You Must Stay at Our Home
The waiter brought in a food box to serve the dishes. As soon as the lid was lifted, a rich and delicious aroma filled the room.
Several dishes were placed on the table:
The braised pork ribs were glistening red and tender, the bamboo shoots with oyster sauce were crisp and fresh, the fish fillets were golden and sweet and sour, and there was a bowl of clear mushroom and chicken soup. The dishes looked neat and clean, but the aroma was layered and complex, with fresh, fragrant, salty and sweet flavors blended together, making it even more tempting than the dishes in the most famous restaurants in Chang'an City.
Yan Shuyao, exhausted from her journey, had little appetite, but the aroma lured her to pick up her chopsticks. A bite of rib revealed tender yet firm meat, a savory-sweet flavor with an indescribable rich aftertaste—a flavor she had never experienced before.
She was usually a refined and restrained eater, but this time she was so engrossed in eating that she didn't even bother to talk, and her chopsticks were falling down much more frequently than usual.
The reason is actually quite simple— Shen Jingchuan brought over a complete set of seasonings from the modern world, including soy sauce, oyster sauce, MSG, and spices, and personally taught the chefs how to use them for a long time. The ingredients from another world are naturally rich and flavorful, and when combined with modern seasoning techniques, the taste is naturally superior, far surpassing that of ordinary restaurants.
When she could eat no more, Yan Shuyao put down her chopsticks to catch her breath. She glanced around the elegant private room and casually asked:
"Your inn has been open for quite a while, hasn't it? What's it called? I didn't notice the signboard when I came in."
Upon hearing this, Shen Jingchuan slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering this:
"Hey, I'd completely forgotten! I've been so busy with this and that since the shop opened, I haven't even decided on a proper name yet. Luckily, you're such a renowned talent in the Capital, Senior Sister, why don't you come up with one for me?"
Yan Shuyao looked out the window and saw the Wild Goose Tomb built of bluestone across the way. The wind rustled through the treetops, as if the echoes of the geese's cries still lingered.
She hesitated for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on her lips:
"Your building faces the Wild Goose Mound directly. Because of the poem 'Groping for Fish,' it will surely attract many scholars to come and pay their respects. Climbing the building, one can gaze upon the tomb and reflect on the past. In my opinion, how about calling it 'Inquiring Goose Pavilion'? It not only alludes to the story of the two geese but also fits the mood of commemorating and reminiscing."
"Inquiring Goose Pavilion..." Shen Jingchuan's eyes lit up.
Look, look, this is a talented woman!
After resting for another half an hour, the two went downstairs and headed towards the Wild Goose Tomb across the street.
In front of the small mound made of bluestone stands a bluestone tablet, on which the poem "Groping for Fish - Wild Goose Mound Lyric" is neatly engraved, with clear and vigorous characters.
Yan Shuyao stood before the monument, reading it word by word. The wind swept through the treetops, and it seemed as if the cries of wild geese were drifting by. Thinking of the old story of the two geese who followed each other through life and death in the poem, her eyes unconsciously reddened.
She stood there for a long time before slowly turning around, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, and said in a slightly reproachful tone:
"It's all your fault. You wrote such a heart-wrenching poem. Every time I read it, I can't help but tear up."
Shen Jingchuan thought to himself, "I wrote this poem to make a name for myself, but I never expected it would offend my senior sister like this." However, he spoke gently on the surface:
"It's because my senior sister is so sentimental that she understands the meaning behind these words. Fine, I won't write any more, okay?"
No sooner had they finished speaking than Hu Tieniu, having heard that Shen Jingchuan had arrived at the inn, rushed over from Azure Cloud Stronghold.
Shen Jingchuan then handed over instructions on how to rush the production of the "Inquiring Goose Pavilion" plaque and other miscellaneous tasks. Hu Tieniu dared not look at Yan Shuyao, and responded repeatedly before turning around to get to work.
With everything settled, Shen Jingchuan accompanied Yan Shuyao and her group to Yuxi Prefecture.
Shen Jingchuan rode his Big Black companion alongside the carriage. He noticed that the twenty-odd guards following in front of and behind the carriage walked with heavy steps, wore swords at their waists, and their every move showed the agility of someone who had been escorting goods for many years. They were clearly veterans of the martial arts world.
Upon arriving at the main gate of the Shen Residence, the carriage slowly came to a stop. The personal maid Chunxing, lifted the curtain and helped Yan Shuyao step down from the carriage.
Yan Shuyao straightened her clothes and looked at Shen Jingchuan, saying:
"I have quite a few attendants with me, so they can stay at an inn outside. There's no need to trouble the manor."
"What are you saying, Senior Sister?" Shen Jingchuan dismounted and stepped forward, laughing, "Once we arrive in Yuxi Prefecture, we're home. There's no reason for you to stay outside."
He glanced at the group of guards standing below the steps and said, "Judging from the way these brothers act, they must all be from a security escort agency, right?"
Chunxing responded softly from the side:
"Reporting to Young Master Shen, these are all bodyguards specially hired by the Master from the Yongshun Escort Agency in the Capital, who escorted Miss here all the way."
The lead bodyguard stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:
"Young Master Shen, rest assured, we will divide into two shifts. One shift will guard outside the mansion, while the other will return to the inn to rest. We will absolutely not disturb the family members inside."
"Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone. Make yourselves at home." Shen Jingchuan waved his hand and stepped aside to let them through the gate. "Senior Sister, please come in. You must be tired from your journey. Please come in and have some tea to rest."
Seeing his earnest attitude, Yan Shuyao stopped refusing and followed Chunxing into the mansion.
After passing through the front yard and arriving at the main house in the second courtyard, Lin Qingyao was talking with Bai Ruoli inside. Hearing footsteps in the yard, they both came out to greet them.
Seeing a beautiful woman with a scholarly air accompanying Shen Jingchuan, Bai Ruoli nodded slightly, while Lin Qingyao stepped forward and gave a graceful curtsy.
Shen Jingchuan stepped aside to introduce the two parties:
"This is Senior Sister Yan Shuyao, my master's only daughter. She came all the way from the Capital." He then smiled at Yan Shuyao, "This is my wife, Lin Qingyao. She manages all the affairs of the household."
His gaze then fell on Bai Ruoli; he didn't know how to introduce himself.
The legal wife is definitely out of the question.
He didn't want to be a concubine.
He could only casually mention, "This is Miss Bai Ruoli."
Yan Shuyao's gaze paused slightly upon hearing this. She had long heard that Bai Ruoli was the most beautiful of the Eight Beauties of Great Qian, renowned throughout the land for her beauty. She smiled faintly and said:
"So this is Miss Bai. I've long admired your reputation, and seeing you today, I can confirm your exceptional beauty and grace. Your reputation is well-deserved."
Bai Ruoli curtsied slightly in return, her voice clear and gentle. "Miss Yan, you flatter me."
Lin Qingyao also smiled and spoke up:
"I've long heard that Miss Yan's talent is unparalleled in the Capital. Meeting her today, I can confirm her elegant demeanor; she truly lives up to her reputation as the daughter of the Great Confucian Yan."
Yan Shuyao quickly returned the greeting:
"Sister-in-law, you're too kind. Such a small honor is nothing to mention. I'm sorry to trouble you with this visit, but I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you with the arrangements."
"You're too kind, Senior Sister." Lin Qingyao stepped aside to let them into the room. "Please come in and have a seat. I had hot tea and snacks prepared this morning."
The three of them went inside and sat down to chat. Seeing that the three of them were exchanging compliments and getting along quite well, and that he couldn't join in the conversation, Shen Jingchuan got up and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Madam Liu and Xiaocui Cui were busy, while Qingshu and Qinghua were helping in the kitchen. He pointed out a few new dishes.
Dinner was served, and another table was set up in the side hall next to the main table, where Yue'er, Ju'er, Qingshu, Qinghua, and Qinghe sat.
The Su Household sisters never considered themselves sworn sisters; when there were guests, they always sat at the same table as the maids.
Yue'er then called Yan Shuyao's maid Chunxing over and told her that according to the rules of our household, she didn't need to stand and serve the whole time; she could just attend to the main table when she had a spare moment and sit down to eat with them the rest of the time.
Yan Shuyao was somewhat surprised by this behavior at first glance, and nodded, telling Chunxing to follow the host's lead.
They were even more surprised when the meal began and they started eating.
She had already had a wonderful lunch at the Inquiring Goose Pavilion, but the food at the mansion was even better. She wasn't particularly hungry, but she couldn't help but keep eating.
When he realized he had been eating somewhat inappropriately, he slowed down and praised the food at the mansion, saying it was even more authentic than the restaurants in the Capital.
Lin Qingyao told her to eat as much as she liked, Bai Ruoli suggested she stay longer, as there would be delicious food every day. Shen Jingchuan...