CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 150: VISION

The man used a fan to cover his face, making it impossible to see his appearance.

The Imperial Kitchen quieted down.

The snoring grew louder.

Eunuch Fu instantly felt a headache.

When told not to select someone, she insists on choosing that person.

"That’s the Imperial Chef Li, who specializes in making pastries for the Emperor," Eunuch Fu said, rubbing his forehead.

"...."

"The young lady has a good eye for selection," Xingxing said happily.

"...."

What good does that do?

This is someone the Emperor favors.

Eunuch Fu quickly added, "The Emperor loves the pastries made by Imperial Chef Li. Eldest Young Madam, please choose another chef."

Su Jin looked at Eunuch Fu and said, "In such a noisy environment, an imperial chef who can still fall asleep and snore - Eunuch Fu, doesn’t it remind you of the style of my Qingyun Mountain?"

Eunuch Fu, "...."

It’s more than just the style.

The bad temper was carved out of the same mold as Qingyun Mountain.

"The Emperor has wanted to behead him several times, yet spared him because of his culinary skills. Eldest Young Madam, it’s better to choose someone else," Eunuch Fu advised.

"How good must the pastries be, that they’ve become like an amulet," Xingxing marveled.

"It’s not much better than other chefs," Eunuch Fu chuckled.

"You’re saying I absolutely can’t choose him?" Su Jin asked earnestly.

She came to the palace specifically to pick a chef with a clean background.

As Eunuch Fu said, those who become Imperial Chefs undergo rigorous selection, and their skills are unquestionable.

She planned to open a shop, using an Imperial Chef for cooking, which would be a sufficient attraction.

She and Xingxing entered, eating and drinking, yet he remained unmoved. Such a unique chef, she liked him.

But liking is one thing; she wouldn’t compete with the Emperor for people.

She knew where to draw the line.

Seeing her relent a bit, Eunuch Fu quickly said, "Eldest Young Madam should give up on him. Imperial Chef Li is arrogant and doesn’t cook if he’s in a bad mood. If you take him, you’re just supporting an idle person. Choose other chefs, or even two."

"Alright then, for the sake of Eunuch Fu, I’ll take those two chefs over there," Su Jin smiled.

"...."

Eunuch Fu’s mouth twitched.

Was this really for his sake, or because he mentioned she could choose two chefs?

But the words were already spoken, and he couldn’t take them back.

Given the Emperor’s fondness for her, hopefully, he wouldn’t blame him.

The two chefs had faces like ash.

"You two go pack your things and leave the palace with the Eldest Young Madam shortly," Eunuch Fu said.

"...."

Weren’t they disliked because their food wasn’t good?

Why choose them if the better options weren’t picked?

Didn’t she know how hard it was for them to get into the palace?

Su Jin smiled and said, "Don’t be so reluctant. If you aren’t happy with me, I’ll send you back to the palace as chefs in three months."

The two chefs were stunned.

Was she handing the decision over to them?

Eunuch Fu said, "Eldest Young Madam is so accommodating; hurry and get your things."

"Yes, yes, we’re going right away," the two chefs said in unison.

The two quickly left.

Su Jin said, "The Emperor rewarded me with many things and two chefs. I’ll go thank him."

Eunuch Fu led the way in front.

Su Jin and Xingxing headed towards the Imperial Study.

Xingxing walked slowly.

Her stomach was so full that she could barely move.

In the Imperial Study.

The Emperor was reviewing memorials, somewhat distracted.

Eunuch Fu stepped forward and said, "Emperor, the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion has chosen two chefs and comes to express thanks."

"Two chefs?" the Emperor frowned slightly.

"Eldest Young Madam originally wanted only one, but she had too good an eye and picked Imperial Chef Li," Eunuch Fu replied.

"...."

Eunuch Fu watched the Emperor cautiously.

Emperor.

You understand your servant’s meaning, right?

It took a lot of persuasion and effort to swap two chefs for Imperial Chef Li.

The Emperor raised his hand to rub his forehead, sensing from Eunuch Fu’s expression the difficulty of persuading the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion.

"Two it is," the Emperor said.

Eunuch Fu’s heart relaxed a little.

Su Jin approached to pay her respects and express her gratitude to the Emperor.

Yongning Palace.

The Empress Dowager sat on the Phoenix Chair, her face dark.

She had ordered that the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was not to set foot in the palace, yet she pressed the guards with the Emperor’s favor!

The Emperor indulged this female bandit excessively.

He even allowed her to choose chefs from the Imperial Kitchen.

And two of them at that!

But since the Emperor bestowed them, and the Empress Dowager was still being punished by the Emperor to copy Buddhist Scriptures, she couldn’t say a word against him; she only felt a stifling annoyance.

Outside, a eunuch rushed in and said, "Empress Dowager, there’s a problem in the Imperial Kitchen."

The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow.

Nanny Li asked first, "What’s the problem in the Imperial Kitchen?"

"More than ten chefs are vomiting and having diarrhea," the little eunuch replied.

"...."

"Wherever the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion goes, disaster follows," Nanny Li mocked.

"Did she poison the chefs?" Nanny Li asked.

"...."

The little eunuch didn’t know how to respond.

When the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion entered the palace, he followed her to the Imperial Kitchen.

He knew everything she did there.

The dish she stir-fried into charcoal—it was almost like poisoning, but was it accurate to call it poisoning?

The Empress Dowager sat on the Phoenix Chair, her eyes flickering.

Nanny Li saw this and guessed what the Empress Dowager was thinking.

"The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion poisoned the chefs. Have them brought for the Empress Dowager to question personally," Nanny Li said.

"...."

The little eunuch felt a little frightened.

Nanny Li got angry upon seeing this, "What are you still standing here for, hurry up!"

"Empress Dowager, please calm down. I’ll go at once," the little eunuch said quickly.

...

The Emperor was busy reviewing memorials, so Su Jin didn’t want to disturb him.

After expressing her gratitude, she took her leave.

But she had barely taken a few steps from the Imperial Study before the people sent to arrest her arrived.

"The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion poisoned the chefs. The Empress Dowager asks you to come to Yongning Palace for questioning," the guard said solemnly.

"You must be mistaken. How could my young lady poison the chefs? If the chefs die, what will the Emperor eat?" Xingxing said.

"We’re just here to arrest you. Will you go by yourself, or do we need to escort you?" the guard asked.

"I’ll go myself," Su Jin said.

She stepped forward.

Xingxing followed, rubbing her stomach, and whispered, "Young lady, could it be that dish you made upset the chefs’ stomachs?"

"Impossible," Su Jin laughed.

"Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with that dish?" Xingxing doubted.

"Not sure."

"...."

Imperial Study.

The Emperor barely put down the memorial he had finished reviewing when the little eunuch rushed in and said, "Emperor, something terrible has happened."

"The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion is gone. What could have happened?" Eunuch Fu said.

"...."

"More than ten chefs in the Imperial Kitchen got stomachaches and rushed to the toilet. The Empress Dowager suspects that the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion poisoned them and had her taken to Yongning Palace," the little eunuch said urgently.

"...."

The Emperor glanced at Eunuch Fu.

Eunuch Fu’s heart trembled.