The main hall of the Imperial Kitchen was heavy with tension.
Director Li deliberately took the seat just below the head position, leaving the central chair empty—for Qing Tian.
Today, she was no longer merely a concubine with culinary talent. She was here as Director Qing, an officially appointed representative of the Internal Affairs Bureau.
Wang Youcai and Matron Liu sat further down, their expressions stiff and uneasy. The head chefs and senior stewards lined both sides of the hall, silent and watchful.
Qing Tian did not refuse the seat.
She took it calmly.
She wore no palace finery—only her usual practical clothes—but the quiet composure in her gaze carried a weight entirely different from before. The room felt it.
"Director Li. Deputy Director Wang. Matron Liu. Esteemed masters," she began.
Her voice was not loud, yet it traveled cleanly through the still hall.
"By His Majesty's trust, I have been appointed Director of Provisions to assist in managing Imperial Kitchen affairs. I am well aware that this kitchen feeds thousands daily, and that all of you have labored here for many years under great pressure."
She paused, then continued evenly.
"I did not summon you today to display authority. I am here to ensure that His Majesty's command to rectify palace provisions becomes reality—not empty words. My goal is simple: to make this kitchen run more smoothly, more transparently, and to ensure that those who work here can do so with dignity, stability, and a future."
The tension in the room eased—just slightly.
Director Li spoke first. "Director Qing is too modest. His Majesty's judgment is impeccable. With your assistance, this kitchen will surely prosper. I will give my full cooperation."
Wang Youcai and Matron Liu echoed the sentiment, though their voices lacked conviction.
Qing Tian nodded once.
"Then I will be direct."
She folded her hands and looked around the room.
"I propose three regulations. If there are no major objections, we will begin trial implementation tomorrow."
She raised one finger.
First: Rotational Nutritional Meals
"The Warm-Heart Soup and coarse grain cakes have already proven effective," she said. "But night snacks alone are insufficient for the workload our staff bears daily."
She continued steadily.
"From now on, all on-duty kitchen personnel will receive two standardized nutritional meals per day: one before morning labor begins, and one during the most exhausting hours in the afternoon."
Murmurs stirred.
"The ingredients will be planned within existing procurement quotas. Trimmings and by-products will be utilized efficiently. Costs will remain controlled."
She glanced at Director Li.
"This system is intended to ensure that our people are fed, warm, and capable of doing their jobs well. Director Li will oversee planning. Deputy Director Wang will assist."
Director Li's eyes lit up.
Wang Youcai's brows tightened—but he nodded. He had no opening to object.
Second: Establishment of the Imperial Culinary Academy (Introductory Level)
This time, even the veteran chefs looked up.
"Informal mentoring is insufficient," Qing Tian said. "We will formally establish a training program within the Imperial Kitchen."
She spoke with quiet authority.
"Each season, a selected group of diligent, motivated staff will undergo a three-month foundational course. Instruction will cover knife skills, heat control, ingredient identification, cost awareness, and efficient use of leftovers."
"The senior chefs will rotate as instructors. I will personally teach several sessions."
She let the words sink in.
"At the end of training, participants will be assessed. Those who pass will receive an officially registered Junior Culinary Certificate issued through the Internal Affairs Bureau."
The room was stunned.
"This certificate," Qing Tian continued, "will serve as qualification for promotion within the kitchen, reassignment to higher-skilled posts, or—when the time comes—a means of livelihood beyond the palace."
This was nothing short of revolutionary.
For the first time, the lowest workers were being offered a visible path upward.
Some of the master chefs looked conflicted—knowledge had long been power. Yet the phrase official certificationcarried its own prestige.
Director Li felt his chest tighten with excitement.
"This," he thought, "is true reform."
He rose immediately. "Director Qing's vision benefits not only the present, but the future of the Imperial Kitchen itself. I will personally supervise the examinations."
Wang Youcai and Matron Liu had gone silent.
This policy struck directly at the hierarchy they relied upon.
Qing Tian raised her third finger.
Third: Ingredient Procurement and Inspection Ledger
Her tone sharpened—just slightly.
"Effective immediately, all ingredient purchases must be recorded in detail: source, batch, quantity, price, and supplier."
Wang Youcai's face drained of color.
"Upon delivery, inspection will be conducted by personnel not involved in procurement. Quality and weight will be logged. Both parties will sign."
She continued without pause.
"Usage requests must be registered. Daily leftovers and losses must be documented with explanations. All records will be cross-checked regularly and archived."
Then she looked directly at Wang Youcai.
"Deputy Director Wang has extensive experience in procurement. I trust he will lead the design of this ledger system and its enforcement procedures."
The hall went cold.
This regulation sealed every loophole.
Wang Youcai's long-standing methods—blurred losses, flexible numbers, silent profits—were cut off in one stroke.
And worse: the task had been placed squarely in his hands.
Refusal would be insubordination.Leniency would be negligence.Strictness would ruin him.
Sweat beaded at his temples.
"I… I have no objections," he finally said hoarsely. "I will draft the procedures for review."
"Good," Qing Tian said calmly.
Three regulations.
Three precise strikes.
No grand speeches. No moral posturing. Just systems—clean, enforceable, unavoidable.
The room remained silent, every person present now fully aware:
This new Director was not a figurehead.
She was dangerous.
Qing Tian stood.
"These measures are only the beginning," she said evenly. "Details will be refined through cooperation. Adjustments can be discussed during trial implementation."
Her gaze hardened.
"But His Majesty ordered reform for stability and longevity—not appearances. I trust that all of you will act accordingly."
The unspoken warning lingered.
Director Li stood first. "We will comply."
Others followed, some reluctantly, none daring to resist.
As the meeting dispersed, Qing Tian stepped outside alone.
Autumn sunlight warmed the courtyard—but the weight on her shoulders felt heavier than ever.
She knew this was only the beginning.
Policies were easy to write.Systems were harder to enforce.And vested interests never surrendered quietly.
But she had taken the most important step.
From this moment on, she was no longer just Qing Tian, the Meal Beauty.
She was Director Qing—and she would carve her path forward through the narrow space between palace and court, step by deliberate step.