The moon hung at its zenith.
The opera performers were singing a clear performance without drums, gongs, or erhus—singing without any clamor. The laughter and chatter of the maids and servant women downstairs could be heard clearly. However, the mistresses, ladies, and young misses on the second floor of the Wind Happiness Moving Tower no longer paid attention, deeply immersed in the story of Grand Secretary Zhao and Lady Guan.
For Wei San and the others, what was astonishing was Lady Guan’s brilliant short lyric. But for the women here, what they envied more was Grand Secretary Zhao’s deep devotion and his “return from the wrong path.” Many of the ladies present had experienced the pain of their husbands taking new favorites. And which of the young misses waiting in their boudoirs hoped that their future husbands would take concubines?
However, Mo Zi noticed that three people showed no envy.
One was Lady Wei San—she had no concubines at home and was most proud of this. One was Lady Wei Qiongyu, who always smiled—similar to Wei San, what she loved was the “You and I” poem. One was Zhang Shi—she herself had struggled up from the position of secondary consort, so she felt somewhat uncomfortable.
“Are the Grand Secretary Zhao and Lady Guan in this story real people?” The one who spoke was surprisingly the usually quiet and reserved Sixth Miss Qiu.
Speaking of this Sixth Miss Qiu, she wasn’t a bad person—her nature was weak and timid. She loved reading poetry and had considerable talent.
“Mo Zi doesn’t know. The story has been passed down for a long time—it’s hard to distinguish truth from falsehood.” Mo Zi saw clearly that Lady Wei furrowed her brows at the undisguised admiration in Sixth Miss Qiu’s tone.
Most likely Zhang Shi had already said many good things about Sixth Miss, and Lady Wei was focusing her observation on her.
“I don’t think it sounds like real people and true events. Even if it truly happened, after being passed down to today, there must be distortions.” Seventh Miss Qiu said. “Since ancient times, great men have had multiple wives—even Ehuang and Nuying are a thousand-year beautiful tale. I think that Lady Guan in the story is too narrow-minded. Given that Grand Secretary Zhao was such an outstanding figure, what harm was there in taking a small concubine? Since Lady Guan was already old, having another younger sister could even help her care for her husband—what’s wrong with that?”
Seeing Seventh Miss Qiu frequently glancing at Lady Wei while speaking, Mo Zi thought to herself that she must have also seen Lady Wei frowning and wanted to step on Sixth Miss to gain favor herself.
“Seventh Miss is still young. Though your words sound nice, I’m afraid you won’t need to wait until you’re old—when you watch your husband bring them in one by one, you won’t be so magnanimous anymore.” Lady Wei San spoke coldly, believing herself to have been implicitly mocked by a junior, and was extremely displeased.
Seventh Miss Qiu’s face turned red then pale in succession. Being too clever for her own good, she’d pleased one person but offended another.
“Shuniang, Seventh Miss is still young—her words were a bit rash. You’re an elder—don’t argue with a child.” Lady Wei played peacemaker, as if Seventh Miss Qiu’s words had quite won her heart.
“Where is there still a child? At sixteen or seventeen, one can be a mother.” Lady Wei San, who could prevent her own husband from taking concubines, was naturally no ordinary figure and immediately retorted. “I’m also teaching her this—don’t speak carelessly about things you haven’t experienced yourself.”
The atmosphere immediately turned cold and stiff.
At this moment, Mo Zi suddenly said, “Did the young miss ask Mo Zi to prepare the Four Treasures of the Study?”
Qiu Sanniang’s reaction wasn’t slow. As everyone’s gazes gathered, she gracefully stood up and gave a slight curtsy to the elders at the main table. “Please allow Sanniang to take the initiative.”
Take the initiative in what? Unhurriedly, she walked over to Mo Zi and whispered in her ear. This was just for show—she didn’t actually say anything.
Mo Zi, however, appeared obedient, repeatedly assenting. Looking seemingly clueless, she said, “The young miss wants to write down the short lyric. Mo Zi will prepare it immediately.”
Qiu Sanniang glared at Mo Zi’s retreating back as she went downstairs. Facing the main table with a somewhat coquettish pout, she said, “This stupid maid—I leaned close to her ear wanting her to handle it quietly, then write down that wonderful short lyric to make Mother and the ladies happy. But she was so good—shouting so loudly, why didn’t she just let the other building hear our conversation? I think she tells stories in a mediocre way, though being rough and careless can at least provide some amusement.”
Led by Mo Zi’s hint, Qiu Sanniang understood immediately.
As a result, the atmosphere at the main table instantly relaxed, and the ladies pursed their lips in laughter. But Zhang Shi truly couldn’t laugh—her face twitched twice. Others didn’t see it, but Lady Wei inadvertently caught it perfectly, though she smiled deeply, as if not taking it to heart.
Mo Zi brought up brush, ink, and paper. Several maids who knew how to read expressions had already cleared the table used for playing the zither, so she immediately laid out paper and ground ink for Qiu Sanniang.
Qiu Sanniang picked up the brush and began writing. But halfway through, she paused her brush and looked up at Mo Zi.
“Young miss, do you need to dip the ink?” Without waiting for Qiu Sanniang to speak, Mo Zi took the brush from her hand.
In that instant, the eye contact between mistress and servant went as follows:
Qiu Sanniang hinted: Give me a reminder—I can’t quite remember the second half. You and I, kneading and molding?
Mo Zi hinted: It’s not that I won’t remind you, but right now there’s a superior leader evaluating you—you need to give the best impression!
“Young miss, here’s your brush.” Mo Zi wore the expression of a loyal servant.
Qiu Sanniang smiled but pressed her lips tight, as if grinding her teeth. But she was clever after all, and besides, the “You and I” poem was truly catchy. After thinking briefly, she completed the second half in one go. At the end, she swept a triumphant gaze over Mo Zi.
Mo Zi laughed secretly to herself: Qiu Sanniang’s personality was suited for business, not for inner residence scheming—her spirit flared up at every turn.
“Shuiyun, bring it over and let me see.” Lady Wei called Qiu Sanniang by her given name and beckoned with her hand.
Sixth Miss Qiu was fine, but Seventh Miss Qiu’s face flashed with displeasure.
Qiu Sanniang took the short lyric over for Lady Wei to see.
“You practice the cursive script of Han Huangmen令?” Lady Wei’s eyes lit up.
“The lady has profound learning and strong memory. Sanniang is ashamed—I’ve only learned the superficial aspects.” Qiu Sanniang had a good mouth for words.
“Where is it that I have profound learning and strong memory? It’s just that among the people I know, there’s also someone who writes beautiful cursive script. That a young miss would practice cursive script—you’re the first. Though it lacks a bit of delicate grace, I’ve heard you’ve followed your father around since childhood, so it must suit your temperament.” When Lady Wei said these words, Zhang Shi and Seventh Miss gloated.
“Sanniang is the eldest daughter of the family, so Father inevitably doted on me more. When I was young and didn’t understand, but now I no longer go out. I stay home to show filial piety to my parents and enjoy a quiet life.” Qiu Sanniang answered in two or three sentences, honest and well-behaved.
“It should indeed be so. Thinking of my late father, he also doted on me extremely when I was young and often took me out to broaden my horizons. But daughters must still stay home for some time, lest after marriage they have regrets about their parents. Now, even though I miss him, I can no longer see him.” After Lady Wei finished speaking, she couldn’t help wiping away tears.
This caused the Wei family women to take out their handkerchiefs to dab at the corners of their eyes.
Zhang Shi could also squeeze out real tears. “Sister, please don’t speak of it anymore. I’m reminded of how the old master bought us candied hawthorn on New Year’s—it’s still swaying before my eyes.”
Lady Wei had started it, so naturally she also ended it. Wiping away her tears, she smiled and said, “It’s my fault. Such a rare gathering, yet I come to your home and cry. It seems I’ve grown old too.”
Seventh Miss Qiu spared no effort in flattery. “Where is the lady old? Standing with my Third Sister, you’re like sister flowers.”
To Mo Zi’s ears, Seventh Miss was elevating Lady Wei but stepping on Zhang Shi again.
“Oh, if Third Miss standing beside us is sisters with our older sister, wouldn’t Sister Zhang have gained an extra daughter?” Lady Wei San had been persuaded by Lady Wei earlier, but her anger hadn’t completely subsided. This time, her words were honey-coated but knife-sharp.
Now it was Zhang Shi’s turn to flush red and pale in succession, but she couldn’t glare at Lady Wei San and could only vent her anger on Seventh Miss. “Qiaoyun, when elders are speaking, you should just listen quietly.”
Seventh Miss Qiu usually racked her brains to please Zhang Shi, thinking she would be Zhang Shi’s first choice for marrying into a prince’s mansion. Who knew that at the banquet, Zhang Shi kept praising Sixth Miss? That’s why she wanted to compete on her own. The result was truly counterproductive—utterly embarrassing.
Lady Wei no longer had the mood to mediate as before and only said to Qiu Sanniang, “This calligraphy—may I have it? You truly have a good memory, remembering it all after hearing it once.”
“This is the lady’s favor.” Qiu Sanniang answered, not many words, and not falsely, clear and quiet.
Lady Wei had her personal maid put away the calligraphy and said she was tired.
Zhang Shi urged her to stay twice. Seeing she was truly fatigued, she had no choice but to give up and also sent someone to report to the building across the way.
In a short while—those tidying up, those attending, those preparing carriages and horses—upstairs and downstairs, inside and outside the building, it was extremely busy.