Royal Feast Episode 6 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Following up on the Crown Princess's inquiry, she reminds Meng Ziyun of her own patronage, questioning Meng's loyalty in light of Han Wang's past assistance. Meng Ziyun pledges her full allegiance to the Crown Princess, who then tasks her with preparing a flower banquet, the first since the passing of a senior imperial concubine.
After Meng Ziyun departs, an attendant voices concern over Meng's connection to Han Wang, but the Crown Princess states that Meng's future actions will be the true test of her loyalty. Yao Zijin brings food to Zhu Zhanji's residence. Finding the room empty, she places the food down and is drawn to his personal notes. Using a persimmon leaf for paper and a reed for a pen in the style of Su Dongpo, he has recorded his thoughts.
From these, she learns of his admiration for Ouyang Xiu's poetry and Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, as well as his private pastimes like playing the zither and painting in Qiongyuan, gaining insight into his complex personality. When Zhu Zhanji unexpectedly returns, she hides under a bamboo couch. Noticing his notes have been moved, he senses her presence but feigns sleep to allow her to escape.
Believing he is asleep, Yao Zijin observes him for a moment before gently covering him with a blanket. After she leaves, Zhu Zhanji reveals to his attendant, Chen Wu, that he was awake the entire time. He then expresses frustration over the slow progress of his "Hundred Tigers Running Arrows Together" archery project. The Crown Princess hosts the flower banquet in Qiongyuan, attended by all the imperial concubines, including the Emperor's favorite, Consort Zhuang.
The Crown Princess pointedly urges her daughter-in-law, Hu Shanxiang, to produce an heir, making her uncomfortable. Consort Guo arrives late in lavish attire and, upon hearing the Crown Princess has chosen tofu as the main ingredient to symbolize frugality, openly challenges the decision. She insists on using fresh sea fish from Haimen to better test the chefs' skills, much to the Crown Princess's displeasure.
Tensions also rise among the concubines, with Consort Guo mocking Wu Cairen's use of perfume and clashing with Yu Meiren over seniority. Nearby, Zhu Zhanji spots a vibrant blue butterfly on Wu Cairen and playfully warns her that it is poisonous. He uses this as an excuse to "fetch a physician," but privately tells Chen Wu he simply wanted to get away from her company.
During the culinary competition, Head Chef Wang announces the theme is fish, as Consort Guo demanded. However, Yin Ziping, who has been allowed to compete, secretly tells Yao Zijin that the Crown Princess's true preference is tofu. The chefs present a variety of elaborate fish dishes, including a "unicorn fish" and a fish stuffed with mutton, the latter of which the Crown Princess praises.
Yao Zijin creates a dish of fish dumplings where the fish itself forms the wrapper, which is noted for its delicate chicken broth. However, it is a simple stewed tofu that first captures the Crown Princess's attention. Yin Ziping then presents her dish: fish heads and tails cooked with tofu. She explains that true culinary art lies in elevating humble ingredients for the benefit of all, especially the poor.
The Crown Princess is deeply moved, declaring Yin Ziping's dish the winner for its flavor and its embodiment of frugality and concern for the common people, pointedly contrasting it with Consort Guo's focus on extravagance. The Crown Princess then reveals the banquet's other purpose: to raise funds for disaster victims in several provinces. The initiative earns strong approval from Consort Zhuang and other concubines.
Following the banquet, Su Yuehua is promoted to Dianshan, and Yao Zijin is appointed to the vacant position of Zhangshan. Devastated by the outcome, Yin Ziping runs off in tears. Yao Zijin confronts Head Chef Wang, arguing that since Yin Ziping's dish was declared the best, she deserved the promotion. She even offers to give up her new position for Yin Ziping.
Head Chef Wang dismisses her, pointing out that Yao Zijin deliberately avoided using tofu, suggesting her ambitions lie elsewhere. Shortly after, Yin Ziping is transferred to the distant Shanglinyuan. Meanwhile, a servant informs Yao Zijin that Consort Zhuang greatly enjoyed her "fragrant flowers and shredded fish" and has ordered it to be added to the regular palace menu.
That evening, Zhu Zhanji's eunuchs lament that Yao Zijin lost the competition, but Chen Wu corrects them, stating that her dish was the most thematically appropriate for a flower banquet, making her the true victor in his eyes. Later, the Emperor unexpectedly chooses to visit Yu Meiren. The Crown Princess worries this could cause trouble, as Consort Guo had insulted Yu Meiren earlier. Suddenly, Qianqing Palace catches fire.
Enraged, the Emperor orders Yu Meiren's immediate imprisonment and commands the Royal Guards and the Si Li Jian to find the mastermind. The investigation quickly escalates into a purge. As Yu Meiren belongs to Yongning Palace, the Emperor's suspicion falls upon its residents. Zhu Zhanji witnesses a desperate Yu Meiren being dragged away. The Royal Guards then raid Yongning Palace, arresting Li Zhaoyi and placing Consort Zhuang, who has been refusing to eat, under house arrest.
Deeply concerned, Meng Ziyun asks for a volunteer to brave the heavy guard and deliver food to Consort Zhuang. Eager to prove herself, Yin Ziping accepts the dangerous task, and Yao Zijin arrives to help her. Zhu Zhanji seeks an audience with the Emperor, questioning his heavy reliance on the Si Li Jian and Royal Guards, whose actions he sees as overstepping their authority. The Emperor explains that despite his orders for officials to be righteous, corruption persists. He views these agencies as necessary "gardeners" tasked with removing the "weeds" of corrupt and abusive officials from his empire.
