Chang’an Small Restaurant

Chapter 74 Exposing the Secrets of an Old Flame

Shen Shaoguang kept her word and took advantage of her tavern’s closure to visit the slave market. The place was bustling with activity, with people buying and selling slaves everywhere. Despite the large crowd, finding someone who met her criteria—tall and healthy, skilled in martial arts, reliable in temperament, and with a clean background—proved challenging.

After thoroughly surveying the market, she managed to purchase only one person, named Zhang Duo.

Zhang Duo was brought in from another region by the slave merchants. In his twenties, he didn't have a "sturdy build over three meters tall," but he was noticeably robust. He appeared taller than both Deputy Magistrate Lin and Yu San, who were already quite tall. He mentioned that he used to accompany his former master, an itinerant trader, and knew a bit of martial arts. When his master died of illness and left a young heir, the master's wife ceased the business, sold off the extra servants, and retired to the countryside to manage their property. Zhang Duo answered all her questions succinctly, coming across as a man of few words. Unlike Yu San, who could be somewhat pretentious, Zhang Duo seemed naturally socially awkward.

Zhou Kui, the chamberlain of the Lin Residence who was accompanying Shen Shaoguang, tested Zhang Duo a bit. Afterward, he respectfully saluted her with his arms cupped. "Miss, he can be regarded as passing."

Those who could be sent by Lin Yan to protect Shen Shaoguang were naturally capable people he usually kept by his side. The servants of an aristocratic family, especially those who followed the capital’s Deputy Magistrate daily, had a markedly different conduct and demeanor. Seeing Miss Shen accompanied by such attendants, the slave merchants assumed she would never consider their ‘inferior goods’. Who would have thought she would actually make a purchase?

Zhou Kui actually didn't quite understand why Madam—no, correction—Miss preferred to buy more servants instead of allowing them to protect her—perhaps it was the reserve of a young lady?

When would Master and Miss finally get married? With Miss around, Master seemed to be particularly friendly and easy to talk to. If Miss took charge of the kitchen, then the food at home would surely be even better...

Pei Fei also had the same question. "Since you've made up your mind, why don't you propose marriage?"

Lin Yan pursed his lips and remained silent.

Pei Fei seemed to understand. "Could it be that you proposed marriage and Miss didn't agree?" A gloating smile played on his lips.

Lin Yan shot him a sidelong glance.

Hahaha! Lin An Ran, even you have your off days! Pei Fei now didn't mind his earlier boastful tone.

As the Ghost Festival approached, the emperor prepared to leave the capital to visit the tomb of his predecessor and offer sacrifices. Lin Yan and Pei Fei were unable to accompany the sovereign on this trip—Lin Yan's high-ranking position in the capital prevented him from embarking on extended travels, while Pei Fei's official rank was not yet sufficient to accompany His Majesty.

After bidding farewell to the emperor, the officials returned from the departure site. Pei Fei approached Lin Yan and inquired whether they would be attending the Shing Wong Temple outside the city together to offer sacrifices to Official Cui during the Ghost Festival.

Lin Yan replied, "I have another commitment on that day."

Pei Fei paused for a moment, then suggested, "What about the 16th?"

"I have duty on both the 14th and 16th."

Pei Fei glanced at him, understanding the implications. "So this year—"

"I'll make a visit on the day of the Ghost Festival."

Pei Fei suddenly recalled encountering Miss Shen outside the city last year. "You couldn't be accompanying—"

Lin Yan smiled faintly.

Observing his reaction, Pei Fei seemed to detect a hint of something sour. Tsk! Tsk!

Now that he knew his marriage proposal had failed, Pei Fei immediately felt refreshed and regained his composure swiftly, ready to offer guidance once more. "I'm not trying to be overly critical, An Ran, but who pays respects to their former father-in-law with their current prospective bride? Miss Shen may seem understanding, but we can't afford to be careless, especially considering..." Pei Fei lifted his brows. She is not even your fiancée yet.

Lin Yan frowned ever so slightly. "It's primarily due to recent events. I'm concerned about her safety outside the city." With the emperor's departure from the capital, security measures have intensified, leaving limited opportunities for Lin Yan to ensure her safety. Thus, he could only allocate this single day after extensive preparations.

Pei Fei couldn't help but muse to himself, 'He truly doesn't grasp the intricacies of a woman's thoughts.' It was becoming increasingly clear to him why Miss Shen had declined Lin Yan's proposal.

Meanwhile, Lin Yan contemplated the necessity of elucidating his connection between Official Cui and Cui Ning to Shen Shaoguang.

…

Shen Indelible Tavern reopened with a refreshed appearance, and a prominent sign at the door advertised enticing discounts, drawing in more patrons than ever before.

Last year, some patrons witnessed Shen Indelible's meticulously crafted Honey Offering Cake for ceremonial offerings at Guangming Temple; there was now a surge in orders for this specialty. While the Honey Offering Cake business didn't rival the prosperity of the floral cakes, it still contributed to Shen Shaoguang's burgeoning profits.

Building upon the experience accumulated from the previous year, this year's Honey Offering Cakes showcased notable improvements in both form and flavor. Incorporating a blend of milk, honey, eggs, and flour as the foundational ingredients, various fillings such as bean paste, sesame paste, jujube paste, or savory options like pepper and salt were added for a diverse palate experience. These cakes could be steamed, fried, or baked, allowing for versatility in preparation methods. Moreover, crafted into an array of shapes and adorning them with auspicious patterns, the pastries were visually stunning creations that garnered much admiration.

As the sweet aroma of the Honey Offering Cakes wafted through the air, Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but ponder whether the spirits would find these offerings pleasing. In an era where even cherries were dipped in syrup before consumption and Mutton Bì Luó Rolls were deemed authentic only if they dripped with oil with each bite, such delectable treats surely held significant allure.

Regardless of the spirits' satisfaction, the guests were thoroughly pleased. Some even expressed intentions to reserve sets for the Winter Solstice and New Year's Day sacrifices. "How face-lifting this is!" they exclaimed, marveling at the presentation.

Senior Buddhist Nun Yuanjue expressed her satisfaction as well. "I took a sample when they roasted the offering pastries on the stove after the offerings were taken down last year. Jing Qing thought they were delicious and shared a piece of your Honey Offering Cake with me. Paired with tea, it was truly delightful!"

Shen Shaoguang truly admired this elderly woman. She not only savored and critiqued food served at royal banquets but also relished snacks sold in common markets. Having traveled across countless mountains and rivers, she remained steadfast in her morals and true nature. If Shen Shaoguang weren’t so deeply secular—constantly dreaming of buying property and becoming a landlady—she would have longed to be her apprentice. She imagined a life of practicing Zen meditation and reading scriptures daily, brewing tea, and making pastries with the elderly nun. When she grew older, she too would wander the country, embracing its diverse landscapes and cultures.

Lin Yan was unaware of Shen Shaoguang's whimsical notion of becoming a nun as he waited patiently at her tavern.

When Shen Shaoguang and A'Yuan, who was carrying a tray and a food box, returned, they found Deputy Magistrate Lin sitting alone by the window.

"You came so early today, Sir. Is the government repository having a slow day?" Shen Shaoguang greeted him warmly. Since the prophecy case, Deputy Magistrate Lin had seldom visited in the afternoons. Given recent events, it had been many days since she’d seen him drinking leisurely by the window. Could it be that with the emperor out of the capital, those who remained were loafing on the job? It shouldn’t be the case; he was in charge of the entire capital and should be even busier.

Lin Yan smiled, "It’s alright."

Shen Shaoguang nodded. If you say it's alright, then it's alright. "Are you hungry, Sir? Would you prefer a full meal or some small snacks?"

Seeing her polite demeanor, Lin Yan pursed his lips. "A’Ji, I have something to tell you."

A few days ago, he had called her "A’Ji," but the explosive nature of his words that followed made Shen Shaoguang overlook the address. Who would have thought that henceforth, as long as there were no outsiders, he would keep calling her "A’Ji."

In a more open era like her previous life, such familiarity would be no cause for concern. Let alone "A’Ji," he could even call her "dear"—perhaps people appreciated that Taobao-style of address? But in this era, using her childhood nickname was far too intimate.

Shen Shaoguang had the distinct impression that Deputy Magistrate Lin regarded his proposal as a fait accompli, treating the past tense of "propose" as if it were the past perfect. Despite the proposal's lack of success. This domineering CEO Deputy Magistrate Lin...

Seating herself opposite him, Shen Shaoguang gently lifted Ming Nu from where the cat lay at her feet. She began to stroke the feline's soft fur, ready to listen to what he had to say.

"Are you planning to leave the city for sacrifices on the day of the Ghost Festival? How about we go together?" Lin Yan inquired.

Shen Shaoguang furrowed her brows slightly, recalling her encounter with Pei Fei the previous year. Was it possible that Deputy Magistrate Lin had also been present? Smiling, she replied, "I met Sir Pei last year. Will he be joining us as well? It would be delightful if we all journeyed together as companions."

Lin Yan took a sip of his drink and remarked, "He's occupied that day and will be going another time."

Shen Shaoguang nodded thoughtfully. After briefly considering Lin Yan's suggestion, she agreed. She understood the implication of his proposal to travel together, but given the current tension in their relationship, it seemed unnecessary to complicate matters further. Since they lived in the same lane, it would be overly hypocritical to propose leaving separately only to meet there. So, together it would be.

Seeing her agreement, Lin Yan's smile blossomed, his eyes forming a captivating curve.

To Shen Shaoguang, his smile wasn't reminiscent of fresh mountain buds in spring, but rather resembled the sky clearing after an autumn rain— a gentle blue expanse, a warmth in the subdued sunlight, and a touch of pleasant breeze... Witnessing such a smile, Shen Shaoguang felt that her decision to agree was entirely worth it.

"There is one more thing——" Lin Yan paused for a moment, a slight hesitation lingering in the air. Confronted with the need to broach the topic of his relationship with Cui Ning, he found himself grappling for the right words.

"I am leaving the city to pay homage to Official Cui, who was my teacher."

Shen Shaoguang connected the dots swiftly, understanding that Lin Yan was alluding to Minister of Rites Cui. This brought to mind the young lady of the Cui Residence, implying that Lin Yan was presently...

"I was once engaged to Minister Cui's beloved daughter," Lin Yan began, his expression taking on a thoughtful cast, "but truthfully, my relationship with Minister Cui and his son is far more intimate."

Shen Shaoguang arched her eyebrows.

"A’Ji, you're the only woman I've ever loved," Lin Yan's voice softened, his gaze earnest.

Shen Shaoguang's grip tightened inadvertently, causing Ming Nu in her arms to protest with a scratch.

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T/N: There’s no footnotes even though this chapter wasn’t split!! (╥﹏╥) I’m so moved, almost to the point of tears. I’m not even sure if people even read those notes, but they are actually the reason why this novel takes sooo long to translate. I do suggest reading them, not because I spend so much time on them, but because I usually don’t explain the same thing twice; it’s just too redundant. There’s so many references, and for people who have never attended the Chinese education system, it would make no sense. That, and also the cultural things, which is why I made this note in the first place— the ‘sour smell’ that Pei Fei perceived— should not be taken literally. The verb ‘to be jealous’ is ‘吃醋’ in chinese, but if you were to understand those two characters literally, it would mean to ‘eating vinegar’. Vinegar is sour, hence, being sour is to be jealous. Allow me to reiterate, please remember this term as there is a future chapter dedicated to ‘eating vinegar’.

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Food:

Mutton Bì Luó Rolls ("饆饠" or "畢羅") - A snack that originated during the Tang Dynasty and was a popular delicacy across different regions. It is a type of pastry filled with stuffing. While its exact shape and details are unclear due to limited historical records, it was widely enjoyed during its time and mentioned in various culinary works until possibly changing names or falling out of popularity by the Song Dynasty. https://youtu.be/mZlgAFZufX0?si=QgOxZK7RQptlq1ES&t=115 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTplmWzYbjY