Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 60 (Part 1)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 60.1 Dragon Boat Festival’s Longevity Bracelet
In preparation for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, Shen Shaoguang, along with Yu San, A’Yuan, and A’Chang, began bustling about several days beforehand. Remembering how quickly her stands had sold out in the Qujiang District during previous festivals, Shen Shaoguang made sure to be thoroughly prepared this time. Knowing the challenge of securing a carriage for the festival, she even ventured to the West Market to purchase a mule and cart. With the addition of the two transporting carts she had already arranged to hire, she felt confident in her preparations.
The mule was selected by Yu San upon Shen Shaoguang's directive, as she knew her own ineptitude in choosing livestock.
"Ensure the mule is robust, sizable, and youthful," Shen Shaoguang instructed.
"Why not a donkey?" A’Yuan, having grown up in the urban milieu, encountered more donkeys.
"It lacks the necessary strength," Shen Shaoguang remarked. If she were a struggling scholar or an unconventional low-ranking official intending to ride alone, she would opt for a donkey. The donkey, with its swaying head, slow pace, and irritable disposition, seemed inherently imbued with a sense of ‘loftiness and stubbornness’. "Upon a donkey's back, I muse on verses 'til my mind is awash with poetic floods[1]," "Amidst the mountain mist, a sage on donkey's crest, From sleeve, the yin-yang book takes flight[2]," and "Through Jianmen Pass, a donkey's stride, drizzle whispers, moments glide[3]" — all evoke a poet’s sentiment.
"Then why not a horse?" A’Chang, usually in agreement with A’Yuan, inquired.
"Too costly," Shen Shaoguang replied. Horses, known for their speed, high cost, preference for quality food, and relatively lower resilience compared to other animals, were associated with high-ranking officials. While Shen Shaoguang's income was considerable enough to afford a horse, she deemed it unnecessary.
A’Yuan echoed Shen Shaoguang's sentiment. "Horses are reserved for nobles. Deputy Magistrate Lin's horse is rather splendid."
Shen Shaoguang's mind drifted, envisioning Deputy Magistrate Lin adorned in servant’s attire and a modest hat, riding a donkey across Ba Bridge, undeterred by the harsh wind and snow[4]... Then, the image shifted to Deputy Magistrate Lin clad in rough fabric garments, steering a mule cart, sporting a naive and honest smile, inquiring of passersby, "Where may this guest be headed?"
The thought of such a distinguished figure adorned with such an expression tickled Shen Shaoguang. She couldn’t help but chuckle out loud.
Yu San frowned and regarded her skeptically.
Shen Shaoguang smiled reassuringly and affirmed, "A mule will suffice."
Though Yu San had never purchased a mule before, he was familiar with horses. After spending half a day at the West Market, he returned with a robust and healthy mule, accompanied by a relatively new cart. The mule stood tall and imposing, appeared well-nourished, and exuded strength and vigor. At just four years old, it promised many years of service ahead, barring any unforeseen mishaps.
Shen Shaoguang expressed her utmost satisfaction and commended Princess Yu San, but Yu San remained nonchalant. He proceeded to the kitchen to wash his hands and prepare the meal.
With A’Chang's expertise in handling animal-drawn carts, Shen Shaoguang utilized the mule cart more frequently, making trips to the West Market to procure rice, noodles, beans, nuts, sugar, and other essentials. She found that items in the West Market were not only cheaper than those sold in the Lane but also of superior quality.
In addition to the other purchases, Shen Shaoguang also acquired a basket of silk threads. Her intention? To assemble Longevity Bracelets.
This item remained popular well into the 21st century during Shen Shaoguang's era. Alongside mugwort, zongzi, and dragon boats, it formed the quartet of essential elements for the Dragon Boat Festival. Longevity Bracelets, during this time, were crafted from teal, red, white, black, and yellow silk threads. They were typically worn tied around the arm or wrist, displayed on canopy screens, or hung at doorways. Legend had it that they possessed the power to ward off malevolent spirits, invoke blessings, protect against spiritual harm, and even avert military disasters. Due to these layered mystical connotations, they were aptly named Longevity Bracelets. They were also known by various other names such as Longevity Braids, Life-Extending Braids, Life-Extending Bracelets, and Extended Cinnabar.
The residents of the imperial palace were particularly discerning when it came to such adornments. There existed numerous intricate weaving techniques, often embellished with gold beads and jade pendants, showcasing a high level of sophistication.
Despite her many years of servitude in the imperial palace, Shen Shaoguang was not particularly skilled at needlework. However, she could still weave with relative ease, as it was a simple task after all.
Observing Shen Shaoguang purchase numerous silk threads and effortlessly weave seven or eight distinct patterns of Longevity Bracelets, all uniformly beautiful, A’Yuan's eyes widened in astonishment. "Miss, you're truly amazing!"
Heh. Shen Shaoguang smiled proudly at A’Yuan's admiration, even though she recognized it as blind flattery.
"I've never seen such intricate patterns before," A’Yuan marveled in awe.
Shen Shaoguang, feeling like the one-eyed man in the land of the blind, smiled even more triumphantly.
"But why create so many? We won't be able to use them all," A’Yuan questioned.
"Any orders over fifty wen will receive a bracelet for free!" Shen Shaoguang's hands continued their deft braiding as she gestured toward the most intricate one with her chin. "That one is specifically reserved for customers purchasing large gift sets." The grand gift set containing floral cakes was the most expensive, priced at one thousand wen.
A’Yuan selected one of the Longevity Bracelets designated for VIP customers, delicately running her fingers over its intricate braids. After careful examination, she nodded in approval. "It's worth it! If I had the money, I would purchase a box just for these Longevity Bracelets. Besides, our cakes are also incredibly delicious!"
A’Chang glanced at the bracelet and nodded in agreement.
Yu San sneered, knowing there had to be something peculiar when Miss engaged in activities typically associated with well-bred young ladies. Sure enough, his suspicions were confirmed...
The stall set up by Shen Indelible for the Dragon Boat Festival this time was nothing short of a luxurious lineup:
There were nearly twenty varieties of cakes on display alone. Alongside the classic aiwowo rice cakes, sweet pea pudding, red bean cake, and snowy floral cakes, Shen Shaoguang introduced fresh fruit cakes adorned with cherries, mulberries, and more. Furthermore, the zongzi boasted seven or eight types of sweet and savory fillings. With ample capital at her disposal, Shen Shaoguang was prepared to invest. In addition to the previously offered jasmine tea and sour plum beverage, she introduced cherry buttermilk and wisteria honey beverages, all chilled with ice.
Shen Shaoguang purchased two large boxes of ice, each meticulously wrapped in multiple layers of thick cotton cloth for insulation.
She also brought along her "Tanhua Envoy's Floral Cake" sign to attract passersby and remind tourists of her stall.
However, tourists hardly needed the sign as a reminder. After all, the Double Third Festival had occurred not too long ago. Moreover, there weren't many anecdotes of Tanhua Envoys venturing out to purchase two boxes of floral cakes while on flower-seeking expeditions. Therefore, as soon as people spotted the floral cakes being showcased in the familiar location, memories were quickly stirred.
"Isn't this the stall where the Tanhua Envoy bought those floral cakes during the Double Third Festival?"
"After the Double Third Festival, our children at home kept pestering us to bring back more cakes from Qujiang District..."
There were even individuals who made special trips here. One customer proudly boasted to his friend, "See? Didn't I tell you? There's a superb floral cake vendor by the Qujiang River. They only sell these cakes during festivals. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and the taste is incredibly authentic. None of the cake shops in the East Market or West Market can rival them. Even the Tanhua Envoy halted his horse to purchase their cakes during this year's Double Third Festival!"
What’s more, after sampling their floral cakes previously, another individual had ventured to Chongxian Lane specifically to taste their ‘Cornelian Meat’ and ‘Jadeite Rounds,’ swiftly becoming one of their loyal patrons. Upon hearing the previous speaker's remarks, he appeared pleased and added in concurrence, "You should know Shen Indelible's Spring Platter is truly exceptional. Their Cornelian Meat, Sweet and Tart Fish, and Fresh Fish Mutton Soup are equally outstanding. Even the renowned taverns in the East Market and West Market pale in comparison."
Shen Shaoguang, however, remained modest, stating, "This is merely the kind praise of our esteemed guests towards our humble establishment. How could we dare to compare ourselves to the renowned cake shops and taverns in the East Market and West Market? Our shop is small in size, with a limited number of patrons, and operated by ourselves. At most, it could be described as being slightly superior to home-cooked meals."
The guests nodded, admiring Shen Shaoguang's kindness and honesty, a refreshing departure from the deceitful merchants they encountered elsewhere.
A’Yuan and A’Chang: Our Miss is so humble!
Yu San: "..."
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Footnotes:
[1] Upon a donkey's back, I muse on verses 'til my mind is awash with poetic floods (驴背愁诗睡正昏) - A verse from the poem ‘骑驴图’ written by Cao Boqi (曹伯启). He lived from the time 1255-1333, and was born in Dangshan, Jining (now Dangshan County, Anhui) during the Yuan Dynasty. There is no english translation available, so I did what I could haha.
[2] Amidst the mountain mist, a sage on donkey's crest, From sleeve, the yin-yang book takes flight (山客狂来跨白驴，袖中遗却颍阳书) - From the poem 送山人二首 by Wang Jian (王建; 847 – July 11, 918), courtesy name Guangtu (光圖), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Gaozu of Former Shu (前蜀高祖). He was the founding emperor of the Chinese Former Shu dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Again, no english translation available.
[3] Through Jianmen Pass, a donkey's stride, drizzle whispers, moments glide (细雨骑驴过剑门) - From the poem ‘Encountering a Drizzle on the Way to Sword Gate Pass(剑门道中遇微雨)’ by Lu You(陆游) was a Chinese historian and poet of the Southern Song Dynasty. Thankfully this one has an english translation haha - https://www.douban.com/note/449506814/?_i=8946061wbQDHJG
[4] Deputy Magistrate Lin adorned in servant’s attire and a modest hat, riding a donkey across Ba Bridge, undeterred by the harsh wind and snow - The author had explain she had taken this verse from Zheng Qi's poetic thoughts inspired from the painting 'Wind and Snow at the Ba Bridge.' The painting was done in the Ming Dynasty by Shen Zhou (沈周, 1427–1509), a Chinese painter. Zheng Qi was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor in 894 during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong.
This is the painting- https://www.comuseum.com/painting/masters/shen-zhou/wind-and-snow-at-the-ba-bridge/
T/N: If it wasn’t already made clear, yes, scholars love their donkeys xD
