Chapter 15: Meeting at the Pavilion (3)
Shen Che carried an austere chill, like the sunlit crown of snow atop a sacred mountain - revered yet tempting one to snatch and crush between teeth to quell the rising fever in one's heart.
Such an aloof, frost-kissed demeanor made it impossible to imagine him as the profligate rake his reputation suggested.
Ji Cheng now had no leisure to admire Shen Che's striking features. Cold sweat drenched her palms and plastered her back garments to clammy skin.
When fortune frowns, even chilled water chokes. To be discovered by the Shen family's Second Young Master in this impossible location draped her future in ash-gray shadows.
Yet Ji Cheng forced composure, compelling herself to meet Shen Che's gaze.
His slightly narrowed phoenix eyes held an innate allure, weaving illusions of tenderness from their emotionless depths.
"Miss Ji should return first. I'll escort Hong'er back," Shen Che declared.
His voice carried celestial detachment, as if echoing from heaven's vault - a master's tone, Ji Cheng might have thought, had she any master. Only later would she recognize its true nature: the resonance of absolute control.
Under this imperious tone, Ji Cheng obeyed without protest. She murmured assent and fled, wishing for wings or mythical wind-fire wheels to vanish instantly.
First untying the rope from double eaves, she dropped easily to the lower roof. But the final descent posed trouble - over ten feet above ground, her trembling hands failed to dislodge the rope loop.
Shen Che approached with Hong'er, retrieving the rope effortlessly. Ji Cheng watched stunned as he leapt earthward with the boy tucked underarm, landing steady as a heron. Never had she witnessed such mastery of qinggong lightness techniques.
The sight entranced her. Childhood tales of snow-treading heroes and reed-crossing sages flooded back - childish fantasies, she'd thought. Yet here moved living proof of those legends.
Her rapt stare drew Shen Che's icy glance. Ji Cheng ducked her head, hastily coiling rope while burning with shame over her earlier words to Hong'er.
Since Shen Che had exposed her status, she must attempt explanation: "Second Young Master, I..." The familiar "cousin" address caught in her throat.
"Never bring Hong'er to such heights again." Shen Che's interruption brooked no argument.
"Yes." Ji Cheng nodded frantically, long since repentant. Had Shen Che not appeared when Hong'er slipped... The consequences didn't bear contemplation. Years of restraint shattered in one rash act - proof that impulse ever courts disaster. "Never again. I swear."
Silence.
Ji Cheng near prostrated herself. "I'll take my leave." She fled like a startled fawn, vanishing from Crane Hill into pine forest shadows.
Liu Ye'er waited anxiously by the mountain wall. Seeing Ji Cheng's sweat-drenched bangs, she cried: "Miss! What happened?"
"Don't ask." Ji Cheng shook her head, still shaken.
Abed once more, Ji Cheng couldn't fathom encountering the Shen heir atop Moon-Viewing Pavilion - that impossible, solitary height. She turned restlessly. Why confess true motives to a child? Pity for his mother-longing would've sufficed. Now Shen Che would deem her scheming and loose-tongued.
She prayed he wasn't the gossiping sort, resolving henceforth to avoid even his shadow - best he forget her existence entirely.
As April 24th neared, gardens stood arrayed with screens and curious planters. Though flower varieties were plentiful, true marvels remained scarce. Enough for common floral displays, but insufficient to uphold their "Hundred Blossoms" claims against Fourth Madam Wang's famed Peony Feast.
Even temperamental Shen Cui grew anxious, while Shen Yuan developed a stress pimple. The maidens gathered in waterside pavilion awaiting Shen Xun's news.
When Shen Xun emerged from the nursery, Shen Yuan pounced: "Any word from Second Brother?"
Shen Xun stamped her foot. "Last meeting he promised help, then vanished! His page Tongyue says he's besotted with some fox-spirit abroad, barely returning home yet sweet-talking Aunt into indulgence!"
Shen Yuan slumped back. "Then we'll make do. Thanks to Chengmei's rare camellias - out-of-season blooms that'll save our dignity."
All eyes turned to Ji Cheng, who demurred: "Merchants hear things. The peddlers knew which growers hoarded treasures. Fifth Sister's status secured what gold couldn't."
Her graciousness warmed Shen Yuan and Shen Xun, while sparing Shen Cui's pride - a masterstroke of diplomacy.
"Chengmei's so capable," sighed Su Yun. "I've contributed nothing."
"Newcomers can't know local growers," Shen Xun comforted. "But your landscape designs charmed even Grandmother!"
Su Yun brightened. "Truly? Then I'm content."
That afternoon en route to culinary lessons, Ji Cheng mentioned: "Yuan-jiejie, our shopkeeper reports multicolored chrysanthemums blooming at Cloudpool Mountain."
"Chrysanthemums in April?" Shen Yuan stared.
"The retired Censor Du's estate. He refuses all offers. Perhaps someone sharing old official ties..." Ji Cheng trailed off apologetically. "Forgive my limited help."
"Nonsense! Father served with Censor Du. I'll act immediately." Shen Yuan whirled toward her chambers - three days remained until the deadline.
Ji Cheng hadn't expected Shen Yuan to be so impetuous either. She shook her head with an amused smile and made her way alone to Chef Liu's kitchen.
Chef Liu's kitchen sprawled with generous space. Every wall except the one housing the stove stood lined with orderly cabinets, shelves crammed with glittering jars and bottles – the accumulated seasonings, dried ingredients, and homemade blends from Chef Liu's years of travels.
The kitchen mirrored its owner's character – fastidiously clean and organized. Ji Cheng mused that if she ever managed a household, she'd want such a kitchen... though finding another Chef Liu would prove impossible. In her observation, the master chef had long wished to leave the Shen residence, but the family's influence and Shen Yuan's unmarried status kept her bound.
Were this the Ji household, Chef Liu would've walked out long ago without hesitation. Talented people could afford such temperament.
"Aunt Liu," Ji Cheng called respectfully, retrieving her personal apron from the door-side cabinet. The wrap-style garment – Chef Liu's strict requirement – fully covered neck and arms with snug cuffs to prevent sleeve mishaps. Next came the hair-concealing cap, ensuring no stray strands contaminated dishes.
"Third Miss isn't coming?" Chef Liu inquired.
"Third Sister had urgent business," Ji Cheng replied.
Chef Liu snorted. Urgent business? More like Shen Yuan's half-hearted approach to culinary studies. The Zhongyi Bo Residence had courted her through three visits, convincing her to join partly for prestige, partly believing in the young mistress's sincerity.
Reality proved different. Third Miss merely performed culinary diligence for future in-laws, while the Shen household's original cooks conspired against the newcomer. Chef Liu's refusal to flatter left her increasingly marginalized – until Ji Cheng's arrival brought unexpected warmth.
That afternoon, Chef Liu abandoned usual lessons, heaping ingredients before Ji Cheng before supervising maids' tidying.
The girl frowned internally. Wasn't this irresponsible? She always approached culinary studies with reverence for skilled masters.
Yet Ji Cheng possessed self-possession. With nothing better to do, she breathed deeply, focused, and surveyed the common vegetables and meats. Her eyes lit on beef – confirmed as brisket, perfect for braising.
Simple红烧牛肉 posed no challenge. She reached for Chef Liu's spice jars, sniffing carefully. One peculiar dried spice she'd noticed weeks ago – unused in daily cooking – seemed destined for beef. Now was her chance.
While the claypot simmered, Ji Cheng toyed with bone-in cuts. Grilling produced decent tenderness, but leftover pieces demanded experimentation. An odd flat iron pan caught her eye – quick frying left centers pink but created surprising tenderness, though lacking perfect seasoning.
She tested flavor after flavor: Sichuan peppercorn, common pepper, finally settling on exotic black pepper from overseas. By afternoon's end, she'd created mushroom sauce, chili oil, black pepper glaze, even cumin blend.
Most impressive? She remained nearly spotless beyond light perspiration dabbed with a handkerchief.
"Declaring war on beef?" Chef Liu reappeared to find ten pounds vanished.
"Taste this, Aunt!" Ji Cheng thrust forward chopsticks eagerly.
The chef sampled a bone-in piece. "Adequate tenderness, good flavor integrity. A dash of wine would cut the gaminess."
"Yes," Ji Cheng acknowledged with a smile.
"And the stew?"
"Also beef. Not ready yet."
Lifting the lid revealed tomato-red broth – an unconventional pairing with the newly introduced fruit. Chef Liu's critical sip softened. Not bad... not bad at all.
A pang struck her. This girl showed true talent – not just technical skill, but culinary innovation. What waste that a lady of status could never inherit her craft.
"Your cut selection needs refinement," she critiqued the pan-fried beef. "Not the prime section."
Ji Cheng nodded – she knew the weakness.
"But your sauce experimentation shows daring creativity." Rare praise from the stern chef made the girl beam.
"Come half-hour earlier tomorrow. I'll teach ingredient fundamentals."
Culinary skills weren't essential for Ji Cheng, but extra talents never burdened.
Next day brought disappointment instead of expected news. "Sister Yuan? Did Censor Du refuse?"
"He treasures that 'Five Dragon Cluster' chrysanthemum like his soul!" Shen Yuan fretted. "Cultivated ten years in Yun Tan Mountain retreat – claims it dies elsewhere. Even Father's friendship swayed him not."
"Did your messenger ask why it can't leave? Yun Tan's mists? Higher elevation brings cooler climate – chrysanthemums thrive in cold. If we borrow just one night and return immediately..."
"Worth trying," Shen Yuan sighed.
(End of Chapter)
