Yummy Yummy Yummy Episode 5 Recap
> Yummy Yummy Yummy Recap
After court, Lin Yan heard from officials that Princess Fuhui planned to host her annual Qixi Poetry Gathering, inviting scholars and notables. The Princess was known for her unconventional invitations, even including merchant families in previous years. However, the Capital Prefecture had not received an invitation. Lin Yan saw this as an opportunity to connect with the Princess, but requesting an invitation directly would appear too eager and conspicuous. He needed to find a more natural way to gain entry.
Meanwhile, Lin Yan discovered that the Shen family had borrowed almost all the kitchen utensils from his residence, including the tea-brewing stove, for their street stall. Liu Chang explained that the Shen family found the manor's equipment superior to their own. Lin Yan mused that his investigation into the Cui family case was perilous, and even though he publicly referred to the Shens as distant relatives, they could still be implicated if things went wrong.
He felt a sense of responsibility, believing the Shen family had been affected by the Cui family's downfall, even if Shen Shaoguang didn't mention it. Liu Chang mistakenly thought Lin Yan wanted to end the engagement and send the Shens away, but Lin Yan clarified that Shen Shaoguang was not attached to the betrothal and only sought a temporary refuge, hoping to return to their hometown eventually.
Lin Yan decided against simply giving them money, reasoning that it would be like driving them away. Instead, he preferred to "teach someone to fish," instructing Liu Chang to provide any assistance the Shens needed for their business. Shen Shaoguang and Shen Jianshe were selling Jianbing Guozi on the street, but business was slow. They soon realized many passersby were holding Jianbing Guozi from Yunlai Tavern, which had copied their recipe and was selling it at half their price.
Shen Jianshe was indignant, but Shen Shaoguang knew a price war was not feasible as Yunlai Tavern had cheaper supplies. To find a counter-strategy, she bought all the different flavors from Yunlai Tavern to study their offerings. That evening, Lin Yan and Liu Chang joined the Shen family for dinner, unknowingly sampling the copied Jianbing Guozi.
Lin Yan praised its unique taste, especially the crispy filling, prompting an embarrassed Shen Jianshe to reveal it was Yunlai Tavern's product and ask Lin Yan for justice. Li Fengxia quickly intervened, asserting they could handle their own affairs. Liu Chang attempted to retract his praise, but Shen Shaoguang's young cousin, Yangyang, called him out for lying. Shaoguang concluded that resistance was futile; Yunlai Tavern's imitation would soon lead to other businesses in Juxian Alley following suit, saturating the market.
She declared they needed to "switch tracks" quickly, a term she explained as finding new products to sell, to stay ahead of the competition. The next day, the Shen family launched a new business: selling lamb skewers. Shen Shaoguang adopted a "live-streaming" style, promoting the "crispy outside and tender inside" skewers seasoned with exotic spices, while Shen Jianshe grilled and Shen Shaojie and Li Fengxia rallied the crowd.
They offered an unprecedented deal of three large bunches for only ten qian, with Shen Jianshe comically feigning financial distress, which further attracted customers. Their lively new stall quickly drew customers away from Yunlai Tavern. Lin Yan and Pei Pei, also known as Twelfth Master, passed by after court.
Pei Pei suggested they try the cheap lamb skewers, questioning how the Shen family could sell lamb, a valuable commodity, so inexpensively, given that even he, a Censor, received little in his annual salary. Lin Yan knew the answer: Shen Shaoguang had borrowed his annual lamb allowance. Soon, Manager Feng of Yunlai Tavern arrived with his men, attempting to disrupt the Shen family's stall, claiming their noise was disturbing his "noble guests" and that they were "blocking the market square."
He threatened to have Shen Shaoguang thrown into prison. Lin Yan, who had been observing the scene, stepped forward and challenged Manager Feng, pointing out that no market regulation prohibited stalls outside Yunlai Tavern. Recognizing Lin Yan, Manager Feng's demeanor instantly shifted. He apologized profusely, blaming his subordinate and claiming he was merely trying to "help" the Shen family, going so far as to order his own men to assist in selling the lamb skewers.
Lin Yan, with ironic wit, praised Manager Feng for "bullying the weak" to "gift him a merit," which Pei Pei enthusiastically promised to record. As Lin Yan and Pei Pei prepared to leave due to the overwhelming crowd, Li Fengxia hurried over, offering Lin Yan some freshly grilled lamb skewers, and accidentally called him "future son-in-law." Pei Pei, with his famously sharp hearing, immediately pressed for an explanation.
Lin Yan admitted to an "arranged marriage" with Shen Shaoguang, emphasizing it was a "womb betrothal" agreed upon by their parents, and asked Pei Pei to keep it confidential. Pei Pei was shocked, declaring that marrying a merchant would "harm your career" and "burden your descendants," asserting that such a betrothal was not legally binding without formal gifts. He warned Lin Yan against being "ensnared."
However, after tasting the lamb skewers, Pei Pei was utterly captivated, calling them "delicious" and "a peerless delicacy." His opinion on merchant families softened, though he jokingly suggested Lin Yan "send her away early" to keep the delicious food for himself. Lin Yan gave Pei Pei the rest of the skewers. That evening, the Shen family joyfully counted their earnings. They reflected on the ease of making money in ancient times but lamented the lack of modern conveniences.
Shen Shaoguang, noting that lamb skewers could be greasy and expensive to produce, suggested diversifying their offerings by developing refreshing drinks to sell alongside. The next day, Shen Shaoguang and Shen Shaojie introduced their new line of beverages. Shen Shaoguang playfully marketed "Happy Water" and the signature "Beat Unfaithful Men Green Drink!" encouraging customers to vent their frustrations while she prepared the beverage.
Other drinks included "Dark Plum Bobo, All Things As You Wish" and "Ultracute Maiden Purple, Find an Ideal Husband." The iced drinks were an instant sensation in Juxian Alley. Later, Lin Yan bought some lamb skewers and drinks to share with Pei Pei at his residence. Pei Pei confided that he had been denied an advance on his salary by Vice Minister Zhang for a new outfit to attend the Qixi Poetry Gathering, and thus planned not to go.
Lin Yan offered him clothes from his own wardrobe. Pei Pei then realized Lin Yan hadn't received an invitation either. He offered to secure one, asserting it was a simple matter for the Censorate. He added that Princess Fuhui was seeking an "innovative, excellent chef" for the gathering, as she found previous chefs "lacking in novelty," subtly suggesting Shen Shaoguang.
Later, a leader of the Imperial Guard approached the Shen family's busy stall, requesting several barrels of their new tea drink for his troops. Shen Shaoguang politely declined to deliver the prepared drinks to the military, citing strict regulations regarding army provisions and her unwillingness to bear such a weighty responsibility. The officer initially misunderstood this as a "lack of courage," but Shaoguang clarified her stance, offering to sell them the recipe instead.
She explained that since her family would not remain in Yong'an indefinitely, there was no need to keep the formula secret, and that the Imperial Guard, who "defend peace," deserved to enjoy "Yong'an's newest and best tea." Impressed by her foresight and integrity, the officer admitted his misjudgment and purchased the recipe. Lin Yan, who observed the exchange from afar, dismissed Liu Chang's comment about his admiration for Shen Shaoguang as "nonsense."
Later, Lin Yan and Liu Chang visited the Shen family stall, which had already sold out. Shen Shaoguang offered them the last two cups of "Find an Ideal Husband, Ultracute Maiden Purple." Lin Yan jokingly recited the modern name, causing Shen Shaoguang to blush and admit the name felt "too much like a collapse of ritual" when he said it. With a fond smile, Lin Yan affectionately called her "Ajì," her childhood nickname, and gently tapped her forehead. He then formally invited her to cater Princess Fuhui's upcoming Qixi Poetry Gathering.
