Shen Shaoguang served a bowl of preserved meat soup with sour bamboo shoots and pork ribs. The fragrant but not greasy broth, carrying the unique aroma of preserved meat, awakened the somewhat dulled taste buds of the wine-drinking customers.

“It smells wonderful!”

Shen Shaoguang, who always delighted in praise, squinted her eyes in pleasure and replied, “Then please have more, sir. The sour bamboo shoots help with sobering up.”

The customer nodded repeatedly.

Recently, the shop had added several savory congees and soups to its menu, such as the fish paste congee that Young Magistrate Lin had borrowed a bowl of the other day, and the preserved meat soup with sour bamboo shoots and pork ribs that had just won customers’ favor. In hot weather, sweet congee and soup could be too rich, while something savory helped replenish salt and stimulate appetite. One bowl down, and you’d break out in a satisfying sweat!

Shen Shaoguang returned the tray to the kitchen and saw Yuan standing by the large counter, a bowl of soup before her, holding a cucumber in one hand and a sesame flatbread in the other, wolfing down her food with great enthusiasm.

“What’s the rush? Eat slowly.” Shaoguang pulled over a tall stool from the kitchen for her.

Yuan waved the hand holding the sesame flatbread, “I eat more when standing.”

Shen Shaoguang: “…”

Having had little appetite for so many things earlier, yet now Yuan’s eating manner stirred her hunger. Shaoguang leaned over to look – the soup contained winter melon balls and meatballs dotted with green specks, without dark sauce clouding its color, the broth crystal clear. “Cilantro meatball soup?”

Yuan nodded, “Third Brother made it for me.”

Shen Shaoguang glanced at the back of Yu San’s head – despite their constant bickering, they actually shared quite a bond of class brotherhood and sisterhood.

“I want a bowl too!” Shen Shaoguang said with a smile.

Yuan laughed, Chang also laughed, and even Yu San smiled – not wanting to eat during proper mealtimes but getting hungry watching others eat – what kind of problem was this?

Their laughter made Shen Shaoguang feel somewhat embarrassed, but perhaps Third Brother Yu’s fraternal cilantro meatball soup was especially delicious. Suddenly Shen Shaoguang felt this behavior seemed familiar, and after pondering, realized – Young Magistrate Lin! On his first visit, he had snatched both her and Yuan’s congee and dishes…

Shen Shaoguang maintained a deliberately casual expression, ladled herself a small bowl of soup, took a flatbread, and went outside behind the counter to eat slowly.

Before she finished eating, the attendant of the previously mentioned Young Magistrate Lin arrived, “We need to trouble the young mistress again.”

Shen Shaoguang wiped her mouth and asked with a smile what the matter was.

“My master’s grandmother has had no appetite today, barely touching her lunch and dinner. The young master mentioned the fish paste congee he had at your shop was delicious, might we trouble you to make another pot?”

It wasn’t much trouble, so Shen Shaoguang agreed.

Liu Chang smiled again and said, “I heard from the people attending the Senior Madam that she often speaks of you since you brought the congee last time.”

Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow, so—

Liu Chang bowed respectfully again, showing a pleading expression: “Please help us, young mistress.”

What else could Shen Shaoguang say? She smiled, “Don’t be so formal, sir. Once it’s ready, I’ll bring it over.”

Making congee was time-consuming work, especially since the fish broth had to be prepared first before using it to cook the congee. By the time the congee was ready, there were few customers left in the shop. With Yu San and others attending to things, Shen Shaoguang picked up the food box containing the late-night meal and walked out. Yuan wanted to accompany her, but Shen Shaoguang waved her off – there were plenty of people outside enjoying the cool evening air, and it was just a short walk, nothing to worry about. Yu San glanced at her but said nothing.

However, just as she stepped out, the attendant surnamed Liu came to meet her, “Thank you for your trouble, young mistress.” He took the food box and smiled, “My master’s grandmother is waiting for you.”

Shen Shaoguang nodded with a slight smile.

Madam Jiang was indeed waiting for her, and Young Magistrate Lin was also present.

Madam Jiang said politely, “It’s so late, yet we’ve troubled you to bring this over.” She then instructed her servants, “Have someone escort the young mistress back later.”

Lin Yan smiled and said, “Grandmother, don’t worry, I’ll arrange it.”

The maid Su swallowed her response that had reached her lips.

Madam Jiang nodded.

The maids set up the dining table and served the congee and dishes. Madam Jiang ate half a bowl of congee with some side dishes and nodded with a smile: “This taste is good, not sweet or greasy at all.”

Shen Shaoguang smiled and said, “In summer, we sweat more and easily become salt-deficient, which can lead to loss of appetite and even dizziness and fatigue. Therefore, it’s appropriate to eat some savory congee and soup. However, it shouldn’t be too salty, as that would be harmful to the lungs and kidneys.”

Madam Jiang nodded: “Indeed, I’ve had little appetite lately and felt lazy to move. The eldest son invited a physician who gave me some medicine pills, but they didn’t seem to help much.”

Shen Shaoguang smiled and said, “It’s too hot this summer. Madam should take it easy and recuperate slowly. Perhaps take short walks in the courtyard during the cool morning and evening hours, some movement might make you feel better.”

“The eldest son said the same thing.” Madam Jiang smiled and then instructed Lin Yan, “You practice sword every morning and sweat so much, you should also have a bowl of such savory congee and soup before going to court.”

Lin Yan smiled and nodded: “Yes.”

Shen Shaoguang lowered her head to drink some tea, no wonder she had felt his arms and waist were so firm that day… This dynasty indeed produced many capable men who could both fight on horseback and compose poetry when dismounted.

“From what the young mistress just said, you seem quite knowledgeable about medicine?” Many scholars studied various subjects and knew some medicine, some could even diagnose simple pulse conditions, but few young ladies were knowledgeable in this area, hence Madam Jiang’s question.

The Inner Teaching Professor was skilled in medicine, particularly in diet and daily routines. In her previous life, Shen Shaoguang had been someone who alternated between staying up late with hair loss and drinking wolfberry tea from a thermos, and had admiringly learned a bit from such particular professors, but was far from being “knowledgeable,” let alone “quite knowledgeable.” She smiled and said, “Many things are both medicine and food. As a cook, one knows a little bit, but I’m embarrassed by Madam’s praise.”

Hearing her refer to herself as a “cook,” Madam Jiang said seriously: “Whether an orchid grows by jade steps and vermillion railings or in valley bottoms by streams, it’s still an orchid. Young mistress is a descendant of the Shen family of Luoyang, you shouldn’t be too modest.” Both the Jiang and Lin families were old clans from Hedong, and Madam Jiang had seen prosperity and decline throughout her long life. While she had let go of some things, others were hard to abandon.

Shen Shaoguang stood up and bowed solemnly: “Madam speaks wisely.”

Madam Jiang’s expression softened, and she smiled: “The young mistress is like jade and pearls, this old woman truly likes you. I’ve said too much, please don’t mind.”

Shen Shaoguang smiled and said: “I haven’t heard elders’ teachings for many years. Today, hearing Madam’s words makes me very grateful.”

Madam Jiang nodded, thinking that her respected elders must all be gone – such a good young lady, it was truly pitiful and lamentable…

Lin Yan coughed lightly: “Grandson is also feeling hungry, Grandmother, would you share a bowl of congee with me?”

One sentence dispersed the serious and sad atmosphere, especially since he was usually dignified and reserved, yet suddenly spoke like a mischievous child. Everyone was startled, then broke into laughter.

Madam Jiang laughed: “Give it all to him! All to him! It’s rare for him to be so picky, to have something he wants to eat.”

Shen Shaoguang only smiled slightly.

Lin Yan turned his head slightly to look at her, saw her calm expression, and felt somewhat relieved.

While others were eating, Shen Shaoguang couldn’t take her leave. Only after grandmother and grandson finished eating did she stand up: “It’s late today, I’ll come to visit Madam another day.”

Madam Jiang came down from her couch, held her hand, and smiled kindly: “You must come.” She escorted her to the door.

Lin Yan also bid farewell to his grandmother, “I’ll arrange for someone to escort the young mistress.”

Shen Shaoguang curtsied to Madam Jiang in farewell.

A maid carried a lantern in front, while Shen Shaoguang and Lin Yan walked out together.

Looking at their retreating figures, which appeared like a pair of jade figures, and thinking of the young master’s earlier behavior, Su glanced at the Senior Madam but didn’t say anything, only softly said: “You’ve sweated a bit from eating the congee, let’s go change your clothes.”

Madam Jiang nodded, holding her hand, slowly walking back inside.

At the courtyard gate, Liu Chang took the lantern from the maid to lead the way, and Lin Yan turned back to instruct: “Close the gate.”

The maid curtsied and responded affirmatively.

The three passed through corridors and courtyards, making their way out. Shen Shaoguang had thought he would have his attendant escort her, but seeing this arrangement…

Shen Shaoguang smiled and said: “My lord, please stay. It’s just a short walk, I can return by myself.”

Lin Yan said gently: “I’d like to take a walk anyway.”

Shen Shaoguang pressed her lips together.

Lin Yan gave her a slight smile.

Liu Chang in front truly wished he could become an invisible person like in legends.

Once outside the main gate, Liu Chang smiled and said: “Young master, young mistress, shall I return this food box first? The tavern might need it?”

Shen Shaoguang: “…” Never mind the tavern, there was hardly anyone on the streets at this hour.

Lin Yan nodded: “Mm, go ahead.”

Liu Chang handed the lantern to Lin Yan and quickly left.

Walking on the road, Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow at Lin Yan and said with a half-smile, “My lord, doing this, aren’t you afraid of what people might say?”

Lin Yan stopped and looked at her. Although the lantern only illuminated two feet of ground, tonight’s moonlight was good enough to see her slightly angry pink face, beautiful almond eyes, straight nose, and flower-like lips. “The moon rises bright, the beautiful person is graceful – must obtain a good wife,” Lin Yan recalled her Mid-Autumn Festival cake token.

Not daring to let his gaze linger too long on those lips, Lin Yan looked away, “Neither the young mistress nor I are people who fear others’ words.”

Shen Shaoguang was stumped for a moment. Indeed, in an era where countless couples eloped just to see the lanterns, where men and women went on outings together during the Double Third Festival, where crowds of young ladies and wives could knock the Top Scholar’s hat askew with their handkerchiefs and sachets, for her, a small tavern proprietress, to walk the streets with someone for a while truly wasn’t something to fear public opinion about, but…

Shen Shaoguang stopped beating around the bush and spoke to him frankly: “We are not of matching social status, there can be no happiness. Why does my lord persist?”

“Young mistress is a lady of the Shen family of Luoyang, I am a son of the Lin family of Hedong; though unworthy, I passed the imperial examinations. Young mistress—” Lin Yan glanced at Shen Shaoguang, licked his lips, and smiled, “is exceptionally fine. In my view, we are both well-matched in status and talent and appearance.”

Shen Shaoguang: “!!!”

Seeing her wide almond eyes and slightly pressed lips, Lin Yan laughed softly.

After a moment, Lin Yan smiled and coaxed her: “If you fear what others might say, I’ll be more careful in the future.”

That tone of voice… Shen Shaoguang looked into his smiling eyes.

The words “A Qi” rolled around in his mouth, but he didn’t dare say them and provoke her. Lin Yan said softly: “Don’t be angry anymore, it would be a waste of such beautiful moonlight.”

After another moment of stillness, Shen Shaoguang looked away and asked casually with a smile: “Speaking of the moon, how did people come to think there’s a large toad up there? Because of the shape of the shadows?”

Lin Yan: “…”

Remembering her interpretation of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl story on the Double Seventh Festival, Lin Yan smiled somewhat helplessly.

Having said the atmosphere-breaking words about burning zithers and cooking cranes, Shen Shaoguang leisurely raised her head to look at that moon, then at the houses, trees, and roads bathed in moonlight — as well as that jade-like youth standing tall. Yes, tonight’s moonlight was indeed beautiful…

Author’s Note: ① Reference to Natsume Soseki’s translation of “I love you” into “The moonlight is beautiful tonight.”