If Zhu obeyed then the dish would no longer be the Emperor’s alone. It would become the council’s property. It would become Minister Ren’s talking point his leverage his proof of closeness. He would say Look how I care for His Majesty. He would parade it in front of anyone who mattered. He would turn Mia’s bowl into his own weapon

If Zhu refused with a seal on the tray they could call it treason

She saw it land on Zhu’s face

He was calculating risk in real time

It was going to break him

Mia’s heart slammed so hard she felt sick

She heard Zhu’s warning in the garden You cannot play their game with him. Do not lie to His Majesty. If you become another game piece he will step over you

But Minister Ren was not His Majesty

Minister Ren was the game

Zhu began to speak and Mia knew he was about to step into a cut that would bleed him

Something in her moved on instinct

Her mouth opened before she could stop it

“Minister” Mia said

Lin squeezed her sleeve so hard Mia almost yelped

Zhu went rigid

The entire kitchen snapped their heads toward her like she had just set the floor on fire

Minister Ren slowly turned his gaze back to her. The smile did not leave his face. His interest sharpened. Ah he said. The golden hands

Her throat was dry but she kept her voice steady and low respectful not loud not proud not weak

“Forgive me for speaking Minister” she said. “I am only kitchen. I do not understand high law. I only understand food. But I need to explain something about this dish”

Lin was shaking beside her. Mia could feel it in the way Lin clung to her sleeve

Minister Ren gestured lazily with two fingers. Continue then. Educate me

Mia bowed her head the exact amount Lin had taught her. Not grovel. Not insolent. Controlled

“His Majesty’s bowl” she said “is not a simple broth. It is not a tonic for nerves. It is not a stomach easer. It is not sweet water for sleep. It is crafted for his body alone. It is balanced to match his strain his breath his heat at night. No one else can take it without risk”

Minister Ren raised one eyebrow. Risk

“Yes Minister” Mia said softly. “The broth warms the chest while lowering stomach tension. If you are not in the same state as His Majesty it can do the opposite. It can tighten instead of loosen. It can make the heart race and the hands shake. That is why I cannot serve it to anyone without seeing them breathe first”

The room had gone so quiet she could hear oil popping three stations away

Minister Ren’s eyes narrowed. Are you telling me that a bowl of comfort prepared for His Majesty might harm the body of his First Minister

Mia kept her face neutral. Inside she was shaking hard enough to crack

“I would never harm you Minister” she said. Honest. Simple. Present tense. “But I cannot prepare that bowl for you without examining you first. If I prepare it wrong and it causes you strain I will be blamed for injuring the body of the court. That would shame the kitchen. That would shame Head Chef Zhu. That would shame you if anyone said the dish made you weak. I would not want that”

Lin made a tiny noise like she had been punched in the stomach and was trying not to show it

Head Chef Zhu was perfectly still

This was the dangerous part

This was the moment where Minister Ren decided whether what she had said was an insult or a gift

Either one could kill her

Minister Ren studied her face for a long time. Mia did not blink. She kept her gaze soft. She kept her shoulders down. She did not flinch under his eyes. She tried to look like a girl who only understood boiling and seasoning and not the fact that she was standing in front of a man who could order her heart cut out and call it policy

Finally Minister Ren smiled again

It was not kind

But it was not knife sharp either

So this is the artisan he said softly. Interesting

He dropped his gaze to the jade seal on the tray then lifted his hand and flicked his fingers. The assistant stepped back at once

Minister Ren looked to Zhu. Have her learn my body then. We will not waste the morning with stubbornness. Send her to my study chamber after evening meal. She will observe. She will instruct you on the version of this restorative that is safe for me. You will prepare it and deliver it by nightfall. We will not disturb His Majesty with details

Mia felt her stomach twist. She had gotten him to step back from taking the bowl right now but she had just handed herself to him in person

Zhu’s voice was even. Minister that timing will interrupt our night service for His Majesty

Minister Ren answered with a calm smile. I believe His Majesty will understand that my strength is in his interest

There it was

The chain

Minister Ren took one step closer. He was now standing near enough that Mia could smell ink and cedar on his robes