Shi Yixian had only ever eaten steamed cakes, steamed flatbreads, and steamed buns before—pan-fried steamed buns were a first for him.
Looking at the golden-brown delicacy sprinkled with sesame seeds on the plate, he immediately picked one up with his chopsticks and took a big bite.
"Ouch—hot, hot, hot!"
Scalding hot broth burst out from inside, catching Shi Yixian off guard and burning the tip of his tongue. He hissed and gasped repeatedly.
He flipped the pan-fried steamed bun with his chopsticks, and the rich broth slowly trickled out from the bite he had taken.
"How does this bun have so much meat juice inside? If broth were mixed in while filling ordinary buns, the dough would become soggy and fall apart."
Shen Fenghuo handed him a small dish of vinegar. "This has skin jelly made from pork skin added to it. It's kneaded into the dough when filling the buns, and when fried, it melts from the heat, turning into a delicious broth."
She continued, "They just came out of the pan, so they're still piping hot. You can bite a small opening at the top first, drink the broth, and then eat slowly. Dipping it in a bit of vinegar helps cut through the richness."
Shi Yixian followed her advice, biting a small opening at the top and taking a careful sip.
The broth, infused with the aroma of meat, flowed out and slid smoothly down his throat, incredibly savory.
After finishing the broth, he picked up the pan-fried steamed bun, dipped it in a little vinegar, and took a slow bite.
The dough of the pan-fried steamed bun was soft and fluffy, while the bottom layer was fried until crispy and dry.
The sesame seeds on the outside were fragrant, and the pork filling inside was savory and flavorful, soaked in the broth from the melted skin jelly. Truly, one bun offered three different textures.
He finished one in a few bites and picked up a second one, this time eating it more smoothly.
"I want some too! Give me a portion as well!"
The clerks had long been unable to resist Shi Yixian's way of eating and the aroma of meat filling the dining hall.
A young clerk said, "Lady Shen, give me ten as well. The minced pork eggplant strips from yesterday were delicious, and now seeing Chief Clerk Shi eat these buns, I'm absolutely craving them."
In the rush, the two pots of pan-fried buns were quickly emptied, leaving the newly arrived clerks sighing in disappointment.
"Officer, please wait a moment."
Shen Fenghuo pointed to the clay pot warming nearby. "This pot is simmering with bone broth. Coriander and chopped scallions are in the small dishes over there. You can ladle a bowl first to warm up. A new batch of pan-fried buns will be ready very soon."
Hearing this, some of the clerks immediately turned to ladle the soup. When the lid of the clay pot was lifted, the bone soup was clear and bright, with a thin layer of oil floating on top.
The clerks waiting for the next batch ladled the bone soup into bowls and sprinkled a handful of vibrant green coriander and chopped scallions.
Several of them held their bowls and sipped the warm soup, feeling it slide down their throats and into their stomachs, dispelling the chill of working after the snowfall and heightening their anticipation for the pan-fried buns to be ready.
Shen Fenghuo picked up the emptied pot, spread a thin layer of oil on the bottom, and while the oil was still at a moderate temperature, arranged the pan-fried steamed buns one by one into the pot.
As the buns gradually expanded, she held the edge of the pot with a damp cloth and slowly rotated it, ensuring each bun was evenly coated with oil. Then, she covered the pot to steam-fry them.
Before long, the pleasant sizzling sound echoed from the pot again, and the aroma of sesame seeds and meat filled the air, even stronger than the previous two batches.
Her hands never stopped moving. Just as she flipped the buns in the first pot to fry the other side until golden and crispy, she lifted the lid of the second pot and sprinkled a handful of chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Her movements flowed seamlessly, without a hint of fluster.
Wu Yu was truly craving them and asked for two pan-fried buns as well.
Seeing Chen Yang standing silently to the side, he offered the plate to him. "Head Chef Chen, you should try these too. These buns are fried to perfection."
Chen Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
Watching the usually deserted dining hall now lined with a long queue, listening to the clerks' admiring chatter, and thinking of his own food being ignored and unpopular, he felt nothing but irritation.
He glanced at the golden, enticing pan-fried steamed buns before him. "I won't eat them. I'll have the steamed buns I made myself."
Wu Yu promptly swallowed both of his.
In no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the third and fourth batches of pan-fried steamed buns were perfectly cooked. Shen Fenghuo called out loudly, "Officer, the pan-fried steamed buns are ready!"
The snow in front of the Dali Temple had long been cleared away. Lu Jin returned to the Dali Temple for duty after morning court.
He looked up and saw that the inner courtyard, which usually only began to get lively around the hour of Chen, was already crowded with many officials today, heading in twos and threes toward the dining hall—much earlier than usual.
A hurried figure in blue robes rushed past him.
Pang Lushi, over sixty years old, usually liked to hold his waist and sigh about his old age and stiff legs. Yet now, his robe fluttered as if his feet had grown wings, racing toward the dining hall.
"Pang Lushi, just last month you told me your legs were giving you trouble and you wanted to retire. What is this…"
The clerk beside him immediately stepped forward to reply, "Young Minister Lu, Pang Lushi seems to be heading to the dining hall."
"How strange. Didn't he complain that the roasted lamb would break his teeth and even wanted to write a thousand-word essay denouncing the Dali Temple dining hall?"
Lu Jin turned to the clerk. "Have you had your morning meal yet?"
The clerk answered truthfully, "I have not, sir."
"In that case, let's go take a look together."
Pang Lushi's real name was Pang Yan. He had joined the Dali Temple since the emperor ascended the throne. Usually lazy and fond of good food, he had remained a mere recorder after many years in service.
Shi Yixian was drinking his second bowl of bone soup and teased him upon seeing him, "Old Pang, you're early! It's rare to see you so spry. Didn't you say you'd never come to this dining hall again?"
"Ah, I heard they've added some novel morning fare, so I came specially to try it. Worth it, worth it!"
Pang Lushi strode up to Shen Fenghuo in a few steps. "Miss Shen, give me twenty."
Shen Fenghuo smiled and advised, "Pang Lushi, twenty is quite a lot. Eating too much can cause indigestion. How about starting with fewer?"
"No problem, no problem! Just give me twenty!"
Pang Lushi patted his belly. "This old stomach of mine isn't good for much, but it's always been great at holding food."
Shi Yixian chimed in, "Miss Shen, just serve Old Pang. He's famously the Dali Temple's old glutton. When he finds something to his taste, he can eat as much as you give him."
Shen Fenghuo agreed and, taking a large plate, deftly picked out twenty pan-fried steamed buns for him.
Pang Lushi didn't mind that they were just out of the pan. He picked one up and popped it into his mouth.
His lips and tongue seemed impervious to the heat. All he felt was the soft, fluffy wrapper enveloping the savory meat filling, the broth rich but not greasy, making him praise repeatedly.
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous!"
A clerk nearby laughed, "Old Pang, will you write an essay about these pan-fried steamed buns?"
In high spirits, he picked up another, bit a small opening in it, carefully spooned in a little vinegar, and then took a whole bite.
Shen Fenghuo watched from the side, thinking to herself.
Truly an old connoisseur!
By the time Lu Jin reached the entrance of the dining hall, it was packed inside and out with people. Since he had been transferred to the Dali Temple, he had never seen the dining hall so bustling.
Ming Yi saw him arrive and hurriedly stood up, walking over to him. "Reporting to Young Minister Lu, I have an important matter to discuss with you. The new cook in the Dining Hall… she is actually your wi—"
Before the word "wife" could fully leave his lips, Lu Jin's gaze had already swept past the crowd, landing on the figure bustling in the center of the Dining Hall.
Shen Fenghuo had her sleeves rolled up, revealing a section of fair, white wrist as she deftly picked up the pan-fried buns.
Her peach blossom eyes sparkled with a charming, lively glow when she smiled. Wrapped in the misty steam, the plum blossom hairpin at her temple swayed gently with her movements.
Lu Jin cut off Ming Yi's words: "I am aware."
Ming Yi was momentarily unsure how to respond, tentatively asking, "Then, this…"
"Let's not speak of this for now."
Lu Jin withdrew his gaze. "Since I am here, I shall try the skills of this new cook."
He walked up to Shen Fenghuo. "Ten pieces, please."
Shen Fenghuo looked up at the sound of his voice.
He was dressed in a red official robe, a jade belt cinched at his waist, his posture tall and straight.
His brows and eyes seemed bathed in the misty hues of spring mountains—clear, gentle, and refined. His nose was high and straight, making one unconsciously lose focus.
This was the first time Shen Fenghuo had seen him this close, and indeed, the first time she had ever laid eyes on him.
Assistant Minister Lu.
Shen Fenghuo instinctively blurted out: "Lord…"
Truly handsome!
Chen Yang, standing nearby, immediately interrupted sharply: "How presumptuous! What 'Lord'? This is Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"
Shen Fenghuo snapped back to her senses and quickly nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, Young Minister Lu."
She picked up the pan-fried buns from the pan and placed them on a porcelain plate.
As she handed over the plate, her gaze couldn't help but dart quickly over him once more. "Be careful, they're hot."
Lu Jin gave a soft "Mm," and found a seat to have his morning meal.
The broth was rich and flavorful, the aroma of pork mingling with the nuttiness of sesame and the tang of vinegar, creating distinct layers of taste. It was more to his liking than any morning meal he had ever had before.
He said nothing more, simply eating at a leisurely pace.
"Has the Registration Office been questioned? Why did she come to apply for the kitchen servant position?"
Ming Yi replied from the side: "Reporting, sir, I have inquired. The lady said she heard that you often do not eat well for morning meals at the temple and, worried about your health, wished to come to the Dining Hall to personally prepare meals for you."
The account given at the Registration Office was pitiable indeed, depicting a devoted wife deeply concerned for the Young Minister's well-being—a touching tale of marital affection that moved one to tears.
Clerk Xiao sighed deeply, urging him to keep it strictly confidential.
Lu Jin's hand, holding the chopsticks with a pan-fried bun, paused briefly, his brow imperceptibly twitching.
He lifted his gaze toward Shen Fenghuo's back. The plum blossom hairpin still swayed gently at her temple, carrying an indescribable charm.
"Is that so."
A moment later, he withdrew his gaze and calmly instructed: "There is no need to speak of this matter further. Since she wishes to come, let her stay."
The last batch of pan-fried buns had just left the pan when they were snatched up completely, the oil residue at the bottom of the pan even wiped clean by the clerks using steamed buns.
The morning meals that usually left more than half uneaten were today completely gone, leaving only a few empty iron pans.
Shen Fenghuo's morning meal today was highly satisfying.
Chen Yang stood to the side, his face growing even darker.
Watching Shen Fenghuo surrounded by clerks singing her praises, while not a single person remained near the pork steamed buns he had made.
This new cook was clearly challenging his position as Head Chef.
"Don't celebrate too soon."
He stepped forward. "Go and take inventory of the batch of vegetables delivered this morning, check the accounts, and see if they are sufficient for the next three days."
Shen Fenghuo readily agreed: "Alright, I'll go right away."
Lu Jin had finished the last pan-fried bun, set down his chopsticks, and turned to leave.
Shen Fenghuo happened to look up, meeting his gaze directly.
What a handsome lord.
She curved her peach blossom eyes and gave him a gentle wave.
Author's Note:
A'He: Today's morning meal was truly satisfying.
Young Minister Lu: Ahem, she seems to be…