On the Laba festival, the Imperial Palace sent out Laba congee, and the various residences also exchanged congee with each other.
Song Ci, however, was delighted to harvest the first batch of young cabbages, the vibrant and tender green leaves made her smile with joy. Get full chapters from novel(ꜰ)ire.net
"Make sure to pick the best ones from this basket." Song Ci pointed to a basket woven from bamboo strips, neatly packed with small cabbages.
Everyone laughed and agreed.
"Madam, you truly have the Empress Dowager in mind," Hong You said with a smile.
Now, whenever Madam has anything fresh, she sends a share to Cining Palace in the Imperial Palace.
Song Ci laughed and said, "To try something fresh with Her Ladyship."
Just kidding, Empress Dowager Wang is her great supporter, she definitely has to curry favor with her. Young cabbages in the middle of winter are so rare; the Empress Dowager should know her intention, it’s so exceptional.
Yes indeed, it’s just so hypocritical, flattery welcomed.
Song Ci admitted generously.
When serving the higher-ups, a little flattery is forgivable. Hypocrisy as it is, this golden support must be held onto tightly.
"Have all the residences received it? Send extra to the second Madam’s courtyard," Song Ci instructed again. Madam Jiang is pregnant, so she should eat more fresh produce.
"All have been sent!"
Song Ci nodded satisfactorily, checked the basket of young cabbages for Empress Dowager Wang again to ensure freshness and safety, and then had it sent to the palace.
Song Ci had her means to send things into the palace. After thorough scrutiny, the basket of cabbages soon reached Empress Dowager Wang.
Previously, when Song Ci sent in woolen clothing, Empress Dowager Wang was very moved and pleased. Upon seeing this basket of cabbages still dewy and fresh, her surprise was even greater than when she saw the clothes.
"Is it really something Ah Ci grew herself? How could she be this incredible, able to grow such greens in the dead of winter, how is this possible?"
Eunuch Lian, who was responsible for receiving the vegetables, smiled and said, "The person said that Madam came up with the idea herself, saying it was grown in a warm greenhouse."
"This is truly amazing." Empress Dowager Wang stirred the cabbages and said, "Take it to the small kitchen to be cooked and invite the Emperor to dine, and inform him that I am inviting him to try something fresh."
Emperor Chu was very surprised to hear Empress Dowager Wang’s summon, and upon hearing that a basket of cabbages had been sent from the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
Oh, he had vaguely heard before that the Prime Minister’s Mansion had something like a warm greenhouse for growing vegetables. He had just listened then, as what could really grow in the dead of winter, it was just older folks idly pottering around.
But now, it really did produce something?
Emperor Chu soon saw the plate of vibrant green cabbages, as amazed as Empress Dowager Wang.
"Impressive, right? Ah Ci grew them herself, even in the capital’s harsh winter, to grow such vegetables, so miraculous!" Empress Dowager Wang felt a sense of pride.
"It is quite impressive."
Emperor Chu took a bite with his chopsticks. Honestly, he had been eating radish and cabbage since winter started, it was dreary, and now tasting the fresh cabbages typically found only in spring and summer, the flavor was truly touching.
He took another bite, while eating, he thought about the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s greenhouse, wondering how it was done, if it could indeed grow cabbages in winter. If this could be popularized, could winter greens also be secured, instead of just eating cabbage every day?
While pondering this feasibility, Emperor Chu reached for a piece but grabbed at air.
He looked over and saw that Empress Dowager Wang had moved the cabbage plate in front of herself.
"Emperor, the Dragon Soup cabbage from the imperial kitchen today is also quite good!" Empress Dowager Wang subtly remarked.
As an Empress Dowager who invited her son to share fresh goods, she couldn’t say she regretted it, a plate of young cabbages was not enough to eat.