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

The next day, the emperor finally agreed to Xiao Jingshi's request to go to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief.

Once the decree was issued, the entire Eastern Palace was plunged into a busy and oppressive atmosphere.

Xiao Jingshi was about to embark on a long journey, and the future was uncertain, which weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

Only the small kitchen in Tinglan Waterside Pavilion remained bustling with activity and full of life.

Ye An'an is with Chen Zhu and Fu Yun on the second step of her "Love Baggage" plan—making smoked meat.

Compared to beef jerky, the process of smoking meat is much more complicated.

She selected pork belly with a good balance of fat and lean meat, and first used a lot of salt and Sichuan peppercorns to coat the meat inside and out evenly for "dry curing".

This process is to dehydrate the meat, making it easier to preserve later.

After marinating for a day and a night, wash off the salt grains from the meat and hang it in a ventilated place to dry.

"Your Majesty, this meat is all dried out. How can it still taste good?" Fuyun looked at the pork belly that had become somewhat dry and hard, her face full of confusion.

"Don't rush, the main event is yet to come," Ye An'an said with a mysterious smile.

She had Changting build a simple smokehouse in the courtyard using stones, and also gathered a large amount of cypress branches and dried orange peels.

"The soul of smoked meat lies in the smoke. Different types of wood produce different flavors. Meat smoked with cypress branches has a refreshing aroma that cuts through the richness. Adding orange peel adds a touch of fruitiness," Ye An'an explained to everyone as she arranged the fuel.

She hung the dried pork belly pieces one by one into the smokehouse, and then lit the cypress branches and orange peels below.

Soon, a thick plume of white smoke, a mixture of the fragrance of cypress wood, the aroma of fruit peels, and the scent of meat fat, billowed out of the stove.

This smoke isn't as pungent as cooking fumes; instead, it carries a unique, primal, and extremely enticing aroma.

"Wow...this taste is so unique!" The two maids, Fuyun and Chenzhu, had completely become Ye An'an's "fangirls." They felt that their mistress was omnipotent and could always come up with some tastes they had never heard of before.

This unique aroma naturally attracted "outsiders".

Xie Zhao and Lu Chengyuan were ordered to come and assist Xiao Jingshi in packing his belongings and discussing the specific route south.

As soon as the two entered the East Palace, they smelled this strange fragrance.

"Huh? What's that smell? It smells so good!" Xie Zhao sniffed, looking around for the source of the smell.

"It seems... it's coming from Tinglan Water Pavilion again." Lu Chengyuan's expression had changed from initial shock to current acceptance.

He now felt that Tinglan Water Pavilion was a magical treasure chest; you never knew what earth-shattering delicacy the Crown Prince's concubine would pull out next.

When the two couldn't find Xiao Jingshi in Jingming Hall, they asked Changting and learned that His Highness the Crown Prince had gone to Tinglan Waterside Pavilion again.

They exchanged a glance, and without a word, followed suit and reached out.

Before even entering the courtyard, one could see the stone stove in the center of the courtyard billowing thick smoke, and Ye An'an and Xiao Jingshi standing beside it, intently watching the fire.

The scene looked exactly like an ordinary couple smoking cured meat in the countryside...

"Ahem!" Xie Zhao coughed twice on purpose, breaking the warm atmosphere. "Your Highness, we're here."

Xiao Jingshi turned around, glanced at them, and nodded, as if to say hello.

Ye An'an smiled and waved to them, "You two have come at the perfect time! My secret-recipe smoked meat will be ready soon!"

"Smoked meat?" Xie Zhao's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Is this the aroma we're smelling? Your Highness, what new tricks have you come up with this time?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Ye An'an said, keeping everyone in suspense.

After smoking for another half hour, Ye An'an felt that the temperature was about right.

She opened the oven door and took out the pieces of pork belly hanging inside, one by one.

The once pristine white pork belly had been transformed into a beautiful caramel color, its surface glistening with oil and covered with a thin layer of ash. The unique smoky aroma was now even more intense.

"That's it?" Xie Zhao looked at the dark, unappetizing meat, somewhat doubtful. "This... can we eat it right away?"

"Of course not." Ye An'an rolled her eyes at him. "This is only a semi-finished product. It needs further processing before we can eat it."

She took the smoked meat to the kitchen, washed off the cigarette ash with hot water, and then put it in a steamer to steam over high heat until cooked.

Steamed smoked meat becomes more oily and glossy, with the fatty parts exhibiting a translucent texture, while the lean parts are firm and bright red.

Ye An'an took out a piece and sliced ​​it thinly while it was still hot.

As the blade sliced ​​through the air, the aroma of grease mingled with the scent of smoke, bursting forth instantly.

The sliced ​​smoked meat, with its alternating layers of fat and lean meat, was so tender and glistening that it made one's mouth water.

"Here, have a taste." Ye An'an placed the first plate of sliced ​​smoked meat on the stone table.

Xie Zhao couldn't wait any longer. He was the first to stretch out his chopsticks, pick up a piece, and put it in his mouth.

"Hmm!"

The moment the slice of meat entered his mouth, he froze.

The fatty part melts in your mouth, rich and savory, yet without any greasiness. The lean part, on the other hand, is firm and chewy, savory and flavorful, with a rich, indescribable smoky taste.

Two textures and two flavors intertwine perfectly, creating an ultimate taste experience.

"Delicious...so delicious..." Xie Zhao mumbled incoherently, his chopsticks moving non-stop, one piece after another.

Lu Chengyuan also tried a piece. He ate it politely, but his slightly narrowed eyes and the smile on his lips fully revealed his love for the dish.

Seeing their expressions, Xiao Jingshi also picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.

The smoky flavor, the rich sweetness of the fatty meat, and the salty aroma of the lean meat blend together perfectly.

The taste was even better than he had imagined.

He suddenly felt that the arduous journey ahead didn't seem so unbearable after all.

At least, I have the food she makes to keep me company.

"Your Highness, with your culinary skills, it's a waste that you don't open a restaurant!" Xie Zhao exclaimed sincerely as she ate.

"Who said I didn't turn it on?" Ye An'an looked at him with a smile.

Xie Zhao was taken aback, then realized, "Oh right! 'Smell the Fragrance'! Your Majesty, when are you going to add this smoked meat to the menu? I guarantee it will be a huge hit!"

"Well, not for now." Ye An'an shook her head. "This dish is too complicated to make, time-consuming and labor-intensive, so it's not suitable for mass production. For now, it's more like an exclusive limited edition."

As she spoke, she glanced at Xiao Jingshi, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

Xiao Jingshi understood what she meant, and that warmth quietly spread through his heart again.

This was made especially for him.

"Um... Your Highness," Xie Zhao said pleadingly, looking at the dwindling amount of smoked meat on the plate, "this exclusive limited edition... could we... could we take one to go?"

Lu Chengyuan was also standing to the side, casting an expectant glance his way.

Ye An'an looked at the two clowns, and then at Xiao Jingshi next to her who had a "don't even think about it" look on his face, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.