Royal Feast Episode 1 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
In the twentieth year of Yongle, servants respectfully carried food boxes into the palace, where Meng Ziyun, the Head of the Food Bureau, had prepared delicacies for Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi. The Prince was pleased with Meng Ziyun's offerings and inquired about the progress of this year's chef selection, to which Meng Ziyun replied that the re-inspection was already underway. As Zhu Gaochi tasted the dishes, he suddenly found a small bone, prompting Meng Ziyun to immediately kneel in apology.
Crown Princess Zhang, angered by the incident, arrived and reprimanded Meng Ziyun for her carelessness. Si Shan Jiang Wanying interceded, claiming that Meng Ziyun's term was nearing its end and her haste was understandable. Jiang Wanying also stated that Meng Ziyun had guided her when she first entered the palace, and she was simply repaying that kindness. However, the Crown Princess saw through Jiang Wanying's ambitious attempts to secure the position of Head of the Food Bureau.
Citing the numerous recommendations she had received for Jiang Wanying, the Crown Princess accused her of framing her superior. She ordered Jiang Wanying to be given fifty strokes with a staff and expelled from the palace, while Meng Ziyun's culpability was noted for later consideration. An attendant then reported that Emperor Zhu Di had triumphed in his campaign against Arutai and was returning to the capital.
The Crown Princess instructed Meng Ziyun to prepare for a grand banquet and sent a message for the Imperial Grandson, Zhu Zhanji, to return to the palace to welcome the Emperor. Outside the palace, Zhu Zhanji was informed that his uncle, Han Wang, had already entered the capital to welcome the Emperor without an imperial summons, suggesting ill intent. Zhu Zhanji ordered his convoy to speed up.
When his carriage became stuck in the mud, he dismounted and, despite his attendant's protests, personally helped the soldiers push the carriage out, expressing confidence that his good fortune would see them through. Meanwhile, the selection for a head chef position within the Food Bureau continued. After multiple rounds, Su Yuehua, Yin Ziping, and Yao Zijin emerged as the finalists. Wang Sishan, a Si Shan, challenged them to explain their understanding of the art of cuisine.
Su Yuehua boasted of her ambition to become the world's greatest chef. Yin Ziping asserted that true cuisine involved making satisfying food from the cheapest ingredients, dismissing elaborate feasts as mere extravagance. Yao Zijin simply stated her reason for entering the palace was to avoid a forced marriage. Infuriated by their responses—Su Yuehua's arrogance, Yin Ziping's disdain for high culinary art, and Yao Zijin's lack of ambition—Wang Sishan ordered all three to be expelled.
As Yao Zijin despaired, Meng Ziyun arrived. Having just received an urgent imperial decree concerning the Emperor's return, she announced that all candidates would be temporarily retained to assist with the upcoming banquets. Hu Sishan then assigned Su Yuehua, whose skills she acknowledged, to a special task. Emperor Zhu Di returned victorious and issued an edict to reward his meritorious officers. Han Wang presented himself, claiming he had rushed back to report auspicious omens and apologizing for his unauthorized return.
Emperor Zhu Di was displeased, but relented after Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi interceded for his brother. Han Wang then taunted the Crown Prince about his weight. As the banquet began, the Emperor remained unsatisfied with the dishes presented, rejecting a roasted bone dish for its overly flattering symbolism and Wang Sishan's sweet and sour live carp. Officials from Guanglu Temple warned the Food Bureau that if the Emperor was not appeased, there would be consequences.
An urgent imperial order then diverted many Food Bureau chefs, including Su Yuehua and Yin Ziping, to prepare food for the vast army outside the city, as Guanglu Temple's resources were insufficient. At the army camp, soldiers clamored for food. The lead palace chef, Ying Hanying, finding the cooking equipment inadequate, was challenged by Zhao Sicheng of Guanglu Temple, who doubted her ability to feed thousands.
Ying Hanying promised to return with more pots within half an hour and succeeded, bringing back large cooking vessels from dried fruit shops throughout the capital. Su Yuehua then organized the rapid preparation of "rice parcels" by mixing minced braised pork with rice and wrapping the mixture in fresh vegetable leaves for steaming, allowing for swift, large-scale distribution. The soldiers devoured the simple yet delicious meal.
Back in the palace, Hu Sishan was at a loss, as the Emperor had not touched any food. After discreetly inquiring about the Emperor's health, she learned he was suffering from exhaustion and poor appetite after his sleepless journey. Overhearing this, Yao Zijin quickly offered Hu Sishan a suggestion. Meanwhile, Emperor Zhu Di expressed his disappointment with Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi for his late arrival and his lenient handling of corrupt officials.
As the Crown Prince accepted the blame and his advisors pleaded for mercy, the Food Bureau presented the Emperor with a steamed chicken liver paste soup and easily digestible bean curd with chicken oil, following Yao Zijin's advice. The Emperor, surprisingly, began to eat. It was explained that the dishes were prepared with beneficial herbs like clove and cardamom to be both flavorful and appetizing.
A collective sigh of relief swept through the court, and Meng Ziyun began to view Yao Zijin with new admiration. As the Emperor was about to continue his reprimand of the Crown Prince's faction, Crown Princess Zhang personally presented a dish called "Zimuhui" (Mother-Son Reunion). With tears, she reminisced about the late Empress's compassion, especially towards the troops during the Emperor's campaigns. She hoped the symbolic dish would appeal to the Emperor's sentiments and encourage leniency within the family.
