The Pheonix and The Dragon

17.Ambition

In the imperial kitchen, Chef Zhao was bending as he carefully put the pastries he made into a food box. Then he hung a card two fingers wide on the box that had "Kangquan Palace" written on it.

Although it was not time to eat, everyone knew that the empress dowager of Kangquan Palace would occasionally have the chefs of the imperial kitchen make some things. They would naturally do their best. Because Kangquan Palace had its own kitchen, there were not many opportunities for the imperial kitchen to show their skills.

"Brother Zhao has great skill." The chef responsible for hot foods felt both admiration and envy. But because they worked together, he didn't dare to go out of line and said in a joking tone, "You must have spent great effort in making the pastries look like blooming peach flowers?"

"Yes, just our regard as servants." Chef Zhao was plump and looked honest. When he smiled, he looked good-tempered. The other people saw this, and even though they were jealous, they could not say displeasing things.

This man really had good luck. He had originally been average among the pastry chefs. But a certain pastry dish he made received the favor of the empress dowager and County Mistress Kim. After that, he frequently had the opportunity of contributing one or two pastry dishes to Kangquan Palace.

Chefs like them could not get any news from inside the palace. But seeing Old Zhao present this dish, they all knew that the empress dowager must have summoned County Mistress Kim into the palace.

This was strange to speak of. The empress dowager had many girls in her paternal family, but the empress dowager never invited them. Instead, she seemed to have exceptional affection for County Mistress Kim, a niece several times removed in relation.

Due to this, while they only knew County Mistress Kim by name, she already had a mysterious status in the imperial kitchen. People were curious about her but didn't dare to talk much.

The pastries that Chef Zhao presented were quickly carried away by the eunuch. About an hour later, the eunuch came back with an attendant behind him. Someone recognized him as one of the attendants serving in Kangquan Palace, and they all enthusiastically surrounded him.

This was someone who frequently served in front of the empress dowager. They rarely even saw someone who swept the courtyard, much less a personal attendant.

When the attendant from Kangquan Palace came in, his attitude was not very proud. However, the people of the imperial kitchen felt the other had more of a presence than attendants from other places.

"The peach cake served this time was very good in taste. The empress dowager has told this one to give thanks."

Everyone in the imperial kitchen felt a wave of envy. What damned luck did this man get this time?!

"This one doesn't dare at all; it is this one's good fortune and doesn't dare to receive thanks." Chef Zhao was both surprised and joyful. He bowed repeatedly to the attendant.

While the noble people in the palace would not easily speak the words "reward," not anyone would dare to accept their "thanks." So Chef Zhao continued to bow.

Seeing him being perceptive, the attendant spoke of his intentions in coming. So the empress dowager liked his skill and wanted him to provide pastries just for Kangquan Palace from now on. But because Chef Zhao was not a court eunuch, he would still be on duty in the imperial kitchen.

Chef Zhao immediately accepted with joy. When he sent the attendant out the door, he took out all the silver he had on him and shoved it into the attendant's hands.

The attendant put the silver into his pockets without changing expression before slowly saying, "The empress dowager doesn't usually like pastries. You just have to send over some clear and refreshing ones. But on days like today, use more effort and do not slight guests." Then he said in an admiring tone, "The Holy One is also satisfied with your pastries."