Original subtitles

=Yummy Yummy Yummy=

=Episode 6=

I disagree.

You absolutely mustn't take this job.

Our family just needs to earn some money selling at the stall.

Hosting this kind of noble banquet...

One wrong move and it could cost us our heads.

Jicai,

your mom is right.

Even if we pull off this banquet successfully,

it'd be

too conspicuous.

Our return date is approaching soon.

Play it safe. Be prudent.

- Yeah. - Right. Makes sense.

Let's drop it then.

Meeting adjourned.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Oh, right,

the ancestor said

the reward for hosting the banquet

is a gold brick.

Now that you mention it,

this thing...

I remember that,

as the saying goes,

"Great wealth comes from great risks."

- Yes. - Right.

It's not like we can't try this.

Your mom is right again!

Think about it. Back in modern times,

- how many big banquets did we host? - Exactly.

Did anything go wrong?

No!

So what could possibly go wrong

with an ancient banquet?

Right.

Did we host banquets in modern times?

Of course we did.

That one.

Then...

I remember.

You mean that Gongcai got married

in that little restaurant

on our first floor.

Why... bring up that embarrassing history again?

Dad,

was your and Mom's wedding

in a little restaurant?

Yeah.

My good friend told me

their parents' weddings were all

in beautiful, luxurious,

big hotels.

Theirs was all show and no substance.

- Exactly. - Besides,

you don't understand adult matters, Yangyang.

You don't get it.

So, everyone's thought it through?

Since it's over,

no time like the present. Let's start preparing.

Good. It's settled then.

(On the Qixi Festival, people need to make flower cakes.)

(Since we want something fresh,)

(let's use cheese to make cheese buns.)

Shen Gongcai is really something.

No sign of him all day.

Who wrote this?

Worse than me.

Shen Gongcai!

Shen Gongcai.

Get up!

Stop playing dead!

What?

I've been busy till now!

Mom and Dad took Yangyang out

shopping all day,

and you're lying here?

- Get up! - Head...

Head hurts...

- Get up! - Heart... heart hurts.

Really.

I want to throw up.

Feel awful.

Really awful.

Might as well be lazy to death!

Wasting food, too.

I really feel awful.

Want me to work?

Not a chance.

Shen Gongcai

doesn't sprout crops when farming.

Lazy to death, I say!

Shen Gongcai,

you finally decided...

Vice Prefect?

In your eyes,

how thick-skulled must Shen be?

I wouldn't actually hit him.

I couldn't let you do this kind of work.

You are...

You are the Vice Prefect.

After all, these are

preparations for Her Highness.

I also gave my guarantee.

I need to handle it personally to feel assured.

What?

Why are you laughing?

Is... is there something on my face?

No... Don't...

I'm laughing because you're really a good person.

You clearly just want to help.

Afraid I'd feel burdened, so you make up an excuse.

You're overthinking it.

Wait...

Vice Prefect, that robe must be expensive, right?

Don't get it dirty.

The robe doesn't matter.

But what about you?

Stop fidgeting.

You can't tie it.

My mother made these herself.

They're called sleeve covers.

She made this apron

I'm wearing, too.

She's very skillful.

Alright.

You...

It's fine.

You're a natural hero,

a man of valor.

How could a mere maiden's pink color

diminish that?

Here, try this Qixi flower cake

before it even reaches

Her Highness's table.

Good for you.

It seems my luck is good.

Here.

Delicious.

This time for Qixi,

most would prepare fruits.

There are also pastries.

But since it's for begging for skill,

beautifully crafted pastries are more suitable

than melons, pears, peaches, or other fruits.

So I made this Qixi flower cake.

Is such care

because of the Qixi Festival?

It's for the Princess.

Sounded like there would be a benefit.

I don't like the Qixi Festival.

The cowherd lusted after the weaver girl.

He hid her clothes,

and under the guise of love,

he tricked her into staying there to bear children.

What love legend?

Right from the start,

he gave the weaver girl no freedom of choice.

You make a valid point.

However,

most who wrote the stories were men.

Whether intentionally glossing over

or unintentionally doing so,

most wouldn't consider what you said.

- Please enjoy. - Thank you.

I think the flavor is quite good.

And it's cheap, too.

Listen,

the very first person to write the story of cowherd and weaver girl

definitely wasn't a girl.

Otherwise, how could the weaver girl fall in love

with the cowherd after he stole her clothes

and bound her to the mortal world?

Just think about it, she must have been forced.

But the cowherd did it

because he liked her.

But the prerequisite for liking is respect.

He should at least respect

others' freedom to not like him.

(+5 moves)

Dead again.

Why is this level so hard?

You're just watching a show.

How annoying.

What does it matter what the show's like?

Eat it.

Truly worthy of being

the youngest Vice Prefect of Capital Prefecture in history.

Perspective.

What does it mean?

It means you're magnanimous

and broad-minded.

Unlike some people who, even after passing the exam,

their essential nature isn't good.

Must be our family genes are good.

What?

Passing the exam?

Genes? What do these mean?

These are some words I made up.

Passing the exam...

It means "rely on".

Some people are good at weaving tales.

They rely on it to make a living.

Genes...

Basically, because our family is good,

and you're part of our family,

so you're good, too.

Liar.

I think you're the one

who is spouting utter nonsense.

I can't pass.

Truly can't pass.

(Princess Fuhui's Mansion)

Twelfth Master, did you get lice on you?

This robe you lent me

is too elegant.

It highlights

the grace of me, a descendant of the Pei clan.

If my clansmen saw me,

they probably wouldn't recognize me.

Mr. Zhou, you have such fine taste.

Clothes make the man.

You do look

somewhat respectable now.

Right?

Is that a compliment?

Third Master.

I have fine wine,

with which to feast and delight my honored guests.

I have fine wine,

with which to gladden the hearts of my honored guests.

At today's poetry gathering,

I fear only that I'm a mere commoner.

(Liu Feng, Young Master of Guixiang Tavern) I never thought

a mere merchant like myself

would be here.

You jest.

You are Liu Feng,

the Third Master Liu.

Your Guixiang Tavern

prides itself on elegance.

Only those capable of producing timeless masterpieces

may inscribe poems on your tavern's wall.

You were personally invited by the Princess.

If you hadn't come,

it would have diminished the banquet significantly.

Yes. Third Master, please.

After you.

So this is the "floating cups along the winding stream" from the books.

So beautiful.

Lady Shen, please wait.

Could I trouble you to brew a bowl of tea for me?

Vice Prefect, I... I'm not very good at brewing tea.

I know.

Sit.

Twelfth Master,

nowadays people stress meter and rhyme.

The Yuefu poems, free and unrestrained,

have a unique charm.

What do you think?

You like Yuefu poems?

So, inside, Anran,

you dislike constraints?

Are you free-spirited and unrestrained?

But I believe

the Book of Poetry is best.

Yes.

With Taoyao and Guanju poems among them,

you would find it hard not to like them, I think.

Anran, you jest.

A message from Her Highness:

The Shen family has worked hard organizing the banquet.

If they enjoy listening to poetry and discourse,

they are invited to stay for the feast.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Thank you, Lady.

(Pavilion of Jade in the Fairy Mountains)

Thank you for your trouble.

Her Highness

invites all the guests to enter

and sample the delicacies.

Wait...

Didn't expect Her Highness to be so humane.

She's inviting us, too?

Look at the word you used.

So uncultured.

Fengxia,

she is so human.

Might as well go take a look.

What kind of talk is that again?

Since the Princess has invited us,

we can't be disrespectful and refuse her face.

That's right.

I'm definitely confident in Jicai.

But you two...

I have absolutely no problem.

But you must remember

that this is the Princess's mansion.

Rules are strict.

And the guests today

- are all people of status. - Right.

Must be low-key and careful.

Must be low-key and careful!

Did you hear?

I'll definitely be fine, too.

Especially you, Shen Gongcai!

Later, you must keep that mouth shut tight.

Otherwise, they'll chop your head off first.

Chop your head off first!

Enough! You shut up, too.

Fine.

Quick! Get ready.

Let's hurry over.

Let's go.

- Be cautious and careful. - Hurry.

- Third Master, please. - After you.

So beautiful.

Her Highness hasn't chosen Guixiang Tavern

to host the poetry gathering this year.

She said there had been too many times,

and she wanted a change.

Mr. Liu,

what do you think of the newly hired chef?

It's unique.

This pastry has a taste of Western Region grape wine.

This one has peppercorn flavor.

I never imagined

these could be used in pastries.

Bet you didn't expect that.

I'm telling you,

only I could come up with

this idea.

So this was made by you people?

May I ask, from where did Her Highness

invite you all?

Well...

Mr. Liu,

someone recommended that our family

host this banquet.

Yes.

It was Vice Prefect Lin, right?

I heard he recommended

the Shen family from the stall on Juxian Alley.

Her Highness was also very satisfied.

Really?

Even... even the Princess is satisfied?

Yes.

I've also tasted your family's

Jianbing Guozi, Lamb Skewers,

and drinks.

Quite ingenious.

I've also wanted

to consult with you on the art of cuisine.

Too polite.

"Consult" is too much.

Let's exchange...

exchange ideas.

Shen Jianshe.

Shen Jianshe!

We're all brothers here.

It's fine.

Here. Drink!

I've long heard of your literary fame.

Vice Prefect, I wanted to invite you to dine at my home.

Might you honor us?

What kind of poetry do you like?

Would you attend the poetry gathering hosted by the Wangs and Xies?

Do you enjoy playing polo?

Not fond of horseback polo?

What about cuju?

Next time, let's play together.

Vice Prefect, I'm of the Lu clan, one of the seven famous families.

I especially request your presence

to discuss philosophy at my home.

Thank you.

Drink!

Drink.

A mere merchant

actually managed to cling to the Vice Prefect?

Mr. Shen,

why are you pouring the wine into that bottle?

Ah, you wouldn't understand.

This is called awakening the wine.

You must awaken

the grape wine.

It means you have to wake the wine up.

Understand?

Is this awakening it?

Listen,

- Dad! - if you don't believe me, taste it.

The flavor of awakened wine

is completely different.

Try it.

How is it?

The astringency is less.

The aftertaste is richer.

See?

I told you...

- Shen Jianshe! - The grape wine...

Look at your dad! Everything I told him before was wasted.

It's mainly about grapes...

Shen!

There are red grapes

and white grapes.

The skins of grape wine...

You vile merchant's wife.

How dare you sully me with your sleeve?

I...

What's wrong with you?

How...?

Mere merchants! Street rats!

How dare you set foot in this grand hall!

Putting on airs.

Pretending to be cultured!

What did you say?

You make a fair point.

We common folk

wouldn't dare sit

without Her Highness' permission.

We've displeased you.

But is this public outburst

dissatisfaction with Her Highness?

You worthless wench.

Stop stirring trouble here!

- I... - You stop!

What are you doing?

- What? - Stop!

Vice Prefect Lin, you arrive in time.

Look at these merchants!

What insolence.

Are you unharmed?

Her Highness will arrive shortly.

Mr. Lu,

do you truly wish to continue this disturbance?

Mr. Lu is intoxicated.

He'll take his leave immediately.

Esteemed guests,

let us pretend nothing occurred.

So that was it.

Apologies

for disturbing...

You've done nothing wrong.

One who repays injustice with integrity

owes no apology to others.

- It's nothing. - Thank you, Vice Prefect.

Thank you, Vice Prefect.

Everyone, please sit.

Sit. Fengxia, sit quickly.

- Sit. - Are you alright?

- Are you alright, Jicai? - Sit.

- It's fine. - Sit here.

What a commotion this caused.

Please.

Why must he look down on others?

Merchants conduct themselves honorably.

If people wish to eat,

we bring goods to sell.

This trade is perfectly fair.

Must people be ranked high and low?

Enough.

It's often said that merchants, artisans, and itinerants occupy low status

and bear vulgar reputations.

How could they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with gentlemen

or share a table as equals?

Excuse me, are you speaking to me?

I... I don't quite understand.

I was just talking nonsense earlier.

Nonsense.

Previously,

our Guixiang Tavern always handled this.

This time, Her Highness invited you.

I was puzzled.

Guixiang Tavern?

But after tasting your family's fare,

I'm thoroughly convinced.

Hearing Shen's views

further reveals an insightful man.

That phrase earlier,

"This trade is perfectly fair.

Must people be ranked high and low?",

is simple,

yet profound.

Profound?

Me?

Profound?

Give me a break.

(Oh my.)

(High-stakes commerce)

(often relies on simple flattery.)

No, I just mean

everything should be fair.

Take our family's pancake stall...

Many have eaten there!

Officials have eaten,

and laborers have eaten.

Food doesn't discriminate by status.

Must people be divided into ranks?

I respect you; you should respect me.

That's all there is to it.

Gongcai!

What a line, "I respect you;

you should respect me."

But if that were truly so,

wouldn't the world be equal,

with no injustice?

How absurd!

If all people regarded each other as equals,

wouldn't chaos ensue?

Father commands, son obeys.

Husband leads, wife follows.

Men are strong, women are weak.

Thus it has always been,

forming propriety.

Sir,

you're unwed and childless, aren't you?

Indeed unmarried.

Then I advise you,

never speak

like that again.

Truly, you'll become undesirable.

Look at me,

I'm not chauvinistic at all,

yet my wife left me.

Dare you promote such notions?

I tell you, finding a match will be harder.

Even your children would resent you!

Shen,

what is "chauvinistic"?

How to explain...?

Male chauvinism means

believing that as a man,

you should dominate.

Like what this gentleman just said,

"father commands son,

wife follows husband".

That whole philosophy

is male chauvinism.

In truth, when two people live together,

the most important things are equal communication

and mutual tolerance.

I only realized this

afterward.

A husband

must respect his wife.

Ask what she truly desires.

Treat her well in the way she finds meaningful,

not by imposing your own way.

Otherwise,

she will surely leave you.

Truly unexpected.

- Indeed. - Excellently spoken!

What a devoted man!

Who'd have thought

one cast aside would still reflect on himself?

Exactly!

Mr. Shen, you speak so rightly!

You strike straight to my heart!

What? I...

Mr. Shen, you're absolutely correct!

Truly! Mr. Shen,

you're absolutely correct!

No, no! I...

Choosing a husband should be like this!

Excellently said,

Mr. Shen!

Her Highness arrives!

Greetings, Her Highness.

Mr. Shen, you possess

unique perspectives.

Each word is like a pearl of wisdom.

Quite intriguing.

(Princess Fuhui)

What a pity. His features are coarse.

Otherwise, appointing him

as my close advisor

would hold distinct appeal.

Your Highness, you're right.

My elder brother is unworthy

to serve as your advisor.

Yes.

Well...

Yong'an women

are heavenly perfection.

I fear that

I'm unworthy of even one.

Speaking thus

only reveals your virtue further.

Mr. Shen,

share more

of your unique insights.

I shall have them recorded

for other gentlemen to learn eloquence.

No more.

I dare not...

I dare not.

Continue.

Does my presence

stifle the gathering?

Continue.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Continue.

Continue...

Am I truly ugly?

This exceeds the agreed amount by fivefold.

You hosted the banquet superbly.

It's deserved.

Her Highness also bestowed several bolts of silk fabric

for Liu Chang to bring back for you.

Thank you, Vice Prefect.

Lady Shen,

Her Highness summons you.

Greetings, Her Highness.

Please rise.

Your family's cuisine

pleases my palate exceedingly.

I summoned you to ask:

would you consider becoming chefs in my residence?

No need to alter your commoner status.

Should you wish to leave,

simply inform me.

Your Highness honors us greatly.

But my family is rustic folk,

accustomed to freedom.

Moreover, we won't remain long in Yong'an.

We fear failing to properly serve you.

You're leaving?

How regrettable.

With your culinary skills,

even without joining my household,

opening any eatery in Yong'an

would promise great success.

Your Highness flatters us.

My family behaved improperly at the gathering today.

Yet Your Highness not only overlooked it

but rewarded us.

I feel undeserving.

At the Qixi Poetry Gathering,

worthies debate principles.

Moreover,

your brother spoke with undeniable reason.

If anyone was discourteous,

it was Mr. Lu.

You executed the service admirably.

A few extra bolts of silk are no cause

for feeling undeserving.

Vice Prefect,

I inquired of Her Highness.

She bestowed only several bolts of silk.

The remainder must be

from your own funds?

We can't accept this money.

Commissioning you for the gathering

was also in my self-interest.

Her Highness appreciates fine cuisine.

You excel at cooking,

and you're my recommendation.

Pleasing her naturally

gains me favor.

Lady Shen, as a businesswoman,

you understand

this connection is

worth more than gold bricks.

Well then, many thanks, Vice Prefect.

For future such matters,

seek me again.

You've received a significant portion of my assets.

For the foreseeable future,

I couldn't possibly afford your services again.

Truthfully, I'm deeply grateful to you today.

Without your intervention,

we mere merchants

offending nobility at the Princess's banquet

would have spelled disaster.

Then why did you dare speak up?

What else could I do?

I couldn't let anyone

bully my family.

Indeed.

The fault lay entirely with others.

Your rebuttal was justified.

Vice Prefect, might you have time free in the coming days?

Why?

We wish to invite you to dine.

Agreed.

It's settled then!

I shouldn't

disturb you further.

Was that...

all your salary since entering service?

Given away just like that?

Though we've returned to the Capital

and His Majesty raised your salary,

you have only received two months' pay.

That much gold

could sustain their family back

in their hometown for a lifetime.

Young Master,

when will you be so generous to me?

Very well.

Retire immediately.

I'll prepare your pension funds at once.

How's that?

No need.

I'll just faithfully serve you,

drawing my monthly pay.

However,

now that Lady Shen faces

no further worries.

Young Master, you can propose

dissolving the engagement, right?

(Shaoguang's Food Notes)

(Cheese Buns. Fresh Cheese. Simplicity Itself)

(My Flower Cakes. My Rules)

♪This mundane heart, unwilling to fade♪

♪Perhaps foreknew heaven's design♪

♪Thus fled destiny's trace♪

♪Migrating toward you♪

♪But worldly customs permit only♪

♪Our fleeting meetings♪

♪Granting us floods strong enough to wound♪

♪Each other deeply♪

♪Fear one stroke wrong in time's flow♪

♪Passion fills the page, leaving only foolish longing♪

♪Fear sincerity trespassing half a step♪

♪Plunging into thunder pools, wholly drowned♪

♪Fear fate's script erasing this encounter♪

♪Laying celestial snares and thorns♪

♪Though glimpsing a thread of forewarning♪

♪Can only lament too cruel a fate♪

♪Knowing destiny's course defies reversal♪

♪Yet forcing bonds to confound heaven's will♪

♪So be it♪

♪Let red threads tie our pledge♪

♪This covenant bonds past and present lives♪

♪Wholly depicts you♪

♪Fear one stroke wrong in time's flow♪

♪Passion fills the page, leaving only foolish longing♪

♪Fear sincerity trespassing half a step♪

♪Plunging into thunder pools, wholly drowned♪

♪Fear fate's script erasing this encounter♪

♪Laying celestial snares and thorns♪

♪Though glimpsing a thread of forewarning♪

♪Can only lament♪

♪Such a cruel affection♪