From then on, Consort Li insisted on having Zhenzhen prepare every meal, as her culinary style differed greatly from the previous nourishing medicinal dishes and clearly won the consort's greater favor. During meals, the consort also enjoyed summoning Zhenzhen to attend by her side. Zhenzhen's temperament was not as reserved as that of typical palace attendants; she often animatedly shared stories of the world beyond the palace, which the consort listened to with keen interest, lifting her spirits considerably. Zhenzhen also suggested that the consort engage in activities like arrow-throwing or shuttlecock kicking and encouraged her to take more walks in the Rear Garden. Following this advice, the consort's energy improved significantly, and her listlessness greatly diminished.
One day, the consort sent word to Attendant Hu, saying that The Emperor would be visiting Phoenix Arrival Pavilion for the midday meal and that the food must be meticulously prepared. She specifically instructed Zhenzhen to create a dish that would be refreshing and novel for The Emperor to taste.
It had been a long time since the Emperor had dined with Consort Li, and everyone in the pavilion was overjoyed, eagerly spreading the news. Attendant Hu felt the weight of responsibility even more heavily, reminding Zhenzhen to prepare her dish carefully before selecting ingredients herself and beginning the busy preparations.
Zhenzhen surveyed the available ingredients and found nothing particularly rare or precious. The best were likely the seasonal lake crabs, which were at their peak with rich roe and creamy flesh. However, precisely because they were in season, The Emperor had likely been served lake crabs frequently in recent meals. If they were simply steamed or boiled in the usual way, how could they be refreshing and novel?
As Zhenzhen pondered, her wandering gaze fell upon the oranges in the fruit section, and a sudden inspiration struck her.
Despite having only the morning to prepare, Attendant Hu managed to create several exquisite dishes, such as Lychee with White Kidney, Pan-Fried Three-Colored Fresh Delicacies, and Hundred-Flavored Soup. She even specially requested a Huai white fish from the Bureau of Palace Provisions to prepare The Emperor's favorite Wine-Steamed Huai White Fish. The Emperor praised the midday feast as sumptuous but did not comment on any specific dish, eating at a leisurely pace while occasionally conversing with Consort Li.
After a short while, Zhenzhen's dish was ready. Following Consort Li's instructions, she placed it on a tray and personally carried it to the table where the Emperor and consort were seated.
The dish immediately caught the Emperor's eye: it appeared to be two large oranges, golden in color, with their stemmed tops visibly cut open, showing a neat circular incision. Yet, the tops remained in place, preserving the oranges' complete form. On the silver tray holding the oranges, two small, brightly colored chrysanthemum branches were also arranged.
Zhenzhen presented one orange to each of the Emperor and consort, removing the stemmed tops for them. Wisps of steaming vapor escaped, revealing crab meat and roe mixed with golden orange juice inside.
This "Crab-Stuffed Orange" was prepared by Zhenzhen according to a recipe from the handbook Lin Hong had given her: hollow out the oranges and extract a small amount of juice, then select several lake crabs, remove the meat and roe, fill the orange shells with the mixture, add the orange juice, replace the tops, and steam the oranges in a small steamer with water, wine, and vinegar added.
Following palace protocol, Zhenzhen first used silver chopsticks to take a small portion of crab meat from each orange shell, placing it in a small silver dish for Attendant Hu to taste. After Attendant Hu nodded to indicate the flavor was suitable and the Emperor and consort inspected it without issue, Zhenzhen invited them to season the dish with vinegar and salt from the table. The Emperor tasted it and smiled, saying, "Excellent. The fragrance of the orange has infused the crab meat and roe, making it exceptionally aromatic and fresh. The rich crab roe doesn't feel greasy at all. The presentation is also clever—new wine, chrysanthemums, fragrant oranges, and crabs—perfectly suited to the season."Zhenzhen bowed in gratitude for the Emperor's praise, and as she rose, she discreetly observed him. The Emperor appeared to be around forty years old, with a prominent nose, clear and gentle eyes, and a handsome beard. Likely due to diligent practice in archery and horsemanship, his complexion was somewhat dark, yet his overall demeanor seemed more scholarly than martial. At this moment, he smiled at her with a kindly expression.
After savoring the dish, Consort Li also praised it, remarking on its innovative preparation. The Emperor promptly informed her, "In fact, the method of steaming crab in orange vessels existed during the late Emperor's reign. Official Liu once prepared it for the late Emperor, using the meat from the large claws of the blue crab. After filling the oranges with the meat and steaming them, the white claw meat soaked in orange juice resembled white jade adorned with gold, a truly beautiful sight."
The blue crab is a large crab with firm and savory claw meat. Imagining this crab-stuffed orange dish, Zhenzhen thought it might taste even more refreshing and fragrant than the version made with lake crabs. However, to fill a large orange, one would likely need the claw meat from ten or twenty blue crabs.
Consort Li also considered this issue: "But how many blue crab claws would be needed to prepare just one of these orange vessels?"
"Thus, it is an exceedingly extravagant method," the Emperor sighed, shaking his head. "Blue crabs are already expensive, and after using so many claws, the remaining crab bodies have limited use, resulting in much waste."
Consort Li wondered, "The late Emperor often admonished us to practice frugality in our meals and avoid waste. How could he have allowed Official Liu to prepare such a dish?"
"This was likely a method from the household of Grand Tutor Qi," the Emperor explained. "After Official Liu prepared it and presented it to the late Emperor, he refused to eat it and ordered her to offer it to me instead."
Consort Li pressed further, "Did Your Majesty partake?"
The Emperor chuckled, "Since my father did not eat it, how could I dare accept? After repeatedly declining, the late Emperor instructed Official Liu to deliver the orange vessel to Madam Ju."
"Madam Ju..." Consort Li was momentarily taken aback, then exchanged a knowing glance with the Emperor, both breaking into silent laughter.
Standing to the side, Zhenzhen listened with great curiosity as they mentioned Official Liu and Madam Ju. Holding her breath, she hoped to hear more about their stories, but the Emperor changed the subject, addressing Consort Li, "Today, the Crown Prince actually brought up Feng Jing on his own initiative... This is probably the first time since the selection of the Crown Princess."
Consort Li widened her eyes in surprise, then after a long pause, sighed softly and asked, "How did the Crown Prince mention her?"
The Emperor replied, "After the morning court, the Director of the Gathering Scenery Garden construction, Jiang Yuanshi, sought an audience with me. He said that after submitting the blueprint for the Empress Dowager's bedchamber courtyard in the garden to Cifu Palace, the Empress Dowager requested revisions. Jiang Yuanshi made several changes, but none satisfied her, though she did not specify exactly how to amend it. At a loss, he came to seek my opinion. The Crown Prince happened to be by my side at the time, listening quietly to our conversation and carefully examining Jiang Yuanshi's blueprint. After Jiang Yuanshi withdrew, the Crown Prince spoke to me, saying, 'Perhaps the Empress Dowager feels that the bedchamber courtyard differs from a man's residence—it must be dignified yet elegant, grand yet refined. Jiang Yuanshi's design is magnificent but lacks delicacy. It may require the input of a woman with insight into architecture and gardens to offer suggestions.'"
Consort Li immediately understood, "So, he thought of Xiao Jing."Zhenzhen had also heard of the Gathering Scenery Garden. Located outside Qingbo Gate by the West Lake, it was a royal garden whose construction began during the reign of the previous emperor. Due to its vast scale and immense complexity, the project had continued to this day and remained unfinished. Hearing the Emperor relay the Crown Prince’s opinion, it seemed Feng Jing had considerable expertise in garden design. Zhenzhen marveled inwardly: she had spent no small amount of time with Feng Jing, yet had never heard her mention this. She had assumed Feng Jing spent her days solely studying culinary arts.
"The Crown Prince says Feng Jing can paint architectural drawings, excels in mathematics, and has knowledge of civil engineering. Moreover, as a palace attendant, she can easily come and go from Cifu Palace to consult the Empress Dowager directly. With her involvement in the design, it will surely meet the Empress Dowager’s wishes," the Emperor continued, then sighed. "Actually, the Crown Prince is right. Feng Jing is a rare talent. We truly wronged her by placing her in the Bureau of Palace Provisions back then."
Consort Li remained silent for a long while before speaking. "However, joining the Bureau of Palace Provisions was her own choice at the time. Your Majesty originally intended for her to study under the Chief of Palace Surveillance for a few years before granting her a higher position... This child appears gentle and compliant, but in truth, her temperament is rather stubborn. I, too, would like her to participate in the design of the Gathering Scenery Garden and serve the Empress Dowager loyally, but I do not know what she thinks now. Perhaps she worries this matter might invite further gossip..."
The Emperor pondered, then said, "Perhaps you could summon her privately to ask and try to persuade her to accept, so as not to disappoint the Crown Prince’s kind recommendation. Who knows, this might even bring about a change in their circumstances in the future."
After the midday meal, the Emperor prepared to return to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility. Gently, he urged Consort Li, who wished to escort him out, to stay and rest, advising her to recuperate well. The Consort then bowed respectfully in farewell and instructed Zhenzhen and the other attendants in the pavilion to escort the Emperor to the gate.
Perhaps Zhenzhen had left a favorable impression on the Emperor, for before boarding his palanquin, he turned to look at her and asked kindly, "What is your name?"
Zhenzhen curtsied and replied, "My name is Wu Zhenzhen."
"Zhenzhen? As in 'pearl'?"
"No, it's with the grass radical above the character for 'true' or 'real.'"
The Emperor contemplated, then smiled faintly and said to her, "Zhen is the seed of an auspicious plant. It's a fine name—elegant and meaningful... Who gave it to you?"
Zhenzhen had asked her mother this before and answered as she had been told: "This name was given by my father."
The Emperor then asked further, "Where are you from?"
"Pujiang. I am from Pujiang," Zhenzhen replied.
"Ah, Pujiang..." The Emperor nodded, smiled at her, said nothing more, boarded his palanquin, and departed from Phoenix Arrival Pavilion.
Following the Emperor’s suggestion, Consort Li had Zhenzhen invite Feng Jing that afternoon to play pitch-pot with her in the pavilion.
This was the first time Zhenzhen had seen Feng Jing play this game, and Feng Jing’s performance impressed her greatly. In the first round, every arrow Feng Jing threw landed inside the pot’s mouth, achieving a "perfect pot." Before throwing each arrow, her brows would subtly furrow, her gaze focused and calm as she aimed, revealing a hint of resolute spirit—nothing like the image of a fragile, heartbroken woman from the rumors.
In the second round, Zhenzhen suggested competing with skill. Feng Jing was equally adept, first throwing two arrows into the pot’s ears to accomplish "piercing the ears," then having someone empty the beans from the pot. She then threw an arrow inside, waited for it to bounce out, caught it, and threw it back into the pot, earning cheers from the surrounding spectators.After two rounds, Consort Li invited Feng Jing to sit and have tea with her. Seeing Feng Jing in good spirits, she casually brought up the Crown Prince's suggestion. At the mention of the Crown Prince, Feng Jing's smile vanished instantly. After a moment of contemplation, she gently but firmly declined the proposal: "I hope Aunt will convey to His Majesty that Feng Jing's knowledge is shallow. My skills in architectural painting and mathematics were merely superficial pastimes from my youth—how could I dare to show off before the Emperor? The construction of the Gathering Scenery Garden is a matter of great importance. The Empress Dowager surely already has a clear vision for the layout of the sleeping quarters, and with experts like the Imperial Garden Commissioner Jiang overseeing the project, I truly dare not offer my opinions lightly. I beg His Majesty for forgiveness and hope he will continue to allow me to remain in the Bureau of Palace Provisions as an ordinary cook."
Consort Li sighed and said, "When we arranged for you to enter the Bureau of Palace Provisions, it was only a temporary measure. Both His Majesty and I felt it was unfair to you. Sooner or later, we must find a position worthy of your talents."
"There is nothing wrong with devoting oneself to culinary arts," Feng Jing replied. "In the past, I deliberately showcased many skills, only to bring trouble upon myself. I cried, I resented, and I was depressed for a long time. It was in the warm and sweet aroma of pastries that I finally found peace. Besides, no skill is inherently superior or inferior—it all depends on how one uses it. An excellent cook may not be inferior to a master who designs gardens, for she can use food to create a warm home in people's hearts."
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