Lin Wu woke early the next morning.
Before falling asleep the night before, she had drifted in and out of thoughts, her mind tangled in a thousand threads. After a night’s rest, however, her thoughts were much clearer. The most urgent matter remained gathering information. Whether it was the route or a merchant caravan, she needed to find out what she could.
Fortunately, Jincheng Trading Company was still at the docks. Having someone familiar to turn to made things much easier; at least she would not be stumbling around blindly like a headless fly.
Lin Wu rose and fetched some warm water to wash her face. Lin Jing, standing on tiptoe beside her, imitated her, cupping water in his little hands and washing his face with great seriousness. After all their traveling these past days, he had become quite familiar with such everyday chores.
“Ah Wu, where are we going today?” Lin Jing asked as he dried his face with a cloth. His voice came out muffled. With no one else around, he was clearly much more at ease.
“We’ll buy some food from the street first, then take a look around the docks.” Lin Wu tied his little topknot while considering their options. The docks were crowded and full of people coming and going, making them the best place to gather news. If she could make some noodles or pastries and sell them there, it would serve two purposes at once: they could gather information and earn a little travel money.
But the thought vanished as quickly as it had appeared. They were staying at a roadside inn, which had no proper kitchen, so there was nowhere to prepare such food. Besides, the docks were a chaotic mix of people. Her taking Lin Jing there to hawk food all day would draw far too much attention. If they happened to encounter someone they should not, the risks would outweigh the benefits.
Forget it. Lin Wu shook her head inwardly. Everything had to be done one step at a time. Daydreaming would accomplish nothing. At the very least, she had to see the situation with her own eyes first.
After securing the important things on her person, she left the inn with Lin Jing. They wandered through the nearby market, filled their stomachs, and continued onward. Before long, the docks came into view.
The familiar din of the harbor drifted over from ahead, growing louder with every step.
Lingzhou’s docks covered a vast area and teemed with people. Anyone who did not come often could easily lose their way. Fortunately, Lin Wu had paid close attention to the route the day before, so she headed straight toward Jincheng Trading Company.
Before she had even reached the company, someone shouted at the top of his lungs, “Hey! Mrs. Lin is here!”
That cry seemed to set off a thousand others. Another man immediately called out, “Little Zhao! Mrs. Lin came looking for us herself!”
The commotion startled Lin Wu. She hurriedly asked one of the familiar workers, “Hey, young man, what’s going on?”
The worker gave an honest grin and scratched his head. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Lin. You’ll understand once Little Zhao comes. I can’t really explain it either, but it’s definitely a good thing!”
Just then, Little Zhao came hurrying through the crowd.
“Oh, Sister Lin! What a coincidence.” His face was wreathed in smiles. “I was just telling the brothers that we’d have to go find you today, and you came to us first. They say the early bird catches the worm, but this is a case of perfect timing!”
Lin Wu smiled in return. “I was hoping to find my elder brother, but I’m unfamiliar with the area. I could only come to this dock, which is at least somewhat familiar, and ask around.”
“That makes sense. But this time, we really do have some good news.” Xiao Zhao led her toward a less crowded area. “Yesterday, our proprietor took the steamed buns you made to visit Old Master Shen. Old Master Shen and Young Master Shen praised them to no end, and they’d like to invite you to their residence to prepare a few noodle dishes for their welcome banquet.”
Lin Wu was startled. She quickly waved her hands and refused. “Little Zhao, you flatter me far too much. My humble skills are only good enough to fill ordinary stomachs. How could they possibly grace such an elegant occasion?”
The family the proprietor had visited immediately upon arriving in Lingzhou had to be no ordinary household. If it were some powerful clan, would she not be walking straight into danger by going there so rashly?
“Sister Lin, you’re being too modest. Old Master Shen and Young Master Shen are both from Huzhou, and Young Master Shen grew up there. They haven’t been able to get used to the flavors here in Lingzhou these past few days, but the food you make happens to suit their tastes perfectly.”
“I’m merely a country woman and don’t understand the rules of prominent households. I’m afraid I might offend some important person without meaning to,” Lin Wu continued to decline.
“Mrs. Lin, you’re worrying too much.” Manager Zhang came over from the side and took up the explanation in a gentle voice. “The Shen family, like our proprietor’s family, are honest merchants who treat people sincerely. They don’t care for empty formalities. You needn’t worry. The proprietor and Master Qin will be there as well, and they are all acquaintances. You won’t need to come out and greet the guests. Just concentrate on preparing the food in the kitchen. Once you’re finished, you can leave through the side gate. The hosts are reasonable people and will certainly understand.”
“That’s right. The Shen family has always been generous and straightforward. Young Master Shen is especially kindhearted. These past few days, he’s even had people distribute porridge and provide medical consultations in the outskirts of the city. He’s the most good-natured—” Xiao Zhao paused as he recalled the handsome and imposing Young Master Shen’s teasing manner. “I mean, in any case, he’s very easy to get along with.”
“In that case… I’m grateful for the proprietor’s kindness. I’ll do my best when the time comes. I only hope I won’t spoil the gentlemen’s enjoyment.” Having been persuaded this far, it would seem unreasonable to keep refusing, so Lin Wu had no choice but to agree.
She considered the matter carefully. The Shen family had lived in Huzhou for generations and were merchants besides, so they should have little connection to the capital. At the moment, she and Lin Jing also needed to save up some travel money, and this opportunity had come at exactly the right time. Moreover, she would only be helping in the kitchen and would not need to meet the guests face-to-face. That should make it reasonably safe.
After confirming the details of the welcome banquet with Manager Zhang and Little Zhao, Lin Wu began making preparations. The banquet was set for the late afternoon meal, leaving her little time to think. She had to carefully consider what she could prepare that would suit her current identity without making the banquet seem shabby.
However, how to arrange for Lin Jing while she was helping at the Shen residence required careful thought as well. Taking him along would naturally be inappropriate. If the Shen family truly belonged to a powerful household, they could not afford to take that risk. But leaving him alone at the inn was something she could not bring herself to do. As for entrusting him to Little Zhao, the docks were crowded and chaotic, which was hardly reassuring either.
“I want to go with Ah Wu.” Before Lin Wu could sort out her thoughts, Lin Jing seemed to understand her concerns. He lifted his little face toward her.
Lin Wu shook her head instinctively.
“It’ll be all right.” Though his voice was childish, his tone was solemn. “I haven’t met many people. And in the capital, there isn’t a noble family with the surname Shen.”
His words reminded Lin Wu of something. As the young imperial grandson, Lin Jing was only four years old and had always been raised deep within the palace. Aside from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, close relatives, and the palace servants who attended him daily, outsiders had almost no chance to see him. Even the important ministers of the court had done no more than catch a distant glimpse of him during the New Year ceremonies and grand court festivals. Her earlier worries had been needlessly tying her own hands.
“All right, then we’ll go together.” Lin Wu bent down and took his small hand.
Xiao Zhao called over a single-ox carriage with a covered compartment. Once the two of them climbed in, he took the seat at the front and temporarily served as their driver.
The ox cart moved slowly, but fortunately, the Shen residence was not far from the docks. It took no more than the time needed to drink a cup of tea before they arrived.
The Shen residence had a broad, open frontage, flanked by thick, plain gray-brick walls. There were no ostentatious stone beasts or elaborate carvings—only an understated, practical air that revealed nothing of its true standing.
The carriage had barely come to a full stop when a middle-aged steward with a kind, affable face was already waiting at the gate. Seeing them alight, he hurried forward two steps. "This must be Mrs. Lin, isn't it? This old servant is surnamed Zhou, and I was sent by my master to wait here for you. All the ingredients and supplies you requested have been prepared in the kitchen. Please follow me."
Stepping through the main gate, they were greeted by a spacious, neatly arranged storehouse, which carried the no-nonsense air of a household of merchants.
But as they entered the main courtyard, the scenery shifted abruptly to a quiet, refined elegance, full of the delicate charm of a Jiangnan-style residence. The front and rear yards were so distinctly different in style that they perfectly reflected a character that valued practicality yet never abandoned refined pleasures.
Steward Zhou led them past the rear yard, all the way to the back kitchen.
This place was unlike the elegant serenity of the courtyards before, brimming with the rich, warm atmosphere of everyday life. In the enormous kitchen, several figures moved busily about, the chopping of knives against cutting boards, the sizzle of spatulas stirring woks, and the bubbling of pots on the stoves rose one after another, the whole space already a scene of bustling, lively industry.
Several cooks and kitchen helpers paused what they were doing and turned to look when the group walked in.
"This is Cook Lin, specially invited by the Old Master to add a few of her signature dishes to today's banquet," Steward Zhou said gently to the others. "If Mrs. Lin needs any assistance, all of you must do your best to help her out."
Everyone agreed in response. They had already known that this woman was hired temporarily to help out, not to take over their jobs, and that she was personally selected by the Old Master, so they harbored no ill will toward her. They were only a little surprised: they had assumed a cook important enough to be invited specially by the Old Master would have some sort of grand presence, but this lady was dressed even more plainly than they were, and seemed gentle and approachable.
After Lin Wu greeted everyone politely, she took Lin Jing by the hand and said to Steward Zhou, "Steward, there was no one at home to watch over my child, so I had to bring him along with me. I hope you will not take offense."
"Mrs. Lin, you are too courteous. The tea room next door has already been tidied up, with tea and fine pastries prepared. The little young lady can go there to rest and play," Steward Zhou replied.
"Thank you for going to all that trouble, Steward. The child is shy around strangers, so it will be fine to let him stay in a quiet corner of the kitchen. He will not cause any disturbance."
"As you wish then, Madam." Steward Zhou did not press the matter further, and led her to a small stove area by the window. A separate, clean small stove and a wide chopping block had been set up here, and on the wooden shelf beside it, rice, flour, seasonal vegetables, fresh meat, and all kinds of seasonings were neatly arranged, everything available.
"Mrs. Lin, please check if there is anything missing. If you need anything else, just tell Auntie Zhang here."
As soon as Steward Zhou finished speaking, a round-faced, slightly plump woman stepped forward two paces and nodded at Lin Wu.
"Everything is perfectly sufficient. I am truly grateful for all your efforts."
"Then I will leave you to your work. I won't disturb you any longer." Steward Zhou said and then withdrew.
Lin Wu then turned to Auntie Zhang, her tone soft. "Auntie, please go back to your work. All I am here to do is prepare a few extra pasta dishes, I can manage well enough on my own."
"Alright, Madam, please do not stand on ceremony with us. If you need anything, just call out and I will come right over," Auntie Zhang agreed cheerfully, then turned and went back to the main stove area.
Lin Jing consciously found a small wooden stool against the wall and sat down quietly, keeping watch over the bundle they had brought with them.
Lin Wu washed her hands, stood in front of the chopping block, and looked at the dazzling array of ingredients. The Shen family was a wealthy merchant household, so there was no shortage of rare delicacies and exquisite pastries for this welcome banquet. If a village woman like her tried to copy those complicated, elaborate dishes, she would only end up making a poor show of it, and it would not suit her status at all. The best approach was to focus on the simple, comforting flavors of home cooking.
Having made up her mind, she set to work. She first took a piece of pork leg with just the right ratio of fat to lean, a bright red cured bacon, then picked out some broad beans, Chinese yams, taro, and mushrooms.
Several of the cooks beside her who were handling sliced raw fish glanced at the pork she had taken, paused their work for a moment, and exchanged a look with each other. Pork was cheap and common, something ordinary households could afford, but for a welcome banquet of this standing, it seemed somewhat inappropriate. But since the master had specially invited her, there must be their own reason for it, so they all lowered their heads and went back to their work without saying anything.
Lin Wu placed all the different ingredients by the side of the chopping block, rolled up her sleeves. She first peeled the taro and yams, then cut them together with the cured bacon and mushrooms into small dices and placed them in separate plates, then moved her knife quickly and finely, mincing the pork into a smooth paste.
Luckily, the amount she needed was small, so she could handle all the preparations calmly on her own.
Looking over at Lin Jing, who was sitting on the small stool resting his cheeks on his hands, bored out of his mind, she took a plate and filled it with the broad beans, then squatted down.
"Could I trouble Jing to help peel these beans for me? We will need them for the dish later."
Lin Jing nodded immediately, took the plate solemnly, rolled up his own little sleeves, and sat back down on the small stool to peel the broad beans carefully.
Now, with little Lin Jing included, everyone in the kitchen had their own task to attend to. Steam curled up into the air, the aromas of all kinds of food intertwined, and the sounds of chopping and stir-frying rose continuously, making the whole scene lively and warm.
After a while, the bustling atmosphere suddenly went quiet.
Right after that, several respectful greetings rang out: "Greetings to Old Master Shen."
Lin Wu looked up at the sound, and saw that everyone's eyes were turned toward the kitchen entrance.
A tall, sturdy elderly man stepped inside. He was wearing a slate-blue Taoist robe, with no extravagant adornments on his person, his temples were slightly frosted with gray, his forehead was broad, and his gaze was calm. Master Qin was following right beside him.
"Don't stand on ceremony," Shen Zhongming said with a smile, waving his hand, his voice loud and clear.
Old Master Shen had always been an easygoing man, the sort who could spend half a day chatting idly with people at a street tea stall. Today, since he was not going out, he had wandered over to the kitchen. Especially after Steward Zhou had mentioned that the cook who made those delicious steamed buns he had enjoyed had arrived, he had grown curious and wanted to come see for himself.
"Everyone, just go back to whatever you were doing," he said as he walked alongside Qin Xiaoshan toward where Lin Wu was.
As he walked, he said to Qin Xiaoshan, "This is the cook with the remarkable skill? She is younger than I expected."
He saw that Lin Wu was dressed in plain, unadorned linen, her hair simply tied up with a strip of coarse cloth, exactly the appearance of an ordinary village woman, but she stood there with a straight, proper bearing.
Lin Wu set down what she was holding, wiped her hands, stepped forward two paces, and bowed her head in greeting. "Greetings to Old Master Shen and Master Qin."
When Shen Zhongming came closer, he could see her clearly now. This young cook, though she kept her eyes lowered in respectful deference, had a pretty, clear face and an upright, unwavering gaze.
He nodded slightly, his tone gentle. "You need not be so formal, Mrs. Lin. Thank you for going to all this trouble today."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted over to the child sitting on the small stool beside them. The little boy had his head bowed, concentrating on peeling the broad beans, the beans and the empty shells he had peeled off neatly separated and placed in their own respective piles.
Shen Zhongming could not help but chuckle. "Such a little child, yet he does things so carefully and properly. He must take after Mrs. Lin."
This quiet, well-behaved child was instantly endearing, nothing like the rambunctious boys in his own family, who were always climbing onto roofs or bickering and causing mischief in every way they could think of. Even the seemingly most steady Guanting, deep down, was a mischievous little rascal.
"You are making fun of me, Old Master. The child had nothing to do, so I let him help peel some beans," Lin Wu said with a modest, awkward smile.
Lin Jing finished peeling the broad bean in his hand, gently placed it in the bowl, then stood up, walked over to Lin Wu's side, and leaned against her. Only then did he lift his head to look at the guests.
The moment Shen Zhongming finally got a clear look at the child's face, his heart suddenly tightened, and the smile on his face froze almost imperceptibly for a split second.
At first glance, this child looked dark-skinned, as if he had spent plenty of time out in the sun, but a closer look revealed he had remarkably fine features, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, and a calmness far beyond his years.
If it was only his good looks that set him apart, that would not have been anything special—there was never a shortage of handsome children among the younger generation of the Shen family, and the Shen family's eldest grandson Guanting was famously good-looking.
Yet there was something about this child's face that made him feel inexplicably familiar.
The thought flashed through his mind like a spark of lightning, gone in an instant.
Shen Zhongming did not let his smile fade, and his tone remained natural and gentle, as if he was just making a casual, caring remark: "This little lad is so handsome. How old are you this year?"
Lin Wu reached out to rest her hand gently on Lin Jing's shoulder, and replied respectfully, "This child is six years old, Old Master Shen."
In reality, Lin Jing was only four years old, but he had been raised with great care since he was little, so he stood taller than most children of the same age from poor families. Saying he was six did not sound odd at all.
"Oh, six years old, already a big boy," Old Master Shen chuckled twice. "Not only is he handsome, he handles things very carefully too."
His tone remained casual, and he did not linger his gaze on Lin Jing, but his thoughts were in a bit of a tangle. He even unconsciously repeated the compliment he had just given.
Lin Wu responded, "You are far too kind, Old Master Shen. It was just a little childish play, nothing worth praising."
"Mrs. Lin, you may go back to your work now," Shen Zhongming said to Lin Wu with a smile. "If we two old men keep lingering here, everyone else will feel too constrained to move." After saying that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen together with Qin Xiaoshan.
Lin Wu watched the two of them leave, feeling rather puzzled. Old Master Shen had come and gone in such a rush that it was hard to make sense of his behavior.
As she went back to kneading the dough, she pondered to herself that perhaps she was just overthinking things. The old man's manner and tone had been perfectly normal just now. Most likely he had just felt like wandering around the kitchen on a whim, and left when he found nothing of particular interest.
Meanwhile, as Shen Zhongming walked through the covered corridor, the smile on his face faded a little. "That Mrs. Lin seems like a very reliable person," he said.
"Indeed, she speaks and acts with great propriety," Qin Xiaoshan nodded in agreement. "Brother, why didn't you ask her what dishes she is preparing earlier? Why did we leave in such a hurry?"
"It would take away the fun if I knew in advance," Shen Zhongming said, his expression calm as he walked side by side with Qin Xiaoshan slowly toward the tea hall, his tone light and cheerful. "I am looking forward to having a wonderful feast tonight."
But underneath that facade, his mind was in turmoil.
The child's eyebrows and eyes had reminded him of events from decades ago. He and Gu Huaizhou had known each other since they were teenagers, and they had served the late emperor back when the late emperor was still a prince—one in the civil service and the other in the military.
Though they were colleagues, they had often clashed over political views and temperaments, never yielding an inch to each other. Everyone in the imperial court thought they were bitter rivals, and even the late emperor often felt there was deep resentment between them.
More than a decade ago, Gu Huaizhou's daughter was chosen to be the crown prince's wife, elevating her to the status of the emperor's in-laws. The Gu family enjoyed growing imperial favor and their status became ever more prominent, while Shen Zhongming voluntarily requested to retire from office and returned south to his hometown. After that, their paths had diverged completely, and they had no further contact.
Everyone in the imperial court had whispered rumors that he had lost the factional struggle and had no choice but to retreat from power to save himself.
Gu Huaizhou had only one son and one daughter. His daughter had died not long ago in a fire in the Eastern Palace, the crown prince's residence. His son Gu Heng was a talented man who excelled in both literary and military pursuits, but fate had been unkind to him—he had passed away from illness more than ten years ago, in the prime of his youth.
By now, there were very few people left in the imperial court who could still remember what Gu Heng looked like as a little boy. But Shen Zhongming remembered.
He had held the child in his own arms when Gu Heng was still a baby. Back then, he had been ordered to leave the capital for the northern border. On the day he was to depart, Gu Huaizhou had come to see him off with his young son by his side.
Four-year-old Gu Heng had stood quietly next to Gu Huaizhou, one small hand held in his father's. His pair of clear, bright eyes had looked at him in that quiet, composed way—exactly the same as the little boy he had just seen in the kitchen a moment ago.
The outline of that little boy's eyebrows and eyes bore a striking resemblance to the little Gu Heng in his memory.
