Chapter 14

That year, I became the most legendary empress in the history of Great Xiao.

My investiture was simple. No banquet for the officials, no celebrations across the realm.

Only a bright, sunny afternoon in the little courtyard where we’d first met.

Xiao Che placed the phoenix crown on my head himself.

“Jiang Shu, from now on, you’re my only wife. The only mistress of this harem.”

“All right. But I have one condition.”

“Tell me.”

“I want to turn this little kitchen into the finest culinary academy in the world. Anyone who wants to learn to cook should be able to learn the best skills here. I want everyone in the realm to have good meals.”

He smiled at me.

“All right. Whatever you wish.”

My culinary academy soon opened.

Zhang Meng became my chief guard. Noble Consort Ning joined my first class.

She was… a terrible student.

But she ate very happily.

The empress dowager became my most faithful diner. Every day, she came for a bowl of soup I’d simmered myself.

My life was busy, fulfilling, full of the warmth of ordinary living.

As for Xiao Che, whenever he had time, he came to my kitchen. He took off his dragon robes, tied on an apron, and clumsily helped me wash vegetables and cut meat.

Then we cooked the simplest family meal together, sat at that little stone table, and watched sunset settle over the courtyard.

“Empress, anything interesting happen at the academy today?” he would ask.

I’d tell him that Noble Consort Ning had mistaken sugar for salt again.

He would laugh and clasp my hand.

I often think the greatest good fortune in my life wasn’t winning a gold medal, or becoming an exalted empress.

It was choosing to light that stove in the coldest, most hopeless palace.

That fire warmed me and lit my way home.

And home is here.

Beside the person I love, in the warmth of everyday life I’ve created with my own hands.

The End.

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