Delicacies Destiny Episode 13 Recap
> Delicacies Destiny Recap
Ling Xiaoxiao and the Crown Prince share a close and affectionate relationship. He often seeks her out in the kitchen, where she greets him with sweet smiles. One day, Ling Xiaoxiao prepares a unique copper hotpot for the Crown Prince, a dish he had never tried before. He finds the eating method fresh and the meat exceptionally tender and aromatic, completely "conquered" by the flavor. When the Crown Prince attempts to personally feed Ling Xiaoxiao, she declines, citing palace rules.
Instead, she suggests that everyone, including Zheng Li and the palace maids, join them, believing that hotpot is best enjoyed with more people. The Crown Prince agrees, and everyone in the Treasured Delicacies Room partakes in the meal with great joy. Although Zheng Li reminds the Crown Prince that this conduct violates palace regulations and could incur the Empress's displeasure, the Crown Prince dismisses the warning.
Unbeknownst to them, a governess from the Empress's retinue observes their rule-breaking and reports it. Furious, the Empress summons both Ling Xiaoxiao and the Crown Prince. She castigates the Crown Prince for his impropriety, neglecting his duties, and abandoning palace rules to eat alongside servants, thus shaming the royal family. Ling Xiaoxiao takes full responsibility, asserting she was ignorant of the rules and encouraged the communal dining.
Seizing the opportunity, the Empress orders Ling Xiaoxiao to undergo rigorous training in palace etiquette under her own governess, Gu Ma Ma, stating that these rules will "eventually be needed," subtly hinting at her future role. Initially hesitant about Ling Xiaoxiao learning these restrictive rules, the Crown Prince, understanding the Empress's veiled suggestion that Ling Xiaoxiao would become his Crown Princess, gratefully agrees.
When Gu Ma Ma arrives at the Treasured Delicacies Room to commence the training, Ling Xiaoxiao attempts to defer for the sixth time by claiming she has dishes to prepare. However, Gu Ma Ma firmly rejects her excuse and forcefully takes her away. After being dressed in exquisite new clothes, Ling Xiaoxiao emerges, leaving the Crown Prince stunned and enchanted by her transformation.
Noticing Ling Xiaoxiao's inherent free-spirited nature and aversion to restrictions, the Crown Prince implores Gu Ma Ma to be gentle with her, lest she suffer too much. Gu Ma Ma subjects Ling Xiaoxiao to rigorous etiquette lessons, including practicing posture by walking on chairs to maintain composure. While practicing, Ling Xiaoxiao is interrupted by news of a fire in the Treasured Delicacies Room.
Despite her immediate desire to rush back, Gu Ma Ma sternly forbids her, insisting she continue her training. During meals, Ling Xiaoxiao initially attempts to be demure, but quickly reverts to her usual habit of eating boisterously, drinking soup loudly, gnawing on meat, and even using her hands. Gu Ma Ma repeatedly reminds her to eat with restraint, not like "a hungry tiger," emphasizing that as the Crown Prince's Imperial Chef, she must adhere to even higher standards.
Ling Xiaoxiao defiantly counters, questioning why she, a chef, must learn such rules when the Emperor's own Imperial Chef Guan and those in the Imperial Kitchen are exempt, leaving Gu Ma Ma speechless and exasperated. Ling Xiaoxiao finds the restrictions and continuous training incredibly frustrating. Chun Chan and other colleagues visit Ling Xiaoxiao, finding her struggle with etiquette to be even worse than Ming Mei's initial attempts, which they find both amusing and concerning.
Overwhelmed and unhappy with the demands of etiquette, Ling Xiaoxiao retreats to the kitchen of the Treasured Delicacies Room one evening, sitting on the floor in a daze. The Crown Prince finds her there and, wishing to comfort her, attempts to sit beside her on the ground. Ling Xiaoxiao objects, citing the breach of etiquette, but the Crown Prince insists on staying with her in that manner.
He then reveals his ultimate reason for her training: he wants her to be his Crown Princess. Motivated by the Crown Prince's declaration and her love for him, Ling Xiaoxiao diligently applies herself to her etiquette studies. Her efforts soon impress Gu Ma Ma, who, in a rare gesture of approval, grants her a day off for rest.
During her time off, Ling Xiaoxiao is visited by Ming Mei and Xi Yan, who express envy for her comfortable new sleeping quarters. Ling Xiaoxiao asks them to bring her knives and recipes, but they decline, believing such tools are unnecessary for a future Crown Princess. Despite her love for the Crown Prince and her dedication to learning etiquette, Ling Xiaoxiao struggles with the thought of abandoning her culinary passion.
She finds her true sense of value and happiness when she is back in the Treasured Delicacies Room, instructing palace staff on tasks like washing vegetables and curing eggs, a sight that brings a happy smile to her face. Gu Ma Ma, initially hopeful that Ling Xiaoxiao had fully embraced her future role, is disappointed to discover her continued attachment to the kitchen. Ling Xiaoxiao works hard on etiquette, only wanting to return to the Treasured Delicacies Room afterwards.
Meanwhile, in the Treasured Delicacies Room, Chun Chan confesses that she has finally given up on her long-standing pursuit of Imperial Chef Shen. Despite years of persistent devotion, she relents after he reveals his enduring love for his deceased wife, leaving her heartbroken. Sensing Chun Chan's lingering pain and understanding that she likely still harbors feelings for Imperial Chef Shen, merely seeking a definitive stance from him after over a decade of pursuit, Ling Xiaoxiao decides to intervene.
She arranges a food tasting with Imperial Chef Shen, and, knowing his frugal nature, deliberately wastes several dishes. She uses this as a lesson, telling him that if he can pity the wasted food, he should pity even more the person who has cherished him for over ten years.
Enlightened by Ling Xiaoxiao's words, Imperial Chef Shen finally begins to actively pursue Chun Chan, leading to a humorous reversal of roles where Chun Chan frequently gives him the cold shoulder, much to the amusement of their colleagues who remark that "the tables have turned." Ling Xiaoxiao's continued culinary activities, including cooking for the staff in the Treasured Delicacies Room, eventually reach the Emperor's ears. Infuriated, the Emperor issues an ultimatum: Ling Xiaoxiao must choose between the Crown Prince and her passion for cooking.
