The servant quietly reminded Shen Shaoguang, “That’s our young master.” Then he led her over and reported to Lin Yan that the female proprietor from Shen’s shop had come to deliver porridge to the madam.
Shen Shaoguang gave Lin Yan a slight curtsy.
Looking at Shen Shaoguang and the food box in her hands, Lin Yan instructed the servant, “Take the porridge to the madam. I have something to discuss with Proprietor Shen.”
The servant was somewhat surprised but quickly bowed and acknowledged the order.
Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at Assistant Magistrate Lin, and handed the food box to the servant, saying with a smile, “Please tell the madam’s attendants that this porridge should be eaten while hot. If it cools and is reheated, the taste won’t be quite the same.”
The servant nodded and hurried away with the food box.
Shen Shaoguang stood there naturally, waiting for Assistant Magistrate Lin to speak, while wondering internally if her involvement in blackening Huan Seventh Young Master’s reputation for Miss Chu had been discovered. Was the crime-solving rate in the Tang Dynasty this high? More importantly, was it serious enough to involve this equivalent of Chang’an’s executive deputy mayor? She also found herself recalling the contents of the Tang Code and Commentary, wondering if there were any provisions regarding the violation of citizens’ reputation rights.
Lin Yan did indeed want to ask her about this matter. Though he hadn’t personally witnessed it, he had heard from Minister Li about how Court Secretary Shen had stood firm and presented his case before the emperor with unwavering integrity. As his beloved daughter, a young lady should maintain proper conduct and not resort to such mischievous methods.
But thinking about the content of that rumor, Lin Yan found it awkward to bring it up and unusually hesitated.
Shen Shaoguang had already made up her mind – without evidence, she would simply deny everything.
Lin Yan looked up at Shen Shaoguang, who wore a navy blue Shu brocade dress with subtle patterns and dark fur trim at the collar, her expression dignified and carrying a certain authority.
Lin Yan pressed his lips together and decided to drop it. If he was wrong to suspect her, it would be embarrassing for the lady; if he wasn’t wrong, given the young lady’s capabilities, she was “clever enough to reject the advice and eloquent enough to disguise wrongdoing” – he wouldn’t get anything out of questioning her. Besides, Huan Seventh truly had character flaws and deserved such a lesson.
“This way, please, lady,” Lin Yan gestured.
Shen Shaoguang followed half a step behind him.
They walked slowly along the corridor.
The flowers and trees in the courtyards on both sides of the corridor were withered, and remnants of snow still hadn’t completely melted in the shaded areas, presenting a desolate winter scene. Occasional servants who saw Lin Yan would bow and step aside.
Shen Shaoguang was looking at the hundred-flower carved railings that “she” could never finish counting in her childhood. If Assistant Magistrate Lin hadn’t been beside her, she would have wanted to touch those petals again.
“Is the lady happy in the marketplace?”
Shen Shaoguang thought: The same question was asked again – is this a follow-up social happiness survey?
A polite smile appeared on Shen Shaoguang’s face, “Naturally. Now that the seas are clear and rivers peaceful, this Chang’an city is prosperous and tranquil.” Shen Shaoguang casually gave the same “correct answer” as last time.
Lin Yan turned his head to look at her, his expression showing some gravity.
Shen Shaoguang couldn’t maintain her light tone anymore and paused for a moment, “It’s alright. I have hands and feet, can eat and drink – I suppose that counts as peaceful and happy.”
Lin Yan nodded this time and continued walking.
Shen Shaoguang suddenly felt a flash of irritation: why are you so fixated on whether a criminal official’s daughter, a common merchant, is happy or not? We’re just born and trying to survive; happiness, that spiritual pursuit, isn’t something we can achieve so quickly.
“The Assistant Magistrate has asked twice – perhaps you’re pondering Zhuangzi and Huizi’s debate about the happiness of fish on the Hao Bridge, wanting to verify it yourself?” asked Shen Shaoguang with an ambiguous smile, comparing herself to the fish.
Lin Yan stopped and turned to look at her. Shen Shaoguang met his gaze with a slight smile.
Lin Yan pressed his lips together, “The lady overthinks. I just…” wanted to say “hope you are happy,” but that might seem like improper advances; saying he hoped everyone was happy would sound perfunctory, so he just closed his mouth and turned to continue walking.
Hearing these half-spoken words, Shen Shaoguang inwardly joked: Hey, these words are so intimate and dense – if I were even slightly narcissistic, I might think you had feelings for me.
Shen Shaoguang understood his meaning and received his goodwill, thinking that after hearing about her father that day, this Assistant Magistrate Lin had developed some sympathy and wanted to ensure that the Court Secretary Shen’s descendant was living well.
Shen Shaoguang turned to look at Lin Yan and said with some defiance, “As a noble young master, you probably have never had frozen hands and feet.”
“When I was in the palace school, there wasn’t enough charcoal. In deep winter, my hands and feet would become swollen and infected. If they stayed cold, it wasn’t so bad – just some cracks and pain. The worst was suddenly getting close to the charcoal fire – oh my, the unbearable itching.” So, this sudden care is better kept to a minimum.
Lin Yan turned his head slightly; Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow with a smile; Lin Yan pressed his lips together and shifted his gaze away.
Writing policy essays or even participating in court debates, Lin Yan could argue with reason and evidence, but faced with such a quick-witted lady, he didn’t know what to say, so he simply kept quiet and silently acted as a guide.
Both remained silent, but the atmosphere relaxed. Shen Shaoguang looked at her “old home,” then at Assistant Magistrate Lin’s figure slightly ahead and to the right, somewhat regretting her previous words: I discussed emotional issues with a barely acquainted man – must be too busy lately, too much work pressure. During the New Year’s business closure, I should relax for a few days.
They walked in silence until they reached the madam’s courtyard.
Seeing Shen Shaoguang, Madam Jiang’s eyes brightened, “So this is the young proprietress of Shen’s shop?” Today the madam was very clear-minded, not mistaking Shen’s shop for some tavern from decades ago in Bian Prefecture or Jiangnan or Hedong.
Familiar with this look of a gourmand seeing a chef, which she’d experienced often lately, Shen Shaoguang calmly stepped forward and curtsied, “Blessings to the elderly madam.”
“Young lady, you have such noble bearing, such fine manner,” Madam Jiang praised.
Shen Shaoguang smiled slightly, “The madam is too kind.”
Madam Jiang looked at Shen Shaoguang with a smile, “I’m old, and my appetite isn’t what it used to be, but whenever they bring food from your shop, I can always eat a bit more. This time you’ve personally cooked and delivered porridge – I’m truly grateful.”
“I’m delighted that the madam enjoys it so much.”
Back and forth, Chef Shen Shaoguang and her customer Madam Jiang began discussing cuisine.
From Shen’s signature dishes to dietary taboos to following natural dietary principles, to festival foods – they had a lively conversation with good give and take. Madam Jiang’s face was full of smiles, her expression joyful, while Shen Shaoguang also smiled slightly, occasionally offering witty remarks.
Lin Yan watched and listened from the side, rarely seeing his grandmother so spirited in conversation, and rarely seeing young lady Shen so gentle, respectful, and understanding. Comparing it to her quick wit in the corridor earlier, Lin Yan reflected: perhaps the problem was with me?
Shen Shaoguang explained to Madam Jiang and the maids how to make walnut milk, and also shared knowledge about cooking Eight Treasures porridge, in case the old lady craved it again and the kitchen was at a loss.
“If the taste isn’t right, it’s probably because the order of adding the grains and garnishes was wrong.”
“You should first add the red beans, black beans, and other beans, along with Job’s tears and fox nuts that take longer to cook – simmer for about half an hour, then add rice, millet, and other regular grains, cook for another hour before adding the red dates…”
The maids listened attentively, memorizing carefully, waiting to relay it to the kitchen staff.
“Add sugar when it’s thickened and almost done. As for pine nuts, hazelnut kernels, and other garnishes, those are added when serving – this way, what should be soft is soft, and what should be crispy stays crispy. The various grains should achieve harmony while maintaining their distinctions; if thrown in together to cook until mushy, they become uniform without harmony.” Being a food critic by background, Shen Shaoguang habitually provided some theoretical summary.
Madam Jiang clapped her hands in praise, “Young lady’s culinary philosophy aligns with the sages’ teachings – no wonder ordinary cooks can’t match it!” She continued, “While calling it Eight Treasures porridge is apt, calling it Gentleman’s porridge would be even more wonderful – harmony without uniformity is the way of the gentleman.”
Shen Shaoguang felt that Madam Jiang truly understood the art of naming dishes – just as translation requires “faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance,” so does naming dishes. Once called “Gentleman’s porridge,” wouldn’t the drinker naturally feel some of the open-minded spirit of a gentleman?
His grandmother and young lady Shen had gone from discussing food to the way of the gentleman, rather like the pure conversations of the Wei and Jin periods. Lin Yan looked at the two happily conversing and smiled somewhat helplessly.
After chatting with Madam Jiang for a while, Shen Shaoguang noticed the time and stood to take her leave.
Madam Jiang personally saw her to the door, smiling, “It’s been a while since I’ve had such a pleasant conversation. Young lady, when you have free time, do come sit with this old woman often.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded, “Madam, please don’t trouble yourself to see me out. I will certainly come to visit in the future.”
The madam had her maid personally escort Shen Shaoguang out.
The maid carried the food box, only handing it to Shen Shaoguang at the gate, and thanked her again with a smile. Shen Shaoguang politely responded in kind.
After leaving the side gate, Shen Shaoguang took one last look back before slowly walking back to the tavern.
Back at the shop, she opened the food box to find four small silver ingots in a purse – two shaped like peonies and two like small fish, brand new, probably New Year’s money freshly cast. Each weighed half a tael, totaling two taels together.
Comparing it to the meal money and tips Assistant Magistrate Lin usually gave, Shen Shaoguang felt that a grandmother is indeed a grandmother and a grandson is just a grandson – see how dignified and refined the madam was.
When she left the palace, eight-tenths of Shen Shaoguang’s savings were gone, and she spent more after that, leaving none of these convenient silver ingots. Though she earned plenty now, these weren’t as decorative and pretty. She thought she’d use these as New Year’s money for Ayuan and the others when the time came.
In the Lin residence, Lin Yan was keeping his grandmother company.
Madam Jiang had been excited earlier and was now a bit tired, but with her grandson beside her, she was still willing to chat.
Lin Yan helped tuck the deerskin blanket around her and smiled as he slowly discussed everyday matters with his grandmother.
“Young ladies these days are quite something. Like that girl we met recently – what was her surname? And this young lady from Shen’s shop – they’re both beautiful and have such dignity.”
The maid beside them smiled, “Madam has forgotten again – it’s Qin, the fifth daughter of Chief Minister Qin.” She glanced at Lin Yan beside her and quietly reminded the madam not to compare a merchant woman with potential daughter-in-law candidates, “Though this young lady Shen is fine indeed, she can’t compare with Miss Qin.”
Madam Jiang nodded and said with some feeling, “Status and family background can change in an instant – it’s quite meaningless. But when arranging marriages, one can’t ignore it. Every family is like this, yet no one realizes it.”
As if possessed, Lin Yan actually explained to his grandmother, “This female proprietor of Shen’s shop comes from the Shen clan of Luoyang – it’s just that their family fortunes have declined.”
Madam Jiang was surprised, as were the maids – the maids were surprised not only by young lady Shen’s background but also by how their young master knew this.
But Madam Jiang recalled the storms she had weathered in the past. Though she was old and confused now, some things were like marks carved by a knife – indelible even after many years.