Episode 1 recap: Cui Biyuan was invited into the Qi Palace.
In Beiliang, there is a street called Xingqiao Food Street. Every evening, it is bustling with people and filled with excitement. Many food enthusiasts gather here to taste delicious food. Especially popular is the Pork Tripe Longing Soup from the Cheng Family Restaurant. However, Chef Cui Biyuan only makes one pot of soup each night, and people have to wait in long queues to have a taste, even if they have money.
Cui Biyuan gained great fame because of this soup. Even when the renowned Qi Wang of Beiliang invited her, she did not show any respect. One evening, as Cui Biyuan was about to finish her work, she was suddenly blindfolded and taken away by someone. When she removed the blindfold, she found herself in the Qi Palace. She saw Qi Wang sitting upright in the main hall, with several guards standing on either side, keeping a close watch. Cui Biyuan knew she couldn't confront them directly, so she put on a smiling face and asked him, "What instructions do you have for inviting me here so late at night?" Qi Wang was quite audacious and even joked that she could consider herself abducted. Cui Biyuan quickly responded, saying, "How could the honorable and upright Qi Wang do such a thing?" Qi Wang then got to the point and told Cui Biyuan that she would be the chef of the palace from now on.
Cui Biyuan was unwilling and mentioned that she set up her stall in the night market to let ordinary people taste affordable and delicious food. It wouldn't be fair to cook for only one person. Qi Wang tried to tempt her with a high salary, and eventually, they reached an agreement at a compensation of five hundred taels of silver. Cui Biyuan then went to the kitchen to prepare the first late-night snack for Qi Wang. At that moment, Miss An'er from the Grand Preceptor's Mansion arrived. Using the excuse of delivering late-night snacks, she came to urge Qi Wang about their marriage proposal.
To discourage her, Qi Wang intentionally became close to Cui Biyuan, which indeed angered Miss An'er. She slapped Cui Biyuan in anger. After a heated argument, they decided to have a cooking competition. If Cui Biyuan lost, she would leave the palace, but if Miss An'er lost, Cui Biyuan would give her a slap in return, twice as hard.
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