Royal Feast Episode 11 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Following You Yifan's last-minute changes to the menu for the New Year's Eve banquet, the Food Bureau faced significant pressure, with Yao Zijin responsible for preparing the most challenging final dishes. During the banquet, Meng Ziyun anxiously observed the imperial family. She immediately regretted her oversight when she saw Han Wang dismiss the vegetarian appetizers, remembering his strong preference for meat. Meanwhile, a cook in the Food Bureau accidentally cut a finger.
To ensure the Food Bureau would not fall behind the Food Supervisor and avoid punishment, Yao Zijin suggested that Yin Ziping temporarily take the injured cook's place. This unexpected opportunity thrilled Yin Ziping, who eagerly devoted all her skills to preparing the dishes. Having long abstained from meat, Zhu Gaochi eagerly picked up his chopsticks when a plate of vibrant braised pork was served. The meat was tender, fragrant, and not greasy, bringing a satisfied smile to his face.
Zhu Zhanji subtly reminded his father not to get too carried away and forget the evening's serious affairs, while the Emperor, witnessing Zhu Gaochi's hearty appetite, simply turned away in mild distaste. Zhu Gaochi shot a reproachful look back at Zhu Zhanji. Other dishes were also presented, including the "Crucian Carp Belly Soup," a former dynasty delicacy created by Mr. Yun Lin, known for its tender flavor from the fish's belly, seasoned with flower pepper.
The "Dinghu Shangsu" was also served, described as a refreshing and elegant dish made from six types of fungi and other precious ingredients. The Emperor was greatly impressed by the Food Bureau's culinary achievements. Yao Zijin's innovative "Blanched Large Crabs," made with a special "bald butter" crab paste, was particularly lauded.
She explained how she combined the lightest and freshest ingredients by using crab roe to prepare tofu soup, achieving a perfect balance of flavors, further enhanced by ordinary tea to cleanse the palate. This dish successfully surpassed the Food Supervisor's "Three Things of Happiness and Longevity," a rich dish made with twenty-eight ingredients and aged wine. The festivities took a grim turn when dishes were discreetly removed from Princess Han's table.
A steward inadvertently revealed that Princess Han suffered from asthma and could not eat chicken clear. This revelation horrified Yuehua, who realized that every piece of her walnut-fried kidney flowers had been soaked in chicken clear. Soon after, Princess Han suffered a severe asthma attack. Han Wang prepared to take his wife away, but Zhu Zhanji intervened, instructing the Crown Princess to take Princess Han to her palace for immediate medical attention by the Great Doctor and palace pharmacists.
Han Wang, confused by his detention, was then confronted by Zhu Zhanji, who revealed a conspiracy. Zhu Zhanji reported that Meng Xian, commander of the Changshan Guard, Peng Xu of the Yulin Guard, Qin Tian Jian Guan Wang Shecheng, and the eunuch Qing Yang and his son had all been apprehended. The plot, instigated by Wang Shecheng and Meng Xian, aimed to poison the Emperor at the banquet, using the Emperor's recent minor illness as a pretext.
They intended to then seize the arsenal and imperial seals, fabricate an imperial edict to depose the Crown Prince, and enthrone Zhao Wang. The Emperor expressed his disappointment, questioning why his sons would covet his throne and their elder brother's life simply because he was briefly indisposed. Zhao Wang, feigning sleep, denied any involvement, claiming he had been framed. The Emperor ordered a eunuch to present the poisoned wine to Zhao Wang.
Trembling, Zhao Wang knelt, protesting his innocence and asserting that, having resided in Beijing for years without military power or connections, he was incapable of such a plot. Han Wang quickly interjected, denying any military connections himself and deflecting suspicion towards the Crown Prince, who was well-liked by many military commanders. The Crown Prince, known for his benevolence, could not bear to see his brothers forced to drink poison.
He stepped forward, offering to drink the poisoned wine himself to prove their innocence. Sensing the Emperor's underlying hesitation, Zhu Zhanji clarified the situation. He explained that the initial accusations against his uncles were merely the exaggerated words of ignorant subordinates, who, driven by greed and ambition, had conspired independently. Zhu Zhanji assured the Emperor that his uncles were far too intelligent to engage in such foolish acts. This clarification provided a convenient path for the Emperor.
He then ordered Zhao Wang to be confined to his residence for self-reflection and banished Han Wang back to his fief immediately. Tragically, Princess Han succumbed to her illness. Meng Ziyun quietly pulled Yuehua aside, confronting her about the dish that exacerbated Princess Han's illness. Yuehua tearfully recalled that You Yifan had suggested using chicken clear for the kidney flowers, a cooking method that Princess Han was known to favor.
Though Meng Ziyun pressed her to reveal who had truly instructed her, Yuehua claimed she acted alone, driven by a deep-seated desire to see Meng Ziyun, whom she accused of abandoning her family, stripped of everything. Disappointed, Meng Ziyun slapped Yuehua, condemning her actions. Later, the Emperor privately questioned Zhu Zhanji about the public rumors of his ruthlessness.
Zhu Zhanji responded by defining true leadership: an emperor, unlike an ordinary person who can simply focus on good deeds, must sometimes abandon the superficial path of benevolence for the greater good of the nation and its people. He argued that a true ruler defends the realm and its populace, even if it means sacrificing personal ties or enduring public condemnation. Zhu Zhanji's profound understanding greatly pleased the Emperor, who recognized his grandson's superior wisdom.
Meng Ziyun was subsequently summoned by the Crown Princess. Attempting to protect Yuehua, Meng Ziyun initially tried to take full responsibility. However, the Crown Princess revealed that the Great Doctor had confirmed Princess Han's death was due to a recurrence of an old illness, absolving the Food Bureau. The real charge against Meng Ziyun was a secret report that she had been privately communicating with Han Wang.
Yin Ziping, present during the conversation, glanced at Hu Si Shan standing nearby and understood. Wang Si Shan then stepped forward, testifying that Meng Ziyun had indeed spoken of the Emperor's use of secret medicine and impending changes in the palace, advising caution. With witnesses present, the Crown Princess stripped Meng Ziyun of her position as Shang Food Bureau head and ordered her to be punished by Gong Zhengsi.
Meng Ziyun expressed her confusion over Wang Si Shan's betrayal, given their long-standing relationship. Hu Si Shan then revealed that she and Wang Si Shan, whose given name was A Wei, had been close friends for a decade. They had only pretended to be enemies because Meng Ziyun, being overbearing and suspicious, suppressed anyone who disagreed with her.
Hu Si Shan confessed that she had grown weary of their forced animosity and desired to escape Meng Ziyun's shadow and achieve her own success. Yuehua later confronted You Yifan, accusing him of manipulating her and making her a murderer. You Yifan calmly admitted that it was a "fair deal," as he provided her with the Food Supervisor's meal plan in exchange for her actions. As Han Wang entered, he angrily struck You Yifan, accusing him of poisoning Princess Han.
You Yifan met Han Wang's gaze, revealing the true reason for his actions: Princess Han had maliciously framed his mother for adultery years ago, leading to a family tragedy. You Yifan then delivered a chilling piece of advice to Han Wang, reminding him that "accompanying a gentleman is like accompanying a tiger" and that the Emperor dislikes those who are overly clever.
After this exchange, Yuehua reflected on her own choices, realizing that she had been blinded by her desire for change and had mistakenly placed her hopes on others, resulting in a tragic loss of life. Later, Zhu Zhanji found Yao Zijin, sharing some dumplings. He mused that some matters he handled with ease, but others, like the complex relationships and betrayals he had witnessed, left him at a loss. Yao Zijin, finding her own dumpling empty, nevertheless assured him that following him was her greatest fortune.
