I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

The story of "Pleasant Goat" spread like wildfire among the bored princes and princesses in the palace.

In just three days, the threshold of Tinglan Water Pavilion was almost worn out by the crowds.

"I'd like to see what this Crown Princess is capable of, that she could coax the Ninth Prince into not eating for three days." Dressed in magnificent robes, Consort Li sneered as she picked up her teacup, her eyes full of disdain.

The ladies-in-waiting around her quickly chimed in, "That's right, it's just a few strange and supernatural stories, what's so special about it?"

"I heard that the Ninth Prince and the Sixth Princess are going again tomorrow. In my opinion, the Crown Princess is probably running out of ideas."

Consort Li's lips curled into a mocking smile. She wanted to see what other tricks this Ye woman could pull.

Meanwhile, at Tinglan Water Pavilion, Ye An'an was rolling up her sleeves and showing off her skills in the small kitchen.

The morning sunlight streamed through the carved wooden window, casting dappled shadows on the cutting board. She selected a few of the roundest, plump potatoes, and with a swift motion, the blade struck the cutting board with a rhythmic, rapid "thud."

Fuyun and Chenzhu watched in stunned silence.

In the Empress's hands, the potatoes seemed to come alive, transforming in the blink of an eye into translucent, paper-thin slices. Each slice was of uniform thickness, with rounded edges, and neatly arranged on a blue-and-white porcelain plate, resembling a work of art.

"Your Majesty, your knife skills... are probably unmatched even by the master chefs of the Imperial Kitchen!" Fuyun exclaimed in amazement.

Ye An'an smiled without saying a word, and repeatedly rinsed the potato slices in the clear spring water. As her slender fingers gently stirred the water, it gradually became murky—the excess starch was being washed away. After changing the water three times, she finally used a clean cotton cloth to carefully dry each potato slice.

"Your Majesty, these potato slices are cut so thin, won't they fall apart when you fry them?" Fuyun couldn't help but ask.

"Just watch." A sly glint flashed in Ye An'an's eyes.

She set up the wok and poured in clear rapeseed oil. When the oil reached about 50% of its maximum temperature, she carefully slid the potato slices into the wok in batches.

"Sizzle—"

With a crisp sound, the originally transparent sheet rapidly rolled and curled in the hot oil, its surface covered with countless tiny bubbles. In just a dozen breaths, it transformed from transparent to an enticing golden yellow.

Ye An'an quickly scooped them out with a slotted spoon, drained the oil, and then evenly sprinkled them with finely ground salt and pepper and a pinch of dried chili powder.

Instantly, a domineering salty aroma mixed with the pungent fragrance of chili peppers filled the entire kitchen and even drifted into the yard.

The young eunuchs who were sweeping in the courtyard couldn't help but sniff hard, their Adam's apples bobbing as they swallowed.

"What's this smell? It smells so good!"

"It smells ten times better than the fried food made in the imperial kitchen!"

Fuyun and Huaping couldn't resist any longer, staring longingly at the golden potato chips.

"Here, everyone have a slice." Ye An'an said with a smile, handing them over.

The two eagerly took it and carefully put it in their mouths.

"Click—"

The crisp sound was particularly loud in the quiet kitchen.

The next second, the eyes of both maids widened simultaneously.

That incredibly crispy texture, combined with the salty and savory flavor of salt and pepper and the spiciness of chili, explodes on the tip of your tongue, it's simply irresistible!

"Oh my god... this... this is so delicious!" Fuyun stammered, her eyes fixed on the remaining potato chips on the plate.

Ye An'an nodded in satisfaction and continued frying the next batch.

After finishing making potato chips, she started making jelly.

She crushed and strained the fresh peaches and purple grapes, added the cooked agar-agar gel and fine honey, and simmered it over low heat. She stirred constantly, observing the liquid's consistency, until it became thick and translucent, enough to coat the back of a spoon with a thin layer.

She carefully poured the scalding liquid into a pre-prepared plum blossom-shaped mold, then placed it in an ice jar filled with crushed ice to chill.

"Your Majesty, how long will it take to suppress this?" Fuyun asked curiously.

"An hour is enough." Ye An'an clapped her hands.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion arose outside the courtyard.

"Ninth Brother, slow down!"

"Sixth Sister, hurry up! I want to hear more stories!"

Fuyun hurriedly went out to greet him, but froze at the door.

This time, it wasn't just the Ninth Prince and the Sixth Princess who came; the Seventh Prince, the Eighth Princess, the Tenth Princess, and even the most noble Fifth Princess were with them!

"Your Majesty, six young masters have arrived!" Fuyun reported softly.

Ye An'an was also a little surprised, but she quickly smiled and went out to greet them.

"Oh, why are there so many children here today?"

The Ninth Prince, Xiao Zixuan, was the first to rush over, clinging to Ye An'an's arm and pouting, "Sister-in-law, they don't believe me when I say it's delicious, they insisted on coming to see for themselves!"

"Yes, Ninth Prince keeps nagging us about how his sister-in-law has the best food in the world. We're getting so annoyed with him," the Seventh Prince said from the side, though his eyes were already searching the courtyard.

The most precious fifth princess, Xiao Ruoyun, is only eight years old this year. She is the apple of the eye of the Imperial Concubine. Usually, she is arrogant and haughty, but at this moment, she has put aside her arrogance and is curiously looking at this supposedly magical Crown Princess.

"Sister-in-law, can I also have some of those desserts that are even better than those made in the Imperial Kitchen?" the Tenth Princess asked in her childish voice.

"Of course!" Ye An'an smiled mysteriously, "But you have to wash your hands first, and then sit down properly."

Upon hearing that there was food, the children immediately became incredibly well-behaved, obediently washing their hands and then sitting properly at the stone table in the courtyard.

Ye An'an asked Fu Yunduan to bring out the potato chips she had prepared in advance and the jelly that had just been taken out of the icebox.

When those bowls of crystal-clear, pink, and bouncy jelly were placed on the table, all the children stared wide-eyed.

"Wow... what is this? It's so beautiful!"

Under the sunlight, the plum blossom-shaped jellies gleamed with an alluring luster. The pink peach jelly and purple grape jelly trembled slightly in the glass bowl, as beautiful as works of art.

"This is called crystal jelly, have a taste." Ye An'an smiled and handed each child a silver spoon.

The Ninth Prince couldn't wait any longer and scooped up a large spoonful and stuffed it into his mouth.

That cool, smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness explodes in your mouth instantly, accompanied by a rich fruity aroma that is simply irresistible!

"So...so delicious!" The Ninth Prince squinted his eyes in bliss.

The other children also took a bite and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"My God! This is a hundred times better than the ice cream from the imperial kitchen!"

"It's cool, smooth, and so sweet!"

"I've never eaten anything so delicious!"

Even the most discerning Fifth Princess couldn't care less about being reserved at this moment, eating in small bites with a satisfied smile on her face.

When the blue-and-white porcelain plate filled with potato chips was served, the children were attracted by the golden and fragrant contents.

"What is this?" The sixth princess asked curiously, picking up a piece.

"Click—"

The crisp sound was particularly loud in the quiet courtyard.