The Gourmet Takes the Throne

Food + business management

While other people transmigrate and get caught up in palace intrigue or domestic power struggles, Su Qianqian wakes from a nap to find herself bound to a workplace System, transmigrated from being a modern chef into a pitiful girl in an ancient brothel.

There is a fat pig waiting to be slaughtered in front of her. The madam smiles and says, "This girl is a beauty. I'm sure she'll satisfy you, sir."

Su Qianqian grips her spatula, and the mysterious power of the East awakens in an instant: When trouble comes, don't panic. Fry something first!

And so the story takes a completely different turn: the leading courtesan becomes a chef, and the brothel is turned into a restaurant. Steamed, pan-fried, deep-fried, boiled, with aromas wafting for miles. Stinky tofu with river-snail rice noodles, beef hot pot. There's nothing she can't make, if you can think of it!

The noble ladies from great families go wild for it: "These low-sugar pastries are the best! After eating, I can still ask for three more male companions!"

The prestigious young masters spend money like water: "With this spicy, savory flavor, anything less than ten bowls of rice would be an insult to the chef's skills!"

Even the beggars by the roadside cry out: "Miss Su! Could I have a bowl of soup? It smells so good I haven't slept in three days!"

Su Qianqian counts money until her hands ache. All she wants is to buy her freedom and live on her own terms, but she accidentally gets on the wrong side of Ji Yunshen, the regent of the current dynasty.

The man is cold and aloof, his whereabouts mysterious. Every day, he either makes sarcastic remarks or suddenly appears at her kitchen door.

She breaks down. "Your Highness! I sell my skills, not my life. Looking at your face every day is going to take years off my life!"

Ji Yunshen casually tosses her a stack of memorials. "Money or your life. Pick one."

Su Qianqian: "...This servant swears to serve you to the death. I'll climb mountains of blades and cross seas of fire. I'll make sure you're satisfied."

She thought she could use a spatula to fry up a prosperous future, but never imagined she'd already been caught up in a turbulent political power struggle.

It isn't until an imperial edict summons her to the palace that the cold-faced prince finally reveals his true identity. The two stare at each other.

Su Qianqian: "Would it have killed you to tell me you were the regent?!"

Ji Yunshen: "You didn't ask."

The imperial palace is full of danger, and the emperor's moods are unpredictable. Su Qianqian grips her spatula again:

A diet meal? Coming right up!

Group dancing? I'll lead!

Lotus pastries? Just a moment, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!

By accident, she becomes the darling of the entire harem. Yet one late night, she hugs her money pouch and dreams of going home. She opens her eyes, and she's still in ancient times.

The System finally shows up. "Sorry... I forgot to explain the conditions."

Su Qianqian bursts into tears and rushes back to Ji Yunshen. "Is it still in time to help you rebel?"

The man smiles, his lips curving. "At least you know what's good for you."

Theme: Use knowledge of food to make a comeback