The dining hall of the Zhao mansion was a place of quiet elegance, where the family gathered each evening for their meal. Tonight, the long table was set with an array of dishes, each one meticulously prepared by the household's skilled cooks. The rich aroma of braised meats, steamed vegetables, and fragrant rice filled the room, creating a comforting atmosphere.
Li Mei took her seat at the table, trying to keep her mind off Wei Ming. His face had been stuck in her thoughts ever since their encounter. As the family settled in for dinner, she forced herself to focus on her surroundings. Her younger siblings, Zhen and Xiaohui, were already chattering excitedly about their day, their voices filled with the innocence of youth.
Zhen, a boy of about ten years, was animatedly describing a game he had played with his friends. "Mei Jie! You should have seen me today! I jumped over the creek like a flying squirrel!" he exclaimed, using the affectionate term for an older sister. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at Li Mei. "No one thought I could do it, but I did! Everyone was cheering!"
Li Mei smiled warmly at her brother's enthusiasm, though she couldn't help but be reminded of how Wei Ming had looked at her. "That sounds amazing, Zhen! I always knew you were the bravest of us all."
Zhen puffed up his chest with pride, while Xiaohui, who was a year younger, giggled. "Mei Jie, will you come and play with us tomorrow? We're going to build a fort!" she asked, her wide eyes pleading.
Li Mei hesitated, her mind still half-occupied with thoughts of the handsome scholar. "I'll try, Xiaohui," she said, reaching out to gently ruffle her sister's hair. "But you know I have a lot to do."
Their conversation was interrupted as the first course was served, and the family began to eat. Li Mei's stepfather, Minister Zhao, was his usual composed self, engaging in quiet conversation with Madam Zhao about matters of the household.
"Li Mei," Madam Zhao called out from across the table, pulling her daughter from her daydreams. "You've been awfully quiet today. Is everything alright?"
Li Mei quickly composed herself, giving her mother a reassuring smile. "Yes, Mother, I'm just a bit tired from the market."
Madam Zhao studied her daughter for a moment before nodding. "It was a long day. You should rest well tonight."
"Yes, Mother," Li Mei replied, but her mind was already drifting back to the memory of Wei Ming's gentle smile.
After dinner, as the plates were cleared and the family began to disperse, Li Mei lingered in the kitchen. She had been working on a new recipe, something she had been trying to perfect for years. The key ingredient was magnolia bark, a bitter herb traditionally used in medicine. Most people found its taste unpleasant, but Li Mei was convinced that with the right preparation, it could be transformed into something delicious.
"Are you planning to make that dessert again, Mei Jie?" Zhen asked, peeking into the kitchen with curiosity.
"Yes, I am," Li Mei replied, her voice brightening at the prospect. "Do you want to help?"
Zhen's face lit up with excitement, but before he could answer, Xiaohui tugged at his sleeve. "Come on, Zhen! We need to finish our fort plans!" she urged, her eyes wide with impatience.
Zhen hesitated, looking torn between helping his sister and playing with Xiaohui. Li Mei laughed softly, waving them both away. "Go on, you two. I'll let you taste it when it's done."
"Promise?" Zhen asked, his eyes shining with hope.
"Promise," Li Mei confirmed, watching with fondness as her siblings dashed out of the kitchen, their laughter echoing down the hallway.
As they left, Yulan entered the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves. "You're going to work on that dessert again, aren't you?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Li Mei nodded, her eyes lighting up with determination. "I've been thinking about it all day. I know I can get it right this time, Yulan. The magnolia bark's bitterness has always been the challenge, but I'm convinced it can be balanced with the right combination of ingredients."
Yulan gave her a supportive smile. "I believe in you, Miss Li Mei. Let's get started."
The two women moved in sync, their familiarity with the kitchen evident in their fluid movements. Li Mei gathered the magnolia bark, while Yulan fetched the honey, rice flour, and spices. As Li Mei began grinding the bark into a fine powder, Yulan prepared the other ingredients, setting them in neat rows on the counter.
As they worked, Li Mei's thoughts drifted to her dream of opening a restaurant. She could imagine it so clearly—a beautiful place where people from all walks of life could come and taste her creations. But the vision quickly faded as reality set in. The daughter of an official, especially one as prominent as Minister Zhao, could not simply open a restaurant. It was unthinkable, even scandalous.
"You know," Li Mei said softly, as she mixed the ingredients, "I've always dreamed of having my own restaurant. A place where I could share my recipes with everyone."
Yulan looked up, surprised by the vulnerability in Li Mei's voice. "That sounds wonderful, Miss Li Mei. But… you've never mentioned it before."
Li Mei smiled wistfully, her hands continuing their work. "That's because it's just a dream, Yulan. I could never do something like that. My stepfather is a respected official, and opening a restaurant would bring shame to our family. People would talk, and they'd say that the Zhao family couldn't control their daughter. It's not something I can ever pursue."
Yulan's heart ached for her mistress. She knew how much Li Mei loved cooking, how it brought her joy in a way nothing else did. But she also understood the weight of societal expectations, especially for someone in Li Mei's position. "But even if it's just a dream, it's a beautiful one. And who knows? Maybe someday things will change."
Li Mei shook her head, a small, sad smile on her lips. "Maybe. But for now, I'll just have to be content with cooking for my family."
They continued working in silence for a while, the only sounds the soft clinking of utensils and the gentle crackle of the stove. Finally, the dessert was ready—a delicate confection, sweetened with honey and just a hint of bitterness from the magnolia bark.
Li Mei carefully arranged the dessert on a tray, taking a moment to admire her creation. "Do you think they'll like it?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Yulan nodded, her smile warm and encouraging. "They'll love it, Miss Li Mei. You've put your heart into this, and that always makes the difference."
With Yulan's help, Li Mei carried the dessert out to the dining hall, where her family was enjoying tea.
"I've made something special for you all tonight," she announced, setting the dish in the center of the table. "I've been working on this recipe for a while."
Zhen and Xiaohui were the first to dig in, their eyes widening in delight as they tasted the unique dessert. "Mei Jie, this is amazing!" Zhen exclaimed, his mouth full. "It's sweet, but there's something different about it…"
Madam Zhao took a small bite, her eyes lighting up with surprise. "It's wonderful, Li Mei. You've truly outdone yourself."
Minister Zhao nodded in agreement, his expression one of quiet approval. "You have a gift, Li Mei. We're fortunate to have you in our family."
Li Mei's heart swelled with pride at their words, but a pang of sadness quickly followed. As much as she loved cooking for her family, she couldn't help but wish for more.
Zhen, with a mischievous glint in his eye, leaned in and whispered, "Mei Jie, do you think you could make this every day?"
Li Mei chuckled, ruffling his hair. "I'll think about it, Zhen. But I might need a few days to recover after this one."
Xiaohui piped up, her voice full of wonder, "You should open a restaurant, Mei Jie! Everyone would love your food!"
The innocent suggestion made Li Mei's heart skip a beat, and she quickly forced a smile to hide her emotions. "Maybe one day, Xiaohui," she said softly, though she knew it was a dream that could never come true.
As she looked around the table at the faces of the people she loved most, Li Mei silently resolved to keep her dream locked away, hidden in the depths of her heart. For now, she would be content with the joy of seeing her family happy, even if it meant sacrificing her own desires.
The evening sky darkened outside, but inside the Zhao mansion, the warmth of family and the joy of shared food filled the air. Yet, deep within, Li Mei's heart held onto a dream that refused to fade, no matter how much she tried to suppress it.