Konkoku has finally initiated a dialogue to form diplomatic relations with the country of Saisakoku, which has remained isolated from most of the world for a century. To relieve Emperor Shohi of his exhaustion and rage from the tough negotiations, Rimi is appointed as his personal chef. While she happily accepts the honor, Rimi is gradually losing the time she can spend with cuisinology scholar Shusei. She also finds herself butting heads with the Chief of Dining, Yo Koshin. Meanwhile, Shusei has realized his feelings for Rimi and does his best to suppress them. What will come of this unfortunate love triangle?

The Declaration of Stability—a ceremony where the four highest-ranking consorts of the rear palace compete for the new emperor’s favor—draws near. In an attempt to pacify the consorts as they prepare for the ceremony, the food-loving princess Rimi, along with the cuisinology scholar Shusei, are appointed as the consorts’ cooks. Rimi finds herself hard at work dealing with the womens’ strong personalities. Emperor Shohi also starts to approach Rimi frequently under the pretext of wanting to see the Quinary Dragon. Shusei is happy that Shohi has become interested in women, but at the same time, he feels conflicted somehow. That’s when the priceless treasure required for the ceremony is suddenly stolen!

Both the Quinary Dragon and Rimi, the empress to be, have vanished from the palace! While Emperor Shohi has Jotetsu and Hakurei search for her, Shusei follows his own hunch and pursues a man who has both the motive and the means to make her disappear: Shu Kojin. When Shusei confronts his cruel adoptive father, he’s told that...Rimi is dead?! Precious memories mix with hostility in this exciting eighth volume!

Having learned Shusei’s secret, Rimi has chosen to become the empress in order to protect him. Unable to pursue her love of cooking as the time of the enthronement ceremony draws nearer, she begins her education to prepare for her new role—only to find that her tutor is none other than Shusei himself! The two find themselves smiling at each other as they hide the pain of having to carry their feelings for one another their whole lives. Then, Emperor Shohi receives a letter protesting the crowning of a Wakokuan as the empress. With the interests and ulterior motives of the imperial court standing in the way, the love triangle starts heading in an unexpected direction, and a single lie sets all of their fates in motion.

Delicious and painful, volume six of the popular Chinese culinary court drama is here! Shusei has left Emperor Shohi's side to stand against him as head of the Ho House. Rimi, wondering what she can do, decides to take over the study of cuisinology. However, when the prefectural administrators all refuse to collect taxes, the imperial court is thrust into turmoil! When it appears that an administrator will be arrested for treason, Shusei intervenes and defends him. Standing in direct opposition to Shohi, Shusei leaves Rimi feeling confused. She'll have to confront her relationship with food and decide what truly matters to her!

Just after Rimi and Shusei had vowed to cast away their feelings for each other, Emperor Shohi asked Rimi to become his empress. Now, Rimi is spending her days on edge. Suddenly, the Quinary Dragon falls ill, and Rimi travels to the old capital of Hanin to find a cure. There she discovers a mirror, and strange things start to happen around her, including a bedridden Shohi whom Rimi needs to make food for. While she searches for the cause behind what is happening, she discovers a shocking secret about Shusei! It’s time for Rimi to make a difficult decision to protect her place in the world.

The month of diplomacy is upon Konkoku, and countries from all over are sending delegations. All seems calm when Emperor Shohi and Lord Shusei establish a temporary cease-fire...until the Saisakoku delegation arrives, and it turns out Princess Aisha is with them! The court is immediately abuzz with whisperings of whether a wedding to seal diplomatic ties between their lands is on the table. In other words, Rimi might be about to lose her place in the world a second time! She can entertain and cook for the delegation, but can she safeguard her position as future empress?