[Yummy, Yummy? Yummy!]
[Episode 14]
[Yide Hall]
[Li Xu, Crown Prince]
[Not confined to one aspect,
excluding dissenters]
[Zhao Xunzhi, Crown Prince's Imperial Preceptor]
Take a seat.
The Seventh Prince started learning early.
Now, he also has his own unique insights.
How can His Majesty not be happy?
Congratulations.
Let's stop here today.
Zhao Xunzhi spoke about retiring long ago
but he's still teaching at Hongwen Academy.
When I see him,
I still greet him, "Imperial Preceptor".
Seventh Prince, talk to your father
to let the Vice Magistrate teach you.
He is young and talented.
You'll learn more from him.
Aunt, Vice Magistrate Lin
was summoned to the capital.
Father has made arrangements for him.
Imperial Preceptor Zhao is a good teacher
but why do you keep mentioning
Vice Magistrate Lin lately?
In the capital,
there are only two people
I can regard as confidants.
Lin Yan...
is one of them.
Father and you appreciate him very much.
He must have extraordinary abilities.
[The Princess Royal favors Vice Magistrate Lin]
Tell Anran to see me as soon as possible.
Understood.
[Prince of Zhao's Mansion]
Why did His Highness summon me urgently?
What happened?
Please go in now.
[Prince of Zhao's Mansion]
I was worried along the way
and changed horses three times.
You're still in the mood to enjoy tea.
Anran,
I brewed this tea for several hours
just to wait for you to drink it.
Take a sip first.
Actually, it's not an urgent matter at all.
I heard that the Princess Royal favors you.
Why not be her close advisor?
Your Highness, I'm sorry.
Look at how scared you are.
It's all right.
Why are you so shocked to hear this?
Let me tell you.
When you were young and sick,
you vomited all over me.
I took care of it myself.
Spitting tea is nothing.
Yes. You're indeed my savior.
Don't say that.
You're alone in the capital now.
I can't help you, but the Princess Royal can.
If you marry her,
it'll be hard for her to have a promising future,
but you don't need to be the prince consort.
If you two are together,
she can help your career.
I understand your intentions, but doing this
will demean me and the Princess Royal.
It's not that serious.
There's a long queue of women
in the capital who want to marry you.
But if you keep refusing,
they won't find you attractive when you're old.
Here's what I think.
Go to the mansion and give it a try
with the Princess Royal.
- If she really likes you...
- I've found out for you that
Wei Xiangqin, the Military Commissioner,
will be the Minister of w*r,
and Song Fangxu, the Imperial Attendant,
will be transferred as the Vice Minister of w*r.
The Princess Royal revealed this to you?
I said earlier.
You're indeed good looking.
- The Princess Royal...
- Why are you suddenly interested
in the transfers to the Ministry of w*r?
It's like this.
Guo Pingxu, the former Minister of w*r,
is my old acquaintance.
He's now an envoy in another state.
He's worried about his position when he returns.
Hence, he asked me to find out.
In fact, this is how it is in officialdom.
You know,
His Majesty personally chose Guo Pingxu,
and he's now dissatisfied.
He gave him a promotion
which is clearly a demotion.
That's why I hope you can find
a patron in the capital.
The former Minister of w*r
was chosen by my sixth brother.
The Emperor and I dislike him.
Thank you for your concern.
Since I have to work tomorrow,
I won't stay longer.
Take care of your health.
The water quality in the capital is not good.
You can come often to have tea.
Please stay.
[The Sun Rises and the Moon Waxes]
[The Sun Rises and the Moon Waxes]
[Jingzhao Prefecture]
Brother Anran.
Imperial Censor Pei, what brings you here?
The Shen family cooks tasty food
and often delivers it to you.
I came here to eat with you, but unexpectedly...
This...
What do you mean?
Your Highness.
I just came back from Leyou Plain.
I passed by Jingzhao Prefecture
and dropped in for a visit.
Be careful of the steps.
Don't fall.
I obtained some Jiannan Strong Wine.
I'd like to invite Vice Magistrate Lin
and Imperial Censor Pei to taste it tonight.
Come here.
Yangyang, we must stop our ancestor
from attending the appointment with the Princess Royal.
Why?
Don't ask why.
When you watched TV at home,
did you watch those social news reports?
Can you cause an accident
and feign ignorance or sickness?
You can? Good. Come here.
- My goodness!
- Help!
It's so painful!
- Grandpa.
- Yangyang?
Grandpa.
My leg is broken.
It hurts so much.
Uncle. Yangyang.
- Grandpa, it hurts.
- Uncle.
My goodness!
I can't live like this.
How disgraceful.
- Uncle, are you all right?
- It hurts too much.
I can't bear it.
Yang Yang. Uncle. Twelfth Master, this is bad. Come and help.
Uncle, are you all right?
- What's going on?
- Uncle, here.
Come, slowly.
- Where are you hurt? Are you all right?
- Are you all right?
- Where are you hurt?
- Where are you hurt?
This injury is serious.
We need to take them to the clinic quickly.
Yes, to the clinic.
- Hurry up.
- Hurry, let's go.
Stop.
Vice Magistrate Lin. Imperial Censor Pei.
You don't want to join me,
so you acted with them. Right?
I wouldn't dare.
Your Highness, please calm down.
It's an honor to receive your invitation.
How could we possibly decline?
How could they know about
tonight's banquet and deliberately trick you?
- That's right.
- How about this?
Anran will take them to the clinic for treatment.
I'll attend the banquet tonight
and drink with you as much as you want.
In that case, it's settled.
My goodness. I was so scared.
Uncle, you know what fear is?
After all, it's the Princess Royal.
Moreover, I could tell you didn't want to go.
Thank you.
Go back now.
I'll return the food box after I'm done eating.
All right, let's go.
Yangyang, let's go.
Let's go.
Your Highness.
How is it?
Vice Magistrate Lin's interactions
with the officials are normal.
He's only close to Pei Fei, an imperial censor.
I've checked. He's from a humble background,
simple-minded without any schemes.
Anran always makes friends this way,
treating everyone equally,
regardless of their status.
By the way, how's his relationship
with the Princess Royal?
He has been avoiding her.
A few days ago, Vice Magistrate Lin prepared gifts
for officials for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Vice Minister of Justice, whom he had
no dealings with, even received a gift.
But there was none for the Princess Royal.
The Vice Minister of Justice?
Is it Cao Rong?
Yes.
[Shen's Restaurant]
This is the place you talked about?
It's far worse than your Guixiang Tavern.
Don't underestimate this place.
It was a stall at the alley's entrance.
Even then, their business was good.
It can now even cater for
the Princess Royal's Qixi Poetry Gathering.
Lady Shen is very ingenious in cooking.
[Second Young Master Huan, Scholar]
Even the Princess Royal praised her highly.
Is the Princess Royal someone worth respecting?
A woman who broadly gathers many attendants.
She's immoral and unprincipled.
Be careful with your words.
Sirs, what would you like to eat?
[Menu]
- What is this?
- A menu.
Our dishes are listed on this sheet by category.
So, it's called a menu.
How ingenious.
[Agate Meat, Mortal's Joy]
I'll have the signature dishes.
[Bad smell, taste nice; Fragrant, Warm and Crispy]
[Favored by the God of Wealth]
What is this?
For taking orders.
It's better to take notes than rely on memory.
In this way, I won't get the dishes wrong.
[Favored by the God of Wealth]
This young lady is rather frivolous.
The sash around your waist
can be casually tugged by a man.
[Favored by the God of Wealth]
What else would you like to order?
This menu
lacks grape wine and pepper-flavored snacks.
[Mountain Delicacies Pot]
Guixiang Restaurant has always
handled the catering for the poetry gathering.
This time, Her Highness invited you.
I was puzzled. But after tasting your food,
I'm thoroughly convinced.
Young Master, it's you.
I was wondering why you looked familiar.
You still remember the snacks
you had at the last poetry gathering?
I'll give you two portions on the house.
Lady Shen, what kind of snacks are these?
Give us some, too.
Sure, they'll be served shortly.
All right.
You're indeed a talent.
I'm Liu Feng, the third child in my family.
Just call me Third Young Master Liu.
Third Young Master Liu, nice to meet you.
Please take a seat.
Are you the owner of this restaurant?
This restaurant is run by my family and myself.
With your family here, is there a need
to personally take orders and sell wine?
Will you still be able to get married?
Second Young Master, don't say anymore.
I'm sorry, Lady Shen.
It's all right.
Young Master, marriage, clothing, and food.
If you taste the dishes from my restaurant,
you'll know I can afford clothes
and enjoy good food.
I'm not in a hurry to get married.
Your frivolous reputation is set
and you're still not anxious?
I fear your family will also be talked about.
Second Young Master.
I behave properly
and run my business legitimately.
If someone thinks I'm frivolous,
it's because they've a dirty mind.
Sir, you're so rude.
You don't seem to be from a noble family
or someone who can pass the imperial exams.
- You should focus on self-cultivation.
- Second Young Master.
You look like a hag, and your temper is bad.
I'll never step foot in such a restaurant again.
- Second Young Master.
- You're the ugly one instead.
After a thousand years,
many people will think I'm beautiful.
You have no vision at all.
- Lady Shen's mouth never spares anyone.
- Lady Shen.
- Let's eat.
- I'm sorry.
Second Young Master Huan is old-fashioned
but I didn't expect him to spout such nonsense.
From now on,
I'll never associate with him again.
I infuriated and drove away your friend,
put you in an awkward position,
but you don't blame me?
His rude remarks deserved a lesson.
Moreover, I'm a businessman.
I understand this principle.
If others target me and I don't fight back,
my business can't go on.
I've heard about your innovative stir-frying.
Compared to steaming and boiling,
it adds another layer of fragrance.
Stir-frying can use
the high temperature in the oil
to remove the juices
from vegetables and fresh meat,
making the texture crispy
so that it'll be more fragrant.
One needs an iron pot to make stir-fried dishes.
You don't hold anything back.
I'm impressed.
To be honest,
I went to Guixiang Restaurant to get experience.
Guixiang Restaurant is elegant, simple,
and quiet amidst the hustle and bustle.
Customers sit around
without appearing disorderly.
You seem to be experienced
in decorations and layouts.
[Shen's Restaurant]
I hosted many banquets to invite
Vice Magistrate Lin, but he didn't come.
I was wondering why he came here today.
You fail the exams repeatedly.
I wanted to ask Vice Magistrate Lin
about the imperial court's criteria for officials.
He told me the imperial court
values those with virtue,
and who are cautious in speech and action.
I went out to inquire and found out
you offended Lady Shen.
Who in the capital doesn't know
that the Shen family and Vice Magistrate Lin are relatives?
Uncle, I'm busy studying.
Where would I learn about that?
You're just a distant relative from Xiangzhou.
If not for your father,
can you still stay here to retake the exams?
How dare you offend the Vice Magistrate?
Go and apologize to Lady Shen tomorrow!
I'm a scholar. How can I apologize
to a girl who sells wine?
Even if you're a noble with power,
you must go and apologize!
You look down on a girl who sells wine?
She's more accomplished than you.
She earns her livelihood on her own.
What about you? You're still freeloading from me!
How could you say that to me?
Isn't it all because of Lin Yan?
Am I afraid of him?
Lady Shen, I'm sorry.
I was drunk yesterday and spouted nonsense.
I hope you'll accept these small gifts.
[Shen's Restaurant]
Please forgive me.
If you're no longer angry,
please relay a message to Vice Magistrate Lin.
Tell him I'm grateful for his teachings
and will always remember them.
Vice Magistrate Lin?
Yes.
I've said what I needed.
You must be busy. I won't disturb you.
[Shen's Restaurant]
Didn't he come to apologize to me?
He took back his gifts after showing them to me?
What a cunning and bad man.
Why is it you today?
I want to thank you in person.
Second Young Master Huan caused trouble,
and you spoke up for me. Right?
The food box was left
at the restaurant's entrance yesterday.
You clearly came. Why didn't you go in?
You were talking happily
with the owner of Guixiang Restaurant.
I didn't want to disturb you.
Guixiang Restaurant is popular
and doing very well.
I thought I should
take the chance to learn some secrets.
Speaking of which,
Mr. Liu is not quite what I thought.
I thought it would be hard
to get along with a rich second generation,
he's not only kind but also clear-headed.
Rich second generation?
It means his parents are rich and can protect him.
Thus, he's a rich second-generation heir.
Speaking of which, he should be
from a rich family with many generations.
His family has a good background.
He's also handsome.
I'm guessing that many young ladies
in Yong'an must like him.
What's wrong with you?
Has the fish gone bad?
Is it sour?
I'm not used to vinegar.
I forgot to tell you,
this is cabbage with vinegar.
[Do Not Give Orders That Will Backfire]
I haven't seen you not eating vinegar.
Why is he afraid of sourness today?
- What's wrong?
- A fish bone got stuck.
I swallowed it.
Lady Shen wants to m*rder her husband.
Twelfth Master, our betrothal was canceled.
Don't speak nonsense and tarnish her reputation.
- Canceled?
- Yes.
Why?
Recently, many imperial censors
were talking about your fuss
in ordering mooncakes from Shen's Restaurant
and reprimanded Second Young Master Huan.
Some even asked me if you're marrying Lady Shen.
Of course, I can't say you two are betrothed.
I'm here to ask you how I should respond
but you told me this news.
The imperial censors are too idle,
gossiping about these things.
You can't say that.
The Imperial Censorate is supposed to report
based on hearsay.
Besides, you're the focus
of the imperial censors.
Why am I their focus?
Of course. Look...
You're upright, your career is smooth,
and you're handsome.
You're just a bit older for marriage.
Who in the Imperial Censorate
wouldn't want to marry off their sisters to you?
I don't think you want
to break off the betrothal.
I told you so.
If you like her, you should express it.
With your cold attitude,
how would Lady Shen know you like her?
If you express it, she'll understand.
You'll still be engaged.
Enough, stop. What nonsense.
You're just like this.
You always overthink everything.
Don't blame me for warning you.
If you miss out on Lady Shen, you'll regret it.
You two are a good match.
It's mutual affection.
Unlike a forced marriage, it won't be sweet.
You sound like you're being coerced
into a marriage.
Me?
There's no such thing.
Who would look at me?
Vice Magistrate Lin. Imperial Censor Pei.
The Princess Royal sent me to invite you two
to admire the flowers and recite poems.
Didn't I just go yesterday?
Why are you here again?
- Please tell the Princess Royal...
- Thank her for her grace
but I've to write memorials today.
I'm unable to attend.
The Princess Royal anticipated this
and prepared a banquet for tomorrow evening.
She looks forward to seeing you both.
- I still...
- Her Highness is thorough.
But I also have documents to review tomorrow.
As an imperial censor,
I should prioritize public duties.
I can't go. It's a pity.
I hope Her Highness can forgive me.
Same for me. I hope Her Highness can forgive me.
Since you insist, I won't disturb you further.
I notice you seem particularly afraid
to see the Princess Royal.
Did something happen yesterday
when you were drinking?
Nothing happened.
Seeing that you didn't want to see Her Highness,
I-I made up an excuse because.
It's true.
Your Highness, Vice Magistrate Lin and
Imperial Censor Pei claimed to be busy
and couldn't make it today or tomorrow.
It doesn't matter.
The cakes from Guixiang Restaurant are too sweet.
I miss the meals from Shen's Restaurant.
Invite Lady Shen here
to cook a meal for me tomorrow.
Understood.
Some people don't like poems or flowers...
but food and sex cater to one's preferences.
If I cater to their preferences,
they will come eventually.
You're a guest.
Please.
We are close friends. No need for this.
Brother Anran, go ahead first.
There are rules of hospitality
even among close friends.
- Twelfth Master, after you.
- No, no.
Brother Anran, after you.
Twelfth Master, go ahead first.
- After you.
- After you.
Young Master. Imperial Censor Pei.
The Princess Royal sent a message
to invite you both for a meal.
Didn't we decline at noon?
Tell the messenger that we're discussing...
official business and have already eaten.
Yes, we're eating right now.
But the Princess Royal invited
Lady Shen to prepare the dinner.
- Prepare the horse.
- All right.
- Twelfth Master, let's go together.
- No, I won't go.
I just remembered that I have guests at home.
- I must go back now.
- You must go.
- I won't go.
- You must go.
- If you want to go, go alone.
- You won't go?
- You don't really fear the Princess Royal?
- I don't want to see her. I don't fear her.
- Go with me. Let's go. You must go.
- No. I...
- Even if you hit me, I still won't go.
- She won't eat you.
I still won't go.
Can you bear to leave me alone
to face the Princess Royal?
Yes. If you want to go, go alone.
- I won't go, Brother Anran. Brother Anran!
- Let's go.
Put me down, Brother Anran.
Put me down. Are you even human?
Are you even human?
[Jingzhao Prefecture]
Lady Shen, it's boring to eat alone.
Why don't you stay and have a meal with me?
Thank you, Your Highness. I'd be delighted.
But I haven't finished making the melon wine yet.
Why don't I make it here
so that I can talk with you?
That will be great.
Vice Magistrate Lin
and Imperial Censor Pei are here.
Vice Magistrate Lin and Imperial Censor Pei
will join us?
Yes.
- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness.
Imperial Censor Pei and I felt bad to decline
your kindness and quickly finished our work.
- We're here to apologize.
- Imperial Censor Pei and I...
Vice Magistrate Lin and I are here to apologize.
Join us for the meal.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness, I've already eaten.
Eat again.
All right.
The Princess Royal asked me to cook
because of the ancestor?
Wait a minute.
What if she knows about
the fake betrothal between us?
Will she target me?
Lady Shen, I heard you're
Vice Magistrate Lin's cousin
but you two seem compatible to me.
Your Highness must be joking.
Vice Magistrate Lin and I are just relatives
taking care of each other.
I wouldn't dare to claim
social connections with him.
That's not true.
I think Lin Anran wouldn't mind.
He would mind.
I mean, the Magistrate should want a young lady
who is well-bred, well-read, and beautiful.
If he chose someone who was not good enough,
I'd mind on his behalf.
So, what do you think is good enough
and what is not?
Take me, for example.
What do you think of me?
You're a top-notch beauty,
and should be with a man who's well-bred,
well-read, and handsome.
I'm not a good match.
Moreover, I've someone I like.
No wonder you always refuse my invitations.
You thought I...
You all think I'm interested
in Vice Magistrate Lin?
Imperial Censor Pei.
Master Pei.
Don't you know who I want to see?
Who-Who?
Let me tell you again.
I first saw Imperial Censor Pei
at the Qixi Poetry Gathering.
The way he played the zither on that day,
it was elegant and unrestrained
like the scholars from the Wei and Jin dynasties.
He was so unique.
From then on,
my eyes couldn't tolerate anyone else.
People said that Ruan Ji
lived in seclusion in the mountains
and played "The Drunkard"
to express the bitterness in his heart.
But I think...
he was sincerely willing
to drown his worries in wine.
But this man in front of me
played "The Drunkard" with the right spirit.
You know my feelings, yet you always avoid me.
My husband is seriously ill.
I've to tend to him until the end,
but I don't want to neglect myself.
Yet, Imperial Censor Pei always avoids me.
When he came to drink yesterday,
he was afraid to say anything.
I had no choice but to approach you
through Vice Magistrate Lin.
I even invited Lady Shen here as a setup.
I didn't expect to cause a misunderstanding.
Anran,
from now on, you should visit me more often.
You can even bring friends along with you.
It was my presumption
that caused the misunderstanding.
Yes, it was a misunderstanding.
Your Highness, you misunderstood me.
Master Pei,
it's not a misunderstanding
that I've feelings for you.
One day, I will make you understand.
So, the Princess Royal
is interested in Imperial Censor Pei.
The Shen family is safe for now,
but the ancestor just said he liked someone.
Who could that person be?
The female ancestor hasn't made an appearance yet.
Rouge and face powder.
Thanks to you for relaxing the curfew.
Even though the sun has set,
the market is still bustling.
You've done such a great job.
Why are you suddenly praising me?
Can't you see I'm being grateful?
You sheltered my family and also treated us well.
I can't do much in return.
At least I can give you emotional value.
Emotional value?
You mean to flatter me?
I only want to make you happy.
Besides, everyone in Juxian Alley
is praising you.
The garment shopkeeper said that you're
the best official here in history.
The fabric vendor said that you sincerely
consider the people's interests.
The young man from the bookshop
said that you're the most handsome official.
What is all this about?
Did you eat enough at Princess Royal's mansion?
Do you want to buy some more food?
I'm full. It was so interesting just now.
I'm full of melons.
[Slang for satisfied from watching a hot event]
Melons?
Laugh if you want to.
So, you also have moments of narcissism
in thinking that Her Highness liked you.
Narcissism? It doesn't sound like a nice word.
- Take a look.
- I don't want it.
In the Western Regions,
a man saw his peerless beauty
in the reflection in the water.
He neither ate nor drank,
and just admired himself by the shore,
and turned into a narcissus.
That's narcissism.
But you just said you liked someone.
Is this true?
Yes.
Excuse me.
Be careful.
- Are you all right?
- I'm fine.
Thank you.
You just said you liked someone.
Can I ask who it is?
I didn't finish talking.
I mean, I made it up.
Could you not stop midway? It's quite startling.
But as expected,
you were quick to find an excuse.
In that way, the Princess Royal can't force you.
But your narcissism is not entirely your fault.
What the Princess Royal did
was indeed misleading.
Next time, I'll learn my lesson
and not be narcissistic again.
It doesn't count if the other party
didn't say they like you.
Remember. When you're out there,
take good care of yourself.
There are acrobatics.
♫ A ray of afterglow from the hairpin
falls on the eyebrows ♫
♫ The wind sways,
the bell hangs under the clouds ♫
Vice Magistrate!
♫ True love can only be felt,
without being expressed ♫
♫ Hesitant to speak, overwhelmed with emotions ♫
♫ Worldly rules and taboos,
how can I give them up? ♫
♫ Rushing to you, I’m confused
and hopelessly addicted ♫
♫ From now on, the roaming heart
returns to its hometown ♫
♫ To draw near what seems beyond reach ♫
So, it doesn't count.
[Shaoguang's Food Notes]
[Sesame Sauce Skin Noodles]
[The people in Shaanxi make skin noodles
with genes and muscle memory.]
Timing and Subtitles brought to you
by Love @ First Pancake
Team @Viki.com"Fickleness" - Zhang Zining
♫ This mortal heart is unwilling to be silent ♫
♫ Perhaps, it long knew the secrets of Heaven ♫
♫ It just escaped the traces of fate ♫
♫ Migrating towards you ♫
♫ But worldly rules
just lifted its restrictions ♫
♫ The moment we met ♫
♫ We were granted a tide strong enough to hurt ♫
♫ Each other deeply ♫
♫ Fearing a mistake in time and space ♫
♫ Love fills the page;
in the end, only foolishness remains ♫
♫ Fearing that my sincerity
will overstep the boundary ♫
♫ I fall into the thunder pool and wallow in it ♫
♫ I’m afraid fate will erase our encounter ♫
♫ Spreading the vast sky with a net of thorns ♫
♫ Although I can see a clue ♫
♫ I can only sigh at my fickleness ♫
♫ Clearly knowing it’s hard
to ultimately reverse fate ♫
♫ I still instruct fate
to disrupt the will of Heaven ♫
♫ So be it ♫
♫ Let the red thread be our bond ♫
♫ This is the proof of our love
in our past and present lives ♫
♫ All written about you ♫
♫ Fearing a mistake in time and space ♫
♫ Love fills the page;
in the end, only foolishness remains ♫
♫ Fearing that my sincerity
will overstep the boundary ♫
♫ I fall into the thunder pool and wallow in it ♫
♫ I’m afraid fate will erase our encounter ♫
♫ Spreading the vast sky with a net of thorns ♫
♫ Although I can see a clue ♫
♫ I can only sigh ♫
♫ At my fickleness ♫