Divine Doctor Mommy Is A True Big Shot-Chapter 634: Culinary Showdown (Part 3)

Facing the Noble Consort Dugu who looked exactly like Lady Dugu, Dugu Wu once had an urge to loudly question her whether she was Lady Dugu, and why she had abandoned him in the beginning.

Yet reason in his heart told him that he must not lose his composure in front of everyone, for Emperor Yongye’s suspicions of him had not yet been lifted, and his leg had not yet healed; he absolutely could not be immoderate under the public’s gaze.

But still, his steps involuntarily moved forward, and his lips twitched slightly.

It was then that he heard the pitter-patter of footsteps beside him. A plump little body clung onto Dugu Wu, Feng Xiaoli was holding a Buddhist Alms Bowl in one hand and grasping Dugu Wu’s arm with her tiny hand, muttering,

"Daddy, hug."

This call of "Daddy" snapped Dugu Wu back to his senses. He looked down to see his daughter’s rosy little cheeks.

Feng Xiaoli’s little face was all scrunched up, full of concern.

A warmth touched Dugu Wu’s heart; the uneasiness and restlessness within him dissipated. He lifted Feng Xiaoli up with one arm and nodded at Noble Consort Dugu.

Seeing that Dugu Wu had not lost his composure but instead quickly regained his clarity, a touch of disappointment flickered in Noble Consort Dugu’s eyes.

She smiled.

"Your Majesty, it’s time to serve the meal."

Emperor Yongye gestured to Li Qing to start serving the meal, and palace maids and eunuchs entered one by one, and various dishes were brought in, immediately filling the palace with a myriad of fragrances.

On closer inspection, tonight’s feast was indeed rich in variety, complete with color, aroma, and taste.

"My dear, you’ve worked hard."

Emperor Yongye looked at Noble Consort Dugu, especially her face, and his eyes filled with endless tenderness.

Emperor Yongye got up and walked over, guiding Noble Consort Dugu to sit beside him.

A sense of loss flashed through the eyes of several Noble Princess Consorts and Concubines sitting at the side.

Emperor Yongye was also very fond of them at the beginning, but he never treated them with such tenderness at a banquet.

Not to mention that the seat beside Emperor Yongye was originally reserved for the Empress, and before Noble Consort Dugu’s arrival, other Noble Princess Consorts, even the pregnant Noble Consort Guo and Noble Princess Consort Xiao, who had been favored for many years, did not qualify to sit beside him.

Only Noble Consort Guo gently touched her belly, seemingly feeling the stirrings of the child inside, her mouth curving into a smile without saying anything.

At this moment, Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s heart was full of jealousy.

She thought to herself, this little wench relied on resembling Lady Dugu to earn His Majesty’s exclusive favor.

Nalan Yan’er, upon seeing the astute Noble Consort Dugu, couldn’t help but think back to when she was also very popular in the Imperial Palace. The appearance of Noble Consort Dugu made her quite avoidant.

She had no liking for this Noble Consort Dugu, yet she also knew that now was not the time to confront her directly. Despite this young Noble Consort Dugu’s youth and beauty, as well as the favor she received, she was lacking in offspring compared to the other Noble Princess Consorts, which made her an even more important figure to ally with.

Nalan Yan’er said with a smile,

"Why don’t we see the Princess Consort Wu? Didn’t she also go to the Imperial Kitchen?"

Although Dugu Wu had parted on bad terms with Feng Bailing the night before, the moment he heard that this group had actually sent Feng Bailing to cook in the Imperial Kitchen, his expression turned sour.

Noble Consort Dugu said with a beaming smile,

"Princess Consort Wu is still busy in the Imperial Kitchen. She told us to start the meal first, saying it would prevent the dishes from getting cold and affecting the taste."

After saying this, she instructed the palace maids to set the dishes. In no time, all varieties of dishes were arrayed before the guests, and the gathering buzzed with lively eating and toasting.

Noble Consort Dugu’s culinary skills also received unanimous praise.

It was Dugu Wu, Dugu Xiaojin, and Feng Xiaoli who seemed somewhat out of place.

The two youngsters had not touched their chopsticks, a warning Feng Xiaoli had repeatedly given before.

At this time, the other princes and imperial consorts were already famished, including Dongfang Yu and Nalan Yan’er, who had heard that this Noble Consort Dugu’s cooking skills were extraordinary, even surpassing the master chefs of the Imperial Kitchen.

Nalan Yan’er was initially skeptical. Noble Consort Dugu appeared frail and delicate, with hands so fine as if they had never been soiled by grime. How good could her cooking be?

She casually picked up a piece and took a bite, whereupon Nalan Yan’er was moved.

The dish was excellent in both color and flavor, even better than those seasoned with fresh sauce at Zuixian Inn. No wonder after eating Noble Consort Dugu’s cooking, both the Emperor and Empress Dowager lost interest in other dishes made by the Imperial Kitchen chefs.

Although feeling somewhat envious of Noble Consort Dugu’s skills, Nalan Yan’er secretly chuckled to herself. Feng Bailing really didn’t know what’s good for her; with Noble Consort Dugu’s lavish culinary skills for comparison, wasn’t Feng Bailing just humiliating herself?

In the meantime, Dongfang Li drank some wine and quickly became drunk, seemingly recalling something.

Noble Princess Consort Xiao was quite troubled and had to have Dongfang Mosheng take him to rest in a side hall of her palace.

As soon as they left, Noble Consort Dugu looked around and saw that everyone was lavishing praise on her cooking, except for Dugu Wu and his family, who sat motionless, both the adults and children alike.

"Noble Prince Wu, why aren’t you and the children eating? Could there be something unsatisfactory?"

Noble Consort Dugu said with a light laugh.

Dugu Wu’s demeanor was indifferent as he replied faintly.

"You flatter me, Imperial Concubine. Our family rules dictate that we may only start eating once everyone is present."

Feng Bailing had been in the Imperial Kitchen for a while, yet she was nowhere to be seen, causing Dugu Wu’s mind to wander.

He wondered what that woman was up to, why she insisted on showing off her ability; after all, there were Imperial Chefs in the palace, yet she had to cook herself.

Noble Consort Dugu laughed.

"Noble Prince Wu really dotes on Princess Consort Wu. Without her presence, it seems your family can’t enjoy their meal."

These words, falling into the ears of Nalan Yan’er who was beside them, sounded particularly harsh, causing her to involuntarily put down her chopsticks.

"Thank you for waiting."

Before Noble Consort Dugu could speak again, Feng Bailing and her daughter walked in.

Noble Consort Dugu scoffed inwardly. Feng Bailing really didn’t know her place. Using offcuts was intended to prompt her retreat, but did she actually manage to make a dish?

That worked to Noble Consort Dugu’s advantage, allowing her to follow through with her plans.

Feng Bailing and her daughter each carried a pot as they walked in. Noble Consort Dugu had not only sent away the Imperial Chefs but even the palace maids and eunuchs, forcing Feng Bailing and her daughter to demean themselves by cooking.

On the side, Princess Consort Mu clearly saw what Feng Bailing carried and exclaimed in shock.

"Princess Consort Wu, you are being too disrespectful, bringing the pot directly to the table?"

Looking at the dishes made by Noble Consort Dugu, they were all delicately plated and filled the air with a fragrant aroma.

"Reporting to Princess Consort Mu, this is not just any pot but a sand pot. I also saw Noble Consort Dugu making many delicious dishes. My cooking skills are mediocre, and I certainly cannot create any exquisite dishes, so I simply made sand pot porridge. Although it is already springtime, we have encountered a snap of cold weather, especially at night when it gets frigid. The dishes cool down shortly after being served, but with this sand pot porridge, it’s different. The sand pot can be kept on the stove, so it stays warm while we eat, which is particularly comforting for the stomachs of the old and young."

Upon finishing, Li Qing had two eunuchs bring over a couple of stoves with lit charcoal, and Feng Bailing and Dongfang Lianhua each placed their respective sand pots on the stoves.