After listening to what Yun Heng had to say, everyone finally had an epiphany.
"No wonder we couldn't get rid of the fishy smell no matter what we did before. It turns out we didn't use these seasonings. With Young Master Yun's guidance, we'll surely make great improvements in our cooking skills."
"Right. Young Master Yun's cooking skills are probably unmatched in the world for now."
Yun Heng didn't take these flattering words to heart at all.
A few days passed quickly. Finally, Yun Heng could take these people to Shi Muwǎn to showcase their cooking skills.
Hearing that there would be a cooking show today, the young emperor specially postponed all his affairs and came.
Looking at the crowd standing in the imperial garden, Shi Muwǎn pursed her lips. Although she had full confidence in Yun Heng's cooking skills, she was still a bit worried about these people.
"I hope you can satisfy me today. We're going to Jiangnan soon. I don't want you to leave a bad impression on the people there."
Hearing this, Lord Liang led the crowd to kneel down.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, rest assured. We'll serve the cooked dishes for you to taste right away."
"Go ahead."
The imperial kitchen wasn't far from here. In just half a quarter of an hour, the maids and eunuchs filed in, carrying various plates in their hands.
Looking at the dishes placed on the table one by one, the aroma wafted towards them. It seemed even more fragrant than when they ate at the restaurant before.
Ji Heng quietly swallowed his saliva. He still had to maintain his image in front of others. He coughed twice and whispered in his mother's ear, "Mother, do you think these dishes are edible?"
The smell was much better, but he was still a bit worried.
Shi Muwǎn bit her lip. Anyway, things had come to this point. She had to take a bite sooner or later. She could only comfort him.
"We should have confidence in our imperial chefs."
After saying that, she closed her eyes as if she were going to face death bravely.
The imperial chefs were extremely nervous. Their eyes were fixed on Shi Muwǎn, afraid that their dishes wouldn't taste good.
Originally, Shi Muwǎn thought that if the dishes really tasted bad, she couldn't discourage these people, after all, they had worked so hard for so long.
However, the result was unexpected. The fragrance when the food entered her mouth was refreshing. She couldn't help chewing slowly, and even her expression was different from the beginning.
Seeing this, the young emperor suddenly became a bit curious. Was today's food really delicious? He couldn't help but pick up a piece of meat and put it into his mouth.
Immediately afterwards, a look of intoxication appeared on the young emperor's face. Today's taste was really unexpected. It might even be better than what Young Master Yun had cooked before.
The result seemed to be quite good. If these imperial chefs could go to Jiangnan, they should be able to achieve the expected effect.
The two of them tasted all the dishes and finally came to a conclusion.
"From now on, when you go to Jiangnan, you must maintain the same high - quality level as today."
This was probably the most pleasant thing the imperial chefs had heard recently. They were so excited that they almost hugged each other if it weren't for the people in front of them.
Shi Muwǎn and Ji Heng gave a few more instructions and then returned to their respective palaces.
When he arrived at the imperial study, the young emperor ordered, "Go and summon the national teacher. We still need to hear his arrangements for this matter."
Soon, the man received the message and came.
Looking at the person sitting on the high - seat, he raised his eyebrows. "I heard that Your Majesty summoned me. Do you want to discuss the matter of the Empress Dowager taking the imperial chefs to Jiangnan?"
The young emperor waved his hand, and the eunuch quickly brought a chair.
"National teacher, who do you think is the most suitable person to go with the Empress Dowager this time?"
The Empress Dowager's initiative to comfort the victims was a very important matter. If it could succeed, it could not only win the hearts of the people but also promote the subsequent court affairs.
The man was well aware of the interests involved. "Since Your Majesty is worried about the Empress Dowager's safety, why don't I go with the Empress Dowager this time?"
"Have you thought it through, National Teacher? This journey will surely not be smooth."
"I believe that Your Majesty won't feel at ease if this matter is handed over to others."
Ji Heng's thoughts were seen through by him, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he burst into laughter.
"You're the one who knows me best."
The two of them finalized this matter just like that. Shi Muwǎn received the news not long after. She didn't think much of it at first, but then someone from the Shi family came.
As soon as Shi Li walked into the Shoukang Palace, his face showed urgency. "Little sister, you can't go with the national teacher this time."
He and his elder brother had already made up their minds. Last time, the national teacher had even arranged someone to secretly keep an eye on little sister. Although there had been no recent movements, this person should always be guarded against.
It was really an unwise choice to arrange the national teacher beside little sister. Who knew when that unpredictable man might turn against little sister if he was in a bad mood.
Shi Muwǎn didn't know that they had discovered the matter of the shadow guards. She only knew that the man hadn't bothered her recently, so she had been eating well and sleeping soundly.
Actually, she didn't want to go with that man either. If it weren't for the young emperor's idea this time, she wouldn't have agreed.
However, since everything was now settled, she hoped that her two elder brothers could support her. Otherwise, if this matter got out, it might be said that the Shi family ignored the monarch.
"Second brother, don't worry. This time when we go to Jiangnan, the national teacher is just there to protect me. He won't interfere with my decisions."
"Humph. For a man like him, it's already good enough if he doesn't stab you in the back. Listen to me. This time, the family can send someone else to protect you."
"The emperor has already discussed this with the national teacher. I think we'd better not change the emperor's decision without permission. It won't do any good to the Shi family and will damage the emperor's prestige."
This wasn't the first time the Shi family had done such a thing. Shi Li just wanted his sister to do as she pleased and didn't think about other things.
"Brother will send someone to protect you. You don't need to go to Jiangnan with him."
Shi Muwǎn was touched by his concern.
However, on this matter, she still insisted on siding with the young emperor.
"Second brother, don't worry. Anyway, the national teacher is just a subject. I'm at least the current Empress Dowager and a member of the royal family. If he wants to do something, he has to weigh his own status."
Shi Li suddenly didn't know whether it was good or bad that his little sister could think this way. But since her attitude was so firm, he didn't feel good about continuing to persuade her and could only reluctantly agree.
"Alright then. I'll still send some people to follow you. Don't refuse, or I'll go and talk to the emperor."
Not wanting the Shi family to have a direct conflict with the young emperor, Shi Muwǎn had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Actually, with these two elder brothers in her heart, knowing that they truly loved her as a sister, she never wanted anything bad to happen to the Shi family. After all, the Shi family was a subject while the emperor was the monarch. If they didn't know their place, they would surely be excluded by the emperor sooner or later.