Yummy Yummy Yummy Episode 15 Recap
> Yummy Yummy Yummy Recap
Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang were on their way back to the Capital Prefecture in a carriage. Shen Shaoguang had fallen asleep, and Lin Yan quietly mused to himself that his drinking capacity was not bad. As they arrived at the Capital Prefecture gate, Lin Yan was surprised to find Prince Zhao waiting. Shen Shaoguang briefly poked her head out, but Lin Yan quickly pulled her back, holding her close to prevent her from being seen.
Prince Zhao approached the carriage, and Lin Yan addressed him as "Mr. Li," inquiring about his unexpected visit to the Capital and if anything was amiss. Prince Zhao claimed he was merely concerned about Lin Yan's adjustment to the Capital and had brought him some food and necessities. He then teasingly asked if Lin Yan was hiding a young lady in his carriage. Lin Yan laughed off the suggestion and asked if His Majesty was aware of Prince Zhao's trip.
Prince Zhao dismissed the concern, stating he was a mere leisurely wanderer, and his brother, the Emperor, would consider it a casual visit. Lin Yan discreetly told Shen Shaoguang to exit through the back door and alert her family to avoid detection, before inviting Prince Zhao into the mansion. Shen Shaoguang, however, found herself unable to inform her family in time and could only watch anxiously. Inside the mansion, Prince Zhao spoke of missing Lin Yan while he was away.
Lin Yan assured him he was well-adjusted to the Capital. The Shen family was in the courtyard, cheerfully skewering meat. Prince Zhao commented on the lively atmosphere and asked about the guests. Lin Yan explained they were the Shen family from Qingyang, with whom his parents had arranged an engagement before their passing. He added that the Shens had sought refuge with him three months ago and stayed since.
He had not mentioned them as he believed the engagement was nullified after his own family's incident, and it had since been officially broken off. Prince Zhao expressed his surprise at never being told, noting how Lin Yan had become more reserved since coming to the Capital. He also suggested that the Shen family's presence might be why Lin Yan was reluctant to grow closer to the Princess, stressing the Princess's importance for the young Crown Prince.
Prince Zhao then insisted on meeting the Shen family. Unaware of Prince Zhao's true identity, Shen Jianshe was jovial, boasting about his grilling skills and even offering tips. Shen Shaoguang, having observed Lin Yan's deference and heard Prince Zhao refer to the Emperor as "brother," shrewdly addressed him as "Uncle Li," betting on his high status. Prince Zhao found the Shen family interesting and charming.
Later, as Shen Jianshe, Shen Shaojie, and Prince Zhao engaged in a spirited drinking game, Shen Jianshe's modern slang about "ancestors" and "security guards" baffled Prince Zhao. Shen Shaoguang discreetly intervened, making excuses for her father's drunken ramblings. After Lin Yan revealed Prince Zhao's royal identity to Shen Shaoguang, she became apprehensive, fearing repercussions for her family's informal conduct. Lin Yan reassured her, saying Prince Zhao was easygoing and genuinely found them amusing.
Once the meal was over, Prince Zhao expressed his suspicion about the old engagement between the noble Cui family (Lin Yan's birth family) and the merchant Shen family, finding them "quite strange." Lin Yan admitted his own doubts but affirmed his parents' disregard for social standing and the Shens' sincere and harmless nature. Prince Zhao pressed him on whether he had investigated their background in Qingyang. Lin Yan falsely claimed that there was nothing amiss with them.
Prince Zhao, aware of Lin Yan's hidden intention to overturn the Cui family's old case, called him out for lying and for risking his safety. He reminded Lin Yan that he had saved him to ensure he lived well, not to embark on dangerous endeavors. Lin Yan acknowledged his debt to Prince Zhao and asked him not to interfere further, wishing to distance Prince Zhao from any potential trouble.
Prince Zhao, however, saw Lin Yan as his own son and refused to stand by. He inquired about Lin Yan's progress in the old case, to which Lin Yan again gave a misleading answer about lacking leads. Prince Zhao warned Lin Yan that the Shen family could not remain indefinitely in the mansion, as their presence could be exploited by those seeking to harm him. Lin Yan understood the warning.
Later, Lin Yan’s aide, Liu Chang, asked how Prince Zhao had deduced his intentions. Lin Yan explained that Prince Zhao had harbored suspicions since his orchestrated move to the Capital and had been testing the Shen family to uncover his secrets. Liu Chang concluded that Prince Zhao must have spies in the Capital, constantly monitoring Lin Yan.
He recalled Prince Zhao's previous attempts to deter Lin Yan from imperial exams and his subsequent transfer to a remote post, all of which now seemed to be part of a larger, unclear strategy. The Shen family was terrified upon learning Prince Zhao's true identity. Li Fengxia berated Shen Jianshe for his earlier boasts, crediting Shen Shaoguang for diverting him from revealing Lin Yan's curfew violations.
Shen Shaoguang then shared her grandfather's account of Lin Yan being saved and having his identity changed, suggesting Prince Zhao was the powerful benefactor. The family agreed this was plausible, but the ambiguity of Prince Zhao and Lin Yan's relationship, coupled with the irregularity of a vassal prince entering the Capital unannounced, left them perplexed. They decided to treat Prince Zhao as an elder and avoid causing Lin Yan trouble.
Meanwhile, Shen Jianshe and Li Fengxia, taking the initiative, sent an invitation to Prince Zhao for dinner at their diner. Shen Shaoguang, upset by their rash decision, confronted them, insisting they should have consulted Lin Yan. Her parents argued that Prince Zhao was likely bored at Yunshui Manor, and a meal out would make him happy, potentially aiding Lin Yan's career. Convinced by their logic, Shen Shaoguang agreed to inform Lin Yan.
Outside the palace, Pei Fei told Lin Yan that their association had made him popular with his clan, who were all eager to marry their daughters to Lin Yan. As they conversed, a Pei clan member, the Eighteenth Master Pei, approached Lin Yan's cousin, A Yuan, to propose marriage. Shen Shaoguang, finding the man much older, sarcastically rejected his proposal on A Yuan's behalf, revealing he already had a wife and three concubines.
The offended Pei clan member retorted with insults, and Lin Yan stepped forward to intervene. On the carriage ride to the diner, Shen Shaoguang apologized for her parents' spontaneous invitation to Prince Zhao, fearing it would cause trouble. Lin Yan, however, expressed gratitude for their thoughtfulness and dismissed her concerns, saying any trouble would be his own failing.
Shen Shaoguang noted that Prince Zhao’s visit was a reminder that her family needed to find a new residence and move out of Yunshui Manor. Since he was in his official uniform, Lin Yan changed into casual clothes inside the carriage, prompting Shen Shaoguang to avert her gaze. Believing he was done, she turned back, only to find him still dressing, his physique catching her off guard. Realizing her own disrespect, she quickly turned away.
She then questioned Lin Yan about Prince Zhao's significance, confirming that Prince Zhao had indeed rescued and adopted him in his youth. Lin Yan cautioned her against speculating publicly about such sensitive matters and advised her not to discuss official business with Prince Zhao, despite his genuine concern. At the diner, Li Fengxia thanked Prince Zhao for his support of Lin Yan, who, as the Capital Vice Prefect, needed a powerful patron.
Prince Zhao promised that as long as he was there, no one would wrong Lin Yan. After the meal, Prince Zhao remarked on the delicious food, claiming he would struggle with his own household's meals after tasting theirs. He then suggested a walk with Shen Jianshe, subtly indicating his desire for a private conversation. Lin Yan offered to go, but Prince Zhao insisted on Shen Jianshe, ostensibly to discuss "the art of cooking."
Away from the others, Prince Zhao revealed his true intention: he wanted to discuss Lin Yan's future. He praised Lin Yan's promising career but highlighted the potential for his "old ties"—the Shen family—to become a liability, especially with societal scrutiny and the Princess's favor.
He proposed that the Shen family move out of Yunshui Manor and offered a generous sum of ten thousand gold and the promise of a large tavern in Sushui City, along with other benefits for the family. Shen Jianshe, swayed by the lavish offer, began to convince his family.
Shen Shaoguang, however, questioned why Prince Zhao would be so benevolent to ordinary people and wondered if there was a deeper, more manipulative motive behind the offer, akin to wealthy families in stories paying off undesirable matches. Shen Shaojie also found it suspicious, but acknowledged that moving out of Yunshui Manor was a logical step now that the engagement with Lin Yan was broken.
