A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 261: Chapter 260 Beggar’s Chicken 2

Soon, the pile of firewood had turned into a pile of charcoal.

Xiao Xizi, who was always hungry, tossed a large handful of peanuts in their shells into it.

After a series of crackling sounds, a strong aroma of roasted peanuts wafted out.

Soon after, Xiao Xizi used a stick to dig them out one by one.

Covered in black charcoal ash and singed shells, they exuded an irresistible fragrance that made one’s mouth water.

A large plate of roasted peanuts was brought over.

Xia Ruqing smiled, grabbed a handful, wrapped them in a handkerchief, and handed them to Honored Lady Lan.

”Since you’re here, you might as well try some. They’re delicious!”

Honored Lady Lan was hesitant to accept. Lianlian, however, was more direct.

”My Lady, it’s a kind gesture from Xia Jieyu. Please accept it!”

Honored Lady Lan accepted, quite embarrassed.

”I just intended to pop in for a visit. I didn’t expect to come here and be treated to food and drink!”

They ate peanuts and drank tea.

Xia Ruqing smiled faintly.

”We can’t just eat while you watch!”

Since you’re already here, why be so embarrassed? If you genuinely felt awkward, wouldn’t it have been better not to come at all? That was the trouble with Honored Lady Lan—too coy, timid, and lacking conviction! Of course, if she had any conviction, she wouldn’t be manipulated by Lady Xi like this. Xia Ruqing suddenly felt a pang of sympathy. Would this not-so-clever woman before her be used by Lady Xi, or perhaps even framed? Of course, either way, it had nothing to do with her. Once back in the palace, she would stick to her own path. If Lady Xi were to show up today as well, she would, without a second thought, close the door and kick her out. That one was a true she-devil.

The peanuts were crisp and fragrant, and there were plenty, so mistress and servants ate them together.

By the time they finished the peanuts, the charcoal fire had mostly died down.

Xia Ruqing waited a little longer, then called out to Xiao Xizi.

”It should be ready. Dig it out!”

Xiao Xizi was also curious.

Could food cooked this way—without a pot, just buried in the earth—really be delicious?

Honored Lady Lan was curious too.

Of course, everyone was curious.

”It’s so hot!”

Xiao Xizi dug out a firmly baked, oval object that looked like a large egg.

It was scorching hot, so he dropped it on the ground.

BANG!

Everyone jumped in fright.

Xia Ruqing just laughed.

”How did it get so solid? It’s like a huge rugby ball!”

It was slightly narrower at the ends and thicker in the middle, somewhat resembling an egg.

Honored Lady Lan was a bit worried.

I wonder if it can even be opened? With such a solid exterior, the inside might be completely burnt. Can this thing really be edible?

Xia Ruqing leaned on her crutch and stepped forward.

She took a small shovel and tapped it twice.

BANG! BANG!

It sounded like tapping on pottery.

”It’s that solid?”

She touched it; indeed, it was quite hard.

”Looks like we need a tool for this!”

Just as Xia Ruqing was about to get up, Xiao Xizi produced a hammer from somewhere.

”My Lady, please step aside,” Xiao Xizi said. ”Let this servant break it open for you!”

Zi Yue was stunned and quickly helped her mistress back.

Xiao Xizi gathered all his strength and smashed down on the mud ball that looked like a giant egg.

CRACK!

A fissure appeared on the mud ball.

”It’s open, it’s open!” Lianlian exclaimed excitedly.

Zi Yue glanced at her but said nothing.

”Zi Yue, help me over there!”

”Yes, My Lady!”

Xia Ruqing went over, squatted down, and forcefully pried open the mud ball, which had already been cracked in two.

SNAP!

The mud ball broke apart.

Before they could even see what was inside, an extraordinary fragrance wafted out.

”Ah...”

”What is this aroma? It smells so good!”

Xiao Xizi leaned in closer.

Zi Yue also caught the scent.

”It really smells delicious!”

Lianlian had already run over, and Honored Lady Lan couldn’t resist either.

Xia Ruqing found a piece of cotton cloth to protect her hands and carefully took out the piping hot beggar’s chicken, which was wrapped in lotus leaves.

She placed it on a large plate.

”Luckily, it wasn’t a failure!” she said. ”Bring it to the table!”

”Alright!” Xiao Xizi replied, very pleased.

This pheasant was so big... perhaps they could also get a taste! They had never seen such a way of eating in their entire lives!

After the chicken had cooled on the table for a while, Xia Ruqing tore open the lotus leaves. A golden-brown, glistening roasted chicken, continuously emitting its extraordinary fragrance, was revealed.

”Ah! My Lady, it really smells amazing!” Xiao Xizi came over and sniffed eagerly.

”My Lady, I’m getting hungry!” Zi Yue’s eyes were wide with surprise.

Good heavens, just how many peculiar ideas did her mistress have? Who would have thought food could be made this way?

Xia Ruqing was quite smug.

”Not bad, not bad at all! This was marinated by the chefs in the Imperial Kitchen!”

”Xiao Xizi, go get a knife. I’ll slice the roasted chicken, and we’ll all have a taste!”

Xiao Xizi’s face lit up with delight.

”Yes, My Lady!”

Soon, the knife was brought over.

The roasted chicken was sliced, and everyone took a taste.

It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Aromatic to the nose and even more delicious to taste, the pheasant was quickly devoured by everyone in a few bites.

Still wanting more?

Sorry, there was none left!

All they could do was drink tea.

Honored Lady Lan had another cup of tea and felt it would be impolite to stay any longer.

It was also time for the midday meal, so she paid her respects and, accompanied by her Palace Attendants, took her leave.

Xia Ruqing didn’t ask her to stay.

After seeing Honored Lady Lan out, she went back to her room and lay down on her bed to rest.

”My Lady?” Zi Yue began, somewhat puzzled. ”Didn’t you prefer not to interact with others?”

Given the situation today, her mistress could have easily feigned illness and refused to see anyone. But, her mistress still met them.

Xia Ruqing closed her eyes, listless.

”Anyway, there was nothing much to do!” she said. ”Honored Lady Lan isn’t very clever; her foolishness is manageable. It’s that Lady Xi behind her whom we must be wary of!”

After saying this, Xia Ruqing suddenly thought of something else. ”That Lianlian...”

Zi Yue also just remembered.

”My Lady, that Lianlian... I always feel there’s something off about her!”

”She doesn’t behave like a servant at all; it’s as if she wants to make all the decisions for her mistress!”

Xia Ruqing nodded in agreement.

”I’ve had the same feeling. I sense that Lianlian is not simple!”

A mere rough-task maid, and she became a personal attendant Palace Maid so quickly? Could someone like that be simple? She looks so innocent, but isn’t this the same tactic Lady Xi uses?

With this thought, the mistress and maid exchanged glances.

”Could it be...”

Is Lianlian one of Lady Xi’s people?

They both saw shock in each other’s eyes.

Perhaps... it really was true!

Xia Ruqing sighed.

”Forget it, let’s not think about it anymore!”

That was precisely why, when Honored Lady Lan came today, she had been adamant about not letting her into the room. Honored Lady Lan herself wasn’t the issue, but what on earth was Lianlian? Besides, what if Honored Lady Lan was carrying some kind of incense to poison her in her room? Wouldn’t that be disastrous? So, it was better not to let them in. Now that she knew something was off with Lianlian, they could forget about ever getting in!

Xia Ruqing shook her head to clear it.

”Enough. Zi Yue, bring the meal!”

”Yes, My Lady!”

The midday meal was simple. Xia Ruqing ate half a coarse-grain steamed bun with a few side dishes.

It was quite tasty.

After the meal, she took her medicine and went to sleep.

Zi Yue then instructed Xiao Xizi to close the door.

”Unless it’s the Emperor, we will not receive anyone!”