Chapter 48: The Phoenix Throne in the Central Palace
King Xiao Yan of Qin returned to the capital like a huge rock thrown into a deep pool.
Yun Zhao stayed by the emperor's side, alarm bells ringing in his heart: [The tyrant's death will be less than two months away!]
What if his fate has also changed because of my rebirth?
How should I start? Should I say: Your Majesty, you are dying?
[Over the past month, we've been together... aside from his sharp tongue, I can't find any major faults...]
[This is terrifying to think about... Could he also be... a reborn person? ]
How could he be so sure that his father was wronged?
Xiao Jin was reviewing memorials, and his ears were buzzing with Yun Zhao's thoughts.
He pinched his brows irritably and said, "Yun Zhao, my brother and the King of Qin are returning to the capital. The Duke will be going to Jingxiang tomorrow. Please prepare a dinner."
Only a few hours left?! Yun Zhao suppressed his surprise and expressed embarrassment, "Your Majesty, we are short on manpower and may not be able to handle this hastily."
"You are in charge of the four departments, and you can mobilize all the staff in the palace. Who dares to disobey?" Xiao Jin's tone left no room for doubt. "A small banquet will be enough, two tables, more than ten people."
Yun Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes! I'll do it right away." She turned around and walked away quickly, her steps moving with the wind.
Zhang Fuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is considerate of Yun Shangshi."
Xiao Jin remained noncommittal: "Draw up a list."
The atmosphere in the meeting room of the Shangshi Bureau was solemn.
Yun Zhao stood at the head of the group, her gaze sweeping across them like lightning. Although she held the title of female official, her experience was still relatively young, and the gazes from the shadows were mixed.
Si Yun and Wu Lingyu were the first to speak out, their tone carrying deliberate "concern": "Shangshi, the most important things for palace banquets are cleanliness and taboos! Who are the distinguished guests tonight? What are their dietary taboos? Do you know them one by one? If any distinguished guest falls down as soon as they touch our lips, I'm afraid there will be a lot of casualties in the Shangshi Bureau!" There was a hidden needle in his words, intended to be a reminder.
Xiao Tao hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Shangshi, Wu Siyun also meant well..."
Yun Zhao raised her hand to stop him, her face calm. "Wu Siyun is absolutely right!" Her voice suddenly rose, carrying clearly throughout the hall. "The four officials are one, sharing honor and disgrace! If anything goes wrong tonight, I, Yun Zhao, will undoubtedly bear the blame, but none of you will be immune! Although I've only been in the palace for a short time, I'm sure you all know how to act—rewards and punishments are clear, and public and private matters must be kept separate!"
Her gaze was like an icy pick, fiercely piercing Cao Yunzhu: "Li Sishan! Keep a close eye on your men! Especially those who have high aspirations but fragile lives. If they even have the slightest thought about the ingredients, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Cao Yunzhu was startled by the look and lowered her head in haste.
Li Siyun calmly replied, "Don't worry, Master Chef! I have the menu, the guests' preferences and taboos all on file with me and will present them to you later."
"Okay! I trust Li Sishan in his work." Yun Zhao nodded, his voice awe-inspiring. "The other three departments will fully cooperate with Li Sishan's dispatch! Anyone who dares to shirk responsibility or slack off will be severely punished! This banquet is not only a welcoming banquet for King Qin and General Yunfeng, but also a farewell banquet for Duke Yun and the soldiers! No mistakes can be made! Do you understand?"
"Yes!" Everyone said in unison, knowing that this matter concerned their lives and property.
"Everyone, do your job and prepare quickly! If anyone from the other palaces makes things difficult, report to me immediately!" Yun Zhao acted decisively, waving his hand to dismiss everyone. "Marquis Cao Yunzhu is outside, assisting His Majesty and the Empress Dowager with the special meals. Xiao Tao will stay."
The hall suddenly became quiet.
Xiao Tao finally smiled sincerely, "Sister! No, Master Shangshi! That's great! I've been wanting to congratulate you, but I was afraid to bother you!"
Yun Zhao pulled her to a secluded place, lowered his voice, and looked at her sharply: "Xiao Tao, there is something important that needs you to do."
She looked directly into Xiaotao's eyes. "Keep a close eye on Cao Yunzhu for me! And everyone who handles the ingredients, the stove, or the utensils! Report anything unusual—anyone approaching for no reason, someone with a strange look, anything being moved—to me immediately! Remember, just watch, don't move, and don't alert them! Your safety is the most important thing!"
Xiao Tao's eyes sparkled, and she nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, Shang Shi! Leave it to me! I have a good sister, Su Die, who works in the Shang Bei Bureau. She happens to be free today and can help me keep an eye on the periphery!"
"Su Die?" Yun Zhao's mind moved. [The Shangqin Bureau's personnel are quite convenient.]
She said decisively, "If she is reliable and willing to come to the Imperial Food Bureau, I will personally ask for her from Zhao Shangqin!"
Xiao Tao was overjoyed: "Great! I'll go find her right away! Just wait and see, Shangshi!" Her eyes were full of energy as she hurried away.
Yun Zhao watched Zhang Fuan leave, his gaze as deep as an ancient well. Calm? This pool of water... was abnormally still!
Though she'd only been in the palace a short time, she'd already found herself at the center of controversy. How could the other palaces remain silent? This wasn't a situation they'd tolerate!
I'm afraid that tonight's "reunion dinner" is full of traps waiting for her to fall into.
There can't be any mistakes!
Zhang Fuan came with the banquet list while she was preparing dinner dishes for the emperor.
Yun Zhaojing took it and examined it carefully, his fingertips pausing slightly on the word "Empress Dowager." "Lord Yu and the ministers of the cabinet are here... The Empress Dowager is not feeling well, so she wants to attend the banquet too?"
Zhang Fuan bowed, his voice lowered to a whisper, "His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin has returned triumphantly, and the Empress must make an appearance. This banquet is called 'reunion,' but it's actually for the Duke. The Grand Chef can also be with his family tonight." He paused, hinting, "The Empress Dowager continues to take her medicine, and everything she takes is of the finest quality. The Pharmacy has the recipe, and the Grand Chef must... personally confirm the taboos."
Yun Zhao understood and thanked him solemnly: "Eunuch's kindness, Yun Zhao will remember it. To have gained a little trust from Your Majesty, your support is worth half the country."
"The Grand Chef's words are too kind." Zhang Fuan smiled, his old face gleaming with a gleam in his eyes. "The Yun family is full of loyal and brave people, and Your Majesty relies on them. It's the Grand Chef who has worked hard. If tonight's banquet is completed, it will be a great achievement... Why not take this opportunity to ask Your Majesty for a favor? After all, the throne of the Central Palace has been vacant for a long time..."
The rear position?!
Yun Zhao felt a barely perceptible chill at his fingertips, but his face displayed a perfectly balanced expression of respect and aloofness. He lowered his eyes and said, "Thunder, rain, and dew are all gifts from heaven. Yun Zhao... dares not ask for anything more than this. Upon my father's triumphant return, I will seek Your Majesty's permission to leave the palace and serve my parents, fulfilling my filial duty."
The Phoenix Throne? That's the stake! All she wanted was to escape!
Zhang Fuan looked at her deeply, with a smile that did not reach his eyes: "Shangshi... just make your own decision." After saying that, he bowed and took his leave.
Only the aroma of food remained in the hall.
Yun Zhao looked at the list in his hand, a cold look forming on his lips.
It’s time to cast the net.
The fish is about to take the bait!
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