Princess, I'm Here

Fang Zheng had been kneading for who knows how long, and his forehead was already slightly damp with sweat.

Cooking was truly a technical skill. Use it or lose it. It had been so long since he'd cooked that his hands were quite rusty.

Before his transmigration, when he was a wage slave, he would occasionally learn to cook by watching short videos in his rented apartment.

After transmigrating, many of the dishes in the county had been developed from the little culinary knowledge he possessed.

But after becoming wealthy, he rarely cooked anymore, leaving it mostly to Xiao Tao.

Now he felt the truth of the saying that things become difficult when urgent.

Good cooking skills were valued everywhere! He should pick up this skill again.

A little more time passed.

The dough had been kneaded and, with no yeast available, he added starter dough and left it to rise.

Only now could he take a short break.

Sitting on a small stool, Fang Zheng silently munched on a cucumber.

Seeing him without any pretense, the imperial kitchen manager approached with a towel and said eagerly: "Lord Fang, you've got flour on your face. Please wipe it off."

"Oh? Where?" Fang Zheng asked.

"Not much!"

"Is it obvious?"

"Not very obvious!"

"Then I won't wipe it!"

The manager put down the towel and squatted beside Fang Zheng with an awkward smile: "Lord Fang, may I ask what you're making?"

"Small bread rolls."

The manager straightened up and scanned all the imperial cooks with his eyes.

As their gazes met, all the imperial cooks shook their heads.

What were small bread rolls? No one had heard of them, and the ingredients seemed quite particular.

With both milk and honey, the taste couldn't be bad!

Fang Zheng looked up, seeing everyone's eyes full of curiosity, and smiled: "No rush! I've made plenty. After I finish baking, you can all taste my cooking!"

Hearing this, the manager's face lit up with joy.

He really had no airs at all! Unlike typical high officials who would rather take a detour when encountered in the palace.

"Thank you, Lord Fang! But... is that appropriate?" the manager asked.

"It's appropriate! If I say it's appropriate, then it's appropriate! Just eat it!"

.....

The dough had risen well. Fang Zheng kneaded it again to release air, then divided it into small thumb-sized portions.

By now, many imperial cooks had grown bolder, and several actively offered to help.

As they assisted, they all understood.

This thing was a bit like steamed buns, but it seemed it would be baked, not steamed.

Steamed buns could be made this way too? The imperial cooks found it rather novel.

After arranging all the small dough balls, brushing them with egg yolk, and placing them in an oiled copper basin, they were thrown into the oven, marking the final stage.

Because he hadn't cooked for so long and was quite rusty, Fang Zheng, fearing mistakes, had kneaded extra dough and made many batches.

Everyone in the room was eagerly waiting for the bread to come out of the oven. When the familiar aroma appeared, Fang Zheng finally relaxed.

Finally done. What a waste of time.

At the moment, people in the imperial kitchen were still sniffing the air with delight.

The sweet fragrance in the air was indeed enticing! A wonderful smell never experienced before! And from the hands of a high official of the court!

"Come, take the bread out!" Fang Zheng called.

Two imperial cooks quickly removed the copper basin from the oven. Looking inside, they saw golden bread arranged within, slowly emitting white steam.

Perhaps due to the uneven fire in the oven, two batches were ruined, with several burnt pieces.

But as long as some succeeded, that was fine!

Fang Zheng beckoned everyone: "Come taste these small bread rolls and tell me how they are!"

The imperial cooks swarmed around, hesitantly looking at the bread in the basin, not daring to take any.

"Take whatever you want! Just leave me one good batch!" Fang Zheng said.

Since Fang Zheng was so generous, the cooks no longer hesitated, and each came forward to take a piece.

The manager was fastest, grabbing a nice-looking piece.

But the bread was still hot, making him toss it from hand to hand.

After it cooled slightly, he carefully put it in his mouth.

Fang Zheng watched him, asking with slight nervousness: "How is it? Does it taste good?"

The manager took two more bites, looked at Fang Zheng, and nodded repeatedly.

"Sweet! So delicious!"

Fang Zheng turned to ask the others.

"What about you all? Is it good to eat?"

"Delicious!" everyone shouted in unison, their faces full of joy.

"It has a honey fragrance, an egg fragrance, much better than steamed buns!"

"Milky and creamy, and it stretches when pulled apart..."

Incredible! Lord Fang was truly remarkable!

A high-ranking official who could cook so well! A true Renaissance man!

At this moment, Master Fang, who had been busy for two hours, finally showed a satisfied smile!

"Good, good, good! Thank you all for your help. Find me a food box to pack the good-looking bread, and prepare a few cold dishes."

"Oh! And the burnt ones... pack those up too, put them at the bottom! The rest, you all can share."

The manager responded with a sound of agreement and quickly ordered someone to prepare a food box, then approached Fang Zheng with a radiant face: "Lord Fang, I have an impertinent request... these small bread rolls, can we make them in the future?"

The manager was actually somewhat anxious.

In the cooking profession, everyone needed some special dishes, which were essential for survival, even in the palace.

Usually, people wouldn't ask, nor dare to ask.

Firstly, it would break the rules, and secondly, it would be impolite.

But Fang Zheng had a special status, and the manager guessed that a high official might not care about a small cook's rules. Also, seeing his friendly attitude, he thickened his face to ask.

If he learned to make bread, the higher-ups would be pleased, and the imperial kitchen would surely be rewarded!

Besides, many people would surely love this food. If the Princess liked it, surely Lord Fang wouldn't come to bake bread every time?

Fang Zheng waved casually: "Make it as you wish! If you haven't learned it well, I can write it down for you too. It's no trouble."

At this moment, all the imperial cooks in the kitchen were stunned.

What a good man! A truly good man!!!

This was... a recipe that could make one's fortune! Later, if they left the palace to start a business, they'd make a killing!

They never expected Fang Zheng would so easily teach them... it was truly moving.

"Thank you, Lord Fang!" the group shouted in unison.

The shout startled Fang Zheng, who dug at his ears in disgust.

Damn, shouting so loudly! My eardrums nearly burst!

"Alright! No need for thanks. I'm leaving!" he said.

With that, Fang Zheng picked up the food box and strode off!

It's already dark. I hope my precious little Princess isn't asleep yet!

Asleep? If she's asleep, that might not be bad either... but there's a palace curfew now, I need to be careful...

Just as he was about to leave the imperial kitchen, the manager hurriedly grabbed Fang Zheng.

With emotion on his face, he said: "Lord Fang... if you come to the imperial kitchen in the future, just say what you want to eat!"

Fang Zheng pulled his hand away, caught between laughter and tears.

The feed you make in your imperial kitchen is like the newspaper office's canteen. You want me to eat it? Stay as far away from me as possible!

"I know! Disperse, disperse, don't see me off!" he said.

"Lord Fang, walk slowly!" The imperial cooks squeezed at the door, watching Fang Zheng's hurried figure.

Fang Zheng carried the food box and quickly headed toward Mingluan Hall, his heart nervously pounding.

"Hehehe... little Princess, I'm coming!"