After being expelled from the mansion, I changed the dynasty by writing novels.

Chapter 204 Ketchup and fries are the perfect match

After summoning the Ministers of Revenue and Personnel to the palace to discuss the matter, he couldn't sleep at all.

My mind is filled with thoughts of potatoes and sesame seeds; I just want to hear news that someone has found them.

Unfortunately, the emperor waited for two days without hearing any news. Suddenly, a secret guard received news that Ye Yuwu's tea ceremony was going to hold a special storytelling performance of "The Little Chef of Jin Dynasty".

Moreover, this special event will feature a new dish, a delicacy made from potatoes, as described in traditional Chinese stories.

The emperor couldn't even bear to read the memorials anymore and immediately summoned Eunuch Fude to go out of the palace to see what was going on.

But as soon as he reached the door of the Imperial Study, he instantly calmed down.

At the same time, he was somewhat annoyed that he had been too emotional lately. How could he just leave the palace like that?! If he really left the palace like that, Ye Yuwu and the people would probably be frightened.

So he sent someone to find the eldest princess. He naturally knew in advance that the eldest princess was going to Chayun and listen to storytelling on a chosen day, so he told his sister that he wanted to leave the palace with her to go to Chayun and listen to storytelling.

He also instructed her not to reveal their identities to avoid causing chaos.

Later, the emperor and empress changed into ordinary clothes and came to Chayunhe by carriage with the eldest princess.

The princess's usual bodyguards were replaced with imperial bodyguards, all of whom were top-notch fighters, to protect the emperor and empress.

No one in the palace knew that the emperor and empress had come out of the palace to listen to storytelling, except for a few eunuchs and palace maids in the imperial study.

However, the emperor and empress, who were visiting a teahouse for the first time, were still very curious about it.

The two were simply good at hiding their emotions.

The emperor calmly surveyed the interior and exterior of the private room.

The private room has a window; opening this window allows you to see the entire view of the first floor.

The emperor closed the folding fan in his hand and gently pushed open the lattice window behind him, opening the window a crack.

He only showed his eyes as he surveyed the outside, and then, upon hearing the sounds from outside the private room, he loosened the folding fan that was pressed against the window.

The windows were closed again, and the emperor's gaze returned to the private room.

Just then, a sound came from outside the door. A moment later, the waiter came forward with food and placed the dishes on the table.

A rich aroma wafted out instantly.

The three of them looked towards the table.

Then a golden object appeared on the plate.

"Is this the potato mentioned in the storybook?" The princess picked up her chopsticks but did not take a bite first.

After all, the emperor is still alive; how could she be the first to taste it?

Meanwhile, a young eunuch dressed in ordinary clothes and disguised as a normal man stepped forward. His role was to taste the dishes for His Majesty and the others, and only after confirming that there were no problems could His Majesty taste them.

But as soon as the eunuch raised his arm holding the chopsticks, the emperor reached out to stop him.

"Your Majesty?" At this moment, everyone in the private room looked towards the emperor. The little eunuch bowed his back timidly, not daring to look at the emperor's holy face.

"No need, you may leave now."

Those around the emperor frowned uncomfortably upon hearing his words, and Eunuch Fude whispered, "You mustn't, Your Majesty!"

However, the emperor waved his hand dismissively, and fearing that His Majesty would be displeased, no one dared to stand up and speak.

The emperor picked up his chopsticks, took a French fry, and put it in his mouth. To his surprise, the French fry was incredibly soft and tender.

When the eldest princess saw her brother pick up a second fries without asking how they tasted, she quickly reached out her chopsticks to pick one up as well.

"Yeah! Delicious!"

The Empress also picked up a piece at this moment. She had never eaten this before, and although she was not particularly fond of food, she couldn't help but pick up one after another.

When they were halfway through eating their fries, two waiters came in again and put down the tray. The three of them had never seen what the new food on the table was, but judging from its appearance, it looked delicious.

The waiters who had served the food should have left by now, but one of them, perhaps out of boldness, noticed that the small bowl next to the fries hadn't been touched and couldn't help but speak up to the princess.

"Your Highness, these fries taste even better with the ketchup on the side!"

After speaking, the waiter was filled with trepidation and dared not look up at the princess and the others, fearing that his words had displeased them. After all, many nobles disliked servants who spoke unnecessary words, as they would feel that he was more ignorant than a servant and thus become angry and punish him.

The words of caution have already been spoken and cannot be taken back; there's no use in regretting it now.

The princess did not feel offended by the reminder. Instead, at the waiter's prompting, she turned her head and glanced at the small bowl the waiter had mentioned.

The contents of the small bowl were of unknown origin, appearing bright red and almost resembling blood.

When the waiter brought it over, none of the three paid much attention, thinking it was something like chicken blood. She even wondered to herself if the "blood" was just for decoration, or if it was meant to be eaten by dipping it in "blood"—that would be quite a strong flavor.

Now, from Xiao Er's words, we know that this thing doesn't seem to be the "chicken blood" they thought it was.

"The tomatoes you mentioned?" The princess glanced at her sideways.

Seeing that the princess did not seem to be angry, the waiter mustered up the courage to explain to her.

"Your Highness, this sauce was made by our manager using tomatoes grown overseas. It's very rare, and we only have it at Chayun and Yutianxia Teahouses. For this storytelling performance, each private room will be given a small bowl. Dipping these delicacies in it will give you a unique flavor!"

It can only be said that the tomato leaves planted by Yuwu are not enough, only enough for the use of Chayun and Hetianxia teahouses, but even then, the number of tomatoes used is not large.

After hearing the waiter's explanation, the three of them began to pay attention to the inconspicuous thing that they had previously disliked.

The emperor was quite bold and open to new and unknown things, so he reached out and picked up a fries, dipping them in the ketchup in front of him.

The Empress and the Princess, sitting beside him, were intently watching the fries he picked up and eat.

"How does it taste, brother?" the princess asked anxiously.

The emperor finished his fries without a change in expression, but those who knew him well could see satisfaction in his eyes.

Seeing this, the eldest princess couldn't wait to pick up a fries, dip them in ketchup, and put them in her mouth.

"Mmm! I didn't expect it to taste even better with this sauce!" The princess couldn't wait to pick up another fries and dip them in the ketchup.

While eating, the princess said in confusion, "I've never tasted this sauce before, and none of the stories say that fries should be dipped in ketchup!"

The emperor heard the princess's words.