Chang’an Small Restaurant

Chapter 96.2 Paying a Formal Visit to Chancellor Li

After breakfast, Lin Yan, much like other devoted gentlemen accompanying their ladies, settled in the hall to enjoy tea and read a book while waiting for Shen Shaoguang to finish her preparations.

After a considerable wait, Shen Shaoguang finally emerged. Since it was the New Year and it being a visit to Chancellor Li’s residence, she had dressed in festive attire that made her resemble a grand red envelope.

Lin Yan smiled as he admired her. "You look pretty," he said, then quickly corrected, "You look especially pretty today."

Shen Shaoguang chuckled. He already knows to answer for himself, Deputy Magistrate Lin has a strong survival instinct!

On the third day of the New Year, Li Yue, a high-ranking official, had especially set aside half a day to receive them. His gracious demeanor moved Shen Shaoguang, who felt both touched and ashamed of herself, and she performed a formal ceremony as a younger generation. Lin Yan had already disclosed and discussed the details with Li Yue, so today’s visit was primarily for Shen Shaoguang to make a formal introduction to her esteemed uncle*.

(*Not blood-related uncle, this is just an affectionate name for a close friend of one's father.)

Li Yue, disregarded gender propriety, personally helped Shen Shaoguang up and examined her closely before sighing. "I hadn’t realized it before, but upon closer observation, the resemblance between you and your father is quite striking, though softened with a more delicate, feminine grace. I must be getting on in years to have overlooked it earlier."

Shen Shaoguang offered her apologies once more.

Li Yue waved his hand, signaling them to take a seat.

As he looked at the young yet perfect couple before him, Li Yue recalled what Chu Nine had mentioned prior to departing, "Need not to matchmake for Deputy Magistrate any more." When he asked Chu Nine why, the latter had only smiled. It seemed Chu Nine had already seen through everything. There was a saying in the court about "Chu’s half-glance," implying that Chu Nine could discern the intricacies of a case with just a brief look. It appeared that skill had not waned. Li Yue thought about his old friend’s prematurely thwarted official career and his other old friend’s departure(death)... It seemed that only this last flesh and blood(offspring) remained of Shen Five.

Li Yue continued to observe Shen Shaoguang, just a young woman, orphaned and raised in a place like the Lateral Courts. Despite everything, she carried herself with an admirable poise. It’s rare to find someone with such optimism—truly the legacy of Shen Five!

Li Yue was reminded of when Shen Five had once considered purchasing a famous painting from the previous dynasty but had refrained, saying, "I need to save for A'Ji’s dowry." Now, as his daughter was ready to marry, he could no longer see this day.

Shen Shaoguang, though feeling a pang of sadness inside, maintained a smiling facade. Lin Yan maintained his ever-usual appearance, occasionally glanced at her with concern from the corner of his eye.

Given the festive season, it wasn’t the time for sorrowful discussions. Li Yue chuckled, "I’ve seen the poetry collection from your tavern. Regardless of how the poems themselves fare, that preface is exceptional." He then gave Lin Yan a knowing look.

Lin Yan faintly smiled and bowed, "The preface is indeed my work, my humble performance must have incurred Chancellor’s ridicule."

Li Yue responded with a warm smile, "There’s no need for formality among us. If I say it’s good, then it truly is." Turning to Shen Shaoguang, he continued, "What do you think, eldest lady?" In the absence of close relatives, Shen Shaoguang was now regarded as the head of the household. With her having grown up, Li Yue found it more fitting than to use her pet name.

"Indeed, it’s quite excellent," Shen Shaoguang said with a beaming smile, making no pretense.

Li Yue burst into hearty laughter, and Lin Yan, too, laughed with an air of resigned amusement. The atmosphere in the hall grew more jovial.

The conversation soon turned to the poetry collection and the poems within. Li Yue offered a brief commentary on one of the poems related to hot pot, then chuckled, "This mention of snow, wine, and hot pot cooker reminds me of the hot pot cooker His Majesty graciously bestowed that snowy day. Last year, we received a small, traditional ding from His Majesty, but this year it’s evolved into a full-fledged hot pot cooker, much like what you serve in your tavern." In the imperial court, it was common for the Emperor to bestow delicacies upon his esteemed officials, reflecting his affection for them.

"With the Emperor even inquiring about the taste and appearing quite pleased with himself, I shared with him how your tavern’s hot pot offers thirty different varieties," Li Yue chuckled with a hint of pride.

Shen Shaoguang smiled, appreciating the casual jest between Uncle Li and the Emperor. It was clear that the relationship between the elder statesman and the current ruler was both warm and amicable.

"Both Chancellor Zhou and Chancellor Wu have expressed their intention to visit and sample your hot pot in the near future." 

Shen Shaoguang laughed. "To ensure I don’t embarrass you, Uncle, I’ll make sure the hot pot is even more sumptuous and delicious."

"It’s already more than enough and excellent," Li Yue replied with a smile, "Countless people have composed poetry after consuming it. What more could you want?"

Both Shen Shaoguang and Lin Yan laughed, understanding that Li Yue was referring to the humorous teasing about the sea bilberry hot pot.

"Such a mischievous little lady," Li Yue said with amusement, "I assume this collection was compiled by you?"

Shen Shaoguang did not ‘claim credit for oneself’ and shared her method of curating (performance) sketches with him.

Li Yue was amazed. "Our eldest lady’s approach seems quite like the imperial court’s ‘local collection’ of literary works."①

This time, Shen Shaoguang found it difficult to continue to cheekily acknowledge. She glanced at Lin Yan and thought, ‘It’s your turn to shine now, Deputy Magistrate Lin!’

Li Yue had already noticed their exchanged glances, so before Lin Yan could respond, he chuckled and said, "Speaking of sea bilberry hot pot, it seems An Ran’s poetry has improved even further. Could it be due to the frequent indulgence in this hot pot?"

At the mention of the hot pot’s beneficial effects of "benefit the kidneys and replenish essence," and the teasing exchanges they had shared recently, Shen Shaoguang’s face flushed red, though Lin Yan maintained his composure, smiling as he replied, "Indeed, we have enjoyed it quite a bit."

Li Yue laughed, but at the brat’s proud and confident demeanor, his heart felt a pang of bitterness. He mused how, if Shen Five were present, he would have made things difficult for Lin Yan. Gazing at Shen Shaoguang, the young and poised daughter, his sense of bitterness deepened. Even if Shen Five were here, what could he truly accomplish? A grown daughter cannot be kept forever.

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The author has something to say: ① ‘local collection’ (采风) refers to the imperial court's efforts to gauge public sentiment by collecting folk songs and ballads from the populace. 

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As for whether Shen Shaoguang or Lin Yan possesses a thicker skin, it's quite difficult to determine…