Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven Smile

"Ha, ha" - the sound of shouting and killing came from a distance like thunder, and the soldiers were training on the inner guard training ground next to the vegetable field. In the vegetable field, there used to be only a few hundred buds, but now it is densely covered with luxuriant winter cabbage.It’s been three months since I left here when I made the cabbage pancakes for the last time, and the making of cabbage dumplings seems to be very far away, as if it happened a long time ago.The world presents different colors, too many things have happened in this season, many things have changed

changed.However, the biggest change is my sense of taste. As soon as he heard that Chang Geum was going to find Master Zheng, Han Shanggong immediately objected.The court ladies are not allowed to seek the pulse of the medical officer, and more importantly, this competition is related to the future and fate of the imperial dining room, so any behavior must be extra careful. Jang Geum begged Han Shanggong many times, just because he was a court lady and could not be checked by a medical officer, so he had to ask Master Zheng to register.Jang Geum also joked that it was a gift for winning the first round.In this way, she finally got the chance to leave the palace for vacation.

The servants saw Jang Geum from a distance and waved to her.Judging from their eyes, it doesn't look like they have been drinking.With dark skin and protruding arm muscles, it can be seen that they are healthy at a glance. "You won't get into trouble again and be kicked out?" One of the servants played a mischievous joke. "No. Does Master Zheng Yunbai still drink alcohol recently?" "I don't know what he's been up to recently, I can't see him at all." "Then is he in Chazaixuan?" "It seems to be here, take your time looking for it."

Leaving them, Jang Jin walked around looking around, and finally found Zheng Yunbai who was squatting on the ground like defecating.She wanted to scare Yun Bai, so she held her breath and crept forward. "grown ups!" The one who was really taken aback was Jang Geum.Zheng Yunbai turned his head to look at Jang Jin, his face was covered with a net-like thing, his expression was incomprehensible, he quickly reached out and pressed Jang Jin's head.Jang Geum was caught off guard and almost stood upside down, when he also heard the sound of buzzing bees.Jang Geum stood for a long time as if he was being punished, and the sound of the swarm became more and more frequent.

"You are still as reckless as before." Zheng Yunbai let go of Jang Geum and shook his hands. "Have you kept bumblebees?" "No." "Then why do you keep bees?" "I'm testing whether bee needles are more effective than ordinary needles." "Can bee needles cure diseases?" "Isn't the inner guard training ground next to it? A soldier was stung by a bee. I hurriedly treated him, but found a very strange problem." Zheng Yunbai took off the veil covering his face.Only now did Jang Geum see his facial features clearly, his complexion was much better than before, he was also fatter than before, and his expression was serious, almost not like the previous Zheng Yunbai.

"I heard from the soldiers that the bees sting on the injured parts during training. The next morning, not only the swelling disappeared, but also the original neuralgia. Even years of persistent illnesses have healed." What he said lasted a long time, and suddenly he understood. "My lord! I have lost my sense of taste." Jang Geum was about to open his mouth to explain, when suddenly there was a commotion around, and the inner guard soldiers swarmed in, Min Zhenghao was among them.Jang Geum and Zheng Hao were both surprised and happy, dumbfounded, but the situation was urgent and no one had time to say hello.The first priority is to treat soldiers stung by bees.

"Are you Master Zheng?" "yes……" "You are the medical officer of the internal guards. What did you tell the soldiers? Why do you go to the beehive if you have a slight problem? If this continues, there will be more than one or two soldiers stung by bees like this!" Zheng Hao's angry look seemed very strange.Yun Bai turned a deaf ear and started treatment immediately.The place where the bee stung was already swollen very high, it must be unbearably painful.Generally speaking, this symptom will gradually relieve after a period of time, but people who are allergic to bee venom are prone to rashes all over the body, and it can also cause symptoms such as dyspnea and heart paralysis, so measures must be taken as soon as possible.

Yun Bai finished the emergency measures, and told Zheng Hao again what he had just said to Jang Geum.Zheng Hao nodded while listening to Yun Bai's explanation, and apologized quickly after listening. "I don't know what's going on, I misunderstood you." "The medical officer should be strict with his mouth. I just thought it was amazing, so I said it casually." "But, are bee needles really useful?" "I'm experimenting now..." "I've seen people get stung by bees as a kid and it can be dangerous." "I know. So please warn the soldiers, it's best not to trust me, a charlatan, if you follow me, you might end up on Huangquan Road."

Zheng Hao smiled and gestured with his eyes.Jang Geum was so absorbed in thinking about his own affairs that he didn't notice all of this.There seemed to be sadness in the corners of her eyes, she hadn't seen her for a few days, and her cheeks were obviously thinner.When Zheng Hao looked back with deep thoughts, he found that Jang Geum was begging Yun Bai. "no!" "My lord! Please let me do an experiment." "I know it's painful for you to lose your sense of taste, but as a medical officer, I can't casually use undetermined medical skills." Zheng Hao heard it in his ears, but remembered it all in his heart.Without the sense of taste, what a blow Jang Geum will suffer.Thinking of this, Zheng Hao felt sorry for Jang Geum, and stopped involuntarily.

"This poor woman, why is she always being tortured? How much do you want to make her strong by testing her like this?" Zheng Hao walked towards the training ground, Yun Bai's "No" lingered in his ears like an echo. Chang Jin begged again and again, but Yun Bai refused to take back what he had said, as if he would never say anything else except "no". "You lost your sense of taste because of taking ginseng and nutmeg. Anyway, I will find a way to solve it. You hurry up and don't spoil my fun here. When I see you, my heart is in a mess." Every time Jang Jin sees Yun Bai, he feels as kind as an elder brother, but unexpectedly when he sees himself, he is in a messy mood.Suddenly, Jang Geum turned away in frustration, and a tear fell.

On the way back, Jang Geum's mood was even more bleak than the early autumn evening scenery.Along the meandering ridge, the purple awns surge like waves, and the purple awns swaying in the wind seems to be waving their hands to say "no".Zheng Hao stood in the middle of the waves of purple grass on the opposite side, his dark blue clothes fluttering in the wind. "So you were waiting for me." Jang Geum almost shed tears, and quickly turned his gaze to the boundless sky.The sun was setting, and the cirrus clouds were red. "I'm afraid you'll be lonely if you go back alone, so I'll wait for you here and watch the sunset by the way." The setting sun dyed Zheng Hao's face red.It would be great to have someone waiting for you ahead, and to be able to walk with you.But she couldn't see the road ahead, and the people around her were not walking the same road. "It is said that there was a deaf musician in the Tang Dynasty of China." For some reason, Zheng Hao told the story of the deaf musician, the musician who fell in love with the court lady who lost his sense of taste... "Musician lost his hearing, how painful must he be? So he visited famous doctors all over the world and received various superb medical treatments." "Then, has your hearing recovered?" "No, but he became the number one doctor in the world. Before he died, he picked up the instrument that had been discarded for a long time to play again, and it turned out that his performance was also the number one in the world!" In other words, he learned medical skills in the process of visiting famous doctors in the world and receiving various treatments. "Maybe my words can't comfort you, but I hope you don't lose your courage!" After finishing speaking, Zheng Hao smiled a little embarrassedly, and Jang Geum also smiled shyly. "Hey, it's true... If good things happen, even people who can't speak, the words they say will sound good; if bad things happen, it's hard to find the right words. If I say it will be good, it sounds too good. It's too hypocritical; to say that recovery is impossible is like teasing you on purpose..." Jang Geum listened quietly, and kept saying in his heart, as long as you are by my side, it will be a great comfort to me... The sun was setting and it was getting late.The night is approaching, and the faintly visible road will soon be covered by darkness.Now there is Zheng Hao by his side, the road to go in the future is long and confusing, who can we walk with at that time.Jang Geum stared blankly at the oncoming darkness. Before breaking up, Zhenghao went to the school bookstore to find a few medical books and handed them to Chang Geum.Jang Jin came back and opened it, and found a note stuck on the title page of one of the books. It is not easy for a small ginkgo tree to germinate. The solitary bamboo endures the cold of the year, and is green and green after all. The haze may not last long, and the Qingming will come and go. The evening is more beautiful when the sun sets on the west mountain. Jang Geum knew that the poem was intended to inspire fighting spirit, but she read despair from it.Just like a musician who lost his hearing starts a new life as a doctor, it seems that he who has lost his sense of taste should also find a new life.When the sun sets, the dusk is more beautiful, and what is lost is another hope.Now, Jang Geum still doesn't want to give up the original hope. Even if there is a more brilliant life waiting for her, she still feels that this wronged and stupid hope is more precious.She wants to be the most noble palace in the imperial dining room. The annual "New Taste Questions" competition is coming again.Using existing materials to create unprecedented dishes is one of the tests that people in the imperial dining room must pass.The most noble palace handed over the judging power of the new taste questions to Cui Shanggong and Han Shanggong, and the dishes made by their respective chefs were the results of the second round of competition.All wives must participate in the new taste contest, but Jang Geum and Jin Ying have added a major topic. Ling Lu looked around for materials for the new question, but accidentally found that Chang Jin came out of the room of the doctor Shi Ran, and told Jin Ying the news.After hearing what Jinying had said, Cui Shanggong called the medical girl over. "She temporarily lost her sense of taste, but is gradually recovering." Forced to question, the doctor girl just wanted to say something perfunctory, but unexpectedly, it caused a disaster.Cui Shanggong sent Ling Lu to monitor Chang Geum, and Ling Lu reported Chang Jin's every move to Cui Shanggong.She peeked at Han Shanggong teaching Jang Geum special skills, and sneaked into a room where no one was around, and copied the titles of various medical books.Cui Shanggong set up a trap, just waiting for Chang Geum to jump down.The day of new taste questions has finally arrived. In the courtyard in front of the imperial dining room, there was a row of tall and long tables, and the insiders stood nervously in front of the food they made.Cui Shanggong and Han Shanggong began to taste the food one by one.Liansheng makes cold ginseng and yam. "Did you put the yam?" "Yes. Yam is best taken when Qi is weak." "Yes, yam can be used as a tonic. It can be digested raw, so it is very suitable for cold dishes." "Really? Is it true, Mammy?" Lian Sheng clicked his tongue happily. Jin Ying made fish sauce kimchi with womb cabbage.Chang Yi made canned walnuts, and Ling Lu prepared pheasant in sauce.But Chang Jin didn't have any food in front of him, only a bamboo. Cui Shanggong asked with wide eyes. "what is this?" "Bamboo rice." "Bamboo rice?" "Bamboo skin, also known as bamboo yellow, is a precious medicinal material. When the grain is cooked in a bamboo tube containing bamboo yellow, the bamboo juice and bamboo yellow will permeate into the rice, making the rice taste sweeter and more fragrant." Cui Shanggong took a sip of the rice in a bamboo tube and couldn't help being taken aback, but said disapprovingly. "Oh, not bad." After Han Shanggong tasted it, he felt that it was the absolute No. 1 in terms of the wonderful conception, faint fragrance, and sweet and fragrant taste.Jinying's kimchi tastes refreshing and delicious, and it is also first-class, but it cannot be compared with Janggeum's bamboo rice. Han Shanggong showed a satisfied and gratified smile.Unexpectedly, just when the first place was about to be judged, Cui Shanggong suddenly made an unexpected suggestion. "Now you guys taste other friends' dishes and make an evaluation." Jang Jin looked at Han Shanggong in shock, Han Shanggong was also at a loss, he didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in the gourd, he just stared at the corner of Cui Shanggong's mouth in puzzlement. "The most noble lady of the palace once said that although everyone's cooking skills are different, the taste itself is equal. of.How can I make a judgment through my own mouth?Taste each other interchangeably, and then make an evaluation. " Cui Shanggong must have seen the clues from the words and deeds of the highest palace on a daily basis, otherwise she is definitely not the kind of person who advocates the equality of delicious food. If she did this on purpose, then even if she can avoid it now, it will only be a matter of time before she finds out . Jang Jin and Han Shanggong were hesitating, but Ling Lu had quickly changed his food.Of course Jang Jin didn't know, as she chewed Ling Lu's sauced pheasant, she wondered what it should taste like. "The lightness of the pheasant... the sweetness of the molasses... and the umami of the soy sauce are perfectly combined and taste very good." Asked her to evaluate the food she had tasted, but Jang Geum hesitated so much, Cui Shanggong curled his lips and laughed. "yes?" That expression seemed to say, you really fell for it. Cui Shanggong walked in front of the most noble palace, and the opinions he expressed were also unexpected. "Jang Geum's bamboo rice is the best here." Supreme Palace wanted to hear what she had to say, so he agreed. "Really?" "Yes. Put rice, chestnuts, and jujubes into bamboo tubes to cook. The taste is extremely sweet. But, mama!" "Oh, no wonder." The Supreme Palace seems to have expected that Cui Shanggong will add a suffix. "Jang Geum seems to have completely lost his sense of taste." "What? How is it possible?" The most noble palace asked back.Han Shanggong's face was pale, and his jaw was trembling. When sending someone to call Jang Jin, Cui Shanggong made preparations to test Jang Jin's taste.So when Jang Geum arrived, three water bowls of exactly the same size and shape had already been set up. "The bowl in front of you contains water with salt, sugar, and vinegar. Although the amount is small, as long as you are a maid in the imperial dining room, you will be able to tell the difference. You can tell the difference." Jang Geum understood what was going on, and closed his eyes tightly, feeling an ominous premonition in his heart.When I tasted Linglu's pheasant meat just now, I couldn't get rid of this uneasy feeling. Jang Geum looked at the bowl in front of him.They are all alike in color and style, and there is only one tool that can tell them apart, and that is the human tongue.Of course, only for tongues that have not lost their sense of taste. You can't avoid it, you can't escape, you can only face it with a brave face.Jang Jin picked up one of them, put it on his lips and licked it.The most noble palace swallowed and asked. "What kind of water is this?" "...white...white sugar water." Jang Geum tasted the other two bowls of water in the same way. "Okay, the three bowls are full of water. You can go." Jang Geum was like a burst bubble, and he felt infinitely short for an instant.Han Shanggong was heartbroken and powerless, he could only watch Jang Geum walking away with his shoulders drooping. "Mom! It's true that Jang Geum has lost his sense of taste, but she has the ability to describe delicious food." "So, Han Shanggong already knew about this?" "I'm in charge of training her." "This is a major matter related to His Royal Highness's imperial meal! How can a court lady who has lost her sense of taste take on such an important task?" "Even though she has lost her sense of taste, isn't she better than the others so far? Jang Geum is the one who found out why the miso tasted bad, and Jang Geum is the one who cooked the miso soup for the king!" "That's nothing more than a blind cat meeting a dead mouse!" "No, Jang Geum can do well. She's a kid who can describe deliciousness." "Hey! Depicting deliciousness? How dare you make such a sophistry?" "Cui Shanggong, didn't you also say that bamboo rice is the best?" "Doesn't bamboo rice need seasoning?" "She can do it. She has been doing well in the past, and she will definitely be able to do better in the future. As long as I work hard to teach her, Jang Geum can cook any food." "Any food can be cooked? That's good." Cui Shanggong turned his gaze to the most noble palace and said. "Mommy! Didn't you say that you don't know how to cook the whale meat presented to His Highness?" "Yes, indeed." "The palace has never cooked whale meat before, and even the familiar hands don't know what to do. If Jang Geum can cook whale meat well, then I have nothing to say, and of course I accept her. Didn't Han Shanggong say that even if It is food that has never been eaten, and Jang Geum can also describe it in his mind." Neither the Supreme Palace nor Han Shanggong dared to agree immediately, Cui Shanggong urged even more arrogantly. "However, if the food tastes bad, not only Jang Geum, but also Han Shanggong, who doesn't distinguish between public and private, will be accused. What do you think?" There is no choice anymore! "Understood, let's do it like this, Han Shanggong, did you hear that?" The most noble palace asked Han Shanggong, with complaints and reprimands in his tone, blaming her for not telling him about it in advance. After hearing the news, Jang Geum first went to Zheng Yunbai. "Didn't I say it's not okay?" "You've got to get someone to experiment, don't you?" "But why did I find you?" "It's not a coincidence, please take it as my luck. Regardless of success or failure, I will not blame my lord." "I'm not afraid of your complaints. I'm worried that something will happen. The person who came to see me for treatment made his condition worse because of me. That's what I'm afraid of." "No accident will happen to me!" "Your recklessness often puts you in dangerous situations..." "But it's also recklessness that is urging me forward!" "Are you willing to risk your life just to cook for the king for the rest of your life?" "I'm not doing this for the king, but for myself." "This will kill you! Besides, it's not me sticking the needle with my hand, but the poisonous needle that the bee stings you. Do you think they know where and how to sting you?" At this time, Jang Geum made a suggestion.Yun Bai thought about it, but he didn't know if it was feasible. After questioning again and again, he couldn't help but accept Jang Jin's proposal, that is, instead of letting the bees sting directly, he would first use tweezers to pull out the bee needles, and then Yun Bai would give Jang Jin acupuncture. Yun Bai carefully searched for the acupoints where the taste nerves were concentrated, and then injected the needles.After the acupuncture and moxibustion, Yun Bai threw a pack of medicine to Jang Jin, and at the same time gave her a hard look, the seriousness just now disappeared without a trace, as if mocking Jang Jin's stupidity. "Take this when you have shortness of breath or itching all over your body. This is a decoction for bee venom." "If the bee venom is removed, will the effect of the bee needle also disappear?" "Bastard! Don't you insist on not taking medicine even if you lose your breath and die?" "No, no, of course I will." Yun Bai's thunderous reprimand frightened Chang Jin, and she hurried away with the soup. "My lord, thank you, and, sorry." "Stop doing this! It's so nasty, it's like bugs crawling across your back." Jang Geum did not keep the agreement between her and Yun Bai.Although her whole body was swollen and extremely itchy, she persisted in refusing to take the antidote.Jang Geum also hated this stubborn and cruel self, but only stubbornness can survive, and weakness means sin.If you are weak, you will not only harm yourself, but also others, as is the case with the palace. Hearing that Deku went to the cooking room, Jang Geum hurriedly ran there, maybe Deku could know something about whale meat.De Jiu lifted the lid of the pot, put in the tripe, then poured in the water with eggs, and handed Jang Geum a red blood clot. "what is this?" "This is bitter gall. I heard that bitter things are good for restoring the sense of taste, so I brought it." "In the future, I will eat it in the future. But, uncle, do you know the taste of whale meat?" "I know, of course I know. Once I went to the East China Sea, and when I took a boat out to sea, I saw a whale the size of a house. This guy opened his mouth so big that he wanted to swallow the whole boat... In short, this is not ordinary Big fish." "Then have you ever tasted it?" "Of course, it didn't swallow me, and that's why I'm alive. The taste of whale meat is both fish and meat. Every part is different, and there are twelve flavors in the whole body. If I say what it is Taste, how should I put it? It's that..." "You said it smells like meat, is it similar to beef?" "If not, it's about the same. Yes, about the same." At this moment, the long waiter came in and said rudely. "There's nothing you haven't eaten, you bastard! Fifty-year-old eels, five-hundred-year-old white snakes, and thousand-year-old ginseng... just because of you, a reckless expert, my adopted son is still sick and suffering." , Damn guy!" Although the misunderstanding at that time was resolved, De Jiu would not be punished for a day, and the long-term servant would not give up for a day.Jang Geum took the gall and said "I'm leaving".At this moment, Deku whispered to Jang Geum. "Jang Geum, it tastes like beef." Cui Shanggong just received from Wu Jianhu the whale cooking method that her brother handed over to her. "Not only the imperial dining room, but even the cooking kitchen has received the best salt. Why did you make her the most noble palace, and you thought she would be willing to be a puppet? What's the result? What's the matter!" "Be patient a little longer. She doesn't know that she's digging her own grave, and she's still tossing about. Sooner or later she'll lie in it, it's just a matter of time." "Xu Changjin is a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh no matter how you look at it, let's start with her this time!" "of course?" Cui Shanggong was very confident, thinking that the second round would be on their side from the very beginning.All the people in the imperial dining room came out to watch, and the servants brought in the whale meat.Seeing the whale meat, Jang Geum suddenly wilted, and Han Shanggong also sighed.Cui Shanggong has seen the cooking method, and has already known it well. In contrast, Han Shanggong and Jang Geum know almost nothing. The servant put down the materials and left, and the Supreme Palace immediately stepped forward. "This is whale meat caught from the far sea, dedicated to His Highness. This kind of meat is hard to come by, and up to now, no one in the palace has cooked whale meat, let alone eaten it. Jang Geum and Jin Ying are responsible for the internal affairs of people." The order was issued, and Cui Sanggong and Jinying acted immediately.Jang Geum looked at the whale meat from a distance, and after a while, he seemed to feel that he should taste it, so he tore off a small piece of raw meat, put it in his mouth to chew, and then shook his head.Seeing Jang Geum shaking his head, Han Shanggong also shook his head. But they couldn't just stand still like this, Jang Geum quickly rolled up her sleeves and began to sort out all kinds of cooking materials, as if a picture had been drawn in her mind.Han Shanggong finally breathed a sigh of relief, staring at the whale meat in front of him. Finally, they finished their cooking.Because this is a food that has never been heard or seen before, the most noble palace will taste it first.Han Shanggong cooks boiled meat, although Cui Shanggong also cooks boiled meat, but with seasoning. "Although it is fish caught in the sea, the meat is as tough as beef." "Yes. Unlike beef, whale meat has a fishy smell, so I added more seasoning. And because it is as greasy as mackerel, so I only added a little sesame oil." "Okay, there is no peculiar smell. Pear juice is added to the tough meat, and the raw beef slices cannot be compared." The Supreme Palace did not hesitate to praise, and continued to go to Jinying's braised pork. "Well, the braised pork tastes good too." Jang Geum cooks kebabs.The Supreme Palace shook its head after tasting the taste, but even so, they did not let them down, but sent someone to the main hall immediately.Nervousness and anxiety made their legs numb, and now they can only wait for the result. After returning from the main hall, the Supreme Palace immediately called all the people in the imperial dining room together.Everyone eats leftover whale meat to make The food that has been suppressed for a long time has finally been released. "Thank you very much for everyone's excellent cooking with the materials you have encountered for the first time. Especially Jang Geum's whale meat skewers, His Highness was very satisfied after tasting it." A loud exclamation sounded, Jang Geum was so happy that he didn't know what to do.Han Shanggong and Cui Shanggong have been to the main hall together, and they already know the result, so there is no change in their expressions.Only Jinying looks down. "Whale meat is a new dish, everyone come and have a taste." Everyone, regardless of you or me, stretched out their hands to taste the whale meat, and the venue suddenly became lively.In order to reward her restless mood, Jang Jin also reached out and grabbed a piece, one bite, two bites, every time she chewed, her expression would change obviously.The stiff muscles relaxed, Jang Geum smiled softly, and Lian Sheng gave her a thumbs up. "Jang Geum, you are a genius after all, a genius!" When Jinying on the opposite side heard this, his expression changed suddenly.At this moment, Cui Shanggong stepped forward. "Mommy! I lost." Everyone was eating, and at this time they all looked at Cui Shanggong inexplicably. "Jang Geum makes such delicious food with whale meat that she has never seen before, not to mention she has lost her sense of taste." There was an uproar in the arena again.In an instant, everyone knew about Jang Geum's loss of taste. "Jang Geum! It's amazing to be able to make such food without your sense of taste!" "Actually not..." "But mama, the maids in the imperial dining room are not allowed to stay just because they only know how to cook. Fortunately, no mistakes have been made so far, but we can't just wait around in fear when it's time for Chang Jin to cook! Her I am also very sorry that her talent cannot be brought into play, but I think it is best to let her leave the imperial dining room first, and come back when her sense of taste recovers." "I haven't made any mistakes so far. Is it reasonable to drive her away just to prevent something that may or may not happen?" "Since you say so, let's test it in front of everyone." "test?" The embarrassing eyes of the Supreme Palace drifted to Jang Geum, and Jang Geum indicated with his eyes that he could try.Supreme Palace raised his eyes, as if asking "Is it really possible?" Jang Geum blinked lightly. "Okay, that's it. Cui Shanggong, get ready, you take this opportunity to eat everything." At this moment, everyone's interest has shifted to Jang Geum's loss of taste.Some people were puzzled how this happened, and some people said sarcastically that they had been hiding it for so long without anyone noticing it.In short, all kinds of questions are pouring down like raindrops.Chang Jin originally wanted to tell Han Shanggong alone, but since the situation was like this, he had no choice but to swallow it. The servant brought five small tanks, put them away and left.There is a small plate in front of each small tank, and each plate contains the shrimp sauce that has been filtered out of the soup. "It just so happened that the girls learned about shrimp paste, so they prepared some." The training of the girls is just an excuse.It is not easy for a wife with a normal sense of taste to distinguish the taste of shrimp paste just by the soup, let alone Jang Geum who has lost his sense of taste.But Jang Geum didn't say a word, he went straight forward and faced the five plates.She tasted the shrimp sauce on the first plate and said without thinking. "This is May Shrimp Paste!" "how do you know?" "May Shrimp Paste is made from shrimp caught in May. At this time, the shrimp has just begun to grow meat, so the color is red and the taste is slightly sweet." According to the instructions of the most noble palace, Cui Shanggong opened the lid of the tank, and it turned out to be May shrimp paste.Cui Shanggong thought that Jang Geum guessed right just by chance, so he didn't have any special reaction. "Try the next one." "This is the June shrimp paste marinated in June. Compared with other soups, it is saltier and more fragrant. It has a good chewing texture and is suitable for appetizers." I guessed right again this time!Cui Shanggong panicked a little. "What about the next one?" "This is shrimp paste made from shrimp caught in autumn, so it is called autumn shrimp paste. The body is small and the shell is thin, and the taste is light and delicious. It can replace soy sauce and is often used in salads, pickles and soups." Jang Geum miraculously guessed the next two types correctly. Cui Shanggong shook his head, feeling incredible. Supreme Palace can finally feel at ease, but she was also puzzled, so she asked Jang Geum. "Jang Geum, haven't you lost your sense of taste?" "I just wanted to say... In fact, my sense of taste has recovered." "Oh, really? That would be great!" The most noble palace rectified the chaotic order in the arena, and continued. "Listen up, everyone! The reason why Jang Geum lost his sense of taste is because he took ginseng and nutmeg to cure Motoko's paralysis. The person who cooked the food tried it himself, regardless of the danger. Although it seems a little reckless, we have no reason Blame her. All of us palace maids should share weal and woe and stand together. Jang Geum has suffered so much alone, now we should share it with her. From now on, even if she makes a mistake, I will not throw her out of the palace easily , I will choose to share joys and sorrows with her and be together forever!" At this time, the arena was silent, Cui Shanggong was staring at the shrimp sauce dish closely, his eyes were so cold that the dish seemed to be split in half in an instant.It is reasonable for Cui Shanggong to react so embarrassingly in front of all his wives and maids. Just after the show ended, Jang Jin ran to find Yun Bai and told him that his sense of taste had recovered.She thought Yun Bai would be very happy, but he was only interested in the effect of bee needles, and finally said angrily, "If you thank me, buy me a bucket of wine." On the way back, seeing the training center of the inner guards, Jang Geum hesitated for a moment, but suddenly thought that this time, he should not say those usual polite words, but should solemnly express his sincerity, so he quickened his pace. Liansheng is waiting for Jang Geum in the dormitory. "Where have you been, and why are you only coming back now?" "Oh, I'm going to thank the person who helped me restore my sense of taste." "Why don't I even say a word?" "I was very confused at the time..." "Then you should tell me all the more, if you want to be confused, the two of you are already confused together..." "If even you are confused with me, I will suffer even more." "So I'm useless." "As long as you are always by my side, it is a great strength for me!" Lian Sheng was so moved that the tip of his nose turned red, perhaps because he was embarrassed to cry, so he got into the bed that had been made.Jang Geum also felt a sore nose, she was a little embarrassed, so she looked around the room boredly, and her eyes fell on the pile of medical books. "There is a person I am grateful for, and I want to give him a small gift... what should I give?" "Well, satin? Tassel streamers?" "Well, he probably wouldn't like that sort of thing." "So... how about Mi?" "This is also..." "Then offer your heart." "How?" "Didn't Aunt Ding Shanggong always say that cooking food should be done with sincerity? So, just give him food." "After all, Liansheng! You are really my best friend!" Jang Geum immediately went out to prepare some food.Although she cooks food every day, this is the first time she cooks it for someone out of selfishness.When making food for Zheng Hao, Jang Geum discovered for the first time that cooking food not only brings nervousness and anxiety, but also excitement and uneasiness. "I was thinking of sending a soldier to you too." Zheng Hao hurried over, finished speaking out of breath, and then collected himself. "I found a doctor with good medical skills through my acquaintances, and told him your situation, and he said that it can be treated." "Thank you for caring about me, sir. I'm completely healed." "Really? Hehe, there is such good news! Congratulations, you have suffered during this time." "The owner of the Chazaixuan that you met before, Mr. Zheng, gave me a bee needle, and I completely recovered." "Then I would like to congratulate you even more." "I want to return the medical books I borrowed to you, and..." Jang Geum slowly handed the prepared package to Zheng Hao, his cheeks blushed, even redder than the red cloth that wrapped the food. "I've caused you a lot of trouble, I'm very sorry, so I specially brought some supper." "I didn't do anything, why should I do this?" "No, you lent me medical books, gave me comfort and advice, and poems... For me, all of these are extremely powerful. When I make food, I always hope that the face of the person who eats the food With a smile on your face." "I see. Martial arts is for hurting people, but cooking is for making people happy." "I hope my wishes can be conveyed to adults through these foods." Both Jung Ho who received the food and Jang Geum who gave the food did not dare to look at each other's faces.Jang Geum fled away, and Zheng Hao didn't even have time to say a word of thanks. Back at the Inner Palace, Zhenghao opened the package and saw that there were a variety of colorful fruit snacks, such as chestnut cake, jujube cake, pine nut chestnut fruit, pine nut jujube fruit, etc., just like colorful silk and satin.Zhenghao was not willing to eat it, but just stared at the food for a long time, as if he was already very happy just looking at it like this. "I want people who eat this food to put a smile on their face." Recalling what Jang Geum said, Zheng Hao picked up a pine nut and chestnut fruit and put it in his mouth. Before he finished chewing, a smile appeared on his face.Thinking carefully about the scene when Jang Geum handed him food with a blushing face, a smile spread across his face. Early in the morning, the House of Internal Servants sent someone to deliver the imperial decree.When Han Shanggong came to the executive room to convey the news, the Supreme Palace seemed to have not slept in for a long time, and was arranging his hair in front of the mirror.The most noble palace's bun was loose, and she looked like a frail old man.This fact made people feel distressed, Han Shanggong forgot what he wanted to say, and his expression was a little confused. The most noble palace is more attentive than those who participated in the competition, and the excessive anxiety made her age a lot overnight. "Is there a problem?" "...Yes. The House of Internal Servants has asked to select a member of the Imperial Dining Room and send it to Yunyan Temple." "why?" "Nurse Zhao Shanggong has gone to recuperate, and needs a maid to serve her." “赵尚宫嬷嬷？不就是跟着王后娘娘从娘家进宫的保姆尚宫吗？看来王后娘娘一定很担心。因为你们之间的比赛，御膳房的人手已经不够了，就从生果房或者饼果房中选一名内人吧。有没有合适的人选？” 韩尚宫绞尽脑汁想找出一名合适的内人，正在这时，长番内侍进来了。 “你也来了？” 长番内侍突然来访，一定是有大事转达，或者好事或者坏事。 最高尚宫做好了接受的准备，开口问道。 “出什么事了吗？” “提调尚宫向太后娘娘禀告，说通过比赛决定最高尚宫的人选是不合适的。” “真的吗？哎呀，都到这个时候了怎么……” “从情形来看，肯定是她判断出比赛对自己不利，所以才这么做。再说了，长今的味觉不是已经恢复了吗？” 两位尚宫无言以对。千辛万苦终于走到这一步，弄不好又要回到最初。想到这里，她们两个顿时没了精神，浑身上下就如虚脱一般。她们万万没有料到，要想通过正当的途径与那些不择手段的人比赛，竟然如此艰难。就算自己堂堂正正，步步荆棘，然而对方不仅取道捷径，而且手段卑劣，不知不觉中已经赶到了前面。 早晨，大王来向太后娘娘请安，太后娘娘责怪大王直接参与选拔御膳房尚宫的事，说这分明是女官之间的事情。大王看出母后心情不好，也就爽快地接受了。然而大王并没有假装事情从未发生，而是恳请母后亲自选拔、任命最高尚宫。他觉得很有意思，选拔的又是主导饮食的最高尚宫，当然非常重要。 这样一来，比赛进入了全新的局面。从元子的生日开始，共计举行三轮比赛，最终结果 由太后娘娘定夺。 崔尚宫露出了会心的微笑。不利的形势终于得以扭转，而且对崔家有好感的太后娘娘也参与进来，崔家几乎是胜券在握了。如果能够通过比赛的形式为自己树立威信，那就更是锦上添花了。 最高尚宫和韩尚宫多少有些失望，不过事情没有彻底回到原点倒也令人欣慰。 元子的生日原打算办得隆重些，甚至要求准备进宴仪轨，后来大王下令改为一饭、一汤、一菜。大王震怒不已，因为夏季连雨天之后必是凶年，老百姓苦不堪言，元子的生日怎么可以如此大张旗鼓、铺张奢靡呢。 太后娘娘采纳了大王的意见，重新布置任务，要求寻找因不懂如何食用而经常扔掉或回避的材料，努力做出可口的食物。 长今出宫寻找材料，偏偏政浩也突然受命出宫。大王有旨，命令内禁府护送熟手、医官各一名，前往服侍疗养中的保姆尚宫。 护送医官郑润寿和熟手姜德九前往云岩寺的人，正是内禁卫从事官闵政浩。保姆尚宫在云岩寺疗养，附近正好有成均馆的学田*（在中国或韩国，为了保证学校的维护和补充经费，由政府或社会人士捐赠给学校的农田——译者注），因为近来产量急剧减少，内禁卫长便派他前往查明原因。 政浩想找长今道别，听到她出宫的消息后大失所望。政浩要去的地方路途遥远，来回需要耗费五个月的时间，而且他也不敢保证，暗查农田问题又要耽误几天。想到五个多月见不着长今，政浩的心里已经思念翻涌了。 “呵，这可真是……” 政浩对自己的心情也感到陌生，还有点儿难为情，便故意咳嗽了几声。 长今对韩尚宫说她要煮骨头汤。尽管这在宫中不是常见食物，但是骨头营养丰富，完全可以代替肉来满足老百姓的气力和胃口，所以深受百姓喜爱。本来可以去司饔院取，但长今坚持要到肉店买最好的骨头。韩尚宫无奈，只好自己先回寓所。此时今英从司饔院领回了杂骨，已经煮起了骨头汤，韩尚宫看在眼里，心里隐约有些不安。 熬骨头汤需要很长时间，但是直到深夜长今还没回来。天亮之后，长今回来了，说她去白丁村买来了好骨头。韩尚宫不由得凭添了几分忧虑，连生忍不住说道。 “可是，熬骨头的时间要比骨头的质量更重要啊。” “不用担心，我都想过了。骨头汤之所以需要熬四天，目的就是让油凝固、冷却，凝固、冷却，但是如果在汤里放上朝鲜纸，就能把油全部吸收。” 长今充满了自信。自从味觉恢复之后，她好象又恢复了斗志。韩尚宫更加不安了，但她决定拭目以待。 提调尚宫、致密尚宫、长番内侍都在紧张地等候，太后娘娘终于出现在食膳阁。王后也陪同前来，太后娘娘好象心情不太好。 长今和今英各自端着饭桌进来，放好之后转身离开。两个饭桌上分别放着米饭和骨头汤，还有盛在碟子里的小菜。 “老百姓都吃得这么简单吗？” “其实很多人吃得比这更简陋，嬷嬷。” 听了长番内侍的话，太后娘娘连连咂舌。 “所以大王才会日夜忧心啊。那么，这菜都是用老百姓平时不吃的材料做的吗？” 说着，太后先看了看崔尚宫的饭桌，表面看来是酱，材料却是谁都没有见过的。 “这是什么酱？” “这是鱼鳃腌的酱。鳀鱼、黄石鱼和明太鱼的鱼子、肠子可以腌酱早已广为人知，人们毫不犹豫扔掉的唯一部位就是鱼鳃。” "Oh, and then?" “我用鱼鳃腌制成酱，发现味道并不差。贫穷百姓也可以经常享用，这无异于锦上添花。” “好，这个是酱菜了。” 太后娘娘指着韩尚宫饭桌上的小碟子问道。 “是的，娘娘，这是梅子酱菜。” “梅子？不是又酸又涩用于酿酒的吗？” “是的，做成酱菜以后酸味和涩味都消失了，非常可口。” “哦，果然如此，恐怕还可以刺激食欲吧？” “梅子不仅有利于胃和肝脏，而且还能化解水、血、食中的毒素，可以用做药材。” “还有比这更好的材料吗？” “老百姓经常吃到变质或有害的食物，所以梅子酱菜不但好吃，对百姓来说更是一种有益的药材。” “哎，这可真不好办了。两个人使用的都是被人抛弃的无用材料，却做出了可口而且对身体有益的食物，真是很难评判优劣。这可怎么办呢？” 太后娘娘觉得应该以汤定胜负，她先走到今英的餐桌前舀了一勺饭，又尝了一口汤，然后漱了漱口，舀了一勺长今的汤。 “结果出来了！” 看来骨头汤的优劣很容易判断，所有的人全都紧张地注视着太后娘娘。 “崔尚宫的汤更好！” 太后的评价到此结束。咣当，太后放下勺子正想出去，却突然发现了长今，立刻眯起了眼睛。 “骨头汤是你熬的吗？” "yes……" “那个想出做菘菜饺子的孩子哪儿去了？从那以后就骄傲自满了吗？” 长今惊慌失措，正不知道说什么好，太后已经微风拂面般离开了。崔尚宫气焰高涨，就连笑声都让人心里发毛。向来痛恨的竞争对手丢人现眼了，又怎么能不痛快呢，她走到韩尚宫面前惺惺作态，实在叫人不忍卒睹。 “梅子酱菜也是很出色的食物。” 尽管崔尚宫态度可恶，更让韩尚宫生气的却是长今，回到宿舍后，看着她蔫头耷拉脑的模样，韩尚宫怒上心头。 “骨头汤需要熬很长时间，你明明知道，为什么回来那么晚？” “肉店里的好骨头全都卖光了，我只好去了白丁村……” “你是不是想买到最优质的骨头和肉？” “是的，今英姐姐也会这样做，我很想取胜。” “这次比赛的题目是什么？” “用被人丢弃的材料，做出百姓也容易吃到的新食物……” “那么，老百姓能用最优质的肉和骨头熬汤吗？骨头汤是什么？” "..." “骨头汤是什么？” "This... this..." “老百姓吃不起上好的肉和骨头，只好连骨带髓熬了又熬，煮了再煮，这才做成骨头汤。可你竟然号称什么秘方绝招，在骨头汤里加入驼酪粥。我欣赏你的才气，所以提醒你有描绘美味的能力，结果你竟然毫无诚意，专门寻找优质材料和秘方！” 长今还是第一次看见韩尚宫勃然大怒的样子，她想让韩尚宫消气，却又不知道怎么办才好，战战兢兢，恨不得找个地缝钻进去。韩尚宫的愤怒非但不减，反而重重地叹息，差点没把火炕震塌。 “我从你身上唤醒了才华，却变成了害你的毒药！” 韩尚宫既失望又愤怒，到头来竟有些绝望了，让人不忍再看。长今如坐针毡，站也不是，坐也不是，只好静静恭候韩尚宫吩咐。长长的沉默过后，韩尚宫下达了一道晴天霹雳般的命令。 “王后娘娘百般依赖的保姆尚宫身体欠安，正在疗养，需要一个服侍的内人，你去云岩寺吧！” “嬷嬷！请您原谅我，就请您原谅我这一次吧！” 眼看就要开始第二轮比赛了，而韩尚宫却让长今离开，这无异于主动放弃最高尚宫的位子。长今伏在韩尚宫脚下百般祈求。哀求、哭诉，韩尚宫始终不为所动。最高尚宫也跑来说这样的处罚太重了，然而韩尚宫始终不肯收回自己说过的话。 最后，长今不得不收拾行李了。此时，今英正在住处厨房里制作核桃柿饼，她把干柿子从一侧切开，取出种子，再在原来是种子的地方放入核桃，核桃的断面露出，就成了一种好看又好吃的水果点心。圆圆的深盘子里，摆满了各式各样的点心，野蒿蜜饯、秸梗蜜饯、莲根蜜饯，还有野葡萄蜜饯。 今英拿着让人垂涎欲滴的点心去了内禁卫执务室，却听来了令她失望的消息，政浩出发去了云岩寺，不知道什么时候才能回来。 极乐殿塔形屋顶上已经褪了颜色的丹青绘画看上去古色古香，寺院对面载岳山的山峰朝着苍穹延伸，就像芍药花的叶子，所以这座山又叫芍药山。芍药山中的落叶随风飘入，古刹庭院里因为这些纷飞的落叶而显得更加灿烂了。 站在庭院里，芍药山的景色尽收眼底。酩酊大醉的德九，大白天就躺在院子里的平板床上呼呼大睡，与追着阳光晒野菜的隐士正好形成鲜明的对比。一缕吝啬的秋阳之下，隐士正在勤劳地晒野菜。阳光慢吞吞地移动，到达德九躺着的位置。隐士把德九推到一边，在那里认认真真地摆上野菜。德九从平板床上掉了下来，滚落在地。 “哎哟，哎哟！” 德九的呻吟回荡在寂静的寺院里。隐士依然顾我地晒着野菜，看样子十分细致。 “喂！不就是晒野菜吗，你怎么能把正在睡觉的人推到地上呢？” “谁让你把有阳光的地方也占了？” “刚才这里是树阴！” “我要把野菜摆在这儿，请你让开。” “云彩一出就收回去，太阳一来再铺开，有风的时候还得收回去……慢慢悠悠的像头老牛，还要让我闪开……” 德九没完没了的抱怨让人难以忍受，而隐士却不以为然，自顾自地摆弄着野菜。正如德九所说，安排一切的好象不是人，而是云彩、阳光和风。 “哎哟，真是气死人了！哎呀，老婆！现在我才明白你的心。哎哟！我真的快要被人气死了……” 正当德九假装要死的时候，一个姑娘从一柱门进来，德九不禁揉了揉眼睛。 “喂，这是谁呀？这不是长今吗？长今啊！长今！” "Uncle!" 长今气喘吁吁地跑来，无精打采的，就像霜打的茄子。 “你大老远地跑到这儿，不会是来祈祷佛祖保佑你赢得比赛吧……难道你也来服侍尚宫嬷嬷？” "Yes, that's it." “哎呀，太好了。这是我听到的最让我高兴的一句话。荒山野岭的这么寂寞，又没什么东西是我喜欢的，我正想着要不要剃头当和尚呢。” 长今耷拉着肩膀，德九以为她是长途跋涉累坏了身子，仍然在为自己有了可以说话的人而兴奋不已。仿佛老天也在嫉妒德九的喜悦，那边别宅里传出凄惨的叫声，接着是急匆匆唤人的声音。 “嬷嬷又发作了吗？” 德九急匆匆跑开了，长今紧随其后跑进一个房间。顿时，一股酸臭味扑鼻而来。与此同时，一副惨不忍睹的场面也刺激着她的感官。身穿素服的保姆尚宫手抓胸口喘着粗气，医官正想方设法给这个狂乱挣扎的身体扎针。 德九和长今慌忙跑来，抓住保姆尚宫的两只肩膀。医官这才赶紧下针，保姆尚宫急促的呼吸逐渐平缓下来。 “她大概活不了多久了。” 德九正在别宅厨房里准备做海带汤的材料，随口说了一句。长今眼睛盯着火还没烧旺的炉灶，安安静静地听德九说话。 “也许是人之将死的缘故吧，她总是提到小时候哥哥给她的一把米。” 好象是夜晚礼佛的时间。微微燃烧的柴火仿佛受惊于连绵不断的木鱼声，突然蹿起了蓝色的火苗。 “她很小的时候父母就去世了，就跟着哥哥要饭。妹妹饿得又哭又闹，有一天，哥哥在她的手心里放了一把米。吃过好长时间，她才发现哥哥在一个角落里狼狈地睡着了。其实哥哥不是睡着了，而是永远踏上了黄泉路。所以呢，这就成了她一辈子的遗憾。” 长今静静地听着，眼泪在不知不觉中流下来，只有失去了世上唯一的血肉亲人的人才能体会到这种悲伤。哥哥用一把米救活了妹妹，而他自己却饿死了。长今想到自己用葛根也没能救活母亲，现在的自己到底是在做什么呢…… “她一直嚷嚷着要把这把米装进棺材里，这可真难办……既不是米饭，也不是糕点，她竟然说那生米松软可口。大家给她买来了各种各样的米，她都说不是。” “真的没有这样的米吗？” “死丫头！当时很穷，肚子饿才觉得好吃。没有煮过的生米怎么可能松软可口呢？” “这也有可能。” “不管怎么说，你来了我心里就舒服多了。从现在开始，保姆尚宫的饭菜由你来做。” “大叔，对不起，暂时还是由你做吧。” “你这孩子，只要说是料理，就算正睡觉你都能马上起来，今天这是怎么了？” “就是没精神。” “是不是走路时间太长了？” 德九的目光从盛海带汤的碗转移到长今脸上，看了看她的气色。不知道是火光的映照，还是发烧，她的两颊红通通的。果然，当天夜里长今烧得厉害，云岩寺的第一夜就这样伴着痛苦过去了。