Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 83
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 83: Hot Pepper Soup
Xie Lang couldn't remember how long he hadn't spoken to Zhou-shi. Every time he saw her, she would glance at him from a distance and walk away blankly. At the start, Xie Lang thought that she was angry, and he could coax her back when her anger died down. However, as time passed, he realized that she was not angry, but she did not even care anymore.
These days Xie Lang has been thinking about what the problem was. A long time ago, when he took a concubine for the first time, Zhou-shi was angry. However, within a few days, she returned to him as if nothing happened, as if she only cared a little bit about it and didn't need him to coax her. As long as he smiled at her, and said a few words, she would smile and forget the unpleasantness.
Sometimes when he was thinking back to the past few years, he felt that a long time had passed. It was so long that he was about to forget the scene when he met Zhou-shi. He only vaguely remembered the young woman on the horse, waving her horse whip while grinning. Seeing them, these traveling scholars, she was curious and boldly asked questions.
When Xie Lang realized that she was not angry, he suddenly began to panic.
The longer the time, the more complicated his mood became. His interest in playing chess or chanting poems had disappeared. All day long, he was frowning and worrying, drinking and complaining to Xie Li.
At first, Xie Li would still accompany him. Later, after Xu-shi said something, Xie Li did not come anymore.
So he drank in the pavilion alone.
His little concubine had been here, the eldest brother and the third brother had been here, and even those maids who looked at him with distressed appearance and thoughts that they shouldn't have, they had also been here. Xie Lang was annoyed with all of them.
Boredom. Xie Lang felt this emotion for the first time.
Perhaps Zhou-shi had also been bored. The mixed feelings in her heart, now he finally understood it.
He shook the porcelain bottle in his hand, and there was only a little bit of the wine left. When he was about to pour it into his mouth, a soft sound suddenly came from behind him.
"Father."
Xie Lang was startled. He was drinking heavily but was not drunk, just a little dizzy. He immediately became sober when he heard Xie Sheng's voice.
He didn't want his daughter to see his inebriated state, so he hurriedly slipped the bottle under his cuff to hide it, casting a quick glance at Xie Sheng.
Xie Sheng had sent her maid to wait at a distance, leaving her alone here.
She approached and sat down in front of Xie Lang, saying, "Father, summer is over, and the nights are growing cold. You drink here so often, be careful not to catch a cold."
Xie Lang looked at Xie Sheng with a soft expression. She was his daughter, the child of both him and Zhou-shi.
"It is nothing. I won't be drunk. I just drank a little bit, so I could sleep well at night."
ie Sheng nodded, offering no further words. The long, caring sentence she had just spoken was already the extent of her limit.
Xie Sheng was skilled in poetry, and Xie Lang, with his immense talent, often served as her advisor. This shared intellectual bond had naturally brought them closer. Xie Lang was very fond of this daughter, yet he often struggled with how to express it. As he watched her lower her head, the atmosphere grew somewhat tense, prompting him to ask, "Why are you here?"
"I was feeling uncomfortable, so I came for a walk," Xie Sheng replied, her voice flat.
Xie Lang immediately became nervous, "Where are you uncomfortable? Do you want someone to call a doctor? Why do you come out for a walk when you feel uncomfortable?"
Xie Sheng raised her eyes and glanced at him. She said, "I feel sick in my stomach. My mother gave me sliced noodles and several dishes at night, and I was eating too much."
Xie Lang's expression froze, and his body which was leaning towards Xie Sheng slowly leaned back because of tension. Finally, he sat upright and said with difficulty, "It turns out to be like this. It's good. It's a good thing for you, mother and daughter, to be close, but don't eat too much in the future. It's not good for your body."
Xie Sheng nodded, "Mother said the same. She said she was very happy to see how much I ate, but then I ate more, and she became unhappy again and hurried to boil hawthorn water."
Xie Lang heard about Zhou-shi's panic, and her image appeared in his mind immediately. He chuckled subconsciously, but then his smile stagnated and turned into bitterness.
The faint night wind blew Xie Sheng's hair.
She came here only because she had to come over to salute and greet her father according to the rules. Now that she had shown care and talked to him, it was time to go.
She stood up and prepared to salute and withdraw, but Xie Lang suddenly said, "What was your mother up to recently?"
This question made Xie Sheng a little confused. She tilted her head and asked, "Father doesn't know?"
The smile on Xie Lang's face was even more bitter, but he would not show his depressed side in front of his daughter. He tried to say in a plain tone, "I don't know." Zhou-shi did not allow him to enter her yard. Her maids also avoid him, keep their mouth firmly, and dare not say much.
Although Xie Sheng was puzzled, she still replied obediently, "She was busy with her favorite things."
Xie Lang did not expect this answer. He said blankly, "Did she pick up the sword again?"
These words stunned Xie Sheng. She was surprised, "Sword?"
She was too surprised. Xie Lang reacted and was even more puzzled, "What else could it be?"
"She started learning to cook in the kitchen." Xie Sheng's tone was unusual, and she sat back on the stone bench, "Swords? Mother used to practice with swords and martial arts?"
Zhou-shi tried her best to avoid her past since she got married in the capital. She wouldn't expect Xie Lang to tell this to their daughter. Xie Lang hesitated, but he nodded.
Unexpectedly, Xie Sheng did not show any expression of disgust. She blinked, her eyelashes flickered, and her face finally brought a little vivid childish expression.
She slowly digested this fact and asked after a while, "Then why did mother give up her preference for martial arts?"
Hearing these words in Xie Lang's ears was like a thunderbolt in the clear sky, and a sudden huge light illuminated and sober him up. The incomprehension and perplexity in his heart dissipated. Xie Lang felt a little dull in his mind and kept repeating Xie Sheng's question.
Why?
"...Because of me." He had never felt that it would take so much effort to say these words. After speaking, he was completely depressed.
Yeah, because of him.
If it weren't for him, how could Zhou-shi's change from that girl with a flamboyant nature to a woman with a weird temperament after living in his house? This radical change took only a few years.
Xie Sheng couldn't understand him, but she could feel his emotions.
She was at a loss but didn't want to comfort her father. Although children could not understand some things and could not tell one, two, or three apart, they still had some feelings in their hearts.
She saluted again, walked a few steps to return to her room unwillingly.
Xie Lang's back was no longer straight, and his posture looked a little bit decadent.
This appearance made Xie Sheng a little helpless. She endured her discomfort and said, "On the 15th, the Lin family's breakfast stall will open in the east of the city, and my mother will go there." She didn't know why she said this. In a word, it was just her intuition that Xie Lang should go and take a look. Even she could see her mother's change, but her father was still immersed in the past and unable to extricate himself.
Before Xie Lang had time to speak, Xie Sheng had walked away.
On the fifteenth, Xie Lang took a special leave and rushed to the market in the east of the city early in the morning.
He looked for several passers-by to ask for directions, but he couldn't found the Lin family's market. When he was walking around in the street, he suddenly smelled a delicious and rich fragrance. He followed the fragrance to find his way and finally saw the shop.
The shop was modest, nothing at all like what one would expect from the affluent Lin family, which is why he had passed by without a second glance.
Now, after circling around for a while, he noticed the shop had finally opened its doors to welcome guests.
The transition from late summer to early autumn brought with it a significant drop in temperature between day and night, and a faint chill lingered in the early morning air. The white mist of steam rose from the market, drawing the attention of a crowd of eager diners.
The people living in this neighborhood were ordinary people with spare money in their hands. There were merchants who woke up early in the morning to go to catch a boat, some shopkeepers who rushed to their own silk and satin shops, some who went home yesterday to see their parents, teachers rushing out of the city, and so on. They passed by the shop, smelled the fragrance, and saw that it was still early, so they hesitated and stopped in front of the shop.
More people had gathered, so a waiter came to greet them. The diners took their seats one after another, and the shop gradually became lively.
At this time, a carriage drove up and stopped not far away.
As soon as the carriage curtain was lifted, Zhou-shi, wearing a neat cotton cloth, jumped down. Then she turned and helped Lin-shi get out of the carriage and said nervously, "Be careful."
"I am very stable." Lin-shi got off the carriage.
"You shouldn't come here either. If my younger sister-in-law finds out, she will be angry."
Lin-shi suddenly shrank, "I have to come." She turned to look at Zhou-shi, "You have to come here too. You should understand my thoughts."
Speaking of this, Zhou-shi said in a quiet voice, "I just want to see if the tastes I tuned were suitable for the diners." Zhou-shi's tastes were perfectly adhered to by the average ancient person. Jiang Shuyao had sought her advice on every detail, and together, they carefully refined the flavors. Diligent and unafraid of hard work, Zhou-shi even learned to knead gluten on her own. Busy from morning till night without pause, her tireless efforts were a key factor in the breakfast shop's swift success.
"Yes, the opening day is the most anticipated." Lin-shi walked with her towards the back door, "Watching the diners stop by for these strange foods, then taste it with relish and leave with satisfaction. I will feel very comfortable in my heart."
Zhou-shi very much agreed and rubbed her hands, "If it's not inappropriate, I really want to try my craft here. My younger sister-in-law said I am very talented."
Lin-shi was helpless and pulled her against it.
Xie Lang stood at the corner, lost in thought. How long had it been since he'd seen such a lively and carefree Zhou-shi? It had been far too long, and he almost forgot what she used to be like.
As he stood there, lost in his own world, a passerby hurriedly bumped into his shoulder. The man was slight and short, knocked back two steps by the force of the collision. He glared at Xie Lang, ready to shout a few choice words, but when he saw the man's strikingly handsome and composed appearance, his anger faltered, and he suddenly held his tongue.
The short man rubbed his shoulders, muttered a few words, and walked towards the breakfast stall.
The residents around here all knew each other. As he walked, he greeted the diners who had breakfast in front of the shop, "What did you eat? How did it taste?"
Everyone laughed and praised the breakfast in the shop.
"It's delicious. I felt comfortable all over."
"It turned out that breakfast can still be so delicious. It won't be annoying to get up early in the future."
"I bought one and prepared to take it away. Then I took a bite and turned back to buy a second one. How do you think it tastes?"
"Hey, Old Ding, is it time to pick the goods again? You are so early today?"
Old Ding nodded, rubbing his arms, and said, "Yes." The merchant ship had passed through the capital, and his cargo arrived. He has to go to the dock for inspection before unloading. He didn't believe in other people's eyes and went by himself every time. He was thinking about the sun on the pier, so he dressed a little thinly. Who knew it was so cold in the morning.
He glanced at the densely packed food in the market and finally just said, "Is there something warm? Give me a portion."
"Alright." The waiter went in, and after a while, he brought out a bowl of soup and a plate of fried dough, "Hot spicy soup and fried dough, please try them."
Old Ding looked down at the bowl before him, and the so-called hot spicy soup revealed itself—a deep reddish-brown broth, its contents indistinguishable at first glance. The soup had a sticky texture and a strong, yet not overwhelming, spicy aroma. It was filled with a variety of ingredients: black fungus, dark green kelp, translucent mung bean noodles, light yellow tofu skin, and chewy gluten, all swimming together. The steam rising in delicate white wisps made the dish even more tempting.
He had never encountered such a breakfast before. Hesitant, he took a spoon and dipped it into the bowl. The soup clung to the spoon like a silk thread, rich and velvety. As it dripped back into the bowl, its thickness became evident, drawing his curiosity further.
The soup had been thickened with glutinous water, giving it a rich, vibrant color. At first glance, Old Ding thought the broth might be overwhelmingly thick, but to his surprise, the flavor balanced perfectly. The sweetness of bone broth lingered on his palate, quickly followed by the numbing heat of pepper that spread across the tip of his tongue. The warmth and silkiness of the soup filled his senses, its freshness surging with each sip, soothing him all the way from his tongue to his stomach.
The gluten was soft yet resilient, offering a delicate bean aroma with each bite. The black fungus provided a crisp contrast, while the kelp remained firm, and the noodles offered a satisfying springiness. As he chewed, the varying textures and flavors burst in his mouth—each ingredient contributing its own unique layer. Though the soup was described as "spicy," it wasn’t the sharp sting of pepper; instead, the heat unfurled gently, a fragrant warmth that enveloped his mouth, stretching out to warm his entire body.
He slurped and ate happily, but suddenly someone sat down across from him.
Xie Lang said to the waiter, "Give me the same thing as him."
Seeing that he didn't look like a local resident, Old Ding didn't look at him much and ate his own food.
He picked up the fried dough and dunked it into the spicy soup. The velvety broth immediately enveloped the dough, and as he lifted it, a thick, glistening layer of soup clung to the crispy fried dough. He took a bite, and the contrast was perfect—the soup was dense enough to not soften the fried dough, which retained its crispness. The dough's subtle, oily fragrance blended seamlessly with the spicy, flavorful soup. It was a combination of crunch and stickiness, richness and heat, with a numbing aftertaste that made every bite an indulgence.
It had been a long time since Xie Lang had witnessed someone enjoying their food with such abandon, and the sight stirred his own appetite. When the waiter returned, he eagerly took a bite, unable to resist any longer.
The Hu spicy soup was rich with a complex, mellow numbing flavor that lingered on the tongue. The mix of spices—dried ginger, ginger, pepper, long pepper, cinnamon, galangal, and more—blended together to create a unique, fragrant depth. It was spicy, but not in a sharp, painful way. Instead, it offered a warm, enveloping heat that was both comforting and stimulating, with a subtle numbing sensation that enhanced the freshness of the soup. Its creamy, soft texture was thick enough to feel satisfying with each sip, yet delicate enough that you could savor each ingredient. The experience of chewing through the different textures and flavors—crunchy, tender, or soft—made it impossible to stop at just one bowl. After finishing one, Xie Lang found himself reaching for another, entranced by the layers of flavor that kept him coming back for more.
This time, the waiter swiftly brought the spicy soup to the table. Eager to dive in, Xie Lang didn't pause to consider the heat.
However, as soon as he took a sip, a fierce, unfamiliar burn hit him, sending a jolt through his senses. He choked, coughing uncontrollably, his sleeve quickly moving to cover his face as the scorching sensation overwhelmed his throat and tongue.
Lin-shi, watching from the side, leaned in and whispered to Zhou-shi, "It seems to be very spicy."
Zhou-shi, arms crossed, observed with a slight smirk, "Of course it is. I put three spoons of chili sauce in his bowl."
Seeing Xie Lang's fit of coughing, Lin-shi grew concerned. She motioned for the waiter to stop and whispered something to him before turning to Zhou-shi. "It seems like he’s coughing too much."
"The delicacy from my hand, I don't want him to enjoy it." Zhou-shi gave Lin-shi a look, and Lin-shi immediately understood. If Lord Xiangyang was here, she would also let him cough to death.
Finally, the shopkeeper bought Xie Lang a glass of water, and he drank it in a hurry to stop his cough.
Seeing Xie Lang still coughing so violently, Old Ding hesitated and asked, "Are you alright? Does this bowl taste bad?"
Not wanting to appear weak in front of the handsome gentleman opposite him, Xie Lang lowered his eyes with a faint smile and replied, "It’s nothing, my wife just likes to tease me." His tone was light, but there was a hint of an inside joke, reminiscent of the Zhou family in Mobei, who had once coaxed him into drinking strong alcohol for their amusement. They had watched with amused, raised brows as he choked, laughing at the noble from the capital who, despite his esteemed status, was as weak as a kitten.
As Xie Lang reflected on this, the smile on his face slowly faded, and the lingering spiciness in his mouth turned to a bitter aftertaste.
He finally understood why Xie Sheng had urged him to take a closer look.
Zhou-shi had changed. She had reverted to the lively, free-spirited Miss Zhou from Mobei, but he was no longer the second young master Xie who had once captured her attention there.
In the seven years they had spent together in the capital, her temperament had been altered—her sharp edges smoothed out. Now, she had become her true self again, and with that, the affection she once had for him had faded as well.
Xie Lang couldn't sit down anymore and hurriedly left after checking out.
"Weird." Old Ding watched him go. He shook his head and continued to taste the delicious food in front of him.
The restaurants were crowded and bustling, the hot aroma dispels the morning's tranquility, and many diners are talking and laughing. There should only be unlimited joy and comfort here, and there was no room for sadness.
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[T/N: Hulatang, also known as hot pepper soup or spicy soup, is a kind of Chinese traditional soup created in Henan Province but became popularized in the cuisine of Shaanxi Province. Chinese immigrants have introduced it to the United States, where it is known as "spicy soup."
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