Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available.]

Chef Fang

Episode 32

Yah!

Yah!

Speed up.

We're four hours away from the capital.

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Whoa!

Let’s rest here.

OK.

Whoa!

Waiter.

We need a few rooms.

How many, sir?

Two, please.

We prefer quieter ones.

Do you have any?

Yes, sir. This way, please.

What would you like to eat?

We’re new here.

What do you recommend?

There are plenty.

Rabbit heads, Jiangnan home cuisine,

Sichuan meatballs, sweet and sour mandarin fish...

You can stop.

Bring us some of the best.

No problem.

Would you like any drinks?

We have the best Spring Wine and Gold Wine.

I heard the best wine is all in the capital.

We'd like one jar each.

OK.

Is the Spring Wine famous?

I’ve never heard of it.

Spring Wine

owns a long history of popularity.

It’s said that Li Bai, the great poet,

sold his fur coat to buy this wine,

hence the story

poet selling a mink coat for wine.

This wine is hard to make.

The water

must be the cool and crystal mountain spring.

Other ingredients include millet, rice,

sticky rice, wheat and corn.

The wine is refreshing and fragrant.

Its taste and smell can be engraved in your mind.

Welcome, sir.

Go upstairs, please.

Here comes the wine.

Waiter.

Is the capital always so crowded?

It's packed.

Usually, there aren’t this many people.

They all came

for the celebration.

Celebration?

Yes. His Majesty’s birthday is around the corner.

The celebration will last three whole days.

Your food is served. Please enjoy.

Here, honey.

Are you tired?

Why don’t you take a nap after the meal?

No. I can’t sleep right after eating.

I heard the local market is fun.

Some things there can’t be found anywhere else.

Let’s go have a look.

Fine.

Your worries around the blue bay of the lake

Across the river, over the mountain, so miserable

Your calm comes lightly with the wind

Circuitous and diffuse

As foolish as I am, loneliness is my only company

Words in the dialogue and the fate is all false

It’s so exaggerated, left the glamor and elegance

The rest is nothing but struggles

As foolish as I am, I roam freely in the world

She used to be as pretty as a summer flower

Tears shed soaked the past

The rest is nothing but struggles

The knot is untied

As foolish as I am, I roam freely in the world

She used to be as pretty as a summer flower

Tears shed soaked the past

The rest is nothing but struggles

The knot is untied

You asked for me, brother?

Jing Yi,

a friend of mine arrived in the city.

I’d like to introduce her to you tomorrow.

Who is she?

My wife was always weak,

but now, she’s getting better.

Do you know what cured her?

I don't.

A meal.

That’s unbelievable.

I thought she couldn’t

eat anything.

That person is the best chef

I’ve ever known.

I can’t wait to meet her.

Maybe, she can help me out.

Mrs. Shen. Mr. Shen.

Master and Her Ladyship are waiting for you.

Please follow me.

They’ve arrived.

Show them in.

Yes.

Mr. Shen. Mrs. Shen.

Nice to meet you.

Have a seat, please.

It's been a while.

You look much better.

Thank you so much.

Without your help,

I’d probably be dead by now.

Have a seat, please.

You too.

The tea and dessert

are made according to your recipes.

Boil chrysanthemums with tea leaves.

Once it’s done,

drink it with fresh pistils.

The cake

looks the same as yours

but the flavor isn’t as good.

That happens.

Different people

handle the ingredients in their own ways.

Take the water as an example.

Water from different places

doesn’t taste the same because of the quality.

Even in the same place,

there’s water from river, well, spring and dew.

I've long heard that you're a master chef.

You do live up to your reputation.

And you're...

My name is Zhen Yi.

Nice to meet you.

Mr. Huang told me

someone cured his wife with a meal.

I was curious to meet that person.

You’re surprisingly young.

I thought he lied to me.

What?

You doubt my wife’s

cooking skills?

I dare not.

But I’d like to see for myself.

I’m eager to taste dishes Mrs. Shen made

and see if they're as unbeatable as Huang said.

Easy.

Honey,

why don't you show Mr. Zhen

what you're capable of?

OK.

Do you have

enough ingredients?

Of course.

I’ve prepared a meal

for you to enjoy.

It's inappropriate for you to cook for us.

You're such a troublemaker.

I’m not.

I regard myself as a foodie.

How could I miss such a great opportunity?:

Cook something simple for him then.

OK.

Please give me a few minutes. I’ll be right back.

Mr. Shen.

Please.

Please.

Darling.

Spill.

What?

Why did you ask me to cook just now?

No reason.

What's wrong?

Are you mad

because of it?

Am I a fool to you?

On our way here,

although you didn’t say anything,

you looked troubled.

You couldn’t sleep

and had a worried look all the time.

So did Shen Jie.

We came out to have fun,

but he was always on guard

as if we’d be in danger anytime.

I’m not blind, OK?

And why did you behave like this

all of a sudden?

Follow me.

I’ll tell you the truth.

Honey,

you know who that Mr. Huang is?

I don't.

He isn’t a Huang,

but a Jing,

the Crown Prince,

Jing Man.

And

what about that Mr. Zhen?

The second prince, Jing Yi.

Those two

are related to you.

Impossible!

I’m merely a commoner.

How am I related to the royal family?

Didn’t you always say

your father wasn’t an ordinary chef?

You're right.

It's true

that he wasn’t ordinary.

He was an imperial chef.

No wonder he could make so many dishes.

So my father was a big shot.

Your mother

was even bigger.

How so?

Your mother

used to be the emperor’s favorite consort,

Consort Zither.

What?

Empress Yao killed herself with poison

while your mother was favored by the emperor.

The Crown Prince was young

and he assumed her mother died

because of yours,

so he hates her guts.

He invited us to the capital

not to thank us

but to eliminate you and Prince Jing Yi

during the emperor’s birthday.

So, darling,

that’s why

you're so worried these days?

How could I not be?

I've sworn to myself

that I’ll never let you get hurt.

Darling,

remember what we said on our wedding day?

We’d share weal and woe together.

You should've told me earlier.

I was trying to protect you.

Now that I know everything,

from now on,

let’s face it together.

OK.

Mrs. Shen,

this is so... so delicious.

You bet. Eat up.

You told her?

Yes.

Alight.

Honesty is important in a relationship.

Mr. Shen. Mr. Shen.

You're finally back.

The gentleman upstairs

has been waiting for you for long.

Please

follow me upstairs

and drink with my master.

Please.

Mrs. Shen. Mr. Shen.

Sorry for the abrupt visit.

Mr. Zhen.

Have a seat.

How can we

help you, sir?

I’m here to make friends.

Why do you

suddenly want to

make friends with us commoners?

You're too humble.

Our encounter is destined.

Not to mention

I’m in awe of Mrs. Shen’s cooking skills.

I’ll be frank.

I need a favor from Mrs. Shen.

What is it?

Are you aware of a dish called

Emerald Pot?

Yishao.

Mother.

Who upset you this time?

Tell me. I’ll teach them a lesson.

No one.

Don't deny it.

Look at your lips.

You’re pouting.

Mother,

all we have left are some cabbages, tofu and rice.

I don't know what to cook for you.

I see.

How about I cook for you for a change?

No, you can’t.

The physician said you can’t do any heavy labor.

The weather is good.

I could use some exercise.

I’m perfectly fine.

Is it

that you don’t want to eat my food?

I do.

I’ll cook you porridge that even your father

can't make.

Is that OK?

He can’t?

This porridge

is special

in some ways,

but

it may look ordinary.

Yishao,

I want you to remember

the recipe word by word.

Keep it in mind forever.

Got it?

What's the name of the porridge, mother?

Emerald Pot.

Emerald Pot?

I do know

that dish.

Really?

Wonderful!

Please make this dish

for my father.

For your father?

He had it once when he was young

and has missed it ever since.

My father’s birthday is three days away.

He doesn’t want anything

except this special dish.

So I hope

you can cook it for him

on his special day

and finally enjoy

a happy birthday.

Can you

do me this favor?

Certainly.

You’re filial.

I’m willing to help.

Thank you in advance.

Don’t mention it. No need.

I’ll have men pick you up

that day.

All you need is to go to my place

and cook that dish in the kitchen.

This is a thank-you gift.

Mr. Zhen,

did you glaze

the dirt balls with gold powder?

You must be joking.

This is too much.

We can’t accept this.

It’s just a little something.

A dish of vegetables and tofu

isn’t worth this much.

But...

I have an idea.

If your father likes the dish my wife cooked,

you can thank us then.

Alright.

Darling,

do you think that Jing Yi is...

Master!

You’ve finally come!

How could I not?

Yishao,

are you going to

cook a dish for the emperor in three days?

Listen,

when you’re there, do what I say.

What do you mean?

If anyone asks about your age and name,

just say you're 17

and your name is Fang Yun’er.

Will the fake name

really work?

Of course.

I was with him long enough

to know his temper.

After all these years,

he’s still holding a grudge.

He’ll believe that.

I’m uncomfortable with it,

but I trust you.

I’ll comply.

Remember

to stay with her that day.

Be flexible.

After this,

the rest will be easy to handle.

OK.

Your Highness.

What happened?

They chatted happily

and seemed to have reached an agreement.

Good.

Tell Qin Zhong

I need him for urgent matters.

Yes.

Are you scared?

A little bit.

Relax.

I’m here.

Yah!

Fuqing Palace

Yah! Yah!

Whoa! Whoa!

Mr. Shen. Mrs. Shen. This is it.

Your Highness.

Please.

Have a seat. Don't be nervous.

Serve them tea.

Yes.

I’m sorry for withholding my identity.

I was afraid that you wouldn’t come

if I told you.

You're...

I’m Jing Yi.

Your Highness,

we can’t

cook for you.

Mr. Shen,

you're already here.

Why change your mind?

You know the reason.

You said

the dish was for your father.

Your father is the emperor.

If it doesn’t agree with him,

he’ll kill us

in anger.

There’s nothing we can do.

This is too big a risk to take.

Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen.

Don't be mad.

I’m sorry that I lied.

Look,

if my father is happy, you’ll be safe.

If he gets mad and punishes you,

I swear to heaven that I’ll protect you.

No one can hurt you.

Is that OK?

How can you protect us?

My father gave me this jade pendant.

However big the mistake is,

as long as you have this,

it can keep you alive.

Take this

and give it back to me before leaving.

Is this enough?

Please

do me this favor.

Fine.

Maid.

Your Highness.

Lead Mrs. Shen to the Imperial Kitchen.

Yes. Please.

Thanks.

Your Highness.

Did they come?

They did.

Shen Yong tried to leave, knowing Prince Jing Yi's

identity, but he stayed eventually.

Good.

Let’s just

sit back

and enjoy the show.

Where are you from?

Dongxiang.

Do you know Shen Yibo?

He’s my father.

No wonder you're an all-round talent.

You learned from the best.

Like father, like son indeed.

Oh?

You met my father?

No.

But

I’ve heard a lot about him.

A few years back,

he worked in the capital

and solved tons of cold cases.

Father appreciated him

and planned to appoint him Prime Minister.

But somehow,

they had a huge fight,

then your father resigned

and returned to his hometown to be a magistrate.

Later, father wanted him back,

but he said

he wanted to stay and live with his wife.

That’s why

whenever father mentioned it,

he couldn’t help complaining about it.

He said

Shen Yibo isn’t a good friend.

He puts his wife before the emperor.

No wonder my mother always says

I’m the younger version of my father.

If it were me,

I’d also leave with my wife

and go back home.

I can solve cases while being with my family.

What a carefree life!

I can work in any place.

As for money,

I don't want more than I need.

You have a point.

A carefree life

is a meaningful life.

So,

is this your first time in the capital?

My wife and I just got married

and we came here to travel

and visit a friend who came to take exams.

You're a lucky man

to marry such a master chef.

To be honest,

Your Highness,

my wife

is bestowed to me by heaven.

I don't get it.

Our marriage wasn’t official

until a few days ago.

Don't you think

it’s heaven’s

reward for me?

Your marriage is blessed by heaven.

It’s incredible.

I envy you so much.

I’m grateful.

My wife

went through a lot.

She used to be homeless.

Now, she’s mine.

I've sworn

to protect her for the rest of my life.

I admire your love for her.

I’m sure heaven will bless you.

In the future,

if you need my help,

just let me know.

I’ll do my best.

Sure.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Mr. Shen,

your life is so much better.

How so?

You can enjoy freedom

and happiness.

Yet I

can only be a prisoner in this palace.

I’m nothing but a bird

in a gold cage.

This palace

is a wonderland to many,

but to me...

I’m sorry about this.

By the way,

is that friend of yours

also from Dongxiang?

Yes.

What a coincidence!

Is he surnamed Liu?

That's right.

His name is Liu Mao.

Mr. Shen,

you can congratulate him.

According to my knowledge,

the first place is someone from Dongxiang,

named Liu Mao.

The result will be announced shortly.

Really?

He did it!

He finished first.

Why didn’t he take the exam earlier?

Officials in charge of the exam said

he’s almost 30.

Had he come earlier,

he would've become a pillar in the court.

Long live, Your Majesty.

We wish Your Majesty health

and longevity.

Hahaha.

Everyone,

cheers.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

allow me

to toast you.

I wish you an eternal regime.

General Qin,

thanks to you,

I can enjoy years of peace.

Here.

Let us

drink together.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

I’d like to toast you.

OK.

I wish you eternity.

Thank you, my love.

Why hasn’t Yi

come yet?

Where is he?

That boy

has no manner.

How could he be late on such an important day?

He should be punished.

Your Majesty,

Prince Jing Yi is preparing a present for you.

It’ll take a while,

so he’ll come later.

What is it?

Oh, I remember.

He said

he’d give you a surprise

on your birthday.

Alright.

He’s a sweet kid.

I’m

looking forward to it.

Let me,

Your Majesty.

I paid a fortune

to buy this glazed horse from the west.

Father simply shot a glance at it.

Jing Yi hasn’t come

yet father is so eager to see his gift.