Page 30 of The Cinders
Captain Duan watched him as he gorged another serving of roasted suckling pig, his thick lips shiny with the oils.He sucked at his teeth noisily, then tilted his head to speak with the Manhao secretary, who seemed to only ever converse with other members of the envoy.The men shared an unpleasant smile as they both considered Xian, the secretary nodding at whatever it was the captain said.
The gong rang out, announcing another course.Each attendant presented their covered platter to the marquess first, whose chair sat on a low platform, putting him above his family and his small gathering of guests.Marquess Tian inhaled deeply over each dish, barely avoiding getting one of the long gold chains he wore from dipping into the various sauces and soups.He declared each more wondrous than the last, signalling his approval that the platters and bowls be presented to his guests.
With the business of the day preventing any stops for a meal, hunger pangs struck Xian hard as rich aromas filled the air.Though most dishes were still covered, Xian could guess at a good many of them.
There was roast chicken certainly, some braised pork likely and chop suey, which was the Lady Tian’s favourite dish.But there was also the more pungent scent of the sea.He’d guess at a seaweed soup, and eel, perhaps some crab?The marchioness did not enjoy fish on account of having nearly succumbed to a fouled portion many years ago, so it was never served.Something Xian was grateful for, with carp being the most common fish used in Kunming kitchens.
Xian shifted in his chair, trying to ease an ache in his thigh from a day working, and an evening lying upon the firm floor of the shrine.His thoughts were drifting once more to the time spent in that shrine with Song Lim when the marchioness lifted her glass.
‘Hold the service,’ she directed the attendants, who’d been reaching to uncover the latest courses.‘Before we continue this feast, I’d like to speak.’She waited for no-one’s approval.‘It has been a most fortuitous meeting of our two great cities.’She bowed her head towards Official Park, who did the same in kind.‘Our trade agreement shall fortify us both, and see us grow in strength and good fortune.May the great Jade Emperor and Xiwangmu shine down upon our union, and may the Son of Heaven’s own child, the Prince Xian please Mandarin Feng most fully.Take our beloved ward, as a token of Kunming’s commitment to Manhao.Care for him, as we do, and let him bring you great pleasure with his god-given gift.’Xian’s chest tightened, knowing all eyes in the room were upon him; none more sharply than those of the marchioness and the captain.
Everyone raised their cups, even Xian, though he barely kept the tremble from his hands.
‘Eat now,’ the marchioness said.‘Feast upon the finest offerings of Kunming.May you begin your travels with your hunger well sated and all your thirsts quenched.’
The marquess, never one to shy away from a chance to drink deeply, raised his cup, inlaid with mother-of-pearl.‘To the Daoguang Emperor, Son of Heaven.’
The entire gathering cheered his Imperial Majesty, and the attendants lifted the lids on the platters.
Those on the table before Xian were revealed to be as he had guessed — pork and chicken — but several others he had not.There was a plate of cooked chestnuts, some sea cucumber with black fungus, stewed vegetables and sliced tofu, and there, closest to the marquess, with the marchioness at his side, an oval silver dish.
Xian swallowed at the unfamiliar sight.
The plate held a steamed carp, the fish resting upon chives and carrot, its body stripped of skin but with its head and tail fins intact.The cooking process had drained its fins to a deep grey; its flesh turned snow white.Scallions enhanced the rich black sauce that had been drizzled in a thin line down the length of the fish’s body.
‘Oh wonderful,’ Lady Tian clenched her hands together, the many rings she wore knitting together with gentle clicks.‘We’ve not had li yú in such a long time.’
Marchioness Shen waved a hand towards Official Park, who was requesting his attendant fill his cup higher.‘Official Park, be sure to tell me what you think of the dish.Braised carp with scallions is a speciality of the manor kitchen.’
Xian’s stomach churned as an attendant pulled the platter nearer to the Manhao official.
With the marchioness’s distaste for fish dishes, the household had no specialities that Xian knew of.Nor had he seen anything but prawns, or eel or crab served to dignitaries and guests.
‘Prince Xian.’The crack of his name startled him from his considerations.Marchioness Shen clucked her tongue as she leaned forward to peer at him past her daughter.
‘Yes, your grace,’ Xian whispered, the scent of ginger and soy sauce too rich against his nostrils.
‘Eat, now.You have barely touched the dishes served so far.’She flicked her hand toward a hovering attendant.
‘Just some seaweed soup, if you will,’ Xian said.
‘No.That will not do,’ the marchioness said.‘You must be seen to be robust in appetite, Xian.Healthy enough for the journey ahead.It would not do for the envoy to be concerned you shall not last the trip.’
Xian’s throat clenched tight.‘I am not unwell, I am just not hungry.’
The marchioness pointed at the braised fish, which had been broken apart; a serve now upon Official Park’s plate.
‘The carp,’ she said.‘Serve the prince a portion now.’
‘No.’The word slipped from Xian before he could think on it.‘No fish.I do not prefer it.’
‘Today you will.’Her calm manner and soft-spoken words froze the blood in Xian’s veins.‘Manhao is a river city, to refuse seafood shall insult our guests.Eat it.’She pointed at her own plate.‘Give me some, as well.I shall take a morsel.’
‘Very noble, mother.’Lady Tian nodded approvingly.
Xian watched the fish’s flesh come apart, stained by the darkness of the sauce, to a colour not unlike that of the ash he cleaned from the manor’s hearths.He stared down at the sliver of meat on his plate, where it swam in juices and scallions, instead of the hornwort and waters of its pond.
Xian’s stomach roiled, and he clenched his teeth.