Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 519 Why don't I give it a try?

Shen Yu felt warm in his heart and was about to ask Li not to worry too much.

Li turned around and asked her, "Yuzhi, Mr. Lu said so, I still believe what he said."

"So what do you think? Can you go and cook for the Queen Mother?"

Shen Yu had been listening attentively and had already considered all the issues.

She nodded calmly and analyzed, "Master Lu was so anxious to send the letter here, I guess the emperor must have tried all the chefs in the capital."

"The dishes I cook are all home-cooked dishes. Although they are not as good as the cooking skills of the chefs in the restaurants in the capital and the palace, they are fresh and original."

"This way, the Queen Mother will see dishes she has never eaten before, and perhaps her appetite will improve."

"Why don't I give it a try? The Queen Mother is in good health, so the Emperor can attend court and govern the country with peace of mind, and the people can live in peace and happiness."

"It's just that I'm going to Beijing to cook in advance. I'll do my best."

Although Li knew that Mr. Lu had written personally to invite someone and she would most likely not refuse, she was still a little worried.

She then asked Lu Lang, "If Yuzhi were to go to the capital now, she would be in a hurry on the way. If we go with her ahead of time, would it delay things?"

"And her eldest uncle hasn't come yet. He said he would go to the capital with her to see her off. What should we do?"

Lu Lang said, "If Miss Shen agrees, I will let Qi Xi go with Miss Shen."

"This is an official matter, so you can take the county government's carriage."

"So, in addition to Qixi, there were two other county yamen runners escorting him. They took the official road and stayed in the post house all the way."

"As for my uncle and my wife, I will set off with you in early December, taking the purchased dowry with me."

"Do you think this arrangement is feasible?"

After hearing this, Shen Yu thought it was feasible. This way she could travel to the capital city faster with a small group of people. When Li and the others went, she felt relieved that Lu Lang would be accompanying them.

Li also thought that this arrangement was acceptable.

Qi Xi had traveled between the capital and Anping County many times, and he was familiar with the routes and lodgings. With him following him all the way, plus two yamen runners, and under the banner of the government, there was nothing to worry about.

After the three of them discussed it, they planned to pack their luggage in the afternoon. Lu Lang also went back home to arrange the carriage and manpower, and set off early the next morning.

Knowing that the two were about to part, Li stood up and said that she had to quickly pack her luggage, leaving the two of them alone so that they could chat in private.

Seeing that Li had gone out, Lu Lang hurriedly said, "Miss Shen, you have worked hard this time. You have to travel to the capital in such a hurry. Thank you for being willing to share the worries for my grandfather."

Shen Yu smiled and said, "It's nothing, just cooking a few dishes, it's not that hard or difficult."

"Master Lu and Madam Tai treat me so well, I should do all this."

Lu Lang thought for a moment and then instructed: "Grandfather just asked you to cook for the Queen Mother, don't be afraid."

"Everyone who has eaten your cooking thinks it's delicious. It's really no worse than the chefs in the capital. Grandfather and grandmother will protect you then."

"I have submitted a petition to the Emperor for leave. Once the petition is approved, I will go to the capital with my wife and uncle to join you."

Shen Yu smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, Master Lu, with Qixi accompanying us, nothing will happen on the way. As for cooking in the palace, I will do my best and I won't be afraid."

In fact, Lu Lang was extremely worried and wished he could go with Shen Yu, but the local officials could not leave at will without an imperial decree.

He looked at Shen Yu, with a lot to say in his heart, but he didn't know where to start. So Shen Yu said, "It's getting late, Mr. Lu, go back and make arrangements."

"Tomorrow morning, ask Qixi to come to the restaurant, and we'll set off together."

Urged by her, Lu Lang remembered that he had to go back quickly to arrange the carriage, so he had to say goodbye and leave.

In the afternoon, Doctor Sun came over and learned that Shen Yu was going to the capital.

He carefully asked the Queen Mother about the cause of her illness, thought silently for a while, and then said to Shen Yu: "The old lady's spleen and stomach are weak. The Queen Mother must have eaten glutinous rice cakes, which are difficult to digest. In addition, she caught a cold at night, so she had food accumulation."

"Although the imperial physician prescribed medicine, the diet in the palace has always been heavy in oil and salt. I think it must have hurt the spleen and stomach, which is why the Empress Dowager has no appetite and nothing tastes good."

“If you are going to cook, you have to focus on the word ‘fresh’. It should be light and easy to digest, fresh and delicious, and appetizing.”

"If we add some medicinal food that nourishes the spleen and stomach, I'm sure the Queen Mother will get better soon."

Shen Yu wrote them down carefully one by one.

He took out a pen and paper and asked Doctor Sun to prescribe several medicated diets for different conditions and kept them carefully.

Shen Yu said with some lack of confidence: "If we were not in such a hurry this time and the road was not so bumpy, I would really like to ask Uncle Sun to go with me, so that I can be more confident when making medicinal food."

Doctor Sun sighed helplessly, pounded his leg that was injured last year, and then shook his head: "I am old, and my health has not been as good as before since I was injured last year. I am afraid that I will hinder you on the road."

"Don't worry, these medicinal dishes are what I often use on my patients, and they are very mild in nature."

"Among these two medicinal foods that strengthen the spleen and stomach, they are selling very well in the restaurant these days. Customers all say that they have good effects after eating them."

"When your mother and Brother Li go to the capital, I will stay and help you look after the store."

"Now that you're married, you should be able to come back soon after the New Year. Then we can meet again."

Shen Yu usually gets taken care of by Doctor Sun like an elder. This time he will be away for a long time, so he can't help but feel reluctant like a child.

Doctor Sun smiled carefreely: "Silly girl, isn't it good to go on this trip? Seeing the world and gaining knowledge will only benefit your future life, so go with peace of mind."

In addition to keeping the medicinal recipes given by Doctor Sun, Shen Yu also packed the kitchen knife that Lu Lang gave him, two small boning knives that he later customized for his daily use, some common seasonings, a small jar of boiled dogwood oil, and a small bag of dried chili peppers that Boss Li had brought over in a small box.

Li went to the bank again and took out two hundred taels of silver notes and more than ten taels of silver change, and asked Shen Yu to put them into her purse and put them in her small bag.

When you are away from home, it is safer to have some money in your hand.

Everything was packed up, and in the evening, the ladies couldn't help but give some instructions again.

Because they were traveling in winter, not only did they pack thick winter clothes for Shen Yu, they also spent an entire afternoon sewing a thick quilt so that Shen Yu could wear it to keep warm when riding in a car.