Original subtitles

Episode 16

I heard you have settled the people in Jiangsu,

is that so, Crown Prince?

Father.

The people in Jiangsu no longer wish to rebel.

They're living in peace.

Tell me.

How did you do it?

I sent a few men to scout the area.

They found that the officials weren't in their rightful position

and the landowners oppressed the locals.

The officials were bribed and they couldn't be intimidated,

so I had them submit to the law.

Your Majesty.

The officials and landowners in Jiangsu cunningly protect each other.

They wouldn't confess unless there's evidence.

I wonder if His Highness possesses such evidence.

Or does he not?

Father.

The Crown Prince doesn't need evidence

as he has already settled the matter.

The reason why the people in Jiangsu rebelled

was the immense power of landowners.

They took hold of a large amount of land

and behaved willfully in front of the people.

Even the local officials didn't treat their people well.

They stood still and watched the people suffer.

They even destroyed the evidence

because they were bribed by the landowners.

The Crown Prince ordered me

to relocate the landlords

and wealthy people in Jiangsu near the Imperial Palace.

Then we made them become workers to build the surrounding walls.

The wealthy people had been expelled.

So naturally, the people aren't bullied anymore.

Thus, that's the end of the rebellious movement.

So what about the officials who didn't do their jobs?

They abandoned their positions,

so I sentenced them to work as farmers, like their people.

On the surface, this was meant to help the people.

But after some time,

those pampered officials confessed their crimes.

They returned the bribe and the money to the people.

Those who took the bribe and bullied the people

have all been punished.

No absolution was given.

-Not bad. -Prince Jin did a good job.

Good work, Prince Jin.

Father.

I only followed Crown Prince's instructions.

His highness is the man behind this, not me.

Your Majesty.

I heard that recently,

the Crown Prince dwelled in his palace, drank alcohol all day,

and left everything to be executed by Prince Jin.

I'm afraid that...

Brothers should stick together.

The Crown Prince makes the plan for it to be executed by Prince Jin.

What's so wrong with that?

Well...

I have my own judgments.

Prince Jin, stay a few more days in the palace.

You can use this time to fulfill your filial duty towards your mother.

Thank you, Father.

-Your Highness! -Shoukui!

-Your Highness! -Your Highness!

Call the Imperial Physician!

-Someone, call the Imperial Physician! -Shoukui!

Your Highness.

Shoukui!

Don't move.

Be careful.

What's wrong?

Did you have a nightmare?

I dreamt that my old friend was sick.

What kind of old friend

makes you worry so much both in reality and dreams?

If I were him, I would be content every single day.

Xiaoxiao,

now that you're here,

you shouldn't look back.

You should look ahead, meet new people, and accept them.

Only then can you truly forget about the past.

It has been over a year since I opened Xiaoxiao Delicacy Hostel.

I've been trying to move forward.

But...

I don't want to forget the past either.

I'm hungry. Waiter!

-Yes, Xiaoxiao? -Is there any food?

Yes, in the kitchen. I'll get it for you.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Please forgive me as there's nothing I can do.

What on earth is going on?

Well...

His Highness has been having headaches for over six months.

I have been trying to heal him.

But there is no cure for headaches.

The episode of headaches is unpredictable.

There is no way to prevent it.

I believe His Highness suffered another episode of headaches today.

The malice of wind has taken over his brain.

Is there a way to cure him?

I have never seen such an illness.

Therefore, I have no way to cure him.

-Get out! -Yes, Your Majesty.

Kui'er.

Kui'er.

Kui'er.

Kui'er.

-Zheng Li. -Your Majesty.

Take good care of him.

Don't disturb him no matter what.

I will have people bring in prestigious physicians

from all over the nation.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Prince Jin.

Come with me.

Please take care of yourself, Your Majesty.

I'm sure Shoukui will be fine.

You can all go.

I want some alone time with my son.

Your Highness, have some medicine.

You'll feel better.

Your Highness.

You're here again.

Shoukui, just have one sip.

Don't waste the medicine.

I only have a few more days anyway.

That's nonsense.

You will recover.

No one knows my body better than myself.

Shoukui.

You always like to say things that break others' hearts.

You...

You're always such a crybaby.

So many years have gone by

and you haven't changed one bit.

I'm not crying.

My eyes are unwell.

Take care of my mother for me

and everyone in Delicacy Kitchen.

As well as Zheng Li.

You have to treat him well.

You're the most capable

and talented.

I believe in you.

I'm not taking care of everyone for you.

If you're worried,

you need to live and take care of them yourself.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Hey!

You're back, Xiaoxiao.

What's the matter?

Well...

It looks like we will be taking a few days off.

I just got news from the palace

that the Crown Prince has passed away.

We can't have feasts or do business for 15 days.

Who did you say?

The Crown Prince has passed away.

It smells good.

I've seen you eat this often,

but this is my first time trying it.

This is my favorite food.

When I was hungry at my aunt's place back then,

I could only fill my stomach with this.

I ate it for so many years,

but I still love it.

I'll eat this with you from now on.

Let's stop eating.

All right?

Xiaoxiao!

Xiaoxiao, can you stop?

Just tell me what's wrong?

You know nothing! I like potatoes!

You're not hungry at all!

I am...

I am...

I like potatoes, all right?

I am hungry!

Xiaoxiao, let's stop, all right?

Xiaoxiao Delicacy Hostel

Hey.

Sir, are you here for alcohol?

Is that the only thing I can buy here?

Actually,

our chef is feeling under the weather these days.

No one is cooking in the kitchen, so we only sell alcohol for now.

Feeling under the weather?

Yes, we don't know why either.

Please forgive us.

No problem.

-I'll come next time. -Sure.

Have a good day, sir.

Songbai! You're finally here.

Xiaoxiao hasn't been talking much these days.

You're the only one that can make her eat.

The sooner you help her get better, the sooner we can relax.

Come.

Xiaoxiao, Songbai is here to see you.

Xiaoxiao?

Xiaoxiao?

Have some, Xiaoxiao.

Excuse me, is this Xiaoxiao Delicacy Hostel?

What are you doing? I'm here for a meal.

Not bad.

I thought you wouldn't recognize me.

Don't cry, all right?

I'm sorry.

I'm late.

I'm here now, aren't I?

No. I'm not letting you go.

All right, now.

Ling Xiaoxiao.

Do you expect me to eat this junk?

Your Highness must eat whatever I make

and can't be picky or wasteful.

Your Highness said so yourself.

Was Your Highness just bluffing like ordinary people?

You...

Your Highness.

Are you seriously passing your title to Prince Jin?

Prince Jin is capable and has good morals.

He has always been a better fit for Crown Prince than me.

What about me?

Your Highness...

I've been serving you since I was little.

I just can't see you go.

Wake up.

I know you're faking it.

I raised you myself.

I know you

better than yourself.

Stop trying to trick me.

Mother.

You silly boy.

Tell me the truth.

Are you doing this

in order to see Ling Xiaoxiao?

Mother.

I couldn't think of any other way.

That's why I'm doing this.

Is she that important to you?

Yes.

I have never met someone like her.

In front of her, I didn't have to hide my shortcomings.

She didn't disdain them. Instead, she found them endearing.

I've been the Crown Prince for more than a decade

and I had never been at peace.

It was until she came along,

that I felt like myself.

Are you forsaking me, then?

Goodness.

Fine.

I give you my consent.

Mother.

Silly boy.

Ever since you were little,

we made you learn this and that.

But...

We've never asked for your consent.

We only cared about our wishes

and put so much pressure on you.

And we've never asked you

whether you're satisfied with us or not.

I've said it.

This time, you can do whatever you want.

All right?

You...

Thank you for letting me go, Mother.

Son...

Stand up, quickly.

I couldn't fulfill my duty to you.

Mother...

Stand up.

Don't cry now, all right?

It's all right.

It's all right.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Mother.

I can only be happy when you're happy, my silly boy.

It's all right now.

I'm sorry for doing this to you.

I can't believe you've done so much for me.

Of course I have to.

But it comes with a catch.

What catch?

I want a son and a daughter.

You wish!

I'm a part of your family now.

You have to be responsible to me.

I will.

I will be responsible to you. Don't worry.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

He left to find Ling Xiaoxiao.

I've stood by him for over a decade.

But I've never seen him so crazy for a woman.

Before Ling Xiaoxiao,

His Highness never really knew what he wanted in life.

I watched you three grow up together.

I'm sure both of Your Highness know

what kind of person he is.

Do you want to rest and have some sunflower seeds?

Yes.

Here.

Open your mouth.

My goodness, your father is here.

My goodness.

Are you a boy or a girl?

Your mother is suffering because of you.

Come out now

and let your mother have some peace.

Hey!

Where's that lazy man?

Well...

Zhu Shoukui!

What do you want?

Have you washed the dishes?

I have! Take a look!

Hey!

-Ling Xiaoxiao! What's that for? -The kitchen is unbelievably busy!

While you're here...

-Speak nicely. Don't get physical. -While you're here...

Your food is too delicious that customers keep coming.

I can't wash all those dishes myself.

Hire someone to help me out.

If you don't, then you'll have to have my babies.

Have your babies? You can't even wash the dishes.

I'm telling you. My babies will learn cooking from me,

instead of being a poor dishwasher like you.

I want to learn cooking as well. I don't want to wash dishes.

How can you learn cooking when you can't even wash the dishes?

Come here. Where do you think you're going?

Let me tell you!

If you don't wash them, you can forget about eating my food.

I am the...

What?

Yes?

I am a man.

Who's washing dishes here?

Does that make sense?

Why? Are you regretting it?

Of course...

Of course not.

I love washing dishes.

I love doing it every day.

I'll do it now. Just watch.

No matter how in love we are,

the daily trivialities have finally beaten us.

Zhu Shoukui.

- I see that you're not busy at all. -No, I am.

And you have time to be emotional?

No, I've been washing dishes. I love doing it. I am doing it.

Hey!

Xiaoxiao!

You have to come to the front.

A customer is here to stir up trouble.

I'll like to see who dares to do that in my place!

Sit down and wash your dishes.

Fine. I love doing it.

I'll do it every day.

I'll feel sick if I don't.

I have to do it all the time, I...

He's there.

Xiaoxiao, that's him.

It has been a while, Imperial Chef Ling.

Wait, no. It's Chef Ling.

What are you doing here?

I'm here for a good cause, of course.

But first, I have to taste your cooking

and then decide whether to tell you why I've come here or not.

What have you come for?

Didn't I just tell you?

I have to taste the food first.

So what do you want?

I heard that you can make

all kinds of regional dishes here.

Yes, sir.

If we can hang four lanterns on the front gate,

it means we can make all four Chinese regional dishes.

You name it and we can make it.

Good.

I'll have only one,

but with three different ingredients and three distinct flavors.

Can you do it?

You're intentionally trying to ruin us.

You could have everything, yet you want one with three different flavors?

Xiaoxiao, he's doing this on purpose.

Why? Is it too hard?

Forget it.

The lanterns are indeed quite delicate.

It's fine if you can't cook it,

just let me take one of the lanterns.

You...

Are you really here to make it difficult for me?

You once used tricks to defeat me.

Didn't we agree to have another go?

I promised we would compete again,

but I have to see if you're qualified or not.

All right. Give me some time.

Three Piece Chicken

Xiaoxiao has done it.

Sir, please carefully and mindfully taste it.

It's just a chicken.

How is it three flavors?

-That's right. -Ling Xiaoxiao, you've lost.

There's another chicken inside!

-Three kinds of meat? -That's phenomenal!

-It smells so good. -Look!

-How tender! -Hey!

There are three kinds of meat!

-It's true! -It smells good!

How come there's another chicken inside?

I've never seen anything like this.

-This place is quite nice. -I've never seen that before.

It looks delicious.

A spring chicken inside a hen.

A dove inside the spring chicken.

Each layer has different flavor

and different texture,

made by three distinct ingredients.

The flavors intertwine perfectly.

-So? -That's nice.

How is it? Is it good?

How is the texture?

Is it tasty?

It's not bad.

It looks like it was not just luck that helped you defeat me.

It's time we have a true battle.

What's the matter?

Do you like cooking now, Chef Lu?

Out of all the competitions I had won,

the only time I lost was to you.

Of course, it would be hard for me to get over it.

Are you up for it?

Whatever you want.

Why are you still here?

My arms almost fell off from washing all those dishes.

I feel like this is more tiresome than practicing martial arts.

Ling Xiaoxiao.

Ling Xiaoxiao!

Yes?

Did you hear what I said?

I was thinking about cooking.

What did you say?

I was saying, you've been busy the whole day.

It's time you take some rest.

Didn't you say your arms are sore?

Did I say that?

Hey?

Didn't you say you heard nothing?

Xiaoxiao Delicacy Hostel

Where's Ling Xiaoxiao?

Well...

Master.

Xiaoxiao left you a letter before she set off for a journey.

Master!

Letters are giving me trauma.

Zhu Shoukui.

I should be telling you this in person.

I'm sorry to start a letter like this once again.

Lu Yunzhou came to see me.

Six months from now,

there will be an annual cooking contest in Jiangnan.

I have never wanted a title.

But as you know it,

there has to be a winner between him and I.

Forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye again.

This time, you don't have to come for me.

As soon as the contest is over, I'll come right back for you.

Love, Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao,

I gave up everything for you

-and you ran off with other men. -Master!

-Master! -Hey!

-What are you doing? -Stop it!

-She's only away for a contest. -Let me go!

Is Lu Yunzhou a man?

Is he?

-I think... -I think so.

-Then hasn't she run off with him? -Come on.

She couldn't have eloped with other men.

-Master! -Master!

Get lost!

Delicacies Destiny

Delicacies Destiny

Delicacies Destiny

Your Majesty.

You should go see her.

Her Majesty is doing that thing once more.

Delicacies Destiny

Belvedere of Embodying Benevolence

Your Majesty, this place is full of smoke and oil stains.

We should go back.

His Majesty is here.

Why are you here again?

Have you ever regretted it?

In that case,

don't waste my son's time anymore.

If you want to stay,

set your mind to become the Crown Princess.

If you don't want to be the Crown Princess,

then stay away from him as far as possible.

Stop hesitating and cling on to him if you've already made your decision.

I only have one son.

He can't take this torture from you.

Yes.

So what is your choice?

I choose him.

Translated by Alex Chu