Viewing beauties beneath plum blossom lanterns.
A group of women approached with graceful, swaying steps. At the forefront was a petite figure wearing a cloud-patterned crimson skirt layered like rising waves, with a silver-blue double-carp motif on her crossed-collar vest. Her hair was styled in a fan-shaped bun, adorned with abundant pearls and jade ornaments, with gold and jade hanging from her waist.
Her moon-shaped face wore fresh makeup, with reddened cheeks and lips. Her features resembled her father’s but with added delicacy—not quite stunning enough to make fish sink and geese fall, but certainly a lovely beauty. After entering, she kept her eyes lowered toward the ground, her back straight and hands hanging down, maintaining the same measured pace throughout, making her skirt’s waves flow in harmony, moving like a supple willow branch. Behind her, the wives of Leng Liu, Lu Man, and the others appeared far more ordinary—their clothing rich but lacking refinement, their expressions overly constrained.
Mo Zi had originally imagined Fu Tian’s daughter would be a spirited heroine, full of vigor and heroic bearing, never expecting her to be as demure as a refined young lady from a prestigious family. Paired with Xu Jiu’s rough-and-ready sailor manner, one hard and one soft, one dynamic and one still—they complemented each other beautifully.
Lady Fu approached and gracefully knelt. “This common woman pays her respects to Your Excellency.”
With her lead, the women and maids behind her all knelt as well, performing the full ceremony.
Yuan Cheng raised his palm. “Ladies, please rise. Today Yuan has invited you all in the name of brotherhood—this is truly a family banquet, no need for such formality. My third brother just reminded me that each lady should share a table with her husband. Please be seated. Let us chat about family matters, shall we?” After speaking, he had someone remove the western corner table and add cups and dishes to Xu Jiu and the others’ tables.
The women looked at each other uncertainly. The Great Zhou’s etiquette was quite strict—in public, men and women typically sat at separate tables. Though such rules were looser among the river folk, they were currently in an official’s residence with clear status differences. Even if he called it a family banquet, they couldn’t take the courtesy as literal truth, even if his sincerity was genuine.
Lady Fu took the lead in rising. “Many thanks for Your Excellency’s favor. Since this is the case, this common woman will be so bold.”
She then addressed the other women: “Sisters, since His Excellency has spoken thus, this is indeed a family banquet. At a family banquet, sharing a table with one’s husband is natural and proper. Sisters, please be seated quickly to avoid delaying the feast.”
Though the women were older than Lady Fu, they seemed to follow her lead. This naturally related to Lady Fu’s background and Xu Jiu’s position. Thus, each woman led her maids to find seats at their husbands’ tables.
Lady Fu remained standing in the hall, having her personal maid bring wine vessels and cups. “Your Excellency, please allow this common woman to pour a cup of wine in thanks for Your Excellency’s support of my husband and myself.”
Everyone’s faces showed appreciation, thinking this woman conducted herself openly and generously—though young in years, she knew how to advance and retreat properly, led the group of women, and won people’s hearts for her husband. She was indeed worthy of being called a virtuous helpmate.
“Sister-in-law is too courteous. Ninth Master is righteously devoted and harbors great ambitions. That Yuan could meet Ninth Master is truly Yuan’s good fortune. I wouldn’t call it mutual support—rather, we’re good brothers who enjoy chatting about everything under heaven and drinking heartily together.” In terms of verbal skill, Yuan Cheng was superior. He transformed the hierarchy implied in Lady Fu’s words into equal friendship, immediately becoming much more intimate. “However, this wine from sister-in-law, Yuan must certainly drink. To celebrate your vow of growing old together, your matrimonial harmony blooming eternally, and your descendants enjoying abundant blessings.”
Lady Fu smiled her thanks, knelt on one knee opposite Yuan Cheng, and respectfully poured the wine with both hands.
After Yuan Cheng drank it all, Lady Fu’s gaze fixed on Mo Zi for a moment, then smiled and said, “This must be Brother Mo?”
Mo Zi didn’t know how Lady Fu had recognized her, but nodded in acknowledgment. Since she was younger than Xu Jiu and not an official, she stood and bowed with cupped hands. “Paying respects to Ninth Sister-in-law.”
Lady Fu approached with wine. “Brother Mo’s name—this woman has long heard of it. Even my father speaks of you with endless praise. Now seeing you with my own eyes, I know his words were neither exaggerated nor adequate. For a daughter to match any distinguished man, with a long robe unable to conceal your lotus-flower face. Truly beautiful and handsome both. Please drink this cup. In the future, this woman will likely trouble you often, hoping to learn from your insights—you mustn’t grow impatient with this woman.”
After hearing Lady Fu’s words, the other women immediately showed both astonishment and contempt. Astonishment that Mo Zi was a woman, contempt that a woman mixed among men, her reputation unclear.
Mo Zi saw this clearly but paid it no mind, her smile blooming as she said she didn’t deserve such praise, draining the wine in one gulp.
Lady Fu returned the smile with a nod, then went to toast at other tables.
Mo Zi guessed Lady Fu might know that Xu Jiu had once proposed to her. Though nothing showed on her face, her words seemed to carry a hint of jealous vinegar. Though perhaps she was overthinking it.
After Lady Fu as the new bride had made a full round of toasts, she returned to sit beside Xu Jiu, and the feast truly began.
She sat properly upright, maintaining an appropriate distance from her husband, pouring when his cup was empty, adding food when his bowl was bare, removing fish bones and meat bones, meticulous as silk threads. Aside from speaking two sentences to her own maid, she had no verbal exchange with Xu Jiu. Only when she heard him laughing heartily with everyone did she smile along gently. She ate almost nothing herself, busy attending to her husband, leaving no time to care for herself.
This performance earned Xu Jiu another round of secret envy. Sitting opposite, Mo Zi saw most clearly, thinking to herself that so this was what a virtuous wife looked like—this fellow Xu Jiu’s luck was truly not bad.
Yuan Cheng said they’d chat about family matters, but men being men, who would prattle on about domestic trivia? After talking for barely any time, before they knew it the conversation had circled around to national affairs, growing increasingly animated, especially regarding the Great Qiu’s movements.
Mo Zi didn’t like discussing current events in public—not because of her female identity, but because carrying the perspectives of a thousand years later, she feared accidentally speaking without restraint and drawing fire from all sides. As for Yuan Cheng, he was an eccentric who could accept anything, so he didn’t count. Therefore, she deliberately held back, drinking and eating, listening attentively while nodding or shaking her head, participating low-key.
“Brother Mo is usually like Brother Ba, but today you’re so quiet—why so few words?” Yet inconsiderately, Xu Jiu had to call her out.
Though she was a good brother worth befriending in men’s eyes, in women’s eyes she was a frivolous woman to be avoided—too unconventional, difficult to categorize, ultimately kept at a distance like gossips and busybodies. Mo Zi received the women’s disdainful smiles and the men’s friendly smiles, cursing Xu Jiu in her heart for stirring up trouble. Saying she was like Brother Ba? His voice was who knows how many times louder than hers!
“Perhaps Brother Mo finds us lacking credibility—we said we’d chat about family matters but turned to national affairs instead, making it boring for all the ladies present, so she’s too lazy to speak.” Yuan Cheng, who had been controlling the entire scene, had sharp eyes—how could he not see the women’s rejection of Mo Zi in their expressions? He smiled coldly inside while appearing warm on the surface. “I just heard the ladies admire the flower lanterns in Yuan’s residence. If any catch your eye, feel free to take them.”
With this topic shift, the women chimed in praising the flower lanterns. One woman proposed guessing lantern riddles with drinking penalties, and regardless of gender, things became genuinely lively for a time, the atmosphere finally harmonious. Yuan Cheng’s intervention on Mo Zi’s behalf also relieved her hostile situation.
When the wine tables were cleared and everyone was waiting for tea, Lady Fu suddenly spoke: “Your Excellency is wonderfully witty, refined and courteous, gentle and humble, taking such care of us female guests.”
Hearing these adjectives, Mo Zi immediately examined Yuan Cheng carefully. Was he really that good? Moreover, with Lady Fu performing so virtuously all evening, praising a single man in front of her husband—wasn’t that improper?
Yuan Cheng smiled with great nobility. “Thank you for thinking so highly of Yuan, sister-in-law.”
“However,” Lady Fu sighed, “Your Excellency treats us like family—I wonder if I should speak a certain matter?”
So there was more to come.
“Sister-in-law, please speak.” Having been praised like this by her, Yuan Cheng could hardly damage his own reputation.
“Someone as outstanding as Your Excellency, yet with no understanding companion by your side—even we sisters feel anxious and regretful on Your Excellency’s behalf. Otherwise, with Lady Yuan present at today’s feast, it would be as perfect as the moon at its zenith.” Lady Fu asked the other tables if they didn’t agree.
The women hastily concurred.
Xu Jiu was quite startled. Leng Liu and Lu Man didn’t understand the meaning either.
“Sister-in-law’s words seem to blame Yuan for inadequate hospitality.” Yuan Cheng’s gaze swept around the room, finally stopping on Mo Zi’s face, the corners of his mouth curling up.
Mo Zi grew alert—this man clearly knew what was happening but deliberately gave Lady Fu an accusation to wear.
Lady Fu indeed panicked at his words, standing and bowing deeply. “Your Excellency, this woman absolutely means no such thing. I only lament that Your Excellency has no wife or concubine as companion. This woman has someone in mind—beautiful in appearance, forthright in nature. Though not born to a prestigious family, if she became Your Excellency’s concubine, it could still make a fine match and good tale.”
What was she saying? Yuan Cheng’s peach blossoms blooming at year’s end. Fate’s punishment or fate’s blessing? Mo Zi propped her chin, eyes narrowing.
Yuan Cheng smiled without speaking.
This gave Lady Fu courage to continue. “Your Excellency has also met this woman—she is none other than our gang’s Sister Xiang Shiyi—”
Xu Jiu and Leng Liu’s faces changed color.
Xu Jiu even said sternly, “Woman, be silent!” The just-now-obedient wife who seemed to regard her husband as heaven disappeared, replaced by Fu Tian’s daughter. She drew a long breath and looked firmly at Xu Jiu: “Sister Shiyi knelt outside Lord Yuan’s residence for three days—everyone on the streets knows she has feelings for Lord Yuan. Regardless of the past, she now has no relatives, only the gang brothers to rely on. As her elder brother and sister-in-law in the gang, how can we watch her reputation be damaged without speaking up for her?”
Xu Jiu was blocked by his wife’s words—from the standpoint of loyalty, he couldn’t refute her.
Mo Zi blinked. Xiang Shiyi had knelt at Yuan Cheng’s gate for three days? So that was why Yuan Cheng wouldn’t let her use the main entrance! And everyone had been worried about her arriving early, fearing she’d run into that?
Satisfied to see her husband not opposing, Lady Fu continued matchmaking to Yuan Cheng: “This woman just entered the Xu household recently and is young in years—I don’t fully understand gang matters yet. To speak truthfully, when Sister Shiyi spoke to me about this, I also didn’t know what to do. However, seeing sister’s determination—kneeling before Your Excellency’s gate for three days—this woman cannot help but shamelessly open this conversation. Your Excellency has not yet married. This woman knows Your Excellency’s status is noble, your future principal wife must come from a prestigious family, so I dare not hope for too much—therefore I only seek a concubine position for Sister Shiyi. Though we are people of the rivers and lakes, Sister Shiyi is pure in nature, wholehearted toward Your Excellency. If she could enter Your Excellency’s residence, the dowry the gang sends with her would not be inferior to any wealthy family’s young lady, and she would become Your Excellency’s fine companion. Moreover, Your Excellency and our Ninth Master are like brothers—if we could become in-laws, from then on we’d be truly one family. For major and minor matters on the water, at Your Excellency’s word, we would certainly provide full support. This match is truly a mutually beneficial great joyous occasion. This woman knows this move is presumptuous, my heart trembles, but I cannot bear to see Sister Shiyi heartbroken and devastated. Yet observing Your Excellency as a true gentleman who could accept my sister, it would be her good fortune.”
Everyone looked at Yuan Cheng.
This joyous matter required his final word.