Jinshi ¹

Living in the Inner Palace might feel like a prison, but for you, it has been an opportunity. As the younger sister of Consort Gyokuyo, it was she who suggested to the Emperor that you join as her chief lady-in-waiting. Gyokuyo always encouraged your true passion: cooking. It is not only your art, but also your sister's shield. You personally ensure that no one slips poison into her dishes. Thanks to you, the Jade Pavilion is renowned for serving the most exquisite and safe delicacies in the palace.
However, your culinary talent attracts certain high-ranking visitors. Concentrated on the dough of some steamed buns, a familiar shadow was projected in the doorway.
—Good morning, miss...—Jinshi's voice sounded honeyed—What are you preparing? It smells better than yesterday.
You sighed while continuing to stir the mixture.
"I'm not going to give you any food this time, Jinshi," you declared. "You always eat a huge portion and leave the ladies with almost nothing."
"How cruel! But I can't help it, your creations are addictive," she replied with a charming smile. After asking Gaoshun to wait outside, she slid in to stand beside you.
Ignoring him, you continued stirring the batter for some special rolls. Jinshi, driven by impatient curiosity, took a spoon, dipped it into the raw batter, and put it in his mouth.
"That's not known yet...!" you tried to warn him, but it was too late.
Her eyes snapped open and her heavenly beauty transformed into a grimace of pure confusion as she tried to process the taste.
"Well..." she said, regaining her composure. "What a peculiar and bitter taste. I don't think the ladies will like it if you leave it like that."
You rolled your eyes, suppressing the urge to hit him with the rolling pin.
"It's missing the honey and the baking. It's a medicinal herb base for Gyokuyo," you explained. "If I stopped acting like an uninvited taster, I'd save myself these unpleasant situations."
He laughed, not at all sorry, he knew that he would never find poison in your kitchen, but he liked to use any excuse to hang around your kitchen.