The Fake Feast She Created Became Her Downfall After My Rebirth

1: 1

The tea-serving handmaid in the palace was a time-traveler carrying a convenience-store system.

She was set on using everything modern to dazzle the rest of us ancients.

The day before the state banquet, she decided the arrangements and dishes were too outdated. In secret she swapped the glassware, worth a fortune, for modern cartoon-print tableware, and traded the dishes for pre-made frozen vegetarian meals from her store.

In my past life, as the future consort of the fourth prince, I put a stop to it in the harshest terms. I spent half my dowry to cover the cost and put together a proper banquet all over again.

In the end the feast pleased host and guests alike, and the fourth prince won the favor of the Emperor and the court, staking his claim to the throne.

But the tea handmaid wept in the fourth prince's arms, convinced this era had no room for her, choking on her grief until she ruined her own health.

The princes were beside themselves for her sake, and submitted memorials accusing my family of harboring treason.

They raided my home, stripped me of my rank as consort, and cast me down into slavery, no better than a common whore.

And those imperial cooks and palace maids I had savedbecause the treasury came up short and there were no rewards to go aroundturned on me one after another, kicking me while I was down.

"Miss Kirsten had such wonderful ideas, and it's all this jealous consort's fault for ruining them!"

I sank into the dark, unwilling to the last, and when I opened my eyes again, I was back on the very day the time-traveler changed the banquet menu.

"I think that for this state banquet, what our Emperor wants isn't the same stale formality, but something new that no one has ever seen before."

Kirsten Fox spoke softly, cradling a tea bowl, a self-satisfied smile playing at her brow.

"Back in our modern... hometown, when we host a gathering we do hot pot, beer, a little barbecue. Not only does it all taste good, it fills the whole place with warmth and life!"

She said it beaming, and drew out sheet after sheet of drawings she'd made, each one sketching a lively scene full of steam and cheer.

I said nothing.

For a mere tea-serving handmaid before the throne, meddling in a state banquet was already a grave impertinence.

Watching the prince's keen interest, the cooks and maids at the side glanced at me, searching my face.

I looked at all of it and gave nothing away.

The Emperor had already handed this banquet, with monarchs from every realm coming to pay court, to the fourth prince.

It was more than a matter of food and drink. It was a test of him.

In my last life, I sat in on this very discussion.

The moment Kirsten Fox proposed hot pot and skewers, I leapt up and opposed it on the spot.

None of them knew that I, too, was a time-traveler.

Only I had come into this world from the womb, and I knew well how the nobility craved the finest, most delicate fare.

The refined stomachs of these ancients simply could not withstand the assault of modern hot pot and every sort of quick-fix frozen meal.

At my objection, her eyes reddened at once, and she looked at me as if she wanted to speak and dared not. "I know you don't like me, Molly, but I only wanted to do something for our Craig Realm too!"

The fourth prince, Otis Craig, looked at me, a cold edge in his eyes. "Molly Henson, there's a time and place even for jealousy."

But I ignored his interference, and used my mother's family's power to seize control of the banquet midway by force.

I replaced everything Kirsten Fox had brought, poured in untold silver and gold from my own purse, sought out rare treasures and the finest chefs, and laid out a banquet grand and magnificent. The vassal lords and ministers from every province talked of that feast for a long time after.

And so the fourth prince won the favor of the Emperor and the court.

Afterward, Kirsten Fox told everyone she met that I had used my authority as the future consort to steal her credit by force.

And with the little snacks she redeemed from her convenience-store system, she slowly won the hearts of these highborn people.

In time, I became the most notorious jealous woman in the imperial capital.

Later, once Otis Craig took the throne, he cast me aside the moment I'd served my purpose, slandering my mother's family as traitors to the realm.

I was made a slave, and to avenge her, Otis Craig had his people torture me to death.

My father, wrongly branded a traitor, was executed together with his whole household, and the women of the family were cast down into slavery and whoredom, a fate worse than death.

While Kirsten Fox, treading over my bones and over everyone's affection, walked at Otis Craig's side and became the Empress, mother of the realm.

When I opened my eyes again, I was reborn on this very day, as she and the princes eagerly plotted out the banquet.

She spoke up to take charge of the state banquet, ready to draw on her convenience-store system to arrange the feast.

But I caught it precisely: the scheming that flickered at the corner of her eye.

She thought I would open my mouth to stop her.

Only this time, I simply spoke with a smile bright in my eyes.

"Miss Kirsten's idea is truly clever!"

"Hot pot, beer, barbecueit really is fresh and new!"

Kirsten Fox couldn't help but freeze, her smile going a little stiff.

The princes exchanged glances, unable to understand how I, who had always been so rigid in everything, had given in so easily.

I smiled. "Those traditional spreadsevery monarch here has probably seen them a thousand times over. Better to give them something new to marvel at this once."

Otis Craig looked at me, a trace of satisfaction crossing his eyes, and then spoke.

"Since even Molly says so, then we'll go with Kirsten's plan."

The princes nodded. After all, I was famously steady in the capital.

If even I approved, then Kirsten Fox's plan was clearly sound.

"Miss Kirsten really is so original!"

"I've long since grown sick of those traditional delicacies and fine fare!"

"Exactly! No one can fault Kirsten's cookingwho doesn't want something good to eat!"

I looked over this pack of princes, something dark and unreadable passing through my eyes. In my last life, every one of them had shoved me out into the storm. This life, let the storm come all the fiercer.

After taking my leave of the princes, I went to the Cogwork Guild, the most lavish place in the capital's inner circle.

Looking at the figure standing within the finest chamber, I couldn't help but speak, low.

"You once said you would marry me, that if my mother's family aided you, you would make me mother of the realm and keep my family safe. Does that promise still stand?"

The man paused, then let out a soft laugh. "Of course, Molly Henson. As long as you're willing to marry, I can send for a betrothal any time you like."

"Good. Then here's to a pleasant partnership."

2: 2

Miss, an occasion this important, and you're really not going to have a hand in the planning?

In my chambers, my personal maid Tessa watched me, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

I smiled and picked out a jade hairpin with a deep, clear luster from the pile of ornaments, my face untroubled. Miss Kirsten wanted to ease the Emperor's burdens, didn't she? This is the perfect chance for her.

Tessa kept watching me, worry still shadowing her eyes. His Highness champions her far too much. People outside are all saying the Emperor may well grant this Miss Kirsten to one of the princes as a secondary consort... and the one the Emperor favors most is... our own Prince.

If you go on like this, I'm afraid she'll edge you right out...

I lifted a brow. Edge me out? They'd need the ability for that first.

The Henson ancestors were merchants, the family fortune vast, and my father used his own coffers to fill the treasury of the Craig Realm.

That the Emperor sits where he does today, the greater share of the credit is my father's.

And in countless affairs across the Craig Realm, it is the Henson family that leads.

My brother's generation traded the pen for the sword; he set his heart on guarding the frontier, keeping the realm at peace.

The Henson family, you could say, lifted the Emperor up with everything it had.

Loyal for a lifetime, giving for a lifetime, and in Otis Craig's hands it came to a whole household put to the sword...

Now the Craig Realm's finances were strained, troubles within and enemies without, and it needed alliances with many nations.

This state banquet wasn't merely about the food on the tables. It was every nation weighing the worth of the Craig Realm.

Once I had made myself ready, I went into the palace for an audience.

In the imperial study, Otis Craig and Kirsten Fox knelt straight upon the floor.

Father, for this state banquet, I think we should make some changes.

Your son has already put Kirsten's plan in order.

I glanced at it. The first page read: a full buffet-style dinner, a lavish feast.

Your Majesty, the fourth prince and I discussed it. We break from the old form and set out a buffet dinner. The dishes and drinks this time are nothing like the traditional fare. Our ingredients and drinks, I guarantee, are things they have never heard of, never seen! And the taste is beyond dazzling, worthy of the immortals!

I promise you, this will become something unique to our Craig Realm! From now on it will surely be what every nation copies!

When she finished, she made a point of glancing at me twice, showing off in her eyes.

My face stayed calm. I paid her provocation no mind.

The consort from the Jade Realm requires her food to be absolutely pure. Can she even eat these things of yours?

Kirsten Fox paused, then spoke. These ingredients have all been sterilized at high heat. Perfectly clean!

What does 'sterilized' mean? I looked at her with feigned confusion. Where the ingredients come from, how they're cooked, how many times they're steamed and boiled. How do you plan to explain all of that to them?

I... A single string of words from me, and Kirsten Fox fell silent.

These ingredients were all pre-made frozen meals her system conjured up. How would she know how any of them were made?

Besides, some nations honor certain animals as messengers of their gods. Have you looked into that?

I... I'll stress that particularly, when the time comes. She stumbled over the words. And it isn't every nation that does this. When we serve, we can flexibly pull one or two dishes.

I couldn't help but laugh inside. Nothing is more forbidden at a banquet than the dishes differing from table to table.

At an occasion like this above all, you cannot favor one and slight another.

Kirsten's preparations are already thorough. Can you not keep dragging out those tired old ways of yours?

Otis Craig frowned and stepped forward to prop Kirsten Fox up.

I wasn't angry. I looked at the two of them with a trace of a smile.

Molly, what's your view?

The Emperor looked at me thoughtfully, hesitation and inquiry in his eyes.

I looked at the pitiful-seeming Kirsten Fox and spoke in a gentle tone. Miss Kirsten is a clever one! The plan is full of ingenuity. Your servant is dull-witted and can think of nothing better or newer. I'll leave it all to Your Highnesses to decide.

Without a ripple, I pushed the responsibility away, and seeing no displeasure in me, the Emperor let out a breath of relief.

This was the chance he'd arranged for Otis Craig to shine. The less the Henson family took part, the better.

Only then could his son win the support of the court.

The room eased into a light, pleasant mood. But then the Seventh Prince tugged at the fifth prince's sleeve.

Why do I feel our fourth brother's wife has changed? She used to be so forceful!

True. Much gentler now.

Then the Seventh Prince glanced at Otis Craig, whose gaze was fixed entirely on Kirsten Fox.

I fear Miss Kirsten's standing is about to soar... he murmured with a sigh.

A thread of mockery crossed my eyes. I couldn't be bothered to argue, and even less to wipe the backsides of this pack of self-styled gods.

3: 3

Once I left the palace, I went straight back to the residence.

A messenger bird dropped down outside my window, and I gently slipped the note from its leg.

"Rest easy. Everything is in place."

I smiled, then wrote a letter to the Henson family.

Only I signed it in the name of the Cogwork Guild.

The Cogwork Guild was no ordinary teahouse. It was an intelligence house.

And its ownership had just changed hands.

I looked at the Cogwork Token in my palm. This deal was worth it.

The day before the state banquet, Kirsten was still busy in the palace, using the convenience-store system to bring in one modern pre-made frozen meal after another.

Otis, though, came to find me. "Kirsten's such an innocent thing, and this is the first time she's running an event this grand. I'm afraid it's too much for her. Look after her a little, will you."

I couldn't help sneering inwardly. He actually wanted me to look after her?

Was he worried she wouldn't die miserably enough?

Still, I nodded meekly and agreed. "Of course."

Otis looked thoroughly satisfied. "Molly, don't worry. Once I'm sitting on that throne, I'll treat you well!"

I watched him leave with a gentle look, then turned around and quietly handed every last spare coin in the fourth prince's household over to the staff of the imperial kitchen.

With no messes of their own to cover, their tips came out far higher than usual.

For a while, everyone was praising Kirsten for taking charge so boldly. Thanks to her fighting for the right to run the banquet, they said, the pickings were this rich.

They all threw themselves into the work, and Otis was very pleased with how generously I'd handled things.

I smiled. The higher they lifted Kirsten now, the harder she would fall when it all went wrong.

The more they praised her now, the more savagely they'd curse her later.

All the filth that had rained down on me in my last life would finally land on her head in this one.

In a fine mood, I made my way to the top private room of the Cogwork Guild and had the boy bring up a good pot of wine.

Through the screen, I spoke softly to the figure seated on the other side. "Rest easy. I'll leave them without a grave to be buried in. And the support of the court, I'll win it for you."

A low laugh came back. "Set your fires as you please, Miss Henson. I'll clean up the bodies." There was a note of indulgence in the man's pleasant voice.

On the day of the state banquet, carriages and horses from every realm poured into the palace, and for a while the place was alive with bustle.

The monarchs and envoys of the various realms filed into the main hall, but the looks on their faces were far from pleased.

The whole hall had no dancers, no strings and pipes, no music at all.

There were barely even a handful of attendants.

They had no interest in this modern buffet arrangement.

To their eyes, being left to serve themselves was nothing but a slight.

In the middle of the hall, Kirsten stood in a set of bright, gaudy clothes, hands on her hips, chin lifted, her face full of endless self-importance.

She ordered the maids and eunuchs to carry tray after tray of frozen hot pot fare up to the front.

"The crawfish absolutely has to go out. That's the soul of a beer back where we come from."

"And the spicy noodle soup, the pungent fried tofu, the grilled sausage!" She turned her head to a few of the palace staff. "These are what happiness is made of where I come from. I wouldn't trade them even for a seat among the immortals!"

She'd even stacked the beer and soda into a beer tower and a soda tower.

She clapped her hands and looked over at Otis.

"Otis, take a look. Anything else you want added?"

As it happened, Otis had caught a chill that day and couldn't smell any of those tangled odors. He frowned. "This is enough for now."

A few officials from the Ministry of Rites nearby knit their brows, hesitation on their faces.

"Your Highness, these dishes... might they be a bit unfit for a grand occasion..."

"And these drinks, the colors are so strange..."

Black and yellow both. What kind of sight was that?

"It's fine. I had a few of the serving boys try them, and they all said the taste was good!"

The officials couldn't help muttering to themselves. Since when did servants eat the same things as the nobility?

"Enough, enough. Kirsten was personally chosen by His Majesty! You old sticks-in-the-mud, always the same, never changing. Where's the fun in that?"

"Someone has to give the younger generation a chance to show what they can do!"

Before long it was time to begin, and everyone prepared to take their seats.

Kirsten fluttered before the guests like a bright butterfly.

She spoke with smiling, sparkling eyes. "Dear guests, all of this is unique fine fare from where I come from. I hope you'll enjoy every bite!"

The crowd looked at the dishes before them, drowning in heavy sauce and reeking of strong seasoning. Unwilling to lose face, they frowned and took a single bite.

One bite, and every last face changed color.

4: 4

They yanked out their handkerchiefs one after another and spat out the food, faces twisting.

"What is this?"

"How can anything taste this vile? What filthy slop is this?"

"Quick, call the imperial physician!"

Beside them, the King of Jade Realm held his consort, who was struggling to breathe, red rashes breaking out in patches across her skin.

Palace attendants scrambled in a panic to bring warm water so the honored guests of every realm could rinse their mouths.

In an instant the whole hall was chaos.

The King of the Abbott Realm knotted his brows. "Is the Craig Realm serious? We came in good faith to forge an alliance, not to be your poison testers!"

The mood turned to drawn swords in a heartbeat, and Kirsten Fox went white.

"That's not possible. These are all foods from where I come from. Everyone agrees they're delicious..."

"Delicious? Delicious enough to leave people like this?" The envoy of the Acevedo Realm couldn't stop his face from darkening. "Are you trying to poison the lot of us to death here?"

The envoys from several small nomadic states caught sight of the beef and mutton laid out to one side, and their faces went darker still.

In their countries, those animals were regarded as messengers of heaven.

"Please, gentlemen, don't be angry. Kirsten didn't mean any of this. It's her first time overseeing an occasion this grand. She may be a little nervous."

"Oh? And what is her standing, that the fourth prince frets over her so?"

Otis Craig faltered. Nothing came out.

How was he supposed to answer that?

The King of Jade Realm's eyes reddened. "I don't care who she is. Today my realm came in good faith to make an alliance, and this is how the Craig Realm treats my wife? Do you take us for fools to play with?"

"If anything should happen to my consort, then your realm had best fend for itself from now on!"

That single line from the King of Jade Realm dragged the mood to freezing.

Several ministers off to the side ground their teeth. "Fourth Prince, I think Miss Henson's plan was excellent. Why not have the imperial kitchen prepare dishes at once and set things right with the banquet Miss Henson laid out?"

"No need. We'll take our meal elsewhere!"

The King of Jade Realm rose first, and the monarchs of the other great realms departed after him. Soon the great hall stood half empty.

Kirsten Fox was stunned dumb. Trembling, she clutched at Otis Craig's sleeve. "Otis, I didn't know it would turn out like this!"

The ministers were near tears. They wanted to stop the guests from leaving, but the Emperor would arrive any moment, and how were they to explain themselves?

Kirsten didn't dare lift her head to look at Otis. "Otis, believe me, these things really do taste good..."

Otis Craig looked coldly over the wreckage before him. After a long while, he swept his gaze around the hall.

"Where is Molly Henson? Where did she go?"

"Molly said she wasn't taking part in this banquet..."

"She said she agreed to let me lead it..."

Kirsten Fox's voice shrank smaller and smaller, thin as a mosquito's whine.

Every eye turned to her. She had fought for this herself, tooth and nail, right in front of the Emperor.

She stole my place, took my authority, and now that it's gone wrong, when even these self-important nobles can't save their own skins, who's left to wipe up after her?

Up in the Cogwork Guild, listening to the shadow guard relay it all, I couldn't help laughing out loud.

Across from me a hand with clean, sharp knuckles held out a cup of hot tea. "Congratulations. The first step is done."

"It seems the fourth prince's fall from favor is settled now."

I took a light sip of the tea. "Don't rush. The best of the show is still to come."

"By my count, they should be arriving about now."

Watching that gleaming line of carriages and horses come racing toward the Cogwork Guild, a trace of a smile crossed my eyes.

At that same moment, in the great hall, Otis Craig's face drained pale. How was he to answer to his father?

Before he could think of any way out, the shrill voice of a eunuch reached him.

The Craig Emperor came into the hall smiling. "My lords, I was delayed a while. I trust you've eaten well"

The next second, when he took in everything before him, the smile froze on his face.

He looked at Otis Craig and Kirsten Fox standing there, darkness churning in his eyes.

"The people. The delegations from every realm. Tell me, where have they all gone?"