Delicacies Destiny Episode 11 Recap
> Delicacies Destiny Recap
Ling Xiaoxiao's culinary skills were unexpectedly poor, with her cooking tasting strange, unappetizing, and even bad, which everyone, including the usually honest Shen Yitao, found unpalatable. Ling Xiaoxiao didn't know why, explaining that perhaps the Prince's recent lack of pickiness had made her complacent, and she took the dishes away to retry. Just as Ling Xiaoxiao left the kitchen, she met Jiang Xiaojie, who had come specifically to the Delicacy Room to prepare snacks for the Prince.
Jiang Xiaojie requested Ling Xiaoxiao to clear the kitchen for her daily for one hour, stating that the Prince had already agreed. Although Ling Xiaoxiao felt uneasy, she did not object. However, Ming Mei, reluctant to see Ling Xiaoxiao suppressed, voiced concern that the kitchen might not be available if the Prince desired snacks. Jiang Xiaojie directly stated that she would henceforth be responsible for all the Prince's snacks.
After Jiang Xiaojie finished, she informed Ling Xiaoxiao that the kitchen was well-stocked and reiterated her daily one-hour usage. She also mentioned she would tell the Prince that she would make any future snacks he wished. Ling Xiaoxiao's companions advised her not to tolerate the arrangement, but Ling Xiaoxiao accepted it. The Prince, upon tasting Jiang Xiaojie's specially prepared snacks, was amazed, his appetite significantly improving, and he ate several.
Jiang Xiaojie reported to the Delicacy Room promptly every day, and Ling Xiaoxiao's spirits grew increasingly cold. Thanks to Jiang Xiaojie's daily snacks, the Prince's mood also improved, no longer as somber as before. Ling Xiaoxiao couldn't resist secretly tasting Jiang Xiaojie's snacks and found them truly delicious.
The next day, the Prince personally came to the Delicacy Room to request osmanthus honey, explaining that Jiang Xiaojie loved sweets and couldn't go without it, indicating his great attentiveness to her, which pained Ling Xiaoxiao. While the Prince claimed he was there to check on Ling Xiaoxiao, he did not look at her and instead deliberately found fault, scolding Ling Xiaoxiao, the manager, for not keeping the kitchen clean upon seeing a messy stove.
Ming Mei quickly explained that the mess was due to Jiang Xiaojie's daily snack-making and that they hadn't had time to clean it yet. The Prince merely told Ling Xiaoxiao to manage the kitchen well. As he left, he reminded Ling Xiaoxiao that Jiang Xiaojie would be dining with him that evening, specifying that Jiang Xiaojie was vegetarian and disliked meat. Meanwhile, the Imperial Consort joyfully ate her snacks.
She was further delighted to learn from her eunuch that Jiang Xiaojie and the Prince were very close, with palace rumors suggesting an impending marriage, and she believed her own lifting of restrictions was imminent. However, she briefly became unhappy that Jiang Xiaojie hadn't visited her for several days, but her attendant quickly spoke well of Jiang Xiaojie, assuring the Consort that her snacks were delivered daily without fail. Seeing several plates of delicious snacks, the Consort cheered up again.
That evening, when Ling Xiaoxiao delivered the meal, the Prince and Jiang Xiaojie were openly affectionate; he even served her food. Jiang Xiaojie, who had heard of Ling Xiaoxiao's excellent cooking and learned from the Prince that the Emperor had praised Ling Xiaoxiao several times, had high expectations for her dish. Upon taking a bite, she found Ling Xiaoxiao's food worse than her own family cook's. She wondered if the Prince's taste had changed.
The Prince himself tasted it, found it indeed hard to swallow, and angrily questioned Ling Xiaoxiao, even shouting at her and using harsh words. Ling Xiaoxiao, deeply hurt by the Prince's intimate actions with Jiang Xiaojie, gripped her hands tightly. When the Prince pressed her, she admitted it was her mistake and offered to remake the dishes.
Jiang Xiaojie then proposed a cooking competition with Ling Xiaoxiao to determine if the poor taste was a mistake or truly reflected Ling Xiaoxiao's culinary skills. She specified that she did not wish to compete on snacks, as they were her forte. Ling Xiaoxiao accepted. The Prince set "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" as the theme, allowing them to make anything they excelled at, not necessarily snacks.
He commented that Jiang Xiaojie's snacks were so good that a competition would seem unfair, but both agreed. In the Delicacy Room, Ling Xiaoxiao and Jiang Xiaojie showcased their unique skills, and their dishes were quickly prepared. Even eunuchs passing by were drawn in by the delicious aroma. In the Prince's room, they presented their creations. The Prince looked at Ling Xiaoxiao without speaking, but smiled at Jiang Xiaojie.
Jiang Xiaojie prepared Twenty-Four Solar Terms snacks in corresponding flower shapes and flavors, each matching a solar term. Ling Xiaoxiao made Twenty-Four Solar Terms wontons, featuring twenty-four flower shapes and unique vegetables characteristic of each term. The Prince first tasted Jiang Xiaojie's snacks, praising them as especially delicious. However, when he tasted Ling Xiaoxiao's wontons, he immediately spat them out, declaring Jiang Xiaojie the winner. The contest was decided without suspense; Ling Xiaoxiao lost.
Jiang Xiaojie then made some extra snacks and invited the Prince to accompany her to deliver them to the Empress. Hearing them agree to leave, Ling Xiaoxiao became distracted. While cleaning the table, she accidentally cut her hand with a knife, and blood flowed. The Prince initially intended to return to check on her, but Jiang Xiaojie quickly stopped him. Ling Xiaoxiao, though deeply saddened, forced herself to maintain a calm demeanor and returned to the kitchen.
Later that evening, Ling Xiaoxiao encountered Prince Jin, who should have been in his feudal territory, on a palace path and was startled. To prevent Ling Xiaoxiao from calling out, Prince Jin got close to her, a scene witnessed by the Prince and Jiang Xiaojie. Prince Jin, who had returned illegally, quickly pulled Jiang Xiaojie aside to explain that he had come to "take back" his beloved Jiang Xiaojie, seeing her apparent misunderstanding.
Jiang Xiaojie was actually very happy but deliberately feigned tears, accusing Prince Jin of not replying to her letters. Prince Jin immediately declared his intention to propose marriage to General Jiang, whereupon Jiang Xiaojie instantly stopped crying, her true happiness revealed, and she playfully pulled him away by the ear. The Prince then explained to Ling Xiaoxiao that his close interactions with Jiang Xiaojie had all been an act.
He decided to respect Ling Xiaoxiao's choice and would no longer make things difficult for her. Ling Xiaoxiao, having endured this period of torment, realized that she truly loved the Prince and bravely confessed her feelings.
