She reached out and picked it up, unable to hold back her admiration.
The maid, who was styling her hair, thought for a moment and replied, "Young Mistress, this wasn’t chosen by the old madam, nor was it originally in the box. Perhaps… it was part of your own dowry? I didn’t see it when I was tidying up yesterday."
Had Wanniang bought her another new hairpin?
Shen Fenghuo didn’t dwell on it.
The hairpin was exquisite and unique, and she liked it very much.
Once the maid had finished styling her hair, she inserted the hairpin Wanniang had originally chosen, then picked up the plum blossom hairpin and tilted it to the other side of her bun.
The scent after the snowfall was particularly crisp and clear.
The courtyard was covered in a thick layer of snow, with red petals contrasting against the white.
Now that she had entered Chang’an City, she even found herself in the mood to appreciate the snowy scenery.
"A’He, you’re awake? Come over and warm up."
Mother Lu was sitting in the warm pavilion under the corridor. Seeing her stroll out of the courtyard, she immediately beckoned her over.
As Shen Fenghuo approached, Mother Lu took her hand and said, "From now on, in our own courtyard, there’s no need for formal greetings. After all, it’s just the two of us."
While speaking, a servant brought over a bowl of Milk Lily Porridge.
The porridge had been simmered for two hours, cooked until smooth and thick, with the lilies completely melted into it. Before serving, milk was stirred in, filling the air with its rich aroma.
"Try it quickly."
Mother Lu urged her to take a spoonful.
Shen Fenghuo scooped a spoonful into her mouth. The lilies were delicately sweet, the milk fragrance rich, and the entire bowl of porridge was smooth and free of any residue, warm and perfect for winter.
She had changed into everyday clothes, which made her look even more charming. The more Mother Lu looked at her, the more delighted she felt.
After taking two bites, a servant came in to report, "Old Madam, the master has already left for duty."
Mother Lu frowned. "He didn’t even rest? He stayed up all night and rushed off to duty again. How can his body endure this?"
Shen Fenghuo held her spoon and looked up, asking softly, "Did… my husband return last night?"
"He just returned a moment ago. A’He, don’t be upset."
Mother Lu snorted. "Don’t pay attention to that foolish boy. When he returns from duty, I’ll make sure he properly apologizes to you. As for that matter…"
She paused, gently patting the back of Shen Fenghuo’s hand, her tone gentle. "A’He, you don’t need to rush, nor do you need to worry. After all, he wronged you first. Everything will be done according to your wishes."
Shen Fenghuo choked on a mouthful of Milk Lily Porridge.
She wasn’t in a hurry.
Mother Lu turned back to the servant and asked, "Did he take the Milk Lily Porridge with him?"
The servant bowed and replied, "The master left in a hurry. He said there were urgent matters at Dali Temple and didn’t have time to take it."
"That foolish boy."
Mother Lu said angrily. "He won’t eat the perfectly good Milk Lily Porridge. Is he going to eat that Yansui Zhou again?"
What kind of porridge doesn’t add water, only using crushed coriander juice? Just hearing about it is horrifying.
Shen Fenghuo continued scooping the porridge. During the casual conversation, she had already eaten more than half a bowl, her mouth filled with the fragrance of milk.
She spoke leisurely, "I’ve heard people say in passing that the food at Dali Temple has always been among the most unpalatable in Chang’an’s official offices."
"Exactly!"
Mother Lu immediately chimed in. "I never expected you to have heard about it so soon after arriving in Chang’an, A’He. It just shows how notorious its bad reputation is—it’s spread throughout the entire city, truly appalling! Shiji was only transferred to Assistant Minister this autumn, and in just a few months, he’s visibly lost weight."
She frowned as she listed the complaints. "I’ve heard their canteen often serves Quinoa Brown Rice that’s hard to chew, and their stewed vegetables are bland and tasteless. Sometimes they even make Dogwood Mixed Bean Paste—it’s truly hard to swallow!"
Shen Fenghuo nodded gently, "Mm… it truly is not easy for the gentleman to toil day and night and still suffer such poor meals."
"Exactly!" Mother Lu chimed in agreement.
Shen Fenghuo asked, "I vaguely recall hearing that the kitchen affairs at Dali Temple are managed by a distant relative of the Vice Minister of Revenue."
"A distant relative?" Mother Lu scoffed, "That's distant beyond measure! They say it's the husband of the neighbor's aunt of the uncle of his father's niece—a connection twisted through eight turns. Relying on that tenuous kinship, he's made a complete mess of things. Sooner or later, Dali Temple will drive him out."
With more people in the household, Mother Lu was in high spirits and had endless things to say.
She went on to list many of the mysterious dishes that had appeared at Dali Temple over the past few months.
Shen Fenghuo listened attentively beside her, occasionally taking a few sips of lily and milk porridge, and chatting with her from time to time.
Although the gentleman was not present, her mother-in-law was easy to get along with. Last night, she had kept her company for a long while and even helped her pick out clothes.
She liked and respected her.
"Those people in Dali Temple's kitchen are all official chefs registered with the court, receiving official salaries. Besides, the kitchen isn't run by him alone—there are several assistants too. Yet each one of them muddles through just the same."
Shen Fenghuo's eyes suddenly widened. "They're official chefs?"
Mother Lu replied with a smile, "Naturally. Would your mother make up such things?"
Shen Fenghuo knew about official chefs. She had once gone to apply at the county magistrate's office, but the yamen attendants there didn't even give her a chance to try cooking, looking down on her.
So-called official chefs receive rewards according to the old regulations of the government office.
Their food and lodging are provided by the office, they receive monthly allowances, and are given silk and cloth as seasonal rewards.
On festivals like New Year's Day and the Winter Solstice, there are always rewards of wine, meat, rice, and flour. When preparing meals for major case hearings, sacrifices, or other official duties, additional rations are provided.
Those who excel in the year-end evaluations can be promoted with increased salaries, and a few outstanding ones may even be recommended for chef positions in higher-ranking government offices.
Rather than spending her days in the residence wondering when the gentleman would return, Shen Fenghuo wanted to go out and see the world.
Chang'an was so vast.
After thinking for a while, Shen Fenghuo spoke up, "The gentleman works hard on the cases… it truly is difficult. I really wish I could help him."
Having complained for a while, Mother Lu's eyes lit up at these words, and she turned to Shen Fenghuo. "A'He."
Shen Fenghuo looked up. "What is it?"
Mother Lu picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Your skills are excellent. That bowl of Botuo you made last night was fresh, smooth, and just right—more to my taste than even the famous Wang Family Batuo in Chang'an."
Shen Fenghuo sighed and replied along, "Indeed."
"Shiji has grown accustomed to those awful meals at Dali Temple. I was thinking, if only he could eat your cooking… But my son leaves for court early and spends his days at Dali Temple. If we prepare meals in advance, they'd be cold by the time he eats them. And if we send them daily, there's no precedent for that either."
This left Mother Lu at a loss again.
Seeing Mother Lu frown, Shen Fenghuo spoke up, "Mother, could I go to Dali Temple to apply for an official chef position?"
Mother Lu's frown deepened. "How could that be allowed? A'He, you came here to enjoy a life of comfort."
Shen Fenghuo slowly set down her porcelain spoon and said firmly, "I feel… the gentleman truly works too hard. I want to be with him."
"A'He, do you really want to go there?"
What fortune has their Shiji earned?
Shen Fenghuo nodded. "I beg Mother to grant me this."
Seeing Shen Fenghuo so determined, Mother Lu hesitated repeatedly but finally agreed.
The treatment at Dali Temple should be decent. She had been there a few times and saw that so-called distant relative, who was stout and round-bellied—it probably wouldn't be too strenuous.
Shiji was rarely home. If A'He could accompany him every day—she was beautiful, kind-hearted, and so skilled—after spending days and nights together like this…
She took Shen Fenghuo's hand and assured her, "Mother won't let you work for nothing. I'll pay you a monthly wage, this much!"
Shen Fenghuo's eyes widened even more.
That amount was truly substantial.
She took a sip of tea to cleanse her palate, smiling brightly.
"Mother, there's no time like the present. I'll go today."
Author's note:
A'He: Husband, you're truly working so hard (Are you saying I can collect two salaries, and it's a state-owned enterprise?)