As soon as I put it on, I met a sickly man

"Your Highness, I believe justice prevails." Jiang Yue's voice was deep and powerful, as if she were proclaiming something. An invisible pressure settled over everyone's heart. She recalled a past life in which she had been wronged and died with hatred. Cold memories flooded back like a tide, enveloping her and suffocating her. No, this time, she would never repeat the same mistake!

Mu Yang looked at Jiang Yue, a subtle glint of interest in his eyes. This woman was more stubborn than he had imagined. He deliberately placed his hand on Mu Xue's shoulder and ruffled her hair affectionately, his tone so gentle it could drip with water: "Xue'er, don't be afraid, your brother is here." He turned to look at Jiang Yue, a hint of sarcasm on his lips, "Miss Jiang, if you are not as skilled as others, don't try to make excuses."

Mu Yang's actions were like a sharp thorn, piercing Jiang Yue's heart. She looked at his sickly yet ruthless eyes, and bitterness welled up in her heart. In her past life, she had been deceived by his hypocritical facade, ultimately ending up with a tragic death. Now, she felt only disgust and aversion towards his gentleness.

"Not as skilled as others?" Jiang Yue sneered. "Your Highness, you truly have a keen eye. I'm just wondering if this 'not as skilled as others' refers to my cooking skills, or my ability to please Your Highness?"

Mu Yang's expression changed slightly, and a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes. This woman actually dared to ridicule him in public!

"Jiang Yue, how dare you!" Mu Xue screamed, "How dare you disrespect the prince!"

Jiang Yue glanced at Mu Xue coldly, his eyes filled with disdain. "Princess, I respect justice, not power."

She looked around, her eyes set on the judges. Although they had lowered her score due to Mu Yang's influence, she could sense that they didn't truly agree with Mu Xue's accusations.

"Dear judges," Jiang Yue's voice was clear and firm, "I know that you are all highly respected, impartial, and honest people. I believe that you will not be swayed by power, and will not wrongly accuse any truly talented person."

The judges looked at each other, their eyes flickering. They were touched by Jiang Yue's words and felt a little guilty.

Jiang Yue took a deep breath and continued, "I know that my origin is not as noble as the princess's, and my background is not as powerful as the princess's. However, I believe that true culinary skills can surpass everything."

She paused, staring at the judges with burning eyes, "I beg you all to give me another chance to prove myself!"

Jiang Yue's words were so powerful that they echoed in everyone's ears. Mu Yang looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. This woman really wouldn't give up so easily.

He was about to speak when he saw Jiang Yue turn around and walk towards the judges' table. Her back was straight and firm, as if carrying an irresistible force.

Jiang Yue walked up to the judges' table, bowed slightly, and said sincerely, "Gentlemen, I know that the scoring just now was unfair. I am not questioning your judgment, but I implore you to give me another chance to demonstrate my true culinary skills."

Her determined gaze and unyielding attitude shook several judges. One of the older judges stroked his beard and asked, "Miss Jiang, what do you mean?"

"I request that you make another dish right here," Jiang Yue said calmly but with undeniable strength, "a dish that can prove my strength."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Xue jumped out impatiently, "Royal brother, look at her! She clearly refuses to accept the judgment! She is..."

Before Mu Xue could finish her words, Mu Yang raised his hand to interrupt her. He looked at Jiang Yue with great interest. This woman always brought him "surprises". He wanted to see what other tricks she could come up with.

"Okay." Mu Yang opened his thin lips and uttered two words.

Upon receiving her consent, Jiang Yue immediately walked over to the prepared ingredients. Her eyes swept over the dazzling array of ingredients, and an idea came to mind. She selected some fresh vegetables and meats and began to prepare them with deft skill. As the knife flashed, the ingredients seemed to come alive in her hands, dancing with her movements.

She first sliced ​​a piece of pork belly into thin slices and marinated it with a secret seasoning. Then, she cut various vegetables into even-sized pieces and set them aside.

The crowd was initially a bit impatient, but after seeing Jiang Yue's smooth knife skills and unique cooking methods, they were gradually drawn in. They had never seen such cooking techniques before, and it was like watching an art performance.

Jiang Yue heated up some oil in a wok and added the marinated pork belly, stir-frying it. The aroma of the meat filled the air, making everyone salivate. She then added the prepared vegetables and stir-fried them evenly.

As she cooked, she explained her steps and techniques. She skillfully incorporated modern culinary concepts, such as controlling the oil temperature and the heat. These novel concepts impressed the judges, who began to realize that this woman had earned her reputation in vain.

A rich aroma filled the air, and the judges swallowed unconsciously. This aroma was even more tempting, more complex, and even more irresistible than the dishes Mu Xue had prepared before.

Just as everyone was immersed in the aroma, Jiang Yue completed the final step. She placed the dish on a plate, arranging it beautifully, with a beautiful appearance, aroma and flavor.

The judges were eager to taste it. The moment they took a sip, their taste buds seemed to have opened the door to a new world, with various flavors blending in their mouths, leaving an endless aftertaste.

"Excellent! Truly wonderful!" one judge couldn't help but exclaim in praise. "This dish, from the knife skills to the heat and seasoning, is simply perfect!"

The other judges also nodded in agreement. The look they gave Jiang Yue was no longer the contempt they had before, but was replaced by admiration and appreciation.

Mu Xue's face instantly turned livid when she saw this. She glared at Jiang Yue fiercely, her eyes filled with resentment. She tugged at Mu Yang's sleeve, signaling him with her eyes to stop this.

Mu Yang was about to speak when he heard a clear voice: "Your Majesty, Miss Jiang's cooking skills are so superb, why are you still questioning it?"

The speaker was Ding Chen. He stood in the crowd, his gaze fixed firmly on Mu Yang. Behind him stood several elegantly dressed young men, evidently the sons of wealthy and famous families in the capital. They also spoke up for Jiang Yue.

"Yes, Your Highness, we have all seen it with our own eyes. Miss Jiang's cooking skills are indeed superior to Princess Mu Xue's."

"Your Majesty, justice is in the hearts of the people. You cannot bend the law for personal gain!"

Mu Yang looked at the scene in front of him, his face terribly gloomy. He had never thought that someone would dare to openly challenge his authority for a woman.

Jiang Yue looked at Ding Chen and those who spoke up for her with gratitude, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. In this strange world, she felt a long-lost warmth! There was a subtle tenderness in her eyes as she looked at Ding Chen. Ding Chen looked back at her, his eyes filled with encouragement and support.

Mu Yang watched the subtle interaction between the two, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

He felt a fire ignite in his chest, scorching his sanity. He suppressed his rage, his voice icy and piercing, "When did I ever say I'd bend the law for personal gain? This cooking competition is no joke. How can a few compliments change the outcome?"

He paused, his eyes swept across everyone, and finally landed on Jiang Yue, his eyes deep and unfathomable, "Miss Jiang's cooking skills are indeed good, but this dish is not perfect."

Jiang Yue's heart tightened, knowing Mu Yang was deliberately picking a fight. Trying to remain calm, she asked respectfully, "Your Highness, what's wrong with this dish?"

Mu Yang walked over to Jiang Yue's dishes, examined them carefully, and then pointed at a nondescript green vegetable and said, "This dish is called 'Jade Jade'. It has a cold nature. If it's not properly paired with other ingredients, it will affect the overall taste of the dish."

Jiang Yue sneered inwardly. This "Jade Jade" was the herb she had specially added. After her special processing, not only did it not affect the taste, but it actually helped to harmonize yin and yang and nourish the body. This Mu Yang was clearly making false claims and deliberately trying to make things difficult for her.

But she remained expressionless, still responding respectfully, "Your Highness, I have specially selected this jasper. Although it is cold in nature, it complements other ingredients and can play a role..."

Jiang Yue explained the dish's cooking philosophy and pharmacological knowledge in a clear and logical manner, earning frequent nods from the audience. Even several judges were impressed by her, their initial doubts gradually dissipating.

Ding Chen watched Jiang Yue speak so eloquently, his eyes filled with admiration. He had never met such an intelligent woman before, not only a skilled cook but also well-versed in pharmacology. He felt his feelings for Jiang Yue nourishing his heart like a gentle spring breeze.

Jiang Yue felt Ding Chen's gaze, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. In this strange world, she was not alone in her struggle. She looked at Ding Chen with gratitude, a subtle tenderness in her eyes.

Mu Yang watched all of this unfold, his jealousy growing stronger. He hadn't expected this woman to be so captivating, attracting not only his attention but also the admiration of other men. He felt a possessive desire for Jiang Yue, like a wild animal, wanting to devour her completely.

He snorted coldly, interrupting Jiang Yue's explanation, "If I say it's bad, then it's bad! No need to say more!"

His tone was so overbearing and domineering that it suffocated everyone present. Jiang Yue's heart sank, as she knew Mu Yang wouldn't let her go easily.

At this moment, the old doctor stepped forward. He walked up to Mu Yang, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, I dare to say that Miss Jiang's dish is indeed a rare delicacy. It is not only delicious, but also has extremely high medicinal value. If Your Highness does not believe it, you can ask the imperial physician to come and taste it."

The old doctor was highly respected in the capital, and his words carried great weight. Although Mu Yang was displeased, he couldn't refute him in public. He could only suppress his anger and waved his hand, "Forget it, let's call it a day."

After saying this, he turned and left, his figure disappearing into the night.

Jiang Yue watched Mu Yang's departing back, her heart filled with vigilance. She knew this was just the calm before the storm. Mu Yang's possessive gaze was like a brand, engraved in her mind.

She turned to look at Ding Chen, smiled slightly, and said softly: "Thank you."

Ding Chen smiled back, "You're welcome."

The two smiled at each other, the atmosphere warm and beautiful. However, in the dark, a pair of cold eyes were watching them, with a dangerous light flashing in their eyes! Mu Yang's fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a crisp sound, again and again!