Synopsis
On Longjin Bridge in Bianjing, there lived a young lady;
The young lady could talk up a storm, and her food won over young men;
Once a young man came, he never left, until he won the beauty's heart.
Su Yue transmigrates to the Northern Song Dynasty, becoming a fifteen-year-old girl from an ordinary town family. Her father is obedient but lazy and fond of food; her mother is gentle but socially anxious. The family has seven people, and they all depend on rent from a little shop left by their ancestors. They are all crammed into the back rooms, muddling through life and scraping by. Every month, they spend more than they earn, living off their dwindling savings. They're the quintessential paycheck-to-paycheck family.
Lazy and fond of food? As long as he's obedient, that's fine. Got nothing to do? Grind beans, carry loads, knead dough. He'll get used to it.
Socially anxious? As long as she's gentle, that's fine. Shed a few tears, wear them down, take a few walks every day and expand her social circle. She'll be fine in no time.
The little ones are mischievous and naughty? No problem. She's an expert at handling kids like these. Give them a beating. If one isn't enough, give them two; if two aren't enough, give them three. A few beatings and they'll behave.
She finds a young man while out and about. He's handsome and sweet, and does whatever she tells him, whether it's east or west. He's got a good disposition, so why not make him a little husband?
On Longjin Bridge:
She sets up a stove and a griddle, then starts calling out her wares: "Jianbing pancakes! Roujiamo! Ye'erba rice cakes!"
Later, when the lease on the shop expires, she takes it back and opens a food shop, selling rouge goose, salted meat, vinegar fish with a handle, crab roe tofu casserole, and fresh chestnut soup with osmanthus.
*
Shen Qi is a vice minister at the Court of Judicial Review. He's a brilliant writer, but unfortunately has a "Bodhisattva" face that always seems to smile. He's modest, but ruthless in his work, and dispatches murder cases with cold efficiency. Though he's been single for years, no one dares to play matchmaker for him.
One day, while investigating a case, he goes undercover in the city and finds a suspect's trail. Careless, he is badly wounded and is "picked up" by a young lady, who takes him back to her shop and hires him as a bookkeeper. Each day, he watches her whip her family into shape and works on the abacus. To his surprise, he starts to enjoy himself.
When he learns the young lady is already engaged, he restrains himself and reminds himself to keep his distance.
But as he watches the two of them chatting happily, jealousy churns through his flesh until it feels raw. Still, he cannot bear to miss a single moment of their interaction, and watches them with a cold stare.
Just as the fugitive is captured and Shen Qi is about to leave, the engaged couple break off their marriage. His heart fills with joy, but then the young lady walks up, raises an eyebrow, and asks, "Young sir, would you be willing to marry me? After we're married, we won't interfere with each other's lives. If you fall in love with someone someday, we can divorce anytime."
Shen Qi keeps his expression calm and gives a faint nod.
Su Yue has gained a good husband and escaped the curse of being nagged to marry. She is delighted.
She never expected to learn after the wedding that the man is the newly appointed vice minister at the Court of Judicial Review. Then she hears from others that he is a ruthless killer, cold and merciless. She is completely dumbfounded.
Are they talking about her sweet, well-behaved husband?
Later, she discovers his upright heart: he is impartial, honest, and incorruptible.
At the very end, she presses a hand to her sore, weak lower back and turns to look at that "Bodhisattva" face. All she can do is sigh, "You really are ruthless!"
Reader's guide:
1. The heroine has a cooking golden finger. She's good at everything, and everything she makes is delicious!
2. This is an alternate-history Northern Song Dynasty, so please don't overanalyze the historical details. Thanks for your support!
3. No matter what, this story will be completed. Please show your support and add it to your collection, and help this struggling little author reach the pinnacle of her career!
Theme: Twisted love may be thrilling, but a steady, lasting love is better
