The autumn wind blew gently—it was the perfect season for fish and crabs.
While refined scholars spoke of “thoughts of water shield and perch,” Shen Shaoguang brought home two catfish, each more than two chi in length.
Catfish wasn’t considered precious—it couldn’t compare to mandarin fish, carp, bream, or perch. A poem described it as “slimy and most stubborn,” hardly befitting refined tastes. But as a small shopkeeper, what did Shen Shaoguang care about refined tastes?
Catfish, being carnivorous, had remarkable vitality. Even after leaving the water, it would still thrash about—if one wasn’t careful, its tail could slap against one’s leg, causing real pain. Indeed, this temperament truly matched its “stubborn” nature.
Shen Shaoguang felt somewhat troubled, unsure how to kill them, and couldn’t help but miss the fishmongers from her previous life who not only handled the killing but also the cutting and filleting.
Madam Li from the neighboring fabric shop noticed Shen Shaoguang’s fish and expressed surprise: “These catfish are so plump! Though I worry they might taste muddy!” Then she smiled, “But with Young Lady Shen’s skilled hands, I’m sure they’ll taste different.”
Shen Shaoguang taught her: “Add some wine and ginger while cooking to remove the muddy taste.”
Madam Li, being somewhat of a fan of Shen Shaoguang’s culinary skills, treated these words like Buddhist scriptures and quickly asked: “What kind of wine? How much?”
Shen Shaoguang paused, switching hands carrying the fish—they were quite heavy, leaving marks on her hands—then instructed Madam Li on the secrets of cooking fish: “The black membrane in the fish belly must be thoroughly cleaned,” “Both ginger and wine are necessary,” “Add some vinegar too, it removes the fishy smell and helps it cook faster…”
Madam Li kept nodding. If only she could write, she would certainly have taken notes.
After finishing her instructions to Madam Li, Shen Shaoguang carried the two fish to the small alley behind the shop.
Knowing Shen Shaoguang couldn’t kill fish, A-Yuan grabbed a wooden club, saying “I’ll do it!”
Shen Shaoguang quickly stepped aside, yielding the position to the heroine.
A-Yuan gripped the fish and struck its head with the wooden club.
Seeing her channel the spirit of Wu Erlang slaying the white-browed tiger, and remembering how she had dragged two drunk men, Shen Shaoguang quickly shouted: “Don’t smash it too hard!”
A-Yuan hastily reduced her force, but the slippery fish, with its last burst of energy, managed to jump over A-Yuan’s head, startling both Shen Shaoguang and A-Yuan.
After their fright, they both burst into laughter.
Shen Shaoguang laughed, “Let’s just leave these two here. They can’t survive without water anyway!”
A-Yuan wasn’t as timid as Shen Shaoguang. Having found the right technique this time, she firmly pressed the fish against the slate by the water vat and struck it hard twice with the club. The fish finally stopped moving.
Shen Shaoguang gave A-Yuan a thumbs up, and A-Yuan smiled proudly before dealing with the second fish in the same manner.
“The big fish head is yours today!” Shen Shaoguang smiled. They both loved eating fish heads.
Catfish was fatty with tender meat, but it lacked freshness and had a muddy taste, making it most suitable for red-braising.
Shen Shaoguang coated the fish pieces A-Yuan had prepared with cornstarch and fried them briefly, then started another wok with oil and sugar to create color, added the fish, green onions, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, cardamom, and dill seeds, then poured in the sauce mixture of wine, light soy sauce, and vinegar… A simple but hearty home-style red-braising.
She also cut eggplant into large chunks to add near the end of cooking—this was taught by a northeastern neighbor brother from her previous life, who used to say, “Catfish stewed with eggplant, enough to stuff the old master.”
That neighbor’s brother was a genuine food lover whose greatest pleasure was driving to the woods in summer to catch cicadas and fry them at home…
Whether this catfish and eggplant dish would stuff Tang Dynasty masters remained unknown, but its aroma was so strong it attracted an uninvited guest: “Is that stewed fish? I could smell it just passing by the door.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled, thinking “Stopping for fragrance, halting for taste,” Third Lady was truly a kindred spirit.
Even without smelling anything, Third Lady Lu would occasionally stop by to exchange a few barbs with Shen Shaoguang, deriving endless pleasure from their verbal sparring. Shen Shaoguang suspected this big sister might be somewhat of a masochist.
The aroma attracted not only Third Lady Lu; two regular customers passing by the shop also came in specifically to ask: “Are you selling fish today?”
Shen Shaoguang had only bought two fish, hardly enough to sell. There was no dedicated fish shop in the ward, and today’s fish were probably caught or angled by the seller himself. Without a stable supply, it couldn’t be offered as a new dish.
“It’s not a new dish. If customers like it, I’ll serve you a bowl when you come for drinks in the evening.” Shen Shaoguang’s courtesy was impeccable.
The customer understood this was for personal consumption and quickly declined: “How could I? I was being presumptuous!” But he sincerely suggested, “Young Lady should add some fish dishes.”
Shen Shaoguang thanked him, and the customer inquired whether there would still be agate meat in the evening, seemingly planning to come for drinks.
After the customer left, Third Lady Lu clicked her tongue, “Young Lady is still so good with words!”
Shen Shaoguang shook her head and sighed, “I don’t mean to be, I just can’t help being naturally clever.”
“…” Third Lady Lu clearly couldn’t handle this internet-age style of shameless banter. She pressed her lips together and turned to examine Shen Shaoguang’s shop, noting when the carpet had been added—one piece cost several hundred wen, this shop must really be profitable!
Shen Shaoguang went to check on the stove and fire in the kitchen, gave A-Yuan some instructions, and returned to find Third Lady Lu wearing an envious expression… well, it would help her appetite, she could eat an extra bowl of fish today.
As they were talking, a woman in her forties or fifties entered. She had a round face and figure, wore a brown floral silk robe, and had two large silver hairpins in her hair. Before speaking, she smiled: “Young Lady’s cooking smells wonderful!”
“…” It’s just stewed fish, why is everyone making such a fuss? Shen Shaoguang thought perhaps she really should add some fish dishes to the menu.
Thinking this woman was also attracted by the smell, it turned out she had other intentions: “Congratulations to Young Lady!”
Third Lady Lu, who had just heard this woman praise the “wonderful cooking” and assumed she was another customer coming for food, had been feeling increasingly uncomfortable and was about to leave. Upon hearing “congratulations,” she sat back down.
Shen Shaoguang invited the new guest to sit and poured her a cup of milk drink, “What congratulations might this be?”
“I am Madam Jiang, a professional matchmaker. Someone has asked me to present a marriage proposal to Young Lady.”
Third Lady Lu’s eyes grew even rounder.
Shen Shaoguang smiled with a slight frown, “Oh? Which worthy young gentleman might it be?”
“It’s Clerk Liu from the Capital Prefecture.” The matchmaker smiled.
“…” It was rare for Shen Shaoguang to be at a loss for words. This fellow was pursuing her? And even formally sent a matchmaker?
She remembered someone in her previous life saying, “The greatest respect a man can show a woman is to marry her.” Though somewhat biased, in this situation, given both Liu Fenghe’s and her circumstances, this truly showed great sincerity.
When shown respect, one should return it. As Shen Shaoguang was considering how to respond, Third Lady Lu tugged at her sleeve: “Which Capital Prefecture Clerk is this?”
Seeing Shen Shaoguang lost in thought, the matchmaker smiled and said, “Let me tell Young Lady about Master Liu’s family background. Master Liu is from Deng Prefecture. His grandfather once served as the Magistrate of Nanyang—they’re a proper scholarly and official family. Currently, he has his elderly mother and a younger brother, both living in their hometown.”
After explaining the family background, she described Liu Fenghe’s situation, “Master Liu is twenty-five this year. He passed the Mingjiang examination two years ago and was appointed to his current position through the institutional examination. He is honest and understanding—Young Lady won’t go wrong marrying him.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded. He was an economically suitable man, indeed quite good. If her family had simply fallen from grace without the identity of a criminal official’s daughter, marrying this fellow, gradually developing feelings, living a good life, and having two children—perhaps this lifetime in the Tang Dynasty could pass smoothly just like that.
However, now… better not harm him.
Shen Shaoguang smiled at the matchmaker and said: “Marriage is a serious matter that requires careful consideration. May I have a few days to think it over?”
No one would force an immediate answer, and a young lady should show some reserve. The matchmaker smiled, “Of course.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled again: “With my parents gone, I must shamelessly handle some matters myself. I have some things I’d like to discuss with Master Liu in person, please relay this to him.”
The matchmaker nodded, thinking of the clever and beautiful young lady, reportedly from a noble family, unfortunately fallen on hard times…
After seeing the matchmaker off, she turned to see Third Lady Lu’s indignant face.
“Young Lady won’t agree… Could it be that this Clerk Liu is ugly?” Third Lady Lu’s expression changed, showing suspicion mixed with hope. What virtue or ability did this Shen have to deserve such a good marriage prospect? The gentleman must be as ugly as a ghost!
Perhaps considering her bleak prospects in the marriage market, or perhaps because Third Lady Lu’s expression was too obvious, Shen Shaoguang was genuinely annoyed and replied with a half-smile: “He’s not ugly at all—he’s the one you mocked for buying seven sets of pancakes.”
Third Lady Lu’s expression changed again. That gentleman wore an official’s cyan robe, had thick eyebrows and large eyes, was in the prime of youth, and had nothing ugly about him!
“If Third Lady fancies him as a son-in-law… the matchmaker hasn’t gone far, you can still catch up.” Shen Shaoguang said casually.
This was mocking her inability to find such a gentleman, while also suggesting she could take what Shen Shaoguang didn’t want. Third Lady Lu was once again rendered speechless by Shen Shaoguang. After a while, she finally said: “Young Lady shouldn’t be too proud! What do you have to be so proud of?”
Shen Shaoguang pondered, “Perhaps it’s my cooking skills, cleverness, and ability to make money?”
Third Lady Lu stomped away in anger.
Shen Shaoguang turned to instruct A-Yuan, who was cutting meat, “From now on, buy the morning pastries from Zhang’s shop in the southward!”
A-Yuan agreed readily: “I say we should have changed places long ago!”
Shen Shaoguang lost her temper at this comment and said grudgingly: “Old Zhang’s pastries are never crispy enough.”
Shen Shaoguang never let money or taste buds suffer for spite, but this time she made an exception for Third Lady Lu.
In the evening, after all the customers had left, Liu Fenghe arrived.