Xie Xuanying and Princess Rong’an ran into each other. After waiting another fifteen minutes, he was summoned in by the emperor.
The emperor was having breakfast and asked without even raising his head, “Rong’an didn’t cry, did she?”
Xie Xuanying said not a word, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt lightly.
His body like a green pine, his clothes like red maple, illuminating the entire palace.
“Why kneel?” The emperor helplessly put down his spoon. “Get up, get up. You already knelt half a year ago. I didn’t ask you to kneel today.”
In a tone that brooked no argument, he said, “Sit down. Have you eaten? Bring him tea. Useless things, no sense of what’s proper. On such a cold day, don’t let him freeze.”
Xie Xuanying rose and saluted, then sat properly on a stool and took the teacup handed to him by a eunuch. “I have already eaten.”
“Rushing to court, you surely didn’t eat well.” The emperor was only human and ordinarily no different from any other elder. “Have some with me.”
The eunuchs swiftly prepared a new set of bowls and chopsticks. A kindly eunuch held serving chopsticks and arranged food for him.
Xie Xuanying had dined with the emperor too many times to count. He was already so familiar with it that he knew how to eat and how much to eat to appear neither unfamiliar nor overstepping. In any case, he looked very earnest and very pleasing as he ate.
The emperor felt relaxed and pleased, and ate a few more bites.
The chief attendant joined in playfully, “Every time Young Master Xie accompanies Your Majesty at meals, Your Majesty always eats a little more.”
This was the eunuch who had accompanied the emperor since childhood; their bond was far from ordinary. The emperor chuckled and pointed at him. “Every single time you tease San-lang.”
Anyone else would certainly have responded nervously with something like “I would not dare.” But if Xie Xuanying did that, it would feel too distant. The emperor did not want him to be too formal. So he merely nodded. “Chief Attendant loves to make jokes at my expense.”
“You wrong me to death. It’s your fault for not only to whet the appetite but also to lift the spirits?” The chief attendant spoke with perfect justification. “Your Majesty, this is not my fault.”
“All right, that’s about enough.” The emperor said, “San-lang is about to blush.”
Xie Xuanying: “…”
He silently put down his chopsticks.
The palace maids brought fresh tea for him to rinse his mouth and wipe his lips.
Only after that did the emperor prepare to go to the Guangming Hall ahead to handle official business. And the reason he had summoned Xie Xuanying was not only to deal with the emotional matters of the younger generation.
Entering the Guangming Hall, he was granted a seat.
The emperor said, “San-lang, tell me in detail what happened to you in Yancheng. I want to know what has become of our Great Xia’s garrison stations.”
Xie Xuanying paused, then composed his expression. “Yes.”
The fifteenth of October was the Festival of Humans, the ancient version of Senior Citizens’ Day, during which a series of activities honoring the elderly and caring for the young were held – preparing birthday peaches, offering birthday wishes to elders, and so on.
Whether this festival was observed depended on each household’s circumstances. In the Yan family, since Yan Hongzhi counted as an elder, they prepared birthday peaches as a token offering for him and Lady Hong, but that was all.
Because today was also another festival.
The Xiayuan Festival, the day when the Water Official absolves sins.
Fasting and rituals were held, Daoist rites performed, people invited to recite sutras, memorial tablets and petitions burned, ancestors sacrificed to, and red bean paste buns eaten.
Most importantly – at night, river lanterns were to be released to pray for peace.
In plain terms: a day to go out.
But unfortunately, Lady Hong had gotten her period and found it inconvenient to walk. First Madam said she would stay behind to attend to her, but was rebuffed. “Such a rare fine day, why shouldn’t you go?”
She arranged, “Leave the child with me. Have your husband take you and Yin-niang out together. Release a few more lanterns to avert calamity and absolve sins for Da- lang, and pray for him and Yin-niang to grow up safe and sound.”
Since it concerned the child, the eldest young madam was deeply moved and did not decline further.
And Cheng Danruo said even less. She had already administered acupuncture to Lady Hong today and knew there was no serious problem. The main issue was that ancient times had no sanitary pads, so walking made all kinds of leakage likely, which was why going out was inadvisable. There was no need to put on an act of diligence by staying. Besides, she was very much looking forward to it.
They set out very early, in two carriages. Master Yan and First Madam, along with their daughter Yin-niang, rode in one; Yan Hongzhi and Cheng Danruo rode in the other.
Cheng Danruo had already lived in the Yan household for some time and had seen Yin-niang several times. She was Yan Hongzhi’s first grandchild, but because First Madam had given birth to her at a young age, the nutrition her body could provide had been limited. The child had weighed only a little over two kilograms at birth, was frail and sickly, and often recuperated in the courtyard, seldom coming out.
Today, rarely, she was dressed up, delicate and lovely as a spring willow, and very endearing.
“Aunt Cheng.” Yan Yin-niang saluted, her voice somewhat weak. “Why are you dressed in men’s clothing?”
“I am going out with Father, so men’s clothing is more convenient,” Cheng Danruo answered with a smile.
Yan Yin-niang acknowledged this with a sound but said nothing more, and obediently stayed by her mother’s side.
First Madam doted on her daughter and knew she had few opportunities to go out, so she could not bear to keep her confined at home. Yet she also feared the cold would cause the child to catch a chill, and kept sending people to ask, “Is the cloak packed? What about the hand warmer?”
She was busy running around in circles.
Master Yan was a young man of twenty-five or twenty-six and was not often seen ordinarily, but at this moment he picked up his daughter and comforted his wife. “Everything is prepared. Let’s go. Don’t keep Father waiting.”
Only then did First Madam let the matter rest.
The water lantern fair was set up near Qingxu Temple. Whether scholar or commoner, anyone could enter the temple to offer flowers, fruit, incense, and candles, and pray for blessings.
After coming out of the temple, just behind was the capital’s river, and the area nearby was full of river lantern stalls. People could choose whichever style they liked and place them into the water by the riverbank, letting the Water Deity dissolve all calamities.
After getting down from the carriage, the crowd surged to and fro, and the colored lanterns were brilliantly lit.
Cheng Danruo unexpectedly found herself unaccustomed to such a bright night, and was momentarily stunned, feeling an inexplicable urge to laugh.
Yan Hongzhi turned his head and saw his son’s family of three talking affectionately. He could not help but laugh.
His official career had been cut short midway in this life. He was passable at lecturing on learning, but what he understood best was managing a household: marriage should be bound by affection. Whether it was himself or his eldest son, both had married for love and lived in harmony and happiness.
“It is rare for Yin-niang to come out. With Dan-niang by my side, that is enough. You three go on your own; no need to mind us.” He waved his hand grandly and simply sent the three of them off.
Master Yan had originally been uneasy, but Yan Hongzhi had already strode inside, and his little daughter was just then curiously looking around. His heart was suddenly filled with tenderness, and he simply picked the child up. “Since Father has Third Sister to look after him, let us take our time.”
A smile appeared on First Madam’s face, though she still humbly said, “Is this proper?”
“If Father says it is proper, then it is proper.” Master Yan cleared his throat, let his sleeve fall, and took his wife’s hand. “There are many people here. Stay close.”
First Madam’s face flushed like flying clouds, and she cast him a smiling glance.
The family slowly walked inward, boundless in their affection.
Ahead, Yan Hongzhi and Cheng Danruo had already stepped through the gate of Qingxu Temple.
Inside was extremely lively, like the scene at a temple on New Year’s Eve when people scrambled to offer the first incense – a sea of people.
Yan Hongzhi was old and could not endure jostling, so he signaled Cheng Danruo to go offer flowers and candles.
Mo Dian had already bought a basket of flowers and fruit, all produced by the Daoist temple. She only needed to carry it before the divine image, make the offering, and kowtow.
It was crowded here, mostly with common folk, men and women, old and young. In more particular households, women wore veiled hats to cover themselves; in poorer families, people did not scruple about appearing in public.
However, once the process was completed, the treatment of scholars and commoners was clearly distinguished.
Yan Hongzhi could take Cheng Danruo farther back to enter the temple and drink tea, while ordinary families could only leave. If thirsty, they rested in roadside tea sheds; if hungry, they bought two red bean paste buns on the street.
After crossing the second gate, the air immediately became quiet and clear.
A young Daoist attendant led them into the eastern wing, where hot tea and snacks had already been prepared for high officials and nobles to rest.
“Zizhen, long time no see.” A thin, dry old man smiled. “You are in good spirits today.”
Yan Hongzhi said, “What a coincidence. Dan-niang, come quickly and pay your respects to the Minister of Rites.”
Cheng Danruo looked up. She had not expected to meet so soon one of the main figures in the gossip from half a month ago, but she showed nothing on her face and stepped forward to salute. “Greetings.”
“Oh, a female disciple?” Minister Wang was full of vigor and did not forget to call out, “San-niang, stop brewing tea and come meet Master Zizhen.”
The young lady standing behind Minister Wang came out and gracefully dropped a curtsey. “I have seen Master Zizhen.” As she saluted, she stole a glance at Cheng Danruo and winked at her.
Cheng Danruo had not expected there was someone else like herself, who did not stay confined to the inner quarters and had come out instead. She could not help but feel a bit more favorably disposed toward her and smiled slightly in return.
“My adopted daughter.” Yan Hongzhi sat down and casually explained. “So this is your family’s San-niang? Indeed, she is impressive. I heard the ci poetry from some days ago as well. Fine literary talent.”
Wang San-niang said, “A work from the inner chambers. I would not dare accept Master Zizhen’s praise.”
Minister Wang, however, looked rather pleased. “Among all my granddaughters, only San-niang best suits my liking.” He sized up Cheng Danruo. “Since she is your daughter, can she compose poetry? Why not take today’s Water Official Festival as the topic and write a poem?”
Cheng Danruo: “…”
“Dan-niang has only been receiving elementary instruction for two months. Compared with your granddaughter, do you have no shame?” Yan Hongzhi shot back.
Minister Wang revealed a reserved smile. “Then let Young Master Xie do it”
Wang San-niang drew a deep breath. Endure!
Yan Hongzhi could not be bothered to pay him any attention, and instead said, “We two old men will reminisce. You two go out and look around, but do not leave the temple.”
Cheng Danruo’s current guiding principle was this: if Yan Hongzhi did not speak, she would listen as much as possible; once he spoke, she would immediately read the situation and never haggle. “Yes.”
The two girls withdrew together.
Voices came from inside the room. “Li Fangping is sick again?”
A cool breeze passed over the lanterns hanging under the eaves.
Wang San-niang took the initiative and said, “Let’s go to the back and release river lanterns.”
Cheng Danruo nodded. “All right.”
“You’re called Dan-niang? I haven’t seen you before.” Although hailed as the capital’s foremost talented woman, Wang San-niang was not aloof or cold at all. She spoke quickly and directly, very brisk and straightforward.
Cheng Danruo said, “Yes, I have only recently been acknowledged by my adoptive father.”
“Oh.” Wang San-niang looked at her thoughtfully and did not press further. “Then you’ve never released a river lantern, right? The lotus lanterns at Qingxu Temple are the most ingeniously made. They say the Daoist masters have recited scriptures over them, so the Water Deity is more likely to hear them.”
Cheng Danruo’s social skills were rather ordinary, and she usually got by with vague, agreeable responses. “Right, I haven’t.”
Wang San-niang did not mind and explained unhurriedly, “In years past, when Taizu established the capital at Beiping and renamed it Beijing, a wandering Daoist passed through this place. He saw the water rippling gently and the golden light shining brightly, and declared it a sign of peace under heaven. So he built a temple here and enshrined the images of the Three Pure Ones…”
Cheng Danruo listened, absorbed, and before she knew it, they had circled around to the rear courtyard.
The madams and young ladies were all here. The married ones drank tea and chatted, while the unmarried ones seized the chance to get some fresh air. All of them gathered at the water bay behind the Daoist temple.
At the entrance, servant women and family guards had long since been posted, enclosing a quiet area for the noble young ladies to enjoy themselves.
The bright moon hung high, and the narrow little river was covered with beautiful lotus lanterns.
The lanterns were only the size of a palm, with distinct petals, vividly lifelike. Candlelight dyed them a pale red as they drifted downstream, stirring faint ripples in the water. On the pavilion, girls in splendid clothes adorned with gold and silver laughed joyfully, their hairpins and rings chiming, wealthy and at ease.
This was a beauty different from the industrial age: poetic, graceful, and lingering.
Cheng Danruo loved modern convenient devices, but there were always moments when she could not help but be captivated by the beauty of the ancient world.
“Xu-niang, you’ve come.” A familiar sister greeted her with a smile, then was startled when she suddenly noticed a person in Daoist robes standing beside her. “Are you asking for death?”
Wang San-niang was tickled beyond endurance. “Look at you, scared like that. Take a closer look.”
“Don’t tease her.” Another graceful young girl came down from the pavilion and smiled slightly. “Whose family’s young lady is this? She seems unfamiliar from before.”
Wang San-niang said, “Xu Yi-niang, that is a rather meaningless thing to say. Have you seen all the daughters of every household in the capital?”
So this was the Xu family’s daughter.
Cheng Danruo cast her a curious glance.
Beautiful in appearance, well-proportioned in figure, with no shortcomings in outward appearance, and rare in her dignified, quiet elegance and calm bearing. In temperament, she utterly overshadowed the other beauties.
