The crying gradually ceased.
Mo Zi straightened her body, her sleeve wiping across her eyes. She had cried too intensely. At first, it was the feeling that something important was about to happen that made her tense. Then, she was moved to tears by Yuan Cheng’s words, not expecting that it wasn’t one-sided affection, and she wept for joy. Finally, she wished she could cry away that deep emotional wound from the past, cry it healed, cry it completely clean, so she could live the wholehearted good days he promised her.
She knew she couldn’t escape. For a man who took one step and waited for her to take one step, for a man who without sweet honeyed words could still make her cry until heaven and earth went dark—her feet could not walk in the opposite direction from him.
He stood very close, close enough that with one extended hand she could grasp him tightly.
“Yuan Cheng…”
“Cheng’er.”
But someone came.
A glazed lamp. Leading the way was Ming Nian. Speaking was Jiao Niang, Yuan Cheng’s paternal aunt.
Ming Nian just sensed something wasn’t quite right between these two people in front of him, but the Master moved and blocked Mo Zi’s figure.
“Miss Mo Zi is here too.” Jiao Niang greeted with a smile.
Mo Zi responded softly, not daring to say more, fearing people would hear the crying tone in her voice.
“Cheng’er too—such a huge mansion using so few servants, even lighting lamps you have to do yourself. Besides, you’re a grown man, Miss Mo Zi can hardly walk close to you. If she’s far away, what if she twists an ankle? That wouldn’t be good either. I’ll help you find more servants and maids. When the place is bright and lively, it brings prosperity to family and enterprise.” Aunt Jiao was visiting Yuan Mansion for the second time and always felt it was too quiet, lacking human warmth.
“There are lively bright places everywhere outside—why make the home so crowded with people? The masters are just Mo Zi and me. Right now the mansion also has twenty or thirty servants, which is enough.” At first hearing, Yuan Cheng was impolite to this elder.
“Cheng’er…” Jiao Niang frowned, especially hearing Yuan Cheng say this mansion had two masters.
“What brings Aunt here? We were just about to go out.” Meaning, this wasn’t a good time.
“The year is almost over, and I haven’t seen my nephew. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, so I’ve come so the family can have a final gathering. You go ahead—I’ll find the steward myself to prepare a room.” Yuan Cheng was impolite, and Jiao Niang became impolite in return. “Though I’m from a branch of the Yuan family, my generational seniority is still there. I trust I can still stay at Yuan Mansion.”
This sudden guest was like a strong wind, blowing away the originally beautiful lamplight night scene and the paired silhouettes until they vanished like smoke.
Yuan Cheng snorted coldly. “The current Yuan Mansion is the Sheren Mansion bestowed by His Majesty, and has no relationship with the Yuan Mansion Aunt speaks of. Since Aunt wishes to stay a few days, Yuan Cheng will order people to treat the guest well.”
Then turning to Ming Nian, he said, “Have people clear out a room in the guest quarters.”
Ming Nian was stunned. The guest quarters were for receiving ordinary guests—how could his own aunt stay there? But he immediately lowered his head and said yes.
Seeing the atmosphere between aunt and nephew somewhat stiff, just as Mo Zi hesitated whether to say something, she heard a very beautiful voice.
Truly like pearls and jade falling on a plate.
“I heard from Fifth Master Uncle that the Master’s temperament is as stubborn as hers. Seeing it today, I know it’s indeed true.” Under the lamplight, lotus steps carried forth a graceful figure. A white fox tight-waisted fur robe, dots of ice-flower pendants adorning lustrous jet-black hair, powder-snow complexion with jade-bright skin, autumn waves gently rippling, vermillion lips holding a smile. However, most conspicuous was the long sword at her waist.
“This concubine is named Qiu Shuang, a woman of the Nanhua Sword Sect.” Though from the jianghu, she was a young lady from a prestigious martial arts family, not an ordinary jianghu woman.
“Qiu Shuang is Nanhua’s most outstanding female disciple. I invited her down from the mountain to assist you. Her swordsmanship is exquisite, she’s exceptionally clever, and she’s thoroughly versed in needlework and household matters.” Jiao Niang stopped just short of saying explicitly that marrying Qiu Shuang would be better than the new year.
She didn’t say it explicitly, but no one present was foolish.
The lamp in Ming Nian’s hand suddenly trembled. He hurriedly looked at the two people one in front and one behind, sighing inwardly. What had he said? The Master was such an outstanding person—if she didn’t take initiative, sooner or later she’d miss her chance. Look, now an elder had come forward to propose a match.
“I don’t use female bodyguards, and I’m not accustomed to maids.” Yuan Cheng took a step back, secretly relieved that fortunately he had spoken openly with Mo Zi first.
“Does the Master truly use a woman as chief steward?” Qiu Shuang wasn’t angered by his deliberately twisted interpretation, her expression gentle. “If it’s true, the Master could also use Qiu Shuang as a retainer. Qiu Shuang doesn’t dare think too highly of herself. Only her martial arts are passable and can help relieve the Master’s worries.”
Mo Zi had calmed down. After crying hard, this scene now made her want to smile bitterly. Heaven wouldn’t let things go smoothly for her, so it sent a beauty skilled in both civil and martial arts to test her and Yuan Cheng?
“Cheng’er, do you really think I came to stay? Naturally there are important matters to discuss.” Yuan Jiao Niang’s tone also softened. “Let’s go to your study.”
Yuan Cheng turned around and looked at Mo Zi.
Mo Zi nodded lightly. “I’ll go ahead.” Having said this, she went to take the lamp from his hand. “You don’t need to hurry. Take your time.”
Yuan Cheng gazed at her for quite a while. When her hand grasped the lamp pole, he instead gripped it tightly with his hand reversed.
Mo Zi was startled by his bold action. The lamp nearly slipped from her palm, the light swaying wildly.
Jiao Niang’s view was blocked by Yuan Cheng’s figure, so she couldn’t see too clearly what was happening. Meanwhile, Ming Nian beside them suddenly shone his lamp backward, leaving the front pitch black, so she missed the inexplicably swaying lamplight.
Qiu Shuang to the other side maintained her smile throughout.
“I’ll arrive shortly.” Yuan Cheng released his hand. “Remember to save some good wine.”
Mo Zi lowered the lamp slightly, walked out of Yuan Cheng’s shadow, performed a light courtesy to Jiao Niang, but without looking at Qiu Shuang again, then left.
After she had gone far, Jiao Niang was somewhat unhappy. “She’s not as obedient as when I first saw her. You’ve spoiled her too much. Remember, you haven’t yet taken a wife. Even if you like her, there must be propriety.”
“Mo Zi is Great Zhou’s first female official. You should be bowing to her. Yuan Jiao Niang, in terms of seniority you are my aunt, but you are from a concubine-born branch family, while I am the legitimate son of the main Yuan family. Moreover, after you married, you became another degree removed. My personal affairs are my own decision. Do not speak excessively on this matter in the future.” Toward this aunt, his guard exceeded his familial affection.
Jiao Niang was jade-white with anger.
But Qiu Shuang timely pulled her back, using eye signals to indicate she should be patient. “Please don’t blame my Master Uncle—she’s only concerned. While the Master deals with enemies at the eye of the storm, Master Uncle hasn’t stopped worrying for a moment. She often says the Yuan family bloodline has only the Master left, who absolutely cannot come to harm. This heart is pitiable, these feelings worthy of sympathy. I hope the Master will show some understanding.”
Yuan Cheng said no more.
Ming Nian’s eyes widened, thinking the Master had softened—after all, such a sweet-talking mouth, and moreover such a beautiful woman. Compared to the headache-inducing girl Xiang Shiyi, this was so much better. Would the Master be unable to protect his body and heart this time? Song Mo Zi, you great fool! Just embroidering a pouch for the Master—would that kill you?
He worried there until his spirit wandered, but Mo Zi wasn’t blindly drinking vinegar in jealousy. To be jealous, she’d have to wait until there were signs. If Mo Zi had to be jealous every time a beautiful woman appeared around Yuan Cheng, there’d be no point living anymore.
Entering Wangqiu Tower, joyful emotions still wandered east and west in Mo Zi’s heart.
So when Cen Er came running to congratulate her, her beaming smile and radiant appearance stunned him for a moment.
“I heard your father personally sent your eldest brother a flower-like beauty as a wife. When’s the wedding?” The new year was a very auspicious time for marriages, with happy events daily.
“The eighteenth of the first month, just inviting our own people. Please come early and don’t forget the red envelope.” Mo Zi was naturally one of this family, and Cen Er smiled cheerfully.
“When’s your turn? I’ll give double.” Their friendship with Cen Er was solid as iron.
“I was originally waiting for the boss to find me good fortune. Now she’s released two good young ladies, but the boss won’t mention it to me. No way out—I’ll wait for my father to exert his authority again and force me to marry.” After Cen Er finished joking, he added, “Master Yuan’s banquet is set up over at the osmanthus grove. The boss and the others have all arrived. However, there are guests at another place who heard you were coming and asked me to invite you to sit with them.”
“Who?” Mo Zi knew many people at Wangqiu Tower.
“Old Master Min from Risheng Shipyard is holding a celebration banquet for Young Master Min Song, and has reserved Yaziixuan.” Cen Er asked Mo Zi, “Where do you want to go first?”
“Old Master Min’s place. Just greet them—won’t take long.” The old master had helped her quite a bit. She had originally planned to pay a New Year’s visit, but who knew things would pile up and she hadn’t found the time. “Tell Sanniang and the others to take it easy with the drinking.”
Cen Er smiled again and left with acknowledgment.
A server opened the door for Mo Zi, and she was immediately met with laughter and noise.
“Elder Brother, three cups as penalty! You actually hid from Father, Mother, and all of us that you took a woman as your master to learn skills.” The voice was very young and mischievous.
“What’s wrong with learning from a woman? Confucius said, when three people walk together, there must be my teacher. Did he ever say these three people must all be men? Grandfather also said that as long as the other person has one thing better than yourself, they’re worth learning from. I’m telling you, never underestimate Mo Zi.” Young Master Min Song’s pride had been tempered, his eloquence sharpened.
“Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother, your eldest brother is right. This wine penalty makes no sense, so you penalty yourselves three cups.” Old Master Min Yu’s hearty laughter rang out repeatedly.
Sixth Brother and Seventh Brother must be Min Song’s younger brothers? Mo Zi entered the main room and called out to Old Master Min.
Everyone fell silent.
“Brother Mo!” Min Yu had become accustomed to this form of address. Seeing her, he was very happy. “I thought you weren’t coming. I was thinking that if you really didn’t come to pay me a New Year’s visit, when the court allocates quotas to our shipyards this spring, I’d withhold Hongyu’s share. But then I thought, you’re now the Shipbuilding Bureau’s Grand Justice—you might be the one deciding these quotas. What would I be fussing about?”
Mo Zi smiled. “Hongyu is managed by Wei Qing. If you want to withhold, he’ll demand it from you—I won’t interfere. As for this quota, it’s approved by the Minister of Works. I’ve only been in office less than half a day—I can’t change it and don’t dare to.”
Seeing the legendary first female official was approachable, the atmosphere became lively again. Min Song’s two younger brothers competed to introduce themselves—ages seventeen and fifteen, their appearances not inferior to their brother’s.
When Min Song introduced a stern old man to her, saying he was his paternal grandfather, she was very surprised.
“Min? Master of Fozhen Studio? Head of the Min family?” This name was like thunder piercing the ears.
“That’s right, exactly him.” Old Master Min Yu helped confirm her hearing was correct. “He’s two years older than me, but he loves keeping a straight face, so he has fewer wrinkles and looks younger than me.”
“A-Yu!” Min spoke sternly.
“See, can’t even take a joke.” Old Master Min Yu wrinkled his nose.
Min Song seemed quite in awe of his paternal grandfather and didn’t dare say more, turning instead to introduce his parents. “This is my father and mother.”
A middle-aged couple, still a well-matched talented man and beautiful woman, looking at her with very warm gazes.