Delicacies Destiny Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
> Delicacies Destiny Recap
Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui, depressed and unable to forget Ling Xiaoxiao, spends his days drinking heavily, neglecting his duties and appearing unprincely, often sitting on the ground leaning against a railing. Officials complain about his daily drinking and his delegation of all matters, including resolving the Hexi people's grievances, to Prince Jin.
Prince Jin, protecting his brother, explains that he acted under the Crown Prince's orders, detailing his successful resolution of the grievances, earning praise from the officials and the Emperor. The Emperor, aware of the situation, instructs Prince Jin to remain in the palace longer to honor his mother, Consort Li. During a court session where an official questions the Crown Prince's conduct, Zhu Shoukui suddenly faints, coughs blood, and collapses, alarming everyone present.
Ling Xiaoxiao, who had resumed her passion for cooking, is startled by a dream of his illness and feels a strong connection at the moment of his collapse, realizing she cannot abandon her culinary skills or the Crown Prince, and makes a decision in her heart.
Imperial doctors diagnose Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui with "brain wind," a condition he had been carefully managing for over half a year, but which has now worsened significantly due to his excessive worry, making it severe and incurable, with no known prevention or treatment. The doctors admit they have never seen such symptoms. The Empress is heartbroken, and the Emperor is extremely worried, ordering a widespread search for famous doctors.
The Empress also becomes anxious, fearing for the Crown Prince's position after seeing the Emperor summon Prince Jin. Prince Jin and Prince An visit Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui in his sickbed. Zheng Li attempts to feed him medicine, but the Crown Prince refuses.
Prince Jin, taking the medicine from Zheng Li, desperately urges him to take at least a bite, but Zhu Shoukui believes he has only two or three days left and tells Prince Jin not to waste his efforts. Prince An weeps at the sight. Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui, aware his time is short, entrusts Prince Jin to care for the Empress and everyone in the Imperial Culinary Bureau, including Zheng Li.
Prince Jin, fearing Zhu Shoukui has lost the will to live, refuses his request, using reverse psychology by telling him that if he truly worried, he should live to care for them himself. As Prince Jin, having hardened his heart, turns to leave, Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui passes away, exhaling his last breath and dropping a cherished chain he held in his hand. The news of the Crown Prince's death spreads nationwide.
Ling Xiaoxiao's shop receives official notification that for half a month, or during the period of national mourning, no celebrations or banquets can be held. Ling Xiaoxiao refuses to believe the news, repeatedly confirming it. Once she realizes it's true, she loses all interest in cooking, roasting many potatoes in the stove and eating them forcefully while crying and reminiscing about the times she ate roasted potatoes with the Crown Prince, as if angry with herself.
Songbai tries to comfort her, but Ling Xiaoxiao, deeply saddened by the loss of Zhu Shoukui, closes her shop to guests and stops cooking. Songbai, worried, brings her food and tries to feed her, but she remains lost in her grief and is completely unresponsive. A few days later, a mysterious person, who is Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui disguised with a veil over his face, comes to Ling Xiaoxiao's shop.
He is about to leave when he observes Songbai bringing food to Ling Xiaoxiao, which she doesn't eat. He then encounters Songbai directly, hears a waiter mention Ling Xiaoxiao's name, and quietly follows Songbai into the backyard. The mysterious person enters, asking if it is "Ling Xiaoxiao's Delicacies." Ling Xiaoxiao immediately recognizes his voice, snaps out of her daze, and rushes to embrace him, crying tears of joy.
She cannot believe the Crown Prince is alive, confirming his identity by lifting his veil. Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui apologizes for being late. He reveals that he had orchestrated his "death" to abdicate the title of Crown Prince to Prince Jin. On the day he fainted and coughed blood, the Empress had seen through his pretense of illness. When they were alone, she urged him to stop pretending. Zhu Shoukui confessed he had no other option.
The Empress, understanding his unhappiness from being forced to learn various things for over ten years, agreed to let him decide his own fate. Though she was reluctant to part with him, she hardened her heart, believing his happiness was her true happiness. Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui knelt to thank his mother, and they shared a tearful embrace. He candidly admitted he could not live without Ling Xiaoxiao, as only she allowed him to truly be himself.
Ling Xiaoxiao is deeply moved by Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui's actions. He then playfully states a condition: she must bear him a son and a daughter and be responsible for him. Ling Xiaoxiao tightens her grip on him, assuring him she will be responsible. They sit on the steps, looking at the moon. In the palace, everything returns to normal. Prince Jin successfully becomes the new Crown Prince, and Consort Li is released from house arrest.
The Imperial Culinary Bureau is as lively as ever; even Imperial Chef Shen, who was previously unperceptive, is now very kind to Chun Chan, who is pregnant. Back at their new life, Ling Xiaoxiao immediately puts Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui to work washing dishes. One day, while the kitchen is incredibly busy, Zhu Shoukui is found leisurely lying on a chair eating melon seeds in the courtyard. Enraged, Ling Xiaoxiao grabs a feather duster and chases him.
Zhu Shoukui, looking utterly dejected and lamenting that even the deepest feelings cannot withstand the demands of daily life and its necessities, dutifully returns to washing dishes, a complaint Ling Xiaoxiao overhears, preparing to "fix" him. Meanwhile, Lu Yunzhou, still wanting to challenge Ling Xiaoxiao after his previous defeat, arrives at the shop, having heard about a grand chef competition.
He states he will only share the competition details after she demonstrates her skill by making a dish with three different ingredients and flavors. Ling Xiaoxiao agrees and soon creates the dish, "Three Sets of Chicken," greatly impressing Lu Yunzhou. He then invites her to participate in the culinary competition. Ling Xiaoxiao, knowing Zhu Shoukui's temperament, secretly leaves him a letter and departs with Lu Yunzhou.
Upon reading the letter, Crown Prince Zhu Shoukui immediately explodes in anger, yelling that Ling Xiaoxiao ran off with a man, kicking away two blocking waiters, and vowing to bring her back.
