Lan Qi, an unremarkable palace maid in Zhongcui Palace, is swept into a courtly storm after the death of Empress Hesheli. In the shadow of the Empress's death in childbirth, Lady Bu gives birth to a princess. Lan Qi is sent to Qianqing Palace to deliver the good news, but gets lost and unexpectedly encounters a mysterious old eunuch. He teaches her a long-lost imperial dish, Jadeite and White Jade Soup. The soup not only eases Emperor Kangxi's grief, but also allows Lan Qi to stand out in the Imperial Kitchen.
As time passes, Lan Qi wins the Emperor's favor with her talent and kindness, becoming the palace's celebrated cook. She recreates Phoenix-Tail Shark Fin, Empress Hesheli's favorite dish, and earns everyone's respect in the court's rivalries with one exquisite dish after another. But the palace is subject to constant upheaval, and jealousy and political scheming never cease. Lan Qi must find a way to survive amid it all. Her story, like the dishes she creates, is full of color and flavor, becoming a legend within the Forbidden City.
