Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

"Aaaaaah— How could this happen?! I can't imagine how I'm going to live without Madam Shen!!"

"Special reason? It sounds to me that Madam Shen was forced into it?"

"I was really looking forward to the new product, God, why are you treating me like this?"

"..."

The diners groaned in despair. They had grown accustomed to anticipating new dishes every day, but now that Shen Qing was gone, while they could still enjoy delicacies like grilled sausage and Sichuan-style chicken, the prospect of new dishes seemed endless.

It's truly heartbreaking.

Hearing the cries of these people, Nangong Jing felt even more smug.

The sense of superiority is only amplified through comparison, and the more these diners wailed, the more useful Nangong Jing felt his power was.

Born into an imperial family, they were naturally superior to others.

At this moment, this feeling of being superior became even clearer.

"With such excellent cooking skills, Lady Shen has a bright future ahead of her in the palace. You should all congratulate her. What's there to complain about?" Nangong Jing raised his head, his tone carrying a hint of condescension.

He looked smug and proud.

Several nearby diners glared angrily, saying, "Pah! Madam Shen doesn't care at all. She refused His Majesty's invitation to be the head of the imperial kitchen before. This time she must have had no choice!"

"Yes, I heard Madam Shen say 'had no choice,' so someone must have sabotaged it."

"It's him! He was shouting that he was the crown prince, and he was cheering just now. It's most likely him who did this!"

"That's him!!"

"It must be him!"

"..."

In an instant, the excited diners all rushed to Nangong Jing's side, some swinging their fists, others kicking him, and began punching and kicking him.

Countless fists and stinky feet rained down.

Nangong Jing never expected this to happen and was completely stunned by the beating.

Fortunately, he had people around him who rushed over and, after a lot of effort, managed to get him out of the crowd of angry diners.

But when it was finally removed, his head was swollen like a pig's head.

"Damn scum, go and kill them all!!"

Subordinate: "..."

"Your Highness, there are too many people. We can't fight them all. If we go in, we'll just get ganged up on."

"We're here to pick up Madam Shen, why are you so angry?"

"Calm down. These people won't be able to eat anymore. They'll have nowhere to cry if they want to. But it's different for you. You can eat and play in the palace. How comfortable is that? You'll never have to come outside the palace again."

"Yes, Your Highness, please don't get angry."

His men tried to appease them, as they really didn't want to cause any trouble.

The main problem is that their Crown Prince is too stupid. He got something good, but he had to show off in front of a group of people. Isn't that asking for a beating?

If they didn't have to support their families, they wouldn't follow this prince.

Seeing that the fat prince had been taken away, Shen Qing then spoke up to calm the diners down.

Everyone cherished the 200 servings of jianbing guozi (Chinese crepes) they made today.

After all, they didn't know when they, ordinary people, would be able to eat the delicious food that Shen Qing made himself again.

Many diners were reluctant to leave after buying their food, gazing at Shen Qing with teary eyes.

"Madam Shen, I will miss you so much!!"

"Madam Shen, you must come back!"

"Waaaaah, my delicious food, my new product..."

"..."

Shen Qing was deeply moved.

She was a complete stranger to these diners, but the food brought them together and fostered a bond between them.

Food is the most important thing for people, and just as the people are the foundation of delicious food.

If delicacies are only served in the inner palace, then they lose their original meaning.

Therefore, once she completes her mission, she will definitely return to civilian life!

......

The carriage swayed and rocked its way along until it finally arrived at the foot of the imperial city.

The group entered the palace.

Crown Prince Nangong Jing decided to take Shen Qing to see the Emperor first.

Without a doubt, Father Emperor would be overjoyed to see Lady Shen, and might even reward her with some fine things.

However, there is one thing I need to remind Madam Shen beforehand.

"Lady Shen, when you meet my father later, you must say that you entered the palace voluntarily."

Nangong Jing's tone inexplicably carried a hint of ingratiation and caution, and his pig-faced features even managed a pleading smile.

Even though he had Shen's mother as a backer, he still couldn't be assertive in front of Shen Qing.

Shen Qing turned to look at Nangong Jing: "Of course."

"But now that I've entered the palace, can you release my mother?"

A hint of difficulty flashed across Nangong Jing's brow: "But what if I release him, and you use your martial arts skills to escape the palace?"

"If you don't let me go, I can kill you right now and escape from the palace." Shen Qing's expression was indifferent, his eyes looking as if he were looking at a dead man.

Nangong Jing couldn't help but shudder: "I, I, you, aren't you afraid of your mother...?"

"You can try and see who dies first."

Nangong Jing: "..."

I felt like he was going to die any second now.

He can't die, he still wants to be emperor.

"I agree, but you can't go back on your word, and you can't retaliate."

"I really didn't hurt your mother. I sent people to take good care of her and even found two children to play with her."

"Just stay in the palace, I'll give you whatever conditions you want, I beg you!"

In an instant, the threat turned into a bribe.

Nangong Jing didn't know why he was being so cowardly, but his mouth just wouldn't stop.

He really values ​​his life.

Shen Qing shook his head: "No conditions required. Release my mother. I came to the palace voluntarily."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, this time, even if you try to drive me away, I won't leave."

"I promise you, everyone in your royal family will love my cooking."

Nangong Jing was stunned.

He should have been happy to hear these words, but something just felt off.

Weird.

Never mind, it must be that Madam Shen saw this magnificent palace and realized the benefits of becoming a cook in the palace.

Yes, that must be it!

Nangong Jing found an excuse for Shen Qing himself.

"Madam Shen, since that's the case, I'll have your mother released immediately."

"Don't worry, as long as you stay, I promise I won't treat you unfairly. Just tell me what you want!"

"Come on, let's go see Father Emperor first. He'll be overjoyed to know you're here!"

Nangong Jing ignored the slight strangeness in his heart, his mind filled only with joy.

I dare not imagine how wonderful the future will be.

After walking for a while, we finally arrived at Chenghua Palace, where the emperor often stayed.

Nangong Jing said to the gatekeeper eunuch, "Quickly, go in and announce that Lady Shen has entered the palace!!!"