The new chef Yu San's fish-cooking skills pleasantly surprised Shen Shaoguang. Later, he went on to prepare various fish dishes like vinegar-braised fish, steamed fish, and fish with mutton stew.
These fish dishes were well-received by customers, especially the fish with mutton stew, which became the most popular.
This dish was quite complex—first boiling the mutton, then stewing it, before stuffing it into the fish belly to pan-fry and simmer. Given its intricate preparation, Shen Shaoguang firmly set it at the highest price.
Some dishes in this dynasty were so elaborate that they left Shen Shaoguang utterly baffled. Take the famous "Hun Yang Mo Hu," for example. It required selecting a tender goose, stuffing its belly with meat and glutinous rice, seasoning it thoroughly, and then placing it inside a lamb's cavity. The lamb was roasted over an open flame, but once cooked, only the goose inside was eaten, not the lamb itself...
Then there was "Pao Shi," where a pig's belly was stuffed with dates, wrapped in reeds, coated in mud, and roasted in fire. After roasting, the mud and reeds were peeled off, taking the pig's hair with it and revealing tender meat—similar to the later-day "beggar's chicken." But since this was a dish for nobles, it was naturally even more complicated than the beggar's version. The meat was then deep-fried, steamed for three days and nights, and finally seasoned...
The imperial kitchen had several such dishes, which Shen Shaoguang collectively categorized as the "What nobles eat isn't food, it's trouble" series. These dishes were likely the result of prolonged peace, where aristocrats with too much time on their hands indulged in unnecessary extravagance—akin to the intricate embroidery on Qing Dynasty cheongsams.
However, Shen Shaoguang still approved of their fish with mutton stew—the mutton was pre-cooked because it took longer to tenderize. By boiling it until 80% done before stuffing it into the fish, the flavors of fish and mutton complemented each other, creating the essence of "freshness."
But perhaps because pork wasn't a staple in this dynasty, Yu San wasn't skilled at pork dishes.
In fact, Yu San was amazed by Shen Shaoguang's "Agate Meat" and "Lion's Head Meatballs"—who knew pork could be cooked to such deliciousness?
While discussing the merits of pork dishes, Shen Shaoguang took A Yuan and Yu San out for an autumn outing.
Hiking during the Double Ninth Festival was an old tradition. Shen Shaoguang had also cashed in on the festive economy by selling Chongyang cakes the day before the festival. But on the actual day, everyone had already set off early on horseback or in carriages for their outings.
Initially, Shen Shaoguang considered setting up a stall at a tourist hotspot, but the autumn destinations weren't concentrated. Those who preferred convenience chose Leyou Plateau, while the more adventurous headed to Zhongnan Mountain. Scholars and literati gathered at Qujiang Pavilion or Linwei Pavilion for poetry gatherings by winding streams, while temples and Taoist monasteries inside and outside the city also served as popular spots.
With the crowd dispersed and hiking being an active process, how many people would stop to buy food?
After this estimation, Shen Shaoguang gave up the idea and simply took A Yuan and Yu San out for a relaxing break.
Shen Shaoguang was lazy—when she wasn't in the mood to make money, she avoided crowds. Comparing Leyou Plateau and the Qujiang riverside, she chose the latter—perhaps because, compared to being a "benevolent person," she considered herself more of a "wise one."
This time, Shen Shaoguang's choice was indeed wise. Though the people of Chang'an frequented Qujiang Pond all year round, today's crowd was sparse since hiking was the preferred activity for the Double Ninth Festival.
The late autumn sky was a clear blue, and the Qujiang waters were a pristine green. A few pleasure boats drifted on the river, while occasionally, young masters on horseback with servants in tow passed by on the main road. Shen Shaoguang guessed there must be a banquet at Qujiang Pavilion.Since it had nothing to do with her, the "wise" Shen Shaoguang strolled with her servants in the opposite direction of Qujiang Pavilion. Spotting a scenic area, she spread out a cloth mat, took out a jug of Cheese Drink, opened a box of pastries containing walnut cakes, Pea Flour Cake, Ai Wowo (Glutinous Rice Cake), and chrysanthemum Flower Cake, then produced a paper bag filled with minced meat patties.
A Yuan cheered, clearly more interested in the savory meat than the assortment of sweets.
Glancing at the extra flesh around A Yuan's waist, Shen Shaoguang ultimately said nothing—festivals weren't the time to scold children.
The filling in these patties was the same as that used for Lion's Head Meatballs. Though slightly cold, they remained fragrant.
Lately, Shen Shaoguang's pork dishes had reached new heights of mastery, often transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Taking a bite, A Yuan boasted, "Young Mistress's cooking is the best!" Adding, "Nothing tastes better than the pork dishes you make."
Yu San had initially been quite surprised by the shop's refined and delicious pork dishes, but after these past days, he'd grown accustomed to them.
Hearing A Yuan's words, Yu San leisurely delivered a cutting remark, "Indeed. Otherwise, how could we turn cheap into expensive?" A plate of four Lion's Head Meatballs cost nearly the same as a plate of braised lamb, but what was the price of pork compared to lamb?
A Yuan couldn't stand Yu San's sarcasm: "How can you say that!"
While Shen Shaoguang acknowledged there was truth in Yu San's words, she believed one had to look beyond the surface.
Raising a hand to stop A Yuan, she proceeded to give her chef an economics lesson: "What you call 'cheap' is just the raw material. You're not accounting for labor costs, time costs, or intellectual costs."
"A piece of pork may be inexpensive, but we blanch it, stir-fry it, braise it, steam it, season it with spices, and present it in fine vessels—" Shen Shaoguang paused, "Well, we don't have fine vessels yet, but we will. After all that effort, this pork is no longer just pork—"
Both A Yuan and Yu San looked up at her.
"It's pork worthy of grand banquets and noble palates!"
Yu San: "..."
After a moment's thought, A Yuan nodded vigorously.
Shen Shaoguang began drawing analogies: "Take, for example, the so-called 'foster mothers' in the south. They buy young girls from poor families, teach them arts like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and various performing skills. When they come of age, they're sold to noble households in the capitals, pleasure houses in Pingkang, or wealthy merchants in Lianghuai." She wasn't sure if this practice existed yet—she was referring to the later "Yangzhou Thin Horses."
"A young girl might be bought for just a tael of silver but sold for eight hundred to a thousand taels."
A Yuan gasped, calculating how many versions of herself that sum could buy.
Yu San glanced at their new mistress, finding the comparison rather... questionable.
"So why the difference? Because of the 'foster mother's' educational investment! Just like our pork dishes—"
Suddenly, there was a rustling from the woods behind them. Shen Shaoguang turned, followed by A Yuan and Yu San, to see a man in a raven-blue round-collar robe and another in a moon-white robe—the latter laughing so hard he was practically shaking.
Who else could it be but Lord Lin and his friend?
Shen Shaoguang rolled her eyes internally. Eavesdropping and having the audacity to laugh so loudly! She wondered where they'd come from—probably escaped from the banquet at Qujiang Pavilion and wandered through the woods to this side. Of all the people to run into... what a cursed fate.While inwardly rolling her eyes, Shen Shaoguang maintained a warm smile on her face as she curtsied slightly to the two men. "Greetings, my lords."
Lin Yan gave a slight nod in return, his lips pressed together, while Pei Fei grinned. "We meet again, young lady."
Shen Shaoguang smiled.
"The mooncake divination treats you made last time were excellent!" Had it not been for the latter part about "nurturing women," Pei Fei might have teased her about her earlier remarks. But given her "eloquent citation," bringing it up now would seem crude and improper, so he only mentioned the mooncakes—having later asked Steward Zhou, he'd learned they were made by this Young Lady Shen.
Since transmigrating to the Tang Dynasty, Shen Shaoguang had adhered to the principles of a proper lady, her face growing thinner-skinned. Though initially embarrassed that her earlier nonsense had been overheard by these two, facing Pei Fei—who seemed equally mischievous—her awkwardness dissipated. She chuckled, "I suppose your fortune was favorable, then? A good omen?"
"Hahaha, of course, of course!" Pei Fei laughed.
Shen Shaoguang continued smiling. There were no bad fortunes in those divinations... Truly, the love of flattery is human nature! If not for my extraordinary culinary skills, with this talent alone, I could set up a fortune-telling stall outside a temple as a Female Taoist Priest or nun and still make a comfortable living. A half-immortal held back by cooking!
"I find your divinations remarkably accurate, rivaling even Master Liaochen of Qinglong Temple," Pei Fei said, once again proving himself a kindred spirit.
A discerning eye! A true connoisseur! Shen Shaoguang lowered her gaze slightly, smiling demurely. "You flatter me, my lord."
Listening to their playful banter and recalling the young lady's earlier bold words, Lin Yan pressed his lips together again. "We won't disturb your autumn outing further." He nodded slightly to Shen Shaoguang, glanced at Pei Fei, and made to leave.
Pei Fei also bid farewell with a nod. "May you enjoy this fine autumn weather, young lady."
Shen Shaoguang curtsied once more. "And may you both enjoy your outing as well."
A Yuan and Yu San also bowed.
Pei Fei caught up to Lin Yan. "Do you think your mooncake fortune was inaccurate? If you're always this cold toward young ladies, how can the divination possibly come true...?"
The gentle autumn breeze carried fragments of their conversation. Watching their retreating figures, Shen Shaoguang smirked mischievously. Could it be...? Did that Lord Lin draw the "Inevitable Marriage to a Fine Lady" fortune?
Tsk, tsk! Then my divination was spot-on! That granddaughter of the Minister—whether in looks or grace—certainly qualifies as "fine," and she seemed quite taken with the young magistrate. Even Pang Erniang was rather charming. Ah, tall, rich, and handsome—even with a poker face, girls will still throw themselves at him.
Such shallow creatures... Shen Shaoguang shook her head in amusement.
Author's Note: ① One of the "Eight Delicacies" mentioned in the Rites of Zhou.
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