chapter 14

"Three days remain until the much-anticipated cooking competition begins. Preparations have been in full swing since the emperor's surprising announcement last week. Initially, I didn't think he was serious. After all, he had never done anything like this before. But who could have anticipated his insistence, going so far as to detail every rule and regulation of this competition and compelling us to work tirelessly for it?

Now, we are just a step away from the contest's launch. The preparations have accelerated, and citizens are excited. Even the maids couldn't hide their anticipation and aspirations, which leaked through whispered gossip and widespread rumors. Despite the heavy workload imposed on them, smiles of excitement and youthful giggles never left their faces—be they the exhausted maids or the sweat-drenched guards. I hate to admit it, but I never thought this whimsical idea would bring such smiles back to the palace... It's... it's reminiscent of how the palace was during the empress's time... and that was before His Majesty ascended the throne."

These were the thoughts of the elderly man as he walked through the halls of the imperial palace, observing the movements and laughter of the palace staff with a gaze filled with longing and nostalgia, as though he were looking at a painting from a distant time, created by an artist who was no longer here...

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"Hot... Hot..."

The man was startled from his emotional reverie by the sudden cry of a parrot, breaking the silence of the moment and bringing him back to reality.

"Isn't this Dr. Jian's parrot? What are you doing here, little friend?"

"Hot... Hot..."

"What is it saying? Hot?!"

"Hot... Hot..."

"Is it trying to tell me something?"

"(No, just random words from a silly bird.)"

"Stop flying around everywhere, little one, so that none of the competing cooks catch you and turn you into a meal."

The parrot stared at the man for a moment before leaving the branch it was perched on, flying swiftly toward the imperial garden.

"Did it understand what I said? Impossible, just a mindless animal. Looks like you've become too sentimental for your own good, Liao Mo."

Liao Mo, the imperial chef, shook his head as he continued his inspection of the contestants' preparations and readiness for the competition. As one of the judges and the emperor's official head chef, he had been tasked with supervising the contestants and offering as much guidance as possible regarding the style and rules of the imperial court, as well as the emperor's personal preferences, since the emperor would be the primary judge of the competition. This was particularly important because some contestants were commoners with limited knowledge of noble culture.

"I don't mean to be rude, but I have no idea what's going through the emperor's mind. Allowing such a diverse group of people into the imperial palace, and even allowing commoners to compete! The emperor was never this kind of person—what could have changed him?"

These thoughts occupied Liao Mo as he stood at the entrance to a modest garden belonging to one of the palace's wings designated for unpretentious guests. Each of these accommodations had been assigned to contestants who were not members of the imperial family.

"Rui Dan Shi: a young man in his early twenties, with medium-length blond hair tied back in a ponytail to avoid interfering with cooking. His honey-colored eyes suit his chiseled face and sharp jawline perfectly. Everything aligns harmoniously with his tall, strong physique. He possesses a sharp but adaptable personality and intelligence that's widely acknowledged and admired in various fields. A prime example of an ideal young man—except for one glaring flaw: he's a commoner! A skilled and talented chef... but still a commoner. Polite and forgiving... but a commoner. Financially stable and widely respected... but, alas, still a commoner. No matter, let's wish him good luck in the competition."

Liao Mo sighed, shrugged his shoulders, and turned away from Rui Dan Shi's wing. Rui, sensing an inexplicable feeling of being watched or discussed, glanced back curiously.

"I just had a strange feeling as if someone were staring at or talking about me. Oh well, let's get back to preparing for the competition."

At this moment, Liao Mo found himself standing in front of the wing of another contestant—a female competitor, to be precise.

"Romi Qiu Si: a woman in her thirties with waist-length white hair and bangs tucked behind her ears. She wears a luxurious short-sleeved gown adorned with a few jewels—enough to convey elegance without hindering her cooking. She's regarded as the top chef and owner of the finest restaurants in the imperial capital. People from across the empire, and even beyond, come to taste her food. She serves both commoners and nobles alike, as long as they appreciate quality and flavor. Starting her culinary journey as a commoner in a village renowned for its high-quality ingredients, she climbed her way up to become a cooking master, amassing a fortune that allowed her to purchase her noble title. This title added prestige and grandeur to her chain of restaurants. She has a serious, no-nonsense personality, but she's ambitious, focused, and kind-hearted. No one who has visited her establishments has left without praising the quality of the food and service—all thanks to her relentless efforts. While her title elevates her status, it also leaves a permanent stain of her commoner roots—a stain she has managed to overlook for now. She joined the competition as the empire's foremost ambassador of cuisine. How unfortunate... If only she weren't... never mind. On to the next contestant."

With brisk steps, the imperial chef made his way to the third contestant's quarters. For some inexplicable reason, his expression was alight with anticipation and excitement to meet this particular participant.

"And here he is! The diamond of this event, preparing to claim his glory. The only competitor I've had high expectations for. Although the other participants are equally talented and renowned, this one surpasses them in some compelling qualities that leave little room for others to compete. Look at him, standing with confidence and composure before a table brimming with luxurious ingredients, intently studying a sheet of paper with simplified instructions regarding the dishes desired by the Emperor. Of course, I assisted in crafting these instructions to make them understandable for the contestants.

To maintain the transparency and fairness of the competition, the Emperor strictly prohibited any leaks of information about the type of dishes required. The instructions are limited to the official participants residing within the palace, and none of them are allowed to disclose a word about the competition.

Anyway, this noble young man is named:

Gongji Bian – a man in his late twenties from a prominent noble family renowned for managing hotels, restaurants, and various businesses. He is the favorite nephew of the thirteenth concubine, who is the mother of the tenth prince (let's leave his introduction for another time). Known for undergoing rigorous training to become the next owner and manager of the Gongji chain of restaurants and hotels, he seeks financial backing and approval to open a new restaurant chain under his name, serving dishes that have personally pleased the Emperor.

Some politicians speculate that he might even exploit the Emperor's name for promotional purposes—after seeking approval, of course. For this reason, he must participate in the competition personally, as the Emperor has barred servants and subordinates from joining. What a determined young man! "

The imperial chef Liao left Gongji Bian's quarters with cheerful murmurs and a broad smile, unabashedly showing his favoritism for this contestant. He didn't even seem to notice the young man's polished, handsome, and strong appearance, as his mind was entirely consumed by Gongji Bian's impressive background. Chef Liao is a practical man who believes in the influence of status on an individual's opportunities (and is certainly not an old man infatuated with positions of power). As such, he rarely focuses on the contestants' backgrounds...but this does not affect his judgment of the dishes or the integrity of his critiques (especially since the Emperor has the final say).

With that, the head chef continued his rapid tour to assess the contestants' preparations. (Let's speed up the tour a little.)

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Kian Ji Chuo – a professional yet underappreciated chef of modest but charming appearance. He has no political ambitions and comes off as somewhat foolish. Short brown hair (cut for convenience in cooking), yellow eyes, medium height, and an average build. His attire is respectable but inexpensive.

Born into an aristocratic family, he was exiled for choosing cooking as a profession. He once pleaded to train under me, the imperial chef, but I refused due to his background, as it would have placed me in a difficult position with other nobles, including his parents. To avoid any conflicts, Kian Ji Chuo left to work in a remote restaurant far from his family's influence. Since then, he has become a wandering chef, widely recognized across the empire under the pseudonym "Kyoji."

He refuses to reveal his true identity publicly, so only I and His Majesty the Emperor know who he truly is.

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Cain Moyak – A man in his thirties from the minister Ji's family. He is proud and ambitious, constantly scowling and exuding stubbornness. Not much is known about his cooking history, but his close relationship with the cunning minister Ji makes me distrust him. Regardless, I won't hesitate to give him a fair score if he earns it.

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The imperial chef sighed heavily as he left Cain Moyak's quarters, his expression hardening as he approached the solitary participant's quarters—the last stop on his tour for the day. His demeanor shifted to one of sternness and apparent reluctance, as if confronting an old foe.

Finally, he arrived at the guesthouse's entrance—a structure built of raw stone, adorned with intertwined branches and leaves for a simple yet unassuming aesthetic. The imperial chef stood silently, gazing at the gate without stepping inside. After a few moments of thought, he wore an expression of wisdom and maturity.

"Ren Dan Zhou…" he muttered. "That treacherous assistant of mine. I'd bet my career that he's here solely to claim the position of Imperial Head Chef.

This ungrateful man has always coveted my place. Despite all I've done for him, he didn't hesitate to pounce on the first opportunity to advance his ambitions.

Shameful. Even noble titles can't hide souls tainted by greed."

The imperial chef shook his head with disdain before turning away, leaving without speaking to his former assistant, who had left a bitter taste in his mouth with his betrayal.

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The chef heaved a weary sigh as he stood before the Imperial Garden, waiting to present his report on the contestants to the Emperor. While waiting, he decided to mentally summarize the participating teams.

Princess Yaopin (7th) & Princess Li Yara (4th):

"This was an easy prediction, as these two princesses have always gotten along despite their differing standings in the palace. It's also easy to guess what they might request if they win.

Her Highness the Fourth has always focused on her brother, the Fifth Prince, so she'll likely ask for something to elevate his status in the palace and bring him closer to the throne. Meanwhile, Princess Yaobin will probably request some herbs or books, as is her habit, which isn't a significant request.

Clearly, she's participating solely to support her sister."

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The chef's inner musings were interrupted by the arrival of Emperor Jin Wi Roko (Ming), who had finally come to receive the report. Turning to greet him, Chef Liao bowed respectfully with a proud smile.

"Your Majesty, you have arrived. I am here to deliver my report on the participants of this competition you have so graciously organized."

"Apologies for keeping you waiting, my Imperial Chef. Please proceed; I am all ears."