Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 59 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 59.2 Deputy Magistrate Lin’s Derailment
After serving a midday meal and catering to the evening guests, all the fish and shrimp had been depleted by the time Lin Yan visited the establishment, leaving only a handful of loaches.
Upon his return in the evening, the housekeeper informed Lin Yan that Elder Madam had presented the proprietress of Shen Indelible with some maiden’s plaything items as a token of gratitude.
Due to Elder Madam Jiang's declining memory, the housekeeper of the Lin Residence diligently kept track of the gifts sent out and reported them to their Master. The accounting department also meticulously documented these details. However, the gift previously sent to Shen Indelible was Lin Yan's personal item and had bypassed both the housekeeper and the accounting department; they simply displayed the Master’s waist badge and left. Similarly, Elder Madam's gift was from her private collection. When it arrived at the gate, the guards inspected it and reported it to the housekeeper.
Lin Yan paused, his lips forming a tight line. "Understood," he acknowledged.
Later, during the evening meal, Lin Yan broached the subject with his grandmother. "I heard that you presented gifts to the proprietress of Shen Indelible today?"
Elder Madam Jiang smiled warmly before responding, "Miss Shen, hailing from a noble lineage, has graciously crafted these flower brews and essences for us. Considering her status, she cannot be treated as an ordinary merchant. Therefore, it wouldn't be suitable to offer money. Instead, I have chosen to present her with items that young maidens typically enjoy playing with. Traditionally, the responsibility of arranging return gifts falls upon the females of a household. Since you are not yet married, I am more than willing to take on this task on your behalf."
On my behalf... Lin Yan faintly smiled and replied, "Indeed, thank you, grandmother."
Due to his grandmother's unexpected intervention, Lin Yan found himself experiencing a rare sense of hesitation, a feeling he hadn't encountered in his two years as an official. Feeling somewhat parched, he indulged in two cups of tea to soothe his nerves before resuming his task of approving the batch of documents.
Once he had completed his work, Lin Yan emerged from his residence, his mind still pondering the unexpected turn of events.
Shen Indelible remained open, its doorway illuminated by a soft glow. From a distance, Lin Yan could discern the graceful silhouette within.
As he approached, Lin Yan's hesitant heart suddenly eased, and a smile graced his lips. Such, is also fine.
Shen Shaoguang looked up and greeted him with a warm smile. "Sir Lin."
Returning the smile, Lin Yan nodded in acknowledgment. "Miss Shen."
After taking his usual seat by the window, Shen Shaoguang promptly served him a sour plum beverage, her demeanor welcoming. "What would you like to order today, Sir?" she inquired with a smile.
Lin Yan returned her smile and replied, "Miss, see as you deem fit."
"How about a glass of wine?" Shen Shaoguang suggested, "It's from Xinfeng County. It just arrived and is known for its rich and mellow flavor." Drink some wine and gain some liquor courage and speak clearly about your intentions, Shen Shaoguang thought.
Lin Yan cast a faint smile towards Shen Shaoguang. "Thank you for your kindness, perhaps another day," he declined politely.
Shen Shaoguang returned his smile, though inwardly disappointed. "Please wait just a moment, Sir."
Since Yu San had never cooked loach before, Shen Shaoguang took it upon herself to prepare the dish.
Loaches, known for their thin bones and plentiful meat, are best enjoyed stir-fried with only oil. When paired with a glass of wine, the loach tastes particularly delightful.
Place the gutted and cleaned loach into the oil pan and begin to stir-fry it gently. This process must not be rushed, as to ensure that it becomes crispy both inside and out before removing it from the pan.
In a separate pot, add some oil and sauté the minced ginger and garlic. Next, introduce the beefsteak leaves, which complement the flavor of the loach perfectly. Then, incorporate the stir-fried loach into the pot, along with some salt, shallots, and a spoonful of soy essence for seasoning. Stir-fry the ingredients together briefly before serving.
The stir-fried loach was plated alongside several quick dishes, including cowcumber with eggs, diced chicken breasts and eggplant, and cumin mutton prepared by Yu San. Additionally, a bowl of botuo noodles in clear broth was placed on the tray, ready for A’Yuan to bring out.
Shen Shaoguang washed her hands before joining Lin Yan at the table, taking a seat opposite him.
Lin Yan smiled warmly and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for your hard work."
Shen Shaoguang asked, "Does Sir Lin know what this dish is made of?"
Lin Yan raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Fish?"
Shen Shaoguang chuckled softly. "This is a loach, commonly found in paddy fields. It's dark in color, has a beard, and is known for its mischievous temperament and fishy smell. Quite unlike the delicately prepared golden vegetables and jade carp slices that you're accustomed to, Sir."
Lin Yan smiled and selected a piece, taking a bite and chewing it slowly, savoring the flavors.
Shen Shaoguang: "..."
"It's very crunchy and delicious," Lin Yan remarked with a smile directed at Shen Shaoguang.
Shen Shaoguang's insightful commentary on the importance of excluding the humble loaches from the countryside into the noble's menu was abruptly silenced by the sound of Lin Yan biting into the loach and his subsequent praise of its taste.
Shen Shaoguang, being a generous individual, simply smiled in response. Fine, just remain tight-lipped.
She opted instead to patiently await Lin Yan's confession.
Under Shen Shaoguang's watchful gaze, Lin Yan proceeded to slowly consume four or five loaches, along with a portion of cowcumber and eggs, diced eggplant, and mutton. He finished off the botuo noodles in the small bowl and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. Finally, he drank half of the tea that A’Yuan had served, all the while maintaining silence.
Finally, Shen Shaoguang discerned the distinction between the senior officials in the capital's government repository and their subordinates. Unlike Court Scribe Liu, who would have been flustered and anxious, Lin Yan remained unhurried and composed.
As Lin Yan finished his tea, he turned his gaze towards Shen Shaoguang. "I have something to ask you, Miss——"
Finally! Shen Shaoguang's anticipation peaked as Lin Yan began to speak. With a smile, she encouraged him, "Sir, please speak."
Lin Yan took a moment before continuing. "Shen Biejia of Fen Prefecture is a direct descendant of the Shen Clan in Luoyang. His term of office has expired, and he will be returning to the capital in the next two days to report. I've had some dealings with him before, and he's a kind and honest person. I wonder if you—would you like a meeting with him, Miss?"
Shen Shaoguang was taken aback by the suggestion, then pondered for a moment before responding, "No, it's best if we don't meet. It would only serve to heighten our melancholy." More like—this meeting would only complicate matters for both of them. Since she didn’t have a first uncle, she was unsure of the exact degree of relationship with this uncle or cousin and how many times removed they were in correlation to her.
Lin Yan observed her serene smile. Despite being a delicate, beautiful, and affluent begonia, she steadfastly insisted on bearing burdens beyond necessity. In many ways, she resembled the sturdy green bamboo poles adorning the front yard. Reflecting on her resourcefulness, wit, and occasional whimsical behavior, Lin Yan found the nickname "Ji" to be fitting indeed.
With a nod, Lin Yan finally smiled warmly and responded, "That's also fine."
After bidding farewell to Deputy Magistrate Lin, Shen Shaoguang suddenly recalled, ‘No wait, weren't we supposed to discuss the unsuitability of serving humble loaches on a nobleman’s table? And that blunder-of-a-gift…’
Lin Yan strolled back leisurely, hands clasped behind his back. If she and Shen Biejia recognized each other, it would make it more convenient to propose marriage... Reflecting on Shen Shaoguang's earlier demeanor and stance when describing those loaches, Lin Yan pursed his lips and furrowed his brow in contemplation.
.
.
.
The author has something to say:
Cunning Deputy Magistrate Lin: "I won't confess my feelings, I won't give you the chance to refuse. I'll simply make my presence known to you every day..."
— Excerpt from Lin Yan's "Guide to Successfully Pursuing a Spouse"
Liu Feng, bursting into tears: "I finally know why I wasn’t successful. I'm too thin-skinned!"
