“Vice Councilor of State Affairs?” Yuan Niang asked, her tone puzzled.
Coming from the countryside, she couldn’t even name the official positions in the county. At most, she knew the county magistrate was the highest authority, and those who passed the imperial examinations as top scholars were reincarnations of the literary star. As for anything more related to officialdom, she was completely ignorant.
After all, in the countryside, the only person in charge was the village head. Occasionally, she might see or hear people talk about the yamen runners who came to collect taxes.
That was all an ordinary country girl like her could know.
Perhaps there were also the prime minister, who stood above ten thousand people and below only one, and the military governors who acted like local emperors—figures mentioned by storytellers. Beyond that, she truly knew nothing.
How much could a country bumpkin possibly know? Besides, those esteemed figures were too far removed from their lives. There wasn’t even a basis for discussing them over tea. So, when Cheng’er mentioned the Vice Councilor of State Affairs, Yuan Niang really had no frame of reference.
Xu Chenger, after all, was a commoner living right under the emperor’s feet. He had broader knowledge than those from outside the capital, and with a grandfather who had passed the provincial examination, he certainly wasn’t an expert on the official system, but he generally understood it well. The people of Bianjing also loved gossiping about the anecdotes of high-ranking officials and wealthy families. Even the Imperial Family’s “swapping a prince for a cat” incident was still circulated among the common folk and relished with great interest.
This was also due to the dynasty’s benevolence. Even civil officials dared to reprimand the Imperial Family in court, offering death-defying admonitions or composing poems with veiled satire—nothing was off-limits. As a result, poetry and literary culture flourished, and it was quite ordinary for commoners to indulge in a bit of idle chatter.
Xu Chenger didn’t keep her in suspense and went straight to the point: “You know about the prime minister, right?”
Chen Yuanniang nodded emphatically. Of course she knew—the prime minister was a staple character in storytellers’ tales!
“In our dynasty, there’s no official title of ‘prime minister’ on the surface. It’s called Tongpingzhangshi, and the Vice Councilor of State Affairs is the deputy prime minister. I heard from my grandfather that the current Tongpingzhangshi is quite old and has already submitted two memorials to the Imperial Family requesting retirement due to old age. Who knows when he’ll retire? Councillor Wei, on the other hand, is still young. I hear the Imperial Family trusts him greatly, and…”
Xu Chenger deliberately paused, drawing out the last syllable.
Sure enough, Yuan Niang was captivated and eagerly pressed, “And what?”
With Yuan Niang as an enthusiastic audience, Xu Chenger continued cheerfully, “Master Wei’s wife is said to adore tabby cats. They even built a garden in their mansion to raise them. Rumor has it they have not only tiger-striped, yellow tabby, and lion cats but even expensive Dry Red Cats, with red fur on their tails, paws, and whiskers—extremely rare in the world.
“Heavens, if only I could see one! I can’t imagine how beautiful it must be. Holding a little Dry Red tabby cat during the New Year would bring prosperity and good luck for the whole year.”
Chen Yuanniang also looked up, imagining it. Red fur on the tail, paws, and whiskers—what would that look like? She couldn’t quite picture how beautiful or lovely it might be, but she felt it must be very eye-catching and not easily lost.
Lost in thought, she unconsciously voiced this idea.
Hearing this, Xu Chenger chuckled twice, wearing an expression that said, “You don’t know, do you?”
“Would the tabby cats in Master Wei’s mansion ever get lost? You have no idea—Master Wei’s wife loves cats like her own life. She has a gold collar made for each tabby cat, engraved with its name, and treasures them dearly. Once, a cat accidentally ran away, and she even reported it to the authorities. It caused quite a stir throughout Bianjing, but in the end, they caught the culprit thanks to that gold collar.”
As Xu Chenger spoke, she clicked her tongue in amazement.
Master Wei’s “renowned reputation” among Bianjing’s populace stemmed not only from his favor with the Imperial Family but also from the amusing anecdotes about his wife’s fondness for cats—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so memorable.
The common folk always enjoyed such entertaining tales.
Yuan Niang and Cheng’er, two young ladies, began sharing various amusing stories circulating among Bianjing’s high society that had trickled down to the people, leaving Yuan Niang gasping in astonishment, covering her mouth in surprise.
Meanwhile, Chen Kuocang, whose wrist Yuan Niang held, remained silent, lost in thought about another matter. The family that had broken off the engagement was surnamed Wei and said to be an official household in Bianjing. When he had discreetly inquired with the escort agency, he received only the four words: “Bianjing Wei Family.”
So, was the Wei Family mentioned by Xu Chenger, whose master held the position of Vice Councilor of State Affairs, the same one that had broken off the engagement?
Given that “Bianjing Wei Family” could be used as a shorthand reference, it seemed unlikely there was another Wei household in Bianjing surpassing their status.
However, his silence didn’t alert his sisters; they simply attributed it to his usual demeanor—a model of youthful maturity. They only needed to remember him when buying snacks, casually stuffing one into his mouth, so as not to forget him.
The three walked back to the nuns’ stall, where Granny Wang and Madam Cen had already selected gifts and were waiting for them. Unexpectedly, they also spotted Xu Chenger.
Granny Wang appeared delighted, affectionately touching Cheng’er’s hair styled into two little buns, smiling warmly: “Good child, how did you get dragged along by my little mischief-maker?”
Xu Chenger was quite polite toward elders, standing gracefully and articulating the whole story clearly and briskly. At the end, she added, “When my mother heard I was going home with you, she immediately had nothing to say and felt completely reassured!”
“Oh, this sweet little mouth really makes Granny happy!” Granny Wang laughed heartily, her wrinkles and age spots radiating a touch of kindness. “Come home with Granny, Granny will make you something delicious.”
Beside her, Chen Yuanniang pursed her lips slightly. Grandma had never been so gentle and pleasant with her, even though she too was a fine young lady who could be obedient and considerate toward elders when needed, and charmingly coax people into happiness when appropriate!
But she only grumbled inwardly for a moment, soon linking arms with Xu Chenger and engaging in intimate, cheerful chatter and laughter.
Young ladies gathered together, chatting and laughing, naturally brought brightness and liveliness, creating quite a lively scene.
Coincidentally, Yuan Niang’s family had bought too many items. Although Xiangguo Temple wasn’t extremely far from their home, carrying all those things back would likely make walking difficult after just a few steps. Since the family now had spare money, Granny Wang hired a donkey cart at Xiangguo Temple’s gate. The purchased items piled onto the cart, nearly forming a small mountain, forcing them all to squeeze together, hugging their legs.
But avoiding the effort of walking made squeezing together a delightful affair.
Yuan Niang couldn’t help exclaiming, “Bianjing is so wonderful—you can rent a cart for such a short distance.”
Granny Wang also smiled, “Under the emperor’s feet, in the capital’s vicinity, convenience naturally prevails.”
Beside them, Chen Kuocang silently added in his heart: the Northern Song version of renting a donkey cart (like hailing a ride).
Upon returning home, the whole family busied themselves unpacking. Xu Chenger also rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward to help voluntarily.
Many items belonged to individual rooms. Yuan Niang gathered her canopy, curtains, comb, and so, then scurried up to Gelou, not forgetting to wink and call Xu Chenger along.
The two young ladies bustled about in the room together, hanging up the bed curtains, putting up the window shades, and arranging the bare dressing table. Though there were no valuable ornaments to speak of, at least there were combs and a few hair ribbons, lending a gentle, feminine touch.
In the open space facing the door, a set of pinewood chairs and a table painted in red lacquer had appeared at some point. There were no intricate patterns—simple, practical, and inexpensive. Yet once placed there, the entire room no longer felt empty.
Thus, when Xu Chenger entered, she had a place to sit.
After helping with the work, Xu Chenger was thoroughly exhausted. Yuan Niang quickly poured her a cup of water—freshly boiled before they left, and still warm from the teapot.
Xu Chenger took a big gulp, catching her breath, and couldn’t help but look around. “Your room is much larger than mine. With a little decoration today, it really looks like the embroidered chamber of an official’s daughter.”
Yuan Niang, who had lived in a mud hut before, didn’t understand such furnishings. She scratched her head sheepishly. “The larger items were all arranged by my grandma, though she did ask for my opinion when choosing them.”
“Oh!” Yuan Niang raised her voice slightly, sounding quite surprised. “How could your room be smaller than mine? Your family’s house is much bigger than ours.”
At this, Xu Chenger pursed her lips. “Our house is big, but there are also many people living in it. Grandfather took a concubine, and there’s also my uncle and aunt’s family. My father is the eldest son, and when I was born first, my uncle and aunt were determined to have a son. They have three daughters and one son, hoping to please Grandfather and inherit the family business. Little did they know my brother would be born just two years later.
“Hmph, you have no idea how ugly my uncle’s expression was when my mother gave birth to my brother. My aunt even yelled and beat my cousins several times.”
Xu Chenger’s tone was filled with vindication and disdain.
Chen Yuanniang was hearing this for the first time. Nowadays, seeking medical treatment and medicine wasn’t cheap. Running a medical shop, even if most visitors to the Xu Family Medical Shop were ordinary folks and women, was extremely profitable. In fact, along this entire street, the Xu Family Medical Shop was likely the most lucrative.
But every family has its own troubles. Who would have thought there were such conflicts within the Xu family?
Xu Chenger couldn’t help but continue venting. “There are two people sharing the Gelou with me. If there’s even a little commotion at night, it’s impossible to sleep well…”
Just as the two were talking, Granny Wang’s voice rang out from outside, “Yuan~ Niang~~”
It was so loud! Yuan Niang moved quickly, immediately pushing open the window and leaning out, afraid that if she delayed, her full name would be called.
“Grandma, what is it?”
“Come down when I tell you to! No more questions!”
Faced with her fierce grandma, Yuan Niang stuck out her tongue and obediently went downstairs.
As soon as she reached the bottom, a heavy blue printed money pouch was thrust into her hands, nearly slipping and falling to the ground.
Yuan Niang looked up in confusion. “Huh?”
Had her grandma been possessed by some spirit? Why would she suddenly stuff money into her hands? She had just given her fifty wen at Xiangguo Temple earlier.
Fortunately, before Yuan Niang could ask a foolish question, Granny Wang spoke first. “Keep Chenger here for the midday meal later. Go ask her what she likes to eat. There are two hundred wen here—just buy whatever you want.”
As a country girl who not long ago had been craving malt candy that cost just one wen each, Yuan Niang’s hands trembled with shock when she realized how much money was in the pouch.
But the child’s innate greed for money and wealth took the upper hand, and she proactively asked, “No matter how much I spend?”
“You can spend it all if you want,” Granny Wang said. “But it has to be on things Cheng’er likes to eat. Don’t secretly buy only what you like.”
With a “fortune” in hand and Grandma’s assurance, Yuan Niang had no reason to refuse. She immediately cheered and ran upstairs to find Xu Chenger.
Putting aside other matters, at least today she could bask in Xu Chenger’s favor and enjoy some expensive, delicious food.
However, when Yuan Niang actually took Cheng’er to the market, she suddenly realized something.
Living in Bianjing is no easy feat!
While everything here is convenient, the cost of living is exorbitant.
Two hundred wen may seem like a lot, but in Bianjing, it can’t even buy a pound of mutton.
Just looking at the prices on the wooden signs made Chen Yuanniang’s heart ache. In the county, it only cost a little over a hundred wen per pound, so why did it have to be two hundred and forty wen in Bianjing? Xu Chenger, accustomed to such prices, turned to comfort Yuan Niang, saying she didn’t like eating mutton anyway.
So what should they buy?
The market wasn’t without affordable food—Hubing for two wen each, gourd soup for ten wen a bowl…
But while these were fine for days when she didn’t feel like cooking, using them to entertain guests would be far too shabby. She recalled the pounded tea that their neighbor Yu Niangzi had brought over—just the assortment of nuts in it wasn’t cheap. That, she thought, must be how people in Bianjing entertained guests.
Though Yuan Niang had seen little of the world and was frugal, it didn’t mean she was clueless about hospitality.
She proactively asked Xu Chenger what she wanted to eat, adding, “Cheng’er sister, you know me—I’m from the countryside and haven’t eaten many good things. Even if I were faced with delicacies, I wouldn’t know how to appreciate them, let alone buy them.
“The Preserved Fruit you recommended to me last time was absolutely delicious. This time, Grandma asked me to buy food, so please help me~”
As she spoke, Chen Yuanniang shook Xu Chenger’s arm, acting both sweet and obedient, wearing her down until she had no choice.
“But I don’t know what would suit your tastes right away,” Xu Chenger said, somewhat troubled.
Chen Yuanniang’s eyes lit up. “Cheng’er sister, is there any delicacy you can’t stop thinking about? If even you always remember it, the taste must be amazing!”
“There really is!” Inspired, Xu Chenger immediately remembered. “It’s also extremely popular in Bianjing…
“Hand-washing Crab!”
Autumn crabs are plump and sweet, making Hand-washing Crab especially delicious.
Since Hand-washing Crab is a dish almost everyone in Bianjing loves, it’s sold in food shops of all sizes. Those Zhengdian even have their own secret recipes, each producing Hand-washing Crab with unique flavors.
However, food from Zhengdian tends to be expensive, catering mostly to nobles and aristocrats, so it wasn’t their first choice.
In the end, Yuan Niang and Cheng’er went to a Southern Food Shop in Little Sweet Water Lane. It was said the chef was an authentic native of Yuezhou, and the Hand-washing Crab he made was extremely authentic—a signature dish of the shop, and reasonably priced.
“My grandfather loves the Hand-washing Crab from this Southern Food Shop, and I’ve tried it a few times with him. The taste is truly exceptional!” As she spoke, Xu Chenger unconsciously smacked her lips, a look of lingering satisfaction on her face.
Listening to Xu Chenger’s words, Yuan Niang couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing. Just how delicious must it be?
Near their village there was a stream, and mischievous children would gather to catch fish and crabs, but those crabs were too small. Bringing them back home, they would simply boil them in plain water, adding a bit of fishy flavor. After all, the crabs were only slightly larger than fingernails; the meat was hard to dig out, and eating them directly felt too gritty.
So Yuan Niang couldn’t quite imagine how crabs could taste good.
Only after entering the shop and seeing the plump, fat crabs did she realize how mistaken she had been.
Fresh, lively crabs were publicly chopped into pieces and soaked in sesame oil. Whenever someone wanted to buy, a few pieces were selected. Then the shop’s young son would bring a basin forward to serve the customer by washing their hands, and at this time, the selected raw crab pieces would be scooped up, with ingredients like cardamom, fennel, ground Sichuan pepper, ginger, vinegar, and ten other flavors added inside.
By the time the customer’s hands were washed, the Hand-washing Crab was ready.
Bianjing was near the river, with smooth water transport, making crabs cheap. Even large crabs weren’t expensive, but the spices were costly.
Thus there were two selling methods: one was selling by weight, and the other was selling by crab, where customers could choose regardless of size, all at the same price.
Yuan Niang chose the by-crab method, forty coins per crab, and bought three large crabs.
She initially only picked the largest ones, but Xu Chenger quietly leaned close to her ear, “Pick female crabs, female crabs have creamy parts, they taste better!”
Chen Yuanniang paused, glanced at the young son doing miscellaneous tasks nearby, seeing that he wasn’t looking toward them, then leaned over and whispered, “How do you pick female crabs?”
“The ones with pointed belly covers are male crabs, round ones are female crabs, pick the round ones!” Xu Chenger simply pointed at one of them.
Yuan Niang learned and began carefully selecting.
When the Hand-washing Crab was ready, since Yuan Niang hadn’t brought bowls or containers when leaving home, the shopkeeper directly handed her the bowl with lid, saying she could return it after eating.
Yuan Niang widened her eyes, astonished. The porcelain bowl seemed quite expensive, “You, you just give it to me like this, aren’t you afraid it might get lost?”
Who knew the shopkeeper directly laughed, generously saying, “What’s this? I see the young lady beside you looks familiar, probably a regular customer. Our food is delicious, it’s not worth avoiding coming back just for a bowl or plate.”
Chen Yuanniang sincerely praised, “You’re truly generous!”
Only after going out and hearing Xu Chenger’s explanation did Yuan Niang realize this was very common in Bianjing.
Perhaps due to thriving commerce, merchants valued contractual agreements but were also generous in such matters. Especially those Zhengdian, using exquisite, priceless bowls and plates, all fired in sets. Such expensive items, if a roadside inn had bought wine a few times, they dared lend them out, to be returned days later.
Afterward, Xu Chenger led Yuan Niang to the He San Branch Restaurant near her home to buy some fried fish, noodle soup, and xuan zhi zhu pi rou, all affordable side dishes perfect for accompanying wine, very satisfying with meals, though the crispy roasted pork skin was a bit more expensive, twenty coins for a whole piece, others fifteen coins per portion.
Seeing Xu Chenger’s familiarity with the place, it was clear she often bought these, all favorites of her grandfather. Of course, she also loved them, so she quietly remembered.
While buying food, Chen Yuanniang also familiarized herself with the nearby streetscape—which shops were cheaper, which ones secretly gave short weight—all experiences accumulated by Xu Chenger as a native Bianjing resident. Otherwise, Yuan Niang would likely have suffered many losses before figuring things out.
When they returned home, Granny Wang had already steamed the rice, using bamboo tubes placed in the newly purchased large iron pot. The steamed rice grains were distinct and separate, carrying a bamboo fragrance between the teeth when eaten, without the usual sticky texture of stewed rice.
Additionally, Granny Wang stir-fried a bowl of Song vegetable and a bowl of fresh bamboo shoots with sesame oil.
The bamboo shoots were gifted by an elderly neighbor lady; the old couple had dug them from the mountains near the capital outskirts. It was said that all three of her sons had died in war, her daughters-in-law remarried, and she lived secluded with her grandson. That grandson seemed to have been present when Yuan Niang first came here to buy Ke Shui, though she had little impression of him.
In any case, with the dishes Yuan Niang bought today, the meal was unusually abundant.
Usually, they either casually bought Dumpling-like snacks or Hubing from the market to make do, or stewed vegetables and rice together in a clay pot over a mud stove.
Granny Wang’s cooking skills were good, and the taste wasn’t bad either, but the vegetables tended to become soft when stewed, suitable for elderly people but too mushy and lacking chewiness for children.
Thus, everyone ate heartily today. Even the most composed Chen Kuocang, while maintaining his usual posture and movements, sped up by thirty percent. Yuan Niang, of course, ate quickly as always.
All those dishes were devoured like a whirlwind.
The most favored among them was the Hand-washing Crab. Though raw, the marinade was well-prepared, and the ingredients were fresh, with no hint of raw fishy smell.
The Hand-washing Crab felt smooth and creamy upon eating, icy with a touch of acidity, mixed with the delicate, rich texture of crab roe, very appetizing and tantalizing the appetite. When savoring the aftertaste, it carried the rich aroma of spices like fennel.
Next was the crispy roasted pork skin. Even Granny Wang, with her poor teeth, couldn’t resist eating much.
The term “xuan zhi” indicated charcoal roasting. The skin was roasted to form a puffed-up crispy skin, golden in color, not tough or hard when bitten but easily broken apart. Besides the crispy meaty aroma, there was a thin layer of oily juice, leaving mouths glossy and shiny but not greasy at all.
After eating, it wasn’t over yet.
Madam Cen gathered the bowls and utensils, placed them in the large Wapen, and went to wash them under the flowing water at the bamboo water pipe in the yard.
Meanwhile, Granny Wang stopped Xu Chenger, who was about to head home. “Wait for Granny a moment.”
With that, she briskly walked to the kitchen and emerged holding several square items wrapped in large, darkened leaves, tied securely with thin hemp rope.
She placed all the items on the high table, wiped her damp, reddish rough hands on the apron around her waist, then turned to look for a basket. These things are hot, you’re a delicate little one, like my Yuan Niang, surely can’t hold them. Wait for Granny to get a basket.”
In the meantime, Granny Wang found one.
She placed about five or six inside. That boy Xi Lang, at Xiangguo Temple’s market, insisted on buying lotus leaves, glutinous rice, chicken, and such, saying ancient people often praised lotus leaves, thinking they were fragrant and would surely taste good when cooked.
“Really…”
Granny Wang shook her head with a wry smile, her words laced with disdain, “He can barely recognize a few characters, yet he’s already trying to imitate the ancients in their pretentious elegance.”
But turning around to face Xu Chenger, she immediately began defending Chen Kuocang, “Fortunately, what he makes is exceptionally delicious—it carries the fresh fragrance of lotus leaves and the soft, fragrant sweetness of glutinous rice. The flavor is truly wonderful. I didn’t make much, so take it back for your family to try. It’s just a humble, rustic dish, but at least it offers something new to taste.”
Though Granny Wang spoke modestly, Xu Chenger couldn’t follow suit and belittle it.
Xu Chenger lowered his head to sniff the lotus leaf-wrapped bundle in the basket, his eyes lighting up as he praised without restraint, “Wow, what a wonderful aroma! My grandfather loves these kinds of delicacies with a story behind them. Thank you, Granny!”
Yuan Niang, who had been watching from the side for a while, suddenly let out a huff.
But Granny Wang paid her no mind.
So, she moved a little closer and huffed again.
Granny Wang’s eyes shifted slightly, but her head remained perfectly still, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
Yuan Niang furrowed her delicate brows, shuffled her feet, and squeezed herself between the two. She first cleared her throat, then tilted her head back and huffed loudly.
Who would have thought Granny Wang wouldn’t take the bait? Instead, she glanced around in confusion and said, “Where’s this little piglet, grunting and snorting? We’re nowhere near Nanxun Gate—where could a piglet come from?”
Though Granny Wang feigned puzzlement, the mischievous smile at the corner of her lips was unmistakable. Yuan Niang knew exactly what was going on as soon as she saw it.
Chen Yuanniang, flushed with embarrassment and anger, stomped her foot. “Grandma!”
Both Granny Wang and Xu Chenger burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Chen Kuo Cang, who had been as quiet as a piece of furniture nearby, showed his sister some face by only allowing a faint smile to curl at the corner of his lips.
“I knew it, I knew I was picked up from somewhere! Grandma, you only dote on Cheng’er. You have delicious treats and don’t give me any, hmph!” Yuan Niang put on a convincing act, pretending to sob.
Granny Wang tapped her forehead lightly. “Up to your tricks again.”
“Come, come, I’ll give you one.” Granny Wang picked up a neatly tied square lotus leaf bundle and tossed it into her arms. “But can you even eat it? Don’t come crying to me later saying you’re too full and need hawthorn pills to help with digestion.”
Yuan Niang patted her round, full belly and fell silent. She…
The Hand-washing Crab earlier had been so delicious that she couldn’t help but eat too much. She was already stuffed now—forget two bites, she couldn’t even manage half a bite.
But she wouldn’t back down without a fight!
Yuan Niang straightened her neck and declared proudly, “No, I want the hawthorn pills to help with digestion right now!”
Instantly, the room erupted in another round of laughter, and even Madam Cen couldn’t hold back a chuckle.
In the end, Yuan Niang earned herself a roomful of teasing and a plump, round hawthorn pill. Unfazed, she ate it openly and happily—though partly because the hawthorn pill was delightfully sweet and sour.
When it came to delicious food, there were very few things she didn’t like.
After finishing, Xu Chenger returned home, but Yuan Niang still wasn’t idle. Granny Wang, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a bamboo basket of dried fish and even tossed a willow twig at Yuan Niang.
“Here, I’ve chosen an auspicious day for you, and I’ll help you write the contract. But that Little Tabby Cat—you’re the one who wanted to hire it, so you can string the betrothal gifts yourself.”
With that, Granny Wang also lit an oil lamp and placed it on the table beside Yuan Niang’s chair.
The oil lamp was nowhere near as bright as candles, casting a dim, hazy glow, but it was still much better than fumbling in the dark without any light.
Yuan Niang was overjoyed, unable to sit still. Swinging her feet, she began stringing the dried fish, unable to contain her excitement at the thought that the little yellow tabby she’d been feeding for days would officially enter their home tomorrow. She even murmured under her breath, “One dried fish, one little tabby cat; two dried fish, the tabby must behave; three…”