This restaurant was located in the southwestern area of Luoyang where nobles and dignitaries gathered. A couplet on the pillars bore a popular verse: “Golden waves dance in cups reflecting the moon, jade dew drifts with fragrance intoxicating dream immortals.” Bao Zhu had never been to a civilian tavern before and looked around curiously. She saw that the pavilions were built to imitate palace architecture – not only magnificent and splendid, but the beams and wooden pillars were of extremely high specifications, all made from sturdy nanmu wood over three to five hundred years old. She couldn’t help but wonder secretly.

The private room was on the second floor of the main hall, separated by screens and surrounding a central hexagonal elevated platform. The stage was covered with precious-pattern carpets for song and dance performances.

The proprietor of Golden Wave Pavilion personally came to greet them. Seeing that the main guest was an elegant young lady, judging by her complexion, hair, and mannerisms, she must be from a distinguished family. Yet she brought no maidservants, only followed by a blue-clothed servant and a young monk. She wore no jewelry, with only a double-colored hibiscus flower pinned in her black hair knot, quite different from the current popular elaborate adornments.

Ladies of the eastern and western capitals loved competing with flowers, winning through rare varieties. Noble daughters of great houses competed to purchase flower seeds with thousands of gold, planting them in their courtyards for festival gatherings and competitions. There were even osmanthus flowers from Changliang Temple that had to be presented to princes and marquises when first blooming – these were truly different from others.

Bai Letian’s poem says: “One cluster of deep-colored flowers costs ten middle-class households’ taxes.” Such double-colored flowers were extremely rare, presumably worth more than gold and silver. After all, jewelry worth thousands of gold could be passed down through generations, while flowers worth thousands of gold would wither after wearing them for a day or two – this made them even more luxurious.

The client wearing the silver fish pouch followed respectfully behind the young lady. The proprietor couldn’t fathom her identity, knowing it was inappropriate to ask too many questions. After paying his respects, he withdrew respectfully.

Well-trained servants attended diligently, continuously bringing fine wines and delicacies. Just the pre-meal snacks included twelve items: Jade Dew Balls, Golden Milk Crisps, Imperial Consort Red, Dragon Phoenix Cakes, Han Palace Chess pieces, and Transparent Flower Cakes, along with twelve dishes of various dried and fresh fruits, all prepared following imperial banquet menus. The taste was mediocre, but the standards were quite high.

Musicians began playing reed pipes, and a handsome fifteen or sixteen-year-old foreign youth climbed onto the central platform. Speaking in his native language, he bowed and paid respects to the distinguished guests from north and south on all four sides. Wearing a jeweled cap with long sleeves, with golden hair and green eyes, skin like jade and a nose like a awl, he stood on a flower felt less than two feet wide and spun passionately in dance.

As royalty who had grown up surrounded by beautiful songs and dances in jade terraces and jeweled chambers, this flourishing and lively scene made Bao Zhu feel as if she had returned to the most familiar place, her expression gradually brightening.

Yang Xingjian was extremely pleased to see his small scheme cheering up the Princess. After three rounds of wine, with intoxication rising, he swayed left and right, beating time on his thigh, wishing he could pull down that foreign dancer and personally take the stage to dance a song himself.

Bao Zhu saw that this golden-haired youth had light, quick steps, circling rapidly, leaping and spinning gracefully – somewhat resembling Wei Xun. Feeling fond of him, when he finished dancing and came upstairs to bow in thanks and request a reward, she asked, “Where are you from, and what’s your name?”

The youth knelt on the ground and answered obediently, “This slave is Sogdian, called Mi Falan, from the Yao Family Troupe.”

Bao Zhu thought to herself that if she were still a princess, she would buy this foreign dancer to take back with her. However, though the youth was beautiful, he was too docile, lacking that proud and extraordinary temperament that Wei Xun possessed – there was no comparison.

She untied the money pouch at her waist, planning to give a monetary reward. Yesterday when minting gold coins, she had made several extra. The Li Tang imperial family routinely used gold Tongbao coins as reward items. She casually picked out one coin and was about to hand it over when she suddenly felt this was inappropriate, putting it back in the pouch and having Shisan Lang give him a string of copper coins instead.

When Wei Xun heard her asking the youth’s name, he felt extremely displeased. Watching Bao Zhu take out a gold coin from her waist pouch, his expression changed dramatically, thinking that if she used that money as a reward, he would kick that hook-nosed barbarian slave down from the second floor. Fortunately she changed her mind midway, saving the foreign dancer’s nose.

After the foreign youth finished dancing and withdrew, a voluptuous woman in her twenties came onto the platform, her ten fingers dyed with balsam juice. This woman was presumably the pillar of the Yao Family Troupe – as soon as she appeared, the surrounding guests became boisterous. She performed the Zhezhi dance for the guests, her dance posture graceful and enchanting.

Bao Zhu enjoyed watching for a while, then leaned closer to Wei Xun and whispered, “My mother was most skilled at pipa and dance. Her Zhezhi dance was unparalleled in the world, extremely beautiful. I originally planned to learn from her when I was small.”

Wei Xun heard the unfinished meaning in her words and asked, “Didn’t learn it?”

Bao Zhu shook her head and said regretfully, “She was unwilling to teach me, saying that whether a princess married out or not, she would never need to perform songs and dances to please anyone in her lifetime. Later when I became interested in wrestling and archery, she encouraged me to practice martial arts, saying it could at least strengthen my body.”

Wei Xun looked slightly surprised and asked with a smile, “You also learned wrestling?”

Wrestling was two strong men grappling together, competing through strength – the scene wasn’t very elegant. Bao Zhu recalled childhood memories and laughed, “Everyone indulged me in play then. Before age seven, I always considered myself the world’s strongest warrior – even my brother was no match for me. Later I realized they had been deceiving me, so I could only change my goal to becoming the world’s best archer.”

As the two were chatting and laughing, a portly middle-aged man emerged from behind the screen partition. He wore wide-sleeved silk robes but kept his hair, being neither monk nor Taoist. This person pressed his palms together in greeting, then flattered Bao Zhu: “This young lady has immortal beauty and jade countenance, with dignified precious appearance. I wonder if you believe in Buddhism and eat vegetarian food?”

Bao Zhu was inexplicably interrupted in her conversation and felt displeased. She picked up a piece of tender tendon from the plate, put it in her mouth, and chewed silently.

Seeing her actions, the man’s face showed some embarrassment. He continued, “Not eating vegetarian food is fine too. May I ask if you have ever killed living beings?”

Wei Xun stood up, stepped forward and pushed him, saying calmly, “She’s never killed anything, but I have some experience. Want to try?”

Bao Zhu said coldly, “I’ve loved hunting since childhood and killed countless prey large and small.”

Yang Xingjian pointed at the intruder and scolded, “How presumptuous you are, complete stranger, why do you ask all these questions and disturb our elegant mood?”

The man adopted a polite attitude, pressed his palms together in greeting, and introduced himself: “I am Shen Dexian, head of the Luoyang Procession Association, a lay practitioner who cultivates at home, not a bad person. I was just dining at Golden Wave Pavilion with acquaintances when I noticed this lady’s dignified bearing and compassionate appearance, so I came over to chat, wanting to ask if you’re interested in participating in the Mid-Autumn procession festival as ‘Guanyin Slave.'”

Bao Zhu’s face showed confusion. She knew that her ancestor Empress Changsun’s childhood name was Guanyin Bi, but had never heard of who ‘Guanyin Slave’ was.

Hearing that their group didn’t have Luoyang accents, Shen Dexian earnestly explained:

“The procession, also called ‘carrying images,’ is an ancient Luoyang tradition. Every year on the eighth day of the fourth month for Buddha’s Birthday, seven-colored treasure carriages carry Buddha statues in procession through all of Luoyang city. It’s a Buddhist festival deeply revered by the people, with various theatrical performances and fireworks displays. However, floods at the beginning of this year destroyed Tianjin Bridge, so it was moved to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Other preparations are complete, only lacking a sincere, outstanding young person to play Guanyin Bodhisattva. Seeing this young lady’s dignified precious appearance and blessed, full ears that inspire reverence at first sight, she would be perfect as ‘Guanyin Slave’ and could participate in the selection.”

Luoyang had worshipped Buddhism since ancient times, with over a thousand large and small Buddhist temples at its peak, so procession events like this received extremely high attention from the people, and the association’s organizing members were all prominent figures in the city.

Shen Dexian was a regular customer of Golden Wave Pavilion. Though this person dressed like a devout lay practitioner, he was actually a wealthy merchant extremely skilled at reading people’s expressions. He earnestly flattered Bao Zhu with a beaming smile and detailed explanations. As they say, one doesn’t strike a smiling face – since he was so amiable, there was no reason to harm him.

Hearing the words ‘selection,’ Bao Zhu felt displeased and asked, “So the Buddha statues during the procession are actually played by real people?”

Shen Dexian nodded: “On procession day, like during Lantern Festival viewing, the city has no curfew and all citizens come out with their families to worship Buddha. The Guanyin Slave wears Guanyin Bodhisattva’s lotus crown, dressed in brocade celestial robes, holding willow branches and a pure vase, riding a three-zhang-high treasure carriage to bestow sweet dew upon the people.

Anyone fortunate enough to receive even one drop can be cured of a hundred worldly diseases. This is an immeasurably meritorious good deed. No matter who serves as Guanyin Slave, it’s an honor that brings glory to ancestors, better than building a seven-story pagoda.”

Wei Xun scoffed: “Ordinary people wearing Guanyin’s clothes and sprinkling water with tree branches can cure diseases? If such wonderful things exist, then there’s no need for physicians and medicine shops.”

Shen Dexian hastily said: “Willow Guanyin is one of the thirty-three Guanyin manifestations, also called Medicine Guanyin. Every year during the procession, observers are like clouds, and hundreds upon thousands are cured by the sweet dew. I’m not speaking carelessly – if you don’t believe it, you can go ask around the streets.”

Wei Xun laughed disdainfully, about to continue his cold mockery when Bao Zhu spoke: “But I neither eat vegetarian food nor have I killed living beings, so I’m not qualified to serve as this ‘Guanyin Slave.'”

Shen Dexian considered for a moment. Though this woman’s looks weren’t top-tier, her bearing was exceptionally outstanding, and she was a foreigner – quite suitable indeed. He said: “Actually it’s not that strict. As long as you haven’t committed the evil act of murder and are a good person, that counts as devout. This lady has a compassionate appearance – fasting for two days before mounting the treasure carriage would be sufficient.”

Wei Xun frowned: “Your conditions fluctuate up and down – don’t you find that too perfunctory?”

Shen Dexian said: “Each year’s Guanyin Slave is personally selected by the Guanyin of Changqiu Temple from among the people. I merely invite suitable candidates – the final decision belongs to the Bodhisattva. If the Bodhisattva finds someone unsuitable, then no one’s words matter.”

Shisan Lang exclaimed: “When did Bodhisattva descend to Luoyang? And can personally select people?”

Shen Dexian smiled: “Little master, you’re surprised by the unfamiliar. Candidates worship devoutly before the Guanyin statue, then divine together. The first to receive auspicious omens becomes the chosen one – it all depends on the divination results. How could mortals interfere?”

Bao Zhu murmured: “Changqiu Temple Guanyin…”

Yang Xingjian softly reminded: “We should still keep a low profile.”

Bao Zhu said: “I understand.” She refused straightforwardly: “We don’t plan to stay long in Luoyang. You should choose someone else. Now step aside and don’t block our view of the performance.”

Shen Dexian wanted to persuade further, but Wei Xun glanced at him once, immediately making his back feel cold and raising goosebumps on his arms. He sheepishly returned to his own table.

Loud drum sounds began, and four men holding long spears came onto the platform to perform “Little Breaking Formation Music.” This dance originated from Emperor Taizong’s “King of Qin’s Array-Breaking Music,” originally performed by over a hundred people in armor with halberds, showing battlefield formations. After entering civilian life, no troupe had such numbers, and since privately storing armor was punishable as treason, it was reduced to four people. Performers wore tight clothing printed with scales, serving as armor.

The songs and dances continued, but Bao Zhu was absent-minded. Wei Xun found it strange that she had suddenly taken an interest in a stranger’s proposal and asked: “You wouldn’t actually believe that guy’s words and want to play Guanyin once?”

Bao Zhu shook her head: “Not to that extent – I don’t want to show my face publicly. However, I do know about Changqiu Temple. Changqiu Palace refers to the Empress, and the temple name has existed since the Wei and Jin dynasties, with successive empresses offering lamps and worshipping Buddha there. When my ancestor Empress Wu served as Empress, she lived long in Luoyang. It’s said she once decreed that a Bodhisattva statue be sculpted using her own features and enshrined there – that must be the Guanyin that man mentioned.”

Yang Xingjian guessed her intentions and whispered: “Since there’s nothing urgent, if the Princess is interested, we could visit Changqiu Temple tomorrow.”

Shisan Lang said curiously: “Such a lively festival as the procession – I’d like to see it too. I wonder how the Guanyin statue selects the Guanyin Slave? How is this divination conducted?”

Bao Zhu smiled: “Anyway, Mid-Autumn is just ahead. We can watch the procession before leaving.”