Ji Cheng understood why Li Rui looked down on her and disregarded even the relationship between sisters-in-law. Firstly, Li Rui was the daughter of a marquis, while Ji Cheng was merely from a merchant family. Secondly, Ji Cheng was more favored by the Old Madam. But these weren’t the main points. The crux was that Ji Cheng’s husband, Shen Che, didn’t pay any attention to her at all. Unable to win over her husband, it was no wonder others would step on her.
Thinking of Shen Che made Ji Cheng’s heartache. It was strange; she hadn’t felt particularly fond of him before, but after their falling out, remembering those small moments of sweetness from the past made her sink deeper. Perhaps there was some unwillingness involved.
“Is the Young Mistress going to make mooncakes herself? That’s wonderful! We can learn a thing or two from her,” said Madam Huang from the kitchen, eagerly trying to curry favor with Ji Cheng. Everyone knew the kitchen was where the money was, and her current position managing the kitchen was all thanks to a word from Ji Cheng.
By all accounts, Ji Cheng no longer needed to make moon cakes in the kitchen to show her diligence. Given her status, doing so now might even lead to gossip about her being overly eager to please.
But Ji Cheng liked to keep busy when she felt troubled. Although she couldn’t claim to be extremely fond of culinary arts, this place undoubtedly allowed her to temporarily escape reality.
Of course, Ji Cheng had another unspoken reason that she was unwilling to admit even to herself: she always hoped that Shen Che might taste a moon cake she made, as a token of her feelings.
Although Ji Cheng had learned some pastry-making from Cook Liu before, she had never dabbled in moon cakes. Fortunately, she had a natural talent for cooking and quickly picked it up after learning from the manor’s hired cook for a morning.
The cook had prepared three types of moon cake skins: syrup skin, flaky skin, and mixed sugar skin. The Old Madam liked syrup skin, while Ji Cheng herself preferred flaky skin. Unsure of what Shen Che liked, she made some of each.
The moon cake fillings were also diverse. Ji Cheng made sweet moon cakes with red bean paste, lotus seed paste, and taro paste fillings, while for savory ones, she chose ham and fresh meat.
After years of eating moon cakes, the skins and fillings were all quite similar, and even the shapes were the same, pressed into molds and turned out.
To distinguish her moon cakes, Ji Cheng wrote the character for “longevity” in eight different styles on the skins of those for the Old Madam. For others, she used the character for “happiness.” The only special ones were those for Hong’er.
Come to think of it, Ji Cheng hadn’t seen Hong’er for a long time. When Ji Cheng married into the Shen family, Hong’er was already sent to Jingwu Academy at a young age and rarely returned home except during festivals. Even when they met at the Shen manor, Hong’er was no longer the naive child of the past. Now about ten years old, his words and actions already showed traces of his father’s demeanor. Although it was gratifying to see, it also made him less approachable.
Ji Cheng’s skillful hands shaped the moon cakes for Hong’er into the form of an eagle. He had loved eagles since he was little, even making his kites in the shape of eagles.
Madam Huang watched in awe as Ji Cheng’s slender fingers deftly shaped an eagle with just a few pinches and turns. “It’s fortunate that the Young Mistress is the mistress. Otherwise, we’d all be too ashamed to say we work in the kitchen.”
Ji Cheng smiled, “You’ve all been working all day. Go and rest for a while.”
With the mistress still diligently making moon cakes, how could the servants dare to rest? Madam Huang quickly shook her head.
Ji Cheng said, “Don’t feel constrained just because I’m here. People aren’t oxen; everyone needs rest.” She then turned to Yu Qian’er and said, “Tell them I said the kitchen staff have all worked hard these past few days. Take some silver and add a few dishes for them. Skip the wine for now, but after the moon cakes are done and packed, prepare a table of food and wine as a reward for them.”
Madam Huang, along with the kitchen maids and older women, quickly thanked her for the reward.
After the kitchen staff left, Ji Cheng began making moon cakes for Shen Che. To shape them, she used syrup skin, molding it into camellia flower shapes and filling them. Her skilled hands crafted nine perfectly formed camellia flowers, each with a different filling. Surely, Shen Che would find at least one to his liking.
Shaping these camellia flowers was the most time-consuming. If even a small part went wrong, Ji Cheng would start over. She had a whole basin of discarded moon cake skins.
Yu Qian’er looked at the freshly baked box of nine camellia moon cakes and couldn’t help but swallow. “Miss, these look too beautiful to eat!”
Ji Cheng rubbed her chin and said, “They don’t look like moon cakes anymore.”
Remembering Ji Cheng’s frantic reworking in the afternoon, Yu Qian’er said, “How can you say that? Any cake made for the Mid-Autumn Festival is a moon cake. No one said mooncakes have to be round. Even the moon itself becomes a crescent sometimes.”
Ji Cheng looked at Yu Qian’er approvingly. She knew how to speak well.
Ji Cheng had worked hard for several days, not only making moon cakes but also preparing the list for distributing them. Families in the capital had a custom of exchanging moon cakes. As the main wife of the Qi Guo Gong manor, this was Ji Cheng’s first time handling this task. She carefully checked the list three or four times to ensure no one was missed before sending it out.
Of course, the moon cakes for friends and relatives were made by the cooks in the main kitchen, while those for the Shen family’s masters included some made by Ji Cheng herself.
After eating two red bean paste moon cakes, the Old Madam said, “I had forgotten how good your culinary skills are. I’ve eaten moon cakes for decades, and I’m not just flattering you, but this filling is the most fragrant I’ve ever tasted. It’s not too sweet and has a slightly sweet and sour taste.”
Ji Cheng replied, “I noticed that although you like sweets, you don’t enjoy overly sweet things. So I added a bit of bitter orange sauce to the filling for flavor.”
“You’re very thoughtful,” the Old Madam smiled.
Just as Ji Cheng returned to Jiuli Courtyard, Weiyu, from Princess An He’s side, came in to pay her respects. “Young Mistress, the Princess ate the moon cakes you sent over and asked me to inquire if there are any more?”
Princess An He was no ordinary person. Her palate had long been spoiled by the imperial chefs. She had tasted all sorts of delicacies, yet now she was sending a maid to ask for more moon cakes. It was clear she truly enjoyed them.
Ji Cheng said, “There are. I made an extra box yesterday.” She glanced at Yu Qian’er, who immediately understood and led Weiyu to get the moon cakes. The moon cakes for Princess An He were also made with care, with fillings flavored with grape wine, giving them a fruity and wine-like aroma.
Almost everyone in the manor who received Ji Cheng’s moon cakes liked them. Even Shen Yu, who didn’t care for sweets, ate one.
Cui Long, rubbing her belly, smiled and said, “Second Sister-in-law is thoughtful. She knew I was having morning sickness and made these moon cakes with plum filling. I don’t know how she managed it, but I’ve eaten two today without feeling nauseous. I guess the little one in my belly likes them too.”
Shen Yu asked curiously, “Did she make them herself?”
Cui Long nodded, “Of course. I never imagined Second Sister-in-law had such skills.”
Shen Yu turned to a nearby maid and said, “Go to Jiuli Courtyard and ask Second Young Mistress if she has any extra moon cakes.” Cui Long’s morning sickness was severe, making her vomit most foods. It was rare to find something she could keep down, so naturally, it was precious.
Cui Long smiled, “My lord, don’t trouble yourself. Second Sister-in-law has many other matters to attend to.”
Shen Yu said, “It’s no trouble. I enjoy them too.”
Cui Long was delighted, thinking Shen Yu was being considerate of her.
Apart from the masters of Changxing Courtyard enjoying Ji Cheng’s handiwork, in Jingyi Courtyard, Shen Zheng had already devoured all eight meat-filled moon cakes Ji Cheng had sent over.
Feng Shuang was shocked by Shen Zheng’s appetite. This man hadn’t even left one for her.
“These moon cakes are delicious, both flaky and fresh. Ask which cook in the manor made them. It would be best to bring her over here,” Shen Zheng said, not hesitating to take good things from Shen Che.
Feng Shuang laughed, “What cook? These were made by the Second Sister-in-law herself. She only sent over one box, and you’ve eaten them all. I didn’t even get to taste them.”
Hearing this, Shen Zheng put down his teacup and fell silent.
Feng Shuang didn’t notice Shen Zheng’s change in demeanor and sighed, “Come to think of it, Second Sister-in-law has it tough. Her looks and temperament are top-notch in the capital. I don’t know why she and Second Brother just…”
Although Feng Shuang didn’t interact much with Ji Cheng, her opinion of her had gradually improved since their initial misunderstanding. At first, she thought Ji Cheng looked down on her, but later realized that Ji Cheng was being considerate, and always mindful of her feelings.
Living in the Shen family for so long, it was only during her time in the Qing Garden that Feng Shuang felt truly comfortable. Whenever Ji Cheng saw her, she always had a smile on her face. In the face of such kindness, Feng Shuang’s guard completely disappeared.
Shen Zheng grunted twice and said, “That’s Second Brother’s family business. Why are you concerned about it?”
Hearing Shen Zheng say this, Feng Shuang just mumbled, “I was just feeling sentimental for a moment.”
“What do you know about…” Shen Zheng was about to say something negative about Ji Cheng, but as the words reached his lips and he remembered Ji Cheng’s face, he couldn’t continue.
Shen Zheng smacked his lips, realizing he hadn’t expected Ji Cheng’s moon cakes to be so delicious. If she wasn’t that kind of person, and if she wasn’t his second sister-in-law… Shen Zheng’s mind wandered, but he quickly felt guilty. Feeling irritated, he stood up, “I’ve eaten too much. I’m going to practice some boxing.”
Feng Shuang followed Shen Zheng out and said, “Since you like them so much, shall I ask Second Sister-in-law if she has any more moon cakes?”
Shen Zheng replied, “Have you never eaten mooncakes before or what?”
Feng Shuang felt hurt by Shen Zheng’s rebuff. Did her husband think she was too lowborn to have good taste?
While some people enjoyed the moon cakes Ji Cheng had worked hard to make, others didn’t. For instance, Li Rui immediately handed them over to her maids, sneering, “She seems afraid of not showing how eager to please she is. As if she’s the only one who knows how to make people like her, and we’re all just here to be disliked. Now she’s even rushing to do the cook’s job. It’s really…”
In truth, Ji Cheng didn’t want to send moon cakes to Li Rui, but since all the other masters in the family received them, not sending any to her would surely lead to gossip about Ji Cheng. So, the moon cakes for Li Rui were made without much thought.
Shen Jing couldn’t bear to hear Li Rui speak so harshly and coldly said, “You only complain about others being eager to please. Why don’t you think about what you’ve done yourself?”
Li Rui raised her eyebrows, “What are you angry about now? Is it because I gave birth to a daughter that you find fault with me at every turn?”
Shen Jing said nothing and just walked towards the door.
Li Rui, trembling with anger, said, “Fine! If you find me so disagreeable, I’ll take Jade’er back to my maiden home.”
Shen Jing, already at the door, turned back and said, “If you want to return to your maiden home, then go. But once you leave, don’t come back. However, Jade’er’s surname is Shen. She’s my daughter and must stay in the Shen manor.”
Li Rui never expected Shen Jing to say such cruel words. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed onto the couch and began to cry.
Shen Jing ignored Li Rui and walked straight out the door.
Li Rui’s heart felt as cold as a winter’s night. She cried as if her world had ended, but in the end, she didn’t dare pack her bags and return to her maiden home. Her family was intent on currying favor with the Shen family, and her proud nature meant she wasn’t particularly liked by the elders in the manor. Compared to her cousin Li Hui, she fell far short.
Li Rui had lived in Li Hui’s shadow since childhood. Now, married into the Shen family, she couldn’t compare to Cui Long in looks or talent, nor could she match Ji Cheng in the elders’ affection. Her heart grew increasingly unbalanced, leading to her increasingly twisted nature.
Li Rui cried for half the day, only washing her face to greet her sister-in-law from the Li family when she came to deliver moon cakes.