Famous in the Capital for My Secret Recipes, the Phoenix Seal Has Arrived!

Yao Chengcheng, a modern culinary expert, transmigrates into a novel titled The Disabled Prince’s Palm Darling just before a fatal car accident. She finds herself in the body of a cannon fodder palace maid candidate, one of hundreds selected for Prince Regent Fu Yuanzheng. In the original story, these candidates are executed for minor offenses, but Yao Chengcheng remembers the plot and knows she must survive. The Prince Regent is feared for his cruel temperament, severe bipolar disorder, and disfigured face, which he hides behind a mask. When the selection begins, candidates scream in terror upon seeing him, but Yao Chengcheng keeps her eyes closed, claiming she saw nothing. Her quick thinking intrigues Fu Yuanzheng, who initially orders her dragged away but then allows her to stay after she offers to cook for him. She correctly diagnoses his low blood sugar and anorexia, offering almond tofu as a remedy. To her surprise, he eats it without vomiting, a first in years. This act saves her from execution and earns her a position as a kitchen maid in the Prince’s residence.

During her time in the kitchen, Yao Chengcheng discovers she has bound with a Gourmet Space System named Bobojii, which was intended for the novel’s female lead, Wen Yaoyao. The system allows her to sell dishes across different worlds in exchange for silver coins, which can be used to buy rare ingredients, modern seasonings, and eventually unlock a spatial dimension for farming. Yao Chengcheng uses the Prince’s ingredients to prepare meals for both him and the system, earning satisfaction points and income. Her culinary skills quickly impress Fu Yuanzheng, who has suffered from severe food aversion for years. She prepares a variety of dishes, including shepherd’s purse wontons, mountain-stewed lamb with flatbread, pearl milk tea, and Sichuan-style spicy dishes. Each meal is consumed by the Prince, marking a significant shift in his health and mood. The staff, initially skeptical, come to respect her, while rival cooks like Cook Kong harbor resentment but are unable to undermine her success.

Fu Yuanzheng remains suspicious of Yao Chengcheng’s true identity and motives, suspecting she may be a spy sent by political rivals. He orders his subordinate Anying to investigate her background. The investigation reveals that Yao Chengcheng is the second daughter of a minor seventh-rank official, born to a concubine, and has a strained relationship with her family. Despite the rumors that she was selected as a consort, Fu Yuanzheng clarifies that she is merely a cook. Prince Rong’an, the third prince, visits and inquires about the rumored beauty who caught the Prince Regent’s eye, adding political tension to the situation. Yao Chengcheng’s casual remarks about the Prince’s recovery and her blunt honesty further confuse Fu Yuanzheng, who finds her behavior unlike any other servant or spy he has encountered.

As Yao Chengcheng continues to cook for Fu Yuanzheng, she notices his physical and emotional state improving. She learns that his food aversion is a chronic condition that has left him isolated and bitter. Her warm, chatty demeanor and genuine care for his well-being begin to break down his defenses. When an imperial physician declares that his leg injury is incurable, Yao Chengcheng boldly insists he will recover, a statement that surprises even her. She prepares egg tarts and other desserts to lift his spirits, showing empathy for his pain. The narrative follows her efforts to navigate the dangerous political landscape of the Prince’s residence while using her system to secure her future. She aims to earn enough wealth to live independently, avoiding the fate of becoming a concubine. Her journey is marked by culinary creativity, strategic survival, and the gradual, unexpected connection forming with the guarded Prince Regent.

The story highlights Yao Chengcheng’s adaptability and resourcefulness as she balances her dual roles as a palace cook and a system user. Her interactions with Fu Yuanzheng evolve from cautious experimentation to a tentative trust. The Prince, once resigned to his fate, finds himself looking forward to her meals and her company. The political intrigue surrounding him, including the interest of Prince Rong’an and the scrutiny of the Emperor, adds layers of danger to her position. Yao Chengcheng must remain vigilant while building her financial independence through the system. The narrative sets the stage for her deeper involvement in the Prince’s recovery and the unfolding political conflicts, as she becomes an integral part of his inner circle. Her culinary contributions serve not only as sustenance but as a bridge to healing both his body and his isolated heart.