Chapter 21

Xiao Wanling gave Shen Qing a light punch. “Put me down.” He was always carrying or picking her up.

Shen Qing replied with righteous confidence, “You’re still tipsy—what if you fall into a ditch!”

Xiao Wanling patted his shoulder, and Shen Qing chuckled, “Doesn’t hurt!”

“Shen Qing!” Xue Zhengyang’s voice rang out behind them. Thinking it was improper, he looked away awkwardly.

Shen Qing turned around, still not putting Xiao Wanling down. “Uncle Xue, what is it?”

Was he doing this on purpose?

Suddenly, warm breath brushed past his ear. “Put me down!” she whispered.

Hearing the pleading tone in her voice, Shen Qing realized she was embarrassed and finally bent down to let her off.

Xiao Wanling turned around to leave, hoping to avoid further gossip.

“Madam Xiao, you should hear this too,” Xue Zhengyang called out to stop her.

She halted, turned around, and stood quietly to the side, curious why he was here.

Xue Zhengyang cleared his throat. “Xue Cui’s marriage is settled. We’d like to invite both of you to the wedding feast.”

If it weren’t for Old Lady Liu constantly nagging about how hard Xue Cui’s childhood had been and how her only request was to have Shen Qing at her wedding, he wouldn’t have come.

“I heard from the village head that things are chaotic in the city these days—no meat or grain to be found. Shen Qing, you can still hunt, and I saw you’ve bought a good bit of grain. I was hoping Madam Xiao could help prepare the wedding feast.”

He trusted Madam Xiao’s cooking skills. Besides, all the village cooks had already been booked for other weddings. Old Lady Liu’s cooking was barely good enough for family—if she handled the banquet, it would just become a neighborhood joke.

Shen Qing snuck a glance at Xiao Wanling, ready to refuse if she gave any sign.

With the teahouse income stabilizing, this could be a good way to earn extra. Xiao Wanling said, “Sure! What kind of banquet do you want, Uncle Xue? Let’s discuss the details.”

Xue Zhengyang let out a long breath and handed her ten taels of silver. “Ten tables or so. I’ll leave it to your judgment.”

Village feasts weren’t fancy. It was just whatever seasonal vegetables and home-raised meat were available.

Xiao Wanling asked Aunt Wu for some advice and got the full picture. The wedding would be in three days, held together with the groom’s family’s banquet since they were also fellow villagers.

For meat dishes, eggs, chicken, duck, and fish would be needed. Shen Qing said he would go hunting. Xiao Wanling got started on prepping cold dishes, vegetables, desserts, and tea.

With multiple weddings in the village, everyone went to banquets for lunch, so Xiao Wanling closed the teahouse early and focused on preparations. Some families sent vegetables to her in exchange for help, and she added some silver to chip in for the meal. After tasting the veggies, she knew how to plan the dishes.

Most wedding dishes were greasy and heavy—lots of stews and boiled items.

Shen Qing returned after a full day and night in the mountains, carrying a hefty load of game (meat). After eating, he helped process ingredients.

Xiao Wanling already had the menu set: two meat dishes, two soups, two cold dishes, two pastries, two teas, and two vegetarian items—for a total of twelve dishes. Xue Zhengyang was very pleased.

On the big day, the Xue family was decorated in full splendor. Shen Qing hauled in a cart full of ingredients.

Xue Cui peeked at him through a slit in the window, bit her lip like she had made a decision, and clutched a paper packet tightly. The door creaked open as Old Lady Liu entered.

“Shen Qing’s here, and Madam Xiao’s helping prepare everything. Are you happy now?” she asked.

Xue Cui sat on the bed, pretending to embroider, a cryptic smile on her lips. “Very happy.”

Old Lady Liu reminded her to live well with her new husband.

Husband? Xue Cui sneered inwardly. She wasn’t going to marry some cripple. She still didn’t understand why her own parents had accepted that man’s betrothal gifts.

At midday, villagers who had been working returned, and the feast began.

The cold dishes were salted duck eggs—cut in half, the yolks golden and oily—and shredded pig’s ear salad, crisp and flavorful, dressed in sesame oil, scallions, garlic, and soy sauce.

Xue Zhengyang carried the dishes out, feeling proud. Guests were gasping in delight.

“Old Man Xue, did you hire a restaurant chef?”

“No, no. Just eat as much as you like!” he replied, grinning ear to ear.

The meat dishes were steamed pork with rice flour and braised fish. The soups: dried mushroom chicken soup and pork knuckle with peanut soup. Cold salads included shredded chicken and a three-vegetable slaw.

Everyone ate with greasy mouths and high praise. Then a golden, sesame-speckled pastry with a delicate crust appeared.

“What kind of snack is this?”

Someone recognized it and cried, “Isn’t this the new walnut pastry from Ruyi Pavilion?” I heard it’s so crisp it crumbles when bitten!” They took a bite and exclaimed it was just as the rumors said.

They gave Xue Zhengyang a thumbs-up. “These cost 25 cents apiece! You really splurged!”

He was stunned. Twenty-five cents per pastry? Hopefully, Madam Xiao wasn’t losing money.

Old Lady Liu snatched one up, stuffed a piece into her grandson’s mouth, and tasted some herself before handing it to Xue Zhengyang.

He nodded. It was fragrant, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth—better than anything he’d ever eaten.

Next came the savory pork and preserved mustard green pastries.

Aunt Wu shared one with her daughter-in-law and grandson. After watching them enjoy it, she asked, “Which do you like more? Savory or walnut?”

The daughter-in-law hesitated and said quietly, “They’re both delicious.” She thought it was even better than Madam Xiao’s usual pastries.

Aunt Wu’s grandson licked his lips. “So good! I like both!”

The teas were red bean honey tea and peach blossom tea. As they sipped, many remembered Madam Xiao.

Aunt Wu craned her neck. “Where are Madam Xiao and Shen Qing?”

Jiang Ting coldly replied, “They’re not going to any family’s table.”

Just then, Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing walked out from the kitchen.

Jiang Ting dropped her chopsticks in shock.

The women and children chatted after eating, while the men drank and turned red in the face, arguing and boasting.

The Xue family sat with Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing. Xue Zhengyang was all smiles. “Madam Xiao, you really kept your talents hidden! With skills like this, why not open a shop in the city? You’d earn so much more!”

Xiao Wanling set down her chopsticks. “Everyone has their preferences.”

Old Lady Liu butted in. “Someone like you doesn’t belong in a place like this! What are you doing marrying Shen Qing? With your looks, even as a concubine, you could have any man wrapped around your finger.”

Shen Qing’s face turned dark. He slammed his teacup on the table and glared. “Say that again.”

Old Lady Liu leaned back, stammering, “I-I didn’t say anything…” She glanced at her sons and Xue Zhengyang for support, but they just kept eating.

Xue Defu looked at her in shock and apologized to Shen Qing. “She’s drunk…”

Xue Zhengyang’s fist clenched. After a long pause, he said, “Go bring lunch to Xue Cui.”

Old Lady Liu muttered, “Can’t anyone else do anything? I just sat down to eat…”

Under the table, Shen Qing took Xiao Wanling’s hand. She smiled at him. She wasn’t upset, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t annoyed by Old Lady Liu.

Other people might think the countryside was poor and inconvenient compared to the city, but in her past life, all Xiao Wanling had ever wanted was to retreat to a mountain and live in peace—earn a bit of money and live however she pleased.

The evening feast was simpler than lunch, but guests were still enthusiastic, praising her cooking and Shen Qing’s hunting skills. The two were a perfect match.

Xue Cui threw a tantrum and refused to come out. Cheng Qiao’er stood there sighing with the bridal veil in hand. Old Lady Liu conveniently locked herself in the outhouse, likely to avoid the drama.

The three sisters-in-law didn’t know what to do. Eventually, Xue Zhengyang came storming in, having bottled up a day’s worth of anger over Old Lady Liu’s meddling.

“We did everything you asked. What more do you want?” He snapped.

Xue Cui sobbed into her hands. “I want to marry Shen Qing! Dad, why won’t you help me?”

“Give it up! Tie her up!” Xue Zhengyang was done with her nonsense. How could someone like her still dream of marrying Shen Qing?

Xue Cui clung to the door. “Let me see him! If he says he doesn’t like me, I’ll give up!”

Xue Zhengyang pointed at her. “How did I raise such a disgrace? Fine, then you’ll hear it from his mouth!” He stormed out, told his three sons to stand watch, and called Shen Qing over to the vegetable field.

Shen Qing was cleaning up. He felt bad letting Xiao Wanling do the rest of the work and stepped in to help. When Xue Zhengyang said he wanted to talk, he didn’t think much of it.

A shadowy figure crept into the courtyard, added powder to the gourd on the oxcart, and slunk away.

Shen Qing saw Xue Cui in full bridal attire and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

She flung herself at him. “Shen Qing, take me! I know you’ve always liked me since we were kids!”

He dodged. “Since we were five? No. My mother said my wife would be beautiful and gentle and come find me with a token. I’ve never liked you.”

It felt like a bucket of cold water dumped on her head. “No! Your mother lied!” she screamed, trying to hug him. “Look at me—how am I worse than Madam Xiao?!”

Shen Qing pushed her away and left. Xue Defu and Xue Dean stepped out from hiding and blocked her.

Jiang Ting, crouched outside to eavesdrop, was so shocked she forgot her “evidence collection” and bolted home.

Up on the mountainside, the house lights were on. Shen Qing grinned. Someone’s waiting for me at home.

Xiao Wanling had prepared hot water for his bath. Seeing him return, she hung clean clothes on the door. “Rest early.”

Shen Qing unloaded the cart into the kitchen. Feeling hot, he fanned his clothes and remembered the herbal tea Xiao Wanling had made to cool his system. He gulped it down. It tasted sandy. He squinted at the gourd—did something get in it?

As soon as he lay down, heat surged through his body like he was roasting alive. His mind swirled with images of Xiao Wanling.

He jumped up and instinctively went to her.

She was still up, bookkeeping, when she heard the knock. She opened the door—and a burning hot Shen Qing collapsed into her arms. His chin jabbed her shoulder.

His hot breath tickled behind her ear. She touched his forehead. “Shen Qing, you have another fever!”

She remembered the medicine Xue Zhengyang had bought and tried to push him away to go make it.

Suddenly, she was lifted and thrown onto the bed. Shen Qing pressed down on her.

“Wife… I feel awful…” he murmured, nuzzling her face.

Xiao Wanling blocked him with her arms. “You’ve got a fever! Let me go make your medicine!”

Shen Qing whined and kissed her neck. “I’m dying… Save me…”

His whole body was blazing. All he wanted was to get closer to her.

TL’s Food Notes:    

Savory pork and preserved mustard green pastry:

Steamed pork with rice flour and braised fish:

Dried mushroom chicken soup:

Pork knuckle with peanut soup:

Cold salads: shredded chicken and a three-vegetable slaw: