Original subtitles

=Yummy Yummy Yummy=

=Episode 14=

(Yide Hall)

(Li Xu, Crown Prince)

(Not confined to one aspect, excluding dissenters)

(Zhao Xunzhi, Grand Tutor)

Take a seat.

The Crown Prince started to learn early.

Now, he also has

his own unique insights.

His Majesty must be pleased.

Congratulations.

Today, let's end it here.

Zhao Xunzhi

has long spoken of retiring,

but he still teaches in Hongwen Academy.

When I see him,

I even have to call him Grand Tutor.

Xu,

talk to your father

and let the Vice Prefect teach you.

He is young

and talented.

You'll learn more from him.

Aunt,

Mr. Lin was summoned to the Capital.

Father has his own plans for him.

Mr. Zhao is quite good as a teacher.

But why have you

been mentioning Mr. Lin so often lately?

In the Capital,

there are only two people

whom I can regard as confidants.

Lin Yan

is one of them.

Father and you

both appreciate him so much.

He must have extraordinary qualities.

(The Princess favors Mr. Lin.)

Have Anran see me asap.

Yes.

(Prince Zhao's Mansion)

The Prince is so urgent

in calling me back.

What's wrong?

Please go in quickly.

(Prince Zhao's Mansion)

I was worried along the way

and changed horses three times.

Yet you're still drinking tea.

Anran,

I've been brewing this tea for a while,

waiting for you to drink it.

Take a sip first.

Actually, it's not

an urgent matter at all.

I've heard

that the Princess favors you.

Why not become a close attendant

to the Princess?

Your Highness, I'm sorry.

You look so scared.

It's alright.

Why are you so shocked to hear this?

Let me tell you.

When you were a child and sick,

you vomited all over me.

I took care of it myself.

Spitting tea is nothing.

Yes.

You've indeed been a savior

to me.

Don't say that.

You're alone in the Capital now.

I can't help you,

but the Princess can.

If you marry her,

you may not have a promising future,

but you don't have to.

If you two are together,

she can help your career.

I understand your intentions,

but doing this

would belittle both me

and the Princess.

It's not that serious.

Now, many girls in the Capital

want to marry you,

but if you keep refusing,

they won't find you attractive

when you're old.

Here's what I think.

Just go along with the Princess.

If she really likes you...

I've already found out for you

that Wei Xiangqin, Military Commissioner,

will be the Minister of War,

and Song Fangxu, Imperial Attendant,

will be the Vice Minister of War.

The Princess told you that?

I've said it before.

You're indeed

good-looking.

The Princess...

Why suddenly take an interest

in the appointment to the Ministry of War?

Here's the thing.

Guo Pingxu,

the former Minister of War, is my friend.

He is now on a mission abroad

and is worried about his position when he returns.

So,

he asked me to find out.

In fact,

the official world is like this.

You know,

His Majesty chose Guo Pingxu,

and now he is dissatisfied,

so he gives him a promotion that is actually a demotion.

That's why I hope you

can find a patron in the Capital.

The former Minister of War

was chosen by my sixth brother.

The Emperor and I dislike him.

Thank you for your concern.

Since I have to work tomorrow,

I won't stay longer.

Take care of your health.

The water quality in the Capital is not good.

Come back often to have a cup of tea.

Goodbye.

(Complete and Bright)

(Complete and Bright)

(Capital Prefecture)

Anran.

Mr. Pei, why are you here?

The Shens often send you

delicious food that they make.

So, I came to share with you,

but unexpectedly...

This...

What do you mean?

Your Highness.

I have just returned from Leyou Plateau.

I passed by the Prefecture

and thought I'd drop by.

Be careful of the steps.

Don't fall.

I've obtained some Jiannan Wine,

and I'd like to share it with Mr. Lin

and Mr. Pei tonight.

Come here.

Yangyang.

We must stop our ancestor

from going.

Why?

Don't ask why.

Have you seen it on TV at home?

Those social news reports.

Can you pretend

to be foolish or sick?

You can? Good. Come on.

- My goodness. - Help!

It hurts.

- Grandpa. - Yangyang?

Grandpa.

My leg is broken.

Uncle, Yangyang.

It hurts so much.

- Grandpa, it hurts. - Uncle.

My goodness.

I can't live like this.

How disgraceful.

Uncle, are you alright?

It hurts too much.

I can't bear it.

Yangyang, Uncle.

Mr. Pei, it's not good.

Come and help.

Uncle, are you alright?

- What's going on? - Uncle, here.

Come on, slowly.

Where are you hurt?

- Are you okay? - Are you okay?

- Where are you hurt? - Where are you hurt?

This injury is serious.

We need to take them to the clinic asap.

Yes, to the clinic.

Hurry up.

Let's go.

Stop.

Mr. Lin, Mr. Pei,

you don't want to join me,

so you went along

with their act, right?

Of course not.

Your Highness, please calm down.

It's an honor to receive

your invitation.

How could we possibly decline?

How could they know

about tonight's banquet

and thus deceive you?

Yes.

How about this?

Anran will take them

to the clinic for treatment.

I will attend

the banquet tonight

and drink with you as much as you want.

In that case,

it shall be settled.

My goodness.

I was so scared.

You're scared? Really?

After all, it's the Princess.

Moreover, I could tell

you didn't want to go.

Thank you.

Go back.

I'll take the food box back

after I finish.

Alright, let's go.

Yangyang, come on.

Come on.

Your Highness.

How is it?

Mr. Lin's interaction with officials

has been as usual recently,

but he's been particularly close

to Pei Fei, a censor.

I have found out

that he is simple

from a humble background.

Anran always makes friends this way,

treating everyone equally, regardless of their status.

By the way,

how has his relationship

with the Princess been?

He's been avoiding her.

A few days ago,

Mr. Lin prepared gifts for officials for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Even the Vice Minister of Justice,

with whom he had no dealings, received a gift.

But none for the Princess.

The Vice Minister of Justice.

Is it Cao Rong?

Yes.

(Shen's Diner)

This is the place you talked about?

It's far worse than your Guixiang Tavern.

Don't underestimate

this place.

It used to be a stall at the alley entrance,

and even then, business was good.

Now it can even host

the Princess's Qixi Poetry Gathering.

(Second Master Huan, scholar) Lady Shen

is very ingenious in cooking.

Even the Princess praised her highly.

Is the Princess

someone worth respecting?

A woman,

gathering many attendants.

She's immoral and unprincipled.

Be careful with your words.

Sirs, what would you like to eat?

(Menu)

What is this?

A menu.

Our dishes

are listed on this sheet by category.

So, it's called a menu.

(Agate Meat)

(Everyman's Joy) How ingenious.

(Bad smell but good taste)

(Fragrant Crisp) I'll have

one of each of these dishes.

(Favored by God of Wealth)

What is this?

My notebook.

A good memory is not as good as a bad pen.

This way, I won't get the dishes wrong.

(Favored by God of Wealth)

You seem a bit frivolous.

The sash around your waist

can even be casually tugged by a man.

(Favored by God of Wealth)

What else would you like?

This menu

seems to lack

(Mountain Delicacies Pot) wine and pepper-flavored snacks.

The poetry gathering used

to be handled by Guixiang Tavern.

Yet the Princess entrusted it to you this time.

I was puzzled,

but after tasting your food,

I am truly convinced.

Oh, it was you.

No wonder you looked familiar.

You still remember the snacks you had

at the last poetry gathering?

I'll give you two portions then.

Lady Shen,

what kind of snacks are these?

Give us some, too.

Sure, they'll be out in a bit.

Alright.

You're so good at this.

I am Liu Feng,

the third in my family.

Just call me Feng.

Mr. Liu, nice to meet you.

Please, take a seat.

Are you the owner of this diner?

This diner is run by my family and me.

With family around,

why bother to be a waitress yourself?

Will you still be able to get married?

Mr. Huan,

stop it.

I'm sorry, Lady Shen.

It's alright.

Sir,

marriage,

clothing and food.

If you taste the dishes from my diner,

you'll know I can afford clothes

and enjoy good meals.

I'm not in a hurry to get married.

Your frivolous reputation is set,

yet you're not in a hurry?

Perhaps even your family

will be talked about.

Mr. Huan.

I behave properly and run my business legitimately.

If someone thinks I'm frivolous,

it's because they have a dirty mind.

Sir, you're so rude,

unlike someone from a noble family

or someone who can pass the imperial exams.

You should focus on self-cultivation.

Mr. Huan.

You look like a hag,

and your temper is so bad.

I will never step foot in such a diner again.

- Mr. Huan. - You're the ugly one.

After a thousand years,

many people will think I'm beautiful.

You have no vision at all.

Lady Shen's mouth

- Lady Shen. - never spares anyone.

Let's eat.

I'm sorry.

Mr. Huan is such a stickler,

but I didn't expect

that he'd say such nonsense.

From now on,

I will never associate with him again.

I drove away your friend

and put you in an awkward position,

but you don't blame me?

Mr. Huan's rude words

deserved a lesson.

Moreover, I am a businessman.

I understand one thing:

If others have targeted me

and I don't fight back,

my business

can't go on.

I've heard

about your innovative stir-frying.

Compared to steaming and boiling,

it adds another layer of fragrance.

Stir-frying

can use the high temperature in the oil

to remove the juices

from vegetables and fresh meat,

making the texture crispy,

so it will be more fragrant.

To make stir-fried dishes,

one must use an iron pot.

You have no reservations.

I'm impressed.

To be honest,

I've also learned from Guixiang Tavern.

Guixiang Tavern is elegant and simple,

quiet amidst the hustle and bustle.

Guests sit around without appearing disorderly.

It seems you have

a good understanding of the layout.

(Shen's Diner)

I've hosted so many banquets to invite Mr. Lin,

but he never came.

I was wondering why he came today.

You

failed the exams repeatedly,

so I wanted to ask Mr. Lin

what the court's criteria are for officials.

But he told me

the court values scholars

who are cautious

in speech and action.

I went out and found out

that you offended Lady Shen.

Who in the Capital doesn't know

that the Shen family

and Mr. Lin are relatives?

Uncle,

I'm busy studying.

Where would I learn about that?

You're just a distant relative from Xiangzhou.

If not for your father,

how could you stay here to take the exams?

How dare you offend the Vice Prefect?

Tomorrow,

go and apologize to Lady Shen.

As a scholar,

how can I apologize to a tavern girl?

Whatever you are,

you must go and apologize.

You look down on tavern girls?

She's more accomplished than you.

She earns everything

on her own.

What about you?

You're still living under my roof.

How could you say that to me?

Isn't it all because of Lin Yan?

Am I afraid of him?

Lady Shen, I'm sorry.

Yesterday, I was drunk

and said that nonsense.

(Shen's Diner) Please accept

these small gifts.

Please forgive me.

If you're no longer angry,

please send a message to Mr. Lin.

Tell him I'm grateful for his teachings

and will always remember them.

Mr. Lin?

Yes.

That's what I wanted to say.

You must be busy,

so I won't disturb you.

(Shen's Diner)

Didn't you come to apologize to me?

You brought so many gifts

and took them away after showing them to me?

What a cunning and bad man.

Why is it you today?

I want to thank you in person.

Mr. Huan caused trouble,

and you spoke up for me, right?

Yesterday, the food box

was left at the diner's entrance.

You clearly came.

Why didn't you go in?

You were talking happily

with the owner of Guixiang Tavern.

I didn't want to disturb you.

Guixiang Tavern is doing very well,

so I thought I should

take the chance to learn some secrets.

Speaking of which, Mr. Liu

is not quite what I thought.

I originally thought

that a rich boy like him would be

very hard to get along with,

but he is not only kind

but also clear-headed.

A rich boy?

It means his parents are rich

and can protect him,

so he's a rich boy.

Speaking of which,

the Lius are an old, wealthy family.

Mr. Liu's family is well-off,

and he's handsome.

There must be quite a few young ladies

in Yong'an who like him.

What's wrong with you?

Has the fish meat

gone bad?

Is it sour?

I'm just not used to vinegar.

I forgot to say.

This is Vinegar Cabbage.

Vinegar used to be fine.

Why afraid of sourness today?

What's wrong?

A fish bone got stuck.

I swallowed it.

Lady Shen is trying to murder her husband.

Mr. Pei,

our engagement has been canceled.

Don't speak nonsense

and tarnish her reputation.

Canceled?

Yes.

Why?

Recently, many censors have been wondering

why you ordered so many mooncakes

from Shen's Diner

and reprimanded Mr. Huan.

Some even asked me

if you were to marry Lady Shen.

I couldn't say

that you two were engaged,

so I came to ask you

how I should respond,

yet you told me this news.

The censors are just too idle,

gossiping about these things.

You can't say that.

The Censorate is supposed to report based on hearsay.

Besides, you are the focus of the censors.

Why?

Of course.

You see,

you are upright,

your career is smooth,

and you're good-looking.

You're just a bit older for marriage.

In the Censorate,

who wouldn't want

to marry their sister to you?

I don't think

you want to break off the engagement.

I told you so.

If you like her,

you should say it.

With your cold attitude,

how would Lady Shen know you like her?

If you say it,

she will understand.

You'd still be engaged then.

Stop. What nonsense.

You're just like this.

You always

overthink everything.

I'm warning you.

If you miss out on Lady Shen,

you'll regret it in the future.

You two

are a good match.

It's mutual affection,

not like a forced marriage,

which is never sweet.

You sound

like you're being coerced

into a marriage.

Me?

There's no such thing.

No one would like me.

Mr. Lin,

Mr. Pei,

the Princess sent me

to invite you two

to the mansion today

to compose poetry.

Didn't I just go yesterday?

Why are you here again?

Please tell the Princess...

Thank her for her favor,

but I have to write memorials today

and don't have time to go.

The Princess anticipated that

and prepared a banquet for tomorrow evening,

waiting for you both.

I still...

How considerate.

Yet I have documents to review tomorrow.

As a censor,

I should prioritize public duties.

I can't go.

It's a pity.

I hope the Princess will understand.

Me too.

I hope the Princess will understand.

Since you insist,

I won't disturb you further.

I notice that you seem

particularly afraid to see the Princess.

Did something happen yesterday

when you were drinking?

No.

You don't want to see the Princess.

You don't want to do that,

so I made up an excuse.

It's true.

Your Highness,

Mr. Lin and Mr. Pei claimed to be busy

and couldn't make it today or tomorrow.

It doesn't matter.

The cakes from Guixiang Tavern

are too sweet.

I'm starting to miss

the meals from Shen's Diner.

Go and invite Lady Shen here

to cook a meal for me.

Yes.

Some people don't like

poetry or flowers,

but food and sex

are in human nature.

If I cater to their preferences,

they will come eventually.

You're a guest.

Please.

We are close friends.

No need for this.

Anran,

you

go ahead.

Even among close friends,

there are still rules of hospitality.

Mr. Pei, please.

No, no.

Anran, you go first.

Mr. Pei, you go first.

You go ahead.

You go ahead.

Young Master, Mr. Pei,

the Princess sent a message,

inviting you two to have a meal.

We already declined at noon.

Tell the messenger

that we are discussing official business

and

have already eaten.

Yes, we are eating right now.

But the Princess invited

Lady Shen to prepare the evening meal.

- Prepare the horse. - Yes.

Mr. Pei, let's go together.

No, I won't go.

I just remembered

I have guests at home.

I have to go back right away.

You have to go.

I won't go.

You have to go.

If you want to go, go by yourself.

You won't go?

Do you really not fear the Princess?

I don't want to see her.

I'm not afraid of her.

- Go with me. - No.

- You have to go. - I...

I won't go, no matter what.

She won't eat you.

Still, I won't go.

Can you bear to leave me alone

to face the Princess?

Yes.

If you want to go, go by yourself.

I won't go.

Anran, Anran.

Put me down, Anran.

Put me down.

Are you even human?

Are you even human?

(Capital Prefecture)

Lady Shen.

Eating alone is so boring.

Why don't you

stay and have a meal with me?

Thank you, Your Highness.

I would be delighted.

But I haven't finished

the melon wine yet.

How about I make it here,

so I can talk with you?

That'd be great.

Mr. Lin and Mr. Pei are here.

Mr. Lin and Mr. Pei will join us?

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Mr. Pei and I couldn't decline anymore

and finished our official duties.

We're here to apologize.

Mr. Pei and I...

Mr. Lin and I

are here to apologize.

Join us for a meal.

Thanks, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

I've already eaten.

Then eat again.

(The Princess asked me to cook)

(because of the ancestor?)

(Wait a minute.)

(What if she knows)

(about the fake engagement between us?)

(Will she target me?)

Lady Shen,

I heard that you are Mr. Lin's cousin,

but you seem

quite a match to me.

You must be joking.

Between Mr. Lin and me,

it's just mutual care among relatives.

I don't deserve Mr. Lin.

That's not true.

I don't think Lin Anran would mind.

He would.

I mean,

Mr. Lin should be with a young lady

who is well-born, well-read,

and good-looking.

If he chose someone not good enough,

I'd mind on his behalf.

So,

what do you think

is good enough

and what is not good enough?

Take me, for example.

How do you see me?

You're a top-notch beauty,

and should be with a man

who is well-born, well-read,

and good-looking.

I am not

a match at all.

Moreover,

I already have someone I admire.

No wonder you

always refuse my invitations.

You think I'm interested...

You all think I'm interested

in Mr. Lin?

Mr. Pei.

Pei,

who do you think

I want to see?

Who?

Then let me tell you again.

At the Qixi Poetry Gathering,

it was the first time I saw Mr. Pei.

That day,

the way he played the guqin

was elegant and unrestrained

like a Wei-Jin scholar.

How charming.

From then on,

my eyes could no longer

tolerate anyone else.

People say Ruan Ji secluded himself

and played Wine Mad

to express his inner distress,

but I think

he was truly willing

to forget his worries in wine.

But this man in front of me

is the one who played Wine Mad

with the right spirit.

You know my feelings,

yet you always avoid me.

My husband is seriously ill,

and I have to take care of him until the end,

but I don't want to neglect myself.

Yet, Mr. Pei always avoids me.

When he came to drink yesterday,

he was afraid to say anything.

I had no choice

but to try to get close to you

through Mr. Lin.

I even invited Lady Shen here.

I didn't expect

to cause a misunderstanding.

Anran,

from now on,

you should visit me more often.

You can even

bring friends along.

It was my presumption

that caused the misunderstanding.

Yes, it was a misunderstanding.

Your Highness,

you misunderstood me.

Mr. Pei,

my feelings for you

are not a misunderstanding.

One day,

I will make you understand.

(So, the Princess has her eye on Mr. Pei.)

(The Shen family is safe for now.)

(But the ancestor said he had someone he admired.)

(Who could it be?)

(The female ancestor hasn't made an appearance yet.)

Cosmetics and powders!

Thanks to you for relaxing the curfew.

Even though the sun has set,

the market is still bustling.

You've done such a great job.

Why suddenly praise me?

I'm being grateful, okay?

You've been so kind

to our family.

I can't do much in return,

but I can at least give you emotional value.

Emotional value?

You mean to flatter me?

I just want to make you happy.

Besides, in Juxian Alley,

everyone's praising you.

The manager of the clothing shop

says you are the best capital official in history.

The cloth seller says

you truly consider the people's interests.

The young man of the bookshop says

you are the best-looking official.

What is all this about?

Have you eaten enough just now?

Do you want to buy some food?

I'm full.

It was so interesting just now.

The drama's made me full.

The drama?

Laugh if you want to.

So, you also have moments of narcissism,

thinking that the Princess likes you.

Narcissism?

It doesn't sound like a good word.

Take a look.

I don't want it.

In the Western Regions,

a man saw his peerless beauty

in the reflection in the water.

Then, he neither ate nor drank,

just admired himself by the shore,

and turned into a narcissus.

That's narcissism.

But just now, you said

that you have someone you admire.

Is it true?

Yes.

Excuse me.

Be careful.

- Are you okay? - Yes.

Thank you.

You just said you have someone you admire.

Can I ask who it is?

I didn't finish.

I mean,

I made it up.

Could you not stop there?

It's quite startling.

However,

you were so quick-witted,

finding an excuse so soon.

That way,

the Princess can't force you.

But your narcissism this time

can't be entirely your fault.

What the Princess did

was indeed quite misleading.

Next time, I'll learn my lesson

and won't be narcissistic again.

As long as the other party

hasn't said they like you,

it doesn't count.

Remember that.

When you're out there,

you must take good care of yourself.

There are acrobatics.

♪Wear a sunset glow upon the brow♪

♪Breeze sways, wind chimes hang below the cloud♪

Mr. Lin.

♪True feelings perhaps can only be sensed♪

♪Hesitating, undecided, the heart hard to deceive♪

♪Worldly rules and taboos, how could they make me give up♪

♪When rushing to you, leaving my deep thoughts in disarray♪

♪urgent over miles♪

♪To make the wandering heart return home henceforth♪

♪To draw near what seems beyond reach♪

♪Through life and death changes♪

So,

it doesn't count.

(Shaoguang's Food Notes)

(Liangpi with sesame sauce: The people in Shaanxi)

(make Liangpi with genes and muscle memory.)

♪This mundane heart, unwilling to fade♪

♪Perhaps foreknew heaven's design♪

♪Thus fled destiny's trace♪

♪Migrating toward you♪

♪But worldly customs permit only♪

♪Our fleeting meetings♪

♪Granting us floods strong enough to wound♪

♪Each other deeply♪

♪Fear one stroke wrong in time's flow♪

♪Passion fills the page, leaving only foolish longing♪

♪Fear sincerity trespassing half a step♪

♪Plunging into thunder pools, wholly drowned♪

♪Fear fate's script erasing this encounter♪

♪Laying celestial snares and thorns♪

♪Though glimpsing a thread of forewarning♪

♪Can only lament too cruel a fate♪

♪Knowing destiny's course defies reversal♪

♪Yet forcing bonds to confound heaven's will♪

♪So be it♪

♪Let red threads tie our pledge♪

♪This covenant bonds past and present lives♪

♪Wholly depicts you♪

♪Fear one stroke wrong in time's flow♪

♪Passion fills the page, leaving only foolish longing♪

♪Fear sincerity trespassing half a step♪

♪Plunging into thunder pools, wholly drowned♪

♪Fear fate's script erasing this encounter♪

♪Laying celestial snares and thorns♪

♪Though glimpsing a thread of forewarning♪

♪Can only lament♪

♪Such a cruel affection♪