The Blind-Box Chef Girl of Chang'an

[Upcoming: Three Rebirths Later, I Made a Move Against the Emperor; Who Says a Healer Can't Carry the Whole Team? [Esports]. Find them in my author column. Please add them to your favorites!]

Blurb:

As the holder of a Level One Chef certificate, Tan Xunian was determined to become the best cook among magicians. But before she could realize her dream, an accident during a performance sent her into a burning building.

Just as she thought she wouldn't survive another three seconds, a figure in black robes descended from above and rescued her from the flames.

Tan Xunian fell for him at first sight and set herself the goal of winning this aloof beauty over. She would keep him supplied with three meals a day. After all, capturing his stomach meant capturing half his heart.

What? He's the General Who Guards the Nation? Their statuses don't match?

So what? If her status isn't enough, money will make up the difference. It was time to pick up her old trade again.

What if the restaurant went bankrupt? She could still turn the tide and work miracles!

A blind-box System appeared, offering random dishes. What you ate depended entirely on your luck.

Braised pork, three-cup chicken, prawns, crab, giant squid, burgers, cola, iced milk tea... There was nothing it couldn't make, as long as you could think of it!

Tan Xunian: There are always more solutions than problems. Chang'an's richest person, here I come!

Yu Xuan, son of Grand Commandant Yu, had earned outstanding military merit at a young age. The emperor personally appointed him General Who Guards the Nation, and everyone praised his reputation. But no one knew that he had no sense of taste.

Yu Xuan had thought he'd never taste good food again in his life, until he happened to rescue a woman and tasted the dishes she'd made.

Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors returned to his palate, and the temptation of delicious food drew him closer without his realizing it.

But why were there always so many people around her? Why couldn't he be the only one who got to eat her cooking?

If that was how things were, then he'd just have to marry her and bring her home.

P.S. 1. The early part of the story focuses more on everyday life among the people; the later part involves court intrigue.

2. The recipes and magic performances in this story are based on Baidu and short videos.

3. This story includes some authorial liberties. I hope you enjoy it.

Upcoming: Three Rebirths Later, I Made a Move Against the Emperor. Please add it to your favorites!

Blurb:

Le Ran transmigrated into a book, becoming the second daughter of the Minister of Rites.

Her elder sister was the original heroine, a clever and courageous woman. Her brother-in-law was the heir of the Marquis of Zhen'an, a celebrated general who would one day ascend the throne as emperor.

Her future should have been bright.

If... the battered, dying heroine hadn't been lying at her feet.

Le Ran: ...

Is it too late to run away?

[Ding! The Rebirth System has been activated. Would you like to change the point in time and alter your fate?]

Le Ran's eyes lit up. What a deal!

Returning to the point where the conflict began, Le Ran decided to turn over a new leaf, cling to the male and female leads, start behaving herself, and lie flat on her way to the peak of life.

But just as her plan was getting underway, she received an imperial decree ordering the tyrant to take her into the palace as his concubine?

Recalling the original book's descriptions of his cruelty, and her fate of being torn apart by five horses as the dynasty changed, Le Ran stared at the decree in her hands and fell silent: ...

This doesn't seem right. Again!

Back in time once more, Le Ran resolved to disappear among the common people, help the sick, save lives, and stay far away from the turmoil of the court.

But the tyrant fell ill. Why was she the one he found instead of the Imperial Medical Bureau?

Le Ran: Don't get mad. Can't I just try again?

But on the third try...

Why? Why was she taken straight into the palace as soon as she returned?

Le Ran looked at the tyrant on the dragon throne, whose face she knew all too well, and gritted her teeth.

You rotten emperor. If you show me no mercy, don't expect any from me.

That night, Le Ran carried a bowl of medicine laced with something and smiled as she personally brought it before the emperor.

"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine."

Mu Zhao took the porcelain bowl, then poured the medicine out completely.

Le Ran: There's plenty of time. I refuse to believe I can't deal with you!

A little scene:

Le Ran: Your Majesty, it's getting late. You should eat.

Inner thoughts: Go on, eat up. Once you finish, you can die of old age.

Mu Zhao: Ran'er, you've worked hard today. Why not sit down and dine with me?

Inner thoughts: You want to poison me? Not so fast.

They smiled at each other, then simultaneously tipped over every dish.

Hah. What a sly old fox.

Theme: Keep working to overcome difficulties, and you'll eventually catch a glimpse of the light.