Royal Feast Episode 30 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Following the previous episode where Yao Zijin refused Zhu Zhanji's dinner invitation and did not send a reunion cake, Zhu Zhanji, seemingly at leisure, inquired of Yuan Qi if Yao Zijin had recently sent him any reunion cakes. Yuan Qi stammered, explaining that no palace, including the Empress Dowager's, had sent any, and other consorts dared not take the lead.
This was due to Yao Zijin's involvement in hiding Guo Bianfei, which had incurred the Empress Dowager's wrath, resulting in Yao Zijin's rank being suppressed. Consequently, the consorts began to distance themselves from Yao Zijin. Wu Zhaoyi, typically sharp-tongued, observed Yao Zijin's isolation and gloated, remarking that Yao Zijin's current plight was worse than when she was a humble cook in the Food Bureau. Meanwhile, Yao Zijin was burying jars of osmanthus wine in the lotus pond.
She informed Wu Zhaoyi that this specially made wine was exceptionally fragrant and mellow, and she intended to invite Zhu Zhanji to share it during the moon appreciation. Wu Zhaoyi, hearing this, discreetly noted the location where the wine was hidden. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, numerous consorts and the Empress Dowager gathered for a banquet. The Food Bureau presented various delicacies. Yuehua first presented a dish that, while exquisite, lacked a distinct special feature.
Then, Yin Ziping presented a unique "flatbread," explaining that its filling of preserved meat and moss vegetables, seasoned with salt, ginger juice, and sesame seeds, made it nutritious and long-lasting for soldiers on campaigns. Zhu Zhanji, having served in military campaigns himself, understood the difficulties soldiers faced and deeply appreciated this innovative and practical dish, as did the Empress Dowager. Recognizing her thoughtful contribution, Yin Ziping was then promoted to the temporary position of Zhang Shi.
During a break in the family banquet, Wu Zhaoyi subtly handed Zhu Zhanji a note, hinting that she had prepared special osmanthus wine and wanted him to share it with her at the pond. Zhu Zhanji, intrigued, followed her. Wu Zhaoyi went to the lotus pond to retrieve the wine herself, only to find the jar empty. Angered by the trick, Zhu Zhanji left abruptly. Wu Zhaoyi, furious, stomped her foot and accidentally slipped into the pond.
Later, Yao Zijin was seen by a stone table, drawing with water and muttering to herself, seemingly lost in thought, as if recalling her difficult learning days. After she departed, You Yifan arrived at the pavilion and noticed the water drawings on the table. He deduced that Yao Zijin must be feeling homesick. He then picked up the brush and added some content to her drawings. During the banquet, Yao Zijin presented a "lotus leaf preserved fish" dish.
It was described as fish roasted in dried lotus leaves, originally meant to be served with chilled osmanthus wine, but the wine was warmed to protect the Empress Dowager from the cold lake water. The Empress Dowager found it delightful and reminded Zhu Zhanji of his past fondness for such elegant, nature-inspired dishes.
However, upon learning it was Yao Zijin's creation, Zhu Zhanji became angry, dismissing it as a mere "pretentious elegant" endeavor and stating such things should be avoided in the future, especially as the dish was typically served for boat banquets in summer, making it out of season. He then left abruptly. Later, under the moonlight, Zhu Zhanji expressed his confusion to You Yifan, seeking advice on how to please a woman.
You Yifan deliberately suggested that women often enjoy being neglected and that perhaps Zhu Zhanji's excessive pampering had made her take him for granted and become arrogant. He advised Zhu Zhanji to ignore her for a while, claiming she would then be grateful for even a glance. Taking You Yifan's words to heart, Zhu Zhanji decided to deliberately distance himself from Yao Zijin and planned to spend the night with another consort.
Upon hearing that Wu Zhaoyi had caught a cold, Yao Zijin, out of concern, brought her "Fairy Porridge," known for its warming properties. Initially, Wu Zhaoyi refused, claiming Yao Zijin was deliberately trying to anger her. However, Yao Zijin patiently explained the porridge's preparation and also brought "immortal rice" and "Ganfengling" from the Imperial Hospital.
Wu Zhaoyi then used the opportunity to trick Yao Zijin, demanding that she stay the night to personally deliver the medicated diet to her bedside at the fifth watch as a form of "punishment" for her "apology." That very night, Zhu Zhanji came to Wu Zhaoyi's chambers. Upon lifting the bed curtains, he discovered Wu Zhaoyi and Yao Zijin sleeping together.
Incensed, Zhu Zhanji left in a fit of pique, remarking that he felt Yao Zijin was deliberately trying to anger him. Since his cold war with Yao Zijin, Zhu Zhanji felt her presence everywhere, like a haunting ghost. While playing chess with Hui Fei, he noticed her greatly improved skill, which he learned was due to her taking lessons from Yao Zijin.
Later, while listening to a consort sing, Zhu Zhanji realized the chosen song was one he had personally given to Yao Zijin. These constant reminders left him vexed. Seeing Zhu Zhanji’s continued distress, Yuan Qi allowed Wu Zhaoyi to enter the study to accompany him. However, when Zhu Zhanji noticed the pearl bracelet Wu Zhaoyi was wearing, he immediately recognized the fragrance as one prepared by Yao Zijin.
Annoyed, he ripped the bracelet off, throwing it to the ground and claiming the scent did not suit Wu Zhaoyi, promising to give her a better one. After Wu Zhaoyi left, Zhu Zhanji, still fuming, ordered Yuan Qi to be given forty lashes for his unsolicited act. Zhu Zhanji, initially intending to neglect Yao Zijin as a warning, found himself plagued by her constant presence in his thoughts and even fell ill with lovesickness.
Frustrated by her "haunting" him, he even considered confining her for a hundred days. Instead, he ordered Chen Wu to invite Yao Zijin to move to Yongning Palace. Chen Wu elaborately described the palace's luxurious decor, customized to her preferences, and its historical significance as a residence for highly favored concubines, including Emperor Taizong's Zhuang Fei and the First Emperor's Guo Bianfei.
Despite Chen Wu's urging, Yao Zijin hesitated, pointing out that while those concubines were highly favored, their ultimate fates were often tragic, especially referencing Guo Bianfei. She did not agree to move immediately, stating she would thank Zhu Zhanji the next morning. As she returned, Yao Zijin noticed numerous festive red lanterns adorning the trees.
Chen Wu explained that these were specially hung by Zhu Zhanji, inspired by an old Guangzhou custom of "Vertical Mid-Autumn Tree Mid-Autumn Festival" to signify lasting good fortune, and were meant as a housewarming gift. Chen Wu further revealed a deeper truth: on the Mid-Autumn night, Zhu Zhanji had dispatched him to Yongcheng to renovate her mother's tomb before her death anniversary, seek out her family and clan members, and ensure their proper resettlement.
This demonstrated Zhu Zhanji's profound sincerity towards Yao Zijin. Yao Zijin remained silent upon hearing this, though Chen Wu later reported to Zhu Zhanji that she was moved to tears. When Chen Wu returned to report, Zhu Zhanji, though told Yao Zijin was moved to tears, remained upset by her initial reluctance and retreated to his study, desiring solitude. He then questioned why such a difficult task was given to Chen Wu and mentioned that Yuan Qi had received forty lashes for his earlier interference.
