Is the cook still in the kitchen?
Yu Jinnian stood with his back to the shop entrance, fully absorbed in observing the diligent horse. As the surrounding commotion grew, he was about to turn around to check when a broken bowl flew through the air and struck him on the back. The bowl had a crack, and the jagged edge hit him squarely, catching him off guard. He nearly collided with the abnormally long horse face in front of him.
“Who threw that at me?” Yu Jinnian, now covered in the stench of horse, shouted angrily.
No sooner had he spoken than two figures were roughly thrown out from inside. One appeared to be a young Taoist boy, small in stature, and the other was an older Taoist with a long beard, dressed in a tattered robe with a medicine gourd hanging from his waist and a yin-yang ring in his hand. The overwhelming stench of alcohol hit Yu Jinnian’s nose.
The moment he smelled the alcohol, Yu Jinnian was reminded of the unpleasant experience he’d had with the meat mushroom earlier. Instinctively, he hid behind Ji Hong’s shoulder. The crowd in front of the shop scattered, leaving the Taoist master and his disciple sprawled face-down on the ground.
A large man stormed out after them, tossing a dusty bundle on the ground. He stepped forward, grabbed the Taoist’s collar, and began to slap him with red-eyed fury, cursing, “You conniving old fraud! My son only had a heat rash, but you tricked my wife into thinking it was some evil spirit possession. A perfectly healthy child, and you killed him with your ‘cure’! Now that I’ve caught you, you’ll pay with your life!”
Behind him, a young woman stood weeping against the doorframe. She was likely the wife of the man and the mother of the child who had died.
When the crowd heard this, they immediately sympathized with the couple. Some recognized the Taoist as a known con artist who had previously scammed their families. One by one, people began hurling insults at him, while the aunties comforted the tearful woman.
The young Taoist, still somewhat loyal, got up and tried to drag his master away.
In the scuffle, the Taoist’s bundle came undone, revealing a glimpse of gold and silver ornaments. The crowd wasted no time and swiftly seized the bundle, unwrapping it to find all sorts of jade and gold hairpins. There were also luxurious goods like deer meat buns from Pinwei House and spring tea from Xiangming Pavilion, items even wealthy families might hesitate to buy.
As they shook out the yellow talismans and red seals, they discovered a robe inlaid with gold and silver threads. The wide-sleeved, long robe was embroidered with five-colored cranes soaring among silver clouds—a truly magnificent garment!
How could a wandering Taoist possess so much wealth? Moreover, these were clearly items only women would use! The crowd, mostly hard-working poor folk, grew enraged at the sight of such riches.
“Isn’t this the ‘Thousand Tricks Immortal’ everyone’s been talking about?”
“Exactly! Just a few days ago, my foolish wife invited him to our home to perform a ritual. He charged an outrageous amount!” One man discreetly gestured a large sum, causing the onlookers to gasp. “He looked so legitimate, but turns out he’s a con artist!”
Another person lamented, “I had him do a ritual for me too! I even drank his ‘longevity talisman water’—no wonder my stomach has been feeling off lately…”
The crowd hurled one insult after another, cursing the Taoist and his disciple.
“My robe! My robe! Don’t touch my robe…” The “Thousand Tricks Immortal” panicked and hurriedly tried to snatch back his prized garment. But the more he prized it, the less willing the crowd was to return it. Soon, seven or eight hands were pulling at it. With a loud rip, the luxurious robe tore, leaving a gaping hole.
Once a farce like this starts, it’s hard to stop.
Yu Jinnian picked up a few talismans from the ground, but before he could examine them closely, Ji Hong and the others pulled him away. The shop had been recommended by a retainer of the second son of the Min family. The shop owner was the brother-in-law of this retainer, hoping to ingratiate himself with them. But the moment they entered, this spectacle unfolded, leaving the owner looking embarrassed, his face turning alternately gray and white.
“What’s the big deal? We can just find another place!” Min Mao said carelessly.
The retainer, wiping cold sweat from his brow, quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, the third young master is right. If you don’t mind, we could spend a few days touring Dongchong Prefecture. While it’s not as scenic as the southern provinces, it has its own charm…”
Dongchong Prefecture, situated at the juncture between the north and south, was a bustling hub of land and water routes. The grand Xia’an Canal ran alongside the city, bringing immense wealth and indulgence. A branch of the canal flowed into the heart of the city, leading to its notorious pleasure district—Xiaohefang.
Xiaohefang was a place where money flowed freely, and the wealthy gathered like fish in a river.
As they walked through the streets, it all seemed strangely familiar.
The retainer, eager to make up for the earlier embarrassment, tried to take them to the most extravagant restaurant. However, Ji Hong, who preferred peace and quiet, was put off by the noise and chose instead to stay at a quieter inn on the outskirts of Xiaohefang. Though quieter, it was not desolate—one could still catch a distant glimpse of painted boats from the window.
Occasionally, the wind would carry faint strains of singing.
Hearing the music, Yu Jinnian couldn’t help but think of Lü Yanjia, from whom they had parted ways in Heluo City. He muttered softly, “I wonder how Han Xiao and the others are doing.” He sighed, closed the window slightly, and headed downstairs, habitually making his way toward the kitchen.
Outside, on the water between the pleasure boats, a small boat silently glided by, rippling the calm surface. As it approached a grandly decorated boat, a dark figure grabbed hold of a hanging rope and swiftly climbed aboard.
Inside the boat, the music and dancing continued. Dancers with bare midriffs and painted nails swayed their hips like serpents.
The shadowy figure, however, did not enter the main hall but circled around to the back of the boat, where he gently knocked on a door before slipping inside.
The room behind the door was a quiet, elegant space. The walls, made of some strange material, muffled most of the noise from the festivities. Only a faint, refined tune drifted in.
Inside, a man sat nursing a cup of warm wine, looking quite weary.
The newcomer bowed his head and said, “Master, that ‘Thousand Tricks Immortal’… is nothing but a fraud. When I arrived, he was being dragged to the authorities by the crowd…”
Clang!—
The small wine cup toppled onto the desk, and a servant hurried over to wipe it up, fearing the freshly heated wine might scald his master’s hand. He pulled out a white silk cloth from his pocket, only to see his master’s hand subtly clench into a fist. The servant said worriedly, “Master, your arm again… Perhaps it’s better if…”
Before he could finish, a cold shout interrupted him, “Get out, since when do I need your opinion!”
“…”
The servant lowered his eyes, shut his mouth tightly, and backed away.
As soon as he stepped out the door, another servant stopped him, cautiously glancing at the faint light from inside the room. “What is it? Is the master in pain again?”
The first servant snorted and mimicked his master’s tone, “Get out, since when do I need your opinion!”
Yu Jinnian arrived at the kitchen and noticed a side door leading to an open space by the water. A shopkeeper was returning, carrying a few baskets. Yu tiptoed to get a better look and saw the baskets were filled with dried lily bulbs. Nearby, someone squatted by the water, using a long pole to pull up a fish trap.
“Watch your step, sir, the waterside is slippery.” Noticing Yu’s curiosity, the person fishing said, “Our inn buys live fish and keeps them in the water. This way, each one is freshly caught and killed, ensuring the best taste!”
Yu Jinnian nodded in agreement. “That’s true indeed!” But having eaten various types of fish in the south, he no longer found fish meat particularly enticing in this region. He pondered what to make, then looked up to see two elm trees growing by the water. At that moment, the branches were adorned with clusters of fresh green elm seeds.
The elm seeds were tender and tempting. Borrowing the long pole and a basket from the shopkeeper, Yu stood under the tree, using the pole to hook the branches and pluck handfuls of elm seeds.
The shopkeeper who had been fishing came over to help, smiling. “So, the guest also enjoys these!”
“This is the good stuff! Better than any delicacy.” The elm seeds were just right—juicy, crisp, and nearly plump enough to round out their leaves. Yu Jinnian washed a few at the water’s edge and popped them into his mouth. They were indeed tender and sweet, bursting with juice and a unique fragrance.
It was clear that these elm seeds stirred memories in the shopkeeper, and the two quickly felt like old acquaintances, forgetting the task of delivering fish as they sat beneath the elm tree, chatting.
When the topic turned to the mysterious “Thousand Tricks Immortal” they had seen earlier, the shopkeeper angrily exclaimed, “I knew that charlatan was a fraud, but there are always fools rushing to be deceived! Finally, he’s been caught red-handed—serves him right!”
It turned out that the so-called Taoist had wandered into the area in the past six months, accompanied by a young apprentice. Initially, he only performed rituals and exorcisms, amassing quite a fortune. Donning a golden crane robe, he often posed as a wise and accomplished figure. Later, having picked up some basic medical knowledge, he dared to claim himself as a divine healer, using talismans and rituals to treat people’s ailments.
Some people had only minor illnesses and recovered naturally, which led them to be deeply grateful to him. As word spread, his reputation as a “true immortal in the world” grew, attracting patients from far and wide, hoping for a cure.
But such reckless actions couldn’t go unnoticed forever, and today’s spectacle was clearly karmic justice.
Yu Jinnian commented, “Healing is not something to be taken lightly. There’s no such thing as a divine healer descending to Earth, and one must never blindly seek cures in desperation.”
The shopkeeper nodded. “Exactly! But when sickness strikes at home, we all become fools.”
As they sighed, they each took their things and returned to the kitchen. The shopkeeper, having chatted with Yu, now felt a sense of familiarity with him. Noticing Yu’s delicate appearance, he warmly rolled up his sleeves and said, “What would you like to eat, sir? Let us prepare it for you!”
Yu Jinnian smiled, “No need, I’ll make this simple dish myself. He likes it when I cook, and if someone else made it, he might throw a fit and refuse to eat such rustic food.”
He spoke casually, but the shopkeeper listened intently, trying to figure out who this “he” was. Their group was mostly men, except for Qing Huan, a young woman of appropriate age. But she didn’t seem like a noble lady, just a maidservant. How could she deserve such personal attention from the young master?
Unable to figure it out, the shopkeeper stopped pondering and cheerfully gave up the small stove, turning to scale fish nearby.
Yu Jinnian washed the elm seeds he had gathered, then boiled some water to blanch them. He added a bit of salt to kill any insects within. Soon enough, small leaf bugs wriggled out of the seeds, floating to the water’s surface. At the same time, the elm seeds became even greener.
After draining the seeds, he placed them in a large bowl for making stuffing and asked the shopkeeper for some wheat and soybean flour.
This method was a common one back home—steamed elm seeds. The shopkeeper, recalling his long-deceased parents, became emotional. When he brought over the soybean flour, he was already tearfully sniffling. Yu Jinnian was startled and thought something was wrong. Upon learning it was homesickness, he generously offered to share a bowl of the steamed elm seeds.
The blanched elm seeds were mixed evenly with the wheat and soybean flour. Yu gently covered them with a cloth and set them in the steamer.
The shopkeeper remarked, “I never expected such a refined gentleman to know how to make this simple country dish. If these elm seeds had spirits, they would be blessed to be enjoyed by someone of your stature.”
Yu Jinnian chuckled, “There’s no such thing as high or low when it comes to food. It’s only the cook who underestimates them. With care, even the most humble ingredients can create a gourmet feast. As for these elm seeds, they can be minced into stuffing for dumplings or buns, or boiled in soup—each method brings out the same delightful fragrance. For something more refined, you could even extract their juice to make crystal cakes…”
As they spoke, the steamed elm seeds were ready. He lifted the lid, took out the steaming bowl, and made a sauce with minced garlic, soy paste, salt, and a touch of sugar. He poured it over the steaming elm seeds!
The unique fragrance of elm leaves mixed with the savory garlic sauce was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Yu Jinnian served two small bowls, offering one to the shopkeeper, and continued selecting ingredients for a few more delicate dishes. After the weary journey, both body and stomach were tired, and heavy meat would likely disturb sleep. Conveniently, there was already fish soup simmering in the kitchen, so he requested a portion of the clear broth for later.
His amiable nature, along with generous tips, meant the kitchen staff gladly let him use whatever he needed. However, the head chef, not fond of someone invading his domain, eyed Yu with displeasure as he moved around, picking up leeks and putting them down, then picking up lettuce and shaking his head, clearly annoyed.
Just then, someone came to relay an order from the front. After hearing it, the head chef angrily threw his ladle down. “Cook what? It’s barely spring! Where am I supposed to find eel for him? These pampered young masters—they should just stay home and feast on gold. Why come out and torment us?”
The ladle landed right next to Yu Jinnian, and the sharp words, though indirect, were instantly understood by anyone with wit. The servant delivering the order quietly sweated for the quick-tempered chef and whispered, “Watch your mouth! The guest outside is from Xiaohefang, someone we can’t afford to offend.”
The head chef, a bully in his own kitchen, immediately backed down upon hearing this. Anyone in Xiaohefang was surely rich or powerful. “…But I really can’t make it! There’s no eel this time of year!”
“Th-this…” The errand boy looked equally distressed.
Yu Jinnian had just pulled out a handful of dried bamboo shoots from the bottom of the pantry. Seeing the two of them at a loss, he chimed in, “Though we don’t have eel, I know how to make a dish called ‘vegetarian eel.’ The taste is as good as the real thing, if not better. Perhaps the guest outside wouldn’t mind settling for that?”
The two exchanged glances before the boy ran off, likely to relay the message. It wasn’t long before he returned, bowing and grinning at Yu Jinnian. “The gentleman said he had only asked for eel because he heard it was good for strengthening the body. Since it’s not in season, he has no problem with a substitute. Would it trouble you to prepare it, young master?”
Yu waved his hand, indicating that he understood. Even without this unexpected order, he had already planned to use the bamboo shoots for a soup, so making an extra dish wasn’t much of an inconvenience.
He softened the dried bamboo shoots in water, then tore them into thin strips by hand. Once rehydrated, the bamboo shoots had a completely different texture from fresh ones. Gone was the crisp tenderness, replaced by a firmer chewiness. Their slightly yellowed color made them resemble cooked eel strips, which was why he used bamboo shoots for this vegetarian version.
Setting the bamboo strips aside, he softened some sweet potato starch noodles. He also peeled the tender shoots of spring bamboo, leaving only the white, tender cores, which he cut into strips. Mushrooms were chopped, and wood ear fungus was torn into small pieces, all briefly boiled in hot water. As Yu handled the strainer, the errand boy came up, eager to assist. “Is there anything else you need?”
Yu Jinnian sniffed the air. “Do you have any broth brewing here?”
The friendly shopkeeper, who had earlier shared a chat with Yu, chuckled. “The young master has a sharp nose! Indeed, we’re brewing chicken broth right now for one of our signature dishes, chicken broth tofu. We keep a pot simmering year-round.”
“That’s great. Could I trouble you for a clay pot of it?” Yu Jinnian asked, and the errand boy hurried to ladle a pot of broth and set it over the fire.
Once the bamboo strips, spring bamboo shoots, and mushrooms were simmering in the chicken broth over a low flame, only the sweet potato noodles remained. Yu instructed the shopkeeper that after the broth had simmered for the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, they should add the noodles. Once the noodles expanded, the dish would be ready to serve, and he asked them to deliver it to his room.
Afterward, he prepared two more small side dishes and, along with the previously made steamed elm seeds, carried everything back to his room to enjoy a private meal with Ji Hong.
When he entered, Ji Hong was in the middle of a conversation with Min Ji, the second son of the Min family, who said, “That Twelfth Lord lost track after crossing Luocheng. It seems he switched to traveling by water.”
Ji Hong asked, “Wouldn’t it have been faster for him to head north directly? Why detour to Luocheng?”
Min Ji replied, “Who knows? But we did spot traces of Jing Zhong near Luocheng, trailing that man. One person, for reasons unknown, also seemed to be following him. My men mistook him for an enemy and had a brief scuffle. Although that person was wounded, I recognized the techniques—definitely from your Ji family. I’m guessing… it’s Jing Zhong.”
Ji Hong set down his pen and exhaled softly.
“What’s this?” Min Ji laughed. “You’ve blamed him for betraying your second brother all this time. Now, upon hearing that he’s safe, you seem relieved?”
Ji Hong slightly shook the drying ink on his letter before folding it into an envelope and handing it to Min Xuefei. “I do hate him, but I’ve come to realize that hating him changes nothing. Even if he died there, it wouldn’t bring back my brother. In the end, the one who killed him wasn’t Jing Zhong, but the person pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
“You suspect it’s—” Min Xuefei furrowed his brow but stopped speaking when the door creaked open. Yu Jinnian entered, carrying a tray of dishes. It wasn’t that Min Xuefei was wary of Yu knowing, but some things, once spoken, wouldn’t bring peace, only more worry.
The young man set the dishes one by one on the table. Ji Hong stood up to help arrange the plates and bowls, while Min Ji gave a brief glance at the food and, without any particular context, commented, “You’ve really… changed a lot.”
Yu Jinnian glanced at him, and Ji Hong chuckled. “No one stays the same forever.”
Min Ji replied, “As long as you have no regrets.”
He then pushed the door open and left, heading upstairs to his room. He noticed a server hastily carrying dishes into a private room below. Though he couldn’t see what was happening inside, the flash of fabric at the door indicated another carefree young master. With a hint of self-mockery, he muttered to himself, “There really are as many rich sons as there are grains of sand.”
Inside the private room, the server cautiously watched the expression of the guest seated before him as he served the freshly prepared vegetarian eel soup.
The guest, dressed in deep purple robes with a jade crown on his head, had furrowed brows and a demeanor that suggested a life of constant stress and worry. Though his hair was black, fine lines had begun to form at the corners of his eyes, lending him an air of unspoken authority. The servers in the establishment, accustomed to serving wealthy young heirs, instantly recognized that this man carried a unique presence.
Oddly enough, though the guest was not left-handed, he insisted on using his left hand to eat.
The server, puzzled, let his mind wander.
Suddenly, the man paused, put down his spoon, and said, “Reward him.”
His attendant produced a pouch of silver beads and pressed it into the server’s hands. The startled server, bowing and offering thanks, was about to leave when the man unexpectedly asked, “Is the person who cooked this still in the kitchen? Could you introduce me?”
“This…” The server hesitated, unsure how to respond. After a brief moment of indecision, he explained truthfully, “To be honest, sir, the cook is not one of our chefs but a young master who cooked for his loved one. When we couldn’t prepare eel, he kindly offered to make this vegetarian dish…”
The server braced himself for scolding, but instead, the guest remained silent for a while, then chuckled and waved his hand. “Never mind, never mind. I thought the cook matched my… tastes and was planning to hire him as my personal chef. But since that’s not the case, forget it.”
“Ah, yes, sir…” The server, unsure of what to say, quickly exited the room, wiping a nervous sweat from his brow.
The attendant beside the man said, “It’s rare for you to enjoy someone’s cooking so much. Perhaps I could inquire further—”
The man turned his hand slightly, signaling him to drop the subject. “If you have time to waste on that, have you caught the one pursuing us?”
“…No,” the attendant admitted, lowering his head. “He escaped.”
The man finished the vegetarian eel soup without further anger. He merely gave a light reprimand, calling them “useless,” before setting down his spoon. Just as he was about to rise, he glanced at the empty bowl and ordered, “Go check if there’s any vegetarian eel soup left in the kitchen. Bring some back.”