The narrator introduces us to the royal palace, which is the home of the emperor and his family. The narrator tells us that the emperor pays homage to his majesty and wants to see the palace. He asks the royal brother if he has any other orders. The royal brother tells him that he is not getting any older, and that he only wishes for the emperor's good health. He also tells the narrator that he has brought in a new cook from the streets. The cook is skilled, but she never wants power or riches and only wants peace and stability for her family. Her mother also made her soup for her, the "soup of longings." The soup was a favorite of the former emperor, and the late emperor considered him for the crown prince position. The fourth brother asks the narrator to bring the cook with him this year, so that he can have a chance to taste the skills of the new cook.