Royal Feast Episode 3 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
As Zhu Gaochi was settling onto his horse, the Prince of Han deliberately struck the animal with a whip, causing the fierce horse to bolt. Unskilled in horsemanship, Zhu Gaochi was nearly thrown and trampled. At the critical moment, his son, Zhu Zhanji, arrived on horseback, skillfully roping the runaway animal and pulling it to a halt just in time to catch his falling father.
Fearing the Emperor's anger, the Prince of Han then pretended to discipline the horse by whipping it again, which only agitated it further, causing it to charge toward the Emperor. You Yifan, a ruthless but capable Royal Guard commander, intervened, rescuing the Emperor and subduing the animal. His repeated acts of saving the imperial family had earned him the Emperor's favor and exceptional promotions.
The Emperor, after seeing to Zhu Zhanji's hand which was injured by the reins, turned his fury on Zhu Gaochi. He had Zhu Gaochi’s personal guard executed for failing to protect him and, in front of all the officials, berated the Crown Prince for his obesity and incompetence. The Emperor forbade him from eating meat and declared that if he failed to master horsemanship within three months, he would be severely punished.
After the Emperor left, You Yifan inspected the horse and found blood on its leg, a sign of tampering. Zhu Zhanji also saw the blood but chose not to mention it to his father. Later, while delivering food, Yao Zijin noticed an oil stain on a poem Zhu Zhanji had written. She discreetly used a special liquid to carefully remove the blemish.
Back at the Food Bureau, the cooks were distressed because Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi, who loved meat, had refused to eat his new vegetarian diet for two days. The Crown Princess offered a large reward to anyone who could prepare a meal he would enjoy. A cook named Lan Cui nervously presented a dish, right after the Prince had angrily thrown down his chopsticks. At the Crown Princess's urging, he tried the dish and, to everyone's surprise, was highly satisfied.
As Lan Cui celebrated her reward, You Yifan and the Royal Guards arrived and seized her. When Yin Ziping tried to slip away, You Yifan, assuming she was going to warn someone, had her apprehended as well. Yao Zijin, witnessing this, bravely stepped forward, citing palace regulations that the Royal Guards could not punish staff for internal palace matters without due process. To intimidate her, You Yifan grabbed Yin Ziping and forced her head into a tub of water.
The tense standoff was broken by Meng Ziyun, the Head of the Food Bureau, who demanded an explanation. You Yifan accused Lan Cui of defying the Emperor's orders by serving meat. Meng Ziyun confirmed the dish was meatless, but You Yifan remained suspicious and announced he would personally supervise the kitchen. Terrified of being executed if any meat was found, the cooks were paralyzed with fear.
Su Yuehua volunteered to prepare the Crown Prince's next meal, and You Yifan assigned Yao Zijin and Yin Ziping to assist her. Remembering You Yifan's cruelty, Yao Zijin remained calm and proceeded with caution. The new dishes were a success, with Zhu Gaochi eating heartily. As the cooks were leaving, You Yifan stopped them to inspect the leftovers, his suspicion falling on a noodle soup.
As Yin Ziping panicked, Yao Zijin stepped forward and stated the soup was merely clear broth, a fact a guard confirmed by tasting it. Impressed by her courage, Meng Ziyun rescinded Yao Zijin's previous punishment. Later, Yin Ziping asked how the plain soup was so delicious. Yao Zijin revealed that while the broth was simple, the noodles were made from finely prepared Magao fish, with onion and ginger masking any fishy taste.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhanji noticed the oil stain on his poem had vanished and ordered an inquiry. A palace maid falsely took credit, but Zhu Zhanji knew she was lying, as the true method involved three-year-old rainwater, not the two-year-old spring water the maid claimed. He had her punished and expelled. When his attendant asked if he wanted to find the real person, Zhu Zhanji declined. Instead, he playfully drew a mouse on the paper and left it on his desk.
That night, Yao Zijin entered his study and saw the drawing. Understanding he was calling her a sneaky mouse, she smiled and picked up a brush to add to the drawing. A noise outside startled her, and as she hid, she knocked something over. Zhu Zhanji heard the sound from outside and, realizing who it was, chose to walk away, preserving the silent, unspoken friendship. The next day, Meng Ziyun announced two vacancies for the position of Dian Shan.
He Shu, a reliable Caterer, was promoted to fill one, while the other would be decided by a competition open to all, including new palace maids who passed their exams. Meng Ziyun also declared she would select a personal disciple from the contestants. She later privately told Yao Zijin not to disappoint her.
When Zhu Zhanji's attendant asked if he was curious about the identity of the person skilled in both cooking and painting, he replied that it was better not to know, as the reality might be disappointing, and then turned his attention to state affairs.
