The Millennium Feast has finally begun.

As I gazed upon the resplendent banquet hall before me, I couldn't help but admit that this was indeed the most luxurious scene I had ever witnessed. Hundreds of crystal palace lanterns hung from the three-zhang-high hall, illuminating the space as brightly as daylight. At the center of the hall stood over a dozen rosewood tables, each draped with gold-threaded tablecloths and adorned with exquisite tableware.


"Wow, this is way too extravagant..." I silently complained in my heart while following my colleagues from the kitchen in a single file.

As the chef responsible for the specialty dishes, I was stationed near the main table, allowing me to closely observe the guests' reactions. This position gave me a clear view of the emperor's expression and, of course, the hypocritical smile on Noble Consort Lewis's face.

"My beloved ministers, tonight marks the 15th anniversary of my accession to the throne. Celebrating this joyous occasion with all of you is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures!" The emperor raised his wine cup and proclaimed in a resounding voice.


"Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long may you reign!" All the ministers present shouted in unison, their voices resounding powerfully.

I subtly observed those seated around me. The Left Minister looked grave, seemingly troubled by something. The Right Minister, on the other hand, appeared confident, occasionally exchanging meaningful glances with Noble Consort Lewis. The princes sat upright, but I could sense their inner tension from the slight stiffness in their shoulders.


"Let the banquet begin!" At the emperor’s command, the feast officially commenced.

The first course was a traditional appetizer. I stood aside, watching as the palace maids meticulously served exquisite pastries to each table. The guests chatted and laughed while dining, filling the grand hall with cheerful voices.

"Lin'er, are you ready?" Aunt Scarlet approached me and whispered softly.

"Yes, I'm ready." I nodded, but my palms couldn't help but break into a sweat.

The next few dishes were served in the predetermined order, each one earning the guests' admiration. I watched as Noble Consort Lewis gracefully tasted the food, a perfect smile on her face, but my intuition told me she was waiting for something.

Finally, it was time for the fifth dish—Jade and White Jade Soup.

It was a seemingly ordinary soup made with the freshest winter melon and tofu, its clear broth resembling jade, with an excellent presentation. But I knew Noble Consort Lewis' poison was in this very soup.

"Please enjoy, esteemed guests," the palace maids respectfully placed the soup bowls in front of each guest.

I stared intently at Noble Consort Lewis, watching as she picked up her bowl, took a small sip, and then nodded in satisfaction. Her movements were so natural, so elegant, that if I hadn't known her plan beforehand, I would never have noticed anything unusual.

The other ministers also began to enjoy the soup. I noticed that the Minister of the Left drank more than half a bowl, while the Minister of Works finished his in one gulp and praised, "The flavor of this soup is truly and exceedingly delicious!"

"Hmph, you'll soon find out what delicious really means," I sneered inwardly. Noble Consort Lewis thought her plan was flawless, but she didn't know I had already seen through her trick.

After everyone had enjoyed the Jade and White Jade Soup, I exchanged a glance with Aunt Scarlet.

"Next is the sixth dish, the Cleansing Lotus Seeds." I personally carried the tray toward the main table, my heart pounding like a drum.

This Cleansing Lotus Seed Salad looked refreshing and pleasant, but in reality, it was a carefully designed detoxifying medicinal dish. Fresh lotus seeds paired with mint leaves and a special honey-lemon dressing not only offered a refreshing and sweet aftertaste but, more importantly, effectively neutralized the toxin from the previous soup.

"This dish looks quite special." The emperor gazed at the exquisite salad before him and spoke with enthusiasm.

"Your Majesty, this is a new dish I specially designed for the Millennium Banquet. It has the effect of clearing heat and relieving greasiness," I replied respectfully, while secretly observing Noble Consort Liu's reaction.

A hint of barely noticeable doubt flashed in Noble Consort Liu's eyes, but she quickly concealed it. She gracefully tasted the salad, showing no outward signs of abnormality, but my keen sense of smell told me her inner unease was growing.

"Indeed, it is very refreshing, and the taste is quite unique," the emperor nodded in satisfaction.

The other ministers also praised the dish's deliciousness, but I noticed that those who had earlier drunk the Jade and White Jade Soup visibly improved in complexion after tasting the Heart-Cleansing Lotus Seed.

The seventh dish was about to be served, and this was a crucial part of my plan—honey-glazed roasted venison.

I personally made the final preparations for this dish in the kitchen. On the surface, it was just an ordinary roast meat, but in the specially made honey glaze, I had added a spice called "Truth Revealing Herb."

The Truth Revealing Herb itself is completely non-toxic and harmless, even offering some health benefits. However, if there are traces of certain specific toxins in the body, the herb will react with them, forming temporary red spots on the skin.

This reaction is entirely harmless and will naturally fade within an hour at most, but it is enough to reveal who among them has poison in their system.

"It's here, the climax is finally about to begin," I thought to myself, brushing the honey glaze onto the roast meat, feeling a surge of excitement.

Noble Consort Lewis, oh Noble Consort Lewis, you thought you had outsmarted everyone, but little did you know that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

"Honey-glazed venison, esteemed lords and ladies, please enjoy!" I personally carried this crucial dish into the banquet hall.

The roasted venison exuded an enticing aroma, with a captivating caramelized hue on its surface, presenting an impeccable appearance. The guests at the scene were immediately drawn to the dish, and many couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

"Haha, the aroma is truly irresistible!" The Minister of Works was the first to act, cutting a large piece and placing it in his mouth. "Mmm, the meat is tender, and the sweetness of the honey glaze is just perfect. Truly a delicacy of the mortal world!"

Others soon joined in enjoying this roasted meat. I noticed that the Left Minister, the Minister of Revenue, and several princes were all relishing it with great pleasure, only Noble Consort Lewis seemed slightly hesitant in her actions.

She probably sensed something amiss but couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. After all, the dish was flawless in terms of appearance, aroma, and taste.

"Why isn't the Noble Consort partaking? Does it not suit her taste?" The Emperor noticed Noble Consort Lewis's unusual behavior.

"Not really, Your Majesty. I just found the spices in this dish particularly intriguing and wanted to savor them more carefully," Noble Consort Lewis explained skillfully, then cut a small piece and placed it in her mouth.

I stood by nervously, silently counting down the time in my heart. According to the properties of the Truth Herb, it would take about a quarter of an hour from ingestion to take effect.

A quarter of an hour... this would be the decisive quarter of an hour.

The banquet continued, with the eighth and ninth dishes being served one after another. The guests were still chatting and laughing, completely unaware that a major event was about to unfold.

I felt that time passed unusually slowly, each second feeling as long as a year. My palms were drenched in sweat, and my heart was pounding as if it was about to leap out of my chest.

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived.

"Huh? Why is my hand..." the Minister of Works suddenly exclaimed in surprise, lifting his hand to examine it closely.

Patches of bright red spots appeared on the back of his hand and wrist, resembling an allergic reaction.

"Mine too!" The Left Minister also noticed something unusual, as red spots appeared on his neck as well.

"What is going on?"

"Could it be poisoning?"

"Heavens, could someone have poisoned the food?"

The banquet hall immediately descended into chaos. The ministers with rashes panicked, while those without symptoms also grew tense.

I quickly scanned the room, silently counting: the Minister of Works, the Left Minister, the Minister of Revenue, the Third Prince, the Fifth Prince... A total of eight people had developed rashes, and these eight were precisely Noble Consort Lewis's political opponents!

In contrast, Noble Consort Lewis herself and her supporters, including the Right Minister, were all completely unharmed.

"What exactly is happening? Why are only certain people showing these symptoms?" The Emperor's face turned pale with anger as he demanded an explanation.

At this moment, Noble Consort Lewis stood up. Her face was filled with shock and anger, and she spoke in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty! I know what has happened!"

All eyes turned to her.

Noble Consort Lewis extended her hand, pointing directly at me: "It must be this woman who poisoned the food! Look how she’s been observing everyone’s reactions—clearly, she has something to hide!"

"What?"

"How could that be?"

"She looks so young..."

The hall erupted into murmurs once again, and I felt countless suspicious and hostile gazes fall upon me.

The moment had finally come.

I took a deep breath, slowly raised my head, and met Noble Consort Lewis’s malicious eyes.

"Noble Consort Lewis, you accuse me of poisoning? Then may I ask, why is it that only your political enemies were poisoned, while you and your supporters remain unharmed?"

My voice echoed distinctly in the quiet hall, each word piercing straight into Noble Consort Liu's heart.