Daily Life of Raising the Dali Temple Assistant Minister

Shen Fenghuo is a young woman raised in the countryside by her adoptive mother, Shen Qingwan, a former dancer. Although she possesses extraordinary culinary skills and memories of a modern life, she has lived a humble existence, cooking for banquets to support her mother. When her biological father, Shen Cen, an Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, suddenly reappears, he offers her a marriage alliance with Lu Jin, the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Despite her initial reluctance and the cold reception from her father, who views her as a tool for social climbing, Shen Fenghuo agrees to the marriage, hoping to secure a stable future for herself and her mother in Chang’an.

The wedding takes place during a snowy winter. On their wedding night, Lu Jin abandons his new bride to arrest a suspect, leaving Shen Fenghuo alone in the bridal chamber. Instead of waiting or grieving, she calmly goes to the kitchen and prepares a simple meal of botuo for herself. Her mother-in-law, Madam Lu, discovers her and is impressed by her cooking and composure. Madam Lu, frustrated by her son’s neglect and the poor quality of food at the Dali Temple, encourages Shen Fenghuo to apply for a position as an official chef at the temple to improve her husband’s diet and spend time with him.

Shen Fenghuo visits her adoptive mother, Shen Qingwan, to share her plans. Shen Qingwan is suspicious of Lu Jin’s behavior and speculates about his masculinity, but Shen Fenghuo remains pragmatic, viewing the position as a way to earn an independent income and potentially negotiate a peaceful separation in the future. She travels to the Dali Temple to apply for the job, bringing grilled lamb skewers to win over the gatekeeper. Inside, she witnesses the dire state of the temple’s cuisine, which has driven many officials to despair.

At the temple, Shen Fenghuo faces skepticism from the head chef, Chen Yang, who tries to sabotage her interview by giving her insufficient time and ingredients. Undeterred, she prepares a dish of minced pork with eggplant strips, which delights the staff and proves her culinary expertise. She is hired, and she cleverly convinces the clerks to keep her identity as the Young Minister’s wife a secret, allowing her to work incognito as a regular kitchen servant. This arrangement enables her to cook for her husband without the constraints of her status.

Lu Jin, unaware of his wife’s new role, is touched by the improved meals and the care shown by the kitchen staff. He begins to notice Shen Fenghuo’s presence and skills, though he remains distant due to his demanding work and a mysterious condition that affects him at night. Shen Fenghuo, meanwhile, settles into her dual life, balancing her duties at the temple with her role in the Lu household. She finds joy in cooking and the freedom it provides, slowly building a rapport with her mother-in-law and the temple staff while navigating the complexities of her marriage to a man she barely knows.

As the story progresses, Shen Fenghuo’s culinary talents become a bridge between her and Lu Jin. She continues to work at the Dali Temple, introducing new dishes that improve the morale of the officials. Her father, Shen Cen, remains a distant figure, primarily interested in her utility to his social standing. The narrative focuses on Shen Fenghuo’s adaptation to life in Chang’an, her professional growth as a chef, and the gradual, subtle development of her relationship with Lu Jin, who begins to appreciate her more as he encounters her in her new capacity.

The central conflict revolves around Shen Fenghuo’s desire for autonomy and a peaceful life versus the expectations of her family and husband. Her culinary skills serve as both a means of survival and a tool for empowerment, allowing her to carve out a space for herself in a rigid social hierarchy. The story highlights her resourcefulness and resilience as she navigates the challenges of her new environment, finding satisfaction in her work and the companionship of her adoptive mother and new friends at the temple.