CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188 SIX-FILLING MOONCAKE

For Lin Wanyi, making these mooncakes was a skill perfected over time.

But for the Second Prince, it was a curiosity in every aspect.

One moment he would hold this and inquire about it, the next, he would grasp that and ponder deeply.

It was quite amusing.

After washing her hands, Nanny Du joined in.

Only when packaging did they realize, it was quite astonishing.

She turned out to be a master, extremely skillful.

"I had no idea, Nanny, that you were so skillful. Your wrapping is truly beautiful."

The dough seemed to come to life in her hands, quickly kneaded and combined, finally stuffed with filling, rolled into a ball, and then pressed into molds.

With left and right taps, each mooncake that emerged was more exquisite than the last.

This skill surprised not only Lin Wanyi but also Chunqi greatly.

"Nanny is truly impressive!"

Her praise was indeed sincere.

After all, considering everyone present, in terms of speed and quality, Nanny Du was unmatched.

Gradually, it turned from everyone wrapping to everyone watching Nanny Du wrap.

Everyone was filled with wonder.

Seeing this, Nanny Du smiled warmly and began to explain.

"Before entering the palace, there was a mooncake shop at my family’s home, and I made them with my parents since childhood, so I’m quick with my hands."

So that’s the case; it all comes down to practice making perfect.

The Second Prince had already developed a liking for Nanny Du, and now he admired her even more.

"Nanny Du is really impressive, I want to learn too."

Saying that, he sped up his pace.

Unfortunately, his hands were already small, and being unfamiliar, the dough in his hands was sometimes stretched out, sometimes squashed flat, and never behaved.

In the end, it slipped right out of his hands and fell to the ground.

A perfectly good ball of dough was wasted just like that.

The Second Prince’s little face scrunched up like a bun, feeling very dissatisfied.

"Nanny Du, why does this dough seem to choose who to obey?"

In his hands, it was completely disobedient, just intent on opposing him!

Everyone burst into laughter at his words.

Lin Wanyi teased him.

"Now you understand the saying, haste makes waste, don’t you?"

The Second Prince tilted his head in thought, and after a moment, reluctantly nodded.

"I understand."

Nanny Du glanced at Lin Wanyi, appreciating her ability to teach children.

She always managed to incorporate life lessons into everyday occurrences, making it clear and not dull for the children.

Perhaps noticing the depth in Nanny Du’s gaze, Lin Wanyi smiled and explained.

"I have a younger brother at home, so I often used to talk about reason this way from a young age; I’m used to it."

Nanny Du wasn’t very familiar with matters of the Lin Family.

So, when she heard this, she didn’t continue the conversation.

Instead, she focused on wrapping the mooncakes faster and faster.

Meanwhile, Xiao Luzi had already set up a small oven, in which the mooncakes were baked.

It took a while before a batch was done.

However, when a batch was done, the aroma filled the air.

It delighted everyone present.

Lin Wanyi particularly favored the ham filling and could eat two or three each time.

The molds Chunqi prepared were not large, so although it was two or three, they added up to less than the size of a palm and didn’t take up much room in the stomach.

The Second Prince tried each filling and loved the pine nut and osmanthus honey fillings the most.

He couldn’t stop eating them.

Seeing this, Nanny Du spoke directly.

"Second Prince, eat a bit less; these mooncakes are quite filling. If you eat your fill now, you might have to skip dinner."

The Second Prince was indifferent.

He reached out for another one, only to have Lin Wanyi order it to be taken away.

She even teased him.

"Have you forgotten the day the Second Princess cried from being too full? Do you want to mimic that?"

Upon Lin Wanyi’s words, the Second Prince reluctantly pulled his outstretched hand back.

"I won’t eat anymore, I’ll save room for dinner."

He hadn’t missed the fact that the small kitchen still had a lot of good things around.

There was no need to fill himself with mooncakes to the point of not being able to eat other things!

Lin Wanyi found his cunning demeanor more and more amusing as she watched.

The stay at the traveling palace might seem like she was looking after the two children on the surface.

But in reality, the children also accompanied her.

Thus, she neither appeared lonely nor had to deal with much of the harem’s discontent.

She lived quite comfortably.

At this moment in the Imperial City, the concubines found it hard to swallow their meals.

The Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet, let alone not holding, was one thing, but the Emperor wasn’t even in the palace; he had set off for Taishan.

This wasn’t the biggest issue. The real problem was that only Lin Guifei accompanied this trip!

Who knows, after a few months, might Lin Guifei rise once again?

If she were to conceive, wouldn’t that be a tremendous fortune?

So everyone envied, yet no one could claim such luck.

Within Yuexiu Palace.

Princess Consort Yi was too busy to think about these trivial matters, carefully selecting the titles to be bestowed upon everyone.

Those accompanying the trip, aside from Lin Wanyi, who had already been promoted, included Mu Lanchun and Ming Hanzhi, along with a few others.

First was Consort Ye, followed by Du Changzai, and then Lady He.

Looking at the array of titles submitted by the Inner Court Department was dazzling.

Finally, Princess Consort Yi selected a few.

"Consort Ye shall have the title ’Qian,’ which suits her temperament. Du Changzai can use ’Yi,’ as it matches her charming tongue that often flatters well. As for Lady He, grant her the name ’Jinxiu,’ taking a good omen, hoping she will have a splendid future."

The logic in her words made others consider it appropriate.

Quanfu Chief from the Inner Court Department was frequently visiting Princess Consort Yi’s palace these days.

Reporting this today, submitting that tomorrow, diligent in every aspect.

Seeing that Princess Consort Yi made the selections, he promptly responded.

"The ones chosen by Your Ladyship are good ones, surely to bring joy to each young mistress upon knowing."

"Yes, the things needed for the conferring of titles, let the Inner Court Department make efforts. Once the Emperor returns from Taishan, they’ll come in handy."

"Yes, Your Servant understands."

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and normally, even if the Emperor wasn’t in the palace, there should be a family banquet.

Now, with Lin Guifei absent, Princess Consort Yi is naturally the highest-ranking concubine.

Thus, Quanfu Chief brought up the matter.

However, Princess Consort Yi didn’t seem to care much.

"With the Emperor absent, I suppose the sisters have no heart to gather together. Just have the Imperial Kitchen send festive items to each palace."

"Yes, Your Servant complies."

This Princess Consort Yi was not like Lin Guifei, attending to such minor details.

In her eyes, even the Emperor wasn’t that significant, let alone these concubines.

Wanting her to act magnanimous, pretending to look virtuous to arrange a gathering, she had no such intention.

However, she wasn’t wholly indifferent; the Third Prince and the Liu Family were her vulnerabilities.

"I’ve heard that after the year, come spring, the Second Prince will also head to the Prince’s Residence?"