Chapter 444: Chapter 444 Palace Banquet (16)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“This is a rare opportunity. Does Lady Gu not want to show off her talent? Or does she not have any talent?” Yang Wanyu jeered.
“That’s right, hurry up. If you need anything, I’ll prepare it for you,” the Princess added.
Gu Chengrui was about to get up when Zhou Ying pulled him back and said, “Alright, then I’ll have to trouble the Princess to prepare a sharp knife, a piece of tender tofu, a chopping board, and a basin of water for me.”
“You mean you want to cook?” The Eighth Princess asked mockingly.
Zhou Ying smiled but did not reply.
The Eighth Princess snorted and sent people to prepare.
Everyone immediately started discussing it curiously. They didn’t understand what she was planning to do. Was it that she was planning to cook here? How could she cook without a fire?
“Zhou Ying, what are you planning to cook?” The Empress Dowager asked curiously.
“Empress Dowager, I’m not cooking, but just performing my knife skills.” Zhou Ying stepped forward and answered.
Zhou Jiaqing sneered. “1 thought you’d bettered yourself, but you’re only destined to work in the kitchen.”
Zhou Ying looked at her with a faint smile and ignored her.
After a while, the tofu was placed onstage, and everyone looked at her curiously.
Zhou Ying got up and started working on the table before her.
First, she picked up the tofu and shaped it into a square.
She then placed the knife on the chopping board, dipped it in water, and sliced the tofu. However, from afar, it looked like she was holding the knife above the tofu and quickly shaking her wrist.
After she was done, she changed the direction of the incision to a 90-degree angle and continued slicing the tofu.
Just as everyone was in the dark about what she was doing, she quickly cut off the four corners of the tofu and rounded them.
Finally, Zhou Ying scooped up the tofu with a knife and gently placed it in the water, shaking it gently.
A moment later, a chrysanthemum flower with strands as thin as hair took shape.
Zhou Huaiming looked over and laughed.
“Eighth Princess,” Zhou Ying raised her head and said, “Please, look at my knife skills for yourself.”
The Eighth Princess looked at her suspiciously and walked over. When she saw the chrysanthemum floating in the water, she was stunned.
Zhou Jiaqing looked at the Eighth Princess’s expression and was startled. She ran over and saw the chrysanthemum in the water basin, also in disbelief. Zhou Ying’s knife skills were too good; she could slice tofu into shreds without breaking a single strand.
The Emperor looked at their expressions and was also interested. He asked a palace maid at the side to bring it over for everyone to see.
After the palace maid understood, she immediately ran to take the basin. She first went up to let the imperial family and the others take a look, followed by the ministers.
All of them were surprised, as no one had expected that the tender tofu could be cut into flowers without breaking. Moreover, it was cut so thin and evenly. “Zhou Ying,” the Empress Dowager asked curiously, “how long have you been practicing such knife techniques? It’s amazing that you can cut such a tender tofu into a chrysanthemum.”
“I’ve been doing odd jobs in the kitchen since I was young and can’t remember exactly how long it has been, but no less than ten years.”
“So you started holding knives when you were seven or eight?”
“Yes, I started holding a knife when 1 could hold a knife.”
“Amazing. No wonder the Third Prince mentioned he liked your cooking. Your foundation is solid; 1 must try your Egg Fried Rice some other day.
“Egg Fried Rice? What do you mean?” The Emperor asked in confusion.
“This girl said that her specialty dish is Egg Fried Rice. She also said that every grain of rice must be covered in egg to be considered a success. I’m tempted to taste it after hearing that.”
“Now that you mention it, it does sound delicious. Mother, when she cooks a portion for you, remember to leave a portion for me.”
“No problem. I’ll call you over when the time comes..”