After returning to the imperial kitchen, I locked myself in the small kitchen and began trying again and again.

The table was filled with various ingredients: snow lotus petals, plum blossoms, white fungus, lotus seeds, and everything else I could think of that might be useful. After every failure, I would pour out the soup and start over.


"Failed again..." I couldn't help but sigh as I looked at the bowl of oddly colored soup in front of me.

This was already the seventh attempt. No matter how I adjusted the recipe, the soup always seemed to lack something essential. While it wasn't unpleasant to taste, it just didn't have that soul-stirring quality.

Jade peeked in quietly, "Feng Lin, you've been at it all day. Why not take a break?"


"No, I must succeed," I shook my head and started preparing new ingredients.

But even as I said this, doubts began to creep into my mind. Maybe I was oversimplifying things? Trying to recreate a lost imperial soup with just a few fragmented clues seemed too naive.


Yet, whenever I thought of the Empress Dowager's longing gaze, I told myself I couldn't give up.

"There must be something I'm missing..." I pondered in my heart while preparing the ingredients.

This time, I decided to re-examine the entire approach to making the dish. Previously, I had been focusing on the pairing of ingredients, but now I think maybe the issue isn’t there.

I took out the book "Chronicles of Southern Chu" again and carefully studied the incomplete text.

"Falling Snow Seeks Plum Soup, the pinnacle of Southern Chu’s winter cuisine..."

The pinnacle of winter cuisine? This suggests that this soup holds a very high status in Southern Chu's winter dishes. So, it must not be just a simple floral tea; there must be a deeper meaning.

I closed my eyes and tried to imagine a winter scene in Southern Chu. Snowflakes falling, plum blossoms blooming, and a little girl (the young Empress Dowager) drinking hot soup in a warm room...

What should that feeling be like?

Warmth, sweetness, and the taste of home.

Wait, the taste of home!

I suddenly realized that I had been obsessing over those noble ingredients, but what truly touches the heart is often the simplest, homely flavors!

Although snow lotus petals are precious, what truly matters to a child is that familiar, warm feeling.

I reconsidered the phrase "Falling Snow Seeking Plum."

Falling snow... falling snow...

If it doesn't refer to snow lotus petals, then what could it be?

I remember when I was a child, my mother would always make radish soup for me in winter. The white radish, shredded and boiled until soft in hot water, had a fresh, sweet taste as pure as snowflakes.

Wait! Could "falling snow" actually refer to radish?

Ground white radish, snow-white in color with a refreshing sweetness, perfectly matches the imagery of "falling snow"!

Then what about "seeking plum"?

I’ve always used fresh plum stamens before, but the results weren’t ideal. Could it mean I should use another form?

I recalled the various medicinal herbs I had seen in the imperial pharmacy, among which were dried plum blossom petals. Those plum blossoms, tempered by time, had a more restrained and profound fragrance, much like memories buried deep in the heart.

"That's it!" I exclaimed excitedly, jumping up.

The so-called "Snowfall Plum Soup" is essentially the refreshing sweetness of radish paste paired with the subtle aroma of dried plum blossom petals! It is both simple and elegant, satisfying the stomach while soothing the soul!

I quickly began preparing new ingredients.

I selected the freshest white radishes, washed them carefully, and grated them into a smooth paste. Then, I retrieved my treasured dried plum blossom petals from my small medicine chest—these were specially made when I collected plum blossoms earlier, and now they came in handy.

This time, I worked with extra care.

First, simmer the mashed radish over low heat to allow its sweetness to fully release. Then, just before the soup is ready, add a few slices of dried plum blossom petals, letting their subtle fragrance slowly seep into the soup.

During the cooking process, the kitchen was filled with a peculiar aroma. There was the fresh sweetness of radish and the elegant fragrance of plum blossoms, blending together to create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere.

I couldn't resist taking a small sip.

Wow!

This feeling... how should I put it? It was like the warmth of a winter afternoon sun shining on my face—comforting and peaceful. The sweetness of the mashed radish slowly melted on my tongue, followed by the lingering fragrance of plum blossoms in my mouth. The layers of flavor were simply exquisite!

More importantly, this soup gave off a feeling of "home." Not the grandeur of a palace, but the simplest, warmest taste of family.

"Great! This time it must be a success!" I was so excited that I almost jumped up.

Carefully, I ladled the soup into an exquisite white porcelain bowl, gently sprinkling a few fresh plum blossom petals on the surface as garnish. From the outside, the soup indeed looked quite plain, without any extravagant presentation, but it was precisely the elegance within this simplicity that was its greatest charm.

"Fenglin, have you finally finished?" Jade peeked in, "It smells amazing! Is this that lost recipe soup?"

"Yes, it should be." I nodded, though I still felt somewhat uneasy, "I hope the Empress Dowager will like it."

Carrying this bowl of "Snowfall Plum Blossom Soup," I made my way toward Cining Palace.

Along the way, I carefully protected the bowl, fearing even a single drop would spill. After all, this was the result of an entire day's effort!

Arriving at Cining Palace, Mother Ruyi saw me again and showed a surprised expression on her face: "Miss Fenglin, you are..."

I softly said, "I brought a soup for the Empress Dowager, hoping she would taste it."

Mother Ruyi looked at the soup bowl in my hand, hesitating: "But Her Majesty hasn't been willing to eat these days..."

"Let her try," I insisted, "Maybe this time will be different."

Mother Ruyi sighed and took me into the inner chamber.

The Empress Dowager was still lying in bed, her face pale and her eyes empty as she stared at the ceiling.

"Your Majesty, Fenglin has come to see you again," Mother Ruyi whispered.

The Empress Dowager slowly turned her head, and when she saw the soup bowl in my hand, a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes: "Soup again? I said I don't want to eat..."

Before she could finish, she suddenly stopped.

I saw her nose twitch slightly a few times, and her gaze became more focused.

"This smell..." the Empress Dowager's voice trembled slightly.

She slowly sat up, extending a slightly trembling hand, signaling me to pass her the soup bowl.

I carefully placed the soup bowl into her hands.

The Empress Dowager cupped the soup bowl with both hands, gently inhaling the aroma of the broth. Immediately after, I witnessed a scene I would never forget—the dignified Empress Dowager, tears silently streaming down her face.

"This is... this is..." Her voice choked up, "How is this possible..."

With trembling hands, she lifted the soup bowl and cautiously took a small sip.

At the very moment the soup entered her mouth, the Empress Dowager's entire expression transformed. The once vacant eyes reignited with a spark, and her haggard face seemed to shed years, as if rejuvenated by decades.

"Mother... Mother..." she whispered softly, tears streaming down her face, "Elara misses you..."

Elara? That must be the Empress Dowager's childhood name.

I stood quietly to the side, not daring to disturb this sacred moment. Through the Empress Dowager's expression, I could almost see a little girl named Elara sitting on the warm kang in her hometown, holding a bowl of steaming soup in her hands, while snowflakes fluttered outside and the room was as warm as spring...

The Empress Dowager finished the soup sip by sip, marking the first time she had eaten voluntarily in days.

"Child," she looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude, "this soup... how did you make it?"

I briefly explained the process of researching and experimenting repeatedly, of course, without mentioning Starson's assistance.

After listening, the Empress Dowager nodded: "You are right. The essence of the 'Luoxue Xunmei Soup' does indeed lie in the combination of radish mash and plum blossoms. My mother often made this soup for me in the past. Back then, the winters in Southern Chu were particularly cold, and a bowl of hot soup would warm me up thoroughly."

She paused and continued: "Later, after entering the palace, even though there were all kinds of delicacies, I never tasted that flavor again. I thought I would never be able to experience it again in this lifetime..."

"Empress Dowager, how do you feel now?" I asked with concern.

The Empress Dowager smiled, and it was the first time I had seen her smile from the heart: "Much better, truly much better. This soup not only warmed my stomach but also warmed my heart."

She gestured for Mother Ruyi to come over: "Prepare some plain porridge and side dishes. I am hungry."

Mother Ruyi tearfully replied, her eyes brimming with emotion: "Yes! This old servant will go and prepare it right away!"

Seeing the Empress Dowager regain her interest in life, the heavy stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.

"Feng Lin," the Empress Dowager called out to me as I was about to take my leave, "come here."

I walked over to her side and stood respectfully, waiting for her words.

The Empress Dowager took a delicate brocade pouch from under her pillow and retrieved a warm, smooth jade pendant. The pendant was exquisitely carved, depicting a graceful dancing lady, and was clearly made of the finest jade.

"This is something I brought from the Southern Chu Kingdom," the Empress Dowager placed the jade pendant in my hand. "It represents the identity of the Southern Chu royal family and is one of my most treasured possessions. Now, I am giving it to you, hoping it will protect you and keep you safe."

I hurriedly declined, "Empress Dowager, this is too precious. I cannot accept it..."

"Accept it," the Empress Dowager's tone brooked no refusal, "Not only have you cured my illness today, but more importantly, you have restored my courage to live. This jade pendant is a token of my goodwill."

I carefully received the pendant, feeling its warm, smooth texture. It was not merely a precious ornament but also a symbol of the Empress Dowager's recognition and protection.

"Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager!" I bowed respectfully.

By the time I left the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, dusk had fallen. The setting sun dyed the entire palace in golden hues.

As I walked back to the imperial kitchen, I felt a sense of relief. Today’s experience strengthened my belief that food indeed possesses a magical power to heal the heart. As long as one puts their heart into it, they can always find that soul-touching flavor.

However, I didn’t notice that from a pavilion not far from the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, a figure was gloomily watching my retreating back.

It was Noble Consort Lewis.

Her hands tightly gripped the railing, her knuckles turning white.

"A lowly palace kitchen maid, yet she has gained the favor of the Empress Dowager..." she said through gritted teeth, "Even the jade pendant of the Southern Chu royal family was gifted to her... This Fenglin has become a threat."

Behind her, Chuntao whispered, "Your Highness, should we..."

"No rush," Noble Consort Lewis's eyes flickered with a venomous gleam, "Let her enjoy her triumph for a few more days. The higher she climbs, the harder she will fall."

Meanwhile, I was completely unaware that I had already been targeted. I was simply happily caressing the warm jade pendant, thinking about what delicious dish I would prepare for the Empress Dowager tomorrow to help nourish her health.