Chang’an Small Restaurant

Chapter 93.2 Hot Pot on the Offensive

The tavern in the East Market had only been open for a short time, but it was already bustling with a diverse crowd. Shen Shaoguang often spent most of her time overseeing operations there.

While there, she ran into several familiar faces, including the adjutant from the Imperial Guards who had once paid twenty taels of silver for the sour plum beverage recipe. He came in with a few other sturdy men. Though they were dressed in plain clothes, their posture and bearing made it clear they were all from the Imperial Guards.

Shen Shaoguang greeted them, and the adjutant was momentarily taken aback before recognizing her. From the name "Shen Indelible," he quickly realized that the miss who used to sell beverages from a street stall had now opened a large tavern in the East Market!

The leader of the group looked at Shen Shaoguang, then at the adjutant. The adjutant quietly said, "This is the miss who sold us the sour plum beverage."

The leader of the group smiled and said, "Miss, you make an excellent sour plum beverage. Our brothers have relied on it to get through the brutal summers these past two years."

The adjutant then introduced the leader, saying, "This is General Wu."

Shen Shaoguang quickly bowed in respect to the general and exchanged polite words. Because of their past connection, Shen Indelible offered them a few complimentary dishes, further strengthening their good relations.

Shen Shaoguang also encountered Grand Chancellor Li Yue.

It was a day off, with pleasant sunshine. After the lunch rush, the elderly chancellor strolled in with two attendants.

Shen Shaoguang, who had been speaking with the steward behind the counter, looked up and quickly greeted him with a smile, "A pleasure to see you, Chancellor."

Li Yue, reminded of the previous time where he had lamented his own advancing age only to have this miss change his address to ‘sir’, couldn't help but smile and said, "You don’t need to look at the Shen Indelible signboard. Just the paintings on the wall outside are enough to guess it’s from your Shen Indelible from Chongxian Lane, miss."

Shen Shaoguang quickly flattered, "Your insight is keen, Chancellor."

Li Yue waved off her praise with a smile.

He didn’t choose a private room but instead sat at a high table near the railing on the second floor. Shen Shaoguang personally served him, offering a beverage and recommending he try the ginseng and milkvetch root broth from the health-boosting hot pot menu.

Li Yue nodded in agreement. "Ok."

The hot pot ingredients were all chosen according to Shen Shaoguang’s recommendations, suggesting that he was an official who valued and took others' advice into account.

Li Yue leaned against the railing, watching with interest as two performers below entertained the crowd.

One of them complained about his inability to write poetry or prose well. The other replied, "Two, have you ever heard of ‘people benefit from what they eat’?"

"Indeed, I know. For instance, if you injure your legs, you would eat lamb or pig's trotters to strengthen your bones."

"Exactly. If you lack the talent in ink, you can also compensate by eating something similar."

"Two" made a surprised expression. "How can one consume ink?"

"Go to Shen Indelible Tavern and try their Sea Bilberry Hot Pot. Its color is akin to ink, and it's both fragrant and nourishing. If you eat it daily, you might pass the exams this year."

Li Yue laughed, and the diners below also burst into laughter. Some even called out to the servers, "If I pass the exam this year, I will come back to repay the debt!"

After the New Year, there would be the Ministry of Rites exams, followed by the Ministry of Personnel selections. Scholars from all over the capital gathered in the city, many residing in nearby Chongren Lane. The hecklers were likely among this year’s examinees.

Li Yue found it rare to see such a scene—one that was both timely and humorous. He suspected that the witty lines in the performance were likely written by that clever miss.

Shen Shaoguang arrived with a waiter carrying a tray of dishes and personally helping to start the hot pot.

"Miss's establishment is quite the entertainment. The last time I saw something this good was at His Majesty’s Summer Solstice Banquet last year."

Shen Shaoguang smiled, her eyes curving. "Our little establishment is only humbling playing; how could it compare to the imperial palace?"

Li Yue, watching her speak tongue in cheek, noting her slightly boastful and childlike demeanor, couldn’t help but laugh more.

After a few more words about the entertainment, Shen Shaoguang helped heat up the wine before stepping away.

Li Yue appeared somewhat wistful, suddenly reminded of his deceased daughter. If A’Chang had lived, she would have been older than this miss and could have shared a drink with her old father…

Shen Shaoguang was quite hesitant and a bit embarrassed about how and when to tell Chancellor Li about her background. Chancellor Li was a good friend of her father’s, and since she was marrying Lin Yan and needed to mingle within the capital’s official circles, it would be inappropriate not to acknowledge him. However, she had never mentioned it before…

When she next met Lin Yan, Shen Shaoguang discussed it with him. Lin Yan, smiling, gently patted her head and removed the hairpin from her coiffure, causing Shen Shaoguang’s hair to gracefully tumble down.

Shen Shaoguang assumed a fierce expression and said, "Was it you who messed up my hairstyle that day when I was drunk?"

Lin Yan smiled and said, "Chancellor Li is a person of great understanding and grace. He won’t mind such a minor concealment. That day, when you met him, he had just returned from Shannan West Circuit, and he'd only rested half a day before getting busy again. He’ll be overseeing the New Year Day Grand Court Congregation. We should visit him around the New Year; if you find it hard to speak, I’ll handle it."

Shen Shaoguang pondered for a moment and replied, "No, I’d rather say it myself."

Lin Yan thought momentarily before nodding, "Alright then."

Lin Yan reached up to touch the hair at her temples. A’Ji’s hair is truly wonderful, so smooth and silk-like.

Leaning closer across the small table, Shen Shaoguang said, "Oh, Deputy Magistrate Lin, you should also try our sea bilberry hot pot sometime."

Lin Yan laughed. "What? Do you think I lack knowledge?"

Shen Shaoguang leaned on the small table with a mischievous grin, "You only know that the sea bilberry hot pot can replenish knowledge, but don’t you know it has other benefits?"

Lin Yan felt a bit flustered. Medical books mentioned that sea bilberry could "benefit the kidneys and replenish essence." Seeing her red lips so close, he pressed his lips together.

"I meant you’ve been so busy lately and looking a bit worn out. You should eat something to rejuvenate yourself and improve your complexion," Shen Shaoguang straightened up and, with a meaningful smile, asked, "Where did your thoughts wander off to, Deputy Magistrate?"

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The author has something to say: I’ve never eaten cornel dogwood, and the stir-frying process was referenced from online Sichuan-Chongqing hot pot recipes. Just enjoy the read and don’t take it too seriously~

I haven’t tried green essence rice either. The benefits of sea bilberry (Vaccinium bracteatum) are from Baidu Encyclopedia.

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Food:

Sea bilberry (南烛) - I couldn’t find any stews with this berry, so here’s some green essence rice (青精饭) cooked black using sea bilberry~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xLfO5VMyd8