Volume One, Spring Lock in the Garden, Chapter Four: The Young Man on the Road
Through Ruan Bi's careful observation, she discovered that everything about the original owner was unique. For example, other girls had one or two mature and steady mothers in their rooms, while her room only had three immature maids, and even the oldest, Dongxue, was only sixteen years old.
For example, the other girls usually visited each other regularly. The third girl would often come to the fourth girl's house to do needlework together, and the fourth girl would often go to her courtyard to read together. Occasionally, these girls would go out to see the temple fair together. Only she was never visited, nor was she ever invited to visit.
Every morning and evening, the old lady and the first lady would only glance at her out of the corner of their eyes, never asking about her situation, let alone showing any concern for her well-being.
...In short, the original owner was synonymous with tragedy, and what's even more tragic is that Ruan Bi took over her job.
Two days later, it was the third day of the third lunar month, the Shangsi Festival. This festival, also known as the Girls' Festival, was one of the few festivals in which women could go out and play in the streets.
Early in the morning, Dongxue went to the kitchen to get shepherd's purse flowers and spread them all over Ruanbi's bed, putting the extras in a vase on the table. She also filled Ruanbi's hair buns with shepherd's purse flowers. Ruanbi looked in the mirror and thought it looked rather rustic. She wanted to take them off, but was scolded for all the customs and rules, so she had to give up.
Dressed and ready, they waited at the gate. The owners of each courtyard, accompanied by their maids and servants, crowded and jostled, filling almost half the courtyard. Ruan Bi noticed one woman who stood out remarkably. She looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, tall and graceful, with a quiet demeanor. She bore a resemblance to Fourth Miss Ruan and guessed she was Concubine Lin. Sure enough, when Fourth Miss Ruan arrived, she gave her a half-bow. Another woman, also around twenty-five or twenty-six, was leading Fourth Young Master Ruan Jia Ke. Her clothes were much more luxurious than those of the maids and servants. She was pretty, but slightly less so than Concubine Lin. This must be Sun, another concubine of Minister Ruan.
After standing for about half an incense stick's time, a group of maids and servants escorted the Old Madam, the First Madam, the Second Madam, the Second Miss, the Third Miss, and the Seventh Miss over. Everyone bowed in greeting. The Second Miss Ruan was dressed exceptionally brightly today, wearing a light yellow spring dress that fluttered in the wind. She only had a single, inconspicuous wildflower tucked into her hair. Compared to her, Dongxue regretted not listening to Ruan Bi and not wearing so many flowers.
Everyone had arrived. The old lady led the way, flanked by Wang Shi and the second young lady Ruan. A large group of maids and servants surrounded the mistresses as they walked out the gate. Three ornate carriages bearing the Ruan family's insignia, two blue-draped carriages bearing the same insignia, and four oxcarts were already waiting outside. The old lady boarded the lead carriage, Wang Shi and the second young lady boarded the second, the second lady boarded the third with the third and seventh young ladies, the fourth and sixth young ladies and Ruan Bi boarded the blue-draped carriage, and Aunt Lin and Aunt Sun, along with Ruan Jia Ke, rode in the fourth carriage. The oxcarts were for the maids, servants, and boys.
The carriage moved slowly. Ruan Bi lifted the curtain to look out and saw many horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians, all heading in one direction. The streets were mostly lined with single-story houses, with the occasional four-story building appearing out from the signs; they looked like restaurants. Shops lined the road, and the pedestrians were neatly dressed and had peaceful expressions.
Before Ruan Bi could examine it closely, the Sixth Sister raised her hand and slapped it hard on the hand. She raised her eyebrows and said, "Fifth Sister, don't cause any more trouble and implicate me and Fourth Sister."
The fourth sister chimed in, "Yes, fifth sister, it's rare for us to leave the manor, so it's best to behave ourselves."
Ruan Bi smiled slightly, released her hand, and the curtain fell. "Why did Fourth Sister and Sixth Sister go to such lengths just to take a look?"
The sixth sister smiled dismissively. "I forgot that the fifth sister doesn't know the saying 'Don't look at things that are not right, and don't listen to things that are not right.'"
Ruan Bi smiled and said, "Likewise, Sixth Sister doesn't know the difference between superiors and inferiors, or the order of seniority either, does she?"
The fourth sister was taken aback and looked closely at Ruan Bi.
The sixth girl sneered and said, "I wonder which backwater you came from, that you dare to talk about the difference between superiors and inferiors?"
"Even if you know which nook or cranny it is, it's still the same."
"Pah, who's like you?"
Ruan Bi smiled and pointed ahead. "No, then take the carriage in front."
The sixth girl blushed and was speechless for a moment.
The fourth sister looked at Ruan Bi in surprise. Was this still the same clumsy, timid, and cowardly fifth sister? When did she become so eloquent? And throughout, she remained calm and smiling.
"Alright, alright, we're all sisters, from the same background, why bother comparing who's better?" Fourth Sister smiled and smoothed things over, giving Ruan Bi a meaningful look. "Sixth Sister is young, Fifth Sister, please let her have her way."
The sixth sister scoffed and said, "Who wants her to give way? She's just a shameless, immoral person. I'm not going to bother talking to her." She then took the fourth sister's hand and said in a feignedly affectionate tone, "Fourth sister, let me tell you, a few days ago, Mother... Aunt Sun sent me a piece of Suzhou embroidery..."
Ruan Bi turned her head away, adopting a "don't listen to nonsense" attitude.
After leaving the city and traveling for about several miles, the carriage stopped. The maids, servants, and young men alighted first, and after the curtains were drawn, the women disembarked and went inside. Mats were laid out on the grass, along with low tables and several kinds of fresh fruit. Just as they were settled, a young maidservant with an unfamiliar face approached and asked, "Are you from the residence of Minister Ruan?"
The servant of the Ruan family answered, "Yes."
The maid asked again, "Is Miss Ruan here? Does my mistress wish to see you?"
The servants of the Ruan family asked again, "Who is your second young lady?"
The maidservant proudly declared, "It is Miss Xie, the second daughter of the Marquis of Yanping's residence."
Aside from Ruan Bi, the other mistresses in the palace had already guessed the young maid's background. The eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yanping had given birth to the Emperor's eldest son earlier this year and was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. The Xie family's status had also risen accordingly, becoming incredibly influential in the capital, enjoying unparalleled fame. When the second young lady of the Xie family came to invite them, the Old Madam and the First Madam were naturally delighted. They each gave the second young lady a few words of advice and instructed their servants to prepare a basket of rare orchids as a gift for her.
Apart from Ruan Bi, the other girls felt a little jealous as the second young lady walked away with her head held high. The difference was that some showed it on their faces, such as the third and sixth young ladies, while others tried their best to hide it, such as the fourth young lady. Not long after the second young lady left, the old lady waved her hand and said, "Today is the Shangsi Festival. Everyone doesn't need to stay here. Go and perform the purification ritual to get rid of bad luck."
This means you're free to do as you please.
Ruan Bi was overjoyed. For someone accustomed to freedom, life in the inner chambers was like a giant iron cage.
The third and seventh girls left together, as did the fourth and sixth girls, leaving Ruan Bi alone again. She walked outside the curtained area and looked around. Along both banks of the river, there were curtains everywhere, some with large embroidered signs. Most of the people coming and going were women, with only a few men occasionally seen, either coachmen or servants dressed in blue robes. It seemed this stretch of river was customarily used for the wives and children of officials to perform purification rituals.
The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. The river flowed gently, and the willows were green. Ruan Bi took a deep breath, and the frustration brought on by her transmigration to this other world seemed to have dissipated considerably. Dong Xue tugged at her sleeve and said, "Miss, let's go and offer sacrifices to Gao Xie first."
Ruan Bi didn't know what Gao Xie was, but she guessed it was related to marriage, since it was the Girls' Festival after all. "Where is Gao Xie?"
Dongxue pointed to a large willow tree not far away and said, "It's right there."
Ruan Bi glanced over in surprise and saw several young women in fine clothes bowing with their hands clasped in front of the willow tree, but she couldn't see any altar. Upon closer inspection, she discovered a three-foot-high earthen altar beneath the willow tree, inside which was a nude female statue, seemingly a remnant of matriarchal clan worship.
Dongxue whispered, "Miss, remember to ask Gao Xie for a good marriage later."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sneer came from behind.
Ruan Bi turned around and saw the second young lady and another girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old standing behind her with three maids. The second young lady had an expression of watching a good show. The girl was dressed in a pink spring dress, with delicate features, but her expression was arrogant, and there was a mocking smile on her lips. This person must be Xie Mingzhu, the second young lady of the Marquis of Yanping's family.
Ruan Bi ignored her, bowed to Gao Xie, and turned to leave.
"Stop!" Xie Mingzhu shouted in a low voice.
Ruan Bi had no intention of paying any attention to this self-important young girl and kept walking, but Xie Mingzhu's two maids blocked her way. Xie Mingzhu walked slowly up to her, looked her up and down, and said mockingly, "Look at yourself, with all those flowers in your hair, do you think you're from a peasant family? With your looks, you're not even good enough to carry my second brother's shoes, yet you still covet him, how shameful."
Ruan Bi smiled and asked, "May I ask who your second brother is?"
Xie Mingzhu was taken aback by her remark and was momentarily stunned. Other women from official families around her covered their mouths and laughed. Xie Mingzhu assumed they were laughing at her, her face flushed, and she glared at Ruan Bi, about to speak. Ruan Bi's second daughter stepped forward, blocking her way, and said to Ruan Bi, "Alright, Fifth Sister, Xie Bi's second daughter is a kind and honest person, unlike your quick wit."
Ruan Bi sighed inwardly. "Original owner, oh original owner, how did you end up like this? You were bullied at home, and when you were bullied outside, your own family even sided with the outsiders." She pondered for a moment, knowing she would definitely not gain anything, and then said with a grin, "Second sister, I was just joking with Miss Xie."
Her words and actions were so different from before that the second young lady looked at her in confusion, momentarily forgetting to regain her composure. Ruan Bi bowed and quickly led Dong Xue away. After walking a short distance, Dong Xue breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Miss, you scared me to death just now."
"They don't eat people, what are you afraid of?"
Unexpectedly, her usually timid daughter would say such a thing. Dongxue was stunned for a moment, then said, "It's so good that you're like this, Miss."
Ruan Bi turned her head and smiled at her, exuding a bright and carefree aura.
Dongxue was stunned. When she came to her senses, Ruanbi was already waving to her from the water's edge: "Come quickly for the purification ritual."
The so-called purification ritual does not actually involve bathing in a river; it simply involves washing hands and feet with orchid grass for good luck.
After the purification ritual was completed, Ruan Bi took Dong Xue for a stroll. Being confined to the small courtyard for over a month had been incredibly stifling for her. They hadn't walked far when they saw a stretch of green willows ahead, seemingly endless, their green hue bathed in a soft light, a sight to behold. She walked over with delight, when suddenly she heard faint laughter. Curious, she parted the willow branches and saw about a dozen young men in brocade robes and jade belts sitting on the winding riverbank. Two servants were placing wine cups in the water, which floated downstream… They were playing a game called "Floating Wine Cups on a Winding Stream."
Dongxue's expression changed drastically. She tugged at Ruanbi's sleeve and said, "Miss, let's go quickly."
Ruan Bi knew that men and women were strictly separated in this era, so she nodded and was about to take a step. Unexpectedly, someone pushed her from behind, and she stumbled a few steps. When she regained her balance, she was already standing by the water. The dozen or so boys all looked up at her, their gazes piercing. Even though she was naturally carefree, she felt a little embarrassed.
Ruan Jiaxuan suddenly stood up, frowned, and looked at Ruan Bi, saying, "What are you doing here?"
Ruan Bi looked closely and realized it was him, and she knew something was wrong.
A young man's voice came from behind: "Does Jiaxuan know her?" As he spoke, the man had already walked to the water's edge. He was a boy of sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a black and purple brocade robe. He was tall and handsome, but his expression was nonchalant as he casually waved the riding whip in his hand.
Ruan Jiaxuan blushed slightly and said, "This is my fifth sister. She also came to the Yichun River for purification ritual today. I suppose she just happened to wander here."
The purple-robed youth raised an eyebrow at Ruan Bi and said, "Is this the one who admires Mingyue?"
Ruan Jiaxuan was extremely embarrassed.
The boy in the purple robe said again, "I saw her standing suspiciously behind the willow tree just now, peeking at the bright moon, right?"
The crowd burst into laughter, their gazes fixed on a young man in a blue brocade robe standing by the river. The young man was handsome, but his face was flushed red. He suddenly stood up, threw his wine cup at the young man in the purple robe, and said, "Gu Xiaobai, stop talking nonsense."
Gu Xiaobai brandished his whip, knocked the wine cup to the ground, and said with a grin, "Mingyue, don't be annoyed. You've been sitting on the shore for half an hour, and only this little girl came to spy on you. That shows how charming you are."
The crowd burst into laughter again, and one of the young men, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen, waved his hand and said, "What Xiaobai said is true. Mingyue's charm is unmatched. However, how could ordinary beauties possibly covet her? She's just adding to the amusement."
Gu Xiaobai? Xiaobai? Ruan Bi couldn't help but smirk as she recalled the famous "Xiaobai" from later generations. Gu Xiaobai, unaware that she was laughing at his name, assumed she was pleased because everyone praised her "bright moon-like elegance." He felt a surge of disdain, thinking to himself, "This woman can still laugh even when called a 'common beauty'; her shamelessness is truly rare."
Xie Mingyue's expression softened slightly, and she said, "Xiao Bai, why are you only arriving now? Quickly drink three cups of the penalty wine."
"That's right, that's right," everyone agreed.
"He deserves to be punished, he deserves to be punished." Gu Xiaobai slowly walked to the water's edge and sat down. A servant handed him a wine cup, which he drank in one gulp. Everyone cheered loudly, having long forgotten about Ruan Bi standing to the side. Ruan Jiaxuan glared at Ruan Bi, both annoyed and disgusted, and whispered, "Aren't you leaving yet?"
Ruan Bi quickly took Dong Xue away, realizing something bad was about to happen.
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