Into the fresh minced meat filling, pour in scallion and ginger spice water and rich broth in several batches. Add fresh shrimps and scallops, then mix in well - washed flying fish roe. Wrap them into plump wontons that look like little ingots.
These fresh shrimp and fish roe wontons are cooked in fragrant bone broth.
The wonton skins are made from the fresh lean meat of a pig's hind leg. The meat is repeatedly pounded with a wooden stick into minced meat, then mixed with sweet potato starch and glutinous rice flour. After kneading evenly, it is rolled into thin sheets as delicate as cicada wings, known as "yanpi" (swallow - skin).
The cooked yanpi wontons have a smooth texture. The skin is thin, soft and tender, while the filling is chewy and delicious. The shrimps are elastic and crispy, the scallops are sweet, and each grain of flying fish roe, as you chew, bursts in your mouth like a small firecracker, releasing a unique freshness.
Although it may seem like an ordinary wonton snack, each one is crystal - clear and tastes completely different. After just one bite, the Emperor felt that these fresh shrimp and fish roe wontons seemed to come alive. They slid smoothly down his throat without much chewing.
Li Ying also made several servings of wontons in hot spicy oil. She laid blanched bean sprouts at the bottom and paired them with bamboo - pole noodles made with duck egg yolks. The noodles were golden and enticing, with a chewy texture.
The wontons were smooth and refreshing. Set off by the spicy red oil, chopped peppers and sesame paste, they were like a gorgeously dressed beauty, full of charm. Compared with the bone - broth yanpi wontons, which were like "lotus flowers emerging from clear water, naturally free of adornment", they had an extra allure.
The whole - wheat baguettes just came out of the kiln, steaming hot. The rich aroma of baked wheat strongly stimulated everyone's appetite.
Li Ying picked up a self - made serrated bread knife and cut the baguettes into slices about one finger thick.
She mixed crushed garlic in butter and spread it on the bread slices, then baked them again over low heat. The strong garlic aroma fully penetrated into the loose holes of the baguettes, making them extremely crispy.
At this moment, she quickly spread a thick layer of creamy flying fish roe sauce on them while they were still hot.
The creamy cheese was silky and melted in the mouth, mixed with the juicy popping of the flying fish roe. The taste was extremely rich, and the salty and fresh ocean flavor rushed towards you, neutralizing the greasiness of the cheese and leaving only a refreshing aftertaste on your lips and teeth.
These baked bread with creamy fish roe sauce were delicate and won the hearts of women like Empress Pei.
Li Ying was always thoughtful. She specially took a fresh yellow croaker, skinned and boned it, then finely minced the tender white meat and whipped it into a paste. Seasoned only with scallions, ginger and salt, and then mixed with flying fish roe, after steaming, it became soft and smooth fish bean curd, which was just suitable for the little prince to taste.
This well - arranged meal naturally satisfied the Emperor and others.
After the meal, the magistrate of Jingcheng presented the mother - of - pearl inlaid dressing case. The pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix was extremely auspicious. The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and immediately rewarded Empress Pei.
As Li Ying and others had expected, Princess Yongning was ordered to go with the magistrate of Jingcheng to purchase abalone shells in Jingcheng.
The people of Jingcheng were overjoyed. The men had an additional source of income from harvesting and baking abalone shells, while the women could make a living by inlaying mother - of - pearl. Everyone praised Princess Yongning and the magistrate of Jingcheng for their concern for the people.
Jingcheng not only offered the chance to watch whales, but also the spectacular sight of flying fish leaping out of the water in groups. It was sure to attract many high - ranking officials and nobles.
This considerable tax revenue satisfied the Emperor greatly.
He also knew that Li Ying whole - heartedly wanted Princess Yongning to have a smooth future in the southern prefectures.
Although she was just a peasant woman, her efforts were worthy of his attention as the Son of Heaven.
The Emperor cleared his throat and was about to give a reward when he saw Li Ying calmly ask someone to carry in a huge glass tank.
In the tank was seawater she had prepared. She had arranged a small landscape with oddly - shaped reefs and seaweed, which was very pleasing to the eye.
The Emperor looked at it curiously and asked with interest, "What is this?"
Li Ying bowed and replied softly, "Your Majesty, according to the description in ancient books, the wenyu fish should be the flying fish that can leap out of the sea and glide. But if we follow the pictures, these two gurnards are more in line with the appearance of the wenyu fish. I dare not make a hasty conclusion, so I've brought both kinds of fish for Your Majesty to have a look."
The Emperor raised his eyebrows. He had never thought that there would be another version of the so - called "wenyu fish".
In the large tank, two strange fish with fins as big as bird wings swam side by side on the white sea sand, looking like butterfly wings. He couldn't help but marvel.
Princess Yongning laughed and said, "Father, these two gurnards have different patterns. They look like a pair of mandarin ducks. Could they be a couple?"
Li Ying understood and quickly echoed, "Your Highness has such a good eye. Yes, these two gurnards are indeed a male and a female. When courting, they will spread their pectoral fins and swim together, just like a pair of lovebirds in the sea. They are extremely affectionate."
Su Buchi also marveled, "Sure enough, all things have spirits. Who would have thought that such a small fish would understand the meaning of love and affection? It's really amazing..."
Needless to say, Princess Yongning understood Li Ying's implication.
Even the Empress Dowager nodded frequently.
How could the Emperor not understand Li Ying's good intentions?
Empress Pei timely advised gently, "Your Majesty, Lord Lu has dedicated himself to the country. Miss Aying has also gone to great lengths to make careful plans for Princess Yongning. They grew up together. Your Majesty is a wise emperor through the ages. Why not help them along and fulfill this pair of lovers, just like these two gurnards today?"
The Emperor gave a soft snort and said in a deep voice, "Lord Lu..."
He sized up Li Ying for a while and finally nodded, "Madam Li has solved a knot in my heart from my youth. It's a great achievement. Whether it's the 'flying fish' or the 'gurnard' that is the real wenyu fish, today is an auspicious day. Fine, I'll issue an imperial edict to arrange your marriage!"
Li Ying and Lu Xunguang looked at each other. Flattered, they quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to thank the Emperor.
The Emperor laughed and said, "Well, well, Madam Li, your clever schemes are not offensive. It's rare that Lord Lu is whole - hearted and only has eyes for you. I'll fulfill you two! I can't let such a beautiful girl wait until she grows haggard."
There was no trace of anger in his words. Li Ying knew that the last little bit of his misgiving had finally disappeared today. She thanked him again and again.
The Emperor was a bit tired. He waved his hand, indicating everyone to leave.
After Li Ying finished tidying up, she was secretly calculating in her heart. She would soon arrive at the fishing village she had been longing for. When she got home, she must make careful arrangements and prepare a table of imperial - style dishes to thank the Emperor for the imperial grace of arranging her marriage.