Royal Feast Episode 23 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
After secretly returning to the banquet, following his covert assistance to Yao Zijin, Zhu Zhanji was questioned by his subordinate about his consistent actions. His subordinate pointed out that if he truly didn't care about her working with an injured hand, he wouldn't have bothered to send her medicine. Zhu Zhanji initially denied delivering any medicine, stating he had never been there and warned his subordinate not to spread rumors.
The subordinate then took responsibility for the medicine himself, which Zhu Zhanji tacitly accepted, simply commanding him to continue. The food competition resumed, with the Emperor appearing overwhelmed by the many dishes presented. Sensing an opportunity, Yao Zijin volunteered to personally deliver the meals. Despite Meng Shang Shi's doubts about appeasing the Emperor after the previous incident involving Guo Guifei, Yao Zijin proceeded.
She eloquently presented each dish, beginning with the "Pearl Jade White Jade Soup," a dish from the time of Emperor Taizu. She recounted how Emperor Taizu, during a drought in Haozhou, survived on a simple cabbage and tofu soup given by a kind-hearted person. Yao Zijin proposed that this "Pearl Jade White Jade Soup" be made a standard royal meal, to remind future generations of their ancestors' struggles and the people's hardships. The Emperor approved this suggestion.
Yao Zijin then introduced other dishes: "Sweet-scented osmanthus skin silk," describing its health benefits and vibrant color; "White jade hides treasures," noted for its elegant freshness; and "Orange Crab," which combined orange fragrance and crab freshness. She then highlighted the "Golden Dragon Spinning Silk" from Meng Shang Shi's side, contrasting its delicate preparation and health benefits with Hu Shangshi's "Mandarin duck fish fan." The Emperor was sufficiently impressed to keep the "Golden Dragon Spinning Silk" and "Orange Crab."
Zhu Zhanji, observing, remarked on her impressive rhetorical skill. With no clear victor, the Emperor commanded the Food Bureau to perform an on-site cooking demonstration. Despite her injured hand, Yao Zijin insisted on participating, revealing to Meng Shang Shi that her earlier decision to present the dishes herself was an attempt to show the Emperor her perseverance and elicit his compassion. For this round, Hu Shangshi opted for a roasted suckling pig, while Meng Shang Shi chose an eight-compartment hotpot.
Zhu Zhanji highly praised the hotpot concept, explaining that it prioritized fresh ingredients and the inherent flavors of food over complex knife skills or expensive components. He cited the example of the Guanglu Temple's emerald soup dumplings, which were visually appealing but left one thirsty due to excessive seasoning, arguing that overly pursuing precious ingredients and elaborate techniques was counterproductive. The true purpose of cooking, he contended, was to bring out the food's natural taste.
The Emperor agreed with Zhu Zhanji, even suggesting punishment for the Guanglu Temple for its perfunctory work. The Emperor, drawn by the tantalizing aroma, approached Hu Shangshi's roasted suckling pig. Hu Shangshi elaborated on her dish, a modernized "Pao Tun" (roasted pig), explaining its intricate preparation which involved slow roasting over charcoal for enhanced flavor. As the Emperor admired the dish, a Kirin pattern appeared on the suckling pig's back.
Hu Shangshi immediately declared it an auspicious sign, prompting the assembled officials to prostrate themselves and offer congratulations. The Emperor, though acknowledging it was a theatrical performance designed to please him, accepted the flattery. However, the Crown Princess subtly questioned the "auspicious" claim, remarking what would happen if the pig had instead displayed a "golden dragon pattern." Suddenly, oil from the roasting pig splattered onto the Emperor's clothing, igniting a flame.
As he prepared to change, several performers from the show below began to hurl fireballs. Zhu Zhanji, with swift reflexes, intercepted the projectiles aimed at the Emperor, preventing him from being struck. The performers, now revealed as assassins, instantly drew knives and swords from their props, plunging the banquet into chaos. The assassins, seemingly well-prepared, launched a ferocious attack, aiming directly for the Emperor.
Amidst the pandemonium, Guo Guifei quickly sought refuge beneath the banquet table, while the Empress watched nervously. Zhu Zhanji bravely confronted the attackers, despite suffering multiple sword wounds, he continued to fight fiercely to protect his father. The Emperor, trembling, hid under the table, desperately crying for help and accusing Zhu Zhanji of being too slow to save him.
Just then, You Yifan swiftly arrived, positioning himself in front of the Emperor to shield him from harm, demonstrating an unwavering resolve. Once the assassins were subdued, the Emperor, despite Zhu Zhanji's efforts, pushed him aside and angrily departed the banquet, criticizing him for not being quick enough to protect him. Zhu Zhanji, bleeding from his wounds, quietly instructed Chen Wu to escort his mother, the Empress, back to her quarters, specifically telling him not to let her worry.
He then dispatched Chen Wu to summon Sheng Tai Yi to attend to his injuries. Yao Zijin, observing Zhu Zhanji's severe wounds, immediately went to the Food Bureau to prepare suitable meals for him. Soon after, Sheng Tai Yi arrived, assessing Zhu Zhanji's wounds as narrow yet deep, and warned of a potential high fever, advising diligent care. Later, a eunuch delivered a supper box, claiming it was sent by the Empress.
Zhu Zhanji inspected the contents, identifying a bowl of white rice congee, a Peach Crisp Blood-enriching Cake, and two light side dishes. Sheng Tai Yi immediately praised the Peach Crisp Blood-enriching Cake, noting its efficacy in warming the spleen, stomach, and enriching blood. Zhu Zhanji then inquired if Kunning Palace, the Empress's residence, was aware of his injuries, indicating his continued effort to prevent her from worrying. He was well aware that Yao Zijin had prepared the restorative meal.
Hu Shangshi, having failed in her attempt to gain favor with the Emperor through the auspicious pattern—which tragically led to the assassination—had lost the competition. Shortly after, He Shu secretly approached Yao Zijin, conveying a message that Hu Shangshi wished to see her, believing Yao Zijin would ultimately come. Yao Zijin arrived, even bringing some food, and acknowledged the "Pao Tun" as a rare delicacy. Hu Shangshi lamented her years of struggle that had ultimately led to this defeat.
Yao Zijin, however, critiqued Hu Shangshi's strategy, stating that her own choice of the "Pearl Jade White Jade Soup" was to challenge the Emperor's preconceptions, emphasizing that true culinary contests should focus on the inherent quality of the food, not superficial patterns to please royalty.
After tasting some of Yao Zijin's distinct soups (one made with coconut juice instead of water, praised for its nourishing and unique sweetness, and another, a fish soup, praised for its naturally fermented, appetizing sourness), Hu Shangshi gracefully admitted defeat, acknowledging Yao Zijin's skill as superior. Yao Zijin then directly confronted Hu Shangshi, acknowledging her past help but also her role in injuring her right hand, stating she had nothing more to say on the matter.
Hu Shangshi, in turn, claimed her actions were all part of an atonement. During their private meeting, Hu Shangshi confessed her troubled past. She recounted how, upon entering the Hu family, she fabricated a story about auspicious clouds appearing at her fragile third sister's birth. This lie, intended to save her sister's life, spread and led to her sister being exploited as a "lucky daughter" and a pawn for the Hu clan.
To protect her sister, Hu Shangshi, despite being engaged, sacrificed her own future by entering the palace, likening Hu family daughters to mere goods. She confessed her deep fear and loneliness, admitting she carved incessantly to avoid confronting her own hardened reflection. Yao Zijin, having deduced Hu Shangshi's role in her right hand injury, was then offered a carving knife by Hu Shangshi for revenge.
However, Yao Zijin refused, placing the knife back on the table and instead reminded Hu Shangshi of her promise to leave the Forbidden City and never cook again if she lost the competition. Soon after Yao Zijin departed, the Crown Princess arrived and was horrified to find Hu Shangshi lying in a pool of blood, deeply distressed by the sight. Meanwhile, at the Food Bureau, Yue Hua was frantically washing blood from her hands when Meng Shang Shi appeared.
Meng Shang Shi confronted her, demanding to know why she had tampered with the seasoning to ensure Hu Shangshi's defeat. Overcome, Yue Hua tearfully confessed, calling Meng Shang Shi "Mother" and clinging to her skirt, unknowingly staining it with blood. She explained that despite blaming and hating Meng Shang Shi in the past, she always yearned for a mother-daughter reunion.
Believing her presence made Meng Shang Shi vulnerable, Yue Hua felt compelled to act to protect her from harm and to ensure Meng Shang Shi's victory. She also revealed that she killed Hu Shang Shi to avenge her former master, Wang Dian Shan, stating that Wang Dian Shan would never have committed suicide as her recipe book was incomplete.
Hu Shang Shi had confessed to Yue Hua that she had killed Wang Dian Shan because her master knew too many of her secrets, posing a continuous threat. Hu Shang Shi, burdened by her past, had harbored a death wish and effectively allowed Yue Hua to carry out the act. The Crown Princess, seeking information, questioned He Shu about who had last seen Hu Shangshi. He Shu revealed that Yao Zijin was the final visitor.
Soon, rumors began to circulate throughout the palace that Hu Shangshi had committed suicide, though Yao Zijin herself remained puzzled by the development. Unbeknownst to Meng Shang Shi, she was thoroughly deceived by Yue Hua's manipulative confession; Yue Hua's desperate pleas had successfully rekindled a maternal bond. Meanwhile, with her right hand still unrecovered, Yao Zijin was relegated to performing menial chores in the Food Bureau.
Zi Ping, feeling out of favor and frustrated by Yao Zijin's choices, openly questioned her decision to remain in the Food Bureau, especially when the possibility of becoming a Crown Princess's consort seemed a far more favorable path than remaining a mere cook subjected to others' disdain. Zi Ping also expressed her ambition and hinted at her determination to prevent Su Yuehua from surpassing her easily.
