Left alone, Shen Jing felt a pang of regret. He realized he had been too forward with Ji Cheng. Although he was somewhat disappointed by her rejection, he was more relieved. It was clear that Ji Cheng was not like Shen Cui at all. How could she have possibly encouraged Shen Cui to engage in such frivolous behavior?
Moreover, Ji Cheng had only mentioned that such matters required parental consent and a matchmaker’s arrangement, not that she rejected him as a person. This thought filled Shen Jing with warmth.
After Ji Cheng left the plum grove, she exhaled deeply, feeling uneasy and ashamed of her earlier thoughts. When she saw Shen Cui, a mix of jealousy and resentment stirred within her. Someone like Shen Cui would have long been ruined in another family, yet she was born into the Shen family. Although Shen Che disapproved of her, he always covered up her misdeeds.
Ji Cheng had evidence against Shen Cui but couldn’t use it. Even in this significant matter, Shen Che smoothed things over for her, allowing her to continue flaunting herself in the Qi family, simply because she had the Shen family as her backing.
For a moment, Ji Cheng wished Shen Che were her brother. When Shen Jing spoke to her, she should have rejected him more firmly, leaving no room for ambiguity. Yet, she found herself thinking that if she married Shen Jing, she would become part of the Shen family. Would Shen Che then care for her as he did for Shen Cui?
Ji Cheng stomped her foot in frustration. How could she entertain such weak and shameful thoughts?
“Miss, what’s wrong?” Yu Qian’er asked, seeing Ji Cheng’s troubled expression but not knowing the cause.
“Nothing,” Ji Cheng replied, continuing to walk forward. After a few steps, she saw Wei Yu and Aunt Han Bi approaching together.
“Miss Ji,” Wei Yu greeted her with a smile from afar as if they were acquaintances.
Aunt Han Bi was Shen Qian’s music teacher. Although Ji Cheng didn’t learn music, she knew her, so she respectfully greeted, “Teacher.”
“The sky looks like it’s about to snow. Why are you strolling in the garden?” Wei Yu asked.
Ji Cheng replied, “I had nothing to do, so I thought I’d take a walk. Where are you and the teacher headed?” It seemed unusual for them to be together.
Wei Yu smiled, “The Valley Master wants to stage a new dance and asked Aunt Han Bi to compose the music. If you’re free, why not join us?” Wei Yu thought that three heads were better than one. She had heard that Fifth Miss Shen Cui’s dance at the altar was choreographed with Ji Cheng’s help, indicating her expertise in this area.
Since Wei Yu extended the invitation, Ji Cheng couldn’t refuse. “Sure.”
Although Princess Anhe didn’t have a princess’s residence, the eastern half of Qingyuan was granted to the Shen family when she married the emperor. Now, Princess Anhe lived in the southern Xunyuan, which was like a garden within a garden in Qingyuan.
Xunyuan housed the Qingyin Pavilion, where musicians and dancers performed. Princess Anhe spent most of her time there. Shen Che’s mother was indeed an unusual person, reclusive and quiet. Although Ji Cheng had met her several times, they had hardly spoken.
In Qingyuan, one could hear the music from Xunyuan almost daily. Princess Anhe loved listening to music, watching dances, and enjoying comedies. The ten or so young girls trained to sing were purchased for her.
When Princess Anhe married, her dowry included dozens of musicians and dancers. A princess of her stature spent her days in indulgence.
To say she lived in indulgence was not an exaggeration. Ji Cheng was familiar with Wei Yu, who often sought her help to create menus to whet Princess Anhe’s appetite. Wine was an essential part of every meal for the princess.
“Is the princess in? Should I go greet her?” Ji Cheng asked upon entering Xunyuan.
Wei Yu shook her head, “The princess drank a bit too much last night and hasn’t woken up yet. She doesn’t like to be disturbed.”
Ji Cheng nodded and went with Wei Yu and Aunt Han Bi to the Qingyin Pavilion.
Even the most beloved things become tiresome over time. Princess Anhe’s little theater had exhausted every trick to please her. Not only had they performed dances from the Central Plains, but also Hu Xuan dances, Persian dances, and even Indian dances. They had even staged obscure Nuo and Tibetan operas. After so many years, Princess Anhe had grown weary of them.
Huang Yuanniang, who managed the music and dance department of Xunyuan, was anxious because the princess hadn’t summoned them to perform in a long time. Unlike other troupes that could seek opportunities elsewhere, they depended on Princess Anhe. If she lost interest, their future would be bleak.
Huang Yuanniang and Aunt Han Bi were close, and she had invited Aunt Han Bi to help her come up with ideas to please the princess.
When Huang Yuanniang saw Ji Cheng, she was delighted. “I’ve heard about you, Miss Ji. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I watched Fifth Miss’s performance at the altar, and it was impressive how you came up with the idea of using eight jars to listen to the music.”
“I’m an outsider when it comes to music and dance. I’m just here by chance. I hope I won’t be a bother,” Ji Cheng replied with a smile.
After some pleasantries, they took their seats. Wei Yu had to leave due to matters concerning Princess Anhe, so she left after a short while.
Ji Cheng listened to Huang Yuanniang and Aunt Han Bi discuss new music and dances. She found nothing novel in their ideas. Even if they managed to get through this time, what would they do next to captivate Princess Anhe?
Huang Yuanniang was a resourceful and talented person, which was why she held her current position. Seeing Ji Cheng remain silent, she felt the need to involve her. “Miss Ji, do you have any new ideas? If you do, please share them. I’m in a tight spot, and the princess plans to host a banquet for her sisters during the New Year. If I can’t come up with something impressive, I’ll be in trouble.”
Ji Cheng was naturally inclined to help others. As a merchant, she believed in being amiable and lending a hand when possible. Planting a tree now might provide shade in the future. Besides, she did have an idea.
“I noticed that every suggestion Aunt Han Bi made, you opposed. You’ve probably exhausted all the dances from the north and south. Coming up with something new is incredibly challenging,” Ji Cheng said.
Huang Yuanniang felt a twinge of disappointment, but she knew her expectations were too high. She understood the difficulties better than anyone.
Aunt Han Bi gently squeezed Huang Yuanniang’s hand. “Don’t worry, Yuanniang. Miss Ji has more to say.”
Ji Cheng smiled, “I have an idea, but it’s just a starting point. Have you considered combining dance and drama?”
Huang Yuanniang had hoped for something new, but this was an old concept. “We’ve tried that before, but we’re not trained actors. Besides, the princess doesn’t like the drawn-out singing style.”
“I’m not talking about acting. I’m suggesting using music to tell stories, with dance as the primary expression. Take the story of the Palm Dance, for example,” Ji Cheng explained.
The Palm Dance was a story about Zhao Feiyan, who was so light that she needed someone to hold her feet while she danced on a boat, hence the name Palm Dance.
“Usually, you perform this dance purely as a dance. Why not have one person dance as Emperor Cheng and another as Zhao Hede? There’s so much story to explore. For meanings that can’t be conveyed through dance, use music to express them. With one story after another, you won’t have to worry for years,” Ji Cheng suggested.
Huang Yuanniang fell silent, contemplating the idea. After a while, she said, “It’s feasible. Miss Ji, you’ve awakened me from a dream. I’ve always thought of drama as drama and dance as dance, but I never considered using dance to tell a story. This is brilliant. Han Bi, you must help me. Once I draft the script, you can help me with the lyrics and music.”
Grateful for Ji Cheng’s suggestion, Huang Yuanniang was exceedingly warm and urged her to visit often. She promised to invite Ji Cheng to see the new dance once it was ready.
Ji Cheng agreed, thinking that if Huang Yuanniang succeeded, her path to the Western Regions would be smoother. The people of the Western Regions admired the Central Plains but also resisted it. Ji Cheng hoped to use such dances with Central Plains stories to win them over.
Although Ji Cheng didn’t know the term “cultural assimilation,” her thinking was aligned with it. She aimed to Sinicize the foreign tribes, making them embrace Central Plains culture.
After an engaging and exciting discussion at the Qingyin Pavilion, Ji Cheng and Yu Qian’er headed back at dusk. Snowflakes began to fall as Ji Cheng walked with an oil-paper umbrella.
Between Xunyuan and Qingyuan lay Donghu Lake, now frozen over. However, people dared not walk on the ice for fear of falling through a weak spot and being unable to be rescued.
Thus, Ji Cheng avoided the shortcut across the ice and walked around the lake. From a distance, she saw a figure on the lake, resembling Hong Ge’er. It could also be the grandson of one of the garden’s matrons. Ji Cheng paused, hearing the wind carry a voice calling Hong Ge’er’s name.
It turned out Lan Xiang had lost track of Hong Ge’er again. A boy of four or five, Hong Ge’er was mischievous and fearless.
Hearing Lan Xiang call for Hong Ge’er, Ji Cheng cautiously stepped onto the ice, moving forward. The closer she got, the more the child resembled Hong Ge’er, who was holding something and chipping at the ice.
Ji Cheng was initially frightened, then saw Lan Xiang appear on the ice. Relieved to see Hong Ge’er, Lan Xiang lifted her skirt and ran onto the ice without thinking.
The ice was slippery, and Lan Xiang, in her haste, didn’t consider the danger. After a few steps, she slipped and fell toward Hong Ge’er.
The ice had already cracked slightly from Hong Ge’er’s hammering, but it could support a small child. However, with Lan Xiang’s weight and her fall, it was a different story.
Ji Cheng shouted, “Don’t go over there!”
But it was too late. As Lan Xiang hit the ice, it cracked open with a series of sharp sounds, and both Hong Ge’er and Lan Xiang slipped into the water.
Seeing Hong Ge’er fall, Ji Cheng turned to Yu Qian’er and said, “Go find help.”
Yu Qian’er reacted quickly, running and shouting, “Help! Help!”
Ji Cheng couldn’t afford to hesitate. She tore off her cloak, not bothering to remove her shoes or socks, and ran across the ice toward the broken hole. She knew how to swim and couldn’t just watch Hong Ge’er perish.
As soon as Ji Cheng entered the water, she felt the bone-chilling cold, her limbs stiffening to the point where she could barely swim. The icy water stung her eyes, making it difficult to see, so she blindly groped around. Fortunately, Hong Ge’er was blessed with good fortune, and Ji Cheng managed to grab his small hand, realizing she had caught him. She pulled him towards the edge of the ice, but she couldn’t climb out herself, as they were still several meters from the shore, and she couldn’t escape from under the ice.
Ji Cheng pinned all her hopes on Yu Qian’er. She struggled to lift Hong Ge’er, ensuring his nose was above water, but he had swallowed several mouthfuls of water when he fell in and was now unresponsive. Lan Xiang, on the other hand, was still struggling and grabbed Ji Cheng’s belt.
A drowning person is often panicked and irrational. Lan Xiang clung to Ji Cheng like a lifeline, and with one hand holding Hong Ge’er and the other unable to push Lan Xiang away, Ji Cheng was dragged underwater.
Fortunately, there was movement on the surface. Ji Cheng used her last bit of strength to push Hong Ge’er upwards, hoping someone would see him. Before losing consciousness, images of Ji Qing, Yun Niang, and Ling Ziyun flashed through her mind, along with her second and eldest brothers. In her final thoughts, she hoped that her sacrifice would lead Shen Che to spare the Ji and Ling families in the future.
Ji Cheng had a streak of bad luck this year. The feng shui of the capital seemed to be at odds with her. After arriving in the capital for half a year, she first fell ill saving Qi Hua, then suffered a severe illness in the southern garden, and now, after being rescued, she had a high fever for two days and nights. She awoke in a daze on New Year’s Eve.
“Thank heavens, Miss, you’re finally awake,” Yu Qian’er said, tears still wet on her cheeks. Seeing Ji Cheng open her eyes, she began to cry again with joy.
“Is Hong Ge’er alright?” Ji Cheng asked as Yu Qian’er helped her sit up.
“He’s fine. But it’s a pity about Lan Xiang. She didn’t make it after being rescued, and you almost didn’t either,” Yu Qian’er said, starting to cry again. When she had called for help and returned to the lake, Ji Cheng had already been rescued by Shen Che, but she had no breath, leaving Yu Qian’er cold and panicked.
Yu Qian’er watched as Second Young Master Shen Che pressed on Ji Cheng’s chest and patted her stomach, eventually lifting her up to expel the water from her stomach, allowing her to breathe again. Of course, Yu Qian’er didn’t share these details with Ji Cheng. “It’s a good thing Second Young Master arrived in time, or I would never have seen you again,” Yu Qian’er said, starting to cry again.
“Stop crying and wipe your face,” Liu Ye’er said, bringing in a bowl of bird’s nest porridge. “Miss, have some porridge first to settle your stomach before taking medicine, so it doesn’t hurt your stomach.”
Liu Ye’er wrapped a bib around Ji Cheng’s neck before feeding her the porridge. “Miss, what a year of disasters and misfortunes. Thankfully, today is New Year’s Eve, and tomorrow is the first day of the new year. Let’s hope all this bad luck goes away.”
As Ji Cheng was eating, a maid announced from outside the door, “The eldest young master is here.”
Not only did Shen Yu arrive, but he was also carrying Hong Ge’er, who looked more energetic than Ji Cheng. As soon as he saw Ji Cheng, he wriggled in Shen Yu’s arms. Shen Yu set him down, and he ran to Ji Cheng’s bedside, his big eyes blinking with tears ready to fall. “Sister Cheng.”
“You’re already up and about?” Ji Cheng asked, surprised at how much stronger Hong Ge’er seemed compared to her.
“He’s been taking cold baths since he was little. Although he was chilled in the icy water, he’s fine,” Shen Yu explained.
Ji Cheng couldn’t believe that the only grandson of the Shen family was raised with cold baths, but the results were evident. She had thought Hong Ge’er would be severely affected, yet he was fine, while she was still bedridden.
“Cousin Cheng, thank you for saving Hong Ge’er. Ah Che told me that if you hadn’t jumped in to hold him up, he wouldn’t have survived by the time he arrived,” Shen Yu said, looking into Ji Cheng’s eyes.
Ji Cheng felt a bit embarrassed under Shen Yu’s gaze. “Hong Ge’er is like my nephew, and we’re family. It was my duty to save him. There’s no need for such formalities, Cousin Yu.”
Shen Yu nodded, though it was unclear what he was acknowledging. “Take care of yourself. Since Third Aunt is unable to manage affairs, let my mother know if you need anything.”
Ji Cheng thanked him, and Shen Yu took Hong Ge’er to leave. Although he came to express gratitude, propriety dictated that he couldn’t stay long in Ji Cheng’s room.
But Hong Ge’er protested, “I want to stay with Sister Cheng.”
Ji Cheng turned away and sneezed twice. “Hong Ge’er, I’m still sick. Go back with your father, and once we’re both well, I’ll play with you.”
Hong Ge’er pouted, “You’re lying.”
Ji Cheng was puzzled by his accusation.
Hong Ge’er complained, “You’ve never played with me before.”
Shen Yu picked up Hong Ge’er, gave Ji Cheng an apologetic smile, and then told Hong Ge’er, “Once your Aunt Cheng is better, I’ll let you come over to play.”
Only then did Hong Ge’er stop fussing.
After Shen Yu left, Madam Huang, Ji Cheng’s mother, arrived with Shen Yuan at Ji Cheng’s small courtyard. It was quite an honor, but Ji Cheng had saved Madam Huang’s only grandson, so it was only right for her to visit.
Madam Huang inquired about Ji Cheng’s health with warmth but not excessive familiarity, echoing Shen Yu’s words, telling Ji Cheng to come to her if she needed anything.
Shen Yuan gently squeezed Ji Cheng’s hand. “We owe you so much. Second Brother said that if you hadn’t held onto Hong Ge’er, he would have…”
Ji Cheng smiled, “Are you going to be formal with me too?”
Shen Yuan urged Ji Cheng to focus on her recovery and not to worry about anything else.
Ji Cheng had little to worry about, except for one thing. She had heard that Shen Che had rescued her from Donghu Lake, but she didn’t know if there were any lingering effects.
After Madam Huang left, Lu Yuan slipped in with red eyes, holding Ji Cheng’s hand and crying silently.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Cheng asked quickly.
Lu Yuan choked up, “Sister Cheng, you don’t know how grateful I am to you.”
The statement was so vague that Ji Cheng couldn’t guess its meaning, so she teased, “You haven’t even married in yet, and you’re more grateful than Second Madam.”
Lu Yuan gave Ji Cheng a reproachful look. “Sister Cheng, I’m serious.”
Through Lu Yuan’s fragmented words, Ji Cheng learned that after Hong Ge’er fell into the water, Second Madam naturally had to investigate. Why had the ice on the lake suddenly broken?
It turned out that Lan Xiang had coaxed Hong Ge’er into eating fish, but he refused. Lu Yuan, visiting at the time, jokingly told Hong Ge’er that the fish was caught by breaking the ice in winter, making it fresh and tender, and eating it would strengthen the body.
Hong Ge’er believed her. When he heard Madam Huang mention feeling unwell, he wanted to catch fish from under the ice for her to eat.
Ji Cheng handed a handkerchief to Lu Yuan to wipe her tears. It was truly unfortunate. Lu Yuan had meant well, but now, with such a disaster, Madam Huang naturally scolded her for deceiving Hong Ge’er and causing such a calamity.
“Stop crying. Second Madam is just angry now. She’ll calm down in a few days. She knows you meant well,” Ji Cheng comforted Lu Yuan.
“But Cousin Yu must blame me,” Lu Yuan sobbed.
“Cousin Yu isn’t that petty,” Ji Cheng reassured her.
Lu Yuan continued, “Before, when we met, he would at least look at me. But now, he completely ignores me.”
Ji Cheng thought to herself that Shen Yu never paid attention to young ladies. But then she was struck by a realization. If there was one young lady Shen Yu did pay attention to, it was Ji Cheng herself.
A bold thought crossed Ji Cheng’s mind. Could Shen Yu have feelings for her? He had visited her when she was ill in the southern garden, and now again. Although there were reasons each time, it was still unusual for someone like him.
Ji Cheng looked at Lu Yuan and then thought about Shen Yu. She hadn’t competed with Shen Xian for Chu Zhen because she felt Chu Zhen was too young to protect anyone, and more importantly, she feared Shen Che. If Shen Che weren’t Shen Xian’s brother, things would be different. But with Lu Yuan, Ji Cheng had no such concerns. They could compete fairly.
Initially, Ji Cheng wouldn’t have dared to consider Shen Yu, but if he wasn’t indifferent to her, the benefits of marrying him were immense.