Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 108 (Part 1)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 108.1 Barbecue at Zhongnan Mountain
Following the completion of the visitation ceremony[1] and the Mid-Autumn Festival, only a handful of days remained in the nine-day marriage leave. Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang began discussing a trip to Zhongnan Mountain for an autumn outing, planning to stay for a few days. Naturally, Shen Shaoguang was thrilled; the eighth and ninth lunar months were the peak seasons for wild game, promising feasts of roasted rabbits, chickens, deer, and lamb—all contingent on what her husband could catch.
Shen Shaoguang knew that Lin Yan had excellent swordsmanship, but hunting live game required more than just practicing in one’s own backyard. Over the past twenty-odd years, he had devoted himself to studying, taking exams, traveling, and serving as an official. Time and energy were limited, and he likely hadn’t had much opportunity to chase after foxes and rabbits in the mountains.
Regardless of the clandestine thoughts swirling in her mind, Shen Shaoguang would never openly express any doubts. It can’t be helped; her past experiences served as cautionary tales. Reflecting on her previous pride when she had spoken of ‘moisten(ing) each other with damp and spittle’, ‘sea bilberry hotpot’, and ‘tangyuan meatballs’—contrasted it with her later desperate pleas, tantrums, and veiled threats…how utterly embarrassing!
Encountering a theoretical thinker with a practical doer—a practical doer who’s bottomline is unexplored—calls for caution.
Lin Yan noticed his wife's shifting expressions and asked with a smile, “What are you thinking about?”
Shen Shaoguang narrowed her eyes and grinned, flatteringly responded, “I was just contemplating how we need to bring along more spices—pepper, cornel dogwood, honey, and cumin—so when you hunt deer, sheep, or whatever, we can roast them and feast.”
Glib and ingratiating! Lin Yan laughed as he tousled her hair. "A'Ji, did you know your ears turn red when your spoken words don’t match your inner thoughts?"
Shen Shaoguang shot him a look, as if to say, ‘Are you trying to trick me?’ She was a person seasoned in the ways of the world and would never be deceived with such a simple lie.
“It’s true,” Lin Yan said, his gaze sincere.
Shen Shaoguang touched her ear, feeling slightly dubious—it wasn't warm at all…
Lin Yan wrapped his arms around her, laughter resonating in his chest.
Shen Shaoguang: "..."
He pressed his lips against her temple and trailed kisses to her ear, lightly nibbling the tip as he whispered with a soft chuckle, “Isn't it red now?”
A tingling sensation coursed through her body, yet she feigned stubbornness, retorting, "You are falsifying evidence—what shall be the corresponding penalty?"
Lin Yan’s lips had already begun to fondle her earlobe, his voice husky with a hint of playfulness. “Nm, do as you wish.”
Shen Shaoguang felt herself melting in his embrace.
“Your ears do turn red at times…” That shy, coquettish and fierce look is extremely adorable.
This time, Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but blush genuinely. Just before she succumbed to the intoxicating moment, she mentally scolded him—his stoic facade had crumbled spectacularly; it turned out that his stern coldness was merely a pretense.
…
After their newlywed antics, the couple decided it was time to visit Elder Madam.
Who could have anticipated that Elder Madam would respond, “No, I’m not going! It’s too far! With you two leaving and no one to make morning and evening visits, I can finally take a break and sleep in.” Her tone was reminiscent of parents eagerly sending their children off to boarding school, finally free to lounge around and scroll through their phones.
Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but giggle, and Lin Yan also faintly smiled in response.
Elder Madam Jiang was undoubtedly an intriguing and benevolent elderly lady, though her health was regrettably poor. After leaving her courtyard, Shen Shaoguang proposed to Lin Yan that they should take their grandmother to Leyou Garden during the Double Ninth Festival. It was conveniently located within the city, allowing the elderly to enjoy the outing without straining herself.
Lin Yan nodded, understanding that grandmother's reluctance to join them on their trip to Zhongnan Mountain stemmed not only from a desire to avoid disrupting his time with A'Ji but also from her frailty, which made the journey's bumps and jolts too taxing.
Since they would be gone for only a few days, Shen Shaoguang packed just a few clothes and daily necessities, arranging for just two carriages and having the chamberlains ride horses.
Seeing her approach so lightly, without the usual extravagant preparations for a kitchen, Lin Yan felt a moment of surprise, quickly followed by understanding. “A'Ji, don’t forget the anise, pepper, honey, and the other seasonings you mentioned. We might not find those at Zhongnan Mountain,” he reminded her.
Shen Shaoguang nodded. "I've packed them." She had prepared small bottles and jars of each spice, all neatly in a single box.
“Also, don’t forget your barbeque furnace, the skewers, and the rack plate for roasting.”
Shen Shaoguang: “...Alright.” She then instructed the servants to bring the entire grilling set.
She had intended to be considerate; by bringing everything—with the charcoal basin, iron rods, and racks all set up, only to see her husband returning empty-handed…
To be fair, Shen Shaoguang didn’t think it was a problem if his hunting skills weren’t top-notch; after all, he wasn’t a professional hunter. She found it endearing to imagine Sir Lin chasing rabbits for hours only to come back with nothing. In that moment, she could ruffle his hair, shower him with affection, and reassure him that a life without challenges wasn’t truly complete.
She glanced at Lin Yan, picturing his adorably disgruntled expression, and imagined herself as the dominant spouse, doing this, this, and that...
“A’Ji——”
Shen Shaoguang smiled and remarked, “With our grilling setup, all the beasts of Zhongnan Mountain will surely scatter!”
Lin Yan gazed at her and chuckled, playfully tousled her hair.
Shen Shaoguang tilted her head, frowning, “My hairpins are falling out!”
The villa Lin Yan purchased at the foot of the mountain wasn’t particularly large, but it was quite exquisite. It featured a front courtyard, a main hall, two small side courtyards, and a back garden. The garden was designed to complement the natural terrain, adorned with peculiar rocks and a variety of flowering plants. Among them stood a large osmanthus tree, already beginning to bloom, filling the air with its rich fragrance that lingered in the autumn breeze.
Shen Shaoguang circled the osmanthus tree. Heh, now she wouldn’t need to rely on Princess Imperial of Fuhui for osmanthuses anymore; this tree was more than enough for her purposes. Tomorrow, she could simmer some glutinous rice and osmanthus congee, and while she’s at it, make some osmanthus cakes. It would definitely be better with less sugar, that way, it would preserve the natural flavor of the blooms.
After a leisurely stroll around the villa, stretching her sore limbs after a long ride in the carriage, Shen Shaoguang enjoyed a simple lunch. Then, feeling the warmth of the midday sun, she retired for a nap while Lin Yan set off into the mountains with a few chamberlains.
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Footnote:
[1] visitation ceremony (拜门礼) - I have no idea what this is called in english and I couldn't find an official translation so I did my best to make it as literal as possible. 拜门礼 (bài mén ceremony) refers to a traditional door visitation ceremony in Chinese culture, often performed during third day after the wedding. It involves the groom and his wife visiting the bride's family to pay respects and formally announce the marriage.