Chapter 64
**Chapter 64: Sugar-Cured Tomatoes**
In the sweltering summer, aside from brown sugar jelly, Prince Yan has developed a fondness for **zhe tang ban fan qie** (sugar-cured tomatoes).
The preparation is simple: fresh tomatoes are diced, sprinkled with a bit of cane sugar, and then chilled in cold water for a moment before serving. As the sugar melts, it mingles with the sweet and sour flavor of the tomatoes, creating a refreshing treat that is both cooling and delicious.
Zhao Yang thought she must be dreaming. She pointed at the bright red tomato, “This... this was grown by my second brother himself?”
Shen Wei nodded with delight, “The left half of the vegetable garden is all planted by His Highness himself.”
Zhao Yang gazed at the lush vegetable patch.
In that left section, the crops thrived remarkably well: the eggplants were plump, the tomatoes were vibrant, and the cabbage leaves were a rich green.
“I want to grow vegetables too!” Princess Zhao Yang exclaimed, her enthusiasm bubbling over.
Shen Wei had been waiting for her to say that.
She pointed to a small plot of land that had just been cleared nearby, “In that case, let me teach Your Highness how to plant vegetables.”
Cai Lian and Cai Ping fetched the farming tools, and under Shen Wei’s careful guidance, Zhao Yang planted two small greens, an eggplant seedling, and a tomato seedling.
As she looked at the freshly planted seedlings, joy sparkled in her eyes, and a gentle sense of accomplishment swelled in her heart.
When the eggplants matured, she would pick the first one and send it to Yan Yun Ting.
He always said she was “a delicate flower untouched by the world” and “unfamiliar with the struggles of common folk.” By planting vegetables herself, she could show him she understood the essence of life! Surely, he would see her in a new light!
After finishing the planting, Zhao Yang was tired, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her fair face flushed.
Shen Wei led her to a pavilion by the water for a rest. The pavilion was exquisitely designed, adjacent to a shimmering lotus pond, where a gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of the flowers, washing away Zhao Yang’s heat.
Shen Wei also brought her a special herbal tea, bitter yet sweet, with a lingering aftertaste. As Zhao Yang sipped the refreshing tea, basking in the gentle breeze, her eyes feasted on the beautiful lotus pond, and beside her was the flower-like Shen Wei. She felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.
She loved spending time in Shen Wei’s courtyard.
So relaxing!
So free!
No wonder her second brother favored Shen Wei so much; in such a comfortable and liberating environment, everyone would want to come here to unwind.
“This is mint sago jelly, Your Highness. Would you like to try?” Shen Wei offered a bowl of summer dessert.
Zhao Yang remembered the delicious mint sago jelly well; after returning to the palace, she often craved it, but the imperial chefs could never replicate it.
She couldn’t wait to take a bite, but then her elegant brows furrowed slightly, “It’s a bit bland.”
Not as tasty as the desserts from the East Mountain hunt.
Shen Wei looked apologetic, “I didn’t get the proportions right. I heard there’s a dessert shop on the main street of Yan Jing that specializes in mint sago jelly and has many fresh snacks. If you like, I can send a maid to buy some—though the journey might ruin the texture.”
Zhao Yang tilted her head in thought for a moment, then decisively said, “That’s simple. Shen Wei, you’ll accompany me to that shop.”
No one could refuse a princess’s command, and Shen Wei readily accepted.
Shen Wei climbed into the princess’s carriage, heading to the “Wei Xue Bing Cheng” shop on East Street.
...
East Street was bustling with activity.
Vendors shouted their wares, offering a dazzling array of goods. In the most vibrant part of the street, there were two dessert shops.
One was called “Zhang Fu Ji,” and the other “Wei Xue Bing Cheng.”
Zhang Fu Ji had been in business for ten years, serving delicious pastries and various desserts to the nobility of Yan Jing, gaining quite a reputation.
Wei Xue Bing Cheng had just opened, less than three days old, primarily selling two types of desserts and five or six snacks.
The business of the two shops was worlds apart. Zhang Fu Ji was packed with customers, while Wei Xue Bing Cheng was nearly empty.
The owner of Zhang Fu Ji, surnamed Zhang, was from the south and had built his business from the ground up. With a sharp mind and a diligent work ethic, he gradually expanded his shop.
He walked into the empty Wei Xue Bing Cheng with a smile, his gaze finally landing on the elegant shopkeeper.
Shopkeeper Ye was beautiful, dressed in a simple red and white skirt. Zhang Boss smiled broadly, “Shopkeeper Ye, have you considered my proposal? Since your shop isn’t doing well, why not rent it to me? You could save some money.”
Zhang Boss had long set his sights on the shop across the street to expand his own.
But fate had other plans; the shop across had been rented out and, coincidentally, also opened a dessert shop. Next to it was a large area of unused land, referred to as “parking space.”
This was a direct threat to his business!
Zhang Boss had initially worried about losing customers, but soon realized he had overreacted. The shopkeeper of Wei Xue was clearly not business-savvy; her dessert prices were high, and the shop’s decor was bizarre.
After a few days, business was sparse.
“I won’t sublet to you,” Ye Qiushuang replied calmly, her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves.
Zhang Boss scoffed, “Shopkeeper Ye, you’re not bad-looking; you should have found a man to marry long ago. Instead, you’re here trying to run a business, occupying prime real estate, and failing to make a few sales. You’d be better off at home raising children.”
Ye Qiushuang’s expression darkened, and she signaled for her staff to escort Zhang Boss out.
Zhang Boss chuckled, “I’ll bet you anything, within a month, your shop will definitely close down. Women should stay at home to bear children and serve men—oh, look, a distinguished guest has arrived at my shop, so I won’t chat with you any longer.”
At the entrance of Zhang Fu Ji, a luxurious carriage came to a stop.
The carriage bore the emblem of the **Yan** family, a prestigious family in Yan Jing.
The silk curtains of the carriage were lifted, revealing the handsome and refined Yan Yun Ting, the Minister of Rites. Today, he wore a light blue long robe, exuding elegance and charm.
He extended his hand to assist a lady down from the carriage.
“Brother Yun Ting, is this Zhang Fu Ji? What a grand shop!” Dan Tai Rou gazed in awe at the gleaming sign of Zhang Fu Ji, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Yan Yun Ting replied gently, “You’ve always loved the pastries and desserts of Yan Jing. Today is your birthday; whatever you want, just say the word, and I’ll buy it for you.”
Dan Tai Rou’s eyes lit up, her face filled with gratitude and admiration, “I grew up in the countryside, and I miss Yan Jing’s pastries so much. Brother Yun Ting, I’m so glad to have you.”
Yan Yun Ting felt a surge of compassion.
He knew that Dan Tai Rou had not had an easy life in the past, living in a backward and dilapidated town, often bullied at home. It was only after her father became an official in Yan Jing that her life improved.
His affection for her deepened, and he said softly, “Come, let’s go inside.”
Zhang Boss immediately recognized Yan Yun Ting and greeted him with a deep bow, showing utmost respect to the esteemed guest. Just then, a heavy rumble of wheels echoed down the street.
An extraordinarily luxurious carriage appeared.
The carriage was a lavish red, edged in gold, with crimson silk tassels gently swaying. Two white steeds pulled it, flanked by two palace maids in front and two armed guards on either side.
Pedestrians quickly stepped aside.
The carriage bore the name **Zhao Yang**, the royal carriage of Princess Zhao Yang.
It stopped in front of Zhang Fu Ji.
Zhang Boss was overjoyed, never expecting his shop to be recognized by Princess Zhao Yang! Her presence would surely bring glory to his establishment, and from now on, his shop would gain even more fame!
“Brother Yun Ting...”
At that moment, Dan Tai Rou’s delicate face turned pale, and she looked nervously at Yan Yun Ting beside her.
Why was Princess Zhao Yang here today at Zhang Fu Ji?
The answer was obvious.
Zhao Yang must know today was Dan Tai Rou’s birthday and that Yan Yun Ting had brought her to Zhang Fu Ji. So, Zhao Yang had deliberately timed her arrival to disrupt their moment alone.
Yan Yun Ting’s brows furrowed slightly, his lips pressed into a straight line. He understood Zhao Yang’s feelings for him, but her affection was suffocating.
In his heart, there was only Dan Tai Rou. The more Zhao Yang tried to interfere, the more resolute he became in his intention to marry Dan Tai Rou.
“With me here, she won’t dare to do anything,” Yan Yun Ting comforted Dan Tai Rou softly.
Dan Tai Rou lowered her head shyly, like a pitiful little kitten, always stirring a man’s protective instincts.
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