Chapter 5 Chapter Five Palace

Many days passed, and Han Shanggong ignored Jang Geum at all.Not only did she not teach anything, she even seldom talked to her.Jang Geum was anxious, but he couldn't figure out why. There are so many things Jang Geum wants to learn, but Han Shanggong only asks her to do the dishes.In fact, just washing dishes is not enough in one day.Jang Geum still spent a lot of time washing dishes.As long as you do everything well, sooner or later, Han Shanggong will come to you.Now, Jang Geum can only pin his hopes on washing dishes. For a period of time, it has been raining earth from the sky.For five consecutive days, soil rain covered the sky all over the country, so the palace decided to hold a ceremony to sacrifice to heaven on the seventh day of the lunar month.At that time, soil rain was the retribution for the failure of the monarch or the injustice of officials, and it was also a huge disaster.During the reign of King Chengzong, it rained continuously for 22 days, and it also rained during the reign of Lord Yanshan, causing the people to be in constant panic.His Majesty has ascended the throne "anyway" and has just ascended the throne.

The rainy weather lasted for many days, and the faces of everyone in the imperial dining room were as gray as the sky.Blessings never come singly, misfortunes never come singly, and finally something happened. At dawn, Jang Jin followed Han Shanggong to the yard, and Min Nei came running towards him. "The big thing is bad!" "Early in the morning, what happened?" "The cooking kitchen in the Empress Dowager's Palace is in a mess. Everyone is waiting there, go and have a look!" Han Shanggong had a premonition that something was going wrong, so he stopped asking questions and went straight to the burning kitchen in Queen Mother Zhang's hall.Only Jang Jin was left here, and she walked to the well as a matter of course.

When Han Shanggong rushed to burn the kitchen, the most noble palace was questioning Yan Shanggong in the Empress Dowager's Hall. "How did these foods rot like this?" "I don't know why this happened. The queen mother said that she would have breakfast early this morning, so I prepared all the ingredients and put them there last night. I just came here to have a look, and who knew it would become like this gone." "It's not summer now, and the seafood ingredients are not used. Are you making excuses for yourself? How could all the ingredients spoil in just one night? Did they spoil before preparing the ingredients last night?"

"No. How can I not tell the difference between this? And it's not one or two, all the materials are spoiled. There must be some special reason." "Who is responsible for keeping the materials here?" An insider stood up. "I am in charge." "Have you been negligent in keeping these materials?" "No. There was no problem with the materials just brought back from Neizi Temple yesterday evening." Neizi Temple is responsible for keeping the food materials needed by the palace. "What the hell!" The most noble palace thought about it, but still couldn't figure it out, so he took some of each food to taste it.At this time, a wife hurried in.

"Mommy, something is wrong!" "what happened again?" "The food in the East Palace has also gone bad!" "How can there be such a strange thing..." The most noble palace was too anxious to speak.Han Shanggong was listening and stammered something. "Mommy, I dare to say something, I should see if the food in the imperial dining room of the main hall has also gone bad..." "Who is on duty in the imperial dining room of the main hall this morning?" "It's Shenshang Palace." "Hurry up and take a look!"

Fortunately, there was no abnormality in the food in the imperial dining room of the main hall, and Shen Shanggong was angry about other problems. "The bowls and vegetables haven't been delivered yet. What's going on? Tell me about the recipe!" "I clearly told her that she must finish all the washing last night..." "what?" "I mean Jang Geum." "So many dishes are handed over to Jang Jin alone?" The mediator was speechless.Shen Shanggong waved his fist at her, telling her to wait and see. "So, these days, Jang Geum washes the dishes and vegetables in the imperial dining room of the main hall by himself?"

Han Shanggong seemed to see something was wrong. "Yes, Mammy..." Before the caller could finish answering, Han Shanggong immediately walked towards the well.The other Shanggongs also shook their heads and followed behind Han Shanggong. There was a rickety awning beside the well, and under the awning several large cauldrons were all boiling with water.Chang Jin was using a fire stick to poke the red flames in the stove, and there were a lot of things that needed to be cleaned beside the well. "Jang Geum, what are you doing here?" The sudden yell surprised Jang Geum, and his eyes were filled with fear.

"I... I feel guilty." "I asked what are you doing?" "The fire is always too hot, so I wasted time. Now that the water has boiled, I will finish washing the dishes right away." "Do you wash dishes in boiling water?" "Yes, because it has been raining recently, the well water has turned into yellow mud soup, so I wash it with boiling water. The vegetables have to wait for the boiling water to cool before washing, so time is wasted." "..." "It will be done in a moment, Mammy." "Who told you to do this?"

"No……" "Did you decide to do this yourself?" "Every time it rains, I see my mother washing dishes and vegetables like this." "Your mother?" "Yes, if you wash it with muddy water, the food will chew out sand, the taste is also very strange, and it is easy to deteriorate. This is what my mother said. Many people don't know this simple truth, so during the rainy season or When it rains, diseases and plagues spread easily." Not only Han Shanggong, but also the most noble palace and other court ladies who arrived later nodded in agreement.Although Jang Geum didn't know why, she felt relieved that she didn't hear the scolding.

That night, before going to sleep, Han Shanggong called Jang Geum to his side and told her to sit down.Although they lived in the same room, not only did the two of them not speak during this period of time, they didn't even meet each other's eyes. Jang Geum didn't know how to face Han Shanggong. Having to work hard to control it, Jang Geum felt extremely embarrassed. "I'm a little thirsty, can you go get me a bowl of water?" It was the first time that Han Shanggong asked Jang Geum to work for her.Jang Geum was very happy. "Does your stomach hurt?" "It doesn't hurt."

"Did you urinate a lot today?" "yes." "Do you have any discomfort in your throat?" "My throat isn't very good." As soon as Han Shanggong finished speaking, Chang Jin hurried to bring a bowl of water.Because the mood is happy, the bowl is also extraordinarily warm. "I add salt to the lukewarm water. You have to drink it slowly like tea." "Okay, thank you. I only asked you to pour a glass of water, and you have to ask such details. Did you learn this from your mother too?" "yes." "When cooking, the mood is very important. First of all, we must consider the physical condition of the eater, whether it is suitable for the eater's physique, etc., and then choose the ingredients and cooking methods. Only in this way can we make delicious food, do you understand?" "I will definitely keep it in my heart." "You've probably heard it from your mother. Ah, yes, you have a wonderful mother." Jang Geum choked up when he heard Han Shanggong mention the word mother. "Food represents love for people. It seems that your mother knows this truth very well." Jang Geum slowly relieved the tension, and Han Shanggong's warm words finally inspired her to cry. "When I brought you back on the first day, to be honest, you said that you wanted to be the most noble palace, which sounded very awkward to me. Having such ambition at a young age scares me. I don't know why you are doing this I dream of being the most noble palace, but don’t cry now, with such a fragile heart, it is impossible to become the most noble palace.” Han Shanggong's words made Jang Geum stop crying.However, the sobs that had been swallowed alive were still stuck on the door of his heart, and Jang Geum hiccupped softly. The next morning, Jang Geum's footsteps towards the workplace were quite different from usual.In the afternoon, I don't know whether it will end completely or come to an end temporarily. In short, the rain stopped and the sun was exceptionally bright. Today is the day to make sacrificial nuts, and the place is where the maids usually work in the imperial dining room of the main hall.Tiao Fang, Ling Lu, Cai Lian, Chang Yi and a dozen girls were sitting there, working diligently in pairs.One group was in charge of peeling chestnuts and making them into flower shapes; the other group was in charge of making dried squid into crane shapes, making pollack balls, and spreading rice paste on seaweed.Seeing this scene, Jang Geum sighed three times in succession. "You guys come here." Hearing the dispatcher's call, Jang Geum strode over.The pine nuts and pine branches are piled high, like a small grave mound. "You are responsible for inserting the pine needles into the pine nuts." As soon as the mediator finished speaking, Chang Yi and Cai Lian complained about what you said and what you said. "Is there so much to do?" "There is a small hole in the top of the pine nut, just insert the pine needle into it." "How do you find such a small hole, and how can you insert the pine needles?" "How to insert... just insert it. Why are there so many complaints? If you don't hurry up, I will let you die in my hands!" Listening to the intimidation from the mediator, the girls pouted their mouths high.They grumbled and pretended to be working, but they couldn't find the small holes in the pine nuts at all. The pine needles stuck in and out, which made them turn around anxiously. Jang Geum concentrated on looking for the small hole, his eyelids were sore from exhaustion.She was about to breathe a sigh of relief and tilted her neck back, only to find that Lian Sheng was crying. "What's wrong? Did Ding Shanggong reprimand you?" "The little turtle is dead!" "this……" "When I entered the palace, my mother told me that as long as the little tortoise is healthy, my mother will not get sick, so I don't need to worry... Woohoo, my mother must be seriously ill." Mother, upon hearing this word, Jang Geum's throat seemed to be blocked by something.She didn't know what to say, she just looked at Liansheng with her painful eyes. At this time, there was a sound of opening the door, and the people in the pool from the East Palace came in.Tiaofang, Fenyi and other senior girls ran out. "Have you heard? Jinying went to practice alone again." "Really? What's the topic this time?" "I don't know about this. This is a secret that only the Supreme Palace and Cui Shanggong know!" "It's too much! As long as she knows it herself, and then practice repeatedly, how can we win?" "Isn't it? We are asked to insert some pine needles every day, and they will learn to change the knife as soon as they enter the palace." "Hey! If the topic happens to be to insert pine needles, then we will surely win..." "The palace is so strict, and Jinying is protected by her aunt and aunt, but she still wants to compete with us for the first place and monopolize the opportunity to go out of the palace for vacation... Oh my god, it's really disgusting!" "Someone has been in the palace for seven years and has never returned home." "By the way! Isn't there a girl assigned to Jinying this time? Maybe she can hear something?" "Yes! Is that the child named Ling Lu?" They were chattering, although their voices were very low, they could still reach the girls.As soon as the sisters looked over, Ling Lu immediately said with a dejected expression. "I don't know, I've heard her say something about dragon making moss..." "It's made of bean sprouts with their heads removed in the shape of a dragon. When Han Shanggong made it, I watched it from the side." "Yes! It's over for Jinying this time." "We have also grown bean sprouts, and we can use these bean sprouts to practice." "Yeah, let's practice together from today, we must beat Jinying." They seemed to have firmly grasped the first place in their hands, cheering happily.The mediator got up and left, and came to the place where the maids were working. "From now on, we have things to do, and you have to lighten our burden. We can't let Mammy see that we're not here, so So you must finish the work within the stipulated time, do you hear me? " After a threat, the investigators pushed their own affairs to others.In front of Changjin and Liansheng, tall pine nuts and pine branches were piled up. "Who is Jinying?" Watching them leave, Chang Yi pouted and asked. "It's the girl in the most noble palace." Ling Lu shook his head and said. "But what are you going to do if she finds out what you told your sisters?" "It's useless to talk, they can't win. According to my uncle who is a prisoner, she knew how to cook before she learned to speak. She is a child prodigy." "Wow, that's amazing, I really envy her." Exclamations, envy, sighs and jealousy intertwined, and the girls chattered endlessly.Only one of them was quiet, and that was Finye, who was busy eating raw chestnuts and squid without distracting thoughts.Jang Jin and Lian Sheng sat on the other side, trying hard to find the small hole, until their eyes were sore. When night fell, they still couldn't finish the work at hand.Everyone went back to their residences, only Jang Geum and Lian Sheng stayed behind, crying nonstop.Looking at the remaining work, Jang Geum couldn't help sighing, Lian Sheng seemed to be still worried about his mother and was always absent-minded. Suddenly there was the sound of footsteps, it was the soldiers of the Fire Extinguishing Army.They are soldiers with straw mats and sandbags responsible for putting out the fire, which can be regarded as firefighters in the palace. "Don't turn off the lights, what are you doing?" "It's not finished yet, so..." "Lights out!" "If this is not done, we will be scolded." "No! No matter what, the lights must be turned off!" Jang Geum drove the firefighters out of the workplace, insisted on sending the exhausted Liansheng back, and then went back to the residence himself.When she walked to the door of the residence, Chang Jin found that the lights in the room had been turned off, so she turned and left again in order not to wake up Han Shanggong.Jang Geum looked for a place to work, and finally found a place with moonlight, which was at the bottom of a low hill. The big and bright moon hung in the sky, and Jang Geum used the moonlight to find the small holes in the top of the pine nuts, as if he was threading a thread in the dark. "It seems that we only have the fate to meet at night." Jang Jin was taken aback by the sudden voice, the girl who kowtowed to Xuanzheng Hall was smiling at her. "Oh, last time..." "It's so late, what are you doing here?" "Oh, don't mention it, it's all because of a sister named Jinying." "What happened to Jinying?" "I heard that she is the granddaughter of the most noble palace. Every time there is a competition, the nuns tell her the topic in advance, so she always takes the first place, and she takes all the opportunities to go out of the palace for vacation." "and then?" "This time, the sisters also knew the topic. They all said to practice, so they pushed everything to me." "Did they say you can win after practice?" "Yes, they said they can win if they practice together." "Well, this game must be very interesting." "Who knows, I can't even sleep anyway. The sisters also said that no one has ever asked Jinying to do something like threading pine nuts. So, if wearing pine nuts is used as a competition topic, they must Definitely win." "Are they so confident in wearing pine nuts in the competition?" "I don't know, anyway, I have to finish all these jobs before dawn." "Don't always want to see!" "what?" "Don't keep thinking about looking at pine nuts under the moonlight." "Then what to do?" "Focus on your fingertips." "Oh, how can this work?" "The reason why girls wear pine nuts is to train their hand feeling. If you don't even know this, but wear it blindly, your level will never improve. Put the pine nuts on your fingertips and roll them lightly. That way you can touch the hole." Jang Jin did what she said, but it still didn't work. It's a pity that the girl has gone, and only the moon is still shining brightly in the sky. All the girls who have not held the wife ceremony all participated in the competition.The most nervous ones were the fifteen and six-year-old girls. The younger girls only cared about feeling the atmosphere of the competition, and the competition came second.No matter in terms of qualifications or skills, they can't compete with the sisters. They are already satisfied if they can participate in such a competition. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the game to start when Cui Shanggong came.When he saw the girl following her, Jang Geum was taken aback. Isn't this the girl who taught her how to wear pine nuts a few days ago and left?Jang Jin and the girl met eyes, and the other turned his head coldly.Completely different from the previous two times, she acted very arrogantly. "That's Sister Jinying." Ling Lu whispered from behind.Jang Geum was even more afraid. "Okay! Are you all ready?" Cui Shanggong looked around the venue and paused for a while. "Okay, let's start now." "Wait a moment, Sister." It was Jin Ying who spoke. "What's your business?" "I have a request." "What request?" "I wish Mammy would change the title of the competition." There was brief confusion in the arena.The investigator and Finny exchanged glances, thinking they were up to some trick again. "Why change the title of the competition?" "I heard that girls have a lot of dissatisfaction with me." "What dissatisfaction?" "Everyone is dissatisfied with me, saying that the most noble palace and Cui Shanggong are partial to me, so I take the first place in every competition." "Which ignorant guy dares to speak wild words?" "When I heard these words for the first time, I also felt angry and aggrieved. But after thinking about it carefully, maybe I overstepped the initial training and caused so many misunderstandings." "Since you entered the palace, you are very different from ordinary girls." "Having said that, I think the only way to resolve the misunderstanding is to clear up my grievances along with theirs." "Really? What way?" "Since I have surpassed the training courses, let's take a test of what they have been practicing since the early days of girls, wearing pine nuts." As soon as Jin Ying uttered this unexpected topic, the girls who were waiting anxiously immediately burst into cheers. Judging from their expressions, it was clear that they said "this is the best". "Well, if you really want to do this, then do it." "Better turn off the lights too." "Oh, that's a good way. Anyway, wearing pine nuts is for training hand feel. After turning off the lights, you can know how much everyone's level has improved over such a long time." What was supposed to be a good thing suddenly went to waste, and the girls exchanged uneasy glances at each other.Jinying's mouth curled into a sneer. The kerosene lamps went out, darkness fell, and there were long sighs everywhere.Jang Jin calmly groped for pine nuts and pine needles. During this period of time, she had practiced so much that even when she slept at night, she would move her left thumb and index finger unconsciously, looking for pine nut holes that did not exist.The purpose of Jang Geum's practice is to train his touch, and of course he never thought that this would also become the subject of the competition. Suddenly, the eyes light up.The maids put down the pine nuts and needles, but Tiaofang and Fenyi seemed to want to insert another one, reluctantly. "stop!" Cui Shanggong stopped them, and then patrolled among the girls.Jinying wore twenty-three, and the little girls were almost wiped out.In addition, Tiaofang wore four, Fenyi wore two, and another child wore eight, and she was Jang Geum. "Bastard thing!" Despite what she said, Cui Shanggong was actually satisfied, with an unconcealable smile on her face. "Look! This is the difference between Jinying and you. She has been learning cooking since she was three years old. She is not only at a higher level than you, but even higher than your wife. The purpose of letting her compete with you is not to compete for rankings, but to Give you a little stimulation. You can't even understand this kind of intention, and you still frame your companions, slander me and the most noble palace? I won't let it go!" "Mommy, let's stop this matter." "no!" "It's possible for ignorant children to misunderstand! Now that they know my strength, they won't frame me again in the future." "No! Thinning the seedlings has to be done early, and weeding has to be rooted out!" "Mommy! Don't..." Seeing Jinying's earnest eyes, Cui Shanggong hesitated for a while, and finally agreed to his niece's request. "Okay! Just this time, don't make an example. You should be grateful to Jinying, and you'd better focus on improving your skills. Jinying is out of the palace for four days!" "No, I was always allowed to go out of the palace on vacation alone before, that's why today's unpleasant incident happened. Please let the second child go out of the palace for vacation too." "It's impossible, and it's not your fault!" "I implore Mammy, please grant me this request!" "You are really a child... Not only are you skilled in cooking, but you also have such a kind heart? Well, your name is Jang Geum, right?" Jang Geum was staring at Jinying intently, when he heard someone calling his name suddenly, he was so alarmed that he forgot to answer. "You did a great job last time it rained, and you did well this time. Did you also learn the skill of wearing pine nuts from your mother?" "No, no, Mammy." "Then how did you have such a high level at such a young age?" "Then...that night..." "night?" "Today... Sister Jinying taught me." So that's the case, Cui Shanggong smiled triumphantly.The girls all showed deep hostility, this time Jang Geum is doomed. "I saw that she looked cute working hard by herself in the middle of the night, so I told her the essentials, and it was nothing." "well!" Every time Cui Shanggong nodded, Jang Geum felt his heart beating wildly up and down. "I've heard everything that happened today." Back at the residence at night, Han Shanggong brought up the matter of the morning.Jang Geum's tears dripped down patter. "Hey, didn't I tell you not to cry?" "But... but Mammy, my sisters misunderstood me and will never talk to me again. What should I do?" "Although I said that, it was not a misunderstanding." "what?" "You told Jinying in detail from the beginning to the end, isn't that the truth?" "But I didn't know she was Jinying's sister, that's why..." "This is the palace! If you don't pay attention to your words, unexpected disasters will happen sooner or later. This is the palace!" Speaking of this, Han Shanggong's heart trembled suddenly. "Smell Shanggong asked me who else knew, but I didn't mention you." "why?" "It's nothing...don't know what's going to happen yet." Mingyi once said so.If she had said her name without thinking about anything at that time, the two of them would have died together long ago. Hearing that Ming Yi was taken away by Cui's family, Han Shanggong firmly believed that instead of dying in such a place without anyone noticing, it would be better to be an official servant, which is a hundred times better than dying in Cui's family.So she sent the dealer's clerk to the burglary hall to report.When she heard that Ming Yi's whereabouts were unknown after being hit by an arrow, she still believed that Ming Yi would not die, just like what Ming Yi did when he drank aconite soup, and this time someone would become Ming Yi's antidote.She had gone to the Forbidden Mansion to inquire about it, but Ming Yi's husband had already left this world.That night, Han Shanggong met Ming Yi in a dream, and he was still the same as when he was a wife. Ming Yi was wearing a blue skirt and a jade-colored gown, with a hairpin engraved with butterflies inserted on top of her braid, and a hanging hairpin underneath. Stone realgar bow. "Mingy! Mingy!" She called out loudly, but the other party seemed to hear nothing.Ming Yi seemed to be waiting for someone, she looked around, when a handsome man in military uniform appeared, the two walked away holding hands without hesitation. "Mingy! Mingy!" Maybe Mingyi heard the call and finally looked back. "Bai Rong, the third woman is entrusted to you." That's all. Han Shanggong woke up from the dream and knew that Ming Yi had gone to another world.What made her sad was that she couldn't figure out what the last sentence meant. "A third woman?" She couldn't understand the sentence.I heard Ming Yi left a boy behind. "Mammy." In Jang Jin's call, Han Shanggong got rid of endless regrets. "What's wrong?" "A reward is a reward after all, can I go home now?" The innocence and romance of children is indeed cute, but it is also dumbfounding. Han Shanggong smiled calmly. "Nurse, please allow Liansheng to take my leave from the palace instead." "Oh, why do you always think about these things that violate the rules?" Hearing Jang Geum's unexpected request, Han Shanggong was very annoyed. "Liansheng is crying non-stop every day because his mother is seriously ill!" "Really? Is there any discomfort?" "I heard it's a bad heart." "I'll go talk to Ding Shanggong." "Really? Thank you, thank you." Jang Geum clapped his hands happily.Seeing her like this, Han Shanggong couldn't help shaking his head. With Ding Shanggong's permission, Lian Sheng could finally go home to visit her mother whom she missed day and night.A few days after he came back from his life leave, an incident involving Ding Shanggong unexpectedly happened.Ti Tiao Shang Gong suddenly checked his wife's room, but found a man outside the palace.It has been a long-standing habit to make surprise inspections of the wife's residence, but it is not uncommon to find a man in the palace lady's residence. The man changed his attire with a full-length skirt and hid behind a big tree, only to be discovered by an insider.The wife felt suspicious, so she reported it to her superiors.The man was taken to the Forbidden Mansion, and during the interrogation he confessed that he was a doctor, and that he entered the palace to feel the pulse of the Supreme Palace, and he was about to go back now.Although he was a doctor, the most noble palace brought a man into the palace privately, and even secretly invited someone to take the pulse when he was seriously ill. These things were widely circulated among the female officials. The turmoil suddenly calmed down, and the Titiao Shang Palace called the Supreme Shang Palace. "Look at you, you have to say hello to me in advance." "Sorry." "It turns out that you have had a headache for a long time... Tsk tsk, you idiot, how did you make things like this?" "I'm very sorry." "I don't have to pursue the matter of bringing a man into the palace, but you can't stay in the palace any longer." As if everything was as expected, the Supreme Palace was extremely calm. "It's hard to get over the water. Now that it's happened, it's impossible to undo it! You can only find a new bowl and fill it with water again, isn't it? The most urgent thing is to find a replacement for you." "This may be difficult, can you let Cui Shanggong..." "It's not that I haven't thought about it, but the Queen will not agree." "Slaves have little knowledge..." "You can recommend other candidates." "How about Pu Shanggong in the Empress Dowager's Palace?" "She can't. I heard that she is in the same group as Chief Supervisor Nan Gun." "How about the Jinshang Palace in the fruit room?" "It seems that she has no ambitions, but it's a pity that she and Supervisor Shen Zhen are distant relatives, which is a bit inappropriate. It's hard to imagine what will happen in the future." "Does Mammy already have a suitable candidate in mind?" "Actually, Wu Jianhu once approached me for this matter. Cui Shanggong has only been appointed for three years, and this time your matter has made the empress angry again. He said that he temporarily found a puppet to sit in this position. good idea." "and then?" "It's not like there are people like this. The daughter of a noble family was originally qualified to compete with you for the position of the most noble palace, but she quietly withdrew later." "Did you mean Ding Shanggong? How can a sauce library Shanggong who has been in the sauce warehouse for ten years take on the important responsibility of the imperial dining room?" Sauce Kushan Palace is only responsible for keeping all kinds of sauces, and has almost no chance to prepare food. "So, this person is the most suitable person. Ding Shanggong is just a puppet, and the important things should be left to Cui Shanggong." "I heard that Ding Shanggong likes elegant things like reciting the wind and changing the moon, and hates trivial and headache-inducing chores." "That's right, there's me on the top and Cui Shanggong on the bottom, what kind of trouble can she cause? If something happens that needs to be held accountable, just don't do anything and keep pushing it on her head. What's my idea?" Most Noble Palace nodded, still feeling a little uneasy.Since you can't find the best way, you can only settle for the next best thing. "In the middle of the night when the pear blossoms are white and the moon is white, the cries of blood are complaining about the cuckoos. I feel that being passionate is a disease, and it has nothing to do with personnel and can't sleep." Each cylinder is big, straight and full.In order to prevent the soy sauce tank table from being infested by insects, a high platform was built underneath, a layer of stones was laid on the top of the platform, and pad stones were surrounded around it.The last row is dozens of large vats, a row of smaller vats is placed in front, and then there are smaller jars, and the front is a small jar the size of a bottle. Ordinary people think that if the sauce tank is flat, they will live a prosperous life, so when they move, they will move the sauce tank first.If the people are like this, let alone the palace. The sun shines on the open sauce jar. The melody of "Biezhubozhuan"* (a Joseon era novel, author, date unknown - translator's note) breaks and turns into a time tune* (traditional Korean poetry form - translator's note).Lian Sheng, Chang Yi, Cai Lian, Chang Jin and other girls listened with their chins on their hands, blushing involuntarily.In the sun, listening to Ding Shanggong's smooth and moving melody, my mood became sweeter. "Mammy! Mammy!" The Minnei people ran over suddenly and shouted loudly. "Tip Shang Palace to find you." "Promoting Shanggong, why? You, you, I have nothing to do with those noble people." "I heard that you are going to be the most noble palace in the imperial dining room!" "What are you talking about, dead girl! The most noble palace in the imperial dining room? You do it, or let the puppy take it away." Ding Shanggong was also worried that if something happened, she had to go to see Titiao Shanggong, this time she heard Titiao Shanggong say it with her own ears. "The position of the most noble palace in the imperial dining room should be done by you!" "But the servant has been taking care of the sauce library." "Cui Shanggong will help with the matter of the imperial dining room in the main hall, and you and I can discuss with me about the matter of burning the kitchen." "Do you really want me to?" "You are as laid-back as your father, and you like to be unknown. I know your character, so this position belongs to you." "Then servants are more respectful than obedient. The servants are willing to believe in the promotion of the palace maid." Ding Shanggong was surprisingly obedient. When Ding Shanggong, who became the most noble palace, went to Han Shanggong's residence, Xu time had passed.She went with Liansheng, swaggered and sat on the upper table, and said the first sentence after sitting down. "I made the most noble palace, are you so unwilling?" "how could be?" "Then why didn't you even say hello?" "With all due respect, Mammy shouldn't be in this position." "You can say such shameless words, and still pretend to be nonchalant?" "It's going to be a tough job for you." "Hehe, is that so, should I choose to work hard? Or choose not to work hard? What do you think?" Supreme Palace unexpectedly fixed its sights on Jang Geum and Lian Sheng.Lian Sheng replied without hesitation. "You shouldn't live a life of labor." "Okay, what do you think, Jang Geum?" "Auntie, can you choose as you like? I don't want to live a life of hardship, but it always ends up being very difficult." "What? That's interesting." The most noble palace laughed like a palace lady.Han Shanggong also smiled. "I've had enough playing alone, from now on I should play at the rhythm of others." The most noble palace smiled, and then said seriously. "Ding Shanggong, who is unique in the world, wants to dance to the rhythm of others." "I'll still do the dance, you just have to watch the excitement and have some snacks." Thinking of the various problems he will face in the future, Han Shanggong is worried.How could Jang Jin and Lian Sheng hear clearly, their heads were shaking from side to side. Early the next morning the unexpected happened.The sky outside was still pitch black, and the Supreme Palace suddenly came in and rolled up its sleeves. Cui Shanggong opened his eyes and asked. "It's early in the morning, what do you want?" "This is the first imperial meal I present to Your Highness, and I must make it myself today." Cui Shanggong was a little flustered, but dimly found that the most noble palace was already looking for materials.Changing knives, stirring, and making seasonings, the craftsmanship does not look like a person guarding the sauce warehouse. When the most noble palace led the maid serving the imperial meal to the king, she was still confident and confident, as if she had already made up her mind. Three dining tables were placed in front of the majesty who was seated at the throne, on which were placed a large disc, a small disc and a square disc.The right side of the front row of the big disc is soup, and the left side is imperial food.There are three pairs of spoons and chopsticks on the small table next to them, Shanggong uses them to taste the taste or put food into small dishes. "Your Highness, this is Ding Shanggong who has just been appointed as the most noble palace in the imperial dining room." After the introduction of Titiao Shanggong, the king seems to be very interested in the most noble palace. "Where did you work before?" "In the sauce library." As soon as the words fell, the king immediately seemed a little unhappy.When Smell Shanggong gave the king the tasted food, the king still looked reluctant.The king just chewed it and didn't make any comments.Ti Tiao Shang Gong's complexion had changed a long time ago, and Gao Shang Gong became more and more anxious. "Did you do this yourself?" The king finally spoke. "Yes, Your Highness." "Isn't this the roast pork I usually eat? Why does it taste different, what is this?" "This is called 'Sunburn'." "Stir fry?" "This is the food eaten by the Lai people a long time ago. It is said that the secret recipe was also quietly spread in the Chinese imperial palace." "Oh, is it? I'd like to know the secret recipe." "When making pork seasoning, instead of soy sauce, use miso." "Oh, no wonder the taste is so bland, so the secret is here? It just suits my taste." The king also tasted other foods besides roasted bacon, showing a satisfied expression every time he took a bite.Titiao Shanggong and Cui Shanggong couldn't help but feel dejected. That morning, all the court ladies of the Imperial Dining Room gathered in the Dining Room* (the Dining Room of the Imperial Dining Room——Translator's Note).Occasionally, when there are important events in the palace, everyone will gather together for dinner. Today is considered as a congratulatory gift to the most noble palace. Several tables were placed together to form a long table, with more than fifty court ladies sitting on both sides.The most noble palace has not come yet, so the middle seat is empty.Jinying sat on the seat next to him coldly. After a while, the most noble palace came in, and she asked Cui Shanggong. "Who is this child?" "Her name is Jinying." "How can a girl sit in this position?" “从前任最高尚宫开始，她就一直坐这个位置，并对各种食物进行评价。” "yes?" “这是个具有绝对味觉的孩子。” “绝对味觉？” "Yes, Mammy." 崔尚宫点头应道，今英摆出一副傲慢的表情。 “那好，现在就试试看吧？你尝尝这个。” 最高尚宫指了指放在面前的貊炙说。 “里面都用了哪些调料，你一一说来听听。” 只嚼了两三口，今英就满怀自信地回答。 “总的调料是酱油、醋和白糖，还加了芝麻盐和水。” "right." “另外又有葱花和蒜末的味道，表明肉和香菇是单独炒的。” “那单独炒过的肉里又放了些什么调料呢？” “酱油、葱花、蒜末、香油、胡椒粉、白糖和芝麻盐。” “是吗？你们也都尝尝，然后猜猜都放了哪些调料。” 最高尚宫命令一下，丫头们都忙着品尝放在各自餐桌上的貊炙，一时间室内乱作一团。 “你认为这孩子列举的这些都对吗？” 最高尚宫问崔尚宫。 "yes." "you too?" 这次问的是韩尚宫。韩尚宫也只是摇了摇头，没有做明确的回答。 “大家都这么认为吗？没有人回答，看来果真如此了。” “有红柿子。” 分明传来这样的声音。然而声音太低，根本分辨不出来自哪里，说话的人是谁。 “刚才说什么？” “不是白糖，是红柿子。” 说话的人是长今。场内一阵骚乱，所有的人又重新尝了一遍。今英的目光分外冷漠。 “你为什么认为里面放了红柿子？” “嚼肉的时候，感觉有红柿子的味道。” “对！我在里面放了红柿子，当然有红柿子的味道。我刚才还让大家仔细想想猜测一下，看来我真是糊涂。大家看！拥有绝对味觉的另有其人！” 没有人敢搭茬，场内死一般的沉寂。崔尚宫和今英脸色陡变，红得便如柿子一般。 “的确是红柿子！因为红柿子的味道比白糖更柔和更清淡，所以我就试验性地放了一些。红柿子有利于预防换季感冒，还有助于解酒。听说大王昨天夜里喝酒了，所以我特地放了红柿子在里面。这个孩子猜对了！” 感叹和羡慕的目光齐刷刷地落到长今身上，今英羞愧得全身发抖。 “每个人料理食物的手艺各有不同，但是品尝味道的水平是没有差别的。食物就是这么平等的东西，只要不懈努力，不论年纪大小，机会都是公平的。最高尚宫的位置也将传给最有实力的人，希望大家继续努力。” 最高尚宫的演说结束了，丫头们贪婪地大吃起来。韩尚宫充满信任地望着最高尚宫。长今坐在旁边，根本不知道自己已经闯了大祸。长今笑了很久，仿佛回到了从前那段无忧无虑的时光，回到了父母都在身边的白丁的村庄。 从此以后，韩尚宫交待长今结束一天的工作之后就爬上后面的小山，用一百天的时间采集一百种野菜。在这一百天的时间里，一百种野菜分别以煮、晒、炸、炒等方式烹制，有时也直接生吃，品尝之后详细记录味道和香气。 白天过后，长今就在韩尚宫面前闭上眼睛，品出各种调料、佐料和酱的味道。经过这道程序以后，长今开始闭上眼睛训练准确估计调料的数量。不用眼看，只用手指尖取适量的调料，便能调出最佳的口味。此外，长今还学习了各种食物之间互相对比、提升以及彼此遏制的特性。 “酸而苦的食物里放入甜物，味道会中和；甜而香的食物里加入咸物，味道得到强化。” 在此基础上，韩尚宫教会了长今熬肉汤的方法，以及使用药材的方法，并且告诉她用水的道理，并非所有食物都使用清水，热水、冷水、温水、淘米水、矿泉水、加入糯米粉的水，等等，根据水的特性不同，食物的味道也各不相同。 在这期间，长今的好奇心与日俱增，当然麻烦也没少惹。为了根据食物的量判断水烧干的时间，她把铁锅烧干了；为了了解哪种燃料最好，她点燃各种木头，结果引发了一场火灾；为了了解炭的味道，她竟然抓起炭来就吃。 其间，御膳房也遇上了难题。孝惠公主开始拒绝所有食物，到第六天，甚至大王和王后也开始拒绝用膳了。眼看着公主饿肚子，父王和母后又怎能只顾自己吃饱呢。御膳房进入了非常时期，最后孝惠公主竟然晕倒了。 对于提调尚宫、最高尚宫、崔尚宫、韩尚宫来说，这无异于晴天霹雳。崔尚宫接到了处理公主拒食事件的命令。当务之急是无论如何也要想办法让公主进膳，然而费尽心思所做的膳食，公主都只说脏，嚼一口便推开了。 “这是怎么回事呢？” 今英焦急地等待着，看见崔尚宫回到御膳房，赶紧拉住她说。 “刚才吃了一点点，看来还得多用香辛料。” “可是姑妈，过量的香辛料只能临时……” “虽说是临时的，但是香辛料里含有刺激食欲的药材，只要进食量稍微增加，她就有胃口了。” “在我看来，公主之所以拒绝进膳，肯定另有原因。” “那你说该怎么办呢？本来孝惠公主就怕羞，不爱说话。从小都没撒过娇，就连她的母亲王后娘娘都猜不透她的心思，为她操碎了心。" “肯定还有别的原因……” “不管怎么样，你先到酱库找一些陈年大酱，用这个做调料试试。” 前往酱缸台的今英遇见了长今，长今正把头伸进一个比自己大两倍的酱缸，整个身体几乎全都陷了进去。从缸里出来的时候，满脸满手都是大酱，手上还拿着一根沾了大酱的木棍 . “你在这儿干什么呢？” “哦，原来是今英姐姐。” “你从酱缸里拿出来的到底是什么东西？” “哦，这个，是木炭。” “木炭？” “嗯，我想知道木炭什么味道，所以就尝了尝。我没尝出什么味道来，可第二天早晨的大便颜色跟平常完全不同。我想知道酱油、大酱或者醋的颜色会发生什么变化，就把木炭放进来看看。” “怪不得你每次都要挨崔尚宫嬷嬷的打呢。” “嘿嘿，我是不是有点过分？姐姐要不要尝尝？” 说着，长今顾不得听今英的回答，用手蘸了一滴醋抹在今英的嘴唇上，然后饶有兴趣地咯咯笑起来。此时的长今完全是个不谙世事的孩子。稀里糊涂的今英情不自禁地用舌尖舔了舔嘴唇，她突然意外地高声说道。 “哦？醋的呛味没有了！” “你再尝尝这个。” 大酱没什么变化。心存疑惑的今英用手蘸了一滴酱油，品了品味道。 “这个……味道好多了。” “嗯。我把木炭弄碎，上面有很多小孔，小孔容易吸味，所以木炭具有祛除酱油杂味的效果。” “好，我们告诉韩尚宫，在酱油里放入木炭吧。” "Ok." 长今痛快地答应着，又蹦蹦跳跳地跑到酱油缸前，歪歪斜斜地探身进去。望着长今的身影，今英的表情相当复杂，她似乎无法理解长今，却也讨厌不起来。 今英突然心生一计，精神振奋地大步跑开了。丁尚宫、崔尚宫、韩尚宫、闵尚宫正聚集在御膳房里研究着什么。 “现在只能尽一切努力了。崔尚宫什么都能做好，就按照你自己的方式去做吧。韩尚宫你去煮山药粥，里面放一些刺激食欲的陈皮、砂仁、白豆蔻。闵尚宫把干大枣烤熟后磨成粉末，苏子叶也做成粉末，每样食物里都放一点。” “可是嬷嬷，公主连美味可口的食物都不吃，这些放了药材的食物她又怎么会碰呢？” “那怎么办呢？再也想不出别的办法来了……内医院已经说了，公主并没有生病。她心灵脆弱，可能是因为什么不为人知的心事才拒绝进膳的。膳食的材料固然重要，可是更需要我们精心调制。” “是，嬷嬷。” “继大王和王后娘娘之后，现在太后娘娘也拒绝进膳了。还有什么比这更严重吗？孝惠公主身体健康的时候也从不吃零食，只用正餐。所以又不能在饭上撒什么粉……” 随着最高尚宫一声长长的叹息，其他尚宫的眉宇间也更凭添了一份忧愁。 崔尚宫刚刚走进料理室，随后跟来的今英就正色说道。 “嬷嬷，今天的膳食交给我来做！” “为什么？你有什么妙计吗？” 今英不再说话，眼睛眨也不眨地盯着崔尚宫，好象要把她看穿似的。今英的表情相当认真，崔尚宫决定听天由命，姑且相信她一次。 食物是崔尚宫亲自送去的。面色苍白的孝惠公主无力地坐着，公主殿的致密尚宫和保姆尚宫正在犯愁，脸上满是焦虑，整齐站立的提调尚宫和长番内侍都以尖锐的目光盯着餐桌。内侍分出入番和长番两种，住在宫外每天上下班的内侍叫出入番内侍，在宫中吃住的内侍就叫作长番内侍。 致密内人打开餐布。只有一碗粥和抹在粥上的蟹酱，还有一碟咸菜。长番内侍立刻大吼起来。 “哎，你们到底做的什么呀？” “公主就连刺激食欲的特殊食物都吃不下，你们竟然送来这么没有诚意的东西？” 提调尚宫也过来帮腔。这时，最高尚宫沉着而果断地说道。 “对不起！还是先请公主舀一勺粥尝尝吧。” “哪有你这么放肆的？赶快退下，重做！” 这些人在一边争吵，孝惠公主闻了闻气味，用勺子舀了一口。一口、两口、三口……保姆尚宫屏住呼吸细细数着，公主好象还不打算放下勺子，仍然慢慢在喝。 “公主，现在您吃得下了？” 保姆尚宫激动得哽咽了。公主微笑着点了点头。所有在场的人都感叹不已。 “既然吃得下，为什么还让大王操这么多心呢？” "actually……" “是的，公主，您请讲。” “这粥没有异味。” 大家都在摇头，唯有最高尚宫恍然若悟。 “上次下雨让米仓进了水，后来虽然采取了补救措施，但还是让青春妙龄而且味觉敏感的公主倒了胃口。” 听完最高尚宫的话，公主轻轻地笑了。 “最高尚宫说的对吗？” 公主依旧只是笑了笑。 “既然您不喜欢那种味道，为什么不早说呢？” “父王和母后都能吃的御膳，我怎么能……” “哦，公主……” 保姆尚宫流下了热泪，她躬着上身，好像要行礼。 因为解决疑难问题立下大功，当天晚上，宫女们又聚集在食膳间用餐。长期以来忧心忡忡的宫女们终于轻松下来，尽情享受着美好的休息时光。最高尚宫望着大家，目光中充满了慈爱。 “这次事件的原因是年幼的公主对气味产生了强烈反感。大家都没有想到的问题，最后由崔尚宫解决了。你用什么办法去除饭里的杂味的？” “不，解决问题的人不是我，而是今英。” “哦，是吗，你的秘诀是什么？” “是木炭。” “木炭？” “是的，我在饭里放入木炭，米饭的杂味消失得无影无踪。” “哦，你是怎么想到这个办法的？” “我发现长今把木炭放在酱油里能够祛除酱油的杂味，突然就想到了这个主意。” “把木炭放在酱油里？” “是的，嬷嬷。长今放过木炭的酱油缸不但没有异味，而且味道也更好了。最高尚宫嬷嬷也尝一尝吧。” “好，好，我一定要尝尝。你们今天让我很高兴，我希望大家都以今英和长今为榜样，努力做出更好更可口的食物。” 看着最高尚宫心满意足的样子，今英和长今相视一笑。最高尚宫和韩尚宫目光相对，彼此都匆忙地转过头去。