The Little Chef of Bianjing (Food)

"Tea houses and wine shops, willow-lined lanes and flower-filled streets, gold and jade dazzling the eye, silk robes wafting with fragrance."

Most taverns in the capital put up eye-catching, colorful signs to welcome customers. On the whole of that bustling street, only the Li family's tavern was the exception.

On the first day food blogger Li Mingyue transmigrated to Bianjing, her family's tavern went under.

They sold the tavern to pay off their debts, then the family of three opened a breakfast stall at the entrance to an alley. But Old Li's cooking was truly a cause for concern.

So Li Mingyue rolled up her sleeves and got back to her old profession: wontons, soup noodles, chicken noodles; chestnut cakes, buns, flaky pastries...

Lift the steamer lid, and the whole alley fills with fragrance~

Civil officials get out of their sedan chairs, military officers dismount, and everyone grabs breakfast on their way to court.

With options for every budget and fair prices for all, everyone praises Lady Li's cooking.

But the people who come calling to propose marriage are either wealthy merchants looking for a concubine or widowers in their middle age...

The matchmaker says, "If you find someone from a well-off family, you should marry him~~"

Mingyue scoffs: Making money is what really matters!

Lin, an official with the Street Office, is a regular at the breakfast stall, coming every day without fail, rain or shine. But whenever he looks at her, he seems to want to say something and then holds back.

Li Mingyue cries out in alarm: Is this head of city management going to shut down my stall?

Everyone at court knows: The young marquis, who grew up in the palace, offended the imperial consort and was punished by being sent to the Street Office to handle sanitation.

Everyone at court also knows: The sovereign is wise and never wrongs an innocent person.

And everyone at court knows: Ever since the young marquis joined the Street Office, even Bianjing's most notorious street thugs have started helping old ladies cross the road...

In short: There's always someone worse to deal with the wicked!

"Your Majesty, the young marquis has been at the Street Office for over half a year."

"So, has he admitted his mistake?"

"Not at all. He's delivering takeout for a little tavern and says he won't ever come back!"

"..."

Theme: Strive to improve yourself even in adversity