Chapter 19 From Cook to Consort
The days passed like the wind.
Yin Xiu became a proper wife, and I took over her small kitchen.
My true value as a cook finally showed itself.
Every day I created new dishes to lure the Herchi King to our tent.
The powerful tonics I prepared were not wasted.
In less than half a year, Yin Xiu rose from wife to Western Consort.
The former Western Consort, who had borne no children, was demoted back to wife.
Yin Xiu had also borne none, yet she stood equal with the Eastern Consort who had given the Herchi King his only son.
Her favor was clear.
That favor also showed in her dealings with Herdanba.
Besides managing the royal tent and preparing tonics, I frequently helped Yin Xiu meet Herdanba in secret.
The beauty he had almost tasted had flown away, and my constant whispers kept the wound fresh.
Herdanba hated it, but the Herchi King had only one sickly prince.
Herdanba began to believe he himself might inherit the throne, so he refused to openly clash with his father.
He could wait for the Herchi King to die.
We could not.