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This dish is made by mixing glutinous rice with shredded chicken, seasonings, and colorings. The mixture is then pressed into large character molds, steamed, and artistically plated.

Each plate features a different line of poetry, with corresponding garnishes and decorative elements, making each one visually stunning.

The colorings were prepared by Chu Qingzhi using plant juices, tasteless, odorless, and non-toxic, ensuring they were safe to eat.

In total, seven different colorings were prepared.

Xu Guannan’s table featured a poem related to moonlight, thus the dish was white, with no coloring added, but it still looked incredibly appetizing, with the aroma of glutinous rice and chicken wafting up enticingly.

The dean’s table had the line “Dewdrops quench the thirst of hanging tendrils, their sound trickles from the sparse paulownia.,” suggesting a green color, so the dish was green.

Chu Qingzhi’s table featured “The southern ridges in their shadowed grace, where snow accumulates, touching the clouds’ edge.,” corresponding to snow being white, so the dish was also white.

The colors added were determined by the poetry, with each line having elements associated with specific colors.

Now, everyone finally understood the meaning behind “Classic of Poetry Glutinous Rice.”

The dean asked, “Qingzhi, did you write these lines?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “No, I found them in a book. They were written by sages. I thought the lines were beautifully written, so I noted them down.”

The dean, looking at the poetic lines on the plates, praised, “Each line is a masterpiece. It’s a pity we don’t know which sage wrote them. They’re written so well.”

Chu Qingzhi diverted the topic, “It’s hard to trace the sages, but let’s try the dish and see how it tastes.”

Everyone hesitated with their chopsticks, reluctant to disturb the picturesque arrangements. “Such beautiful dishes are meant to be admired, not eaten,” they thought.

Seeing no one moving, Chu Qingzhi urged, “It will get cold if you don’t eat now, and it won’t taste as good.”

Reluctantly, everyone began transferring the beautifully shaped “characters” into their bowls and slowly savored the dish. The glutinous rice was sticky and fragrant, leaving an unforgettable taste. Privately, everyone agreed this was the most reluctant they’d ever been to consume a dish in their lives.

Chu Qingzhi’s table wasn’t fully occupied, so she gave the extra “characters” to Tang Jinghong, “Here, eat up.” Pampering her boyfriend.

“Mm,” Tang Jinghong replied, squeezing Chu Qingzhi’s hand under the table.

After the final dish, the dean made a year-end summary and announced the holiday before the gathering dispersed.

…

By the time they returned to Chu Village, it was very late and cold, so everyone went straight to wash up and rest.

After bathing, Tang Jinghong went back to his room but found himself thinking of the book Chu Qingzhi gave him. He redressed and went to the study to continue reading…

He ended up reading through the night, so engrossed in the book that he couldn’t put it down, only realizing it was morning when the light shone through the window.

Though he only finished half the book, the progress was satisfying.

Since the Emperor and Empress were staying at his place, Tang Jinghong didn’t go to Chu Qingzhi’s house for meals; they ate separately at his home.

Chu Qingzhi planned to visit the charitable hall to check on the children, who were without a permanent home. She went to inform Tang Jinghong before leaving, so he wouldn’t worry about her whereabouts.

Seeing Tang Jinghong with dark circles under his eyes and looking somewhat haggard, Chu Qingzhi was taken aback, “What were you doing last night?”

“I read books all night,” Tang Jinghong rubbed his tired eyes.

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Reading my book?”

Tang Jinghong nodded, “Yes, I want to finish it quickly and share my thoughts with you.”

Chu Qingzhi gently brushed over Tang Jinghong’s eyes with her hand, using her spiritual power to refresh him, “No rush, take your time.”

Tang Jinghong felt immediate relief, “Where are you headed?”

Chu Qingzhi pointed towards the direction of the town, “I’m going to the charitable hall. The children there have nowhere to live. I’ll see if I can expedite the construction of their house so they can have a proper New Year.”

Tang Jinghong wrapped Chu Qingzhi’s cloak tighter around her, “Wait for me, I’ll come with you.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “Okay.”

When the Emperor and Empress learned Chu Qingzhi was visiting the charitable hall, they decided to join her.

They wanted to see for themselves how the people under their rule were living, whether they were as content as the officials claimed.

…

At the charitable hall.

Sounds of construction filled the air.

Nie Huiyang, with great empathy, had started the work early, moved by the plight of the orphans without anyone to rely on.

Having someone like Chu Qingzhi in their county, who cared for the poor, was a blessing. It was uncertain if other counties had such compassionate individuals.

“Miss Chu.”

“Miss Chu.”

From the moment she left her house to the charitable hall, people greeted Chu Qingzhi along the way.

Tang Jinghong was used to this; the more good deeds Chu Qingzhi did, the more people knew her, which was only natural.

But for the Emperor and Empress, this was astonishing.

They had never seen someone like Chu Qingzhi, who had deeply ingrained herself into the hearts of the people.

Those who greeted her did so with genuine respect and warmth in their eyes, a stark contrast to the obligatory greetings high officials in the capital often received, driven more by status, benefits, and power rather than real admiration.

Zhang Lingmei ran out from inside the hall, happily shouting, “Sister!”

Other children from the charitable hall followed, running out to greet her, “Sister, good morning.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled warmly at the children, approaching them, “Have you had breakfast yet?”

Xia Dongming shook his head, “Not yet, Sister Lingmei is still cooking.”

He was also a child from the charitable hall, found by Elder Zhang at the doorstep during winter, taken in to be raised among the other orphans. At nine years old, he looked much younger due to malnutrition.

Chu Qingzhi smiled and inquired, “Did you help with the cooking?”

The children responded in unison, “We helped.”

“You’re all very good,” Chu Qingzhi praised, then gently instructed, “Go back and finish preparing your meal. I’ll be here for a while longer, so come and find me afterward to chat.”

“Okay,” Zhang Lingmei herded the children back inside.

The Emperor and Empress observed this scene with mixed emotions. Despite their efforts to improve the lives of their subjects, there were still many who lived in poverty.

Nie Huiyang, seeing Chu Qingzhi arrive, hurried over to the construction site’s edge, “Qingzhi, everyone’s really putting their hearts into this. An Shanwu will bring more people later. We’ll try to finish the building within ten days.”

Chu Qingzhi instructed, “Please make sure everyone stays safe, and thank you for your hard work.”

Nie Huiyang waved off her thanks with a broad gesture, “It’s nothing.”

Chu Qingzhi thanked him again, “I won’t keep you any longer, go on with your work.”

“You too,” Nie Huiyang said as he walked back to oversee the construction.

The Emperor prepared to issue a strict mandate to all local officials under his rule: any official whose jurisdiction reported deaths due to starvation or freezing would be immediately dismissed from their position.

As Chu Qingzhi wandered around the charitable hall, she considered finding a suitable piece of land for the children to cultivate. They needed to learn self-sufficiency, as she couldn’t support them forever.