"Um, Your Grace, a few days ago this servant went back home and learned a novel method of making cakes. I thought to let you and the two Highnesses try it. What do you think?" Chen Mo said, bowing slightly.
Sweat had already seeped through his back.
"Is that so?" Xiao Yunxi pinched her exquisite white chin with two fingers, then said, "Alright, then make both types of cakes."
Chen Mo: "..."
"Empress, you may not know, but the steps for making that previous kind of cake are quite cumbersome. Also, some ingredients need to be prepared in advance. If both types are to be made, there might not be enough time."
Chen Mo swore that his brain had never turned so quickly as it did now.
As for the novel cake he mentioned, it was naturally a type from Blue Star in his previous life.
Xiao Yunxi looked deeply at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo forced himself not to dodge her gaze until he couldn't resist any longer and said, "Your Grace, if it's truly not feasible, shall I rush and make both types of cakes?"
"No need. Just make that novel cake you mentioned," Xiao Yunxi said.
"As you wish."
Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief.
"I have high hopes for you. Don't disappoint me."
Xiao Yunxi stood up and raised her jade-like hand.
Chen Mo believed she wanted him to assist her, so he quickly stepped forward and held Xiao Yunxi's jade hand.
[Ding! Orange Talent Pool has been expanded.]
"How bold!" Wang Ying was so startled he almost lost his soul and immediately shouted at Chen Mo, "Xiao Chen, what are you doing?"
"Wasn't I supposed to assist?" Chen Mo felt numb.
"Insolence! The Empress's distinguished personage isn't for someone of no substance like you to touch. Someone come..." Wang Ying's forehead was breaking into a cold sweat. After all, just yesterday he had spoken kindly about Chen Mo in front of the Empress. Who knew something like this would happen now?
If His Majesty were to know...
"Pfft..." Xiao Yunxi chuckled out loud, then waved her hand and said, "Wang Ying, it's alright."
Wang Ying nodded, then shouted at Chen Mo again, "The Empress is kind-hearted and has forgiven your offense. Hurry and thank the Empress."
"Thank you, Empress." Chen Mo said anxiously, inwardly cursing historical dramas.
Indeed, his earlier action was learned from a historical drama, thinking the Empress wanted help to get up.
"Alright, all of you may leave now," Xiao Yunxi said.
"This servant takes leave x3."
...
The outer hall.
"Xiao Chen, do you have a death wish? Even if you don't want to live, don't drag us down too. You actually dared to touch the Empress's distinguished personage?" Wang Ying scolded Chen Mo.
Chen Mo listened obediently, then asked, "What was the Empress doing just now?"
"She meant for Cai'er to fetch a towel," Wang Ying said irritably, then glanced at Cai'er and began to chide her too, "Cai'er, you also lack awareness. If it weren't for the Empress's kindness, if it were Consort Yu or Consort Qing, you would have been flogged to death by now."
Cai'er was utterly terrified after hearing this.
But Wang Ying wasn't finished yet; he again started to berate Chen Mo, "Have you gone dumb after returning home? Haven't you learned these basic rules? Do you still need someone to teach you?"
"Eunuch Wang is right." Chen Mo was also filled with dread.
"Alright, listen carefully, both of you. What just happened today is something known only to heaven and earth and the few of us. If you want to live, you'd better keep your mouths shut," Wang Ying said sternly.
"I'm ti...timid, I absolutely won't say... say anything." The young girl was on the verge of tears from fright.
Chen Mo also nodded.
When it's a matter of life and death, would he dare speak?
...
Seeing their assurances, Wang Ying's expression softened slightly as he said to Chen Mo, "About the cake, I'll have Xiao Jingzi help you, make sure you do it right."
"Understood." Chen Mo responded, and then asked, "Eunuch Wang, is there something special about the visit of the Crown Prince and Fu Mao Empress that I should prepare for?"
"You don't know?" Wang Ying looked at Chen Mo, puzzled.
"Know what?" Chen Mo was completely confused.
Apart from the original memories, Chen Mo was a novice in these matters, and his understanding of this world was limited. His previous life knowledge about the harem was limited to film and television, only knowing certain things.
"Today is Her Highness the Empress's birthday," Cai'er whispered.
"Birthday?" Chen Mo was again taken aback, "Why hasn't there been any decoration?"
"The Empress cares for the people and doesn't want to extravagantly celebrate her daughter's birthday, wasting money and resources. So, three years ago, she ordered everything to be kept simple for such occasions," Wang Ying explained.
"Oh," Chen Mo nodded.
...
Next, Chen Mo and Xiao Jingzi went to the small kitchen of Weiyang Palace.
Though called a small kitchen, it was larger than any kitchen Chen Mo had seen in his past life, and it contained all the necessary ingredients and kitchenware.
"Brother Hong, what should we do next?" Xiao Ji let inquired fawningly.
In addition to Xiao Jingzi, Wang Ying had assigned two Third-Class Eunuchs to assist him.
"Uh, Xiao Jingzi, crack the eggs."
"You, um..."
"My name is Xiao Li."
"And you?"
"My name is Xi'er."
"Alright, Xiao Li, prepare the flour and sugar."
"Xi'er, prepare some milk." Chen Mo instructed the others one by one.
Then he reminded Xiao Jingzi, "Remember to separate the egg whites and yolks, beat the egg whites until you see white foam."
Indeed, Chen Mo intended to make a birthday cake.
He had worked part-time in a cake shop during university, learning the steps to make a birthday cake.
Plus, birthday cakes were indeed quite unique.
"Understood."
Xiao Jingzi followed Chen Mo's instructions.
"Brother Hong, there's no cow... milk. Can we use goat milk or deer milk?" Xi'er asked after searching around.
"Uh, use goat milk."
Chen Mo had never tried it, so he wasn't sure if it would work.
But the principle was similar, so it should be fine.
He added a little oil to the goat milk, stirred it well, then added flour and mixed thoroughly...
Chen Mo proceeded step by step according to his memory.
In the process, the Talent Pool got significantly expanded as well.
But only with ordinary eunuchs, whose talents were just Blue Talents.
After nearly three hours.
Chen Mo finally completed a three-tiered birthday cake.
Since there was no chocolate,
Chen Mo used the characteristic fruits of this world for decoration.
"Brother Hong, what's this cake called? I've never seen it before; it's so pretty," Xiao Jingzi said.
"It's called a birthday cake," Chen Mo smiled.
"Birthday cake?!" Xiao Jingzi's eyes brightened, "What a great name."
"Xiao Chen, is the cake ready?" Wang Ying came over to urge.