Chapter 9: Astonishing Skills (3)
Ji Cheng hadn't anticipated the stranger in the pine path to suddenly look up. An inexplicable urge to retreat surged through her, though she quickly suppressed it. The distance between them made it strange why she'd feel discovered - she'd done nothing wrong.
Fortunately, the man only swept a brief glance before lowering his head again. Ji Cheng withdrew to sit in the pavilion as Shen Cui accepted a teacup from her maid. With a disdainful glance downhill, Shen Cui remarked, "How absurd Wang Siniang acts. She preens before us with her imperial concubine sister's status, yet fawns over Second Brother like a Pekingese - truly thinks herself clever hiding it."
This revealed the identity of the man below - the notorious second son of the Duke's household. Ji Cheng puzzled over why someone of Wang Siniang's stature would favor such a wastrel.
"The real joke is Wang Yuemiang secretly pining for Second Brother too," Shen Cui sneered. "If Wang Siniang's so bold, let her beg an imperial decree for marriage! Then I'd respect her. What airs does she put on for us?"
Ji Cheng wondered at Shen Cui's sudden volubility and misplaced trust in sharing these thoughts.
As they drank, a young man ascended the stone steps - Shen Jing, Shen Cui's fourth brother. Ji Cheng had met this cousin days earlier while tending to Ji Lan.
"Fourth Brother's here?" Shen Cui noted. Ji Cheng rose promptly.
Clad in an azure brocade robe patterned with sacred flowers, Shen Jing exuded cultured refinement. "Saw you enjoying tea from afar," he smiled. "Thought I'd claim a cup."
Turning to Ji Cheng, he added gently, "No need for formality among family, cousin."
When Shen Jing noticed the tea-preparing maid, he inquired, "Nishang? Why are you here?"
Shen Cui interjected, "Second Brother left his tea set here earlier. I had Nishang serve us since we arrived after him."
Ji Cheng now understood - this plain-looking Nishang served Second Master Shen. Clearly he'd departed hastily to avoid encountering wandering ladies, only to be ambushed by the Wang sisters below. Though she couldn't dismiss the possibility he'd rushed down specifically to meet them.
Ji Cheng realized Shen Cui's calculated move: disparaging the Wangs before Second Master's maid to block Wang Siniang's marital prospects.
Shen Jing sighed internally at his sister's recklessness in commanding Second Brother's head maid. Such impudence would earn consequences someday.
"So this is Second Brother's set," Shen Jing observed. "No wonder these ice-patterned stone cups exceed your coarse appreciation."
Shen Cui's eyes bulged in outrage. Ji Cheng marveled at a brother publicly insulting his sister's refinement, especially knowing her sensitivities.
Yet Ji Cheng didn't mistake Shen Jing for a fool. Raised by the shrewd matriarch alongside Sixth Brother Shen Zheng, unlike Shen Cui who'd grown under Ji Lan's care, he'd inherited the family's political acumen.
In this world, who lacked cunning? Even Shen Cui had her schemes.
Thus Ji Cheng deduced Shen Jing's barb served dual purposes: appeasing Nishang while critiquing his sister's conduct.
"Fourth Brother! How can you? Are we truly siblings?" Shen Cui fumed.
Ignoring her, Shen Jing told Ji Cheng, "You're fortunate today. Nishang's tea craftsmanship ranks among the capital's finest. Even we family seldom taste it unless Second Brother's exceptionally pleased."
Nishang demurred, "Fourth Young Master exaggerates."
Ji Cheng now grasped Shen Jing's careful diplomacy - not quite flattery, but strategic respect to avoid offending Second Master's retinue. How formidable must Second Master be that even his attendants commanded such deference?
Reflecting, Ji Cheng recognized Shen Cui's earlier impropriety. Upon finding a maid cleaning tea ware in Moon-Viewing Pavilion, she'd assumed Lady Huang's thorough hospitality rather than realizing their accidental encounter with Second Master's belongings.
Nishang had paused noticeably when ordered, yet complied politely without invoking her master's status - marks of a disciplined servant.
As Nishang served fresh cups, Ji Cheng sipped, marveling at the tea's clarity - perfect leaves, exquisite water, masterful brewing.
Shen Cui scoffed, "Since you're so refined, Fourth Brother, name this tea and its water source."
Ji Cheng avoided the siblings' sparring, instead studying her frost-patterned stone cup. Her piece bore a plum blossom, while Shen Cui's and Shen Jing's displayed variant blooms - each unique treasure.
These Yue-region specialties derived value from their ice-like translucence and natural crystalline patterns. A single floral cup cost hundreds in gold, while this matched set of plum motifs surpassed thousands. Monetary worth paled beside the century-spanning effort required to mine compatible stones.
Amidst her admiration, Shen Jing declared, "Qishan Snow Buds."
Shen Cui glanced at Nishang for confirmation. At the maid's nod, she scoffed dismissively.
The unfamiliar name unsettled Ji Cheng. Despite years studying tea classics and maintaining a bland diet - avoiding all spices, even scallions - to refine her palate, this variety escaped her knowledge. Her non-aristocratic roots glared anew, foretelling future humiliations even if she married into nobility.
Nishang's praise eased her anxiety: "Fourth Young Master recognizes Qishan Snow Buds? Merely half a catty yearly from few wild bushes Second Master discovered years past."
Ji Cheng exhaled quietly - not ignorance, but rarity explained her unfamiliarity.
"Tasted it once at Second Brother's generosity," Shen Jing said. "Its memory lingers still."
Nishang smiled. "The master only drinks what he personally harvests."
Ji Cheng took another sip of tea, savoring its lingering aftertaste that seemed to wrap around her heart—refreshing, sweet, and unforgettable. She marveled at how while she was still striving to appreciate renowned teas purchasable with wealth, the Shen family's Second Young Master already enjoyed this exquisite variety of which only half a catty existed worldwide. The disparity between people could not be more striking.
"Fourth Brother, you still haven't named the water." Shen Cui interrupted Shen Jing and Ni Shang's mutual flattery, eager to humble her cousin who constantly looked down on her.
Shen Jing hesitated, unable to answer promptly. Shen Cui burst into triumphant laughter.
The tips of Shen Jing's ears reddened as he stole a glance at Ji Cheng. Though water identification wasn't an essential skill, the public embarrassment stung.
Recognizing Shen Jing's earlier attempt to guide Shen Cui, and seeing the latter's ingratitude, Ji Cheng instinctively sided with him. As the future pillar of the third branch, maintaining good relations with this cousin was prudent. Without overt signaling, she directed her gaze toward Crane Hill's Gushing Spring Pool whenever Shen Jing looked her way.
After three exchanged glances, Shen Jing followed her visual cue. "The water comes from Crane Hill's spring within our estate?" he ventured to Ni Shang.
Ni Shang beamed. "Fourth Young Master's discernment is exceptional."
Shen Jing accepted the undeserved praise with a modest smile.
Shen Cui snorted dismissively while Ji Cheng admired her frost-veined stone cup.
Ni Shang observed the visiting cousin from Jin through lowered lashes, surprised by such refined expertise.
Though tea flavors were more pronounced than water's subtle variations, even after a decade in tea arts, Ni Shang relied on guesses for half her water identifications.
Ji Cheng required no guesswork. Since arriving at Shen Manor, she'd used water from this spring for daily tea—a practical compromise after abandoning her elaborate water-fetching rituals from Jin. Had she failed to recognize its taste now, her culinary sacrifices would've been wasted.
Shen Jing's gaze lingered momentarily on Ji Cheng's lashes—long and curved like swallowtail butterfly wings in spring light, dewdrops glinting like iridescent markings. He averted his eyes quickly.
"Let's go down, this is tedious!" Shen Cui demanded. Ji Cheng rose eagerly. Though Shen Jing maintained decorum, she sensed shifting undercurrents and wished to avoid any non-familial entanglements—her aunt would skin her alive otherwise.
Watching Ji Cheng retreat, Shen Jing chuckled at his timid cousin's stark contrast to his bold sister.
He remembered first seeing Ji Cheng after her maturation—today's impulsive climb to Crane Hill upon spotting her had been ill-advised. His mother had already begun matchmaking hints since their last encounter, ensuring their paths never crossed during his daily filial visits.
Understanding and compliance were different matters. A daily glimpse of this cousin soothed his spirit.
"Mountains veiled in mist, rain creates marvels," he murmured as Ji Cheng disappeared into the haze.
* * *
After the third branch departed, Ni Shang packed the tea set into bamboo cases. Upon returning, Yu Yi accosted her: "Where have you been? The young master's been waiting!"
Ni Shang began preparing tea while explaining: "Fifth Miss demanded service as I packed."
"Why not refuse? You serve Second Young Master, not them!" Yu Yi snatched the cups. "I'll deliver these. Scrub his favorite set thoroughly—they're irreplaceable unlike common wares."
Ni Shang sighed. Such temperament would bring trouble.
Yu Yi entered the study softly. "Young Master, Ni Shang was delayed by Fifth Miss's orders." Receiving no response, she added: "Fifth Miss oversteps, but Ni Shang's too compliant."
"Leave." The command came from the man reading by the south window.
Within the hour, Matron Kong arrived. "Pack your belongings."
Yu Yi paled. Previous "Yu Yis" had occupied her quarters—she'd hoped to be the last. "Why?" she wept. "I must see the young master!"
Matron Kong stepped aside coldly. After futile struggles, Yu Yi packed silently. The matron approved—obedient ones fared better.
Ni Shang watched from the doorway. So many Yu Yis came and went, while she remained the constant Ni Shang.
By next morning, a new fifteen-year-old Yu Yi occupied the vacant room.
(End of Chapter)
