Yummy Yummy Yummy

The Shangsi Festival was a wonderful day, whether for those out enjoying the spring scenery or for those running small street stalls.

Shen Shaoguang had hired two mule carts early on and prepared various ingredients—both finished and semi-finished—with Yu San, A Yuan, and the others, just waiting for the right moment to set up by the Qujiang River and make a hefty profit.

Neither A Yuan nor Yu San had experienced such a grand setup before, let alone A Chang. They only knew that the young lady had once set up a stall selling pancakes, but they hadn’t realized she could so easily switch from "shop to stall" at any time.

Shen Shaoguang proudly boasted about last year’s Dragon Boat Festival stall performance. "Several large barrels of iced plum juice were all bought up by the Imperial Guards—no one else could get any. After the festival, the captain who bought the plum juice came back, so I simply sold him the recipe too."

The three of them were stunned by this new level of audacity—so, recipes could be sold too?

"How much did you sell it for?" A Chang asked.

Shen Shaoguang teased, "Guess."

"Five taels," A Chang ventured after some thought.

A Yuan, who often helped Shen Shaoguang with accounts, felt five taels wasn’t enough to make the young lady so smug. "Ten taels."

Yu San, busy with his work, said nothing.

"Twenty taels," Shen Shaoguang said with a grin.

A Chang’s eyes widened—a single plum juice recipe could buy several of him.

A Yuan, however, clapped her hands without a care and expanded on the idea: "Then if we sold all our recipes—for meat dishes, jade tip noodles, and everything else..."

A Chang laughed first. "How could that work? If someone bought all our recipes and opened a tavern, wouldn’t they compete with us?" Shen Shaoguang had already explained the situation with the Cloud Arriving Tavern to Yu San and A Chang later on, so they wouldn’t be caught off guard.

Yu San finally couldn’t take it anymore and scoffed. "The real issue is finding another fool willing to pay twenty taels for a drink recipe."

Shen Shaoguang: "..." Fine, you all have your points.

A Yuan delivered the final verdict: "The young lady is still the best!"

Shen Shaoguang smiled warmly—young girls were truly sweet.

In the blink of an eye, the Shangsi Festival arrived. Standing at last year’s stall location, watching A Chang light the stove, Yu San knead glutinous rice dough, and A Yuan fetch water to wipe down the tables, Shen Shaoguang couldn’t help but reflect. Last year, it had just been her alone, managing everything by herself at a single table, thrilled to earn a few thousand coins. And now, look at this... Would things get even better in the future? Surely they would?

Since they were outdoors, they could only bring so much. The main offerings were various Flower Cakes—Pea Flour Cake, Ai Wowo (Glutinous Rice Cake), Qingtuan (sweet green rice ball), Red Bean Cake, Snowflake Cake—all brought with fillings, wrappers, and molds to assemble on-site, lest the wind dry them out or break them apart.

When selling the pastries, the more refined customers could have them arranged in paper boxes, while the less particular ones got paper bags or skewers to eat on the go.

The drinks were even simpler. Given the season, there were no cold beverages—just Jasmine tea and hawthorn and wolfberry drink. Whether jasmine or hawthorn and wolfberry, both were sourced from herbal shops, with a faint medicinal aroma of codonopsis and astragalus if one sniffed closely. They also added a sweet soup—Sweet Fermented Rice Soup with Dumplings—for hungry passersby.

The team of four set up their stall, placing several large boxes of colorful Flower Cakes in the most eye-catching spot to ensure passersby would notice them at a glance.Some people still remembered Shen Shaoguang. "The young lady makes excellent glutinous rice dumplings!" When they saw the Ai Wowo (Glutinous Rice Cake) they'd eaten here before, they were even more delighted. "I've never had such delicious bean paste since!"

Curious bystanders asked what was so special about the bean paste.

The original customer turned out to be an investigative foodie: "I once specifically asked friends knowledgeable about cuisine. This bean paste is called 'Soul sand paste'—the best kind is smooth, rich, and sweet without being cloying. The young lady's version certainly lives up to that description."

The customer went on to explain that during the Tianbao era, Guo Guofuren's residence was said to make the best Soul sand paste.

While they couldn't taste the delicacies from Guo Guofuren's household, they could enjoy the Ai Wowo by Qujiang Pond. Hearing this historical tidbit, the crowd naturally wanted to try this pastry imbued with the elegance of the High Tang era.

As the conversation continued, someone asked if Shen Shaoguang ran a Flower Cake shop somewhere.

Shen Shaoguang took the opportunity to advertise her Shen Ji tavern in Chongxian Ward, smiling apologetically: "We usually have Flower Cakes too, though not as many varieties. We specialize more in dishes like Agate meat and Jade dumplings—hearty meat dishes that pair well with wine."

With names like "Agate" and "Jade," just hearing them was enticing enough. The customers who came for Flower Cakes weren't disappointed but rather grew more interested, vowing to visit Shen Ji tavern in Chongxian Ward someday to try these meat dishes and dumplings.

Yu San gave Shen Shaoguang a puzzled look. Shen Shaoguang looked innocent—these truly weren't plants she'd hired. This was simply the power of repeat customers.

A Yuan silently praised, "See, see? I told you the young lady could attract countless customers just by talking."

After the busy rush subsided, business slowed down, giving the four of them time to rest and chat.

A Yuan looked around. "Young lady, will the Tanhualang pass by here?"

Shen Shaoguang truly didn't know. "Why don't you stroll toward Xingyuan Garden? You might see the Tanhualang there. It's not too busy now anyway." To Yu San and A Chang, she added, "After A Yuan returns, you two can take turns going too. Don't let this Shangsi Festival visit to Qujiang go to waste."

But A Yuan shook her head. "Every time, we go out while you stay behind. This time, you should go!"

Shen Shaoguang laughed. She'd long passed the age of chasing celebrities—she'd done things like saving up pocket money for nosebleed seats at idol concerts in her youth. There was no need for her to "play at youthful folly" now.

Yu San told A Chang, "You go with her."

Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow. Yu San simply placed filling into green dough wrappers, wrapped them, pressed them into molds, forming green cakes stamped with the character "fu" (fortune).

A Chang cheerfully removed his apron and sleeves. "I'll go with the young lady."

Though being volunteered, Shen Shaoguang appreciated their thoughtfulness. She took off her apron too, smiling. "Then we'll go stroll and come back to switch shifts later."

Shen Shaoguang led A Chang toward Xingyuan Garden. The path was crowded with people presumably waiting to see the new jinshi. Unsure when the Tanhualang would begin his flower-gathering ride, Shen Shaoguang didn't want to wait idly. They continued onward, buying a large bag of sesame candy along the way and getting A Chang an exquisite sugar painting.

A Chang was flustered—even as a real child, no one had treated him like this. "You should have this, young lady."Shen Shaoguang had a sweet tooth but couldn't handle overly sweet treats. "You have it. It's hard to carry, otherwise I'd bring one for A Yuan too."

She took the sesame candy bun from A Chang's hands, holding it for him so he could focus on enjoying his sugar painting.

Looking up, she admired the clear river waters, the pleasure boats drifting along, and the occasional waterfowl flying overhead. The weeping willows along the bank swayed gently, and in the distance, a hazy green expanse truly evoked the poetic image of "willows like mist." Turning her gaze to the finely dressed ladies and dashing young gentlemen around her—each with delicate brows, powdered faces, and youthful spring attire—she thought how wonderful it all was.

After enjoying the riverside breeze for a while, she plucked a tender grass stem and chewed on it idly. Once A Chang finished his candy, they started heading back.

Passing by Xing Garden, they heard that the newly appointed Tanhualang (Top Scholars) had just gone by not long ago.

A Chang grew excited. "Let's hurry! We might still catch up with them."

Shen Shaoguang tossed away the grass stem and quickened her pace with A Chang. Sure enough, they managed to catch sight of the procession.

Peering through the crowd, Shen Shaoguang saw that the two Tanhualang were indeed young—barely in their twenties. One wore luxurious brocade robes, with sharp brows, starry eyes, and thin lips that gave him a dashing air. The other had a face as if dusted with powder, delicate features, and an elegant bearing like an orchid or jade tree.

Wow, this year's Tanhualang are exceptionally good-looking, Shen Shaoguang mused. Comparing them to the previous Tanhualang she was more familiar with—who had a somewhat aloof demeanor, like winter cypress branches—these two seemed much more approachable.

Just then, a maidservant from some household tried to approach. The sharp-browed Tanhualang seemed to recognize her and motioned for her to come forward. The maid presented him with a silk handkerchief.

Unfolding it, the Tanhualang glanced at the handkerchief and smiled. The charm of that smile made countless young girls gasp. Soon, people began tossing their own handkerchiefs and flower branches toward the scholars, mimicking an old tradition.

The two Tanhualang laughed and rode onward.

"Tsk, tsk! Achieving scholarly honors at such a young age, touring Qujiang as Tanhualang, and receiving fragrant handkerchiefs bearing lip and brow prints from Pingkang's famous courtesans—what greater joy could life offer?"

"If Fourth Brother studies harder, next year it might be you."

Shen Shaoguang glanced sideways at the two scholars beside her. So that handkerchief was from a Pingkang courtesan, complete with suggestive "artistic embellishments." You Tang Dynasty folks really know how to have fun!

Noticing the pretty young woman looking their way, the two scholars flashed charming smiles and nodded at her.

Shen Shaoguang forced a polite smile and squeezed her way out of the crowd.

With the Tanhualang procession ahead, Shen Shaoguang didn't feel like pushing forward. Instead, she led A Chang on a leisurely stroll, buying some other snacks along the way. Only when the path cleared did they return to their stall.

Back at the stall, they found Yu San and A Yuan swamped with work. Shen Shaoguang and A Chang immediately pitched in.

Despite the busyness, A Yuan still managed to share some news. "Miss, Miss! The Tanhualang just bought our Flower Cakes! He even said, 'The cakes outshine the flowers.'"

Nearby customers chimed in with laughter, "Let's try these Flower Cakes that even the Tanhualang fancy."

Shen Shaoguang: "..." What kind of bizarre encounter was this? So legends about Emperor Qianlong's roast chicken and Empress Dowager Cixi's cornbread might actually be true!

Amid the bustle, Shen Shaoguang began planning—she'd make a big sign advertising "Tanhualang's Favorite Flower Cakes" when she got back.

Thanks to the Tanhualang's inadvertent endorsement, the Flower Cakes sold out unusually fast. Gradually, some varieties were completely gone. By late afternoon, nearly all the prepared fillings and dough had been used up, leaving only a few pieces of Snowflake Cake remaining.The number of visitors had dwindled, so Shen Shaoguang urged Yu San and A Yuan to go enjoy the sights while she minded the stall, waiting for their return before packing up to go home.

It was then that the former Flower Picker arrived.

Shen Shaoguang noticed that this man always seemed to appear when the night was quiet and the flowers had faded, as if he carried an air of loneliness with him.

But his timing posed one major problem—there was hardly any food left!

With a playful smile, Shen Shaoguang teased, "The current Flower Picker bought all the cakes, leaving none for the former one."

Lin Yan's eyes curved slightly. "Then I'll just have the jasmine tea again."

Shen Shaoguang poured him a cup and brought over the few remaining cakes before turning to tidy the counter.

When she finished and turned back, she saw Lord Lin slightly bowing his head, gently skimming the tea leaves with the lid of his cup. His profile was particularly striking—perhaps because of his straight nose—and his deep crimson official robes draped elegantly over his frame.

Compared to the two Flower Pickers from earlier, his handsomeness carried a refined maturity, much like—Shen Shaoguang thought again of the cured ham hanging in her backyard.

At this moment, she decided Lord Lin could be likened to a two-year-aged ham, best steamed with fine Huadiao wine—surely a delightful dish.

Lin Yan turned his head just then, meeting her gaze.

Far from being embarrassed at being caught, Shen Shaoguang grinned and asked, "Lord Lin, when you were chosen as the Flower Picker in the Apricot Garden back then, was it just as lively? Did you ever—" She coughed lightly and stopped herself. Asking whether famous courtesans had thrown him handkerchiefs would have been far too forward.

Lin Yan smiled faintly. "It’s the same every year."

"Oh—" Shen Shaoguang nodded.

"Except back then, there weren’t such fine Flower Cakes to enjoy." Lin Yan lowered his eyes slightly, picking up a piece of Snowflake Cake and slowly savoring it.

"..." Shen Shaoguang couldn’t help but smile. Had Lord Lin eaten honey before coming today? Why were his words suddenly so sweet?

The corners of Lin Yan’s eyes lifted slightly, like orchid buds just beginning to bloom.

Author’s Note: ① This was actually inspired by the experiences of the late Tang poet Han Wo. From his poem: "Sending a small letter wrapped in patterned silk, at the Flower Picker’s banquet amid spring blossoms. Dark brows imprinted with faint green, sandalwood lips fading into delicate red."