In the deep of night, within the Imperial Study Room, Shi Guiren, now a concubine, was grinding ink for Emperor Longteng.
The Emperor’s desk was already piled with a stack of morials.
After Emperor Longteng reviewed the last morial, his brows furrowed tightly. He threw the morial aside, causing a muffled ’thud’ sound.
"Your Majesty, it’s getting late. Aren’t you resting?"
Shi Guiren, noticing Emperor Longteng’s expression and having gained the Empress Dowager’s favor due to Little Xinlin’s Delicious Spiritual Food Buns, had ascended to the status of concubine after returning to the palace for a month.
The Empress Dowager, seeing the clumsiness of the palace maids in the Emperor Longteng’s Imperial Study, had Shi Guiren attend to Emperor Longteng.
Seeing Emperor Longteng’s consistent worry over the past few days, Shi Guiren knew that sothing was troubling him.
"My birthday is approaching, and with a bunch of trivial matters to deal with, none are resolved to my satisfaction. They are all useless! How can I rest?"
Emperor Longteng stood up.
The birthday banquet was just around the corner, but the chefs responsible for the outside palace banquet arrangents were still not all found.
In the past few days, De Yue Building had encountered problems, and Emperor Longteng was very dissatisfied with Master Chen’s ability to handle things.
Yet, in Purple Cloud City, it was impossible to find another Spiritual Delicacy Master in such short notice.
At this rate, the banquet scheduled for the day might actually not be able to proceed as planned.
Moreover, recently Purple Cloud City has been visited by many foreign dignitaries including envoys, princes, and generals, all of whom are not easy to handle and will be arriving in Purple Cloud City successively.
For the small country Longteng, all accommodations for foreign guests are arranged outside the palace.
The slightest hint of negligence in hospitality could potentially incite diplomatic issues.
"Your Majesty, with so many Spiritual Food Restaurants in Purple Cloud City, is it really impossible to find even one suitable Spiritual Delicacy Master?"
Shi Guiren, having been away from the city for many years, was not familiar with the Spiritual Delicacy Masters in the city.
"You don’t understand, this Spiritual Delicacy Master must not only excel in culinary skills but must also be highly reputable, only then can he lead other Spiritual Delicacy Masters in preparing the banquet. The original head chef was Master Chen from De Yue Building. Another head chef’s reputation and position cannot be lesser than Master Chen’s. Initially, soone had recomnded Master Ji from Taoyao Pavilion; his culinary skills are impeccable, but you know, Taoyao Pavilion is not a reputable place."
Master Ji was excluded from candidacy due to his bad reputation.
It is said that Master Ji has been despondent over this matter, and he passed away not too long ago. Now there really isn’t anyone capable of replacing Master Ji.
"Right, do you have anyone to recomnd? The Spiritual Delicacy Masters we currently need don’t have to be superb, just proficient in making pastries and cold dishes. For example, the master who made the Spiritual Delicacy Buns you brought for the Empress Dowager last ti should be capable."
Emperor Longteng recalled the Spiritual Delicacy Buns from the Empress Dowager’s palace.
Their taste, too, was unparalleled.
Upon hearing this, Shi Guiren felt a slight stir in her heart, but she didn’t know if she should really inform Emperor Longteng.
After all, Xin Lin had previously instructed her not to reveal that the Delicious Spiritual Food Buns were made by her.
"Your Majesty, Grand Doctor Chu requests an audience outside."
Just as Emperor Longteng’s brows were knit with worry, a guard reported from outside.
"At this hour, what could Chu desire by entering the palace?"
Emperor Longteng wondered.
"Let him in."
Emperor Longteng gestured with a wave of his hand.
"Congratulations Your Majesty, I have found a chef who can take on the role of head chef for the Spiritual Cuisine Banquet. It’s Master Ji from De Yue Building."
As soon as Chu Tianyi entered, he repeatedly offered his congratulations with a face full of joy.
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