It was in Chengtai Hall of the Palace.

"What are you saying?"

Instantly infuriated by Gu Yunxi's attitude of contempt, Sakata Aki turned his head in anger with his face burning like a hot iron. Then he replied rudely in blunt Central Plains Mandarin.

"Please respect the food culture and respect your opponents. If you want to withdraw from the game due to fear, I can ask the General to agree with you. But you can't insult me with a woman!"

All the people of Da Yi were amazed on the spot.

The interpreter of Ying State looked up and down at those with dumb expressions and smiled arrogantly.

"So, do you think that only the officials of Da Yi understand our language? Mr. Sakata can understand everything you say clearly."

"Therefore, you should respond to his request and quickly call the real imperial chefs."

Huanan Xin's patience had reached its limit. He held his forehead with one hand with narrow eyes showing the cold and fierce light. Then he made a wink to Liang Zhen quietly.

Eunuch Superintendent was aware and threatened Sakata Aki in a deep voice.

"How dare you! In front of the Son of Heaven, how can you roar and lose your manners?"

Yuancang turned his head and said something to Sakata Aki in a determined tone.

Sakata Aki suddenly became quiet and stood there, lowering his head.

When he lifted his head again, the anger and shame on his fair-skinned face were intertwined, and his face was red.

Staring at Gu Yunxi with unwillingness and hatred, the man turned around angrily and walked out of the hall quickly.

The interpreter interpreted the General's words.

"I'm very sorry. Mr. Sakata is young and vigorous. Sorry for showing his ignorance."

"However, in order for the competition to proceed, I hope that Your Majesty will consider his request and change the male imperial chefs to compete with him."

Stroking the corners of his eyebrows with fingertips, Huanan Xin let Wang Can interpret.

"The Emperor's words are to be taken seriously. Since I have chosen Concubine Yun as the chef of the competition, I will not change my mind."

"I am afraid that Mr. Sakata has misunderstood that. Concubine Yun is my favorite concubine, and her mother was originally the chief cook in Concubinary Kitchen of the Palace."

"Today, I order my beloved woman to compete with the imperial chef of your country, which shows that I attach importance to the envoys and this food competition."

Yuancang's determined look was like a receding tide and became much calmer.

Eventually, he nodded firmly and agreed.

…

With permission, Gu Yunxi left Chengtai Hall and walked slowly towards Jingyang Palace.

With deep affection, Zhiqi supported Gu Yunxi all the way and exhorted.

"Your Grace, you have just stood for a long time. Wait in the shade for a while. I will ask someone to go back to Jingyang Palace and bring a sedan."

Gu Yunxi smiled gently.

"No, I'm not tired. It's neither hot nor cold these days. It's a good time to walk around."

Xiuyu, following them aside, said indignantly.

"I was too angry in Chengtai Hall just now. That man actually looked down on Her Grace and refused to compete with us."

"Well..."

Gu Yunxi crossed her hands into the wide sleeves of the social dress and said casually.

"This contest itself is thankless. If it hadn’t been for His Majesty coming to ask me, I would have been carefree."

"But now Sakata dares to openly despise me in public. I have to compete against him."

"Otherwise, if the news is spread out and there is no result, I'll be laughed at by the imperial harem."

"Yes, Your Grace. That makes sense."

"We support you!"

As they talked and walked, Xiuyu raised her head and suddenly saw people of Ying State blocking at the front of the palace road.

"Oh my God!" With a hint of timidity surging into her heart, Xiuyu screamed and covered her mouth. She stammered.

"I... In the future, I dare not talk about people casually in the daytime."

Gu Yunxi was calm without fear.

Gracefully stepping forward, she smiled plainly.

"Is Mr. Sakata waiting for me?"

He could speak Central Plains Mandarin, so there would be no obstacle to communication.

Sakata Aki's handsome facial features were as solid as ice. He walked around Gu Yunxi with his arms crossed and then stopped in front of her.

"Lady, you are very clever, but your guts will kill you."

Gu Yunxi smiled calmly, "Sir, please speak freely."

"Do you know what this culinary contest between us means?"

He suddenly widened his narrow long eyes. The sharp gaze locked on the woman's beautiful face as quietly as water, and Sakata Aki continued to speak Central Plains Mandarin disfluently.

"The competition is divided into three sessions with nine dishes. If you lose completely, you are likely to die in your country. I don't hope that the first person who dies because of me is a woman like you."

Gu Yunxi looked calmly, bravely looking at the man's bright eyes. A cunning light flashed in her eyes.

"How can you be so sure that you will definitely win me, sir?"

Sakata Aki did not answer. He looked at Gu Yunxi's delicate crown and graceful hair accessory with his pair of black eyes. Looking down gradually, he stared at her gorgeous social dress and said coldly.

"What can a woman do? If you don't want to die, go home and feed your child."

"How dare you!"

Zhiqi was so angry that her face turned blue. Then she blurted out.

Gu Yunxi didn't change her face and was dismissive of the man's contempt.

"Mr. Sakata, you said that food culture should be respected in Chengtai Hall. Then, you should understand that everyone who knows how to make food should be respected."

"I'm a woman, so you look down on me. However, food culture has no borders, and there is no difference between men and women in the makers of food."

"I now formally request you to let me be your opponent in the first session. If I lose, I will immediately ask His Majesty to send another imperial chef to compete with you."

At such a moment, Sakata Aki was completely dumbfounded. He only looked at the woman in a daze and sent her away.

Her graceful back was cast in the golden sun, and the lines were so clear and proud conspicuously.

He looked aside and smiled playfully. Sakata Aki sighed with emotion in Ying language.

"A stubborn woman is the most beautiful..."

―

It was darker little by little. In front of the bright lights, Zhiqi carefully put on the evening makeup for Gu Yunxi carefully.

Later they were about to go to the Imperial Garden for the dinner party. Gu Yunxi had long taken off the golden silk crown on her head and her social dress in Jingyang Palace. She put on a golden red silk-woven begonia coat after bathing, with a dark flower cluster dress.

The neckline, sleeves, placket, and flower branches on the dress were woven with gold and silver thread twisted rice-sized beads. The pattern was exquisite and complex.

Lei, the Chief Eunuch, bowed and reported orderly on Gu Yunxi's side.

"The news comes that Ruiji has entered the Palace successfully and is making up on the back stage of the troupe in the Imperial Garden."

"The Pavilion of Good Omens has also been arranged. When Concubine Liang walks into a trap, she will be taken down immediately."

Gu Yunxi casually played with a golden hairpin and smiled.

"It's really good. Tonight, the Palace will witness a good drama. I'm really looking forward to it."

Lei blinked twice.

"Your Grace, one more thing."

"Just say."

"The Ninth Prince, His Highness, will meet you on the second floor of Book Hall after the second firework at about 7 p.m."

Book Hall was Zhanxing Tower built for High Priest, Yu Xuanji, during the reign of Emperor Jingxiao.

The building was abolished after Huanan Xin succeeded to the throne, but it was not completely demolished because the Emperor was grateful for its magnificent architectural craftsmanship. It was only used as a collection of some old books and was renamed "Book Hall".

Due to the taboo that High Priest corrupted politics, few people passed by the building, and it was very secluded.

Zhiqi stopped and snickered.

"It seems that I'm going to change a hairstyle that is not too complicated for you."

Gu Yunxi's cheeks were burning red, but her heart was sweet. Reluctant to admit that, she threw the hairpin on the makeup table and got in a rage.

"No, I won't go there!"

Lei smiled behind her and coaxed.

"Oh, Your Grace, you just go. You and the Ninth Prince have been angry for a long time. He has taken the initiative. Give him a chance."

Gu Yunxi turned back, threw a golden hairpin over, and scolded with laughter.

"Good. Tell me the truth. How much benefit have you received from him? You dare to gossip about your master here!"

…