The emperor is a tyrant who has killed countless people.
When Consort Zhao accidentally witnessed the tyrant killing someone, she had already written her last words in her heart.
But the tyrant asked, "What is that smell on you?"
Trembling, Consort Zhao offered him the roujiamo she had just made that morning, hoping the tyrant wouldn't mind how ugly her hands were and chop off the hands she was so good at cooking with.
Instead of being killed to keep her quiet, she was promoted. From then on, she was favored day after day.
Everyone saw Consort Zhao in a new light. She was a ruthless woman who would risk her life just to win the emperor's favor.
Consort Zhao: You might not believe this, but we're just foodie buddies.
At first, the tyrant kept her around only because she was an undemanding cook whose food eased his headaches.
Later, the little cook found her way into his heart. He worried she might be cold, or hot, or battered by storms, or chilled by frost. If she so much as coughed, he would tremble all over.
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