Clever, independent heroine × deceptively innocent hero
Yun Ran, a private-dining chef, opened her eyes to find herself transmigrated into the Tang dynasty, during the reign of its empress, as the daughter of a wealthy Luoyang merchant.
Her father's thriving business had made him the target of jealous rivals. The Chief of Luoyang tried to force the original owner into marriage. Her father refused, and the family was ultimately destroyed. Trapped in the back courtyard, the original owner learned what had happened and killed herself rather than suffer humiliation.
Touching the wound on her forehead, Yun Ran decided she couldn't just sit around and wait to die. While the Chief hosted a banquet, she gathered the money and fled overnight, making her way to Chang'an.
The good news was that the original owner had a fiance in the capital, betrothed to her since childhood.
The bad news was that he had someone else in his heart.
Yun Ran immediately returned the betrothal document. Looking at bustling Chang'an, she thought there had to be a place for her to make a living.
A noodle shop had opened on a street in Chang'an. Its food was exquisite.
It served all kinds of new dishes the people of Chang'an had never seen, like smooth, springy liangfen and tangy, spicy suanshuimian. They were delicious and affordable, and the people of Chang'an loved them.
Yun Ran's grilled fish, roast duck, and braised pork with glass noodles were all exceptional. Her roast whole lamb, in particular, was worth more than its weight in gold.
Her superb cooking won her the favor of an influential person, but all she asked in return was for them to clear the Yun family's name.
Before long, Yun's Eatery had become famous throughout Chang'an.
Her former fiance regretted everything and stood outside the Yun residence day after day, pouring out his heart. Just then, a sword-wielding junior official of the Dali Court hurried over.
"What are you doing to my wife, sir?"
That rainy night, the notorious Junior Official Pei met a most interesting woman.
Soaked to the skin, her eyes filled with suppressed hatred, she said to him, "Lord Pei, would you work with me? I'll make you money, and you can help me get revenge."
The bored Junior Official Pei agreed at once. Gradually, a simple business arrangement stopped being enough for him.
Then one day, he learned she had once been engaged to someone else. Overcome with jealousy, the usually composed Junior Official Pei cornered Yun Ran against a wall, his eyes reddening.
"Yun Niang, comfort me."
Theme: People must save themselves, no matter the circumstances
