Su Tang had never encountered such a situation before.
She had clearly helped him, yet he shamelessly mentioned offering himself as a condition. This was utterly outrageous.
But Qi Tian Yun acted as if he didn’t know any better, taking a few steps forward, visibly displaying more confidence.
Su Tang immediately said, “Don’t change the subject. Why did they make the participants of the Master Chef Competition compete against Tubo?”
Qi Tian Yun shrugged, “What is my status? Why should you ask me?”
His words carried a deep meaning, but it was quite obvious. If you ask me, it means you know my identity, and I can’t pretend to be ignorant anymore.
If you don’t know my identity, then why ask me?
This statement made Su Tang widen her eyes. How could he be so shameless!
With just one sentence, Qi Tian Yun trapped her in a loop!
But Qi Tian Yun wasn’t specifically trying to bully her. He said earnestly, “Winning or losing doesn’t matter. After the seventh round, the winner will stay in the palace and begin preparations for the competition against Tubo. No need to panic.”
Oh, so it meant they would be fighting on their home turf, and there was no need to worry.
Qi Tian Yun continued, “At that time, the personnel from the Imperial Kitchen will be there to assist with whatever is needed.”
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Oh, so it meant there would be helpers.
Su Tang understood.
Qi Tian Yun had thought everything through.
By having the participants of the Master Chef Competition compete, they wouldn’t lose face regardless of the outcome.
Moreover, with her presence, Qi Tian Yun felt even more confident in their chances of winning. Not only that, but it would also make the Imperial Kitchen lend them a hand.
By sending the national team from Tubo and Qi Tian Yun sending a team of common chefs, it was already a gesture of goodwill.
However, within this team of common chefs, there was a hidden trump card that others were unaware of.
Even for a small matter, Qi Tian Yun had already calculated it to this extent!
Su Tang suddenly felt a slight sense of danger.
Facing Su Tang’s sudden vigilant gaze, Qi Tian Yun not only didn’t retreat but also asked again, “Is offering myself as a condition not acceptable?”
“Not acceptable!” Su Tang answered directly. “Let’s change the condition.”
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Qi Tian Yun chuckled lightly and said to Su Tang, “Then let’s consider it our agreement. I owe you a favor.”
In truth, Su Tang had no intention of refusing a serious competition.
After all, they had come this far, and so many people had expectations of her. If she didn’t aim for first place, it would seem a bit lacking, wouldn’t it?
Moreover, Su Tang also saw the benefits of participating in the competition.
After the incident last time, if she hadn’t made friends in the Master Chef Competition, she wouldn’t have had so many people helping her afterwards.
She needed to stand at a higher position to avoid being harassed by others.
Now, looking at her relatives at home, weren’t they all behaving honestly? They didn’t even dare to accumulate wealth in her name.
That’s exactly what Su Tang wanted.
If she could win first place in the Master Chef Competition, there would definitely be fewer troubles than now.
Su Tang looked at Qi Tian Yun and said directly, “What if I don’t advance in the next round of the competition?”
Qi Tian Yun replied naturally, “If you can’t advance, then there must be some shady dealings.”
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Wow, he was quite good at praising.
Qi Tian Yun came all the way here just to apologize, but before Su Tang’s anger could ignite, it was extinguished.
Su Tang even suspected that Qi Tian Yun had multiple brains, capable of thinking about many things simultaneously.
The competition on August 10th was set.
The documents were handed to the ten participants, and those in the capital who were paying attention to this competition were astonished.
Who could have imagined that such a competition would develop into its current scale?
Initially, Magistrate Pei organized this competition just to please Qi Tian Yun, hoping to find chefs that would satisfy him.
But they didn’t expect to actually succeed in finding them.
So Magistrate Pei also felt that whether the competition was held or not didn’t matter.
After all, what mattered was the Marquis.
But now?
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The entire capital was focused on this competition. Every time the magistrate of the Pei Mansion attended court, his colleagues would praise him, and he might even have a chance for a promotion.
However, he thought it was already impressive enough to make the entire capital pay attention.
But now, it’s even more different.
They are actually going to compete against the Tubo envoy?
They are going to compete at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.
Magistrate Pei couldn’t have imagined that things would develop to this extent, no matter how much he thought about it before.
So now, he was preparing for the seventh round of the competition with great trepidation.
Originally, according to the magistrate’s plan, the seventh round would have the government provide the ingredients, and the participants would have to select from the limited ingredients.
This kind of competition would be fun and more interesting.
But now, he didn’t dare. He just wanted to select the most talented chefs and let them compete against the Tubo envoy.
What kind of situation was this!
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Why did he have to encounter this!
Regardless of the magistrate’s inner complaints, if he could handle this matter well, it would be a great achievement.
This time, he even invited the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Rites to serve as the chief judges, as they were the highest-ranking officials.
As for the other judges, he invited a few colleagues.
In total, there were five judges who would select the top five outstanding participants from the ten.
This format might not seem interesting, but it was the most secure approach.
This was the most reliable method.
If Su Tang were to comment, she would say that fortunately, this competition was taking place in ancient times. If it were a modern-day competition, the rules would be changed every other day, and it would have been criticized to death.
However, even though there were fewer judges this time, the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Rites were already rare high-ranking officials.
If it were any other time, it would be impossible to invite them.
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But this time, the competition is related to the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet and the dignity of the Cang Qin Dynasty, so naturally, they have to be carefully selected.
The news of the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Rites serving as judges spread throughout the capital.
Oh my goodness!
Initially, people thought it would be boring without commoners as judges.
But now?
Two esteemed ministers!
Even though the capital is filled with high-ranking officials and nobles, these are the ministers of two of the six ministries. They are influential figures in the court.
They are seen by the Emperor every day!
Never mind!
This time, they must make arrangements in advance. Who knows, they might be able to secure a good spot to watch the competition!
The people in the capital have become even more interested in the Master Chef Competition.
They can’t wait to go and watch the competition immediately.
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Everyone is eagerly anticipating the start of the seventh round of the competition.
The participants, on the other hand, don’t feel the same way.
For contestants like Su Tang and Jing Liang, they are still fine. But for those with lower mental fortitude, they are now considering giving up altogether.
Even if they win the competition, they would still have to attend the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.
Those who lack courage just want to escape as soon as possible!
What if something goes wrong at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet? What would happen to their lives then?
Su Tang doesn’t think much of it. From her perspective, the Emperor or the Marquis are not as terrifying as people make them out to be.
They may have some authority, but they don’t readily chop off people’s heads.
However, the issue of face is still significant.
If she can defeat the Tubo envoy, she will achieve fame and fortune. She will no longer be an ordinary cook.
But if she loses, she will face two years of criticism.
But it’s not a big deal, really.
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In Su Tang’s view, it’s a golden opportunity!
She must participate, no matter what!
With these thoughts in mind, Su Tang’s body was already in motion.
If she wants to attend the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, she has to win the seventh round of the competition.
She noticed it during her previous participation.
The remaining chefs each have their own skills.
She must bring out something extraordinary.
She decides to focus on the details this time.
She wants the judges to taste the delicacies she has learned in the past.
During her time in the Cang Qin Dynasty, Su Tang also discovered that the culinary culture there was not as developed as the ancient cuisine in her own time and space.
Perhaps it was due to the prolonged period of war before the emergence of the Cang Qin Dynasty.
Whether it’s the common people or the nobles, many recipes have been lost, so the variety of recipes is not as abundant.
The dish she wants to make is Bak Kut Teh.
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It’s a delicacy from the Chaozhou and Fujian cuisines.
She learned it specifically when she was a food blogger.
There are two branches of Bak Kut Teh, with the same name but slightly different flavors.
Chaozhou-style Bak Kut Teh requires the use of pepper, which gives it a strong peppery taste.
On the other hand, the Fujian-style is known for its medicinal herbal flavor.
Although it’s called “tea,” the soup base is actually made with medicinal herbs.
For the competition, Su Tang plans to make the Fujian-style Bak Kut Teh, considering that the judges are slightly older officials.
They are likely to prefer the flavor of this style of Bak Kut Teh, and it is also suitable for the summer season.
If it were winter, Su Tang would definitely go all out with pepper and enjoy a steaming hot bowl, which would be really refreshing.
But this reminds Su Tang of Beef Offal Soup.
It’s been a long time since she had it!
A beef soup with a peppery flavor or beef offal soup with a touch of chili oil, paired with crispy and chewy pancakes in the early morning—just the thought of it makes her mouth water!
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Su Tang suddenly realizes that her competition dishes are becoming less down-to-earth!
When she opens her shop in the Eastern City, she must serve down-to-earth food!
But all these ideas will have to be realized after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Right now, the most important thing is the seventh round of the competition and the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.
Once these are over, she will immediately open a restaurant in the Eastern City!
And it must be a down-to-earth and popular restaurant!
The seventh round of the Master Chef Competition finally begins amidst great anticipation.
During this time, Su Tang’s Xi Cheng Restaurant is incredibly popular.
There are even long queues just to taste a boxed meal from the Xi Cheng Restaurant.
Both the Lingyin Temple and the Shangqing Temple have been praising the Xi Cheng Restaurant and Su Tang to varying degrees.
Some of the compliments are even embarrassing for Su Tang herself.
The Lingyin Temple and the Shangqing Temple have even sent thank-you gifts, and the Shangqing Temple has even sent a bottle of priceless ointment.
Su Tang looks at the ointment with a wry smile.
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She can’t explain to everyone that she doesn’t really care about her appearance.
Otherwise, people would definitely ask why.
So Su Tang can only put the ointment away and use it in a more appropriate situation in the future.
As for her face?
She can delay dealing with it for a while.
But Su Tang is afraid that if the Lingyin Temple sees her face not improving, they will bring over the so-called divine physician they were talking about.
That would be even more awkward.
And Qi Tian Yun’s attitude is also strange.
Judging by the way he keeps sending gifts without asking about her facial scar, it seems that Qi Tian Yun truly doesn’t care at all.
And he even said such words.
Is he really suggesting a physical relationship?
As soon as Su Tang thinks of this, she immediately covers herself up.
She shouldn’t entertain such thoughts. Just because Qi Tian Yun is good-looking doesn’t mean he should say things that provoke such imagination.
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If it weren’t for his good looks, she would have definitely kicked him out.
That night, Su Tang’s dreams were filled with Qi Tian Yun talking about offering himself to her.
It scared her so much that she was running away in her dreams, all the way to her own room. And in her room, there was someone wearing red clothes and a red veil.
Trembling, Su Tang lifted the veil in her dream.
To her surprise, it was Qi Tian Yun looking at her with a smirk, and it seemed like he was about to ask if she would consider a physical relationship.
Ah, what a terrifying dream it was! Ah!
Help!
Su Tang woke up before dawn, frightened by the dream!
That dream was just too terrifying!
How could she have such a strange dream?
Su Tang wiped her face, got up decisively, and started packing her things. She was getting ready to go to the venue for the Master Chef Competition in a little while.
Bak kut teh – 肉骨茶
Beef offal soup – 起牛肉牛杂汤
Crispy pancake – 酥脆韧性的饼
Cherry Blossom TLs 