".... Hot ... hot...."
"..."
"...."
"Hot... hot..."
("What is this? ... It's that parrot again... It's been doing this all week. Seriously, doesn't it ever get tired?")
"Hot... hot..."
("I wonder if it's hinting at something or if it's just babbling nonsense...")
"..."
"....Hot...."
("I must not let it distract me...")
The young man thought as he stared coldly at the The Blue Dome above ، before shifting his gaze toward the large table in front of him. It was laden with a variety of vegetables, herbs, meats, and a complete set of cooking tools: spoons, pots, and knives.
"I must not miss this opportunity."
_________________(~‾▿‾)~________________
*(Sound of footsteps)
"What a joke ! Who would have thought I'd oversleep on such an important day?"
"That's because you stayed up late, scribbling some incomprehensible nonsense."
*(Sound of hurried footsteps)
"It's not nonsense! What I was writing was my grand speech to open the competition!"
"Who on earth needs to stay up all night just to write a speech?"
"..."
"Whatever , what about you? Why are you up so early?" (Raises an eyebrow mockingly)
"Ahem... I... I stayed up late preparing medical recipes for some patients... ahem... so I could free up my time for the competition today."
"...."
"...."
"Didn't you say you weren't interested in the competition and that it was just child's play?"
"...."
"You also said it was an overly ambitious whim that would most likely end in disaster."
"Since when do you pay such close attention to my words?" (Shifts his gaze to the side)
"You even said—"
"Alright, alright, that's enough! It's my granddaughter okay ? .You know she's participating... I want to be there for her."
"...."
"....Let's just hurry."
Ming and Doctor Jian quickened their pace toward the competition site. It was really hard for Ming to resist such a rare opportunity to tease the doctor, but... well, Ming had a soft spot for grandparents, which kept him quiet.
__ __ ( ╹▽╹ )_____
When Ming and the doctor arrived at the competition site, they found the imperial chef, Liao Mo, seated at the judges' table. An air of wisdom and dignity emanated from him. ("This old man is indeed just trying to look respectable in front of the participants! What a hypocrite -_-")
Doctor Jian bowed to the emperor before taking his place among the spectators, leaving Ming who approached the judges' table, where the imperial chef continued to feign wisdom. Ming seated himself on his luxurious chair, adorned with jewels and slightly higher than the other judges' seats, befitting the emperor's status.
The imperial chef Liao rose from his chair, bowed to Ming, then sat back down and said:
"Welcome, Your Majesty. The long-awaited day has finally arrived."
"Indeed, my imperial chef. Time has passed quickly, and here we are, just moments away from the start of the event."
"That's true, Your Majesty. I'm eager to see what our young talents have in store for us. However... forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty, but... where are the rest of the tasters? Didn't you mention that several persons would judge this event?"
"Hahaha!" (Ming laughed loudly)
"Why the worried expression, Chef Liao ? Do you take me for a lying emperor?"
The imperial chef flinched at the emperor's words, then forced a nervous laugh:
"Haha, that was not my intention Your Majesty , It is my foolishness that led me to say such a thing. But I humbly ask that you enlighten me with your brilliant wisdom and share what is on your mind."
("I think I didn't wrong calling him an hypocrite after all .")
"No need for theatrics, my chef. Just wait until the contestants take their positions, and everything will become clear."
".....As you command, Your Majesty."
An uncomfortable silence settled between the chef and the emperor as the final preparations for the competition field were made. The contestants took their positions, and the stands filled with spectators. There were designated stands for the concubines, ministers, and influential noble families. Even those who had no connection to cooking attended the competition simply because it was the emperor's idea, hoping to earn his favor.
_________________(~‾▿‾)~________________
" Welcome to everyone who joined us today, it's finally the long-awaited day! The day of the first imperial cooking competition in history !.
Ten days after the announcement of this competition , and the daily reception of hundreds of applicants, we now gather here with seven individuals and four pairs of contestants. Following a rigorous process of verifying the eligibility and backgrounds of each applicant, only the very best of this empire's young chefs remain , a total of fifteen participants..."
("Fifteen participants? Wait, weren't there supposed to be 14? Is there a participant I didn't oversee? Impossible—I was personally assigned by the emperor to supervise them !!")
The imperial chef turned to the emperor with confusion and surprise, only to be met with a seemingly innocent smile as the emperor continued his speech, as if to say, "Don't worry; everything is under control."
Though reassured by the emperor's calm demeanor, Chef Liao remained unconvinced, his mind racing with questions about this mysterious additional participant.
_________________(~‾▿‾)~________________
"Now, let us swiftly introduce the contestants before welcoming the judging panel that will oversee this competition!"
"First, we have contestant one: Gongji Bian. There's not a single person here who hasn't heard of the renowned Gongji chain of restaurants and hotels. And here stands their young heir, ready to engage in this , cooking challenge , hoping to bring culinary glory to his family."
("Culinary glory?")
"Secondly, we have the elegant and inspiring Romi Qio See! , Owner of the illustrious Crimson Lotus restaurant chain, known both within the empire and beyond."
"Next, the kind and intelligent traveling chef, a culinary genius who has cooked in almost every city of the empire—Kyoji!"
"Then, we have Ken Moyak , a man of great pride and ego, and the relative of our foxy— uh, I mean, our honorable Minister Ji!"
("...He said that last part on purpose -_-.")
"And of course, one cannot serve in the imperial kitchen without aspiring to the position of Grand Master Chef! So, let us welcome the ambitious current assistant head chef, Ren Dan Zhu!"
("...Is this my punishment for speaking about His Majesty behind his back? Never mind...") (Sighing deeply.)
"And now , the last individual contestant...")
("Oh yes, I almost forgot about the mysterious additional participant.")
"Everyone, please welcome the most knowledgeable and esteemed lady in all matters of cooking in this empire..."
("I wonder who this lady could be...")
"She is none other than... Madam Liao Shiruko!"
("Liao Shiru—wait a minute!")
The imperial head chef's eyes widened in shock, and he stood frozen, utterly stunned.
("That woman... my wife?!")
"Our final individual contestant is none other than the wife of our imperial head chef! .
And now, we move on to the teams composed of my dear royal children. First up..."
(Let's breeze through this part quickly! (◠‿◕) :
Team 1: Princess 7, Yaobin, with Princess 4, Li Yara.
Team 2: Prince 4, Tuo Sho, with Prince 5, Jiro.
Team 3: Prince 13, Shiraku, with Prince 6, Li Yuro.
Team 4: Princess 6, Kaiyan, with Prince 8, Kuri.
________( ╹▽╹ )_________
"And now, finally, before we begin the challenge, let us welcome the judging panel, led by the venerable, wise, and great, , my greatness the Emperor Jin Xi Roku!"
Ming rose regally from his seat, looking over the audience with confidence, wisdom, and a touch of arrogance, prompting everyone to rise from their seats and bow in respect.
"And now..." (Ming sits down again.)
"The next judge, known and respected by all palace residents—the Imperial Head Chef, Liao Muu!"
Chef Liao stood, bowed his head to the crowd as a greeting, then resumed his seat, maintaining an air of wisdom and dignity.
"Let us also welcome Mr. Ryo Di Xiaro, director of the Imperial Academy, renowned across the empire and recognized internationally!"
(Chef Liao glanced left and right: "Where is this man? Could he possibly be late on such an important day?")
The man in question stepped forward with heavy, deliberate steps, radiating wisdom and intellect. Dressed in a distinguished blue-indigo scholar's robe with sky-blue trim, his long beard flowed behind him in the breeze as he walked. He took his seat next to the imperial chef, who masked his amazement with an expression of indifference.
"The fourth judge is none other than the esteemed and widely recognized Prince Jin Koji, my third son, who joins us today as the event's co-commentator!"
("Wait, what?! So, the tenth prince I was wondering about isn't competing as a chef but rather as a judge? Just how many surprises does His Majesty have in store for me today...?")
Chef Liao wiped the sweat from his brow, anxiously awaiting the announcement of the fifth and final judge, revealed to be a distinguished guest from outside the empire.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for—the final judge and our honorable guest from the Jong Kingdom , Prince Jong Xiao Li!"
As soon as Emperor Ming uttered these words, a handsome young man stepped forward with deliberate, authoritative strides. His silver hair gleamed as it cascaded behind him, and his golden eyes burned with determination. Dressed in luxurious attire befitting his status, he took his seat beside the tenth prince, to the right of the emperor.
("Traditionally, a guest should sit directly next to the emperor, but as this is a judging panel for a cooking competition, the protocol was adjusted.")
______________(~‾▿‾)~_________________
And finally , the long waited moment , Standing tall with pride, Ming declared loudly:
"....."
"Excuse me, Mother."
"Yes, my dear?"
"How can His Majesty's voice be so loud and clear for everyone to hear when he doesn't even shout?"
"Well... do you see that object in his hand, my daughter?"
"Oh! Do you mean that strange cone-shaped thing?"
"(─_─||)... Yes, dear, that's actually a special tool His Majesty invented. I believe he calls it...")
"I, Emperor Jin Shi Roku, hereby declare the official start of the cooking competition!"
"Oh, right! I remember now! I heard my father calls it..."
" A speaker "
The contestants' eyes ignited with an unparalleled fire as the announcement of the competition's commencement echoed through the air. Behind each of them lay a story, a purpose, and a dream they aspired to achieve through this grand event.
The question remains: who will emerge victorious?