Adorable Food Goddess

Deng Haichuan ran to the Jing An Marquis’ residence but was told that the Heir-Son Lord has gone to Puji Temple with Song Qi. He tried for the Third Young Master Xia, but the gatekeeper said that he was working at the Zhan Shi residence.

Deng Haichuan could only request for the gatekeeper to tell the Heir-Son Lord that Head Chef Li Yao of Heavenly Residence was in the palace.

Deng Haichuan, not finding the help he needed in the Jing An Marquis’ mansion, made his way to the Helian Mansion. He found Manager Liu and relayed the urgency of his visit.

Manager Liu then got someone to take Deng Haichuan to the army to look for the Young Royal Highness Jing.

“What? Who summoned him to the palace? When was this?” Helian Jing asked anxiously.

Deng Haichuan shook his head helplessly. “I don’t know. Brother Yao himself probably doesn’t know, too! He has been gone for almost an hour now.”

Helian Jing fretted. Today was really a bad day for Yaoyao to get in trouble. The two people who have the most power were all quite a distance away. His older brother has gone to the campsite and Brother Chunyu has gone to Puji Temple, so he was on his own now.

The Crown Prince! The Crown Prince likes Yaoyao!

Helian Jing ordered, “Go back to the restaurant. I will handle this.”

Deng Haichuan replied, “Then I shall leave now.” He was halfway out when he stopped and looked back worriedly, “Young Royal Highness, will Brother Yao be alright?”

“I won’t let any harm come his way,” Helian Jing answered. If he could not find any help, he’ll go alone.

After Deng Haichuan left, Helian Jing asked the guard at the palace doors if a eunuch had brought someone from outside into the palace. The guard said that Eunuch Shi from Concubine Mei’s palace brought a young man in just a while ago.

Helian Jing was puzzled. Why did Concubine Mei summon Yaoyao? Yaoyao has nothing to do with her!

The concubines’ palaces were not a place where officials like him can just barge in, so Helian Jing could only get Ping An to watch the outside of Zhao Hua palace while he looked for the Crown Prince.

However, the Crown Prince was still in a meeting with the Emperor discussing national affairs, and it was uncertain when they’ll be done. Helian Jing was so anxious he could feel his heart burning.

Ye Jiayao has never seen anyone so shameless.

Initially, when she heard that Concubine Mei liked the ice cream mooncake, she had thought that she’d be rewarded. She didn’t expect that the concubine would demand her recipe! Concubine Mei reasoned that despite Ye Jiayao’s willingness to make the food for her anytime, there were still dangers outside the palace. She said that Ye Jiayao should just teach the royal chef the process to save everyone the hassle.

Ye Jiayao wanted to slap her upside the head. This was her money-making skill, how dare she demand to just give it to her?

Ye Jiayao tried hard to control her anger, replying tactfully, “If Your Highness likes them, I can send it to you daily. The food I make is definitely clean and hygienic.”

Concubine Mei frowned, unhappy with the little chef’s refusal. She asked for it, why wouldn’t he just give it to her?

“Delicacies like this would definitely be very popular with the imperial concubines. If all of them wants it, can you manage to send them over every day? If you’re afraid that the imperial chef would disclose your secret recipe, don’t worry. The palace has strict rules, no one would dare to break them,” Concubine Mei assured, leisurely using the cover of her cup to brush away the floating tea leaves.

“It is not that I do not trust the imperial chefs, Your Highness. It’s just that there are rules, secret recipes are not passed on to outsiders that easily. Even if the palace wants it, it has to be levied in the form of a tribute. It is unheard of for the palace to make someone hand over their secret recipe,” Ye Jiayao tried to reason. If she gave in now, it was guaranteed that this would happen again.

Concubine Mei’s expression changed slightly and her tone became cold and threatening as she said, “I summoned you to the palace today because I think highly of you. Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

Ye Jiayao smiled as politely as she could. “I would stand by my words. If Your Highness wants to eat them, you can have your servants get them from the restaurant. I will not collect a single cent as a show of filial respect to Your Highness. However, I would definitely not agree to hand over my secret recipe.”

Concubine Mei placed her teacup heavily on the side table. “I have heard that you are rather daring, Li Yao. I didn’t believe that anyone would ever dare to offend Princess Liu Li, but now that I’ve met you…”

Ye Jiayao replied honestly, “I am not daring, Your Highness. In fact, my legs are shaking right at this moment. However, I stand by my words and principles because it is all that I have.”

“Don’t think that I won’t punish this.” Concubine Mei was the Emperor’s favorite. She always gets what she wants so the rebuttal of a commoner was a hard pill to swallow.

It took all of Ye Jiayao’s willpower to appear calm. “Everyone in Heavenly Residence knows that I am summoned to the palace by Your Highness. If I don’t return, the Crown Princess wouldn’t be able to have the yogurt ice cream she ordered me to make, the Old Ancestress of the Helian Mansion wouldn’t be able to have the osmanthus cake I made, and the mooncakes that the Jing An Marquis residence wanted would not get sent. Someone will start asking questions and I don’t think Your Highness would want to tarnish your reputation…”

“You actually dare threaten me?” Concubine Mei demanded in rage.

“I would not dare do such a thing, Your Highness. I am only analyzing the situation and breaking it down to you.” Ye Jiayao could feel her palms sweating. Why wasn’t Chunyu here yet? If he doesn’t come soon, she doesn’t know what this crazy bitch would do.

Concubine Mei snorted. “You sharp-tongued chef, do you think that by relying on your gift of the gab, I will pardon you? Guards, drag him out and smack his mouth.”

If she wants to punish a mere chef, would someone really dare jump out to oppose her?

Ye Jiayao cursed silently.  F*ck, f*ck, f*ck! This f*cking bitch is as crazy as Liu Li! Are all royalties batshit insane like this?

A palace maid entered and hurriedly said, “Your Highness, Eunuch Little Chuan from the East Palace seeks your audience.”

Concubine Mei’s heart skipped a beat. Someone from the East Palace? Could it be for this fellow?

“Bring him down first,” Concubine Mei ordered.

Ye Jiayao was dragged out by two eunuchs, her mouth covered.

Little Chuan entered the Zhao Hua palace hall, greeted Concubine Mei and said, “Your Highness, your servant has received orders from the Crown Prince to summon Li Yao.”

Concubine Mei was secretly astounded; he really did come for Li Yao. How was that fellow able to alarm the Crown Prince so quickly?  I have underestimated him.

Concubine Mei smiled gently. “Li Yao has left long ago. I summoned him to reward him and he left the palace after receiving the reward.”

Little Chuan knew that she was lying. Young Royal Highness Jing has assigned someone to keep an eye outside the Zhao Hua palace hall and he has not seen Li Yao leave. If Concubine Mei has to lie, it only meant that some harm came to Li Yao under her hands.

“May I enquire how long ago did he leave?” Little Chuan asked politely.

Concubine Mei made a show of thinking about it. “At least 15 minutes ago. If you go to Heavenly Residence now, you might find him.”

“But the Young Royal Highness Jing is right outside waiting for Li Yao for an hour and he did not see him come out. Is it possible that Your Highness remembered wrongly?” Little Chuan said, using Helian Jing as a shield.

Concubine Mei’s heart skipped a bit. Young Royal Highness Jing was waiting outside for Li Yao? What on earth was going on? How could a measly chef get the attention of both the Crown Prince and the Helian Young Royal Highness?

She was nervous, but since she had already said her lie, she could not take it back. “I am not sure about it, Eunuch Little Chuan. Why don’t you carry out a search here?”

Little Chuan broke out in perspiration, quickly declining the facetious offer.

“Since Li Yao has left the palace, your servant had better go take a look at Heavenly Residence,” Little Chuan said and took his leave. He went to the imperial garden and relayed the situation to the Young Royal Highness Jing.

Helian Jing was enraged. “Lies! Li Yao must still be in Zhao Hua palace hall.”

“We know that, but if Concubine Mei refuses to admit it, what can be done? We can’t possibly carry out a search, can we? Your servant doesn’t have the guts to.” Little Chuan would not dare do such thing even under the protection of the Crown Prince.

Helian Jing rubbed his hands anxiously.  Why can’t I come up with a better solution?  If Concubine Me was telling lies, it implies that Yaoyao really was in deep trouble.

“What kind of game is this Concubine Mei playing? Li Yao didn’t even offend her,” Helian Jing asked frustratedly.

“I am afraid that Concubine Mei has her eyes set on the secret recipe of the ice cream mooncake,” Little Chuan answered tentatively.

Helian Jing didn’t understand. “What does she want the secret recipe for?”

Little Chuan explained, “I heard that the shopkeeper of Ju Bao Zhai is some relative of Government Minister Mei.”

“What the hell? How shameless can she be?” Helian Jing howled angrily, turning back to charge into Zhao Hua palace hall.

Little Chuan quickly stopped him. “Young Royal Highness Jing, you can’t do that. We should look for the Crown Prince first and see what he suggests.”

“Who is kicking up a fuss here?” a voice bellowed.

Helian Jing and Little Chuan hurried down on their knees as the Emperor sauntered from the rockery, his attendants in tow.

“Your subject greets Your Majesty. Long live your Majesty.”

“Your servant greets Your Majesty…”

The Emperor frowned upon seeing Little Jing and Little Chuan, who was always beside the Crown Prince. “Little Jing, why are you still so bad tempered? Didn’t I send you to the army to improve yourself? Is the army very idle for you?”

Helian Jing’s face flushed. “Your Majesty, forgive me. This matter is just too infuriating that I lost my temper.”

The Emperor raised a brow. “Oh? What is the matter you are referring to?”

Helian Jing recounted the whole incident of Li Yao being summoned into the palace by Concubine Mei and how she wanted to seize Li Yao’s ice cream mooncake recipe. He also relayed how Concubine Mei lied about Li Yao not being in the palace halls.

His Majesty’s brows furrowed.  This Li Yao again?

And what was Concubine Mei thinking? How could she just demand someone’s secret recipe? If word of this gets out, even he would lose face!

The Emperor has already witnessed the lengths that the Helian brothers and Jing An Marquis brothers would go to protect this Li Yao. If any harm comes to this chef in the palace, Little Jing and his big mouth would be sure to spread it around. His Majesty could not have that.

The Emperor turned to Eunuch Gao and said, “Go to Zhao Hua palace hall and pass my decree. I want to eat Li Yao’s cooking for lunch, get Concubine Mei to release him.”