c3 (2/2)

“The chance is small whether or not he comes. But this is such big news in Chang An that he will likely hear of your cooking and come try your food eventually.” Yun Ge heard Meng Jue’s confident words and felt a little better. She calmed down and prepared to cook the dishes for the compet.i.tion. But inside she prayed that Huo Guang will come and take one of the hidden judging booths.

The compet.i.tion for the two hidden judging booths was fierce, and it wasn’t until the day before the compet.i.tion that it was purchased with a sky high price. The price left the owners of Qi Li Xiang and Yi Ping Ju stunned that someone would pay such an astronomical sum just to sample a few dishes.

With the former Emperor’s conquests the taxation burden fell on the common people, but within the riches of Chang An the money still flowed. Uncle Chang thought about his glorious future in Chang An and could only see money signs. He treated Yun Ge like she was a treasure, so gentle and warm towards her.

The day of the compet.i.tion, the two hidden judges finally arrived and Yun Ge dragged Meng Jue to look. To get to the hidden seats a corridor was built to ensure privacy. Right now a young man wearing a very simple robe was walking down the corridor and admiring the paintings on each side.

His age was the same as Yun Ge, with refined and elegant features, and his every move was like a moving art piece. He was beautiful, but lacked a woman’s softness. Though if he was a woman, he would be a stunning beauty.

“Too young, it can’t be Huo Guang.” Yun Ge softly sighed. The man heard them but ignored them and continued to admire the painting. After some time he coolly said “Did you guys select these painting? Not one are from a famous painter, but the person who selected it has a good eye. There aren’t that many in Chang An with such a discerning eye.”

Meng Jue smiled “I’m just honored young master enjoyed it. I selected these paintings.” The young man turned around and looked at Meng Jue. In that moment he appeared to be stunned, like someone being shocked to see a phoenix suddenly landing in a courtyard.

Meng Jue smiled and bowed, while the young man was a bit embarra.s.sed and nodded his head before turning away and looking at Yun Ge. She smiled and bowed to him, while he just stared at Yun Ge, not returning a bow or having any expression.

Yun Ge didn’t care and kept smiling at him, then she secretly prayed that the next judge would be Huo Guang. Meng Jue gestured for the young lord to keep moving along when the sound of a woman’s laughter arrived along with her fragrance.

All three turned around and a richly dressed man was embracing a stunning beauty and they were walking down the corridor. The man was tall but his face was hidden since it was currently buried in the woman’s neck as he nibbled on her. She didn’t avoid him and was just giggling.

The simply dressed young man scoffed coldly and turned back around to look at the paintings. Yun Ge appeared to hear Meng Jue softly sigh, but his expression was normal when she turned to look at him.

The man pa.s.sed next to them and then slightly raised his head, though his body was still pressed up next to the woman. His gaze lightly brushed over Yun Ge before returning to the woman’s neck and pulled her into their room. Yun Ge didn’t see his face, only seeing that he had a pair of sparking eyes.

Before the curtains were even pulled down there came the sound of silk ripping and heavy breathing. The simply dressed young man glared at the servant taking him to the next room so Meng Jue quickly said “We will give the young master a new quieter room, where it’s better for you to sample the cooking.”

Meng Jue gestured for the servant that he was going to personally lead the way. The young man looked at Meng Jue’s extraordinary aura, and then heard the moans coming from the other room, and he quickly lowered his reddened face and followed behind Meng Jue. His arrogance seemed to lessen a bit and became more approachable.

Yun Ge’s face was also bright red. She lowered her head and ran outside, thinking that they ought to prepare some clothes for that young man and the woman, otherwise how will they leave later? Ah, ah, Yun Ge, what are you thinking? Yun Ge patted her face. How shameful!

She heard voices outside which reminded her that she had a very important thing to do today. Since the two judges are not Huo Guang, she still had a lot of work to so. Winning isn’t important, she must have all of Chang An remember her cooking and talk about it everywhere. As long as Huo Guang loved eating, then it will surely lure him to come sample her food.

Lotus Dew Drop: With a bamboo as the dish carved into a lotus leave, translucent beef tendons cooked the size of pearls with old plum leaves and spring water. It melted in the mouth and felt fresh and had a lingering taste. It was like a Summer day eating the first dew on a lotus leaf.

Lingering Fragrance: A rectangular white pastry without any other adornment plated on a jade plate. Was this really a dish? The first bite reminded one of the heart pumping feeling of first love, the second bite gave the impression of a pa.s.sionate night under the moon, the third bite was like the longing for a lover. Each bite tasted different, and this pastry lingered long after it was all consumed, the fragrance of a woman in one’s embrace.

For the entire day Yun Ge stayed in the kitchen and poured her energy into the dishes. After all five judges and the two hidden judges rendered their verdict, Yun Ge won three dishes and Yi Ping Ju won five. Even though she lost, it was still a victory.

Yun Ge lost on selecting spices, mixing the flavoring, and the plating. But in each dish it showed her creativity and attention to detail. Especially in how she incorporated poetry, painting and dance into the food. From the name of each dish it showed how creative she was, so much that the poets who once disdained the kitchen felt that she made it more elegant. She gained the admiration of all the poets and scholars in Chang An, and they bestowed on her the nickname “Elegant Chef.”

Because Yun Ge never showed her face, everyone wondered who this mysterious Elegant Chef was. Some claim it is a handsome young man, others think the person must be hideously ugly. Talk became more and more outlandish until Yun Ge laughed just to hear it.

Some really admire Yun Ge’s cooking, others are just jumping on the bandwagon, and others just want to get some face time. No matter what the reason, eating the cooking of the Elegant Chef became the must do thing for all the rich young folks in Chang An to demonstrate they have good taste.

Within a short time, all the rich people in Chang An reserve a meal cooked by Yun Ge, but a request from the Huo Estate still never came. Yun Ge worked hard for that sliver of hope. The final judgment for Liu Bing Yi’s case was getting closer and closer despite all of Yun Ge’s prayers.

In a short month, Xu Ping Jing shrank an entire size and within her eyes there was only sorrow and exhaustion. Because Yun Ge worked at Qi Li Xiang with Xu Ping Jun, and Yun Ge purposely tried to get close to her, since Xu Ping Jun was so sad and not her usual sa.s.sy self, they gradually became closer and closer. Not yet to the point where they would say everything to each other, but close enough.

On the day of the judgment, Yun Ge accompanied Xu Ping Ju to the court. Liu Bing Yi was brought out, and despite looking terrible and haggard, his lazy insouciance increased as he walked past everyone watching him. He had a smirk and his usual swagger, looking like he didn’t care one bit about his life or death.

Yun Ge remembered the saying her old thief teacher said about how a dragon swimming in shallow waters gets picked on by the shrimp, and how a tiger fallen from high gets ridiculed by the dogs. Her heart felt pain, while Liu Bing Yi looked at Xu Ping Jun with only an apologetic glance. Xu Ping Jun’s eyes were filled with sorrowful pleading and then she averted her eyes.

Liu Bing Yi saw Yun Ge and Xu Ping Jun’s tightly held hands and he looked shocked as he glanced over Yun Ge. She smiled at him and Liu Bing Yi returned a quick smile.

During the court hearing, all the evidence was read and Liu Bing Yi just smiled like it had nothing to do with him. When the death penalty verdict was rendered, Yun Ge straightened even more with the conviction that she will not her Ling gege die. Xu Ping Jun wobbled and needed Yun Ge to support her “Bing Yi, why don’t you explain that you didn’t kill the person? Are your followers lives worth more? Why are you protecting them?”

Yun Ge quickly covered Xu Ping Jun’s mouth and Liu Bing Yi shot Yun Ge a look of grat.i.tude as Yun Ge dragged Xu Ping Jun out of there. Everyone was gathered outside waiting for news but all Xu Ping Jun could do was cry and tell everyone to scram.

He Xiao Qi might be a kid still but he was quick enough to realize that everyone needed to leave for now. Seeing Xu Ping Jun’s reaction, everyone knew enough what the outcome was. He Xiao Qi looked at Yun Ge and she shook her head at him, then gestured for him to take Xu Ping Jun home.

Yun Ge ran off to find Meng Jue. He was sitting inside Qi Li Xiang drinking tea with a man of who looked in his mid-forties, with a very commanding presence and a face with clean lines. Meng Jue saw Yun Ge come in but ignored her nervous worried expression and said “Yun Ge, we’ve waited for a long time. Go whip up a few of your specialties. I’ve made a kindred friend today and that’s worthy of celebrating.”

Yun Ge startled and met Meng Jue’s eyes. She immediately understood and controlled her emotions before running into the kitchen. Meng Jue looked at her departing figure with a look of daze before quickly recovering himself and smiling at the man in front of him.

Within the span of two pots of tea, Yun Ge presented three dishes. With each dish the man sampled, Yun Ge would explain the name and then stand with her hands nervously gripping her sleeve, afraid to take a big breath.

In the dark porcelain plate like the night sky there rested little stars. The man picked up a star and took a bite “Sweet and bitter. It is clearly a papaya but it tastes like bitter melon. The three dishes, one is green robe, the other mule, what is this one?”

Yun Ge lowered her head “Little stars.”

The man read a poem and then said “Green robe, mule, and little stars, within these dishes there is the angry cry of a wrong person. Does the lady have a relative in trouble? Do you have woe you cannot express? Tell me. Even though people are both into rich and poor lives, but there is still justice in this world.”

Yun Ge saw Meng Jue didn’t object so she slowly explained what happened to Liu Bing Yi. The man just ate his meal without any expression. This man’s thought processes was so deep it couldn’t be fathomed. He didn’t show a sliver of emotion, and when he heard his son-in-law’s name, his chopstick holding the food didn’t even twinge.

When Yun Ge finished, she stood there with cold sweat running down her back. The man listened to Yun Ge’s story and didn’t pay her any attention. He smiled at Meng Jue “Since young man you have already guessed my ident.i.ty, why would you let this little gal stand before me spouting all this?”

Meng Jue immediately stood up and bowed to the man “My lord Huo, my humble self did not know your ident.i.ty. How could the Great General not bring a servant along and walk in here? And be willing to talk with me like a friend. In the beginning I took you for a unique person, and later when I saw you eating I started to have doubts. When I saw the ministerial embroidering on your sleeve and the way you talked, I started to guess. Since we already had a candid conversation earlier, I thought it wasn’t inappropriate for Yun Ge to tell her story to you. Will my lord please understand.”

Yun Ge bowed to Huo Guang “This humble self Yun Ge, I pay my respects to my lord Huo.”

“Your name is Yun Ge? What a pretty name. You parents must want you to live like your name.” Huo Guang’s voice was warm as he gestured for Yun Ge to get up “Such a young age and already out alone making a living. My daughter is around your age and all she has is her spoiled temper.”

Yun Ge replied “Miss Huo is of a lofty personage, how could my humble self compare?” Huo Guang’s eyes lingered on Yun Ge’s face and he looked startled “Seeing you, I have this odd sense of familiarity. I suppose this is what people mean when they say a great first impression.”

Yun Ge was stunned by what he said, and seeing his gentle demeanor, she felt he was approachable and bowed to him “Thank my lord Huo for his kind words.”

Huo Guang stood up and walked out “What you said, I will order someone to thoroughly investigate and handle it according to the law.”

When Huo Guang walked far away, Yun Ge suddenly turned around and grabbed Meng Jue’s elbow. She was jumping up and down and hollering in happiness “We did it! We succeeded! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!……” Meng Jue was being shaken left and right by Yun Ge “Enough, that’s enough! No need for thanks!”

He realized Yun Ge wasn’t even listening to what he said. He thought about Yun Ge’s worried expression this past month, and this rare look of genuine happiness. His heart softened and he stood there letting Yun Ge hop up and down around him.

After Yun Ge jumped around for awhile, she suddenly realized how close she was to Meng Jue. She immediately released his arm and took a big step back. Her face was red “I’ll go tell Xu jiejie (big sister Xu) this good news.” Yun Ge was afraid to look at Meng Jue and quickly ran off. She was like a b.u.t.terfly flitting out of the store and into the brightly lit street.

Meng Jue looked at Yun Ge’s departing figure, not clear whether his expression was one of care or derision. What an clueless girl! How much of what Huo Guang said did she really understand? He suddenly sighed. Forget it! He didn’t have time to deal with this girl anymore.

Seeing the way Yun Ge treated him now, he’s already achieved his intended purpose. It was time to end it. Liu Bing Yi, you got lucky this time.

“Yi Yue.” [Her name means January, and later we’ll meet the others that work for Meng Jue whose names are Er Yue (February), San Yue (March), and so on.]

A black robed figured suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was quietly hidden in the corner of the room. “Young master. The moment Huo Guang entered Qi Li Xiang, the people admiring the view and eating at the other tables are likely all his guards.”

Meng Jue had a slight smile. Amongst the three top officials, Huo Guang was the most cautious. He would never give an enemy the chance to a.s.sa.s.sinate him.

“Tell Li Xu that this game ends now. Huo Guang is already involved, so he must not want to alert Shang Guan Jie. Whatever money Li Xu wants, give it to him. If he wants Yue Ji, then let Yue Ji play with him some more. As for Ding Wai Ren (the Inner Person to the princess), whatever he wants, give it to him as well. If he wants to climb higher, then make it happen, send him as high as he wants.”

Yi Yue said quietly “Young master spent a lot of money to get Liu Bing Yi into that jail without a trace. It would be a waste to let this opportunity go by.” Meng Jue had a slight smile “I have my own reasons. Wanting Liu Bing Yi’s life, there will be other chances. Right now other matters are more important.”

Initially this trip here was for Yun Ge, but who knew he would find the person he had been looking for all these years. When Yun Ge sat under the tree staring at the jade, he was hidden in the distance also staring at the same jade.

Liu Bing Yi? He remembered the owner of that jade was named Liu Xun. He sent many people over the years to find Liu Xun, thinking that this person must be dead already. Who knew Liu Xun chose to hide in the seemingly most dangerous place, right under the Emperor’s nose. Sometimes the most dangerous place is the safest place. On this alone, Liu Bing Yi can’t be underestimated.

His childhood flashed before him. The thing he wanted to do the most as a child was kill Liu Xun. Didn’t his father say that Liu Xun’s life was the most important? Didn’t his father say that Liu Xun’s bloodline was the most royal? Then fine…….let the most important royal person die in the hands of the most pitiful pathetic person!

A royal grandchild, dying in the hands of a lowly servant. If his father knew, wouldn’t he find it amusing? But alas, there was just too much else happening. Meng Jue couldn’t have antic.i.p.ated that he would find Liu Bing Yi thanks to Yun Ge. Or that Yun Ge’s concern for Liu Bing Yi would be so great. And now he met Huo Guang, and it’s hard to antic.i.p.ate what Huo Guang will do about Liu Bing Yi.

Many years ago, in the battle for succession, all the various princes were starting to plot but couldn’t do anything because Wei Qing was still alive, When the guardian of the Wei family Wei Qing died, everyone banded together to set up the Crown Prince. They forced Crown Prince Liu Ju to defend himself, and made it seem like he was revolting.

After Liu Ju’s revolt failed, Empress Wei Zhi Fu committed suicide and everyone in the Crown Prince’s family was killed. The only bloodline from that family left is Liu Xun, who became a commoner.

To eliminate every last threat, the other princes, Shang Guan Jie, even Liu Fu Ling’s mother Consort Zhao all tried to kill Liu Xun. But Huo Guang secretly protected the royal grandchild, succeeding so that everyone thinks Liu Xun is dead.

During these years, Huo Guang paid no attention to Liu Xun, appearing not to care if he lived or died. Meng Jue wasn’t certain yet if Huo Guang knows Liu Bing Yi is in fact Liu Xun. But for now, he’s not planning to ascertain Huo Guang’s intentions.

More importantly, he may dislike Liu Bing Yi, but he didn’t want one Liu Bing Yi to suddenly make Shang Guan Jie recollect what happened many years ago and feel sorry about it, thus ruining Meng Jue’s plans.

Yi Yue bowed “I understand.” Yi Yue was about to leave when Meng Jue said “Tell Da Gong Zhi (Eldest lord) to take into consideration the danger he is in. If someone found out he secretly entered Chang An, it’ll be easy to stick a plotting a rebellion label on him. Tell him to immediately return to Chang Yi.

Yi Yue looked torn and Meng Jue was silent for a moment before sighing “If you can’t convince him that’s fine. In a few days I’ll go back to Chang Yi with him. You guys keep him safe for the next few days, and make sure no one is tracking you guys.”

Yi Yue bowed and quietly melted into the shadows and disappeared. Meng Jue turned and put his hand on the window ledge and looked down from the window at all the citizens of Chang An walking to and fro underneath him.

The afternoon sun s.h.i.+ned through the window awning on his form, taking away some of the warmth from the open s.p.a.ce and adding a bit of chill from the shadow of the window.

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