Hearing Yun Yin’s words, Song Shi looked surprised. “So Madam Yun runs a restaurant too? No wonder you’re close to Madam Luo.”
“What’s your specialty? Where’s your place? In Pingxi Town as well?”
He fired off questions one after another. Yun Yin answered calmly, “It’s along the official road across the mountain from Linjiang Village. When you’re allowed to leave the city, you can come try it.”
“As for dishes—I can cook many things. It depends on the ingredients available.”
Then she smiled as something came to mind. “The mushroom sauce that’s popular in your school—that’s made by me.”
Song Shi’s mouth fell open. “So that sauce is yours?!”
He glanced around and lowered his voice. “Do you still have any? You have no idea how popular it is in our school—mixed with noodles or eaten with steamed buns, it’s delicious.”
“But there’s so little! Each person can only buy one jar—it’s nowhere near enough.”
He sighed. “The food at our school is terrible—boiled cabbage, boiled radish… I really don’t want to eat it.”
Yun Yin shook her head apologetically. “I don’t have any extra right now. Isn’t there still some at Madam Luo’s place?”
If she remembered correctly, she had only delivered a batch not long ago.
Song Shi rolled his eyes slightly. “If she had any left, would I be asking you?”
Yun Yin could only shrug. “Then you’ll have to wait until I make more.”
Song Shi looked disappointed, but suddenly brightened. “Then when you come to the county next time, could you bring some for me?”
Yun Yin thought for a moment. “I probably won’t come again anytime soon. I’ve already bought everything I need.”
As for the bandits—if even someone like Song Shi didn’t know, she doubted she could find out anything here. If it was real, it was likely being kept quiet.
By now, Yun Yin had already figured out that Song Shi was the youngest son of the county registrar’s family and a student at the county school.
Seeing his hopeful expression, she added gently, “Just wait a few more days. Maybe Madam Luo will have more. Whenever I make a new batch, I always send some to her.”
“That’s all I can do…” Song Shi said as he stood to pay the bill. “I’ll see you out.”
Yun Yin took the two packed portions of Eight-Treasure Chicken and paid. “No need. I know the way now. You go on ahead—and don’t forget to come try my fish someday.”
After parting with Song Shi, Yun Yin bought a bamboo steamer, then headed to the carriage area with her purchases.
The journey back to Pingxi Town went smoothly. Along the way, she noticed that the constables who used to be frequently seen were now scarce. Thinking of Fu Wang and Zhou Chang at the city gate earlier, she wondered if Fu Wang had reported the bandit issue to Zhou Chang.
After all, Zhou Chang, as the county lieutenant, was responsible for the safety of the entire county. If bandits were active, he couldn’t ignore it.
Of course, this was only speculation. She could only hope it was true—otherwise, her business might suffer.
Her small food stall had only just opened for one day before being forced to close. Who knew when she’d earn enough—ten strings of cash—to buy that valley?
When Yun Yin arrived at the back courtyard of Luo Man’s restaurant, Luo Man was directing people to clean up after butchering a sheep. The faint smell of blood lingered.
Hearing the carriage, Luo Man greeted her with a smile. “You’re back quickly! Why didn’t you stay longer in the county?”
Yun Yin got down and began unloading her things. “I bought everything I needed—and I was thinking of home, so I came back.”
She handed over the still-warm Eight-Treasure Chicken. “I tried it at Manxiangju, so I brought one for you too.”
Luo Man looked at it and murmured, “You ran into Song Shi, didn’t you?”
Yun Yin paused. She hadn’t intended to bring him up—she didn’t know their relationship well enough.
Smiling, she said lightly, “Couldn’t it just be that I liked it and brought it for you?”
Luo Man pressed her lips together. “So you did meet him?”
Yun Yin nodded. “Yes. At first he thought you had come to the county—almost caused a misunderstanding.”
Since Luo Man brought it up herself, Yun Yin asked cautiously, “Sister A-Man, you and Young Master Song…”
Luo Man held the chicken tighter and gave a wry smile. “There’s nothing I can’t say. You know I was married before—but my husband died within a year.”
“As for Song Shi, he’s just a customer. He likes my cooking, so he often came to eat. Later, when I opened a shop in the county, he visited there too. We became familiar over time.”
“I’m sure he told you he wants to marry me.” She shook her head. “Even if I hadn’t been married before, there would be no future with someone like him—a young master from an official family.”
Yun Yin frowned slightly. “I think you’re very capable, Sister A-Man. You run your business on your own and do it so well. Don’t belittle yourself.”
Luo Man laughed softly. “I know. It’s not self-pity—it’s just reality. For merchant women like us, even being taken as a concubine by officials’ families is often considered unworthy. Why should we chase after that?”
“I think my life now is quite good—busy and fulfilling.”
Seeing she truly meant it, Yun Yin smiled. “That’s a broad-minded way to think.”
Changing the subject, Yun Yin said, “I didn’t hear anyone in the county mention bandits—not even Song Shi. But his family probably knows something, since they won’t let him leave the city.”
Luo Man thought for a moment. “No wonder I haven’t seen him in so long. I thought he’d given up… so there really are bandits.”
She looked concerned. “It’s safer for us in town, but you live near the official road—you must be careful.”
“Honestly, you should move to town. Even if you open a food stall here, it wouldn’t affect me.”
Yun Yin shook her head. “Don’t worry. I know some martial arts—I’ll protect myself. I won’t risk my life.”
Then she remembered something. “By the way, Song Shi said the mushroom sauce in the county has sold out. Didn’t I just give you a batch?”
Luo Man slapped her forehead. “I almost forgot! Yes, it’s all gone. A merchant heading back to Mianzhou bought the entire batch.”
“I meant to tell you—you’ll need to make more. This time, make fifty jars. Ten vegetarian, the rest with meat.”
She went inside and brought out a bag of coins. “Here’s your payment.”
Yun Yin accepted the heavy bag with a grin. “I’ll make them as soon as possible and bring them over.”
As Yun Yin prepared to leave, Luo Man saw how many things she was carrying. “Let Zhao Qian take you back—it’ll be faster.”
Yun Yin didn’t refuse. With the cart, she could also buy ceramic jars for the sauce—and a small stone mill to grind spices.
Seeing the pepper salt earlier had made her crave salt-and-pepper shrimp. Since Manxiangju didn’t serve it, she’d have to make it herself.
After buying jars, a stone mill, and the meat she had ordered, she also picked up some pork fat to render lard.
Loaded with supplies, she returned to the valley.
The food stall was empty. After helping unload, Zhao Qian left.
Yun Yin saw Zhang Lin’s hut locked and guessed he was in the fields. Walking over, she soon spotted him still working.
“Madam Yun!” he called, hurrying over.
Seeing him drenched in sweat, she poured him water. “Didn’t I tell you to rest during the hottest hours? Have you eaten lunch?”
When she learned he hadn’t, she sighed. “From now on, take a break at midday. Understood?”
Zhang Lin grinned sheepishly. “Understood.”
Yun Yin cooked rice and reheated the Eight-Treasure Chicken. “You’re working so hard—it feels like I’m exploiting you without paying wages.”
Zhang Lin shook his head quickly. “If you hadn’t spared me and taken me in, I don’t even know if I’d still be alive. You gave me food and shelter—I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart.”
“I’m already living well now—no worries about food, and no fear of being arrested.”
Yun Yin nodded. “Alright. Since you’re satisfied, I’m at ease. After a year, I’ll pay you wages. You can save up, register your household, and even get married.”
Zhang Lin beamed, full of hope.
“Tomorrow, help me collect more mushrooms,” she added. “If this village doesn’t have enough, check across the river. Fresh ones won’t be available for another month, so we’ll have to rely on dried mushrooms for now.”
Zhang Lin agreed, then hesitated. “Madam Yun… we really don’t need to worry about the bandits? If they keep appearing, what will happen to our business?”
Yun Yin waved it off. “Just focus on getting the mushrooms.”
As for the bandits—she already had a new plan in mind.