September 27th. A cloudy day.
According to Jinling’s customs, the day before the wedding, the bride and groom must not see each other.
So early that morning, Xie Wuling went out, while Shen Yujiao, packing some fresh clothes, went with Aunt Liu and her second daughter-in-law to an inn near the Shingwong Temple.
When she entered the elegant upper room, seeing it decorated with red double-happiness characters and hung with red silk, Shen Yujiao was startled. Ignoring propriety, she quickly called to the waiter: “Excuse me, how much silver is it to stay here one night?”
The innboy smiled and said: “Madam Xie, no need to worry about money. This inn belongs to the Chang estate. Sixth Master, knowing that you and Master Xie are to be wed tomorrow, specially arranged this upper room for you. It will also make it easier for Master Xie to come fetch the bride tomorrow.”
So it was arranged by Sixth Master Chang.
Shen Yujiao was taken aback.
The innboy bowed: “Does Xie Niangzi have any other instructions?”
Shen Yujiao came back to herself: “No.”
The innboy said: “Then I’ll withdraw first. Should you need anything, just call.”
Shen Yujiao thanked him, and the innboy closed the door.
Aunt Liu and the Liu family’s second daughter-in-law looked around the spacious, elegant upper room, clicking their tongues: “If one were to pay to stay here, it surely wouldn’t be cheap! Sixth Master is truly generous, and to Ah Ling, there’s simply nothing more to say!”
“Indeed! Look at this location—right beside the Shingwong Temple. Tomorrow when the bridal procession comes, the whole city will be able to bask in your joy!” The second daughter-in-law stood by the window, looking down at the bustling street below.
Aunt Liu circled the room once, then came to Shen Yujiao’s side: “Just rest easy here tonight. Tomorrow morning I’ll bring the joyful matchmaker to dress you up. As for Ping’an, don’t worry—he’s a very good child. Once he’s fed, he sleeps, not a bit of fuss.”
Hearing her tone as though she was about to leave, Shen Yujiao suddenly grew a little nervous:
“Auntie, leaving so soon? Why not stay for a cup of tea?”
Aunt Liu caught her nervousness and chuckled: “No rush. Ah Ling told me himself—afraid you’d be bored alone in the inn, he asked me to stay and keep you company for a while.”
Then she turned to her second daughter-in-law: “You go back and watch the children first. I’ll return later.”
Though the second daughter-in-law still wanted to stroll outside a while, since her mother-in-law had said so, she could only agree: “Mother, then I’ll head back.”
She then bowed to Shen Yujiao: “Sister Jiaoniang, Ping’an will sleep in my room tonight. I’ll take good care of him. You can be at ease and marry with peace of mind tomorrow.”
Shen Yujiao rose and returned the courtesy: “Many thanks, Second Sister.”
Once the second daughter-in-law had gone, Aunt Liu smiled and motioned Shen Yujiao to sit: “She isn’t so polite at home. Only when she meets you—knowing you’re learned, with more knowledge than she—does she treat you with such courtesy.”
Among common folk, all things were of lesser worth—only studying was esteemed. Thus, the learned were especially respected—
Xie Wuling was an exception.
He was born with that boundless, heaven-and-earth confidence that “I, myself, am the greatest.”
At the thought of Xie Wuling, Shen Yujiao grew absent-minded.
Strange too—though it had only been since that morning, not seeing him or hearing his nonstop chatter, she felt something missing.
Aunt Liu saw her distracted look and smiled teasingly: “Thinking of Ah Ling, are you?”
Shen Yujiao started, then flushed red: “No… no.”
Aunt Liu gave a knowing look: “Oh now, what’s there to be shy about? You’re marrying tomorrow, after all.”
Here she paused a moment, then lowered her voice: “When my Taohua was to be married, I too kept her company and had to tell her many things. But you, this isn’t your first marriage, so I needn’t say too much about matters between husband and wife… Still, Jiaoniang, I’m an old hand, let me give you one reminder: newlyweds… if you expect a man to be wholly restrained, that’s impossible…”
Realizing what Aunt Liu was about to say, Shen Yujiao, mortified, twisted at her robe hem.
On the eve of a daughter’s marriage, it was custom for her mother to instruct her in the chamber arts—an age-old tradition.
But last year, when she first wed Pei Xia, her mother was in exile. In the end, it was Gao Momo by Madam Wang’s side who brought her a small booklet and a set of porcelain dolls from the bottom of a chest.
Gao Momo flipped through the booklet with her, then dismantled those finely crafted porcelain dolls to roughly explain.
Seeing her so mortified, Gao Momo gently comforted her: “If you’re still afraid, then just tell your husband—beg him to cherish you. Our young master is ever so gentle; he’ll surely treat you well.”
All those myriad positions in the booklet flashed through her mind like water, yet when it came to the wedding night, she was so nervous she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet.
In the end, she only followed Gao Momo’s teaching—shyly gazing at the handsome groom in his red wedding robes and whispering: “Please, husband, have pity.”
“…Though your pregnancy is stable now, to be safe, intimacy should be avoided. But aside from that, there are other ways to help ease your husband…”
Gao Momo’s voice gradually overlapped with Aunt Liu’s. Shen Yujiao returned to herself to find Aunt Liu leaning close with a knowing look, speaking even lower: “Your hands… and your waist…”
As she rambled on, Shen Yujiao’s pretty face burned crimson, as though blood would drip from it—half embarrassed, half astonished.
So between husband and wife, beyond those porcelain-doll poses, there were so many other… strange ways.
None of which anyone had ever taught her.
Inside the inn, the bride’s cheeks were burning.
Outside the inn, Xie Wuling had yet again instructed the innboy to treat his little wife well. Once sure all was in order, he lifted his head to glance at the upstairs room.
Beside him, Wildcat grinned: “Boss, no need to keep looking. Tomorrow when you marry her home, you can look as long as you like!”
Sparrow added: “Sister-in-law is so beautiful already—once she dons the wedding robes and the flower crown, she’ll be a peerless beauty!”
Hearing their flattery, Xie Wuling’s lips curled up: “Of course. Who else’s wife would she be?”
With that, he strode into the street: “Come, let’s go once more to the wedding shop and check tomorrow’s arrangements again.”
“Alright!” Wildcat and Sparrow hurried to follow.
The three of them stayed in the wedding shop for nearly an hour before Xie Wuling finally came out satisfied.
He had requested five days’ marriage leave from the yamen. With today’s matters finished, he suddenly found himself at loose ends.
Go home? There was no one at home—only an empty house, nothing lively about it.
Not go home? Then wandering about outside, he had nothing to do either—
Just as he was thinking of finding a teahouse, ordering a plate of peanuts to while away the time, he suddenly noticed a velvet-flower shop opening for business. The entrance was laid with red carpet, hung with lanterns, even running a half-price opening promotion. Outside the door, carts and horses clamored, bustling and lively.
There were plenty of velvet-flower shops in Jinling, but one opening on such a grand scale was rare.
Asking around, he learned that the owner was a wealthy merchant from Yangzhou, with no lack of money at home. Having married a Jinling wife, and since the wife wanted to open a shop for fun, he had specially opened this velvet-flower shop to indulge her.
“Our master said, whether it makes money or not is another matter. As long as madam is happy, let her toss about as she likes,” explained the shopkeeper.
At this, Sparrow muttered under his breath: “No wonder they make such a grand affair out of selling velvet flowers—turns out there’s a wasteful woman in the family.”
No sooner had he finished than his head was smacked hard.
Sparrow clutched his forehead and yelped, looking up aggrieved: “Boss, why’d you hit me?”
“What wasteful woman? What the h*ll do you know!” Xie Wuling said. “Old saying goes, a man who cherishes his wife prospers at home. This boss knows how to cherish his wife—fits right with my taste. Come, let’s go in too, and pick a velvet flower for your sister-in-law.”
Jinling velvet flowers had a fine reputation in Jiangnan. Because of their rich beauty and the meaning of “flowers that never wither, a lifetime of prosperity,” they were especially beloved by young maidens and wives.
Inside this newly opened “Ronghua Pavilion,” most of the customers were women. Suddenly three grown men entered, naturally drawing sidelong glances—
“Oh my, even men come to a velvet-flower shop?”
“Look, the tall one—so handsome!”
“I see, I see—which family’s young master might he be?”
Hearing the whispers, Wildcat leaned close to Xie Wuling: “Boss, all the young ladies are staring at you.”
Xie Wuling, eyes straight ahead, looked at the display of delicate, exquisite velvet flowers on the counter, answering carelessly: “Let them look. I’m a grown man—being looked at a few times won’t make me lose any flesh.”
Wildcat choked. That wasn’t what he meant—he’d only wanted to say their boss was popular.
But in this powder-and-rouge place full of women, both Wildcat and Sparrow felt ill at ease. Since they weren’t buying anything, they told Xie Wuling and went to wait at the door.
Xie Wuling, however, who had grown up from childhood among the women on Qinhuai flower boats, raised by courtesans, felt no discomfort at all in a place crowded with women. At ease, he strolled on, continuing to select velvet flowers.
Should he buy this peach blossom? Or that lily?
This peony wasn’t bad either—bright red and festive, perfect for tomorrow’s wedding.
He picked until his eyes swam, every flower seeming suited to his little wife.
If not for the price of each velvet flower being steep, he would have liked to buy a whole set for all four seasons—
Peach blossom in spring, lotus in summer, osmanthus in autumn, plum in winter—so that the scenery of the four seasons could all be worn in Shen Yujiao’s dark hair.
But these days, he had already spent on furniture, clothing, the wedding ceremony, the banquet—expenses everywhere. He had also promised her that in future he would only do proper business, never again take those bloody side jobs from Sixth Master. On the mere stipend from the yamen, just enough to feed the family, there was no room for luxury.
Besides, after the new year, the household would be welcoming a little one.
A man with a family could no longer live with the carefree mindset of “so long as I’m full, the whole family isn’t hungry.”
He sighed inwardly—how even a penny could stump a hero—and turned his gaze away from that set of four seasons. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a white magnolia flower hairpin displayed on another counter.
That magnolia hairpin was different from ordinary velvet flowers. Each lustrous petal was edged with a faint line of gold. The light gilding not only failed to lessen the magnolia’s elegance, but made it appear even more delicate and refined. The whole piece was lifelike; at the tail of the magnolia, a few leaves were inlaid with green jade beads, crystal clear, lively and unique.
At first glance, Xie Wuling thought of how it would look tucked in Shen Yujiao’s hair—so fitting for her refined, scholarly grace.
“Shopkeeper, how much for this flower?”
As he spoke, another deep male voice sounded almost at the same time: “That one—wrap it up.”
Xie Wuling: “…?”
Turning back, he saw not far away a young man in white robes with a jade belt, elegant and outstanding, handsome beyond the ordinary.
Even as a fellow man, Xie Wuling had to admit—this fellow’s looks… well, they were something.
The sort of refined, delicate pretty-boy that young ladies adored.
And clearly one of those pampered noble sons born with a golden spoon—worlds apart from himself.
But now this pretty-boy wanted to fight him over a flower?
Xie Wuling withdrew his gaze, frowned, and slanted a look at the shop boy: “I asked you a question—how much for this flower?”
The shop boy stood there awkwardly for a moment, then said to Xie Wuling: “Apologies, sir, but that flower—this gentleman has already claimed it.”
Xie Wuling said: “I set eyes on it first. Are you blind?”
The shop boy, seeing his ill-tempered look, stammered: “You did ask first, yes, but you only asked the price—not the same as taking it. Whereas this white-robed gentleman has already decided to buy it.”
A short pause, then the shopboy looked toward the two likewise handsome young gentlemen and thought: what kind of day is this — my little shop actually has two pretty young men picking flowers, and they even like the same one.
But the man before him in a tea-green short-robe plainly looked of common birth, no money to speak of.
That white-robed gentleman, however, though dressed with quiet elegance, had a jade hairpin in his head, a jade toggle at his waist, attendants behind him and a fine horse stopped outside — clearly from a wealthy household.
Having made his judgment, the shopboy bowed and forced a smile to Xie Wuling: “Sir, that flower is inlaid with gold wire and its leaves are made of fine jadeite. One blossom costs twenty taels of silver, and this piece is not included in the half-price opening discount… Perhaps you could look at the other flowers — they’re good value over there, please choose a few.”
Hearing “twenty taels,” Xie Wuling’s smile froze a little.
He knew the piece would not be cheap, but twenty taels… he worked as a yamen runner with a monthly stipend of eight taels.
He would have to pawn three months’ wages, not eat for a while, to buy that single flower.
Though short of coin, what nettled him more was the shopboy’s dismissive tone.
Just as the boy took up the filigree magnolia hair-comb and started to pass by, Xie Wuling reached out and caught the boy’s shoulder: “I don’t want the others. If I saw it first, it should be mine.”
Then he looked to the white-robed gentleman: “You look a scholarly sort — you know the rule of first come, first served. I want this flower; go pick another.”
Before the white-robed gentleman could speak, the attendant behind him frowned: “How rude of you. That flower was already reserved by our master — even by order of arrival, our master came first!”
Xie Wuling snorted: “Your master hasn’t said a word, and you, his bootlicker, bark first?”
The attendant bristled: “You insolent rogue, how dare you be so rude!”
“Jinglin.”
The white-robed gentleman cast a slight look; that single glance quieted the attendant, who bowed his head: “My lord.”
“This gentleman’s servant was discourteous — please forgive him.”
Pei Xia— the white-robed man — looked at the remarkable man before him and felt he seemed vaguely familiar, as if seen somewhere, though he could not place it.
If it was a faint memory, it was probably not important.
He did not press it further. Stepping forward one pace, he spoke courteously and evenly: “I am from out of town, just arrived in your fine city. Today I wished to buy some Jinling specialties to present to the women at home. That we both admire the same blossom is fate. Would the gentleman kindly show generosity and let me have this piece? Choose any others you like, of whatever number — I will cover them all.”
Polite and magnanimous.
The young women gathered and whispering said: “This gentleman is truly refined.”
“Did you hear he’ll pay for any others? Oh my, the man opposite looks fierce — will he give it up or take someone to the cleaners?”
“Who knows. It’s only a flower; I’d give it up myself.”
A crowd gathered, and Wildcat and Sparrow, who had been squatting at the door, pushed in too.
When they realized their boss was the center of the commotion, both froze.
“Boss, this fellow looks like he’s got some backing — it’s only a velvet flower, just let it go.” Wildcat advised softly.
Sparrow hurried on: “Yeah, he said he’ll pay for as many as it takes. Such a sucker doesn’t come around every day. Pick a few for Sister-in-law instead — that’d be better than one flower.”
Xie Wuling furrowed his brow and furrowed it again.
He wasn’t inflexible. As Wildcat and Sparrow suggested, it was only one flower; rather than put on airs, it might be an opportunity to fleece this fat sheep.
Yet for some reason, when he looked at the white-robed gentleman — even though the man’s words were polite and his manner agreeable — he felt off.
He could not say exactly why.
It was an elusive, intangible feeling — if forced to name it, perhaps a clash of aura?
“Am I the sort to take petty advantages?”
Xie Wuling shot Wildcat and Sparrow a look. “A thousand taels can’t buy what I like. Besides, this is for my Jiaoniang! I will give her the best — I can’t hand her some shabby flowers to get by.”
He lifted his chin and put on an uncompromising look, facing Pei Xia: “You take gifts for your wife when you travel, so you are an honorable sort… but if you want to buy a flower for your wife, I want this one for mine. I’m marrying tomorrow and want a good omen — I can’t give this to you. Look at something else.”
Hearing him call her “Jiaoniang,” Pei Xia’s eyes stirred.
And hearing that Xie Wuling was to be married tomorrow…
Well, why quarrel with a rustic rogue?
After a moment’s silence he turned to the shopboy: “Let this blossom be for that gentleman.”
The shopboy blinked in surprise; Jinglin, the attendant, was taken aback as well: “My lord!”
Pei Xia said nothing more, only cast Xie Wuling a cool glance.
Jinglin immediately shrank his neck, inwardly furious and aggrieved — the flower was plainly intended for his lord first; how could it be given to this rogue!
If this rogue had behaved nicely, so be it. But he carried himself with such arrogance! He ought to have the guards drag him out and teach him a lesson, to restore some dignity! His lord’s temper was simply too mild.
Pei Xia did not look at that flower again. He scanned the cabinets along the wall and pointed to the set of four-season flowers: “That one — wrap it up.”
He also selected several other gold-edged, filigree velvet blossoms; the shopkeeper boxed them and had Jinglin pay the silver.
The shopkeeper, seeing this gentleman spend so lavishly — buying only the finest in their shop — grinned until his teeth showed, bowing repeatedly: “Please, sir, take a seat in our elegant room and enjoy some tea. Once these are packed up, I’ll come report to you.”
Pei Xia said: “No need for tea. Pack them quickly, I still have matters to attend to.”
Hearing this, the shopkeeper immediately called over other assistants: “Quick, quick, put aside whatever you’re doing, come pack these boxes!”
That side bustled with activity. On the other side, the shopboy holding the filigree camellia hair-comb forced a stiff smile at Xie Wuling: “This gentleman, you should know, our shop only takes cash, no credit. With thanks for your patronage, the total is twenty taels of silver!”
Xie Wuling’s face stiffened too. H*ll’s teeth, who strolls the streets carrying twenty taels of silver on them?
“How much silver do you two have on you?” he asked Wildcat and Sparrow.
They awkwardly fumbled through their pouches, pulling out only a few coppers. “Boss, this is all we’ve got.”
Xie Wuling’s expression turned even darker.
The shopboy understood then — just a pack of paupers, huh? Putting on airs while they can’t even afford it?
Unable to resist, he added mockingly: “Why not, before that gentleman leaves, let him have this velvet flower? You can pick some other blossoms instead, take them home to cheer your wife.”
“How the h*ll are you talking to me?” Xie Wuling’s fist clenched tight. Wildcat and Sparrow, sensing danger, rushed in to hold him down on either side—
“Boss, calm down, calm down!”
“You’re marrying tomorrow — don’t go stirring up trouble!”
That reminder forced down some of the fire in Xie Wuling’s chest.
Marriage was big, venting anger small.
Just then, a slightly haughty voice cut in: “My lord says, put this flower on his tab — let it be his wedding gift to this gentleman.”
All three of them froze, looking up to see the attendant carrying the gift box, gazing at them coolly.
Meanwhile, the refined gentleman had already stepped outside, with a shop assistant holding the reins of his white horse.
Hearing this, Wildcat and Sparrow lit up with joy, bowing repeatedly: “Ah, your master is truly a good man! Many thanks, many thanks!”
Jinglin curled his lip, saying nothing, only giving a cool grunt.
He turned to go, but a cold voice rang out from behind: “Thanks to your master’s kindness, but this flower is for my wife. How could I let him spend for it?”
Xie Wuling strode up to the cash counter, squinting at the shopkeeper: “Return him the twenty taels. I’ll pay it myself!”
The shopkeeper hesitated: “This…”
Bang! Xie Wuling slapped the elm counter, the crack making the shopkeeper’s heart jump. No longer daring to delay, he hurriedly pulled twenty taels from the drawer and handed them back to Jinglin with a sheepish smile: “Since this gentleman insists on paying himself, please take back your master’s generosity.”
Seeing this, Jinglin muttered inwardly — truly a dog biting Lu Dongbin, not recognizing a good heart. He said no more, pocketed the silver, and headed out.
Tilting his face up, he seemed to explain something to the noble gentleman already mounted.
The refined lord held the reins and cast a long, deep look back into the shop at Xie Wuling.
Xie Wuling felt the weight of that gaze, lifted his chin, and stared straight back.
Their eyes locked, sparks flying in silence.
After only two breaths, the jade-like gentleman withdrew his gaze, the corner of his mouth seeming to twitch faintly.
Before Xie Wuling could see clearly, he had already ridden away.
“Boss, what was that about…” Wildcat and Sparrow were baffled — why was the boss so stubborn today? Not taking advantage was just being a fool!
Xie Wuling said lazily: “You two guard the flower here. I’m going back to fetch the money.”
Leaving those words, he strode out of Ronghua Pavilion.
Yet he couldn’t help but glance again toward the direction the white-robed gentleman had gone, brows furrowing tight.
That pale pretty face — why was he so d*mned irritating?
