Joy overflowed to the heavens, firecrackers bloomed like flowers, and strings of them hopped and crackled noisily. A group of children gathered outside the Qiu Mansion gates, giggling and laughing as they watched the excitement. Fifty or sixty tall, fine horses snorted and puffed, while twenty or thirty carriages made of red paulownia wood lined up from one end of the street to the other. Large red double-happiness characters were pasted beautifully everywhere. The horses looked spirited, the carriages magnificent, and the people even more imposing.
Those mounted on horses each wore sabers at their waists, dressed in black robes with auspicious sashes and red cloaks with riding boots. Despite the lively surroundings, they held their reins taut, sat perfectly straight, eyes forward without a sideways glance—clearly well-trained and disciplined.
Suddenly, a young maid wearing a pink skirt with her hair in sheep-horn braids ran up to the lead horse, a glossy black steed, looking somewhat timid.
“Second Master, Madam Yu is looking for you.” Having said this, she turned and ran right back.
The reins tightened, and the black horse whinnied, turning its head completely around before trotting on all four hooves toward one of the carriages in the procession. The man gave a light command, stopped his horse, and dismounted. His face had sharply defined features, a high nose, thick eyebrows, and black eyes bright as stars. With his tall, imposing stature, this was none other than Young Master Xiao Er, also known as the Second Young Master of Prince Jing’s mansion.
“Aunt Yu, what do you need?” he asked from outside the carriage.
“I reckon the time is about right—the bride will be coming out soon. Come with me to the entrance and exchange a few parting words with the in-laws.” Wei Qiongyu had two maids help her down from the carriage.
“…” Xiao Erlang was unwilling, but it was difficult to go against an elder’s words. Moreover, he had come along under the pretense of visiting relatives and escorting the bride. Now that the secret imperial edict had been carried out smoothly, to avoid suspicion he still needed to play the part of the groom’s second elder brother at this social occasion.
Suddenly, a goose-yellow figure came running over in small quick steps. A military officer’s instinct caused Xiao Erlang to immediately take appropriate countermeasures—he stepped to the right with a large stride, blocking Wei Qiongyu’s carriage.
“So flustered, why are you running? Don’t startle the wedding carriage.” He had been entrusted by his parents—the first person he needed to look after was Aunt Yu, not the in-laws who hadn’t yet joined the family.
“Mo Zi wasn’t flustered, just afraid of missing the auspicious hour for the young lady’s departure.” She had been running, yet wasn’t out of breath, and her voice carried a sweet smile. When she lifted her face, her countenance was as brilliant as a luminous pearl, but upon seeing Xiao Erlang, this expression vanished in an instant, and she resumed the lowered brow and obedient appearance of a servant girl. “On the master’s orders, I’m here to invite the in-law aunt and madam inside for a brief word.”
At first glance, Xiao Erlang only felt she looked familiar and hadn’t yet recalled seeing her that day at Cinian Nunnery. Instead, this maid’s name triggered some rather unpleasant memories for him. He thought to himself—where did all these people surnamed Mo come from, all gathering before him like this?
“Erlang, don’t treat this place like a training ground, scaring the young lady with your fierce manner.” Wei Qiongyu pushed Xiao Erlang aside. “We’re here to escort the bride, not to abduct her.”
Whatever Wei Qiongyu’s true nature might be, her voice and expressions were warm toward everyone, and she loved to crack jokes—making her extremely likable. The two maids behind her laughed like tinkling bells, and rather than calling them impertinent, she herself smiled with parted lips in delight.
“Aunt Yu.” Xiao Erlang was dissatisfied with Wei Qiongyu’s comment.
Wei Qiongyu knew when to stop. She grasped Mo Zi’s hand and praised her admiringly, “Look at this girl—as pretty as a fairy!”
Since it was Qiu Sanniang’s joyous wedding day, as her dowry maid, Mo Zi also needed to dress specially to bring honor to her mistress. Lu Ju had prepared four spring gowns early on.
There stood Mo Zi, wearing a new goose-yellow dress with powder-pink butterflies spreading their wings, a willow-branch silk sash tied in a hundred knots at the high waist. Her sleeves were fitted with small cuffs embroidered with golden marigolds, and the arc-shaped collar with lantern-style lapels was covered in transparent cloud gauze. Her dark hair was like satin, tied on both sides with powder-yellow ribbons—playful and adorable. Truly, the dress was lovelier than butterflies, and the person lovelier than flowers. From head to toe, she wore not a single piece of gold, silver, or jade jewelry, yet she appeared not the slightest bit shabby, possessing the dignified poise of someone raised in a prestigious and powerful household.
If a second-rank maid was like this, what must the young lady be like? The unease in Wei Qiongyu’s heart settled somewhat. Perhaps this time she had chosen the right person.
Hearing Wei Qiongyu’s praise, Mo Zi quickly expressed her thanks and said, “According to the rules, when a young lady marries, the aunt-in-law need not meet with our master. However, there’s been a change in who will escort the bride, and we wanted to discuss it with you in advance, Madam, to avoid surprising you.”
“Oh? In that case, I absolutely must meet with the master of the house. Girl, lead the way.” The escort represented the bride’s natal family. If chosen poorly, not only would the new bride lose face, but her parents-in-law, sisters-in-law, and even the servants would look down on her. After all, she, Wei Qiongyu, had made the selection—Qiu Sanniang’s reputation was now her reputation too.
“Aunt Yu, should I come along?” Xiao Erlang asked respectfully of Wei Qiongyu.
“Mo Zi, would it be convenient for Erlang to come along?” Men and women should maintain proper distance, especially since one was an unmarried younger sister-in-law and the other an unmarried second uncle—they always needed to avoid impropriety.
“The young lady is in the inner garden and will only come out after the master has finished discussing matters with you. If Second Master is responsible for arranging food and lodging along the way, it would be best if he accompanied you,” Mo Zi answered respectfully.
“That’s excellent then. Erlang, come along with me.” Wei Qiongyu had Xiao Erlang follow her.
Mo Zi led the way in front, listening to the footsteps behind her, but her thoughts returned to the previous night.
“Getting a word of thanks from you isn’t easy. Bai He, Lu Ju, help me remember this well. Someday when Miss Mo Zi is cursing me behind my back, you repeat this incident a hundred times over to bring back her conscience.” Seeing Mo Zi smile, Qiu Sanniang herself laughed with elegant grace.
“Miss, please stop joking.” Bai He spread out the bedding and brought Qiu Sanniang a cup of warm water.
“Mo Zi has two things she doesn’t understand—may I ask the young lady?” She knew the general situation but still lacked clarity on the details.
“Only two things?” Qiu Sanniang pouted her bright red lips in a coquettish manner. “I thought you’d want me to explain everything from beginning to end. Go ahead and ask—having something to be proud of is better than having nothing.”
Qiu Sanniang’s love of excitement must have been inherited from Master Qiu.
“How did Fifth Master suddenly take a liking to Bai He?” As Mo Zi spoke, she glanced at Bai He.
Bai He’s face turned red one moment, pale the next.
“Of course I had Bai He seduce him.” Qiu Sanniang spoke irresponsibly with shameless audacity.
This time even the devoted Bai He had to defend herself. “Miss, I didn’t seduce Fifth Master! It was just… just…” She couldn’t continue.
“That’s right, Miss—it wasn’t seduction. Sister Bai He just smiled at Fifth Master. No wait, it was two smiles. The first smile, Fifth Master didn’t react. The second smile, and Fifth Master’s eyes lit up like lamps.” Lu Ju tried to support Bai He but got the tone all wrong.
It would be more accurate to say they glowed green—Fifth Master Qiu transformed into a wolf, Mo Zi silently added as commentary.
“That’s not it either. You told me to watch the ducks fighting, Miss, and I found it amusing, so I smiled. Fifth Master happened to be passing by and mistakenly thought I was smiling at him.” Bai He began twisting her handkerchief, utterly embarrassed.
“If I hadn’t mentioned the ducks fighting but instead said ‘my fifth brother is here,’ and you could still smile that beautifully, I’d let you be the eldest daughter in my place.” Qiu Sanniang was in excellent spirits. “Who was it that said she’d do anything to help her sisters? My dear little brother was so enchanted by you that he lost his soul. I just encouraged him a little, and he ran to my dear mother to ask for you. Still, it worked out well—in exchange for a few smiles to that fancy butterfly, you and Mo Zi are safe. Not a bad trade.”