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

A dozen or so large blue stone stoves were neatly arranged, radiating heat. The imperial chefs were stir-frying and tossing the food, their movements swift and skillful, clearly seasoned veterans.

Next to it was a long solid wood counter, which was filled with various knives, steamers, and many prepared ingredients.

The eunuchs and palace maids who did odd jobs all wore gray cloth short shirts and were busy working without daring to slack off.

"Oh, Your Majesty, what brings you here in person? Is there something His Majesty particularly desires to eat?"

A fawning eunuch rushed forward and immediately knelt down at Zhao Gou's feet.

Zhao Gou, maintaining his airs, said, "I've come today to announce something very important. Go and summon everyone from the Imperial Kitchen!"

"Oh? But we're preparing dinner right now, the fire in the stove is burning..."

"Gather everyone from the Imperial Kitchen here in a quarter of an hour. If you delay His Majesty's dinner, you'll lose your head!" Zhao Gou sneered.

The eunuch shuddered and knelt on the ground, repeatedly replying, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, I will go and inform everyone right away."

After saying that, he quickly got up and stumbled off to take care of his business.

You're kidding, that's the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, a favorite of the Emperor. A single word from him could truly cost someone their life.

After reprimanding the young eunuch with a cold face, Zhao Gou turned around and put on a big smile: "Madam Shen, please wait a moment. There are many people in the Imperial Kitchen, and it will take time to gather them together."

"If you feel bored, I can accompany you for a walk around."

Zhao Gou's lips were practically stretched to the back of his ears, and his gaze towards Shen Qing was full of admiration and anticipation.

Her demeanor was completely different from when she was scolding the eunuch.

"I didn't expect you to be so powerful in the palace," Shen Qing said with a smile.

Zhao Gou, this eunuch, is quite a contrast. I never expected that such a funny person could become a high-ranking eunuch.

"It's alright, it's not that impressive." Zhao Gou was a little embarrassed in front of Shen Qing.

He lowered his voice and continued, "Sister, thanks to you, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to become a grand eunuch, not even in this life, let alone the life after that!"

Shen Qing: "???"

How come she's involved in this?

"It's because of your delicious food that His Majesty chose me to be the Grand Eunuch!"

Shen Qing: "..."

Choosing such a powerful eunuch shows how utterly incompetent the emperor has become.

"Sister, this time, I will definitely protect you in the palace. No matter what happens, just say the word, and I will go through fire and water for you!"

Zhao Gou looked excited, as if he were about to undertake some great undertaking.

"Then thank you." Shen Qing was speechless.

I don't know what Zhao Gou was thinking. Why did he have to treat a eunuch like a sister to her?

That's absolutely outrageous.

Fifteen minutes passed quickly during the conversation.

Everyone in the imperial kitchen was lined up neatly in several rows. They were all puzzled by the familiarity between Zhao Gou and Shen Qing.

Li Fuquan, the head of the imperial kitchen, stepped forward: "Eunuch Zhao, as you requested, everyone in the imperial kitchen is here."

Zhao Gou instantly wiped the smile off his face, nodded, and loudly announced to the crowd:

"By imperial decree, from this day forward, Lady Shen will be the new head of the Imperial Kitchen, and everyone in the Imperial Kitchen must obey Lady Shen's orders."

The newly appointed head of the imperial kitchen?!

Is the head of the imperial kitchen being replaced?

Everyone present was shocked, and their eyes instinctively turned to Li Fuquan.

Li Fuquan's face turned completely black. He had worked diligently for decades, how could he suddenly be replaced?

And she's just a young woman. What makes a young woman qualified to be the head of the imperial kitchen?

Besides Li Fuquan, there was another person who was equally full of resentment.

That was Sun An, Li Fuquan's apprentice.

He had followed Li Fuquan for many years, and his only wish was to take over as the head of the imperial kitchen after Li Fuquan retired.

Unexpectedly, before Li Fuquan has even retired, a new head of the imperial kitchen has been parachuted in.

How could he accept this?

"My master has been diligent and conscientious all these years, and there have been no mistakes in food preparation. Why do we suddenly have to replace him?" Sun An couldn't help but ask.

They even replaced her with such a young woman; it's simply outrageous.

When will he finally take office?

Zhao Gou glared at him: "You have an objection to His Majesty's decision?"

"His Majesty's decision is certainly correct, Eunuch Zhao. My apprentice is just having trouble accepting it for the time being."

Li Fuquan had served as the head of the imperial kitchen for many years, so even if he was dissatisfied, he quickly adjusted his expression.

Although he was equally resentful, this was the imperial palace, and he could lose his head if he wasn't careful.

Especially since the other party was the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

"An amateur directing an expert..." Sun An muttered to himself, his face full of resentment.

But he dared not speak again; he could only swallow his resentment.

Zhao Gou could see right through it. He snorted coldly, "It's a great blessing for you all that Madam Shen is here in the Imperial Kitchen. Let me be frank, even if all of you were combined, you couldn't match Madam Shen's culinary skills."

"Anyone who dares to outwardly comply with Lady Shen's wishes but inwardly defy her will be beheaded."

"A polymath will never show mercy!"

Today, he will protect and support his sisters' careers!

For a moment, the entire room fell silent; no one dared to utter a single word.

Shen Qing didn't say much; she could actually understand the group's resentment.

Putting yourself in her shoes, if she were the head of the imperial kitchen and an unknown person were suddenly parachuted in to take her place, she would also feel resentful.

However, in order to complete her mission, she had to take control of the imperial kitchen.

Otherwise, whether cooking or doing other things, you will be subject to many limitations.

Becoming the head of the imperial kitchen directly would save a lot of trouble.

"Madam Shen, I must go serve His Majesty now. I'm leaving the Imperial Kitchen to you. If you encounter any difficulties, just come and find me." With a calm expression, Zhao Gou resumed his cheerful demeanor.

Shen Qing nodded: "Thank you."

"So... what dishes is Madam Shen preparing for His Majesty tonight?" Zhao Gou couldn't help but ask before leaving, and he subconsciously licked his lips.

Fortunately, he was His Majesty's chief eunuch and could test poisons for His Majesty; otherwise, he would never have been able to taste Lady Shen's food.

Shen Qing glanced around casually and saw that on the long solid wood counter next to him were prepared shrimp, carrots and green beans.

Most importantly, there was a large wooden basin with cooled rice inside.

Almost instantly, Shen Qing made his decision.

"Fried rice with egg, please."

"Okay, okay, okay, Madam Shen's fried rice must be delicious!" Zhao Gou said with anticipation.

Then they left happily.

Everyone in the imperial kitchen was completely dumbfounded, finding it utterly absurd.

No, fried rice with egg?

Why does Eunuch Zhao look like he's never eaten fried rice before?