They say the ancients were feudal, that women could only ever belong to one man, never leaving the inner quarters, and were expected to take their own lives if a stranger so much as saw their bare arm.
It wasn’t until Lu Runrun transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty that she realized these were all just stereotypes.
In the Northern Song, it was common for widows to remarry. Even Chancellors and high-ranking officials would chase after wealthy widows to ask for their hand in marriage, and there was more than one Empress who had married twice. In the bustling prosperity of Bianjing, women often worked outside the home, and it was the height of fashion for wealthy families to hire female chefs.
As it happened, Lu Runrun’s mother was a widow—and a highly skilled chef. She frequented the estates of the nobility to prepare grand banquets, earning a handsome income.
Furthermore, Lu Runrun’s late father had left them a large mansion near the Zhou Bridge, which could be likened to a traditional courtyard house in a modern city center.
And so, Lu Runrun followed her mother in and out of wealthy households to help with banquets. She spent her days snacking on the finest candied cherries from the feasts and listening to the servant girls’ gossip.
She planned to inherit her mother’s trade one day; at best, she could be a professional chef, and at worst, she could rent out a few rooms and live comfortably as a landlady. Life was sweet—even if she had to deal with the occasional annoying relative looking for a handout.
However, one day, her mother pulled her aside for a serious talk.
“I am going to remarry.”
Well, that was her mother’s prerogative. Lu Runrun voiced her support, though she insisted on checking the man’s character first.
“He is an Acting Clerk in the Bureau of Military Affairs, a Junior Ninth Rank official. He’s a bit poor and loves his food, but he has official status nonetheless.
“You should know, I’m only marrying again to find you a father.”
Lu Runrun was stunned. How did this involve her?
But her mother was a woman of action. Not only did she marry quickly, but she also used her new husband’s official status to “catch a son-in-law from beneath the results board,” swindling a young Jinshi scholar from out of town into an engagement.
Although the young scholar had passed the Palace Examination to become a “Student of the Son of Heaven,” he wasn’t in the prestigious First Class, nor had he been posted to the provinces where he could amass wealth. He couldn’t even afford a small house near the city walls of Bianjing.
Lu Runrun was prepared to be uncooperative during their meeting. Every Jinshi lord she had ever seen walked with his nose in the air; she had no desire to debase herself by “paying” for a husband.
Until she saw him…
The young and handsome scholar’s ears turned red the moment he saw her. The same man who had spoken fluently and eloquently before the Emperor was now stammering, bowing with his hands clasped, unsure how softly he should speak so as not to startle her.
Lu Runrun took one look at his tall, refined, and handsome figure and decided that it wouldn’t be so bad to have this man move into her house…
Even though Lu Runrun was occasionally sweet-talked into a daze by Li Jin, she remained the backbone of the household. On ordinary days, she loved ordering Li Jin around, and her “fierce” reputation was known to all.
For instance, when Li Jin attended a banquet with friends, they played a drinking game involving drawing bamboo lots.
Li Jin drew a lot that read: “One cup if you fear your wife; three cups if you won’t admit it.”
Everyone laughed, saying the lot was divine, for it had picked the man most “henpecked” at the table!
Li Jin made no effort to hide it. He calmly drained his cup and said with a smile, “Indeed, I fear my wife, and I take great pride in it.”
Shrewd, intelligent, slightly petty Female Lead × Promising, calm, eloquent Male Lead
Notes:
1.
This is an alternate history setting, a mix of Northern and Southern Song. It is not strictly historical but aims for internal consistency.
2.
The scene in the blurb is not actually the first time the leads meet, which is why the male lead’s reaction is different from his usual self. Who wouldn’t be shy and have their heart race when suddenly running into their crush? See the main text for details.
3.
“Runrun” is the female lead’s modern name and her “milk name” after transmigrating. In the Song Dynasty, families often gave daughters repetitive milk names, while a formal name would be given before marriage. For example, Grand Empress Dowager Gao’s milk name was Gao Taotao, and her formal name was Gao Ji. Lu You’s daughter’s milk name was Lu Nünü, and her formal name was Lu Dingniang. Since the female lead was born in a leap month (Runyue) in spring, her milk name is Lu Runrun and her formal name is Lu Wei (Wei meaning lush vegetation). (Please don’t think I was lazy with the name; I thought about it for a long time!)
Popular Reviews