Chapter 3: The Stir of Cold Dishes

This is the ancient academy, lacking the grandeur one might expect. It is nestled in the southwestern corner of the city, surrounded by lush trees, and comprises grey-tiled houses with hard, sloping roofs.

Watching the students coming and going on the steps at the entrance, joking with the passing pedestrians, it’s rare for a woman to be seen near the academy, so everyone glances over at her; especially if she is a young and beautiful woman.

Although Xu Nuo is just one of many, the looks from so many men make her feel extremely uncomfortable. Coupled with the hot weather, she was already irritable. Her expression soured as she furrowed her brows tightly, angrily kicking stones on the roadside, wishing she could grab someone to vent her frustrations.

As soon as Shangguan Ziqian stepped out of the academy, he saw his newly married wife on the side of the road, dancing as she kicked and threw stones. If he didn’t know her, he might have thought she was someone else’s fool, here to play.

“What’s wrong?”

A crisp and pleasant voice rang in his ears, and Xu Nuo assumed it was some middle-aged oily man without manners.

“It’s none of your business! Am I blocking your path standing here in the middle of the road? Can’t you see that side of the road over there? Are you blind or what? If you’re blind, go find a doctor…”

Before Xu Nuo could finish her retort, she turned to see a stern-faced man standing next to her. He wore a blue robe, exuding a vibe of solitude, with eyes deep as the sea, and an otherworldly, handsome appearance.

“Did special professions already exist in ancient times? This man is too handsome! But I’m currently broke and can’t afford to keep him!” Xu Nuo shook her head with a sigh, a look of regret plastered on her face.

Shangguan Ziqian genuinely began to doubt whether his wife had lost her mind after falling into the water, for she was behaving and speaking completely differently from the timid woman he recalled.

Just as the two of them stood frozen, Wang Shi emerged from the academy.

Xu Nuo’s eyes brightened, and she rushed over, “Mother, how are you? Where’s my husband? Is he too busy with classes to come out?”

Before Wang Shi could respond, Xu Nuo made a pouty face, “Mother, you must help me! Just now some man tried to disrespect me, looking all pretentious – I don’t know what he was thinking, acting like that!” She pointed at Shangguan Ziqian, who was standing nearby.

“Ah?” Wang Shi looked shocked. Could it be the aftereffects of the last time she fell into the water?

“Madam, did you come looking for me?” Shangguan Ziqian, hearing Xu Nuo’s words, initially stayed silent, but as he listened, it became increasingly outrageous, and he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“What!” Xu Nuo jumped up angrily. “You’re Shangguan Ziqian?” This was off; though it was said in books that Shangguan Ziqian was popular, he hadn’t been described as this handsome.

Shangguan Ziqian, who usually knew how to control his emotions and expressions, now looked increasingly darker, with his deep-set eyes flashing with light as he intensely stared at Xu Nuo, as if able to decipher the mysteries surrounding her.

“Madam, it has barely been half a month; have you really forgotten your husband?” Shangguan Ziqian gritted his teeth as he said this.

Xu Nuo didn’t dare meet his gaze and quickly hid behind Wang Shi, though the more she dodged, the more it revealed her guilt. Finally, she steeled herself and stood in front of Shangguan Ziqian.

“How could that be? I’m just teasing my husband! This is called flirtation; how could I possibly forget my husband, knowing he’s the youngest, most handsome, and most talented scholar within a hundred miles?”

Shangguan Ziqian looked at Xu Nuo’s obsequious expression and, were it not for having witnessed her recent behavior, he would nearly believe her. Though his expression softened slightly, his suspicions did not vanish; he couldn’t understand what had happened in the time he hadn’t seen her. There was a veil around her that made it difficult to see her true self.

Shangguan Ziqian’s eyes sharpened – that veil would be torn away sooner or later, as long as she didn’t harm his mother, he could accept anything else. This was the promise he had made when he married her.

Though unsure of the specifics regarding what had truly happened to her, it was evident she was now far more interesting than before.

Shangguan Ziqian led Wang Shi and Xu Nuo to the academy’s dining hall, where after settling them, he began to serve food.

Looking at the plate of food in front of her, Xu Nuo saw that the meat was just meat, and the vegetables were just vegetables—very bland. There was not a trace of oil in the dishes, let alone any seasonings; she could only taste a bit of saltiness.

After eating one chopstick full, Xu Nuo didn’t want to take a second bite.

“Are you not hungry? It’s rare for the kitchen to prepare meat today; you have to eat some to regain your strength!” Shangguan Ziqian had low expectations for food.

Xu Nuo truly couldn’t eat anymore. Wang Shi had tasted the cold dishes made by Xu Nuo in the morning and felt no appetite seeing this meal either. Not wanting to waste food, she forced herself to eat a few bites.

Xu Nuo couldn’t stand it any longer and took out the cold dishes from her basket. The tangy and spicy aroma wafted through the kitchen, intended to improve Shangguan Ziqian’s meal. There was no rule saying they couldn’t eat it themselves.

“What’s this?” Shangguan Ziqian looked at the brightly colored and uniquely flavored dish, unsure of what it was. In all his years, he had never seen such a dish. Not to mention in this county, perhaps it didn’t even exist in the entire Jin kingdom!

“Qi’er, quickly try it! This is something Nuo Nuo got up early to make for you; you’ll love it!” Wang Shi said with a smile, picking up some chicken and placing it in Shangguan Ziqian’s bowl.

Skeptically, he took a bite, and the tangy and spicy flavor burst in his mouth. His tongue felt hot, but he couldn’t help but want another bite.

Such a wonderful flavor, he had never tasted anything like it before.

“What’s this red one?” Shangguan Ziqian picked up a red chili pepper from his bowl, puzzled.

Xu Nuo was happily enjoying herself and spoke without thinking, “It’s a red chili pepper. Do you find it spicy? No problem, I’ll put a little less next time.”

The people of Jin had a preference for sweet foods, avoiding strong flavors, but Shangguan Ziqian had heard of this seasoning before.

After saying that, Xu Nuo suddenly realized that this name might not exist in this era, so she explained, “It’s that red fruit that grows on the ornamental plants in our yard. One time I accidentally picked it and found it to be quite delicious in cooking, so I named it red chili pepper.” After saying this, she lowered her head and continued eating.

Shangguan Ziqian didn’t miss the expression on Xu Nuo’s face; the way she instinctively licked her lips showed a hint of guilt. It seemed his wife was becoming more and more mysterious. Interesting, really interesting, Shangguan Ziqian chuckled and shook his head.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the other students were grumbling in their hearts.

“What can a poor scholar have to eat? It must be nothing good.” Some were sour grapes, biting down on the meat in their bowls with indignation.

The notorious troublemaker of the academy had arrived—Wang Zijie, fan in hand, strolled leisurely to their table, covering his nose with his sleeve and looking contemptuous as he said, “Shangguan brother, is your family about to run out of food? This bowl looks black and red, and it’s obviously gone bad; it’s already sour.”

After he finished, he looked at Xu Nuo with a greasy expression, “Such a beautiful lady; how can you eat this kind of food? Why don’t I invite you to the restaurant outside for a proper meal?”

Shangguan Ziqian’s gaze instantly turned cold, his face dark as iron. He slammed his chopsticks onto the table, “Get out!”

The previously noisy kitchen fell dead silent, with everyone turning to look at Xu Nuo’s table.

Wang Zijie relied on his father being the county magistrate, flaunting his power in the academy and looking down on everyone. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that.

Before Wang Zijie could explode, two of his minions spoke up, “How bold! Do you know who you’re speaking to? Who gave you the right to speak like that?”

Not waiting for Shangguan Ziqian to speak, Xu Nuo couldn’t hold back any longer. She had a belly full of fire that hadn’t been vented yet.

Xu Nuo slammed her hand on the table and stood up, one hand on her hip and the other pointing at the minion, “Who is he? Why don’t you tell me? I don’t know him!”

“What? Is he the emperor or the prince, that everyone has to know him?” The onlookers, who were about to debate, were immediately silenced by the mention of “emperor” and “prince.” They were frightened into silence, knowing that if they provoked someone too powerful, it could cost them their heads.