Yummy Yummy Yummy Episode 13 Recap
> Yummy Yummy Yummy Recap
After suffering from a high fever the previous night, Shen Shaoguang slowly began to recover, finding the experience to be a taxing punishment. In the imperial court, the Censorate impeached Lin Yan, the Vice Prefect, for leniently allowing people to set up temple music on the streets at night, effectively turning a blind eye to violations of the night curfew.
Lin Yan calmly defended his actions, stating that he had consulted with the Jinwu Guards to allow some flexibility for night travelers. He explained that during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, market officials often went home early, causing the evening drum—which signaled the start of the curfew—to go un-beaten. This meant ordinary citizens were unaware the curfew had begun and shouldn't be blamed.
He argued that in peaceful times with fewer bandits, it was odd that ordinary people violating the curfew were increasing. He pointed out that places like Juxian Alley, with its late-night eateries, led to merchants and customers traveling home at night, naturally giving rise to "ghost markets."
Prohibiting these would cause public resentment, but a slight relaxation would be more beneficial to people's livelihoods and even boost market taxes, as confirmed by a discussion with the Ministry of Revenue's Vice Minister Zhang. The Emperor, acknowledging that while the Ministry of Rites prioritized ancestral laws, governing a state did not mean adhering rigidly to old customs, agreed to slightly relax the night curfew. After the court session, Pei Pei approached Lin Yan, expressing initial worry about his impeachment.
However, she quickly realized that Lin Yan had anticipated the move and was simply "going with the flow," even "teasing them" during the debate. She complimented his shrewdness. Just then, Cao Rong, a Vice Minister from the Ministry of Justice, called Lin Yan aside, thanking him for the mooncake he had sent and inviting him to his home for a private conversation. At Cao Rong's mansion, he showed Lin Yan a piece of calligraphy, quoting from an "Ode to Friends."
He noted that Lin Yan's handwriting, attached to the mooncake, bore a striking resemblance to that of a close friend who had written the ode for him. He revealed his friend was Cui Rangzhi from Qingyang, whose wife was from the Lu family in Xiuzhou. Lin Yan, feigning ignorance, mentioned that the Cui family was infamous for the "selling official positions" case seventeen years ago. Cao Rong vehemently defended Cui Rangzhi, asserting his friend would never engage in such corruption.
He recounted how Cui Rangzhi had died tragically in prison before the Grand Court of Revision could even review the case, indicating a definite injustice. Cao Rong admitted his helplessness at the time, being merely a clerk in the Chancellery, and how his persistent petitions led to his demotion to Lingnan, leaving him with a broken family.
He spent seven years relentlessly working his way back to the Capital and into the Ministry of Justice, all to await the right moment to clear Cui Rangzhi's name. Lin Yan then pressed him, asking if he would risk his life for new evidence. Cao Rong's passionate readiness to immediately seek an audience with the Emperor, even threatening to hit a pillar in protest, convinced Lin Yan of his sincerity.
Cui Che then calmed Cao Rong and revealed his true identity: "I'm Cui Che. Greetings, Uncle." Cao Rong was overcome with emotion, thrilled to see his deceased friend's son alive and well. Cao Rong tenderly inquired about Cui Che's survival over the years. Cui Che explained that he was saved by Prince Zhao, who had regarded Cui Che's father as a confidant and regularly exchanged letters with him.
When the selling official positions case broke, Prince Zhao sent people to find Cui Che. Coincidentally, Prince Zhao's eldest son, Li Sheng, had just died from illness, and Cui Che's resemblance to Li Sheng provided comfort to the Prince, leading to his adoption. Cui Che confessed his frustration at finding no evidence, as the Cui family's mansion in the Capital had been sealed and demolished, and even their old family home in Qingyang razed.
Cao Rong then revealed what he had uncovered: the selling official positions case was highly sensitive, involving the Ministry of War and the Sixteen Guards, seemingly shaking the very foundation of the state, which led to its severe handling.
The initial evidence, presented by a minor official claiming he was ambushed after failing to buy an office from Cui Che's father, was extremely detailed and impossible to refute, leading to his father's immediate imprisonment and eventual suicide, which was widely believed to be an admission of guilt. That minor official also mysteriously drowned.
Even Fifth Master Xiao, Princess Fuhui's husband, who oversaw the case, suffered a fall from his horse, falling into a coma and lying in bed for years, with his name notably erased from all case files. Later, Cui Che received a secret letter from Prince Zhao, requesting him to gather information on candidates for several vacant positions in the Ministry of War from Princess Fuhui.
Cui Che found it suspicious that Prince Zhao, who had witnessed the selling official positions case, had never mentioned Fifth Master Xiao. He decided to use the Princess's appreciation for the Shen siblings to his advantage and asked Shen Shaoguang to prepare a special dish to present to the Princess, hoping to inquire about her husband, Fifth Master Xiao, during the visit.
Shen Shaoguang, having just recovered from a fever, playfully questioned why Cui Che hadn't sent mooncakes to the Princess earlier. She suggested making a unique savory Xuanwei Ham mooncake, proposing he use the ham's long curing time as a plausible excuse for the late gift, believing the unconventional Princess would appreciate something rare. Cui Che complimented her "talent for turning black into white."
While preparing the ham mooncakes, Shen Shaoguang explained the elaborate multi-step curing process of Xuanwei Ham to A Yuan, describing how aged ham developed a "mellow aroma after years of fermentation" unlike fresh meat. She likened fresh meat to young men, "tender but too straightforward, lacking soul," while aged ham was like a mature man, "experienced and settled," whose flavor would infuse other dishes without being diluted. A Yuan agreed, remarking that "Mr. Lin is different. . .
he's young, but he's experienced, steady, and sophisticated." Cui Che, who was listening nearby, secretly smiled. A Yuan then teased Shen Shaoguang, wondering if she was reconsidering their broken engagement given her compliments. Cui Che dismissed the idea, stating she didn't like him, though A Yuan noticed a hint of irritation in his tone.
Cui Che then instructed his attendant not to mention Cao Rong in his reply to Prince Zhao, expressing a growing doubt about Prince Zhao, who, while a benefactor, was ultimately a powerful vassal, whose intentions and actions seemed increasingly questionable. That evening, as they assembled the mooncake gift box, Cui Che asked Shen Shaoguang if her seemingly harmonious family ever hid things from each other.
Shen Shaoguang readily listed examples: her younger sister Yangyang sneaking sweets, her grandfather hiding money (with her complicity), and her brother Shen Shaojie secretly divorcing his ex-wife and even helping her move to be with her new, wealthier lover (a secret revealed by their father when drunk, which Shen Shaoguang dared not tell her parents). Sensing Cui Che had something on his mind, she offered to be his "tree hole," listening without judgment.
Cui Che then confessed about a "trusted elder" who seemed to be hiding things from him, just as he also had many secrets from that elder. Shen Shaoguang reassured him, saying he was kind and wouldn't hurt others, so his decision to keep secrets must have a good reason, perhaps even "white lies," reminding him of his own past teaching: "we judge actions, not intentions," and he needn't judge himself before harming anyone.
The next day, Cui Che presented the exquisite mooncake gift box to Princess Fuhui. The Princess was delighted with the innovative wooden and leather bag, praising Shen Shaoguang's cleverness and hoping she would find a worthy husband, unlike herself who felt "alone." She loved the savory Xuanwei Ham mooncakes, noting their rich, mellow flavor. Cui Che took the opportunity to inquire about her husband.
The Princess, sensing his curiosity, spoke candidly about her arranged marriage to Fifth Master Xiao, stating there was no love between them. She recounted how the unskillful horseman had inexplicably insisted on riding one of her horses, leading to his fall from a cliff and subsequent coma. She bitterly added that outsiders, and even her own brother, the Emperor, had suspected her of intentionally causing his accident.
Cui Che defended her, stating that her nature was to act openly, and she would never resort to conspiracy. Touched by his understanding, the Princess shared information: many recent visitors had sought to inquire about the next year's Ministry of War appointments. She revealed that the former Minister of War was chosen by her "sixth brother" (Prince Zhao), whom both she and the Emperor disliked.
She also mentioned that the families of the Military Commissioner and Imperial Attendant were currently visiting Yong'an. She noted Prince Zhao's consistent "connections with the court" and his practice of "recommending officials." As Cui Che departed, the Princess bestowed upon him a set of fish badges, granting him free access to her mansion, and insisted he return to the Prefecture in her personal carriage.
Meanwhile, Shen Shaojie's philosophical sayings from a poetry gathering had been collected into "Shen's Sayings" and rapidly disseminated through woodblock printing, making him an idol among the women of Yong'an. His female admirers, whom he affectionately called "Gongcai Fan," besieged the family restaurant daily, making it impossible to conduct business. Shen Jianshe and Yangyang witnessed Cui Che being escorted home in the Princess's luxurious carriage.
Shen Jianshe, having overheard the Princess's attendants praising Cui Che and hinting at a potential match, rushed back to the restaurant, fearing the implications. During an emergency family meeting, Shen Shaojie initially thought Cui Che marrying the Princess would elevate their family's status. However, A Yuan reminded everyone that if "ancestor" Cui Che married the Princess instead of "ancestor" Shen Shaoguang, it would alter history and erase their very existence.
While one family member pointed out the Princess's high status and the benefits of her support without restricting Cui Che's career, another feared the Princess might "take him by force." The family ultimately agreed that they must set aside their internal squabbles and "resolutely prevent our ancestor from going to the Princess," fearing it would lead him to a "place of greater happiness" that would fundamentally change their future.
