Chapter 11: Teasing Shen Hong (2)
Such a beautiful person indeed seemed unreal. Her hair differed from the sisters Shen Hong usually saw—messy and uncombed, tied haphazardly with a ribbon at the back, stray strands floating by her ears. Her clothes hung loosely, carelessly draped.
Ji Cheng had only stepped out to clear her mind, intending to return soon, so she hadn't bothered to tidy up. She wore nothing but a robe casually belted over a tube top and wide-legged pants.
To Shen Hong, this moon-pale sister appeared eerie yet mesmerizing. Though unsettled, he couldn't forget her striking beauty.
Children seldom remember events from age four or five, yet Shen Hong would carry Ji Cheng's image lifelong—her slightly parted collar revealing delicate collarbones, lashes curved like crescent moons.
"Are you a fox spirit?" he asked. In his nursemaid's tales, fox spirits were always the fairest.
Fox spirits bore ill repute. Ji Cheng had no wish to be remembered as such by the second branch's future heir. As for recognizing him—the main branch's second son remained unmarried, the third branch childless. Only second-branch Shen Hong matched this boy's age.
"Foxes reek of musk. Smell me—do I stink?" She raised her arm.
Boldly, Shen Hong leaned in. "You're fragrant! So you're not a fox spirit."
"Of course not. I once hunted a red fox myself—made a scarf from its pelt. Glossy, smooth, warm."
"Uncle promised to take me hunting when I'm taller," Shen Hong blurted, then pressed, "Are you a flower spirit then?"
Ji Cheng bent closer. "Clever boy! Guess which flower."
He pondered, then brightened. "A fruit spirit! You smell edible." Though he couldn't name the scent, it made his mouth water. "Like peaches."
Typical child, always thinking of food. Ji Cheng clawed the air, deepening her voice: "Now that you've seen through me, I'll have to eat you!"
Shen Hong stiffened but stood firm. "Father says evil never beats good! I'm not scared, Peach Spirit."
"Your father's wise." She dropped her hands, smiling normally. "What's his trade? A coachman? That explains his wisdom."
"No!" Shen Hong pouted, recalling his earlier fib.
"A gatekeeper?"
"No!"
After several wrong guesses, Ji Cheng laughed: "Not a night soil collector?" The image of Young Master Shen linked to waste disposal amused her.
"I'm leaving!" Though trying to act mature, he couldn't endure his father being mocked.
"Wait—why sit on the wall so late?"
He turned away sharply.
"Tell me," she coaxed.
"Won't!"
"If you do, I'll tell my apricot and plum sisters not to scare you during your nighttime adventures."
Shen Hong sighed heavily, gazing at the moon. "I'm visiting Mother. She's in heaven. Higher places might show me her palace."
Ji Cheng paused, unprepared for this vulnerable answer.
Noticing lanterns bobbing through trees—searchers approaching—she grasped his hand as he tried to flee. "This hillock's nothing. Next time, I'll show you true heights."
"Your hand's warm. Not a monster."
"Clever lad." She ruffled his hair. "Go now, before your servants are punished...or sold off."
"You know who I am?" His eyes widened.
Ji Cheng smiled and tugged at Shen Hong's inner robe: "Next time if you want to deceive someone, don't wear undergarments made of this coarse sanluo cloth." As she spoke, she leapt down and landed lightly, steadying herself with ease.
Seeing her prepare to leave, Shen Hong grew anxious: "Elder sister, what's your name? Didn't you promise to take me to a truly lofty place? How shall I find you?"
"When the moon waxes full on the fifteenth of April, I'll regain my transformation. If you can evade your nursemaids' watch, we'll meet here again at nightfall," Ji Cheng answered with a playful smile.
"Agreed!" Shen Hong clasped his hands, heart fluttering with the thrill of their secret pact.
"Return quickly now. If you're discovered, future escapades will prove difficult." With these words, Ji Cheng turned and walked away without glancing back.
Shen Hong frowned at her retreating figure. Hadn't he already been caught? He only later understood that Lanxiang, the night-watch maid who'd discovered his absence, had kept silent while searching the gardens with her lantern - thus none but she knew of his disappearance.
The boy rounded on the trembling maid: "Breathe one word of tonight's events, and when Grandmother learns you lost me, she'll sell your entire clan downriver!"
Lanxiang kowtowed repeatedly. The mere thought of being flayed alive should this willful young master come to harm chilled her bones.
Meanwhile, Liu Ye'er emerged from shadowed walls to meet Ji Cheng with a lantern. Knowing her mistress' troubled heart - weeks passing without progress in marriage prospects - the maid wordlessly lit their path through the moonlit courtyard.
Come morning, Liu Ye'er finally voiced her curiosity: "Miss, whose child was that perching on the wall last night? Vanished like a startled hare!"
Ji Cheng's laughter rang clear as temple bells. "Could it be you mistook him for some wandering spirit?"
"Miss!" The usually composed maid stamped her foot in flustered protest.
"Truly now," Ji Cheng gasped between diminishing giggles, "it was Second Branch's Hong'er."
"Hong'er? But why would he... Sitting alone at such height in the dead of night!" Liu Ye'er's eyes widened. "What if he'd fallen?"
Ji Cheng's mirth faded as she recalled the boy's words. "Even children bear hidden burdens."
Though none could compare to the weight pressing Ji Cheng's own heart.
On the first dawn of April, Wang Siniang's invitation arrived at the Shen Manor. Shen Cui examined the gilt-edged card bearing only her name, lips curving in mock admiration. "How fastidious of Fourth Wang - personalized invitations for each of us."
"Mother," she inquired with feigned innocence, "where's Cousin Cheng's summons?"
Ji Lan's smile stiffened. "Lady Wang likely remains unaware of your cousin's residence with us. Such oversights won't recur once proper introductions are made."
"But she saw Cousin Cheng at Great-Grandmother's longevity celebration!" Shen Cui fluttered her own invitation like captured moth.
Ji Lan's gaze drifted to Ji Cheng, who sat composed as carved jade. The comparison stung - while her niece maintained dignity, her own daughter's pettiness laid bare. Plans shifted in the matron's mind: better find Shen Cui a mild-tempered husband from modest lineage than chase grand ambitions as clan matriarch.
"A-Cheng, retire and rest. The academy's lessons must have wearied you."
The dismissal came gently. Ji Cheng inclined her head and withdrew, the closing door punctuating her exit.
"Foolish child!" Ji Lan seized her daughter's arm. "What purpose serves needling your cousin so?"
Shen Cui's lip protruded. "Why the fuss? She's no great personage."
Palm meeting forehead, Ji Lan recognized her own reflection in this spite. "Do you fancy yourself elevated when others slight our kin? This pettiness becomes you ill." Her sigh carried the weight of maternal regret. "We must both mend our ways."
(End of Chapter)
