Mo Zi and Lu Ju distributed the celebratory coins to the junior maids, servants, and old women, then walked back. Though the sky had darkened, the surroundings were brightly illuminated by the double happiness lanterns.
“This residence is much larger than our courtyard at Qiu Mansion.” Lu Ju, who was normally talkative, was even more lively today due to the festive atmosphere.
Mo Zi made a sound of agreement. “The residence is large, but it seems rather remote.”
The wedding ceremony had taken place in the main courtyard. As a second-class maid, Mo Zi hadn’t gone in to observe the ceremony. Later, when Qiu Sanniang came out with her red bridal veil, she followed along for quite a while. When they saw the bamboo grove, the matchmaker said the place ahead was where Third Master Xiao lived, called Yonggu Study. Thinking they’d arrived, who knew they still wound around through many paths before finally seeing the plaque reading “Mozhi Residence.” She only felt that Yonggu Study seemed remote enough, but inside it, the legitimate wife’s Mozhi Residence was incredibly more remote.
Although Mozhi Residence was very large, with a kitchen, embroidery room, study, warm rooms for winter living, cool rooms for summer living, plus over ten ordinary side chambers, with a large tree in the middle, pavilions and flower beds in the four corners, and even a small bamboo grove—nevertheless, when Mo Zi pointed to the wall on the western side that was much higher than the other two sides and asked the gate-watching old woman what was beyond it, the answer she received was actually another mansion in the Zhiyun Workshop district.
This wasn’t just a little remote—it was completely at the other end of Jingfang Garden’s main gate.
Smelling the fresh paint, running her hand over the carved wooden railings of the corridor—the newly planed texture felt rough. But passing the wedding chamber door, the texture became very smooth—old rooms with fresh paint. This place wasn’t newly built but added onto old structures. For Third Mistress Xiao’s status to live here was clearly cold treatment. Just as she’d expected before coming, so she wasn’t too surprised.
In the wedding chamber, red celebratory candles were lit everywhere. Bright red wedding bedding, bright red bed curtains, red paper couplets, red packets and gold. The entire room was thoroughly red.
“Has everyone left?” Seeing Mo Zi and the others enter, Bai He asked.
“Yes.” Unlike Lu Ju, Mo Zi actually spoke less in large mansions.
“Bai He, do we have junior maids to use now? Just now when distributing the celebratory coins, quite a few people came to receive them. There are probably five or six junior maids, two servants for cleaning the courtyard and tending the flower beds, plus an old woman specifically guarding the gate.” Lu Ju, simple-hearted, smiled with such delight.
“Don’t know if they’re temporarily assigned or given to us for regular use. Anyway, don’t rush to order them around. Wait until Miss asks about it tomorrow.” Bai He was cautious and meticulous.
“Xiao Yi, open the windows. This candle smoke is making my eyes hurt.” Qiu Sanniang not only spoke but reached up to remove the red bridal veil. “Bai He, get me something to eat. I’m starving.”
“Miss! You can’t remove the veil!” Bai He tried to put it back on her.
“If the groom comes, the junior maids will report it.” Mo Zi watched as Xiao Yi opened the window, then leaned there pitifully gazing at the only large tree in the center of Mozhi Residence. “Xiao Yi, if there are no trees to climb, climbing the rooftop is the same. The roofs here are high. Also, that wall on our west side has considerable height.”
She helped two people at once.
Following Mo Zi’s words, Qiu Sanniang said, “As soon as someone comes, I’ll immediately put this blasted thing back on. For now, let me catch my breath, drink some tea, and eat something.”
And Xiao Yi, saying she’d go out to look around, was already darting to the outer room before Mo Zi could do more than caution her to be careful not to be seen.
Bai He watched one young miss wolfing down food and one maid running lightning-fast. Sighing, she said, “Now we’re not in our own little courtyard at Qiu Mansion. Who knows how many eyes are watching? Miss, you need to talk to Xiao Yi.”
“Don’t look at her carefree manner—she knows what she’s doing. When have you seen her display her martial skills in front of people?” As Qiu Sanniang ate, the jeweled crown on her head began sinking down.
“My dear Miss, lift your head while eating, otherwise if the crown falls it’ll be troublesome.” Bai He’s worries were endless.
Lu Ju poured tea for Qiu Sanniang, then began gossiping about the great talented Master Xiao. “Miss, our young master is so handsome.”
Qiu Sanniang swallowed half a mouthful of bean paste glutinous rice ball, blinked, her tone playful. “How handsome exactly?”
“Handsome is just handsome. How else can handsome be?” Lu Ju wasn’t good with words and lacked descriptive vocabulary.
“Mo Zi, you tell me.” The difficult matters were all handed to the cleverest one.
Who knew Mo Zi would say, “I really didn’t see clearly, except for a red robe. Probably about the same height as Second Master, but thinner.”
“You two were standing together—one says handsome, one says didn’t see clearly. Who should I believe?” Qiu Sanniang took a sip of tea.
“Then Bai He, do you think the young master is good-looking or not?” Lu Ju pulled at Bai He, whose eyes were searching outside the window.
Bai He turned back with a smile. “Miss, this time you can believe Lu Ju. The young master has a refined and scholarly appearance, looks quite good.”
Mo Zi thought to herself, this kind of description counted as a handsome man? The capital was a gathering place for countless scholars—if refined and scholarly meant handsome, the streets would be full of attractive men.
But Qiu Sanniang also didn’t think much of Bai He’s words. “Handsome or ugly, he won’t necessarily like me much. Doesn’t he exclusively favor that concubine? The one called Jin Si.”
“Miss, you mustn’t say such things. You’re so beautiful, the young master will surely be moved when he sees you.” Bai He hastily urged.
Mo Zi felt Qiu Sanniang’s words seemed unfinished and folded her arms to observe.
“If he’s moved just because I’m beautiful, this person is most likely a lecher.” Qiu Sanniang continued, “Then I definitely can’t consummate the marriage with him.”
“Mi… Miss?” Lu Ju nearly called Qiu Sanniang “auntie” and started hiccupping from choking.
“Miss, these words… these words…” Bai He was also shocked. “What are you saying? This is the wedding chamber. When the young master comes over shortly, naturally… naturally…” For an unmarried young lady to speak of such things was quite difficult.
“I’ve never even met the person. How can I consummate the marriage with him tonight? I just don’t want to.” As Qiu Sanniang spoke, her face reddened. “If he wants to consummate a marriage, he can go find his beloved concubine.”
Mo Zi had been with Qiu Sanniang for over half a year and had never seen this awkward childlike side of her. So even someone as worldly-wise as Qiu Sanniang could have wedding night anxiety, fearing that moment when a girl becomes a woman.
“Miss, didn’t you read the Plain Girl Classic?” Mo Zi became somewhat interested in participating.
“What kind of scripture is the Plain Girl Classic?” Bai He didn’t understand what this had to do with the wedding night.
“Did Miss copy too many scriptures?” Lu Ju, the odd talent, thought Qiu Sanniang was tired.
This time Qiu Sanniang’s face flushed bright red. She shouted, “Mo Zi, how dare you! I read the Plain Girl Classic—didn’t you read it too? Who eagerly asked to borrow it from me, then took ten days to return it?” Mutual dirt-revealing.
“I admit I read it. I flipped through it, lost interest, happened to leave it under my mattress, forgot to return it, and ended up having you remind me.” Mo Zi could hardly keep from laughing.
“Now say whatever you want.” Qiu Sanniang huffed.
“What exactly is this Plain Girl Classic?” Bai He finally sensed something amiss.
“It’s just—” Mo Zi wanted to say spring palace pictures.
“Mo Zi, you dare say it? If you do, you can’t escape either.” Both of them had read this book.
Bai He and Lu Ju were completely confused.
Mo Zi laughed heartily. Someone saw her suffering, yet she insisted on finding a measure of ease within this suffering.
A narrow path—while all others remained unaware, in Mo Zi’s eyes, it had already gradually widened.