Pei Fei came to the Lin household to mooch another meal.

Pei Fei and Lin Yan were from the same hometown, with similar family backgrounds—both had prestigious surnames but had fallen from grace. The difference was that the Lin family had completely collapsed, while Pei Fei’s branch was merely a withered twig on the great Pei family tree.

They had studied together in Hedong, joined the same literary society, and submitted examination papers together. Puzhou Prefect Cui Xun, seeing both young men were promising and refined, had called them “paired jade.”

However, their official careers differed greatly. Pei Fei first observed mourning for his grandfather, then his father, losing several years. He finally passed the Ministry of Rites examination but got stuck at the Ministry of Personnel test, unable to receive an appointment for three years. This spring, he finally passed the institutional examination and received a ninth-rank Proofreader position, while by then Lin Yan had already donned the crimson robe as Assistant Magistrate of the capital.

Comparing oneself to others could be deadly, just as comparing goods could lead to throwing them away! Fortunately, Pei Fei was genuinely easy-going, otherwise, he couldn’t have maintained a friendship with this old companion.

As an old friend and junior, Pei Fei joined Lin Yan in accompanying Madam Jiang for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Though Madam Jiang’s memory was poor, she remembered Pei Fei, calling him “Twelfth Young Master” along with Lin Yan’s “Eldest Young Master,” treating them like true brothers.

The “family” enjoyed moon viewing and wine in the back garden pavilion.

Madam Jiang slowly ate a piece of date-paste snow-skin mooncake, “It tastes similar to the Qixi flower cakes from some days ago…”

Lin Yan smiled—his grandmother’s memory could be quite sharp sometimes.

The Old Madam liked soft and sweet things, and being satisfied with the date filling, urged Pei Fei and Lin Yan: “Twelfth, Eldest, you should try some too.”

Pei Fei smiled and took a baked one, about to break it when he noticed the characters: “A branch from Guilin, a piece of jade from Kunshan.”

The back read: “A bright future ahead, let’s share a toast.”

Plucking Osmanthus from the moon palace—is truly an auspicious sign. The osmanthus tree was also fitting for Mid-Autumn.

Lin Yan also took a piece, glanced at the characters, and froze momentarily, then casually broke it and took a bite.

Curious about other inscriptions, Pei Fei took another piece. The front read “The moon shines brightest in one’s hometown,” with the back saying “Let’s drink to distant family and friends.”

My, this was quite interesting.

The serving maid pouring wine smiled, “These pastries are called ‘Moon Fortune Cakes,’ like temple fortune sticks, for entertainment during feasts.”

“Whose playful idea was this?” Pei Fei asked with a smile.

“That—this servant doesn’t know, only that they were bought from outside,” the maid replied smiling.

Having drawn a “good fortune,” Pei Fei couldn’t help feeling pleased and asked Lin Yan, “An’ran, what did your cake say?”

Lin Yan replied blandly, “Nothing special, just some auspicious phrases.”

But Pei Fei had already reached over and taken his half-eaten piece. The front only showed “bright” and “companion” remaining, while the back showed “fine lady” and “one cup.”

Pei Fei burst out laughing and handed the half-piece to Madam Jiang, “Congratulations, Madam! It seems An’ran’s good fortune is approaching. We should follow the cake’s advice and share a toast.”

Madam Jiang, well-versed in classics, immediately recognized this as “The moon rises bright, the beautiful one is my companion.” Having heard the maid’s explanation and Pei Fei’s words, she guessed the complete back phrase was “shall surely find a fine lady,” and laughed joyfully, telling Lin Yan: “We must drink together!”

Pei Fei gave Madam Jiang a knowing look, “An’ran tried to hide it just now…”

Madam Jiang pretended to be stern: “You must drink.”

Though the servants didn’t understand poetry, they understood the conversation and all started laughing.

Lin Yan pressed his lips together, then smiled helplessly and raised his cup.

After taking a sip of wine, Madam Jiang curiously picked up a baked mooncake and read its inscription: “The bright moon rises over the sea, shared at world’s end,” with the back reading “At this fine time and feast, let’s raise our cups together.”

Madam Jiang smiled, “Wonderful! Wonderful! So fitting for the occasion.”

Lin Yan and Pei Fei both raised their cups to toast Madam Jiang.

Being elderly, after some wine and with the hour growing late, Madam Jiang grew tired and returned to rest, refusing to let the juniors escort her: “You continue your fun, I have A Su and the others.”

Lin Yan and Pei Fei only saw her at the garden gate before returning. Without the Old Madam present, Pei Fei grew more relaxed, pulling the plate of fortune cakes closer to examine each one, finally understanding why his fortune was good—none of the “fortunes” were bad, all speaking of “smooth official career,” “wealth and peace,” “great talent and refinement”…

If that was all, it would be boring, but the baker had added humor. For instance, one piece reading “Raising my cup to invite the moon, with my shadow we make three” had “You’re drunk, stop drinking” on the back. Pei Fei spat out his tea.

Lin Yan frowned at him while smiling.

Hands shaking with laughter, Pei Fei passed him the cake to see.

Lin Yan couldn’t help but laugh, then pressed his lips together again—such cheekiness from a young lady!

Unaware of being criticized for her humor, Shen Shaoguang was busy selling mooncakes and pastries.

The ward hung lanterns for both the Ghost Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, drawing many visitors. Shen Shaoguang gave A Yuan some copper coins and time off, staying to mind the shop herself.

Shen’s reputation for pastries had grown in the ward, especially among children who, while viewing lanterns, would pester their parents to come buy some.

Even those who had previously complained about the mooncakes being too expensive were now buying a few—it was a festival after all, and while whole boxes were expensive, three or two pieces were still affordable.

Shen Shaoguang had worried about leftovers—these items would need to be heavily discounted after today, both because they wouldn’t keep and because seasonal items lose value after their festival. Unexpectedly, they sold quickly, with few remaining.

Shen Shaoguang put several baked mooncakes in a pancake bag, and handed it to a couple, “Here you are.” After dropping the copper coins into the money basket and looking up, who should be standing under the tree at the door but Young Master Liu?

Though Young Master Liu had been coming often for meals lately, he spoke less, sometimes seeming to secretly watch her. When Shen Shaoguang looked over, he would turn away, sometimes appearing about to say something but remaining silent.

Shen Shaoguang wanted to joke like in her previous life: “Hey, brother! Are you secretly in love with me?” But mindful of the era’s customs, she didn’t dare be so forward.

Seeing him again, standing so silently under the tree-like scenery, Shen Shaoguang felt somewhat helpless but could only smile at him.

While Shen Shaoguang thought he looked like scenery, Liu Feng thought Shen Shaoguang looked like a painting.

Through the bamboo window, in the lantern light, the graceful beauty with bright eyes and charming smile—surely even a moon goddess couldn’t surpass this?