“Did Bai Suzhen reveal her true form?” A small voice came from the women’s side—probably some young miss from some family.
Mo Zi was unhurried. “Bai Suzhen had a thousand years of magical power, so naturally she wasn’t afraid of realgar. She drank with Xu Xian. When Xu Xian got drunk, she practiced her arts to dispel the realgar wine’s effects. But her younger sister Xiao Qing had a playful and competitive nature. Seeing her older sister drink wine without incident, and having five hundred years of cultivation herself, she also drank a cup. But how could five hundred years compare to a thousand? Immediately she revealed her true form and fell asleep in her sister’s room.”
Speaking to this point, the male officials could still keep their composure, but there was some commotion on the women’s side, whispering about what Bai Suzhen should do, and some hopefully saying Xu Xian wouldn’t discover it.
“Xu Xian wasn’t deeply drunk. After resting briefly he woke up. The result was seeing a large green snake in the room—how could he not be frightened? Moreover, he was scared to death, dying on the spot.” Fine sounds of surprise reached her ears. Mo Zi had no intention of drawing things out. “However, Bai Suzhen went to the divine mountain and stole soul-reviving grass, bringing Xu Xian back to life. But Xu Xian believed Fahai’s words and couldn’t accept for the moment that his wife and sister-in-law had snake bodies. Under Fahai’s instigation, he followed him to Jinshan Temple wanting to become a monk. Bai Suzhen was angry that Fahai had driven a wedge between her and Xu Xian’s marital feelings. She and Xiao Qing summoned the waters of the Eastern Sea to flood Jinshan Temple. But this implicated many innocent people who lost their lives. The Heavenly Court was enraged, stripped Bai Suzhen of her magical powers, and Fahai took the opportunity to imprison her under Leifeng Pagoda.”
“What does this have to do with crabs?” Changming was fixated on this point.
“Xiao Qing escaped in this calamity, flew up to the Heavenly Court and argued with the Jade Emperor, saying Fahai indiscriminately used shameless methods to separate a loving couple, and that Bai Suzhen wasn’t a snake demon who harmed people. When the Jade Emperor investigated, every word Xiao Qing said was true. That white snake originally had affinity with the immortals and should have joined the ranks of immortals after completing the heavenly tribulation. Her heart was purely good and her feelings pitiful. So he dispatched heavenly soldiers and generals to help Xiao Qing rescue Bai Suzhen. How could Fahai resist the immortals? He hid everywhere. But no matter where he hid, the heavenly soldiers and generals could find him. Finally, he hid in a crab… and never dared come out again.” Wasn’t there a connection now?
“What happened to Bai Suzhen?” The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but ask.
“Your Majesty Empress Dowager, Bai Suzhen came out from under the pagoda and reconciled with the regretful Xu Xian. After one lifetime… the two of them together with Xiao Qing ascended to become immortals.” The Legend of the White Snake had many versions in modern times. Mo Zi’s was a mixed version with her own adapted comedic ending. “The monk Fahai hid in the crab. The yellow crab paste is his kasaya robe, and the gritty sac is what he transformed into. When everyone eats crabs in the future, they can look for these. Fahai was stubborn and domineering, not distinguishing right from wrong, black from white. Since crabs became such a person’s refuge, Mo Zi believes they truly cannot be called festive objects. But on festive days… eating crabs adds another layer of meaning—treating it as something disliked or detested in daily life and eating it clean. Your Majesty said today we won’t discuss state affairs, so Mo Zi won’t mention it either. What threatens our Great Zhou recently—everyone knows in their hearts.” She was just short of saying plainly that the crab right now wasn’t Fahai, but Daqiu.
A story would never be told for nothing.
The Emperor’s dragon heart was greatly pleased. “What a fine layer of meaning. I agree with you—crabs are not festive… today we really must eat them. Someone come, inform the Imperial Kitchen to prepare crabs, two per person… we must definitely dig out Fahai.” Fahai was now just a code name.
No matter how willful Princess Changming was, she knew this wasn’t the time to dampen Father Emperor’s enthusiasm for eating “Daqiu.” She bit her teeth, glared at Mo Zi once, and said no more.
When eating the crabs, Mo Zi found the gritty sac and explained in public again, pointing out where Fahai’s bald head and eyebrows were, and his sitting posture, making people exclaim in wonder… believing the Legend of the White Snake three parts more.
After eating Wangqiu Tower’s mooncakes and then eating golden fatty crabs, when Eunuch Liu said fireworks were the finale of the night, and no one remembered the great reward the Emperor had mentioned earlier, Mo Zi thought she’d gotten through with alarm but no danger and could muddle through again.
“Mid-Autumn reunion… though the Crown Prince has passed, seeing so many relatives by my side, I feel quite comforted. The dead are gone. The Empress originally wanted to observe three years of mourning—I appreciate her compassionate heart but still urged against it. The harem cannot be without an Empress, and moreover, besides being a compassionate mother, the Empress also has the status of mother of the nation. When the late Emperor passed, I also wanted to observe three years of mourning in a humble cottage to fulfill filial piety, but what of the hundred officials, what of the common people? This is the responsibility of being in the imperial family.” The Emperor suddenly spoke.
“Your Majesty, this consort understands.” The Empress’s attitude finally softened.
“It should be thus.” The Empress Dowager smiled.
“The moon is round and bright tonight. Good things come in pairs. I’m in an excellent mood today and wish to act as grand matchmaker.” The Emperor smiled broadly.
At these words, many people froze, gazes seeking out unmarried men and women, secretly speculating who would have the good fortune of receiving the Emperor’s arranged marriage.
Mo Zi glanced at Xiao Wei. “General Xiao is well past marriage age. Could it be His Majesty has finally remembered your life’s major event?”
Xiao Wei looked back at her. “Miss Mo Zi, women your age are generally already mothers.”
Mo Zi was quite certain. “His Majesty allowed me to choose my own marriage match. Flying this flag, my husband will be chosen by myself—being older doesn’t matter.” Her gaze shifted to the other side—An Ming, Changming, Miss Wang the Tenth—who was most likely to become Xiao Second Master’s bride?
Xiao Wei raised his eyebrows, lowered his eyes to drink tea, concealing the extraordinarily intense light in his eyes, waiting quietly.
“Wang He.” The Emperor called the name.
Wang He hastily stepped out of line and bowed deeply.
“I’ve heard your second younger brother Wang Yu’s eldest son Wang Ting is broadly talented and learned, elegant and refined, with the reputation of being the capital’s foremost handsome man. Though he hasn’t taken the examinations, he travels everywhere studying and teaching, his reputation spreading far. It seems he’s not yet married?” The Emperor had investigated clearly early on.
Hearing the title of foremost handsome man, Mo Zi immediately asked Yang Ling in a low voice, “Have you seen Wang Ting? Is he truly a handsome man?”
“Met him twice, not familiar.” Yang Ling’s response was distant. “The Wang clan is a high family—the people they associate with are all sons of princes and marquises, different from us.”
But Wang He humbly answered the Emperor, “Though Wang Ting has been clever since childhood and indeed likes traveling to study, calling it teaching is somewhat off the mark. He’s still a student himself—how can he teach others’ children? Taking the examinations is certain. Last year he was far away studying at Yunmeng Academy, couldn’t return in time. Now he only awaits the examinations two years from now to serve Your Majesty.”
“With true talent and learning, whether passing the examinations or becoming an imperial son-in-law, both can ascend the court and help me. I intend to bestow Third Princess Mingxiu upon him. I should speak directly to Lord Wang Yu, but he’s on imperial orders inspecting the Taizhou area and won’t return for some time. Therefore, I’m telling you.”
Princess Mingxiu was Consort Xian’s eldest daughter, third in rank. Her appearance was ordinary, her nature neither as clever as Anming nor as willful and domineering as Changming—someone who didn’t talk much or stand out. But Consort Xian’s father was the Emperor’s later teacher, Grand Secretary Zou Fu. The Zou family had been scholarly for three generations, producing talented sons and upright officials generation after generation, while also deeply respected by two generations of emperors. They belonged to the same type as the Wang family—a high family that kept a low profile.
Wang He was happy in his heart, but on the surface still had to show surprised delight. “Ting’er still has no merit or title. Princess Mingxiu is of noble imperial blood—I fear they may not match.”
“A great man establishes his family first, then his career. Moreover, my mind is made up. After the two elder princesses have their marriage matters handled, these two children’s matter will be handled as well.” The Emperor spoke.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Wang He knelt to receive the decree.
Mo Zi thought, fortunately it wasn’t truly strengthening family ties through marriage, otherwise if Anming or Changming married their own maternal cousins, the Wang family would have hidden troubles in the future. After all, in terms of genetic inheritance, harm from having children between close relatives was still quite severe. The Qing Dynasty emperors nearly lost reproductive capability toward the end—to some extent this was also a tragedy caused by superstitious belief in blood purity and marriage between close relatives.
“Mo Zi.”
She was lost in wild thoughts there when the Emperor had already called her name. “Your Majesty.” The marriage arrangements were complete. Mo Zi thought His Majesty was going to give her the great reward. In her mental state she had not half a bit of vigilance, quite carefree.
“You’re clever and perceptive. Your pair of hands possess divine skill, your mouth is eloquent and good at debate. You’ve resolved quite a few vexing matters for me. I’m truly extremely fond of you, even considering you as my own daughter. A daughter’s home ultimately must marry and become a wife. Though I wish to continue using you for the great enterprise of state, I can only reluctantly part with what I treasure.” Speaking to this point, the Emperor called the third person’s name. “Xiao Wei, you two kneel down.”
Mo Zi looked at Xiao Wei kneeling beside her and immediately felt something was wrong. What did the Emperor mean?
“Xiao Wei is a beloved general I trust, an important minister of state, young and accomplished, with unlimited future prospects. With you, one civil and one military, you complement each other perfectly. I believe you two are talented man and beautiful woman. If you become a marriage match, it would be a match made in heaven. Today I bestow marriage upon you. Complete the wedding by year’s end. From now on, husband and wife in harmony—don’t waste my heartfelt intention.” Actually, an arranged marriage.
Xiao Wei kowtowed in gratitude. “This humble minister obeys the decree.” No one could see the joy on his face.
Drawing in sharp breaths, besides Mo Zi, were also Prince Jing and his wife. As for the Empress and Wang He, their expressions darkened slightly. Miss Wang the Tenth appeared to treat it with indifference.
Mo Zi really wanted to directly ask “on what basis,” but what came out was roundabout. “Your Majesty allowed Mo Zi to choose her own marriage match. I thought that meant permitting me to find my own husband.”
“Correct. Back then I let you choose your own marriage match because I feared people would look down on your origins while ignoring your talent. Therefore I wanted to use this to find you a good family’s son for the future. Now it’s different. Your abilities are plain for all to see. Everyone has already accepted your identity as the first female official. The husband I’ve chosen for you, Xiao Wei—he’s the most sought-after son-in-law by all families. My arranging this marriage for you two—who knows how many people are envious. Isn’t this even better than choosing yourself?” The Emperor considered himself satisfied.
Whichever family was eyeing him could have him—she didn’t care for it. Mo Zi thought this mutinously, but her tone remained soft. Facing the Emperor, one careless sentence could cost her life.
“Your Majesty, Mo Zi only knows how to do rough work and keep company with wood. I’m not as outstanding as you say. People often say, golden nest or silver nest isn’t as good as your own dog’s nest; winter melon or watermelon isn’t as good as an old vine’s silk melon. It’s also said, what pot matches what lid—a Jingdezhen porcelain cup doesn’t go with a Hetian jade plate. General Xiao’s birth and status are so noble. How could Mo Zi, a small craftswoman, be worthy? Your Majesty, please retract the decree.”
The Emperor’s expression didn’t look too good.
Quite a few people first secretly disapproved of Mo Zi climbing above her station. Now hearing her ask the Emperor to retract the decree, they felt she was falsely aloof and putting on airs. Their faces showed cold mockery, waiting to watch the show.
The bright moon remained, yet like a frosty cold river, quietly flowing through the magnificent hall.