Deer Horn Lane held a handkerchief banquet that evening. Bai He and Mo Zi were the hosts.

Mo Zi encountered Luo Niang at the entrance. Her husband Wang Lang personally escorted her and greeted Mo Zi. Hongyu now obtained its timber primarily from Ruimuxiang, making Mo Zi currently the couple’s biggest client with very frequent contact. The husband and wife were endlessly grateful to Mo Zi—when they’d been nearly driven to desperation by their main family, she had given Ruimuxiang its only chance to continue.

“How has Ruimuxiang’s business been lately?” Mo Zi led Luo Niang through the main gate.

“Thanks to your blessings, it’s been getting better and better.” Luo Niang smiled softly. “My husband says it’s all thanks to Hongyu’s reputation—it’s helped him attract quite a bit of business.”

“I wasn’t aware Hongyu had any reputation yet.” Mo Zi was genuinely puzzled—Hongyu still seemed to rank dead last among all the shipyards.

“Brother Mo is being modest. Who doesn’t know that Old Boss Wei of Yajiang Freight has eyes higher than the heavens, yet he chose Hongyu to build ships? Speaking of which, it was quite fortuitous—my husband happened to meet Old Boss Wei not long ago. When he mentioned Hongyu, Old Boss Wei chatted quite a bit and even introduced clients to Ruimuxiang.” Luo Niang glanced occasionally at Dou Lu beside Mo Zi.

“Then I must thank your husband and Old Boss Wei for spreading Hongyu’s fame.” Seeing Luo Niang’s curiosity about Dou Lu, Mo Zi added, “Does Luo Niang wonder how I have such a beautiful younger sister?”

Luo Niang withdrew her gaze. “Brother Mo is already quite lovely, but I didn’t expect you’d also have a sister of such stunning beauty. Though Luo Niang has never seen the Mo Zi or Dou Lu varieties of peony, I’m certain you sisters must be more charming than any flowers.”

She hadn’t dared aspire to befriend someone like Mo Zi, yet unexpectedly received an invitation to a handkerchief gathering. These past few days she’d been so excited yet nervous she couldn’t sleep, not knowing how to properly conduct herself at the banquet. Her husband had noticed and specially escorted her here personally. But upon meeting Mo Zi, she still felt that sincere encouragement. And Dou Lu seemed even quieter than herself, only smiling shyly without speaking. One animated, one still—walking between them, she felt quite natural.

The three chatted and laughed as they entered the warm chamber of the southeast pavilion.

Mo Zi found Bai He having tea and talking with Chen Niang. Upon inquiry, the two had come together from Wangqiu Tower.

The five women greeted each other—all women of strong character. Within moments they were in perfect accord, and when spirits rose, laughter was continuous, with some even collapsing sideways clutching their stomachs.

Mo Zi’s mood had been quite heavy initially, but this commotion lightened it considerably. Though turmoil raged outside, at least joy could be found within. When women gathered together without scheming calculations, purely gossiping like these few—it was actually quite wonderful. All sorts of vexing matters simply dissolved while chatting.

Tian Da’s wife entered. She was the newly promoted inner garden head servant.

Tian Da had said his children were grown and his wife had nothing to do at home—could she perhaps be given a position in the garden? After Bai He left the mansion, Qiu Sanniang had entrusted Deer Horn Lane’s affairs to Mo Zi and Bai He to handle. Bai He was still adjusting and deferred to Mo Zi to decide. Mo Zi had given her a trial period of several days and discovered that Tian Da’s wife truly served Bai He as a young miss with genuine heart, so she agreed. The greatest fear was someone who, relying on their status as an old servant, wouldn’t properly respect Bai He who’d once been a maid.

Tian Da’s wife asked Bai He, “Miss, it’s already dark—shall we begin serving?”

“Two people haven’t arrived yet.” Bai He glanced at Mo Zi.

Mo Zi found it rather strange. “Could they have been delayed by something? Otherwise why haven’t they come even after dark?”

“Here we are, here we are.”

The curtain lifted as two beauties entered.

Walking in front was Sister Xiu, continuing to speak. “It’s not that I was slow—Sister was slow. She quarreled with her brother-in-law, locked herself in her room sulking for half a shichen. Originally wasn’t going to come at all—I had to drag her here by force.”

“Sister Xiu, with that mouth of yours, you dare say anything.” The one behind was Wu You, turning her back and spreading her arms for a maid to remove her outer garment. “But don’t talk nonsense and frighten the sisters meeting us for the first time.”

“Anyone Brother Mo invites must be someone she considers worthy as sworn sisters. That being so, what can’t be said?” Her eyes swept around with appreciative sounds. “Each one a fairy descended from paintings—delightful to behold.”

Wu You turned around, seeing Mo Zi’s puzzled expression. “Don’t listen to Sister Xiu’s nonsense. We didn’t quarrel. I just told him I wouldn’t move into his house, and he got upset and raised his voice a bit, even kicked a door. My mood was terrible too—I wanted some quiet time alone, but worried that coming here would make you all share my annoyance. However, I could hear your laughter from far away, which lifted my spirits considerably. I’m glad I came.”

“Exactly right. I also encountered many matters today—my heart felt like a stone was pressing on it. But hearing and talking, I feel much better. Sister arrived at just the right time. Tonight let’s ignore all those people and matters outside, eat and drink to our hearts’ content, play through the night, and say whatever’s in our hearts while the wine flows freely. After sleeping it off, I guarantee we’ll feel light as air.” At this point Mo Zi had already recovered her energetic appearance.

They opened the feast. All the food and wine was personally prepared by Bai He. Aside from Mo Zi who was already accustomed to it, everyone else was amazed. Even Wu You, who’d been in a bad mood, couldn’t stop her hands or mouth. After finishing the last course of almond pastries, she even proposed opening a pastry shop with Bai He and having everyone contribute a share of silver.

Whether from wine’s influence or conquered by Bai He’s culinary skills, Chen Niang and Luo Niang agreed almost without hesitation. The Mo Zi and Dou Lu sisters contributed one share. Wu You and Sister Xiu shared one. It was decided just like that.

Wu You laughed, “This is good—no need to worry about having nowhere to go if Wu You Pavilion closes its doors.”

Sister Xiu whispered in Mo Zi’s ear, “Half the silver for opening Wu You Pavilion came from her brother-in-law, which Sister saved. Today he used this to speak angry words, demanding Sister close Wu You Pavilion.”

“If Wu You Pavilion is gone, must she then depend on a man?” Mo Zi had no issue with Fu Tian, but took issue with men’s presumptuous attitudes.

“Exactly right.” Wu You overheard perfectly. “Mo Chou’s hasty marriage made me think and think again—this profession truly isn’t a long-term plan. No matter how much I consider those girls’ interests, how clean can a flower house really be? Better to find other businesses—even if small capital brings small profits, it’s preparation for old age.”

Chen Niang exclaimed, “Sister Wu You isn’t even that old yet you’re thinking about old age—how are we supposed to feel?”

Wu You was the eldest among them, assuming the manner of a big sister. “Chen Niang, once your debt is cleared, quickly find an honest, decent good man to marry yourself off to, and stay as far from that worthless eldest brother of yours as possible. A woman’s beauty lasts only so many years—you’ll regret it once they pass.”

Mo Zi laughed. “I thought Sister had figured it out—without men, women can still live splendidly.”

Wu You rolled her eyes at her. “I know your capabilities reach the heavens, not inferior even to men—whether you marry or not, you’re at peace with it. But Chen Niang, Bai He, and your sister Dou Lu—if they could find someone like Luo Niang’s husband, how fortunate that would be.”

“Oh no, Sister, I want to marry too. However, someone as devoted as Luo Niang’s husband seems hard to find.” Mo Zi was half joking, half serious.

With them continuously saying she’d found a good husband, Luo Niang’s face flushed crimson. “Luo Niang wouldn’t dare monopolize my husband. In the future when he returns to the main family and marries a principal wife, Luo Niang will naturally serve them both.”

“How can you be so foolish? Finally someone willing to treat only you well, and you want him to marry someone else?” Wu You was also a concubine but sighed at not encountering such fortune. “You should quickly bear Wang Lang a son. As for that main family—better not to return. A small household is simple and happy.”

Sister Xiu added a line, “Maybe you already have one. I noticed you frowned smelling the fish soup earlier and put it down after half a sip.”

Everyone was startled.

Luo Niang hurriedly waved her hands. “No, it can’t be. I normally don’t like drinking fish soup anyway.”

“I’m the only one here who’s had a child—I can tell. Drink less wine, and when you return, find a physician to take your pulse. If I’m right, the child must recognize me as godmother.” Sister Xiu had a three-year-old daughter who, considering the child’s future, she’d placed with grandparents in the countryside for fostering. Father—unspecified.

The next day after Luo Niang returned, she hadn’t paid it much mind herself, but Wu You sent a physician over for an examination—and indeed she was two months pregnant. Wang Lang was overjoyed. Disregarding Luo Niang’s objections, he selected an auspicious date to perform the wedding ceremony with her, recording her surname in the new Wang family genealogy that had only a single page.

Returning to that evening, though the feast had ended, the liveliness hadn’t—they gathered around a table to play cards.

“I won. Ten wen from each person.” Dou Lu spread both hands.

Sister Xiu cried out dramatically, “My goodness, she looks so gentle and quiet without saying a word—how many rounds has she won now?”

Wu You and Mo Zi sat together resting. “With her talking so much, how could she not lose money? However, your sister is quite good at cards. Earlier you said she couldn’t play—were you lying?”

“She just learns things quickly. Before today, she truly couldn’t play. But there’s a saying—beginners win more, good luck.” Mo Zi shelled a pile of melon seeds, then tossed them all into her mouth at once.

“Xu Jiu has taken a wife.” Wu You suddenly announced.

“I know—Fu Tian’s daughter, called Qin Niang I believe. The moment I saw her, I thought she didn’t resemble a daughter of the jianghu at all, but rather a young miss from an established family.” Mo Zi recalled Fu Shi’s demeanor.

“Her mother isn’t from jianghu origins—she’s a landlord’s daughter, married by arrangement of Fu Tian’s parents when Fu Tian wasn’t even home. That woman doesn’t like the jianghu and raised her daughters according to great household rules as proper young misses—no martial arts training whatsoever, only needlework. Qin Niang being matched with Xu Jiu—her mother wasn’t too willing in her heart.” Though Wu You hadn’t entered the Fu family gate when she returned to Weiyang headquarters with Fu Tian this time, she knew quite a bit nevertheless.

“Probably didn’t want to marry her well-raised daughter to a jianghu person. However, I noticed Qin Niang still cares quite a bit about Xu Jiu.” Mo Zi shelled melon seeds, gossiping away.

“She only married because she fancied him. Her mother wouldn’t disappoint Fu Tian for her daughter’s sake—she’s a matriarch who does everything outwardly obedient to parents-in-law and husband, giving no one grounds for criticism.” Mentioning the principal wife, Wu You sneered coldly. “I’m telling you this because Qin Niang knows Xu Jiu proposed to you—you should avoid her in future. Mother and daughter are alike—neither dares speak their displeasure directly, but love making little moves.”

Mo Zi had long been aware. “If she makes little moves against me, I’d truly be wronged. Was what Xu Jiu did even called proposing? He didn’t even hire a matchmaker—just ran hot-headed mixing words together.”

“When Xu Jiu asked Fu Tian for Qin Niang’s hand, only then did I realize his heart is truly vast. I’d thought he’d persist with you to the end, but in a blink he was marrying someone else. Fu Tian understood Xu Jiu’s meaning clearly, yet still agreed.” With a sigh, Wu You felt helpless at her misjudgment.

“Because for men, taking a wife seems as simple as putting on clothes. What seems momentous to us women is trifling to them in their eyes—yet they must definitely go through the motions.” Mo Zi understood very clearly.

Bai He entered, beckoning to Mo Zi from the doorway.

Mo Zi walked over.

“Grandmother sent a carriage—she wants you to return.”