Mengfei Comes Across Episode 11 Recap
> Mengfei Comes Across Recap
Recently, Cai Taixian accepted Kang Shanjuan as his disciple. Kang Shanjuan was a skilled chef. However, Meng Fei noticed a deep hatred in Shanjuan's eyes for his master, particularly when Cai Taixian declared he treated his disciples like his own sons during a conversation with Meng Fei and Yan Fei in the Imperial Kitchen. Meng Fei found this strange but did not voice her observation. A few days later, the Imperial Culinary Championship commenced.
It was stipulated that if Cai Taixian lost, he would have to retire. After intense rounds of competition, the championship reached its final, pitting Cai Taixian against Kang Shanjuan. Cai Taixian prepared "Deer Antlers Steamed with Bear Paws," while Kang Shanjuan offered "Wild Vegetables with Fermented Beans." When Wu Weiyong announced the dishes, the Emperor and the concubines were curious about Kang Shanjuan's unusual choice, so Wu Weiyong asked him to explain.
Shanjuan shared that he and his mother lived a very frugal life when he was young, and the wild vegetables with fermented beans was a dish his mother used to make, leaving him with vivid memories. Ultimately, Kang Shanjuan's "Wild Vegetables with Fermented Beans" triumphed over Cai Taixian's "Deer Antlers Steamed with Bear Paws." After his defeat, Cai Taixian went to Fanghua Palace to bid farewell to the concubines.
However, Meng Fei suggested that Kang Shanjuan must harbor a grudge against him. Cai Taixian insisted he had never offended Shanjuan, so the concubines decided to help him find an answer. Cai Taixian and the concubines returned to the Imperial Kitchen, where they found Kang Shanjuan holding a jade pendant. Cai Taixian instantly recognized it as a memento from his former lover, Kang Manhua. He excitedly demanded to know where Shanjuan had obtained it.
Shanjuan then revealed that he was Cai Taixian's son. Cai Taixian was distraught, recalling Shanjuan's earlier words about his mother being buried hastily due to poverty. He questioned how Manhua, who came from a wealthy family, could have endured such hardship. Shanjuan explained that his mother could not forget Cai Taixian after he left, leading to her difficult life. Filled with regret, Cai Taixian asked Shanjuan to take him to Kang Manhua's grave, where he wept bitterly.
Kang Shanjuan, having fulfilled his mother's unspoken wish by bringing Cai Taixian to her resting place, decided to leave the Imperial Kitchen permanently and depart from the palace. Despite his departure, Cai Taixian later returned to the palace to continue as head chef, though he remained sorrowful, thinking of Manhua and his son. Meanwhile, His Majesty began to miss Shanjuan's cooking.
Qu Xiao, boasting an exceptional memory for tastes and an ability to identify any chef's cooking, volunteered to find Shanjuan. Accompanied by Bao Qu and Imperial Physician Liu, she ventured out of the palace. Along the way, Bao Qu and Liu expressed their annoyance with Qu Xiao's gluttony, but Qu Xiao remained cheerful and oblivious. After visiting their first eatery, Qu Xiao became separated from Bao Qu and Liu. Undeterred and fearless, she followed the aroma of food.
She soon stumbled upon a stall named "Ballistic Lemon," which instantly appealed to her. She ordered a drink and was delighted to discover that Kang Shanjuan was the owner. She expressed great happiness and admiration for his creations, chatting with him for a long time. That evening, Shanjuan sent Qu Xiao back to the palace with many drinks of various flavors.
Qu Xiao joyfully entered Fanghua Palace and, finding Yan Fei still awake, happily shared one of Shanjuan's drinks with her. Yan Fei took a sip and immediately spat it out, remarking on his preference for mixed flavors and finding it awful. It was then that Qu Xiao suddenly remembered her forgotten mission: she had failed to tell Shanjuan that the Emperor wanted him back in the palace. The next day, when Qu Xiao met the Emperor, she bluffed her way through, promising to continue her efforts to persuade Shanjuan.
