Dawn, End of the Tiger Hour (Around 5 AM)
The sky in the southeast gradually began to brighten, and the chickens kept in the backyard of the kitchen started to cluck.
The palace ladies, responsible for preparing the morning meal, began arriving in the kitchen in a procession. They peered into the kitchen, sharing a malicious laugh, as they realized that with everything in such disarray, it would have been impossible to prepare any medicine. However, they were left stunned when they saw the scene inside.
“Ah.”
A young woman, who had been inside, turned towards the sound of the gate opening.
Her recently undone silver hair spread out gracefully, still echoing the aftereffects of a sword dance.
“Good morning, everyone.”
The kitchen was completely spotless, with not even a trace of last night’s dishes, nor any sign of preparation. The women’s gazes shifted as they noticed the significantly reduced ingredients and several pots filled to the brim.
“Thank you for allowing me to use the kitchen. I’ll take my leave now. As for the morning meal, please prepare it this morning.”
She removed her apron and left the room, her departure bright and cheerful.
The remaining palace ladies crowded around the pots and murmured in amazement.
“No way! All of this food, made in just one night?”
“Not to mention, all the dishes are already done. What kind of trickery did she use?”
“…Hey, let’s just dump the contents of the pots.”
As one of the ladies reached out toward the pot, an older woman grabbed her arm.
“Stop that.”
“…! Lady Head of the Kitchen?”
The Head of the Kitchen was the highest-ranking official in the kitchen.
The lady’s shoulders jerked in surprise as she hastily withdrew her hand from the pot.
“If you look at this bone broth, you’ll understand. To throw away something that was cooked with such dedication would be a disgrace to the Imperial Kitchen.”
The bone broth, made by simmering quail with bones, grows more delicious and milky the longer it is cooked, as the marrow melts into the liquid. Yet, this particular pot was as white as the full moon, without any sign of cloudiness. Such a result couldn’t have been achieved by merely simmering it.
It must have required careful attention to detail, carefully skimming away the bitterness that rises during the cooking process, while leaving behind the richness that adds depth to the flavor, simmering it at just the right temperature for an entire night.
It wasn’t just the bone broth.
The other dishes and preparations were equally impressive.
The Head of the Kitchen let out an admiring sigh.
To create all of this on one’s own—such a feat was beyond imagination.
In the arts, whether it be dance or painting, there is a certain depth that only those who have dedicated themselves can truly understand. The other palace ladies lowered their heads, acknowledging their complete defeat.
“Well then, get started on preparing the morning meal.”
With a few claps, the Head of the Kitchen signaled the start of the morning routine in the kitchen, as if nothing unusual had happened.
