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Let me tell you a secret.
I dreamed of sitting side by side with you.
The dream has finally come true.
But...you are actually a woman!
I didn't mean to fool you.
I tried to tell you about it, but I didn't get the chance.
Please forgive me.
It's not your fault. I was such a fool.
I should have seen through it.
Does Master Ko know about it?
Please keep the secret for me.
Alright.
But you have to tell me the reason behind the disguise.
It's because...
It's alright, you don't have to.
It's because I wanted to go to the palace to look for someone.
Who?
The Five Taste Master.
The legendary king of chefs?
I don't care whether he's the king of chefs or the bane of all,
I have to find him.
He's your mortal foe? He killed your parents?
Sorry, I don't want to talk about it.
Have you met him before?
Haven't seen him for a long time.
I don't even know how he looks like now.
I just remember he has a mole under his foot.
But the palace is huge. It's not easy to locate a man.
So long as there is hope, I won't give up.
I have to find him no matter what.
Though I don't know about your feud with this Five Taste Master,
as your friend, I hope you will choose the right path.
Hate begets hate, it's not worth it.
Thank you for your concern.
I promise you I'll be careful.
Please keep your promise, keep this secret for me.
Rest assured of that.
Sampling good food aside, my mouth is sealed.
It's a tough battle for the Palace Larder.
It's make or break for us.
We have to make the most jaw-dropping dishes for the ambassadors,
to gain credit for Palace Larder which is under my leadership.
Do you get it? Yes!
Then get to work! Yes!
1111, 1112,1113,1114...
The whole Palace Larder has been mobilised to prepare dishes for the ambassadors.
We should have been busy like mad.
How come we have time to count melon seeds here?
Head Chef Choi has this opportunity to shine in front of Sire,
he won't let us share the limelight.
That's why we've been pushed aside,
and not allowed to join in.
1222. Master, it's done.
Do it again from the beginning.
Master, I've been counting for half a day.
Why do I have to do it again?
How many did you say?
1222.
You sure it's 1196?
Right, it's 1196.
Or 1264?
Yes, I said it's 1264...
So, how many actually?
Oh no, it's 1200 or 11...
Count it again!
Alright, but it's meaningless.
It is. Just do it!
1, z...
First dish, the Rejuvenating Soup.
Your Honours, please enjoy.
It's aromatic, rich and sweet.
It's good for circulation, invigorates the mind and body.
I've never had soup this good!
Please forgive me, I cannot express my appreciation of it with my limited Chinese.
It's just amazing and exceptionally delicious.
You said how you felt in Russian, your native tongue.
Mr Bakov, it came from your heart, we are honoured.
This dish is called Spring to Life.
Your Honours, feel free to comment on it.
It's yummy indeed.
Crunchy and yet chewy.
Chef, could you tell me what the ingredients are?
The glutinous part is bear's paw, the best part of a bear.
Then what is this crunchy and yet chewy thing?
Tiger ***.
Tiger ***? What is that?
It's the tiger's ding ***.
Tiger's ding ***?
You mean tiger's reproductive organ?
That's right, a tiger's reproductive organ!
We are eating a tiger's reproductive organ?
What's in the soup we just ate?
Deer fetus and monkey brain.
Monkey brain? Deer fetus?
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Master Tin-po.
Today is Kung Hey Fat Choi's big day.
Others have gone to see him shine.
How come you are here?
He ordered us to stay here to catch the mice.
Mice? Isn't that the job for cats?
We are the oats. Right.
Miao...
It's urgent! Highness!
Go prepare some dishes for the three ambassadors.
But Head Chef Choi has already made them.
Don't ask, just do it.
Sire is getting anxious. Just do it!
Kung Hey Fat Choi must have botched it.
Go see what materials are available.
Master Tin-po, Kung Hey Fat Choi has used everything up.
There are just odds and ends here.
Then go to Palace Provisions.
Without Choi's slip, we won't get anything.
See, we really have nothing to cook with.
He emptied the larder for just a few dishes.
Those foreign devils are so ignorant!
No use feeding them great dishes.
They are just hopeless, right?
Yes !
Head Chef Mr Choi.
What?
Prince Yinzhen just ordered us to prepare some dishes for the ambassadors.
Could you give us a slip for drawing the ingredients?
Sire is entertaining the ambassadors.
All the eunuchs in the Palace Larder have to help out.
There's no one on duty in Provisions.
Without premium ingredients, how can we cook for the ambassadors?
My young friends, call me your foe no more.
Here's my helpful tip for you.
A good cook makes good use of ingredients available.
He's not to be tied by ingredients.
Well said!
Awesome?
But you tied up all the premium abalones.
And shark's fin!
Sea cucumber!
And spring onion!
Spring union's premium?
Then tell us what to serve the ambassadors!
You are on your own.
What?
Master Tin-po, what to do?
Search!
I mean the Palace Larder!
Yes !
Nothing here.
Beef here!
Flour!
How's it?
Beef and some discarded greens.
Half a chicken and flour.
Well...beef and greens for soup.
Poach the chicken in wine and use the broth for noodles.
They are all fools.
Feeding the ambassadors odds and ends?
Even if they can keep their heads,
A good spanking can't be avoided, right?
Indeed...
Sire, have we offended you in some way?
Why insult us by serving us the tiger's ding ***?
We are always hospitable to visiting dignitaries.
The dishes just reflected some misunderstanding with tastes.
Please don't get us wrong.
I have ordered less exotic dishes for your enjoyment.
Besides beef and greens, are there any hidden ingredients in this soup?
Just greens and beef, nothing else.
The soup is very good!
So is your Chinese.
Thank you!
Delicious! Beef and greens go well together.
It's rustic and reminds me of my beautiful birthplace, Siberia.
I am glad you like it.
Sire, I love this soup very much.
May I know its name so that I can recommend it to my family.
Cook Mr Ko.
Sire, this was created for the ambassadors. It's not named yet.
Sire, why don't you name it?
Good!
Since the Russian Ambassador Bakov likes it so much,
let's call it the Russian borsch.
Russian borsch? Good!
It'll become our national dish which will be known around the world.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Good news!
What? Ko Tin-po has been executed?
No. Sire can't be more pleased.
The ambassadors cleared their plates.
It's a far cry from what you made.
Ko Tin-po's cooking has made us proud!
Really? Yes!
W)“.!
Your Honour, why?
Why are you so happy?
Ko Tin-po's honour means the death sentence for us.
Then what to do?
He is making chicken noodles?
Yes.
Is it done?
Yes, here you are...
Why did you break my pot?
I didn't mean it!
You didn't mean it?
You mean to do us in! How despicable!
Lee Wai, don't argue with him.
Think of a way.
The noodles can't wait!
Use water for broth.
It's bland!
What do we have?
Nothing, just seasonings and stinking tofu.
Remember the stinking tofu rice we made when we're small?
Yes.
You mean... Yes!
Toss the noodles with oil and stinking tofu.
No broth at all.
Bear it in mind, no sugar, no vinegar.
Alright! Hurry up!
What have you done with the noodle?
It's not in broth. It's dry.
Just seasoning. No meat or fish.
Just noodles and a piece of string bean.
How daring! A piece of string bean?
Your Honours, something wrong with the noodle dish?
Majesty, could I make a request?
Of course.
Could we eat it with our hands?
Your Honours, is this a joke or what?
We are not joking.
The noodles are really delicious,
but using the chopsticks for them is hard.
Please grant us our request.
But eating with hands here in the grand court is unbecoming.
Sire, I have a solution.
Using three pieces of chopsticks makes picking up noodles much easier.
Good! Give them an extra chopstick each.
Your Honour, don't worry.
I have dumped chilli and turmeric powder into the wine poached chicken.
It's so spicy the ambassadors will call for blood!
How despicable of you!
Our jobs are on the line.
Really very spicy? Yes.
Who's there?
No one.
How's it?
Your Honours, how's it?
We can't be more pleased.
The noodles are al dente.
The very unique sauce makes them so extraordinary!
What's the sauce made of?
It's created for Your Honours. It's made with tofu.
Tofu?
Mister Cook, it's quite similar to our cheese, though not exactly the same.
What makes it stand out?
Cheese? Our cheese is made with soya bean extract.
It's steamed into tofu blocks
and then cut into small pieces and dried in the moonlight.
It takes six months to make.
You mean preserved bean curd?
It's novel indeed.
Mister Cook, could you give me some cheese to take home to my friends?
I am sure they will love it.
Of course.
Cook Mr Ko, get the next dish ready.
Not a problem.
This is wine poached chicken.
It's a light dish.
A chicken about one catty in weight is first poached in wine.
Then the lid is put on and the chicken is left to cook in the residue heat till done.
It's served right away.
And here you are, tender and fragrant chicken poached in wine!
You said it's wine poached chicken.
Your Honours, it's not to your taste?
Majesty, the dish really is...
Mr Ambassador from India, so...
The first bite was so hot that I could hear Buddha talking to me.
But I could still taste chicken amid the various spices.
It's so delicious.
I really have to thank you for it.
It's so rich and hot it's soul cleansing!
Mister Cook, what's this chicken dish called?
It's created for Your Honours. It's not named yet.
You created it, I'll let you name it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Since the Indian Ambassador likes it so much...
Your name is Curry Aba Singh.
Let's name that Indian Curry Chicken.
Indian Curry Chicken? Good!
Thank you, Majesty, you are too kind!
Come back, come back! Even the salted fish can have a comeback...
Shaw...
You be quiet! You are disrupting the Head Chef in his rest.
The imperial decree's here.
By the grace of heaven, here's my decree:
Cooks Ko Tin-po and Mai Siu-yu did a great job at the national feast.
They should be rewarded.
Ko Tin-po is promoted to Deputy Chef and Mai Siu-yu to Royal Cook.
Ko Tin-po is put in charge of the royal concubines' diet.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Master Tin-po, congrats!
Cook Mai, awesome!
Cook Ko, awesome!
You two are awesome!
No, we are not...
Others are too awful only.
Suet, I have something for you.
What is it?
The person who gave you to me had a letter for you when you come of age.
You are a big girl now. It's about time you got it.
You never mentioned it before.
It was so many years ago.
I just came across it when tidying up, and recalled things.
I promised the person to give this to you.
I have not read it.
Mother, what was the person like?
The person had a mask on, I couldn't tell.
Besides you and the letter, I was given some money.
I wasn't allowed to ask questions.
The person said you would understand once you read the letter.
Suet, I'll leave you with it.
Go read it in your room.
I'll call you when it's time for dinner.
Mo-suet, you have not been to the Diligence Study lately.
Mentor has been busy,
I've had to help out at the Yan Wo House.
The kids miss you. I missed you too.
A bit.
Tell the kids I'll go see them once I can make it.
Alright, I'll do that.
You have anything to tell me?
I want to see you every day.
Mo-suet...
Can you hear my heart?
But I can hear your heart.
I know you are not happy.
What is it? Just tell me.
I'll help you.
I am not unhappy. I don't need your help.
Really?
Really?
I said it. I am not unhappy.
Whatever happens, I'll be there for you.
But I know we all have our secrets.
If you don't want to tell, I won't make you
I just want you to know, whatever happens, you'll have my support.
Promise me, promise me one thing.
Alright, I promise.
If one day, I have done things that will hurt you, disappoint you or make you mad,
please believe it that] had no other choice
Mo-suet, what happened?
Promise me, you'll always have me in your heart.
Mo-suet...
Tin-po, what a coincidence.
Miss Suet, I am back for salted fish.
Sire likes salted-fish buns.
I am out of salted fish already.
I have to stock up or I can't make them for him.
What about your performance?
No more performance for me.
Mother and I are going back to our native place.
What? But the capital is fascinating.
Are you going back to till the fields?
No, but this isn't our place after all.
We have to go sooner or later.
Tin-po, could you take me to the palace for some fun?
Palace? What fun is there?
It's to open my eyes before I leave.
Please, take me there.
It's not so easy.
Why don't you ask Prince Yinzhen?
He sure will find a way.
Prince Yinzhen?
Right, you are leaving. You should bid him goodbye.
Tin-po. Master.
Back to The Eaten; for salted fish?
Yes, Sire has to have salted fish buns every day.
Salted fish runs out fast.
Congrats.
You are now Sire's trusted man.
You are too kind.
I wonder why Sire likes salted fish buns so much.
It's said he had it when travelling incognito with his beloved.
That's Mother.
I think he likes it because it reminds him of his love.
I wonder if you have had snacks with Miss Suet
Yes, pea cake. Why?
She is leaving the capital.
Where for? When will she be back?
She's going back to her native place.
I don't know when she will be back.
If you don't want to fill your longing for her with pea cake, do something.
Sire, have some tea.
This biluochun is fragrant indeed.
I had no sleep last night. It's so reinvigorating.
Sire, you have a country to run, you should have more rest.
Put your health first.
I have to say I am getting on. My strength is failing.
It's about time I quit running the country.
So it's about naming the crown prince?
This has been on my mind since Yinreng was deposed.
Yinzhen has surprised the court with his competence. He has made a name.
Moreover, he didn't strike when Yinreng was down, unlike other princes.
He has shown loyalty, courage and his kind nature.
But he's too low-keyed and has not made many friends.
He's a lone ranger in the Court.
With no supporters in the Court, an individual can hardly manage.
Yinsi, on the other hand, is ambitious.
He is good at networking and has many supporters in the Court.
He does have some influence.
Yinsi beats Yinzhen in this aspect.
Sire, so you mean to make Prince Yinsi crown prince?
I have not made up my mind yet.
That's why I couldn't sleep last night.
It's hard to choose.
Checkmate!
Sire, what a risky move.
If I confront you, I will have to trade a cannon with a chariot.
But if not, it means losing the initiative.
A chess game is full of pitfalls. It depends on your guts.
I don't think I should pit against you.
I had a game with Yinsi earlier.
He too was left in a similar situation.
He traded my cannon with his chariot without giving it a thought.
You know what the outcome was?
Please tell me about it.
He lost his chariot, but got to take the initiative and first move.
He won in the end.
This is the difference between you two.
He's more aggressive than I am.
No risk, no gain.
The key is on how to confront the risk.
Too aggressive may mean total loss.
Too conservative may mean breaking no new grounds.
If you're lucky, you get a draw.
If you're not, you can get trumped and be left with nothing but regrets.
Father, thank you for your teaching.
At ease. Thank you, Father.
Let me ask you.
If I give you the throne, will you have the competence for it?
Well? Do you have the confidence or not?
Father, if I am allowed to make a choice,
I'd rather not.
Whom do you think is the right man for it?
Yinsi. I find him a better choice.
Yinzhen, how can you be so passive?
Confidence is the cornerstone of success.
Ambition is the key to achievements.
You lack both.
How can I trust you with the country?
The game ends here. You are excused.
Father, please excuse me.
Sire, you are a chess master,
Prince Yinzhen is not on your par.
Please don't get mad.
I am mad because he's too passive.
He has disappointed me.
He'll see your expectations in time.
Your efforts will not be wasted.
In time? I may not be able to see the day.
Prince Yinzhen, I asked you out today
because I wanted to thank you in person.
About what?
Don't fake it.
I got well so quickly because of the 7-colour mushrooms you gave me.
How did you know? It must be Tin-po!
He's got nothing to do with it.
I confronted Mentor with the silk handkerchief
with which you wrapped the mushrooms.
He admitted they came from you.
I also know that they didn't come easy.
You were bitten by snake and almost lost your life.
I don't know how to thank you.
Not at all.
Your mentor exaggerated it.
I just wanted you to get well.
Mentor said one or two decoctions more, and my asthma will be cured.
That's good.
Oh yes, Tin-po said you're leaving the capital. Is it true?
Mother said we're going back to Hebei in a couple of days.
A couple of days? When will you be back?
I don't know, a year, six months, or several years.
So we don't know when we will meet again after today.
If it's in our destinies, we will meet again.
Yes, right!
Now that I am leaving the capital, I know I will miss it.
Though I have been here long,
I have had to perform every day to make a living.
I have not done any sightseeing.
I know nothing about the capital. I find it a pity.
Miss Kei, where would you like to go?
Let me go with you in the next two days.
Really? But you are a busy man. I shouldn't trouble you.
Not at all. Where would you like to go?
I hear that the imperial garden is very big and beautiful.
Imperial garden?
I was just mentioning it. Don't take it seriously.
I got it from Tin-po that the palace is closed to commoners.
Prince Yinzhen, don't make it difficult for yourself.
Just forget I said it.
It's not impossible.
I am going there to see Sire tomorrow.
Let me take you with me to satisfy your curiosity.
Really?
Mother, look!
Why have you made so many dishes so early in the morning?
Prince Yinzhen is taking me to the palace.
I've made you food in ease you go hungry.
The palace? I want to go too.
No!
Prince Yinzhen said it's arranged in a hurry, so he can only take me.
Perhaps next time, alright?
Alright.
Tell me about the wonderful things you see afterwards.
Mother, let's eat.
Mother, this is your favourite.
And this as well.
How sweet of you to make me so many dishes early in the morning.
Mother, I am grateful to you for raising me up.
Why bring it up all of a sudden?
Well, it's said there's no returning from the palace.
In case I crossed the line there, and didn't get to leave!
Silly girl!You're going with Prince Yinzhen.
Even if you did something wrong, he would get you out.
What's there to worry about?
You are right.
Mother, it's getting late, I have to go.
Be home early.
Suet, what is it? Why hug me so tight?
Mother, sorry.
If I don't show up when it gets dark,
you pack and leave the capital at once, get it?
What?
Do as I said, leave at once!
Why?
Mother, take care!
Suet...
Is she sleep-talking or am I sleep-walking?
Lee Wai, we are out of flour, get me some.
Yes.
Watch out!
Your Honour.
Goong Goong, what can I do for you?
Miss Suet?
Hush! You want me dead?
You really have slipped in.
You went to Prince Yinzhen?
The Palace Larder is so big with so many people working here.
Do you call the shots here?
What calling the shots? I am just another underling.
Tin-po, you are the first friend I made in the capital.
Now that I am leaving, I don't know when I will see you again.
I will really miss you.
You really are leaving in such a hurry?
Let me make you a feast before you go.
Of course.
Where is Prince Yinzhen?
He's waiting outside.
Bear it in mind. Stick with him.
He's somebody. With him by your side, no one can make it difficult for you.
Tin-po, take care. Bye!
Just going back to her native place.
Why make it sound like a deathbed goodbye?
The Imperial Garden really is gorgeous!
Sire loves flowers and plants,
so every tree was planted according to design.
So Sire comes out here all the time?
He has a country to run.
He doesn't have much time to appreciate all this.
So being an emperor is not as easy as we think.
Sire lives a frugal life. He doesn't like extravagance.
Where's Sire's chamber?
Over there.
Could we have a look?
It's a restricted area. You can't go.
I mean to take a look on the outside.
I am not going in. Please!
Alright then.
But it's heavily guarded.
Promise me, stick by my side.
This is the Qianqing Court where Sire works.
His chamber is at the back.
His chamber is at the back?
We can't stay here for long, or we will be found out.
Prince Yinzhen, Kok Tak-sing at your service
Kok Goong Goong.
Highness, you're seeking an audience with Sire?
Yes, I'll go see him later.
I have not seen you before. Where do you work?
Of course you have not seen him before.
He's a newcomer. He works in the Attending Office.
He's Suet Boy.
He maybe a newcomer,
but every eunuch in the Attending Office has to get my approval.
There's no way I have no impression of him.
The palace is so big, how can you know every eunuch?
Kok Goong Goong, you mean he can't wait on me without your approval?
It's not what I meant.
What nerve!
Suet Boy, let's go!
You are such a gentleman,
but you had this awe when you flared up.
It was a critical moment.
We couldn't have got away otherwise.
Thank you for taking me here.
It really was an eye-opener.
You are welcome.
I have something for you.
Oh?
What is it?
I bought you a jade pendant as a token of thanks.
I must have dropped it.
Let me go back for it.
No, you may bump into Kok Goong Goong.
It would get us into trouble.
But... You wait for me here.
Let me go get it.
It won't take long. Just wait here.
Yes.
Suet Boy...
Suet Boy...
Let go of me!
What's going on?
How come you are holding a dagger?
I have to kill that fool of an emperor.
You want to kill Sire?
He ordered the execution of the Dai family.
I have to avenge my family!
The Nanshan case! You are a Dai?
Remember you once said, that I might still reunite with my parents.
That can never happen.
He took away my parents. He made me an orphan!
He has to pay with his life!
Miss Kei, calm down!
This is the palace, it's filled with palace guards.
You think you can succeed?
I don't expect to go out alive anyway.
Don't get in my way!
I won't let things happen to Sire!
I won't let you die for nothing!
It's between me and him. You stay away from it!
I am your friend, I can't stay away!
Stop it! Let me get you out!
I can't!
Miss Kei!