Chapter Sixty: The Final Serenity

Two nights later.

The enthronement ceremony was something the kitchen staff of lower status had no right to witness, and Ming Tian had no desire to attend anyway. It was nothing more than a formality, putting the crown on Xiao Baojuan's head. However, word had it that Yu Nizi had already become the Crown Princess. According to the rumors, the one standing beside Xiao Baojuan was indeed Yu Nizi. And, just as history had recorded, Yu Nizi had changed her name to Pan Yunu. The next time Ming Tian met her, he would have to kneel and address her as Lady Pan.

Inside the residence, An Luo, who had spent two exhausting days slaughtering various fowl, had already fallen asleep. Ming Tian and Yin Chan were still busy with the final preparations for the cuisine. Zhao Ke's death had awakened Ming Tian to the reality that, even in ancient times, human malice and intrigue differed little from those of the modern era—perhaps, in fact, hearts were even more treacherous in the past. Especially men like Qian Shanduo, who would never repent unless cornered, and would instead become more reckless under pressure. It was like a robber facing overwhelming police force: their first reaction was to flee or fight back, not to surrender obediently. Moreover, Qian Shanduo still had enough power to resist.

For these reasons, Ming Tian was determined to win the competition with the finest cuisine, to avenge Zhao Ke.

The meticulously prepared Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was now in its final stage. All the jars had been removed, and the ingredients concentrated into four jars: seafood, fresh vegetables, land meats, and poultry. Tonight, they would simmer gently through the night. Tomorrow, at the grand competition, the final cooking would be completed, with the last ingredients added. By strictly following the order and timing, all these elements would be united into the true Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Lifting the lid from the seafood jar, Ming Tian found that the usual fishy odor was gone; instead, a mouthwatering aroma filled the air. Not a single seasoning had been added, yet the seafood broth, crafted step by step, possessed a remarkable richness! This fragrance surpassed any dish Ming Tian had ever made. And this was only one quarter of the semi-finished product of the downgraded delicacy version.

Once the dish was complete, its flavor would be magnified dozens of times.

“How does it taste?” Ming Tian asked Yin Chan to try a spoonful.

Yin Chan sipped gently. Her eternally expressionless face changed in an instant. “This… this flavor…”

“What’s wrong?” Ming Tian worried it might be terrible. Though he remembered the downgraded recipe, this was his first attempt.

“No…” Yin Chan set down the spoon, leaning weakly against the jar, breathing heavily as if just recovering from a grave illness. “It’s too delicious! I’ve never tasted anything so exquisite—the flavor seems to condense the entire ocean into this soup. Are you sure this is only the semi-finished product?”

“Yes, it’s just the seafood portion,” Ming Tian replied, feeling reassured by her reaction.

Yin Chan had eaten many of Ming Tian’s dishes, ever since their departure from Sumen Town. He had been responsible for the meals during their journey through wilderness. Yet Yin Chan had never praised his cooking so highly. Now, with the seafood segment of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall alone, her praise meant Ming Tian knew he was halfway to success.

Any one of these four jars, even served alone, would be a dish rivaling the highest standards of gold medal chefs!

“That’s enough for tonight. By the way, did you finish what I asked you to prepare?”

He replaced the lid, his tone uncharacteristically serious, not joking at all. Zhao Ke’s death had robbed him of any lightheartedness.

“You mean the wok? It’s ready. I also made you a pair of spatulas. You know how hard it is to forge iron in these times, and there’s no polishing machine—I had to grind it all by hand.”

Yin Chan pulled the items out of her bundle.

The wok’s surface gleamed, paired with two shining spatulas. Ming Tian took the massive wok, finding it heavy yet manageable—the weight was precisely balanced. Most impressive was that, despite Yin Chan’s claim of hand-finishing, the wok surpassed even modern ones in craftsmanship. Its only flaw was the unpolished, uneven, and charred base due to lack of machinery, making it less visually appealing. Yin Chan’s skills, beyond her mastery of herbal medicine, were truly extraordinary.

With this wok, Ming Tian felt his chances were rock solid.

His mind now focused only on eliminating Qian Shanduo, joining forces with Wang Jingze to kill Xiao Baojuan, then escaping with Xiao Xinzhu to some remote place to spend their lives together. Grand ambitions no longer mattered.

But with Xiao Baojuan’s ascension and Yu Nizi’s coronation as empress, where was Xinzhu? And Wang Jingze had only said he wanted Ming Tian to poison Xiao Baojuan—but where was the poison?

Just as these questions troubled him, the door was suddenly pushed open from outside.

Speak of the devil: Wang Jingze himself entered.

The stout middle-aged man strode in, nose held high, mouth watering as he asked, “Wow, Brother Ming Tian, what are you cooking? It smells amazing! I caught the scent a hundred paces away.”

Since the explosion that had knocked Ming Tian out, he had not seen Wang Jingze. Though Ming Tian felt little affection for him, he was grateful in principle. Without Wang Jingze, he would never have had the chance to save Xiao Xinzhu—he would have been powerless as the emperor claimed her, with no hope of resistance. So, regardless of feelings, he owed Wang Jingze his cooperation.

“Marshal Wang, what brings you here at this hour?” Ming Tian summoned what little ancient etiquette he remembered to form a respectful greeting.

Wang Jingze wasted no time, pulling a small wooden box from his sleeve. “Ah, nothing important—just wanted to deliver this to you.”

Ming Tian carefully opened the box, which fit between two fingers. Inside was a small lump of blood-red powder.

“This is…”

“My friend from the Western Regions specially prepared this ‘Love Bean Poison’ for today’s plan,” Wang Jingze smiled. “Though it’s red, it dissolves in soup without color or flavor. Even silver chopsticks cannot detect it. There’s no reaction after drinking; three hours later, the victim dies, and no medicine in the world can cure it. Tonight, I’ll mobilize my troops. Once Xiao Baojuan eats it tomorrow, I’ll storm the imperial city. All you need to do is hide. When my great task is accomplished, I’ll see you safely out of the palace.”

Ming Tian’s eye twitched.

He claimed it was nothing important, but this was a matter of life and death! Never mind, Ming Tian had no energy for sarcasm.

“And what about Xinzhu?” Ming Tian pocketed the poison, his attention drawn to his greatest concern.

“She’s fine. She’s been removed from her position as Crown Princess and is now handling affairs in the rear palace. After tomorrow’s competition, I’ll arrange for you to meet her.”

“I see. Thank you, Marshal Wang.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Very well. Safe travels.”

Their brief conversation ended there. Ming Tian watched Wang Jingze depart, feeling a flicker of joy in his heart.

All these troubles were finally reaching their end. Tomorrow, victory in the competition would mean freedom with Xiao Xinzhu.

“Is this poison really so lethal?” Ming Tian took out the wooden box, handing it to Yin Chan, whose knowledge of medicinal herbs was unparalleled.

Yin Chan, her face as unreadable as ever, glanced at it and replied calmly, “Yes, it’s powder made from love beans, mixed with a bit of ghost-cut grass to delay the effect. Very potent.”

The technical jargon left Ming Tian baffled, barely understanding a word, but he was awed by her expertise.

“Is it stronger than arsenic?” Ming Tian asked, curious and cautious.

This was a matter of life and death—no room for error.

Yin Chan’s answer was unequivocal. She closed the box, placing it carefully on the table, as though it were not poison but a nuclear device.

“Arsenic is nothing; even cyanide pales in comparison. Love beans may sound pretty, but they’re among the deadliest fruits in the world, with both coagulating and paralytic toxins. If you could distribute it evenly, this tiny two or three gram lump could kill everyone in Jiankang. Be careful not to spill it, and never inhale its fumes—even a hundred lives wouldn’t save you. Just opening the box to look was extremely dangerous.”

“Damn, that’s terrifying!”

Ming Tian shuddered, hoping he hadn’t poisoned himself just by opening the box.

Gazing at the small container, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

The end was finally in sight!

Outside...

Wang Jingze strolled under the moonlight, in high spirits. After leaving Ming Tian’s residence and walking through a narrow alley, he paused.

“Princess, come out. Everything’s arranged on Ming Tian’s end.”

At his call, Xiao Xinzhu, clad in a delicate gauze robe, stepped lightly from the shadows.

“Thank you, Marshal Wang, for not telling Ming Tian I am already out,” she said.

She was as gentle and lovely as ever; beneath the moon, her crimson eyes and silvery hair shone with ethereal beauty. She might not match Lady Pan in splendor, but she was a peerless beauty nonetheless. And in the moonlight, Xiao Xinzhu’s allure seemed to outshine the stars themselves.

Wang Jingze glanced at her, turning his head aside. “It was nothing. Just a small favor. Ming Tian and I are allies—it’s the least I could do. But Princess, you left the palace two days ago. Why haven’t you visited him?”

“Of course I want to see him,” Xiao Xinzhu replied, regret in her eyes. “He’s done so much for me, fought through pain and hardship. Tomorrow is his last battle—I can’t distract him now. It’s the least I can do.”

Wang Jingze was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.

“Ay, Princess, you’re so thoughtful. Looks like Brother Ming Tian is truly blessed.”

“Marshal Wang, you flatter me. I am but a helpless princess,” Xiao Xinzhu replied, glancing toward Ming Tian’s residence. Memories of the kiss they shared beneath the moon brought a blush to her cheeks.

Despite her longing, she turned away, her graceful figure drifting into the night.

This night would be the last calm before the storm.

…

Alright, next chapter will be the competition—please send some recommendation votes! Don’t forget to add this to your favorites if you haven’t. Many thanks from Xiao Wan!