Sweet Hearts and Honeyed Intentions (Gourmet)

Wei Jinyun, a modern orphan raised by a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and a pastry chef, transmigrates into the body of a sickly girl in the Great Song Dynasty. The original host, Wei Jinyun, had been bedridden for years in Gaochun Town under the jurisdiction of Jiangning Prefecture. Her parents vanished in a shipwreck two months prior, leaving behind her grandmother, Wang Qiulan, and seven-year-old twin sisters, Wei Fuqu and Wei Fuling. The family faced immediate financial ruin and harassment from greedy relatives who sought to seize their grandmother’s dowry shop. Armed with medical knowledge and culinary skills from her grandparents, the new Wei Jinyun navigates this precarious situation, determined to protect her remaining family.

Upon her return home after recovering from a fever, Wei Jinyun confronts her cousin-in-law Qin Shi and third cousin Wei Lao San, who are aggressively demanding the shop that belongs to her grandmother’s dowry. Using her knowledge of Song Dynasty law, she cites legal statutes protecting a wife’s private property from division among brothers, effectively shutting down their demands. She threatens to expose their bullying to the magistrate, damaging their social standing and marriage prospects, which forces them to retreat. Despite this victory, Wei Jinyun recognizes that staying in Gaochun Town is dangerous, as the relatives will likely find other ways to harass them. Her grandmother, realizing the threat, decides it is time to leave and return to her hometown, Pingjiang Fu, where she owns another property.

The family embarks on a boat journey south to Pingjiang Fu. During the trip, Wei Jinyun demonstrates her care and competence by treating her younger sister Wei Fuqu, who falls ill with a fever. She prepares a lotus and ginger steamed cake using ingredients from the boat, successfully nursing her sister back to health and earning a measure of trust. Upon arriving in the bustling city of Pingjiang Fu, they enter through Chang Gate, where Wei Jinyun narrowly avoids falling into the water due to a crowded dock. She is saved by Lu Lan, a young Metropolitan Patrol and Inspection Commissioner known for his efficiency in suppressing bandits. This chance encounter marks the beginning of her connection to the local law enforcement.

They arrive at the abandoned shop on Guanqian Street, located near Tianqing Temple. The building is in severe disrepair, with mold, broken tiles, and rotting furniture. Wei Jinyun hires two local women to clean the premises, negotiating a lower price through her sharp bargaining skills. She then visits the Chang Gate market to purchase supplies, including cookware, fabric, and construction materials. There, she encounters Lu Lan again, who is surprised by her loud and assertive haggling. Wei Jinyun continues to manage the renovation, hiring masons and purchasing bricks and tiles to repair the roof and structure, all while carefully managing their limited funds.

Wei Jinyun plans to open a pastry shop to support her family, leveraging the culinary skills she learned from her grandmother. She navigates the complexities of the Song Dynasty economy, dealing with neighbors and suppliers while establishing a foothold in Pingjiang Fu. The story follows her efforts to rebuild her life, protect her sisters, and secure a stable future for her grandmother, all while adapting to the social and legal norms of the ancient world.

As the shop begins to take shape, Wei Jinyun faces the ongoing challenge of financial instability and the potential return of her troublesome relatives. Her relationship with Lu Lan remains a point of interest, given his high status and her need for protection in a new city. The narrative focuses on her practical steps to survive and thrive, from repairing the physical structure of the shop to planning her business strategy. The twin sisters, particularly Wei Fuqu, begin to accept Wei Jinyun as their true sister, finding comfort in her care and determination. The story sets the stage for Wei Jinyun’s rise from a displaced orphan to a successful business owner in the prosperous city of Pingjiang Fu.