The morning sun shone brightly over the palace roofs as servants hurried through the corridors carrying baskets of vegetables, jars of spices, and trays of fresh ingredients.
Inside the Empress's courtyard, activity was everywhere.
Large tables had been set up beneath the flowering trees.
Kitchen servants moved back and forth.
Steam rose from boiling pots.
The scent of herbs filled the air.
At the center of it all stood Lian An.
Her sleeves were tied neatly as she checked ingredients one by one.
Today she was preparing a feast.
Not for a wedding.
Not for a royal ceremony.
But because of a request that had shocked her yesterday.
A request from Lady Chen.
Lian An still remembered it clearly.
---
Yesterday, during a gathering in the palace, Lady Chen had unexpectedly approached her.
To everyone's surprise—
She had praised her cooking.
Not only praised it.
She had even suggested that one day everyone should eat together in the Empress's courtyard.
