You can have bird's nest soup and snacks at home

During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, one day during an early morning court session, before all the ministers had arrived, Emperor Qianlong asked two early-arriving officials, Wang Wenrui and Liu Wenju: “You two have come so early—did you have bird’s nest soup and pastries at home?”

Wang Wenrui hurriedly replied with a fearful tone: “Your Majesty, my household is large and expenses are high. We only occasionally eat bird’s nest soup and pastries. Normally in the mornings we just have a bowl of dumplings or noodles, or drink some mung bean juice with a few eggs.”

Seeing Wang Wenrui trying to appear frugal before the emperor, Liu Wenju also claimed that his family usually only drank mung bean juice and ate a few eggs for breakfast.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianlong glared at them both and said: “A single egg costs ten taels of silver—I don’t even dare eat that many myself! Yet you each eat several every morning? And still claim to be poor? Looks like I need to check your accounts!”

Hearing this made Wang Wenrui and Liu Wenju deeply regret their careless words. They realized it must be due to falsified accounting by those in charge of palace affairs colluding with eunuchs from the imperial kitchen to deceive His Majesty. But they dared not speak out directly—for if they did, not only would those departments retaliate against them but even the emperor might punish them severely for implying he was being fooled like an idiot.

Of course, neither could ignore what Qianlong had said; otherwise he might truly suspect them of corruption.

Fortunately, both men quickly came up with an excuse—they explained that their eggs were cheap ones costing just a few copper coins apiece—not comparable to those selected for palace use.

Qianlong wasn’t convinced—in fact he became more puzzled. He muttered aloud: “Strange indeed… how can eggs laid by hens differ as jade does from stone?”

Wang Wenrui and Liu Wenju inwardly groaned—one lie now required another lie to cover it up—but what new story could they invent?

Luckily Wang was an experienced official well-versed in court politics. While Liu stood frozen in panic, Wang quickly responded with inspiration: citing examples broadly he said: “Tianhuang stone is one type of Shoushan stone; low-grade pit stones are also Shoushan stones—but their quality differs vastly.”

Qianlong pretended to ponder this explanation without pressing further about egg prices—and finally let go of the topic. The three chatted idly until other ministers arrived for court discussions.

Wang and Liu thought that was end of it—but after court adjourned Qianlong summoned them again—with great interest he told them each to bring some cheap eggs next morning so he could see firsthand how these differed from ten-tael-per-egg palace ones!

This put both men into deep distress—even fools knew there weren’t real differences between common chicken eggs except size—the taste was nearly identical!

Back home filled with worry but unable share his troubles openly even within his household staff—Wang paced anxiously around his courtyard until unconsciously wandering into servants’ quarters near west wing kitchen.

Just as he turned back upon realizing where he'd gone—he overheard loud chatter between a young servant boy and head chef:

The boy recounted seeing something odd at market—a vendor selling spoiled rotten eggs (which smelled bad) yet asking one coin per egg—and someone actually bought such useless things!

The chef laughed saying: "You know nothing—that kind can't be used in cooking—it’s sold as fertilizer! When diluted properly it's excellent nourishment for orchids..."

At these words inspiration struck Wang like lightning—without waiting further explanation rushed into kitchen startling everyone present—

He ordered both cook & servant drop everything immediately go buy entire basketful no matter cost!

Though confused whether master had lost his mind—they dared not question him—and ran off toward marketplace urgently—

They assumed buying rotten eggs would be easy—but when they got there found another buyer already purchasing whole batch! In desperation cook shouted over offering 3 coins per egg (when normal price then was 2 fancy fresh ones per 5 coins).

Hearing someone willing pay triple delighted seller who canceled earlier deal—to which original buyer countered raising bid higher—to five coins per bad egg! Cook raised again—to eight coins...

In bidding war fueled by confusion & urgency—the price soared till eventually reached full tael-of-silver PER ROTTEN EGG!

But since cook & servant hadn’t brought much money—they watched helplessly as rival walked away triumphantly carrying basket…

News spread instantly across market causing uproar among onlookers—all wondering why anyone paid silver taels for garbage?! Even vendor fled nervously unsure if fortune or trouble awaited him...

When dejected pair returned empty-handed—anxious Wang demanded answers—as soon as details were reported fully...he collapsed unconscious on spot!

Revived amid chaos around him—suddenly remembered something important—and refused physician's help instead ordering carriage prepared immediately—for urgent visit to Minister Liu's residence—

His hunch proved correct—the mysterious buyer had been none other than steward sent by Liu himself!

Liu welcomed frantic visitor warmly knowing exactly why he'd come—for now their fates were tied together tightly—as long as either failed they'd both fall...

Generously sharing half spoils (rotten eggs) eased tension somewhat—

Next day during audience—with hearts pounding nervously through entire session—they waited till dismissal when Emperor called forth requested samples:

Palace eunuchs first cracked seven royal-selected golden double-yolked fragrant shiny perfect specimens into large porcelain bowl…

Then opened dozen-plus brought by ministers—which turned out mostly single-yolked messes emitting foul stench—with many yolks broken inside shells…

Shocked by contrast—Qianlong waved hand stopping comparison test altogether—

With pitying look addressed trembling duo gently:

“You two are far too frugal—from now on best avoid eating such inferior goods… If you're going eat any at all—it should be ten-tael-per-egg kind!”

Afterward added thoughtfully:

“No wonder common folk say—it’s better take one bite fresh peach than own whole basket rotting apricots…”