Chapter 18
- Tiramisu (1)
“His Majesty is leaving!”
Amidst Eunuch Jang’s long, echoing voice, Yeonsangun strode out, his red Dragon Robe fluttering.
His footsteps were heavy with anger and excitement.
As soon as he stepped out of the Office of State Affairs, Yeonsangun flung off his traditional hat as if throwing it away and shouted,
"Am I truly the supreme ruler of this nation?" Is this my nation, or my late father’s?Eunuch Kim Cheo-sun, his hair as white as snow, carefully picked up the royal headdress that had fallen to the floor.
He had served no less than seven Kings since the time of Sejong.
A cautious voice flowed from this experienced eunuch, truly a living relic of the palace.
“Your Majesty, the ministers merely look up to the late King’s achievements in establishing the laws of the nation.”
“Then should we just follow the laws of my dead father? Why am I even here in this nation?”
“Your Majesty must protect and care for the people of this nation with the laws established by the late King.”
“Enough, Cheo-sun! I have followed you like a teacher since I was young, but if you say one more word from now on, I will not forgive you either.”
Yeonsangun’s red-tinged eyes glared fiercely at Kim Cheo-sun’s white hair.
Only when Eunuch Jang lowered his head in silence did Yeonsangun turn and stride away somewhere.
The King’s steps stopped at the Red Gathering Hall.
It was the residence of the Flourishing Clear, the courtesans selected from the eight provinces, and the location of Royal Concubine Jang Nok-su’s chambers.
It was the only place where Yeonsangun could relax in the palace, where they constantly bothered him with precedents and laws.
“My head, my head is spinning.”
As soon as he entered the chambers, Yeonsangun threw off his Dragon Robe and collapsed onto the bed, which was lavishly decorated with silk blankets and cushions.
As if waiting for this, Royal Concubine Jang Nok-su, Yeonsangun’s beloved concubine, began to stroke Yeonsangun’s head as tenderly as a baby.
Could the faint smile on her face be due to the confidence that this man, feared by the entire nation, was in her grasp?
“Your Majesty, I will tell them to bring up the Evening Royal Cuisine. How would it be if I were to be Your Majesty’s dining companion this evening?”
“…I have no appetite. I have no appetite today.”
Yeonsangun frowned at the mention of the Royal Cuisine Table.
Even he, a notorious gourmet, seemed to lose his appetite on days when he was under extreme stress.
In that moment, Nok-su’s lips twisted into a strange curl.
Something akin to instinct whispered to her, who had clawed her way up from the bottom of the courtesan house.
Perhaps now was the perfect opportunity to completely eradicate the lingering unease in her heart.
“Then, how about offering a special delicacy to change Your Majesty’s mood instead of the Royal Cuisine?”
“…A delicacy?”
“Isn’t there a foreign child who recently entered the Royal Kitchen? Perhaps that child might offer a dish that will please Your Majesty.”
“…Leave it. I have no interest.”
“How can the supreme ruler of the nation skip a meal? That will not do. Is anyone out there?”
“Yes, Your Ladyship.”
The voice of the Head Court Lady, who was always waiting outside the door, was heard.
“Go and tell the Royal Kitchen. The Evening Royal Cuisine is not needed, but instead, bring a light meal that can soothe His Majesty’s empty mood.”
“Yes, I will convey the message.”
Nok-su’s eyes began to gleam strangely as she listened to the Head Court Lady’s voice.
This was not a light meal ordered to restore the King’s lost appetite.
No, it was more like a trap.
If they failed to offer a delicacy that could restore His Majesty’s appetite on a day like today, it would undoubtedly be the fault of the Royal Cuisine Master in charge of the Royal Cuisine Table.
And,
Once even a small mistake was made, it was Nok-su’s specialty to turn it into a serious crime.
‘Let’s see what you come up with…’
A strange smile flitted across Nok-su’s lips.
* * *
‘…Will this really work?’
Sweat beaded on Ji-young’s forehead.
The Royal Kitchen was filled with steam rising from the cauldrons.
She had collected the cow’s milk used to make Milk Porridge separately, and was gently simmering it in a cauldron over low heat.
When the milk was moderately lukewarm, Ji-young dropped a few drops of vinegar into it.
“Wh-What in the world are you doing…”
Head Chef Jeon, who was watching the scene, tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand what was happening.
It had only been a short while since they had received the order to offer a special dish to change the King’s mood instead of the Evening Royal Cuisine.
In a situation where they should be mobilizing all sorts of delicious things, Ji-young was now doing something he had never heard of before.
“Just wait a little longer.”
As Ji-young said that and stirred the warmed milk, a white substance began to rise in clumps, like mixing mud.
‘That’s it! The protein inside the milk is starting to coagulate.’
As time passed, the milk would now separate into sediment at the bottom and a transparent part floating on top.
This was the first step in making ‘cheese,’ the separation of ‘curd’ and ‘whey.’
‘In modern manufacturing methods, it is common to use an enzyme called ‘rennet,’ but a similar phenomenon occurs even when using an acidic substance, that is, vinegar.’
Head Chef Jeon’s eyes widened as if something vaguely came to mind as he watched the scene.
"C-Could that be what they call 'cheese'?" I have only heard about it from my predecessors, but this is the first time I have actually seen it. It looks like making tofu.”
“That’s right, it’s like tofu made from cow’s milk.”
“Cow’s milk tofu…? I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Jang-geum, who had been carefully observing Ji-young’s actions from the side, also showed a clear expression of surprise.
In fact, it wasn’t that there was no cheese-making method in Joseon at all.
After dairy processing methods were transmitted to Goryeo through the Yuan Dynasty, the tradition remained faintly until the early Joseon period.
However, it seemed that the technique had been lost at some point due to the difficult environment for dairy farming.
‘Jang-geum and Head Chef Jeon both said they’ve never seen it before, so Yeonsangun definitely hasn’t eaten it either.’
While the sediment in the milk was settling, Ji-young began to make a separate dough by mixing flour with a little sugar and salt.
She also did not forget to check the viscosity by scooping up the flour dough with chopsticks from time to time.
‘This is flour made from dwarf wheat, a native Joseon species. It lacks stickiness and is crumbly, so it may not be suitable for general Western cuisine, but it will be better for today.’
Ji-young chose a small earthenware pot, filled it with the dough, and pushed it deep inside the weakened furnace.
Her intention was to use the furnace like a Western-style brick oven.
‘Fortunately, the size of the Royal Kitchen’s furnace is large, so I think I can use it like an oven.’
While the dough was baking inside the furnace, Ji-young began to roast barley grains on a well-heated griddle.
- Sizzle
As the barley grains were roasted to a dark brown color, a savory and unique aroma filled the Royal Kitchen.
“W-What kind of dish is she trying to make right now? We can’t even imagine it.”
“…I feel the same way.”
The Royal Kitchen chefs only stared at each other’s faces, seemingly unable to understand, even as they watched Ji-young’s divinely skilled movements.
“…But I think I know one thing for sure. The new Royal Cuisine Master is trying to make something we have never seen before.”
Perhaps it could satisfy the King’s taste, who was always looking for new dishes.
Head Chef Jeon’s long experience was telling him not to let go of a strange belief in Ji-young.
* * *
“Your Majesty, the light meal has been brought up.As Ji-young, holding the small table, arrived in front of the chambers of the Red Gathering Hall, the court lady kneeling before it announced in a low voice.
Soon, a clear female voice was heard from inside the paper door, where a red lantern was emitting a soft glow.
“Bring it in.”
An unfamiliar voice.
How could she forget that chilling voice that had shaken the Royal Kitchen?
As the sliding doors slid open to both sides, the first thing that caught her eye was Jang Nok-su sitting on the bed.
She was wearing only her inner skirt without a jacket.
Her white shoulders and collarbone were exposed.
Moreover, her bare skin was visible through the thin silk inner skirt, almost as if she were naked.
And the absolute tyrant, Yeonsangun, was lying with his head on Nok-su’s lap, his eyes closed like a docile lamb.
“Shh.”
Nok-su stretched out her finger, put it to her lips, and signaled not to make a sound.
“His Majesty is very tired right now, so quietly place the table and leave.”
“…Yes, Royal Concubine.”
Jang Nok-su was treating the grown King as if he were a baby.
This bizarre sight was somehow not pleasant to see.
Ji-young carefully placed the table down and tried to slowly back out of the chambers as she had been taught, but suddenly Yeonsangun opened his eyes wide.
Then, he hurriedly lifted his head from Nok-su’s lap and rose to his feet.
“Oh, a scent I have never smelled before. What is it this time?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Ji-young had no choice but to stop trying to leave and answer.
“I-I made a special dish because you seemed to be feeling down.”
“It’s a unique scent. Come here and explain it.”
Nok-su frowned as if displeased by the unexpected turn of events, but she could not say anything else and simply watched.
Ji-young carefully stepped back into the lavishly decorated chambers.
When she gently lifted the cover on the small table, there was a plate of strangely shaped food along with a richly brewed Sparrow Tongue Tea.
A fluffy, pale yellow substance with dark brown powder sprinkled vaguely on top.
At first glance, it looked like white rice cake or steamed rice cake, but the particles were much finer.
“What on earth is this dish? Is it an additional portion? Songhua disease? No, don’t tell me. I will taste it first.”
As Yeonsangun hastily reached out to touch the food placed on the table, Nok-su lightly scolded him in a coquettish tone.
“Oh, Your Majesty……. How can you eat like this without tasting it first? I will taste it first and let you know.”
Nok-su took a small silver spoon and brought it to the food on the table.
Unlike the chewy appearance of sirutteok, the silver spoon went in lightly without any resistance.
It had a soft and moist texture.
The moment she took a small piece and slowly put it in her mouth,
Yeonsangun could not miss the brief change in expression that appeared on Nok-su’s face.
The way her eyes widened momentarily and her pupils shook.
“How is it? What does it taste like?”
“Th-That is……. It has a taste that is difficult to describe……”
Nok-su stuttered as she looked at Ji-young’s face, who was standing in front of her.
She was not explaining in detail for fear of losing His Majesty’s attention, but she must have been flustered by the taste she was experiencing for the first time as well.
“I will taste it myself!”
Yeonsangun could not hold back any longer and took a large spoonful of what was on the table and brought it to his mouth.
As soon as the spoon entered his mouth, Yeonsangun’s eyebrows twitched strangely.
“Oooooh!! H-How can there be such a taste!”
A sticky, rich, and sweet taste that melted in his mouth.
At the same time, a savory and slightly bitter flavor washed over him like a wave.
Yeonsangun took an even larger spoonful of what was on the table and filled his mouth, then took a sip of the Sparrow Tongue Tea that was served with it.
“Ooooh……”
Soon, a satisfied smile began to spread across Yeonsangun’s face without him even realizing it.
“It’s sweet and moist. And this exquisitely spicy flavor that spreads in my mouth……. It goes so well with the scent of Sparrow Tongue Tea. What on earth is this dish?”
Perhaps it was because of the relief that she had satisfied the picky King’s taste.
Ji-young raised her head and answered clearly, raising her voice a tone.
“Your Majesty, this is a dish called ‘Tiramisu.’”
