Gilded Chopsticks

Emperor KANGXI appoints his eldest son as the crown prince. The crown prince is a rude and unreasonable person. All the brothers dislike him. Among the people opposing the crown prince, the eighth prince YINSI has the most supporters. On KANGXI's birthday, the forth prince YINZHEN prepares water melon from Taiwan for him. The crown prince has prepared Buddha casserole for the emperor. However, after learning that KANGXI is not feeling well, he takes away YINZHEN's water melon and offers it to KANGXI. When YINGZHEN's bodyguard FUNG YING is patrolling, he discovers that an eunuch has died of poisoning after eating the Buddha casserole secretly. The crown prince believes that this was done by the eighth prince's supporters. He asks YINZHEN to capture the chef who ran away. At the slums of the capital, a shop is very famous for selling salted-fish buns. The shop owner KO TIN-PO is very concern about the taste of food and he knows a lot about different food. TIN-PO's shop is located next to a noodle shop. The noodle shop owner MAI SIU-YU always fight with him since the salted-fish buns are very smelly. The crown prince asks YINZHEN to search for the salted-fish buns in town secretly because KANGXI had tried it long time ago and he found the taste unforgettable. During his search, YINZHEN meets the street performer KEI MO-SUET and he falls in love at first sight. YINZHEN finally finds TIN-PO's shop but TIN-PO insists that the buns cannot be taken away for he wants to ensure its quality. YINZHEN has no choice but to play tricks. He brings TIN-PO to the palace for making buns without letting him know the truth...

When MO-SUET and her mother CHAU-KUK are performing on the street, the Manchu police gives them a hard time. MO-SUET starts a fight with the police. Commander NIAN GENGYAO arrives to investigate the case and he apologizes to MO-SUET. TIN-PO is nervous with the result of SZE-TO's divination and he tries to find out the meaning of "S.E.R.F." from him. The crown prince learns that the emperor misses the salted-fish buns very much and he wants YINZHEN to invite TIN-PO to the palace again. TIN-PO is sleepless before going to the palace. He discovers that SIU-YU is very good at cooking and he wants her to teach him but SIU-YU rejects him. KANGXI invites the ninth prince, YINZHEN and the others to meet up. He scolds the ninth prince in front of everybody and the ninth prince vents his anger on YINZHEN. The representative from Japan challenges the Palace Larder's chef and the chef loses. The crown prince finds it disgraceful and he punishes the chef seriously. When the Japan chef is travelling around at the capital, TIN-PO challenges him.

SIU-YU also arrives to support TIN-PO in fighting against the Japan chef. TIN-PO finds that SIU-YU is very skillful with knife and he wants to be her apprentice. On the next day, TIN-PO goes to the palace to make buns for KANGXI. KANGXI believes that TIN-PO is ill from the taste of the buns. YINZHEN explains to KANGXI and KANGXI suggests not to pressure TIN-PO anymore. YINZHEN sends TIN-PO home. However, the carriage is suddenly out of control. YINZHEN and TIN-PO fall off the cliff together. YINZHEN wakes up to discover that CHAU-KUK and MO-SUET are taking care of him. TIN-PO tells MO-SUET that YINZHEN is an eunuch from the palace. The crown prince appoints HOK-TING as the new chef and he asks him to make salted-fish buns for KANGXI but HOK-TING fails to make it. The eunuch TAK-SING suggests HOK-TING to learn it at TIN-PO's shop secretly. The silver for tackling Shanxi's disaster is missing. KANGXI believes that Shanxi's magistrate had stolen it and the crown prince believes that YINSI is involved in it. He asks YINZHEN to carry out investigation at Shanxi. TIN-PO meets GENGYAO's younger sister RUOBI and he falls in love at first sight.

RUOBI suddenly organizes a Gourmet Bridal Contest. TIN-PO wants to marry RUOBI and he asks SIU-YU to take him as her apprentice. He is shocked to discover that SIU-YU knows how to cook the Five Taste Master's famous dish which has been lost for a long time. SIU-YU denies it and she reveals that she hates Five Taste Master. A customer discovers a strange object in TIN-PO's bun and GENGYAO decides to seal the shop. YINZHEN tries to speak for TIN-PO by saying that he is an eunuch from the palace but he fails. YINZHEN develops a good impression on GENGYAO for he doesn't give in to the powerful people. He brings GENGYAO to Shanxi for investigation together. SIU-YU finally accepts TIN-PO as her apprentice but she wants him to drink with her first. TIN-PO is drunk and he misses the Bridal Contest. On the other hand, SIU-YU passes by the contest venue and she joins the fight by pretending that she is TIN-PO. YINZHEN and GENGYAO capture Shanxi's magistrate to the capital for hearing. However, the magistrate is killed in the prison on the next morning.

KANGXI questions all princes. YINZHEN has discovered a jade pendant in Shanxi and the crown prince gives it to KANGXI. KANGXI recognizes that the jade pendant belongs to the ninth prince. He is very angry and he collapses. In order to cheer KANGXI up, the crown prince asks YINZHEN to invite TIN-PO to the palace for making buns again. TIN-PO introduces YINZHEN to SZE-TO and SZE-TO finds him an extraordinary person. YINZHEN meets YINSI and YINSI reminds him that the crown prince is involved in Shanxi's case. TIN-PO's servant LEE WAI picks up a piece of silver on the floor. RUOBI invites TIN-PO to meet up at the boat in the late evening and TIN-BO accepts the date immediately. LEE WAI is captured by GENGYAO for investigation. TIN-PO tries to speak for LEE WAI but he fails. MO-SUET admires YINSI and SZE-TO cannot bear to give advice to her. TIN-PO asks SZE-TO for help and SZE-TO asks him to find YINZHEN. TIN-PO finally realizes the real identity of YINZHEN. In order to rescue LEE WAI, TIN-PO dresses like an eunuch and he sneaks into the palace...

TIN-BO sneaks into the palace to investigate the Shanxi's lost silver case. YINZHEN hesitates if he should unmask the crown prince. An orphan is missing at the slums of the capital. MO-SUET rushes to the slums and she starts a fight with YINSI's subordinates. She later realizes that she has misunderstood the case and she admires YINSI even more. YINSI has been investigating Shanxi's case secretly and he finally discovers the truth. He writes an anonymous letter to the crown prince requesting him to surrender himself to KANGXI. The crown prince discusses the case with SONGGOTU who is in charge of the palace's military force and they decide to launch a coup. In order to protect KANGXI, YINZHEN stops the palace guards from entering the palace with the help of FUNG YING and GENGYAO. GENGYAO even kills the leader of the palace guards. YINZHEN visits the emperor with the crown prince. KANGXI wants to kill the crown prince. YINZHEN tries to speak for the crown prince and KANGXI scolds him. The crown prince is hopeless and he airs his grievances to KANGXI. KANGXI decides to put him under house arrest for a lifetime.

GENGYAO has killed the leader of the palace guards and KANGXI sends him to jail. RUOBI is worried and she visits YINZHEN. YINZHEN speaks for GENGYAO and KANGXI finally decides to send GENGYAO to the border area to fight against the robbers as a way to make amends for his faults. RUOBI invites SIU-YU to her mother's birthday banquet. TIN-BO misconceives that she is inviting him but RUOBI kicks him away and TIN-BO is totally shocked. GENGYAO meets SIU-YU and he discovers the truth. He is very angry and he requests SIU-YU to stay away from RUOBI. KANGXI appreciates TIN-BO's cooking skills and he visits his shop secretly. He even offers a Pardon token to TIN-BO. In order to find Five Taste Master, SIU-YU follows TIN-BO and LEE WAI to work in the palace. They are shocked to discover that HOK-TING is the head chef of the Palace Larder.

RUOBI learns that SIU-YU has entered the palace with TIN-BO and she asks GENGYAO to help delivering a letter. SIU-YU wants to get rid of RUOBI and she agrees to help matching up TIN-BO and RUOBI. TIN-BO learns that YINZHEN is fond of MO-SUET and he promises that he will not tell MO-SUET about his Manchurian background. YINSI tells MO-SUET the real identity of YINZHEN. MO-SUET returns to question TIN-BO. YINZHEN arrives coincidentally and he is enraged. He starts a quarrel with TIN-BO and they end up in discord. TIN-BO discovers that LEE WAI has been captured by the guards for stealing expensive tea from the palace. TIN-BO decides to carry out investigation for LEE WAI. On the other hand, SIU-YU suspects that the cook Old FUNG is Five Taste Master. MO-SUET is sick and SZE-TO reveals that only 7-color mushroom could save her life. Only people highly sensitive to smells are able to distinguish 7-color mushroom from other mushrooms. In order to rescue MO-SUET, YINZHEN apologizes to TIN-BO...

MO-SUET recovers after eating the 7-color mushroom but she misconceives that YINSI has given her the mushroom. TIN-BO prepares meal for YINZHEN's mother Lady TAK. HOK-TING plays tricks to frame him up. Lady TAK suffers from food poisoning after having the meal. In order to protect others, TIN-BO takes up all the responsibilities. RUOBI invites SIU-YU for a date but SIU-YU brings TIN-BO out as well. The Manchurians are making troubles in town. KANGXI learns about it and he asks YINSI to meet up with the Manchurians but YINSI fails to calm them down. YINZHEN feels that the Manchurians are not obedient at all. In order to unite the Manchu and Han people, YINZHEN suggests KANGXI to introduce a new policy and KANGXI agrees. However, the Manchurians are dissatisfied with the new policy. They make troubles in the Capital and they even attack the palace. YINZHEN, FUNG YING and the others try to stop them from making trouble. YINZHEN decides to start a fight with the Manchurian's leader...

YINZHEN settles down the issue successfully but KANGXI decides put the new policy on hold. YINZHEN seeks advice from SZE-TO and he is shocked to realize that he has been causing harm to the country by being a coward. SONGGOTU surrounds the Capital with his army. KANGXI asks the most popular YINSI to negotiate with SONGGOTU. However, YINSI is seriously injured when trying to protect MO-SUET from an attacker during a date. In order to amend his guilt, YINZHEN decides to take up the task for YINSI. YINZHEN believes that SONGGOTU will not surrender and he decides to kill him secretly. He invites TIN-BO to carry out the task with him. With TIN-BO's help, YINZHEN accomplishes the task successfully. TIN-BO discovers that HOK-TING is giving Old FUNG a hard time and he tries to help him. After the incident, TIN-BO is very curious about Old FUNG's background. RUOBI invites SIU-YU out again and RUOBI's people take TIN-BO away by force. RUOBI stays with SIU-YU and she discovers her secret...

RUOBI discovers that SIU-YU is a woman. SIU-YU tells her the reason behind and asks her to keep the secret for her. KANGXI organizes a banquet for different countries' representatives. In order to take all the credits, HOK-TING assigns tedious jobs to TIN-BO and the others. However, the guests are dissatisfied with the banquet. KANGXI asks TIN-BO to be the chef instead. On MO-SUET's birthday, CHAU-KUK gives her a letter and MO-SUET finally realizes her background. MO-SUET tells TIN-BO that she will be returning to her home town with her mother. She wants to take a look at the palace before leaving. TIN-BO suggests her to seek help from YINZHEN. KANGXI is not able to select a successor among his sons. While YINSI is more popular among the ministers, YINZHEN truly cares about the people and KANGXI appreciates it very much. KANGXI invites YINZHEN for a meeting deliberately but he is disappointed. With the help of YINZHEN, MO-SUET enters the palace by pretending to be a eunuch. MO-SUET plays trick to get rid of YINZHEN and she sneaks into his place...

YINZHEN worries about KANGXI and he asks the guards to chase after MO-SUET. After learning about MO-SUET's real identity, KANGXI brings YINZHEN and MO-SUET to the palace temple. SIU-YU suspects that Old FUNG is Five Taste Master. When she visits RUOBI, she reveals her past resentments against Five Taste Master to RUOBI. YINZHEN fails to settle the injustice between Manchu and Han people and he seeks advice from SZE-TO. SZE-TO believes that YINZHEN will only be able to solve the problem if he becomes the emperor. YINSI learns that MO-SUET has entered the palace. He scolds MO-SUET and asks the eunuch TAK-SING to speak to KANGXI. KANGXI finally punishes YINZHEN by removing him from an important position and he should not be involved in any government affairs for a lifetime. KANGXI is seriously ill and the doctor says that he will die soon. YINSI's people learn that KANGXI wants YINZHEN to be the emperor and YINSI decides to surround KANGXI's place with palace guards.

YINSI puts KANGXI under house arrest and KANGXI sets his testament secretly. YINZHEN wants to rescue KANGXI and he discusses the issue with SZE-TO and GENGYAO. TIN-BO visits KANGXI by saying that he wants to make salted-fish buns for him. KANGXI seizes the chance to give him his testament but YINSI suddenly arrives. SZE-TO draws YINSI away from the palace by making use of MO-SUET and he threatens YINSI's followers to withdraw their troops. YINZHEN rushes to KANGXI's place but KANGXI dies. The ninth prince lies to everyone that KANGXI has appointed YINSI as the emperor. YINZHEN believes that YINSI will become the emperor and he wants to give up but TIN-BO suddenly arrives to reveal that the ninth prince had killed KANGXI. The ninth prince wants to punish TIN-BO and TIN-BO suddenly remembers that he has swallowed KANGXI's testament. After discussion, all ministers decide to give TIN-BO one day to get the testament...

TIN-BO tries to take strong laxatives but he still fails to get the testament. GENGYAO learns that YINSI's people have asked the palace guards to kill YINZHEN and he tries to convey the message by fireworks. FUNG YING and YINZHEN try to fight against the palace guards together. GENGYAO also arrives to help them with some past subordinates. However, there are too many palace guards there. YINZHEN and the others have no choice but to hide inside a woodshed. The palace guards decide to kill them by setting a fire there. YINZHEN finally becomes the emperor. He wants to have YINSI's support for YINSI is very talented but their relationship is very bad now. MO-SUET believes that YINZHEN has got his position by dirty tricks and she decides to stay away from him. TIN-BO and SIU-YU are appointed to take charge of the Palace Larder for their meritorious service. TIN-BO and RUOBI become good friends. Even though GENGYAO objects the relationship, RUOBI still hangs around with TIN-BO all the time. However, RUOBI suddenly loses her vision...

GENGYAO asks SZE-TO to treat RUOBI's eye disease but SZE-TO has no clue. Some people are making troubles at the border area. The ministers suggest persuading the gangsters to capitulate but GENGYAO objects it. YINZHEN therefore asks GENGYAO to fight against them. GENGYAO is worried about RUOBI's eye disease. YINZHEN asks TIN-BO to take care of RUOBI when GENGYAO is away but RUOBI rejects it. TIN-BO sighs at the Palace Larder. Old FUNG learns that TIN-BO wants to make yogurt flamb_ for RUOBI but he fails. GENGYAO is not making any progress in the battle and YINZHEN asks TIN-BO to deliver some food to him. TIN-BO doesn't want to take the job but SZE-TO tells him that he may find the herbs for curing RUOBI's eye disease at the border area. SIU-YU is worried about TIN-BO and she follows him. TIN-BO and SIU-YU fail to carry out their duty. They reveal to GENGYAO that all the food are burnt by their enemy. GENGYAO is enraged and he wants to kill TIN-BO...

TIN-BO and SIU-YU sneak away when GENGYAO is not there. They go to the village nearby to look for Tianshan snow lotus. TIN-BO tries to steal the Tianshan snow lotus but the villagers discover him and imprison him. Luckily, SIU-YU rescues him. When TIN-BO and SIU-YU are running away, they fall into an old well accidentally. SIU-YU is injured and TIN-BO takes good care of her. SIU-YU is deeply touched. With TIN-BO's help, GENGYAO conquers the gangsters successfully and TIN-BO returns to the capital happily. YINZHEN feels that some people want to overthrow the government and FUNG YING suggests to monitor the suspicious people secretly. SIU-YU meets up with RUOBI and she learns about her feelings on TIN-BO. TIN-BO discovers that Tianshan snow lotus is not able to cure RUOBI's eye disease and he is disappointed. He seeks help from SZE-TO. SZE-TO suggests transplanting TIN-BO's eyes to RUOBI.

TIN-BO delivers SIU-YU's desserts to RUOBI. RUOBI senses that SIU-YU is having worries from the taste of the desserts. SIU-YU visits her mother's grave secretly. Old FUNG passes by and discovers her secret. TIN-BO wants to remember RUOBI's face before the eye transplantation and he invites her to star gazing. Everybody learn that TIN-BO wants to donate his eyes to RUOBI and they rush to stop him but they discover the truth. GENGYAO returns and he requests YINZHEN to give him rewards. This create conflicts between him and LONGKODO. YINZHEN decides to become a monk so that he doesn't need to face the troubles anymore. However, SZE-TO reminds him to be careful. YINZHEN's mother's birthday is coming. SIU-YU designs special cuisine for her birthday banquet but Old FUNG tries to replace the dishes. YINZHEN's mother watches MO-SUET's performance during the banquet. She is enraged to learn about MO-SUET's relationship with YINSI and YINZHEN.

TIN-BO becomes the apprentice of Five Taste Master and he shares his dishes with SIU-YU. SIU-YU recognizes that the dishes come from Five Taste Master. MO-SUET enters the palace. Everybody know that YINZHEN loves MO-SUET very much and MO-SUET's mother has the privilege to buy dessert for her outside the palace. TIN-BO tells GENGYAO that he wants to marry RUOBI but GENGYAO wants RUOBI to marry YINZHEN. YINZHEN promotes TIN-BO but GENGYAO is not changing his mind. TIN-BO decides to run away with RUOBI and he reveals their destination to SIU-YU. GENGYAO finds RUOBI missing and he captures SIU-YU. TIN-BO is arrested as well and LEE WAI falls into the sea. In order to save TIN-BO's life, RUOBI agrees to enter the palace and she asks TIN-BO to forget her.

In order to achieve political stability, YINZHEN finally decides to marry LONGKODO's granddaughter and RUOBI as his concubines. On his wedding night, he goes to the Palace Larder to look for TIN-BO and he discovers TIN-BO drinking unhappily. RUOBI is married and TIN-BO cannot concentrate on his works anymore. TIN-BO learns that SIU-YU has gone to GENGYAO's place when he ran away with RUOBI and he suspects that SIU-YU has betrayed him. TIN-BO prepares dishes for YINZHEN as a way to show his love to RUOBI. MO-SUET greets YINZHEN's mother but she is being kicked away. TIN-BO finally realizes that SIU-YU did not betray him and he reconcile with her. TIN-BO visits MO-SUET and begs her to deliver a letter to RUOBI for him. LONGKODO reports to YINZHEN that GENGYAO is involved in corruption cases. YINZHEN meets up with GENGYAO. During the meeting, GENGYAO slaps TIN-BO on his face.

LEE WAI and SIU-TO try to create chance for TIN-BO to meet up with RUOBI but RUOBI uses cruel words to discourage TIN-BO. TIN-BO drinks at the riverside and he falls into the river accidentally. SIU-YU rescues him. TIN-BO suspects that SIU-YU is gay and he tries to keep a distance from her. RUOBI learns that MO-SUET is being punished by YINZHEN's mother and she consoles her by bringing her desserts. After eating the desserts, MO-SUET is poisoned and she collapses. YINZHEN believes that GENGYAO has poisoned MO-SUET. SZE-TO carries out investigation and he discovers the truth but YINZHEN doesn't believe it. SZE-TO is upset and he leaves the palace. When TIN-BO and SIU-YU are working in the Palace Larder, HOK-TING discovers that TIN-BO is scared of frogs. He plays trick to trap TIN-BO inside a warehouse with frogs.

GENGYAO is degraded by YINZHEN and he becomes a soldier. He wears the imperial yellow jacket that YINZHEN gave him to show everybody that YINZHEN is an ungrateful man. YINZHEN needs to leave the palace for ancestor worship and MO-SUET stays in the palace alone. YINZHEN's mother is being told that MO-SUET is harming YINZHEN with witchcraft and she punishes MO-SUET by sending her to the temple. YINZHEN finds MO-SUET suspicious. When he realizes her secret, he is heart-broken. When YINZHEN is alone, YINSI tries to attack him but MO-SUET stops him. YINZHEN's mother learns that MO-SUET is collaborating with YINSI. LONGKODO tells her that MO-SUET had tried to kill KANGXI and YINZHEN's mother decides to kill MO-SUET. As advised by SZE-TO, YINZHEN decides to go out in midnight to rescue MO-SUET but his mother stops him. MO-SUET has died and YINZHEN is extremely angry and sad.