The news of Qing Tian's elevation to Shan Meiren struck the palace like an unannounced typhoon.
It swept through every courtyard, every corridor, every whispered corner—fast, violent, unstoppable.
The shock it caused far surpassed any ordinary selection or promotion in recent memory.
"Did you hear? His Majesty promoted a kitchen maid to Meiren! And gave her the title 'Shan'!""A kitchen maid? From which palace? Changchun Palace's side kitchen?""What nonsense! She was from the Imperial Kitchen—lowest rank, a fire-tending girl! Her name's Qing Tian!""Qing Tian? Wasn't she the one who made noodles for His Majesty in the Imperial Garden? The one who spoke up for Chef Zhang?""That's her! Heaven above… one bowl of noodles in exchange for a consort's rank?""More than that! She's allowed her own private kitchen—and free access to the Imperial Kitchen!""This is madness! Since when do inner palace consorts mix with court kitchens?""Shh! Watch your tongue! His Majesty's intentions aren't for us to guess. Still… this Shan Meiren—she truly is one of a kind.""And Changchun Palace? Lady Liu must be furious."
As everyone predicted, Changchun Palace was already in chaos.
Shards of fine imperial porcelain littered the floor. The air was thick with fury, so dense it felt suffocating.
Consort Liu sat amid the wreckage, her chest heaving violently. Even her meticulously painted makeup could not conceal the iron-gray distortion of her face. She clenched her handkerchief so tightly her nails nearly tore through her palm.
"Shan Meiren…" she hissed through clenched teeth. "What a fine Shan Meiren indeed!"
"This is His Majesty telling the Six Palaces, plain and clear—he believes that wretched servant's lies and not mine! He has ground my dignity into the dirt!"
She flung the handkerchief to the floor.
"And that special permission—access to the Imperial Kitchen? Who does she think she is? A woman of the inner palace meddling in court affairs under the Inner Bureau—utterly absurd!"
Eunuch Lin Fu stood nearby, head bowed, voice careful."Your Grace, please calm yourself. Your health is paramount. His Majesty's move is… unexpected. But precisely because of that, we must remain patient."
"That Qing Tian has risen too fast. She has no foundation. With all eyes upon her, countless people are waiting for her to make a mistake—for her to fall."
"We need only wait."
"Wait?" Consort Liu let out a cold laugh, murderous intent flashing in her eyes. "I won't wait a single moment longer."
"That lowly wretch must be removed. Quickly. Cleanly. Completely."
Lin Fu bowed deeper, a dark glint passing through his gaze."Yes, Your Grace. This servant understands."
Elsewhere, reactions were far more restrained—yet no less revealing.
When Consort De heard the news, she was embroidering by the window. Her needle did not pause. She merely lifted her eyes slightly.
"A fortunate one," she said calmly to her attendant. "To earn such fate with a bowl of noodles and a few words—that is her capability."
Her tone held neither envy nor anger. But the phrase fortunate one carried a subtle weight—perhaps admiration, perhaps calculation.
Consort Xian closed the health manual in her hands, thoughtful."Shan Meiren… such a title would not be given lightly. If she truly understands nourishment and balance, perhaps I may consult her regarding my diet."
She saw opportunity.
And among the lowest-ranking palace servants—those who had once received small kindnesses from Qing Tian, a bowl of warming soup, a gentle word, or had only heard rumors of her fairness and courage—
A faint ripple spread.
If someone from the very bottom could climb so high…
Would this Shan Meiren be different from the others?
Would she remember them?
The hope was fragile, like a candle in the wind.
But it existed.
Qing Tian herself had no time to savor glory or fear the brewing storm.
The Inner Affairs Bureau moved swiftly, escorting her to Tingyu Pavilion.
Tucked into a quiet corner of the Western Six Palaces, Tingyu Pavilion was modest—a small, single-courtyard residence. Yet it was clean and elegant. A pomegranate tree stood in the yard, old but vigorous, fresh green buds sprouting along its branches.
The main hall had three rooms, flanked by side chambers. Beside the eastern wing was a small kitchen—not lavish, but fully equipped. The stove, cabinets, and utensils were all new, clearly arranged in haste, yet with care.
Two palace maids—Chun Tao and Xia He—and a young eunuch, Little Li Zi, waited in the courtyard. They were young, plain-faced, and visibly nervous as they bowed.
"This servant greets Meiren."
Qing Tian looked at them, then at this small domain that now belonged to her.
The sense of unreality lingered.
She pressed her fingers against the imperial edict hidden in her sleeve. Its cool weight grounded her.
"Rise," she said gently. "From today on, this is where we live together."
"I have few rules. Only this—be diligent, and be loyal. I will not treat you unfairly."
They responded in unison.
After sending them to familiarize themselves with the courtyard, Qing Tian entered the main room alone. She set the imperial decree on the table and gazed out the window.
The setting sun painted the sky in gold and crimson, bathing Tingyu Pavilion in warm light.
Everything had changed.
Her status.Her surroundings.Her position.
Yet she knew—this ascent came with cliffs on all sides.
Consort Liu would never let this go.The Six Palaces watched her every move.The Emperor's favor hovered above her like a blade—unpredictable, merciless.
Her goals remained unchanged.
To save Chef Zhang.To uncover the truth.To protect the Imperial Kitchen's belief—that food should honor life, not destroy it.
And to understand Emperor Tang Yi.
Why had he chosen this move?
Admiration?Calculation?A test?
Or something else entirely?
The road of Shan Meiren was paved with thorns and hidden blades.
But for the first time—
She was no longer merely enduring fate.
She had a space of her own.People she could shape into allies.A seat at the table—and a "special permission" that defied tradition.
She stepped into the small kitchen, fingers brushing the cool iron of the pot.
The familiar calm of food steadied her heart.
No matter what—
She was still Qing Tian.
The girl who believed that a full stomach eased bitterness.That honest flavors never lie.And neither do good people.
From here.
From this kitchen.
From the position of Shan Meiren—
She would walk forward.
One step at a time.