Pei Fei and Lin Yan left the Lin residence, walking at a leisurely pace.
“Ah—” Pei Fei shook his head, sighing for the thirtieth time today.
Lin Yan didn’t even look at him and continued walking.
Pei Fei followed with a bitter expression.
Pei Fei had fled to the Lin residence to avoid trouble—not just any trouble, but romantic trouble.
On that snowy day, Pei Fei had been in a poetic mood and went to drink at an East Market tavern carrying a green bamboo umbrella. As luck would have it, he encountered Princess Fuhui who had just left Xingqing Palace, and as further luck would have it, he caught the Princess’s eye. The next day, the Princess sent an invitation requesting his presence at her residence to appreciate camellia flowers and discuss poetry.
Pei Fei wished he could go back in time and slap himself. Serves you right for trying to be refined! Serves you right for drinking in the snow! Serves you right for insisting on going to the East Market! Didn’t you know it was close to the imperial inner garden?
Complaining was useless. Pei Fei could only feign illness to get out of it.
Fearing that the Princess might hold another “flower appreciation gathering” during the winter solstice holiday, right after yesterday’s grand court meeting and official banquet, Pei Fei had fled to the Lin residence early this morning before even eating breakfast.
He often visited the Lin residence but had never arrived right when the district gates opened. Faced with Lin Yan’s slightly puzzled expression, Pei Fei hesitated—how could he openly say that Princess Fuhui seemed interested in making him her consort? How embarrassing would that be to admit? He could only make an excuse about being “troubled by love, troubled by love…”
Lin Yan snorted with laughter. The twelfth young master Pei was good in every way except for being too romantic, and now he claimed to be troubled by love… Let him stay troubled! So when he heard the sighing now, he completely ignored it. Pei Fei, however, had troubles he couldn’t voice.
Considering the Princess’s qualities, if she weren’t a princess, Pei Fei might have truly liked her. That peony-like beauty; the way she smiled before speaking, with that alluring look in her eyes; being twenty-seven or twenty-eight, neither too old nor too young…
But as a man of integrity who stood tall in court purely on his own merits, how could he bear the stigma of advancing through a woman’s influence?
“Since you said the hotpot at my house wasn’t good, let’s go eat something better,” Lin Yan said, looking at Shen’s tavern sign not far ahead.
Pei Fei rubbed his growling stomach and decided to set aside his worries and have a big meal first. “Last time I came, Young Lady Shen’s fish balls were especially delicious.”
Just as they reached the entrance, they heard a male voice through the felt curtain, followed by Young Lady Shen’s sweet voice.
After listening to a few exchanges, they looked at each other, and Pei Fei let out a snicker as Lin Yan lifted the curtain to enter.
Shen Shaoguang was in the middle of a verbal dispute.
On the second day of the Winter Solstice festival, everything had started pleasantly. In the mid-morning, the meat vendor had delivered lamb and pork, along with several wild pheasants—beautiful ones with long tails—supposedly caught in the wilderness. One was particularly large and fat, likely several years old, while the others were smaller, probably from this year.
In autumn, Shen Shaoguang had received quails, partridges, and doves, but no pheasants. This time was especially precious because they were alive—though this also created a dilemma, as it seemed a shame to kill them. Especially the large one, whose tail feathers were so beautiful they would be rare even in the imperial inner garden.
The meat vendor, seeming to see through Shen Shaoguang’s thoughts, smiled and said, “Young Lady, don’t keep them as pets. These creatures are timid but temperamental—they won’t last three days. They’re different from the domesticated pheasants in noble gardens.”
Given that, there was no choice but to eat them.
In the palace, pheasants were usually roasted until the skin turned yellow with a slight char, glistening with oil, and delicious when dipped in pepper salt. Shen Shaoguang decided to prepare the smaller ones this way.
As for the large one, it would be best for soup. Even Old Madam Jia, who had lived a life of luxury, praised the flavor of young pheasant soup. And for soup, the older birds had even more flavor than the young ones.
Before the young pheasants were fully roasted and while the soup still needed more time to simmer, yesterday’s scholars arrived again, presumably to return the favor of a meal. Among them was a familiar face—Clerk Liu.
Shen Shaoguang greeted him openly, “Greetings for the Winter Solstice festival, Sir Liu.” She then welcomed the other scholars, “What would you gentlemen like to eat today? Hotpot again?”
Huan Qi smiled and said, “Let’s have something different today.”
Shen Shaoguang handed them a menu, “In that case, gentlemen, please take your time choosing.” She added, “Today we have some pheasants, both roasted and in soup, though they’ll take some time to prepare.”
“Then let’s have some pheasant soup. It’s perfect for this time of day,” Huan Qi said, looking at Liu Feng and then at the others.
The others naturally followed the host’s preference.
Shen Shaoguang smiled in agreement and went to the kitchen to bring red dates and wolfberry drinks.
Huan Qi then asked everyone to order dishes.
One of them winked at Liu Feng, saying, “Clerk Liu is familiar with this place, why don’t you order?”
Liu Feng blushed at the comment but, fearing Shen Shaoguang might overhear and feel awkward, didn’t respond.
Yesterday’s scholar who had accused Liu Feng of being blinded by beauty frowned looked at the kitchen door, and whispered to Liu Feng, “Don’t be angry at what I’m about to say, Third Brother. How could you consider marrying a woman from the marketplace? Fortunately, she had enough self-awareness not to accept.”
Huan Qi and the others frowned slightly. A bit of teasing was one thing, but how could Lu Er speak so bluntly to someone’s face? Though they were all from the same year, Liu Feng was now a clerk in the Capital Prefecture, while they either hadn’t passed the examinations or were stuck in official selection despite passing the Ministry of Rites examination.
Liu Feng’s face reddened further, “Don’t speak like that! Young Lady Shen is from the Shen clan of Luoxia.”
Everyone was surprised. What? She was from a noble family? Then why was she selling wine in the marketplace? They soon understood—her family must have fallen on hard times. Which great clan didn’t have its withered branches and fallen leaves?
Huan Qi understood particularly well. Though he was from a noble family, he was from a minor branch, living dependent on the main family. Because of his good looks and talent, he received special care from the main family’s patriarch, allowing his household to maintain a decent life. He hadn’t expected this tavern keeper to share a similar background, though her fall had been more complete…
Huan Qi said to everyone, “The Shen clan of Luoxia is a family of gentlemen. We should show proper respect.”
Shen Shaoguang came out of the kitchen with drinks and found them suddenly more polite.
She looked at Liu Feng, who was completely flushed.
That expression—they must have been discussing her past and present life. But judging by their manner, they probably only mentioned her family name. And Liu Feng, being considerate, likely hadn’t mentioned that she was once a palace maid…
Shen Shaoguang’s ability to read people and deduce logic was perfect, guessing eight or nine-tenths of the truth.
Seeing Shen Shaoguang’s proper speech and perfect etiquette, and hearing she was from the Luoxia Shen clan, the scholars felt even more regretful.
Lu Er, considering himself principled, addressed Shen Shaoguang: “I have something to say, though I’m not sure if I should?”
Liu Feng frowned: “Second Young Master Lu—”
Shen Shaoguang had already smiled and said: “Please speak, sir.”
“I just heard that Young Lady is from the Shen clan of Luoxia. Being from a noble family, even if fallen on hard times, why reduce yourself to this?” He meant she could have been placed with relatives or found a marriage match, rather than appearing in public to sell wine. Out of respect for the name “Shen,” Lu Er held back from saying “willingly degrading yourself.”
Given the current strict hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, Shen Shaoguang hadn’t planned to challenge mainstream views, but when confronted so directly, she couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
Shen Shaoguang smiled with narrowed eyes, “Observing your distinguished manner, and hearing Clerk Liu address you as ‘Second Young Master Lu,’ might you be from the Lu clan of the eastern capital?”
The Lu clan of Luoyang had produced many ministers and grand councilors in the current dynasty and was a top-tier noble family. Though Lu Er wished he were from that family, he couldn’t falsely claim such ancestors and had to admit: “I am from Xiangzhou.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded: “Ah, that explains it…”
Everyone looked at her curiously, wondering what it explained.
“In the past, Duke Wei Lu Chengzhi reformed salt administration, cleared waterways for trade, promoted north-south commerce, and showed abilities comparable to Sang Hongyang of Han. He once said, ‘Merchants are the nation’s lifeblood.’ I thought all children of the Luoyang Lu clan were taught such principles.”
Shen Shaoguang looked at Lu Er and smiled, “I had thought you were an exception from that family. Now that I know your origins, please forgive my mistake.” She bowed slightly.
Lu Er was too angry to speak.
Huan Qi and the others were momentarily speechless, impressed by this young lady’s sharp tongue and extensive knowledge of famous officials and state affairs.
Liu Feng stared wide-eyed—Young Lady Shen had always seemed so proper and gentle…
Shen Shaoguang glanced at Liu Feng, thinking: Have I—broken character?
Just then, laughter came from outside, and the felt curtain was lifted as two gentlemen entered—Deputy Governor Lin and his friend.
Lu Er flicked his sleeve and walked out, brushing past Lin Yan and Pei Fei.
Before anyone could address Lu Er’s departure, Liu Feng stepped forward to bow to Lin Yan.
Seeing Liu Feng’s manner and hearing him address Lin as “Deputy Governor,” Huan Qi and the others realized this was the Capital Prefecture’s Deputy Governor and quickly came forward to bow.
Lin Yan nodded and said mildly, “Gentlemen, please don’t stand on ceremony.”
He then introduced Pei Fei, and after exchanging greetings, everyone sat down again.
Rarely encountering such a high-ranking official in crimson robes, Huan Qi and the others naturally wanted to make a good impression. They only regretted not bringing their writings—wouldn’t presenting them directly be better than leaving them with door guards who might never pass them on, or worse, use them as kindling?
Seeing their interest lay more in conversation than eating, and that they were setting up for a tea gathering of sorts, Shen Shaoguang noted that there weren’t many customers today anyway due to the lingering Winter Solstice festival, so she might as well let them use the space. She had Yuan bring hot drinks for Lin and Pei, then went to check on the pheasant soup.
She heard them move from discussing the Winter Solstice to praising the sage emperor’s virtuous governance, with two even composing poems. Lin Yan nodded, “The court selects those with both virtue and talent. You gentlemen have great talent, beyond my abilities. As for virtue—” Lin Yan paused, looking around at everyone with clear eyes and a solemn expression, “When virtue is clear in one’s heart and one is careful in speech and action, then one approaches being a gentleman. Let us all strive for this.”
Everyone quickly stood to receive his teaching, except Pei Fei who smiled and sipped his red date and wolfberry drink.
Fearing they might disturb this serious superior’s meal, Liu Feng took his leave. Huan Qi and the others, knowing they didn’t have the status to dine with a crimson-robed official, followed Liu Feng in departing.
Shen Shaoguang came from the kitchen to see them off, and Huan Qi and the others were completely polite to her—the Deputy Governor’s lecture about “virtue” was still fresh in their ears. Speaking of which, how much had Deputy Governor Lin heard earlier? While his words were certainly correct, given the previous events, they somehow seemed like a reprimand.
Huan Qi suddenly had a strange thought—could there be some connection between Deputy Governor Lin and Young Lady Shen?
Vaguely hearing people call him Huan Qi, Shen Shaoguang had wanted to stop him from that lady’s search for someone, but after consideration, decided against it. Better to speak with that lady first—anyway, knowing where Clerk Liu lived meant she could find this Young Master Huan.
Shen Shaoguang walked over to the two who hadn’t left and asked with a smile: “Today we have fresh pheasant, which will be roasted soon, and pheasant soup. Would you gentlemen like to try?”
Pei Fei looked at Shen Shaoguang, then at Lin Yan, and smiled: “Let’s follow Young Lady’s suggestions. Bring out all the fresh dishes too. After all—I’m not the one paying.”
Shen Shaoguang showed a knowing smile—isn’t this what friends are for? Taking advantage of each other? I understand! She promptly agreed, “Please wait a moment, gentlemen.”
Seeing their teasing smiles, Lin Yan pressed his lips together and picked up his teacup. Twelfth Young Master Pei had been sighing all morning—he completely deserved this!