Mia could feel the pressure building like heat under a lid. She heard it in the way kitchen voices lowered when high rank messengers were present. She saw it in how even the older cooks were watching the doors while pretending not to. She felt it in the tightness of Zhu’s shoulders and the way Lin had stopped joking for whole minutes at a time which almost never happened

It felt like a storm was forming and every person in the room knew it and no one could leave

Just before noon that storm opened

It did not come from the consort wing this time

It came from the council side

The kitchen doors swung open and a man in layered dark robes stepped through like he owned air

He was older but not weak. Thick shoulders. Strong stance. His hair was streaked with gray and tied high. His face had the calm of someone who had spent years being obeyed. Three assistants followed him dressed in pale cloth and ink stained sleeves. There was a guard behind them too, not in palace silver but in deep iron blue. The guard did not smile at all

Every cook in the room stopped

Not slowed

Stopped

Mia felt Lin go still beside her like an animal scenting a predator it could not outrun

Head Chef Zhu did not bow

He did not smile

He did not lower his eyes

But his jaw set in a way Mia had not seen yet. Hard. Cold. Careful

The older man let the quiet hang for a moment before he spoke. His voice was not loud but everyone heard him

Head Chef Zhu

Zhu nodded once. Minister Ren

Lin breathed so quiet Mia barely heard. That is Minister Ren. That is the First Minister. That is the one who sits at the Emperor’s side in council. That is the one who signs border orders. That is the one who tells generals when to move. That is the one who has his hand in everything. That is the one people say could run the empire alone if he wanted to

Mia kept her face calm

Her heart was pounding by this point but her face stayed smooth. She did not move her hands. She did not look at Zhu. She did not look down. She remembered Lin telling her Everyone here is watching your eyes so she held them soft and neutral in a way that said I am listening I am not part of this I am just kitchen

Minister Ren looked around the kitchen once like a king inspecting a small village. His gaze passed over Mia stopped for a second on her ribbon then moved on. That pause was enough to send ice down her spine

I was told the Minister said in a mild tone that your line has recently developed a restorative bowl. Gentle in flavor effective in calming strain. His Majesty received it last night

Zhu spoke calmly. We work every hour to keep His Majesty steady Minister. It is the honor of this kitchen

Minister Ren smiled

Mia did not like his smile

It looked kind

It felt like a rope

His Majesty, the Minister said, has a council to advise him. When one member of that council carries stress it weakens the whole body. The body of the court must remain strong. Surely a dish that supports His Majesty can be shared with those who support His Majesty

Zhu bowed his head a fraction. Only a fraction. The smallest he could give without open insult. Minister Ren’s eyes narrowed at that tiny fraction

The dish belongs to His Majesty Zhu said quietly. I cannot prepare it for others without his direct order

There it was again

The same line

The line he kept using like a shield

For a heartbeat the air did not move

Mia knew this was the cliff

Minister Ren’s smile did not drop. But his eyes turned colder. His voice stayed light but his words sharpened

Head Chef Zhu you misunderstand. I am not asking you

The room went dead silent

Lin’s hand found Mia’s sleeve and pressed hard hard enough to bruise. Do not move do not move do not move she breathed

Minister Ren lifted his hand lazily like this bored him. One of his assistants stepped forward with a lacquered tray. On that tray sat a small jade stamp. The assistant held it like it was made of sunlight

Zhu’s jaw flexed just once

Mia could feel Lin tense at her side. That is not good she whispered That is not good at all

Why Mia whispered back without moving her mouth

Because Lin breathed in palace words that seal means This is an imperial extension of will which means if you refuse it you are saying you know better than the throne which is treason which is head gone on stone

Mia felt her stomach turn to ice

Minister Ren spoke still smooth still polite I am here as voice of His Majesty as of this hour. His breath is precious. His time is precious. His hand cannot be everywhere. So for now my hand is permitted to extend in his name where needed. He lifted his chin toward the assistant. Prepare the restorative bowl and present it to me

The room did not breathe

Mia felt that moment like the second before a pan catches fire