Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 55 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 55.2 Carriage Amidst the Rain
Shen Shaoguang shifted her gaze away, offering a smile as if the momentary lapse hadn't occurred. "Please convey my gratitude to Elder Madam for the tapestry. I feel truly unworthy to receive such a precious gift."
Acknowledging the sender as Elder Madam from the Lin Residence, Shen Shaoguang expressed her thanks. The reason for doing so in Deputy Magistrate Lin's presence was a separate consideration.
"My grandmother also appreciates the honey-soaked wisteria you gave, Miss," Lin Yan added after a moment of thought. "Lately, she has been considering preparing some floral treats."
This topic suited the occasion well. Shen Shaoguang smiled and shared, "With the roses in full bloom, choose the larger flowers with thicker petals for easier processing. They can be used as fillings for cakes, brewed into an aromatic beverage, or added to buttermilk. The color is beautiful, and the fragrance is sweet, making it the best choice. Although peonies are also stunning, their taste after soaking is slightly less favorable. The least recommended are the haitang begonia flowers. Despite their attractive color, their taste doesn't live up to their appearance—what a pity."
The two of them simultaneously thought of the bright and beautiful begonia flowers in the yard of a certain house. Shen Shaoguang regretted her slip of the tongue and continued, "The pear blossoms in mid-spring are also good when soaked. The lotus flowers in late spring are suitable for deep-frying. As for autumn osmanthus flowers..."
Once she got to this point, Shen Shaoguang chuckled to herself, thinking — If I were to write a <Hundred Flowers Book>, it would probably resemble the <Classic of Mountains and Seas>, detailing various flowers and their flavors.
Though it's likely nothing more than 'burning zithers and cooking cranes,' ain’t it?
Lin Yan raised an intrigued eyebrow as he looked at her. Her slightly tousled hair and the worn yet vibrant crimson skirt gave her an oddly charming appearance. Her complexion, however, remained bright and cheerful, reminiscent of the begonia flowers in his backyard after a gentle spring rain.
Begonia, often regarded as the flower symbolizing riches and honor.
Lin Yan shifted his gaze away, and after a brief pause, he inquired, "Miss, have you ever harbored resentment towards your esteemed father for his decisions?"
Shen Shaoguang's smile waned, and she pondered the question thoughtfully. At the time of her youth, the original owner's feelings weren't so much characterized by resentment as they were by fear and unease. Even her mother didn't appear resentful. As for her brother... she couldn't say for certain.
As an individual who traversed time, assuming the role of a young female within the Shen Clan, and enduring years of servitude as a palace slave, Shen Shaoguang experienced regret and compassion for her original body and family. However, true resentment was absent from her sentiments.
With a smile, Shen Shaoguang remarked, "My mind is always filled with thoughts of food and drink; there's no room for unnecessary ideas."
Lin Yan regarded her intently.
Confronting Lin Yan's serious gaze, Shen Shaoguang pursed her lips and conveyed, "Certain actions transcend mere considerations of profit and loss; they are imperative." Such as championing justice and truth...
"My father simply executed what he believed to be right."
Lin Yan observed Shen Shaoguang's serene and striking countenance, and absorbed her dispassionate yet poignant words, falling into a prolonged hush.
Shen Shaoguang sensed that conversing with the Deputy Magistrate was becoming weary, opting for silence as she listened to the rhythmic rain outside the carriage.
With a sudden jolt, the carriage came to a halt. Shen Shaoguang, caught off guard, fell towards Lin Yan. Reacting instinctively, Lin Yan reached out; inadvertently, Shen Shaoguang found herself in his arms.
Both found themselves momentarily in stupor.
A clamor emerged from the outside.
Shen Shaoguang swiftly composed herself, returning to an upright position. Lin Yan retrieved his hands, clenched them into fists, and somberly rested them on his lap.
Liu Chang reported from outside, "It appears a horse got spooked, resulting in a collision ahead."
"Go and assess the situation," Lin Yan instructed.
Faced with a traffic incident and congestion in the Tang Dynasty, their only recourse was to wait.
There was a sweet aroma lingering in the carriage. Lin Yan hadn't noticed it earlier, but now he felt the fragrance wafting directly into his nose.
His gaze fell on the confectionery paper bag that Miss Shen had placed next to herself. It appeared slightly damp with some wet marks visible. Lin Yan involuntarily glanced at her front lapel, then quickly averted his eyes. He assumed that some of the candy might have gotten on her clothes...
The pervasive sweet aroma left Lin Yan feeling a bit parched, and a sense of suffocation crept over him. He raised his hand to lift the carriage curtain—pitter-patter. Truly annoying rain.
In contrast, Shen Shaoguang seemed entirely unfazed. Such levels of physical contact were too common in her previous life, reminiscent of crowded subway rides during the morning and evening rush hours.
However, despite Deputy Magistrate Lin's scholarly demeanor, his arms and chest appeared quite sturdy... It was evident that the scholars of the Tang Dynasty were not only versed in literature but also physically robust, embodying the idea that they traveled on horseback to explore the world and dismounted to document their experiences.
As Shen Shaoguang pondered these renowned figures from the Tang Dynasty, her gaze shifted back to Deputy Magistrate Lin. Regrettably, her knowledge of the detailed history of the Tang Dynasty was limited. She wondered whether this individual could ascend in ranks to become a Chancellor, earning a place in the annals of famous officials in the Tang Dynasty.
Liu Chang had taken and displayed the token representing the capital city's government repository. The other Imperial bodyguards and servants present were skilled and seasoned, ensuring a swift resolution. He reported back promptly, stating that the traffic obstruction had been cleared. Liu Chang provided a brief account of the accident and its management. The casualties were identified as Guozijian Imperial Academy’s Court Academician Zhou Qin's wife and children. Fortunately, they sustained only minor injuries, with scratches being the extent of their harm. They had been promptly transported to a nearby medical center, and Fu Jing was handling the situation.
"Very well, let's proceed," Lin Yan agreed with a nod.
The journey, though not extensive, involved several twists and turns. Eventually, the carriage arrived in front of Shen Indelible Tavern.
A’Yuan and A’Chang, both filled with anxiety, hurried towards Shen Shaoguang, not even bothering to secure an umbrella. "Miss, you're back at last! Yu San went to fetch a carriage for you. Did you get drenched?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine..." Shen Shaoguang reassured them, then turned around, bidding a smiling farewell to the people from Lin Residence. She instructed A’Chang to grab an umbrella and find Yu San.
Detecting the lingering sweet aroma in the carriage, Lin Yan lowered the partially raised window curtain and stated, "Depart."
…
Engaged in paperwork late at night in the study, Lin Yan once again detected the sweet fragrance.
Savoring a bite of a wisteria cake, he reminisced about the events of the day. He thought of her demeanor as she asserted, "Certain actions transcend mere considerations of profit and loss; they are imperative," and the sensation of her tender form in his arms, Lin Yan picked up the brush and inscribed the character ‘Ji (荠)’ on a piece of paper. He gazed at it for a while, smiling with a hint of resignation.
our MC got a good feel of him hahaha xD