ATPnovel Chapter 67 Intelligence "Expert" Koji
Chapter 67 Intelligence "Expert" Koji
Chapter 67 Intelligence "Expert" Koji
Su Mu sat on a small stool, holding an embroidery needle in his hand, gesturing at a piece of floral cotton cloth.
This fabric was left by Li Lizhi a couple of days ago. She said she was going to make a bib for Xiao Sizi so that she wouldn't get covered in oil every time she went back.
"Hey buddy, are you done yet?"
Little Sizi lay on Su Mu's lap, her little hands tugging at Su Mu's arm, her big eyes blinking, and a suspicious red stain hanging from the corner of her mouth.
"Don't rush me, or I'll sew your mouth shut."
Su Mu pushed the little head away in annoyance.
His hands are capable of carving radish flowers, slicing sashimi, and are also quite adept at needlework.
With a few quick stitches, a simple apron with two straps was taken shape.
This apron is well-made, with a large pocket sewn on it.
"Come on, hold out your hand."
Su Mu put the apron around the little girl's neck and tied a slipknot behind her back.
Little Sizi looked down at the large pocket on his chest, and his eyes lit up instantly.
She reached into her pocket with her chubby little hand, but it was empty, and her face immediately fell.
"Empty----"
"Wait."
Su Mu turned around and grabbed a handful of specially made spicy strips from the ceramic jar under the cutting board.
This batch was made especially for this little darling.
The chili peppers are halved, the sugar content is doubled, and it's even moistened twice with oil, making it soft and easy to chew.
"Put it in."
Xiao Sizi immediately beamed with joy, opened her pockets with both hands, and watched Su Mu stuff the bright red spicy strips into them.
The heavy feeling of weight made her neck sag, but it didn't diminish her pleasure at all.
"Pot is the best!"
The little girl stood on tiptoe, wanting to give Su Mu a kiss on the cheek, but Su Mu disdainfully pressed his finger against her forehead.
Don't give me that, you're all greasy.
Su Mu pointed to the damp cloth on the stove, "Wipe yourself off, don't let your dad find out you're freeloading here again."
Little Sizi obediently grabbed a damp cloth and wiped her mouth haphazardly a couple of times, then pulled a spicy strip from that sacred pocket, stuffed it into her mouth, and took a big bite.
"Mmm—smells good!"
Su Mu looked at the carefree little foodie and shook his head: "Did you remember what I told you?"
Little Sizi was chewing happily, her cheeks puffing out, and she nodded indistinctly, "I remember! If Father asks, just tell him—Guoguo is busy and doesn't have time to go to the palace!"
Su Mu corrected him: "It's because I don't have time to be an official."
"Oh, I don't have time to be an official!"
Little Si swallowed the delicious food in her mouth and added, "What if Father asks what Guoguo is doing?"
Su Mu thought for a moment, then picked up a freshly kneaded gluten strip from the side, pulled it hard, and the gluten snapped with a crisp sound and bounced back.
"Just say I'm making spicy strips."
Su Mu casually made up a story, "Tell him that these spicy strips need to be kneaded until they are hard, long, and chewy enough. If they are not kneaded properly, there's no use rushing it."
He was referring to the process of making spicy strips, where the gluten needs to be kneaded thoroughly for them to taste good.
Emperor Li Shimin has been sending people to harass me every day lately, either with gifts or messages, which is very annoying.
Little Sizi nodded as if he understood, and memorized the new word in his little head.
"Rub that one—it's hard enough—it's long enough—"
The little girl muttered to herself, then turned and ran out on her short legs, the big bag full of spicy strips swinging back and forth in front of her chest, looking quite comical.
"Slow down! Don't splash that bag of oil all over yourself!"
The atmosphere inside the Liangyi Hall was somewhat somber.
Standing below the stage were Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling.
The two high-ranking officials looked at each other, neither daring to speak first.
A map was spread out on the table; it was a map of the northern border.
Those Turkic barbarians have been restless lately. Although there hasn't been a major war, there have been constant minor skirmishes. The most troublesome thing is that the autumn harvest hasn't been stored yet, making the allocation of military provisions a huge problem.
"His Majesty."
Fang Xuanling cupped his hands in greeting. "The Ministry of Revenue reported that some of this year's old grain has become moldy. If it's transported to the border, I'm afraid—"
"It's moldy again!"
"It gets moldy every year, and it deteriorates every year! My army is fighting desperately on the front lines, yet we can't even get a decent meal from the rear?"
He suddenly stood up, but his mind inexplicably drifted to the half-pack of red noodles he had eaten the night before.
That stuff is oily, salty, and keeps well.
If it could be made into military rations—
-
"Um—cough."
Li Shimin cleared his throat and abruptly changed the subject, "I wonder how the matter I asked Sizi to handle is going."
The two ministers were taken aback.
They were discussing important national affairs, how did they suddenly bring up the little princess?
Just as they were wondering, a series of footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Father! Father!"
Before you see him, you hear his voice.
Immediately afterwards, a sweet and spicy aroma that was so enticing that it made one forget the mundane world rushed into the solemn hall.
Changsun Wuji's nose twitched, and his brows furrowed slightly.
This tastes...it tastes just like what my good-for-nothing son ate last night.
Little Sizi swept in like a gust of wind.
She's dressed rather specially today.
Sweat beaded on her delicate, porcelain-like face. The most eye-catching thing was the floral cloth bag hanging around her neck, bulging and jiggling as she ran, occasionally making a soft rustling sound.
"Slower!"
The gloom on Li Shimin's face vanished instantly. He took a few steps down the steps, squatted down, and opened his arms.
The little ox plunged headfirst into its father's arms, unable to stop in time, and the cloth bag slammed into Li Shimin's chest with a thud.
Li Shimin felt a tightness in his chest, but he ignored the pain and stared intently at the cloth bag.
This tastes just right!
"Sizi, did you see that...that master?"
Li Shimin lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji exchanged a glance.
Could the expert Your Majesty speaks of be Su Mu, the one who chops wood in the imperial kitchen?
Xiao Sizi pulled a spicy strip from his cloth bag, and without caring that he was in the imperial court, he put it in his mouth and took a bite to calm his nerves before speaking indistinctly.
"I saw it! My husband made me a bib specifically for this!"
She patted the pocket on her chest, looking proud.
Li Shimin reached out and wiped the grease from his daughter's lips, then patiently asked, "So what did he say? Is he willing to come to the palace to help his father?"
Little Sizi chewed on a spicy snack, tilting his head as he pondered Su Mu's words.
"The pot is ready!"
Li Shimin held his breath and pricked up his ears.
"Brother Su, I don't have time to be an official!"
Li Shimin's face stiffened, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
As expected, such reclusive talents all possess a certain pride and are not so easily persuaded.
"but----"
Xiao Si swallowed what was in her mouth and added, "Guoguo Su is busy rubbing that!"
"Which one?" Li Shimin was taken aback.
The main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Fang Xuanling stepped forward, his expression grave: "Does the princess mean that Mr. Su is planning some kind of—path?"
Little Zhouzi blinked his big eyes, completely oblivious to any talk of roads or paths.
All she remembered was the long, stretched gluten in Su Mu's hand, and his words of advice.
"Yes, that's the one I'm rubbing!"
Little Sizi nodded vigorously, gesturing a pulling motion with her two little hands, "Guoguo is ready! That one has to be hard enough! Long enough! And strong enough!"
Hard enough? Long enough? Powerful enough?
Li Shimin gasped sharply, his eyes instantly becoming deep and intense.
>