Episode 11 recap: Rong Er won the competition and got promoted to become the head chef.
The Empress Dowager told Shou Xi to train Rong Er well, and after some time, she would let Rong Er become the head chef, as Shou Xi had been managing the kitchen for a long time and needed someone to help her.
Rong Er won the competition and got promoted to become the head chef.
The Empress Dowager told Shou Xi to train Rong Er well, and after some time, she would let Rong Er become the head chef, as Shou Xi had been managing the kitchen for a long time and needed someone to help her.
Shou Xi's aunt asked Rong Er how she solved the Empress Dowager's lack of appetite. Rong Er said she went to the temple's kitchen and found that the porridge didn't have much smell, but had a slight off-flavor, because the rice had not been dried properly after the recent rain. Ordinary people are used to this taste, but the Empress Dowager, who is accustomed to the palace cuisine, might be more sensitive to it. She didn't want to tell the monks, so she simply stopped eating. Rong Er originally wanted to use vinegar to mask the off-flavor, but that would be too strong for the Empress Dowager, who had not eaten for several days. So the best solution was to cook the porridge with tea water, which could cover the off-flavor and give it a light tea aroma.
Shou Xi's aunt was pleased and encouraged Rong Er to keep up the good work. She prepared to promote one assistant to be the head chef, and asked Cai Bi who would be more suitable. Cai Bi said it was either herself or Rong Er. Shou Xi's aunt said they would have a competition to see who could make the better steamed buns, and the winner would become the head chef. In the end, Rong Er won narrowly, because she remembered that Shou Xi's aunt often covered her mouth and coughed, so she made pea cakes that Shou Xi's aunt enjoyed.
Cai Bi was disappointed, carrying her steamed buns and daydreaming outside. Coincidentally, Qin Fang passed by and tasted the buns, saying they were delicious and encouraging Cai Bi that she would definitely become a head chef in the future.
On Rong Er's first day as head chef, the Empress Dowager vomited after eating the food. Shou Xi said Rong Er was talented but still lacked the right cooking techniques. The Empress Dowager said it would take time, as even Shou Xi's first cooking attempts were like this. Shou Xi's aunt told Rong Er that cooking requires mastering timing and heat control, and even the order of adding seasonings is important. Outside the palace, people add salt first, but that's a mistake, as it will cover the flavors of other ingredients and make the soup taste bland.
The Emperor was very satisfied after eating the Imperial cuisine and decided to reward Rong Er's aunt Shou Xi. Shou Xi took Rong Er to express their gratitude. The Emperor was delighted to see Rong Er and asked if today's meal had anything Rong Er had made. Rong Er said no, and Shou Xi advised her to observe and learn more to gain experience. The Emperor encouraged Rong Er, telling her to study hard and not disappoint him.
Rong Er had been practicing in the kitchen to make Qing Er's favorite fur pastries. One night, Shou Xi entered the kitchen and saw Rong Er's book "Exquisite Food Classics", which she was shocked to discover. She asked Rong Er how she obtained this book, and Rong Er said she had found it. Shou Xi told Rong Er that this was the imperial recipe book from the Yuanwu Library, and it was impossible that Rong Er had just stumbled upon it. She exclaimed that Rong Er had committed a grave offense.
Rong Er said she wanted to return the book. Shou Xi told her that there was a recent crackdown on theft in the palace, and if discovered, Rong Er would be accused of stealing treasures. They went together to the Yuanwu Library to return the book, but found it guarded and could not enter. Shou Xi, fearing Rong Er's carelessness, took the book and kept it herself.
The Empress Dowager asked about Rong Er's culinary skills recently. Shou Xi said she had been teaching Rong Er, and with time, Rong Er could replace her. Shou Xi recommended that Rong Er serve the Empress Dowager in the inner palace. Rong Er thought Shou Xi was trying to keep her out of the kitchen, but Shou Xi assured her that no one could stop her from working in the kitchen, and that she should do her best in front of the Empress Dowager.
When the Emperor tasted the cuisine, he realized it was Rong Er's work and summoned her to reward her. As Rong Er stood up, her purse fell, and the Emperor recognized it as the one he had thrown into the pond before.
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