When Mo Zi came out of the Capital Shipping Yard, she was intercepted by Jiang Tao, who dragged her to a tavern to drink.
After the waiter brought up the wine and dishes and looked her over with rolling eyes, he respectfully said, “Female Administrator, please enjoy.”
Mo Zi asked curiously, “How does he know I’m an official?”
Jiang Tao poured her a cup of wine. “This morning imperial notices were posted. Now the whole city knows Song Mo Zi and Yang Qiao have become female officials. You’re wearing official robes—it would be strange if he didn’t recognize you. I say His Majesty is a bit excessively biased. You women’s official robes with hand-embroidered flowers are so elegant and luxurious. With these clothes and that appearance, walking down the street, who wouldn’t take a second look? My rank is higher than yours and I also wear official robes, but that waiter only smiled at you. Clearly men’s official clothing is unremarkable—in one word, ugly.”
Who said no one looked at him? Just now as she came along with him, quite a few people looked at him then turned away laughing. With that big head and thick skull, he was the one who could be called ugly in one word. However, having gotten used to seeing him and knowing his talent and abilities were all first-rate, and his character extremely good, appearance became unimportant.
“Lord Jiang seems very idle. Is there nothing happening in the Ministry during the New Year? The Shipping Bureau belongs to the Ministry of Works, and Your Excellency’s rank is higher than mine, making you a superior. Us drinking on the street like this—if word gets out, does it count as me currying favor with you?” Mo Zi lifted her wine cup and took a light sip.
“Colleagues and friends—where’s the currying favor?” Jiang Tao drained his in one gulp and poured a second cup. “The Ministry has holidays during the festival period. I’m on duty for half a day today. Hearing people say you went to pay respects to the Bureau Chief, I thought I’d wish you a Happy New Year. How was it—your first day seeing your superior?”
“Not bad.” Mo Zi answered this way. “Apart from eyes not very willing to look at me and mouths not very willing to open, everything else could be said to be quite smooth. The Bureau Chief was amiable and kind, the Deputy Chief offered a few words of concern. I said I lacked people to use, and immediately he assigned me two subordinate officials.”
“…” Jiang Tao was momentarily stunned listening, drained his empty cup, then sighed. “Miss Mo Zi, you really know how to talk.” This was called quite smooth? It was obviously cold treatment, yet she still smiled as beautifully as a flower.
“I went with the awareness of possibly being driven out, so although I didn’t drink even one cup of tea and no one wished me a Happy New Year, I can still bear it.” Half joking. Over these years, her greatest growth was understanding that the world’s harshness and cruelty were too abundant, so one shouldn’t be ostentatious as a person and should do things quietly.
Jiang Tao laughed heartily. “I didn’t expect you understand this way of being an official even better than I do. The atmosphere is thus—why take it seriously? Excellent, excellent.”
Mo Zi set down her wine cup, the small cup still half full.
Jiang Tao didn’t mind. “Miss Mo Zi…” His big head swayed back and forth. “Miss Mo Zi…” Difficult to speak.
Mo Zi didn’t rush him, propping her chin and looking at the scenery on her own.
“I… this young scholar… am a full twenty years old and have not yet married.” The opening words finally broke through his inner obstruction.
Pfft—Ding Gou at the neighboring table spat out his wine.
Zan Jin wiped his wet face with his hand and dried it on Ding Gou’s sleeve. “Quiet down, Lord Jiang is about to propose marriage to Brother Mo.”
Mo Zi swore she wanted to maintain a dignified image, but these two beside them really made it impossible not to laugh. Afraid of scaring Jiang Tao away, she covered her mouth with her palm to disguise her laughter as coughing.
“Lord Jiang, have you thought it through? Once you open your mouth, you can’t take it back.” Ding Gou wanted to push away Zan Jin’s hand, found he couldn’t, and became serious.
As a result, those two played and sparred, returning peace and quiet to Mo Zi and Jiang Tao.
Seeing Mo Zi watching him with deep interest, Jiang Tao thought she had misunderstood and quickly waved his hands. “I’m not proposing marriage to you, absolutely not. It’s not that Miss Mo Zi isn’t good—you’re really too good. I know I’m not worthy and never dared to think it, never had that kind of thought even once.”
Mo Zi had originally wanted to tease him, but seeing him turn red in the face anxiously over a nonexistent misunderstanding, she decided against it and said, “Jiang Tao, I also don’t have even a bit of that kind of thought. However, when you speak, could you be more direct? For instance, who you have feelings for and want to marry. Just say it all in one breath.” Funny, so funny.
“I… this young scholar wants to ask, has Miss Bai He been betrothed?” The old servant at home said that when asking about marriage, one should be humble. So although his official rank was higher than Mo Zi’s, this was a private matter, so he referred to himself as a young scholar.
When he said he had not yet married, Mo Zi already knew his meaning. However, before he spoke Bai He’s name, she couldn’t interrupt and say it first, because it concerned Bai He’s reputation. If she guessed wrong, Bai He would be embarrassed.
Actually, Jiang Tao’s feelings were known even to Dou Lu and Aunt Ding. He frequently traveled between Hongyu and Wangqiu Tower. At first he came for the delicious food, but later, well, everyone understood. He even managed to come for the New Year’s Eve dinner—truly painstaking effort.
However, Mo Zi couldn’t guess Bai He’s thoughts. Because she was good to everyone and could exchange a few jokes with Jiang Tao too. But romantic feelings between man and woman? With her big sister personality, she would only care about others and wouldn’t reveal her own thoughts.
Since Jiang Tao asked her like this, and their friendship was quite good, although she didn’t know Bai He’s feelings, she couldn’t lie either. “Elder Sister Bai He has not yet been betrothed.”
Jiang Tao’s eyes immediately brightened. “Then… Miss Mo Zi, this young scholar wishes to seek Miss Bai He’s hand in marriage. Could you perhaps help me arrange a match? I know she has no family, and though she has a godmother, she’s far away in Luo Zhou. Only Miss Mo Zi is like a biological sister to her.”
“You’ve met her quite a few times. Why don’t you speak for yourself?” In this place, there was no such thing as free love—most couples couldn’t see each other before marriage.
“Miss Mo Zi, that’s not right. Though Miss Bai He and I have met many times, it was always with others present. Moreover, this matter of seeking marriage should naturally be done properly—how could there be private exchanges? Though this young scholar’s appearance is ugly, I’ve read the books of sages for over ten years and am an upright gentleman. Though Miss Bai He was once a maid, her temperament is gentle and kind, she treats people with sincerity and generosity—she’s a rare good young lady.” Jiang Tao expressed his sincere heart. “I originally wanted to ask a matchmaker to come propose, but I worried that if Miss Bai He wanted to refuse but felt awkward before a stranger, it would needlessly make her uncomfortable. Therefore, I ask you to help me inquire about her feelings. If she has no interest in me, I naturally wouldn’t dare force it and will never mention it again from now on.”
What a good man. His appearance was a bit strange. Alright, she took back her previous words calling him ugly—it was just strange, absolutely not using ugly to describe him. At first glance, the visual impact was strong, but after seeing him more, it smoothed out. He didn’t mind at all Bai He’s past as an orphan and maid, only moved by this person—truly rare and precious. One should know, he was already a fifth-rank official who could have his pick of young ladies from great families or beauties from small households.
However, what Mo Zi thought didn’t count.
“I can help you ask.” Bai He’s marriage was not for her to force, nor for her to obstruct.
Just because of this one sentence, Jiang Tao was overjoyed beyond expectations, his whole face glowing. He stood up and made a deep bow. “Thank you so much, Miss Mo Zi. If this young scholar can marry Miss Bai He, I will certainly thank you as the great matchmaker.”
“Don’t thank me so early.” Mo Zi stepped aside. “Jiang Tao, the obstacle ahead of you may not necessarily be Elder Sister Bai He.”
Hearing this, Jiang Tao raised his eyebrows. “You mean, even if Miss Bai He agrees, I still might not succeed in marrying her. Why is this?”
Mo Zi lightly tapped the rough table surface and shook her head. “This, I cannot say. When the time comes, you’ll naturally know.”
“I’m not afraid. As long as Miss Bai He is willing to marry me as wife, even if there are obstructions ahead, I can get through them.” Jiang Tao’s face was resolute.
“Speaking of which, Lord Jiang, Mo Zi also has something to ask.” Mixing public and private matters—no need to be foolishly high-minded. “Recently, has the Shipping Bureau had any major affairs to handle?”
“Major affairs? It’s the New Year festival—what major affairs could there be? Even if there were, they’d have to wait until after the Lantern Festival—” Jiang Tao sat down. “I actually do recall one matter, but it’s not easy to say it’s the Shipping Bureau’s major affair. Do you want to hear?”
Mo Zi’s slender hand poured him wine. “Why wouldn’t I listen? We’re colleagues and friends—sharing information is the right principle for developing together.”
Jiang Tao related the matter in detail.
That evening, Mo Zi went to Deer Horn Alley. Before Jiang Tao left, he had repeatedly entrusted her, so naturally she wouldn’t delay.
Seeing her arrive, Bai He smiled and said, “You’ve come at just the right time. I was about to send someone to invite you. Look who’s here?”
Mo Zi looked—two pretty young people, none other than Hong Mei and Lu Ju.
Lu Ju showed the most excitement, rushing over to grab her hand, shouting and jumping about. “Mo Zi, you’re so impressive now, becoming a female official!”
Hong Mei curtsied. “Greetings to the Administrator. Wishing the Administrator a Happy New Year.”
Mo Zi pulled one with each hand. “You two can just run your mouths—anyway, I don’t need to give red envelopes to stop them.”
Lu Ju immediately covered her mouth and extended her hand, nodding her head—meaning bring on the red envelope.
Mo Zi smiled with narrowed eyes and of course refused to pay.
“It seems like it’s been a long time since it was this lively.” Qiu Sanniang came out from the inner room. “Mo Zi, don’t mind this crazy girl Lu Ju. She’s finally left the mansion and is happy beyond bounds.”
Thinking about it, Mo Zi immediately understood. “Sanniang, the Prince’s mansion allowed you to move out?”
“After the Lantern Festival we’ll move. It’s through the agent Little Ma you introduced—the place is not far from both Prince Jing’s mansion and Deer Horn Alley. My own place—I can do as I please. When it’s fixed up, you must come visit often.” Qiu Sanniang didn’t mention how much effort it took to be able to move out, because Mo Zi was no longer her maid and there was no need to listen to her nagging.
Mo Zi naturally said yes. Qiu Sanniang didn’t ask about the official position matter, and she didn’t bring it up either. Both Xiao Er and Xiao Mingrou had participated, so they should know the general situation.
The two originally weren’t like mistress and servant, and now starting from scratch—as friends. The understanding remained.
They sat around the table, but Bai He wasn’t as adaptable as Mo Zi, constantly getting up to serve tea and water.
As a result, Qiu Sanniang told Hong Mei and Lu Ju to sit. “Enough, there are no outsiders, and the food and dishes are ready-made—no one needs to serve. Bai He, you should also learn from Mo Zi. You’re already a young lady of a wealthy family—why are you still hovering around me?”
“What kind of wealthy young lady am I?” Bai He was stunned and quickly denied it.
“How are you not? This house is worth several thousand in gold, and you have a share. Moreover, that’s not even counting your dowry.” Qiu Sanniang, satisfied in love, had also become more generous with money.
“Marriage is still a matter without any sign yet.” Bai He was very composed.
“That may not necessarily be so.” Mo Zi saw those three sitting awkwardly and wondered where Xiao Yi had run off to.
As soon as she said this, those who were awkward weren’t awkward anymore, and the one trying to steal wine revealed herself.
“What do you mean?” The awkward pair, Hong Mei and Lu Ju, widened their eyes.
“Someone wants to marry Bai He?” Qiu Sanniang, stealing wine, took advantage of the maids’ inattention to pour herself a cup.
“Yes. However, I must speak with Bai He privately first.” Respecting privacy, although she was the one who brought it up.
“Mo Zi, just say it. Anyway, my marriage must be decided by you as mistress.” Bai He truly thought Mo Zi was joking.
“You’re telling me to say it—don’t come blaming me afterward with regrets.” Mo Zi spoke the name—
“Jiang Tao.”
In that instant, Bai He’s face turned red.