reprimand me for bringing civilian desserts into the palace, so I didn’t mention it."
Shi Pin cautiously explained.
"A Spiritual Delicacy Master from beyond the palace! Honestly, the palace Imperial Chefs cycle the same dishes. In comparison, civilian snacks are much more interesting and flavorful. When I was your age, I’d sneak out of the palace and was admonished by the late Emperor several times."
The Empress Dowager reminisced, unknowingly helping herself to more sugar lotus root.
"By the way, today, the grand banquet for the birthday celebration is about to begin. The Imperial Kitchen’s desserts have become too stale. Can that Little Spirit Chef come to the palace? If possible, take my written permission and bring him in to prepare a few desserts and buns. I’ve been pondering on what birthday gift to give my son—perhaps have him make some birthday buns."
On this spontaneous decision, the Empress Dowager granted Shi Pin a written permission.
"I was thinking the same, only afraid the Empress might perceive me as overstepping."
Shi Pin, upon hearing this, felt secretly delighted.
This sugar lotus root trick was, of course, not Shi Pin’s own idea but orchestrated by Xin Lin for entry into the palace.
After receiving the written permission, Shi Pin promptly sought out Little Xinzhuo and asked him to deliver it out of the palace.
Meanwhile, Xin Lin had just stepped out from the School Clinic. After leaving the Huang family last night, she had ghost soldiers communicate with Little Xinzhuo and sent some sugar lotus root into the palace.
For this birthday banquet, she had prepared a considerable amount of ingredients. As for whether she could save Huang Xuerou’s father—it would all depend on luck.
