That evening, there were extra dishes on the table because Yun Qingshi, the youngest son who studied at the Imperial Academy, had come home.
Students at the Imperial Academy received one day of leave every half month. As soon as classes ended, Yun Qingshi returned home to pay his respects to his parents and immediately went to see his elder sister.
This time, however, he found her nowhere in sight.
The servants informed him that his sister had instructed him to change clothes and freshen up before heading directly to the side dining hall for dinner.
Since it was his first meal at home in a while, Yun Qingyi wanted to prepare something special for him.
The tofu skin she had asked Xiaoyu to dry in the sun was finally ready, perfect for making two new dishes.
The first was crispy fried tofu rolls.
She finely minced pork belly and seasoned it with sauce. Then she spread out the dried tofu skin, spread a thin layer of the meat filling over it, rolled it up, and cut it into small pieces.
Once the oil was heated to medium temperature, she carefully lowered each roll into the wok with chopsticks, maintaining a steady temperature so the oil bubbled gently without cooling too quickly. She fried them until they turned golden brown before removing them to drain.
Next, she prepared stir-fried greens with tofu skin.
Fresh tofu skin would have been even better for this dish, but the dried version worked well too. She heated a spoonful of rendered pork fat in the wok, stir-fried the vegetables until fragrant, then added strips of tofu skin. The finished dish was vibrant in color, with tender vegetables and pleasantly chewy tofu skin.
When the dishes were finally served—fish with tofu pudding, braised pork belly, chopped chili fish head, fish ball soup, crispy fried tofu rolls, and an assortment of stir-fried vegetables—Yun Qingshi was overwhelmed by happiness.
When his parents and brothers told him that every dish had been made by his elder sister, he was even more astonished.
“While I was away, how many delicious meals have I missed? And they were all made by my favorite sister! What a loss!”
Faced with so many tempting choices, Yun Qingshi unconsciously ate three bowls of rice, as if trying to make up for all the meals he had missed while away at school.
When he reached for a fourth bowl, however, his sister stopped him.
“No matter how delicious the food is, you can’t eat like that. You’ll upset your stomach, and then you won’t be able to enjoy anything in the future.”
The family’s beloved eldest daughter wasn’t the only one who received special affection—Yun Qingshi had his own share of it too.
Their parents were strict with all three sons. The older brothers had younger siblings they could lecture, but Yun Qingshi, as the youngest, had no one beneath him and was always the one being scolded.
He found it deeply unfair.
“Just because they were born before me, why am I always the one getting lectured?”
He never dared complain in front of his father or brothers. Only his elder sister never scolded him. Whenever he was upset, she would give him sweets or let him play with her favorite things.
For as long as he could remember, Yun Qingshi had believed his sister treated him best. Naturally, he listened to her more than anyone else.
Since his sister said no more food, he obediently put down his chopsticks.
Seeing his disappointed expression, Yun Qingyi quietly pulled him aside and whispered:
“Before you go back tomorrow, I’ll make you some crispy fried fish to take with you. No one else has tried it—I’m making it just for you.”
Her conspiratorial tone made it sound completely genuine.
Yun Qingshi lowered his voice too.
“Thank you, Sister. You’ve always treated me the best.”
Watching the two siblings whisper to each other, their parents and second brother could only shake their heads fondly.
“Even though they don’t see each other often, they’re still incredibly close.”
During his day at home, Yun Qingshi chatted endlessly with his sister.
He told her about the strict headmaster, the new lessons from his teachers, amusing stories about his classmates, and the food at the Imperial Academy.
When people are close, even ordinary conversation feels enjoyable.
The next morning, it was time for Yun Qingshi to return to school.
Early that day, Yun Qingyi handed him two oil-paper-wrapped packages.
“Qingshi, finish this package of crispy fish within a day or two—it won’t keep long. This other package is for Grandfather.”
After deciding to build a new life in this unfamiliar world, one of the first things Yun Qingyi had done was sort out her family’s relationships.
Her mother came from an influential clan. Her maternal grandfather was the Grand Tutor of the empire and also served as the head of the Imperial Academy.
Her mother was his only daughter and had always been dearly cherished.
As a child, the original Yun Qingyi had often accompanied her mother to her grandparents’ residence. Her grandparents, uncles, and aunts had all doted on her. Every visit ended with gifts—fine clothes, shoes, jewelry, scented sachets, and rare curiosities.
When the original Yun Qingyi fell ill years ago, her elderly grandfather had personally come to visit and only returned home after her condition stabilized.
Yet he treated his grandsons very differently, especially Yun Qingshi.
As both his grandfather and the headmaster of the Imperial Academy, he never missed an opportunity to admonish the boy.
“Qingshi, remember this: study diligently, cultivate your character, govern your household well, set your ambitions high, and never waste your youth.”
The lively and carefree Yun Qingshi had gradually become more composed in public. Only around his elder sister did he reveal his true childish nature.
Ever since entering the Imperial Academy, he had tried to avoid visiting his grandfather whenever possible.
Still, since it was his sister’s request, he didn’t dare refuse. Though reluctant, he smiled and agreed.
Yun Qingyi had her own plans.
She intended to establish a reputation through free samples first. Once word spread and demand grew, she could start doing business.
For that reason, she packed an especially large portion for her brother—not only enough to feed him, but enough for others to taste as well.
She had complete confidence in her cooking.
The aroma of her crispy fried fish would surely leave those students, long accustomed to the bland meals of the Imperial Academy, drooling with envy.
As far as Yun Qingshi was concerned, however, the fact that his sister had given him a larger portion than the one meant for their grandfather filled him with pride.
That special treatment felt wonderful.
Making crispy fried fish was simple.
The fish was cut into pieces and marinated with cooking wine and ginger juice.
Then she heated oil until it reached a high temperature before frying the fish until golden brown. Finally, she drizzled the pieces with a sauce made from soy sauce and sugar.
The fragrant crispy fried fish was complete.
Back in the modern world, Fish Flavor House had built an entire afternoon business around this dish.
While other restaurants served only lunch and dinner, they sold crispy fried fish as takeout every day from three to five in the afternoon.
There were always long lines.
Although the dish itself was simple, among all the fish restaurants in town, only theirs had truly mastered it. Competitors had tried to imitate it but could never quite replicate the flavor.
If modern customers loved it, Yun Qingyi was certain it would become a hit in this world as well.
Different worlds, same taste buds.
Upon returning to the Imperial Academy, Yun Qingshi eagerly opened the package.
His sister had wrapped the fish in several layers of oil paper, and it was still warm.
The moment he opened it, the aroma filled the entire dormitory.
“Qingshi, what are you eating? It smells amazing!”
His roommate from the neighboring bed, Lu Qinyan, looked over curiously.
“My sister knew studying away from home is hard, so she made me a snack—crispy fried fish.”
Yun Qingshi answered honestly, but Lu Qinyan was clearly unsatisfied.
When someone asks, “What are you eating?” they rarely mean it literally.
Lu Qinyan had expected at least a token invitation. Since none came, he decided not to stand on ceremony.
After all, those who help themselves never go hungry.
Lu Qinyan was the legitimate son of Minister of Rites Lu Yuanxing. He and Yun Qingshi came from similar backgrounds, were the same age, had begun their education in the same year, and entered the Imperial Academy together.
They were not only classmates but childhood friends.
Sharing food had never been a big deal between them.
After Lu Qinyan ate two pieces, Yun Qingshi immediately sealed the package again.
This was the first time his sister had ever packed food especially for him. Letting Lu Qinyan have two pieces was already a generous gesture in honor of their friendship.
“I won’t eat your food for free,” Lu Qinyan said, pushing over a bowl.
“My elder sister made this soup. You can have some too.”
As Yun Qingshi accepted the bowl, Lu Qinyan suddenly reached behind him and grabbed the second package.
He lifted it to his nose, inhaled deeply, and grinned mischievously.
“Qingshi, that’s not fair! You’re hiding another package from me.”
Yun Qingshi panicked.
That package was part of his sister’s mission. He couldn’t let Lu Qinyan ruin it.
“That’s for the Headmaster. My sister asked me to deliver it personally. If you’ve got the courage, go ahead and open it.”
Lu Qinyan knew the Yun family’s connections well.
The moment he heard “the Headmaster,” he instantly backed down.
“Come on, Qingshi,” he pleaded. “Just give me one more piece!”