Chapter 3

Chapter 3

From that day on, it was as if my beautiful dream had been punctured. I settled back into my role as a dutiful maidservant.

I worked hard and no longer responded to the mockery or ridicule of others. Whenever I saw Yun Jian, I would always lower my head respectfully.

Because of this change, I earned the appreciation of the manor’s head steward, who reassigned me to the kitchen to oversee Yun Jian’s meals.

I went out of my way to prepare all sorts of dishes and pastries for him. From northern styles to southern flavors, eastern delicacies to western treats, I didn’t repeat a single recipe for three months.

I even went to the bookstore every day to borrow ancient texts, researching and recreating forgotten dishes. The leftovers Yun Jian sent back grew smaller and smaller with each passing day.

Yet, I was in no hurry to appear before him to claim credit.

Whenever a maid or servant was punished, I would whip up some sweet soup and let them carry it to Yun Jian, giving them an opportunity to plead for mercy. Slowly, my reputation among the staff began to improve.

During those nights, to save on lamp oil, I would stay in the kitchen studying the next day’s recipes while using my spare time to review my books.

After going through half a bag of flour, I finally perfected a batch of chilled cakes with an excellent texture. I squatted by the stove, using the flickering firelight to read my book while eating a piece of cake.

Lost in the dancing shadows, I became so engrossed in my memorization that I didn’t notice a presence until a cold voice drifted down from above.

“What are you doing?”

Startled, I snapped back to reality and scrambled to my feet, swallowing the mouthful of cake in one gulp.

Yun Jian stood before me. His moon-white robes looked like a handful of captured mist. Perhaps it was the candlelight, but he no longer seemed so cold and distant; instead, he radiated a touch of tangible warmth.

Ignoring my books scattered across the floor, he reached out and picked up a piece of the chilled cake.

“This evening, there was one bowl of sweet soup missing.”

So, he was hungry.

I scratched my head and said weakly, “I went to the east side of the city today to deliver a bag of flour. By the time I returned, I’d missed the window for dinner.”

“Why deliver flour?”

“My current monthly wages aren’t enough to buy books.”

Yun Jian ate the cake slowly, his movements incredibly elegant. Within moments, however, only the decorative mint leaves remained on the plate.

“Starting next month, your wages will be raised to one tael,” he said flatly. Before leaving, he seemed to think of something and paused at the threshold. “For tomorrow’s midday snack, I want iced curd.”

Holding the empty plate, I asked with concern, “Young Master, are you full?”

That transcendent, immortal-like figure gave a strange, slight jerk.

“Meddlesome.”

It was a blunt reprimand, but his tone was seven times faster than usual, as if he were flustered at being seen through.

When all was silent again, I washed the plate and picked up my scattered books, carefully wiping them clean.

Phase one: success.

As I drifted off to sleep that night, I remembered the last words the only female teacher at the academy had said before her family took her away. At the time, she had held my hand and said, “Jiang Rui, no matter what, you must find a way out.”

Yes, no matter what.

Even if it required a thousand schemes and unscrupulous means.

Some people are born into a fate where they must fight and snatch just to survive and find their own glory.

In the following days, I remained well-behaved, never venturing near Yun Jian’s courtyard. However, Yun Jian’s personal servant often came by with messages.

“The Young Master wants something sweet today.”

“The Young Master prefers something light today.”

“The Young Master…”

In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival arrived.

According to the steward, Yun Jian didn’t care for such boisterous holidays. However, Madam Yun had traveled specifically to spend it with him, bringing along a beautiful, refined young woman.

Madam Yun spent a long time trying to persuade him, while the young woman stood by, smiling shyly at Yun Jian. Yun Jian simply rested his cheek on his hand, unhurriedly placing a stone on the Go board. He didn’t even blink.

“I’m not going.”

Of course, after Madam Yun resorted to the classic routine of weeping and making a scene, Yun Jian eventually went. However, he brought along nearly half the manor’s staff in a grand procession.

I followed leisurely behind them, eating a roasted sweet potato I’d bought. Madam Yun was so frustrated she clutched her chest, but the refined woman stepped in to smooth things over.

“A Jian has been shy around strangers since he was a child. This is only natural.”

Yun Jian lifted his eyes but said nothing.

“Still, we shouldn’t let such a beautiful festival go to waste. A Jian, the Lantern Festival is a rare occasion. If you see any lantern riddle prize you like, I’ll win it for you.”

She was poised and graceful, her words hinting at a long-standing familiarity with Yun Jian.

Yun Jian raised an eyebrow and turned to point.

“Then I’ll have that one.”

Following the direction of his finger, amidst the sea of lanterns, an exquisitely crafted fish lantern hung in the very center of the stage. That was this year’s prize for the Lantern Riddle King.

The woman smiled. “Very well.”

She moved through the stalls, answering every riddle with ease. Yun Jian, however, didn’t seem to care; he found a private room upstairs and ordered a bowl of wontons. His light tea-colored eyes watched the flickering lights below.

After a long while, most of the riddles at the stalls had been solved. The woman was indeed impressive, having collected one hundred and twenty prize slips. However, an elegant gentleman had collected one hundred and twenty-two.

She looked a bit discouraged. “A Jian, that square lantern over there is also quite lovely.”

Yun Jian tapped the table with his knuckles, a slight curve to his lips, but his gaze remained cold and shallow.

“Are you suggesting I should settle?”

The woman choked on her words.

Indeed, this precious Little Young Master had always demanded only the best. Even when he was raised under *that person’s* care, he was uniquely favored; treasures and fine glass were like worn-out shoes to him.

Just as everyone thought the gentleman was about to claim the top spot, a figure in simple clothing, clutching an armful of prize slips, squeezed through the crowd and scrambled onto the stage with effort.

“Wait a moment, sir!”