Chapter Forty-Nine: Bamboo Grove Porridge

The Little Bamboo Porridge contained three hundred and sixty-five ingredients. Back then, Jingxiang always complained about the trouble and refused to make it for me, so I kept coming up with all sorts of excuses to bother her," Yi Shan’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Those days are truly worth remembering!"

"That disciple of yours, Zhang Fu, managed only a half-finished product. The taste and aroma are both far off, not to mention that subtle, unique fragrance." Old Hei shook his head.

"Food is meant to fill the belly, and whether it tastes good or not shouldn’t matter. Yet, life would be so dull without these desires for flavor, which is why we cooks exist. Ultimately, everything we pursue boils down to one word: ‘interest’." Yi Shan spoke slowly.

"I finally understand why I can never surpass you. I am faithful to the path, but you delight in it. In terms of realm, you are already a step above me." Old Hei smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Young Zhou Qian reminds me of how we were in our youth—so energetic, so focused, so vibrant, like the rising sun at dawn."

Zhou Qian concentrated on the sixteen ingredients set on the chopping board: five medicinal herbs, seven vegetables, and four kinds of meat. According to the recipe, the quantities had to be measured precisely, down to the smallest fraction, demanding his utmost attention.

As the knife flashed, the amounts of herbs, vegetables, and meat decreased imperceptibly, minute by minute. Meanwhile, the required portions piled up in the plates beside him, flawless and exact.

"That technique," Yi Shan shook his head, "I doubt even you could match it, Old Hei!"

"I’ve heard that masters of swordsmanship in the martial world reach a realm called ‘subtlety,’ able to manipulate the finest detail. I never imagined it could be applied to cooking as well!" Old Hei smiled wryly.

"This is probably the first time in history—a martial artist cooking."

"Fatty, haven’t you finished adjusting the Clear Peace Soup yet? If the plain porridge isn’t ready, how can you make the rich porridge?" Zhang Fu shouted.

"Almost there, almost there!" Chang Yi replied, sweating, but his ladle moved with a fluid grace, flipping, stirring, and serving, making the crystalline jade porridge shine even brighter.

"Little Chang’s ladle technique is now truly mastered!" Yi Shan chuckled.

"You two brats! Sneaking into our backyard to learn something again!" A pretty-faced woman, reminiscent of a young Mapo, brandished a ladle with fierce energy.

"Ha! The three-ladle technique of your Kou family isn’t as legendary as people say!" A burly, arrogant Hu youth jumped down from the wall, scoffing.

"Hmph! Our culinary skills are the best in Sichuan! What would a little Hu brat know?" The girl retorted angrily, "And the other thief, why aren’t you coming down? My sister knows kung fu!"

---

In his youth, Yi Shan lay atop the wall, gazing into the courtyard with rapt attention, as if admiring a beautiful scene.

A girl in white, her complexion pale, was stirring soup with delicate hands, her movements flowing gracefully, imbued with a sense of artistry...

"Alright! Next, watch me!" Zhang Fu declared with full vigor. "Zhou, when I prepare the Jade Fragment Porridge, follow my technique closely. This is the Kou family’s secret ladle method!"

The girl sat bored in front of her newly opened tavern. Outside, the street bustled with carriages and crowds, but inside, the tavern was empty.

"Why is it always like this!" She grumbled, rushing back to the shop, where another girl was reading. "Jingxiang, what's going on? We’ve been open for three days, and not a single customer! It’s so frustrating."

Kou Jingxiang closed her book, smiling gently. "Don’t worry, new shops are always like this. It’ll get better over time."

"Ugh..." The girl pouted.

Suddenly, a ruckus erupted outside. A large crowd arrived, wearing red headscarves and vests, banging gongs and blowing horns, performing dragon and lion dances, fire-breathing and sword-swallowing, magic tricks—lively and boisterous, attracting a throng of onlookers.

"Everyone, young and old, brothers and sisters! Today marks our grand opening, everything half price!" At the front, the youth Yi Shan shouted loudly.

"Not only that! Our chef has the skills of the Imperial Kitchen. Don’t believe it? Look! Here’s the jade token of the Third Prince himself, and his own handwriting proclaiming ‘The Best Tavern in Sichuan’! If you don’t believe it, go ask the prefect!" Old Hei gestured and boasted.

"What are these two rascals up to?" The girl wondered.

Kou Jingxiang turned her head, just catching Yi Shan’s gaze. Yi Shan scratched his head and grinned foolishly, and the girl, finding it amusing, couldn’t help but smile as well.

Zhou Qian’s knife flashed, sending ingredients flying into the pot: yam, white wolfberry, white fungus, perch fillet, sweet plantain...

"So busy!" The girl’s face was drenched in sweat, her wrist aching as she saw the tavern packed with patrons. "Hei, hurry up! Four more tables are urging for their dishes!"

"Aren’t I busy too?" The Hu youth, drenched in sweat, rolled his eyes and waved his ladle. "Yi Shan probably dragged Jingxiang off somewhere again. Why blame me?"

"Hmph!" The girl rolled her eyes and pouted. "Yi Shan looks honest, but he’s actually sly! Always pestering my sister, such a lecher!"

"Haha! I think you’re just jealous," Old Hei teased. "Don’t think I haven’t noticed—you secretly like that Yi Shan too, don’t you? It's strange, though—two sisters, yet neither your looks nor your personalities match. Why is Jingxiang gentle, wise, and refined, while you’re quick-tempered and rough?"

---

"What would a little Hu brat know! I’m just passionate!" The girl’s cheeks flushed as she argued. "And Jingxiang and I aren’t blood sisters. My parents found Jingxiang by the roadside during a trip. She was gravely injured and unconscious, but thanks to timely medical care, she survived. After some time, my mother grew fond of her and adopted her, teaching her our family’s culinary skills. But Jingxiang never speaks of her own origins."

"Oh really! She might be from an official family. That temperament isn’t common!" Old Hei’s eyes lit up.

"Right! My father said he saw a fiery red fox spirit hovering above Jingxiang’s head when they found her. Maybe Jingxiang is a fox fairy come down to earth!"

"What are you all chatting about? With so many customers, how are you so idle?" A gentle voice called from outside. It was the young Kou Jingxiang and Yi Shan.

"There’s only one step left!" Zhou Qian and Zhang Fu exchanged glances, both seeing anticipation and confidence in each other’s eyes. Dozens of people around them held their breath. This was a dish crafted by the combined efforts of everyone in Jingxiang Tavern, pooling their hearts together to fulfill the last wish of a dying man.

Clear Peace Soup mixed with Jade Fragment Porridge—Little Bamboo Porridge was finally complete! Its surface shone like shattered jade and ice crystals, a delicate fragrance filling the entire dining hall.

"Oh?!" Old Hei’s eyes brightened. "That aroma!"

"Master?!" "Master Hei!" "Master, how did you come out?"...

Everyone was so focused that they hadn’t noticed the two at the door. "Master, we made this for you. Please try it," Zhang Fu said expectantly.

Yi Shan gently tasted a spoonful, a faint trace of disappointment flickering in his eyes, but he smiled and said, "Yes, it’s just like Jingxiang’s."

"Oh? Is that so? Let me try!" Old Hei couldn’t wait.

"It’s good, but still missing something." Old Hei sighed after tasting. "It lacks that unique fragrance."

Everyone’s faces fell, but Zhou Qian’s eyes suddenly lit up. "I know what the last ingredient is!"