Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available.]

Chef Fang

Episode 31

The Art of Love

Yo...Young Master.

Didn’t you see I'm busy? What's up?

Master asked you to go to his office.

OK.

Father,

you asked for me?

I have something to tell you.

I want you to listen carefully. It’s about Yishao.

What...happened?

Read it yourself.

“How have you been? Back then, Yishao’s mother...”

“Regards”.

Is it true?

You and Yishao’s wedding is tomorrow.

Do you regret it?

Isn’t it too late

to ask me that, father?

If you knew the truth earlier,

would you still marry her?

I dare not.

Before I married her,

I wouldn't dare to be with her.

But she’s already my wife.

The hypothesis doesn’t stand.

Good. You’re brave.

You’ll keep it from Yishao?

Mother said no matter what happens,

I mustn’t abandon my wife.

I won't let her know

unless I have to.

Come. You two go over there.

Yes.

Make it straight.

Yes.

A bit higher that side.

Mrs. Shen.

You’re gorgeous.

So beautiful.

Isn’t she?

Happiness

Incredible.

So many pieces.

Does she have to wear them all?

They’re heavy.

You won't complain

when you get married.

Pretty, huh?

Indeed

Dear,

this is your wedding day.

Your mother is supposed to comb your hair

to give you blessings

and pass her good fortune to you.

Sadly, she...

I wasn’t born in a noble family

or married into one.

I’m only an ordinary woman.

But meeting my husband

is the best thing ever happened to me.

By combing your hair,

I hope you can inherit my good fortune.

You and father treat me like your own.

Marrying your son

is also the best thing ever happened to me.

Bow to heaven and earth.

Be serious.

They make a perfect match.

Bow to parents.

Bow to each other.

Complete.

Honey,

I’m going to lift it.

Darling.

Darling.

Wait.

What’s up?

I made food for you.

We can eat tomorrow.

No. We must eat it now. No food, no sleep.

Sit.

Whoa!

May I skip it?

So sour.

There are hawthorns, plums, wild jujubes,

vinegar and limes.

So sweet.

I put honey, dates,

jujube paste, sugar, brown sugar and black sugar.

So bitter.

Lotus Plumule isn’t the bitterest. Goldthread,

papaya and felwort are even bitter.

So spicy.

Darling.

Water!

Onion, garlic, leek and shallot are spicy,

but they can’t beat my father's Heavenly Pepper.

Open your mouth.

So salty.

My mother used to say that among all flavors,

these five are the commonest.

Only by tasting them all

can our life be fulfilled.

Darling, whatever flavor life offers us,

let’s taste it together.

Do you know I want a big kitchen

You give me a home

One more set of tableware for our kid

That’s all I want

A feast isn’t any better than homemade noodles

Life doesn’t need to be extravagant

Endure the loneliness, add in seasoning

We’ll share weal and woe till death do us part.

Tell me

In this dish called love

How many grams of missing is needed

When should it be boiled with sincere

Is there a recipe to make it long and sweet

I hope my love can be like this dish

Simple yet fulfilling

Simplicity is better than worries

Keep it fresh no matter how long it’s stewed

Where exactly are you

You’re awake.

Don't be shy.

Get up now.

We need to pay respects to father and mother.

Turn around. I need to get changed.

Why? I’ve seen everything.

Fine, fine. I’ll stop.

I’ll wait for you outside.

Come out once you're ready.

So soft and juicy

and filled with crab roe.

It's better than what I had

in the capital.

Try it, darling.

- Food is all you care about. - Have a bite.

So, did they do it last night?

I think so.

If not,

better tell your son to hang himself.

You can ask him about it.

No need. I can tell from a glance.

Really? Is it that easy?

Sure. One is satisfied, the other shy. It's clear.

Alright. Forget about it.

Just follow my lead.

Father, mother.

Father, mother.

Have a seat and eat with us.

Yes, sit with us.

Let me fill your bowl.

I can do it myself.

Let me, let me, let me.

Here. Eat up.

Have a bun, darling.

Shen Mansion

Hi, Shen Jie.

Are you going to see Mr. Liu off?

Yes.

Good. I’ll go with you.

OK. Let’s go.

Take good care of yourself, Mao.

Don't get too tired. Eat properly.

I will, mother. Don’t worry.

Mr. Shen. Mrs. Shen.

Have you packed everything you need

for the trip to the capital?

I have.

May I

ask you for a favor?

What is it?

My mother is old.

Once I leave,

she’ll be alone. Please look after her for me.

Of course.

No need to worry.

We’ll take care of her.

Thank you so much.

Please accept this from His Excellency.

I appreciate it,

but I can’t take his money.

But...

Honey.

You have a long journey ahead.

My wife made snacks and buns.

Take these

to eat on the way.

Thank you, Mrs. Shen.

I owe you a ton.

You’ll top the exam.

We’re looking forward to your good news.

I’ll do my utmost. Please take care.

I’m leaving.

Mother,

I’m off.

Darling.

Will Mr. Liu

succeed this time?

Who knows?

Hope his efforts will pay off.

He doesn’t have too much money

and refused to take the silver.

He’s a gentleman.

He won’t take others’ handouts.

He won't be able to eat or sleep properly.

Darling, did you...

I slipped the banknotes in his bag.

I knew you're the smartest.

Rumor of crowning the young is wild spread.

How could I not be anxious?

Do not act rashly, Your Highness.

Or, they’ll use your mistakes against you.

Jing Yi.

You’re finally back.

I've been waiting for you.

My respects, Your Highness.

You may rise, General Qin.

Wait for me inside.

Yes.

Jing Yi,

what brings you here?

Father’s birthday is next month.

Have you prepared the gift?

Of course.

A while ago,

I found an 8-treasure Glazed Horse from the west

to give it to father on his birthday.

Are you worried about the present?

I am.

Don’t be.

Ask your men to find some rare treasures,

then problem solved.

Not good enough.

There are already plenty in the palace.

Besides, compared with your horse,

what I found will only serve as a foil.

Don’t be too worried.

The value doesn’t matter as long as it’s from you.

That said,

if I can find something

that can truly cheer father up,

that’ll be perfect.

Your idea is good, but it’s hard to achieve.

Father has been upset all these years.

I don't know why.

He’s hurt by love.

You’re still too young

to know this.

No wonder

mother refused to tell me whenever I asked her.

Brother,

is the Emerald Pot father misses so much

made by that person?

Yes.

If

I can present that dish to father as my gift...

It’s...impractical.

As far as I know,

that person already passed away.

Oh.

But

if you can find a chef

to recreate that dish,

father will certainly be pleased.

Your Highness.

Prince Jing Yi...

He’s so eager to please father.

I’ll

give him a helping hand.

Shen Mansion

Mr. Jia.

Mrs. Shen.

Mr. Jia.

When I was in the capital purchasing ingredients,

Mr. Huang asked me to bring this letter to you.

Is his wife better now?

Thanks for your concern.

She's almost recovered.

That's good.

My efforts aren’t in vain.

Mr. Huang is

so grateful to you.

They're inviting you and Mr. Shen to the capital

to ask you more about the food therapy

and to express their gratitude for your help.

May I discuss it with my husband?

Of course.

The details are in the letter.

I’ll take my leave.

Thanks.

Sincerely, Huang Man

There you are.

Come here.

Father, Shen Jie.

You...

What's this geezer doing here?

Be respectful. This is your grandmaster.

What?

You don't believe it?

Master Mo is his disciple.

I knew it.

Had I known it, I should've

gone straight to you instead of Master Mo.

Then he had to call me uncle. Right, Shen Jie?

Alright. Come off it. Let’s talk business.

Have you read the letter about Yishao’s identity?

How did you know?

You gave that letter to my father, didn't you?

Humph!

You aren’t too stupid.

By the way,

last time, you said

that Mr. Huang is no ordinary man.

Look at this.

Have a look.

Hey,

do you know who he is?

I don't.

He’s the Crown Prince, Jing Man.

Crown Prince?

Then he and Yishao are...

It’s my fault.

I thought after Yishao curing his wife,

he’d be grateful to her

and give up seeking revenge.

Yet he’s more obsessed than I imagined.

We can’t let Yishao go to the capital.

On the contrary,

you must go.

Why?

Many say to dethrone the old and crown the young.

The Crown Prince is annoyed

and already hostile towards Prince Jing Yi.

He’s trying to use you

to rake up the past

to infuriate His Majesty.

That way, he can get rid of Prince Jing Yi

and get his revenge.

You said in the letter

that Yishao’s father used to be an imperial chef

and her mother was His Majesty’s beloved woman.

What exactly happened?

Now it’s the time to tell us everything.

It’s a long story.

Yishao’s mother

was known as Miss Yunqing.

She used to be the best zitherist in the capital.

If I could

enjoy such divine tunes every day,

I’d want nothing else in this world.

His Majesty has arrived.

Rise.

Let me see your face.

Right after she entered the palace,

she outshone the entire harem.

His Majesty only asked for her company.

Back then, the empress

was Jing Man’s mother Empress Yao.

She advised him repeatedly

but was ignored.

Then when she tried to execute Yunqing

in the name of disturbing the harem,

His Majesty arrived and punished the empress.

Somehow,

rumors emerged from nowhere

that His Majesty was about to discrown the empress

to promote Yunqing.

Empress Yao felt humiliated

and killed herself.

The Crown Prince was old enough to know things,

so he hates Yunqing's guts.

No wonder.

So, father,

you knew about Yishao’s mother but still let us...

What happened before was complicated.

It’s hard to explain with a few words.

I resigned shortly after

so I didn't know what happened later.

I had no idea that Yunqing had a daughter.

Actually, thanks to him, you could marry Yishao.

Get back to business.

The truth is

Yunqing and Fang met a long time ago.

They were already in love.

Back then, I was a guard in shadow.

Fang and I were best friends,

so I know the truth better than everyone.

His Majesty stole Yunqing from Fang.

He separated them.

It was his fault.

But he’s the emperor.

Then

Fang and Yunqing fled the city.

His Majesty felt betrayed

so he had guards hunt them.

They didn’t stop

until they found the tomb

where they were buried.

Given His Majesty’s hatred towards them,

if he knows

their daughter is still alive,

he’ll surely be in rage.

Then we’ll be walking straight

to death

and Prince Jing Yi might be implicated, too.

Killing two birds with one stone. How evil!

However,

His Majesty still has feelings for Yunqing.

He adores Consort Zhen

simply because she slightly resembles

Yunqing.

In that sense,

we might be able to turn things around.

This trip to the capital is inevitable.

How so?

If you don't go,

Jing Man will still target Prince Jing Yi.

His Majesty only has two sons and a few daughters.

Once Prince Jing Yi is out of the picture,

Jing Man will have no competitors.

After he ascends the throne,

given his grudge against Yunqing,

will he let Yishao live?

In this case,

saving Prince Jing Yi is also saving ourselves.

What should we do?

Don’t worry about other things.

Just remember,

keep your wife safe no matter what.

I know. You don't need to tell me that.

Hey,

I heard you didn’t say a word to Yishao.

That’s admirable.

I don’t want to worry her.

Our fate is predestined.

If nothing happens, that’ll be good.

If not,

I’ll go with my wife

to reunite with her parents.

Don’t jinx it.

Jie.

Father.

I’ll entrust Yong and Yishao to you.

Please take good care of them.

I promise I’ll do my best.

It's settled then.

You’ll leave for the capital in three days.

Shen Mansion

Be very careful.

Slowly, slowly.

Act cautiously.

I know, mother.

- Stay alert, got it? - Work with Jie.

- Yes. - All packed up?

I’ll ride.

You can’t.

No horse riding during the first three months.

Add an extra layer of the mat, Little Stammer.

All done as you required, my lady.

Good.

Dear, whenever you feel sick

or you want to eat sour food,

tell Yong immediately.

Rest assured.

I will.

We’ll be back in a month at most.

Alright. It’s about time. You should set off.

Hold on.

Put the bags in the carriage.

Dear,

you must take good care of yourself.

I used to wear this cape when I was young.

It’s made of the snow fox’s fur

and can keep you warm.

Don’t catch a cold.

Listen, don’t do anything.

Ask Yong to do it.

If he bullies or disobeys you,

tell me when you come back. I’ll break his legs.

Father, mother, take care.

Father, mother, we’re leaving.

Mr. Shen! Mr. Shen! Wait!

Mr. Shen.

It's been a while.

No offense,

but we need to leave for business.

If there’s nothing important...

Don’t get me wrong.

I’m here to see Shen Jie off.

Mr. Shen,

have a safe journey.

Do take care.

I’m

waiting for you to come back.

Let’s go.

So soon?

Brother.

Have a safe trip.

Careful, Fang Yao.

Congratulations, Shen Jie!

Good job, man!

It’s late. Let’s go.

Yah!

Yah!

Father,

mother,

goodbye.

Let’s go.

Mrs. Shen.

We're waiting for you to come back.

Shitou, Lian,

look after father and mother for me.

Ride slowly, Yong.

Yes, mother.