Delicacies Destiny Episode 15 Recap
> Delicacies Destiny Recap
The Empress, seeking to establish clear standards for the Crown Prince's concubine selection, asked him for his criteria. Unsure how to respond, the Crown Prince noticed a plate of peach blossom cakes on the table. He proposed that, as outward appearance and superficial remarks were insufficient to discern true character, all prospective candidates should sample these cakes. This would allow their upbringing and manners to be observed through their actions. The Empress agreed.
However, regardless of how each woman ate, the Crown Prince consistently found fault. Eventually, the Empress became exasperated, realized he was intentionally creating obstacles, and angrily declared the selection over before departing. Ling Xiaoxiao observed the entire selection process, accompanied by Princess Xiangning. She understood that the Crown Prince was deliberately finding flaws for her sake, yet she found herself unable to relinquish her profound attachment to her culinary art.
Princess Xiangning questioned Ling Xiaoxiao, asking if she had seen the extent of the Crown Prince's efforts for her. The Princess acknowledged Ling Xiaoxiao's strong will, evident in her rise from an ordinary woman to the Head Chef, and recognized that her cooking was her livelihood, making it difficult to abandon. However, she posed whether giving up the Crown Prince and the prestigious position of Crown Princess would truly be simple.
Ling Xiaoxiao wondered how she could easily abandon her very means of survival. The Princess then shared her own experience: she, too, had given up her livelihood. Having grown up in privilege, with the Emperor and Empress having planned her entire life—a marriage to an exceptional man and a secure, comfortable existence within her princess's residence—everything changed the moment she met her kind consort.
Despite the initial disapproval from her parents and the consort's aversion to the bureaucracy of the Imperial City, Princess Xiangning overcame numerous obstacles. She left the palace to live a simple life, even growing her own vegetables, alongside her poor scholar consort. This was a stark contrast to her former life, yet she embraced it wholeheartedly and had no regrets.
The Princess told Ling Xiaoxiao that while she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't regret becoming Crown Princess, she was certain Ling Xiaoxiao would regret not even attempting to accept the possibility. Inspired by the Princess's bravery, Ling Xiaoxiao, who admitted her own timidity, felt she finally knew what choice to make. She thanked Princess Xiangning for her guidance and returned to the Imperial Kitchen.
Meanwhile, the Empress was furious with the Crown Prince's dismissive conduct during the concubine selection, especially after she had gone to such lengths to organize it. She ordered him to explain his actions directly to the Emperor. The Crown Prince, however, declared that the position of Crown Princess in his heart was already taken, and since she was not yet willing, he would wait until she was.
Zheng Li, the Crown Prince's aide, sympathized with his plight, but the Crown Prince remained steadfast in his intention to reserve the position for Ling Xiaoxiao, hoping she would eventually change her mind. Back in the Imperial Kitchen, Ling Xiaoxiao prepared a lavish meal for everyone. While delicious, the dishes were met with a sense of bittersweet reluctance, hinting at her impending departure. During this time, Chun Chan and Chef Shen officially became a couple.
The Crown Prince soon arrived at the Imperial Kitchen in search of Ling Xiaoxiao. He instructed Zheng Li to dismiss the other staff and waited for her. When Ling Xiaoxiao arrived, she smiled upon seeing the Crown Prince's worried expression. He quickly explained that he had not been interested in any of the concubine candidates. As a gesture of reward, Ling Xiaoxiao offered to prepare his favorite dish. The Crown Prince was delighted and insisted on helping her cook.
As they worked, they seemed to recall their first meeting. Ling Xiaoxiao made him roasted potatoes, a dish she particularly loved, and the Crown Prince declared his wish to eat with her forever, holding her hand tightly. Later that evening, they sat together in the courtyard, admiring the moon. Ling Xiaoxiao called him by his given name, reflecting on how wonderful it was to know him, a sentiment he reciprocated.
She then initiated a kiss, making the Crown Prince exceedingly happy, and he eagerly returned her embrace, drawing her into a passionate kiss. The following morning, the Crown Prince was initially delighted to receive the meal Ling Xiaoxiao had delivered. However, he soon discovered a handwritten letter she had left, along with his red string, containing words she couldn't bring herself to say in person.
In the letter, Ling Xiaoxiao expressed her gratitude for his repeated protection after her troubles, but stated that she ultimately could not abandon her love for cooking. For this reason, she had made the difficult decision to leave, expressing her belief that they would likely never meet again. Devastated, the Crown Prince abandoned his meal and immediately led a search party outside the palace, but he scoured every corner without finding any trace of Ling Xiaoxiao.
Princess Xiangning, having fully expected Ling Xiaoxiao to accept the Crown Prince, was surprised by the turn of events, and the heartbroken Crown Prince wept tears of sadness. The Empress, now aware of the Crown Prince's deep affection for Ling Xiaoxiao and her departure, sent a matron to summon him. She offered Ling Xiaoxiao one final opportunity to make her choice. However, Ling Xiaoxiao once again chose to leave the palace.
The Empress then sternly warned Ling Xiaoxiao that if she chose to depart, she must sever all ties completely and cease to impede the Crown Prince's future. Deeply wounded by Ling Xiaoxiao's final decision, the Crown Prince walked alone through the long palace corridors, his desolate figure causing Zheng Li immense sorrow. Upon hearing the news of Ling Xiaoxiao, Prince Jin and Prince An returned to the palace to console their brother.
The Crown Prince expressed a desire for alcohol, despite the imperial doctor's previous warnings against it. Zheng Li's cautionary words alerted the two princes, who also tried to dissuade him. However, the Crown Prince was insistent, and his brothers ultimately drank with him. Ling Xiaoxiao, having left the palace, opened her own "Imperial Kitchen Inn." The business quickly boomed, and Ling Xiaoxiao found joy in the satisfied smiles of her customers.
Yet, in the quiet hours of the night, she often thought of the Crown Prince, her heart filled with sadness. The Crown Prince, for his part, frequently drowned his sorrows in alcohol. One night, after a heavy drinking session, he dreamed of reuniting with Ling Xiaoxiao as if she had never left. Upon waking from his beautiful dream, he anxiously searched for a specific string of beads, which Zheng Li had prudently put away for safekeeping to prevent damage.
At that moment, the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince to the Hall of Diligent Government. Recently, courtiers had grown dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's excessive drinking and suggested the Emperor reconsider his suitability for the throne. Simultaneously, commoners in River West expressed discontent. The Emperor ordered the Crown Prince to pacify them, but his efforts, such as distributing congee, proved ineffective. Consequently, the Emperor entrusted the matter to Prince Jin, who was already concerned about the Crown Prince's health.
