[Alternate World + Slow Burn + Food + Everyday Life + Lighthearted and Healing + A Gentle, Steady Pace + No System or Pocket Dimension]
When Meng Zhining arrived in this world, the original owner had already died after falling unconscious with a high fever. All that remained at home were three young siblings, while her awful relatives were plotting to sell her off as a concubine to a wealthy family in town.
She drove the relatives away, then followed her uncle, who had come looking for her, to the prefectural city.
Living under someone else’s roof was never reassuring. The prefectural city was bustling and prosperous, so Meng Zhining rolled up her sleeves and set up a street-food stall, returning to her old trade.
Translucent jade tofu, sweet-and-sour plum drink, golden, crispy lace dumplings, fragrant braised meats, soup dumplings, hot pot, cake, honey-glazed jerky… Every dish tantalized the taste buds and left people longing for more.
From a roadside stall to a shop on a busy street, and finally to a renowned restaurant in the prefectural city, Meng Zhining not only built a thriving life for herself, but unexpectedly found the man of her dreams, too.
Pei Shiyan was handsome, accomplished in both letters and arms, and had no interest in women. To escape the pressure to marry, he accepted an assignment from the emperor and left the capital for Fenghe Prefecture.
One day, he happened to pass a street-food stall. The discerning young Marquis Pei was drawn in by its delicious aroma and, almost as if under a spell, walked over. From then on, he became a regular.
The stall’s owner was a young woman. Not only was her food delicious, she was a fascinating person, too. At first, Pei Shiyan came for the food. Before he knew it, his gaze had gradually shifted to the woman who made it, and he could no longer look away.
The warmth of everyday life, meals shared through the seasons, a beloved by your side, friends and family gathering often, and a cat and a dog for good measure: life could hardly be more perfect.
