Making It Big Through Food After Becoming a Maid

[Food + everyday life + the occasional mystery] Lin Zhi wins a cooking competition, only to transmigrate to ancient times and become the dowry maid of a prefectural governor's daughter, in the version where she's already been dismissed. In her former life, she was the governor's daughter's dowry maid. Somehow, she offended the young lady, who, before her wedding, 'gave' Lin Zhi to an idle ruffian from the street as his wife. In despair, Lin Zhi hanged herself. Faced with an unfamiliar ancient world, parents who did everything they could to help her escape a living hell, and the strong, strapping ruffian at her side, Lin Zhi decides to return to her old trade and open a restaurant, determined to give her whole family a better life. As for the ruffian, you know the drill :) As it turns out, the ruffian is rather kind. Not only does he refrain from taking advantage of the situation, he helps Lin Zhi's family find a shop and settle in. He also works hard at the Court of Judicial Review. Grateful, Lin Zhi sets aside a portion of food for him every day. Shen Yan is driven by a family vendetta. To advance the investigation, he is willing to take a low-ranking position at the Court of Judicial Review. But while traveling on official business, he unexpectedly helps a family escape a living hell. Shen Yan doesn't think much of it, never imagining that from then on, the delicious aromas around him will be a daily occurrence. Today it's chicken braised with taro; tomorrow, rice with duck soup. And once he returns to Bianjing, the feasts only get more extravagant: roast duck, red-braised pork, soy-braised pork knuckle, fish and lamb hot pot... They keep coming, turning every day into a banquet fit for the gods. After avenging his family, Shen Yan returns to the imperial examinations. His old teachers and friends rush up to him in tears: “My student, Brother Shen, Yan, you've suffered so much. Look how much weight you've lost... Wait, why have you gained weight?” A few things to know before reading: 1. The story mainly focuses on farming, running a business, and food (80–90%), with some small mystery and crime-solving arcs (10–20%). 2. The reborn supporting character from the Xi family appears both before and after her rebirth, but has little to do with the plot and doesn't appear often, so read without worry. 3. The setting draws on the atmosphere of the Northern Song Dynasty, but does not involve real historical events or figures. Some details have been adjusted to suit the plot. Theme: Knowing how to enjoy good food is a blessing.