Yummy Yummy Yummy

"A Fang—"

"A Xiong—"

"A Lan—"

"A Ye—"

Outside the palace gates at Anfu Gate, a chorus of reunions and sobbing voices rose and fell in waves.

Throughout the spring, the capital region and Henan had only seen sporadic rain—barely enough to wet the ground. The River-calming stone auspicious beasts in the moat had even begun to show their heads above the water, signaling an impending drought disaster.

The current Emperor, benevolent and virtuous, first waived the spring taxes, then ordered officials to review prison cases and reduce sentences. The palace also cut back on lavish meals and released a batch of older palace maids.

The edict releasing the palace maids had been posted for some time. Who wouldn't come to fetch them if they had even a shred of familial affection? What if their own daughters or sisters were among those released?

While others were busy reuniting, Shen Shaoguang was absorbed in taking in the sights of the street. So this was Chang'an City. The streets were broad and smooth, flanked by towering elms and poplars. Pedestrians carrying loads or riding donkeys moved about, some hurried, some leisurely. Even the chirping of sparrows in the trees seemed infused with the warmth of human life. How wonderful...

Shen Shaoguang adjusted the bundle on her shoulder and stepped forward.

"Those traveling far, wait over there by the carriage. We'll arrange transport for you later," two bailiffs stopped her.

Judging by their uniforms, they didn't seem to be Imperial Guards. The follow-up tasks after the maids' dismissal had likely been delegated to the Capital Prefecture.

Shen Shaoguang stepped forward and curtsied, switching from her usual elegant speech to the Chang'an dialect. With a smile, she said, "My home isn't far. I can return on my own."

Amidst the surrounding cries, the bailiffs were momentarily dazzled by her radiant smile and familiar Chang'an accent. They exchanged glances and were about to let her pass—after all, their orders only specified that those with relatives should be taken by their families, while the few from distant places would be temporarily housed at post stations before eventually returning home with tribute missions or examination candidates. There was no explicit prohibition against someone walking home on their own.

"What's going on here?" A green-robed official accompanying a high-ranking crimson-robed officer happened to be passing by on inspection.

The bailiffs saluted and explained, "This woman lives nearby. Seeing no relatives have come for her, she wishes to return on her own."

Shen Shaoguang offered the officials an ingratiating smile, her bright almond-shaped eyes crinkling with a touch of docility.

The green-robed official looked at her kindly and glanced at his younger superior for approval—should they let her go?

The crimson-robed high official, perhaps not yet of an age for kindness, maintained an impassive expression on his handsome face. "Please present your official verification document."

Shen Shaoguang had felt uneasy upon seeing them and now inwardly sighed at her bad luck. Reluctantly, she retrieved the document from her bundle and handed it to the bailiff, who passed it to the crimson-robed official.

The high official raised his eyes to Shen Shaoguang, his gaze sharp. The first line of the document clearly stated: "Resident of Luoyang."

Shen Shaoguang maintained an innocent expression. After all, she hadn't explicitly claimed to be from Chang'an. As for distance—that was a subjective concept.

The high official's lips tightened slightly as he continued reading.

The document also listed her age and background.

Now that her secrets were laid bare, Shen Shaoguang felt oddly relieved. The worst that could happen was being sent to some uncle or cousin's house in Luoyang, living as a dependent relative. It wasn't like they could stuff her back into the palace!

Those poor relatives would be stuck with her—a former Imperial Courtyard female slave released due to the drought, the daughter of disgraced officials with no father or brothers to rely on. No benefits, just a heap of trouble!

"Young lady, at the prime of your youth, why were you released from the palace?" the crimson-robed official asked calmly, closing the document.

It was a reasonable question. Looking around, all the other maids were older than Shen Shaoguang, some even with graying hair. She stood out conspicuously among them.

Shen Shaoguang smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing. "I was released due to illness and frailty."This time, not only the officials but even the two bailiffs could see the problem—the young woman was tall and well-proportioned, her fair face tinged with a healthy pink. Weak from illness? Hmm... weak from illness indeed!

But as Shen Shaoguang had anticipated, even if they knew something was amiss, could they really shove her back into the palace? Who knew what royal secrets might be involved? Even if it wasn’t about the imperial family and only concerned the eunuchs, it wasn’t something to meddle with.

The high-ranking official in crimson robes gave Shen Shaoguang a deep look, handed the document to the bailiffs, and walked away with his hands clasped behind his back. The green-robed official hurried after him.

The two bailiffs were left bewildered—what was the meaning of this?

Shen Shaoguang smiled at them and said, "Gentlemen, I shall take my leave now."

Snapping out of their daze, the bailiffs exchanged glances, returned the Official verification document to Shen Shaoguang, and let her pass.

Truth be told, Shen Shaoguang was also surprised. She had thought she’d end up as a helpless orphan in Luoyang! Could it be that the crimson-robed official assumed her release was due to some grand conspiracy, spinning an entire palace drama in his head? People who overthink things are truly amusing!

The green-robed official shared Shen Shaoguang’s sentiment, thinking that although the newly appointed Lord Lin was a bit aloof and rather young, he understood propriety and knew his limits.

Based on his experience of outlasting over a dozen capital prefects and vice-prefects, the most crucial quality for an official in the capital was caution. What kind of place was Chang’an? Throw a tile, and you’d hit three people dressed in red or purple. The street vendor selling Sesame Flatbread might have a favored sister—or brother—serving in a prince’s household. How could one not tread carefully?

Shen Shaoguang headed south along the main road. Housing was cheaper in the southern part of the city, so she’d find a place to stay first.

As for her livelihood, Shen Shaoguang had already made plans—she would go into the food business.

In her past life, she had been an editor for a gourmet magazine, professionally writing about food and drink. In this life, she had even worked in the imperial kitchens for a while. Though her practical cooking skills were limited, her theoretical knowledge was solid. She was confident she could support herself this way.

Thinking of survival led her to think of money, and thinking of money made her heart ache again. To secure her release from the palace, she had spent eight-tenths of her savings over the years. The eunuch in charge of dismissing palace maids was downright ruthless!

Not far along, she passed Chongxian Ward and paused. The original owner’s family had owned a house here. She remembered a bamboo grove in the front courtyard—the memory was vivid because a small green snake had once slithered out, frightening the original owner to tears. Shen Shaoguang’s mind flashed to an image of the original owner’s father drinking wine and composing poetry under the moonlight, surrounded by bamboo.

Now, she wondered who might be reciting poetry to the bamboo these days. The thought made her sigh.

Chongxian Ward was a decent location, situated in the central-southern part of the city, just one ward away from Guangde Ward—home to the capital prefecture. Next to Guangde was the famous West Market of Chang’an. By modern standards, Chongxian Ward would easily fall within the third ring road.

Following her memories, she found the old Shen residence. High walls, a grand courtyard, and a black-topped gate. The steps were clean, and servants occasionally came and went through the side gate. From outside, she could see the layered eaves and the shadows of bamboo within. She wondered if this bamboo was the same as the one from her memories.

Originally, she had planned to take a quick look before continuing south. But after surveying the local food scene and spotting the Luminous Nunnery, Shen Shaoguang changed her mind.

The nunnery stood diagonally across from the back gate of the Shen residence. In her memories, this hadn’t been a nunnery. She guessed someone had donated the old property to be converted into a Buddhist convent—a common practice among Chang’an’s nobility.The receptionist nun had slanted eyebrows, triangular eyes, and thin lips—she didn't look particularly approachable.

Shen Shaoguang actually felt somewhat relieved. If the receptionist had been a lineup of young, beautiful girls, she wouldn't have dared to ask for lodging. After all, whether these Taoist temples and nunneries were in the business of gods and buddhas or flesh and pleasure was hard to say—just think of Yu Xuanji, or the Steamed Bun Nunnery from Dream of the Red Chamber ...

The receptionist's eyes swept over Shen Shaoguang's slightly worn cassia cloth dress, her hair tied up with just two silver hairpins, then sized up her small bundle, making Shen Shaoguang suddenly recall her past life's experience of browsing luxury stores.