Chang’an during the snowmelt was exceptionally cold. The afternoon sunlight shone down, offering no warmth at all.
Several constables from Chang’an County were conducting inquiries and investigations near the burned-down courtyard in Yankang Ward, occasionally rubbing their hands vigorously.
“This damned weather… and yet a fire still broke out.”
Constable Zhao muttered under his breath, exhaling puffs of white vapor.
Not far away, several figures approached. Constable Zhao looked up and saw it was Dali Temple’s Investigating Magistrate Zhou Yan.
Magistrate Zhou was only in his twenties—young and accomplished. He wore a deep blue official robe, followed by two clerks carrying document pouches.
Constable Zhao stepped forward to greet him. “Magistrate Zhou, are you here to investigate the case?”
Magistrate Zhou replied with an “Mm,” saying, “I’m on my way to Yong’an Fang for official business and happened to pass by. Have you figured out the cause of the fire here?”
“Ah, don’t even mention it.”
Constable Zhao wore a bitter expression, full of resentment. “We visited several neighbors, and they all said the weather was dry—maybe someone accidentally dropped a spark. But that’s far too careless, especially since it landed in His Highness the Crown Prince’s villa. The fire started so suddenly and fiercely—I can’t help but feel something’s off.”
The two chatted for a while, and Magistrate Zhou casually untied a leather flask from his waist.
The moment he uncorked it, a warm, sweet fragrance wafted out. He took a few sips, tilting his head back, and chewed a few times.
Constable Zhao had always had a keen nose. He sniffed the air. “What are you drinking? It smells wonderful.”
“It’s Osmanthus Rice Wine Glutinous Rice Balls, with milk added.”
Magistrate Zhou tightened the flask’s cork and explained with a smile, “This is a hot drink prepared by our Dali Temple’s Dining Hall for those out on official business. You can tuck it in your robes to warm yourself up—after all, this weather is unbearably cold.”
Constable Zhao couldn’t help but marvel. “A hot drink with such fine ingredients added? Speaking of which, you all really enjoy eating Old Chen’s food, don’t you?”
A neighbor of his also served as a clerk at Dali Temple and said that if someone could eat Chef Chen’s new dishes without collapsing and foaming at the mouth, that person must be exceptionally healthy.
He sized up Magistrate Zhou again.
He looked slender, yet so robust.
“Not at all.”
Magistrate Zhou chuckled in response. “This isn’t Chef Chen’s handiwork—it’s made by the newly arrived Shen Niangzi in our Dining Hall. Have you tried the minced meat and eggplant strips over rice? Or the scallion oil noodles? And the youtiao soaked in doujiang—the flavor is simply marvelous.”
“Is it really that good?”
Constable Zhao looked skeptical. “What extraordinary flavors could a kitchen servant possibly make?”
“Absolutely.”
Magistrate Zhou agreed, and the two clerks behind him nodded in unison. One of them couldn’t resist chiming in, “Shen Niangzi’s cooking is praised by everyone in Dali Temple. And her twice-cooked pork—so rich and fragrant, it’s perfect with rice.”
After chatting a bit more, Magistrate Zhou glanced at the sky. “I won’t keep you any longer. I still have business in Yong’an Fang. You carry on.”
“Ah, off you go then.”
Constable Zhao watched as Magistrate Zhou hurried away with the two clerks, their figures soon disappearing at the alley’s end.
He turned back and vigorously rubbed his numb, frozen hands again, muttering, “On such a cold day, there’s always so much to do. My feet are nearly frozen stiff.”
Another constable beside him exhaled white vapor and said, “Count yourself lucky. At least there haven’t been any more of those blood-sucking cases lately—otherwise, it’d be even more exhausting.”
Constable Zhao lowered his voice and replied, "This matter is getting more and more bizarre with each telling. Some are even saying… that the Empress Dowager maintains her beauty by drinking blood, while others claim it's Consort Xiao seeking revenge."
"Tsk, don't say anymore. I still want to keep my head. Let's focus on the investigation."
Unlike the outside, the Dali Temple's dining hall was filled with warmth, and now the sweet fragrance of osmanthus permeated the entire space.
Shen Fenghuo rolled her sleeves up to her forearms and stood attentively before the table, skillfully shaping the glutinous rice balls.
Her hands gently kneaded with even pressure, rolling the rice dough into small, round balls as smooth as jade beads in her palms.
She worked quickly, tossing several shaped balls into a nearby plate filled with dry glutinous rice flour to prevent sticking. Before long, the plate was piled high with plump, white balls, each uniform in size.
The plump white balls initially sank to the bottom of the pot when dropped into the water. Shen Fenghuo gave them a gentle stir, and as the water came to a full boil, the balls began to bob to the surface one by one.
Shen Fenghuo ladled hot milk into bowls, topped it with two spoonfuls of rice wine, then layered on the glutinous rice balls and osmanthus flowers.
The milk was rich, the rice wine sweet, and the white balls mixed with yellow osmanthus made for a delightful presentation.
Just as Shen Fenghuo had finished serving two bowls to the officers, a clerk returning from duty sniffed the air and asked, "Shen Niangzi, that hot drink smells wonderful."
Shen Fenghuo looked up with a smile. "It's Osmanthus Rice Wine Glutinous Rice Balls. Would you like a bowl, Officer?"
The freshly served Osmanthus Rice Wine Glutinous Rice Balls were still steaming. The clerk picked up a bowl, blew on it lightly, and scooped a ball into his mouth.
The ball, smooth with the milk, was soft, chewy, and pleasantly elastic.
The light sweetness of the rice wine spread across his tongue—sweet but not cloying—and the warmth traveled down his throat into his stomach, lingering pleasantly.
He ate and drank eagerly, finishing the bowl and still craving more.
Word of the hot drink being available spread quickly, and soon there was no need for the Dali Temple dining hall to announce it—it became a case of person-to-person transmission.
A long line quickly formed at the entrance.
Pang Lushi squeezed to the front of the crowd, took the bowl handed to him by Shen Fenghuo, and took a quick sip first.
Hmm, refreshingly sweet with a rich milky aroma.
He scooped up several balls and polished them off in two or three bites.
The balls were perfectly soft and chewy—not sticky but pleasantly resilient. With a gentle bite, the sweet richness of the rice wine spread between his lips and teeth, carrying a faint hint of wine fragrance.
Pang Lushi smacked his lips contentedly, eating with delight. His spoon kept moving to his mouth as he devoured the balls along with the broth. "Shen Niangzi's skill is truly a gift from heaven. Sweet but not overpowering, soft but not sticky, and the addition of milk is brilliant—so fragrant!"
He quickly finished the bowl and headed back to the kitchen for a refill.
"Old Pang, slow down. Be careful with your teeth—don't let them get stuck. Didn't you lose a tooth a few years ago from eating those oily pastries?"
Di Sicheng, watching the childlike Pang Lushi, couldn't help but laugh and offer a word of caution.
Pang Lushi took another sip. "That tooth was already loose—it had nothing to do with the oily pastries."
Swallowing his food, he boasted, "My teeth are just fine. Except for that time Old Chen roasted lamb—it was tough and dry, and it loosened one of my teeth. What harm could these little balls do?"
As he spoke, he scooped up a few more balls, squinting his eyes as he savored them slowly.
On the other side, several officers were holding bowls of pear and red date soup prepared by Chen Yang.
The pear pieces in the soup were stewed until soft and tender, with the sweet fragrance of red dates lingering in the air. Compared to the refreshing richness of the Osmanthus Rice Wine Glutinous Rice Balls, this soup was more suitable for those with sore throats on cold days—warming and comforting. Many finished their bowls and even filled their flasks with more.
He was no longer enthusiastic about new offerings, but rather about competing with Shen Fenghuo.
At this hour, many officials came for hot drinks.
Shen Fenghuo’s gaze swept discreetly over the crowded crowd. Under the corridors and at the tables, officials were all holding bowls and eating heartily, yet she did not see that familiar figure.
Usually, if Lu Jin was at the Dali Temple, he would always come to the Dining Hall for some morning meal. Even if it was just a simple bowl of porridge, he would make an appearance.
Today, he hadn’t come for the morning meal, and now, with the Osmanthus Rice Wine Glutinous Rice Balls being so popular, he still hadn’t come to get any.
Shen Fenghuo, speaking casually to the clerk beside her who was waiting to refill his bowl, said, “It’s quite lively today, but why hasn’t Young Minister Lu come?”
The clerk, having drunk most of his bowl of hot drink, smacked his lips and replied, “Shen Niangzi, you don’t know yet. I heard Young Minister Lu entered the palace last night and hasn’t left since. Who knows what important matter he’s involved in?”
Shen Fenghuo’s hand, holding the soup ladle, paused for a moment.
He still hadn’t returned.
Last night, after she set the fire, the Jinwu Guard hurried over and made it clear that the courtyard was Crown Prince Li Hong’s villa.
The villa was raising large leeches—such a significant matter. The Dali Temple naturally had the responsibility to investigate. Lu Jin, as the Assistant Minister, entered the palace at night… She couldn’t make sense of these things.
Shen Fenghuo thought for a while but couldn’t find any clues.
Seeing Di Sicheng holding a bowl and drinking soup leisurely at a table in the Dining Hall, she wiped her hands and walked over, bowing respectfully.
“Lord Di.”
Di Sicheng looked up, put down his soup bowl, and smiled. “What is it, Shen Niangzi?”
Shen Fenghuo thought for a moment and asked, “This humble girl suddenly remembered something. I’ve heard that Lord Di is knowledgeable and learned, and I’d like to seek your advice.”
“Of course, please go ahead.”
Shen Fenghuo took a deep breath and asked, “Do you know if there are leeches in this world as large as a human arm?”
Upon hearing this, Di Sicheng’s brow quickly furrowed.
He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, “Leeches as large as a human arm—I have never seen such a thing in my life. Ordinary leeches are only a few inches long. Even the horse leech recorded in the Newly Revised Materia Medica is at most a foot long. How could it be as thick as an arm?”
He thought again and said, “However, since you ask, it reminds me of a record in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. The Classic of the Great Wilderness: North states: ‘In the Great Wilderness, there is a mountain called Buxian. There is the State of the Sushen People. There is the Fei Zhi, with four wings.’”
“Fei Zhi?”
Shen Fenghuo’s heart stirred.
“Exactly.”
Di Sicheng nodded. “The Fei Zhi is an ancient fantastical insect. Although it contains the character for leech (zhi), it is different from ordinary leeches. I’ve heard it has four wings, can fly and attach itself, and legend says its size can vary greatly. It might even grow as thick as an arm. However, this is ultimately a fantastical beast from ancient mythological texts. Whether it truly exists, I dare not say.”
Not far away, Pang Lushi was enjoying his second bowl of rice wine glutinous rice balls with gusto. Hearing their conversation, he mumbled with a mouthful of rice balls, “Fei Zhi? That’s all stories made up by our ancestors. Shen Niangzi, don’t be afraid. There’s no such thing as a leech that big. It would be terrifying.”
Seeing Shen Fenghuo’s solemn expression, Di Sicheng curiously pressed further, “Shen Niangzi, why do you suddenly ask about such a large leech? Could it be that you’ve seen one somewhere?”
Shen Fenghuo smiled faintly and replied, “It’s nothing. Last night, I had a strange dream. In the dream, I saw a worm as thick as a human arm that looked like a leech. After waking up, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Remembering Lord Di’s vast knowledge, I just casually asked.”
“Ah, so it was just a dream.”
Pang Lushi breathed a sigh of relief. "Dreams are the opposite of reality, Shen Niangzi, don't overthink it."
Di Sicheng also nodded in agreement. "Dreams are illusory, Shen Niangzi, you needn't take them seriously. This Fei Zhi is ultimately just a legend from ancient texts, difficult to find traces of in reality."
After Shen Fenghuo went to busy herself with refilling hot drinks for the other officers, Di Sicheng, holding a ladle, repeated thoughtfully, "Leeches can suck blood. Leeches as thick as an arm."
The hot drinks were extremely popular and soon only a small portion remained.
A clerk hurried in from outside, fetching hot drinks while saying, "Young Minister Lu has returned and is currently in the Shaoqing Office."
The clamor in the dining hall immediately quieted somewhat.
The clerks whispered among themselves, "Young Minister Lu has finally returned. He stayed in the palace for so long last night, there must have been urgent matters."
"But looking at Young Minister Lu's complexion, it doesn't seem good. Could he have been injured in the palace?"
Someone nearby immediately retorted, "Nonsense! How formidable is Young Minister Lu's martial arts? Ordinary people can't even get close to him, how could he be injured? Besides, he went to the palace, so he must not have rested well last night."
Amid the discussions, everyone finished their meals and went about their official duties.
Shen Fenghuo had already deftly cleared the dining tables. She took a food box from the cabinet and placed warm Osmanthus Rice Wine Glutinous Rice Balls inside.
Seeing Shen Fenghuo carrying the food box, Wu Yu asked, "Where are you going, sister?"
Shen Fenghuo coughed lightly. "Just taking a stroll. It was too hot by the stove earlier. Now that the officers have finished, I can go outside for some fresh air."
Chen Yang, contentedly sipping the pear soup he had stewed, didn't have time to glance Shen Fenghuo's way.
Holding his bowl nearby, he called out, "Come back early after your stroll. Don't delay tonight's dinner, or I won't let you cook in the future."
"Promise!"
Seeing Chen Yang's agreement, Shen Fenghuo smiled and slipped outside.
Wu Yu scratched his head.
Taking a food box for a casual stroll.
Was she going to feed the wild cats in the Dali Temple courtyard?
Shen Fenghuo, carrying the food box, soon arrived at the entrance of the Shaoqing Office.
The door was slightly ajar. She raised her hand and gently knocked on the wooden door—two soft, measured taps.
Lu Jin's warm, deep voice came from inside. "Enter."
Shen Fenghuo pushed the door open but did not rush in. Instead, she cautiously peeked half her head through the crack.
Lu Jin was sitting at his desk reviewing documents. Hearing the sound, he looked up.
Her dark hair was loosely tied, and the corners of her eyes held a smile.
In her careful probing, there was also a hidden, delicate liveliness.
Her charming, innocent appearance caught his eye, softening his originally somber expression slightly.
"Come in."
Author's Note:
A'He: Injured?
Lu Jin: This official quite likes being injured. (Upon seeing the visitor)
(Previously forgot to mention again: Kuicai is a commonly eaten vegetable at that time, like in "Green, green garden kuicai, morning dew awaits the sun's rays…" The "kuicai" here refers to Kuicai.
Yansui: Coriander
Manjing: Round turnip, high in starch, sometimes eaten as a staple food
Note: "In the great wilderness, there is a mountain named Buxian. There is the State of the Sushen People. There is Fei Zhi, with four wings." From the Classic of Mountains and Seas.