Chapter 75.1 Offering Sacrifices Together
Shen Shaoguang sat in the mule-pulled carriage, with A’Yuan beside her. A’Duo, her newly acquired servant, handled the reins outside. Yu San sat by the shaft of the carriage, and not far behind them, Lin Yan and his two chamberlains followed.
Within the city limits, Lin Yan maintained a respectful distance, but once they left the city, he rode closer, his horse keeping pace with the carriage. Like many men traveling with their wives, he trotted beside her carriage. By inclining her head, Shen Shaoguang could glimpse his figure through the gaps in the bamboo curtain.
Through the bamboo curtain, Shen Shaoguang observed Deputy Magistrate Lin's profile and noted that those with attractive profiles often had well-defined noses and chins. She touched her own nose, feeling a slight regret that her nose bridge wasn't as high.
A’Yuan, whose nose was fleshy with meaty nostrils, cheerfully rolled up the curtain on the other side to admire the scenery. "Miss! Miss, do you think the beans are almost ripe?" she exclaimed.
Shen Shaoguang slowly retracted her gaze, turned her head to follow A’Yuan's line of sight, and smiled. "Yes. Even if they’re not fully ripe, cooking them with some Sichuan pepper and salt would still make an excellent side dish."
A’Yuan nodded enthusiastically. "It's delicious when cooked. The meal you previously made with beans stir-fried with rice, shrimp, cured meat, and eggs was also wonderful, Miss. And last year, when you mashed green soybeans and mixed the juice with glutinous rice flour to make bean cakes, those were delicious too, though they weren't quite sweet enough..."
Shen Shaoguang laughed, amused by A’Yuan's tastes, which truly aligned with the people of the Tang Dynasty.
"Let's try a new way of eating it this year," Shen Shaoguang teased. "I think you'll like it. We'll boil the beans first, then coat them with starch and fry them. They’ll be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside."
A’Yuan clapped her hands in delight. "It’ll definitely be delicious! Didn't Miss say that if one doesn't know how to cook something, just fry it!"
Yu San, though accustomed to their daily bickering, frowned and coughed, mindful of the presence of outsiders. Glancing at the figure behind them, he frowned again out of habit. However, recalling how that man had taken their Miss’s place on that day, Yu San softened and turned back without further protest.
Lin Yan, the so-called ‘outsider,’ naturally heard the chatter between Shen Shaoguang and her maid. He couldn't help but smile. He loved listening to her converse with her maids and servants; it felt very homely, like leisurely enjoying the daily life of a close-knit family.
Due to the recent heavy rain, the road was rough and difficult to traverse. To ensure a comfortable journey, A’Duo drove the carriage at a slowed pace. Shen Shaoguang, not one to fuss over such matters, didn’t mind the slow progress, especially since they had the entire day ahead of them. Lin Yan, equally unperturbed, trailed alongside at a relaxed pace. Departing in the early morning, they arrived at Shing Wong Temple around the 6th earthly branch (9-11 a.m).
The limp old Taoist made his salutations to Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang.
Upon spotting the honey offering cake carried by A’Yuan and Yu San, a sudden recollection struck the old Taoist. ‘Isn't this the young lady who presented the exquisite pastries last year?’ Even during his tenure in the Daguan District of Anqing City, such immaculate and delectable refreshments were a rarity.
After another glance at Lin Yan, the old Taoist couldn't help but recall the generous nobleman who had made significant donations the previous year. Yet, they hadn't arrived together last year...
Internally, the old Taoist harbored a hint of suspicion, but outwardly, he appeared attentive and dutiful. He assisted in arranging the offerings, lighting the joss sticks and candles, and summoned his disciples to recite Taoist scriptures in unison.
Expressing her gratitude, Shen Shaoguang received a swift reply from the old Taoist, "It is simply this old Taoist’s humble duty to serve."
Shen Shaoguang carefully ignited the joss sticks and candles, offering them along with the burning joss paper. With solemn reverence, she bowed before the altar, silently beseeching for the tranquility of her departed families of this lifetime.
Rising to his feet, Lin Yan, too, held aloft his own joss sticks, participating in the ceremonial homage to the Shen Couple.
Shen Shaoguang pursed her lips and remained silent, withholding any immediate response. Once Lin Yan concluded his offerings, she bowed deeply in gratitude.
Lin Yan reciprocated with equal seriousness, reminiscent of young men meeting their prospective brides for the first time in the presence of their future father-in-law.
After Shen Shaoguang completed her ceremony, it was Lin Yan's turn to pay respects to his frientor.
Shen Shaoguang joined in offering joss sticks, not to reciprocate Lin Yan's ‘gesture’, but rather out of a sense of empathy for the parallels between their families' fates. Official Cui was reputedly a man of great talent, and there may have been an association between the Cui and Shen families. His daughter, Young Lady Cui, known for her strong character and commitment to righteousness, had tragically taken her own life. While Shen Shaoguang couldn't emulate her actions, she held a deep admiration for her courage.
Shen Shaoguang trusted Deputy Magistrate Lin's earlier assertion that his "relationship with Minister Cui and his son is far more intimate." Even in a society where customs were more open, marriages among noble young ladies from aristocratic families typically began with favorable impressions between the prospective father-in-law and son-in-law. The father would admire the potential son-in-law's moral standing, knowledge, family background, and appearance, while the young man would appreciate the potential father-in-law's wisdom, character, official reputation, and influence. The young lady's preferences, on the other hand, were often of lesser importance.
Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but imagine how, if there wasn’t an upheaval in the Shen Residence, whether it was her time-traveling self or the original self, her marriage partner would likely have been selected through a similar process. However, fate took a different turn, altering everything.
Recalling Deputy Magistrate Lin's candid confession, Shen Shaoguang smiled after a moment. She gently rubbed her hand, where a red mark from Ming Nu's scratch remained. It seemed she would need to trim his nails soon.