Royal Feast Episode 21 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Upon seeing the painting she had cleaned restored to its original state and receiving fresh turtle cream, Zhu Zhanji's mood brightened, and he immediately ordered honey and sweet-scented osmanthus to enhance its taste. Meanwhile, the Empress, deeply concerned about the lack of an heir for the East Palace, had meticulously selected four clever and beautiful palace maids to serve the Crown Princess.
However, Zhu Zhanji promptly sent them all back to his mother, stating unequivocally that it was his own decision. The Empress pressed him on his solemn duty as the Crown Prince to secure the imperial succession, expressing her frustration that he seemed not to grasp the immense societal pressure on women to bear children. Convinced he would not accept her choices, she resolved to find someone he would genuinely favor instead.
Later, Meng Shang Shi prepared a medicated meal for Prince Wei to alleviate his cough. She elaborated on her culinary philosophy, emphasizing the importance of selecting ingredients based on the diner's specific needs and physique, and the crucial need to preserve the natural essence of the food. Yao Zijin assisted Meng Shang Shi in preparing a midnight snack for the Empress.
The dish consisted of pan-fried cooked taro slices with nuts and almonds in a sauce, accompanied by parsley Bijian soup, known for its digestive and sleep-aiding properties. The Empress, recognizing Yao Zijin and having previously tested her, directly offered her the title of Tai Zi Pin (Crown Prince Consort). Yao Zijin, despite her sincere admiration for the Crown Prince and his virtues, respectfully declined, clearly stating her desire for freedom over the constraints of being a concubine.
The Empress was visibly shocked by Yao Zijin's defiance and threatened her with a life confined to the palace or even the destruction of her entire clan. Yao Zijin, however, remained resolute, asserting that her will was unyielding, even if it meant facing death multiple times. Impressed by Yao Zijin's spirit, the Empress secretly found her defiance intriguing, pondering whether someone could truly defy imperial power and fate.
Meanwhile, the Crown Princess received a secret message from Hu Shang Shi, prompting her to meet late at night. Hu Shang Shi presented her with a child-seeking talisman and offered some comforting words before abruptly departing, leaving the Crown Princess puzzled by her strange demeanor. As the Yuan Festival approached, the Emperor announced a grand banquet for all civil and military officials.
At this auspicious event, Hu Shang Shi publicly challenged Meng Shang Shi to a third round of culinary competition. She proposed that if she won, Meng Shang Shi must publicly admit defeat, and if she lost, she would voluntarily leave the palace and never return to the Forbidden City. Meng Shang Shi accepted the terms.
During this time, Ziping, a cook, found herself distracted while practicing her knife skills with tofu, having developed a crush on Mei Shaoyuan, a talented official often seen discussing state affairs and court movements with Zhu Zhanji. Seeing Ziping's distraction, Yao Zijin noticed her affection for Mei Shaoyuan. Ziping, too shy to approach him herself, pleaded with Yao Zijin to deliver a food box to Mei Shaoyuan. Yao Zijin, believing Ziping was genuinely smitten, agreed to help.
During a meal with Mei Shaoyuan, Zhu Zhanji became visibly displeased upon seeing Mei Shaoyuan enthusiastically consuming sweet tofu pudding. He immediately ordered the Food Bureau to only prepare savory tofu pudding in the future. His irritation escalated when he saw Yao Zijin personally deliver a food box to Mei Shaoyuan. In a fit of jealousy, he angrily questioned why the food box was given to Mei Shaoyuan.
His attendant explained that the Food Bureau was now responsible for meals for visiting ministers, including Mei Shaoyuan, due to the Guanglu Temple's recent reprimand and their subsequent shirking of the duty. Zhu Zhanji, still fuming, ordered the attendant to receive twenty sticks for even mentioning the matter again.
Later, Ziping confessed to Yao Zijin that the reason she had put bizarre fillings like bamboo insects, bee pupae, and grasshoppers in Mei Shaoyuan's Fresh Meat Lantern Festival was solely to play a trick on him. She clarified that she did not admire him; instead, she harbored deep resentment from her youth when, out of hunger and cold, she stole money from him. Mei Shaoyuan, instead of forgiving her, had her arrested and beaten.
He then waited outside the jail to ensure she became a restaurant apprentice, even personally acting as her guarantor. Yao Zijin, however, pointed out that Mei Shaoyuan's actions, though harsh, were ultimately an act of profound kindness, forcing Ziping onto a righteous path and securing her a valuable skill. Ziping, however, remained stubbornly convinced of his cruelty and even accused him of unfairly withholding her wages.
While checking inventory in the Imperial Wine Shop, where various wines like Jinhua wine and Changchun wine were stored, Yao Zijin was severely injured when a small servant intentionally knocked over an entire wine rack behind her. Although Ziping tried to shield her, Yao Zijin lost consciousness, and her hands were heavily bandaged. Yuehua, upon hearing of the accident, immediately confronted You Yifan, questioning if he was responsible and implying it was a deliberate act to eliminate a rival.
You Yifan denied involvement, feigning indifference and even suggesting Yuehua should be happy about her rival's injury. The servant who caused the accident, when questioned by Gong Zhengsi (Palace Justice Department), insisted that it was merely an accident. Zhu Zhanji, deeply distressed by Yao Zijin's injury, became withdrawn and lost his appetite.
Seasonal Physician, the medical expert, informed him and Meng Shang Shi that Yao Zijin's hands required careful attention and the full extent of the damage could only be determined after she regained consciousness. Meng Shang Shi ordered that all other occupants be moved out to provide Yao Zijin with a peaceful environment to recover. Yao Zijin eventually woke, crying out in pain over her injured hands, while the Crown Princess observed Zhu Zhanji's obvious distress without understanding its true cause.
