Royal Feast Episode 12 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Following her demotion, Meng Ziyun was late delivering vegetables to the Food Bureau. Wen Dianshan sharply rebuked her, pointing out that the vegetables were not fresh and recalling Meng Ziyun's own past strict standards. He ordered her to return and fetch an entirely new cart. Fang Dianshan, seeing his former superior in such a state, was visibly uncomfortable. Shortly after, Yuehua arrived with Wang Sishan.
Yuehua publicly chastised Meng Ziyun for not showing proper respect to Wang Sishan, but Wang Sishan intervened, reminding Yuehua to be polite. Unmoved, Yuehua noted that with Hu Sishan now overseeing the Food Bureau and soon to be promoted to Shangshi, Meng Ziyun was an outsider. Zhu Zhanji was occupied with state affairs in his study. Upon finishing, he discovered Yao Zijin had fallen asleep against the door.
He gently carried her to a couch inside, where he knelt beside her, observing her closely. When Yao Zijin awoke, Zhu Zhanji playfully questioned if she had feigned sleep. She confessed that to prepare for the New Year's Eve banquet, the entire Food Bureau, including herself, had not slept for four days and nights. Zhu Zhanji offered to transfer her to his study for lighter duties, but Yao Zijin respectfully declined.
She explained her desire to remain in the Food Bureau, recounting how her mother's high expectations and her tutor's strict methods, including beatings with a rattan cane, made her childhood difficult. The kitchen became her only refuge, as it was too small and filled with fragile porcelain for the cane to be used. Cooking brought her a sense of accomplishment and recognition, making her time in the Food Bureau the happiest period of her life.
Zhu Zhanji teased that he thought her happiest moments were in his study, but she clarified that the feelings were entirely different, comparing her culinary satisfaction to his contentment from governing. Under the moonlight, Zhu Zhanji felt inspired and asked Yao Zijin to play the zither while he accompanied her on the flute. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess approached the study with her attendant, Huaping.
Huaping noted that Zhu Zhanji forbade musicians in his study and recognized the melody as a piece the Crown Prince had composed himself, which he had left half-finished until he found true inspiration. Surprised that the piece was now complete, the Crown Princess suspected Zhu Zhanji had found a new companion and ordered Huaping to discreetly discover the identity of the person inside.
A few days later, the Crown Princess, having been impressed by Yao Zijin's culinary skills at a banquet, requested her to prepare some snacks. She was delighted by the strawberry soup Yao Zijin made, praising her as a "woman with a bright mind." She then invited Yao Zijin to play chess with her.
After Yao Zijin departed, the Crown Princess confided in Huaping, remarking on Yao Zijin's kind and amiable nature, admitting that even she was drawn to her, let alone the Crown Prince. When Huaping asked if she truly wished for Yao Zijin to serve the Crown Prince, she replied that if Yao Zijin could bring him happiness, it would be a form of atonement for her own perceived shortcomings.
With Hu Sishan having taken over Meng Ziyun's former position, Yuehua found herself increasingly alienated by the other cooks due to a past mistake. Deeply distressed over her role in the Han Princess Consort's death, she repeatedly lamented to Wang Sishan that she "didn't kill anyone." Wang Sishan comforted her, reassuring her that she knew it was not her fault. During the Lantern Festival, Wu Cairen was playing a game of Cuju with her maids.
Noticing Yin Ziping's impressive ball skills, Wu Cairen insisted she join the game. Yao Zijin discreetly advised Yin Ziping to let Wu Cairen win due to her demanding nature. Elsewhere, Yao Zijin helped Zhuang Fei's attendant find her mistress, discovering Zhuang Fei hiding and weeping from homesickness. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess's mother, Mrs. Peng Chengbo, arrived and was pointedly rude to the Crown Princess.
Afterward, Mrs. Peng Chengbo complained vehemently about her own daughter, lamenting that she had failed to produce an heir and implying the Emperor had gone back on his word regarding who should have been the rightful Crown Princess. After concluding his state affairs, Zhu Zhanji hurried to his study, but Yao Zijin was not there. His search led him to a pavilion, where he found her intently drawing on a lantern by candlelight.
Unbeknownst to them, You Yifan had been observing Yao Zijin from a distance, intending to give her a hairpin. He approached her, remarking that as a "royal eagle dog," he was tasked with watching everyone. He warned her that every action of those in the palace, including herself and the crying Zhuang Fei, was recorded, urging her not to make any mistakes. When Yao Zijin asked if they had met before, You Yifan denied it.
Seeing Zhu Zhanji approach, You Yifan discarded the hairpin and quietly departed. Zhu Zhanji informed Yao Zijin that he was departing the capital to inspect and supervise the repair of the Huitong River, whose faulty dams caused annual floods. He invited her to accompany him, but Yao Zijin, holding the finished lantern, chose to remain in the capital, promising to await his triumphant return.
Upon returning to the Food Bureau, Yao Zijin found Yin Ziping distraught on the ground, her face red and swollen. Yin Ziping tearfully recounted that despite her attempts to lose, she had won the Cuju game, and an enraged Wu Cairen had ordered her subordinates to slap her thirty times. Yin Ziping expressed her despair, stating that those in power had no regard for people like them. In a fit of fury, Yao Zijin crushed the lantern she was holding.
While on his mission, Zhu Zhanji caught a small rabbit. Thinking of Yao Zijin, he immediately instructed his subordinates to deliver the creature to her, a journey of a thousand miles. Meanwhile, a grave political crisis unfolded in the capital. Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, vehemently opposed the Emperor's plans for a northern expedition, citing depleted army resources. His dissent enraged the Emperor, who ordered his execution.
Despite the Crown Prince pleading for Xia Yuanji's life, the Emperor remained resolute. Reports also reached the court that Arutai had invaded Datong and Kaiping. The Emperor's fury led to the imprisonment of both Xia Yuanji and an official from the Grand Court of Revision, while the Minister of War committed suicide out of fear. Upon Zhu Zhanji's return, he immediately sought to intervene, but the Emperor continued to rage, reaffirming his intent to punish Xia Yuanji severely.
