Yummy Yummy Yummy Episode 31 Recap
> Yummy Yummy Yummy Recap
The wedding procession for Mr. Cui Che, formerly known as Lin Yan, was a magnificent sight, drawing comments from onlookers about the lavish display for Lady Shen Shaoguang, a merchant's daughter, and speculating how much Mr. Cui must cherish her after 26 years without a wife. At the entrance, Shen Shaojie stood ready to test Cui Che. Cui Che's attendants proudly proclaimed their master's vast knowledge.
Shen Shaojie began with an arithmetic problem, the classic "chickens and rabbits in a cage," which Cui Che solved instantly, crediting his knowledge of the "Sunzi Suanjing". When asked about the image formed by candlelight passing through a pinhole, Cui Che promptly answered "an inverted image," citing the "Mohist Canon". Shen Shaojie then posed a riddle about two people facing opposite directions yet seeing each other, to which Cui Che smartly replied, "Because they're facing each other."
For the next riddle, asking why one wouldn't discard overcooked beef tripe, Cui Che retorted with a "cheesy pickup line": "Because you're not young either," which annoyed Shen Shaojie, who suspected Shen Shaoguang had leaked the answers. Finally, when asked what the bride wanted him to fetch, Cui Che simply declared, "Fetch her!" Frustrated by these "cheesy pickup lines," Shen Shaojie resorted to making Cui Che recite tongue twisters.
Inside, Shen Yangyang updated Shen Shaoguang on Cui Che's progress, mentioning he was now reciting tongue twisters. A Yuan advised Shen Shaoguang to make him wait longer, but Shen Shaoguang admitted she wanted to hear the recitation. Anticipating her curiosity, Cui Che had sent a letter via Shen Yangyang.
A Yuan initially dismissed it as a "marriage poem" full of "sweet nothings," but it turned out to be a "marriage deed" for a shop, with a note asking Shen Shaoguang to "Please help me." Shen Shaoguang acknowledged this as "the right way to urge the bride." The Princess arrived at the wedding, welcomed by Shen Jianshe and Li Fengxia.
Cao Rong approached the couple, expressing his unfamiliarity with the unique wording of the wedding ceremony and its specific intonation requirements. He read a passage aloud, his professional delivery impressing them as if he were a seasoned host of over a decade. He briefly worried about the term "host" being associated with monastic vows, but Shen Jianshe assured him it was unrelated.
Shen Jianshe then playfully suggested that Cao Rong smile, showing "at least eight teeth," prompting Cao Rong to practice diligently. Meanwhile, Shen Jianshe and Li Fengxia were concerned to find Pei Fei seated by the doorway, deeming it disrespectful. They urged him to move to a more honored seat.
Pei Fei, now promoted to Vice Censor-in-Chief, a full Rank V official, humbly declined, stating it was still inappropriate for him to sit among the elders or with the Princess, and encouraged them to attend to other guests. Lady Jingwen was also among the guests, expressing her long-held belief that Cui Che had never died, recalling his "pesky" childhood and fascination with gadgets. She felt deeply satisfied to witness his wedding.
The ceremony proceeded with solemn rituals, including paying respects to elders, sharing meat to symbolize their equal status, and drinking wine together to signify their eternal bond. After bowing to each other, the ceremony concluded. That evening, in their chambers, Cui Che was found examining a manual gifted by the Princess. Shen Shaoguang, recognizing its content, called it a "sense of relaxation" from her era and teased him about needing to "learn" from it.
Cui Che, noting their sudden marriage left them little time to "spend any time together," seemed to hesitate, but Shen Shaoguang playfully questioned if he was "making excuses" and reiterated that he should "take some time to learn." They then spent their wedding night together.
The next day, Cui Che returned to work at the Capital Prefecture, where his colleagues congratulated him on his recent marriage and restoration to office, attributing their 20% salary increase and future promotion prospects to him. Shen Shaoguang, now addressed as Mrs. Cui by the officers, arrived with a new dish from their restaurant: the "Ten-Flavor Crab."
She explained that it featured crab prepared in ten different ways, including traditional marinated, steamed, pepper crab, stir-fried, deep-fried, pickled, scallion oil, drunken crab, baked crab with cheese, and her father's unique creation, crab steamed with rice wine and cinnamon. She noted its limited availability, as her parents, having recently reconciled after a quarrel, were planning to "take my mother to Jiangnan to explore new cuisines."
When asked about Shen Shaojie, Cui Che informed them that his brother-in-law and Mr. Liu were preoccupied with opening a new branch of their diner. Elsewhere, Shen Shaojie was enthusiastically promoting "children's nutritious lunch boxes" at his third diner branch. Mothers praised his innovative solution, grateful that their children could finally enjoy hot, colorful, fragrant, and delicious meals with adorable designs.
Shen Shaojie feigned humility but his face lit up when a mother mentioned that Shen Yangyang considered him "the most reliable father." At school, Shen Yangyang was honored as the "top performer" in her exam. Her mentor questioned how she achieved such flexibility with the Four Books and Five Classics. Shen Yangyang asserted the importance of not "studying rigidly," criticizing how mentors often "focus on the wording," which "stifles creativity" and "limits perspectives."
She advocated for "understanding the principles ourselves" and not blindly trusting "authorities." Her mentor appeared perplexed, but the Princess, who was present, praised Shen Yangyang's insights. The Princess congratulated Pei Fei on his promotion to Vice Censor-in-Chief, noting that his increased salary would now allow him to "bring your mother to live in Yong'an," with a carriage already arranged for her arrival. Pei Fei acknowledged her using the address "Mr. Pei," indicating a shift in their dynamic.
He then openly shared his humble background, explaining that although his Pei clan was prominent, he was merely the 47th in the main clan and 12th in his branch, unable to "benefit from the clan's glory." He spoke of the successive deaths of elders, which "delayed entering the Capital due to mourning," and how he was "already old" when he finally entered the Censorate.
He had never proposed marriage because, despite his lineage, he was from a "prominent clan, but I'm from a humble background" and questioned, "How could I burden a good lady?" Pei Fei further elaborated that his "father passed away early," and his "mother has been the one to carry on," and he intended to live with her.
He emphasized that it was he who "received my mother's grace," not a future wife, and he could not "force someone else to be filial." Furthermore, his "meager salary" was insufficient to "support two women and future children." The Princess proposed that if he accepted her, "all of this would've been solved easily."
Pei Fei respectfully declined, describing her as "precious and noble," "like a deity," and stated he wouldn't have her "stooping down into my mire," as it would "reveal the hardships of my life." He asserted, "I can't accept it. I'm not willing to accept it." He explained that his "clumsy" way of living suited him for the Censorate, where he could "do more for you, for His Majesty's court, and for this vast land."
However, if he were to be her husband or "close lover," he would "not be able to be a good censor" because "with myself entangled with you, how could I have to criticize others?" He expressed "trepidation" and sought her forgiveness. The Princess then asked if he had "ever been sincere for a moment." Pei Fei confessed he had "lied" that day, revealing that "it was more than just a moment of sincerity.
I dare to admit that I have fallen in love with you." Finally, when asked how they should interact in the future, Pei Fei firmly stated that she was "the Princess," and he was "but a subordinate." Meanwhile, Li Ang remained in hiding, struggling to find food and vowing to make Cui Che suffer as he was. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, Cui Che joined Shen Shaoguang in making mooncakes.
Shen Shaoguang playfully tested his knowledge of terms from her "Future Village." Cui Che identified an "ice skin mooncake" and recited other learned terms, such as "mooncakes" for "yuè tuán," "cucumbers" for "hú guā," "eggplants" for "kūnlún guā," "Dad" for "ā yé," "Mom" for "ā niáng," and "gēge" for her brother. When asked what he called her, he affectionately replied, "Sweetheart," making her observe that he "sounded like someone from our era" when he said that.
Shen Shaoguang thanked him for helping with the Mid-Autumn banquet preparations, explaining her parents had just returned from Jiangnan and needed rest, Shen Shaojie was busy with diner branches, Shen Yangyang was preparing for exams, and Yu San and A Yuan were exhausted. Cui Che assured her, "It is only natural for me to contribute." While tying her apron, Shen Shaoguang remembered the previous Qixi Festival when she tied his apron and his ears turned red.
She teased him, asking if he "had lustful thoughts for me then?" He denied it, prompting her to press, "It's not lust. Then what is it?" He responded with "sincerity." She playfully called it "cheesy," and when he asked what "cheesy" meant, she claimed, "It's a compliment," though he doubted her expression. That evening, the Shen family hosted a grand Mid-Autumn banquet.
Shen Jianshe and Li Fengxia happily recounted their recent trip to Jiangnan, and Shen Jianshe suggested another trip next month, assuring his wife that "Gongcai and Jicai can watch the diner" as "They've all grown up." Liu Feng, foregoing his own family reunion, joined the lively celebration, stating he couldn't miss the fun.
Lady Jingwen's vegetarian meatballs received compliments from Liu Feng, who observed that now that she was "the Yong'an Culinary Master," her grandfather no longer pressured her into marriage. Cui Che and Shen Shaoguang presented mooncakes, each with a different flavor, proudly announcing they had made them all themselves, instructing guests to take "one for each person. Don't take more than one."
Thoughtfully, Cui Che also prepared food for the patrolling soldiers, having coordinated with the Palace to ensure their lively gathering in Juxian Alley would "end before the Xu hour." Shen Jianshe beamed with pride as he served his "Spring Water Lamb," insisting his cooking skills "have definitely improved" and urging everyone to taste it. He even affectionately called Li Fengxia "Sweetheart," amusing the children. As everyone praised the delicious lamb, shouts of "Fire!" suddenly erupted, signaling a blaze at a nearby diner.
