“West Mountain to listen to the spring?” The invitation card in her hand fanned back and forth. Was this an autumn tiger day? So hot.

Ming Nian glanced at Mo Zi.

Tight long sleeves, a powder-white upper garment with center front toggle buttons. A black skirt short to the knees—perhaps saying she’d wrapped a table cloth around herself was more appropriate, because it had slits open on both sides, covered in wood shavings, exuding the smell of tung oil. She wore tapered ash-blue pants, the pant legs embroidered with a row of leafless bare trees. Her hair was tied high in a ponytail, fastened with a wooden ring. In her left hand she held a small knife, spinning it like a wheel.

When he arrived at Hongyu’s boat shed, she was forcefully hammering. At that time he thought that although the outfit was clearly mismatched, wearing it on her while working looked truly beautiful.

“Ming Nian?” What are you staring at?

“Eh?” Ming Nian’s face reddened slightly, embarrassed by his distraction. “Right, West Mountain to listen to the spring.”

Look at ancient people’s activities—so elegant. Climbing a mountain is climbing a mountain, but they have to call it “listening to the spring.”

Mo Zi chuckled. “I’m very busy, probably can’t go.” This wasn’t false—there were only ten days left until the dragon boat delivery date.

“Third Young Master…” With her such obviously female-style outfit, calling her Third Young Master was very strange. “My lord said—”

Mo Zi thought: here it comes, here it comes. That person wouldn’t give up until achieving his goal.

“If Third Young Master doesn’t go, he’ll listen to the spring alone. Although it will be a bit boring, a bit tedious, in others’ eyes probably a bit lonely, a bit foolish-looking, it’s still not impossible…” Ming Nian changed his breath.

Mo Zi’s mouth hung half-open. An image appeared before her eyes of a lonely figure in the autumn wind with rustling falling leaves and rustling trembling. She couldn’t help laughing. Was this person’s essential nature so shameless? He actually dared to have someone relay such pathetic words.

“Ming Nian, you’re really pitiful.” She expressed sympathy for this child. Following beside such a person, the path of growth must be a hundred times more arduous than ordinary people.

“…” Ming Nian got stuck. After quite a while his brain continued operating. “Ahem, ahem, my lord also said this kind of fine day with brilliant autumn sun, brothers should naturally go out together, make tea with clear spring water, fruit wine with fragrant brew, talk to each other and chat about recent situations. Otherwise, even the best friendship will fade, become distant, estranged, and separate. Later, when you think to ask someone for help, I’m afraid you won’t be able to make them wholeheartedly devoted. At that time, the one who suffers will be yourself. Don’t think it’s just declining one invitation—you’re declining a sincere heart. Miss this, and you’ll regret it for life.”

Mo Zi’s head grew several sizes larger. Threatening, actually threatening!

“Third Young Master, are you going or not?” Ming Nian waited for an answer.

“Going!” How could she not go? He’d already threatened her with lifelong regret.

“That’s good then.” Ming Nian turned to leave.

“Wait, Ming Nian. Your lord told me not to go back these days, and said I’d miss something good. Do you know what matter?” She hadn’t returned to Prince Jing’s mansion since Mid-Autumn. She had Xiao Yi relay messages to Qiu Sanniang, who said nothing. According to Xiao Yi, Qiu Sanniang was focused on the imported goods trade, having already decided to have Zhao Liang lead the team, so she had no time to care about other matters. Mo Zi also told Wei Qing about this matter. After consideration, Wei Qing refused, his reason being he had no capital and the time wasn’t right. She was also happy he didn’t leave, officially transferring him from shipwright and promoting him to front building manager as her assistant.

How would Ming Nian know? He could only shake his head, unable to answer.

Mo Zi furrowed her brow in puzzlement. “This person—speaking half his words drives people to death. Logically, to sing the opposite tune, since he doesn’t want me to go back, I should go back.”

Ming Nian felt his lord was divine, having completely guessed Third Young Master’s thoughts, so he supplemented, “My lord said if Third Young Master says this, to tell Third Young Master the kitchen recently lacks firewood.”

Huh? Mo Zi wanted to pull her hair. “So what?”

“So, the ladder Third Young Master uses to go home was taken to burn as firewood. It’ll be a while before a new ladder is ready. Third Young Master can either wait, or return through Prince Jing Mansion’s main gate.” Speaking to this point, Ming Nian wanted to laugh. Every time Mo Zi left from Yuan Mansion, his lord would have people carefully put away the ladder, only placing it back when she entered the north gate. Last night, however, he had someone chop the ladder into firewood and fed it all to the stove.

While Ming Nian couldn’t suppress his amusement there, Mo Zi became serious. Something must have happened for Yuan Cheng to burn the ladder. The West Mountain appointment probably meant he had matters to discuss with her—it wouldn’t just be casually climbing mountains and drinking tea. She immediately said she understood and asked no more, personally escorting Ming Nian out.

“Third Young Master, actually you also only speak half your words to my lord.” On the road, Ming Nian suddenly spoke.

Thinking about it, Mo Zi realized he was right.

“Did your lord also have you relay this message?”

“No, this humble one felt it himself. Actually…” This was a rare opportunity. Ming Nian gathered his courage. “This humble one can guess a bit of what’s in Third Young Master’s heart. After all, someone like my lord—even princely sons might not match him. His brilliance pierces through clouds and covers stones, so dazzling. Moreover, you and my lord are so close.”

Mo Zi blinked. Brilliance piercing through clouds and covering stones, so dazzling? Uh—when did Mr. Yuan’s image become so radiant?

“He and I aren’t that close.” It’s a relationship of oppressor and oppressed.

“It’s fine if Third Young Master is embarrassed.” Ming Nian’s heart rejoiced. Don’t look at how Third Young Master usually was carefree like a man—in matters of the heart she was quite delicate and conservative. This was good—at least she had a young lady’s manner. In the future when she became his mistress, she wouldn’t be bad. “However, although you’ve sent your feelings, words that should be said still need to be spoken directly to my lord face to face. Otherwise, my lord won’t understand, and you do half and say half—it will waste time in vain.”

Mo Zi detected some meaning, her lips curved in amusement, her eyes playful. “Ming Nian, since it’s a matter of the heart, it can only be understood, not spoken. I believe even if I don’t say it, your lord understands very well.”

“Then… then you should send more obvious feelings. Don’t send things like wooden flowers that are so stiff and awkward.” Ming Nian worried for both of them.

“Then what do you say would be good to send? Give me some ideas.” So young, yet she saw he thought quite a lot.

“Things made by hand—sachets, pouches, jade tassels, embroidered handkerchiefs and scarves, and sewing clothes for my lord…” These were all good. As soon as she gave them, my lord would understand.

“Make a shoe sole.” Mo Zi placed both hands on her hips, toes tapping the ground.

“Eh?” Ming Nian hadn’t yet discovered the crisis he was about to face. “Making shoe soles is a bit too crude. Only ordinary aunties do that—”

He got slapped on the forehead and kicked in the back. With an “aiyou” he staggered forward several steps. Rubbing his head and scratching his back, he turned around and shouted at Mo Zi, “What are you doing?”

“Taking a shoe sole to smack you—see if you dare use your imagination recklessly again!” Mo Zi bent down, making a show of removing her shoe.

This seemingly very precociously mature and clever young servant cried out “Mama!” and fled in a flash.

Mo Zi laughed until she swayed back and forth. A fifteen or sixteen-year-old child thinking she had feelings for Yuan Cheng, even teaching her how to confess. But as she laughed and laughed, she fell silent. For some reason her heart felt somewhat bitter, somewhat melancholic. Did she still have the ability to like someone, after experiencing such an earth-shattering betrayal?

The second day after Ming Nian came, the new boat shed was completed. Mo Zi and Min Song were moving the dragon boat inside.

Min Song had originally been quite discontented about Mo Zi promoting Wei Qing—a fellow who couldn’t do anything, only had a bit of cleverness, became front building manager, while he himself couldn’t budge from the shipwright position. Comparing people infuriates you to death. Later, when Mo Zi secured Fu Tian’s dragon boat order, he stopped caring about anything.

Why?

Because the dragon boat’s design plans and model were personally drawn and made by Mo Zi. Although like when passing the three trials, he couldn’t see the design and modeling process, this time Mo Zi agreed to let him participate in boat building. He was only responsible for one part, but he was an outstanding descendant of the Min family—glimpse one hole and see the whole situation. Moreover, Mo Zi seemed not to mind his covetous watching, allowing him to concentrate even more on dragon boat manufacturing.

He didn’t know this was Mo Zi fearing he’d complain about Wei Qing’s matter again, deliberately finding something to divert his attention. She applied some techniques from later era rowing boats on the dragon boat, specifically to increase the speed of narrow paddle boat types. These several techniques weren’t difficult to master. Even if used militarily, the lethal power wasn’t great—suitable for competition, not for attack—so she let him learn.

At this time, Wei Qing rushed in urgently, his expression very tense. “Brother Mo, a customer has come to the front wanting to order a boat.”

“If ordering a boat, order a boat. What’s with your face? Looking completely inexperienced—trying to make customers switch to another shop?” Min Song gave Wei Qing a blank look and continued studying the dragon boat’s long oar.

Wei Qing gave a blank look back, but had no time to bicker with him. “The other party says they want to see Brother Mo. Do you want to change clothes before going?”

Mo Zi was startled. “They said my name? Could it be someone coming to cause trouble?”

“No, they only said they want to order a boat, but must talk with you personally.” Wei Qing had some experience. “I could see they genuinely want to do business.”

Mo Zi nodded, telling him to entertain the guest first. She’d go after changing clothes.

After changing into male clothing and walking to the guest reception room outside the front building, she heard a sharp, thin voice speaking, “This tea originally was quite excellent, but unfortunately ruined by poor water.”

Mo Zi walked in with a chuckle. “The guest truly has fine taste. The tea is Yunxue Biluochun. Water should best use ice spring, but near Hongyu there’s only well water. My sincere apologies.”

Four men in the room—one old, three young—smooth-faced without beards, wearing dark-colored but subtly expensive clothing. Especially the old one—on his left index finger he wore a jade ring, the pattern very similar to the jade pendant on Liu Ning’s person.

Mo Zi was startled. People from the palace?

“You are Hongyu’s Manager Mo?” The older man had a pair of triangular eyes, examining her sharply, then confirming.

“Yes. Are you gentlemen from the palace?” Mo Zi courteously bowed with cupped fists.

Wei Qing immediately showed a surprised expression.

That man nodded approvingly. “Not bad. I’m called Lian Gui, chief superintendent of the Imperial Construction Bureau.”

Mo Zi quickly addressed him as Eunuch Lian.

“Let me take a look at your establishment. Although Eunuch Liu outranks me by one grade and he put in a word, I still must give face. However, boats made for the palace cannot have the slightest carelessness. If anything goes wrong, heads will roll.” Eunuch Lian raised his eyes upward with an air of putting on airs.

Mo Zi smiled and said yes on the surface, but for a moment couldn’t figure out why the palace wouldn’t have official shipyards build their boats but came to find her instead. But she quickly recalled that Yuan Cheng said if she missed something good, don’t blame him. Clearly he helped her through the back door.

At Mid-Autumn, he mentioned Eunuch Liu’s status and said the return gift was flying in the sky. Turned out it didn’t mean falling through, but that she needed to patiently wait.

See—it’s all because of speaking words in halves that this confusion arose.