The Ministry of Rites examination is approaching, and the hot pot season is about to end. It's time to stoke the fire one last time—or rather, to reap the final harvest. Shen Shaoguang decided to combine the imperial exams with hot pot by hosting a "Cauldron Blessing Banquet."
The cauldron, a symbol of the state's importance, lends its name to high-ranking officials and pillars of the nation, who are also called "cauldron ministers." The "Cauldron Blessing Banquet" is self-explanatory—a feast to wish scholars success in the exams, soaring careers, and future roles as esteemed court ministers. Due to the hot pot's shape and communal dining style, many scholars affectionately call it the "little cauldron," thus linking hot pot once again to the imperial exams.
Shen Shaoguang said to Shao Jie, "I was thinking of hanging a hundred-foot-long silk banner at the tavern entrance for the attending scholars to sign. If any of them pass the exams, we’ll highlight their names in vermilion ink."
"Just like poetry anthologies, we’ll make this banquet an annual grand event. Each year, we’ll connect new and old banners, accumulating a massive scroll over time—the key being that it’ll bear the calligraphy of many future high achievers." Shen Shaoguang painted a vivid picture. "This thing could become our shop’s prized treasure."
Shao Jie, ever quick-witted, added, "We could craft a special display cabinet for these signed silk banners and our yearly printed poetry collections."
Shen Shaoguang clapped. "Perfect!" Though it was a shame the cabinet couldn’t be made of glass.
"The scroll with the emperor’s inscribed poem must be included," Shao Jie said.
Shen Shaoguang laughed. This guy now guarded that book like a nugget of gold. According to his personal servant, Ah Jin, his cousin Shilang had to offer him an excellent falcon just to take a look, while Shiyilang, whose gift of a knife wasn’t valuable enough, was denied altogether...
Shao Jie knew why she was laughing but wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. "Hey, that kid’s already out looking for another one for me."
Shen Shaoguang burst into laughter again before continuing with the banquet arrangements. Such feasts had always been crucial for scholars to expand their networks. Those who passed the exams would become peers, serving together in court, with plenty of future interactions—getting acquainted early was beneficial. For those who failed, mingling with successful candidates was advantageous, and even if none succeeded, there was comfort in solidarity. Thus, anticipating their needs, the banquet would include sessions for introducing hometowns, names, ages, and the like, as well as talent showcases and private networking opportunities...
There would also be games—a special segment of Amusement to wish for exam success. Additionally, they could spend some money to invite a renowned courtesan from Pingkang Ward to perform. Such refined gatherings of scholars would appeal to them, as it was also a chance to boost their reputations...
Shen Shaoguang sucked her teeth, wincing at the expense of hiring a courtesan. "Maybe they’d be willing to give us a discount."
Shao Jie, well accustomed to her talk of discounts, understood perfectly and couldn’t help but laugh.
Shen Shaoguang also knew these men’s minds well—money spent in Pingkang Ward wasn’t really money. If not there, where else should it be spent? Tsk! Tsk!
She reminded him, "We’re not just spending on courtesans—we’ll also offer discounts that day." In the food and beverage industry, what kind of event didn’t come with discounts? Without them, could it even be called an event?
"I was thinking, scholars taking this year’s exams could get half-price with official documentation, while others could enjoy a 20% discount."Shao Jie laughed, "We could set the price even lower—it's not like we're aiming for profit on this single day. Just think how much extra silver those scholars have already brought us!"
"For now, let's keep it as is. Our capital is small, and profits are thin." In truth, Shen Shaoguang had the same thought. Once their reputation grew and the shop had more capital, losing money for publicity on this day wouldn’t matter. With fame and foot traffic, the profits would surely follow.
Small capital, thin profits... Shao Jie, unfamiliar with the tavern business, didn’t realize how much more lucrative it was compared to selling Flower Cakes. But recalling the many failed eateries in the market that had to be sold off, he felt a twinge of pride—perhaps their tavern’s profits were exceptionally high...
As soon as Manager Qin announced the event, the scholars responded enthusiastically. Some even composed poems on the spot for the "Cauldron Blessing Banquet," which were later inscribed on the Poetry Wall outside to promote the occasion.
Hearing about the silk scroll for signatures, one scholar joked, "This is the 'Minor Inscription.' If we pass the exams someday, the Wild Goose Pagoda will be our 'Major Inscription.'"
Shen Shaoguang found the scholar’s idea brilliant—"Minor Inscription" and "Major Inscription"—what a clever way to elevate their humble event!
With time tight and limited advertising avenues, aside from the Poetry Wall, they relied mainly on word-of-mouth from the staff and the scholars themselves. Whenever Shen Shaoguang was in the shop, she would chat with customers about the event.
"We’ll definitely come when the time arrives," said the strikingly handsome Lord Ji from Suzhou, who had visited a couple of days prior.
Today, the young lord was dressed more formally, exuding the air of a nobleman. His charming peach-blossom eyes curved into a smile, quite captivating.
Having grown accustomed to the beauty of Lin, Shen Shaoguang remained unfazed. Instead, she wondered whether Lord Ji’s literary talent matched his looks. If his intellect were as outstanding as his appearance, he’d likely make the rankings and even secure a spot as a "Flower Scout."
Noticing the beautiful proprietress studying him, Lord Ji smiled again. "I’ve heard His Majesty once visited your establishment?"
Shen Shaoguang chuckled. "So they say, though I can’t confirm it."
"It must be true. Your hot pot is truly delightful."
She thanked him with a smile. "After you achieve success in the imperial exams, if you remain in Chang’an as an official, we’d be honored by your frequent visits."
"Naturally," Lord Ji agreed readily, then casually asked, "What did His Majesty order that day? We’d like to try the same."
Shen Shaoguang frowned regretfully. "I wish I knew! Later, I asked a few servers—some said it was the Milky Soup Hot Pot, others the Clear Broth, and some even mentioned the Medicinal Pot. With so many customers, how could they remember? Though forgetting others is one thing, how could they forget His Majesty’s order?"
"Your ledger doesn’t record it clearly?" Lord Ji took a sip of his Cheese Drink.
"At the time, we thought since the prices were the same, it didn’t matter whether we noted it down... Now we’ve learned our lesson and record everything in detail." She shook her head ruefully.
Lord Ji chuckled.
After some casual conversation, he ordered the classic Milky Soup Hot Pot, along with sliced lamb, fish balls, and assorted vegetables.
Shen Shaoguang suggested cheerfully, "After the meat and vegetables, shall we add some Broad Noodles?"
Lord Ji nodded with a smile.
"And for this gentleman?"
His companion, as before, had no objections."What about the wine? Our shop has Xinfeng Wine, Daughter Wine, as well as local Biqiong Wine and Amber Wine..." Although these were already listed on the menu, Shen Shaoguang still introduced them again.
As before, Lord Ji said, "Let's have the Xinfeng Wine then."
Shen Shaoguang asked them to wait and went downstairs.
Several foreigners had arrived downstairs, standing at the entrance and looking around. One loudly asked the manager, "We heard the Emperor himself once visited this tavern?"
The customers, manager, and waitstaff all laughed. Even Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but smile—these foreign brothers were indeed straightforward.
"Come, come! Give us whatever the Emperor ate too!"
This made everyone laugh even harder.
The foreigners joined in the laughter and clomped upstairs.
Shen Shaoguang went to the kitchen to give instructions. Before long, the hot pot and ingredients were ready, and the waitstaff carried them upstairs on large trays for both the scholars from Suzhou and the foreigners.
After some thought, Shen Shaoguang decided to go upstairs again. She greeted Lord Ji and his companion, then politely approached the foreigners' table to ask if they needed anything else.
The leader of the foreigners looked at Shen Shaoguang with a smile. "It's a shame your establishment doesn't have singing girls."
Shen Shaoguang's nostrils flared slightly as she smiled. "But we do have young men who perform Amusement acts."
The foreigners burst into laughter.
With a cheerful "Enjoy your meal," Shen Shaoguang nodded to Lord Ji and his companion nearby before gracefully descending the stairs.
Once downstairs, she stood behind the counter, frowned, and glanced at the second floor, feeling her paranoia growing stronger.
When the East Market closed, Shen Shaoguang took a carriage home. Upon arriving, she received a note from Lin Yan—she hadn't seen him for several days, so she assumed something must have come up.
Opening it, she confirmed her suspicion: Grand Madam Jiang had fallen ill. He had likely been tending to his grandmother at home when not at the yamen and sent the note to ease her worries.
"What happened to Grand Madam?" Shen Shaoguang asked Liu Chang.
"At her advanced age, Grand Madam sometimes acts like a child. A couple of days ago, she stayed too long in the garden and caught a chill."
Shen Shaoguang nodded. "It's late now. Please apologize on my behalf to Grand Madam, and I'll visit her tomorrow." The custom here was no different from later times—people rarely visited the sick in the afternoon or evening.
She wrote a reply for Liu Chang to take back to Lin Yan, but to her surprise, he came in person after dinner.
Shen Shaoguang was surprised. "Has Grand Madam improved?"
Lin Yan looked weary but managed a smile. "She's better. She had a fever for a couple of days, but it broke today."
Shen Shaoguang stepped forward and gently massaged his temples. "Were you keeping watch at night?"
"Yes." Lin Yan wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her hair with his chin.
She stopped massaging and hugged him instead.
After a tender moment, Shen Shaoguang led him to sit down and personally served him Fruit Drink. Smiling, she said, "There's something I want to tell you. Listen and tell me if I'm being overly suspicious."
Lin Yan grew serious. "Go on."
"A couple of days ago, two scholars from Suzhou came to the shop. They spoke impeccable Elegant speech, drank Cheese Drink favored by northerners instead of tea, and chose Xinfeng Wine over Daughter Wine from the south. They ate lamb spine with ease, enjoyed sour and spicy flavors, and loved wheat-based dishes. One was exceptionally handsome and dignified, while the other was taciturn. Though they claimed to be friends, they seemed more like master and servant.""If it were just these things, it wouldn't be much," Shen Shaoguang wrinkled her nose, "but the scent of incense on this gentleman was extremely similar to that of the leader among the Hu people who came later." During this era, most incense was blended from multiple spices—even if just one ingredient or proportion differed, the resulting fragrance would vary. As a former palace maid with a keen sense of smell, Shen Shaoguang had some expertise in this matter.
"You say if they knew each other, why didn't they acknowledge it?" Shen Shaoguang said slowly. "Most crucially, they both inquired about what His Majesty ate at the shop that day." In truth, many had asked about the emperor's meal—who isn't curious? But taken together, it was suspicious.
"Northerners posing as southerners, colluding with Hu people, inquiring about His Majesty's diet..." Lin Yan summarized Shen Shaoguang's observations. After a moment, he nodded. "You must bring guards when you go out, avoid the East Market as much as possible, and have your tavern staff be cautious. I fear something is about to happen."
When discussing serious matters, he was extremely solemn, reminding Shen Shaoguang of his status—a high-ranking official in crimson robes, a figure of real authority in the capital. She recalled that rainy night when he had lifted his blade and slit the thief's throat...
Perhaps sensing his tone, Lin Yan smiled again, reaching out to tousle her hair as he gently admonished, "Be good and listen to me."
Shen Shaoguang looked at Lin Yan. "Three days before the Ministry of Rites examination, the tavern in the East Market will host a 'Cauldron Blessing Banquet.' Scholars will gather there in great numbers."
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