After several consecutive days of scorching heat, a thorough rain finally arrived—lightning flashed, thunder rumbled, and the downpour fell as thick as wheat gluten.
Shen Shaoguang moved a folding chair to sit by the door, picking vegetables while watching the rain.
"The rain is as thick as wheat gluten" wasn't Shen Shaoguang's original phrase; she had read it in a Yi Shu novel in her past life. The author had also written, "Melancholy old loves are like dreams—when the rain pours down in torrents, when the sea water rolls onto the shore..."
Shen Shaoguang had no such "old loves like dreams." Of course, in her youth, there had been someone she found pleasing—a tall, lanky boy who sat behind her in class. During those grueling days of endless exams and practice problems, they often shared a pair of earbuds, listening to old Backstreet Boys songs. As "As Long as You Love Me" played in their ears, they would exchange a smile.
After the college entrance exams, their chosen universities sent them to opposite ends of the country. The faint spark kindled by those shared melodies quickly faded amidst the freedom and excitement of university life. Later, that boy went to Florida, where the Backstreet Boys had debuted, earned his Ph.D. at UF, and decided to stay in the Sunshine State to enjoy its beaches and warmth.
During her university years, Shen Shaoguang had impulsively minored in an absurdly difficult subject, nearly driving herself bald with stress. Between studying for exams, obtaining certifications, and juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet, she spent her days pedaling a rickety bicycle with a laptop strapped to her back, rushing between her dorm, study halls, the library, the cafeteria, and her off-campus job. Romance? Nonexistent.
Post-graduation relationships were even less noteworthy—on one side, there were fleeting desires amid neon-lit revelry, here today and gone tomorrow; on the other, there were meticulous calculations where everything was weighed on a scale, every condition and compromise laid bare. Those subtle, unspoken emotions could only be found in the wistful melodies of old songs.
"See how the brightest blooms in riotous array / Are all abandoned now to wells and crumbling walls..." (1)
Ah, Lord Lin... if only we had met in my past life...
A Yuan asked with a smile, "Young Mistress, your singing is so lovely—what is that song?"
One of her old lullabies? Shen Shaoguang sighed softly and replied with a smile, "How about we have duck and winter melon soup for dinner today?"
A Yuan's eyes widened in realization, and she clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes! Yes!" After days of millet porridge and plain greens, she felt she was turning into a vegetable herself.
Too much of a good thing could be harmful, so while Shen Shaoguang lifted A Yuan's dietary restrictions, she still cautioned, "Only eat until you're seventy percent full. If you upset your stomach again, you'll have to go hungry for a while longer."
With no customers around, Yu San was sharpening the shop's assortment of cleavers, kitchen knives, slicing blades, and fruit knives one by one.
"Tsk tsk," Shen Shaoguang nodded approvingly. "You know, Third Brother, you really do have the air of a martial hero about you."
Yu San ignored her and continued with his rhythmic "scritch-scritch-scritch..."
Once he finished with the current blade, Shen Shaoguang proposed the duck soup plan and asked him to handle the slaughtering. Without a word, Yu San threw on a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, then headed to the backyard to catch the duck.
The duck wasn't one they had raised themselves—it had been delivered by the butcher the previous day but hadn't been cooked. After enjoying an extra day of life and the gift of rainwater, the unsuspecting fowl met its abrupt demise.
Yu San returned shortly after. Shen Shaoguang hurried to take the basin from him and noticed he had already rinsed the duck with well water. Ah, Princess Yu San—proud and aloof he might be, but his thoughtfulness and attention to detail were undeniable. She truly couldn't fathom what his former master had been thinking.Shen Shaoguang carried the basin back to the kitchen, first removing the duck skin to avoid greasiness. Then she heated oil in the pan, stir-fried ginger slices and scallion segments until fragrant before adding the duck meat for a quick fry. She seasoned it with a bit of salt and sugar, splashed in some yellow wine, then poured in water—ensuring enough was added at once. She skimmed off the foam occasionally and let it simmer slowly.
This method of making soup was learned from her southern roommate, a classic of dormitory electric rice cooker cuisine. As a northerner, Shen Shaoguang was accustomed to stewing duck with beer, though the most famous way was roasting it.
Heavy rain never lasts long. By the time the duck was in the pot, the rain had lightened to a drizzle that lasted over two hours. When it was time to add winter melon to the soup, the rain stopped—Shen Shaoguang glanced at the sky. It was nearly noon. With the rain stopping now, would there still be customers?
Of course, there were, such as Lord Lin, who had "braved the elements" to come.
Even though it was his day off, it was rare for him to come for a proper meal. Shen Shaoguang was a little surprised.
Lin Yan took off his rain boots at the door and changed into the wooden clogs provided by the shop, smiling as he said, "Today, my grandmother is having lunch with Yuanjue from Luminous Nunnery."
Shen Shaoguang nodded. That was nice—two elderly ladies who loved good food would surely enjoy each other's company. Wait, I didn’t actually ask that question out loud. Shen Shaoguang decided to work on her facial expressions, especially her eyes.
As he passed by her, Lin Yan paused and asked casually, "What are you cooking today? It smells so good." His tone was relaxed and familiar—almost like a husband returning home and asking his wife.
Shen Shaoguang looked up. He was already tall, and the wooden clogs made him even taller. Standing so close, she had to crane her neck to meet his smiling eyes before quickly looking away. Hmm, he was wearing Hu-style clothing today, and there was a small red mole on his exposed collarbone...
She cleared her throat. "Winter melon and old duck soup."
"Perfect for summer. Add a little pepper for me," Lin Yan said with a smile before heading to his usual seat.
Shen Shaoguang watched his retreating figure. Are all Confucian scholars this unceremonious? That soup was meant for us!
Despite her thoughts, she knew she’d have to serve him a bowl of the soup, along with a few small sesame cakes and some light side dishes.
While Lin Yan waited for his soup, two men entered. One was Lord Li, and the other was around forty, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a square face, and a dignified appearance.
Lin Yan stood up and approached to greet them. "Lord Li."
Li Yue looked slightly surprised and smiled. "Ah, An Ran." He had just taken a carriage ride around the Lin residence earlier, and the lingering nostalgia hadn’t faded when he encountered its current owner.
Hearing the commotion outside, Shen Shaoguang stepped out of the kitchen. The two guests turned, and old memories surged—this was Chu Jiu, Uncle Chu.
Shen Shaoguang froze.
Li Yue smiled at her, while Chu Di frowned thoughtfully.
Li Yue introduced Chu and Lin to each other.
Chu Di, a renowned Confucian scholar who lectured at Guangping Academy, was highly respected among scholars. Lin Yan bowed respectfully as a junior, addressing him as "Chu Xiansheng."Chu Di had many students around this age, but none who had already attained the crimson official robes like Lord Lin. His feelings toward this young man residing in his old friend's former residence were rather complex. After some critical appraisal, he had to admit that such grace was indeed worthy of Shen Wu's few stalks of emerald bamboo. Yet outwardly, he smiled politely, "This humble country fellow begs Lord Lin not to stand on ceremony."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the three took their seats.
Shen Shaoguang approached with a tray, presenting fruit drinks and menus. With a smile, she asked, "What would your honors like to order?"
"Might I ask, young mistress, since it's called 'Shen Ji,' does the shop owner share your surname?" inquired Chu Di.
Shen Shaoguang smiled, "Indeed, I am surnamed Shen."
A glimmer flashed in Chu Di's eyes as he studied Shen Shaoguang more carefully. With outsiders present, he couldn't ask more, so he simply nodded.
Li Yue understood his thoughts. Having just passed by their old friend's former residence in Chongxian Ward, their minds were filled with memories of bygone days. Hearing the surname "Shen" now inevitably stirred deeper reflections.
Though Li Yue had been in Jiangnan at the time, he'd sent people to inquire. Word came that Sister-in-law Shen had perished in the palace servant quarters, and A Qi had fallen gravely ill. A delicate child, raised in comfort, without adult protection in such a place...
Glancing at his old friend, Li Yue smiled at Shen Shaoguang, "Bring whatever you recommend, young mistress. Though I haven't much silver on me, my fine horse outside could serve as collateral."
Shen Shaoguang laughed lightly, playing along, "With such distinguished guests here," she added with a meaningful glance at Lord Lin—Chang'an's vice mayor overseeing civil administration, commerce, and public security—"this humble one wouldn't dare slaughter cattle." [2]
Both were referencing Li Bai's poem "Bring In the Wine."
This drew hearty laughter from Li Yue, while both Chu Di and Lin Yan looked at Shen Shaoguang and smiled.
With a polite nod, Shen Shaoguang retreated to the kitchen with her tray to prepare the meal.
Lord Li had eclectic tastes, and this being a hosted banquet, compounded by today's rain preventing meat deliveries, Shen Shaoguang marshaled all her culinary creativity. She utilized chickens and quails from the backyard, the two remaining spotted carp in the kitchen bucket, along with preserved meats, salted fish, meat sauce, and fermented beans from storage—pairing them with vegetables to assemble a respectable feast despite limitations.
Li Yue pointed at the half fish head on his dining tray, laughing, "This has excellent flavor—you must try it."
The fish head had been steamed with Zanthoxylum piperitum sauce. While not as spicy as chopped chili, it carried a pungent aroma developed over time that removed fishiness while enhancing freshness.
The preparation resembled modern chopped chili fish head: the head split lengthwise, marinated with salt, rice wine, and ginger juice, placed skin-side up on a plate topped with minced ginger and Zanthoxylum sauce, then steamed over boiling water for about the time needed to drink a cup of tea. Finished with minced garlic, chopped scallions, and a drizzle of hot pepper oil.
The resulting dish offered pungent aroma and tender texture—quite different from claypot fish head with tofu. Perhaps comparable to a spicy girl versus a refined lady?
Lord Li clearly favored the "spicy girl," while Uncle Chu had no issues. Lord Lin took one bite and, though maintaining composure, Shen Shaoguang noticed he drained his entire cup of fruit drink.
It seemed Lord Lin belonged to the "refined lady" camp.
Shen Shaoguang had A Yuan refill all three cups before bringing small bowls of aged duck soup from the kitchen. "In midsummer's heat, may your honors take some duck to dispel dampness."The duck soup had only a few glistening droplets of oil on the surface, containing three or four pieces of duck meat, peeled winter melon cubes with a hint of green, two red dates, and a few goji berries, served in a small white porcelain bowl—it looked quite appealing.
Lin Yan glanced at her, then scooped a piece of winter melon with his spoon and placed it in his mouth. The heat from the fish he had eaten earlier was finally subdued, and the corners of his eyes lifted slightly.
"I've never seen any young lady with skills as fine as yours, Miss Shen," Chu Di remarked after taking a sip of the soup, smiling at Shen Shaoguang.
Shen Shaoguang replied modestly, "I make a living from this, so practice makes perfect."
Chu Di nodded silently.
Lin Yan looked at the sweat-dampened hair at her temples and thought of the pampered young ladies of noble families. A pang of sorrow struck his heart—my A Qi...
Shen Shaoguang bowed again and retreated with the tray.
Li Yue also felt it was inappropriate for Chu Di to compare a tavern girl to noble young ladies. Thinking of noble ladies reminded him of his previous attempt to match Lin Yan with Qin Wuniang. Now that Qin Wuniang was betrothed to the grandson of the Duke of Xinyang, it seemed fate had other plans for the talented and handsome pair.
Li Yue didn't blame Lin Yan; instead, he admired his loyalty and integrity. Smiling, he said, "Speaking of young ladies, An Ran is no longer young—it's time for him to settle down."
Lin Yan glanced at the blue curtain of the kitchen and replied with a faint smile, "Indeed, my grandmother is already making arrangements."
Hearing that the Lin family matriarch was handling the matter, Li Yue naturally refrained from further comment.
Chu Di, seated directly across from Lin Yan, raised an eyebrow slightly and studied the young magistrate. He picked up his soup bowl and scooped another piece of winter melon. Paired with those two bamboo stalks, it was fine—but if it were anything else, wouldn't it be too bland?
Author's Note:
① "The Peony Pavilion." I hesitated whether to annotate such a well-known work.
② Back then, there were many restrictions on slaughtering cattle. Healthy, strong plow oxen couldn't be killed, and sick or old ones required official procedures. Found a Song Dynasty example online: "Anyone wishing to slaughter a sick ox must submit a petition for official permission—this was to prevent illegal slaughter." ("Yijian Zhi · San Zhi Yi," Vol. 5)
————
Lord Lin: My A Qi works too hard—it pains me...
Shen Shaoguang: Lord Lin, what's your name? What's my name?
Lord Lin: ...
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