Chapter 60 In the past, I came to see the crabapple blossoms.
The private room was decorated in an extremely elegant style, with several green bamboos visible from the window, rustling in the breeze.
A square rosewood table stood in the center. Yu Man chose a seat by the window first, where the view was expansive and her mood was pleasant. Pei Ji naturally sat down to her right, while Zhang Jian silently sat to her left.
After the three of them were seated, a servant quietly served fragrant tea. Yu Man picked up the white porcelain teacup, took a small sip, and was surprised to find a sweet peach aroma spreading on her tongue, blending perfectly with the slight astringency of the tea. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, thinking that this place was indeed quite interesting.
Perhaps because Pei Ji had made a reservation in advance, the dishes were served extremely quickly. The servants filed in, gently placing each carefully prepared dish on the rosewood table. The first dish presented was Jade Hairpin Shrimp, with translucent white tofu set off plump pink shrimp, topped with bright green pea sprouts and crimson ham bits.
Next up is the crab meat lion's head meatball. The fist-sized meatballs are soaked in clear broth, with a few tender green bok choy floating among them. They look simple, but with a gentle touch of a spoon, the rich aroma of meat infused with the essence of crab roe quietly spreads out.
Steamed pork ribs with glutinous rice, infused with the delicate fragrance of lotus leaves, are carefully wrapped in emerald green lotus leaves. When the leaves are lifted, steam rises, revealing the glutinous rice, each grain glistening with the aroma of the meat and lotus leaves. A uniquely shaped squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, its head held high and tail swaying, is fried to a golden-brown crisp and then drizzled with a translucent amber sauce, gleaming enticingly under the light. Beside it, a celadon cup holds simmered magnolia petals in chicken broth, made with the tenderest spring bamboo shoots, slowly simmered in rich chicken soup until fully infused with flavor, resulting in a crisp and tender texture infused with savory goodness.
The vibrant green kale with ham is made with the tenderest parts of the heart, stir-fried with paper-thin slices of Jinhua ham, creating a harmonious blend of savory and sweet flavors. The seemingly ordinary Biluochun tea scrambled eggs cleverly incorporate crushed spring tea into the pale yellow egg mixture, resulting in a smooth texture with a subtle, lingering tea aroma. The most impressive dish is the Wensi Tofu Soup, where finely sliced tofu, ham, and shiitake mushrooms unfurl in the clear broth.
The grand finale, crispy scallion chicken, boasts a golden-brown, translucent skin that crackles when tapped, and its aroma intensifies after being drizzled with freshly made scallion oil. Finally, a plate of Ding Sheng Gao (a type of rice cake) is served, delicately shaped like a begonia flower, its pink and white hues creating a beautiful contrast.
This feast was exquisite in color, aroma, taste, and presentation, resembling a vibrant, ancient version of a beautiful meal. Looking at this magnificent sight, Yu Man couldn't help but feel a pang of regret—such exquisite dishes, if they were in modern times, would surely be photographed and posted on social media in a nine-grid format.
Seeing that the other two had no intention of speaking, she raised her glass of fruit wine and said with a smile, "This first glass is to congratulate my brother and Young Master Zhang on passing the imperial examination with flying colors!"
Zhang Jian said, "I thank Madam Yu for her hospitality." He raised his cup and drank it all. His usually cold and aloof face now showed a hint of blush, unusually less somber. The wine touched his eyes, and his bright complexion seemed as if a jade mountain was about to collapse.
Pei Ji also raised his teacup, looked at Yu Man, and gently advised, "This wine has a strong aftereffect, so please only take a small sip and don't overindulge."
Yu Man smiled and agreed, downing the fruit wine in her glass in one gulp. She found it refreshingly sweet with little alcoholic taste, and said, "Alright, enough talk, let's eat first, it would be a shame if the food got cold."
After saying that, she gently kicked Pei Ji under the table, signaling that as the "elder brother," he should take the initiative to exchange a few pleasantries with his future colleague Zhang Jian to avoid an awkward silence.
Pei Ji sensed her subtle movement, turned his head to look at her, and slightly curved his lips. However, he did not speak to Zhang Jian as she wished. Instead, he reached out and picked up the serving chopsticks, placed a piece of her favorite crab meat lion's head on her plate, and said in a natural tone, "This is your favorite. Try it and see how it is cooked."
It just so happens that this dish is closer to Zhang Jian.
Seeing Pei Ji pick up some food, he silently put down his own bowl and chopsticks, and moved the plate of crab meat lion's head meatballs slightly closer to Yu Man so that she could easily take it.
Yu Man: "..." I'm not so greedy that I need someone to bring the food to me.
But the two of them didn't seem to have any intention of speaking.
Zhang Jian ate his meal quietly, chewing without making a sound. Pei Ji, on the other hand, would take a bite himself and then put two more pieces of food on Yu Man's plate, piling it to the brim.
Yu Man maintained a smile on her face, and while she was drinking soup, she almost whispered to Pei Ji beside her, "Don't put any more soup in my bowl, I can't eat this much."
Pei Ji frowned slightly, but didn't lower his voice: "What? You think it's not as good as mine? I'll cook it for you again myself tomorrow."
Yu Man: "?" She was utterly defeated by his thought process.
She looked up at Zhang Jian across from her with some embarrassment. She noticed that the rice in his bowl seemed untouched and he had eaten very little of the dishes. She asked with concern, "Is it because these dishes don't suit Young Master Zhang's taste?"
Zhang Jian raised his eyes, looked at her calmly, and said in his usual light tone, "It tastes very good, Madam Yu, you've gone to a lot of trouble."
Yu Man assumed that he was not used to dining with unfamiliar people, or that the food did not suit his taste, so he raised his hand to beckon the servant standing to the side and quietly ordered, "Please bring another plate of stir-fried water chestnuts." This dish was refreshing and slightly sweet, and it was not one of the dishes already served.
Zhang Jian paused, his hand holding chopsticks still, and he was taken aback for a moment.
Yu Man explained, "My fifth uncle would occasionally mention the dietary preferences of his nephews and nieces. At that time, I didn't know it was Young Master Zhang. I just vaguely remembered that there was this dish, so I thought it might suit your taste."
Zhang Jian was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam Yu." He paused, then said casually, "I didn't know before that Brother Pei was Madam Yu's brother."
Yu Man smiled but didn't explain. After all, she had addressed him as "elder brother" in front of Zhang Jian earlier, and changing it now would seem deliberate, so she could only leave it at that.
Pei Ji's gaze fell silently on Zhang Jian's face, deep and unfathomable. He did not speak, but the knuckles of his hand holding the teacup tightened almost imperceptibly.
Feeling she had taken good care of her guests, Yu Man began to enjoy the food with peace of mind. The fruit wine was indeed delicious, and she couldn't help but drink a few more glasses. Gradually, a faint blush rose to her cheeks, and her eyes became increasingly bright.
When she finally managed to distract herself from the delicious food, she noticed that several of her favorite dishes, such as the crab meat lion's head and the jade hairpin shrimp, were almost gone. She subconsciously glanced at the person next to her.
Pei Ji had already put down his chopsticks and was now sipping his tea.
"Why aren't you eating? Is it not good?" Yu Man asked, puzzled. She clearly thought it tasted great.
Pei Ji's gaze swept across the table, finally settling on her slightly tipsy face. His tone was flat, yet pointed: "I used to find it acceptable, but today, it tastes bland and hard to swallow."
Yu Man picked up another piece of Biluochun tea scrambled eggs and put it in her mouth. The fragrance of the tea and the smoothness of the eggs blended perfectly. It was delicious! Just as she was wondering, she heard Pei Ji turn to Zhang Jian, his tone sounding gentle:
"Young Master Zhang, I've heard that the Zhang residence has been bustling with visitors lately, with guests coming and going. Surely there will be good news of your marriage soon? When that happens, please don't forget to send a wedding invitation."
Zhang Jian finally raised his eyes and met Pei Ji's gaze. Their eyes briefly met in the air, one calm and undisturbed, the other gentle and unfathomable. Zhang Jian slowly spoke, replying as usual, "Brother Pei is joking, there is no such thing."
Yu Man listened from the side and thought to herself that it made sense. For a family of Zhang's standing, their young master's marriage was no child's play, so why would they settle it so hastily?
After finally finishing the meal, Yu Man had completely emptied the small pot of fruit wine. She said to Pei Ji, "This fruit wine tastes really good, sweet and sour. I'd like to take a pot back with me."
"Alright." Pei Ji, fearing she might stumble, gently placed his hand behind her. "Only you would like to drink this sweet stuff."
Yu Man did not deny it; she had indeed never seen Pei Ji drink.
She stood up, intending to find a waiter to settle the bill, but perhaps because she stood up too quickly, and the alcohol was taking effect, she swayed unsteadily.
Almost simultaneously, two hands, one on the left and one on the right, reached out and steadily supported her arms.
On her right was Pei Ji, who had quickly stood up and his strong arm steadily supported her elbow.
On the left was Zhang Jian. His hand paused slightly just before touching her sleeve, but didn't actually make contact. He then withdrew it naturally, letting it hang at his side. His first reaction after withdrawing his hand was to look up at Pei Ji. In the depths of his cold eyes, there seemed to be a very faint hint of probing, something he himself didn't even notice...
Pei Ji's gaze met Zhang Jian's briefly before he looked away, as if he hadn't seen Zhang Jian's outstretched hand. He simply lowered his head and said gently to Yu Man, who was leaning against him, "The bill is already in my name, there's no need to go again."
"Oh..." Yu Man responded dazedly, then turned to Zhang Jian, trying to stay awake, and said with a smile, "Then, Young Master Zhang, we'll be going now. Please make yourself at home."
Pei Ji let her lean most of her weight on him, half-supporting, half-carrying her as they walked out of the private room. Reaching the door, he paused slightly, not turning back, but merely glancing sideways at Zhang Jian, who was still standing by the table, with an extremely indifferent gaze. His eyes were calm and still, yet as cold as a deep pool of water.
When Zhang Jian returned to the Zhang residence, the banquet in the front hall had not yet ended, and the sounds of music and laughter could still be faintly heard.
He strolled slowly along the covered walkway, deliberately avoiding the hustle and bustle of the main courtyard. On the way, he encountered a servant carrying a hangover soup, who respectfully addressed him as "Third Young Master." He nodded slightly but did not stop, heading straight back to his always exceptionally quiet study courtyard.
He dismissed the ordinary servants who came forward to serve him, leaving only his fifth uncle by his side. His fifth uncle was an old man who had watched him grow up and knew his temperament best. He didn't say much, but silently changed him into his usual casual clothes and brewed him a warm cup of calming tea.
"Has the young master had dinner yet?" Uncle Wu asked with considerable concern.
Zhang Jian picked up his teacup, the rising steam blurring his cool, aloof features. "I've already eaten." He paused, his voice calm and even. "I happened to run into... that Lady Yu from Laizhou, and had a meal with her... and Brother Pei."
Fifth Uncle's hand, which was straightening his robes, paused almost imperceptibly. Then, the corners of his wrinkled eyes involuntarily lifted, revealing genuine joy. He knew his young master's thoughts, even if the young master had never said them aloud. To meet him, to sit down and have a meal together, was always a good thing.
only……
Uncle Wu's gaze involuntarily drifted towards the front hall outside the window, where the lights were still on and people were moving about. He sighed silently in his heart, the lingering worry weighing heavily on his mind. In the end, he only uttered a simple admonition: "Now that you've eaten, get some rest. You've had a long day." With that, he quietly slipped out and closed the door behind him.
The study fell completely silent, save for the faint ticking of the water clock. Zhang Jian did not immediately rise to rest, but sat quietly in his spot for a long time, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on his pale profile.
After an unknown amount of time, he slowly rose and walked to the towering bookshelves. His gaze fell on one shelf, and after a slight hesitation, he reached out and pulled open the unassuming rosewood drawer. The drawer was not cluttered with many items, except for a roll of Xuan paper tied with a blue ribbon.
He lowered his eyes, his fingertips hovering over the cool paper roll for a moment, but ultimately did not unfold it.
My thoughts drifted back to several years ago.
The crabapple blossoms at Shanqing Academy were in full bloom that day.
Zhang Jian went to borrow a book. Although the state school had a rich collection, it was not as valuable as the academy's rare copy of "Jinshi Luyi". He disliked crowds, so he deliberately chose an afternoon when he was resting after lecturing, and walked along the bluestone path to the library.
As the wind blew, pale pink petals fell softly onto his shoulders.
Right under that century-old weeping crabapple tree, he saw a woman.
She wore an apricot-yellow silk skirt and leaned against a gnarled tree trunk, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the crimson silk sash around her waist.
She was clearly impatient waiting for someone, but her eyes and brows did not show the usual restraint of a young lady; instead, they exuded a fresh and lively spirit.
"...You said you'd be here at noon, and it's been a quarter of an hour already." She muttered to herself, her voice clear and crisp. "Could it be that the teacher called me back again? It seems that being too good at studying isn't a good thing either."
As she was talking, she started laughing herself.
Zhang Jian stopped in his tracks without realizing it.
He saw her tiptoeing and peering into the moon gate, but when no one came, she kicked a pebble at her feet in frustration.
Perhaps bored while waiting, she began to look up and count the crabapple buds on the tree. A petal fell onto her temple, but she didn't brush it away, letting the light pink hue adorn her black hair, adding a touch of charming naivety.
The distant chimes of the library bells echoed through the distance.
Zhang Jian, who had been motionless for a long time, finally moved. He lowered his eyes to look at the book, where a thin layer of fallen petals had accumulated, indicating that he had been standing under the flowers for quite some time.
She only went to greet the crabapple tree when she heard hurried footsteps from the other side of the moon gate and a clear male voice calling "Xiaoman." As she left, she glanced back at the tree, a lingering smile still on her face.
Zhang Jian stood there for a few more moments.
It wasn't until the old servant guarding the building came out to sweep that he saw him standing under the flowering tree, lost in thought, still not gone. He smiled and asked, "Are you here to see the crabapple blossoms too? This old tree is blooming exceptionally well this year."
He nodded silently, lying for the first time in his life.
"Yes, I came to see the crabapple blossoms."
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