Chapter Sixty-Five: Family Banquet (Part One)

The greatest difference between stir-fried dishes and those that are steamed or boiled is that, just before they are cooked through, their aroma begins to spread. As soon as the scallions and ginger hit the wok and the lamb changed color, a mouthwatering fragrance filled the entire kitchen.

Li Zhi sniffed the air and turned to say, "It seems we are in for a treat today. Who would have thought that Chen'er possesses such skills?"

Wu Zetian, however, remarked, "A princess of the realm, cooking here? How improper..." Though she had to admit, the mere scent of the dish was enough to whet one's appetite.

"It matters not. Chen'er is merely experimenting. She can teach the palace chefs later," Li Zhi replied, open-minded as ever.

But when he saw Li Yuechen grasping the heavy iron wok with one hand and expertly tossing its contents, he couldn't help but nod in approval, inwardly exclaiming at her prowess. He could tell that the wok was not light; in fact, if Li Yuechen wished, she could easily stir-fry with one hand. Yet, so as not to appear too extraordinary, she used subtle leverage, supporting the wok's base against the stove rim.

Soon, a plate of fragrant scallion lamb was ready. Zhang Chengxin didn't even bother with the silver needle test this time—he took a bite straight away and then stood aside, waiting. To keep the dish warm, he instructed a nearby eunuch to cover it with a porcelain bowl.

Li Yuechen hopped down from her stool. "Father, please taste it later. If you find it delicious, may I prepare the New Year's Eve banquet this year?"

"Excellent! Let's see who outshines whom—Chen'er or my imperial chefs!" Li Zhi laughed heartily, reaching out to rub her cheek.

Wu Zetian cautioned, "In the future, such matters are for your own study. You must never display such skills openly!"

"Rest assured, Mother, I understand!" Li Yuechen replied with a cheerful smile.

About twenty minutes later, Zhang Chengxin nodded. "Your Majesty, Empress, all is well."

Li Zhi, already impatient, ordered the eunuch to remove the bowl and picked up a piece of lamb, popping it into his mouth.

"Mm—" He let out a deep groan of satisfaction, chewing and nodding. "Very good, very good... Meiniang, try it!"

Wu Zetian tasted a piece as well. Her reaction was less dramatic, but she still nodded. "Excellent!"

Then they sampled the egg fried rice. Though its texture was not as rich as the lamb, its fresh flavor still won Li Zhi's praise.

Li Yuechen stood by, smiling. "Father, shall I prepare this year's banquet?"

"Agreed!" Li Zhi replied. "But Chen'er, in the future, let the chefs handle it."

"I can teach them," Li Yuechen said. "Then you and Mother can enjoy the dishes I create every day."

"Very well." Li Zhi nodded, summoning a group of palace chefs. "You will learn this new cooking method from the princess. Master it, and you shall be rewarded!"

Li Yuechen struck a pose beside her father, hands on her hips, mimicking his gesture. "And if you invent new dishes based on what I've taught, I too shall reward you!"

Her playful antics made everyone nearby flush, struggling to hold back laughter.

Wu Zetian grinned. "Chen'er, you overstep!"

"No harm done..." Li Zhi waved it off, bending to rub his daughter's head. "In future, do not refer to yourself as 'this princess.' 'This palace' will suffice."

Li Yuechen looked puzzled. "But I don't have a formal title yet. How can I call myself 'this palace'?"

Her question made Li Zhi pause. He exchanged a glance with Wu Zetian, then both burst out laughing.

"Haha... Silly child, 'Taiping' is a title, is it not?"

"But isn't that a Daoist name?" Li Yuechen tilted her head, eyes wide.

"Haha..." Li Zhi found her expression utterly charming and laughed again.

Zhang Chengxin leaned in and whispered, "Your Highness, the Daoist name bestowed by His Majesty is equivalent to a title."

"I see..." Li Yuechen nodded.

She then turned smartly to the chefs, striking a pose. "If you invent new dishes based on what I've taught, this palace..."

"Enough!" Wu Zetian suddenly interrupted. "Is this title merely for your amusement?"

"Hehe, I'm just testing it out..." Li Yuechen replied sheepishly, then tugged her mother's hand. "Just wait, Mother. This year's banquet will be most entertaining!"

...

With only a few days left until the New Year, Li Yuechen had much to prepare.

First, she asked the chefs to list all the foods available for the festival, to see what dishes could be made.

...

It must be said, the palace could procure some vegetables even in winter, reportedly cultivated with hot springs. Yet the quantity was small, and the produce itself tiny.

After reviewing the list, Li Yuechen had a clear idea. Every morning she practiced martial arts; in the afternoons, she switched to writing recipes.

She wrote down every dish she could recall, for the chefs to learn.

Unfortunately, not one of these chefs could read, which left Li Yuechen feeling helpless—teaching illiterates was truly a challenge.

Still, the New Year was fast approaching, so Li Yuechen decided that on New Year's Eve, they would simply watch her cook.

Though illiterate, the chefs were experienced; one demonstration would suffice.

By year's end, court affairs multiplied. Reports from all over the empire flooded in, and the stacks of memorials on the desk grew several times larger.

Her mother, Wu Zetian, was so busy she seemed glued to her chair, moving only to sleep or visit the privy.

...

Toward the end of the month, Li Yuechen summoned Xiao He and Lady Zheng to the inner chambers.

Upon entering, they found Princess Xuancheng and Princess Yiyang there as well, intrigued as to what was about to be asked.

Li Yuechen spoke directly. "I just wanted to ask, how did you find those sanitary pads? Are they practical?"

Everyone was startled by her bluntness, exchanging awkward glances, unsure how to respond.

Seeing them all silent and downcast, Li Yuechen grew puzzled. "Well? How are they? Speak!"

"They... are quite good..." Princess Xuancheng was first to answer, but her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

Had it not been for the keen hearing of children, one would hardly have caught her words.

With someone breaking the ice, Princess Yiyang nodded. "Much better than what we used before."

Li Yuechen then turned to Xiao He and Lady Zheng, questioning with her gaze.

They tried to sound calm. "This item is very useful. If possible, we would like to keep using it."

"That's good!" Li Yuechen nodded. Since they'd all tried it, she decided to give her mother a gift.

She went to the Bureau of Wardrobe to fetch two brand-new cotton undergarments and several sanitary pads, then headed for the Hall of Longevity.

This time, she didn't ride her little tricycle, for she now found it cramped. She tossed it to Shangguan Wan'er to play with—soon enough, it would be passed to her second brother Li Xian for his children.

...

Arriving at the Hall of Longevity, Li Yuechen greeted Zhang Chengxin at the door and bounced inside.

The weather was cold, and Li Zhi was leaning against the tea stove. "Chen'er, you are early today."

Li Yuechen grinned. "Today I'm bringing a gift for Mother!"

She approached the desk, unwrapping the silk package in her hands.

Wu Zetian glanced down and asked casually, "What is this?"

Pretending, always pretending!

Li Yuechen inwardly complained—something known to all in Anfu Palace could hardly escape the empress's notice. In the harem, if more than two people know of something, Wu Zetian is bound to be aware; it's just a matter of whether she cares.

Still, she kept her composure, proudly explaining, "This is something I made especially for you, Mother..."

After a brief explanation, Wu Zetian patted her head. "You are thoughtful, Chen'er."

"Hehe, of course!" Li Yuechen giggled, gently pounding her mother's legs. "Father and Mother work hard every day; this is my way of easing your burdens."

Li Zhi watched their interaction with a smile.

He knew about the undergarments, having ordered the Bureau of Wardrobe to make and try them on the first day. Unfortunately, while Wu Zetian found them comfortable, he felt constricted.

Luckily, the bureau's senior tailors soon pinpointed the issue and were now experimenting with men's versions featuring pouches.

They also knew Li Yuechen had others try them before presenting them to her parents, and appreciated her careful filial piety.

The only regret for Li Yuechen was that, for now, only royalty and the powerful could afford such things. She would have to find a way to promote cotton cultivation and lower the price.

...

On New Year's Eve, at Li Yuechen's suggestion, the banquet was held in the Imperial Kitchen.

As long as the big round table was moved there, it made no difference, since it was a family affair with no outsiders.

The table and chairs were set, but the whole family gathered around to watch her cook.

On the other side, a group of palace chefs stood by, quietly discussing her methods.

The biggest challenge with stir-frying is the smoke. Li Yuechen opened the window by the stove—since the area was hot, the smoke would drift right out.

A thick aroma filled the kitchen as a Tang Dynasty-style braised beef and tofu was soon ready.

Technically, the law in the Tang Dynasty forbade slaughtering cattle. If a family's cow was ill or otherwise unfit, it had to be reported to the authorities, who would investigate and verify the situation before allowing it to be killed.

But for the royal family... such rules were ignored.

When the dish, rich in color and fragrance, was finished, Crown Prince Li Hong at the front couldn't help but sniff. "Smells wonderful!"

"Indeed, this dish looks appetizing!" Li Xian chimed in. "Who would have thought Yuechen had such skills!"

"Yuechen always comes up with something new, so I've grown used to her surprises," Li Xian added with a smile.

Li Zhi patted his son's head. "Exactly, I've grown accustomed myself."

Li Lun said nothing, simply staring wide-eyed at the bubbling food in the wok, smacking his lips and seemingly swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

The two elder sisters stood at the back, smiling as they watched Li Yuechen stand on a chair to cook, their beautiful gazes full of admiration.

Since they lived with her, the sisters had grown used to their little sister's constant surprises—far more than those experienced by the emperor or other princes.

She seemed to understand everything, had views on every subject, and always brought fresh ideas and methods.

Of all those present, only the sisters knew the most about Li Yuechen. By now, her culinary skills seemed perfectly natural.

"Enough, stop crowding around. Second Brother, help bring the dishes to the table," Li Yuechen said with a smile.

Li Xian paused: 'Why me? Gentlemen avoid the kitchen; I am Prince of Pei...'

Before he could finish, he noticed Li Zhi and Wu Zetian both smiling at him.

"Ahem..." Li Xian cleared his throat. "Yuechen is right. Today is a family banquet—serving our parents is only proper..."

He picked up a dish and delivered it to the table, with the other children asking Li Yuechen how they could help.

"Set out the bowls and chopsticks," Li Yuechen suggested.

The other children turned and began competing for the tableware.

Li Lun and Li Xian argued over a bowl. "Brother, I'm the youngest—leave such chores to me..."

"Not so. This is a family banquet, no need for ceremony. Normally, Fourth Brother and I are close; today, as the elder, I should help..." Li Xian said, grabbing the bowl.

The two sisters covered their mouths, laughing at the scene but holding back.

Li Zhi and Wu Zetian exchanged smiles, unusually refraining from correcting them, watching the playful squabble.

As the eldest, Li Hong was about to scold them, but seeing his parents' cheerful faces, he opened his mouth and said nothing.

Zhang Chengxin, serving nearby, couldn't hold back and turned away, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Li Yuechen continued stir-frying, and soon the table was filled with dishes—new creations none of them had seen before.

Then she took a prepared fish, scored it, and placed it in the boiling oil.

Wu Zetian frowned. "Chen'er, this fish..."

"Don't ask!" Li Yuechen interrupted, turning with a cute smile. "As long as you don't ask, you don't know!"

"Nonsense!" Wu Zetian scolded.

"All right, all right, it's fine." Li Zhi laughed. "The prohibition is just for show. I've always wanted to abolish it, but out of respect for Emperor Gaozu, I've hesitated... Perhaps it's best to turn a blind eye."

Li Xian and the others exchanged secret smiles.

They had, in fact, eaten carp before—though only raw—and were surprised to see it prepared differently now.

With Li Zhi's attitude made clear, they could hardly wait to try it.