A night of blooming flowers and full moon.
Chen Niang’s singing voice was like a golden oriole emerging from a valley, plum blossoms opening in snow—melodious yet clear and distant, beautiful yet melancholic.
When the song ended, continuous cheers and enthusiastic applause drowned out one woman’s sad heartache. Immediately after, the charming Ge Qius came out holding lotus leaves, the melody lively, the dance steps light and graceful—perfectly fitting the occasion.
Mo Zi took a small sip, pulling her gaze back to watch the men at that table drinking wine like water. After she directly refused him, Xu Jiu showed no signs of being affected. His laughter was hearty, and in just a short while, he had drunk down an entire jar of wine without changing expression.
“Who would have thought Brother Mo was a young lady? Even I, Wuyou, can misjudge sometimes.” Wuyou sat beside Mo Zi, having arrived just moments ago. She had brought eight young ladies, six of whom had now gone to that table.
The two young ladies on Wuyou’s side—Mo Zi had seen them at the Leopard Gang. Looking at them now, they seemed less like courtesans and more like handmaids.
Mo Zi smiled slightly, not wasting more words on the matter of her female identity. “I also didn’t expect Miss Wuyou and Alliance Leader Fu to truly be kindred spirits.”
As soon as Wuyou arrived, Fu Tian—who could make even Longshen give way—actually smiled, his expression completely different from the coldness at the Leopard Gang that day. Wang Kun called her “little sister-in-law,” and Fu Tian’s four great experts called her “Second Madam,” startling Xu Jiu, Mo Zi, and the others.
“Kindred spirits?” Wuyou’s smile was faint. “Brother Mo is truly kind, using such pleasant words. What kindred spirits? I’m nothing but an outside concubine. In this life, I cannot bear his surname, cannot enter the Fu family genealogy. The principal wife won’t allow it, so I can’t even enter his family’s door. Even if my children bear the Fu surname, they have nothing to do with the Fu clan. When I’m old, I might die without seeing him once—a solitary grave.”
Mo Zi took a deep breath, not expecting Wuyou to be without name or status. “But they call you Second Madam.”
“That’s just him being afraid I’ll feel hurt, giving me respect in front of his brothers. Second Madam? His wife certainly doesn’t acknowledge it. Actually, what Sister Huo Ba said that day wasn’t wrong at all.” Wuyou’s tone held slight mockery, slight helplessness.
“At least Alliance Leader Fu has you in his heart.” Mo Zi felt there were too many such situations around her—she was almost numb to them.
“Yes—” Wuyou looked over, meeting Fu Tian’s gaze directly, but gently looked away. “If he didn’t still have this heart, how would I have ended up like this? When I was young and naive, I recklessly fell in love with this man. Because we couldn’t be together properly, in a fit of anger I opened Wuyou Pavilion. By the time I realized that doing this only made things more difficult for him, and also made it impossible for me to enter his household, regret was useless.”
Mo Zi knew this topic shouldn’t continue. In this kind of society, the more outstanding a woman was, the less she could obtain a good destination—either becoming a sacrifice for her family or a sacrifice for a man. In Mo Zi’s eyes, a man who couldn’t give the woman he loved a proper status for any reason wasn’t worth entrusting one’s life to. But in Wuyou’s eyes, perhaps precisely because he was the man she loved, she had entrusted her entire life to him regardless.
She only said to Wuyou: “Regret what? This is Miss Wuyou’s achievement, worthy of pride. Why must women depend on men? Just because Alliance Leader Fu won’t give you status, does that mean you have no value of existence? I see the Mama Wuyou of Wuyou Pavilion—so radiant and captivating, free and unrestrained—I truly admire her. Buddhism says that after death, people enter reincarnation. A solitary grave has no soul—the next life will be more magnificent. With Mama Wuyou’s capabilities, to enter the Fu household and bow in service to an intolerant principal wife—if you don’t find it regrettable, I do. If you fought with her to the death and ultimately won, it would truly insult Mama Wuyou’s breadth of spirit and bearing. In Wuyou Pavilion you’re in charge—why would you pointlessly run to the Fu household to demean yourself?”
Wuyou couldn’t speak. Her personality was quite strong, and she was extremely articulate, yet every time she met Mo Zi, she was deeply influenced by the other’s words. Not many people knew about her status as an outside concubine. Those who did advised her to endure, felt sad and hurt for her, thought fate was unfair. Only Mo Zi’s words made her feel that she actually wasn’t tragic, but rather unrestrained in a way that made others envious. Wuyou Pavilion had ruined her reputation before the Fu family matriarch, but she knew clearly that was just an excuse for that woman not to let her enter the door. She worked hard to manage it, holding onto that grievance. However, just as Mo Zi said, she wasn’t originally such a petty person—if she really acted for this grievance and humiliated herself, what would be the point?
“Brother Mo’s words have opened my eyes. You say I have breadth of spirit and bearing, but I’m still narrow-minded. Brother Mo, when you have time, feel free to visit my Wuyou Pavilion often. You and I can be sisters who share heartfelt words—how about it?” Wuyou genuinely wanted to befriend her.
Mo Zi smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Brother Mo, come here.” Xu Jiu beckoned to her.
Seeing this, Wuyou smiled with pursed lips. “This Xu Jiu—sister, you must be careful of him. Boat gang men like to kidnap their brides. I see the way he looks at you isn’t quite right.”
Mo Zi froze, then laughed awkwardly. “Really? I think he’s quite straightforward.”
Wuyou shook her head. “I was also proud and arrogant back then. I knew early on that Fu Tian had a wife, but what happened? Let me tell you, people like Xu Jiu and Fu Tian—once they set their sights on something they like, they find it extremely difficult to give up.”
Yet Mo Zi couldn’t detect anything unusual in Xu Jiu’s expression. “Sister, you’ve given your heart, but my heart remains quite calm. Xu Jiu? I don’t want him.”
Wuyou smiled until her eyes narrowed. “Good, good. Xu Jiu deserves to suffer a bit. He’s made quite a few of my girls heartbroken—now it’s his turn.”
Xu Jiu strode over, one palm seemingly about to fall heavily, but when it reached Mo Zi’s shoulder, it was as light as a feather. Yet he didn’t manage to touch her—didn’t even brush her clothing.
Mo Zi’s figure moved so quickly she was already walking toward Fu Tian’s table.
Xu Jiu looked at his own palm, then at Mo Zi now a zhang away from him, secretly thinking this was strange. But there was nothing he could do, so he just followed.
After Mo Zi made a round of toasts, she asked Xu Jiu what he had called her for.
Xu Jiu said: “Does Brother Mo know that every year on the ninth day of the ninth month, the Double Ninth Festival, our boat gang has a dragon boat competition?”
Mo Zi was puzzled. “Aren’t dragon boats for the Dragon Boat Festival?”
Wang Kun loved to talk and interjected, “Dragon Boat Festival dragon boats and the dragon boat competition are two different things. The dragon boat competition tests the strength of the major boat gangs.”
Making an acknowledging sound, Mo Zi didn’t understand what direct connection dragon boat racing had with boat gang strength.
“It’s a competition that’s been passed down for a hundred years. Now, rather than saying it tests strength, it’s better to say it’s just our own way of celebrating the Double Ninth Festival—entertainment, also giving the major boat gangs a chance to strengthen brotherly bonds.” Fu Tian’s manner was quite relaxed.
“Boss, it used to be about strengthening bonds, but this year it definitely isn’t. I’ve received word that those disrespectful young punks from the Mackerel Gang, Whale Gang, and Sea Shark Gang have specifically commissioned master craftsmen from the official shipyard to build boats, planning to show us up. No matter what, our two gangs can’t lose face.” After Wang Kun finished speaking, he drained a large bowl of wine.
Hearing this, Mo Zi’s eyes lit up. The five major boat gangs stirring up internal competition, the dragon boat race about to determine superiority—these things had nothing to do with her, but they could provide her with business opportunities!
“I heard from Xu Jiu that Brother Mo is in charge of Hongyu?” Fu Tian asked.
Mo Zi quickly presented her business card.
Several people found it curious—but we won’t elaborate on this conversation.
“Although Hongyu passed the three trials and hasn’t yet made a name in the shipyard circles, I trust Brother Mo’s abilities.” Fu Tian hadn’t personally witnessed Mo Zi passing the trials, but his subordinates had described it to him in detail. Moreover, both Xu Jiu and Wuyou spoke very highly of her. He himself had also seen countless people and could tell she wasn’t simple.
Mo Zi thanked him.
Fu Tian saw her eyes shining brilliantly, without false modesty, her expression quite confident. Secretly nodding to himself, he said, “I’d like to commission Hongyu to build one competition dragon boat, to be delivered in twenty days. I wonder if Brother Mo is willing to take this business? I know the timeline is somewhat rushed. You can name the price—absolutely no objections.”
This was it—one thing passed, two things passed, but not three. After two gifts evaporated in succession, she finally secured the third one. Amitabha!
Wang Kun grumbled somewhat, “Girl Mo, it’s not that I look down on you, but I really speak directly. You’re so young, and you’re a woman—regarding this shipbuilding business, I can’t see what great abilities you could have. However, if the boss trusts you, I trust the boss. Either don’t take this order, but if you do take it, the dragon boat you build can’t lose. If it loses, I’ll smash your establishment.”
Mo Zi didn’t take Wang Kun’s threat to heart. This person was just straightforward, nothing wrong with that. “Gang Leader Wang, it depends on why we lose. If there’s a problem with the dragon boat, naturally that’s my responsibility—even if you smash everything, I won’t complain. But if the rowers aren’t capable, you can’t blame me for that.”
Wang Kun grunted, unable to refute.
“So Brother Mo is accepting?” Fu Tian heard the meaning.
“承蒙傅盟首看得起,是我红萸之幸,必全力以赴。” Business delivered to her door—how could she not accept? Moreover, she could name the price. How rare—she was finally tasting the sweet benefits of joining an oligopoly.
They agreed to discuss the price and detailed requirements for the dragon boat at Hongyu Shipyard tomorrow. The second contract was basically secured.
Just then, noisy clamor came from outside the pavilion, mixed with female guests’ and Ge Qiu’s startled cries.
Mo Zi looked outside—dozens of torches had been lit in the garden, winding inward in an encircling pattern. Shouts rang out one after another, along with the crisp sound of metal clashing—clearly the intentions weren’t good.
Just as Fu Tian was about to send one of the experts in green robes to investigate, Zhao Liang came running in.
“Brother Mo, the Capital Guard has surrounded our establishment. They’ve also sent over a hundred men into the garden, saying there are Daqu spies and they need to search the garden. The head steward is somewhat panicked. I told him you were here, so he asked me to quickly invite you to discuss countermeasures.”
“Daqu spies?” Mo Zi immediately thought of Ye’er. If Ye’er had appeared in the capital, then Wu Yanle must also be here. Since Daqu attacked Yuling, all Daqu people had been ordered to leave Dazhou. At a time like this, if there were Daqu people in the capital, they could only be thought of as spies. These two would be first in line.
“Exactly. I say, they could cause trouble any other day, but they had to pick today—a whole garden full of distinguished guests.” Zhao Liang anxiously rubbed his hands.
“The commander of the Capital Guard has some friendship with me. Brother Mo, I’ll go with you.” Xu Jiu stepped forward.
Though Wangqiu Tower operated on a large scale, it had no backing and people could still bully them. Mo Zi had thought of this point and discussed it with Qiu Sanniang, having Cen Er use silver to grease many palms, but their status still wasn’t high enough. At a time like this, when you had connections you had to use them, so Mo Zi didn’t decline, thanking Xu Jiu.
“I’ll also go take a look with you.” Wuyou stood up. Wuyou Pavilion’s reputation filled the capital—she had her own methods.
When Wuyou moved, Fu Tian also moved, leading his people to her side.
Mo Zi suddenly felt that this steward position she had obtained through a thousand methods and strategies was beginning to have some power.