With Li Shugen and Li Tao’er as the first pair, those young men and women who had been harboring feelings also began to stir. Two of them hadn’t set their sights on the brothers who had been injured, but instead fell in love with new recruits—Qian Jiaoniang also let them marry. Some were shy, some naturally reserved, some still full of hesitation… many could not be resolved at once, but overall, things were moving in a good direction. Still, Xing Muzheng thought a few had crooked intentions, so he simply ordered all the beauties to move back to the original estate. They were to be self-sufficient, and if they went to help at the barracks, they would be given stipends accordingly.
Most of the beauties gladly accepted, but a few who held themselves in too high esteem spent their days sighing over fate’s cruelty, refusing to mingle with the others, and constantly scheming for ways to send letters to Xing Muzheng to express their devotion. The rest couldn’t be bothered to pay them any mind.
In the Yuzhou region, there was a custom of worshiping the Flower God. In previous years, the prefect’s wife had led the women to make offerings at the Flower God Temple. This year, she petitioned the lord’s wife, Qian Jiaoniang, to take the lead. Xing Muzheng accepted on her behalf. Qian Jiaoniang had only ever heard of the Flower God Festival, never seen it herself. Shanzha, being a local girl, was overjoyed—not for the morning worship, but for the nighttime Flower Forest Banquet held in the Flower God Grove. At that time, the young men and women of Yuzhou would wear flower crowns, go to the grove to sing and dance, and if a young man fancied a young woman—or a young woman fancied a young man—they could toss a flower branch to the other. If both sides felt the same, then a match was made. Married men and women could also join with their families, but had to wear masks to show they were already wed.
When Qian Jiaoniang heard this, her spirits lifted. She quickly waved her hand: “Go tell the Marquis, ask the unmarried brothers in the camp to tidy themselves up, and also go tell those young ladies at the old estate—anyone who wants to go can go!”
“Madam, you mean…” Shui’er’s eyes rolled.
Qian Jiaoniang laughed: “Isn’t this Heaven’s gift of a perfect opportunity, giving those who are hiding their feelings a little push?”
Hongjuan laughed too: “That’s very true!”
Shanzha clapped her hands in agreement, while Shui’er thought a moment then hesitated: “But Madam, at the Flower Forest Banquet there will be so many people. What if some other young man sets his eyes on our beauties? What then?” After all, none of those sent to the Marquis were ugly!
Qian Jiaoniang said: “Wouldn’t that be just as good? We’re not saying they must be forced to pair off with the brothers in the camp—this is all about fate. If their fate is at the Flower Forest Banquet, then it’s a fine thing. And who knows, maybe some of the banquet’s young women will fancy our brothers instead!”
Xing Muzheng soon sent word back, saying everything was to be arranged by his wife.
The next morning, Qian Jiaoniang donned an indigo robe embroidered with kingfisher feathers, leading the womenfolk to the Flower God Temple to make offerings. Since it was the first time the lord’s wife appeared to preside, many ladies and maidens came in admiration, making this year’s festival especially lively. Qian Jiaoniang was actually quite nervous, but fortunately, Lady Xie Miao, the prefect’s wife, was a thoughtful and considerate person. Knowing that Qian Jiaoniang had never overseen such a ceremony, she discreetly guided her at just the right moments, helping her lead the crowd smoothly through the ritual.
After the offerings, Qian Jiaoniang strolled the temple with Lady Xie, who explained the origins of the festival. When Qian Jiaoniang asked about the Flower Forest Banquet, Lady Xie was not very clear. She said: “That is just a lively event organized by the common folk. Any daughter from a respectable family cannot go. But since it’s an old tradition that can foster marriages, and because Yuzhou still has few people, my lord simply allows it.”
Qian Jiaoniang understood—this was meant for young men and women who didn’t need matches arranged by family status. She said: “I actually think it’s a good thing. Since young men and women are to be married, they should at least meet and see if there’s any fate. Otherwise, to marry blindly, only to discover afterward you don’t like each other—wouldn’t that make life tasteless?”
Lady Xie said: “How could that be? A daughter, once married, follows her husband, and with time, once children come, isn’t there naturally flavor in life?”
Qian Jiaoniang smiled and shook her head. “It’s not the same.”
Lady Xie was slightly taken aback, not knowing how to respond. Luckily, Qian Jiaoniang went on: “I’ll have the unmarried girls in the household all go and broaden their horizons, and the Marquis’s soldiers too. Lady Xie, please speak to the families, ask which daughters might be willing to go. Since they won’t be baring themselves in public, they can always wear veils.”
Lady Xie looked somewhat troubled, but she couldn’t very well go against the lord’s wife. “I’ll speak to them shortly.”
Qian Jiaoniang returned to the residence, sending all the unmarried maids, including Hongjuan, to play at the Flower God Grove, and even had them bring Zhou Cuilian along. She only told them not to call Zhao Yaoqian, since Miss Zhao’s family status was special and Qian Jiaoniang usually did not interfere. After sending everyone off, she turned to Xing Muzheng with a serious face: “Ah, the more I think about it, the less at ease I feel. I’d better sneak a look myself. If anything happens, I can resolve it on the spot.”
As the Dingxi Marchioness, she couldn’t enjoy herself fully, and others knowing her identity might not relax either. So she had already decided that once everyone left, she would change clothes and go have fun on her own.
Xing Muzheng looked at her meaningfully for quite a while, until Qian Jiaoniang herself felt guilty. Only then did he ask: “Madam, if you’re going, you’ll be wearing a mask, yes?”
“Of course.” Qian Jiaoniang puffed out her chest.
Xing Muzheng was satisfied. “Then go, it’s good for you to have a look. Take Chunwu with you.” With a wave of his hand, a tall maid with a cold face walked in. Xing Muzheng introduced her to Qian Jiaoniang and said: “She’s replacing Dongsheng—she knows some martial arts.”
“Is Chunwu married yet?” The words slipped out of Qian Jiaoniang’s mouth, and she laughed at herself—seemed she had gotten addicted to playing matchmaker these days, asking the same thing of everyone she met.
Chunwu was a little startled, turning to look at Xing Muzheng. He said: “She still has some things to settle. You don’t need to rush into finding her a match.”
Qian Jiaoniang, hearing this, gave Chunwu another couple of glances but did not press further. She beckoned her over, taking her inside to change into commoner’s clothes. Xing Muzheng was still standing in the main hall. Qian Jiaoniang turned back for a look and politely asked: “Is the Marquis going to join the fun as well?”
Xing Muzheng tilted his head slightly, thought for a moment, then slowly said:
“I won’t go. You enjoy yourself.”
Qian Jiaoniang let out a breath of relief—she had truly been afraid he might come along. She broke into a bright smile. “I figured the Marquis wouldn’t care for such things anyway.”
The Flower Forest Banquet was held each year on a wide clearing in the Flower God Grove. Torches were set all around, fresh flowers were displayed everywhere, and at the center burned a great bonfire. Not far off, many mats were laid out, each with fruit and melons upon them. Young men and women sang and danced by the fire. This year, with many strangers present as well as several gauzy sedan chairs nearby, the place felt all the livelier.
When Qian Jiaoniang arrived, a spirited young man and a pretty maiden were singing across the bonfire. The lad’s voice was deep and strong, the girl’s voice lilting and melodious, the two weaving together as though meeting mid-air. Qian Jiaoniang casually found an empty mat and sat, pulling Chunwu down beside her, watching with interest. When the singing ended, cheers broke out all around. The two singers were pushed closer together—grinning sheepishly, the young man handed over his flower. The girl snatched it, tossed her own flower onto his chest, then turned and ran. The noise of the crowd swelled louder still. The young man froze for a moment, then under the urging of his companions, broke into a wide grin and chased after her.
The crowd burst into song again, a tune of celebration.
“That’s the blacksmith’s son and the tenant farmer’s daughter. Childhood sweethearts—well matched!”
“Exactly! Did you see how foolish the two of them looked just now?”
Behind her mask, Qian Jiaoniang listened to the chatter, smiling and clapping along. She cast her gaze around and spotted the camp brothers clustered together in one place, the household beauties seated not far from them. A few were secretly exchanging glances. Qian Jiaoniang could see clearly—wasn’t it Sima Gou and Xue Ning? You look at me, I look at you, flowers in their hands ready to be tossed at any moment. Another brother caught a flower thrown from a lively farm girl, drawing a jealous glare from one of the beauties.
“Hurry up, go on, go!”
“Oh no, I can’t, I can’t!”
The voices were familiar. Qian Jiaoniang turned her head—it was her own maids!
“What’s there to be afraid of? Just close your eyes, toss the flower, and it’s done!” Shui’er urged.
“But I’m afraid Brother Yan Jin won’t like me. He’s a great hero, and I’m only a little maid.”
Qian Jiaoniang was a little startled. She hadn’t expected that little Shanzha would actually have someone she liked—and it was Yan Jin, the one scarred across the face.
“How could he not like you? With his looks, having any girl fancy him is already thanks to good deeds from his past life!”
“Nonsense! Brother Yan Jin only got burned saving others—he used to be very handsome!”
“Yes, yes, my mistake.”
Hongjuan also gave Shanzha a push. “Either way, sticking your head out is a knife, shrinking back is also a knife. If you keep hesitating, someone else will snatch him first.”
Shanzha gritted her teeth for a long moment, then, as if going to her death, suddenly leapt up. She ran straight to the camp brothers, hurled the flower at Yan Jin—and because her hand shook, she missed, hitting him square in the face instead. Yan Jin was dumbfounded. Shanzha froze too. Qian Jiaoniang and the onlookers burst out in uproarious laughter.
Shanzha’s face turned scarlet. She spun around and ran off. Yan Jin sat there, still stunned, until his brothers shoved him several times. Only then did he come back to himself.
“I… I got a flower? Miss Shanzha gave me a flower?” he asked aloud in disbelief.
The crowd roared with laughter again. Only then did Yan Jin remember to stand, scrambling awkwardly with mismatched steps as he chased after her.
Qian Jiaoniang sat cross-legged, chin in hand, laughing until her eyes squinted shut. She looked toward the people who were singing and dancing once more, thinking that if she hadn’t been sold by her parents to Xing Muzheng, she too might be here, singing and dancing, tossing flowers to the man she fancied.
Suddenly, she felt a burning gaze. Opposite her, without her noticing, a man had sat down. Clad in black robes, wearing a dark mask, one arm resting on his knee, he stared fixedly at her.
