Chang’an Small Restaurant

Chapter 80.2 Lin Yan and Pei Fei

After a moment, Princess Imperial of fuhui raised her elegant eyebrows and asked with a smile, "Is it truly a 'perfect balance'?"

Shen Shaoguang swallowed and replied, "It does have a strong aroma! If you prefer sweeter flavors, this might not be to your taste."

Princess Imperial of fuhui broke into laughter. She looked at the two kinds of fish prepared differently and, after a long pause, remarked, "It truly seems that the tastes are distinct."

Shen Shaoguang nodded in agreement. Yes, indeed, it is fortunate that the tastes are different.

Princess Imperial of fuhui continued to eat her Chrysanthemum Fish with great interest, trying various dishes such as candied yams, honey-glazed lamb chops, pickled goose feet, and finally a small bowl of Osmanthus Flavored Glutinous Rice Balls in Sweet Rice Wine.

"This is a perfect midnight snack when hungry," Princess Imperial of fuhui praised as she put down the bowl. "But why not use fresh osmanthus?"

Shen Shaoguang explained, "Fresh osmanthus is difficult to store, so it's rarely available in the market."

Princess Imperial of fuhui waved her hand. "I'll provide you with some. Otherwise, the osmanthus trees in the back garden are wasted."

Shen Shaoguang expressed her gratitude and, taking the opportunity, said, "Since Your Highness is graciously offering the sweet osmanthus, may I beseech Your Highness to bestow a name upon this dish?"

Princess Imperial of fuhui thought for a moment and said, "Then… 'Chixia Garden Orbs (赤霞桂香圆)'."

"While we’re at it, our store also offers sweet osmanthus congee, Osmanthus Sugar Cake, Osmanthus-Honey-Topped Glutinous-Rice-Stuffed Lotus Root, Osmanthus Duck..." Unable to finish her list, she burst into laughter.

Princess Imperial of fuhui had never encountered someone who could unabashedly flatter others for personal gain to such an extent. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment. "If I had been like you back then, I would have secured not only Chixia Garden but also Tong Garden in Zhongnan Mountain and Bitan Manor by the Wei River. Ninth Sis and Eleventh Sis were too fortunate and acquired them instead."

Shen Shaoguang felt a pang of sympathy for her. A villa in Zhongnan Mountain, a holiday home by the Wei River... It seemed this princess imperial harbored the same unattainable dream of collecting real estate!

Shen Shaoguang said with infinite longing, "At this time, the game on the mountain is plump and full of flavor. Imagine going up to Zhongnan Mountain to hunt wild rabbits, roebuck, deer, pheasants, and more, then roasting them on a spit. If you prefer sweet and fresh flavors, brush them with honey and grill them layer by layer. For a savory taste, dip them in pepper and salt. And for those who enjoy spice, sprinkle them with cornel dogwood and cumin pepper..."

"One year, Eighth hunted a strange-looking creature with a brown body and a black and white hairy head. It looked like a cross between a cat and a raccoon dog. We roasted it in the mountains and ate it. It was very tender and fragrant. Later, Tutor Song heard about it and asked if the beast had a 'white tail and a mane.' He said that it might have been a 'Feifei[1],' and raising it would relieve worry and anxiety." Princess Imperial of fuhui was reminiscing about something that happened more than ten years ago; and Eighth was referring to her handsome Prince Consort, the King of Heyang.

Shen Shaoguang considered it and offered her professional advice, "If Your Highness comes across it again, consider salting and curing it, then steaming it with honey and glutinous rice wine, and slicing it thinly."

Princess Imperial of fuhui nodded thoughtfully, "That should prevent it from being too greasy."

As Lin Yan listened to them discussing the consumption of mythical beasts from the <Classic of Mountains and Seas>, he couldn't shake a sense of unease. The proximity of this place to Princess Imperial of fuhui’s residence meant A’Ji would have frequent interactions with this uninhibited princess. He hoped she wouldn't be corrupted by her...

"It's delightful to live by the Wei River in spring, fishing during the peach blossom season might yield a big catch," their conversation soon turned to the Wei River.

Shen Shaoguang admired the Princess Imperial's poetic sensibility and appreciation for life. "Over a peach-mirrored stream, where the perch are fully grown[1]," she remarked, "Mandarin fish meat was at its tenderest during this season. Even a simple fish soup with a touch of salt would be exceptionally fresh and delicious."

She continued, engaging Princess Imperial of fuhui, "Softshell turtles in spring are also exquisite. There's a saying in the south: 'when cauliflowers yellow, softshells become fatty and abundant'. They are cunning creatures, challenging to catch, but using bait, especially chicken liver or mutton, ensures a successful lure. Softshell turtles can be braised, steamed, used in soups, or stewed with chicken or venison."

Setting Lin Yan and Pei Fei aside, Princess Imperial of fuhui and Shen Shaoguang delved into discussions ranging from culinary delights to real estate, then back to culinary delights, and eventually touching on the latest fashion trends.

They didn’t stop until Princess Imperial of fuhui grew tired. Ending the pleasant conversation, she smiled and remarked, "Finally, someone who can converse! I'll visit again soon."

Shen Shaoguang smiled warmly and replied, "I'll eagerly await your return."

Lin Yan appeared solemn, while Pei Fei remained composed.

Before departing, Princess Imperial left without settling her bill—a gesture that conveyed her regard for Shen Shaoguang beyond that of an ordinary merchant. Shen Shaoguang thanked her for this show of respect, though she couldn't help but consider it wouldn't be disrespectful if she gave her another pair of jewel embedded gold bracelets.

To Shen Shaoguang's surprise, the next day brought a large box of fresh osmanthus flowers from Princess Imperial, its size surpassing even the roses provided by Deputy Magistrate Lin. What impressed her most was that the flowers were not asked to be processed, it was simply a generous gift. Princess Imperial is so formidable! I love Princess Imperial the most! Shen Shaoguang immediately converted into Princess Imperial’s simp. How many delightful dishes could she create with such fresh osmanthus flowers!

Two days later, as Shen Shaoguang was still messing around with the fresh osmanthus flowers, Princess Imperial of fuhui surprised her again with another gift—a palm-sized silver plate, 1.3cm thick, intricately adorned with gold-threaded cloud patterns. It matched the size of the special dish of the day sign behind the counter perfectly, bearing the inscription "Chixia Garden Orb." What delighted Shen Shaoguang most were the small rings at the bottom, designed for hanging items.

Deeply moved, Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but marvel at Princess Imperial's thoughtfulness. She promptly hung the exquisite silver plate, adorned with gold thread, on the hook reserved for special dishes. Beneath it, she placed small signs for "Osmanthus Sugar Cake," "Osmanthus Duck," and "Osmanthus Chestnut Soup."

…

Steward Xu Kai had been living a magical life recently. Once a deputy steward for a County Officer, he had previously thought meeting a county magistrate was the pinnacle of his career. Since he had been purchased to work at a tavern in the capital, he encountered the Deputy Magistrate of the capital on his very first day. After being allocated to the branch store and learning that his new workplace was on the same lane as Princess Imperial of fuhui, he secretly harbored hopes of meeting this noble lady someday. Little did he expect that not only would the Princess Imperial dine at their shop in person, but she would also bestow osmanthus flowers and a menu sign!

Xu Kai felt that this experience was something he could boast about for the rest of his life.

.

.

.

Footnotes:

[1] Feifei (胐胐) - Feifei is a mythical creature documented in the ancient Chinese text, <Classic of Mountains and Seas>. Feifei has dense, shaggy fur that gives it a cute appearance. It looks similar to a fox or a weasel and is distinguished by its white tail. This small, endearing creature is considered a high-end pet known for alleviating anxiety and providing comfort to its owner. Its gentle and friendly nature, along with its ability to sense its owner’s emotions, has made the Feifei a beloved figure in Chinese folklore and culture.

Source: https://www.shanhaijing.art/feifei-the-lucky-beast-from-shanhaijing 

[2] Over a peach-mirrored stream, where perches are fully grown - This is a verse from the ci poem <A Fisherman’s Song> by Zhang Zhihe. Read it here - https://www.en84.com/dianji/ci/201007/00002710.html 

—

Foods: 

Osmanthus Sugar Cake (桂花糖糕) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBhzv74R4gw