The next day, Chu Di came alone to Shen’s Tavern.
“Aji—” Chu Di entered and smiled at Shen Shaoguang behind the counter.
Shen Shaoguang bit her lip and stepped forward to properly perform a junior’s bow: “Child pays respects to Uncle.”
Chang nearly dropped the stack of plates he was holding – since when did the young miss have such an uncle? Wasn’t this yesterday’s guest?
Yu San, who witnessed this scene through the kitchen curtain, also changed expression. Yuan, however, remained perfectly composed – for someone of our young miss’s caliber, having two noble relatives wasn’t surprising; even if she were said to be an imperial princess living among commoners, it wouldn’t be strange.
Though he had been certain before, hearing her acknowledge it directly still excited Chu Di: “Good, good, our little Aji has grown into a young lady.”
“Uncle still looks the same as before.”
Chu Di carefully examined Shen Shaoguang, and Shen Shaoguang carefully observed Chu Di in return.
How could he still look the same? Compared to her memories, Uncle Chu had more wrinkles around his eyes, and even some gray hair at his temples. The once-spirited young official had become today’s calm and composed Confucian scholar in commoner’s clothes.
Both felt somewhat wistful.
Shen Shaoguang invited him to sit in the back residence.
Looking at the peach tree, cucumber trellis, eggplant vines, and clucking hens in the small courtyard, Chu Di smiled nostalgically: “Back then, your father always dreamed of retiring to a garden home, building a thatched cottage with peach and plum trees in the front yard, vegetables in the back – he even drew plans.” But alas…
Shen Shaoguang recalled a poem from the books about “retiring at fifty, driving a carriage back to forest and spring,” and smiled, “My gardening skills might be slightly better than Father’s.”
Chu Di laughed.
Shen Shaoguang lifted the curtain for Chu Di, and they entered the main hall.
An ordinary dwelling couldn’t compare to an official residence. The room was shallow and narrow, with three whitewashed walls and casual arrangements of thick-legged elm furniture and go boards. On the tables were face-down books, half-finished knots, and half-cups of cold tea – though rustic, it had a leisurely air.
Chu Di glanced at the book’s cover, “Travels in the Kingdom of Aphro,” and couldn’t help but smile.
Shen Shaoguang somewhat embarrassedly tidied up invited Chu Di to sit and personally served a cold plum drink cooled with well water.
Chu Di’s gaze fell on a painting hanging on the side wall – a faint powder-white wall with a black-topped gate, half a begonia tree reaching over the wall, scattering fallen petals. It had no title or signature, only a seal reading “Spring Dweller.”
“Is this the begonia from the back garden?”
Though deliberately obscured, it couldn’t fool someone who knew. Shen Shaoguang nodded and smiled, “In spring, passing by the old residence’s wall, I saw these flowers blooming even more beautifully.”
Once the owner, now only able to look from outside the wall – Chu Di slowly exhaled and smiled: “Aji’s painting is very good, more spirited than your father’s. His calligraphy and painting never seemed to come from the same hand.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled, looking back at the painting with its mix of techniques, having both the casual lightness of ink wash and the precise beauty of fine brushwork. It was indeed quite good. She squinted at Chu Di with a smile, “It’s my masterpiece, otherwise I wouldn’t have displayed it.”
Chu Di smiled and gestured at her.
After some small talk, Shen Shaoguang asked after Chu Di’s family members, then discussed her palace exit and life in the Imperial Female Academy.
Time had passed, and naturally, only the good parts were mentioned. Shen Shaoguang spoke of several Imperial Academy instructors: “Professor Zhao loved wine, claiming that if he sold his calligraphy for money, seven-tenths should be offered to the wine god… Professor Fang rarely spoke but was extremely particular – once he refused to teach the qin because a eunuch burned the wrong incense… Professor Liu was somewhat chatty, often saying ‘Though you needn’t take the imperial examinations, you should still roughly understand the annotations of the classics…'” Shen Shaoguang imitated Professor Liu’s tone.
She spoke of the formal instructors, not the eunuchs and palace maids who later served as teachers.
Among them was Zhao Sinian, whom Chu Di had asked about the situation of the Shen mother and daughter. Hearing her mention him now brought back those memories.
Shen Shaoguang also spoke a bit about the palace kitchen affairs: “With so many eunuchs and palace maids, there was some redundancy. At such times, most would listen to old eunuchs tell stories. Tales of the lotus spirit in the Taiye Pool, the rat monster in the kitchen, and such…”
In Shen Shaoguang’s account, life in the Imperial Female Academy was peaceful and pleasant, but the more she spoke this way, the more pained Chu Di felt. How much hardship must this small child have endured to consider such minor moments of leisure worth mentioning?
As for the details of leaving the palace, that was even simpler. Shen Shaoguang smiled and said, “Last year during the drought, some palace maids were released. I gave some money to the eunuch in charge of dismissing palace maids, reported an illness, and was able to leave.” Shen Shaoguang thought of Young Master Lin – at that time, this fellow’s cold face was truly frightening. Who would have thought they would now be discussing matters of the heart?
Chu Di didn’t ask why she hadn’t returned to Luoyang. Little Aji was someone with her ideas, not the kind of delicate lady who would only whimper when faced with problems. Since she could make her living, why go cause trouble for others and make herself unhappy?
After explaining her situation, Shen Shaoguang also asked: “How did Uncle recognize me?” Master Li hadn’t recognized her.
Chu Di smiled: “When I was in the Ministry of Justice, I could identify criminals disguised as women from wanted sketches that were at best fifty percent accurate.”
Shen Shaoguang’s eyes widened, unsure if such observational skill was natural talent or the result of training.
What Chu Di didn’t say was that he and Shen Qian had known each other since youth, unlike Li who only became acquainted after becoming an official. The two families were neighbors and close friends, so he was also familiar with Shen’s wife. Aji’s eyes resembled her mother’s, but her mouth was like her father’s.
Since the topic had come up, Shen Shaoguang directly asked Chu Di, “Please don’t tell Master Li about my situation. Uncle Li is still an official with many eyes watching him. Someone of my status shouldn’t have too many connections.” The key was avoiding putting others in difficult positions. Cherishing memories of old friends was one thing; burdening them with long-term complications was another. Better to let that unchanged friendship remain as it was.
Chu Di slowly nodded, looking into Shen Shaoguang’s eyes: “It’s no burden for me.”
Shen Shaoguang squinted and smiled: “Doesn’t Uncle think my current life is quite good? I have a cottage, peach and plum trees, and vegetables.” She borrowed Chu Di’s earlier words about Shen Qian’s dream of retiring to a garden.
Chu Di frowned and chided with a smile: “If you were a young gentleman, I wouldn’t worry about you.”
Speaking of this reminded Chu Di of the “suspicious” Young Master Lin. Though such talk wasn’t appropriate for an uncle to discuss with his niece, at this point there was no other way, and besides, Aji wasn’t a shy young lady. “You and that Young Master Lin—”
Shen Shaoguang thought this former Vice Minister of Justice was truly amazing. If he hadn’t retired early, he probably would have made it into the history books. Future generations might even have novels and television dramas with him as the protagonist, like “The Cases of Lord Chu” or “Detective Chu Di.”
Shen Shaoguang didn’t bring up family status, “That Young Master’s temperament is too cold, and I’m too casual – we’re not compatible.”
Personality incompatibility has been a universally useful excuse throughout history. Chu Di swallowed his words and raised an eyebrow at her. Shen Shaoguang smiled.
After a while, Shen Shaoguang finally grew serious: “Whether I go to Luoyang or follow Uncle, or stay with Master Li, I am still my father’s daughter. Since I can’t erase this identity, it’s the same anywhere. These are burdens I must bear, so I shall bear them.”
Chu Di recalled more than ten years ago, in the residence not far from here, that person who was always composed to the point of casualness had said with determination, “I only do what I must do.”
Chu Di looked deeply at Shen Shaoguang – truly father and daughter!
But Shen Shaoguang smiled again, speaking quite sincerely: “Honestly, I truly love my current life. Look, Uncle, I’ve only been out of the palace for a year, yet I have this tavern and bought a small residence. Given time, I might even become a wealthy merchant in Chang’an. Then I’ll buy a villa in the Zhongnan Mountains and property by the Wei River. When Uncle visits Chang’an again, we can hunt in the southern mountains and fish in the Wei River…” Shen Shaoguang was used to painting grand pictures for Yuan and Chang, and having done it so often, she had started to believe it herself.
Chu Di finally laughed at her jokes: “Our Aji not only has Yi Ya’s culinary skills but also Guan Zhong’s business acumen.”
Shen Shaoguang bragged shamelessly: “What a pity I wasn’t born a man! I could have been a pillar of the state!”
Chu Di laughed, but in his heart felt increasingly regretful – Aji had been somewhat spoiled and naive in childhood, but now that naivety remained only on the surface.
Looking at the sky outside, it was unconsciously approaching noon. Shen Shaoguang smiled: “Yesterday we were short on food and vegetables. Today Uncle must try my cooking.”
Shen Shaoguang found some books for Chu Di and asked him to make himself comfortable while she went to the front shop to arrange the meal.
Though she said she wanted him to try her cooking, it wasn’t appropriate to leave a guest alone for too long. Shen Shaoguang only made fish sashimi herself, leaving the rest to Princess Yu San. Today Princess Yu San was particularly silent, not even sparing a glance – ah, the princess’s temper…
Shen Shaoguang returned to chat with Chu Di, but this time they discussed scholarship, leaving Shen Shaoguang sweating from his questions.
When Yuan and Chang brought the food on trays to the back residence, Shen Shaoguang breathed a sigh of relief – a poor student facing a teacher’s examination alone was too frightening.
Chu Di, however, felt regret. Aji’s scholarship was quite good for a young lady her age, but compared to that female professor at the academy, there was still a gap. Otherwise, she might have been able to study at the academy for a while. It wasn’t quite proper for a young lady to conduct business alone like this. But then Chu Di thought of Young Master Lin – did Aji feel nothing for him?
That Young Master Lin’s temperament was indeed too cold… Chu Di slightly furrowed his brow.
“Uncle, try this white-cut chicken.” Shen Shaoguang made way.
The cut chicken pieces still showed some redness in the bones. Shen Shaoguang smiled and explained: “The art of this dish lies in ‘cooked meat with raw bones’ – it’s cooked by steeping in boiling water, which keeps it tender.”
Chu Di picked up a piece and ate it with the sauce. Indeed, the skin was crisp and the meat tender, both light and flavorful.
Shen Shaoguang then had him try the fish sashimi: “I seasoned this fish sashimi myself, please try it, Uncle.”
This fish sashimi was different from the traditional “golden mustard jade fish.” It was made by mixing grass carp slices with shredded ginger, scallions, garlic slices, coriander segments, soy sauce, sesame, and glass noodles, seasoned with oil, salt, sugar, and other condiments, similar to later Shunde-style raw fish.
After a year of running the restaurant, Shen Shaoguang’s knife skills had improved considerably. The fish was sliced thin and evenly, and after mixing, it was smooth, tender, and fresh – particularly suitable for hot summer days, and very refreshing.
Shen Shaoguang explained the key points of slicing fish: “The crucial part is making cuts at the fish’s jaw and tail to drain all the blood, otherwise the color becomes muddy and the taste fishy.”
Shen Shaoguang joked: “Uncle is a gentleman who keeps away from the kitchen. I hope hearing my explanation won’t make you ‘unable to bear eating its meat’ – otherwise wouldn’t this fish have died in vain?”
Looking at the lively young lady and eating the delicious fish sashimi, Chu Di suddenly felt that this common life was indeed quite good.
Author’s Note: The methods for white-cut chicken and Shunde raw fish are based on internet references.
Another crossover note: Regarding “Travels in the Kingdom of Aphro,” does anyone remember Pingping and Old Lu reading “The people of the Kingdom of Aphro have faces black as pots, eyes like copper bells, and many stand on three legs” during their “room inspection night”? Wonder when Aji and Young Master Lin will have such intimate contact…
Aji smirks: Looking forward to it, Young Master Lin’s red birthmark on his neck is cute.
Young Master Lin coughs lightly: When indeed?