As dusk approached, Leng Ruo Li summoned the dozen or so employees from her Jin Xiu Pavilion to An Ji Tang for a deer meat feast.
This was Leng Ruo Li's first time cooking and eating wild deer meat. In her previous life, wild sika deer were first-class protected animals, and anyone caught hunting them would face imprisonment.
To ensure the deer meat was delicious, Leng Ruo Li specifically entered her personal space to thoroughly research deer meat recipes online.
There were various ways to prepare it: stewed deer soup, braised deer, dry pot deer, stir-fried deer with chili... and even roasted deer.
However, Leng Ruo Li chose only three methods: stewed deer soup, stir-fried deer with chili, and roasted deer. She selected portions for the soup and stir-fry, and roasted the rest.
Next, Leng Ruo Li removed any gamey or musky odors from all the deer meat. After marinating it with seasonings, she led Liu Nian Hua and Xing Er in preparing the side dishes.
Before long, Leng Ruo Li had the deer meat soup simmering. She then began preparing other dishes.
While deer meat was the main course for the evening, the guests couldn't exclusively eat deer meat. Moreover, some of the patients present were unable to consume deer meat. Therefore, Leng Ruo Li had people go out and buy fresh fish, chicken, and several types of fresh vegetables.
These fresh ingredients filled the small kitchen at An Ji Tang to capacity, as four tables were set for the evening meal.
With the help of several culinary experts, Leng Ruo Li busied herself in the small kitchen of An Ji Tang for nearly an hour before the evening meal was ready.
In the evening, as the night deepened, the An Ji Tang was filled with a rich and enticing aroma of food, accompanied by bursts of laughter and joy.
Four tables were set up in the employee dining hall of An Ji Tang, and everyone had already found their seats.
The guests for the evening included the staff of An Ji Tang, employees of Jin Xiu Pavilion, Leng Ruo Li's personal maids and guards, the Yan Shan brothers, the Marquis Jing Yuan's family of three, Shui Yi and their retinue, and the unfortunate woman Tao Xiang Qing.
Leng Ruo Li, the Marquis Jing Yuan's family of three, the Chu siblings, Shui Yi, Tao Xiang Qing, and Ye Ying were seated at the main table.
"Tonight, we cast aside all formalities and dine together. Everyone, please feel at ease and eat heartily... Let us begin the feast."
Before the meal, Leng Ruo Li made a few brief remarks. Once she finished, she immediately invited everyone to start eating.
Bai Yu Xuan, unable to eat deer or fish due to her recent surgery, had a piece of hand-shredded chicken placed into her bowl by Leng Ruo Li.
"County Princess, although you cannot eat deer meat or fish, you can still eat chicken. This hand-shredded chicken is my first attempt at this preparation. Please try it."
Leng Ruo Li looked at Bai Yu Xuan and smiled faintly.
Upon hearing Leng Ruo Li's words, Bai Yu Xuan quickly took the piece of chicken Leng Ruo Li had placed in her bowl, chewed it with relish, and found it delicious.
"Second Royal Sister-in-law, this hand-shredded chicken you made is even tastier than roast chicken, in my opinion."
As she spoke, Bai Yu Xuan reached for another piece of chicken, put it in her mouth, and praised its exquisite flavor.
This caused those who hadn't yet picked up their chopsticks to swallow in anticipation.
Subsequently, everyone eagerly picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.
The Marchioness Jing Yuan glanced at the Marquis Jing Yuan seated beside her, feeling that her husband was too thin (this was merely the Marchioness's perception; the Marquis was not thin at all, but rather quite robust). She then took his soup bowl and ladled a large bowl of deer meat soup for him.
She then smiled and said, "Husband, you are so thin. Quickly drink this bowl of deer meat soup to nourish yourself."
As soon as the Marchioness Jing Yuan finished speaking, a wave of laughter erupted from the assembled guests.
The Marquis Jing Yuan's face immediately turned red with embarrassment.
"Madam, most of these people are our juniors. Can we be a little more discreet?"
"Husband, it's alright. These juniors have more spirit than us. They're just enjoying themselves."
After the Marchioness Jing Yuan spoke, the laughter intensified.
Fearing her husband might get angry, the Marchioness Jing Yuan playfully winked at him. With just a few of these gestures, she captivated his attention.
In fact, his wife was not old, having just turned thirty. Her features were exquisitely refined, with a hint of delicate charm in her brows and eyes. Her voice was gentle, and her petite, graceful stature made her appear exceptionally youthful.
He, on the other hand, was past fifty, dark-complexioned, and looked rather aged. When his wife sat beside him, an unfamiliar observer might have mistaken them for father and daughter.
Previously, despite having a beautiful wife and several delicate concubines, he had sought pleasure outside, which had severely strained his relationship with his wife.
In fact, the Empress Dowager had reprimanded him several times for this matter.
However, recently, his wife seemed to have used some special product, as her skin had become much better, becoming a shade fairer than before. And her lustrous, soft black hair, somehow treated with aromatic spices, had become smooth, fragrant, and silky, which he found incredibly alluring.
As the Marquis Jing Yuan gazed at his wife, his blood began to boil, and he felt a strong resurgence of desire. Lately, he could not seem to get enough of his wife.
No, tonight, he decided, he would leave Xuan'er at the medical clinic. After dinner, he would coax his wife back to their residence for a night of tender intimacy.
The Marquis Jing Yuan was lost in these thoughts.
At that moment, Shui Yi suddenly spoke, placing a piece of hand-shredded chicken into his mouth and savoring it.
"Cold Royal Consort, I truly admire you. Not only have you mastered exquisite medical skills at such a young age, but you also possess superb culinary talents. I've even heard that your literary talents are quite considerable. You are truly capable and remarkable..."
At this moment, Shui Yi's gaze towards Leng Ruo Li was filled with utter adoration.
"Envious, aren't you? Our Cold Royal Consort is an all-rounder. I've hardly ever encountered anything that the Cold Royal Consort couldn't do," interjected Chu Ming Xuan, who had been sitting silently beside Chu Miao Ling.
Hearing Chu Ming Xuan speak, Leng Ruo Li also noticed something. Ever since Bai Yu Xuan began visiting An Ji Tang for treatment, Chu Ming Xuan seemed to have become remarkably well-behaved. His attire had become particularly refined, and he spoke less. It was worth noting that Chu Ming Xuan had been known as a notorious chatterbox in An Ji Tang previously.
"You two, stop with the flattery. I'm not one for such things. Let's all eat quickly."
With that, Leng Ruo Li urged everyone to eat.
Everyone enjoyed this year's meal immensely.