Royal Feast Episode 20 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Yao Zijin, tasked with delivering a meal, witnessed the Tenth Prince, Xiaoshi, violently smash a large jar of nourishing congee onto the ground. She immediately seized his hand and knelt, earnestly pleading. She implored him to consider that every grain and every meal was hard-won, emphasizing the arduous labor of farmers. As a prince, he should embody frugality rather than squandering food. Xiaoshi, however, grew enraged, shouting at his attendants to kill her.
Unseen, Zhu Zhanji, the Crown Prince, overheard Yao Zijin's words. He dismissed everyone, then chastised Xiaoshi for his unrestrained behavior. He acknowledged that Xiaoshi's chronic illness led to everyone indulging him but warned him against abusing his power, explaining that true respect comes not from birth but from one's conduct. If Xiaoshi only knew how to lose his temper and threaten, no one would genuinely revere him. Though Xiaoshi outwardly yielded, deep down, he harbored resentment.
Driven by a desire for retribution, Xiaoshi secretly followed Yao Zijin. Aware of his intent, Yao Zijin skillfully led him to the residence of Guo Guifei, Xiaoshi's mother. Upon seeing her son, Guo Guifei rushed to embrace him, completely disregarding Yao Zijin's actions. Meng Shang Shi was present with Guo Guifei, suggesting they had been awaiting them.
Once alone, Yao Zijin expressed her confusion to Meng Shang Shi, questioning her loyalty to Guo Guifei, given the consort's reputation for cunning and cruelty. Meng Shang Shi responded by referencing the tragic fate of the late Emperor's gentle Consort Zhuang, implying that a Shang Shi must possess shrewdness, clear judgment, and foresight to navigate the treacherous palace.
While encouraging Yao Zijin to learn from her, step by step, to eventually manage the entire Food Bureau, Meng Shang Shi kept her ultimate ambition—to restore the old system for female officials and become Daming's first "Palace Head"—to herself. Meanwhile, Su Yuehua, realizing that Hu Shang Shi had lost the Empress's favor and could no longer be a reliable ally, again sought You Yifan's assistance to secure her position in the Food Bureau.
You Yifan promised to create an opportunity for her, asking if he could trust her. Su Yuehua responded by expressing her desire to become a Shang Shi and promised to repay him. You Yifan then used his influence, arranging for Su Yuehua to serve directly before the Emperor. Su Yuehua did not disappoint; the Emperor was smitten at first sight.
Later, when Meng Shang Shi went to Qianqing Palace to deliver meals, she saw Su Yuehua proudly and provocatively looking at her. Zhao Wang, Zhu Gao Sui, frequently sent gifts to You Yifan, who he had saved and adopted when You Yifan was wandering and close to death. You Yifan expressed his lifelong gratitude for Zhao Wang's guidance and upbringing. Zhao Wang confided his belief that the Emperor, his older brother, was a treacherous and deceitful individual.
He claimed the Emperor feigned kindness while secretly coercing him to relocate to his fiefdom in Zhangde, fearing he would not live long after. You Yifan, understanding Zhao Wang's long-held aspirations, swore that one day he would help him achieve them. Aware of Su Yuehua's ambition, Meng Shang Shi attempted to transfer her to Nanjing to oversee the meals for the craftsmen working on the palace repairs there.
Meng Shang Shi lectured Su Yuehua, emphasizing that true cooks serve all with dedication, regardless of the recipient's status. However, an imperial decree soon arrived, promoting Su Yuehua to Si Shan and assigning her exclusively to prepare meals for Qianqing Palace, the Emperor's residence. Embracing her new role, Su Yuehua, knowing the Emperor's fondness for rich, meaty dishes, prepared an abundance of them to curry favor.
Yao Zijin kindly warned Su Yuehua that the Emperor's constitution was better suited for light food and advised against excessive heavy meals, especially at night. Su Yuehua dismissed this as jealousy, refusing to heed the advice. As predicted, the Emperor soon developed an excess of lung fire and began to experience nosebleeds after consuming so much rich food. The Grand Doctor diagnosed his condition and advised him against further consumption of heavy, greasy foods.
Consequently, Su Yuehua could no longer serve at the imperial table with her preferred dishes. Seizing the opportunity, Meng Shang Shi brought Yao Zijin to Qianqing Palace with a cooling Guiling paste. The Emperor's reaction to the paste reminded him of Guo Guifei, who used to personally spoon-feed him such treats. This memory, coupled with the thoughtful gesture, led to the Emperor re-favoring Guo Guifei.
Aware of Su Yuehua's manipulative attempts to gain favor with the Emperor, Guo Guifei ordered her attendants to cut off Su Yuehua's hands, intending to eliminate future annoyances. Yao Zijin arrived just in time and implored Guo Guifei to spare Su Yuehua. Reminding Guo Guifei of a promise she made when Yao Zijin helped her regain the Emperor's favor, Yao Zijin requested Su Yuehua's life as her granted wish.
Although Guo Guifei questioned if Yao Zijin wanted to waste such a wish, Yao Zijin insisted, emphasizing Su Yuehua's unique and skillful hands, which were capable of restoring intricate artworks like the Wangchuan map sample. Guo Guifei, honoring her promise, allowed Su Yuehua to leave. Despite being saved, Su Yuehua remained defiant, feeling she had done nothing wrong. She expressed her bitterness, lamenting that all her efforts and desires ultimately amounted to nothing.
She recounted how she had wanted to learn from Wang Si Shan, only for Wang Si Shan to silently shoulder blame for Hu Shang Shi, be sent back to her hometown, and eventually commit suicide. Yao Zijin challenged her, questioning if she had truly dedicated herself to her craft, contrasting Su Yuehua's superficiality with her own diligent practice of every dish on the recipe and memorization of all the meal plans.
