Chapter 44: The Snow-Viewing Banquet

"Shen Youli! Nobody asked you to speak, so don't act like a mute! Sister Yuan is my friend; you are not allowed to slander her as you please!"

Cheng Yuan’s expression remained unchanged, though she was slightly startled by Qi Yunyue’s outburst. She raised an eyebrow. So, the little rabbit had this side to her as well?

However, the others seemed quite accustomed to it. Fu Shiyu, the poised young lady beside Qi Yunyue, turned to face Cheng Yuan, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips that felt at odds with her elegant demeanor.

"Don't take it to heart. One cannot choose their origins. I truly think you are remarkable, and everyone is actually quite envious of your capabilities. As for Youli, that is just her straightforward nature. She was deceived by someone in the past, so... but she isn't a bad person at heart. She just doesn't get along with Wenyue; the two of them have to argue every time they meet to feel satisfied."

She patted Cheng Yuan’s hand with a warm touch. Cheng Yuan smiled and replied, "It is no matter. If I were to harbor resentment over a few words, I wouldn't get very far on this path. Besides, I find Sister Youli to have a very kind face; at a glance, she is clearly..."

"Hmph, enough with the sweet talk. That fool Qi Yunyue might believe you, but I won't be taken in!"

Shen Youli turned her head away, though the tips of her ears were flushed a suspicious shade of red.

Cheng Yuan did not mind the interruption; instead, she picked up her teacup to hide her smile.

Qi Yunyue, however, pricked up her ears and jumped to her feet, her fair face flushed with anger. "Shen Youli! You’re insulting me again! I may be slow, but I’m still smarter than you! I don't know who it was that spent all their money on someone—mmph!"

She glanced at Fu Shiyu, who had covered her mouth, and realizing her slip of the tongue, she could only nod repeatedly and hold her own hand over her lips.

Fu Shiyu straightened her posture, maintaining her composed smile. "We are here for the snow-viewing banquet, but since we are all close friends, there is no need for such formalities. Sister Yuan, would you let us have a look at the cakes you brought today?"

Wen Jingshu sat the furthest away from Cheng Yuan. Her face was still covered by a white veil, yet she spoke directly to Cheng Yuan.

Her words acted like a signal, and several other young ladies who had come specifically for the delicacies in the cold winter chimed in with agreement.

Cheng Yuan offered a mysterious smile, but she didn't keep them in suspense. She had her maid retrieve the items from the basket and place them on the table one by one.

The tea service was pushed aside, and the colorful assortment of cakes dazzled the eyes of most those present.

"I recognize this orange cake; it’s sweet and tart."

"Why is this one purple? Are there purple fruits? Could it be grapes? Why is it rolled up like that?"

"Eww! This one is pitch black. I bet this one is the worst!"

In an instant, the ladies swarmed forward, chattering all at once. The maids brought out plates and knives, slicing the cakes into small pieces and providing bamboo skewers. The young ladies were eager to try, yet they still looked toward Cheng Yuan for permission.

Facing so many expectant eyes, Cheng Yuan picked up a piece herself. "Everyone, please help yourselves. This is meant for you to sample the new items."

The cakes disappeared quickly. Soon, only the whole chocolate cake and a small portion of the crispy taro purple-gold brick remained on the table.

"This roll is delicious! It's so dense and tangy!"

"I still like the orange cake best; oranges are my favorite fruit."

"Ladies, would you not like to try this chocolate cake?"

Cheng Yuan introduced them one by one. Even after she took a small bite, the ladies remained hesitant.

"It’s so black; it doesn't look very elegant to eat."

"It looks just like mud..."

Unexpectedly, Shen Youli lowered her head and skewered a piece. Seeing everyone’s gaze fixed on her, she scoffed, "I want to see just how good a village girl can make this ugly thing taste."

As soon as she took a bite, Shen Youli’s expression changed instantly. A look of stunned confusion and uncertainty crossed her face, and for a moment, she did nothing but chew. This made the other ladies anxious.

"Youli, is it good?"

"I thought it looked bad; mud doesn't have any flavor."

"But Sister Yuan’s craftsmanship is excellent; she wouldn't make a bad cake!"

Cheng Yuan watched Shen Youli closely. Though she appeared calm, she was panicking inside. Could it be that the people of this era couldn't handle chocolate? Perhaps it was her fault for not adding enough sugar; it might be too bitter.

Before she could spiral further, Shen Youli skewered another piece—two this time—and took her plate back to the edge of the table. This time, she savored it slowly and carefully. For the first time, the look she cast toward Cheng Yuan was no longer pure disdain; it was laced with complex emotions.

Seeing this, the other ladies finally understood. They quickly grabbed their own portions, some swallowing them in one bite, others tasting them delicately.

Qi Yunyue took one as well. She popped it into her mouth, and the next second, her eyes widened in shock. With the cake still in her mouth, she rushed to speak, "Water, water!!"

A maid quickly handed her a cup of tea. Qi Yunyue gulped it down, her face twisted as she struggled to swallow the cake with the help of the tea. The maid then popped a candied fruit into her mouth, and only then did Qi Yunyue’s expression soften.

"Too bitter, too bitter! It’s worse than the bitter melon my mother used to force me to eat." Halfway through her sentence, she quickly looked at Cheng Yuan’s face, nervous. "Sister Yuan, I didn't mean your cooking wasn't good."

Several others expressed that they couldn't quite accept the taste, though some nodded and reached for another piece. Most of what remained was claimed by Shen Youli.

Cheng Yuan smiled, "This chocolate cake is on the bitter side; it may not be to everyone's taste. I can adjust the sweetness based on the customer's preference in the future."

Seeing that everyone had mostly finished eating, Cheng Yuan slowly revealed the purpose of her visit. "I trust you have all tasted my work over the past few days. If there is anything you like, you may contact me privately. I will do my best to meet your requirements, and I hope you will share any suggestions so that I may improve."

Though she possessed a stunning, exotic beauty, the gentle smile on her lips and the calm, steady look in her eyes gave her a graceful and composed temperament. Immediately, two of the ladies asked how they could get in touch with her.

With the main purpose of the banquet fulfilled, the ladies departed in small groups. Only Shen Youli remained, leaning against a pillar, her gaze barely leaving Cheng Yuan. As Wen Jingshu left, she glanced at Cheng Yuan once more, a satisfied smile curling her lips.

"Yunyue, I’m sorry to trouble you for two more days to act as our go-between. Once I purchase a shop, I won't have to bother you anymore."

Cheng Yuan produced a silver ingot, but Qi Yunyue waved her hands repeatedly, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she smiled. "Sister Yuan, given our friendship, why talk of money? Just remember me next time you have something new."

Cheng Yuan could only smile and nod. After bidding them both farewell, Cheng Yuan walked slowly toward the exit, the sound of footsteps following close behind her.