Chapter 20: Embroidered Perch with Minced Meat Sauce

The world is filled with the bustle of mortal life, and none surpasses Luyang in its splendor. Gu Yi, who had spent years in the mountains, devoted himself to cultivation, leading a life of tranquility and detachment. He had developed an otherworldly aura, which made him seem entirely out of place amid the lively clamor of Luyang.

Master Ma, ever perceptive, took on the role of guide. “Master, when you come to this city, you must start with the Four Wonders of Luyang. Today, let’s visit the Imperial Delicacies Hall first. Looking for someone isn’t something to rush—relax, enjoy yourself, for happiness is what life is truly about. I’ve always believed that if cultivation only brings bitterness, it’s better not to cultivate at all.”

He was, by nature, one to seize the day.

“Very well. You mentioned the Four Wonders of Luyang—what are they?”

With pride, Ma replied, “The Four Wonders of Luyang are renowned throughout the land: the fish of the Imperial Delicacies Hall, the waters of Lake Fuxian, the talents of the Immortal Academy, and our Seventh Princess.”

“The Seventh Princess?” Gu Yi had heard him mention her twice already.

“You don’t know the Seventh Princess? Are you truly from some distant island, only recently returned to the Central Plains? The Seventh Princess is His Majesty’s seventh daughter—clever, beautiful, and kind, beloved by all the people. Sometimes, we even call her the Lady in Purple.”

Their conversation continued as they walked, weaving through the bustling outer districts until they neared the heart of Luyang. There, a three-story tavern in shades of blue and red came into view, its enticing aroma wafting through the air.

“The Imperial Delicacies Hall.” Gu Yi looked up at the signboard. Beyond the three bold characters, strange patterns adorned the edges. He muttered under his breath, “That’s clearly a spirit talisman.”

And the handwriting—careless and crooked—felt oddly familiar.

“Master, what are you saying?” asked Ma.

Suppressing his uneasy feeling, Gu Yi replied casually, “Nothing. I noticed a white stone by the entrance with the inscription ‘Tibetan scrolls open in the courtyard.’ What does that mean?”

He was referring to the long stone standing at the right corner, the calligraphy upon it elegant and upright.

“It was written by Miss Ye. Not much of a poem, really, and the next line isn’t difficult to guess. But it’s not meant as a riddle for scholars—it’s just that Miss Ye has spent years searching for her lost relatives, and she uses this to aid her search.”

“Oh.” Gu Yi felt nothing in particular on reading it, only lamenting that his mother had not given him a sister so skilled in the culinary arts—what a blessing that would have been. “Since this is one of the Four Wonders, the dish must be expensive. Do you have money?”

He had every reason to doubt it.

“Of course I do! Master, what’s with that look? Don’t you trust me?” Ma thumped his chest in assurance.

Gu Yi chuckled. “Of course I do. Let’s go in. Honestly, a mountain recluse like me feels uneasy entering such a grand establishment without any money. Luckily, my good disciple is well-prepared!”

He patted Ma’s bald head with a look of genuine admiration.

Ma: ???

The bald man’s legs trembled slightly. Suddenly, the fish of the Imperial Delicacies Hall seemed a little less tempting. Before crossing the threshold, he checked his purse and hesitated.

Gu Yi paid him no mind, lifting the curtain and heading straight to the second floor. He had his eye on a large table by the window with a garden view, but Ma hurriedly pulled him to a distinctive spot in the corner on the first floor—a place with a fine-sounding name, but at half the price.

Even so, this meal would not be cheap. The food was served by young women in the prime of youth, each exquisitely dressed and sweet-voiced. Gu Yi couldn’t help but marvel—Ma truly knew how to eat and drink, and this area was indeed a haven for gourmands.

“Sir, it’s you again! Two guests this time—shall I bring two embroidered perch?”

A regular, clearly.

Last time, Ma had cowered because Gu Yi threatened to harm his second younger brother. This time, his hesitation came from a light purse. He raised one finger, his face stiff. “Just one, please. My master is new to Luyang, so he’s just here to have a taste—just a taste.”

The young woman offered no comment, only smiled gently. “Please wait a moment. In the meantime, enjoy some fruit.”

“Wait, wait,” Ma called out, his eyes gleaming as he examined the girl’s long hair. “Xiao Yue, it’s been so long since we last met—won’t you stay and chat for a bit?”

“Of course not,” Yue replied with a soft smile. “But Miss Ye is unwell, and everyone’s concerned. I must go help her and can’t linger here to amuse you. Please forgive me, sir.”

“Miss Ye is ill again?” Ma’s brow furrowed, his concern genuine. “Is it serious?”

“It’s the same old ailment—she has left the kitchen to rest.” With a slight bow, Yue excused herself.

Gu Yi tossed a grape into his mouth. “So every time you come here, you only order the fish? Never anything else?”

Ma turned and whispered, “It’s expensive! One embroidered perch costs ten taels of silver. I only earn eight taels a month! I can only afford to eat it once every three months.”

Though Gu Yi was clueless about the cost of living in this world, even he could see that ordinary people could scarcely afford such luxury—only someone as gluttonous as Ma Yuan would go to such lengths for a meal.

“Why is it so expensive?”

“Because it’s delicious! First, the perch comes from Lake Fuxian, whose waters are clear and sweet, infused with spiritual energy. The Fuxian perch is thus a spiritual creature—its flesh bright and clean, fleshy and tender, with few bones. Second, Miss Ye of the Imperial Delicacies Hall is a master of the culinary arts. Even though our emperor isn’t especially fond of food, he still requests this dish every month. The Third Princess, who loves to eat, orders it even more frequently. Despite daily feasts prepared by palace chefs, she still craves Miss Ye’s perch. That alone speaks volumes about Miss Ye’s skill.”

Gu Yi stroked his chin, pondering. “So the meat of a spiritual creature really tastes better? I’ve always preferred chicken, myself.”

He hadn’t had drumsticks, wings, or chicken nuggets in ages. The chicken named She Huang, often cuddled by He Xian, was also a spiritual creature. He wondered how it would taste if made into Orleans-style roast chicken…

Ma added regretfully, “But Master, you’re out of luck—Miss Ye is ill today, so the dish will be prepared by her disciples.”

“So none of the guests will get to taste her cooking? The business still thrives?”

“Master, you don’t understand. Miss Ye has been ill for two or three years now. Even the Third Princess has expressed concern, to no avail. We all love her cooking so much that no one blames her. If she’s too ill to enter the kitchen, it’s everyone’s loss. So we wish her good health, and her disciples are quite skilled themselves. Even a bite of their cooking is enough to satisfy our cravings.”

“A ten-tael dish isn’t meant to fill you up—just to satisfy a craving, don’t you think, Master?”

So this chef, by virtue of her embroidered perch, had won the understanding and sympathy of her patrons. Wen Xiaoguang couldn’t help but admire her.

Luyang city truly was a place of extraordinary people.

“Ma, tell me—what exactly is Miss Ye’s illness?”

Ma furrowed his thick brows. “No one really knows. I’ve only heard that Miss Ye often suffers from alternating bouts of fever and chills—she might shiver even in the height of summer, or burn with heat when snow is three feet deep. She’s been plagued by this for years, growing weaker with each passing day.”

Gu Yi frowned, thinking. Alternating cold and heat? Could it be that little Yiyi had been here?

“What are you thinking, Master?”

Gu Yi shook his head. “If it were a wound, I’d offer to help—I know a few healing talismans. But illness is a matter of bodily imbalance. I fear there’s little I can do.”

Ma smiled. “Miss Ye has tried healing talismans before. But Master, you really are a kind person.”

Indeed, if even the princesses cared for her, Miss Ye had surely tried every talisman and remedy available.

“Sir, the embroidered perch is here.” Yue returned, carrying a white porcelain platter carved with peach blossoms, the petals lifelike, the broth clear as a lake. The perch seemed to swim among the flowers, its aroma intoxicating.

In her other hand were two servings of minced meat sauce—pure in color, rich in flavor, as tender as cream, whetting the appetite.

Gu Yi had eaten plenty of ordinary fish, but this spiritual creature looked extraordinary.

“Embroidered perch with minced meat sauce,” Yue explained, seeing Gu Yi’s curiosity. “Sir, you should pour the sauce over the fish.”

Gu Yi was surprised. “The sauce isn’t for dipping, but for pouring?”

She nodded with a smile. “For pouring.” She demonstrated, drizzling the sauce over the fish’s belly. The flesh parted gently, as if threaded by a fine needle, the bones slipping free as the meat separated—white and tender as a maiden’s cheek.

“Now, you may eat,” she said, serving him a neatly cut piece. The morsel glistened in the light, the juices pooling on the plate.

Ma swallowed hard.

Gu Yi savored a bite—the fish melted in his mouth, tender and smooth, bursting with flavor, the aftertaste lingering long. Delicious—truly delicious!

“Please enjoy, sir. I’ll take my leave,” Yue said.

Gu Yi hadn’t enjoyed such a fine meal in ages. “Ma, you still have money, don’t you? I’d like to order another—surely you don’t mind?”

Ma suddenly froze. “Master, I can’t taste anything anymore!”