Yummy Yummy Yummy Episode 24 Recap
> Yummy Yummy Yummy Recap
Shen's Diner reopened its doors to customers. Lu Yun from Yunlai Tavern arrived to offer congratulations, though his intentions were far from sincere. He had heard that Chancellor Meng's granddaughter was now betrothed to Lin Yan and assumed that Shen Shaoguang had lost her powerful ally, believing her moment of glory would be short-lived.
An employee of Yunlai Tavern remarked that Shen's Diner had opened on the sixth day instead of the usual tenth, and was even imitating imperial dishes like the "Little Spring Platter." She revealed that Shen's Diner wasn't using warm spring water for their out-of-season produce but had developed "greenhouse cultivation," teaching the technique to local farmers who, in turn, waived rent and supplied them with vegetables.
Lu Yun, annoyed by the Shen family's success, threatened his nervous employee not to make him appear petty. At the diner, Shen Shaoguang greeted Lu Yun, who presented a modest gift before politely declining an invitation to sit, stating he would return when they were less busy. Meanwhile, Lin Yan and Liu Chang journeyed to Shi'an County and found Lady Zheng's home. Liu Chang introduced himself as a deputy from the Capital Prefecture, tasked with investigating the local Magistrate.
Lady Zheng, who was pregnant, was exceedingly welcoming and verbose, praising her husband, the Magistrate, as a truly good, handsome, gentle, considerate, and upright man whose sole passion was advocating for the people. She offered them water shield pastry, a local specialty. Lady Zheng explained that a Lady Shen had given it to her a few days prior, mentioning that Lady Shen had sustained injuries while picking the water shields.
Realizing Shen Shaoguang had already visited Lady Zheng, Lin Yan probed about the Cui family. Lady Zheng was initially hesitant, claiming ignorance, but then revealed she was testing their character. She stated she had deliberately made them anxious to observe their true nature, warning that she would have remained silent if they had resorted to threats. She then confidently declared that as the Magistrate's wife, she had nothing to fear in Shi'an County.
Seeing their genuine interest in the old case rather than her husband, Lin Yan introduced himself as the Vice Prefecture of the Capital Prefecture, there to investigate the Qingyang Cui family case. Lady Zheng then fully disclosed that her family had an old engagement with the Cui family, which was broken after the Cui family was eradicated in the "selling official positions" scandal. Both she and her husband believed Prefect Cui was incorruptible and must have been framed.
She revealed that last September, a man had approached her great-uncle inquiring about the Cui-Zheng marriage. Her great-uncle, suspicious of the man's false name, had sent him away. Her husband later discovered the man was Li Ang, the fourth son of Prince Zhao. Lady Zheng connected this to Lin Yan's previous handling of Magistrate Dou's embezzlement case, noting that Magistrate Dou was related to Noble Consort Dou, and the embezzled funds went to the Dou family.
She revealed that Prince Zhao, despite publicly appearing to be at odds with Noble Consort Dou, had maintained private contact with the Dou family. She suggested that these two cases might be interconnected and implored Lin Yan to thoroughly investigate the old Cui family case. On their return to the Capital Prefecture, Lin Yan instructed Liu Chang to bypass Shen's Diner. However, Shen Jianshe intercepted their carriage just outside the diner.
He insisted Lin Yan try their new "Little Spring Platter," explaining he was about to send some over. Despite Lin Yan's initial refusal, Shen Shaoguang approached the carriage, presenting the platter and explaining that they simply wanted to share their delicious food with "family." As she handed it over, Lin Yan saw the marks on her arm. Shen Jianshe and Shen Shaoguang urged him to come inside, mentioning that the whole family missed him.
Lin Yan, however, was conflicted, touched by their gesture yet mindful of the deception. He declined to enter and departed. Liu Chang, observing the scene, remarked that the Shen family's deceptive kindness was almost more irritating than outright malice, creating a confusing situation where anger was difficult, yet reconciliation felt impossible. He concluded that some things, though they might appear genuine, could never truly be so.
Later, Chancellor Meng visited the Capital Prefecture to discuss a marriage proposal between Lin Yan and his granddaughter, Shen Jingwen. Lin Yan expressed surprise, stating he had only met Shen Jingwen twice. Chancellor Meng, however, interpreted her consistent high praise for Lin Yan as a sign of deep affection, suggesting she found him unforgettable. He urged Lin Yan to settle down.
Lin Yan then invoked the law, stating that as a supervisory official, he was prohibited from marrying women under his jurisdiction and felt he was not a suitable match for Lady Shen (referring to Shen Jingwen). Chancellor Meng dismissed his concerns, believing that an imperial favor could easily override such a law. Soon after, Shen Jingwen herself visited Lin Yan. She told him that her grandfather had reported that he hadn't refused the marriage proposal.
Lin Yan tried to clarify that he hadn't meant to agree, but Shen Jingwen interjected, stating she understood her grandfather's love for her often overshadowed her own wishes. She then noticed a wooden tablet with Shen Shaoguang's name on his desk and shrewdly pointed out Lin Yan's legal argument about not marrying a woman under his jurisdiction, noting that Shen Shaoguang was also under his purview. She acknowledged that her grandfather was confident in obtaining imperial approval.
Shen Jingwen then expressed her understanding of Lin Yan's feelings, believing he wouldn't want to waste his time on her. She confessed that while she desired for him to accept the marriage, as his looks and talents would ensure her life wouldn't be too difficult, such a union would merely be a choice, not her true wish; she preferred not to be forced into marriage. Lin Yan confirmed he understood.
Shen Jingwen, after expressing her desire not to be compelled, then requested a temporary favor: that Lin Yan maintain the pretense of considering the marriage for a while to allow her to gracefully handle her grandfather's eagerness. Lin Yan agreed. That evening, Lin Yan saw the wooden tablet with Shen Shaoguang's name. Determined to sever any lingering entanglement, he tossed it into the trash.
Simultaneously, Shen Shaoguang, also seeking a fresh start, removed the red string from her wrist and discarded it. The following day, a frantic Shen Jianshe and Li Fengxia arrived at the Capital Prefecture, reporting Shen Yangyang missing after searching everywhere for her. Liu Chang, whom Lin Yan had already dispatched to inform the Shen family, met them at the entrance. He reassured them that Shen Yangyang was safe inside, having come early to ask Lin Yan for lessons.
Inside, Shen Yangyang was eagerly discussing a passage from "Biography of Sima Xiangru" with Lin Yan, explaining its meaning of universal peace and prosperity and relating it to business principles, acknowledging her aunt (Shen Shaoguang) had taught her similar concepts. Her parents, relieved but annoyed, playfully threatened to spank her for running off without informing them.
Shen Yangyang explained she had promised her father to "meet at the peak" and sought Lin Yan's help because her regular mentors couldn't clarify some questions. Later, she asked Liu Chang if Lin Yan was still upset with them. Shen Jianshe apologized to Lin Yan for Shen Yangyang's intrusion. Lin Yan, maintaining a distance, stated that Shen Yangyang was fine but he was busy and "cannot always entertain outsiders," advising them to take care.
Shen Shaoguang then made a heartfelt apology for all the trouble they had caused, acknowledging that her lies were the root of it and that Lin Yan was justified in not forgiving them. She stated that not apologizing would only deepen their debt. Shen Jianshe reiterated that such troubles would not recur. Lin Yan accepted their apology, adding that he had official duties to attend to.
As he left, Shen Shaoguang called out, expressing her hope that he would fare well in the future and offering their unwavering assistance should he need help with any cases. Shen Jianshe, still struggling with his strained relationship with Li Fengxia, decided to take over the task of preparing ingredients and cooking. He remarked that despite outwardly appearing normal and affectionate, their relationship remained awkward.
He asked why she never wore the ring he bought her, to which she simply replied she didn't feel like it. While demonstrating his knife skills peeling a radish, he accidentally cut his finger. He exaggerated his injury, hoping for sympathy, but Li Fengxia remained unmoved. She scoffed, pointing out she cut herself frequently while preparing food, bleeding far more than him, yet never complained. She sarcastically suggested he suck his finger for iron.
Shen Jianshe despaired, wondering if their relationship would always be so broken. Unable to mend things with Li Fengxia, Shen Jianshe sought solace at a tavern near Ruyue Shop. Meanwhile, Shen Shaoguang and A Yuan were busy packing "Little Spring Platters" for a delivery. Shen Shaoguang explained her innovative, homemade, wax-molded, waterproof, and oil-resistant "packing boxes," highlighting how this food delivery concept would make healthy, three-course meals accessible to hard-working people and drive down prices.
She mused about feeling like a protagonist in a time-travel novel whose small actions significantly advanced society, and when A Yuan commented on her fresh ideas and words, making her seem "not from this time," Shen Shaoguang playfully confirmed she was from "over 1,000 years later." Li Fengxia, noticing sauce stains on their clothes, insisted on making the delivery herself to maintain the diner's reputation for cleanliness.
Upon learning the destination was the "Flowery Room" in the tavern next to Ruyue Shop, she set off. There, she found Shen Jianshe desperately trying to fend off two women who were attempting to entertain him, loudly proclaiming he was a married man and crying for help. Li Fengxia opened the door, witnessed the scene, and sternly confronted Shen Jianshe, who stammered explanations about not knowing the women and not having consumed any wine. Li Fengxia then threw some copper coins to the two women, instructing them to bring her paper and a brush before leaving.
